The year is 286 AC. King Jaehaerys II has just passed, leaving the throne without a rightful ruler. While his three children fight for the crown, Winter creeps closer, and unimaginable darkness looms.
Not all alliances will be so typical this time. In fact, many people have a crucial effect on the way this story is told. As for the ending, we only hope there are enough people left alive to tell it after its passed.
Events
Join us for our first event, the wake of recently deceased King Jaehaerys II.
Updates
AUG. 19: So we are now officially open to the public. We have a mini-event flashback thread going on, and our main event just began. Feel free to make a second canon if you can keep both of them active enough.
Don't hesitate in pestering staff with questions; it's what we're here for! Let's raise a glass and make a cheer toward a successful launch of Winds of Winter.
The rare times his home was ever visited, the other children would always be eager to meet new friends. The closer in age, the better. But Mikal thought little of socialization and hid himself away in the corners of his quarters, leaving complaints in the other boys’ and girls’ mouths for lack of interaction. Couldn't his brothers keep the youngins entertained?
For this arrival at The Eyrie, introductions were made and the new boy gave his own name succinctly. Would the Arryn sisters be like the rest, eager to meet and share backgrounds? Mikal kept his gazes to the adults, curious about their discussions and what was to be done with him.
The castle tour was concluded with the presentation of his new room, where he'd be staying for the next who knows how long. There wasn't much for him to unpack other than a few pairs of clothes, thus it was just a few minutes before the young scholar was out the door and headed towards the library.
A notebook weary with use in hand, Mikal strided from hall to hall, door to door, the stoney layout still foreign to him. Since peering down the moon door, his startled mind struggled to accurately absorb the Eyrie's navigation.
A short while later, and he still was not at his desired destination. It might've been an easier and faster walk if he hadn't made seven detours away from halls that echoed with the voices of others, but the introvert wasn’t in the mood to be stopped by inquiring Lords and Ladies. Furrowed brows and a slight frown, maybe he should ask a soul to lead him to the book stacks?
Nevertheless, Note #1: Relocating may require outgoingness for smooth transitions.
Lyra is the third born daughter of the Vale. She is a kind and loving girl, generous to those that need, especially to those that are crippled and disabled -- which can be said is because of her comparable inability to see.
The world is a giant and scary place for a young six year old. The idea of change was frightening; be it from new people, or new places, the thought of having to do something different, or meet someone was always a challenge to the younger years. Lyra Arryn was no exception from this.
Dolled up and brought to the hall, she stood next to her mother's skirt as introductions were made. They were to take in a guest, a young boy from a lesser house to act as a ward and protected while he studies. At least, that is what she caught of the situation by ear.
Peeking out from the fabric of her mother's dress, the youngest Arryn glanced over their visitors, her eyes gleaming in the light of the sun that peeked through the stone castle. He was small, not much bigger than she was, with a dark shade of hair, -- the details of his face excluding her like normal.
Though as quickly as introductions started, her mother and father provided a tour for the young boy, showing off the castle and what resources were available to him. She however was told to go back to her room, and to stay out of trouble, so that she wouldn't slow down the group as they paced the halls.
Lips pursed and feet scuttled as she made her way to the kitchen instead, the bright face of the girl being a pleasant gift for the kitchen wench's. Old and young they enjoyed her enthusiasm, and insisted on helping her do whatever she wanted. An apple tart. She wanted to make one for herself and their guest, hoping to find some way around her parents restriction.
"Make it sweet!" she chirped, standing on the stool so she could see the progress of the maids as they worked. She always liked being in the kitchens. The oven gave off a warm heat, and the smell of their meals cooking was so exciting. They always played a game of 'guess what is cooking'; she was getting too good at it after the past three years. Her favorite were the meat pies and potatoes.
"Is it for a special occasion?" she was asked by a deeper and older voice. Ol' Nan was what they called her, as she had been serving the Arryns for over seven decades.
The young girl only laughed and nodded her head, "We have guests and I want to take this to one of them. Can we have some tea too!?" she asked vibrantly which resulted in a open chuckle from the three girls that slaved over her treat.
It didn't take long before she was sent off, a handmaiden following her with the tray in hand, which would have been far too heavy for young Lyra. Together they stopped by where the guest would have been roomed, and found it empty. So they tried the other rooms, the hallways, the foyer... easily to say she was getting discouraged. Did the boy run away so quickly?
"Milady, maybe we should just leave it in his room..."
"NO IT WILL GET COLD!"
She squealed and her face twisted in her frustration, but the fleeting shadow in her peripheral caught her attention and she gasped before running off to turn the corner. They were all the way near the servant quarters when she finally found him. The young girl padding up and sighing in relief.
"Found you!"
She said before putting her hands behind her back and giving her brightest smile.
The maid finally catching up looked to the young boy, who was probably confused about their sudden appearance. "Young Lady Lyra has brought you tea and a treat," the woman explained to him, hoping she could finally set the tray down and go back to her work.
A rush of taps, he couldn't make out if the noises were from a bird or something else within the halls. The pitter patter growing louder, it resembled more like footsteps and was accompanied by a rustle of cloths, the boy turning his head to see a small form dashing towards him
The youngest Arryn, still prettily dressed and with an older maid trailing behind. Was he needed so soon? Would their interaction be long? If only he could, Mikal would've dismissed the two or dismissed himself, but the wide smile that glittered up at him prompted a hesitation in his thoughts.
He couldn't reject the littlun, especially not after the generous delicacies offered to him. Politely, the boy gave a bow in the girl's direction, accepting the gift.
“I must thank you, Lady Lyra, for your wonderful hospitality. Seeing that there are two cups and two pies, should I assume that we will be snacking together?”
It wasn't exactly his plan for the afternoon, but having a moment to get to know the Arryns wouldn't hurt. He was a bit nervous on whether he could keep up a conversation or not, since the blabbermouths he's met always talked on about subjects he couldn't empathize with.
Maybe he could find out a few secrets about the Eyrie, possibly a nice corner he could settle himself down in for some alone time in the future.
“Would you mind holding my book for a moment, Milady?”
Mikal handed his notebook to the smaller graspers and the moment his own hands were free, he gave the server a warm smile and reached out to handle the tray himself. He wasn't the strongest of boys his age, probably the feeblest, but the weight was light enough for him.
“Let me take that off of your arms, ma’am. I'm sure you've worked hard today.
“Is there a specific place where you would like to sit, Young Lady Lyra?”
Lyra is the third born daughter of the Vale. She is a kind and loving girl, generous to those that need, especially to those that are crippled and disabled -- which can be said is because of her comparable inability to see.
Small fingers found themselves intertwined around the leather bound book. The texture felt soft against the pads of her fingertips, and Lyra smiled in delight as he entrusted her the object.
A curt nod was given to the boy by the maid who leaned down to hand the ambitious boy the tray,"If you insist milord," her voice sweet and acknowledging to the young man, "seven bless you, I will be by sometime to clean up the mess."
With that she gave a bow and retreated back to the kitchen quarters to finish preparing the birds for that nights meal, leaving Lyra alone in his trustworthy presence. She clasped the given book tightly and pursed her lips, "If you like books... I can show you to the library. It's quiet there and adults wont bother us."
Eyes wavered as they glanced up at him, their milky color gleaming in the soft candle light of the hall. She smiled and turned back the way she came, heading to the end of the hall, almost to the foyer, but stopped at the third door away to push it open with her small frame.
The iron wrought door opened to the tall dusty shelves and paper stacks that was the Eyrie library. Not as grand as the one in the crownlands, but sufficient to provide the maester every vital amount of information he could use. There was even a short table and chairs set for those that yearned for a moment to read. It was here that she placed his book on the table.
"Mikal was it?" she asked, though in an inappropriate manner.
A keen little one, and Mikal’s spirits almost flew at the proposal. To be surrounded by books, knowledgeable words, fragile pages yet hefty for their purpose, all the events that happened to roll upon him had him forgetting about his previous dilemma. Now treated with a sweet smelling snack and directions to his second home, the newcomer had a natural smile resting gently on his thin features.
This time, he focused on the navigation with a strong eye, repeating to himself the lefts and rights, the number of doors. He watched the sliver of heaven open up to him, the first crack from when the door swung open to where the hinge was exhausted, and the room was in full sights. Grandiose and already many times more equipped than what he had access to in the Mountains of the Moon. The emerald gaze was already entranced, brushing over the book bindings, the titles, and the labels.
A soft lighting that illuminated the papers, dark ink coming into visibility. And the girl’s pitched voice of youth, a sharp reminder that he was not yet alone or free to sink himself in studies. His attention was turned back to the other, subconscious smile still floating happily on the thin lips.
“You are correct, and it’s a pleasure to meet you again, Milady Lyra.”
His steps that slowed at the entrance sped up again, and Mikal followed the Eyrie’s youngest to the wood table, relieving himself of the metal load in his arms. Care was taken in setting the tray down next to his own notebook, to avoid any spills and losses, but hands were also taken back quickly, sighing at the opportunity to rest.
“I must thank you for bringing me here. It is a bit embarrassing to share, but I was getting a bit lost trying to find my way to the library. You have helped me a lot, is there anything that I may help you with?”
Lyra is the third born daughter of the Vale. She is a kind and loving girl, generous to those that need, especially to those that are crippled and disabled -- which can be said is because of her comparable inability to see.
The girl wasted no time, pouring the tea from the small kettle that was still warm. She carefully filled both cup, yet unfortunately the tray suffered a bit of wetness as she had missed her mark. "How do you like your tea? I like alot of sugar," she said before plucking three cubes for her own.
Glancing to the older boy she was taken aback by his question, and grew flustered as she thought of her answer. Lips pursed she pondered on whether or not it would be appropriate to ask, and eventually she took a leap and selfishly inquired.
"C-can you read to me?" she asked softly, her tart in her hand and crumbs on her face as she awaited his response. Hopefully not thinking her a nuisance. She had many favorite stories that her nurse shared with her, but with the new year, she had little time to read to Lyra, along with the rest of her family.
"It can be anything... I just like to listen and i-imagine."
A small splash, bronze liquid pooling in one spot on the tray. He couldn’t blame her, for she was still at a young age, but with more observation, there was something a bit off about the girl’s coordination. Had either of the Arryns mention a handicap, Mikal did not recall any details from when he first entered.
“My mother always found it odd, but I have a preference of no sugar in my tea.”
A unique tongue for his age, but it was probably due to some script he read about the benefits of tea. That, and he was quite fond of the strong flavors and lingering bitterness. Dropping nothing into his cup, Mikal picked up the two the treats generously offered closer to himself.
The first bite of pie was startling sweet, but Lyra’s request was more startling. Reading? Weren’t other kids more interested in playing around outside? Boys were always eager about swordsmanship or riding. As for girls, didn’t they usually learn sewing or cooking or art or something? But he had no arguments. If she was interested in the scholarly, Mikal would give it to her.
“I would love to read for you, Lady Lyra. Although, do you not want to learn how to read yourself? Should I be busy or not present, you would still be able to find good stories for yourself.”
Despite the commentary, the boy had already risen from his seat and walked on over to the shelves, gazing into the titles and looking for a topic that spark his interest, and possibly the younger one’s.
Lyra is the third born daughter of the Vale. She is a kind and loving girl, generous to those that need, especially to those that are crippled and disabled -- which can be said is because of her comparable inability to see.
A moment of silence spread over the two of them. His hand removing a topic from the available shelving, and the girl awkwardly sitting there in the chair of her choosing. A cup of tea in her hand, she merely stared down at discolored liquid, only the color gracing her sight.
"I can never learn to read."
Her voice was soft, but it still pierced the silence as if she had screamed it. Lyra hesitated, taking a bite of the warm sweet treat that she had made just for the two of them.
"I cannot see the letters," she followed, placing her tea down on the table, "only colors and large shapes."
Even in her youth, the girl was still barred from seeing fine details, which would later grow to be a large problem. The sting and pain she felt from being unable to do the same as her siblings still lingered in her mind, yet she forced a smile and glanced over at the boy.
"So I always have my governess or father read to me. If they have time that is."
MADE BY NOVA
Last Edit: Sept 26, 2017 20:49:52 GMT by LYRA ARRYN
It wasn’t something that directly affected him, but it was still a statement that jarred his mind. A ring of words that pierced through the light mist of white noise. Usually, for someone who did not know how to read, they could just learn to read, but from what the girl had further explained… He could not imagine it, or imagine himself without the freedom to pursue literature, without out the meager amount of knowledge that he had.
Mikal turned his attention to the younger, watching the small movements with even more detail. There surely was something unfortunate with the pair of faded irises that soon turned back to him, and the boy’s own gazing emeralds flitted away, shy at the eyecontact for some reason. A deep breath to regain himself, and the little scholar was reading through the book titles again.
“Well, if you ever want a text read to you, come to me during my free time, Young Lady Lyra. Just as I do not wish for myself to be limited in what I can learn about, I do not wish for you to me limited in what you can learn about.”
A caption about the Conquest settle in his mind, a topic that was within his comfort zone. A story of their history and how the current world came to be, that would be interesting for young girl right? An illustration of adventures and events greater that whatever they might possibly experience in their own humble lives in the Vale. Mikal pulled the binding from its spot on the shelf.
“Have you been told about Aegon’s Conquest before, Milady?”
Lyra is the third born daughter of the Vale. She is a kind and loving girl, generous to those that need, especially to those that are crippled and disabled -- which can be said is because of her comparable inability to see.
Faint smile grew into a grin, his generous offer giving her excitement over the course of his stay at the Vale. However long it should be, the girl would take up his gratuity whenever she could.
Lyra glanced back at the boy who removed a leather bound book from the shelf, dust pulling forward to spray into the air around them. A gasp left her lips, replaced by a sound of excitement, "Isn't that the one about the dragons!?" she exclaimed, nearly falling from the wooden chair she perched on.
"That is my favorite! Oh please Lord Mikal!" she pleaded before finishing her tart and stuffing the remnants into her mouth. In her hurry she quickly sipped her tea to wash it down safely before anxiously awaiting in her seat.
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