At midday, the party and the hunters rode out, ready for adventure and excitement.
Baelon watched in amazement as Leto defied his walking disability and rode with the grace and skill of a seasoned dragonrider. It was a testament to Leto's unwavering determination and resilience. In that moment, Baelon realized the true depth of Leto's greatness as a lord and Lord Paramount.
Other men in their party consisted of Ser Jon Roxton, heir to the Ring. A handsome knight who wields a valyrian sword named Orphan-Maker.
Lord Owen Fossoway, the Lord of Cider Hall. He was visiting Lord Tyrell shortly before Baelon arrived.
And lastly was Ser Quentyn Redwyne, son and heir to Lord Dickon Redwyne. Good brother to Lord Leto and blood sibling to Lady Annara Redwyne.
Their entourage consisted of the master of hounds, accompanied by ten hunting dogs and flanked by twelve guardsmen. Before departing, Lord Tyrell gifted Archonei a fine cow to feast upon while they hunted for a feast of their own.
Baelon joined the Lords and Knights in revelry and song, many songs having been learned outside the city and around the Riverlands.
"So, my Prince, what made you wish to be an adventurer?" Owen asked as they shared a skin of wine, Baelon drinking the arbor gold and savoring the rich taste.
He had to think for a moment before answering, "As my Lords and friends know, my family is currently split right down the middle. Greens and Blacks," Baelon laughed a little, "It's as if the Queen and Princess of Dragonstone are arguing about what to drape the windows with."
A round of laughter filled the troop, and Ser Jon boldly pointed out, "Leave it to women to bicker about such things; I can't blame you for escaping the madness, my Prince."
"Neither I, Ser, neither I." Baelon slurred and sighed as they continued to ride through the woods.
As they enjoyed the tranquility of the surroundings, Baelon felt blessed to be present in such wild beauty and to see so many trees and natural wildlife that reminded him of the days he would ride through Kingswood or whenever his father planned a royal hunt.
The quiet was shattered by the arrival of a herd of stags that approached from downwind. With the release of the hounds and the swift flight of arrows, the previously serene atmosphere turned chaotic. In the midst of it all, Baelon skillfully aimed and took down one of the younger stags, its antlers still in the early stages of growth.
"Well shot, Prince Baelon!" Leto praised alongside Ser Quentyn.
It was, wasn't it?
The rest of the day started to blur as he and his new friends got rather drunk until nightfall, when they made it back to Highgarden with their game and, within the next few hours, sat in the feast hall.
He had Lady Margaery on his lap as he toasted to a day well done with fine game, "And finer company!" The many around the table raised their cups in unison.
Margaery had a hand on his thigh, getting his member stiff as Quentyn leaned in from the other side of the table. "I must say, my Prince, I am of a like mind with you." Baelon patted his lady's arse twice to signal her to go away for a moment.
"What do you mean, my Lord?" He whispered as if to sound ignorant.
Quentyn looked left and right before continuing, "It was always a queer thing when you were born, yet the King kept your sister as the heir despite having a son. Forgive me for saying so, but my father and I believed it was wrong."
"Thank you, Ser Quentyn, for your understanding. It is quite challenging to garner empathy for my circumstances. My father's intention is for my sister to succeed him, and my stepmother believes that her own son - a second son, of all positions - should take precedence over Rhaenyra and myself." He said with a frown and Quentyn slammed his hand on the table.
"Know that after knowing you today, my Prince, I support you. And House Redwyne will, as well." Quentyn drowned his cup and offered advice, "What could aid you is an opportunity to show the realm you have as much ability to sit on the throne. More so than the Princess or Aegon."
"What do you have in mind, good Ser?" He asked and the Redwyne heir smiled.
"I hear the Triarchy are gathering swords and fleets to retake the Stepstones, and that the Sea Snake had been combatting them for a few years now."
Yes he heard this as well when he was in the Westerlands, it was strange as the Rogue Prince wasn't taking part in this venture as he did in the first war for the Stepstones.
"Do you think I should help the Sea Snake? He supports my sister and her Strong bastards," Baelon exclaimed loudly, and Quentyn grew wide-eyed.
"So the rumors are true, my Prince?" He nodded, and Quentyn continued, "I mean not to help the Sea Snake but to steal the victory. Take the Stepstones, finish the Triarchy, fortify it for yourself, and use it to fund your own power."
"I have no fleet... No army."
The heir to House Redwyne, "My house can supply 100 war galleys and men. My sister and her husband can supply the gold."
"My Father may not allow it." It was the last test to see how sincere the knight was.
Quentyn smirked, "Corlys and Prince Daemon defied the King and lived, he's likely to do nothing if House Redwyne and his son and rightful heir do the same... "
Baelon, with a determined nod, and his companion formed a firm resolve to embark on a decisive military campaign in the Stepstones. The goal this time was not just to engage in conflict, but to permanently bring the region under their control.
Quentyn swore to write to his father and speak with Annara to bring Leto into their plotting.
The night was nearing the hour of the owl when he and his paramour were abed and writhing in one another's pleasure. He gripped Margaery's milk-white skin on her thigh as he plunged himself deeper into her tender folds.
After finishing, he admitted that he could not find sleep while he thought of the coming battles.
It would be a test of what might have to come when his father passes, and he needs the experience riding into combat with Archonei as she too is a virgin to warfare.
That thought alone brought him down to the stables where she rested.
The she-dragon's eyes shot open, and she raised her long neck to meet his chest with her nose; Baelon smiled and scratched the scales under her head. "Īlva ēlī vīlībāzma māzigon (Our first is coming)." He said and she blinked twice.
She would love being back in the open sky once more; as spacious as the stables were, it wasn't where his dragon belonged.
As dawn rose, the scrawny boy from before said that Lord Leto asked for him.
Baelon had some disparaging thoughts and wondered if not only would Leto say no but report his plans to the King, but upon reaching the godswood, he was blessed to see that Annara was successful in speaking with her husband.
House Tyrell had given their support, and with that, so would House Redwyne.
He had no qualms knowing this would upset his father, only that if he succeeded, then he would have the influence to sprint alongside the Greens and Blacks in vying for supremacy.
Baelon and his Reds will have their own power over land and sea.