Highton

[barker520]

Pate's brows rose in surprise in hearing the bit about his father. Pate had been ten-and-six when his father went off to war and never returned, and he had been the local blacksmith ever since. "No, I didn't know you had the pleasure of meeting the old man," Pate replied, smiling. He would have a lot of questions about his father later, but not now. "I reckon I know my duties well enough, ser-- I mean, Wat. I'm just sad we don't have any more lords to kill," he jested, trying to make the older man laugh.

[Lord Howland Royce]

Wat chuckles a bit. "No, no more evil lords to kill. I don't intend to spread this any further either. If the rest of the people want more freedom they will have to bloody come here. Ser Benfry Smith was a commoner and as soon as he got some real power the lords cast him down. And look what's come of it more bloody wars for the people to die." Wat shakes his head sadly.

[barker520]

Pate didn't know quite how to respond to Wat's sad musings, so he brought up a matter that he had been turning over in his head on the walk to Highton. "Ser, I mean Wat, there is one thing I wanted to ask of ya. Your the leader of these here folks, and even if we made it plain we don't want no more lords, our leader should still look like a real leader. I saw the stuff you went to war in, not bad stuff, but I've been a busy smith for two winters, and I can forge you a nice blade and beautiful, strong armor, to inspire the local folks when they see the man who cast the lords down."

[Lord Howland Royce]

Wat frowned at Pate. "And if I wear this bloody armour they will think me another lord wasting money. That won't do Pate. Make some ploughs and have the folk think you smart to prepare for the summer".

[barker520]

A look of hurt flashed across Pate's face, before passing. He understood now. This Wat is a smart fella, Pate thought. A smile came across his face before speaking. "Oh, you don't gotta worry bout a thing, Ser Wat. Goldgrass will have the most plentiful harvest north of the neck, you wait and see," he promised.

[Lord Howland Royce]

"That is good friend. I'm certain the people of Goldgrass will not rue their choice. But you will also need a village leader to act as a councilor. I am sure that you will organize that when you get back to Goldgrass. I will also send some ravens regarding things that concerns Stoney Shore as a whole."

[barker520]

Pate nodded solemnly, determined to start his 'administration' off right. He motioned for a woman to bring him some ale, and he set and talked at length with Wat about his father and their adventures. They laughed and then grew sad, remembering the man they had both known well. Finally, Pate rose, quite drunk, and took his leave.

[Lord Howland Royce]

Wat waved farwell to Pate, and walked to one of maester Coleman's lessons for the children of Highton. Encouraging the children to read he picked up a book and began to read some passages out loud, before retreating to the solar of the keep.

[barker520]

\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

After visiting Wat and discussing some important issues, Jack and his son rode out of Highton on one of its wide muddy streets. He gazed on with satisfaction at the new homes lining the road. Jack and six other men had begun the work, but by the end of the month, there were over sixty men and young boys contributing in the construction. Where just a month earlier a line of broken down shacks stood, twenty strong, wide houses were visible. As they left the town behind, they passed the strong keep of Highton where Wat had his residence. Many men were still working on the defense improvements on the stone walls that Jack had started on a few weeks earlier. He knew his place was at Slateville, however, where much work and many hungry people waited for him.

[Percy Rivers]

After abandoning their horses in favour of a boat ride up the coast to Highton Ser Preston and his party finally dissembarked in the cold, northern village. "Alright lads." Ser Preston said, shifting his cloak around. "I suppose we'll be heading up to the Holdfast to find this Jack fellow we've been after."

[Lord Howland Royce]

Wat the White approached the men entering the village. "I s'pose that you are the men Jack spoke about. It's a shame you didn't bring any horses the chef could have made a feast. Come, come the Shepherder is in the keep".

Wat the White leads them to the hall of the Keep were Wat Shephard is trying to read outloud for the children.

[Percy Rivers]

Ser Preston made his way into the small, modest keep.

[Lord Howland Royce]

Wat Shephard glanced at Ser Preston. "Well, children you'll have to continue reading by your own, remember what the maester taught you".

"Good day to you," Wat said to Preston.

[Percy Rivers]

"And to you." Ser Preston answered. "You are the leader here?"

[Lord Howland Royce]

"Of a sorts. I make suggestions and if they aren't stupid people follow".