The Vale Host

[Pontifex Maximus]

With crossing underway, Lucian and his retinue ride forward onwards to the castle at Darry in order to treat with the lord. Whether or not a battle will follow, Lucian does not know. He anticipates something of a fight with Darry but is unaware of his intentions.

First Army of the Vale - The Red Fork

Heavy Infantry: 3500 Light Infantry: 5625 Archers: 5050 Polearms: 4104 Light Cavalry: 4065 Heavy Cavalry: 2656 4x units of Ballista --------------------- 25,000 men COMMANDERS - CHAIN OF COMMAND Lord Lucian Arryn Traits: Battles +3, Rearguard +3, Survival +3 Retinue: 100 Elite Cavalry (Sworn Knights of the Eyrie) Lord Yowyck Royce Traits: +3 Duels +3 Battle +3 Survival +1 Charisma Lord Willem Belmore Traits: 3 spymaster; 3 counterspy; 2 survival; 2 battle Ser Gwayne Corbray Traits: +3 Battles, +2 Logistician

[Pericles of Athens]

The forces of Darry, including those of their vassals.. well the ones who'd answered their lord's summons, were arranged in a camp outside Darry itself. They flew the double headed horse of house Roote, the salt pillar of house Cox and a dozen banners of minor landed Knights, above them all flew the plowman of house Darry. They were directed toward the tent of Lord Darry, nothing gaudy or ornate it was rather similar to the tents of those sworn to him. Once inside they find Lord Old Lord Darry dressed all in black reading a few Ravens that had recently come in. In the corner stood his brother Lyman, the beast of Darry, a stiff glare upon his scared face. Lord Arryn. Old Lord Darry spoke from behind his desk. I've been expecting you.

[Pontifex Maximus]

ooc: ahem, let's be clear

Luaicn Arryn approached the camp with 100 mounted knights of the Vale at his back. Stopping his horse short of the camp itself, what he expected to be out of bowshot, he made a signal. A horn sounded their presence. Lord Arryn called out in reply. "Yes, my arrival was inevitable you must have known, yet we are unsure of your intentions. I praise you for not being one of those overzealous lords broadcasting their loyalties, it rather paints a target on their backs. But the time for maneuvering like that is over. We must now speak frankly, man to man, and determine whether or not we will be friends or enemies."

[Trot]

Yorwyck watches his liege departing for the Darry camp from atop his tall black war horse. His armor was an ancient set of polished bronze engraved in Runes said to protect the wearer from harm. Must other lords laughed at the armor seeing it as inferior to the Iron they wore, and in a way they were right. Bronze was inferior to Iron and certainly inferior to the Valyrian Steel he wore on his hip, but it had been worn since the days of the Bronze kings back to the founding of house Royce itself. The runes were powerful and would see him like the generations of Royce's before him safe. As Arryn departs Royce orders the men to start preparing, if things went wrong over there then the men would need to be ready for battle.

[Pericles of Athens]

OOC: He's not gonna murder you in his camp or something.

IC: Raymund makes his way out toward Arryn, his brother riding beside him, and his retainers at his back. Look at our banners, Arryn, we have no quarrel with you nor do we have common cause. He states dryly. I know you fight for the Blacks, so I suppose the better question for me to ask is what is your intent with my lands?

[Pontifex Maximus]

"To cross them." Lucian could make threats. But why give anything away? Lucian knew the inevitable result if it came to battle. The worst Dary could hope to do is delay them until he dies, and then the Vale army would march across the broken corpses of his army. "I have no quarrel with Riverlanders. In fact, the Tullys of Riverrun have thrown in their lot with mine and declared for the rightful Queen of Westeros. I would invite you to join my host, if you take a sacred oath of loyalty. I will not make war upon you, if I can avoid it, but I also can't leave your army at my back. Your other option is to stand your levies down and declare yourself neutral in this conflict."

[Pericles of Athens]

I've been informed that the Tullys have declared for the Blacks. Unfortunately as generous as those terms are me and my men have been recalled to Riverrun by my liege. Old Lord Darry crossed his arms. My men have assembled for my liege, whatever that purpose be, not you.

[Pontifex Maximus]

"Your liege." How else might he be convinced? "Is currently at the Eyrie." He gave a light laugh. "You've nothing to fear from the Vale, or the south. Your enemies will march on your lands from the west. You should make haste there and do your duty. Lucian did not trust this man at all. Darry knew Lucian fought for the blacks and yet did not move his army. He clearly did not see any Arryn armies as allies. "If your intentions are peaceful, my lord, why keep your army camped as if ready for battle in the shadow of your own castle if our causes are aligned?"

[Pericles of Athens]

My cause is not yours, I am a Riverlander and I serve the Riverlands - that is all. He shifted in his horse a bit. If you must know. My youngest brother is not long for this world, he cannot march with us and I will not march without him.. so we wait for the Stranger.

[Pontifex Maximus]

"The Tullys have declared for the blacks. Your cause is our cause, if you are staying loyal to your lord. And I am not going to leave your army at my back." Lucian would never trust this slippery one. "You have two options to keep the peace: march north, or disband."

[Pericles of Athens]

Now you'd stop me from fulfilling my oaths? Riverrun is west. He didn't trust this Valesmen, Not that he trusted any foreigner. The queen had sentenced his brother to die, but the greens sheltered the Kingsguard who did it. I've been ordered to allow your army safe passage, which I have given. I have been order to assemble my men, which I have done. I have now been recalled to Riverrun at the earliest convenience, which I will do once I've paid proper respects to the brother I raised. As you should well know my oaths of fealty are to the Tullys, if the Tullys are your allies you have nothing to fear from me.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Now you'd stop me from fulfilling my oaths? Riverrun is west. He didn't trust this Valesmen, Not that he trusted any foreigner. The queen had sentenced his brother to die, but the greens sheltered the Kingsguard who did it. I've been ordered to allow your army safe passage, which I have given. I have been order to assemble my men, which I have done. I have now been recalled to Riverrun at the earliest convenience, which I will do once I've paid proper respects to the brother I raised. As you should well know my oaths of fealty are to the Tullys, if the Tullys are your allies you have nothing to fear from me.

Lucian sighed. "And that is the only assurance you can give me that as soon as my back is turned and my army in marching formation that you won't reveal your colors and attack me in the rear? That is a very tenuous basis for me to believe you. Perhaps I could take your son as a squire, so that he might fight alongside us and learn the ways of war while we travel south. Surely you would not attack the same army to which your own blood belongs."

[Iron Aquilifer]

Willem waited with his men, content to deal with the network of informants he had stationed along the line. Every rumour and whispered conversation reached his ears.

[Pericles of Athens]

What could I possibly gain from attacking your army in the rear? He shook his head. You outnumber my men over two to one, there's another army in maidenpool sworn to the Blacks. I have no reason to attack you as long as you don't steal my grain and carry off my smallfolk. And for a moment entertain the idea that my intent toward your men is hostile. Wouldn't it have been more prudent to stop you when your men tried to cross the river? It wouldn't have been difficult the Tullys told me of your coming arrival.

[Pontifex Maximus]

"Much could be gained by waiting for me to pass confidently and then ambushing me from the rear gaining the upper hand through treachery. I have been generous in offering you opportunities to prove yourself and your loyalties and you have refused all of them. This inspires little confidence." Lucian was losing patience. "Stop telling me things I already know of and have calculated for and start offering me a remedy for my worry."

[Pericles of Athens]

Your generous oppertunities to prove my loyalty conflict with the orders of my leige, as such I cannot agree to them. If I disband my men I wont be able to march for Riverrun for another two months. If I march them with you they'll never march for Riverrun. This man was clearly thick in the head or his intentions weren't as pure as he'd have Darry believe. I am accommodating you the best I can, Arryn. You have my word on my honor as a Rivermen that I will not attack your men. If you wish you may keep scouts here watching us to ensure we do not follow you.

[Pontifex Maximus]

"How does making your son my squire conflict with the wishes of your lord, exactly?" Lucian arched an eyebrow. He knew he could destroy Darry easily at the drop of a hat. Yet he would prefer to avoid the political fallout.

[Pericles of Athens]

My eldest son is a man grown and a knight, he must learn to lead Darry men if he is to replace me one day. My younger one is.. not physically inclined to conflict. Truth be told the younger one was a dwarf, but he didn't need to share that tidbit with everyone in the realm. But if it will get you to leave you may take him as your squire. But know you will be responsible for him and his safety.

OOC: I completely missed the bit where you asked for a squire.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Lucian was satisfied. It wasn't the heir, but it would do. "Fine, very well. I care not about the boy's physical capabilities. As long as he is stout of heart and upright, I will have him as my squire." He was satisfied. Darry had only narrowly avoided what would have been an outright slaughter. Now his army may proceed to their ultimate goal: King's Landing. "Send your son to our camp, and we will proceed." He now spoke more at ease. "Make your way to Riverrun. The Regent is a noble man, but I fear that he will face an onslaught from the west...serve him faithfully and you will not be forgotten, of that I am sure, Lord Darry. I hope to drink with you at a feast celebrating our victory when we will laugh at our previous discomfort with one another." He rode forward and extended his ahnd

[Pericles of Athens]

That has always been the way of things, the kingdoms piss and the Riverlands change clothes. Darry shook Arryn's extended hand, his grip was firm dispight his age. More like I'll return to devastated fields and a castle ruined by dragonfire, but I suppose we'll see. He released Arryn's hand. My son will be along shortly, I'm certain he won't be difficult to spot.

----

A few hours passed before another Darry banner was spotted approaching the Valesmen encampment. The Beast of Darry led a group of retainers, a small human figure riding a young pony beside him. The scarred knight looked about. Where's Arryn? He asked gruffly.