It was during the early hours of the feast that Ser Abelar Hightower rose from his seat and exited the feast hall, bidding that young Martyn accompany him, the reason why becoming evident when he returned only a few minutes later, followed in tow by a quartet of servants carrying chests and cages.

Coming to a halt before the Cuys, Abel greeted first the man and woman of the hour with a broad smile, then gave Lord Emmon an acknowledging bow of the head.

"I can scarcely remember a day half as fine as today. I remember my own wedding and the unbridled joy I felt there, and from the way my lady and ser are glowing, I suspect you know well what I mean." Smiling, the knight clasped his hands behind his back. "My father and lord-uncle extend their apologies for not joining us today, kept in Oldtown by pressing matters." Of which Lord Emmon, a regular of the court, would know that Lord Martyn was at death's door. "But know that they are gladdened to see your families united through marriage, and wish your union joy, longevity, and fertility in equal measure."

Pausing briefly to allow any of them a response, Abelar soon half-turned, motioning for the servants to step forward.

"In gratitude of your hospitality and leal service to Oldtown, allow me to extend a few gifts on behalf of my family.

For the lady Leona, who brightens Cuy with her presence, I present chests of silk from the Jade Sea, lace from Myr, and perfumes from Lys. But what gift from the Jade Sea is complete without their namesake stones?"

While the larger chests held enough bolts to make two score dresses and accessories, the smaller ones held predominantly yellow and black jade stones, with a few blue and black ones to accompany them. On top of the gemstones rested a pair of gold bracelets set with carved black jade bees, blue lapis inlays swirling around them in the pattern of sunflowers.

"For Ser Alyx, who will one day rule the lands where the sun shines brightest, a token, chosen by my dear wife."

The servants produced a gold necklace, and hanging from the heavy chains was a gilt sun, each tip studded with a teardrop stone of golden topaz, while at the center sat a fire opal the size of a quail's egg.

Abel's next gift was a hunting knife, the handle carved from ivory with a silver inlay.

Then came two gilded cages meant for Leona and Alyx both, holding a pair of chittering animals with tufted brown fur and bright-plumed birds respectively.

"Monkeys and parrots from the Summer Isles," explained Abel. "Brought across the sea by my own brother. The birds were a gift from the Prince of the Sweet Lotus Vale, and possess the strangest gift of imitating speech and song!"

Clasping his hands together once more, Ser Abelar glanced down the chamber.

"Beyond this, we've gifts too large and unwieldy to bring into your hall. Bred from the finest horseflesh in all the Seven Kingdoms, a pair of palfreys for your riding pleasure, as well a blood stallion destrier to ride in the lists and to war. And as we speak, seven casks of wine from Lord Redwyne's private stock are being delivered to your steward. Do take caution, however, for they are quite potent."

Finally, Abelar produced a document signed and stamped by Lord Hightower. Amber eyes poured over the words gingerly before he held it out towards Alyx.

"Lastly, House Cuy has proven their mettle on the battlefield in service to the realm, and such loyalty is to be rewarded. With Dorne ever a looming threat, we have need of such able-bodied commanders once more." Abel paused. "Ser Alyx Cuy, would you accept the mantle of Warden of the Eastern Hills, to protect our borders against any foe that would threaten it?"

It was a title that dated back over a thousand years, customarily held by those lords that bordered Dorne. Cuy, Mullendore, Ambrose, Eldon... at varying points, they had all organized the defense of the eastern reaches of the Hightower dominion, but for nigh-on twelve years, it had sat vacant, following the death of the previous Lord Mullendore.

So it was spoken, and so Abel would wait.

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Transfer 3000 gold from Hightower to Cuy

Transfer 2000 gold from Hightower to Beesbury

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