Like Father, Like Son | House of the Dragon

The Redfort

Aerion pulled back his hood as he entered the grandeur hall of the Redfort.

Lord Hoster Redfort sat at the helm of a wide table before their ancient throne from when they ruled as Kings, laughing with the other nobles that joined him.

"My Lord." his escort called, gaining the attention of the older man "Prince Aerion Targaryen."

The prince clasped his hands as he looked up, watching attentively as the man raised his cup in the air.

"Let us raise a cup for our Targaryen prince.. Who managed to lose his keep and has come begging me for an army."

Rodrik stood beside him, while Aerion had sent Willam and Jory on another path to gain the support of the other houses, with House Arryn and House Grafton being their key objectives.

"When you learn to protect your own villages from the mountain clansmen, you may jest." Aerion scoffed, taking a step closer towards the man "But you stand correct, I come here against my own judgement for your support in recapturing Runestone from my traitorous cousin."

Hoster smirked to those mumbling to themselves,and leaned back against his chair, taking a large bite from the chicken leg in his hand.

Aerion hated having to ask for support, it was undignified for him to come begging for the numbers he was unable to raise within his own lands.

"We received word from Ser Gerold." Lord Hoster waved over his Maester that stood in the shadows of the hall "Maester Coren, read it for us, will you?" he asked.

The maester slowly grabbed the piece of parchment from one of the pockets within his sleeve, he was a frail old man with a bony face that unsettled the prince, who thought he was looking into the eyes of death for a moment.

Aerion raised his finger, and shook his head "I don't need to hear the words he spews, Lord Hoster, Runestone is mine by right. You have no choice but to support me, I assisted you when the mountain clansmen launched their attacks. You owe me your allegiance."

"Come sit and eat a while, my prince." Hoster gestured towards his servants, who were quick to lay out a plate and cutlery for another two. "You shouldn't discuss such things on an empty stomach."

Aerion turned towards Rodrik, looking at him for a moment, before shrugging and making his way closer to the table, taking a seat.

While he had served as Lord Hoster's squire for two years, he hardly had any meaningful conversations with the man. It was primarily his eldest son and heir, Ser Adrian Redfort who furthered his training above what Rodrik could handle.

"Where is Adrian?" Aerion asked, noticing his absence.

"He has gone hunting." Hoster said, taking another large bite from the chicken leg.

Aerion nodded to the servant as they cut the roasted chicken in front of him, and placed a bit onto his plate. It was strange being back within these walls, but it only made him want Runestone back even more.

"I thought he was heading away from the Vale, to make his name in the lists across the narrow sea." Aerion asked, curiously.

"Aye, he will eventually... but he is needed here in case of any future incursions." Hoster was getting on in years, while he still kept some of his brown hair, he did have noticeable greying and hair loss, and he had grown considerably larger in weight than when Aerion first laid eyes on him years ago.

"Then he'll be more than glad to join me in the reclaiming of my home." Aerion tapped his fingers on the table, sticking to the original reason for his visit.