Forested lands passed beneath his vision. He could see the entire lay of the land race below as he soared half a league above. A river to the west snaked its way through the greens, tans and reds. Open tracts of farming country marked the landscape in the distance. Smoke billowed upon the horizon caught his attention. The speed of his descent toward what felt like danger incensed his heart rate. It was an exhilarating feeling; the blood rushing through his veins.
Nearing the smoke, he found men, some on horseback others running about putting torches to thatched structures. A stone keep, half a kilometer to the north stood on a small hill rose prominently out of the forest, as if watching down on the burning village. He heard shouts of men and screaming women. A violent foray as those unable to defend themselves ran to escape torture.
He banked towards the south racing onwards. The roads, below teemed with refugees fleeing death and destruction; heading towards King’s Landing. The displaced people attempting to find shelter, peace and a hot meal. Hope for a promising future was all these lowborn souls could hope for, with their world now torn asunder.
His vision changed. He now raced over a flowing river, barely five meters over the surface. Peering at his reflection in the water, he could see the light-colored belly and underwing of a red-tailed hawk. The bird’s feathers a rich brown above and pale below, with a streaked belly and, on the wing underside, a dark bar between shoulder and wrist. The tail, pale below and cinnamon-red above.
He approached a water fall and felt his body angle upward as his powerful wings flapped heavily scooping the air to gain altitude. As he reached the top of the water fall, the land opened up into a village overseen by a castle he recognized in the distance. Running men carrying logs beneath him raced towards the village and castle. The men also seemed familiar in some way. He felt a sense of anxiety as he neared the castle. Several emotions overtook him, causing him to wake.
Radford opened his eyes in bed thinking about the dream he just had. He wanted to remember every crisp detail. He recounted it believing it was he who was flying as the bird. It was truly an amazing dream.
‘Maybe I should write this one down?’ he asked himself.
Motivated to begin the day, he flew back the covers to dress himself. Before choosing his clothing, he retrieved a thin branch, shoved into the coals until it took fire, then he lit several candles around his room in order to add some light. The sun threatened to streak over the horizon, but not yet. It was much too early, but Radford always loved the morning. It was his favorite time of day.
He recalled events from his father’s name day celebration. He enjoyed the revelry, laughing with his sister and the other guests at the affair. He remembered the conversation he had with his father earlier in the day. He thought of Beatha Kenning of House Kenning of Kayce. A mildly attractive young waif of a lass, who more than anything else was rather intelligent. She was quick with a retort and her smile filled a room with joy. Lord Rennault recommended the Young Hawk to pursue this lass. He could not help but wonder also about Lady Glover who had strong attachments to. It saddened him to know his father would not support a union with Deepwood Motte. He also thought of his friend Evelyn Risley who was skilled a sparring partner as any boy or man he may have fought with. He truly enjoyed her company. He questioned whether the young lady truly wished to bear children. This was not a subject he could bring himself to ask with her. Lord Radford was almost to the point of asking Lady Glover’s hand in marriage, but his lord father cautioned haste. For some reason, his lord father did not want him to wed a northerner.
Over the past few days, Radford observed the blacksmiths and metal workers in Ash Falls working on swords, breast plates, helms, and shields as well as other components used in the crafting of armor and weapons. The artificers were hard at work producing weapons of war. This single action provided Radford to some insight to his lord father’s mind. In Radford’s opinion, House Lashton is going to war! The thought truly thrilled the young hawk. He could hope for nothing more. He knew he would excel in battle; distinguishing himself among some of the finest warriors in the realm.
Radford was giddy with excitement as he pulled on his breeches, undershirt and his signature green and brown doublet with gold thread; the same top he wore to his father’s name day celebration. He pulled on a pair of high hard brown leather boots then dragged a brush through his hair to insure he was presentable.
As he strolled from his room, a smile crossed his lips knowing the future would present wonderful opportunities for him. He simply needed to be strong enough to grasp them when they presented themselves.
The ward, Cedric Smallwood stepped from his room, clad in brown breeches, black boots, white undershirt and his brown leather Jerkin with acorns embroidered upon the chest. Radford had grown to consider Cedric something of a younger brother. They didn’t share everything, but were amicable enough. “Lord Cedric, are you heading to the hall to break your fast?”
“Yes m’lord,” the younger ward responded. “Shall I join you, Lord Radford?”
“Please do, m’lord,” Radford answered. The two young men walked and after a brief pause, Radford stated, “you have never expressed your views on the war raging in the realm. Do you have an opinion on the matter?”
Cedric bit his tongue. This was as of late a sore subject with the Lord of Acorn Hall. He never wanted to admit his disdain for the Lannisters. “Well, it should be no surprise, my loyalties lay with those of my lord father. He has apparently bent the knee to King Robb of Winterfell. I trust this information will have no ill feelings between myself and House Lashton?”
Radford peered into his eyes as they continued walking toward the great hall. “You have nothing to fear, m’lord. I understand your loyalty for your father. I have often stated, I don’t care which side we fight for as long as we fight.” Radford became more animated, excited as his voice intensified. “Have you seen all the weapons and armor the smiths have been forging!?”
Cedric nodded his head maintaining a placid expression, giving none of his thoughts away. He acknowledged the signs. The Lashtons were indeed going to war. But he could not know his step father’s mind. He hoped it was with either of the new kings, not with the Lannisters sitting on the Iron Throne in King’s Landing.
As the two young men entered the great hall, Radford immediately spied the young whore replacing his dear sweet mother. He was saddened by her loss and the brief span of five years was insufficient to completely get over her loss. She was truly a wonderful woman. The Young Hawk accepted that his father appeared happier as a result of this union, but something about the woman did not sit well with him.
“Good morning, my lord father,” Radford greeted Rennault at the head of the table taking the seat to his right. He gave a slight nod to the man as he greeted him. Cedric took a seat further down the table next to Lady Stelsa. “I trust you slept well?” He waited for a response before continuing.
“Good morning Lord Kayne,” Radford stated with a stern expression on his face. Intoned with curiosity, he asked, “did you take some men out for a run this morning? Carrying logs perchance?” He waited for a response before greeting the rest seated at the table.
“Good morning my sweet sister. It warms my heart to see you. I absolutely love the dress you wore to father’s name day celebration yesterday. You reminded me so much of our own pure mother, Gods bless her soul.”
Finally, Radford turned to look at his step mother with the stern expression, “Morning, m’lady.” He then quickly turned to a servant, I will have two strips of bacon, two poached eggs, toast and marmalade, with a goblet of ale to wash it down, please.”
“Father! I had the most amazing dream this morning,” Radford returned to his usual excited demeanor. “I must tell you about it later. It was very telling. Uplifting, I do say so myself.” Radford smiled at the rest of his family seated at the table returning his grim expression when his eyes fell upon his father’s new wife.
