The Golden Hind

[Sam]

Steffon's eyes widened noticeably at Daeron's comment, but it made complete sense the instant it was said. "My father always told me that Thatcher and Bettley were a bad influence on him, that mother should not have allowed them to raise Daemon in her place. I find myself agreeing with him, now," Steffon said.

[Flex]

Daeron nodded with drawn eyes. "Those two and Trant always had a firm grasp on the kingdom. Now one of them is dead and the other denounced." A smile touched his lips.

[Sam]

"Aye, I've not spoken with Lord Rowan since he returned to Gallowsgrey. He seems content to remain there, out of sight, though I do not know if that is a good or bad thing. He always struck me as the lesser of three evils," Steffon said. "My father was quite fond of him, until he hanged three of our guardsmen without so much as a 'by your leave.'"

[Flex]

"You cannot fault a man for his trade, or so I've heard." Daeron said. "The fewest of us make money doing what they love." He chuckled. "Then again, I love sleeping with women, and I do little else. Somehow taxes still keep flowing."

[Sam]

Steffon shrugged. "One thing is for goddamn sure; I am packing my wife off to Nightsong the next time court comes to Storm's End, for Daemon's lusts seems to grow daily," he said.

[Flex]

Daeron laughed. "Somehow he managed to avoid my wife mostly during out little get-together. Though I think I am lucky; I doubt court will ever come to Highgarden."

[Sam]

"Hah, you're a lucky bastard then. I am glad he did not try any of this shit at Storm's End; I do not think I would be able to stomach hosting the wedding of a man who is already married, and I shudder to think of what he would have done, had I refused to host his wedding in my castle. Burn it down around my ears, more likely than not," Steffon said grimly.

[Flex]

Daeron smiled lightly. "I sure hope no dragon ever comes anywhere near Highgarden. My walls are mainly made of flowers so they'd prove not even the slightest defense."

[Sam]

"Storm's End's walls are a hundred feet high and almost as thick made of solide granite, but they'd afford about as much protection as a hedge of flowers if Daemon turned his wrath toward me," Steffon said wistfully.

[Flex]

"Yet even the greatest beast can be felled with the tinyest drop." Daeron replied, smiling to himself. "I think I shall visit Lannisport a little more. I've had a run in with some men from the College... a visit I would like to repay."

[Sam]

"I had thought to visit the college myself, actually, to see if they can do anything for my knee, that Maester Vayon did not know to try, although between that and paying Daemon back I'll be lucky if I'm not broke by the time this year is out," Steffon replied.

[Flex]

"Who knows what the future will bring." Daeron answered, standing up. "Alas, I shall take my leave. There are three giggly girls that await me."

[Sam]

"Goodnight, brother. Good talk," Steffon added, turning back to his drink and slipping into silent thought.

[Viea Greyjoy]

////////

Marianne came to the inn to talk to her brother. She had again left Adelene asleep in her room with a maid that she trusted.

[Sam]

She finds Steffon sitting at the bar, with a large glass of whiskey, sipping it slowly. A circular board hangs from the wall opposite him, divided into sections and ringed, with the background covered in felt, whose colors differed depending on the section. Sticking out of the board were a number of small steel darts, most of them near the center though a few odd darts stuck out around the board's edges.