Ch. 7 Time Moves On

My second day at the training grounds was not a repeat of the first. Ser Broom placed me with the rest of the pages to begin actual training.

I thought my punishment would have involved more than a single day of strenuous work. Perhaps Tywin is also rewarding me for the outcome? Or maybe he understands I'm only seven years old and he can't take my punishment too far?

Regardless, I'm not complaining.

Once all of the pages finally arrived, Ser Broom led us through a type of full-body exercise regiment. It wasn't anything amazing, by modern standards, but it was well structured and effective. It centered around core strength and balance.

After the workout, we were given lessons on the proper care of armor and weapons. The training ended with a few wrestling matches. Not being as exhausted as I was yesterday, I had a much easier time grappling the other pages.

Ser Broom mostly allowed the wrestling matches to go without any instruction until the end. It's possible he did it at the end so we could think about how we could have used his advice. Or maybe so he could evaluate each of us and give tailored advice? Either way, it was basic tips and guidance that can be used as a solid foundation.

Ser Broom ended our training for the day after tasking us to run twenty laps around the training grounds. I was confused about why the training would be so short until I saw a large group of squires waiting beside the field.

I guess the typical training day for a page is only two hours in the morning. The squires should take up most of Ser Broom's time.

Normally, I would have lessons with the maester until lunch and then report to Lord Tywin to fulfill my duties as his page. But there isn't a maester in Casterly Rock right now, and there won't be for some time.

Even if the Citadel dispatched a maester today, it would still be three to four weeks before he arrived. Sailing would be faster, but with the Greyjoy's rebelling, that doesn't seem like the smartest choice.

Once I returned to my family's quarters, I washed off and ate a proper breakfast. As I'm finishing a plate of eggs, sausage, and fruit, I realize how lucky I am. I am born to, arguably, the most powerful family in Westeros. I will have all the food, training, and gold I could ask for. I'll try not to take this for granted but still use it to its fullest.

Having delayed as long as I dare, I resign myself to face Tywin. I quickly get ready and make my way to Lord Tywin's solar to begin my duties. I know things should return to normal soon enough, but I'm still nervous.

As I approach the door, I immediately notice something off. There's not a guard posted outside, and the door is wide open. Tywin always has someone guarding his solar at all hours of the day.

Maybe the guard is inside with Tywin?

Scanning the room when I reach the doorway, my confusion heightens. Someone is sitting in the Tywin's throne.

"Uncle Gerion?" I ask as I make my way into the solar.

Uncle Gerion looks up from his writing and waves me further into the room. "Ah, ever the dutiful page, huh Lancel," Uncle Gerion said with a merry smile.

A smile automatically springs to my face whenever I'm around Uncle Gerion. He's well-liked by everyone in the castle. It is often easy to forget Uncle Gerion is just as intelligent and cunning as my father.

It can be said that Uncle Gerion's personality is the polar opposite of Tywin's.

Where Tywin inspires fear and intimidates enemies and allies alike, Uncle Gerion draws people in with his ability to make others laugh and his good-natured attitude.

"Uncle Tywin won't be happy, finding you in his chair," I fearlessly tell my favorite uncle.

"Well, that would make him a hypocrite," Uncle Gerion said with a smirk. "Since it was your less handsome uncle that named me castellan of Casterly Rock."

My smile falls on that news.

"You think so little of my ability to keep Casterly Rock standing, nephew?" Uncle Gerion asked as he saw my face. "I think Martyn is now my favorite nephew. Or maybe it's Willem? I can't tell the little buggers apart. Point is, you're not my favorite anymore." Uncle Gerion jested.

With my smile creeping back up, I place a hand over my heart. "You wound me, uncle! How could you think I would ever doubt one with such a mighty mustache as yours?"

Any further flattery is ceased as the room is filled with the pleasant sound of Uncle Gerion's laughter. As Uncle Gerion is enjoying my little act, I suddenly realize what this means. Tywin left Casterly Rock. More importantly, my father is with him.

"They didn't take me with them," I quietly state. I know it's foolish to think, but for some reason, I thought they were going to take me on the campaign.

"No, nephew. There will be no war for you or any page," Uncle Gerion kindly said. "Why, if we sent you, how would all those old-crusty men win any honor?" He asked.

I appreciated his attempt to distract me. "I wasn't able to say goodbye to my father."

"Worry not, little lion," Uncle Gerion said. "It will be at least a moon before they set sail from Lannisport. And you have my word, we will be there to see them off."

Uncle Gerion said with rare seriousness.

That makes a lot of sense. It could take the royal fleet up to two moons just to sail around Westeros. With Lannisport being so close, I'm sure I'll see them several times before they launch their attack on the Iron Isles.

Seeing the shift in my mood, Uncle Gerion happily speaks up. "Good, now come around here and help prevent me from destroying the castle."

***************************

The Third Day of the Twelfth Moon, of the year 289 A.C.

The past eight months have been an interesting time. Uncle Gerion was right about the campaigning not starting soon. The Royal Fleet didn't arrive in Lannisport until two months after Uncle Gerion was named castellan.

During that time, father and Tywin returned to Casterly Rock several times. I couldn't find a reasonable excuse for them to leave Lannisport while awaiting the fleet's arrival, except maybe to be away from Robert Baratheon. Neither father nor Tywin has anything encouraging to say about the king.

The Ironborn weren't quiet during the wait. Rodrick Greyjoy, Balon's eldest son, launched a failed assault against Seagard that cost him his life.

With two failed assaults and the capture of his youngest brother and the death of his eldest son, many thought Balon would sue for peace. They underestimated Balon's stupidity.

Balon gave orders to raid the coastal villages of the Riverlands and North. I don't remember that from the show or books, but changes were bound to happen.

Shortly before the Royal Fleet arrived at Lannisport, father came to say his farewells. I did my best to remain calm, but it was still an emotional time. I was genuinely worried for my family.

With father and Tywin out to sea, I decided to concentrate on improving myself. I took to Ser Broom's lessons with the dedication of a fanatic. I made great attempts to read everything I could get my hands on. The library in Casterly Rock was impressive, and the books I found in Maester Volarik's old chambers were even better.

One area of concern was the notes I found in Maester Volarik's desk. It was a summary of everything that had happened in the Westerlands during the month of Volarik's death.

If I'm not wrong, it was a report to be sent to the Citadel. This got me thinking. With the Citadel having such close ties with the Hightowers, I can easily see the Hightowers getting these reports from across Westeros.

Fucking Gray Rats.

It was another turn of the moon before the new maester arrived at the Rock. Maester Creylen was a dark-haired man in his early thirties. The most interesting thing I found about the man was his Valyrian steel link. Something Maester Volarik didn't have.

I honestly forgot magic exists in this world! Unfortunately, that was something for another time.

With the arrival of a new maester, I was forced to resume my lessons. I did take advantage of the 'new guy' and held little back about my level of knowledge. At Maester Creylen's stunned realization of my intelligence, I gave all credit to Maester Volarik. I exaggerated the amount of work the previous maester of Casterly Rock gave me.

I saw it as a safe way to skip the typical lessons given to a seven-year-old and have Creylen give me more advanced work. It did have the negative effect of him being more strict with the other children of the Rock.

When I wasn't in the training yard, or with the maester, I spent the rest of my time with Uncle Gerion. I learned a great deal while fulfilling my duties as his page.

The way Uncle Gerion would deal with issues, and people was a valuable lesson. While I found Uncle Gerion's approach to discipline and obedience lacking, he had an ideal approach to rewards and morale.

If one could successfully combine Gerion's style with Tywin's approach, they would be the ideal leader. Being able to command the love and devotion of your allies while instilling fear and respect from your enemies would be perfect.

So I spent my time learning as much as I could. My days were marked with gradual improvements in every area. Things were moving slowly towards my goals, but I still have many years left to prepare.

And so my days carried on, until today. Today was a day of celebration, the Royal Fleet would be arriving at Lannisport today.