King's Landing
King Jon Stark and Queen Daenerys Targaryen sat side by side in the throne room, the king sitting tall on the Iron Throne while Daenerys sat restlessly at his side. Ser Terrance Thorne, Ser Josmyn Peckledon, and three other members of the Kingsguard stood at attention at the foot of the throne while a contingent of Stark and Targaryen men-at-arms flanked their respective lieges. Ser Terrance had command of the White Swords while Ser Podrick was away. The Direwolf Ghost rested on the floor next to the throne while Grand Maester Samwell Tarly, Justiciar Sansa Stark, and Lord Treasurer Willas Tyrell were seated on their own chairs near the throne. Save for Arya Stark, every other member of the Small Council was deployed on some manner of mission, and the infamous Mistress of Whispers was rarely present at such court functions. Princess Daenyra and Ser Tom Lannister had already retired long since, but the line of petitioners still came forth. There were dozens more waiting on the King and Queen's words and the tedium was starting to affect Jon deeply.
The lords and ladies of the court milled around in the gallery, observing as each petitioner came forth. The Herald had called for a short recess and the process was just now starting again. A golden-haired man in a black robe with a maester's chain around his neck came forth, bowing low as the Herald called, "Archmaester Victor, Master of the Arcane." At his side strode a tall, regal dark-haired woman of completely indeterminate age and could have been as young as twenty or as old as forty. The Herald introduced her as, "Lady Malora Hightower." Victor had bright blue eyes and a youthful face under which an enigmatic aura seemed to emanate. Jon nodded to the man and the lady, "Welcome Archmaester, my lady. I have heard much about both of you. Your forays into the arcane are the subject of much discussion. What brings you to us today?"
Victor smiled and replied in a sonorous voice, "There is much business to put forth before the throne. In the last two decades, the Citadel has recorded a dramatic increase in observable incidents of magical activity, a statistic that continues to trend upward. You are aware of this no doubt, but after intensive research, I believe we can finally begin to harness this force. The Alchemists Guild has already begun concocting potions and chemicals with supernatural qualities and wargs are now an accepted part of Northern military formations. There are many Maesters of the Citadel who have learned to create magical artifacts and imbue enchantments within objects, myself among them. Many in the Faith have shown propensities towards healing, prophecy, and other divine gifts, some of them are even in the Warrior's Sons. But more can be done."
Victor bowed to Malora who came forward and said, "I have studied magic for years and it is thanks to this arcane knowledge that House Hightower and the Citadel were able to resist the Ironborn invasion during the war of Ten Graces. Our family has pursued magical study ever since. There are many noble families who have followed in our stead." Malora shared a significant look with Queen Daenerys before continuing, "In light of the recent attacks on our nation, Victor and I have come forward to share that we can finally weaponize magic."
A murmur passed through the throne room as Jon quieted the chatter with a sweep of his hand, "Go on, my lady." Jon and Daenerys were already fully aware of this matter, but it was political theater that they had to stage in front of their vassals and courtiers. Malora indulged them and said, "In addition to the Alchemists Guild, Victor and myself propose the creation of new arcane organizations. The first of these would be an Oracle's Guild. These would be individuals who use augury, astrology, and other methods of omen-reading and divination in order to help see the past, present, and future. They may not have the same accuracy or potency as a greenseer or a red priest, but it will be much easier to find individuals with talent and hone their skills. They may be of some use to the throne, though they wouldn't replace other methods of intelligence gathering." Prophecy was something that Jon did not quite believe in, but it was a subject that was gaining much traction in the Seven Kingdoms, but was often religiously tinted. Having a secular method of prophecy would be useful for many reasons.
"Next, our compatriots among the skinchangers and greenseers of the kingdoms have observed that many other abilities related to the ancient green magic of the old gods have manifested. Men and women have been known to talk to animals, to soothe plants and trees into growth. It is even rumored that a few can even truly change their skins. As such, we convey their proposal that the Throne endorse the creation of Druid Circles, who will provide spiritual and metaphysical assistance to the people and the noble houses. Those with combat efficient abilities will become part of the Green Men and will answer a call to arms. In exchange, the Iron Throne will help the Green Men preserve the natural environment of Westeros while each Druid Circle will treat with their local lord on matters of natural preservation." Many of Brandon's children showed such abilities, and many houses that drew descent from the First Men in all of the kingdoms were starting to see similar traits. Having such powers in service to the throne would be an enormous boon.
"Finally we propose the creation of a Mage Order that will seek out and find all individuals with magical talent and seek to train them. Those with more specific abilities will be sent to the respective specialist organizations. The Faith will continue to be allowed to cultivate their own talents for the benefit of the realm. But the sorcerers of the Mage Order will be primarily loyal to the Iron Throne and will only serve the interests of their own lords if their duties do not conflict. Furthermore, our experiments into the creation of magical hybrids and living weapons have finally borne fruit and those creations will now henceforth be available to the Iron Throne and other houses by commission. House Connington has already purchased a large number of our creations and their efficacy in the coming campaign will hopefully convince the throne of our worth." For the benefit of those watching, Jon stayed silent for several moments, seemingly in thought, before finally replying.
"The attack on our capital showed that the world is much stranger than we believed. We must harness these powers if we are to survive. Archmaester, my lady, I accept your proposal. An Oracle's Guildhall will be immediately built and the Druid's Circle of the Kingswood will be among the first to be established. The Mage Order will have their headquarters in the Dragonpit and will train the first official generation of sorcerers in service to Westeros. You, my lady, will be one of the order's leaders and other premier sorcerers will follow. Approach me in my chambers after this period in order to further elaborate the details." Victor and Lady Malora bowed and withdrew, the court buzzing as the exchange was carried out.
After some time, the doors opened and the Herald cried, "the Mistress of Whispers, Lady Arya of House Stark." Arya approached, flanked by several hooded followers. They all bowed low and Queen Daenerys said, "Good sister, what matters do you bring before us today?" Arya stood and said, "The recent attacks on the Red Keep have demonstrated deficiencies in our counter-intelligence and clandestine capabilities. This simply cannot continue. We need an officially sanctioned intelligence organization, not a motley web of connections. To that end, I as Mistress of Whispers, propose the creation of an official Inquisition, with myself as the Lady Inquisitor that would act as the espionage wing of the Throne. The Inquisition will allow recruits from both the high and lowborn and will help protect the kingdom against hidden threats both within and without." This was simply another theatrical display. The matter had already been decided upon but King Jon inclined his head in agreement and the decision was officially made. Arya nodded in appreciation and took her leave, presumably to begin the construction of her organization. What was left unsaid was that the Inquisition would include spies, sneak thieves, and assassins in its number and not simply counter-spies.
More such tasks followed. The High Septon approached and requested sanction for the reestablishment of a Rainbow Guard, this order would have rainbow cloaks and colored armor but would be the most elite of the Warrior's Sons and would protect his holiness while still being answerable to summons from the Iron Throne. In addition to a Bard's College, other universities and colleges were given charters and stated for construction in many cities, where both noblemen and wealthy burghers would seek further education without having to become a chained maester though maesters would provide much of the instruction. A military academy was given official endorsement by the king in order to nurture a growing generation of officers for the royal fleet and army. Finally, a series of orphanages and hospitals, sponsored by the throne and other wealthy donors would be erected in King's Landing and other cities to provide support for the common folk.
Other matters of less import followed until finally one nondescript man approached the throne. The Herald introduced him as, "Septon Carston, wandering septon of the Riverlands!" The older man bowed low and Jon smiled at the priest, "What matters do you bring before the crown, Septon?" Jon expected a request for aid to his hamlet or some charitable endeavor. He did not expect what was actually said.
Carston, cleared his throat and spoke clearly, "I arrive here on behalf of families whose legacies have left their mark on the histories of the seven kingdoms. House Fisher of Misty Isle. House Durrandon of Storm's End. House Gardener of Highgarden. House Reyne of Castamere. They have been cast down, but now they rise again. Foreigners and heathens choke the riverlands and the capital. Excess and debauchery runs amok in the nobility. And the Iron Throne carouses with monsters and abominations. These ancient houses, risen again, along with the Sparrows say no more. We represent the true spirit of Westeros and we proclaim an end to this darkness. I beseech the Iron Throne to end its follies, to expel the apostates and heathens from its lands, and to install these houses back in their rightful seats. Or blood will flow."
The septon would have kept preaching if not for a gesture from Daenerys, at which point several Targaryen men-at-arms took the Septon into their custody. Just as they were about to take him from the throne room the doors burst open. A knight rushed into the throne room in a rush, prostrating himself before the throne as the Herald identified him as Ser Edmure Piper. Jon gestured for him to speak.
Piper, took off his helm and said, "Your grace. I've ridden day and night to bring you this news. At Stoney Sept, where several of her grace's eastern followers were settled..."
Daenerys leaned forward, "Speak, ser."
Ser Edmure swallowed and said, "They were slaughtered your grace. The local septons roused the smallfolk and then the Sparrows rode into town bearing arms. They armed the peasants and they stormed the immigrant settlements. Word reached Pinkmaiden and the other castles. And when we rode out to put paid to the chaos, we were ambushed by the Freemen before clashing with a host that flew the Green Hand, the Red Lion, the Catfish, and the Gold Stag. We lost nearly half our men before we finally managed to drive them off. And when we arrived at the Stoney Sept, it was already all over. Almost seven hundred men, women, and children put to the sword or worse. Countless women and girls raped. The village completely burnt down and destroyed. They hung or drowned or burned the foreign priests and the herbalists and the soothsayers. We stormed Stoney Sept and have brought the ringleaders her for judgement. But the Brotherhood and the outlaw knights were gone."
The priest solemnly raised his hands in adoration, "It was the work of the Seven. Sometimes, to walk in the light, dark things must be done."
The gallery erupted into vocal chaos at the news, and the Herald vainly tried to restore order until Ghost howled for quiet. King Jon glared at the priest until he said, "Ser Edmure, take this rebel Septon and his cohorts to the black cells. I declare a bounty on the Sparrows and every member of this rebel band. A silver stag for every sparrow head, a gold for every rogue knight. Thrice if they are taken alive. Grand Maester, send these words across all the realm. This abomination to the laws of the Crown and the Faith will not be brooked. Any and all who give comfort and aid to these rebels will be considered complicit in their crimes. I call now for knights and warriors to step forward to form a band and end these outlaws. We have tried words on these malcontents for decades. Now is the time of fire and blood." With that Jon and Daenerys descended from the throne and the Councillors filed behind them as the gallery once again began to burst into gossip and speculation. Many were distraught or angry. And a few were secretly smiling.
The Red Mountains, the Path to the Vulture's Roost
Ser Uther and Ser Harwin had had their mission approved and a force of two hundred had been authorized to travel to the Roost and capture the fortress, with Ser Uther as a guide. With them was a young Alchemist named Patrek. Patrek had competed in the melee, stunning the competition with his flaming sword before being vanquished by Prince Rhaegar. Now he rode with the knights. If the castle was successfully taken, he was to pull out a strange tube-like contraption and let loose a colorful ball of smoke into the air to signal the victory. He would fire a different color if help was needed. Along with the signal flare, as Patrek called it, he packed a bandoleer of chemicals in round vessels and wore a sword on his back, ready to spread a flaming chemical on it. Also with the expedition was a Dornishwoman named Lorrana, a short tanned woman who hailed from the Orphans of the Greenblood. The force was a mixed unit of Dornishmen, Reachmen, and Stormlanders with a few dozen knights and warriors of renown and several score men-at-arms. The band was led by Ser Andrew Selmy, a three-and-thirty year old knight who had been fighting the Vultures for most of his life.
Andrew, Patrek, and Loranna rode near Uther and Harwin, who were leading the main band while several Dornish outriders on sand steeds screened their advance and a force of eighty guarded the supply wagons that would allow the band to fortify the Roost for occupation, as well as carrying surplus food, water, and weapons. Andrew, whose light brown hair was nearly shaved down to the scalp and who had a long scar running down his cheek turned to Uther, "Do you know anything about the layout of the castle? The kind of fortifications we can expect? Escape routes?" Some of the knights had regarded Uther with some suspicion after his revelation, but Andrew hadn't shown any feelings one way or the other. He simply wished to get the job done and wanted to know everything he could that could aid in his mission.
The sun was high in the sky, but autumn had fallen. The heat was not quite so unbearable, but come nightfall, the cold would be vicious. But they wouldn't find good ground to make camp for quite some time. The pass was thankfully wide enough for a half-dozen men to ride comfortably abreast but the company as a whole was squeezed into the opening. The men were on high alert, and archers and foot soldiers alike had hands close to their weapons. The rocky peaks reached far over their heads, and any number of threats could have been hiding in the caves.
They saw a Dornishman riding back on his horse, raising a hue and a cry and Andrew ordered the men into defensive positions, arrows narrowly missing the scout as he rode back into the ranks. The ululating cries of Dornish raiders grew and grew in intensity until it was all they could hear and suddenly the raiders were upon them. Archers and spearmen appeared above and immediately began trading fire with the Iron Throne's marksmen while columns of horsemen with foot soldiers behind them appeared at the front and back. They had roughly equal numbers to their force, a little more considering the few dozen or so outriders who were not present. The raiders all wore vulture feathers on their cloaks. Likely the garrison of Vulture's Roost had somehow heard of their arrival and planned to break them before they had even gotten there. Andrew ducked beneath an arrow and said, "Ser Harwin! Loranna! To the supply train! They'll either want to steal or burn our material, don't let them! Patrek, Ser Uther with me! Knights, stand fast!" Andrew retrieved a small crossbow and loosed a bolt, catching one of the riders right in the chest as he ordered pikemen into formation, the knights right behind as the raiders bore down on them.
Blackhaven
Besides, Ser Andrew's expeditionary force, most of the men were just now departing. Orders had been sent to every other castle in the vicinity. The Summerhall Garrison would hold the line in the North while the Yronwoods held the pass south of the Boneway and House Fowler guarded the Prince's Pass. With the Peakes and Tarlys holding the Reachman side and augmenting the Carons at Nightsong, the Wyls blockading any traffic from the river Wyl, and the Storm Marchers holding Blackhaven, Stonehelm, and Harvest Hall, the encirclement was completely assured. Any Vulture raiding party would meet insurmountable resistance, and companies of men were patrolling the blockade to ensure no small groups slipped the net. The Vulture King had thousands of followers but would never be fool enough to try his luck in open battle, and thousands of mercenaries and freeriders were screening the formations.
Aegon Targaryen had not yet disembarked on Viserion, but would do so once the vanguards of each army began to advance. A chorus of shouts rose up among the camp when several shapes appeared in the sky and drew closer. The men had heard tales of wyverns attacking the keep and were not eager to experience such an attack. Many began reaching for bows and spears when Gendry marched out and told the men to hold until the shapes became clear. The beasts had the bodies of slim lions, and wings like a great eagles, while the beasts looked down on the crowds with sharp eagle eyes over even sharper beaks, black talons glistening in the wind. Their feathers and fur ran the gamut from nearly snow white to almost night black, and there were a few dozen in all.
The men began shouting in wonder, though Ser Aegon looked on in mild amusement. Griffons of legend landed on the sand, and the lead griffon, a huge beast with a russet coat, squawked as its rider disembarked. A tall, athletically built man with a head of fiery hair grinned and gripped hands with Gendry. Gendry laughed, "You're late. Flying on griffon wing and you're still tardy." Ronald Storm, the bastard of Griffin's Roost, chuckled in reply, "I may have arrived late, but at least I arrived in style."
Gendry gestured to the griffons, whose riders were disembarking. A crowd was beginning to form around the creatures, though none dared to get too close. Gendry said, "These beasts will augment our scouting forces?" Ronald nodded, "Yes. We may not have the firepower of a dragon. But we can still throw javelins or fire arrows, and our mounts can kill with a snap of their beaks or a slash of their talons. We can help scout and serve as outriders for your formations. Aegon will have the real firepower, but with us in the theatre, we can reserve him for real emergencies."
Gendry, satisfied, grunted in approval, "Good. If these beasts perform well, it will be a huge advancement in our warfare tactics. Attach a few of your riders to every company, you will be attached to my division. Go inside and get some rest, eat, prepare your equipment. We begin to march at break of dawn." Ronald nodded and marched off. At the same time, the first batch of mercenaries were arriving. Many were Marcher Bowmen who were veterans of countless battle actions, and many others were Dornish survivalists, trackers, scouts, and marksmen who were native to the Red Mountains and would help the army advance. They soon were assigned to units, and a few were given to Mirren's force, who were assigned to reconnoiter the Spine.
On the march
At break of dawn, the army began marching. Garlan marched in Gendry's force, and thousands of men began filing into the mountain passes as armies all around the marches did the same. Mirren and her force of men had already left, far ahead of the main advance. Gendry, riding side by side with Garlan, donned his horned helm and was thankful that the heat was not quite so hellish at this time of year, though it was still hot enough for an under supplied man to die of thirst. The army marched on, thousands of men combing the mountains for signs of the Vulture King. Gendry and Garlan's force was headed for the Spine, where Mirren was scouting ahead.
---
Mirren and her small band found only deserted paths and quiet peaks. Eventually, with a local as their guide, they espied the Spine from a distance. The peak itself was still miles away but they saw the tall cluster of sharp peaks and mountaintops jutting from the Boneway like its name suggested. Mirren had been giving another Alchemist to signal the main force of what she found, along with some ravens to send messages, and a myrish spyglass to observe the peak from afar.
Upon looking through the lens, Mirren would see a large seemingly deserted mountainside, and abandoned remains of holdfasts and castles sewn into the rock. Mirren then observed a few dozen men on sand steeds crossing a narrow pass close to their position, riding hard for the mountain and not seeing the crown loyalists in their haste. They all had vulture feathers in their cloaks. They were still quite some distance from the mountain itself and chances were very remote that anyone on the Spine. She then had a choice. Ambush the men in hopes of taking prisoners for interrogation or letting them pass, where she could either then move closer to find more information or fall back to the main force and advance without any useful intelligence. Whatever choice she made had potential to vastly influence the direction of the campaign. She had to make her choice quickly, for the riders would soon be beyond her reach.
Mountains of the Moon
The journey had been thankfully uneventful. Evidently the Grafton's reprisal for the attack on Gulltown had sent the potential raiders back into their hiding places and no hillmen had dared to attack the crown forces. Tyrion and Robin's retinue soon entered the Gates of the Moon, whose new owner also accompanied them. They would stay there for a few days, supping and conferring with the Vale lords before Tyrion's party continued on their journey and sought out the Mountain King and the other hill tribes of the Vale. For now, they had an opportunity to rest and relax before braving the Mountains of the Moon once more, and venturing into territory that was much more dangerous.
Gray Ice
Viserys for his part, kept the peace and gamely responded to Ellion's jabs, "I was growing a bit tired of winning too much anyway. Now, I'll just have to train harder. And next time, it'll be a rose that is left in the dirt. I'm glad you're hear anyway, ser. You'll have an opportunity to see a proper swordsman. Not all of us have to compensate with a polearm." Jaime Tarth shook his head in bemusement and they all chuckled, recognizing the sometimes vitriolic companionship of warriors. Viserys drank more wine and began to play in earnest, eager to test Ellion's skills.
Above deck, Aemon conferred with Ser Jaime, Ser Podrick, and his brother Rhaegar. Aemon rolled out a map of the Stepstones, "The crown's forces hold a tenuous grasp on the Stepstones at best. Our main bastions are Torturer's Deep, where Lord Aurane holds his seat and Grey Gallows, where Salladhor Saan holds his. The Rhoynar have their primary settlement on the Weeping Isle and have kept the peace, though they do not stir themselves to help either. But outside of that, the fighting is nearly constant. Aurane's forces hold the major ports on the other isles and little else, and barely that. Unfortunately, our mission takes us to Bloodstone, where we believe the ringleaders are in hiding. We don't know exactly where, and so we'll have to investigate for ourselves. The main pirate den is a port of blackguards that they call the Devil's Rest. We might find some leads there. There's also a nearby fortress we should take care to avoid if it all possible, the Siren's Den. Word tells us that there is a stout keep and a large flotilla there."
Aemon would have continued but Stannis at the helm shouted out, "Black sails! On the horizon! Two pirate ships! Bearing down on us!" Aemon ran up to Stannis as the crew scrambled, trying to coax more speed out of the sails to little avail. Aemon said, "Are you sure?" Stannis nodded grimly, "I recognize those ships. Those are the the Last Rites and the Silver Serpent. Men who helm them are both cutthroats to the bone. We can't outrun them, for the wind is on their side and they'll break out oars even if we gain a lead. They'll be upon us within minutes and will probably try to surround us."
Aemon cursed before shouting out, "Battle stations! Archers at the ready! Everyone else, prepare to repel boarders!" Aemon, hurriedly buckled on his armor, fearing arrows more than he did drowning. The seamen abandoned their tasks, grabbing weapons while Visenya whipped the men into action. The Dragon's Teeth were all master archers and most of the seamen were fair shots as well, but the bulk of the adventurers were foot soldiers and readied their weapons. Aemon drew Blackfyre from his sheath, Jaime, Podrick, and Rhaegar all with swords out at his side while Stannis nocked a bow.
The two ships came into closer view, one flew a Silver Snake skull on a black sail while the other flew a bloody seven-pointed star. Aemon knew they could expect no quarter, and besides, the Stepstoners could not discover their mission. He nodded to Visenya who ordered all of the bowmen to immediately begin loosing arrows. The Dragon's Teeth had dragonbone bows and began firing on the pirate ships long before the Gray Ice was in range, and Aemon ordered the men to take cover once they were. The Dragon's Teeth had felled many of the pirates already and the returning volleys were not incredibly effective, though a few crewmen were still slain. Stannis and the other naval archers returned fire and their own archers managed to suppress the pirate's bowmen. But the wind was on the pirate's side and soon one of the ships bore down on the Gray Ice with it's ram.
Aemon yelled, "Brace for impact!" And the deck shook violently as the Silver Serpent rammed into it's side, though the sturdy vessel held steady but was now halted in the water. The Last Rite hung in the back, coming around on the other side and pirates from both ships shouted and cursed while the knights and warriors of the seven kingdoms stared them down.
Aemon held Blackfyre in the air and shouted, "Attack!" The pirates armed with longsword, axe, and dagger, over a hundred of them between both ships, boarded the Gray Ice from both sides with murder on their minds. A man leaped swung near the helm and Aemon twisted, slashing him out of the air to fall screaming into the water as Jaime Lannister leaped onto the deck and began cutting a bloody swath through the pirates. He was old and had only one hand, but his golden hand was a shield and a mace that he blocked blades and crushed bone with while his sword stained the decks red. Podrick stayed by Aemon's side and shielded his back while Stannis kept firing arrows and driving his dagger into necks or eyes when the pirates came too close. They kept coming and the fate of the Westerosi seemed grim.
Punished GN
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