Policing the Gold Road

[Poach]

The small holdfast of Drox Castle overlooked the Gold Road from a rocky outcrop around which the road slithered, providing the garrison with a commanding view for many miles in each direction of the road’s path. Lightly forested and served by a fast-flowing stream running from the mountains, through the woods and crossed by a bridge on the Gold Road, the castle was mostly self-sufficient, with game to hunt, water to drink and a small fief served by a few villages that provided farmland and cattle rearing.

Since well before living memory the castle had served as a police post of sorts, held by a Knight sworn to Casterly Rock and manned by a garrison of a few hundred men charged with conducting patrols along the Gold Road to protect travellers, enforce the Rock’s control, and root out banditry and crime. The last family to own the castle as a seat had died out during Aegon’s conquest, roasted by dragonfire or slain by Targaryen soldiers on some battlefield far from home, and with no one making strong claim to the estates following the conquest, House Lannister had held it in trust, originally until the claims could be settled, but had ended up being the long-term owners after each claimant’s cases were found to be fabricated or too distant. At some point, some member of House Lannister had turned it into the garrison it was today, and since that date a loyal Knight of the Westerlands had been the commander of this small, but secure, keep.

A curtain wall ran along the rock outcrop that shielded three sides of the castle, cutting across the last open side where the slope levelled out and a small grassland field existed before the woods began. Inside, many wooden buildings had been built up against the wall, serving as barracks, stables and storehouses for the garrison. A humble keep existed in the middle of the compound, half a dozen floors in all, housing the Knight of Drox Castle, as well as yet more space for barracking and storing the men and supplies stationed there. By far the most impressive feature of the castle was the ‘watchtower’, itself more like a second keep, which occupied the pinnacle of the small hill upon which the castle was built. Towering high over the fortress, and connected to the keep via an elevated wooden drawbridge that stretched across the gap, providing a makeshift roof for a segment of the compound below, and controlled from the keep side. From this vantage point the castle’s lookouts could see the surrounding countryside for miles.

Godric arrived at the castle alone, travelling the Gold Road from Casterly Rock wearing his armour and, to all who failed to recognise his family sigil, appeared as no more than a hedge knight. Entering into the courtyard he was met by the acting Castellan and temporary commander of the Drox Knights, Ser Tytos Yew. Dismounting and handing Tytos the sealed orders from his brother-in-law, Lord Tommen Lannister, Godric let the man read the parchment.

“Welcome to Drox, Ser Godric,” said Tytos after a minute of silent reading, “Its due time we were sent a new Captain.”

“Thank you,” said Godric with a weary smile, “If you could show me about?”

With a nod and a wave of his arm, Godric followed Tytos through the main square as the two made a loop of the compound, around the keep. Most buildings were either barracks or stables, as the permanent garrison stood at five hundred mounted men, with a strong presence of storehouses as well to keep ample stocks of swords, armour, lances, and non-knightly weapons like bows, spears and leather to arm the local levy should it ever be summoned. Godric was introduced to many knights as he was shown around, each welcoming him to Drox and echoing Tytos’ pleasure to have a Captain with orders again. Entering the keep, Godric was shown the feast hall, where a simple raised platform and wooden chair indicated where he could ‘take court’, a job which would consist mostly of dealing with those sworn to the fief or with travellers seeking shelter or making complaints of the road. Ascending the keep, the quarters of the garrison’s officers were seen next, and though no rooms were shown the common room, where a warm fire burned and comfortable seats dominated the room, was shown and the off-duty officers introduced. Finally, Godric’s own accommodation was shown, at the top of the keep. Far more comfortable than Godric had envisioned, he had what amounted to a small apartment on the top floor, complete with a fair-sized bedroom, private toilet, study and small dining room.

The pair parted at that point, Godric expressing his desire for sleep after the long journey. The garrison would parade the next morning for his address.

* * *

The next morning, Godric exited the keep and ascended the gallows that occupied the rear of the main square, taking front and centre in a crowd of the garrison’s officers, looking out upon near five hundred men in ranks, comprising the majority of the Drox Knights serving the castle. Some had seen him the night before, most had not, but all stood ready to listen to their new Captain make his first address.

“Knights of Drox Castle,” he started, in a loud and confident voice, his own nervousness quelled by the armour he stood in, appearing as one of them, “I am Ser Godric Lefford, and have been sent as the new Knight of Drox Castle.”

“Last night I was briefed on this castle, its mission, and the challenges we face at this time. Your work until now has been commendable, with the previous Captain dying honourably in battle against the rogue Sellsword, Maekar.”

The assembled crowd tapped their breastplates with their mailed fists several times, in an applause of sorts, clearly their way of approving.

“His threat was ended at the cost of forty two men dead and twice that wounded, a gap quickly filled by men eager to serve in such a prestigious group. We stand now in relative calm, the vacuum left by Maekar left unfilled. Our mission is to keep it unfilled, to not grow complacent with our triumphs: we must keep a presence on the road, in the villages, and in the countryside nearby. A would-be bandit must see this and know fear!”

Further tapping of breastplates.

“Over the coming days I will set out my strategy for ensuring the hard-won victories of this garrison will result in lasting benefits to the security of our charge, the Gold Road. We will not rest, but nor will we tire. Thank you.”

The Master-at-Arms stepped forwards and barked his dismissal, enabling the garrison to filter out and return to their various duties. Throughout the day patrols came and went, newer members were drilled and trained, and Godric would deal with whatever petitioners came by inbetween lengthy discussions with the officers of the garrison as he sought to create a strategy to not only combat banditry, but to also prevent it taking root once more.