Roses on the Road

[coloradia]

The clouds hung heavy and dark over Highgarden as Garlan made his way to his fathers solar. Mace had taken ill shortly after his return from meeting with the Baratheons. Although the maester assured all that Mace was in no danger of death the illness persisted. Mace spent little time on his feet nowadays, rarely seen out of a chair, or bed.

"Tired" thought Garlan. That was the only way to describe the usually vibrant man whom ruled the Reach. He sat in a great chair, richly enamelled with golden roses. His face was deeply lined, and the sacks beneath his eyes did little to hide his advancing age. But even so Mace looked almost a decade older than he truly was.

Father, Stannis Baratheon has summoned us to Storm's End. He plans to hold council regarding the war against Joffrey Lannister. I have already ordered preparations made and supplies gathered for the journey."

"So I have heard my boy. The Lannisters took the first step when that brute Torin wed Lady Arryn, and took the allegiance of the Vale as her dowry. Now is the time for Stannis to make his move." Mace hesitated for a moment and then sighed, "This damned cough may not be the death of me, but the infirmity it causes makes me wish it was at times. Nothing would gladden me more than to ride with you to Storm's End my son, but I cannot. Loras will take my place and the two of you will be treated with honor and respect by the assembled Lords and Ladies. Perhaps on your return I will have broken this illness and we will ride together to war.

"This is a poor jest father. I know you better than to think you would pass up this opportunity," insisted Garlan, but the look upon the Rose Lord's face told him the truth. "As you have said, so shall it be father. I will send word to Loras and we will leave in the morn. We will do you proud."

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Dusk had settled and the rain had stopped by the time Garlan was able to meet his great-uncle, Garth the Gross. Garth was the Lord Seneschal of Highgarden and as such domestic matters were under his domain.

"There is much to do, and little time uncle. I need provisions assembled by the morning. Loras and I ride to Storm's End along with two hundred men of the household guard. I know this will keep many of the servants up all night. Tell the cooks to prepare a fourth meal for those who will not rest tonight."

Garlan would get little enough sleep himself, the pieces had finally begun to move. The game was on.

[loras]

Ser Loras had been made aware that he would be riding with Garlan for Dragonstone. This pleased him greatly. Since he had squired in Dragonstone he considered Adelaide Baratheon one of his dearest friends. The Realm would have been at peace if Lady Adelaide and Ser Loras had succeeded in their plot to convince King Robert to take Margaery as his wife and remove Cersei from court. The Tyrells would have banked the Kingdom and the Lannisters would be licking their pride in Casterly Rock.

He had rested well and was now prepared to ride. He waited at his horse for his brother, checking his provisions again that were strapped to his horse. While it would be wise to wear protection on the roads, rumours said Nymeria Sand represented the Martells upon the Small Council and that meant the Martells may try pounce on the Tyrells, Loras could not wear his plate for the full journey. Instead a coat of chain under the Tyrell green surcoat featuring his three golden roses. His longsword was at his hip and his shield upon his back.

[coloradia]

The yard was a cacophony of men shouting and horses neighing as Garlan approached the column. He had been seen approaching and the men were rushing to make sure that everything was packed and ready to set out. Soon they would ride.

Loras waited near their mounts, green surcoat over chain. A twin for that of Garlan's, apart from the two roses instead of three. Loras was one of the most famed knights in the realm, but Garlan still saw him as a younger brother. Loras could handle himself in battle, but Garlan would be sure to keep an eye out as well. It was his duty as an elder brother.

"I sent a scout ahead in the night, Lords Caswell and Meadows will have feasts prepared as well as fodder for our mounts. We will ride hard and fast, swinging north of the Dornish Marches, but there is still no telling where foes may be. May the Seven let it be an uneventful and swift journey."

Garlan motioned to a nearby steward and then swung up onto his mount, catching a peach that was tossed as he did so. "It is time to ride brother. Side by side there is no one in the kingdom who can stop us. Oh, and catch." said Garlan as he tossed the peach to Loras, before motioning to the steward again for a peach of his own.