Earl Leyton Hightower, the Oldtown Warlock, head of House Hightower, Voice of Oldtown, Lord of the Port, Earl of the Hightower, Defender of the Citadel, and Beacon of the South, had long since disappeared into his tower. His heir Baelor was managing affairs.
Chapter 241: Renly's plan
Robb Stark had assigned twenty or thirty dependable guards to Catelyn's mission as an envoy, along with five nobles to accompany her. Their noble blood and titles lent the party greater weight.
They traveled south from Riverrun, keeping clear of towns and castles. Smoke billowed along the eastern horizon, but fortunately no one came to trouble them. Outside the Riverlands, where the fighting raged, the other regions were much safer.
Renly's scouts discovered Catelyn's party half a day's journey from the camp at Storm's End. An old knight with a grizzled beard led twenty seasoned horsemen. The old knight bore a blue bird device.
"My lady," the old knight called, "I am Ser Cortnay of Greenstone, at your service. You are in dangerous country."
"Our mission is most urgent," she answered. "I have come as an envoy of Lord Gendry, King Robert's lawful heir, to meet with the Lord of Storm's End, Renly Baratheon."
"Lord Renly is now the duly crowned and anointed king of the Seven Kingdoms, my lady," the old knight replied, still courteously. "His Grace should be encamped with his army beneath Storm's End at present, in the Storm's End camp. It would be my greatest honor to escort you there."
Catelyn glanced at the man, knowing this was no time to trade words.
"What a formidable castle." Catelyn Stark saw the immense bulk of Storm's End standing beneath the heavens like a pale gray fist raised in fury, completely obscuring the sea beyond. Storm's End stood on the great