[B]Gulltown Keep[/B]
[I]Sini and Vanq Collab[/I]
“Ser Baelor Manderly. Reports say he spent a week at Quiet Isle in penitence before sailing on to Gulltown.” Jasper eyed his uncle carefully. They had met the man in the city’s sept, Jasper praying for guidance on choosing a wife, Gilwood ministering to any who entered. The gods had certainly wanted them to meet, and both men had been duly impressed by the knight and those in his company. As with all things though, they had needed to learn more rather than make a rash decision.

“An unusual name for the North, even for the Manderlys.” 

“Baelor the Blessed, the only king we’ve had who has recognized the sin born into their blood. This Baelor was the seventh son, aptly born and named it seems. Surely, it is a sign, uncle. But I will not do this without your blessing that the gods have orchestrated this.” 

“Seventy-seven knights total. I do not think he plays at a grand jape. We will pray to the Crone for guidance…”

Several hours later, the lord of the Eyrie sent word to Baelor’s camp that he should dine with them that evening. It was not so quiet as Lord Jasper had originally promised, the tourney’s competitions would begin the next day, but he needed an answer ahead of the festivities. The gods seemed to indicate that Baelor was destined for great things, and Jasper would need a holy sword arm in the coming struggle. 

Baelor appeared in a coat of mail with a plain white surcoat. He even slept in it. The pious knight was welcomed by some men-at-arms in the colours of Arryn and Grafton who claimed to have heard of him. Shortly after, a chamberlain ushered him through brick corridors, his boots thumping over flagstones until he was presented to Lord Jasper Arryn of the Vale… a boy of only sixteen years old, but playing at being a man. At least, that was what they said about the youth. Nevertheless, Baelor disagreed. They had spoken for a short while, when he had come calling in Gulltown’s sept. Jasper’s uncle, Gilwood, had been the clergyman in presence and so it had been he who had placed the Seven’s blessing on his forehead with sacred oil. Ser Baelor made a quick bow, adhering to protocol and expressed his thanks for the invitation. “You wished to see me, your lordships,” he said, clearing his throat.

It was a simple, although hearty, meal Jasper had had prepared and brought to the small dining chamber. It was not the face of youthful arrogance he wore, but that of genuine curiosity and interest. All that he had learned of Baelor pointed to the fact that he was quite unique. “Yes, please be seated with us.” The lord gestured to the chair opposite Septon Gilwood, and next to himself. Simple clothes and the same humble demeanor that he had had at the sept. Jasper was just eight years his junior, but looking at the lines on the knight’s face made the lord feel younger still. He knew the talk of the Vale and visitors alike. He had been a boy-lord for all of his reign up until recently. Gods willing, they would be shown the error of their beliefs. 

“Tell me, Ser Baelor, and speak frankly - we will have it no other way - how do you find Westeros these days? White Harbor surely brings news from the rest of the realms. What are your thoughts on these seven kingdoms?” Cool and steady, he sought an answer that could not be easy for many to answer, at least for those who cared more for political maneuverings than truth and reality.

“I find it ever harder to find the light. It seems that with every passing day the Seven shine less and less on the faithful,” he spoke assuredly, unflinching. Ser Baelor was not confined by the trappings of lordship or power. He was his own man, devoted to the one true faith, his sword and shield sworn to uphold what was right. 

“Heresy grows from idleness and poisons the mind. Now, brother kills brother and eludes justice in the house of kings. Not for the first time, my Lord Jasper. A bastard sits on the Small Council, a man who also slew his own brother and two of his sons. Brother fornicates with sister, and have done so for generations. I consider that an abomination and offense to the Seven. How can we be surprised that the fruit of their incest is rotten to the core?” Baelor sighed deeply and collected his thoughts. In other company, this would have been deemed the purest of treason. “It seems malice is rewarded, debauchery encouraged. I pray, but seldom answers come. Verily, I feel tested.”

Ser Baelor Manderly clenched his fist as he continued his monologue, his mail sleeve rattling. “And yet, I hope. Not all who stumble or fall have lost their way. I try to show them, bring them into the loving embrace of the Seven, deliver them from evil…” The young Northern knight smiled apologetically. “My apologies, I did not mean to go on about it.”

Lord Jasper and Septon Gilwood shared a long look, they shared the same thoughts so frequently that no words needed to pass between them. The silent agreement reached between them, both sets of eyes returned to the knight. “There is no need to apologize, ser.” It was the septon who spoke, his words weighty, sonorous. “There are times where surely you must have felt very alone, with those beliefs. Do not feel alone any longer.” 

Jasper leaned forward, eager and with the fire burning in his eyes again. “I am sending an army to Andalos, Ser Baelor. The gods have shown their favor on the expedition, and should we honor them on their holy ground, I believe...I know, that we can set Westeros to rights again. The Faith will be cleansed and pure once more, lords and ladies and kings will have no choice but to submit wholeheartedly to the Seven.” He searched his companion’s face, “You are too right, the kingdoms are a disgrace to gods and man and too few see it. Too many generations have strayed from the gods and their teachings, we must atone for our sins and the sins of our fathers. Andalos was lost, but we will find it once more and rebuild it, with a great sept to honor our makers.” 

The septon spoke up again, giving Jasper time to allow the fire to cool. “We have prayed, and the answer was that you are called to play a role in this. Will you answer that call?”

It was as if a ray of light suddenly enveloped him and pierced his very being, illuminating his tormented soul. These two righteous men had taken up the Sevens cause, and had the means and position to further it considerably. Ser Baelor dropped to his knees, mouth agape, his coat of mail jingling. Practically prostrating himself, he clasped his gloved hands together and nodded. “A cause as just as this…,” the Manderly knight muttered, searching for words. “I will, as will the rest of the Seventy-Seven. We have been looking for something as worthy. So yes,” he said filled with fervour. “Bless me, Septon Gilwood, and my sword is yours.”

Chairs scraped on the hard ground as both men rose from their seats. Lord Jasper clasped his hand to the knight’s shoulder. “Thank you Ser Baelor, there cannot be a more honorable and righteous man to be at the vanguard of this most holy endeavor. You will receive this blessing first, and all your men as well. You will be anointed as Captain of the Swords of the Seven.”

Septon Gilwood pulled a small vial of holy oil from his robes. “May the father guide in finding justice in an unjust world. May the love of the Mother shine through you to those in need of compassion. May the Warrior lend strength to your sword arm and lead you to victory. May the Maiden keep you pure and chaste. May the Smith give you strength of mind and body to see this work done. May the Crone impart her wisdom, that your path is clear no matter the haze.” Gilwood paused for just a moment, his finger that was dipped in oil resting still on the knight’s forehead. “And may the Stranger say ‘not today’ and keep hidden from you the unknown and death.” 

The aged septon took a step back. “Rise Ser Baelor, Captain of the Swords of the Seven. May the gods shine on you and all you do.”

Ser Baelor blinked his eyes and basked in holiness, when he rose to his feet he saw the world anew. There was so much work to be done, for the Seven had chosen him to be their tool. “We will all carry the light of the Faith.” His sense of destiny satisfied, Baelor humbly bowed before the Lord of the Vale and Septon Gilwood. “May the Seven never find me wanting.”

“Come, sit again, and eat. When we finish our meal, you will lead us to your men so that they may be anointed as well.” Jasper clasped the knight’s shoulder once more and returned to his seat. The meal of leeks, beans, and simple rabbit meat seemed all the more heavenly. “I will announce our plans for all of Westeros at the tourney’s end, and I will have you by my side.”