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Post by ironaquilifer on Jul 26, 2020 11:14:59 GMT -5
Harrold ponders. Only three directions remained: either north, up Shipbreaker Bay, to the West towards Summerhall, or to the East into Rainwood. For now, Lord Swann, remain here and keep the peace over your lands. If the traitor, Waters, comes to your walls, refuse him entry and send a raven.Lord Arryn says as he requests the usage of a raven, which is sent to Lord Morrigen. Three groups of outriders are sent in three directions to see if the pirate warlord could be found. With his army encamped, for a time, outriders are regular sent out to monitor the nearby areas. The weary lord of Stonehelm bowed his head at Arryn's words. "I will do as you ask, my lord. I will pray to the gods that you are triumphant in this endeavour, peace must return." After agreeing to open up his castle to the army of Baratheon, Lord Swann makes sure that every comfort is made for the Valeman.
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Post by Gandalf on Jul 27, 2020 12:10:59 GMT -5
With news of various enemy forces surrounding them and the loss of Storm’s End to Morrigen, Aurane swiftly summons Ser Donnel to his side.
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Post by ironaquilifer on Jul 28, 2020 9:12:00 GMT -5
With news of various enemy forces surrounding them and the loss of Storm’s End to Morrigen, Aurane swiftly summons Ser Donnel to his side. The stormlander, noticeably bearing the toils of what had become a drawn out march, makes his presence known to the leader he had given his service to.
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Post by Magnate Lucius on Jul 28, 2020 9:34:00 GMT -5
One of the outrider groups returns, the ones sent East. They had spotted an army of several thousand strong enter the Rainwood from the South, bearing the banners of the white seahorse against a light blue background and the Stag and Lion banner of Tommen Baratheon. Arryn was happy to hear the news, but inwardly cursed to himself. Rainwood was IMMENSE and would make it harder to tract the army of the traitor Waters. Tommen Baratheon was likely with him though. A raven is written and sent to Lord Morrigen.
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Post by Gandalf on Jul 28, 2020 9:39:46 GMT -5
”Storm’s End has already fallen to the men of Stannis. Curse the fools we left there to garrison it.”
They had been supplied and well manned but still rather cheaply surrendered after seeing Stannis’ banners. Waters sounded furious, his captains were shrinking away from him as he paced around his pavilion.
”I need you to draw them into the Rainwood, Swann. Take some riders, give them a song and dance. Let them come.”
Aurane drew Widow’s Wail, the Valyrian steel shimmering even in the dim light of the woods. The Pirate eyed the blade greedily.
”We will drink the blood of Arryn men. That I can promise you.”
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Post by ironaquilifer on Jul 28, 2020 15:16:17 GMT -5
”Storm’s End has already fallen to the men of Stannis. Curse the fools we left there to garrison it.”They had been supplied and well manned but still rather cheaply surrendered after seeing Stannis’ banners. Waters sounded furious, his captains were shrinking away from him as he paced around his pavilion. ”I need you to draw them into the Rainwood, Swann. Take some riders, give them a song and dance. Let them come.”Aurane drew Widow’s Wail, the Valyrian steel shimmering even in the dim light of the woods. The Pirate eyed the blade greedily. ”We will drink the blood of Arryn men. That I can promise you.” The news of the castle's fall came as a small surprise. He had grown up with the tales of Storm's End, of its storied history as a bastion against the heathen gods themselves. Could the gods have deserted us? If he were particularly religious, the stormlander would most likely have followed that line of thinking further. However the knight was made of chivalry and tradition, and knew that the gods had played no large role in the fall of that mighty bastion. No, it was the fault of those sellswords. Had he the command, the knight doubted that Stannis' army would have been able to see an end to their siege. Sellswords are no knights. "Bring them to battle?" The knight could have laughed, had the notion not seem so real. Half the army are sellswords. "Have we no means of reaching the fleet?" Lord Waters had taken Storm's End with a fleet of warships, prizes even the Free Cities were sure to look on with envy. It had to be a desperate ploy to seek battle on land when the seas were surely still theirs. However, the knight stopped himself from formulising something that equated to a strategy for their retreat. A stormlander does not flee. "I will guide Arryn here, my lord." Donnel went very quiet. "I doubt they will need much probing to follow my lead." Donnel would gather a company of riders, formed around a core of his own retainers, and set off to find the army that had chased them from triumph and home.
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Post by Magnate Lucius on Jul 30, 2020 22:16:26 GMT -5
A rider from Dorne arrives in the marches, looking to treat with either lord Arryn or Lord Morrigen on behalf of Arianne, Princess of Dorne and Lady of Sunspear. Outriders encounter the Dornish emissary to the West of Stonehelm. These mounted Valemen escort the messenger to Lord Arryn's encampment where the message of Princess Arianne could be spoken. Once there, Harrold welcomes the guest and awaits word of this Princess of Dorne. |
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Post by Gandalf on Aug 1, 2020 13:30:32 GMT -5
“My Princess offers to meet under the banners of truce near Yronwood, Lord Arryn, to negotiate Dorne’s surrender and paying of homage to the Iron Throne.”
Greeted the rider, a broad shouldered youth wearing the Santangar colours. He hesitated.
“This is assuming you speak on behalf of King Stannis Baratheon, of course.”
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Post by Magnate Lucius on Aug 2, 2020 10:03:22 GMT -5
“My Princess offers to meet under the banners of truce near Yronwood, Lord Arryn, to negotiate Dorne’s surrender and paying of homage to the Iron Throne.” Greeted the rider, a broad shouldered youth wearing the Santangar colours. He hesitated. “This is assuming you speak on behalf of King Stannis Baratheon, of course.” Lord Arryn responds to the rider. As for the meeting, perhaps instead we could meet on the border between Dorne and the Stormlands? My men can ensure a comfortable encampment is in place for both sides to meet. Your Princess can stand upon the earth held by Yronwood and His Grace's emissaries upon the ground of the Stormlands. Guest rights would be invoked and observed.Harrold had no desire to go any further south, unless it was absolutely necessary.
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Post by Gandalf on Aug 3, 2020 2:33:10 GMT -5
“Very well, m’lord. I shall convey your terms to the Princess. She will meet you in five days time.”
And with that, Santangar rode away. Within five days, as promised, the sizeable princely retinue of the Martells made their way to the border of the Stormlands. Some miles behind them was encamped an army, the battered host that had previously been defeated by the men of the Vale a few months prior outside the capital.
—
With the campaign having settled into a dull malaise of sieges and negotiations, Ser Albar Royce sought out Lord Swann within the walls of Stonehelm to enquire after a marriage to one of his daughters.
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Post by ironaquilifer on Aug 3, 2020 9:10:48 GMT -5
Gulian Swann, ever happy to oblige the loyal servants of the king, accepts the meeting with the Valeman in his solar. The lord, cheery despite what appears to be a passing malaise stunting his movements, hears the noble's proposal. "I fear I am not aware of your station, my lord Royce," acknowledging the title in use is more honorific.
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Post by Gandalf on Aug 3, 2020 9:34:32 GMT -5
Ser Albar was broad and barrel chested, with a square head and a thick black moustache. Seldom was he seen without his mail and plate, the cold steel covered by a purple surcoat; a burning heart impaled by the runed portcullis of Nestor Royce.
”I am the heir of Nestor Royce, Lord of the Gates and High Steward of the Vale.” The Valesman answered matter-of-factly, with a nod of deference to the ailing marcher. ”I serve in Lord Harrold’s household for the moment, and fought beside him in battle at Sow’s Horn and at the siege of the city.”
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Post by Magnate Lucius on Aug 3, 2020 10:05:02 GMT -5
“Very well, m’lord. I shall convey your terms to the Princess. She will meet you in five days time.” And with that, Santangar rode away. Within five days, as promised, the sizeable princely retinue of the Martells made their way to the border of the Stormlands. Some miles behind them was encamped an army, the battered host that had previously been defeated by the men of the Vale a few months prior outside the capital. Shortly after the emissary's departure, Harrold sends a raven to Lord Morrigen, reporting on two things. One, that his army would be moving to rejoin his host shortly and, two, an emissary from Dorne had arrived with a message from the Princess of Dorne, Arianne, under the banner of truce. Lord Morrigen is requested to send someone for these talks along with Harrold. ======================== The Princess would find the banners of House Arryn and House Baratheon fluttering in the wind within a well-made encampment. Food and drink were dispensed under an open tent to provide shade and comfort. The young Arryn stood with knights and nobles from his own army and from the army of Lord Morrigen. Harrold, following protocol, bows his head to the Princess Arianne. Princess of Dorne, I am glad you accepted my recommendation for these talks.He gestures to the table as all began to take their seats with food and drink being dispensed moments later. It is unfortunate that you supported the Pretender, the fake Aegon. I have been told that he died in his sleep recently, the coma could not be recovered from.A Pretender that would likely not be missed nor remembered. I, along with Lord Morrigen, have been ordered to secure the southern parts of Westeros. His Grace has many resources at his disposal, including the Iron Fleet. I believe he too would agree that less bloodshed would be a nice change of pace and a faster way to peace. Wouldn't you agree?Harrold looks at Arianne, waiting to see what she had to say.
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Post by Gandalf on Aug 4, 2020 7:14:38 GMT -5
Arianne was slim and slender again, the weight having fallen off her after the birth of her son. Baelor, for the valiant prince that was borne from the last union between a Targaryen king and a Martell princess. But she had little time to be a mother. Many leagues of sand, water and rock were now hers to rule, thousands of subjects and hundreds of bannermen that called her liege. A son could wait, raised in the Water Gardens by her cousins whilst she ruled from Sunspear. With Daemon at her side, Arianne had chosen to wear mail and lamellar of gold and bronze, and she looked like Nymeria reborn as she rode to meet with Lord Arryn with a dozen knights and great lords at her back.
”False or not, my late love was my husband and an anointed king. He fought valiantly, and I mourn him dearly.” The Princess was helped from her horse by Sand and took her seat opposite Arryn. ”Peace by the sword is no true peace. Dorne still has many spears and no man has ever conquered us. You know our words, Lord Arryn.”
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Post by Magnate Lucius on Aug 4, 2020 16:17:02 GMT -5
Arianne was slim and slender again, the weight having fallen off her after the birth of her son. Baelor, for the valiant prince that was borne from the last union between a Targaryen king and a Martell princess. But she had little time to be a mother. Many leagues of sand, water and rock were now hers to rule, thousands of subjects and hundreds of bannermen that called her liege. A son could wait, raised in the Water Gardens by her cousins whilst she ruled from Sunspear. With Daemon at her side, Arianne had chosen to wear mail and lamellar of gold and bronze, and she looked like Nymeria reborn as she rode to meet with Lord Arryn with a dozen knights and great lords at her back. ”False or not, my late love was my husband and an anointed king. He fought valiantly, and I mourn him dearly.” The Princess was helped from her horse by Sand and took her seat opposite Arryn. ”Peace by the sword is no true peace. Dorne still has many spears and no man has ever conquered us. You know our words, Lord Arryn.” Harrold says as he replies to the Princess of Dorne. People would say that Dornish always spoke with an air of arrogance for being the Unconquered Kingdom. Others would say it was a well-deserved attitude. After all, it took marriage, not the force of arms nor dragons, to bring Dorne into the fold and to accept the authority of the Iron Throne. Nonetheless, I must make it plain that if peace cannot be achieved by word, the King will not hesitate to do so by sword.Thank the Red God that the ruler of the Seven Kingdoms was Stannis. His Grace greatly desires to see the Seven Kingdoms unified once more and without further bloodshed. He has already gained all but two at this point. We have all suffered hard because of those who once used the spawn of Cersei and Jaime to make Westeros unstable and turn on itself. He seeks peace, he seeks unification, he seeks to do what the other pretenders could not do... rule as a true King.Jon Arryn was said to have been killed by Cersei after all. I believe the only thing that concerns him, beyond unification, is Myrcella Waters. What are you going to do with her?
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