Willis's Rooms

[Ser Willis Blackfort]

Willis took a deep breath. This wasn't the kind of thing he usually worried about, but he'd had a few days alone to mull over his guilt.

"We were going to root out the bandits. They were holed up in a building in this old clay pit. We had it surrounded. They didn't know. Should have kicked the door down. Instead, I get bold, and shout for them to come out and play. Think it's seven men, died that shouldn't have. Plus Hoster's arm and eye. Nearly Dacey and me, too."

[Tim of Raventree]

"You got cocky," Jared observed. "I hope you've learned your lesson. I had my own lesson at Redgrass Field and it made me a better man. So you feel guilty about the suffering your actions caused your comrades, is that it?"

[Ser Willis Blackfort]

"Course I do. Usually when I fuck up, it's just me who ends up bloody."

[Tim of Raventree]

"I can see that. You'll have to beg their forgiveness, though I'll wager that it won't come easily from Hoster in particular." Jared thought for a moment. "A cripple needs more help than most. Might I suggest you try offering any assistance he may require, when you are fit enough to leave your bed?"

[Ser Willis Blackfort]

Willis rolled his eyes. "You want me to fetch his fuckin' wine for him?"

[Tim of Raventree]

"If that will please him, and lessen your guilt, aye." He smiled. "You can't change the past, ser. It does no good to dwell on past mistakes, but you can change your future. Better you should offer to fetch Hoster's wine while he grows accustomed to the loss of his arm than you gain him as an enemy and have to fear a dagger in your back."

[Ser Willis Blackfort]

He nodded. "That is some sensible thinkin'. Seems less like atonement and more like watchin' my back."

[Tim of Raventree]

"There's no reason you can't do both," Jared pointed out. "After all, Hoster is closer kin to Lord Blackfort than yourself, if I remember rightly, and the Lady Dacey is his own sister. Roaming knights like ourselves must watch our backs."

He stopped and mentally scolded himself for forgetting that he was not actually a hedge knight any more then added ruefully " Not that I need have any such concerns now, of course, but I still remember how to think that way. If you truly do wish to atone, prayer is as good a way as any, and you're well-placed for the task while you're abed. But prayer will not mend any damaged relations with your kin, and I am not such a fool as to suggest you forget practical matters in favour of spiritual ones. After all, you're no good to the gods if you end up dead."

[Ser Willis Blackfort]

He was silent for a moment, mulling it over. "Makes sense to me. I'll do my best, septon."

[Tim of Raventree]

"No man do more than that," Jared observed. "Take heart, though, you'll have your strength back soon enough. No man is faultless, besides."

[Ser Willis Blackfort]

"That one I know full well," He replied, lying back in the bed, "Or, at least I never did meet a man who was."

[Tim of Raventree]

"I doubt you ever will," Jared replied with a grin. "But no matter, perfection would make for dull company. Give me a man who knows how to laugh, and how to drink, any day. But you had best get some rest, else our Maester will come scold me for keeping you awake."

[Ser Willis Blackfort]

"He'll scold just about anyone, no matter what they do. But you're right, get out of here. Bad manners for me to pass out in front of a guest."

[Tim of Raventree]

"Sleep well," Jared murmured. He covered the tray of food with a cloth and left it behind as he went, reasoning that Willis might grow hungry when he woke.