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Post by Magnate Lucius on Jun 2, 2020 15:24:38 GMT -5
The Red MountainsHigh Hermitage It was said that Gerold Darkstar likely fled here. His branch of House Dayne knew these parts of the mountains. An excellent place to hide and place where his support would, logically, be strong enough to become a bandit gang in the region. Otherwise, it was surmised that he could be seeking passage into the Reach and take a boat to escape justice. His actions were harsh and cruel against the once beautiful Princess Myrcella and thus it brought upon the wroth of Prince Doran. As a result, Obara Sand and Balon Swann are sent to hunt for him in the region of High Hermitage.
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Post by Magnate Lucius on Jun 2, 2020 15:59:30 GMT -5
Two horses trotted along the path up to High Hermitage, behind them was an escort of four hundred sellswords from the Reach and Dorne. They were skilled hands as the levies of the Daynes would likely not be loyal enough due to long presence of Gerold at the castle. Not to mention the untested rule of the recently returned Edric Dayne, Lord of Starfall, who sat upon one of the horses. The second was ridden by his aunt, Allyria Dayne, the one who had escaped all forms of tragedy, save the loss of her betrothed, Ser Beric Dondarrion. Lord Dayne knew of his fate but dared not speak of it to his aunt.
So that is High Hermitage?
Edric speaks up, looking at the redoubt they approached. It was still some miles away, but it was clear as day from along the path they took next to the Torrentine.
Indeed, nephew. Word came before you arrived that Gerold was declared an enemy of Dorne and that his lands and title were forfeit.
Allyria replies, looking at the young boy who was the spitting image of both his father Trystanne and his uncle, Arthur. She knew why Edric was doing this, the young boy wanted to prove himself. Edric was still getting used to being at the head of things. His mentor, Ser Dondarrion, had shown him a few tips and ways to lead and command, but it was all still very new. Deep down, Edric was nervous. Gerold Darkstar was known to be a violent and angry man and a man who with reputable valor. Could he face his cousin and live? Lord Dayne gripped the reins of his horse, unsure of himself for a few moments.
Do you think Gerold will resist, if he is there?
He asks his aunt.
If I know our cousin, Lord Dayne, he will. That or he has already fled into the mountains and the castle is abandoned.
Allyria replies. Edric thinks of how the Brotherhood Without Banners had been rats, hiding in a corner or so of the Riverlands. Gerold was now a rat. Would Edric be a good hunter?
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Post by Gandalf on Jun 4, 2020 9:18:57 GMT -5
A lone rider emerged into view, tall and slender on the back of a jet black Sand Steed, galloping towards High Hermitage at some pace. They were armed and armours, lamellar scales and a masked helm obscuring the identity to those who did not know Oberyn's eldest daughter by sight. Coming up towards Edric and Allyria, the rider removed her helm, clutching it under her arm as the horse slowed its approach. Obara Sand looked like her father, only angrier, dark eyes permanently narrowed and ratty hair tied into a crude bun.
"Allyria. It has been a long time." There was never any warmth in her voice, but Obara knew the Lady Dayne from their youth. Both had been fostered in the Water Gardens.
Her eyes flitted over to the younger man. "Lord Dayne. I hope you can fight, boy, your kinsman won't hesitate to become a kinslayer."
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Post by Magnate Lucius on Jun 4, 2020 10:55:37 GMT -5
Edric turns at the sound of a galloping horse, noticing one approaching from a different path. Allyria turns his steed as well, watching as the rider approached. A smile crosses her lips when the helmet is revealed. The eldest of the Sand Snakes, Obara Sand. A rather hot-tempered woman with martial pursuits. Prince Doran knew exactly who to send to take on Gerold Darkstar.
Obara, it has been a long time indeed. Seems like yesterday we were in the Water Gardens.
When Obara addressed Edric, the boy was somewhat stunned. He was still learning all that had been missed since his... well, he called it his 'hiding in the Riverlands' and did not say much else beyond that to his aunt. Yet, Gerold sounded like a rather violent man. More violent than believed before. Lord Dayne looks at the Sand Snake.
I wouldn't have come if I was hesitant.
Edric says, thinking of the times he hesitated back in the Riverlands. The times that almost resulted in his death. The battle at the burning sept had been where Dayne first drew blood, defending Beric from a man coming to attack his back. That was luck, the young Dayne thought. This was to be more of a challenge than fighting bandits or ill-led soldiers.
Edric looks at Obara.
Is it just you that should be expected, mi'lady? My aunt told me that Prince Doran sent people to arrest my traitorous cousin.
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Post by Gandalf on Jun 4, 2020 11:36:51 GMT -5
"The Kingsguard is following behind me with a few of his Lannister men. They are not good on horseback."
Obara barked, with some malice in her voice. The horse was a little skittish.
"With any luck, the Darkstar will kill them for us. Balon Swann is Cersei's man. He wants young Trystane dead. He is not to leave this valley alive."
She was brusque, to the point. Balon could be seen in the same direction, kicking up a cloud of dust. A few Lannister men were with him, as reported.
"Nonetheless, we must capture Ser Gerold. We must keep up appearances."
As much as she detested to admit it, her uncle did appear to possess some low cunning.
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Post by Magnate Lucius on Jun 5, 2020 12:39:18 GMT -5
Edric was not fully aware of the events of Dorne, but it was Allyria who fully understood the words of Obara. So, the Lannisters still plotted against the Martells, clearly killing two babes of Martell blood wasn't enough. Killing Oberyn wasn't enough it. Now they had to kill the youngest child of Doran. No wonder he sent this sister of the Sand Snakes.
Shouldn't be too hard to accomplish.
Allyria states as she glances at the high peaks of the Red Mountains.
Plenty of places for accidents to happen...
The young Dayne looks at his aunt then at Obara. He seemed to understand a little what was going on here.
No point in waiting on your companions then. Gerold could be leaving High Hermitage as we speak!
Edric turns his steed and commands the mercenaries to march once more.
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Post by Gandalf on Jun 7, 2020 14:57:03 GMT -5
The Dornish party would head off into the hills, Balon Swann and his men forced to keep pace with Dayne's men from a distance. Where Darkstar had truly gone, none could say - he was just as likely hiding in the mountains as he was on a trade ship bound for Volantis. But search for him they must, for had endangered the plan so carefully crafted by the Prince of Dorne through his wanton violence.
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Post by Magnate Lucius on Jun 9, 2020 20:39:34 GMT -5
Several riders were sent to High Hermitage to see if Gerold was there or not. Edric saw only two return. One of the mercenaries was wounded in the shoulder with an arrow.
Mi'lord! The men upon the walls fired upon us when a fierce man, with silver hair and dark eyes, commanded them to.
Allyria turns to her nephew.
It is him, Lord Dayne. Gerold Darkstar seems to have holed himself up in his castle... we likely caught him just before he departed.
Which was the truth. Gerold had nearly left the gates when a sentry reported the approach of Edric's sellswords. This had forced Gerold to bolt himself within the castle and take up a strong position in High Hermitage. Edric looks up at the castle before turning to a swift rider. He had to show himself a proper lord in this moment.
Take a message and head for Starfall. Call up another four hundred additional sellswords from the force left behind.
High Hermitage was a small castle, but those within would die to the last breath... as long as Gerold lived. The rider nods and gallops back down the Torrentine. Edric grips the reins, looking at the castle from where they were. He only had four hundred men and there were likely a hundred or more within the walls for defence. Allyria looks at her nephew and then at Obara.
Obara, Balon and you take a fourth-
Edric shakes his head.
No. We must wait for reinforcements and keep him locked up for now. He will likely sally if we divide our small force.
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Post by Magnate Lucius on Jun 18, 2020 17:38:41 GMT -5
Upon arrival to High Hermitage, a camp was sent up and the troops were arrayed for a siege. There were likely around a hundred men within the walls of the castle. Edric looked at it from a distance as arrows tended to fly and aim for within the encampment, but always fell short. Gerold was trying to scare his young cousin likely. Lord Dayne wasn't sure of things but... he had to assault the castle at sometime. So, after inspecting its walls, he walked to the tent of Obara to speak with her. He had an idea of how to get over the walls, at the cost of lives, but one life, hopefully, in particular.
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Post by Gandalf on Jun 19, 2020 12:42:14 GMT -5
Obara waits with a group of men sent from Sunspear, armed and armoured for the assault.
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Post by Magnate Lucius on Jun 19, 2020 12:55:31 GMT -5
Obara waits with a group of men sent from Sunspear, armed and armoured for the assault. Edric Dayne approaches the Prince Martell's relative. Lady-Did she like being called Lady or Obara? These Sand Snakes, as his aunt taught him, were a rough bunch after all. ...Obara, I believe I have an idea on how to deal with Balon and further ensure Gerold must be killed.Lord Dayne says, glancing around their surroundings. He then turns and points to the castle. Ensure Balon leads the assault upon the walls. He will either become a casualty, dealt by Darkstar, or a convenient loss.It felt wrong, it went against a lot of things Ser Dondarrion taught him, but it was clear that Martell wanted this 'intruder' gone. He had seen the ravages of the Riverlands, caused by men such as Ser Swann and others like him. His 'disappearance' and loss was meant to achieve something for Dorne. So Edric would do his duty. Either way, it will look like he died fighting Darkstar's men.
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Post by Gandalf on Jun 19, 2020 12:59:02 GMT -5
"Fine. They will be low on food, but send him over the walls first."
Obara was polishing a dagger. She pointed it at Edric, face contorted into a frown, sensing his unease.
"Swann is an agent of Cersei, understand? He deserves death. He would have killed my cousin in cold blood, for the madwoman's vengeance."
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Post by Magnate Lucius on Jun 19, 2020 13:07:17 GMT -5
"Fine. They will be low on food, but send him over the walls first."Obara was polishing a dagger. She pointed it at Edric, face contorted into a frown, sensing his unease. "Swann is an agent of Cersei, understand? He deserves death. He would have killed my cousin in cold blood, for the madwoman's vengeance." Edric notices the polished dagger. However, despite his unease, Dayne did not flinch at it. As if this wasn't the first time such a weapon had been pointed at him. I have seen what... the lions work is, first hand, Obara. I may be a youth, but I am only timid due to my new role in life.The Lord of Starfall recalled the various skirmishes and battles within the Riverlands. How peasants were hanged for just living in the village, how the Mountain's Men and other groups, associated with the Westerlands or the Freys, ravaged left and right without any care. Beric died seven times before his eyes while others only died once. When Balon is dealt with, an earnest assault on High Hermitage will begin.============================== With a hundred men at his disposal, and another hundred, under the command of a retainer of Lord Dayne, Ser Swann is commanded to lead the vanguard assault upon High Hermitage. His own men were mixed in with those granted to him by Lord Dayne. The sellswords worked for money and money was what Edric had, not Swann. The young Dayne gives the order for the mercenary commanders: 'ensure Balon and his men do not return.' With that, a horn was blown and the assault upon High Hermitage began.
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Post by Magnate Lucius on Jun 19, 2020 13:16:48 GMT -5
Balon began his assault upon the walls of High Hermitage with the reserve joining him as the first of his soldiers got over the walls. A fierce melee ensued between Dayne's sellswords and the defenders of High Hermitage. It went back and forth for some time as Gerold's men were determined and tenacious, but numbers was what Dayne had compared to them. As the second wave topped over the walls, it gave them a foothold. The sellswords fanned out, attempting to expand that foothold, but giving little aid to Balon and his men. One by one, the fifty with him began to drop. Gerold appeared, soon enough, and did the work for Prince Martell, unknowingly. One, two, three slashes as Balon and Gerold fought one another. Unlike majority of the Kingsguard, Swann was an exceptional warrior, but so was Darkstar.
Eventually, Swann was cut at the leg, causing him to stagger back. An arrow flew, puncturing him in the shoulder. For a moment, he thought it was an enemy, but for a split second, the Stormlander noticed one of the mercenaries, sent by Dayne, having fired one shot and was aiming another at Swann. 'Damn you!' thought Balon as he turned, noticing Gerold coming back at him. Another arrow was loosed, deflected off by his armor. A third shot was loosed, puncturing his wounded leg. This was enough to force Balon to his knees... and for Gerold to end the Kingsguard life with a swing of his longsword at the neck.
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Back over the walls, the very archer, who aided in Swann's death, managed to fall back to the wall and threw down the flag of Gerold from the ramparts. A signal. Edric then ordered the rest of the sellswords forward as they proceeded to rush the walls. Lord Dayne even participated, drawing his sword and scaling up the walls as the doors to High Hermitage were opened. He would end this today.
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Post by Magnate Lucius on Jun 19, 2020 13:46:38 GMT -5
The numbers were against Darkstar as the gates were opened and more sellswords rushed into the keep. On all fronts, his determined defenders were being pushed back, cornered, and slayed, but not without giving a good fight. As the fighting continued, his fierce eyes saw Edric Dayne. His appearance causing anger to swell within his chest as the young Dayne looked like his father... and Arthur Dayne, a man who he had great envy and dislike towards.
With his longsword in hand, Gerold cut a path toward Edric.
Fight me, Lord Dayne!
Gerold bellowed as he drew close. Quickly, the younger cousin drew his sword and came forth, despite the protests of Allyria nearby. He would not back down, Edric would not shrink back and let others fight! It wasn't long before the blades clashed and the duel ensued. Gerold punched his cousin when an opening was made. Darkstar wanted to beat down his younger cousin before ending his life. He wanted the enjoyment of proving himself the better swordsman! Edric still held up, managing to come back and keep his strength going. The Riverlands taught him much, Ser Dondarrion mentored him well. True, the younger Dayne would be no match, but he had survived the ravages of war and he was determined to survive this!
Gerold would gain three steps, but Edric came back and forced Darkstar back to square one. It went back and forth like this for several bouts until Gerold, so focused on Edric, felt a sharp pain in his leg. It pierced through his shin and forced him to the ground. Slowly, he turned and saw Obara, blade in hand and dug into the back of his leg.
You... FUCKING BITCH!
Gerold yells, trying to turn and slash at Obara, but the balance was lost due to the deep injury, causing him to fall on his side. Breathing heavily with anger, Darkstar flings curses.
Fuck you, Sand! Fuck your Prince Martell! And fuck you, cousin!
He looks at Edric for a moment then back at Obara.
I was happy to scar Trystane's precious bride. Make it hard to plow her if she looked as ugly as sin! Too bad I didn't get to kill her for good!!
Gerold turns back to the young Lord.
Come on boy! Be a kinslayer!
He would have the last taunts here! He would have the last laugh!!
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