Post by The Smith on Oct 15, 2008 11:17:42 GMT -5
Oldtown 534
“But you let Cyrus go and he was 4 years younger then me,” Loren whined to his adopted mother Lady Anne Varner.
The wise woman only smiled her gentle smile and let out a deep sigh, “Do you ever want for asking Loren? I have told you before that you can squire when Maester Alesander and Septon Tomas are satisfied with your studies and at last report your efforts have been lacking.”
“I don’t want to learn history, I want to learn to fight like my father,” Loren said crossing his arms, though only 14 he stood a foot and a half taller then Anne who was tall for a woman but not for a Royce. Loren’s brother Dorian looked up from his book for only a second to take in the situation and then turned back quickly to his place in his Tome.
“There is more to knighthood then being able to fight, Loren,” Anne said maintaining her calm demeanor, having to account for 6 children on her own did wonders for the lady’s patience. “You know your father devoted a great deal to his studies,” she lied but it was only a white lie she reasoned. “If your only talent is your sword then you might as well be a sell sword, a Lord requires both strength of body and strength of mind.”
“And strength of soul, as well,” Septon Tomas Benedict said with a smile as he walked into the tower. Loren’s sister Corinne and Shauna Varner Hightower leaped up from their chairs near the fire where they were sewing and ran to give the Septon a hug. “Oh bless you children,” he said a bit overcome as the two girls collided with him.
“Good morning Septon,” Loren said as Dorian once again looked up from his book before returning to his place.
“Lady Varner is right you know,” he said, “In these dark times a man cannot rely on his strength of body alone,” he walked slowly towards the chair by the fire as the children followed. Septon Tomas had seen to the children’s spiritual upbringing as a promise he had made to Alexander Irwyn long ago. Lady Anne smiled, relieved that she had reinforcements in her latest battle with the willful eldest Irwyn.
“In battle a man can lose his soul in rage and come to regret his decisions,” the Septon started, “that is not to say that there is not a time when fighting is required but if in that dark hour you abandon your faith and principles then even in victory you are defeated.” Loren looked perplexed by the Septon’s cryptic words.
“Tomas, how can you lose in victory?” Loren said scratching his head, “if the enemy is defeated then isn’t that victory in itself?”
“He means, that if in winning the battle, the enemy forces you to break from your principles, then even though you won the battle you have lost because your principles are defeated, and if a man can not stand on principles then he isn’t much of a man,” Dorian said not taking his eyes out of his book, “Maester Gentry said that two hundred years ago,” he said looking up for the first time.
“That’s right Dorian,” Septon Tomas said, “and those that refuse to learn from history are doomed to repeat it. This is why Lady Varner is so insistent that you develop as a well rounded person.”
Loren nodded, that made sense to him now.
The Septon continued, “A leader must not only be brave and respected for his skills on the field but also in his judgments off the battle field. Your decisions could lead to the deaths of hundreds if not thousands and your subjects must know that you do not make them lightly.”
“Like when Daddy, stood up to Lord Blackwood even though he threatened to kill mommy,” Corinne asked?
The Septon shifted uncomfortably, “Yes, your Father stood on his principles even when it would have been easier and safer to just bend a knee like the rest of the realm. While I pray the Smith has no choice as terrible for any of you children to make in the future, your preparations now will help you make the right choice.”
The Septon then began to give a lesson about the church and when he was finished he stood up gave the children a hug and left.
From that day on, Loren worked harder in his studies, while still not fond of reading he found that studying famous battles, some ancient and some more recent helped exercise his mind.
Three months later, Lady Varner called the boys into her room.
“Loren, Dorian,” she said softly, “I have decided that it is time for you to expand your learning,” she hesitated slightly. “Loren, Lord Tarly has graciously decided to take you on as his squire and you will leave for Horn Hill tomorrow.” Loren smiled happily though inside he was more then a little uneasy about leaving his home.
“Dorian,” Lady Varner continued, “Your Grandfather Alphonse, has asked that you spend sometime at Brightwater and continue your studies there. The Florents have quite the collection of books as Maester Alesander says you have exhausted every one of his personal collection here.”
Lady Anne smiled, although she was sad to see the boys go, the Halls of the Hightower would be considerably quieter for the next few years. She had done what she could to raise the boys as she thought Alexander would have but now that they were of age it was important for them to begin branching out on their own. Perhaps the Barren Oak would show new life with this new generation.
Results:
Loren improves to Expert Battle
Dorian improves to Noteworthy Historical Research
Loren and Dorian improve to Novice Religion
Septon Tomas improves to Expert Religion
“But you let Cyrus go and he was 4 years younger then me,” Loren whined to his adopted mother Lady Anne Varner.
The wise woman only smiled her gentle smile and let out a deep sigh, “Do you ever want for asking Loren? I have told you before that you can squire when Maester Alesander and Septon Tomas are satisfied with your studies and at last report your efforts have been lacking.”
“I don’t want to learn history, I want to learn to fight like my father,” Loren said crossing his arms, though only 14 he stood a foot and a half taller then Anne who was tall for a woman but not for a Royce. Loren’s brother Dorian looked up from his book for only a second to take in the situation and then turned back quickly to his place in his Tome.
“There is more to knighthood then being able to fight, Loren,” Anne said maintaining her calm demeanor, having to account for 6 children on her own did wonders for the lady’s patience. “You know your father devoted a great deal to his studies,” she lied but it was only a white lie she reasoned. “If your only talent is your sword then you might as well be a sell sword, a Lord requires both strength of body and strength of mind.”
“And strength of soul, as well,” Septon Tomas Benedict said with a smile as he walked into the tower. Loren’s sister Corinne and Shauna Varner Hightower leaped up from their chairs near the fire where they were sewing and ran to give the Septon a hug. “Oh bless you children,” he said a bit overcome as the two girls collided with him.
“Good morning Septon,” Loren said as Dorian once again looked up from his book before returning to his place.
“Lady Varner is right you know,” he said, “In these dark times a man cannot rely on his strength of body alone,” he walked slowly towards the chair by the fire as the children followed. Septon Tomas had seen to the children’s spiritual upbringing as a promise he had made to Alexander Irwyn long ago. Lady Anne smiled, relieved that she had reinforcements in her latest battle with the willful eldest Irwyn.
“In battle a man can lose his soul in rage and come to regret his decisions,” the Septon started, “that is not to say that there is not a time when fighting is required but if in that dark hour you abandon your faith and principles then even in victory you are defeated.” Loren looked perplexed by the Septon’s cryptic words.
“Tomas, how can you lose in victory?” Loren said scratching his head, “if the enemy is defeated then isn’t that victory in itself?”
“He means, that if in winning the battle, the enemy forces you to break from your principles, then even though you won the battle you have lost because your principles are defeated, and if a man can not stand on principles then he isn’t much of a man,” Dorian said not taking his eyes out of his book, “Maester Gentry said that two hundred years ago,” he said looking up for the first time.
“That’s right Dorian,” Septon Tomas said, “and those that refuse to learn from history are doomed to repeat it. This is why Lady Varner is so insistent that you develop as a well rounded person.”
Loren nodded, that made sense to him now.
The Septon continued, “A leader must not only be brave and respected for his skills on the field but also in his judgments off the battle field. Your decisions could lead to the deaths of hundreds if not thousands and your subjects must know that you do not make them lightly.”
“Like when Daddy, stood up to Lord Blackwood even though he threatened to kill mommy,” Corinne asked?
The Septon shifted uncomfortably, “Yes, your Father stood on his principles even when it would have been easier and safer to just bend a knee like the rest of the realm. While I pray the Smith has no choice as terrible for any of you children to make in the future, your preparations now will help you make the right choice.”
The Septon then began to give a lesson about the church and when he was finished he stood up gave the children a hug and left.
From that day on, Loren worked harder in his studies, while still not fond of reading he found that studying famous battles, some ancient and some more recent helped exercise his mind.
Three months later, Lady Varner called the boys into her room.
“Loren, Dorian,” she said softly, “I have decided that it is time for you to expand your learning,” she hesitated slightly. “Loren, Lord Tarly has graciously decided to take you on as his squire and you will leave for Horn Hill tomorrow.” Loren smiled happily though inside he was more then a little uneasy about leaving his home.
“Dorian,” Lady Varner continued, “Your Grandfather Alphonse, has asked that you spend sometime at Brightwater and continue your studies there. The Florents have quite the collection of books as Maester Alesander says you have exhausted every one of his personal collection here.”
Lady Anne smiled, although she was sad to see the boys go, the Halls of the Hightower would be considerably quieter for the next few years. She had done what she could to raise the boys as she thought Alexander would have but now that they were of age it was important for them to begin branching out on their own. Perhaps the Barren Oak would show new life with this new generation.
Results:
Loren improves to Expert Battle
Dorian improves to Noteworthy Historical Research
Loren and Dorian improve to Novice Religion
Septon Tomas improves to Expert Religion