(Third Person POV)
[Casterly Rock]
Sylas was sitting at his desk, the light of the candle illuminating the letter in front of him as he read it. It was a letter from Saera, telling him how much she missed him and how she wished to go and steal him away.
Sylas could not help but smile slightly at the thought of his mother descending upon Casterly Rock with Dreamfyre and taking him. Even though Sylas's mount, Leonydas, is large enough for him to ride, she would definitely take him with her.
Sylas sighed, "Hm....." He said as he looked to the side, seeing something that caught his eye, "Hm?"
He saw a crossbow leaning on the wall; it seemed to be specially made, with gold adorning on the front of it with the Lannister Lion engraved on said gold. He simply stared at it for a few seconds, seeing how the wood was darker than normal; it was made by oak and darkened by a special oil when the crossbow was crafted.
It was a gift from his grandfather, who told him that despite having power that nobody can comprehend, a little toy should be ideal for his grandson.
After arriving at Casterly Rock, Sylas was accepted with open arms by his Mother's family. His Grandmother wept constantly for the first few days, always hugging him whenever she could. The pain of losing Daranne was still prominent in House Lannister, especially when Drakken showed no comfort to them. All Drakken did was give them a significant amount of gold and weapons as compensation for that.
Tyland Lannister and his youngest son, Tymund, would often have Sylas and his cousins ride with them through the Westerlands to either hunt or deal with the other Houses.
In the short time he was there, Sylas had picked up a few things from his Grandfather and his close advisors. He was learning how to manage trade and how to speak to other Houses, using diplomacy and influence to their advantage. He was already used to Drakken's way of dealing with Houses; sheer violence and threats.
This was rather new to him but not something he didn't agree with.
Sylas actually liked it.
Sylas got off his chair and walked over to the crossbow, picking it up, "Hm...." He said, "Why doesn't Father have crossbows in his Duskguard. They're quite handy. I mean.....it takes a bit to reload but.....it doesn't strain the arms like bows do. I guess the Duskguard Archers can shoot for a whole day straight.....they're just like that."
He inspected the crossbow, it was fairly sized, small enough for him to wield it. He was told by his uncle, Tymund Lannister, that there are larger crossbows that fire larger bolts. Those crossbows are a bit more powerful, but the one he had was enough to kill a man at a certain distance.
They aren't that common, crossbows, due to them being considered coward's weapons, but some Lords have some crafted due to their fascination with them.
"Mother hates crossbows.....she is an archer, through and through...." Sylas said as he ran his hand on the stock, "But something about them.....hm...."
He was told by his Grandfather that the Myrish crafted a crossbow that is able to shoot three times without reloading and he was quite intrigued by that. He told him that he would like to see one in person to inspect it.
Sylas then walked back to his desk, placing the crossbow on the side of the desk, "Hm." He said, "Interesting."
He then saw that his pouch was open, a small perfume bottle was visible. He reached inside and took it out, seeing that it was a Golden Fragrance that Maegelle gave him. It was a special type of concoction made from Golden Dust that acts as some sort of perfume to soothe the pain of the afflicted without touching them directly.
Sylas was told by Maegelle that to activate it, it needs to come in contact with a special liquid that is stored separately. He reached inside his pouch and took the small vial of clear liquid, the same one that he was told about.
He then looked at the crossbow, a serious look on his face.
"Hm." He said, "Interesting."
He then placed the perfume bottle back in the pouch and sat on his chair, moving the letter out of the way and he took a paper out, grabbing his quill.
He proceeded to draw something on the paper, a focused look in his face,
"Father might approve of this."
************************
[Harrenhal]
"Hya!" Astorias shouted as she smacked Riktor in the back of the head with a broomstick, "Take that!"
"Dammit....." Riktor said with an annoyed tone, not seemingly hurt by the strike, "Mama! Get your daughter!"
They were in the library, where Riktor was trying to finish his studies for the day. The girl had suddenly appeared to harass the eldest.
Saera walked up to them, "Astorias, that's enough." She said as she had her hand on her hip, "Let's get you bathed. I have to do it myself because you keep kicking the maid girls."
"They don't want to handle my water splashes." Astorias swung the stick around
"A Princess shouldn't act like that." Saera said, "So violently and crudely. You look unsightly."
"I don't care!" Astorias swung the broomstick at Riktor's chair, "I am not a Princess!"
Riktor scowled, "Stop it."
"Not a Princess? You're my daughter." Saera said
"I wanna be a knight!" Astorias said as she ran around, swinging the stick around, "I wanna fight!"
Saera stared at this, "What?"
Riktor looked at Astorias, "You want to fight?"
Astorias stopped and swung the stick around, "Yes."
"Keep swinging that around, and you will rip your dress." Saera walked up to her, grabbed the stick, and took it out of her hands, "Let's get you bathed."
"I don't wanna be a princess! I want to be a warrior!" Astorias shouted as Saera picked her up, "Being girly is dumb!"
"That's enough." Saera said, "Let your brother study in peace."
Riktor was staring at this with a raised eyebrow, "Hm...."
"What?" Saera asked him
"Nothing." Riktor looked back at his book, "I just find it interesting."
Saera looked at Astorias who had her hair rather messy, "Hm..." She said, "This one?"
"A warrior?"