Chapter VIII - Jason III
It was fortunate that he had stirred from his sleep rather early to wake Jaime in time. Father wanted them to get prepared quickly before they came down to the sea gates within Casterly Rock itself. The reason for such importance was that Lady Jeyne Farman would be arriving at the great castle of House Lannister to serve as Cersei's handmaiden.
Normally, no fuss would be made over such an event, with Cersei already having Melara Weatherspoon by her side. But Regenard Farman, whose title by birth was Lord of Faircastle, had made the worst mistake possible by any lord in the Westerlands, or for that matter any lord in the Seven Kingdoms: he had uttered words of possible rebellion against Tywin Lannister.
Whether he would have had the bravery, or rather stupidity, to go through with such an act, Jason did not know, but he did know that Father, while back in King's Landing, heard of such insolence and sent a singer to the island of Faircastle.
That singer brought only his voice, which sang "The Rains of Castamere" throughout the island, and a paper which stated Lord Tywin's terms. Among them was to have his daughter delivered to serve as Cersei Lannister's handmaiden within Casterly Rock. Jaime told Jason that was the courteous way of saying Lady Jeyne would serve as a hostage to ensure Lord Regenard learned his place.
Jason felt uncomfortable at the thought of possessing someone like such, but he reminded himself that Father always did what needed to be done to protect House Lannister. Besides, he told himself, now House Farman would be able to continue ruling their island. That was not a privilege Father granted to the Reynes and Tarbecks.
If he was being quite honest, this was not a particularly exciting event for him or Jaime. His elder half-brother seemed to have no enthusiasm over Cersei's female companions, though Jason had heard in the last few weeks Uncle Gerion and some other knights discussed the idea of Jaime being close to the age of betrothal.
But when he once brought it up with Jaime after a long day in the sparring yards, he received a scoff and a look that indicated that Jaime did not take the issue as seriously as others did.
"I don't want to think about a wife now," he said. "I want to fight and be here with you and Cersei and Tyrion. I'm still a child."
Jason thus never brought up the subject again to Jaime, and he knew Cersei would loathe such news, with her being so close to Jaime for some reason. Jason knew she was close to Jaime, but he thought it was immature for Jaime to think that he would remain unwed forever. And Tyrion…he was simply too young to understand such a subject.
So Jaime and Jason hurried down to the sea yards to be alongside Father and the others when the Farmen ship arrived. Of course, Jason would stand behind his Lannister siblings during the procession. The most annoying thing about that part of important events was that it made it difficult to see knights in their armor or the great lords of the Westerlands when they arrived at Casterly Rock. Tyrion was not to come, to not make House Lannister seem weak when they wished to convey strength to an unruly vassal.
"We should hurry," Jason quickly said to Jaime as they hurriedly descended the steps to the dock, "lest Father scold us for being late."
"We'll be fine," Jaime said while moving down the steps as fast as he could. "You and Cersei always worry too much. You don't like each other but you have that in common."
Even in something as mundane as hurrying down the steps, Jaime sought to beat Jason in some odd race. When his bastard half-brother got ahead, he saw Jaime move much faster simply to get down faster.
"Be careful, you could trip," Jason warned him, exasperated that Jaime chose now to do this.
Jaime only smiled back at him. "I thought you were the one who didn't wish to be late. Guess I was wrong."
Whenever Jaime wanted to compete in something, Jason could not help but play along even if he knew better than to do so. He then ran down the stairs at a speed he hoped was faster than Jaime. At least we won't be late, Jason rationalized to himself. Unless we trip and fall, then we'll be dead.
The two reached the sea gates and saw that many of their important family members were already waiting for the Farmans' ship to arrive. Their aunt and uncles, soldiers, distant cousins, several notable lords who came to Casterly Rock's court, and of course, Cersei and their father were already there. Cersei turned back and looked unamused as Jaime and Jason arrived.
"Well well, it seems you two decided to take this seriously."
"It's Jason who deserves the credit," Jaime said as he caught his breath. "He stirred me up early so we could make it to the docks here in time."
"Good work, Jason," Uncle Gerion said, his head turned back to face his eldest brother's children. Jason smiled at the compliment and turned to look at Cersei. He didn't know why, for he didn't expect his half-sister to appreciate his efforts. Her face didn't change, one of condescension and superiority.
"Well done, Hill. You've done your duty as a servant to House Lannister. Now be quiet until Lord Farman's ship arrives in the harbor."
Jason was accustomed to Cersei's remarks against him, so her backhanded compliment didn't lead to more than an annoyed breath through his nose and a fake smile.
"Thank you, Lady Cersei. You're very kind today."
It was then that the girl next to Cersei whispered in her ear while looking back at him, and Jason heard the two giggle at whatever jest they made about him that they believed was clever. Jason sadly knew the girl was Cersei's other handmaiden, Melara Heatherspoon. To say the least, Melara somehow had an even lower opinion of Jason than Cersei did, using insults as her method of trying to remind Jason of his "place."
She had arrived in Cersei's service a year ago from her family's keep somewhere close to the Ocean Road between Crakehall to its south and Casterly Rock to its north. Melara's father, Ser Jorian Hetherspoon, was a landed knight given lands and a keep for his service under House Lannister, first in the war against Maelys Blackfire and then to crush the rebellion of the Reynes and Tarbecks.
Melara, second child to Ser Jorian and his wife, Lady Miranna Costayne, after her brother Varrik, was as tall as Cersei and had long black hair that flowed down to her back. Jason thought her face was pretty, and she had a thin waist. Jason hated how he found Melara to be pretty when she treated him so poorly, even worse than Cersei.
It was then that Jason saw Lord Tywin himself looking back at him and Jaime, and his blood ran cold. His lord father seemed to have a calm look on his face, yet his eyes would fill Jason with the utmost fear every time the Hand of the King looked at his natural son.
"Yes, you did well," Tywin remarked. "When Jeyne Farman arrives, you will escort her to her quarters. Cersei and Lady Melara will accompany you. I assume you know the layout of Casterly Rock enough to help guide her to her new chambers.
Seven hells, Jason thought. Cersei and Melara are coming with me? Uncle Tyg's sparring practice can't come soon enough. At the very least, he wasn't mad enough to visibly show his displeasure with his father's request.
"Of course, Father," he replied, attempting to push his chest out and keep a stoic demeanor on his face. Lord Tywin nodded and turned around as Jason felt someone pulling his left arm from in front of him. He didn't even need to look down before knowing it originated from a rather sympathetic Jaime.
"Sorry I can't come, but Father wants me to spend two hours reading with him and Maester Sarwin before sparring practice today."
Jason remembered how Jaime told him three days ago about his new schedule, how the old maester said his eyes read letters "differently" than they should. Their father said Jaime would spend four hours a day reading, two before and two after sparring practice. If Lord Tywin was in the capital, Maester Sarwin would assume full responsibility for Jaime's instruction. Jason and Tyrion had been told about it just as Cersei barged into their room after that incident with the servant girl.
Tywin's heir loathed the idea of being locked in a room with nothing but books and older men. Jason Hill knew his elder half-brother enjoyed nothing more than sparring except for perhaps Cersei, though the bastard himself felt sad that Jaime did not enjoy reading as much as he did. At least in that regard, Tyrion often gave Jason company in Casterly Rock's ancient and vast library.
To his brother Jaime, Jason Hill smiled. "It'll be alright. We'll spar with each other in practice later. When you're Lord of Casterly Rock, you'll thank Father for having you focus so much on your reading."
Jaime rolled his eyes. "Don't count on it."
The two tried as hard as possible to contain their laughter, only to see that Lord Tywin was looking back at them with a more irritated expression than what he had just earlier shown. It was the brothers' queue to immediately cease their jests and stand at attention, and only when their father turned back around could they let out their breath in relief.
Shortly after that, Jason saw a large ship come into view. It had eight large sails and looked to be as wide as two or three carriages side-to-side. Its one end had a long beakhead that reached out to become more visible than the rest of it. Jason recognized it as being a carrack, an enormous ship with sails used for transporting people in times of peace.
Jason had been educated on ships a few times prior by Maester Sarwin and Uncle Tyg, who were chosen by their father to educate them in combat. Jaime, for his dislike of reading, enjoyed the drawings of the ships within the book, written about fifty years ago by Maester Jarrad in Lannisport whilst serving that city's cadet branch of House Lannister. For as much as he enjoyed reading words, Jason Hill admitted that the drawings of the ships were far easier to read and remember.
As the ship approached the sea docks of Casterly Rock, Jason could more clearly see the large vessel's flags, which were adorned with House Farman's sigil of three boats in a sea of blue bordered by crimson and fold. The carrack itself had holes scattered on its sides, designed for men with longbows and crossbows to look out for Ironborn marauders.
The large vessel moved through the waters until it slowed down as it approached the docks. It came to a stop near the landing spot, and Jason did not know what was going on until he saw a smaller wooden boat be lowered from the side of the ship to his right. Once it hit the water, Jason saw a number of oarsmen row as several individuals were in the middle of them.
The boat soon came to the side of one of the docks before ceasing. Several soldiers under House Lannister lent a hand to help the occupants of the boat onto the wooden platform, and Jason could clearly see who they were. The party consisted of a grown man covered in a yellow-and-black mantle, the blonde hair on his head mixed with traces of silver. Jason could tell he was Lord Regenard Farman, the lack of facial hair indicating he planned to appear at his best when in front of the Lannisters.
Following Lord Regenard were two young men who looked to be similar in age to Jaime and Jason, if only older by a year or two. One of them was wearing the colors of House Farman, meaning he was Lord Regenard's son and heir, Sebaston. The other one, who looked a tad older than Sebaston Farman, wore less fine clothes and had the sigil of a tall mountain surrounded by a green background. Jason assumed he was Lord Regenard's squire, but he couldn't remember the house from which such a sigil originated.
The final person to come off the small boat was a girl who stood out in an assortment of ways. The girl had blonde hair of a darker shade than Jaime, Cersei, or Tyrion, and she wore a dress that was pink in color. It was clear to Jason that this was Jeyne Fatman, yet what was most noticeable was her size, something her dress brought attention to.
To put it lightly, she was…heavy. Her cheeks were round and soft, which Jason noticed were far different from the sharp ones on either side of Cersei's face. Lady Jeyne's arms were wider than Cersei's or Melara's, and the same applied to her shoulders. Then again, Jason thought to himself, so long as she treats me better than Melara, I'll help her eat whatever she wants.
Lord Regenard Farman and the children accompanying him walked up to Tywin Lannister and bowed deeply. "My lord Hand," the Lord of Faircastle said, "thank you for hosting us. I hope we arrived at a time of your liking."
Jason did not hear his father say anything, and the docks fell silent in a chilling manner. Yet Jason knew it was Lord Regenard who was the most afraid, having already greatly displeased the Lion of Caterly Rock. He obviously had no desire to make him more angry, so he swallowed and continued.
"This here," Regenard said, putting a hand around the Farman boy, "is my son and heir, Sebaston."
The boy bowed to Lord Tywin. "My lord."
Regenard then gestured the other lad, the one with the less impressive sigil. "This is my squire, Gerald Clifton." The other boy proceeded to nod and show his respects like Lord Regenard's son did.
"And this," Lord Regenard took his daughter's hand, "is my dear daughter Jeyne. She is delighted to serve as Cersei's lady-in-waiting."
The girl smiled and stepped forward before curtsying before Jason's father. "It's a pleasure to be in your presence, my Lord. I thank you for allowing me to stay in Casterly Rock to accompany your daughter."
Tywin Lannister said nothing to her, merely nodding before turning to Lord Regenard. "And I assume your men will be bringing her necessary belongings shortly?"
"Y-Yes, Lord Tywin," Regenard stammered, "her clothes and other essential items will be brought along shortly."
"Good. You and your company besides your daughter have your rooms prepared to stay the night. You'll depart in the morning."
"Thank you, my Lord."
Lord Regenard sounded very much frightened for his life in every word he uttered to Lord Tywin. The carrack soon creaked once more as it began to move so that it would be next to the docks to unload its cargo. As it slowed down, Jason could see men on the vessel begin to attack large boxes to ropes, which he knew would be lowered down to the docks to be delivered up to her new quarters.
Aunt Genna, standing right behind Lord Tywin, leaned backward to quietly speak to Jason in her usual tone of snark. "Thank the Seven there's another lady here. They're so many men in this castle that the only women I see around here are Cersei, the Heatherspoon girl, and myself."
Jason smiled at his aunt's insult of Melara, though he then realized that he had never been around too many girls who weren't old and grown. Sure, some distant female cousins were occasionally seen, but what would they want to do with a bastard? It was a shame that the only ones at his age around Casterly Rock were usually Cersei and Melara, who both looked down upon him. If he was being honest, he did not expect much better from Cersei's new handmaiden.
"Jason!"
The sound of his father's voice made him flinch, especially when it was clear and in a raised voice instead of his usual calm and quiet tone. Not wanting to disappoint or, gods forbid, anger his father, Jason quickly made his way to where his presence was requested. It was only when Jason Hill arrived there that he realized he was now in front of Lord Regenard Farman himself, being made the center of attention if only for a brief moment.
"Lord Regenard, this is my bastard, Jason Hill," Lord Tywin said to his vassal. "He will escort your daughter to her chambers, and he will be joined by my daughter and her other handmaiden."
Jason was terrified to be in front of a noble lord, even more so than Lord Regenard, a man who came terrifyingly close to having the Lion of Casterly Rock show him the meaning of the lyrics in "The Rains of Castamere." Jason could only swallow and bow as deeply as he could to Lord Regenard and then to Jeyne Farman.
"Welcome to Casterly Rock, my lord," he said to Lord Farman before turning to address his daughter. "Lady Jeyne, this castle is made brighter by your presence."
Uncle Kevan had taught Jaime, Jason, and Tyrion the basics of courtesy for dealing with lords and ladies. He reminded Jason that, as a Hill, he would have a greater responsibility to treat nobles with the proper courtesy. Uncle Gerion advised the children to add the "brighter by your presence" line to flatter young girls. This exasperated Kevan, though he notably didn't disagree with him.
Regenard Farman nodded and turned to his daughter. "Follow Lord Tywin's bastard to your quarters, Jeyne. I'll meet with you later for supper. Be sure to make friends with Lord Tywin's daughter, for you will be with her for a long time."
"Yes, Father."
Jeyne nodded to her father before walking up to Jason. Remembering more of what his uncles taught him, Jason knelt down and laid a small kiss on Jeyne's hand. When he looked up, he saw Lady Jeyne smiling, which was a major relief that he didn't mess up a simple task.
"Come on then, we should get moving, Hill."
The relief would disappear as he heard Cersei call to him, and Jason could almost feel Melara's sneer directed at him.
"Of course," Jason said. "If you would follow me, I will lead you to your quarters."
"Thank you," Jeyne replied. "I just wanted to say that your hair is so…bright."
Now Jason was confused. "Forgive me, my lady…bright?"
"Yes, like the sun that shines at dawn over Faircastle. I think it's very nice. The brightest blonde hair I have ever seen."
Out of all the things Jason expected from his half-sister's new friend, compliments were about the last of them. He could only give a stunned yet grateful smile and bow towards her deeply out of respect.
"T-thank you, my lady. You're very kind."
"Jason," Lord Tywin said in a louder voice, "if you are done, escort Lady Jeyne to her quarters."
Jason quickly felt his relief and gratitude turn to terror at his father's voice. He quickly turned towards him and bowed deeper to the point his back felt like it would detach from his legs.
"Apologies, my Lord Father. I'll be on my way immediately."
"We don't have all day, bastard."
Jason heard Melara laugh as soon as the insult left her lips as if she had just said the world's most humorous joke. He then saw Lord Tywin stare down at Melara with a cold gaze, and when the lady-in-waiting saw his eyes glaring at her, Melara's smile vanished as she looked down. Jason smirked if only because he was glad she shut her mouth for a minute.
He then walked ahead as Jeyne Farman, Melara, and Cersei all followed behind him. Jason knew most of Casterly Rock by memory, though his aunt and uncles had always warned about some of the more intricate tunnels being easy to get lost in. It was enough to scare away Jason, Cersei, and Tyrion, yet it was intriguing to Jaime. If there was one thing Jason agreed with Cersei on, it was that Jaime was far too willing to endanger himself for thrills.
The four of them ascended up the stairs as Lord Regenard's servants began to follow behind with Jeyne's belongings. Jason was relieved that the docks were not close to the Rock's dungeons, which he himself was a tad frightened to visit (though of course, Jaime was not). He made sure to remark on the levels of the castle as they went up, from the servants' quarters to the kitchens to the armories.
He was about to show them some gardens - Uncle Gerion said girls always liked to be in gardens - when he heard loud breathing behind him. Jason knew the sound of that exhausted breath all too well from sparring practice, so he looked behind to see it was Lady Jeyne who was leaning on a wall to catch her breath. Concerned, Jason walked to her to see if she was alright.
"Lady Jeyne, are you alright?"
"I'm…fine," she stated as she coughed. "It's just…this castle is so large…so many steps…"
"If you two are finished," Cersei impatiently said, "we can head on our way."
"Apologies," Jason replied, "but I want to make sure Lady Farman is alright."
"Her quarters aren't too far, Hill. It's only about several dozen feet higher."
"Dozen?" Jeyne asked in an astonished tone. "I am not sure I can make it there without help."
It was then that the four heard footsteps from the steps above. They would see that it was a lad with blonde hair darker than that of Jason, Cersei, or even Jeyne. It was none other than Tarold Lannister, the very cousin whom Jason had saved from the monstrous Clegane heir in sparring practice days prior. Tarold was taken aback when he saw the company gathered near the foot of the stairs.
"Oh. Hello there. In case we haven't met, I'm Tarold Lannister, a cousin of Lady Cersei and Jason Hill. A pleasure to meet you."
He bowed to Jeyne and Melara, who both curtsied towards the nephew of Lady Joanna, the late wife of Lord Tywin. Jason was not overwhelmingly enthused to see his cousin - even if he saved Tarold from Gregor Clegane, Jason was not expecting any display of appreciation from someone who regularly demeaned his status as a Hill.
Tarold saw Jeyne out of breath and had a look of concern grow on his face. "Is she alright? Does she need help?"
Cersei looked at the slightly abdominous Farman girl. "Perhaps she would appreciate your aid, cousin. But I must ask, what are you doing down here? I thought sparring practice under my uncle does not start for an hour or so, and unless I by some circumstance forgot, you weren't invited to Lady Jeyne's arrival."
"I understand, cousin, but…" Tarold swallowed, "I wished to speak with Jason Hill, if I may."
Melara sneered as Cersei simply looked at Jason and back at Tarold. "Get on with it."
Tarold nodded and got off the stairs to walk over to Jason. Seeing his cousin approach him, Jason, who had barely acknowledged Tarold's existence in the prior day's sparring practice, could only take a deep breath as he stood next to Jeyne Farman.
It seemed to be awkward for Tarold as well, with the boy initially standing in silence for several seconds before speaking. "I wanted…I wanted to thank you for what you did for me in practice a few days ago."
Jason had to admit, he was surprised at the comment. Yet his gratitude was mixed with his prior loathing for Tarold, which led to him attempting to maintain his stoic disposition.
"Think nothing of it. It was not fair for you to fight that…thing. I tried to make sure that someone from my h-" Jason quickly corrected himself, "my father's house was not badly harmed. We do share some blood from Gerold the Golden, even if my name differs from yours."
"Forgive if I'm confused," Jeyne Farman chimed in, "but what are we discussing here?"
"Some large squire was sparring against Tarold and was severely beating him when Jason Hill intervened," Melara bluntly explained. "He was struck in the eye and mouth, and Lord Clegane had to send his son home. Twas an act of stupidity if you ask me."
As if you were there, you arrogant idiot, Jason thought to himself.
"I think that sounds very brave," Jeyne stated.
"Bravery and stupidity are often the same thing, such as in this scenario," Cersei said. Jason smiled in spite of himself - at least Cersei was not completely terrible, unlike her tall handmaiden.
"Well, I just wanted to thank Jason before I left," Tarold said, with Jason sensing he was not thrilled to discuss his possible near-death experience. "My father said that I did owe him a debt, and that it was a bad look to be indebted to a…a…"
"Bastard?" Jason was surprised Tarold was withholding his insults after spending so much time utilizing them against him.
"Yes, that. But I must ask, is Lady Farman alright? If you don't mind me saying, she seems winded."
"Actually, your timing is perfect, dear cousin," Cersei said in a false tone of courtesy Jason knew all too well. "Since you are already here, we would appreciate your aid in helping her up the stairs. We would ask Hill to do so, but Father has designated him as Lady Jeyne's guide to her new quarters."
"Of course," Tarold said. Jason knew that anyone who lived within Casterly Rock was able to ascend or descend whole flights of stairs with relative ease. They would become accustomed to the tall height of the mountainous castle, to the extent that Uncle Tyg would, on several occasions, have the pages and squires race up and down stairs to become stronger. Even the ladies had experience traversing the castle's floors, something Jeyne Farman did not currently possess. Then again, her body's structure did not do any favors.
Jeyne saw Tarold take her hand and smiled. "Thank you, Tarold Lannister."
Tarold smiled and nodded. Jason knew he had to move now, with Lord Regenard's servants having caught up to them. The children resumed their ascent up the stairs, and Jason was able to show them more features of the Rock from gardens to large halls, even the Golden Gallery where House Lannister's great treasures were held. Lady Jeyne marveled at the ornaments, jewelry, and other prized items, remarking that it held so much wealth that a single foot of the room was more than what her family held. Father would be glad to hear it, Jason thought.
They did eventually arrive to Jeyne's quarters, situated next to Melara's and near that of Lord Tywin's children. The servants of House Farman seemed the most relieved, as they could put Jeyne's belongings down in her bedchamber and go find their own accommodations to rest in until they were needed.
Jeyne Farman turned to Tarold and curtsied. "Thank you for helping me up the stairs. It's such a long walk in this castle that I would not have made it up here otherwise"
Jason saw his cousin slightly blush. "It's my pleasure, Lady Farman."
The daughter of Lord Regenard then turned to Jason and curtsied again. "And thank you for helping lead me to my quarters, Jason Hill."
The bastard felt himself smile and bow slightly. "'Tis nothing at all, my lady. I hope you enjoy your stay here at Casterly Rock."
Melara Heatherspoon rolled her eyes. "Oh please, now he'll be expecting a commendation for doing his duty. Like a dog expecting some meat for rolling on the ground."
"I don't think so," Jeyne said. "My septa told me bastards are born of sin and thus are prone to lie and cheat. But Jason doesn't seem like that at all. He seems kind and polite."
Gods be good, I'll never have to meet her unpleasant septa, Jason thought. "You are very kind, my lady. I'll be leaving now. But before I go, I would like to eat something before I spar. Sadly, I can't use the utensil found in the name of Lady Melara's house to do so. Now, if you would excuse me."
As he left following his remark, he could feel the rage flowing out of Melara's open mouth, her mouth open in shock at hearing such an insult towards her. She could not form even one word as if her surprise and anger kept her throat shut. Yet when Jason looked at Cersei, expecting her to share her friend's look of disgust, he instead saw her staring at him with eyes wide open, as if attributed by something peculiar like an odd animal.
If Jason was quite honest, her stare at him was very unnerving. He didn't know what Cersei wanted from him, nor did he wish to aggravate her by asking. I'd almost prefer her sneers and japes, he thought to himself.
…
Ever since his eye and mouth had healed, Jason cherished every moment he had in sparring practice. When he returned, the other squires initially looked at him as if they had seen a ghost. They all asked why he did it and how it felt to stand up to Gregor Clegane, who inspired the utmost fear in all of them.
Jason admitted that while he was a tad bothered by all the questions, he felt some enjoyment at being the center of attention. When the attention would wane the following day, he felt some disappointment, though he remembered his role was that of a loyal servant. I need to help Jaime, not just focus on my own personal glory, Jason thought. Don't be selfish and stupid.
Speaking of his elder half-brother, Jaime was now always late to daily practice on Father's orders, with Jaime spending two hours before sparring practice and two hours afterward up reading with Father and Maester Larwin. Already he heard about his brother's boredom and anger at Lord Tywin, though all he could do was sit there and give minuscule feedback for not wanting to criticize his intimidating lord father.
As practice finished in the afternoon of that particular day, Jason went back to his room to change out of his sweat-filled garb as Jaime did so on the bed next to him.
"You were great in practice today," the heir to Casterly Rock stated. "That move Uncle Tyg taught us to grab the arm and strike…it's grown on you. You used it really well against the boy from House…what was it, the one with three beetles-Bettley! Yes, that was the one."
"The other squires leave themselves too open, including Bettley" Jason simply replied. "The goal is to strike your foe, not the air. Uncle Tyg says we need to be patient to win."
"Father wiped out the Reynes and Tarbecks by striking before they could retaliate. He didn't need patience then, because he knew he could win."
"I have no armies or lords at my command, not unless Father will lend me some when I become a knight. I need patience so I can fight properly, to serve both Father as well as you once you are Warden of the West."
Jaime snickered. "I know you always refer to yourself as a 'servant.' If I may say so myself, that's a stupid label. You're my brother, Jason Hill, and I don't care what that annoying Melara Heatherspoon said."
Jason sighed. "I've said this before. Father and your mother, may the Mother have mercy on her soul, allowed me to live in Casterly Rock alongside you and your trueborn siblings. I'm happy to help serve House Lannister, believe me."
"Even if I do believe you, I won't let you call yourself that when I'm the lord of this castle." Jaime then adorned a wide smile. "I heard you made a jest about Melara's house, something about a certain utensil."
Jason soon felt himself join his elder brother in smiling. "If I had to insult her just once, I figured I would make it count. To be honest, I thought Cersei would be upset with me, but…"
"But what?"
"She just looked at me, observing me like I was some animal. It felt bizarre."
"Would you rather she insult you, like always?"
"I certainly didn't mind the lack of demeaning remarks," Jason admitted. At that moment, they heard someone knocking at their door.
"May I come in, or are you two lads too busy getting those reeking clothes of you?"
Jason and Jaime both smiled at the voice of their young uncle Gerion coming from the other side of the door.
"You can come in, Uncle Gerion," Jaime responded. "We're in our basic shirts and pants, lest you worry about someone seeing us naked."
The door then opened as Uncle Gerion entered their bedchamber. As per usual, a wide smile was on his face to greet his nephews.
"Certainly smells like you two were just sparring," he said to them both, but then he surprised Jason by turning to face him instead of Jaime. "Ah, just the nephew I wanted to see."
"Is everything alright, Uncle?"
"Quite so. In fact, I spoke with your father and he has allowed you to accompany me on my next trip."
Jason's mouth opened with glee. "Really? Where to?"
"Nowhere far, just visiting a smallfolk house near a gold mine. It's to the east of Lannisport, the man who lives there is a friend I met in a bar."
Jaime smirked. "Aren't all your friends from bars, dear Uncle?"
"Of course," Gerion responded. "It's because your father doesn't go near them."
Jason was too busy being excited to care about his uncle's remark regarding Lord Tywin. He was not able to go outside of Casterly Rock's walls as much as Jaime had since Father and Uncle Kevan wanted him to be shown to other nobles as the next lord of Casterly Rock. Even Cersei got to go out of the castle more as a "proper daughter" who curtsied and wore a fake smile in the presence of nobility.
In contrast, a bastard boy such as him was lucky to be brought alongside Jaime to Lannisport, the only location he had been able to visit outside the castle walls. But Jaime had been brought by his father to Crakehall, Ashemark, and the Golden Tooth. Jason even heard of when Jaime and Cersei were brought to King's Landing as infants, though he was also told it was a disaster that sparked bad blood between Father and King Aerys, and mentioning it would be unwise unless Jason sought to be punished (which he did not).
"So when do we leave," Jason asked.
"Whenever you're ready. So hurry and get into a bath so the castle doesn't fill with your stink."
Jason laughed a tad as Gerion turned to Jaime. "I wish I could bring you along, believe me, but your stingy father has insisted you read some damn books."
"It's alright," Jaime said. "I just hope you two will be back soon. Father told me he wants both of us here for his large hunt before he returns to serve the king."
The thought of such an event excited Jason from the moment it was announced. News of it first came by raven as Father had begun his journey home from King's Landing. The boy knew lords and ladies from all over the realm would come from all over the Westerlands to hunt and talk. Jason as well as Jaime hoped to meet great warriors and see them kill boar, deer, and pheasant with their wonderous spears.
If I can impress some of them, Jason thought, perhaps I can serve as a page or a squire to a westerman lord. Perhaps Lord Sumner Crakehall or Ser Selmond Stackspear.
"I'll get ready as fast as I can, Uncle."
"Excellent," Gerion replied. As he left, Jason and Jaime heard him say to take time in the bath so he didn't stink throughout their ride, and the boys laughed at how putrid their jolly young uncle found them to be.
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Hey everyone! Hope you enjoy another chapter! Next up is a new POV character, one who isn't even one in the books, so stay tuned!
Also, about the Tyrion cartwheel plotline from the last chapter, I wanted to say that I was unaware that George R.R. Martin stated he regretted putting that in. I did not mean to perpetuate anything that was unintentionally wrong or offensive.
But besides that, enjoy Chapter VIII, and if you haven't already, read the prior chapters to understand the story up until now.