Chapter 3 - Rupert
''It's all set. Bloodstone is our next target.'', lord of Wreckstone ordered, pointing his finger on the largest shape on the small parchemnt map with nine islands. Map was rugged and old, at it was obvious it was just a torn off piece of a larger map.
Men present, ten of them, commanders in Roger's army, nodded their heads in approval. Roger's right hand man, Rupert the Baldie, was among them. They gathered in the keep to discuss their next move in their quest to end piracy on Stepstones. After conquest of Wreckstone, they didn't have time to rest. Instead, they carried on with preparations for the next attack. So far, Roger didn't announce his quest to end piracy openly to the world. It is because other pirate lords of the Stepstones took them only for another pirate crew, and they could use this as an advantage. Others underestimated them and this was their biggest advantage.
''You're telling us we're going for the biggest fish straight away?'', Rupert asked, stroking his chin as he gazed upon the map placed on the center of the round table where the men gathered.
''Exactly.'', Roger confirmed ''It's a risky move, but if we take Roro Vunatis down, we'll finally make other pirates recognize our presence.''
''From what I know..'', Rupert continued, still stroking his chin and gazing absently upon the map before suddenly looking up to meet Roger's eyes ''..Roro Vunatis is the most notorious and vicious pirate lord in these waters. He possesess hundreds of slaves working for him and over a thousand men.''
Pirate lord Roro Vunatis
Roger smiled ''That's true. He has hundreds of slaves. Those slaves are inhabitants of Bloodstone. They will help us take the pirate lord out.''
''Why would they help us?'', one of the soldiers asked.
''What would you choose?'', Roger asked him ''To spend rest of your life a slave or life your life as a free man?''
''To be a free man.''
''There's the answer to your question.'', Roger said with a smile and leaned on a table, looking at each man present, stopping at bald Rupert ''I've made a plan. We'll storm the southernmost coastline of Bloodstone with all our forces. I've already sent scouts as you already know, and they will be back any moment with reports.''
''Why the southernmost coast?'', another one of soldiers asked.
''That's where the largest village on the Bloodstone is. It will provide us with largest number of men for the assault.''
Rupert nodded and smirked.
Good plan, lordling. You impress, as always. ''When are we going to execute this plan?'', baldie asked.
''We will start with preparations as soon as scouts come back.''
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Scouts returned soon afterwards with their reports. Roger and Rupert learned that even though Roro Vunatis is the most powerful pirate lord of the Stepstones, his pirate
army was unorganized, just like with the rest of pirate lords on the Stepstones. Scouts managed to even get on the Bloodstone and get in touch with the locals. They let them know that rescue is coming and that their support is needed. Slaves promised their support in exchange for one thing, which was of course freedom. And freedom they shall get.
Next two days were spent in preparations for the attack. His soldiers were armed to teeth, considering there were seven hundreds of them while they had as twice as much weapons at their disposal, taken during conquest of Wrecksotne. Roger's liberation fleet consisted of twenty longships, but not all of them would be used for the attack, only half of that number. On the dawn of third day, when Bloodstone liberation army was well rested, well fed and armed, Roger Reyne sailed to war.
Rupert stood on the deck of
Assault enjoying the sea breeze. It was getting colder as the sun slowly set in the west on the second day of the voyage. From Rupert's perspective, it seemed as if the sun was sinking into the sea. It was quite a sight, a sunset in the Narrow Sea, with Bloodstone visible as a small black dot in the distance. Rupert lips curved upwards into a wide smile. Calm before a storm. He enjoyed moments like this, knowing that within a day, he would be battling pirates, killing them with his own hand, freeing innocent people.
Justice, Rupert thought absently
Justice shall be served.
Rupert always yearned for a life like this. A life full of adventure, an exciting life. Before he met Roger few years back in Volantis, he lived quite a monotone life, a life of a blacksmith. Forging steel all day wasn't exciting and rewarding for him. A Westerosi like Rupert couldn't find fortune in Volantis. When he met Roger, he immediately knew that with that man, he'll reach heigths. And when Roger told him of his heritage, Rupert knew that he met a man that will put his name in the annals of history.
''Are you afraid?'', lord of Wreckstone asked from behind, as he approached Rupert. Roger had wrapped a brown cloak around himself, as the wind became colder as the night went on. His red hair was carried by the wind as he looked upon dot that was Bloodstone with his dark blue eyes.
''No.'', Rupert replied simply.
''You are a lucky man, Rupert.''
Baldie laughed ''Don't tell me you are afraid.''
Roger smiled ''A little, aye.''
''Roro Vunatis scares you?''
Roger inhaled, turning his head to Rupert ''It's not Roro Vunatis that scares me. In fact, it's not even these pirates scare me. Failure is what makes me so afraid.'', Roger finished and revealed his right hand, shaking as he raised it. Rupert stared at it with eyes widened.
''I'm a last living member of house Reyne. With my death, there will be no hope for my house to ever be restored to it's former glory. I don't want to let house Reyne be ended by a hand of some pirate from Stepstones.''
''You are the best fighter I've ever seen, Roger.'', Rupert said, placing his hand on lord's shoulder, encouraging him with a smile ''I can't imagine any of these pirates besting you in combat.''
Lord of Wreckstone sighed and spoke, staring upon the horizon ''I remember, when I was six years old, a day before my grandfather would start an uprising known as
Reyne-Tarbeck revolt, ser Ben Kenning told me 'Lord Roger
the Red Lion is the one of the best fighters in the kingdom, who could fight on par with ser Barristan Selmy himself. Red Lion will tear the golden lion with it's claws!'. He told me this with such passion! I could see it in his eyes. Ben Kenning believed in my grandfather so much!''
''What happened next?''
''My grandfather,
the Red Lion himself, was nearly killed in battle, and his army defeated by Tywin Lannister. He retreated to Castamere, where we all were. He thought it was a safe haven. I barely remember when my father, sent me away alongside Ben Kenning just before the battle for Castamere.'', Roger explained all the while staring upon the sunset, as his eyes reflected what's left of sunlight well, but he blinked and all reflection was lost. ''But that is a story for another night. We need to focus ourselves on conquering Bloodstone.''
Rupert nodded his head and watched as his lord turned his back to him and walked away.
In dawn of fourth day, Roger's host stormed the southern coastline of Bloodstone. Upon approaching island with their ships, they proceeded the Bloodstone on rowboats quietly, managing to take pirates in the fishing village off guard. Without much effort, pirates in the village were killed, and locals joined Roger's small army, taking weapons from dead pirates. Still, that was not enough. Roger originally planned on liberating all four villages as he had learned about them from the reports, before attacking Roro Vunatis in his hideout. Army was split in two to liberate the villages. One was lead by Rupert, while Roger led another himself. Armies went seperate ways, westward and eastward. They would eventually meet up in the north part of the island, just before the entrance of the hideout, an information they've learned from the locals.
In less than half a day, Rupert's army managed to free another village with no casualties, freeing about hundred slaves, most of which were women and children. When freed slaves able to hold a sword were ready, Rupert proceeded to the next point. As his army marched towards the northern coast of the island, they didn't encounter a single pirate. Rupert noticed some of his men sighing of relief and relaxing in the silence. But it was too quiet for Rupert's liking.
''I don't like this.'', Rupert told his liutenant as they walked in front while the army followed in two rows in a small valley, marching uphill. ''It's too quiet. I don't like this at all.''
''Me neither.'', liutenant answered, scanning the hills around him ''Makes me feel uneasy. As if they're creepin' on us.''
''Aye, you're ri..'', Rupert couldn't finish as the arrow swished through the air, past his head and right into a liutenant's eye. Man fell on his back and before Rupert could draw his sword, a volley of arrows flew towards them.
''Take cover!'', Rupert shouted and jumped aside, trying to find a nearest cover. He felt agonizing pain as arrow pierced his calf while he ran. Baldie fell on grass and covered his head in hope arrows would miss it. He heard screams of his men as arrows hit their targets. When he dared to look up, he saw numbers of pirates charging at them from the top of the hill, with weapons ready in their hands. A man leading them wore a black cloak with a hood on, carried by the wind, and a unique looking sword in his hand, which reflected moonlight like no other sword he has ever seen.
Could it be..?
Rupert rolled aside, dodging the attack as Roro Vunatis thrusted his Valyrian sword at him, missing and stabbing his blade into the tall grass. He tried to stand up, but the pain in his right leg forbade him. Rupert's men arose in defence and fought pirates valiantly, but they were outnumbered. Pirates poured from the hill endlessly, it seemed that their whole army was there. Pirate lord attacked again, swinging his mighty blade from above, but Rupert parried the attack, raising his sword with his right hand, all the while kneeling on one knee. Roro smiled viciously before he kicked Rupert in the chest, sending him backwards. Baldie gasped for air, feeling the kick he just recieved. He raised his head and dared to look around himself, only to see his men getting killed one after one. Rupert turned his head to look at Roro Vunatis approaching him with a Valyrian blade in his right hand, ready to take Rupert's life. Baldie tried to stand up, putting all effort in that one push which enabled him to stand on his feet. Pirate lord stopped for a moment, gripping his blade now with both hands, taking a battle stance as battle raged around him. Rupert raised his own sword and took a defensive stance. He realised Roro is a better swordsman. And he knew he didn't have much time left.
I know I cannot take him down, but I'll at least give him a proper fight!, Rupert boiled inside and gripped the hilt of his blade tighter as Roro Vunatis charged at him, swinging his blade cleanly as if he's been doing it his whole life. Rupert managed to block the attack, but Roro didn't stop. He attacked and attacked, slashed, thrusted and slashed again. Rupert blocked and dodged each of the attacks, but in the end, he lost his sword and was knocked to the ground again. Pirate lord smirked as he pointed his blade towards Rupert's neck. Baldie closed his eyes, awaiting his fate.
''Charge!''
Opening only one eye, Rupert couldn't see pirate lord anywhere around him. Battle still raged all around, but the pirate lord was nowhere to be seen. Rupert's men seemed to wake up at the
Charge they've just heard. And suddenly, tide was against pirates. In the distance, Rupert spotted lord of Wreckstone carving his way towards him, cutting through pirates with ease as if they were a butter. His men followed right behind. Roger danced with sword in his hand, fighting against pirates, making it look like a childplay.
''Commander!'', one of the soldiers shouted as he ran towards Rupert, offering his hand to help him stand up. Rupert felt the pain of his wounds as he struggled to stand up, taking soldier's hand. As he found himself on his feet, Rupert scanned the ongoing battle. Tables were turned around. Pirates were retreating, or at least they were trying to. Roger's men pushed them from the east while Rupert's army blocked the path to the west. Roro Vunatis was nowhere to be seen, though.
''Rupert!'', Roger shouted his friend's name as he ran towards him, slaying two pirates in the process, stabbing one in the gut before pulling a sword and slashing another's neck in a smooth turn. ''Can you fight on?''
Rupert made a painful grimace, pointing at his wounded leg ''I can't run.''
Roger nodded ''Retreat with the rest of the wounded.'', lord ordered before he turned to give an order to the rest of his army ''Follow me! Death to the pirates! Charge!''
Rupert cursed to himself as he tried to pull the arrow from his leg, before soldier stopped him, saying ''There will be time for that, commander! We need to leave, now!''
Baldie nodded his head and with soldeir's help, retreated with the rest of the wounded. He cursed to himself again, ashamed he couldn't fight anymore. He was defeated in battle with his sword clean. This battle will haunt him for nights to come.
By the end of the day, an army of outcasts, former slaves and sellswords charged at the fleeing pirates, putting the end to an already won battle. Rupert knew that if it wasn't for Roger, he would be a corpse by now. He sighed in relief before he sat to rest as he walked quite a distance by nwo, looking around himself to see a dozens of corpses, as the sound of battle quieted down, and a ominous silence took over.
Roger and his men chased the pirates all the way downhill to the beach. Cowards jumped in water in hope to swim away to the safety. Not all of them succeeded. Quiet few of them were shot down by arrows fired by Roger's men. Those that couldn't reach the sea were taken down by former slaves and slaughtered by the same. Slaves were thirsty for pirates' blood, and with their blood they were served. Inhabitants of Bloodstone were freed, and piracy put to an end. Almost. All that remained was to purge the hideout of the remaining pirates.
Bloodstone stands liberated, and pirates defeated
Rupert rested awaiting for the news of Roger's success, which was just a matter of time. He recieved the news that casualties numbered about hundred and fifty men while pirates lost over five hundred, most of those in retreat. Sitting in the tall grass staring upon the rising sun, Rupert poured himself a cup of wine and enjoyed the dawn of the new day.
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Apologies if wait for the new chapter was too long. I was at vacation with my family for the weekend, so I didn't have access to my laptop. I hope you will enjoy first action piece (even though Rupert surely didn't
) as much as I did.
Cheers, mates!