Pyke

[lordbalorgreyjoy]

"My ears are not small!" Meera retorted, putting her hands up to cover them nervously.
She looked thoughtful at his last sentence "Do you think that's true, momma? Is Sabastian blessed? I bet Grimon would know! He's a funny old man. Have you met him yet, Saba? He's got a long white beard and walks around like this" Meera suddenly got to her feet and waddled around puffing out her cheeks outrageously. Urri laughed and clapped his hands, giggling.
Asha smiled and turned to Sabastian "How long do you think you'll be able to stay, Sab?" she asked tenderly. "Your father's been busy with the wars and all. I can't remember the last time I saw so many men around the place"

[sabastiangreyjoy]

He smiled as Meera covered her ears. He hadn't ment it like that, but children always took everything you said literal, so he laughed and messed with her hair once again.

"I meant you're too young to hear talk about death. Your ears are fine, Meera."

He searched through his mind, but he couldn't remember anyone by the name of Grimon, but he wasn't sure. It had been such a long time. So when Meera asked if she had met him, he shook his head and laughed at Meera when she impersonated the man.

He looked at his mother and shrugged.

"I don't know, that depends on what plans the drowned god has for me" He smiled "And father of course"

[lordbalorgreyjoy]

"I am not!" Meera said indignantly "I bet I kill lots of people when I get older" she pulled a scary face, whirled round and tackled Urri in the stomach. The pair of them rolled around on the floor.

Asha nodded sadly "You'll probably be involved more than I wish you to be" she said "He'll not show it, but your father has missed you. He was always asking Rurick how you were and what kind of man you were becoming. Soon it'll be Urri's turn to go on the ships" she leaned forward and whispered to Sabastian as Urri wrestled with Meera in a play-fight "He's not as strong-minded as you were though, Sab. I fear for him. I hope your father picks a good man. If he went on a ship ran by someone like Quellon Drumm..." she pulled a face and did not finish.

Meera twisted round and managed to get Urri in a headlock. He squealed and Asha quickly rushed over to seperate them.

[sabastiangreyjoy]

He nodded at his mother words. He wasn't to sure how to react to the news that his father had missed him, so he ignored any respons to that notion.

"I'm sure that father will make the right choice when it comes to that"

He wasn't entirely sure he would, but you never knew where the were ears listening to things they wasn't suppose to hear. His father was a great lord and a great captain at sea, but when it came to see what was best for some of his men, especially when it came to some of the weaker one's. Sabastian wasn't so sure he always saw than a weak man could grow into a fierce sailor if you just treated him right, maybe he could speak to his father and make him send Urri with Rurick. Varcen would take care of the boy.

He rose and walked over to the window, looking out across the sea, feeling the breeze from the sea against his face.

[lordbalorgreyjoy]

There was a knock on the door and a thin-looking guard poked his head in and said to Sabastian "Your lord father wants to see you in his study"

ooc: This is just prior to the scenario

[Lilith Royce]

Bella was in Balor's chambers when Mallister was brought in looking ragged and weary. So this is what the finest seaman of the Green Lands looks like, she thought. Not bad in a soft southern way.

She grinned. Amdle would get very grumpy indeed if she took a second salt husband and even she had to admit that he wasn't bad with a bow. He'd gotten off a number of good shots during the battle they'd just waged, including a few fire arrows in just the right places.

[lordbalorgreyjoy]

Balor sat in his chair and looked up grimly at Derrick Mallister "Welcome to Pyke, young eagle. A poor welcome I know, but I'm sure I would receive a worse one at Seagard".
He paused, leaned forward and steepled his fingers together at the bridge of his nose, studying the young man in front of him. "Your men fought well. Better in truth, than I expected them to". He got up and walked around to the front of the desk and sat on the corner, his arms folded across his chest. "You're alive to keep your lord father in check, mostly. I'm willing to let you out of the dungeon as long as you behave yourself. Everywhere you go, 2 of my men will be with you. You will not be allowed in the harbour or dockyard. If any of these conditions are unacceptable or I hear that you have tried to escape or injured my men you will be returned to the cells and left there. If you kill one of my men, trying to escape then I will give you to the priests and their casks of seawater. Do we have an understanding?"

[sabastiangreyjoy]

Sabastian ran up the hill towards the keep, startling a stableboy that was to busy fondling one of the maids of the castle. When he neared the castle he slowed down, and slowly made his way towards his father's chambers. He passed some guards, and an elderly man tried to make him stop and talk to him. He politely told the man he would go see him after he had talked to his father. Finally he stood before the door to his father's chamber. He told the guard to tell his father that he wanted to see him.

[lordbalorgreyjoy]

Lord Balor awaited a response from the Mallister lordling but saw his son enter the room & waved him in. "Yes?" he said simply.

[sabastiangreyjoy]

He gave the stranger a quick glance, not overly interested why he was in his father's chambers. He took a few steps forward and bowed his head slightly.

"I wanted to ask for your promission to do something" He eyed the stranger for a while "Maybe it would be best to talk in private"

[lordbalorgreyjoy]

Balor raised an eyebrow but motioned towards his private study. "Keep him here" he pointed at the young prisoner "I still want an answer". He opened the door to his study and entered.
Once Sabastian had joined him and closed the door, he continued "Well?"

[sabastiangreyjoy]

He looked at his father, which obviously wanted to be in the other room.

"I know I haven't been home for that long, but I've felt the drowned god calling me out to sea. I know that The Vicious Knave hasn't left yet, so I first want to ask your leave to go and seek out a boy named Varcen Pyke, to be my first to crew my ship" He took a moment to gather his words "Then I would like to take with me Urri or Meera to sail with me to Volantis. I have an idea, that might help us against the greenlanders."

He knew he was treading on dangerous ground with that last request, but there was something in him that told him this was the right thing to do that would further the Kraken's hold in Westeros.

[lordbalorgreyjoy]

Balor looked thoughtfully at his son and wandered across to the window, looking out across the sea. "I had thought you would want a more, ah, experienced man for your first mate" he said thoughtfully "But it is a captain's right to choose his crew so you may have the men you wish. You will have to work hard to gain the men's respect for your choice though. Your name will only get you so far, my son".
He turned and looked at Sabastian "As for your second request... Urri needs to get out from under your lady mother's skirts and I do not mean for him to be molly-coddled by you instead" he frowned. "As captain you will not be allowed to play favourites or have the time to look after your brother" he held up his hands at the look on Sabastian's face. "Your lady mother and I have already discussed the matter. Urri will ship out with Rurick. He'll look after him."
He paused and looked again at Sabastian amusedly "As for Meera, well. You can try and convince your lady mother. She's upset enough with me about sending Urri away" he smiled.

[sabastiangreyjoy]

He stood perfectly still as his father talked to him. What his father said was true of course, so without showing any of his thoughts in his face he looked at his father and nodded

"You are right, I need someone with more experience" He appeared thoughtful "But I don't know anyone here, so maybe you can guide me in my selection of crew, father"

He first wanted to try and talk his father out of sending Urri with Rurick, but he realized that his father was right in that too, so he didn't say anything about the matter. He decided then and there that he would still talk to Varcen, but not to ask him to join him on the ship, but instead look after his little brother instead. That thought he kept to himself, looking cool while he slightly bowed his head at his father.

"I will go and talk to mother, then"

He stood there waiting for this father go give him leave.

[lordbalorgreyjoy]

Balor looked at his son, expecting him to challenge him about Varcen but was pleasantly surprised to see Sabastian make no comment. "Well, as far as first mate's go, you'll not find anyone more skilled at handling a ship than Gedrick. He's the mate on the Iron Kraken and I'll be sorry to lose him but I swear he can smell a storm coming two days in advance" he smiled at that.
"Either way you have preparations to make before you can sail. Gedrick will help you round up some good men. He's very persuasive and he'll need to be. We can be a conservative lot at times here and that new boat has already got people muttering" he gestured at the sea outside "Once they see her sail, they'll come round I'm sure. Best for you to go and say your goodbyes to your lady mother now" he said, finishing the discussion and heading back for the main room.