The Hightower

[The Smith]

Hightower nodded, "That is a good idea. When do you want to arrange this? How many of my ships do you want involved?" He seemed to be warming to the idea.

[Horas]

Hugo grins, happy to see that Hightower is warming to the idea. "Why not now? I can sail out with your ships, and we can meet mine off the coast."

[The Smith]

"I do not wish to send all of my ships, perhaps a third now, and the other two thirds in shifts." Hightower replied.

[Horas]

"Of course, of course," Redwyne replies, "I didn't mean all of them. How many is it that you have now, anyway?"

[Quenton Baratheon]

There is a faint creak from the door as young Steffan Florent attempts to enter the room quietly. The heir to Brightwater Keep and squire to Lord Redwyne had been making sure the peacock was correctly tended to. He'd grown somewhat attached to it on the journey over and would be sad to see it go.

Recognising Lord Hightower he offers a small bow and thin smile before moving quietly to the corner of the room so as not to intrude on the conversation.

[Horas]

"Don't be shy, lad," Lord Hugo beckons Steffan over. "You've met my squire, haven't you, Neville? Florent's oldest boy, Steffan."

[Quenton Baratheon]

Steffan does as he is told and approaches Lord Hightower.

He offers a deeper bow this time accompanied by a 'My Lord.'

"I believe we have met before, when last my father visited Oldtown. I would have been 9 years old at the time - might I say you have not aged my Lord."

[The Smith]

Hightower just glanced at the boy, "I am sure.... It was a pleasure." He coughed, and frowned rubbing his nose.

[Horas]

"Anyhow, how many ships have you got in harbor these days, Neville?" Lord Hugo asks. "Plenty of merchant ships I saw, at least."

[The Smith]

"Yes, I have twenty ships in the docks. Another ten have been sent North to Casterly Rock." He replied, "And I have a couple more here and there." He smiled and added, "My flagship is sailing south with four other vessels. The man who captains her wanted to test her new crew. Fucking sailors, always blowing away with the winds."

[Horas]

"Ha!" Redwyne laughs, "Sometimes I think our captains are like boys with new toys. But I'll see if I can find them when I sail out. Give 'em a nice meal at the Arbor for their trouble, if you don't mind." Hugo smiles at the thought of having guests.

[The Smith]

Neville nodded, "Quite possibly. That would be kind of you. So fifteen ships, that is what I can give to you, and still feel comfortable."

[Horas]

"You're a good man, Hightower. I think together we can really make this whole south coast safe!" Hugo smiles, taking another drink of his wine. "Are you going to this tourney in King's Landing?"

[The Smith]

Neville nodded, "Aye. I think if you want to stay in the good graces of the Lions you should go as well." He glanced toward the door, "My guest has intimated as much to, in that silky way of hers."

[Horas]

"I'm too damn old to be competing in tourneys, Neville. And too damn fat." Hugo laughs at his own expense. "My boy means to go, he can see to any House business that needs to be done."