Lady Annara's rooms

[Lord Gareth Hightower]

"Gwayne has gifted me the Keep in the Stepstones" he announced. "We may be able to come to an arrangement."

[Marie]

Annara looked surprised. "That was good of him, and I'm pleased for you, my dear. I always hoped your father would grant lands to his younger sons, but, alas...But no matter now, you'll have your own lands anyway."

[Lord Gareth Hightower]

Gareth nodded. His lack of lands had been a sore point for him, given his elder brother would inherit the Far Reach in its entirety. His father had failed to find him an heiress to marry. Perhaps his failure had been for the best.

"I plan on raising a garrison and some ships and returning to the Stepstones after I fulfill my obligations here." he told his mother. "I may prevail on my cousin Ambrose to accompany me. He has some skill with boats which will prove useful."

[Marie]

"That's good of you," Annara said. "It sounds like you have it all planned. I'm pleased, my dear. Do you know much about your new keep and lands yet? Is there fertile farmland to be had>"

[Lord Gareth Hightower]

"I'm told there is a substantial amount of land. Whether it is suitable for farming, no doubt I'll shall find out when I return there." replied Gareth. He smiled knowingly. "I shall have to get you looking for a suitable bride. "

[Marie]

Annara smiled. "Of course. I shall have my eyes open. I told your sister to look out for any suitable opportunities while she's in Kings Landing."

[Lord Gareth Hightower]

Gareth nodded. "I hope she takes a strategic view when on the look-out."

[Marie]

"Let us hope so. We're fairly well placed, I believe. We've ties with Tyrell and Baratheon, and perhaps we can make ties with some other houses too. But perhaps you shall have time to seek your own bride as well," Annara suggested.

[Lord Gareth Hightower]

Gareth raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

[Marie]

"Well, I don't see why not, unless you are eager to hurry back to the Stepstones," she said.