Damon receives some startling news

Tower of the Hand, Red Keep - 292 AC (A few months after the incident at the nursery)

Daeron had been playing knight with Joffrey in the courtyard when they were summoned by Ser Arys Oakheart to the Tower of the Hand. Now the princes sat on a long wooden table that had a map of Westeros in the middle, facing their father, King Robert, and the Hand of the King, old Jon Arryn. They're usually outspoken and rowdy father looked tense and avoided their eye contact. They sat in uncomfortable silence for a moment before King Robert spoke up.

"Boys, Jon and I both agree that it's time we sent you away to be fostered," King Robert said, glancing at them with an uneven smile on his face before continuing, "Damon will be sent to Highgarden with the Tyrells and Joffrey will be sent North with my friend Ned Stark."

Damon and Joffrey exchanged looks of mixed surprise and horror. Joffrey began to shout and stammer, but Jon Arryn silenced him with a wave of his hand, saying, "We know it is hard to leave home but we believe that your fostering with improve your own skills and strengthen the relationship between your father and his vassals."

At that moment, the doors to the chamber flew open and a livid Cersei Lannister strode through them, her beautiful face consumed with rage. "You're sending my innocent children, your heirs, to the backstabbing, putrid Tyrells and the frozen wasteland your friend calls home?!" she fumed, staring at King Robert and Jon Arryn with a murderous look in her eyes.

"Well I'm not going to let them stay here with you their whole life and become spoiled cravens, like that imp brother of yours!" King Robert fumed, advancing on Cersei before Jon Arryn stopped him. "Your grace," Jon started tentatively, "We can send a Kingsguard knight with each prince to ensure their safety. I am assured that no harm will come to either prince during their fosterage."

"Fine!", Cersei spat, storming out of the room, frustrated that she had no say in the matter.

-1 Week Later-

Damon hugged his tearful mother goodbye, she was visiting her birthplace of Casterly Rock for a few moons, while Damon's uncle, Renly Baratheon and his squire Loras Tyrell were escorting Damon to Highgarden along with Ser Arys Oakheart. Joffrey had left a few days ago for Winterfell with Ser Mandon Moore of the Kingsguard and a sizable retinue of guards, cooks, and other servants.

Damon was thumped on the back affectionately by his father and after a rushed farewell to with Uncle Jaime, babies Tommen and Myrcella, and the others, he and his retinue set off on the Roseroad.

As he waved goodbye, he couldn't help but notice that Uncle Jaime was escorting his mother on her visit to Casterly Rock. Damon also shrewdly observed his father fondling the arse of Lysa Tully, Jon Arryn's wife, while no one else was looked, as he stood behind her waving to his sons. With a jolt in his stomach, Damon realized who the red-headed women he had seen with his father really was.