Finding men for the Crown

[Jokern]

Lord Eustace Thorne set out immediately from King's Landing towards Bywater. There was no time to lose, since ravens from Dragonstone had arrived just as the audience with Aegon II had finished, declaring Rhaenyra's claim on the Iron Throne. Word would spread fast through the Crownlands, so Thorne and his men rode hard to the keep of their liege lord. First they stopped and rested at Attadale before continuing, since it was on the way. Lord Eustace gathered all of his retinue, some 50 knights, as well some other things. Riding out through the main gate, the knights carried several banners depicting the sigil of House Thorne, the white flail on a red field within a black border rayonne. At the front Lord Eustace Thorne carried a banner he had been given in King's Landing: a golden three-headed dragon on a black field, the personal banner of Aegon II.

Arriving at Bywater, the Thornes let the trumpets herald their arrival. They proudly held up the banners as they stopped in front of the gates. Lord Eustace spoke up. He wore his best armor, which had been polished to shine in the sun. The golden dragon waved slowly in his hand as he sat straight in the saddle.

"On behalf of Aegon II, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm, I hereby request a meeting with Lord Bywater concerning his oaths to the Iron Throne."

[Honors Bastion]

Lord Thorne is allowed entrance before Lord Bywater. "Lord Eustace Throne, my vassal. It is a pleasure to see you though I wish it would have been on calmer tidings. I hear you come in the name of Kign Aegon. What does he have to say?"

[Jokern]

Lord Thorne made a slight bow to his lord, yet stood straight and proud afterwards.

"MY thoughts exactly, my lord. But now we all stand at a crossroads, and we must choose our path. By orders of his Grace, Aegon the second of his name, I'm here to request that the High Lordship of the Kingswood swears fealty to him, the one true heir to the late King Viserys as the eldest son of the king. All who bend the knee to his Grace Aegon will be rightly rewarded for their honor and loyalty by keeping true to the old laws of gods and men. As you've probably heard, I've already given his Grace my oaths. The same goes for many other lords. I know that Princess Rhaenyra have already declared her claim on the Iron Throne, yet I haven't heard of as many lords supporting her as I've seen those who bent the knee before Aegon. My lord, I think it would be within our best interest to join Aegon II. We are very close to the capital, which will be a very important strategic target for many armies that I think we'll see in the near future. Without nearby allies, our lands, homes and families would be prime targets for bandits and armies on the way through looking for some easy coin. Rhaenyra is on Dragonstone, far from us. How can she protect us like his Grace Aegon can? My lord, please heed my word."

[Honors Bastion]

Base 10/20 with a +2 modifier due to perfumes and +1 due to argument.

Rolled an 8 so Lord Bywater pledges to support the King.