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Post by Magnate Lucius on Jun 10, 2020 21:25:19 GMT -5
A hoard of gold, greater than on Claw Isle, was founded by the corsairs. As they raided the armory, and the bodies of the dead, it was Essorio Shivers who discovered the vault within the castle of Dragonstone. A mound of ten thousand pieces of gold were found. The men, with Captain Shivers, practically dove into it, excited by what treasures were found. Eventually, Aurane Waters would see Essorio's men bringing up the gold from below. Drako, one of the Lysserion Brothers, brought forth sixty-two prisoners, of which thirty-seven were once supporters of Stannis Baratheon, the remaining defenders of the previous siege. The others were those captured from the garrison left behind. Ser Felton, the commander, was among those brought forth.
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Post by Gandalf on Jun 10, 2020 21:47:33 GMT -5
Once more the gold was divided between the men, with some returned to the vault as Aurane’s personal share. The prisoners were brought before the throne of Aegon in the Stone Drum. Crab’s Pincer sat at the foot of the throne whilst a buxom dark haired serving girl balanced on Aurane’s lap. He fed her a grape from the end of a dagger, seemingly oblivious to the men knelt before him. All the captains and commanders were gathered with him, the mercenaries and cutthroats forming a dark reflection of the royal court in King’s Landing. With the Lord of the Waters pre-occupied, one of his men spoke for him, the would be herald addressing those brought up from the dungeons directly.
”Offers simple. If yer noble, we send you for ransom. If yer not, you join the Lord’s crew. If you don’t want to do neither, you sleep with the crabs.”
The Corsair offered them a gap-toothed grin.
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Post by Magnate Lucius on Jun 11, 2020 20:28:29 GMT -5
Of the men present, forty-six men stepped forward, indicating their desire to live. The remaining persons, including Ser Felton, refused to be bargaining chips nor pirates. They were hauled away without delay and sent to the watery depths as their grave. Among the forty-six that stepped forward, nine of them were nobles and seemed inclined that their families would pay for their release. The remainder seemed willing to join the Lord of the Waters, considering the wealth he shared with his crews. It was better than what their lords paid them, if at all.
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Post by Gandalf on Jun 12, 2020 18:51:55 GMT -5
Over the next few weeks, the Lord of the Waters set to work solidifying his position. Patrols were set up through the Narrow Sea, demanding tolls on any trade bound for King’s Landing. A ship was sent to the Whispers to set up a stronghold for smugglers and corsairs on the mainland. Meanwhile the pirates were forged arms and armour in the blacksmiths of Dragonstone and Claw Isle, with ships being repaired and refitted from the now permanent pirate base in the Blackwater Bay. Last and not least did Aurane sail his personal ship to Driftmark, flying the banner of the Velaryons. He came with no fleet, no force to take it by conquest, but as a scion of the Velaryon family returning home. Sending a messenger to announce his presence, he requested a meeting with his true born kinsmen.
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Post by Magnate Lucius on Jun 14, 2020 12:35:00 GMT -5
There was little argument in terms of allowing Aurane Waters to enter the keep of his ancestors. Word had reached their ears, rumors of his exploits at sea that were starting to mirror that of other legendary seafarers of the Velayron bloodline. The Lord of the Waters is taken into High Tide, the better of the castles held by the family on Driftmark. Its lord, Monterys Velaryon, was a young child of seven at the time. His father, Monford, Aurane's half-brother, had died at the battle of the Blackwater under the banner of Stannis Baratheon. The current regents were a knight in the service of House Velaryon, Ser Daemon Angler as well as Monterys' mother, Lady Daella, a daughter of a lower noble of Driftmark.
At High Tide, Aurane Waters would see that he seat of the Lord of Driftmark was unoccupied as little Monterys was napping. Lady Daella occupied a smaller one next to it with Ser Daemon standing opposite of her. What remained of Lord Monford's court had gathered within the hall. Murmurs were spoken among each other as Aurane was brought before the two regents. Ser Daemon was the first to speak.
Aurane Waters, why do you come to us? Are you not an enemy of Cersei and the Iron Throne? Do you not think we could simply take you now and give you away for a reward??
Daemon wasn't sure yet if Aurane was a fool or bold with coming to Driftmark after betraying the Iron Throne and the Seven Kingdoms.
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Post by Gandalf on Jun 14, 2020 12:57:56 GMT -5
Aurane strutted into High Tide's halls like a hero returning home, clad in Volantene silks pillaged from Celtigar's treasures, bright silver hair hanging down to his shoulders, perfectly framing his chiselled features. At his hip hung Crab's Pincer, a trophy of his triumphs in the Narrow Sea. The Lord of the Waters paid his courtesies with diligence, offering a bow to Ser Daemon and kissing the hand of the Lady Daella, his poor brother's widow.
"I come as friend, Ser, my lady sister. My noble brother died on the Blackwater fighting against the Lannister bitch, she is no friend of any true Velaryon."
Aurane asserted, confidently. Daemon had always been a sour fool. If he tried anything, Aurane's ships controlled the entire Blackwater Bay.
"I am an enemy of none, save those who have wronged my house. Bastard born or not, Lord Monford and his son are my kinsmen."
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Post by Magnate Lucius on Jun 14, 2020 13:41:42 GMT -5
Once more, Aurane did not get even a loud and foolish voice that could deny what he said. Daemon had merely been testing Waters to see if he was truly a traitor at heart, as Cersei's words twisted. Lady Daella just quietly smiled at Aurane. Among the nobles and knights behind him, a general murmur rose again, many sounding in agreement with what the Lord of the Waters said. Still though, it did not explain why Aurane had come to Driftmark. Once more, Ser Daemon spoke, looking still upon his late lord's brother.
You are not an enemy, this is true. But yet, you have returned, Aurane. Why have you come to Driftmark?
Aurane had left Westeros after all. And, if the rumors were true, he was building himself quite the seafaring kingdom.
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Post by Gandalf on Jun 14, 2020 14:44:30 GMT -5
"I come to offer friendship, alliance, and kinship. My fleet controls these waters, as the Sea Snake and the Oakenfist did in days of yore. Let our ships sail under one banner, and Driftmark and my lord nephew will benefit from a return to prominence for our line."
Aurane replied, arms stretched out wide, offering the Lady Daella his most winning smile. One of his crew brought forward an iron bound chest, filled with jewels and silver pilfered from Lord Celtigar's troves.
"I bring gifts for my kin, my noble brother's widow and my dear nephew."
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Post by Magnate Lucius on Jun 14, 2020 15:04:47 GMT -5
Lady Daella seemed to marvel at the trove that was revealed to her. Hesitantly, she reaches to pick up a gold ring, examining it in the light. She turns to Daemon and nods to him. The knight bows his head to the Lady of Driftmark, understanding what was to be said. He steps back some as Lady Daella rises, standing before Aurane Waters.
I believe your words to be honest, Aurane. Driftmark was your home once before and it shall always be.
She turns to those present.
We welcome you home, Aurane Waters. And we accept your offers.
The lords and knights gave their approval before kneeling in front of Lady Daella.
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Post by Gandalf on Jun 14, 2020 15:20:36 GMT -5
"I was afraid, my lady, that my gifts would not prove worthy of one so fair."
The Lord of the Waters bowed flamboyantly in gratitude, his face permanently fixed into a widened grin.
"I will keep my court on Dragonstone, but you can be assured I shall be a frequent visitor to High Tide, my lady. My ships will patrol the waters, and I shall ensure Driftmark shall remain safe from the lawlessness that plagues the rest of the realm."
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Post by Magnate Lucius on Jun 15, 2020 12:39:48 GMT -5
All seemed agreeable with Lady Daella. Driftmark was now a possession of this growing Kingdom of the Sea and Stones.
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Post by Gandalf on Jun 16, 2020 9:58:23 GMT -5
Ships sail from the harbours of Dragonstone, Claw Isle, and Driftmark. The armada of the Lord of the Waters set sail down the Blackwater Bay towards the capital, which loomed ominously over its surroundings, the Red Keep clawing at the clouds above. It was a motley collection of ships, requisitioned cogs and captured war galleys led by the fearsome three decker dromonds that Aurane had stolen from the royal fleet. The Lord Tywin led the charge, cutting through the darkened waves with the reversed Velaryon colours dancing in the strong sea winds, Aurane standing on the prow of his flagship watching as they edged closer to Aegon's city. They weighed anchor some miles from the shore, visible in the bay but at great enough distance that they would not be noticed immediately. The Lord of the Waters would not go in blind. A skiff was sent, small, sleek, and quick, down into the waters below the Red Keep. The fortress was nigh impenetrable from the city, but Aurane figured that an entrance from the sea was not so often looked for, perhaps kept well hidden below the cliffs of Aegon's High Hill. As was done on Claw Isle and Dragonstone, it would be the job of this vessel to look for any entrance in the caves and coves below Aegon's Hill, where the pirates might be able to sneak a force into the castle in a rather unorthodox manner.
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Post by Magnate Lucius on Jun 16, 2020 10:06:05 GMT -5
The skiff came back to report that there was a hidden area below. It was not too large, but neither too small. It seemed to be an unused cave. Its purpose was unknown, but the skiff's crew stated that unguarded Likely due to the commotion above had left the place neglected. Whatever the case, it was large enough to bring in several hundred men at a time.
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Post by Gandalf on Jun 16, 2020 10:51:44 GMT -5
Aurane sent a few more ships there, small cogs and merchant vessels that would attract less notice; though they were filled to the brim with sellswords. Their orders were to scout the caves for a possible entrance to the castle. If one was found, they were to immediately report back to their commander.
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Post by Magnate Lucius on Jun 16, 2020 11:12:34 GMT -5
The ships remained unseen as, likely, the garrison was too occupied with the Reachmen surrounding them to notice something going on behind the castle. The ships came up and unloaded the sellswords within its hull, going into the cave to find an entry way. It took some hours, but one of the groups found a place. It was an old entrance, by the looks of it. And it fed into the network of secret tunnels that were built back during the reign of Maegor I. This was their way in and out without a doubt!
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