Aegon's Sept

Having heard that the city once again held a proper Sept, Daenerys decided to see the small wonder for herself. It was quite peculiar that a building like this had been constructed while the crown itself was busy rooting the religion out elsewhere in the realm. Most likely to calm down the commoners, Dany thought. She had deliberately dressed rather modestly for this certain visit, wearing something that resembled a riding outfit - tan trousers, a black silk shirt, and boots to match. Her golden hair was down in a braid and her sword fastened at her hip.

She walked the circle, admiring the statues and altars presented for each god. It was by far the biggest Sept honouring the Seven that she had ever seen so it was rather easy to be impressed by it; the Sept-beyond-the-sea on Braavos easily paled in comparison, what with its wooden statues and cramped corners. Eventually, she lit a candle for the Maiden and walked over to the Stranger, intending to do the same there.

Initially thinking that the man had approached her in order to get donations, Dany had already fished a small pouch from her pocket. "Oh.." she began, trying to find words. "None of the sort, thank you. I saw the Sept when I reached the city and decided to come see." Now that her gold was already out, it felt slightly silly to stand there opposite the septon and just wave it around. "Here, for the Sept," she said with a smile, handing it over. "Actually, it would be nice to know more about it. When was it built? And it has a royal patron?"

The candle for the Stranger was still in Dany's hand and she decided to light it later, perhaps after he'd left. He was not the most popular choice among young ladies, of that she was sure.

Elseyris, having never been to a Sept before, and having slipped the bounds of her mother's protective gaze, decided to go exploring. She often thought of clambering up to the ruins, where Balerion The Dread roosted, but that was an adventure for another time, as the thought still terrified her as much as it thrilled her.

Stepping silently into the Sept, she stood very still, marvelling at it's strange symbols.

Suddenly, she heard two voices, and cautiously followed the sounds.

She waited, at a distance, just listening to their conversation, and observing the entirety of the strange room she found herself in.

"He has been most generous, most generous indeed! As have you, my lady! Please return to us any time you wish. We are always open for worship." With a moderate amount of bowing and scraping, the septon backs away before attending to his other duties.

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Maelys wore tagged clothes under his ragged cloack. He entered the Sept trying his best not to be seen.

It was the first time he'd visited the building, though he had heard much about it and of the help the Septon would offer to the poor. But this visit had nothing to do with charity, it was prayer he came seeking. He had always been a godly man, though his family's gods never answered his prayers. He didn't know in fact what brought him here, maybe he it was seeking comfort in the religion of his wife and children or he maybe he was here just to go against his brother.

He knelt near the statue of a man with a sword. "Eeerm... You ought to be the father, right? Oh... Hey... I'm Maelys, sir. You may know that I'm new to this so don't bother." He muttered always looking back to see if there was someone there.

Elseyris, though she knew she was not supposed to be there without both permission and an escort, felt safer at the arrival of her uncle. She tried to hear what he was saying, but she was not close enough.

She began to sneak closer, skirting around the edges of the room, but was caught in mid-scamper between two of the effigies as Aegon came in and approached Maelys.

She froze for a moment, then dashed over to a spot partially concealed by the legs of one of the Seven, and peered round at her uncle and cousin, her eyes and ears focused sharply on them, forgetting about Dany at the other side of the room.

"Peace, uncle," Aegon laughed. "There is no pressure here. But I am glad you have come. I have heard of your efforts to help the helpless. It is what inspired me to fund this sept, in truth."

"Oh!" Aegon was in fact somewhat startled. One royal in his sept was rare enough -- two was cause for celebration. "Elseyris. I did not know you worshiped the Seven. Are you acquainted with my uncle Maelys?"

"Of course," Aegon answers kindly. "Father, Warrior, Smith, Mother, Maiden, Crone, Stranger." Aegon points out each statue in turn, each one occupying its own corner of the sept. He chivalrously offers his arm to Elseyris. "Each one an aspect of a greater god, as the seven points are all part of a single star. Septon Tristan does good work for the gods here, distributing food to the poor and helpless of King's Landing."

"The Father is the god of ruling and judgment. When we pass from this world, the Father will measure our sins on his scales," Aegon says, walking before a statue of a man with a stern but kindly face, not resembling anyone Elseyris has seen before. "The Mother is merciful and charitable. The Warrior gives us the courage to fight in battle. The Maiden is innocent and pure. The Smith governs tradesmen and building useful things. The Crone is the wisest of the gods, and gives us wisdom and understanding. And the Stranger ushers us from this life to the next when our time is finished." Aegon finishes his small circular tour of the sept, ending back near where they started.

"A very wise man taught me to see the truth," Aegon responded. "Without the Seven, I would have never recovered my health. Without the Seven, I would have never tamed a dragon."

"Perhaps they would," Aegon said gently. "King Aegon saw the wisdom in converting to the Faith of the Seven when he ruled these Seven Kingdoms. Our family has chosen to turn away from his wise guidance. To our detriment, I think." He frowned for a moment, recalling his conversation with the king. "My father was not pleased by the suggestion, but he allowed it once I swore to your loyalty on my honor. You will have the opportunity to prove yourself in battle, Elseyris."