A Hopeful Journey (Torin)

[Alexander Redhawke]

Alexander had ridden long and hard from Griffins Roost but almost turned around when he reached the mountains of the Vale. Alexander had only left The Stormlands once before and that was his travel to Kings Landing. The mountain passes terrified him and he was constantly looking over his shoulder for Hill Clansmen. The climb up Giants Lance was terrifying but both he and his house made it up in one piece. But eventually he reached his destination. The Eyrie was a threatening place, unlike any he'd every sen before. As he rode up to the gate a guard called down from the battlements, "Stop! Who goes there?" Alexander looked up and smiled "I am Ser Alexander Redhawke, of Griffins Roost. I am here to talk to Ser Lannister." The guard grunted; "Never heard of ya." But he still opened the gate none the less.

Before Alexander could enter the Crescent Chamber he was stopped by a steward. "Excuse me good ser but could you explain your presence here?" Alexander told the Steward the same thing he'd told the guard at the gate but the Stewards smiled faded. " I have never heard of House Redhawke before." By now Alexander was used to the judgement of other nobles; "No, I am first of my name and first of my line, now please I must talk with Ser Torin, I have traveled for weeks to see him. It is a matter of urgency." The steward smiled a false grin and departed. Alexander hoped beyond hope that Ser Torin would even agree to see him, he had traveled long and far, all he could do now was hope.

[Torin Lannister]

When the steward arrived to inform Lord Torin that he had an unexpected visitor, he was in the middle of reading over letters from the Westerlands. Torin had been delayed in the Vale, but as far as he could tell the situation with Robb Stark was stable. Bar of course the insult of tolerating the Northmen in the Westerlands. The threat of Clegane seemed to be keeping the Tully's from moving to reinforce and that was most certainly a good thing. But still, if he was delayed there was no reason why he couldn't send men ahead. Just in case.

The Steward announced that a 'Ser Redhawke' of Griffon's Roost wished to speak with him. He had traveled a very great distance indeed and made his way beyond the Bloody Gate or sailed to Gulltown. If nothing else Torin was curious. He sent the steward to have his visitor shown to the office Torin occupied. It was at the back of the Eyrie, but it was spacious and it had a very fine view indeed. He was sitting behind a large oak table, the goblet of gold with red wine matched his attire. A doublet and breeches of red with gold lining and detail. Very Lannister indeed. When his visitor finally arrived Torin arose from behind the writing table. "Ser Redhawke..? You have traveled far. Can I offer you wine?" Torin would certainly want something to drink after such a journey.

[Alexander Redhawke]

Alexander took the wine gratefully. "Thank you, Ser Lannister. It has been too long since I have had a good drink." Only when Alexander had finished his cup of wine did he take a good took at Ser Torin and realised that while he was wearing almost regal robes of red and gold, Alexander was draped in a muddy brown coat that dripped water is was so wet. "Ser Lannister, I apologize for the state I am in, it was a long ride from the Storm Lands." Alexander would have to choose his words carefully, though Torin had once been a squire of price Rhaegar he was still a Lannister and uncle of the king. "Ser Lannister, I came here with a... proposal. As I understand you were once Prince Rhaegars Squire, during the War of the Usurper you fought by his side. I was Jon Conningtons Squire, and in very much the same position as you." Alexander took in a deep breath.

"Our Lord Masters were close friends and though of course I am glad to see the Mad King dead, we fought the Baratheons, you and I, we fought for the Targaryens." Alexander was nervous, what he was saying was, in effect, treason and Alexander did not wish to come under King Jeoffreys wrath."Tell me, Ser Torin, am I speaking to a friend of Stags or a friend of Dragons??"

[Torin Lannister]

While Ser Redhawke drank back the wine after his long ride, the Lord of the Vale also took a moment to enjoy some wine. But he just sipped it. He had a long day of work, it would serve no purpose to be blind by the time he was finished. When his guest did start, his only initial reaction was "Lord Lannister. You are speaking with the Lord of the Vale." Torin had met the man as he arrived, the least he could do in return was address him properly.

His guest was saying some very dangerous things. The largest lion of Lannister rose from his seat and turned to face the balcony, sipping the wine as he did. Was Torin a friend of Dragons or Stags? That was a good question. Torin had loved Rhaegar, he had hated Robert. But now both were dead. Stannis had wanted to take his hand, so Stannis was no friend of his. "My marriage to Lady Arryn I am Lord of the Vale, when my father joins our ancestors I'll be the Lord of the Westerlands too, my son will inherit both. The current King is my nephew and my sister sits as his Queen-Regent." In otherwords things were looking very good for Torin Lannister and his brood. "Considering all of that, do not dance about it. Just tell me this proposal of yours?"

[Alexander Redhawke]

Alexander bit his lip, he had made a terrible mistake, he bowed low. "Lord Lannister of course I apologize profusely. I can craft and sword and swing it better than many a man but I am still a fool when it comes to the families of the land." Alexander lifted his head, perhaps Torin could still be persuaded to join his cause but that goal seemed ever more distant. "As you say m'lord I shall be blunt. I am certain that Daenerys Targaryen will return and she will return in force not only with men but with Dragons too. If I were you m'lord I would not dismiss the threat she poses but I would consider the potential of... cooperation. As you say, one day you will be the most powerful lord in the land, I suggest that we facilitate her. A Dragon is worth 100,000 men m'lord and to fight her, even with the leadership of his grace, your nephew, I believe would be ill advised."

Alexander was beyond subtlety now, he would have to hope that Torin didn't have him killed, or worse. "Her claim to the throne is strong m'lord, I believe even his grace would concede that and she is not her father, they say she is kind but wise too, she would rule well. Support within Westeros would serve her well, and I propose that we provide that support.

[Torin Lannister]

Torin listened to Alexander speak, dragons were worth a hundred thousand men and to fight against the last Targaryen would be a fools errand. It was all very grand. "Did you ever see the dragon skulls in the Red Keep?" he sipped at his wine once more to give the good Ser Redhawke a moment to recall the Red Keep as it used to be. "The last of the dragons were no threat, they hadn't been for a very long time." They were certainly not worth a hundred thousand men, they weren't even worth a thousand.

"Unless there's something you know that I don't know, Ser Redhawke. Are you in league with the Targaryen across the sea? Does she whisper you things the Crown's master of whispers doesn't hear about?" Lord Torin had still been standing at the balcony, gazing over the Vale but his head tilted back now, so he could percieve the Knight of Griffin's Roost in the corner of his eye. "Even if this Targaryen girl crossed the sea, who is she? Some Dothraki savages whore. She's not Rhaegar. But she has some whelp dragons so we should all bend over and offer ourselves is it?" only then did the largest lion of Lannister turn around and start back towards the table he had been sitting at, placing down his wine and taking slow steps around the table.

"You would be wise to forget any ideas that might be considered treasonous by my beloved nephew. I'm sure an anointed knight like yourself didn't mean what you said. You wouldn't forsake your oath to your liege because of a monster story half a world away?" one golden eyebrow rose over the eye beneath it as he took in Alexander. Not many knights really stuck to the vows, but they were all supposed to of course and what vow was more important then protecting ones liege? A Knight didn't get suggested for the Kingsguard by forgetting his vows and oaths.

[Alexander Redhawke]

Damn. The Lannister had proven far more loyal to his house than he was to his old king, which was commendable to a certain extent. However Alexander would now be lucky to escape with his hide. He bowed low to Torin. "Oh of course not m'lord I would never betray his grace. It simply seems paradoxical to me as I swore my vows to King Aemon and to the Seven." Alexander raised an eyebrow, "You said your vows before the seven, did you not, Sir Torin. Knights serve the Seven, there are no Northmen Knights and, until know, I had not heard of knights of R'hlor." Alexander stepped towards the Lannister lord. And drew a small broach from his pocket. "I see you are steadfast in your allegiance but if you ever should reconsider..."

Alexander stepped even closer and placed the broach down in front of Ser Torin. It was forged of Black iron, intricately carved into the three headed dragon of the Targaryens, the eye encrusted with a shining ruby. "You know where I am Ser Torin and though I doubt I shall see you soon, perhaps in time you shall have a... change of heart." Alexander stepped respectfully backward and bowed low as he exited through the wooden door.

[Torin Lannister]

Alexander was making a very poor show of feigning loyalty to the crown. One needed to be significantly more humble about themselves to play the game of thrones. The man had no restraint. Lord Torin was holding the Targaryen broach in one hand and running a thumb across its face but as Ser Alexander Redhawke started through the wooden door to depart the largest Lion of Lannister gave the order "Seize him." There was four redcloaks assigned to the safety of Torin Lannister, stationed outside his office. Not to mention of course the four stationed to his cousin Matilys and the four stationed to Halaevia Baratheon. Not to mention the thousand others he had brought with him to the Eyrie for the purpose of its security and to remind all the filthy little Vale people whom was in charge around here.

So as Alexander left the office the four redcloaks swarmed in on their Lords command to grab Ser Alexander. The Lord of the Vale was still standing beside the table, holding the little broach. It was rather nice, but whatever Targaryen whore was fluttering around Essos it wasn't Rhaegar and a very brief and rather poorly made plea to give her his support wasn't going to make Torin Lannister forget his loyalty. "Griffon's Roost of House Connington, sigil is a pair of Griffons. They fought at Blackwater. For Stannis." Torin would know. He was there. "Traitors."

[Alexander Redhawke]

Alexander fought against the hold of the guards but they held him tight. Damn. "Lord Lannister I wasn't at the Blackwater, I remained at Griffons Rooster until I traveled to see you. I've killed no Lannister troops and not fought the crown since... Roberts Rebellion. My Lord has sworn fealty to the crown now, I fight in his name and in the name of the crown. I have committed no crime!" He cried out to Torin. Alexander cursed to himself, this was literally the worst possible situation he could be in. It had been foolish really, seeking help against the throne from a bloody Lannister. He had gone too far with his words and now was paying the price.

"M'lord I will submit to any trial you see fit but I have committed none!" The best Alexander could wish for now was banishment, which was better than death. At least if he was banished he could still serve Daeneryes. No he couldn't let that happen, there were still ways to escape this. Then his eyes went wide. Allister! Did Torin know about his son at Griffons Roost? Surely not. Alexander had to get out of this somehow, if worst came to worst he could demand trial by combat but he didn't want this to go that far. He just had to hope that Torin was more merciful than he seemed.

[Torin Lannister]

The redcloaks had Alexander held tight, Torin had a sword in the room but he did not think it would be required. There was a dagger at his belt just in case. A man tried to assassinate Lena in her own bedroom, one always had to be cautious. With slow steps the Lannister carried himself from beside the table towards the archway of the door. "I'll have a raven sent to King's Landing to confirm if Ser Connington has bent the knee." When he was close enough to see the whites of Redhawke'e eyes he held up the Targaryen broach. "No crime? You just revealed yourself to be a Targaryen Loyalist." The Lannister made no effort to hide the grin on his face.

Another large step brought Torin quite close to Ser Alexander. Alexander was not a small man but Torin was a full head taller and noticeably broader. One of his large hands reached up to take the Stormlands Knight by the jaw in a manner that was not delicate. "Thank the only real god for the mercy I show you today. If I hear you are still in the Vale tomorrow you'll hang." With that he dropped the broach into one of Alexander's pockets and stepping back. "Show the good knight some hospitality and then see him outside the Eyrie." the meaning was surely clear to the redcloaks.

[Alexander Redhawke]

Alexander shook himself free of the guards and turned. The guards followed but did not attempt to restrain him again. Alexander did not utter a single word. As he stormed down the spiral stairs he swore in his head. His plans were scuppered, he could not gather support if he was being observed by the Lannisters. He saddled up his horse and set out for Gulltown, it was a long ride but he would have to make it should he want to kept his neck.

As he rode out of the gates of The Eyrie he heard the doors slam behind him before kicking his horse and riding off fast. The horse shot off with Alexander on it's back. As he rode off he felt the watchful eyes of the Lannister guards and was sure he would feel them on his back until he reached home, but Alexander didn't plan on riding home. East and then onto a ship. He would follow his Queen and serve her as he could. But first he would have to make it out of the Vale alive.