Gulltown

[Horas]

"Indeed," Horas says, "My cousin Aerie has wed the Lord Seth. They have a baby girl. I am told they named her Layla."

[House Dustin]

Dortmund smiled, "Ah, good then. Would that I could have attended the feast."

[Horas]

"I am told it was not as pleasant as it could have been, unfortunately," The Hand says.

The small talk continues for some time, then Horas excuses himself for the night. He heads for the maester's tower and writes three brief letters. One is sent to the Bloody Gate, one to the Eyrie, and one to King's Landing.

[Horas]

----

A few days later, Horas Blackwood thanks his host for his hospitality. He then leaves, making for the Eyrie.

[Victarion]

A ship arrives in the busy Vale port. As it reaches the quay two figures are seen making their way down the gangplank. "40% Zharaja, you son of a bitch, I want to see it when I get back." The Summer Islander smiled, and said something to him in the common tougne.

"Don't give me that lip you bastard. I'll hunt you all the way back to the village if you don't. Or mabye I'll just speak to your parents." The smile from Zharaja's face disappeared and was replaced by a slightly frightened look as the rest of the crew hollered with laughter. Absent mindedly the young captain rubbed his backside, still sore, even though they had left the Summer Isles six months ago.

======================================

The next day after finding some mounts they came back and found the Swan Ship cleared out of stock, with the sailors quickly replacing it with valuable trade items from the Vale. The captain handed Robert a pouch, and joked with his son Eddard while Robert counted it. Satisfied, Robert said his goodbyes along with Eddard, and soon they were off, riding through the cobbled streets of Gulltown. Robert found a shop that sold sourleaf and bought a pouch, popping some in his mouth he saw his son eyeing him. "No you can't have any. It will rot your teeth out." Eddard made to protest but Robert shook his head, cutting off any arguement.

[mockingbird]

The Sailing Falcon came in to the busy port of Gulltown at midafternoon. The ship docked and two men left the ship.

Andrew had left his second in command of the ship, telling him that if anyone asked they had mutied when they found out what Owen had done, and killed them both. Some of the money they made over there was to be placed in a account in the Iron Bank. The second nodded and waved as the ship headed out to sea again.

"So what now, Andrew" Owen looked around. He wasn't that impressed with Gulltown. It was nothing compared to the size of any of the Free cities, at least in Owen's eyes.

"I'm thinking we go and present ourselves to the man in charge of this city. If my mind serves me correctly and nothing has changed, this is the Grafton domains."

They headed for the Castle that laid in town.

[Ellinda]

The guards at the castle permit the two men to come into the reception hall and send for a senior member of the household.

Joffrey Cartwain, castellan of the appears shortly. "Yes, can I help you?" he asks.

[mockingbird]

"I am here to speak with Lord Grafton, Ser" Andrew said.

Owen stood in the back, keeping his mouth closed.

"I wanted to see if he could grant me some horses, as I am on my way home to Runestone"

[Ellinda]

"And you are...?" the Castellan asks without rancor.

[mockingbird]

Andrew had been prepared for this as he had never set foot on Westerosi land before. His father had talked about it a lot, but much had should've changed in those year. He spoke Westerosi with a Braavosian accent.

"I am Andrew Royce, son of Castor Royce, cousin of Lord Edric Royce. And this here is Owen Baelish, son of Gerrard Baelish."

Owen bowed deeply to the Castellan.

"This might help. And who might you be, my good ser?"

Andrew showed the signia ring that had belonged to his father, which had been given to his father by Lord Edric.

[Ellinda]

"I am Joffrey Cartwain, castellan. Lord Grafton unfortunately is not here at the present, but I can act in his stead." He looked at the two men. "You have a look of a Royce, despite the way you mangle our tongue," he said to Andrew, "But you are very tall for a Baelish," he said to Owen.

[mockingbird]

Owen looked away from a painting that was hanging from a wall.

"Oh really, must have been lucky then"

Andrew shot a look at Owen before he spoke.

"My father, Castor Royce, left Westeros to see the world, and I was born in Braavos so that might be why I speak the way I do."

He looked around at the hall.

"So what do you say about those horses then?"

[Ellinda]

"I believe you are a Royce, good ser, but am still curious why a Baelish is so tall. I am not familiar with Gerrard's branch of the family."

[mockingbird]

Owen turned once more and looked at the man at bit irritated.

"Like I said, the gods must have looked favourable upon me"

Andrew sighed.

"It might be from his mother's side, my lord. She was a slaver's daughter from Volantis. Who is current lord of House Baelish?"

[Ellinda]

"The Baelish seat has reverted to the Royce family, if I remember correctly," said the castellan. "Forget which Royce, perhaps it's Jon, that holds the seat."

The castellan made a motion to a servant. "Get two horses saddled for these gentlemen," he said, then turned back to his visitors. "Might I suggest you leave your signet ring with me, good ser? I'll show it to Lord Grafton when he returns and tell him you were here. He'll be interested to know of news of Royces and Baelishes."