Westeros Skies
On the way to the Westerlands
The Princess looked like she had no idea what they were talking about. Melyssanthi had this look that said ‘I'm empty headed and sweet’ and she employed it like a Braavosi water dancer employed their blade.
“Oh troubled news? Pray do tell Lady Hogg." Lady Hogg, widower and mother to knights, grimaced before finding herself again to answer the Princess’s question.
“The same troubles as have plagued us before, princess. The Faith is unhappy, and my sons will be off again to prove themselves in support of the crown.” She did not look to her remaining son, while Jon had gone off to King’s Landing, at least Baekyn was still here, for now.
“Forgive me, but I must prepare for the days ahead of us.” The mother excused herself, leaving the princess to Grandmother Hogg and her stories - embellished or not - of fair queen Rhaenys and of times that fewer and fewer remembered.
Pheynix is tended to and her wound stitched up. After the almost all consuming agony of that torment she was put through the anguish of the pulling of her movements as she bathed. Finally done she is wrapped and dressed in a dress very reminiscent of Lys. She did not complain since it was far easier than the normal Westrosi clothing.
“Thank you ladies. I can walk, no need to have him fuss over me.” If Pheynix thought that sitting up was a torment then attempting to stand nearly made her pass out. The wave of vertigo washed over her and as gently as she could Pheynix sat back down slowly.
“Perhaps I was a bit too hasty. By all means let us go get Ser Baeykin, and by us I really mean one of you.” Pheynix was moved to the bedchamber that was promised and she had no complaints. Well none that could really be fixed more than they had. The Maester had come to check the wound and had gone. She was exhausted and her brother had hobbled up the stairs to sit with her. She was not convinced that it was not due to the physical appeal of their host. While she could admit she had a flutter of attraction it was not to be measured up to what she saw her parents shared. That ultimately was what Pheynix was looking for. Attraction while it is nice and was helpful was not love.
Having slumped up the stairs to sit with his sister, Castor stared at the door for what felt like all night. Before he knew it the sun had risen and was shining right in his eyes as he had fallen asleep staring out at the night sky listening to the even breaths of his sister. His heart caught as he remembered the blood and the fear of almost losing her. He hopped up and stretched his muscles popping and creaking. Having closed his eyes on the satisfying stretch he peeked at his sister to see if he had woken her. He had not. Her face was still turned away and he could see the bright snow white patch of hair that marked their family. A birthmark that passed on through the rarity of the jet black hair that ran in their Valyrian line. Smirking Castor reached over and gently yanked that patch of hair.
He had been obsessed with it when he was little and it became a way to get his big sister’s attention. She let him know if he pulled too hard, normally with a fist in his eye. Girl could scrap and he blamed Luna and Hesp. Those two were always throwing punches or rolling in the dirt, and normally Luna that started it.
The hand that raised gently brushed his arm away so she could sleep more. Castor smirked as he sat down on the bed and tapped her cheek till he heard her grumble and she turned her head, opening her left eye slightly. He grinned and blew in her face.
The light was bad enough but the blowing in her face was enough for Pheynix to want to sock him in his eye.
“By the Old Gods!! You would kill a dragon with that breath!!” She turned her head and sputtered.
“The Black Dead is less foul than that!! What privy did you lick?! NO DON’T ANSWER THAT!!!” The full bodied laugh from her little brother made her reach out blindly and smack. Unfortunately for her Pheynix only beat the bed covers. He grabbed her hand and she turned and glared at him.
Smirking, Castor kissed his sister’s hand in consolation.
“Shall I send a maid in to assist with your absolutions or do you think you can do it yourself?” He raised an eyebrow communicating that the latter was not really an option for he would be sending a maid in.
She rolled her eyes but Pheynix knew that it would be far easier and quicker if she had assistance. And the Princess was not going to be one to dilly dally.
“Send one in please.” She watched him hobble to the door.
“Not so crippled as your sister, eh?” “Not so foolish as to get stabbed, dearest sister.” Pheynix stuck her tongue out and sat up slowly shooing him out of the room.
Melyssanthi was bright eyed, bushy tailed and a cheerfully irritatingly pretty morning person. Her hair braided and contained so that she was not a mess when they arrived at their destination. She was in a pair of red riding leathers that were covered in black chainmail. Gold gauntlets with an open palm were mirrored by a golden link belt.
Watching the brother and sister come down the stairs, Melyssanthi looked concerned.
“Are you sure you can ride cousin?” Pheynix did not look as bad as she had yesterday and thankfully did not look like she had a fever either. The older woman’s hair was braided simply and someone had raided Ser Hogg’s old clothes as the woman was clothed in leggings that were a deep blue and hugged her frame. The blue matched the trim on the deep gray tunic. Her brother was clad in the reverse colors.
“I am fine cousin. No need to worry.” Pheynix smiled warmly at Melyssanthi making the other girl smile as well. Looking at Ser Hogg she graced him with a brilliant smile.
“I thank you Ser Hogg. I shall repay your kindness in time. I know not when but I shall repay you.”“My sister and I both thank you for the use of your clothes and your… ladies’ clothes.” He said the
ladies with a slight question.
“As she stated we shall repay you.” Ser Hogg smiled broadly in response. It had been a late night and early morning, though you couldn’t tell it from his demeanor.
“We would do anything to help our Princess, and her friends.” He finished his mug of warmed wine, something to remove the chill from his bones that early morning work which seemed to linger longer the older he got. It had, though, not been an uncontentious night with his mother. The woman was displeased no matter how much grandmother had been beside herself with joy at their company.
Neither woman was present now though, and the gentle giant of a knight rose from his seat and approached the princess.
“My brother is a good man who feels that the king will call upon his service again.” He looked the princess in her eyes, youthful and innocent, but he thought now he saw something more beyond that. He knelt, though the act barely brought his head below hers.
“But I swear myself to you. I will follow you now or will wait for your word if ever needed.” He paused in his simple vow, head bent as he considered how to be clear on his point.
“My mother is not wrong that these are dangerous times and I think you have known that already though I do not ask for details on what led you to my door.” He glanced at the Rahl siblings, they should not be moving again so soon. But they had his respect for doing it.
“If you must leave now, I will see you off, a final escort until needed again.” Leaning in Melyssanthi tilted Baekyn's face up. She looked deep in his eyes.
“You warm my heart with your words Ser Baekyn Hogg.” She embraced him, placing a kiss of welcome on each cheek.
“I will be delighted to call you my personal champion. Unfortunately we must leave. Know that I have started to build my court, and you are the first of many like minded individuals. We will make changes and go far.”The grace with which the Princess accepted the fealty sworn to her made Pheynix and Castor smile.
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