ASOIAF: The Red Lion and the Crazy Child

Cerella was watching her grandfather's departure from the castle steps, alongside Daeron. Gwayne stood beside his grandfather, who had just climbed onto his bay stallion, dressed in a fine scarlet doublet and a white cape, bearing the symbol of his house. Then, Cerella saw Gwayne pat the horse, so they left. Gwayne went up to the stairs after that. They saw Ser Lymond have one last word with Ser Leo before he opened the village gates. Ser Lymond put his horse into a gallop and set off, taking six knights with him.

The next morning, Gwayne called Maester Caster to discuss matters.

Gwayne wanted to know the financial situation of his house, the tax collected from the village and the tribute paid to the manor house, the Sarsfield. The Vikary house was small, but it was always quite wealthy, and under the leadership of his grandfather it entered golden times. He thought.

Under Ser Lymond's command, the house managed to maintain six hundred well-armed and equipped men-at-arms, and in addition to them it maintained one hundred sworn knights.

Her grandfather had given them land and fed them, and now he has sworn swords.

— Shall we begin, Sir? — Said the Maester. Gwayne nodded.

Then he handed him a paper.

Gwayne looked calmly, examining each line.

-Four hundred and eighty-five men....he murmured.

- Five hundred and ten women....

- Two hundred and five, among children and young people.

— Counting both sexes? Gwayne asked.

- Yes, my Sir.

"Village Taxes"

- Nine thousand seven hundred copper pennys from village taxes.

— It's only charged to men, right?

The old man nodded.

— Good said Gwayne.

"Taxes on the trade"

- One hundred and forty-four silver stags from trades in the village and outside.

- Well I think. — he murmured.

"Sales and taxes"

- six thousand copper pennys for soldiers' pay.

He made an impressed face until he reached halfway through the paper, after which his face became a hard abyss.

— Did we pay Sarsfield House all this? — he was astonished. How did my grandfather agree to pay so much?

— Perhaps he has his reasons, my lord.

— Well, we will only pay twenty percent of the tax. — Said Gwayne obstinately.

— Isn't it better to wait for your grandfather to make this decision, my lord?

— I am the master while my grandfather is gone, that alone is enough. He said calmly.

— It will be done, my lord. — said the Maester.

Gwayne continued to read the sheet.

— four hundred stags, how crazy. he muttered.

"Income from the Vikary house, village and shops, inside and outside"

—Ten thousand bronze pennys...

A thousand silver stags... From commerce and property.... One hundred and eighty gold dragons... In addition to a hundred from the mines...

— Our total income excluding expenses and taxes is thirteen thousand and seven hundred copper pennys, one thousand and sixty-four silver deer and two hundred and eighty gold dragons.

"In a safe"

— Wow.. he murmured. — Well, we're done, Maester Caster, you're dismissed.

It had been a week since his grandfather left for King's Landing.

Gwayne kept the village in order, especially the soldiers. He took great care so that they didn't become sloppy without their grandfather there, he visited the armory and the barracks, he kept them in excellence and discipline. It was how he would like all armies to be, well trained, disciplined and brutal. He trained with them a few times over the next week and had dinner with them. He learned to inspire men from Wulf, they need a little companionship and then you have their loyalty.

He ordered one of the guards to gather the young people of the village and also the main owners of tapestry shops, leatherworkers, potters, and blacksmiths. Gwayne told them to choose one of the trades to learn, and gave them the option of martial arts as well. most chose martial.

—Very well, you are dismissed. —Gwayne said.

Daeron whispered in his ear.

"You are very good"

Gwayne smiled at him, then they both left to see one of Cerella's dance classes. She had already become great at it.

Gwayne and Daeron entered the room talking and laughing loudly. The Septa sat on the wall and told them to have manners.

They watched Carella spin and spin, then twirl in the air and then descend to the ground as if she were a feather.

— Go dance with her, Daeron. — he said, slapping his friend on the back and getting up.

— If it is you order, my lord ... — said Daeron with his face turning red and swinging his legs nervously on the bench. Gwayne gave him a weak slap on the ear.

— Fearful. — he said, walking towards the teacher, he took her by the hand and turned her around.

— You learned a little by watching, my lord. - she said. He danced with her a little, then slid between her and took Cerella's hand.

— Hello, young lady.

He said, looking at the sweat that was already starting to form on her forehead after hours of training.

— You need a bath, beautiful lady. He said with a pleasant smile on his face.

— Don't be mean, Gwayne. — she said, placing her sweaty hand on his face and laughing. Then, he lifted her up and spun her around in the air.

- We are done. Finally he said. — I have to save my energy for training with the swords instead of the ladies.

He gave her a little kiss on the cheek and left with Daeron. They trained in the afternoon, under Ser Desmond's supervision. Gwayne began training to use a crossbow, making three out of five attempts at the target.

Then he snorted.

— It was fine, it was difficult at first. — Ser Desmond said.

Gwayne decided to change his training, Ser Desmond pitted three knights against him at the same time.

Gwayne managed to win, but the one behind always hit him in the leg and Ser Desmond screamed. "Dead" and Gwayne responded with "Damn"

He succeeded once after ten tries. "Good," exclaimed Ser Desmond.

- My Lord! — called a guard at the door. - What is it? — Gwayne said.

— A raven arrived from King's Landing, Maester Caster said it was the Lord's grandfather.

— Thank you, you are dismissed. — Said Gwayne, then said a royal goodbye to the other knights, called Daeron and they went to the castle.

Maester Caster was waiting for him at the door with the letter in his hand, he took it and opened it, read only the beginning, then told Daeron to look for Cerella and meet him in the fireplace room.

They arrived a few minutes later, Gwayne was already reading for the second time.

— Did something happen to him? — Cerella arrived panting. What's the news cousin?

— Well, don't worry, nothing happened to our grandfather. — he said, handing her the letter to read. So, he told the guard at the door to call Ser Leo.

She soon began to read.

"He should go to the main house... Good-looking and strong..."

— That means he wants me to go in armor. — added Gwayne.

— I understood that part, cousin. — she said, making a face. Then she continued.

"With a strong enough escort... Leave the same day the raven arrives...

— What the hell. - she said.

—Watch your mouth, Young Lady. Septa Lorren said.

— He wants you to impress someone, a lady from House Roxton. — Cerella said.

— It seems more like I'll be there impressing her father. — he said, frowning.

— My Lord, the Roxton house is old and rich, your grandfather is giving great advice.

— You're right, Septa, I just wish I knew my grandfather's plans from him, and not from a damn crow — he said, sitting down at the table frustrated.

— He's still trying to protect you from the world. — She said, sitting next to him and placing her hand on his face. Then, she smiled pleasantly. — I believe that after this he will no longer have a choice.

Septa Lorren had known him since he was a child, she always knew how to calm Gwayne down. She was twenty-seven years old, tall and beautiful, with golden hair hidden beneath her veil, green eyes and a gentle smile.

— Yes, thank you Lorren. He said smiling.

— Septa Lorren. She corrected, closing her arms and pouting.

— Did you call me, Lord? Said Ser Leo.

— Yes, thank you for coming quickly, Ser.

Choose twenty of the best knights, and have the grooms prepare twenty-two horses.

— It will be done, my lord. — Said Ser Leo. So, he left.

— Why another horse, cousin? Cerella asked.

Daeron will come with me. He made a surprised face upon hearing this.

—Am I… really going to go?— he asked, with wide eyes. — Go get your armor, Daeron. — Gwayne said.

Daeron was still in disbelief, but he already had a smile on his face.

He approached and kissed his cousin's forehead. — You will be Lady of StrongtPride for a short time, cousin. Don't get used to it. She laughed.

— Septa Lorren, please take care of her and advise her well. — Cerella struck a sullen pose.

— I will go, my lord — said the Septa, getting up. Gwayne hugged her too.

— Tell Ser Leo that he will be the Castle gate guard until we return, he must find another knight to take care of the village gate before then.

"Strong and Proud" Gwayne thought. I think Lord Roxton will feel our pride and his daughter will feel my strong beauty.