Lessons

(Third Person POV, 281AC)

It was Corvin's first name day, and the entirety of Raventree Hall was buzzing with excitement at the lavish feast Lord Tytos decided to host.

During the year since Corvin's birth, it was discovered that he was much smarter than children his age. Due to his achievements, he had already picked up the nickname 'The Smart Raven' in the small confines of the castle.

As a newborn, he mostly stayed silent and almost never disturbed anyone, much to the relief of the staff and his parents. Many sleepless nights of stress were saved as Corvin only cried when necessary, either for food or if he needed a diaper change.

It was a shock to everyone when Corvin began walking at 6 months, something that was practically unheard of. Another thing to note was tht when this fact was discovered, it was through a handmaiden who witnessed him walk to the bookshelf and start reading a book.

The Maester called it a wonder and theorized that Corvin's mind accelerated and adapted at an increased rate. He wanted to report these findings to the Citadel, but the look Tytos sent him promised Delvin a horrible death if he did so.

Speaking of the Lord, he was ecstatic to hear that his son was accomplishing such amazing things at such a young age. It was a good sign for the future, and Tytos could only imagine the man Corvin would grow up to be. His wife, Lady Alysanne was equally joyful and for a time she was seen prancing around the halls in a good mood.

Just when they believed they had been shocked enough by Corvin, they were proved wrong when Corvin spoke his first words at only 9 months old.

His first words were "Mother" followed shortly by "Father". Tytos and Alysanne were the happiest people on earth at that moment, and they knew their son was a blessing by the old gods.

For the next 3 months, Corvin's schedule was full with reading as many books as possible as well as practicing his speech. His efforts bore fruit as his sheer determination managed to allow him to have full conversations with people despite his young age.

In the present day, it was Corvin's first name day. In response, his father held a massive feast to celebrate the first name day of his son, something which was usually a commodity in Raventree Hall.

Corvin sat beside his mother who sat to the right of the head of the table, Lord Tytos. Despite his small stature, he could still see the various household members below him having a fun time. Corvin even recognised one of his caretakers below getting hit on by one of the guards.

*TINK* *TINK* *TINK*

Tytos clinked his spoon against his cup a couple of times, gaining the hall's undivided attention. When everyone was quiet, Tytos began speaking.

"Now as I'm sure you already know, this feast is dedicated to my son, who is celebrating his first name day." Tytos said, glancing at his son proudly.

The crowd responded with a drunken cheer.

"To my first born son, Corvin Blackwood!!!"

""TO CORVIN!""

As the feast went further and further into the night, the jovial mood only increased as songs were sung, stories were shared, and men partied with bellies full of wine and a woman on their lap. It was a rare occasion Lord Tytos was so happy, so they would enjoy his goodwill to the fullest and party until they blacked out.

Corvin, who was sipping on his juice, turned to Tytos, "Father?"

"Yes Corvin?"

Corvin cleared his throat, choosing his next words carefully.

"I was wondering if I could start my lessons early? I know most nobles start their lessons later on, but I believe I'm ready." Corvin said thoughtfully, looking at his father with puppy eyes.

Even after managing to learn how to properly speak, Corvin never paraded around the fact and often held his tongue.

It was something Tytos had picked up on, and something he believed Corvin inherited from him. Tytos himself was a man of few words, but in exchange that meant every word he did say carried much more meaning and authority.

During Robert's Rebellion he was one of Lord Tully's commanders, and even if he only spoke one word in a War meeting, it wasn't forgotten. Sadly, many Lords loved to measure their pride and ego with loud and boisterous words and insults, and only a select few like Eddard Stark and Roose Bolton had the same opinion as himself.

Leaving his own thoughts behind, he looked towards Alysanne for an answer who subtly nodded her head.

"Very well." Corvin smiled, but Tytos quickly interrupted, "But remember, it's something you must stick to. Once you have started you cannot back out and you will need to dedicate lots of your time to these lessons…Understood?"

"I understand." Corvin nodded with a slight smile on his face.

"I think it's getting late, don't you think Corvin?" Alysanne chimed in.

"Hm? I gues–"

"Maester said sleep is critical to a child's health." Alysanne stated as a matter of factly, turning to one of the guards who abstained from the feast, "Joriel, take Corvin back to his chambers."

Corvin pouted, reluctantly following Joriel as he was forced to go to sleep.

Tytos looked at his wife with a confused look and said, "You were pretty eager to send him away. Any reason?"

Alysanne got closer, seductively trailing a finger down Tytos's tunic, "Let's just say im ready for another child."

Tytos couldn't help but blush.

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(POV : Corvin Blackwood, 282AC)

The fact that Robert's rebellion had started 3 years prior in 279AC gave Corvin the confirmation that he was in the tv timeline and not the books. However, although the world he inhabited followed the timeline of the tv show, he realised it was very different from what he first seemed.

When his curious mind asked some questions to Maester Delvin about the great houses of Westeros, he quickly found out that people such as Garlan Tyrell and Arienne Martell existed.

That was the problem, these characters, no people were exclusive to the books and simply weren't alive in the tv show.

So that meant although it followed the tv timeline, the world he was in would most likely follow the plot of the books(aside from the dates), which he hadn't read…

He only knew snippets of information from the book and it's characters through the occasional youtube video and wiki page visit, but other than that he was completely in the dark.

His knowledge of knowing the future had diminished in value, and it scared him.

Each of these people were other players in the game who each had their own motives and goals he was unaware of. Corvin would need to play it safe and plot even more.

His father had left to deal with some bandits who had been terrorizing the Riverlands, so he would be gone for some time, meaning Corvin was left acting Lord of Raventree Hall.

Although Corvin was very smart for his age, his body certainly wasn't up to the task of ruling the massive castle day to day, so his regent mother and Maester Delvin carried out all the Lordly tasks he would be doing in the future.

From paperwork to checking finances to holding court, Corvin's small body would stand no chance. So while his pregnant mother did that, Corvin participated in the lessons he was promised too on his first name day.

"This?" Maester Delvin rested his stick at the edge of the map.

"The Iron Islands. Lords, House Greyjoy. Sigil is a golden Kraken. Words: We do not sow." Corvin answered.

Delvin nodded, moving his stick and pushing it towards the top of the map.

"The North. Lords, House Stark. Sigil is a grey wolf. Words: Winter Is Coming."

"Good job." The Maester shone a smile and said, "Now what about the Riverlands?"

"Lords, House Tully. Sigil is a fish. Words: Family...Duty, Honour." Corvin replied.

"Good…Now final question, what about your house?"

"House Blackwood. Sigil is a flock of ravens surrounding a Weirwood tree. Words: A thousand eyes." Corvin recalled, a hint of pride in his voice.

House Blackwood had grown on him, and he found himself closer to calling this place home every passing day.

"Good, now onto History. You've already been tested on Aegon's conquest so let's go with something more recent. How about…The Reyne-Tarback revolt?"

Corvin paused for a moment, trying to recall his knowledge from the book 'History of House Lannister'. The Reyne-Tarback revolt was one of his favourites, so it didnt take too long for him to remember the order of events.

"Well." Corvin smiled, "It first started when Tytos, father of Tywin…" Corvin explained the whole story. From all the way to the brutal deaths of Lady Ellyn and her son, to the flooding of the Castamere, which inspired the famous 'Rains of Castamere' song that showed House Lannisters true power.

As Corvin finished his explanation, Maester Delvin nodded solemnly, "A very brutal man, but effective. In only one night Tywin destroyed a house and cemented the Lannisters as a house to be feared."

He turned back to Corvin, "Now what does this tell us?"

"That kindness and forgiveness have no place in War. If you're going to do something, be effective, brutal and waste the least amount of resources as possible."

"That is…A very interesting view Corvin. Is there anything you would have done differently?"

"Hmmm…I recalled that Tywin forced the Tarbeck daughters to join the silent sisters. Personally, I would have kept them. Noble girls are usually prettier, so they would be useful when older. Pretty girls often fetch a lot of money in whorehouses, and they could be good spies."

"Corvin!" Maester admonished, looking scandalised at Corvin.

"I was only joking. They were innocent girls, I would have sent them to the silent sisters, same as Tywin." Corvin raised his hands up in surrender, and the Maester seemed to have calmed down.

"Good, but try not to joke like that in front of your father when he comes back."

"Speaking of father, when will he be coming back? Have you gotten any information?"

The Maester looked at Corvin, "Before our lesson I got a raven from your father. Although the bandits managed to escape, they will no longer plague our area. He will be returning within half a moon's time."

Covin smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes, "Good…"