Snippet #1966871

House Baratheon

Kale hated Kings Landing. It was far too much city and not enough space for his liking. He knew that his children felt differently, they were awed by the size of the city and the spread of its walls, the size of its castle and the number of people within its walls. For Kale it was simply another testament to why he never wanted to be King, to deal with the damned place.

Now, as they slowly topped the last rise before the city he found himself quietly cursing the tall red towers that stood above the horizon. He knew all to wall the politics, the intrigue that would go on behind those great stones and feared that one day he would die here, far from his storm swept castle and fierce people.

Steffon seemed to read his father’s thoughts and dropped back from the vanguard of their soldiers to join him, the two riding in silence for a moment before Steffon spoke, the wind sweeping his cloak so that it snapped loudly, startling a nearby horse.

“Ye look pensive father.” He said with a grin. “I reckoned that , of all of us, you’d be the ‘appiest ta be invited ta such a grand party.”

Kale spared a baleful glare for his eldest son before shaking his head. “Nay my boy, I ‘ave always feared this place.”

Beyond them the Stag streamed in the wind, warning the common folk ahead of them who was coming. The crowds of peasants, merchants and lesser lords parted before them, most tugging a forelock or bowing as he passed. Steffon was eating it up; Kale could see it in his face.

“D’nay be blinded by this place Steffon. The Targaryen’s are a dangerous ‘ouse. We did well ta match ye with the Stark girl, the only decent ‘ouse o’ the lot of em.” Kale said as he laid a hand on his eldest sons arm, turning the lads attention away from the city and back to him.

“The Starks are ta be made ‘and o’ the King, noble lot all of em, nay a threat ta us but the rest o’them… Well… Never suffer a Lion ta live my father once told me.”

Steffon eyed his father for a moment. He was excited, excited to see this great city, his long awaited bride, the legendary Iron Throne and more but his father’s reserve worried him. He looked back at the distant walls and suddenly they didn’t seem so friendly as he considered the implications of what was happening. True, he was to be wed and for that he was grateful but many things could yet go wrong.

“I’ll keep an open mind father.” He gave his father a sly smile and patted the sword at his waist. “Ours is the Fury.”

For a long moment Kale said nothing then he grinned as well and Steffon felt a shiver run down his spine at the look. His father was the fiercest fighter he had ever seen, a battle commander matched by none. When his father finally he could not help but feel a thrill run through him.

“Mark me words Steffon, war is comin. I d’nay know where, I d’nay know when, I d’nay even know who we’ll be fightin.” A bleak looked crossed the older man’s features. “But war is comin. I can feel it.”

Silence followed the statement as they began their descent towards Kings Landing, the Stag of House Baratheon leading the way.