Of Kings and Crows: The Age of a Hundred Kings

[stnylan]

All in all a good result from the feast-time plotting, but one thinks that some sibling rivalry yet persists.

 

[Aidun]

House Royce
Part 2: 6566 - 6570
​

''The Andal Invasion is often interpreted as a series of wars that happened in just one generation. This is incorrect. The first wave of Andals landed in Vale, where they subdued the First Men through violence. Next in turn were the Riverlands and the Dusklands. But there the mingling of cultures and spreading of the religion of the Seven happened over a long time, and often through peaceful means. Notable Andal houses around this region were the Vances, who settled in Wayfarer's Rest. Then there was the House of Darklyn, who built their home in the castle Dun Fort, overlooking the city of Duskendale. House Jesswyse settled between the lands of those two Andal families, on the beaches of God's Eye.

To ensure a peaceful coexistence with the foreigners, who had made it clear they had come to stay, some First Men rulers decided to convert to their religion. The rift between the houses of Blackwood and Bracken deepened even more when latter abandoned their old ways and turned to the light of the Seven.''

- Osmore, Septon of Runestone during the reign of Bronze King Andar Royce, the First of His Name.

Meredyth remembered well the day she had left home, unsure if she'd ever return. Her father had escorted her and her brother to a ship that then departed from shore of God's Eye. The voyage had taken them along the Blackwater River. When they passed three hills that marked the mouth of Blackwater, sailors had turned quiet and anxious. She had later found courage to approach one of them and ask why. Dragons, the sailor had told her. His answer had left her with more questions that it had answered to.

Her brother Jacelyn told her that evening that they needed to pass several islands before finally reaching the Narrow Sea. Strange, ashen haired people inhabited those islands. While the Freehold had not turned its gaze west, some Valyrians had made their home on the island of Driftmark and on the shores of 'Claw.' Why they wished to live far from the capital of Valyria, that Jacelyn did not know. ''Perhaps they're just bold. Or in disfavor'', he had suggested, not showing as much interest in the matter as she did. There had been anxiety in Jacelyn as well, but for another reason. Their father had called his banners and prepared to march to war, so the duty of presenting Meredyth to her new husband had befallen to him.

Their ship had reached Gulltown without any trouble. Its red sails had the seven pointed star painted to them, both because it was the sigil of their house and a symbol of their religion. The city's bells had tolled to hail their arrival and an escort arrived to receive them in harbor. When they had finally landed, Jacelyn had shared a few words with the leader of the escort. Only when she saw the crown upon his brows did she understand that this was to be her husband. She had expected him to be a typical native of these lands, a hairy and scarred man with the looks of a warrior. Instead the man before her had been sleek and slim and with a hint of sadness in his eyes.

The wedding took place in Gulltown's sept the very same evening. In the morning, she had watched her newlywed husband quietly leave their chamber, knowing she might never see him again. Meredyth was not foolish enough to believe he had married her because of her widely known beauty. No. He married me for my father's swords, which he desperately needed to defend his lands and his people. She realized she was smiling. Which, I suppose, I accepted at some point to be my lands and my people.

The shouting outside woke her younger son, who quickly began protesting about the noise in form of tears and crying. She walked to his cradle and picked up the infant, and then headed towards a window opening to courtyard. Below soldiers were forming up to march out of the fortress. She caressed the child in her arms, wanting to tell him it would be alright. But in truth, even she was not certain. Beyond in horizon she could see another army forming up under a falcon banner.

How has it come to this? The question had been bothering Meredyth for days. She had never been particularly interested in history. But knowing the history of someone was key to understanding them. That together with knowing their heart's desire was required if one wanted to manipulate them. She could almost remember her lessons back in the Riverlands, when the oh-so-innocent septa had divulged to her tricks and secrets of the art of diplomacy. But to understand truly how it had come to this, Meredyth would have needed to be present to witness the events that had taken place over the past four years. Most of it she had learned about through letters that were sent back to Runestone from ever-shifting front lines.

Meredyth held her son more firmly with her left hand and then proceeded to close the window with her free hand. As the sounds grew quieter, the child slowly calmed down, letting Meredyth once more retreat to her thoughts about days long past. To Redfort. For that is where she once more met her king and husband. Instead of marching to Hardvale to block King Roland Arryn's advance to the coast, King Andar Royce had instead moved to the mountain fortress near the disputed border of the two realms. No doubt Lords Waynwood and Hunter had protested their king's decision, for stopping their army in Redfort meant that the way to their lands was open for the Arryn host.

As days had turned to weeks and news remained the same; that the Arryns had not yet come and her husband's army remained in Redfort, Meredyth had decided to take matters into her own hands. Her husband had told her she was safe in Gulltown, but no one was bold enough to stand up against the Bronze Queen when she had ordered to be escorted to Redfort.

Her arrival had been met with much surprise. King Andar did not exactly welcome her with open arms, but he had nevertheless allowed her to stay. Even though her husband never admitted it, Meredyth suspected that he later came to appreciate her company. The world he had been plunged to was strange to him, but her caresses and soft words were a much needed remedy to wounds that had not yet healed within him. She was young, true, but so was he. In exchange for her kindness, Andar slowly opened up to her and divulged what he knew of those serving him. It was a perfect opportunity to learn about his vassals, for most of them had accompanied their king and his army.

Meredyth had never exactly liked other people. Her father, misunderstanding her true nature, had more than once told her she was all too shy for the role he had been preparing for her, and that she would need to change. But where is it written that a diplomat needs to be talkative? People who are good with words are excellent at making friends, but only a quiet person knows which ones are worth befriending. And just that, reading other people, was something Meredyth had come to excel in.

Their time in Redfort had come to an end when word was sent that King Roland Arryn himself led an army of some eleven thousand men towards Ironoaks. ''He has taken the bait'', Meredyth remembered her husband's words to his cousin Jon. There had been a hint of excitement and satisfaction in his words. After Andar and his cousin led their host out of Redfort, Meredyth's way had led to Runestone, the ancient seat of House Royce. Her time in Redfort had resulted with her becoming pregnant, and it would have sent the wrong message if she gave birth to her husband's heir when cowering behind Gulltown's walls, ready to depart at the first sign of danger.

It had been strange, arriving to Runestone, her husband's home, without him - or anyone else she could rely on - at her side. In her husband's absence he had named his cousin Yohn Royce, brother of Jon Royce the acting lord of Runestone. But there was little he could rule over, for all men capable of wielding an axe and a shield had marched to war. Only the young, the old and the womenfolk remained. Yohn seemed prepared to defend his right rule in his cousin's absence, but contesting for the position was not something Meredyth wanted to go through. She merely submitted to the role of a highborn lady who was soon about to become a mother. She might have grown used to it, had not there been an ever-constant fear of one day seeing an army at Runestone's gates.

The fear was well founded. Instead of seeking a battle in the open, King Andar had marched his troops deep into Arryn lands, leaving Runestone and every other holdfast undefended. King Roland could have marched his army to Gulltown or Runestone unopposed, but instead he had decided to keep on besieging Ironoaks. The seat of House Waynwood, left to its own fate, was eventually taken by Arryn forces. But to understand why her husband had allowed it to happen, one needed to know what his army had been doing meanwhile.

The Vale was was considered almost impossible for a foreign army to invade. Due to the mountains surrounding it, there were only two routes by land to Vale. One was by its northern coast, a land dangerous to outsiders due to Mountain Clansmen inhabiting the area. The other, a passage between mountains, lay in Arryn lands. The mountain road, and the Bloody Gate guarding it. Ever since the Age of Heroes, foreign kings had thrown their armies against its defences, only to be annihilated. Numbers did not matter in the narrow passage and history had proven that it was almost impossible to take. But never had anyone tried capturing it from east.

When Meredyth had first heard where the Royce army was headed, everything had become clear to her. The Royce army had marched deep into enemy lands to force open a passage for her father's army to enter Vale and join the war. Together his and Royce's men had numbered almost twice as their enemy. For a while it had seemed as if the war was almost won. But the men defending the Bloody Gate were determined to not let it fall for the first time in history despite soon being surrounded from both sides. In the end the inevitable happened, but not without a price. Nearly three thousand Jesswyse and Royce men perished in a fight against a thousand defenders. The gate had proved its name once more, even despite the outcome.

Upon the fall of Ironoaks, King Roland Arryn had taken his men even further up the coast. But his plans to punish his former vassals for their treason abruptly changed upon news from the Bloody Gate, and so the young High King of Vale was forced to abandon the siege of Longbow Hall, seat of House Hunter. He had arrived too late, for the combined armies of Riverlanders and Bronzemen had already regrouped near the Gates of Moon. Upon realizing that his host was vastly outnumbered, King Roland turned and fled back the way he had come. And soon luck was on his side.

Meredyth remembered well how cold it had grown then. Summer snows had descended from the sky in Runestone, painting the ground in white. The worsening weather had presented a challenge for both armies, and Roland Arryn had used it to his advantage. As he retreated with his army towards Gulltown, he had harried supply lines of the Royce army. The road to the Riverlands through the Bloody Gate was long, and not all castles along the way had been taken. Bringing enough supplies for sixteen thousand men by land from south was not simply possible, and so the Jesswyse and Royce troops were lacking food and equipment as they pursued the Arryns. Many chose desertion.

Meanwhile in Runestone, Meredyth had given birth to a child. Her firstborn, a boy. Perhaps moved by the fact that he was a father, and wanting to hasten his return home, King Andar sent an offer of peace to Roland Arryn. The Arryn host was offered a free passage back to their lands. In exchange King Andar wanted the Arryns to renounce their claim over lands ruled by him and those who had pledged their allegiance to him. A fortune of gold was also demanded for the deaths of Lord Waymar and other Royces who had been murdered on Roland Arryn's orders. All in all it was a fair offer, and would have saved the lives of thousands of men. But King Roland Arryn refused the terms, and continued fleeing from a battle that was inevitably coming.

For weeks, the Riverlanders and the Bronzemen pursued the Arryn host, who were unwilling to give them a battle. Desertion and casualties had dwindled the numbers of both armies. Of the the eleven thousand men Arryns had at the start of the war, only nine thousand remained. The numbers were worse for House Royce and Jesswyse, who initially had some nineteen thousand men. Only some five hundred and thirteen thousand remained when they finally intercepted the Arryns, who had tried to turn around and return towards their own land using a different route. A battle unfolded outside the village of Sandweiler near Redfort.

At the end of the day, the Arryn host was shattered and two of their primary leaders, the cousin of King Roland, Ser Denys Arryn, and Ser Dywin Shett, one of the main perpetrators behind the massacre of House Royce, were captured. King Roland Arryn, however, managed to flee. The Bronzemen and the Riverlanders had continued pursuing the fleeing Valemen, but to their surprise King Roland disbanded his army, leaving every man to fend for themselves. It had proved an effective strategy, and spared the Valemen from any more casualties. Although the way to the Eyrie was clear, King Andar decided not to venture again to the Vale of Arryn, and instead handed over the command of his army to Jon Royce with orders to block passage to the coast by seizing control of the borderlands. He then returned to Runestone, to Meredyth and their son, bringing Ser Denys Arryn with him as captive. King Andar had wanted to keep Ser Dywin Shett alive even despite his crimes, and fearing that one of his men might try and take matters in to their own hands, he was handed over to Meredyth's father, King Jaremy Jesswyse.

For a while, it had seemed as if the war was nearing its end. The Arryn host had been defeated, and only some five thousand men had managed to flee from Sandweiler. With her husband returned to her side and with a young child to keep them both occupied and distracted, it was easy to forget that a war still raged on. Three years of fighting had exhausted Runestone's coffers, and once more King Andar had turned to foreign kings for support. But only silence had followed his pleas, leaving Andar no choice but to disband his mercenaries and rely solely on his countrymen and Meredyth's father.

King Andar's decision to return to Runestone proved a mistake soon after. King Jaremy, despite orders from Jon Royce, decided to leave the main army and head out to Ironoaks to free the castle from Valemen occupation. But before the siege was won, King Roland returned with twice as many men as he'd fled Sandweiler with. The numbers on both sides were even once more, but the Bronzemen and Riverlanders were divided. Jon Royce was left with a difficult decision; to either head out to regroup with King Jaremy in Ironoaks, leaving the way to Runestone open, or block the passage to Runestone near Redfort, leaving the heavily outnumbered Riverlanders to their own fate. He chose the latter, and soon Meredyth's father's decision to not obey Jon Royce's command to remain with the main bulk of the army proved a fatal mistake. The Jesswyse forces had suffered heavy casualties in the war, and many of them had deserted during the march from Bloody Gate to coast. Only two thousand remained, and facing an enemy five times their size could only end in one way.

Meredyth was with her husband when he received word from his cousin of what had happened. The Valemen had entered the war once more and pursued the Riverlanders. Roland Arryn had also allied with House Bracken, who had brought two thousand swords more into the fight. While the Valemen had approached the Jesswyse host from west, the Brackens had travelled through mountain pass of Hardvale and approached King Jaremy from behind. The Riverlanders were left between a hammer and an anvil - and crushed to pieces.

Following news of what had taken place, King Andar had left Runestone in haste. Meredyth, abandoned once more, had soon realized she was waiting their second child. The birth of her first son had made the war all the more personal to her, for she knew that should the Valemen prevail, the fate of Lord Waymar Royce and others who had died awaited all remaining scions of House Royce - including her son and unborn child. But there was little she could do, other than await for what gods and fate had in store.

Jon Royce had retreated to lands of Galametz, north of Redfort, and Meredyth's husband brought two thousand fresh recruits to join their ranks. Thanks to a few ships her father had brought as a precaution, King Jaremy and some of his men managed to survive the slaughter. But even so, perhaps only one in five of his host of two thousand managed to join the Royce army by crossing the straight. The casualties the Riverlanders had suffered were staggering. Of the eight thousand men who had entered the war, only some four hundred remained.

The next battle had taken place outside the village of Ellange.

Words of death and defeat had reached Runestone and Meredyth soon after. The defenders had suffered numerous casualties and had been sent into a rout by the invading Valemen. Thousands had died and many of the Bronzemen commanders had been captured, among them Jon Royce. Disbelief, fear and a mist of uncertainty had descended on Runestone. What had happened to King Andar? To Meredyth's father and brother? What was King Roland next move? He had been but one more victory away from winning the war, and finishing the annihilation of House Royce.

To everyone's disbelief, the remaining Bronzemen had managed to regroup and to avoid another encounter with the Valemen. After over two months of pursuit taking place in hills of Redfort and southern shores of Vale, the exhausted Bronzemen finally managed to flank the enemy and return to Runestone for a last stand. Thousands of grim and tired soldiers had marched within the safety of Runestone's walls, led by Andar and Meredyth's father. Both men had then looked more like unwashed hedge knights than kings. What remained of the two king's armies had been finally given a much needed rest. But they all had known it was just the calm before the storm. A battle loomed ahead, and not only for the Royce army, but for her as well.

After a long day, she had given birth to another boy. Together with her husband, they had decided to name him Ellard. It was an uncommon name in Vale, and only given to children of the First Men. That, together with how close it sounded to Ellange, where the last battle had been fought, gave the name a strong meaning. The memory brought a sad smile on Meredyth's lips, and she pulled herself back from days past. Looking through the window, she could see her brother oversee the organizing of the troops outside Runestone's walls. With her youngest in her arms, she could not help but to wonder how many mothers would mourn their sons at the end of the day. And if I will be one of them.

She could hear distant footsteps in hallway outside her room, growing louder and closer with every step. Even before the person entered the room, Meredyth knew who was coming. She turned away from the window towards the door, preparing to meet her husband. And if the Mother is merciful, this shall not be the last time.

 

[stnylan]

I like this perspective of how things are from the perspective of one not on the battlefield, one who is always left behind.

 

[Zamarak500]

HOUSE PEAKE 3: LORD BERIC DONDARRION II
6569-6572

Sample of The Chronicles of the Marches, written by Maester Jonos

Following the first war against the Reach, Lord Beric became the right hand man of King Titus. This put him at odds with both the Queen and the King's brothers. The three “factions” thus waged a political war to gain more influence on the King and his decisions. During those years, Beric would become more and more interested in the Faith of the Seven, and by 6575 it was believed that he thought of converting. But all his plans would end up unfinished when he felt incapacitated due to injuries at the Battle of Brent Brook in June 6576, dying comatose a few months later at the age of 40.

Lord Beric Dondarrion​

“Long live King Paxter!”

The newly crowned king simply thanked them for this great toast. Beric put his cup down and looked around him. The simple fact that he was allowed to accompany King Titus to The Arbor showed that his standing in The Marches had improved. On their way back, Titus made it clear that he was planning on making him the new designated regent, should anything happen to him. Beric quickly accepted the offer. Some opposition came from the Queen and her entourage, but the King pushed the complains aside.

“Since the beginning of my reign, Lord Beric only showed loyalty and skills. No more trustful retainer exist outside of my own house. So why, dear queen of my life, should I deprive myself of such a man by my side?”

And this was the final answer of King Titus to his wife. As soon as they arrived, home from the campaign against the Reach that news arrived from the Arbor. Vine King Gilbert VIII had died, and Prince Paxter was ascending to the throne. Since meeting in Oldtown for the first time a few years ago, Paxter and Titus had been the greatest of friends. And so Titus was one of the first to arrive for the coronation of Paxter the Fourth, King of the Arbor.

The King had brought with him his wife and children, of course, as well as his brothers Olyver and Gormon. But what surprised everyone, including the man himself, was that Titus also invited Beric to join them to this important celebration. During the trip to the Arbor, Beric could clearly see the jealousy and hatred in the eyes of the royal family. They were so focused on bickering among themselves, and clearly had no intention of letting a third party into Titus's inner circle. But Beric did not care what they thought. They had 9 years to help Titus bring the Marches to greatness, and all they did was show how incompetent and inept they were. Unlike them, Beric would push the king into the right direction for the kingdom, and not for some petty self interests like the queen and the king's brothers.

Beric soon discovered that the coronation was also used to celebrate two marriages: the one of King Paxter IV and Alysanne Hightower, and the one of Prince Olyver Peake and Princess Margaery of the Arbor. Because of this, House Peake soon ran into the House Hightower, and both kings passed a good part of the feast talking about their war stories. For his part, Beric had the bad luck of being seated next to Bryndon Greystone himself. Both men had a difficult relationship since the battle at Highgarden, and so they passed the feast eating in silence, barely looking at each other.

Soon after, the three kings excused themselves and went into a private room. Beric, along with other high ranking generals, were ordered to follow them. It soon became clear to him that this whole celebration also hid the formation of a triple alliance between the Arbor, Oldtown and the Marches. In what was clearly a war room, the three kings were looking at a map of Westeros.

“So, what do you plan, Titus?” said the newly crowned king.

“As I said in my letters, the Reach is weakened. King Damon and I just put Highgarden to flame a few months ago.”

Titus then looked at the Grey King, who simply acquiesced.

“We shouldn't wait and let House Gardener recover. We must strike now and take the prize for ourselves.”

“What prize?” said King Paxter, intrigued.

Titus, with a smile on his face, simply put his finger on the map. Everyone took a good look at where he pointed, and everyone could read loud and clear what was written.

HIGHGARDEN

In early 6570, the troops were beginning to assemble once more at Ashford. This time, Beric arrived last, alongside the King and his son. Beric was able to convince the King to leave his wife in charge of the capital instead of bringing her on campaign again. She once again complained, but when it came to matter of wars, Titus trusted Beric, a fact no one at court missed to notice. The lords were once again assembled, waiting to know who would follow the king in his campaign. Everyone knew, of course, that Beric would stay by the side of Titus. When Arthur Bridge, Lord of Lincoln, was chosen as the commander of the left flank, Lord Robin Peasbury went into a frenzy rage.

“Your Majesty, I earned this spot! By the Gods, I won the last war for you!”

“Excuse me?” said Beric, clearly insulted by this absurd claim.

Peasbury had always been a snake without sense of moral, but now he was pushing it too far. “I won't take the glory”, he said. Right... Other lords jumped into the dispute, but soon King Titus put himself between his bannermen.

“Lord Robin, we all contributed to the previous campaign. Your played an important part in it, and I will always be thankful to you for it. But now, I need people I can thrust to protect the Marches during this campaign. You and the other lords will have this task.”

Peasbury was clearly not satisfied with this, and soon stormed out of the room. Beric, just like everyone in the camp, was sure that this would be the end of it and that Peasbury would do as he was asked. But to the general surprise, it did not stop. Peasbury began to say that followers of the Seven would never allow the Old Gods believers to reach their full potential. He also began to spread rumors that he had won the whole war with the Reach and that he was being pushed aside by a king who refused to have believers of the Old Gods outshine him. Those were all lies, but many bought it.

In the middle of July 6570, as both armies of Oldtown and the Marches, were about to begin a siege of Highgarden, King Titus received a letter. Six lords, lead by Lord Robin Peasbury, were asking for total independence from the Kingdom of the Marches. King Titus was totally destabilized by this demand, not understanding why they would betray him in such a critical time, leaving Beric in charge of the answer.

He obviously had no intention of letting Peasbury get away like that. Since their first time fighting together in the Reach, he knew that Peasbury was up to no good. He made it clear that the lords who followed Peasbury would be defeated and punished for their actions. Later that day, he would give another look to the letter, taking notes of which lords had signed it. He was taken by surprise when he realized that Lord Arthur Bridge, who he just came out of a strategic reunion with, was among the lords who supported Peasbury. He quickly ordered the Lord of Lincoln to be seized, but it was soon discovered that Arthur Bridge had fled the camp.

But those rebellious vassals faced little chance. Not only were they facing the might of the Marches, but also the many allies and friends of King Titus. King Damon of Oldtown and King Paxter IV of the Arbor quickly proclaimed their support for Titus and the loyalists, and Lord John Connington, another good friend of Titus, was even convinced to sent troops to help quell the rebellion.

For a year of so, things continued without a clear winner. The armies of the Marches were stuck besieging Highgarden, and with no signs of the army of the Reach, Beric was too afraid of abandoning his position. King Paxter IV attempted with his men to enter the rebel territories, but when Peasbury showed up with twice more troops, the Vine King retreated instead of facing the rebels.

The King was obviously split on what to do, and it was beginning to weight heavily on him. Beric could see that the King wanted to take Highgarden more tan anything, but that leaving he had no desire to let his country burn. Beric advised the king to use this time to train young prince Unwin, who was with them on this campaign. The boy was becoming better and better at his swordsmanship, and the boy was clearly showing great skills and talents. Training his son convinced the king to stay, although he almost leaved when he learned in July 6571 that his daughter Malora was finally marrying Prince Jon Wendwater.

By October, the king was more and more troubled. The siege was going faster, thanks to the help of the Grey King Damon Hightower, but it was still taking time. Meanwhile, the rebels of Peasbury were about to ambush King Paxter IV and his army. King Titus lamented that he could no do anything to help his dear friend, and Beric was forced to watch him, having no answer to his problems. But King Damin Hightower, simply looked at Titus with a smile. He began ordering his men to pack up, and when Titus asked him what he was doing, King Damon simply answered:

“I will deal with your rebels while you finish this siege business.”

The royal family would later attempt to diminish the part that King Damon played in ending the revolt, but the fact was that it was the Hightower, and not the Peake, that would defeat Peasbury's army. However, a paysant revolt in the Kingdom of Oldtown, lead by a man named Lorent, would force the Hightower army to return to their lands in January 6572 without giving the coup de grâce to Peasbury's little rebellion.

Meanwhile, the siege of Hightower continued. But one day in April, Beric was waken up by the screams of soldiers in the camp.

“Gardeners!” He could hear. “The Gardeners are here!”

The so far unseen army of the Reach had finally assembled. Crossing the Mander river, the army of the Reach was lead by Lord Marshal Samwell Tarly, the man who had evaded them in the First Reach War. Quickly, King Titus order the troops to take defensive positions, and soon the two armies clashed with each other. Once again, Beric faced Lord Reynard Orme on the right flank, although this time Orme had as many troops as he had, and there was no Bryndon Greyston e to get in the way of his strategies. In more than one way, this battle was a rehash of the battle of Higharden in 6568, except this time the forces of the Marches were on the defensive.

Just like 4 years ago, the armies of House Peake came out victorious. This battle was enough to discourage King Garth VIII to continue the war, and soon the Reach signed a peace deal with Titus. Higharden and the surrounding lands were ceded to House Peake. The ancestral home of House Gardener had now passed under the control of Titus and the Marches. This was a big blow to the Reach's moral, and a big boost to the one of the Marches.

Victory was achieved against the Reach, and now, it was time to focus on Peasbury and his rebel lords. Beric promised himself that he would make sure to see Peasbury's head roll. As soon as April turned May, the army of the Marches began its way back home, ready to score another victory.

 

[stnylan]

A fitting expansion of power ... but it feels like the realm is riven by revolt. Not quite sure how try that impression is though.