4th Moon, 147 AC

"And remember, there should be a covered wagon near the center carrying the valuables I mentioned earlier," said Lord Bonifer Selmy with a heavy sigh as the servant nodded and hurried off. These preparations had been exhausting to the Lord as he made sure all the details would be taken care of. He turned around to see his daughter, Delena, smiling kindly. "Father, you look tired."

"Yes, well, you know we will be gone from Harvest Hall for quite some time. The coming of Spring, aligned with the coming of age of our lord Baratheon, has made this a busy year for us. In fact, it is likely we will be gone for the rest of the year, and possibly beyond that." Bonifer sat down at the single chair on the small, round, wooden table beside him. He closed his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath.

"Yes, of course. Beyond our forays into Nightsong, it has been some time since we have left our home for any meaningful length. But we will be together father, with Calvert and Lucifer both!" she said, her voice losing some of its enthusiasm at the mention of her younger brother Lucifer. She would quickly attempt to rebound. "I do love it here, but I do hope I get to meet some of the lords and ladies. It can be dreadfully boring at times."

He looked her up and down while she talked. He kept having to remind himself that she was not just of age, but getting beyond such a time. He could not help but feel gratefulness that his family was able to avoid the calamities that befell much of the Seven Realms in recent times, and that he was there for his children. "Yes, well, I have no doubt we will meet many on our travels. They are not all made of honey and sweets as we are, though. You would be wise to remember that."

At this remark, Delena rolls her eyes. The ones that looked so much like her mothers, Meredyth. "Yes, father, you love to remind me of such things. I am not stupid you know, and I can and will handle myself. Do not worry for my sake, or you will never find sleep."

Bonifer could do nothing but smile and laugh at such remarks. "I know, I know, but you are my only daughter. I cannot let some knight with charm simply take you away from me, you know."

"Yes Father, I know."

With her last remark, Lord Bonifer stood up and stretched his back. "Well, there are yet more preparations to be made. Go see to it that you have all your dresses ready to go and safely stored." Delena began to speak, "But -" before her father gave her a stern look. "Yes, I will make sure.....again." she says before turning around and leaving.

With all the final preparations made, there was only a few days before the Lord and his children would depart for Storm's End. As he left the central keep and into the main square, he saw his uncle Ser John sparring with his eldest and heir, Calvert. Ser John caught Bonifer's gaze quickly, but continued to defend against Calvert's strikes. Calvert, with his back to the keep, fought on none the wiser as his father approached. Bonifer nodded to a guard, who grabbed a sword from a rack and hurried over to hand it to him. Taking it in hand, he winked at his uncle who disarmed Calvert with a smooth counter riposte. Just as Calvert shouted "Damn it!" his father spoke up. "Looks like you need some more help," he said sternly but affectionately as he readied a stance, sword out front. Calvert, still breathing heavily, took a moment to regain his composure before also stancing up. The two, father and son, then began their dance as they began to walk in a circle.

Calvert would strike first, testing his father with a quick but weak glance at his opponents sword. His father took it in grace, quickly re-positioning his sword. The two would then continue to slowly circle, both feinting a few times. Calvert then prepared a strike on his right against his father's left side, hoping to take advantage of his strong arm. His father dodged out of the way, attempting to get his son to lose his footing with the weight of the strike. However, Calvert used the momentum of his first strike to step forward, closing the gap, and use the pommel to hit his father's right shoulder. His father was able to once again dodge, but this time it was with much less confidence and stability. He swung once more, this time also with the pommel as they stood close to each other, but his son deftly jumped backwards. Both breathing heavily, Ser John observing simply nods behind the two. Both father and son eye each other up for a moment, before Bonifer stabs his sword into the ground. "Your footwork has improved. I'm glad to see you have not wasted all this time." Calvert smiled wearily as he set down his sword. "Uncle seems to have enjoyed our recent sessions more. I have him to thank." At this point, John straightens up and gives a wry smirk. "You will need these skills soon, you know. There is a reputation to maintain, and it now lays on your shoulders as well. Not that I am worried."

"My lords, if I may interrupt, I wished to let you know that all the preparations have been triple checked and are ready at a moment's notice as requested."

"Thank you, stable master."

"Of course," said Darreth, the stable master of Harvest Hall as he bowed his head in respect. As he scurried off, the three men would walk together back into the keep. They would speak of Calvert's training more as dinner was prepared, and before long they would find themselves sleeping in their bedrooms.

With the last few days having gone and went, Lord Bonifer and his children lined up in comfortable yet charming apparel near the castle entrance. A line of carts and wagons, as well as fifty sworn men of House Selmy on horseback, were gathered in the open area. They were to head off towards Storm's End, where they would spend some time before heading off with the Baratheons to Sharp Point of House Bar Emmon. Afterwards, they would return to Storm's End where they would remain in preparation for the celebration of Lord Royce Baratheon's name day. Only after this, they would then once again accompany the Lord of Storm's End and his family to Highgarden, where a grand Spring Festival and an accompanying tourney was to take place. The Lord of Harvest Hall and his family had not left their land in over three decades except for two travels to nearby Nightsong. This sat in the minds of all who watched as they left their home, although few were worried as Brenna Selmy, the old lady of Harvest Hall, and Ser John Selmy remained behind where they would handle the affairs of home as they did.