The Hightower

[The Smith]

Neville chuckled, "Fair enough. And I may be too old to joust, but I do love wagering on the matches."

[Horas]

"It's tempting," Hugo says, "I'll think about it. But I find myself appreciating the comforts of my own home more and more these days. A nest of adders, is our capital."

[Quenton Baratheon]

"...but the prizes my Lord! It will surely be a tremendous tourney!" Steffan blurts out, apparently puzzled as to why anyone would want to miss such an opportunity, nest of adders or no.

[Horas]

Lord Hugo bursts out laughing at his squire's interjection. "Oh? And you think you could win it, lad?"

[Quenton Baratheon]

Steffan flushed slightly.

"No, of course... No I would have no chance. But to witness such an occasion - the heart and soul of Westeros will sit in Kings Landing when the tourney begins, I would love merely to attend."

He looked at Lord Hightower uneasily, aware that he was interupting a conversation between two of the most powerful men in the Reach.

[Horas]

"Heart and soul, eh?" Hugo snorts derisively. "We'll talk about it later, Steffan."

[Quenton Baratheon]

An awkward expression falls across the boys face and he flushes brighter. He musters a curt nod and then proceeds to busy himself rearranging the dinner table.

[The Smith]

Neville smirked at the boy and then said, "Ever seen a menagrie with a nest of Vipers. I can't but help watch, from a safe distance. Let the vipers play, I just want a good joust."

[Horas]

"Snakes make my skin crawl," Hugo says, "Can't stand 'em. Something about the way they move. Jousting is better."

Redwyne shifts his bulk out of his seat. "Well, it was good talking to you, Neville. I thought I'd pick up some things from the merchant quarter before heading home. Walk with me, lad," he says, that last directed towards Steffan.

[Quenton Baratheon]

Steffan turns to Lord Hugo, knocking over a flagon of red wine in the process. He pauses for a second, considering whether to set it right, but then leaves it.

He moves to follow Lord Hugo.

[The Smith]

Neville waves his hand at Redwyne, but does not rise.

[Horas]

Hugo Redwyne begins making his way down the stairs, huffing slightly at the exertion. "You know what Hightower's problem is? Too many damn stairs," he grunts. "Sorry for being short with you, lad. I was the same way at your age, all hungry for tourneys and glory and kisses from pretty girls. But when you get older, you realize that there's more important things than watching which Ser knocks the other Ser off his horse with a tourney lance. Do you understand that?"

[Quenton Baratheon]

The boy nods.

"My father has told me the same on many occasions," he admits.

There is a brief pause as they descend further.

"What do you value as important, my Lord?"

[Horas]

"A good question." Lord Hugo nods in approval.

"Family and friends. If a man doesn't stick by his friends when they're in trouble, he's no man at all. Then all those others that live and work under a lord, and look to him for their protection. That's why we keep the Reach safe from pirates and reavers, Steffan, because those folk depend on us."

"And sometimes war is important. They're never pretty, but sometimes you don't have a choice but to stand up for what's good and right." Hugo leads his squire out into the city, down a street of smiths going at their work.

[Quenton Baratheon]

"Spoken like a true Knight," Steffan replies admiringly.

"If it is not too direct a question my Lord, do you think I will soon be ready for Knighthood? I long to defend the virtues of the faith."