My Life As An Si In King Viserys Court

Steffon II

It had been six months since Ser Steffon and Willam had accompanied Baelon to King's Landing and in that time not much had changed from their days in Runestone.

The Prince still spent his hours in the yard training among young Lords, though these ones were from places all over Westeros rather than just the Vale. At first Steffon hadn't thought Baelon had the makings of a good swordsman, the boy spent most of his time in the library and when he wasn't there it was because Alyssa dragged him out. 

However the moment that he was made to start practicing Baelon threw himself into his training with focus that Steffon had never seen from someone his age. Now the boy was as good with the blade as any child his age could be and a match to even those multiple years older than him. With a few more years the Prince might become as good a swordsman as his father.

When not in the yard the Prince could still be found in the library or being dragged around by a Princess, though this one's hair and eyes differed from the other's.

Now the first tourney of Viserys' reign had started and an unknown knight had just dragged Dark Sister from the hands of Daemon.

As the mystery knight approached the stands the young Prince and Princess got up from their seats and moved so they could more easily look down on him.

"What is your name, Ser?" Baelon asked with the same charming smile he seemed to always have plastered on.

The knight bowed low, "I am Criston Cole, my Prince," The knight turned to Rhaenyra before again bowing low, "My Princess, if it pleases you I would give you the laurels for today's victory and humbly ask for your favor in the jousts tomorrow."

A smile spread across the Princess's face, "I would be more than happy to provide you this honor, Ser Criston. Though I don't remember a House Cole."

"You would not, Princess," Ser Criston bowed low once more, "My father was a Steward in Blackhaven, hardly someone you should take notice of."

"I see," The Princess's smile dimmed somewhat.

"Then congratulations are in order, Ser Criston," Baelon's smile stayed fixed in place, "For how far you have rose," Smiles and applause broke out through the noble and lowborn stands alike at the prince's words with more than a few Ladies gushing over the 'cute' scene. 

The young Prince made friends easily and made peace with his enemies easier still. Though he was an adorable young boy of only six name days who always seemed to try his best at everything he did, so maybe that was obvious.

The Prince was motioning for Steffon to bend down, "I would like you to bring Ser Criston to my room later, Steffon," He spoke quietly directly into Steffon's ear, "A knight of his prowess might find a place among my own employ."

Ser Steffon didn't agree, he had been one of the men from the Crownlands who accompanied Prince Aemon to Tarth. He was there when Aemon died from a crossbow bolt meant for the Lord of Tarth and had taken part in the fighting afterwards, the 'Myrish Bloodbath'. Afterwards he entered the service of Prince Baelon and had served him and his house faithfully for ten years. What did Cole, who had won one melee by raising his flail against the Prince of Dragonstone, know of protecting a Prince and Princess?

"My Prince, I do not know if that is wise. Ser Criston fought well, it is true, but one melee a great knight does not make."

The Prince seemed to consider him for a moment and Ser Steffon was once again caught off guard by the intelligence held in his eyes.

That was what people meant when they called him the Conciliator reborn, Steffon thought. A boy of six shouldn't have eyes like that.

But the moment passed quickly and Baelon looked away, still considering. Weighing the pros and cons of his actions though Steffon couldn't truthfully understand why the decision was so important to the young Prince.