Prologue

Robert opened his eyes on the sound of a door opening. Someone rushed inside his room much to his confusion. Who could it be at this time of the night? It was well past midnight. With his index fingers, Robert rubbed his eyes when he heard a mention of his name.

''Wake up, Robert.'' a familiar voice ordered ''Wake up. You need to dress up, we are leaving.''

Robert yawned, still sleepy, barely managing to utter a question ''Leaving? But we just got here.'' He recognized his uncle Reynard's voice when he spoke again, his voice was shaky ''There is no time. Do what I told you.''

Instead of replying, Robert managed to sit up and look around himself, rubbing his eyes once again. Moonlight found its way through the windows of his room in Dun Fort, a castle he arrived at last month. His father, lord Roger of house Reyne sent him to be fostered at Duskendale by lord Denys Darklyn, a good friend of his. Feeling his uncle's stern gaze in the dark was pressuring enough for Robert to stand up and look for his clothes. Without asking questions, boy did as he was asked, dressing up his tunic shirt and riding pants, crouching to tie laces of his boots before dressing his favorite white coat. The moon provided with just enough light to enlighten the red roaring lion on Robert's chest, a sigil of his house.

''Come now.'' Reynard ordered and walked outside, Robert following just behind. The two of them walked through the wide hallways of the Dun Fort, taking two turns to the right, following the path. He could only hea the sound of their footsteps echoing through the hallway and the fire burning from torches on the wall which enlightened their path. Many thoughts crossed Robert's mind and a thousand questions he wanted to ask, but he kept his lips sealed. He knew it was better to ask questions later. Perhaps this was a drill, some type of training. After all, Robert did train with swords, axes, spears and bows for whole noons with Robin Darklyn, son of lord Denys, and a good friend of his. Two Reynes took a walk down the long spiral stairway until they found themselves in the main hall. Seven men stood in the center of the hall made of pale stone, its walls decorated with the banners of house Darklyn, fusily black and gold with seven white escutcheons upon a red tierce. Black and yellow carpets were placed on the pale floor, and two long tables could be seen on the edges of the hall, reserved for guests of the castle. Lordly table was at the end of the hall, where lord Darklyn and his family sat. As two Reynes drew closer to the men who stood in the middle of the hall, Robert recognized lord Denys, dressed in his doublet in the colors of his house. His hair was trimmed short and tidy and face clean shaven. Robert remembered lord Denys mentioning he was as old as Robert's father, but he looked much younger than lord Reyne, reason for that being full beard his father kept growing untrimmed. Robert recognized one more man, Tom Hollard, master-at-arms of Dun Fort and a man who taught Robert and Robin how to fight. Stern mask never left his face. He was decked in chainmail which revealed black leather underneath at the bottom, and a broad sword was resting on his back, its handle decorated in the color scheme of house Hollard, blue and pink. The rest of the men were also dressed in their armors, but they looked like a common soldiers.

''Robert, my boy. Come here.'' lord Darklyn said and accepted Robert into a tight hug when the latter approached. Robert was confused. ''I am very sorry it has come to this, but you have to leave Duskendale.'' He was very direct.

Robert's eyes widened ''Why?'' His eyes which were looking at lord Denys moved to his uncle, demanding an answer. His uncle didn't even bother to look at him, but his eyes revealed grief. ''Why do I have to go back to Castamere? I like it here.''

Lord Denys' face was all but sad, and he took the responsibility of answering Robert's questions ''You're not going back to Castamere. Castamere is no more, son.''

Robert made a step back, stuttering as he tried to speak ''What do y-you mean Castamere is no m-more?''

''Red Lion has lost the war he forced upon the Lannisters. Castamere was destroyed by son of lord Tytos. He…'' lord of Duskendale stopped for a second, giving a concerning look to Robert, reaching out with his hand towards him, but boy slipped away making another step back. ''He did what?'' Thoughts already flooded his mind, Robert couldn't still understand what was going on. He knew his father started a war not too long ago, not long after he sent Robert to Duskendale in the company of his uncle Reynard.

''Your father lost a battle and retreated to the mines of Castamere. Everyone inside the mines was killed on the orders of Tywin Lannister.''

Everyone inside was killed, those words echoed through Robert's head. He just stared at lord Denys, processing the information. Suddenly, he felt as if he was drowning, but something pulled him up, bringing him back to reality. It was uncle Reynard's hand on his shoulder, turning him around. Older Reyne placed his other hand on Robert's other shoulder and kneeled, piercing him with his dark blue eyes. ''We cannot stay here, it is too dangerous. Your life is too precious, you are lord Reyne now. You must live. Do you understand?'' How can you be so strong, uncle? Aren't you sad?

Robert nodded his head without even realizing, his head was still lost in the clouds. He just thought of his father and mother, his younger brother Alaric and sisters Tyanna and Lily. He's never going to see them again, or hear their voices. They're gone, forever. Tears threatened to water his eyes when he remembered his father's lessons. A lord must not cry in front of the others, nor show any signs of weakness. He was a lord now, he has his duty.

''I spoke to Thomos, captain of the Red Siren. He is sailing for Pentos in dawn, he'll take you to the other side of the Narrow Sea.'' lord Darklyn explained to Reynard with Tom at his side. His eyes then met Robert's and lord Denys smiled weakly, stroking his hand through Robert's crimson shroud. ''When I look at you, I see Roger in his younger years. I hoped you'd grow up with my son here in Dun Fort just as I grew up with your father in Castamere but fate had decided otherwise.''

He sighed, and turned his head to his men which stood in place awaiting orders. With a nod of the head, they walked outside, leaving Robert, Reynard and lord Denys alone. ''I've ordered Tom to accompany you on your exile, Reynard. You won't be alone.'' he explained as they walked slowly towards the exit.

''I cannot express my gratitude, my lord. You're too kind.'' Reynard replied.

''The Red Lion was a man whom I considered a brother. This is the least I can do for his family.''

By the time they reached the docks of Duskendale, the sun had already peeked over the hills in the east, enlightening the coast of Blackwater Bay. Streets of Duskendale were empty and quiet. An ocassional drunkard could be seen wandering the streets in uneven pattern along with the woman of improper occupation. Seat of the Darklyns, the Dun Fort was visible on the hill behind Robert, rising high above the town of Duskendale. Robert gave it one last gaze knowing it was probably the last time he'd see it before he stepped on the plank which led to the deck of the ship, followed by his uncle, Tom Hollard and five of his men. Denys Darklyn stood on the docks with two guardsmen at his sides.

''Farewell, my lord Reyne.'' lord of Duskendale said with a sad smile on his face. Robert waved back absently and watched as Duskendale grew smaller in his eyes. He watched until it became only a small dot on the horizon when his uncle approached him from behind.

''This is it, little Rob.'' Reynard announced, his voice sounding different than usual. Robert looked up to him and their blue eyes met, both filled with grief ''Remember who we are. Reynes are not dead yet.''

Robert nodded his head in approval and asked if he could go to his room. Captain Thomos was the one who escorted him to his cabin which he locked upon entering. He sat on his bed and stared through the window at the blue waves in the distance. He was sailing to Pentos, which was something he couldn't even imagine. Robert's heart threatened to rip his chest open and fear froze him in space. But there was that one emotion which was stronger than the fear he felt. Sadness. Realizing he'll never go home again, Robert lied down on his bed, looking at the wooden ceiling of his cabin as tears silently rolled down his face.