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Post by Marie on Sept 16, 2013 21:14:05 GMT -5
Gwayne goes to visit his uncle Lorren in confinement, at the request of his mother. The guards admit him at once. He then turned to his uncle.
"I'm sorry to see you come to this, uncle. Out of us all, I thought you had the most sensible head on your shoulders. What you did was foolish. My father will not forgive you easily. But I have come to give you a message from him."
He paused to gauge Lorren's reaction.
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Post by Ser Leyton Hightower on Sept 16, 2013 21:53:37 GMT -5
Lorren simply stared at him blankly. "My entirely life has been for naught." he said hollowly. "I served a brother who used and discarded me." He slumped against the wall, his eyes empty. He said nothing about the message and it was unclear if he had even heard Gwayne speak.
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Post by Marie on Sept 17, 2013 7:07:00 GMT -5
"Father did not mean to hurt you," said Gwayne. "Nor did Mother. But you know how they are - they think of the glory of the family before all else. That is the way of many great lords and ladies. Look, uncle, I don't think they would send Leyton to Casterly Rock if it were not to our benefit, but also if he would not be safe there. He's a sweet boy and easy to love, and it won't be forever."
He stopped to let his words sink in.
"If any harm comes to Leyton at the Rock, the Lannisters will answer to me."
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Post by Ser Leyton Hightower on Sept 17, 2013 8:59:50 GMT -5
"Father did not mean to hurt you," said Gwayne. "Nor did Mother. But you know how they are - they think of the glory of the family before all else. That is the way of many great lords and ladies. Look, uncle, I don't think they would send Leyton to Casterly Rock if it were not to our benefit, but also if he would not be safe there. He's a sweet boy and easy to love, and it won't be forever." He stopped to let his words sink in. "If any harm comes to Leyton at the Rock, the Lannisters will answer to me." Ser Lorren simply gazed at Gwayne in silence, his eyes unfocused. |
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Post by Marie on Sept 17, 2013 9:06:11 GMT -5
Gwayne grabbed Lorren's shoulders and shook him.
"Uncle, listen to me! I speak only for your own good. My father offers you a choice. Permanent exile to the Night's Watch, or, if you will consent to give an apology, he will accept five years exile to a place outside of the Far Reach."
He sighed.
"This is not my choice, Uncle Lorren. I would rather not lose you at all. But you have my word that I do not share my father's fury. It's clear that you must be exiled, though it's your own choice whether you go for a short time, or forever. But you will always be welcome at the Hightower when I am lord."
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Post by Ser Leyton Hightower on Sept 17, 2013 9:15:00 GMT -5
"And what makes you believe that I have anything further to give this family after the way it has treated me?" Lorren spoke softly. "This is no home, it's a cage. The proof is here before your eyes."
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Post by Marie on Sept 17, 2013 9:29:11 GMT -5
"Father was angry, as were you. I will not take sides between you," Gwayne sighed. "You call the Hightower a cage, but the Night's Watch would be a worse cage still. And colder, too. Uncle Hugh has place of high honour there, but I doubt he'd allow you to trade upon the relationship. It's said there has been nepotism in the Nights Watch before, but it's frowned upon. And as I said, I don't want to lose you because you have fought with my father. Just give him what he wants and then you can have some time to yourself. Freedom in the Free Cities or some place else. I'll help you set yourself up. Gods, you could even come to the Stepstones with me if you wish. Nobody would dare say you nay if that's what you desire."
"All you have to do is let go of your pride. Just this once. Gods, I don't care if you even mean it. It's only words, after all. For all I care you could write the bloody thing on a scrap of paper and give it to me. Seven Hells, I'd write the thing out myself and just ask you to sign it if it means you get a few years of freedom, and time to think things over. Remember, uncle, the Night's Watch is forever. The other kind of exile won't be. And you could please yourself. Think about Leyton. I'm sure he'd sooner have a father he can be proud of, and who he will get to see again, not one who was forced into servitude in the far north for raising a hand to his liege lord."
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Post by Ser Leyton Hightower on Sept 17, 2013 9:36:25 GMT -5
"And what will become of Leyton?" Ser Lorren demanded. "Casterly Rock? I will do nothing that makes me morally culpable in the destruction of my own son's future. Save Leyton from this fate your father has treacherously arranged and I will be your man, but if this act of personal betrayal carries on I will be left with no choice other than to take the black.."
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Post by Marie on Sept 17, 2013 9:50:20 GMT -5
"And what if I told you Leyton will want to go? Last I saw him, only a couple of months ago, he said he was looking forward to being a squire when he's old enough. He's too young to be a squire just yet, so he'd be a page at the Rock, but he need not stay there until he comes of age. He can be sent to squire for somebody else if he does not care for Casterly Rock or the Lannisters. Izzy is a maiden flowered , but not yet a woman grown by law. Lord Royce did not insist on keeping her until she turned sixteen."
Gwayne sighed again. This conflict between his father and uncle pained him deeply. He didn't usually show it, since Lorren could be quite the stickler, and Gwayne was young and new to manhood and wanted to focus on his own pleasures, but he was very fond of his uncle.
"No matter what we think of their current lord, the Lannisters have a proud and noble history. They were kings of the Rock, once. I'd think a studious and quick-witted boy like Leyton would learn a great deal from them. And Ser Aurane, whatever his reputation with women, is said to be a skilled swordsman and leader of men. He could teach Leyton many things, if he's a mind to."
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Post by Ser Leyton Hightower on Sept 17, 2013 14:15:16 GMT -5
"And what if I told you Leyton will want to go? Last I saw him, only a couple of months ago, he said he was looking forward to being a squire when he's old enough. He's too young to be a squire just yet, so he'd be a page at the Rock, but he need not stay there until he comes of age. He can be sent to squire for somebody else if he does not care for Casterly Rock or the Lannisters. Izzy is a maiden flowered , but not yet a woman grown by law. Lord Royce did not insist on keeping her until she turned sixteen." Gwayne sighed again. This conflict between his father and uncle pained him deeply. He didn't usually show it, since Lorren could be quite the stickler, and Gwayne was young and new to manhood and wanted to focus on his own pleasures, but he was very fond of his uncle. "No matter what we think of their current lord, the Lannisters have a proud and noble history. They were kings of the Rock, once. I'd think a studious and quick-witted boy like Leyton would learn a great deal from them. And Ser Aurane, whatever his reputation with women, is said to be a skilled swordsman and leader of men. He could teach Leyton many things, if he's a mind to." "Be as that may, it does not change the fact that your father did not think enough of me to consult with me prior to trading away the future of my own son!" Ser Lorren's voice raised, some passion returning to it. "It is painfully evident that me and my kin are no more than tools that this family uses and then discards as it sees fit. I have served this family for three decades and that is my reward! My life was given to the family, nephew, why should I sacrifice any more after treatment such as this?" |
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Post by Marie on Sept 17, 2013 14:23:42 GMT -5
"I had no part in the decision," Gwayne said. "I've no right to excuse or condemn it. I'm doing my best to see that neither yourself nor Leyton will be discarded, as you put it. But I cannot help you if you will not help yourself."
He was beginning to grow frustrated.
"If you will give my father his apology, you will have the freedom to go where you please. You will be no man's servant. You could raise a mercenary company, swear your sword to some other lord, become a hedge knight or a farmer, even sail a ship of your own if you wished. But if you join the Night's Watch, you will enter a servitude stricter than serving your own family. If you died, we'd probably not even hear of your death for many moons. Is that truly what you wish?"
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Post by Ser Leyton Hightower on Sept 17, 2013 14:40:19 GMT -5
"Is that what I wish?" Ser Lorren repeated incredulously. "Of course not, this was wrought on me by your father! Even now he offers me no choice! Would other avenues be preferable to the Night's Watch? Of course, but they would require my apologizing to that godless swine for a crime I am not guilty of! I have no regrets and I would strike him again in a heartbeat. Any man subjected to such would! I will not yield the moral high ground to your father. If you are willing to let me leave, right now, then I shall consider other avenues, but I will never apologize when it is I who am owed remorse."
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Post by Marie on Sept 17, 2013 15:41:26 GMT -5
"Is that what I wish?" Ser Lorren repeated incredulously. "Of course not, this was wrought on me by your father! Even now he offers me no choice! Would other avenues be preferable to the Night's Watch? Of course, but they would require my apologizing to that godless swine for a crime I am not guilty of! I have no regrets and I would strike him again in a heartbeat. Any man subjected to such would! I will not yield the moral high ground to your father. If you are willing to let me leave, right now, then I shall consider other avenues, but I will never apologize when it is I who am owed remorse." "As it happens, I agree, but Father must needs be mollified. He's the lord, not us," Gwayne pointed out. "I'm more than willing to help you, but if I am caught setting you free, Father may disown me for aiding you and we'd both be forced to go into exile. I can't help you if I'm not here to fight your cause, uncle. So we must be subtle." He sat down next to Lorren. "You forget one, thing, uncle. Do you remember that old saying? An oath made at swordpoint is no oath at all. I think the same applies here. You can say the words but nobody can force you to mean them. All you have to do is write the letter, or let me write it, and then sign it, and you will be allowed to depart from here a free man. You needn't even see Father - I think it would be best for both of you if you did not meet - and then you need only wait until I have gathered the necessary supplies on your behalf. I'll personally escort you from our lands and report your departure back to Father. All you need do is keep me informed of your doings, so I can let Leyton and my aunt know you are well Perhaps you might send any letters to Horn Hill, so Father won't need to know about it. Lord Tarly is a true friend, he'll help us." |
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Post by Ser Leyton Hightower on Sept 17, 2013 15:48:49 GMT -5
"Is that what I wish?" Ser Lorren repeated incredulously. "Of course not, this was wrought on me by your father! Even now he offers me no choice! Would other avenues be preferable to the Night's Watch? Of course, but they would require my apologizing to that godless swine for a crime I am not guilty of! I have no regrets and I would strike him again in a heartbeat. Any man subjected to such would! I will not yield the moral high ground to your father. If you are willing to let me leave, right now, then I shall consider other avenues, but I will never apologize when it is I who am owed remorse." "As it happens, I agree, but Father must needs be mollified. He's the lord, not us," Gwayne pointed out. "I'm more than willing to help you, but if I am caught setting you free, Father may disown me for aiding you and we'd both be forced to go into exile. I can't help you if I'm not here to fight your cause, uncle. So we must be subtle." He sat down next to Lorren. "You forget one, thing, uncle. Do you remember that old saying? An oath made at swordpoint is no oath at all. I think the same applies here. You can say the words but nobody can force you to mean them. All you have to do is write the letter, or let me write it, and then sign it, and you will be allowed to depart from here a free man. You needn't even see Father - I think it would be best for both of you if you did not meet - and then you need only wait until I have gathered the necessary supplies on your behalf. I'll personally escort you from our lands and report your departure back to Father. All you need do is keep me informed of your doings, so I can let Leyton and my aunt know you are well Perhaps you might send any letters to Horn Hill, so Father won't need to know about it. Lord Tarly is a true friend, he'll help us." Lorren slumped back against the wall, defeated. "Very well, Gwayne, write what you feel is necessary. I will sign it." He said nothing else, as there was nothing further to say. |
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Post by Marie on Sept 17, 2013 16:01:01 GMT -5
Gwayne opened the door and called for the guards to fetch pen and ink. When it was brought to him, he sat and wrote a brief statement.
I, Lorren Hightower, solemnly regret my loss of temper in regard of the fostering of my son, Leyton. I wish to apologise for my improper behaviour to my brother, Lord Lothar Hightower, and his wife the Lady Annara of House Redwyne. I accept the terms of 5 years exile from the Far Reach and accept that I may not enter my brother's lands during this time without forfeit to my freedom. I additionally consent to the fostering of my son Leyton as previously arranged and give permission for my nephew Ser Gwayne Hightower to make any additional arrangements concerning Leyton's welfare until such time as I may be permitted to return to the Hightower.
When he was done, he showed Lorren the paper. "Will that do?"
He offered Lorren the quill.
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Hope you all are well and happy.