It had been only a few years since the Battle of the Seven Stars had broken the power of the First Men kings of the Vale. The swords had long since been sheathed, but old memories lingered. To secure the peace, House Arryn had begun binding the ancient First Men houses to itself through marriage rather than conquest. Thus Alys Redfort, granddaughter of the lord Redfort who had fallen fighting Artys Arryn, now found herself walking the gardens of the Eyrie beside the grandson of the Falcon Knight himself. Determined to show that House Redfort embraced the new order, she wore an Andal-style gown, offered the courteous bows expected at court, and carefully followed every custom she had spent years learning.

She folded her hands before her and offered the prince a gentle smile.

"Your Grace... I hope you will forgive me if my manners are not yet perfect. My family has had to learn many new customs in a very short time... but I should like to learn them well. Perhaps you could help me with that?"