Chapter 14 - Interlude on the Last Day

Disclaimer: I don’t own the characters or the world appearing in this story, they are creations and property of the fantastic George R. R. Martin. I’m not sure if I can claim my OCs as my own, so I’ll play it safe and dedicate them to GRRM.

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Author’s Note: This chapter started as something I wrote to test a style, but I didn’t want to let it go to waste. Hence I had the brilliant idea of adding it as an Interlude. So here it is.

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[Year - 296 AC]

“Are you even trying, Leo?” Harry japed as he deflected the sword with a lazy diagonal flick. Leo glared daggers at him; as if he were filth that had washed up by the shore. If the daggers had been real, he might have slightly stood a chance at touching him.

“I’m afraid my skills with the sword wouldn’t match up to your standards, Harry,” Leo replied, his tone soaked with malice and restraint, for once not being able to insult his way out of a conversation.

With a fast jab to his shoulder, Harry made him flinch backwards. As Leo retreated to get away from the jab, Harry quickly advanced and swiped his legs from under him, making him fall on his back.

“Arrghh!” Leo moaned in pain. Harry could vaguely hear Ser Wendel’s booming guffaw over the rest of the men, as they laughed from the sidelines.

Willas limped towards him as Garlan went to help Leo. “Must you go to such lengths, Harry? You’ve raked up quite some torment on poor Leo, don’t you think?”

Harry snorted. “Poor Leo? He is fucking slimy is what he is. I have to do this, Willas. Otherwise, I might not let him leave with his head the next time I happen upon him at night.”

“Your last night here has passed Harry – a reminder if you’ve forgotten.”

“All the more reason to teach that twat a final lesson before leaving,” Harry replied as he shook off Willas’ hand and moved towards Leo. He had gathered himself and was looking around – making a note of whoever was laughing at him. As if the bitch could do anything about it. He would most probably forget everything before the day ends – as he drank his way through a pitcher.

Leo’s face cringed as he noticed Harry walking towards him. He unconsciously tried to scamper backwards.

“That was a brilliant showcase, Leo. Your father should be most proud,” Harry said, his tone dripping with mockery.

Leo obviously noticed it but acted as if he wasn’t being insulted. “It was a poor showcase, Harry, no need to sugarcoat it,” he said, all the while trying to get away from the place as swiftly as possible.

“Oh no, there is no mockery in my praise Leo, not at all,” Harry said as he drew closer and placed a hand on his shoulder to stop his backward escape. At three and ten namedays, Harry was tall – taller than anyone else his age – but he still stood a little shorter than Leo. Although, none witnessing the scene would call him anything other than awe-inspiring.

Harry yanked him in, so that they were flush against each other, and whispered into his ear. “In fact let’s go to the tavern, I’ve heard of this girl you’ve grown fond of – my coin, what do you say?”

“Time and time again I’ve repeated, Harry – it was poor judgement on my part, it was a mistake –” Leo splurted frantically as he tried to pull away.

Harry loosened his grip a little; to not give the moron any reason to go running to his father. However terrified the twat was of him, if he ran to his father, Harry’s relationship with the Tyrells would sour.

“That’s not what the novices told me, Leo,” Harry said slowly, drawing out each word. “Some heard you say that you wanted to find that whore with the dog – and did you call me a dog, Leo? A wolf would have been better suited, don’t you think?”

“I was drunk, Harry. I would have never –”

“I would be more surprised to find you sober one night, Leo.”

“I didn’t know who she was! I swea –” Leo pleaded, but Willas interrupted.

“That’s enough!” Willas said, his clear voice cutting through the air. “Leave Leo, and never speak of this, with anyone!”

Leo stumbled away from Harry’s grasp and nodded furiously at Willas. Bidding them as fast as humanly possible, he made a swift retreat out of the clearing. Harry sent a glance towards Ser Wendel, subtly telling him to take the men away. The conversation ahead might require some privacy.

He glared at Willas getting ready for a verbal spar, but Garlan stopped him with a slap to his back. A few years ago, it might have sent him staggering.

“Your anger might be righteous Harry, but he still is a Tyrell,” Willas said with a weary look.

“And the Tyrell name protects you from rape, Willas?” Harry bit back.

“Harry!” Garlan exclaimed, a little shocked that he would fight against Willas. While Harry liked to joke around with the younger Tyrells, he always treated Willas with respect.

“No, it’s alright,” Willas shook his head at Garlan. “She is a wench’s daughter, Harry.”

“And I wouldn’t have said anything if he had gone about it the proper way! He forced her just because I shamed him!” Harry replied fiercely.

“He says he paid her and the girl has attested to it,” Willas said, trying to reason with him.

“As if she would say otherwise – oh you can save your excuses – we both know what happened,” Harry spat angrily as he turned away. “I am not asking to chop his hand nor his cock for that matter, he could have fucked anyone and gotten away with it. But this – this he did to shame me, and I cannot let it stand. Just be happy that I disguised it as a spar.”

Spitting out his piece, he walked off furiously. The horses would be laden in some time, and he would rather spend his time watching that than fight Willas.

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Harry could hear Willas calling after him, but he merely walked faster. He knew it was cruel, to know Willas wouldn’t be able to keep up and still storm off; but he was feeling anything but charitable at the moment.

Albeit, Garlan didn’t have that disadvantage, and caught up to him pretty quickly.

“You shouldn’t have been so aggressive, Harry. There was little Willas could do, he couldn’t let you continue harassing him,” Garlan said from the side.

Harry didn’t answer. After all, it was true.

Leo was hardly an example of a decent person. When he’d glanced at a chance to hurt Harry, he had taken it. Leo had seen him with the girl at the tavern and taken advantage of it to get back at him – for all the humiliation he had put him through at the Citadel; the worst part was that Harry was letting it get to him.

He breathed in, trying to calm himself. “Look, I know, I’m just angry at myself for letting it get to me. I’ll apologise to Willas later.”

“I understand Harry, and I’m sure that Willas does as well. What Leo did was dishonourable. But it’s just that, dishonourable, and not a crime,” Garlan said.

Harry raised a hand. “It’s alright Garlan, I’ve paid him back for the insult. I’d rather not be reminded of it any more.”

“Yes, it’s better left behind. We can move on to better topics, such as your fostering at Horn Hill.”

“Horn Hill, yes,” Harry said, allowing a smile on his face.

“I still think you should have joined Loras in squiring at Storm’s End.”

“Are you badmouthing Lord Tarly, Garlan?” Harry asked, teasingly.

“Of course not!” He replied evasively, “Although I’m having a hard time seeing you fit in with him. I wonder if he’s ever laughed – he must have kept mum even when Lady Tarly gave him a son.”

“And Renly is so happy all the time. I don’t understand what’s got him smiling all the damn time!” Harry complained.

“Better a smile than a frown,” Garlan countered.

“For you lot, maybe,” Harry said, “I’ll take Lord Tarly over Renly any day.”

“You dour Northerners. If your mind is set on it, then there’s little I can do to change it.”

“Very little,” Harry nodded.

Harry turned to look at him and their eyes met. Garlan chuckled. Then he did. Soon it grew into full-blown laughter.

“What’s funny?” Garlan said, trying to stop laughing.

“Your face,” Harry said.

Garlan slapped him slightly. “My face is very dashing, thank you very much. My father is in talks to arrange an engagement, in fact.”

Gathering himself, Harry replied with a smile. “That’s very good news Garlan, do I know the lady?”

“Not unless you’ve been to Cider Hall,” Garlan said.

“A Fossoway… then it has to be Lady Ellyn or Lady Leonette,” Harry replied as he dug into his knowledge.

“You amaze me every time, Harry – but to answer your question, it is Lady Leonette,” Garlan said.

“She’s pretty, I hope?” Harry asked questioningly.

“That’s hardly the point, Harry! It’s my duty to the family,” Garlan said, turning away.

“Is that a little redness I see on your cheeks? Getting shy thinking of your lady wife, Lord Garlan?”

Garlan didn’t grace him with a response.

“Alright, at least describe her, you can’t stop here,” Harry asked pleadingly.

Garlan turned back to him, but his eyes didn’t quite meet his. “Hmm… she’s quite dainty – with brown hair and bright eyes.”

“And he’s a poet now! Spent a lot of time looking at her eyes, did you?” Harry mocked, “Not like that Garlan, describe her properly, like a man.”

“Don’t be crass,” Garlan said, “I’m not continuing this farce, you can meet her when the time comes.”

“Wet blanket.”

“Better a wet blanket than a crass hooligan.”

“When did we start talking of Leo?” Harry said with a hand to his chin.

Garlan tried not to react to that but found that he couldn’t. He snorted.

“Shame that my favourite wet blanket couldn’t make it,” Harry said, glancing at Garlan.

Garlan’s expression turned a little sheepish at that. “Not for lack of trying on her part.”

“And..?” Harry pressed.

“She’s growing into a maid, Harry. It’s not proper to be seen travelling to other castles. People might talk.”

“Does your grandmother have someone in mind already?” Harry asked.

Garlan raised an eye at that. “My father has some thoughts on the matter, but nothing’s certain yet.”

“I might have some ideas on who he has in mind,” Harry said with a shrewd smile, baiting Garlan.

“I’m sure you do,” Garlan said, shaking his head.

Soon they reached the small manse Harry had spent the last three years of his life in. Their stroll back from the confrontation had taken them on quite the detour, and his men had already packed almost half of their supplies.

Even Willas had already returned.

“Harry –” Willas began once he saw them walk in.

“It’s alright. Garlan has talked some sense into me,” Harry stopped him, “Also it’s me who should apologise. I am sorry Willas, whatever grievance I might have had, I should have acted with a little more tact.”

“It’s good that you’ve seen sense – but I wanted to bring to your attention that Lord Tarly has arrived.”

Willas pointed towards the manse. They walked in to find Ser Wendel entertaining Lord Tarly.

“Lord Tarly! You’re early. I didn’t see your horses outside?” Harry asked as he stepped in.

“They’re still being loaded, Harry. I was hoping to check on you,” Lord Tarly replied.

“Well… everything’s going swimmingly – as you can see,” Harry said, sweeping his hand around in a dramatic gesture.

“Yes, swimmingly indeed. Ser Wendel just informed me of your colourful morning,” Lord Tarly said with a disapproving glare.

Garlan chuckled and poked him from the side.

“Ahh… yes it was,” Harry replied awkwardly.

The rest of the time passed quickly. Harry spent the time talking with the Tyrells. They had arrived just the day before, catching him at an awkward time. He’d been preparing to leave Oldtown and had a lot of last-minute tasks to complete. Hence they’d not had a lot of time to spend together. And then Leo had chosen last night for his little petty revenge and wasted even more of his time.

Soon everything was packed and Harry was ready to leave. He tried to take in the place as he stood outside.

His time at Oldtown was as smooth as it could be. He had done a lot of studying with some other stuff sprinkled in, but it had been a simple time nonetheless. He’d made some friends, an adversary – if Leo could be called one. He’d had other special moments too.

Although, life would undoubtedly get more interesting from this point.

He bid the Tyrells as he climbed aboard his horse – a palfrey – which was gifted to him by Garlan a year ago. Garlan had been quite surprised at seeing the horse again. Especially with its growth and how well it took to orders. He lamented over not having taken it for himself. Although those changes were due to all the warging Harry had done; it wouldn’t have done Garlan any good.

Harry was excited for Horn Hill but he couldn’t help but feel somewhat at a loss for leaving behind this beautiful place. He could see the river from his manse. The blue water looked so vibrant under the midday sun and flowed with all the vigour its colour hinted at. The small hills surrounding the city made it look closed off from the rest of the world. He’d sometimes wondered if he should spend his entire life here, but he’d always scatter those thoughts before they took root.

Taking one last look at the place, and waving one last time at the Tyrells, he left the place. Pulling tight on the reins, he willed the horse to trot at a leisurely pace as it kept up with the rest of his men. He might yet return to the place one day. Sometime in the future.

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