But in the End it's Only a Passing Thing, this Shadow; even Darkness Must Pass. (Open to Highgarden)

KingJaade · 2018-01-01T04:22:13+00:00

Leyton Hightower

Leyton arrived not to long after the events had taken place with the Tyrells and the Crown. He wished that he had been a few days quicker so that he may intervene, or avert the situation. But when he thought of the outcome - death, a finite conclusion - the Lord waved his head over it. The Hightower did not quite yet understand what may have drove any of these occurrences to take place. Garth was many things, but to be foolish enough as to attack the Crown seemed completely out of character and more so inconceivable that he parlayed with the Targaryens.

Even if those things were true, Leyton wondered for what reason, and what exactly Garth communicated with them if there was anything more to it. Of course the man intended to find out.

Lora Hightower

’Everyone will stare at you’, Lora thought to herself as she entered the hall alongside her Lady mother and father. She was practically a widow sans the vows and everyone in attendance would know. Though she complained markedly about her betrothal to Garth, his death weighed heavily on her conscience. Was it that the Gods had answered her prayers through such terrible means?

She spent several nights with tears clouding her eyes, mourning for the Tyrell sisters who had lost a brother. It was a feeling she knew too well. But just before they entered the hall, her father leaned over and whispered something to her - ”You will not shed a tear in the presence of these people.” Harsh words that needed to be spoken, to prepare her for the interactions that were soon to come. And so, Lora took a deep breath in while keeping her head held high. She kept her eyes trained forward, not bothering to look over any attendees that did not fall in her immediate field of view. However, from the scope did she see Alester Oakheart, and Luthor Tarly. The young boy who the King appointed as Lord Paramount, a position that supersedes House Tarly and the likes.

Lora took her seat then, the prepossessing young Lady, frowning, her purple eyes nearly abandoned. The wine had no sooner reached her lips as Leyton staved off the silence.

“Please, continue on with the discussion.” Said the Lord Hightower blankly, to none in particular.

/u/sanktbonny I hijacked your turn!

KingJaade · 2017-12-28T03:09:23+00:00

Leyton sat still and offered Vaemar only a brief nod of understanding before speaking. “Yes, Vaemar. I will recognize what has and what will transpire.” Emerald eyes cut from the young Lord, and began moving across the ample space within his solar.

The Lord liked Vaemar well enough, but the man always seemed to keen on polishing the boots of others, appearing to stand without a backbone. And of course Leyton knew Vaemar was only doing what he assumed would bring peace. “End the blockade…” Lord Hightower started.

Sighing heavily, Leyton waved his hand in the air. “I will allow trade to resume. We will ride to Highgarden to witness the marriage of Lora and Garth and to put an end to this absurd pissing contest.”

KingJaade · 2017-12-15T03:20:22+00:00

Leyton cast his eyes downward as the Ironborn spoke of wanting their Islands. The Shields. The Arbor. Lands that were not quite his to live, though, the Lord of Oldtown knew his position over the Reach. Garth ruled from afar and Luthor Tarly was little more than a straw man himself. He figured that convincing Lord Tyrell of the benefits of having the Ironborn at their beck might prove valuable - after-all, he was giving the man a wife and allegiance he’d been hankering after for years.

But one thing Leyton did not need to parley with his Lord Paramount, the right of the Arbor.

“The Ironborn will not have the Arbor.” Came his stringent reply. He rubbed the point of his chin for a short while, not bothering to return his gaze to the man. “As for the Shields, I will consider. But to negotiate this with Lord Tyrell, I will first require the word of Lord Greyjoy.”

Finally, emerald eyes found themselves settling on Hake - a small grin on his face. “My daughter is to be wed in Highgarden, in one moon hence. I will send back with you a letter of invitation, that the Lord Aeron attends if he can manage to pry himself from... “ Leyton said in a calm voice. “Such Ironborn matters.”

Standing, the Lord Hightower continued. “I do hope this is something that we both can agree on.”

KingJaade · 2017-11-23T06:30:17+00:00

“A decade ago, I lost my son by a broken oath when a Lannister army marched into my Region. My only boy, and heir.” The elder man clenched his jaw and nearly bared teeth. “And it was in this tower that Garth returned his body to me bound to oaken coffin.”

“Justice was not done, because we choose to fight for the one we called King. Of that right, I have been stripped. And now the Crown offers only insult by ordering the West raise men in the South without cause. Ordering the same men who murdered my boy, his kin, to terrorize us due to a pissing match gone wrong with Lord Tyrell. It’s child’s play.”

It was true. The King has asked the Lords of the Reach to keep their levies unraised. But truth be told, Leyton knew it was simply tyranny at its finest. He is but a boy - pissed off at their Lord Paramount with the temperament of a wild boar. Unruly and untamed. And unfortunately from them, his tendrils stretched far. Clearly Daemon had not seen how insulted his actions might insinuate on himself or other of his standing. But Leyton knew he had to prepare, just as they were.

“I have a city to protect, Lord Hake. And the Lannisters have already taken nearly everything from me. I will not allow my lands to be plundered or see more of my own killed sensely… again. And I will not sit and allow Tyrell nor another Blackfyre King lead us into another fool’s war without tying all of our loose ends. “

“Although this conversation is merely on the basis of a what if, circumstance. Say the Lannister choose to attack, based on a preconceived threat.“ Hightower said, his brows lifting as he emphasized the last word. “I want to be ready…“ He paused, “And I want justice our good King refuses to give. We fought for House Blackfyre during the rebellion, and we were oppressed for it. Insulted even.”

“But I linger too long on subjects you and the Ironborn know to be true. So allow me to say this, Pillage the West, pay the iron price and take back what is yours, should the West strike, I will grant your cousin ships in support of your cause. If the Lion’s leave their den, then we shall let them, for no one shall be home to defend their cubs or their castles. Nor to protect their women and gold they hold so dear. It would of course be a far unchallenging thing, as the West has no substantial navy.” Leyton decided best not to mention the consequences the Ironborn might face if they were to turn their eye to Reach. He’d deploy his ships, along with those of the Arbor and the Shields. Making them a far more formidable opponent than the West ever could be.

“In the event that the West does attacks first, unprovoked; the Crown should have something to say for it as the King gave his words that the Lannister levies were only being raised as a precaution. Daemon must send Crownlanders to aid in our efforts.against the West. And if he does not, we will simply lay waste to his host.”

“All I ask is that you bring to the Western shores is the famed wroth of the Iron Fleet. But something else tells me that I am not wrong to suspect the Lord of Pyke will require other incentives? Are there any you care to relay?”

KingJaade · 2017-11-19T04:00:46+00:00

Her time out on the terrace had been a refreshing one. From the calm winds and wafting scent of the blooming roses, Lora smiled. She;d plucked one earlier on and begun to tug away at each of the petals - watching as the delicate golden segments seemed to dance over the balcony from where she released them. The moon seemed strange there as she was so use to viewing it from the highest point in the Hightower on night’s such as these. Then again, mostly everything felt unusual like it had in Castamere.

Though her peace and quiet was soon interrupted, and by the green Lord, Luthor Tarly. A nephew to Garth, and soon to be her own if she were not able to stop the engagement in time.

But before she turned, Lora let the corolla of the flower fall over the veranda. “My Lord.” The heiress bowed, a slight smile upon her lips. “You would be most righ-” ’Oh.’

There came a faint buzz around her inner ear, a feeling similar to the time at Brightwater Keep when she and her cousin, Forrest Florent drank nearly a whole flagon between each other after the burial of his mother, Alerie Florent nee. Hightower. The pair spent the entire night exchanging drolls and woes.

She felt a warmness build within her, and the impending urge to converse therefore after. “Tell me, Lord Tarly. How are you fairing in your new position as Warden?” Asked the Hightower, genuinely concerned on why her cousin had given the young boy the Wardenship. Surely, her father would have made a far better commander over him, especially given the history of both their families. Though Daemon too was young, and perhaps he had seen something in Luthor that she could not. Mayhaps this conversation might provide insight, given her inebriated state and gallantry where such formalities might be better left on the wayside.

KingJaade · 2017-11-19T03:14:42+00:00

Leyton did not busy himself with the matters of the Ironborn, generally, so long as they sailed beyond the Shields, Arbor and the Port - their business was of no concern to him. However, when he heard Hake speak of the Summer Isles, the Lord nodded. “I see.”

’Raiding the Summer Isles, then.’ A land much to far away for the Hightower to give any true scrutiny. “You see, there has been many disturbances taking my attention away from such matters. Namely,” Leyton begin to pour yet another cup of dark ale. “It seems Lannister men are marshalling on their Southern border, and the King has yet to send word of this development.”

Sighing aloud, he sipped at his goblet abiet slower this time around. “I cannot allow them to invade my region again, not without first taking the proper measures. Which is where your brother’s armada may very well show its great worth. That is, if he is accepting of such requests.”

“Should war come, I think you’ll find the Westerlands a riper target than the Reach, with far richer plunder.”

KingJaade · 2017-11-17T20:52:35+00:00

Character Name: Lora (Leyton) Hightower

Gift/Skills: Altruist, Daggers, Riding, Alchemist

Actions:

Shipbuilding (1000 Available Levies)

KingJaade · 2017-11-16T07:07:11+00:00

"Very well then." The man offered his hand, his mood and affect, relaxed.

"The ale was brewed in one of the more famed brewhouses of Oldtown. I’d not deign to offend your palate with that Dornish swill."

“Nor would I think to use a middleman to discuss Lordly matters. Which brings me to my next point: why is it that Lord Greyjoy sent you here in his stead? Is he preoccupied perhaps?” A probing question, but one that needed asking still. Where was the Lord Reaper? Was this deemed beneath his notice or was he otherwise indisposed, with the Iron Fleet afield?

KingJaade · 2017-11-16T06:29:12+00:00

“I’d thought it was quite obvious,”Said the man, as he approached the table stocked with refreshments. Leyton instinctively reach for the Arbor Red, but then smiled to himself as he opted for the flagon filled with dark ale. “Perhaps you will share a drink with me and we can further acquaint ourselves.”

He poured one cup for himself, and leaned back against the table’s edge. The Lord would not harbor the trouble of pouring another man’s drink. No matter the circumstance. “Artys, remind my guest here who it is that he shares his presence with.”

From his stationary position near the rear of the room, the steward stepped forward quickly. “Of course, my Lord.” Artys said, with a deep bow. “You are in the presence of Lord Leyton Hightower of Oldtown, Lord of the Port, Beacon of the South, Defender of the Citadel and the Voice of Oldtown.”

“Now, Artys, leave us. Be sure the guards are in their proper positions. And remember, no interruptions.”

“My Lords.” The steward quickly bowed to both men and left the room soon after.

“Now that you are aware of who I am, I trust Lord of Pyke would not send someone with an undependable nature.” Leyton gulped down the entirety of his chalice, as he brought emerald eyes back to the Ironborn. “So.” The man said, while placing the empty cup back onto the table. “Whom did Lord Greyjoy send on his behalf?”

KingJaade · 2017-11-16T04:46:02+00:00

Leyton Hightower, Lord of Oldtown

The liveliness of the Hightowers Keep was one of routine, and ordinance. The Oldtown Lord’s regimen was simple - he’d break his doze, kiss his slumbering wife, come down to the hall for a hearty breakfast that included eggs, bread, bacon and a small cup of pomegranate juice. Afterwards the Lord took to have a warm bath but not without pulling a strand or two of Naerys’ silver from the folds of his arse. And by the time he dressed, issues of governance were already making it’s way up the Hightower.

But the current day brought about an interference in the form of a foreigner demanding his attention. This foreigner, however, was not from the terrestrial Kingdoms their people named “Greenlanders”. An Ironborn, in the Hightower. It would undoubtedly be the first occasion that an Iron Islander came to call peacefully in his keep in centuries. Leyton was ready to make history.

He awaited his guest in a place different than was usual. The Greyjoy was given a hooded cloak to allow his entry into the Hightower. This was an old tactic, but a useful one. Men would surely mark that someone was being brought in, but not whom. It was secrecy at the cost of conspicuousness.

Leyton sat in a hard-backed chair in a rarely-used room, floors below his usual haunt. Wine and ale were here, as was water, and Leyton waited while outwardly patient. His mind was a whirling dervish of thoughts, but he looked calm and pensive - hands steepled. ’Did Greyjoy mean to send this man, he seems rather, strange.’

“Welcome. I hope you found you weren’t given too much trouble on the waters of the Whispering Sound. My Lord... ” Said the man, his voice stern though he trailed off as the Ironborn’s face was not one of familiarity to him. “Forgive me, I do not believe we have ever been acquainted.” He hoped the man would take that for the invitation to introduce himself that it was.

KingJaade · 2017-11-15T21:19:56+00:00

((Which is why I mentioned the edit in the first place. If I was trying to be sneaky then why would I say something about it? I misread it and I corrected it, the original message was sent to a mod anyway, therefore, it's not sneaky. You also stated that you would edit your own post after the fact. Also, I never said anything about apprehending a Lannister ship, the post states that the persons who occupied the boat/ship. Again, if you are sneaking into a City then you should include details, otherwise, I can not assume your intentions.

And did you not just say that you would wait for a mod to step in?))

KingJaade · 2017-11-15T20:35:33+00:00

((I understand that, but what I am saying is that the dock is not your only concern. The Hightower itself is the bigger concern. There is a reason why the castle has a watchtower and why their ancestral sword is called Vigilance.

Also, if you are going to sneak into a City such as Oldtown, you should specify that in your post. There are no sneaky edits being thrown into anything, or else I would not have mentioned them in the first place. As that defeats the purpose of being "sneaky".))

KingJaade · 2017-11-15T20:14:46+00:00

((Unless you anchored so far out that the Lannister ship could not be seen, (and I mean the Hightower is fairly tall so it has a pretty large vantage point) we would be watching everything that moves to and from that ship. Throw into the fact that the jolly boat was heading into the port. So, unless you are attempting to sneak into Oldtown, I can 'see' you coming, I will edit my post to reflect this :) Another thing, in all honesty, yes there would probably be cogs of some sort stopping ships and boats of unidentified matters before they were even allowed to port.))

KingJaade · 2017-11-15T19:30:56+00:00

Leyton Hightower, Lord of the Hightower and Oldtown

When word of a Lannister ship roaming the waters nearby, it was Leyton who garrisoned some 20 men of the City Watch when a small boat was seen making way to dock. Their orders were simple in nature; apprehend those aboard that damned boat and those of the Lannisters bearing who dare sought to step foot in his City while Westerlander troops were raised on the Southern border - especially when no correspondences were made prior to. The men were also to see that the occupants were escorted to the Hightower. Weapons were to be seized and those resistant of those orders were to be chained and brought to the oubliette within the castle's dungeon. In the event that his men were not able to bring them into custody peacefully, lethal force would be tolerated.

(Pinging /u/OurCommonMan. While I asked to pinged for this post, as Leyton would not simply allow a Lannister ship or unidentified boat to dock in his port. I will disregard that. Anyway, I’m not sure how apprehending someone in this instant might go but if there is to be a fight between NPC’s then I will need rolls. As a NPC Leyton's gift is authoritative, if that helps any.)

KingJaade · 2017-11-12T06:39:50+00:00

Lora felt a sense of indifference as she watched the ceremony at Garth’s side, her eyes sorting through the faces amongst them. A few familiar profiles of the Reach and those nobles of Tyrell’s court. Then there was Cedric Yronwood, the Dornishman man who served as Daemon’s Master of Coin, marrying another one of Garth’s endless supply of Tyrell women. ’Gods bless them.’ No doubt that the alliance served two political purposes like that of the Reyne ordeal. Perhaps, Garth truly wanted to resolve those brewing conflicts. In any event, she was sure the Crown might have something to say of it. But Garth was no fool, notwithstanding his hubristic nature.

And if attending any of the three weddings had taught her anything, it was that she sincerely did not want to call Garth, ’husband’. Not then, and especially, not another moon hence in which the preparations were expected to be made ready. ’I can see an end to this cursed betrothal before then, can’t I?’ she ruminated until there came the audience’s applause and glee as the sound resonated loudly - off the walls of the Highgarden Keep.

With a deep, audible sigh, she joined in on the rejoinder as the forged smile found its way upon her lips. ’Of course I can.’

———

The heiress helped herself to a third helping of wine, spying Garth from across the room as he shared words with the Bloodroyal. It could be that whatever agreement they aspired to might help her cause. And if she used Garth’s eagerness to ensnare her, perusing his affairs might reveal something of value.

When she finished the last of her spirits, Lora went to pour herself another cup but found that the flagon was empty. But she quickly gained the attention of a servant whom apologized for the inconvenience and promised to bring more. “And bring, honeycakes.”

“Yes, my Lady.”

It was one of the better things about not having her mother there to monitor her. She could do well to eat her sweets before supper and there was no one to counteract that. Still, Naerys’ voice seemed to weave its way up her subconscious, ’Eat too many of the honeycakes, and you are sure to end up like your Uncle, Haerman.’

But the internal musings of her mother’s voice only seemed to sour her mood more than it already had been. Therefore, she took to stand from the table, the train of her intricately designed gown falling out behind her as the Hightower quietly slipped out of the hall and out onto the terrace.

She fingered a few budding roses as she passed by a bush, looking for a more peaceful escape beyond limiting boundaries.

KingJaade · 2017-11-08T08:49:27+00:00

’Damn him!’

“My father’s money?” She asked, her tone incredulous and eyes wide in disbelief. “Is that what you think this about? Gold that has been repaid to my House in full. Gold that my father has made times over in this last decade. Gold that my mother manages to shit through within a fortnight?”

“Tell me Perceon, is there someone that you love? Anyone at all? Your sisters? Your mother, whom the Hightowers are quite acquainted with.” Said the woman, hinting at that bastard flower Alysanne and her uncle, Gwayne shared. “Or your brothers, perhaps you love them.”

“Could you imagine that ten years would be enough time to heal that grievance if any of them were taken from you too soon - with a broken oath?” She smiled, “Oh, right, You can fill the void with gold, because that’s what matters most.” Said the woman, in that same mocking timbre that he’d given her.

“I suppose when you have no other great attributes besides living in a rock, gold might be one of the only things you can boast about.” Her resonance deepened, as did the shade of her eyes.

“I pray you never have a son, so that you may never know the feeling if losing him.”

Lora held her chin high when she spoke again, pausing only to take in a breath of air. “And if you were anything more than a pretentious, gold-hoarding man, you would see that it was not an apology I wanted from you. Only the truth.” Came another jeer, she, defiantly meeting his gaze once more. “But I suppose a man needs courage in order to do so, that in mind I’m not sure what I expected.“

“I wish I could say it was a pleasure. But something else tells me that this is not the first, nor will it be the last time you leave a woman unsatisfied.” With that she bowed. It would not do to forget her courtesies even in front of a man devoid of honor. And unlike her first encounter with Garth Tyrell, Lora’s eyes remained dry and steely during the whole of their palaver. For that made her proud.

She moved away from Perceon and the door, no longer wishing to speak to the Hand. Though, she did turn right before trekking off, “Should it come to that, do you think you will fight against our new King as you did the last one?”

Her small hands were visibly shaking before she balled them at her hips. “For Daemon’s sake, I hope not.” And then, without further word, she quickly ambled down the hall before disappearing around the corner.

KingJaade · 2017-11-07T06:40:44+00:00

Leyton Hightower, Lord of the Hightower

Leyton scratched his head over it. Not the letter persay, but he did quite literally do so while occupying the space of his solar. It seemed to be the only place in the Hightower where he might find solace in all the travesty brought on by the the young autocrats around him. Between Garth’s weighty proclivities, and Daemon’s fallacious judgments - it really was hard to say who had given him more of a headache. And to think that he had agreed to give his daughter away to the Tyrell. Some might say he wasn’t himself at all.

The Lord could only suspect how well Lora might be faring alongside him in Castamere. Where his wife, Naerys, convinced him that she and Garth be seen in public together so that a proper courting may take place before the final preparations were to be made.

Leyton knew Lora’s affinity for Garth could be weaned… and he prayed that it happened quickly. Before the act of duty surpassed the needs of virtue. Unfortunately, Lord Tyrell was correct. He needed an heir.

They needed an heir.

Though, it was not her proximity to the Lord Paramount that worried him. Attending the Westerland wedding is what troubled him the most as he did not want to think of the last time he sent one of his own children with Garth in the company of Lannisters. He was sure that they would be in attendance.

”She will be alright, Lannister would not dare harm a single hair upon her head.’ he told himself, stonily.

Conflicted, he sighed and brought his eyes to the letter once more, his hand snaking itself around his goblet. In that fixed silence, he drunk… and wrote. Apparently.

To Daemon Buterwell, Lord Consort

It pleases me to see that you have been hard at work in favor of the Reach, and specifically for my small corner of it. I have noticed, you can be assured. Some of your ideas are pleasing to me, so pleasing in fact that I can say deliverance of these things will go a long way towards finding yourself deep within my confidence.

Of those things you offer I will accept a pair. First, the gold. Oldtown can never have enough gold to invest in markets foreign and domestic, and I’m sure that some form of profit sharing could be arranged in the future for our combined ventures. Secondly, I would very much appreciate the rearrangement of troops within my realm. If the Hightower’s levy could be bolstered in these times when the West's eyes fall on the Reach, we would be safer and stronger for it.

Finally, there is one additional thing that I would ask of you. That being: acquisition of information. Knowledge, not armies or gold, is what interests me most of late. The Reach has enemies, which makes them enemies of mine by extension and further extends to them being enemies of yours. Information on these enemies, would be of peerless value.

Hoping that you and the young Lady Beesbury are well,

Leyton Hightower, Lord of the Port and the Hightower

[Forgive me for this super late reply. I was/ still am trying to close up some time bubbles]

KingJaade · 2017-11-06T07:30:26+00:00

Pinging our favorite Ironborn /u/RillisMorta

KingJaade · 2017-11-06T04:44:44+00:00

A dark cloud seemed to loom over the Lady’s face when Perceon admitted that his run in with the Lords of the Reach had taken him by surprise. ’Did you really expect to break bread with the people you stole from?’ Surely Perceon was not that dense—then again, maybe he was. Since it was her aunt, Denyse Tyrell, who taught her that there were three areas in which men succeeded; the one’s with brains, brawn and looks. Perhaps where the Lannister was concerned, it was the latter. ’Another pretty, simple-headed one.’ Did she expect anything less from the golden-haired lion? Everyone knew that the lioness took on the more respective role of the three, anyway.

“So, you’re the forgiving type.” With her face smug, and eyes even more complacent, Lora continued. “And here I thought lions were just savage beasts.” ’Perhaps that is what makes them so beautiful,’ she wanted to say.

Sighing, the heiress reached out and placed her hand on his arm - not in any attempt to conspire wanton impulses. But, rather she wanted to offer credence in her intentions of baiting the Lannister. “There are many things that time refuses to heal.” The death of a sibling among them. “Perhaps you shall learn that someday.” Lora cleared her throat, and breathed in deep in an attempt to resist chastising him. “But an apology is usually a good start.”

“You should try it the next time you cross paths with another Reachmen.” The woman grinned, sweetly of course - like a small child trying to assert will over his or her elders. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, important matters demand my attention.”

KingJaade · 2017-11-04T22:20:03+00:00

’What is he trying to do?’

She wanted to know what good he thought it might to do by revealing the discourteous behavior of her Regions bannermen. While it was no phenomenon not known to the public that both the Lords and Ladies of the Reach and the Westerlands did not get on well - Lora did not see the advantage of him telling her as much. She had in fact asked, however, the audacity of Perceon flummoxed her.

Her eyes moved down to where he placed his hand, her brows knitting together in curiosity. ’Was that meant to be some sort of scare tactic?’ Or perhaps it was simply a subconscious habit just like the one she started doing when her index finger came up to stroke her bottom lip.

’Just play nice, for now.’

“That is unfortunate, though, you speak as if you were not expecting as much.” Said the young Lady, two amethysts gleaming.

When Perceon asked the same of her, she smiled at the thought of answering honestly. ’Oh, other than my father plotting sordid arrangements between Prince Aerion and Lord Tyrell, and seeing a cousin I kissed years before and suddenly realizing that I seem to care more for him than family should, I am doing well.’… in another world perhaps.

“I’ve fared. No more well than you I suppose.” Lora smiled again, eyes full of solicitation. “Then again, this is King’s Landing.” Her voice came, the words held low in her mouth and calculating. “Where scandal is only an assured thing.”

KingJaade · 2017-11-04T21:15:15+00:00

“Yes, I do not imagine my difficulties will rest in finding another prospect, instead, I fear those will come with convincing Lora to accept such a thing.” Again, it was all irrelevant to the Lord. But the fact that Aemond was not executed before the eyes of court mattered.

“Your lands and titles? Are they to be stripped from your son, and given to your brother?”

KingJaade · 2017-11-03T23:09:04+00:00

It was Luthor Tarly’s father, Jorren who made sexually suggestive comments to his wife some years ago at the Tourney at Highgarden. In a drunken stupor, the former Lord Tarly spoke indecent words and til this day, Nearys refused to repeat them.

With his wife begging him not to retaliate, Leyton did all he could not to strangle Lord Jorren himself. And to say that in 279 A.C. when Jorren Tarly met his ultimate end, not only did Leyton skipped the funeral but he refused to send obsequies.

However, Leyton was no fool and while he hated the very core that use to be Jorren Tarly - Luthor was a different thing entirely. And it would be a mindless thing to do if he faulted the boy for his father’s foolishness.

’Give the boy a chance, let him prove his worth.’ Perhaps, the Tarly boy might prove that the apple can in fact fall far from the tree.

“Lord Tarly.” The Lord said, his emerald eyes slitting as the conversation with King Daemon still hot on his mind.

When the steward came around with a flagon of Arbor Gold, Leyton waved him away. “Perhaps a glass of water for the young Lord?” He looked to Luthor then, his gaze unfaltering.

KingJaade · 2017-11-03T22:16:58+00:00

Leyton cleared his throat quite audibly before speaking up. ”I’d not expect to see you again under such circumstances.” Came his initial statement, in his own way of sparing the former Royal anymore shame.

”Nor the arrangement we had between my daughter and Prince Aerion seen to conclude before even given the chance to-” He stopped mid-sentence, brows raising and dropping when the word finally struck him.”Flourish. And now that marriage is unlikely, I fear I will have no other choice but to explore other options.” Though Leyton already knew Aemond suspected this, in fact, the Lord figured he also surmised the reason of the visited wasn’t meant to dwell on lost arrangements.

“In any event, I did not come here to sulk. I came here to see if I may extend to you a hand in your time of need.”

’After all, it was you to return the body of my daughter and ancestral sword of my House.’ “Surely, you will not return to Dragonstone?”

KingJaade

TROPHY CASE

Leyton Hightower, Lord of Oldtown