Once a Lion, Now a Stag

Chapter 3 Punishment

Orys arrived in the library, where Grand Maester Marwyn liked to hold his lessons. He looked around the library to see that Maester Marwyn had yet to arrive. Orys shrugged and sat down at the table, he grabbed the book that was on the table and began to read, it was about the great Houses of Westeros. In his next lesson, Orys was to memorize the sigils and words of every House. He started with his own two Houses, House Baratheon and House Lannister.

“House Baratheon’s motto is “Ours is the Fury.” Its sigil is a crowned black stag on a golden field. House Baratheon is the principal house in the stormlands, which they rule from Storm’s End, an ancient castle raised by the Storm Kings from the now-extinct House Durrandon” Orys read aloud.

“House Lannister’s sigil is a golden lion on a crimson field, and the motto is “Hear Me Roar.” Another famous saying attributed to them is, “A Lannister always pays his debts,” House Lannister is one of the wealthiest houses in Westeros. Their seat is Casterly Rock, although they also hold Lannisport, which is near Casterly Rock.”

Orys stared at his mother's sigil and chuckled, ‘How ironic I was a lion in my previous life, and now I'm a stag.’

Orys shook his head and continued, “House Stark’s sigil is a direwolf against a white backdrop. The motto of House Stark is “Winter is coming. The Starks hold Winterfell, an ancient castle in the North,” I wonder if I'll ever get to meet Lord Stark?” Orys wondered.

Orys moved on to the man who was his father's Hand, “House Arryn: The Arryn sigil is a falcon and a crescent moon on the blue field. Their motto is “As High as Honor.” ”

House Greyjoy’s sigil is a golden Kraken upon a black field, which pertains to their culture as seafarers and raiders. The motto is —We Do Not Sow.” Orys' eyes narrowed at the thought of House Greyjoy. They were vile, nothing but rapers and reavers, “When I become king, I will put an end to House Greyjoy.”

At that moment, Grand Maester Marwyn walked in, “Who will you put an end to, Your Grace?”

“When I am king, I will give the Krakens two choices. Change your ways or die.”

“Isn't that rather harsh, your grace,” Marwyn asked.

“They're nothing but rapers and reavers. House Greyjoy contributes nothing to Westeros but misery. Why would we want a house like that? They'll have to pay the iron price,” Orys said.

Grand Maester Marwyn couldn't argue with Orys about that; they were nothing but raper and reavers and caused more trouble than they were worth, “Well, let us get on with your lessons, shall we continue with the houses, your grace?”

Orys nodded, “House Martell’s sigil is a red sun pierced by a golden spear. Their motto is “Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken,” and they hail from Dorne, in the South.”

“Perfect, your grace, and House Tyrell?”

Orys thought for a moment, “House Tyrell’s sigil is a golden rose on a grass-green field. Their family motto is “Growing Strong.” House Tyrell is a large, wealthy house; the Tyrells reside in Highgarden and hold the title of liege lords of the Reach.”

“House Tully’s sigil is a silver trout leaping on a striped field of blue and mud red, and their house words are “Family, Duty, Honor.” The Tullys rule over Riverrun and the Riverlands of Westeros.”

“And House Targaryen,” Maester Marwyn asked.

“The Targaryen sigil is a three-headed dragon, breathing flames, red on black. The three heads represent Aegon the Conqueror and his sister-wives, Visenya and Rhaenys, the founders of the Old Dynasty. Their motto is “Fire and Blood.” House Targaryen ruled as the Kings of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, the Lords of the Seven Kingdoms for nearly three hundred years. Until my father's rebellion, which began in 280AC after Prince Rhaegar Targaryen kidnapped and raped Lyanna Stark, my father's betrothed.”