Snippet #1464938

The retainers bothered Jamie a great deal, mostly due to the fact they strained his patience. This as any who knew the headstrong young knight was quite the dangerous situation. For his patience was razor thin at the best of times and with this trip's goal being in essence kissing the royal ass of the King, it was far from the best of times. For the second son of the Winsler family had no love for House Damian and wanted this pointless charade over as quick as possible. The Damian's knew House Winsler hated them, House Winsler knew the Damian's knew they hated them. And both sides by large wanted nothing more then the complete annihilation of each other. Or at least Jamie believed this to be the case, he after all was neither the politician his older brother was nor the scholar his twin was. His mindset was that of the warrior pure and simple, the subtly of the situation flew over his head completely. All he cared for at the moment was stewing over the fact he and his personal guard could cover the entirety of the trip in half the time this useless column was covering a quarter of the distance. For he knew the roads and paths of Westeros like the back of his hand, the life of a tourney knight being a far ranging one.

But at least the slow pace coupled with the few gifts they were bearing tempted the more bold and stupid of the highwaymen,robbers, and occasional brigand. And this help keep him if not overjoyed at least satiated and somewhat placated. Of course his duties to said useless column prevented him from chasing the quarry too far and often he returned empty handed.

Even so Jamie managed from losing it all together. Even the presence of his twin and his as Jamie guards liked to call it 'rather young lover' did little to rob the willful young man of the joy of combat. He settled himself to the odd mocking laugh and occasional joke. Even if the rumors concerning Teralo and Emaya were true Jamie nonetheless respected his twin because of Emaya. It proved Teralo had at least some of the backbone a Winsler was suppose to have. Then again Jamie never went to any length to inform his twin of this.

As for the presence of his older brother and heir apparent to their father Jamie was mixed. Kervall was a skillful politician, with nearly the same martial prowess of Jamie and nearly the same intelligence of Teralo. Jamie had to admit it was a good mix for the next head of House Winsler, even if he didn't care for politics personally. But his obvious, one would almost say sympathies, connections with House Damian troubles him to no end. He just hoped this trip didn't end up with them being sworn to House Damian.

But such arduous thinking was not a normal past time for Jamie so he abandoned it. Instead he kicked his horse, a huge black warhorse, into a trot riding past where Teralo and Emaya were talking and laughing about something. It disturbed him in a subtle way but he did not explore the feeling. Scanning the terrain he tried to deduce possible ambush points, an old pastime of soldiers on the march. But the terrain being rolling hills of the southern grassland held little danger from an ambush. At least when they were still among the mountains of their fief Jamie's martial skills had been of more use. For the Vale and the mountains that surrounded had been home to rebellious mountain clans since time out of memory.


But barring an Earthquake it appeared for now all they had to worry about was Jamie's patience finally snapping. At least he comforted himself with the fact they were also riding to a tourney, even it was in honor of Lionel Damian's engagement.Something else he took comfort it in if only because the reckless warrior found it highly amusing.

" Do you know Ser Eilis, we ride to honor the engagement of Lionel Damian, heir of House Damian?" Jamie asked the commander of his personal guard Ser Eilis with a barking, contempt ridden laugh. A grizzled veteran knight who was both grey haired and weary eyed. Despite that the knight had found himself appointed commander by the young Jamie. A commission he had little choice but to acquiesce to. Though if nothing else he was a loyal soldier of House Winsler.

" House Damian is nothing but liars,traitors,and whores who give birth to liars and traitors milord." Ser Eilis answer loyally, if a bit crudely. He had been a hedge knight before swearing service to House Winsler in his youth.

"Well put Ser Eilis, remind me to buy you a round when we get to the next tavern."

And here the young knight chuckled quietly to himself as he sat in the saddle of his charger. Sometimes the bother of travelling slowly was worth it.