[color=red][b]Western Westeros, Lord Lorimer, Lady Cerenna, Lady Myrielle. Taking place in the Golden Tooth, official change of command from House Lannister, Ser Martyn Lannister, to Lord Lorimer Lefford.[/b][/color]

Lord Lorimer couldn’t believe it, as he stood at the gates of the Golden Tooth. Even after two decades of weather, repairs, and whatever else the garrison had done to the castle, the telltale signs of fire and war remained upon the walls and fortifications. He had heard the half-remembered stories of the castle’s last stand, his mother remaining loyal to Queen Cersei, her and half the garrison falling to the Targaryen forces, it was even said a dragon helped subdue the loyalist remnants, before an uncle, Lancel, or Lorne, wounded, finally surrendered. Probably saved the castle from fully being destroyed. That man, bought time for Lorimer and his sister Cerenna to escape, their Aunt Janei, ferrying them to the Lannisport, before fleeing to the Stepstones later on, after war’s end. Lorimer smiled, touching a soot covered emblem of his house, running his fingers across it, before turning away from the past, and towards the present. 

His attention was directed back towards his sister and lady wife. He smiled at both of them, before rejoining his retinue as they crossed the threshold of his new holding. Or rather, his family’s ancestral seat of power. He could see the lack of care, or rather, to be correct, the lack of pride in the castle. Sure, the Lannister Lions had ensured their banners were clean and bright, their armor clean and spotless, but beyond that, the castle and its former glory was rather in disregarded disdain. It was more military fortification than a home, more strengthened fortress than a warm place to raise your children. The old sigil of House Lefford, the Golden inverted pile and sun, were dingy and dirty, covered in cobwebs, some chipped and shattered, the once proud stone sculptures now lying in the dirt, the usual that happens after a siege, and when a house falls from power. Lorimer heard that there were once several metallic sigils, with real gold, and other precious metals, mounted about the castle, but from a cursory glance, they were missing. No doubt stolen and melted down. He sighed, calling for the retinue to hold up and begin dismounting. He removed his gloves from his hands, and placed them in his belt, turning to meet the current garrison commander. 

The man stood in the finery of House Lannister, his golden hair mixed with light browns, golden armor shining brightly in the mid-morning sun. They had ridden together into the castle, Lord Lorimer and his simple mount, the only adornment its antiquated House Lefford sigil, shined brightly to a proud sheen, while Ser Martyn of House Lannister, and his comrades, all rode atop dazzling golden armored horses, their own armor golden and gaudy as well. Lorimer thought to himself, ‘A bit over the top… they look ridiculous.’ Lorimer waited for Ser Martyn to dismount, the man taking care to dismount only after Lorimer did, perhaps in a display of indifference. Now on foot, they all took a tour of castle grounds, Ser Martyn leading Lorimer, Cerenna, and Myrielle about. Lorimer was quick to pick up on both Martyn’s tone and demeanor that he was not particularly thrilled to be having his command be taken away from him and given to Lorimer. 

Lorimer allowed himself to be lead about the castle and its immediate grounds. He took note to himself to get a ground keeping crew together to clean up the flora that had overgrown the gardens, courtyards, and other communal areas. Only the drill yard and garrison yard were clear and well maintained. The fountains had been left in ruined disrepair, perhaps seen as too costly to rebuild, or serving no military purpose. What wasn’t in short supply nor disrepair, was the level of military readiness and projectable power of the castle. The Lannister’s had rebuilt the settlement into more of a military depot and stronghold, than what it used to be. Extra towers were identifiable, along with blockhouses that held vast stores of weapons and gear for the soldiers, and for the local levies as well. Ser Martyn explained to Lorimer that the Golden Tooth had become one of the strongest fortresses in the West, serving as the principal mustering grounds for the Gold Knights.

Lord Lorimer listened intently, even as Ser Martyn continued to talk down to him. ‘Perhaps it’s because my family fled during the downfall, or perhaps it’s because I married one of the Lannister bastards… don’t blame the man. He is salty that his command has been taken from him. Lannister’s have always been proud. When he is done, I’ll build his ego, let him know that his experience is needed.’ Lorimer thought to himself. Ser Martyn finished the tour of the grounds, puffing his own chest out in a sort stating that they were well situated to deal with any sort of rebels and outlaws that prowled the area. After a short tour of the interior, and his wife and sister dismissing themselves to their respective rooms, a kiss on the cheek, Lorimer was lead to the war room of the castle, very well cared for and maintained, aside from the ruined family mural upon the wall, carved out of solid marble. Lorimer sighed, shaking his head, and looked to the table as Ser Martyn spoke at length once more.

The Lannister knight pointed out the marked locations upon the map, as though he were speaking to a child or teenager, rather than an experience man in his mid-twenties. Tarbeck Hall, Castamere, along with a few other possible outlaw dens and strongpoints. Lorimer digested what Ser Martyn spoke, a quick retelling of current affairs, enemy disposition, and current allied operations. The information was not particularly unsettling, but if the situation was left unattended, it could grow to a much larger problem that could threaten to destabilize the region. Whoever these rebels were, the most likely endgame was to either gain legitimacy, or to just see the world burn. Lorimer, well, anyone who had two brain cells to rub together, heard what the Lannister’s had done to both the Tarbecks and Reyenes. This all was brought to the present, when with a certain amount of smugness and disdain, Ser Martyn asked what his orders were, topped off with a smirk, as though asking such from anyone other than a Lannister or the Royal family was distasteful. 

Lorimer smiled politely at Ser Martyn, turning upon his heels to stand at attention before the former commander of the Golden Tooth. He spoke in a formal, respectful tone usually reserved for formal function regarding those of high stature and rank. “Ser Martyn Lannister, while you have been relieved of commander of the Golden Tooth, and I assume that command, you and your experience is still greatly needed by myself and the crown. You have direct experience with the current situation, have served honorably as this location’s commander, and you are a proven member of the Gold Knights. If anyone should be giving orders, it should be you. Ser Martyn, I defer to you in this matter. What would you do, how would you handle the current situation, and help me to better understand what I can do to be as good of a commander as you are. The crown has great faith in your abilities, as does your great family, so I trust you as I trust my own kin. Please, Ser Martyn, you are the field commander here, I am but a bureaucrat to sign documents and ensure you have what you need to accomplish your mission.” Lorimer bowed politely before Ser Martyn, and eagerly awaited the man’s response.


[color=red][b]Lady Cerenna’s Room[/b][/color]

Cerenna paced about the room impatiently. She ran her fingers across the fabric of her dress, playing with the fine material. At long last, she sat down into an old and musty chair, the dust roiling of in a small cloud. She coughed, sputtering for a moment, as she waved the dust away. “Well, it could be worse I suppose. At least the fireplace works and the bed looks to be vermin free.” She sighs and smiles. “Nothing a bit of elbow grease and some spring cleaning can’t fix.” Standing, Cerenna stripped out of her fine gown and garments, rummaging through her trunks of clothing while standing in her under clothes, she let out a small peel of laughter. It was a small charm wrought in gold, emeralds, and rubies, given to her by a very special someone to her. She held it close to her breasts, pressing it gently into herself, before hiding it away once more. The glitter of the precious metal and gems sent a dazzling display across the room, before being extinguished as it entered the chest.

She picked out a simple gown, a nice subdued auburn color with highlights of green. She quickly slipped into the gown, covering her under garments and feminine features. “Well, the room won’t clean itself, and I certainly won’t hear Lorimer’s griping about me having a dirty room. No doubt he and Aerion wouldn’t ever shut up, once Aerion gets back.” A small sigh followed some happy signing, as Cerenna set to her task, cleaning her room, removing cobwebs, dust, dirt, and other remains of a room left unused for a bit too long. Her hair was held back and out of her face, while her gown was tied close, which did add to her form. ‘Perhaps if I get done, with some time to spare, I can write a letter or two to my friends, and see how they are doing.’ She thought to herself, as Cerenna continued to clean her quarters. 

[color=red][b]Lady Myrielle and Lord Lorimer’s Rooms[/b][/color]

Myrielle sat at the edge of her bed, comfortably relaxing as she read through a series of documents detailing the food stores of the castle, income and tithes, the status of the wells, and so on. To her, it was rather interesting, having at one time been a lowly working woman, to now being a fully recognized lady, with a real name as well. She drank from a small cup of wine, smiling to herself as she studiously looked over all these documents. Smoked hog, mutton, sides of beef, vegetables, and on and on. She smiled, thinking of last night, how her and Lorimer had rolled about in their tent. She’d certainly have to treat him again later tonight. “I am a real lady… me… a legitimized Lannister, now a Lefford. Lorimer, you are my gallant knight and savior.” She said aloud to herself, as she now rolled to her stomach onto the bed, and continued reading.