BLAINE

Their day started earlier than the sun´s. Blaine Anderson was out of his tent when the sky was still of a beautiful dark violet. He started packing his things and disassembling his tent along with Wes and Thad, with whom he had shared it, still with the help of candles and torches. After everything was ready and the cook was starting to prepare breakfast, for they would ride before the sunrise, he went to the bulky man who looked more like a smith than a cook and gave him the orders of what their lordship would feast and at what time it should be ready. He then fed and watered the horses.

By that time, all the Warblers were awake and ready to practice. Blaine smiled to the other ten boys waiting for him with clean and proper practice clothes, preparing their instruments and their bodies. They ate small bites of bread and cheese, so they would have more strength, and headed to a clearance in the woods just outside of camp. The Warblers made a circle of eleven and faced each other, waiting for Blaine to signal the beggining of their practice. He took a deep breath and raised his hand.

With a cry of war, Trent ran in his direction, sword raised and firm in both his hands. The others chose their partners as quickly, and started fighting.

The Warblers were a group of young noblemen that House Dalton would sponsor and train to be the best men their society could have. They were usually twelve, although that were not mandatory (even though the now Lord Dalton was very happy they would be back to the tradional number soon enough). The Warblers were all about the maintenance of peace in Westeros and they represented balance, peace and prosperity through their art and their good manners. However, they were more than presentable boys singing to a prosper society still plagued by nightmares of a past full of blood and fire.

Their origins went back hundreds of years ago, after the Dark Winter was over and the continent was a weak society weary of war and destruction. House Dalton was one of the families that rose after the downfall of the Great Houses and they liked to spread through the world that they were patrons of peace. Following the tradition of taking the sons of other noblemen as wards and teaching them about war while building political alliances, earlier Lords Dalton started to teach them more than swordplay. It became common place to the family to teach theirs and their protegèes the many arts of avoiding wars and build alliances. After centuries passed, House Dalton grew wealthier and started a steady tradition of forming civilised men, keepers of peace and Westerosi wealth, would them be children of the Dalton line or their famous puppils. In all the values that they held dear, the value of the Arts was included and celebrated. Many of them would say that you could measure the prosperity of a society by the sophistication of their artists.

It was another Lord Dalton who started the tradition of teaching The Warblers how to sing and they soon became what they were now: An exclusive group of young noble boys learning how to be the perfect gentlemen and spreading the Arts everywhere.

Although singing and performing for the Great Houses - and even in countries of the East - were their main activity, they were still the twelve wards of Lord Dalton, protectors of the House and key to it´s interests. It was important that they would train their swords as much as they would train their voices. It was important that they studied heraldry, history, languages and other arts. It was important that they were of noble blood and made alliances. The more rounded, influencing and talented of the Warblers would always be considered their leader and made Lord Dalton squire. The fact that now, that would be Blaine Anderson was astonishing.

House Anderson was a noble House of the Reach, traditionally extremely loyal to House Dalton, with a lot of prestige and a history that linked them to many Great Houses of the past, but unfortunately, they had no money, owned small poor lands on Shield Islands and little importance to the new society and political structure of Westeros. Blaine would not be the most obvious choice to rise as Lord Dalton´s squire and adviser. Yet, there he was, leading The Warbler´s training exercises and attending his liege lord.

Blaine loved their morning exercises. He recognized how all the trainings they were required to do kept his mind clean and his body strong making him feel good and energized. They were usually trained in more than one style of swordplay besides the traditional Westeros blunt way, and Blaine, due to his slightly smaller stature and agility learnt the dance of Braavos. His favorite source of amusement was using his agility to annoy Wes out of his mind. "Stop! Moving! Blaine!" his friend would scream every training only making Blaine laugh and tease him even more. As a friendly come back, Wes used to hit him as hard as he could. It was a good practice for Blaine´s eviction technique.

When their routine was over, the sun wasn´t up yet, but the rest of the camp was. They had orders to start early so they would travel across those hills and reach StormHall at midday. Blaine and the boys went to the stream near camp to bath and gather water for the rest of the journey. Ready to go back to the road, Blaine instructed his collegues on how to help the others to get ready while he would be attending Lord Dalton.

"My Lord, it is Blaine Anderson, I came to help with your lordship´s last arrengements so we can start our journey as early as possible," he announced himself from outside the tent.

"Come in, my boy. Help me handle this cape, " a tired voice called from within.

Lord Dalton was a strong man already in his fifties, short, hair completely cotton white and a regal posture. He had a tanned skin from spending his whole life riding horses in the sun and his wrinkled small light blue eyes were extremly kind. He was a man of easy smiles, but they all seemed tired and warned out. Blaine could only imagine all the things his Lord had already done and seen in his life and what impression all those years made on him. He approached the older man, who was struggling with a heavy navy blue cape embroidered with red and gold, and raised his hand in a gesture of asking permission to help him. Lord Dalton was wearing his finest and beside him his sword, Shadow, was equaly garnished.

"My Lord is planning on making an impressive entrance," Blaine commented with a smile.

Lord Dalton gave one of his tired chuckles. "Yes, my son, and I see that my boys are wearing their bests as well."

Blaine smiled at his vests of navy and red, the colors of House Dalton, and his armor of gold, the touch of Warbler. "We are the guests of honor along with my Lord. We will finally meet a future brother, won´t we?"

As an answer, Lord Dalton gave another tired sigh.

"Oh, yes, your future brother, a new Warbler. An alliance with Lord Smythe... That is the best part of having you as my right hand, my son. You were chosen because of your noble blood and mostly because of your talents. I got a son out of you, a pupil, a loyal kin, not a shady political alliance".

It was the time for Blaine to chuckle. "My family has no influence, my Lord, my brother and I are trying to fabricate something."

He finally adjusted the cape near Lord Dalton´s neck without chocking him and was picking a nice ruby brooch to attach to it when Lord Dalton grabbed his wrists. "Even better that your family has no influence, my boy, it is your talent and your personality that got you here. And House Anderson has always been extremely loyal to my family, we value such loyalty, my son, you are my living proof.” Blaine smiled, he could feel his breast inflate with emotion and pride. “Now, hand me the warbler brooch, I think it will suit the occasion more."

Blaine thanked the kind words and the gesture, pinning the brooch. "Yes, my Lord. It looks impressive. And about Sebastian Smythe, I remember my Lord mentioning the boy has talent."

"I hope so. It seems he does. I can´t just make blind alliances using the Warblers, but many times they are necessary...” Lord Dalton studied himself in a polished shield he was using as a mirror and smiled satisfied. Blaine observed him wondering why the old man was so wary an preocupied by the goal of their journey now that they were so near. House Dalton thrived on alliances and secrets. That was another job of The Warblers, although even some of them didn´t know. However, Blaine was wise enough not to ask Lord Dalton of his motives, strategies or doubts.

“Our job on making an impression will start a little earlier today,” Lord Dalton turned to him.  “Our scouts told me that Lady Fabray is coming from the South, right at this moment and we will probably meet at the top of the Storm Hills. I´ve sent her my greetings and courtesy calls that she invites me to ride with her. You shall accompany me."

“As you wish, my Lord.”

Blaine was looking at Lord Dalton with inquisitive eyes. They would meet the future Queen and ride with her, that should be a harmless act of courtesy, yet his Lord seemed aprehensive. "Fetch us wine, my son. Pour us two cups," Lord Dalton commanded while seating in a wooden bench near his table, where his sword still rested. Blaine obeyed at once and poured them two silver cups of southern wine.

"Lady Fabray is a young girl of great importance. She is no older than you, or maybe by one or two years and she is already the target of many games. She is the future Queen, betrothed to my cousin King Finn. She is the daughter of the Hand of the King , his most deep connection to the boy king. Through her, they will be family. Well," he paused for a long sip of wine, "everyone knows Lord Smythe hates Lord Fabray and thinks he took his rightful place. So why make her his guest of honor on his son´s nameday tourney?"

"Lord Fabray wasn´t invited, my Lord?"

"Not as a guest of Honor! That particular blessing was only reserved for her, me and my boys. Blessing that made it impossible for her to refuse, even though it is impossible to her father to come, with the problems he´s beeing facing at King´s Landing. Lord Smythe is still very powerful in the kingdoms, but I fear he needs more. He offered his two sons to the service of the King, but although one of them is in the small council, I fear Fabray is crushing his influence there. I thought, after our little arrangement concerning his son, that he was taking a more diplomatic turn in his affairs, however, the announcement of Quinn Fabray´s status as a guest in this tourney makes me wonder...” Silence fell in the room while they sipped the sweet cooling wine and Blaine anticipated his task in the event. “He might be planning something with the young Lady Fabray and we have to know what it is. So, boy, keep your ears open and your wits sharpened today and everyday during this tourney," Lord Dalton added.

"Yes, my lord, but I fear Lord Smythe´s intention ought to be quite simple. If he wants to weaken Logan Fabray he needs to prevent Lady Fabray from marrying. This marriage will strenghten her father even more, making it almost impossible for him to lose his position as the Hand."

"Yes, my boy, but what weapons does he have against this girl? How does he plan to accomplish that?"

"That is what we should figure it out, I presume, " Blaine surmised.

"Yes, Blaine, that it is. We need to keep the peace. And the tension between Smythe and Fabray it´s always something to be observed."

"I understand, my Lord."

Blaine received another sad but fond smile. "Now, my boy, let´s return to our journey."

Lord Dalton always traveled with The Warblers surrounding him and his best guards surrounding The Warblers. It was tradition. It was not always the fastest way to travel, however, House Dalton always thought it was the safest. The Warblers had their swords in their belts and rode close to their liege, but Blaine, the squire, was always at his right, even closer than the others. They started riding when the sky was mostly near to daytime blue and the hills were tinged with yellow and pink. In the sea, the sun was announcing his return.

As Lord Dalton predicted, Lady Fabray sent him an invite to join her at the top of the hill when their roads would meet. It wasn´t long untill they could see her banners, sided by her sister´s, followed by many knights and the biggest carriage Blaine ever saw in his life. It was a box of gold and black with the heart of Fabray encarved at the corners, the windows of the carriage were covered by heavy maroon drapes. Lord Dalton´s entourage came to a halt at the top of the hills waiting for their company to arrive.

Nevertheless, Blaine´s attention was now irremediably drawn to the castle.

It finally came into their view, a big fortress on the tallest hill, facing the bay. It had five big towers, four facing each cardinal point and one big round one, the tallest, in the middle. A black crow circled the highest tower before diving in their direction and heading south. He looked at that tower and felt his heart shrinking in his breast. He had never been to a big tourney before, he had never performed for so many important people before, it has been years since he last saw his brother Cooper and it had been a while since he had to remember all his obligations to his name and his family. His parents had big expectations for his two sons of marrying and taking their name to higher stances and a lot of good candidates were up at the castle right now. Everything was up at that castle, right now. All those new adventures and big responsabilities, all the conversation he and his brother were avoiding.

Blaine sucked a deep gulp of cold air and watched the sun starting to rise from the sea, a ball of fire coming out of green calm waters. The spying and talking about political games and machineries were easy for him, was his usual. It wasn´t his game, it were never his problems, his name, his reputation. He took his service as a Warbler seriously, from the meetings with Lord Dalton to the singing (specially the singing, that was his favorite part), still, it was a game he played for others and for that it was lighter and easier. In that tourney, to discover the means Lord Smythe had to destroy the royal wedding was the easy part. The obligations he had to his family and his encounter with his brother, not so much.

He preferred to think of the adventures. He chose to focus on the fact that seeing Cooper meant seeing Jeremiah again. He preferred to dream he would meet the knights and find love in that place, he wanted to imagine Cooper letting go all his stupid ideas and setting him free to just be a Warbler and help House Dalton in their machinations to keep the peace of the kingdoms.

He wanted so little of life... Why did it have to seem like so much?

Shoutings behind him got him back to the reality of Lady Fabray arriving. Blaine steered his horse back to the right of his liege lord. One of the men who was driving the carriage circled it in an seeming useless way, yet Blaine chose to believe he was circling the whole car to check that it was safe for his lady to come out. Perceiving what was happening, his Lord and all the Warblers dismounted. They had a glimpse of a vision in blue and silver before they were all on their knees.

"I am not Queen yet," a musical soft voice explained in an amused tone. "You can all rise and save the unnecessary courtesy."

Rising, the men found themselves face to face with Quinn Fabray. She was smiling at them with fondness, as if she just saw a bunch of children being silly, yet adorable. Her golden hair was loosely tied by a silver net encrusted with pearls so it would make an elaborate knot at the top of her head and fall in beautiful waves over her shoulder. Her dress was of a heavy velvety fabric, topaz blue, embroided with a shining silver thread from the hem to her bust. A sapphire heart embelished her bosom hang by a thread so thin it seemed invisible. All that blue made Blaine wonder what was the real color of her eyes for they seemed dark green or dark blue. However, she had delicate beautiful features, a sweet smile and hard eyes. Blaine could only imagine what they were protecting.

Lord Dalton was kissing her hand and then it was Blaine´s time to do the courtesy. Quinn Fabray looked at him intrigued and spoke directly to Lord Dalton without avert her eyes from him. "Is he your new leading Warbler that I so much heard of?"

"My Lady, may I present you my squire and talented warbler, Blaine of House Anderson."

Blaine smiled at her and bowed again."It is a honor, my Lady."

"Oh, but the honor is mine."

"My Lady, I am..."

"You are the favorite subject of everyone who have ever seen The Warblers lately. Everybody talks about how your voice is wonderful and how charming you are. I can see the second one is truth."

"And you will see the first is true as well, my Lady, when he sings tonight." Lord Dalton said assuring Blaine wouldn´t have time for his modest denials.

"I hope I will, my Lord. I am so glad to see you again, you look the same."

"I´m amused my Lady remembers me. You were just a little girl, a beautiful one, but your beauty grew with you, my Lady. There is no one fairer in the Kingdoms."

Quinn Fabray gave a delighted laugh.

"You are too kind. My sister warns me, though, that our hostess will not like to hear such things."

"Lady Smythe is a very beautiful woman, my Lady, that is truth. But, she wouldn´t mind sharing the beauty of the world, I am sure."

"And I remember she had some gorgeous gowns, I hope she try to impress us today. Oh, well, I know you are right! Lady Smythe is a generous sweet woman, I assume. My sister is a very suspicious girl, still, she is the cleverest. She should come and greet you. Caius!" she summed the same men that had opened her door. “Bring us Santana and Septa Silvester, will you?”

“At once, my Lady” the man responded hurriedly and with the same speed went to open the opposite door of the carriage.

Blaine had just concluded Quinn Fabray was the most beautiful woman he ever saw. With her delicate features and her charming voice she was the impersonation of every ballad of the perfect lady; what differed her from the ideal was the hardness in her eyes and sometimes even in her voice that reminded him of ice. And yet, there were something even more entrancing and dangerous in the woman who had just gotten out of the carriage. While Quinn gave the impression of a delicate statue made of ice, Santana was strength and fire. Dressed in red with threads of gold braiding her pitch black hair in a complex pattern on her nape, she moved in a soft dance and the hem of her red dress reminded Blaine of flames. Lady Santana´s dark brown eyes moved above them with an everlasting smirk.

She seemed to be reading their minds and it amused her. Behind, was coming a tall blond woman in those big gray septa clothes and a frown that seemed perpetual. "You shouldn´t have presented yourself alone, Lady Fabray."

"I am surrounded by people, Septa Silvester," Lady Fabray responded with a roll of her eyes and  a drousy voice. Than, with a smile, turned to her friends: "Lord Dalton, Blaine Anderson, meet my half-sister Lady Santana and our beloved Septa Silvester." Blaine, Lord Dalton and the Warblers extended them all the propper courtesies and Blaine saw himself being scrutinized by Lady Santana´s dark eyes.

"I´ve heard of you," She told him, suddenly, in an accusatory voice.

"Of course you did, Santana, he is the leader of The Warblers, one of the best that ever had."

“No. It was another matter," she cut her half-sister abruptely.

"Lord Pierce is contemplating marrying him with one of his daughters," explained Septa Silvester.

Blaine froze.

"Probably Britt, she always announces everyone how she doesn´t want an important marriage," the septa added.

Now, his stomach found a way to tie itself into a knot.

"Septa, please, any young lady would be lucky to marry Blaine, he is Lord Dalton´s favorite."

Blaine seemed a deer under headlights, caught unprepared, facing all his fears at once. It started earlier than he thought. He looked at Lord Dalton searching for help and his Lord smiled sadly at him knowing about his particularities. "The subject of marriage, for Blaine, is a little more delicate, my Ladies, I am sure he will discuss it with Lord Pierce later, now, if my Ladies are ready, we should..."

"I also heard you like boys," Santana interjected without a ounce of tact. SIlence fell into the small party, but Blaine felt relieved. It was easier for him to deal with the silent judgement and the awkward than with the misconceptions, expectations or even young ladies courting him.

"Yes, my Lady." And his smile was easy and brighter. "I do. I like men, to be more precise." Surprisingly, Santana gave him a big, twisted and satisfied smile.

"He will probably marry, though," Septa Silvester said ruining their little moment. "House Anderson has to thrive, hasn´t it? And Britt won´t mind, she doesn´t mind much, that sweet girl. Shall we go, now?" she added bored.

"Of course, Septa SIlvester. Lord Dalton, Lord Anderson, please join us in our ride."

"Yes," Santana said offering her arm to Blaine. "Please, ride at my side of the carriage, Anderson."

That caught Blaine by surprise, but it was a delightful one, so he said courteously: "It will be a pleasure, my Lady." And, to show there were no awkward situation left from before, he asked about Lady Brittany Pierce.

"They say she is the sweetest of the Pierce daughters." Santana laughed. "That is not really a compliment, it is too easy to be the sweeter of that bunch, those girls are tough and hard. But, yes, Britt is the sweetest girl you will ever meet. She was lady of company to Quinn and lived with us for many years. Her father asked her to return due to her mother´s illness. She passed, the poor lady, so young yet. They are finally out of their mourning rites and are probably already in the castle."

Blaine helped Lady Santana up her carriage and mounted his horse, dreading what kind of arrangements his parents were already doing for his future and announcing to others without his knowledge.