Gardens

[Viea Greyjoy]

The ornate gardens at Hightower

[Viea Greyjoy]

Jen Willfyre wandered up to the gardens to take a look round. She had grown up in a fairly rocky place and saw no real use for flowers, hence her expression of amusement at the colours.

[Marie]

After a short while, a girl in a long tunic and breeches strode out into the gardens. She whistled as she went. Her hair was tied back in a simple braid but it was plain that she was not the kind of girl who liked to wear fancy dresses and was afraid of getting dirty. "Hello," she said to Jen. "Are you one of my cousin's guests?"

[Viea Greyjoy]

Jen looked round and gave a small smile.

"I came for the tourney so I suppose so, yes." She replied. "I am not so sure that he would extend an invitation to me face to face however."

[Marie]

"Oh? May I ask why not? I don't know your name, I'm afraid. I'm Alys Florent. I have been Lady Annara's ward for a few years." The girl held out a hand in the way she had seen men do when greeting a new acquaintance.

[Viea Greyjoy]

"I am Jen Willfyre." Jen answered after a moment of studying the offered hand. She shook the hand quickly then dropped the contact with the stranger. "Not many people seek the Islanders out to invite us to parties."

[Marie]

"Oh." Alys frowned. "Then how is it that you came? I didn't know that my kin were acquainted with any of your people."

[Viea Greyjoy]

"I think I met one of you 'Towers once before at a coronation..." Jen said shaking her head. "My brother got word that there was a party and well... We do like a good 'bash'"

She smiled

[Marie]

"I see. Well, I am sure you are most welcome," Alys replied. "I don't know much about your people, except that you are...different to mainlanders. It will be good to make the acquaintance of some new people."

[Viea Greyjoy]

"Different... Different is a good word, do you not find?" She asked, sounding amused. "New people are always interesting, it is why I enjoy such occasions and the freedom of the seas, knowing you can meet all these differences."

[Marie]

"A freedom I have always desired but never got. I was so disappointed I wasn't allowed to go to war with my cousins," Alys sighed. "Girls like adventure too, but when you are a Florent and kin to the Hightowers, you have to stay in a castle and wait for news. I envy you so much."

[Viea Greyjoy]

Jen's eyebrow raised.

"A war is not fun." She said. "You could always disguise yourself, if you want adventure that much."

[Marie]

"Could I, though. My kin would send men after me. I'd never manage it. And would I not be in great danger if I ran off by myself?"

[Viea Greyjoy]

"If you think you would be in great danger then maybe adventure isnt for you." Jen said, but she didnt say it in a harsh way. "Adventure is supposed to make you think and grow as yourself, and yes there is danger but if you really want it then you dont think of that."

[Marie]

"I do but I have never done anything like that before. Our lives are different. We are encouraged not to do dangerous things. Many ladies ride but that is the most dangerous thing most do until they birth a child. But that's a different sort of danger. Few women are even archers," Alys confided.