ASOIAF: The Red Lion and the Crazy Child

Gwayne woke them up at bat time, calling them out of the tent.

They found Gwayne and some of the men having a small breakfast, Jacks preparing eggs and bacon on the fire for them.

— come. — he said, indicating a place for them to sit.

— today is an important day, Cerella.

— Gwayne stood up. — have breakfast and then meet me at the lake.

She nodded, while preparing a piece of bread with bacon and eggs.

Cerella bit into the egg, causing it to explode in her mouth.

Daeron and Jacks laughed.

— Shut up. — She said, after which she got up and Ser Belvedere accompanied her to the lake.

Gwayne was sitting on the smooth stone.

- I am here. —she indicated.

— I need to tell you something important. — he said, bluntly. — you can't return to FortPride for the next few days, the Sarsfields must be arriving.

— And where should I stay?

- Here. — he said.

— No, I'm afraid.

— I wouldn't be alone, the men would stay here and I would appear during the night.

- not yet. — she said, crossing her arms.

— Well, then whatever. — he sighed.

— you go to the Rotherlys, our cousin and aunt welcomed you.

Cerella thought for a moment.

— I need some clothes.

Gwayne laughed.

— You're leaving now, our grandfather can't know.

— At that very moment he must have already noticed our absence, cousin. — she said.

— Ser Belvedere and six other men-at-arms will take you there.

— where are the horses?

— It's not that far, Cyre. — he threw a stone into the lake. — just follow the coast for a mile and you arrived at the sea lion village.

- it's OK. — she snorted.

Gwayne approached and kissed her forehead.

— Let's go. — he said.

After that he organized her guard and sent them to the headquarters of the Rotherly house.

— She'll be safer there. — he said to Daeron as they watched them leave.

Afterwards, they return to the village, Gwayne said goodbye to him and headed to the castle.

— Where were you! shouted Ser Lymond, looking for Cerella. — and where is your cousin?

— We were at the lake, then she felt like going to visit our aunt in Leão do Mar and stayed there. said Gwayne.

Ser Lymond snorted.

— Can I go? — asked Gwayne.

After an uncomfortable silence.

Gwayne started to climb the stairs but he heard his grandfather's low voice.

— Gwayne... Sorry about the other day, I didn't mean to say that.

— It's okay, there's nothing to apologize for. — He smiled slightly and went back up.

Gwayne had to wait for just one night for the Sarsfields to arrive, the next morning he woke up to the sound of an army marching and ran to the balcony.

He noticed many lines already passing through the castle towards another exit from the village, and even more lines passing through the north gate.

At least three hundred men mounted horses, and three times that dismounted, divided between swordsmen and archers bearing the colors of House Sarsfield.

Gwayne noticed a huge green carriage, surrounded by horsemen.

— There it is.

The carriage stopped in front of the castle and the army continued marching outside the walls. Gwayne left the room and walked quickly to the castle wall, where he watched Lord Sarsfield get out of the carriage.

A guard opened the door, letting out an overweight man, dressed in fine robes and wearing gold rings.

Ser Lymond was there to receive him, accompanied by Ser Patrick.

Gwayne watched as Daeron appeared in the middle of the square, he was watching the army pass by.

He signaled from the top of the wall for Daeron to come, then went inside, trying to find Septa Lorren.

He found her in the entrance hall, heading to receive the guest.

Gwayne took her hand and led her to the kitchen.

- What are you doing? — He said.

— going to the reception, Gwayne. —she frowned. — what's too much?

— you need to stay away from the castle today, this man is dangerous.

— The seven are with me, besides, I can't just go out there.

— Do as I say, Septa.

— You are not yet master of this castle, Gwayne. — she said, her voice strict as she studied him with her eyes.

The Septa had never seen Gwayne with such a dark look on his face, she realized that the reason for that was the guest.

— Sorry, Gwayne, I have to do my duty to my lord.

—Then at least don't receive them now. — he sighed.

— do your duty later.

The Septa thought for a moment.

— As you wish... I will return to the Sept.

She left and he went to the room to wait for Daeron.

He was wearing a noble outfit when he arrived.

- I am here.

— do as we agreed, send Ser Hoot to come, I need him by my side. Gwayne turned around. — I'll be counting on your aim today, Daeron.

— I won't disappoint you. — upon reaching the door, Daeron looked back. — are we really going to do this?

Gwayne didn't respond, so he left.

He tied his sword around his waist and went down to the entrance, Ser Lymond was already talking to Lord Sarsfield inside the castle.

Gwayne approached and bowed coldly, Ser Lymond announced him.

— Nice to meet you, young man. — said the fat man. — is a beautiful young man.

Gwayne didn't respond, he was just as he remembered. Pig-nosed and beady-eyed, too fat to ride anything, Lord Wyli Sarsfield.

Then, a child entered the room.

Ser Lymond announced it.

— This is Charlotte, daughter of Lord Sarsfield.

A little girl who looked to be eleven years old, with blonde hair tied back and a tired, haggard face.

"Damn" he thought.

— Lord Wyli pushed the little girl with his feet, and told us to move on to the banquet.

Ser Lymond led the way, his face unhappy.

— I don't want to stay for long. — he laughed, in a mocking tone. — He wore a satisfied smile. — I hope you have learned the courtesy of a gentleman.

Gwayne stayed behind, and at least five young, pompous knights passed him, except one who had white hair and a hard face.

Ser Hoot arrived at Gwayne's side, a tall, tanned man, with dark eyes and short black hair, he had the appearance of a veteran, close to thirty-four years old. He was my father's best friend, a bastard of the Dayne house as I remember, and with as much hatred for the Sarsfields as I do. He was the one who led the search for those responsible for Gerard's murder.

— Little Gwayne, didn't you have time to visit me? — Said Ser Hoot, as she positioned herself next to him to look at the visitors.

— Stop beating yourself up, killing these men with your eyes is not what your father would want.

— My father is dead. — Gwayne turned to him. — It's good to see you, Hoot.

— It's good to see you too boy, how can I serve you?

—Follow the army's march, I want to know if they are going to move forward or make camp.

Ser Hoot was silent.

— I would like to know why, but I think I already know the answer. — he said, leaving for the gate.

— Are you a knight? — asked a child's voice.

Gwayne looked down and found the little girl.

— A good knight, who protects the weak and innocent? — she said, with a hopeful face. — my name is Charlotte, what's yours?

—I am not a knight, child.

Gwayne thought about sending her back to her father, but he thought it would be better to send her to the destruction of Valyria, which would be a more pleasant place.

— I'm Gwayne, that's all. — he said pleasantly.

— Nice to meet you, Gwayne, that's all. — she bowed to him awkwardly.

He smiled when he saw the scene.

— Do you want to see the castle? — he asked. — I want to, but I don't want to bother my father.

- Don't worry about that.

She thought for a while.

— Okay, I think he won't notice me missing for a while.

Gwayne introduced the castle, kitchen and garden and then outside, walking through the village.

— This village of Golden Forest is really cool. — she said, looking at him. — my brother told me about it.

Gwayne noticed that she already seemed a little more excited, very different from when she arrived.

— What did he say about it?

— He said that at one time of year the leaves on the trees change color, and shine like polished gold. — she sighed.

— is it really true?

— At one time of year this really happens, he didn't lie. said Gwayne.

— I hope one day to see that. — she said, her voice a little sad.

— Let's go back to the castle, the banquet should be almost ready.

— okay, thanks for showing me the castle, Ser Gwayne is all.

They laughed and entered the castle.

The servants were already moving from side to side, smells of meat and delicious dishes were coming from the great hall. They found Lord Wyli and Ser Lymond, Ser Patrick on the dais, with them other knights and Septa Lorren in the corner.

Gwayne didn't like that.

Lord Wyli didn't notice them until they were very close to the dais, his face was buried in his food.

He raised his head and gave the child an annoyed look.

— Where were you? — he shouted, with parts of the food jumping from his mouth onto the table.

The little girl stuttered and held on to Gwayne's pants insecurely.

So he responded.

— It was with me, Lord Wyli. — Gwayne said, trying not to express anger in his voice. — I introduced your lovely daughter to the castle.

He snorted.

— You call this a castle? — he laughed. — it's not too big for you to have taken so long, we'll talk later Charlotte!

She shuddered.

Ser Lymond has attracted the attention of Lord Sarsfield.

— And we have to talk about the money I didn't receive! he shouted at Ser Lymond.

Gwayne helped the girl find her seat and sat down next to Septa.

— I understand now. — she said, softly.

- sorry.

— Don't worry, it will soon be over.

The banquet lasted just over two hours, everyone began to leave.

Gwayne looked at the Septa and asked her to invite Charlotte to visit the sept.

She did so quickly, they left the room together.

— Will you stay on my roof, Lord Wyli? — asked Ser Lymond coldly.

— the false courtesy of your house disgusts me, I will camp not far from here, I will go there after I resolve the tribute issue.

Ser Lymond remained silent and Gwayne approached.

— You have a very hot Septa, let me take her to the camp and I'll forget about the tribute.

Gwayne pulled the sword halfway, until his grandfather said something.

"Gwayne, you must go," said Ser Lymond.

Gwayne remained and fixed his eyes on Lord Sarsfield.

— You may be strong, but you are still my vassals. — he said, looking at Gwayne. — you will obey my orders, or Lord Tywin will find out about it.

— he said, in a disgusting tone.

"You will receive your tribute, but you will leave now," began Ser Lymond, with no courtesy in his voice.

— I want my tribute before I leave this little castle. — said the fat man.

Ser Lymond called the steward and asked him to bring the tribute.

Upon hearing this, Lord Wyli stood up and began to leave.

Ser Lymond and Patrick accompanied him outside, Gwayne followed a while later.

He saw Ser Hoot on horseback and told him to meet him on the other side of the castle.

Gwayne entered and walked down the main hallway, turning left after passing through the large hall and heading towards an exit through a side door.

Ser Hoot was already dismounted when he arrived.

— They continued their march to the Rock, only a hundred remained behind.

Gwayne put his hand on his chin.

— They set up camp in a place... — Ser Hoot paused awkwardly.

— I wonder where.

— Gwayne added, his voice cold as a razor.

- Like you...

— It's not difficult to deduce.

Gwayne entered the castle and headed towards the wall, Ser Hoot followed him.

Five Sarsfield knights were readying their horses to leave and two men-at-arms were guiding the carriage.

Ser Lymond handed a small pouch of coins to Lord Wyli.

— It's time, let's go.

They went to his room.

— Help me put on my armor.

said Gwayne.

— What do you plan to do, boy? asked Ser Hoot bluntly. — who do you plan to kill?

He didn't respond.

— Gwayne, you can't control who gets hit and who doesn't, who falls, who rises or why, it's not up to you.

Gwayne wore a stern expression.

— This is just war.

— And now it ends. — Gwayne had a sharp smile, but his eyes were sad.

— I'll go with you then, if it has to be that way. — Ser Hoot began to help with the armor.

— No, you can't disobey my grandfather, he would cut off your head.

— I will do it. — finished Gwayne.

Ser Hoot finished helping him with his armor, finally reached for him the helmet and kissed his forehead.

— Don't die, your father would come after me in the seven hells.

— I won't go, go down and inform my grandfather that Charlotte is with Septa Lorren in the castle's Sept. — Gwayne strapped a shield to his back. — It is crucial that she does not get into the carriage, tell her that she will go later with an escort.

— My grandfather will convince the fat man to accept this.

—What if Ser Lymond doesn't accept?

— Tell me it's important to me that she stays.

Gwayne sighed. — If that's not enough, tell him to do it for Gerard and his family.