The early years of my rule have weighed on me some, and tragedy occurred sooner than I could ever imagine. I may be a cynic, but I did not expect the gods to bestow this upon me.
My wife, Sirona, is dead. To lose someone like this, so soon after our firstborn fell ill and was taken from us? Damn the gods to their seven hells!
Sirona was not the first to fall to disease or plague in The Stormlands she shan’t be the last, that much I know, but she was so very kind to everyone despite her misgivings—always taking criticism in stride and forgiving all who have wronged her. I… I will miss her a great deal, I don’t know how I am going to manage. For now I will look to my family for support—my sisters have been sent off to their husbands but they still speak to me through the letters they send, it is obvious that they still miss their home and their brothers.
It’s a solace, I need. Perhaps, I will visit Elenei in the west, my parents had betrothed her to Alaric Brax.
Yes, I will leave my brother in charge of the kingdom as my regent for a few months. I imagine the time hunting with the Lord of Hornvale, the conversations with my sister, and the change of scenery will be very good for me—but who is going to tell me the idea is ill after the sorrow I have experienced? I have always controlled my temper well, but that might truly make me want to show what my house words really mean.
It’s time to start preparing.
I’ve met someone. If you would’ve told me I would recover from my wife’s death this well I would’ve probably thought you naïve and treading dangerous grounds speaking to me as such. But, it happened—and I found a friend and possibly more in the form of Lanna Lannister, the King of the Rock’s sister. She’s a few years my senior, but there’s a glimmer between us; a spark.
I’m not sure why she happened upon Hornvale when I happened to be in the area—perhaps she’s an intricate webweaver of sorts and she desperately wants someone; being thirty years past her namedate and unwed must feel either entirely liberating or suffocating; maybe both. But that’s my cynical mind speaking out, and it would be pointless to keep such a train of thought when the purpose of this “adventure” was anything but.
This woman will be my second Queen.
I just have to talk to the King of the Rock for permission.
After returning to The Stormlands and sending a dowry worthy of the hand of a Lioness, it was a stable and peaceful year—most of the bloody flux had gone the way of the wind and there were no revolts from either vassals or the common folk My wife and I got very close with one another, and it did not surprise me when they told me she was with child not too long after our wedding. This could only mean a blessing by the gods after the injustice they had dared serve me.
I am the King of the Stormlands. I deserve better.
The months teetered on and a healthy birth it was. We named her Shierle, after Lanna’s mother.
A light misfortune happened not too long after when the chancellor who serves me as my right hand on my council was taken by old age. I selected my brother as his successor and he came from the long road in Argehal to serve me. “It’s about time, you should’ve retired his position to me when you were crowned. He was mother’s hand, not yours.” – My brother is blunt and honest, but he speaks the truth and while I could explain to him his pride is making him an oaf, I’d rather not recreate an episode from our childhood. I’m probably still the better fighter, though.
A message comes in from The Rock and I feel the need to curse my thoughts.
I can see why the King of the Rock agreed to the marriage, it gave him military leverage—and he knows I’m just and honorable… he also does know how to make it compelling to me with the right words.
I’m not happy about the decision to go to war, but it is something I must do. But I can’t help but feel apprehensive towards it given the Queen of the Vale is a child not even a decade past her nameday. But my wife assures me he would never harm a woman or a child, telling me that he is as compelled by justice and honor as I. I do wonder however what “claim” he thinks he has on The Vale? My brother calls it an “invasion” and murmurs something about dragons and lions.
“Looks like you are hand of the king
and ruling regent as well.”
He looks at me like I’m a damned jester and then asks me why throw myself into the fray.
So it is with this that I travel to The Vale with sword in hand…
I’m a skilled fighter, and apparently it is as if I never stopped sparring with my brother.
They call it the Battle of Bloody Gate—and the overwhelming amount of forces from Rock and Storm make this battle an uphill affair, even with the territorial advantage that the valemen have. However my soldiers are strong and morale is high; especially considering it is I and not some elected general at the front commanding them and telling them to their best.
I’ve never seen so much blood.
I want to get back to my wife, Lanna. In the early stages of the war I received word that our second child together… didn’t make it out of birth. I cannot fathom how that must feel for her without me there to hold her together as she trembles from the tragedy. We were going to name her Melessa. Since that day it has been not two weeks or two months, but two years of war. It seems to conquer the Vale, even with overwhelming task is a challenging one and one that has to be endured. Had I sent a commander instead of I, the casualties probably would be higher than they have been.
A message comes my way after the battle, and I can feel a sigh of relief.
Queen Pia Arryn has completely surrendered and will become a vassal to the King of the Rock.It’s time to head home. My men are as weary as I am. I can’t wait to see my wife…
…I should have never left.
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