17 Journey of the Stormlands (1)

Galladon and his guards were blessed by the goddess of luck and didn't encounter any extraordinary storms during their voyage. Nonetheless, the waves and conditions of Shipbreaker Bay frightened Galladon quite a bit. Even with good weather conditions the waves were already a lot to bear for the medieval ships of House Tarth. This further strengthened his thoughts to somehow gain an animal companion that could live in the sea.

This animal could on the one hand improve the sea security of the island on Tarth by a large margin, reducing the necessary spending in the navy and hiding the number of sailors, and on the other hand would highly improve his security on sea. Galladon didn't want himself or someone of his immediate family to end like the parents of Robert Baratheon.

After the Defiance of Duskendale, King Aerys II Targaryen summoned Lord Steffon Baratheon, Robert Baratheon's father, to King's Landing and named him to the small council. In 278 AC, Steffon was sent to Volantis, to find a bride for Prince Rhaegar Targaryen. He was accompanied by his wife, Lady Cassana Estermont. They failed their mission, and died upon their return, when their ship Windproud sank in Shipbreaker Bay.

But considering and picking the correct choice for his future sea bodyguard would have to wait for him to finally return to his home, Tarth. Right now, Galladon was way more concerned with the giant architectural masterpiece appearing in front of his eyes.

One of the strongest castles in the realm, Storm's End was once the ancestral seat of the Storm Kings of House Durrandon extending back many thousands of years. The castle is said to be protected by spells woven into its very walls that prevent magic from affecting it or passing through it.

Storm's End is surrounded by a massive outer curtain wall, one hundred feet high and forty feet thick on its thinnest side and nearly eighty feet thick on its seaward side. It is composed of a double course of pale grey stone with an inner core of sand and rubble. The wall is smooth and curving, the stones so well placed and so perfectly fit together that the wind can find no purchase. On the seaward side, there is a one hundred fifty foot drop below the wall into the sea. There is no safe anchorage by the castle. The curtain wall protects the castle's kitchens, stables, and yard.

When Galladon finally walked down from his ship he was very relieved to feel solid ground under his feet again. He couldn't stand the smell of salt and the taste of fish anymore and just wanted to take a shower and rest for a night. Unfortunately, his desire was cut short when the steward of Renly Baratheon, the current lord of Storm's End invited him and his entourage to attend a dinner in the castle.

As a vassal Selwyn Tarth informed both Robert Baratheon and Renly Baratheon of Galladon's journey and asked them to take care of his only son. When Renly Baratheon learned of the upcoming arrival of Galladon he was quite surprised, because up until now the heir of House Tarth was a complete mystery for everyone in Westeros and attached great importance to his arrival. House Tarth had a very important strategic location, protecting the Stormlands from any surprise attacks from hostile forces by sea. Furthermore, the nobles of the Stormlands were very respectful of the long history of House Tarth.

As a boy, the youngest of the three Baratheon brothers loved bright colors and fabrics. He loved games as well and would run laughing through the halls of Storm's End. According to the original story when Renly turned sixteen, he made a lord's progress across the Stormlands to mark his coming of age. During this progress, he also visited the isle of Tarth, where Renly courteously danced with Brienne of Tarth. This visit never happened in Galladon's current life, simply because House Tarth lived very reserved for the last decade. Selwyn Tarth promised Renly Baratheon last year, that his son would visit Storm's End as soon as he left the island.

At this point in time, 294 AC, the current Renly is only 17 years old, but already very similar to the character Galladon remembered from his previous life. Renly is a charismatic man, winning friends easily, but he also strikes some people as frivolous. Renly enjoys tourneys and hunting but is not driven by the passion for food, drink, or whoring as King Robert came to be. He is quite popular with smallfolk due to his good looks, friendly ways, and charisma.

During his time as Lord of Storm's End, Renly took Loras Tyrell as his squire. Eventually, Renly and Loras became lovers. Although not widely known, various others at court are aware of their forbidden relationship. When Galladon met Renly in person, in the dining hall of the ancient castle, said Loras Tyrell dutifully protected him on the side.

When Galladon entered the hall, together with his close guard Gustav, both Renly and Loras were quite surprised by their large frames and the weapons they carried with them. Galladon always kept his two swords by his side. He practiced the way of double swords since he was a child. Since then, he always kept two swords within arms reach of himself. 

The weapon choice of Gustav was more bizarre, as he carried a giant spear with himself, made of steel and a little longer than the spear used by Oberyn Martell in the TV show. A small bag with throwing spears on his back stood out from his appearance. While Galladon chose to wear formal banquet, clothes Gustav was still equipped with his finely crafted leather armor.

To Loras Tyrell this behavior was simply disrespectful. By carrying his weapon and keeping his bodyguard fully armed Galladon Tarth, in the eyes of nobles, expressed distrust to Renly Baratheon and possibly incompetence. Loras would never accept such disgrace to fall upon his lover. Obviously, Galladon expected this to some extent, but deliberately entered the banquet hall like this.