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Post by ironaquilifer on Jul 11, 2020 8:42:40 GMT -5
"I don't care where they come from or who are they, just give me a score of them, good men all, the queen wants the Keep to be safe"Said Daemon, gesturing with the free hand. "Do whatever, the queen doesn't care if you kill a thousand thieves, just do what you need and what you must" Devan looks around and gestures to Ser Eldred Hill. Ser Hill, you will take five hundred Red Cloaks and five hundred Goldcloaks to strengthen the security of the Red Keep!He had been born a lord's son, destined to enjoy that most favoured of life's coins: the responsibilities of a man meant to lead the many, to protect and ensure prosperty for House and Crown; and the priviledge of the few, to sup of the feast from the bounty of the deserving. And that life had been torn away from his future as surely as the peace that once reigned under the guidance of King Robert. Now it was his lot to serve as a common man, ripping the gold from men's purses to keep his hair clear of night's biting rain. A man of the Golden Tooth, now a petty sword. It was that anger which drove him now, as he patrolled with the common cloaks. The little coin that had become his wage passed freely through his fingers, buying loyalty in the form of ale and wine and women for those cloaks and cudgels and spears he had to call brother. At the first such an activity was met with scorn, his name ridiculed by the very same who so eagerly took up the offerings. But with time he worked them over. He turned them with words of duty, with rewards they deemed long overdue. A smile as he pointedly ignored one transgression to deal out harsh punishment to another who refused his friendship. Not all the cloaks were happy with his actions, but enough were to silence the voices of discontent, and few indeed would question a man so eager to make them his friends. Perhaps the streets were better off without his eyes judging the merits of those who wore neither gold nor red. Of Ser Hill and his patrolmen finding fault with any who so brazenly dared to defy the law as to question their right of entry. And then again, perhaps such actions were for the best. He was no common man, swayed by the allure of petty copper or young daughters to ignore criminality. No, the knight of the Tooth took only the most lucrative of brides, sparingly offered by those of good status whose connections ran deep through the streets and brothels and warehouses where the purifying tendrils of law never took root. Bribes so great that they could adequently fuel the revellry of a hard day of carrying out the king's justice. And it was this relationship which Eldred had nurtured with any man who called themselves citywatch. And now my talents are noted, the man wanted to declare as his patron called upon his services directly. I chose correctly. There was no passing doubt as the command of a thousand was placed on his shoulders. This command would not be permanent, he knew that. But it would bring great dividends for him to carry it out with the clear effectiveness only a Lefford could provide. " It shall be done, my lord." The words dripped with curtesy, though firmed with iron as any man's voice would, having commanded the lawful against the lawless. He turned to the white knight. " I shall bring the men with all haste." And without any fanfare, the knight set about doing just that. The names of his friends coming to the forefront. Duty in the Red Keep was as fair a reward as a mug of dornish red.
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Post by Politburo Barry on Jul 21, 2020 12:53:53 GMT -5
Having been charged with reorganizing the Gold Cloaks, Ser Justin Massey took up a room at their barracks and a day of rest after the city's capture before calling for the City Watch to assemble. Or rather, what little was left of them. Between the two sieges of King's Landing by Stannis, there probably weren't many, if any, left who still wore the gilded ringmail and golden wool cloaks. The commanders of the Watch were also not available for comment; to Massey's understanding a certain Lannister turncloak, Daven, had the command under Aegon-called-Targaryen, but he was nowhere to be found since the end of the battle. Guess we killed him too, Massey had surmised.
Remembering that the Lord of the Riverlands was also charged with securing the capital with him, Massey further dispatched a squire and pageboy to Edmure Tully's residence in the capital, inviting him to the barracks so they could coordinate a strategy to accomplish this herculean task.
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Post by Pinkerton on Jul 21, 2020 16:04:29 GMT -5
A dark-haired man wearing the colors of House Ryger appears in the barracks.
"Ser Massey? Lord Edmure has had to depart the Capital on urgent business. He tasked me to replace him in this endeavor. I am Ser Tristan Ryger of Willow Wood"
The knight extends his hand to greet Justin
"I must say it is an honor to work with you. Your achievements are impressive."
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Post by ironaquilifer on Jul 23, 2020 16:09:08 GMT -5
With the king's forgiveness keeping an energy to his wounded stride, Eldred Hill, knight of Golden Tooth and officer of the goldcloaks, made his way to the barracks in which the new commander had housed himself. Fresh faces, he remarked as he strode through what had become the closest thing the former sellsword had to a steady home. Too many. Old Bryon had told him that their circle was whittled, but the butcher's list had never been put to paper. Indeed Eldred feared that those who hadn't been cut down as they tried to surrender were now taken to the hinterland and new lives. Something I might have to consider. It was a mad thought, and he quashed it as such. I will find new friends.
So Eldred Hill, a bit presumptiously, presented himself to Ser Massey already garbed in the goldcloak he had worn with distinction for some time now.
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Post by Politburo Barry on Jul 23, 2020 22:41:27 GMT -5
A dark-haired man wearing the colors of House Ryger appears in the barracks. "Ser Massey? Lord Edmure has had to depart the Capital on urgent business. He tasked me to replace him in this endeavor. I am Ser Tristan Ryger of Willow Wood"
The knight extends his hand to greet Justin "I must say it is an honor to work with you. Your achievements are impressive." Massey replied pleasantly, firmly shaking the Riverlander's hand. A brief look of dismay had crept into his eyes when Ryger informed him of Tully's departure, but he did not allow it to reach his smiling lips. "I further trust he didn't leave with all his men? I must admit, the number of Goldcloaks who survived the battle and had the courage to return for another day of duty is not very high, so any manpower the Riverlands can spare would be most welcome in restoring order to these streets."With the king's forgiveness keeping an energy to his wounded stride, Eldred Hill, knight of Golden Tooth and officer of the goldcloaks, made his way to the barracks in which the new commander had housed himself. Fresh faces, he remarked as he strode through what had become the closest thing the former sellsword had to a steady home. Too many. Old Bryon had told him that their circle was whittled, but the butcher's list had never been put to paper. Indeed Eldred feared that those who hadn't been cut down as they tried to surrender were now taken to the hinterland and new lives. Something I might have to consider. It was a mad thought, and he quashed it as such. I will find new friends. So Eldred Hill, a bit presumptiously, presented himself to Ser Massey already garbed in the goldcloak he had worn with distinction for some time now. Massey informally greeted this gold-cloaked stranger. The serjeants who'd escorted him clearly didn't recognize him, any more than the Crownlander knight had. "Someone I've never met before, showing up here wearing a gold cloak I never gave him...allow me two guesses as to who you might be, Ser. First of all: a former Goldcloak under the reign of Tommen Waters or Aegon-called-Targaryen. Secondly: not just any Goldcloak, but an officer of import, now come to work for the City Watch of King Stannis." He smiled his usual, lazy smile, raising two fingers and then lowering them with each guess. "How did I do, Ser Eldred?"
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Post by ironaquilifer on Jul 24, 2020 7:33:03 GMT -5
"Well hello there," Massey informally greeted this gold-cloaked stranger. The serjeants who'd escorted him clearly didn't recognize him, any more than the Crownlander knight had. "Someone I've never met before, showing up here wearing a gold cloak I never gave him...allow me two guesses as to who you might be, Ser. First of all: a former Goldcloak under the reign of Tommen Waters or Aegon-called-Targaryen. Secondly: not just any Goldcloak, but an officer of import, now come to work for the City Watch of King Stannis." He smiled his usual, lazy smile, raising two fingers and then lowering them with each guess. "How did I do, Ser Eldred?" The knight's smile was met in kind, the bastard goldcloak apparently at ease with the address. " Ser Daven Lannister granted me my cloak to serve the city, and rank owed to my noble blood," wrongfully denied me, the man almost added, "and our king has judged my talents worthy enough to permit continued service under your leadership, Ser Massey." He added a bow at the end. A noble of the westerlands must have pride in courtesy, especially when it came to making friends of foe. And with the losses the citywatch took, he was going to have to work hard at that. " It does not surprise me that His Graces' lieutenants are astute, given the victories you have claimed." He remembered the calamity following King Aegon's defeat. The Red Keep turned to paranoid anarchy while the city proper was turned into a battlefield. No leadership beyond that which the late Daven had offered, not from the Faith, the Crown, nor the nobles who claimed command of the army. It was little surprise that they had been crushed so thoroughly. Even if he had won singular honour of stemming Baratheon's initial assault.
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Post by Gandalf on Jul 24, 2020 8:02:13 GMT -5
Lord Massey is summoned to attend the Small Council as soon as able.
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Post by Pinkerton on Jul 24, 2020 10:46:19 GMT -5
"My thanks, Ser Ryger. I trust yours must be too, if Lord Edmure sent you to take his place." Massey replied pleasantly, firmly shaking the Riverlander's hand. A brief look of dismay had crept into his eyes when Ryger informed him of Tully's departure, but he did not allow it to reach his smiling lips. "I further trust he didn't leave with all his men? I must admit, the number of Goldcloaks who survived the battle and had the courage to return for another day of duty is not very high, so any manpower the Riverlands can spare would be most welcome in restoring order to these streets."
He emphasized the word temporary. Lord Tully would not be pleased if he lost his best men to the Goldcloaks. "But if its manpower we lack, surely we can recruit from the former Poor Fellows and Warriors Sons, right? A bed to sleep in and a bowl of warm food twice a day is something that will likely attract many recruits. The quality of those recruits well... That's were we come in. With the right training regimen, any peasant can become a soldier."
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Post by Politburo Barry on Jul 24, 2020 21:47:07 GMT -5
The knight's smile was met in kind, the bastard goldcloak apparently at ease with the address. " Ser Daven Lannister granted me my cloak to serve the city, and rank owed to my noble blood," wrongfully denied me, the man almost added, "and our king has judged my talents worthy enough to permit continued service under your leadership, Ser Massey." He added a bow at the end. A noble of the westerlands must have pride in courtesy, especially when it came to making friends of foe. And with the losses the citywatch took, he was going to have to work hard at that. " It does not surprise me that His Graces' lieutenants are astute, given the victories you have claimed." He remembered the calamity following King Aegon's defeat. The Red Keep turned to paranoid anarchy while the city proper was turned into a battlefield. No leadership beyond that which the late Daven had offered, not from the Faith, the Crown, nor the nobles who claimed command of the army. It was little surprise that they had been crushed so thoroughly. Even if he had won singular honour of stemming Baratheon's initial assault. Massey affirmed, smile growing wider at the praise. "I don't suppose you know how many of your men survived the earlier battle, ser? I can imagine that of those who did live, not all will be inclined to serve the king they were just fighting against, but I was thinking that perhaps some of them might think as you do, be willing to let bygones be bygones, and return to duty..." They had served Tommen before Aegon, so why not Stannis after Aegon? Or so Justin thought, anyway. "Eh." Ryger hesitated "He took most of our men yes. But he left a group of veteran knights. Their insights and experience will make them excellent temporary officers and instructors."
He emphasized the word temporary. Lord Tully would not be pleased if he lost his best men to the Goldcloaks. "But if its manpower we lack, surely we can recruit from the former Poor Fellows and Warriors Sons, right? A bed to sleep in and a bowl of warm food twice a day is something that will likely attract many recruits. The quality of those recruits well... That's were we come in. With the right training regimen, any peasant can become a soldier." Worrying indeed. They'd best rebuild the City Watch quickly, then. "Your idea is sound, Ser Ryger. I don't believe too many of the former Faith Militant would be eager to serve their new King, considering he worships different gods than they do and if that wasn't important to them they would not have become Poor Fellows or Warrior's Sons in the first place..." Massey's smile dissipated, soon replaced by a thoughtful expression. "But it cannot hurt to ask, surely. So long as they're willing both to serve Stannis and all the people fairly, no matter their religion. Can you to do this in my stead, while I seek out the Lord Hand to determine where else - and how else - we could find more recruits?"
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Post by Pinkerton on Jul 24, 2020 22:38:37 GMT -5
"I see..." Worrying indeed. They'd best rebuild the City Watch quickly, then. "Your idea is sound, Ser Ryger. I don't believe too many of the former Faith Militant would be eager to serve their new King, considering he worships different gods than they do and if that wasn't important to them they would not have become Poor Fellows or Warrior's Sons in the first place..." Massey's smile dissipated, soon replaced by a thoughtful expression. "But it cannot hurt to ask, surely. So long as they're willing both to serve Stannis and all the people fairly, no matter their religion. Can you to do this in my stead, while I seek out the Lord Hand to determine where else - and how else - we could find more recruits?" Ryger replied "Stannis made thousands of men of the Golden Company take the black. It's not too late for him to pardon them and invite them to the City Guard. It'd be a shame to miss out on the opportunity of employing battle-hardened men like them. The Lord Hand will surely understand."
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Post by Politburo Barry on Jul 25, 2020 13:30:04 GMT -5
"Good, good." Massey nodded along with Ryger's words.
"The Golden Company prisoners are probably already on their way to the Wall, I'm afraid." He said next, crossing his arms. Stannis was always swift to deliver justice when he could, offering no chance at delays. "I'll see what I can do, although I wouldn't be optimistic about them still being anywhere near the capital by now. If there's nothing else, Ser Ryger, we should both be off - you to the High Sparrow, and myself to the King."
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Post by ironaquilifer on Jul 25, 2020 18:44:15 GMT -5
"Glad to hear it." Massey affirmed, smile growing wider at the praise. "I don't suppose you know how many of your men survived the earlier battle, ser? I can imagine that of those who did live, not all will be inclined to serve the king they were just fighting against, but I was thinking that perhaps some of them might think as you do, be willing to let bygones be bygones, and return to duty..." They had served Tommen before Aegon, so why not Stannis after Aegon? Or so Justin thought, anyway. ? Eldred did not particularly accept the answer to neither question. " I am sure I can round up a few of the older members." The core of the watch had been those granted rank before Joffrey ascended the throne and all the realms started trying to kill each other. Since then, wave after wave of fresh recruits and sellswords and household levies had found themselves rubbing shoulders. Eldred had found his niche among the native kingslanders who had enjoyed service long before Aegon landed in the stormlands, swaying them with his tales of wealth and nobility among the westerlords. They had often proved a flighty bunch, ever looking for the next rising star to attach themselves to. And now they were most likely causing the same sort of trouble Eldred had led them in stopping, in league with the criminals they had a strange relationship with. And maybe I can find a few willing recruits among their new friends. It would be an example of his initiative, swelling the ranks with hard men used to physical labour. " I am sure I can convince them that it'll be better for them in the long run."
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Post by Politburo Barry on Aug 2, 2020 22:45:24 GMT -5
"Very good, Ser Eldred. You have my leave to do so right away." Massey finished with a simple nod. This Eldred Hill seemed to know what he was doing, and to have deep-running connections with the Gold Cloaks of years past - perhaps once Massey had gotten himself a castle and release from his duties in the City Watch, he'd recommend the man to succeed him. The only other such candidate he could think of was Ser Tristan Ryger, Tully's substitute in meeting and dealing with him, and the latter had emphasized that he and his fellow remaining Riverlanders would only be staying temporarily if they could help it at all.
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Post by Gandalf on Aug 7, 2020 18:35:41 GMT -5
After a few days of recruitment, six hundred or so Flea Bottom boys are brought to the barracks, armed and trained despite being mostly no older than sixteen. A similar number of mercenaries are drawn to the barracks, too, hardened men from across the Narrow Sea who had seen battles beyond count.
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Post by ironaquilifer on Aug 12, 2020 16:48:42 GMT -5
Eldred Hill, back into his old ways, had become accustomed to the new ways of their king. It hadn't stopped his purchasing of loyalty, of friendship, and of quiet. Indeed with his carte blanche to refill the ranks of the goldcloaks it seemed that every man with any skill with the cruder social arts found him out. Sometimes it wasn't a desperate plea for that seemingly attainable status of paid enforcer, but a desperate plea all the same.
And yet, he still had not forgotten the reason he had taken the cloak himself in the first instance. He needed someone. At this point, anyone. The city had largely returned to some sort of normalcy. Yet normal was not something the bastard scion of the Golden Tooth needed. Without the fear of an invading army, even the most desperate of Eldred's peasant fellowship were not going to risk his birthright. Things had to change.
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