Honey and Blood

Iron Oaks

The carriage ride had been long and uneventful. Tired from the ship, Daerion had slept through most of it. Princess Daella wasn't a very talkative person, she mostly prayed in silence. Connor on the other hand felt that ever minute of the ride was actually an hour. He hadn't cared who he traveled with before but now he couldn't stand being in the same carriage as Gawin and Lady Elys. He kept wondering if Daerion had had a better trip. He knew however that anything was better than sharing a carriage ride with Gawin.

They walked out in the courtyard at Iron Oaks, Connor rejoined Daerion who seemed as if he had just woken up from a big nap. Princess Daella was a silent as ever. They all lined up and Lord Royce with his bronze armor walked out and greeted all of them, all of them except Daerion.

"-Welcome, my Princess, my ladies, my lords. - Lord Royce said to them as they walked out. He snapped his fingers and a few pages ran into the  court yard with a plate of salt and bread. - As per tradition, and on my honor, I here swear to respect and honor of the Laws of Hospitality. Swear it on the old Gods and the New.

- We thank you for your warm welcome, Lord Royce. - Princess Daella said politely.

-Is Lord Arryn here, my lord? - Connor asked for everyone.

-Lord Arryn has actually made his way back to Gulltown. - Lord Royce said with an apologetic tone. - He has been summoned back to King's Landing for an emergency meeting for the King. However, he has every confidence that Ser Connor will accomplish his mission and deliver the Princess to the Eyrie.

Connor felt a twinge in his stomach. It was a lot more pressure now.

-I shall join, Ser Connor and the Princess on their track up to the Eyrie. - Gawin interrupted with a little smile. - I won't be able to learn under the master at arms here. So would you be so kind as too guide me to Ser Aethan Celtigar?

-He is supposed to join us for tonight's feast. - Lord Royce said. - You can tell him there. Now, come on in its getting late."

As expected, Lord Royce had organized a great feast and Connor had insisted that Daerion had to come with him. He had given him one of his beautiful doublets but he had to admit that it was a little bit too small for Daerion. His shoulders were wider than his and his arms, legs and chest were definitely bigger than his. He was a little bit afraid that it would look weird but the only thing that seemed out of place was the mismatch of his hair color and the yellow doublet.

Connor could see that Daerion was extremely uncomfortable and he had tried to get out of it various times but Connor had been persistent.

"-You'll love the feast, you'll probably try all sorts of stuff that you never tried before. - Connor said as they walked from their quarters to the main hall. - Stuffed quail, rich wine, well-seasoned meat pies, sweet fruit and maybe if we are lucky some boar. Doesn't that sound good?

-Sounds very ... filling. - Daerion said uncomfortably. The truth is that he had never had anything else than rye and brown broth in his life. - I don't understand why people do this. Its never wracking.

-People love feasts, they get to dance, eat and talk. - Connor said with a big smile. - I've always had a grand time at feasts. People will be so drunk that you've won't even have to worry about conversation. It will just flow.

-What if somebody tries to talk to me during the feast? - Daerion asked anxiously. - I don't know how to talk to people of noble birth. What if I insult them without meaning it.

-You didn't insult or hurt Princess Daella on you shared carriage ride. - Connor said as they neared the entrance. - I call that being able to talk to noble people. Now if you don't know what to say let do talking."