The Ruins on the Hill

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On a high hill overlooking the harbor of Pentos, stands the ruin of what was once a massive, gleaming mansion. It was burned years ago by a terrible fire, and only ashes and dust remain, and a bare skeleton of stone. The house is tended to by a loony old man who was once a servant to the family that owned this house. They say in the city that he still serves the ghosts.

[Horas]

Ser Mimseval rides up the hill, the golden lobster on his shield shining in the sun. "This place has a foul air about it," He comments to his companion, "Best be on your guard, Ser Alliser."

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"It has an air of hauntedness," Alliser commented knowledgeably. "You can tell if you know these things. Why, I..."

"GET OUT OF HERE!" A skinny old man with a dirty grey beard, clad in an old brown robe, came running out, flapping at them. "HOW DARE YOU DESECRATE THIS HOLY PLACE...!"

"Peace, father!" Ser Alliser boomed, his cow looking gloomy. "We have come to pay our respects to the dead!"

That stopped the old man short. "You have?" he asked suspiciously. Then he seemed to notice them for the first time. "Westerosi knights?"

"That is correct," Ser Alliser said proudly. "I am Ser Alliser of the Cow, and this is the noble Ser Mimseval of the Golden Lobster."

"I am Lohengros," the old man said. "I guard the ghosts."

"Who were these ghosts?" Alliser said, dismounting and coming over. He reached to touch the blackened stone wall, but Lohengros flinched, and Alliser - showing unusual sense - refrained.

"They thought themselves blessed, until the curse came upon them," Lohengros muttered. "At least, I think it was a curse. Nothing is worth that sacrifice, especially not monsters. My poor dear mistress..." There were tears in the old man's eyes. "That monstrous child, she did it with my mistress' encouragement. My mistress was a very learned woman, and knew things. But the girl was born for it. And then in that bonfire, the fire-breathing lizards..." he shuddered. "Don't make me describe it."

"Who was the family? Who was your mistress? Who was the girl?" Alliser asked gently.

Lohengros trembled.

[Horas]

"Do not fear, goodman," The Lobster Knight says, "We mean you no harm, only to slay these abominations. Who are these people you speak of?"

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Lohengros seemed soothed by Ser Mimseval's gentle voice. He paused for a moment, and then spoke in an old, wavery voice. "My mistress and master and their little boy lived here with the master's daughter. They were the Bucklers, called Ser Brandon and Lady Elane. Their son was Tristifer. Ser Brandon's bastard daughter was a girl called Rose. The other bastard daughter, Violet, died in the fire with Lady Elane. Ser Brandon..." he sniffed back tears. "He couldn't save her, but he took the boy ran for safety."

[Horas]

Mimseval frowns. "And this girl... the one with dragons. Where did she go?"

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"Elane Royce?" Alliser went pale. "She was my cousin."

Lohengros warmed to Alliser at those words, and spoke more readily. "She disappeared, vanished. Like a ghost." He blinked back tears.

[Horas]

"You knew this woman?" Mim asks. "My condolences, Ser." The man seems genuinely sad. "Death by fire is a fate no one deserves, least alone a highborn lady."

Mimseval strokes his moustache. "I do not have much to give, goodman, but you have helped us on our quest." He takes a silver stag from a pouch and hands it to the crazed servant. "Have a good meal, and perhaps some new clothes."

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"You are kind," Ser Alliser said, still pale with shock.

When Ser Mimseval tried to give the silver coin, Ser Alliser waved him away firmly. "You had already paid that dastardly fellow on the docks, good ser. And I feel this is personal. Allow me, please." He opened his purse and took out three silvers. "Take this, my good man, and live more comfortably than you do now."

"I have a duty here," Lohengros said stubbornly. "But thank you all the same."

[Horas]

Ser Mimseval seems a bit puzzled. "We appear to be at an impasse in our quest, Ser Alliser. Mayhaps we should retire to an inn to the night and spread word of our quest? There might be others in Pentos who know more."

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"You have the right of it, Ser Mimseval," Ser Alliser said, still heavy at the knowledge of his cousin's death. "Let us see what rooming houses this strange city has to offer and spread word of our quest. Mayhaps we shall find someone with knowledge."

The two knights thanked Lohengros again, and rode down the hill.