Those Left Behind (Vale RP)

[Pontifex Maximus]

Lucian (II) Arryn watched as his father's host departed. Lord Arryn's last words echoed in his ears "Protect our home, my son. Your mother was recently taken from this world by the Stranger. Do not fail me. I will not survive the death of any of my children." -it was an order that Lucian did not want to fail, not only because it would be an absolute disgrace, but because it would sow irreparable damage into his family. That being said while his father did take a majority of the Vale's best soldiers with him, he had been left in command of a sizeable host himself. He felt confident.

Lucian had recently been betrothed to some woman from House Celtigar. He did not know what to make of that. Some sort of wartime alliance, no doubt, but House Celtigar was something of an oddity, they were not as...traditional as the proper lords of the Vale...or Westeros for that matter. It was merely something additional that added stress to his day.

Lucian looked about for other individuals of note who had been left in reserve at home.

[Trot]

Robar was pacing up and down unsure of what to do. A letter had arrived recently that his wife had given birth to a baby girl and his father was gone off to war. Now all he could do was sit here feeling useless. The two remaining armies of the Vale were massed behind the Bloody Gate, and there was no risk of anyone actually making it through the thing. He should be out with his father or home with his wife not sitting her like some useless dolt who didn't know one end of the sword from another.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Lucian approached the young man. "Robar Royce." He said as he took a seat on one of the logs that had been brought out to accommodate the large number of troops. "I suppose it us up to us now. With our fathers gone we are the authority in the Vale, though I would rather be marching to war myself."

[Trot]

Robar turns around distractedly noticing Lucian for the first time.
"Yes I suppose we do." He says nodding in agreement. The last thing he wanted to do was sit here the days were already beginning to drag on.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Lucian was already getting bored. It seemed unlikely a dragon would appear. He had never even seen a dragon. "How many troops does it take to defend the Vale, do you reckon?"

[Trot]

He laughs wryly, "Zero," he says with a laugh, "I doubt the fighting will get anywhere near here." He pauses looking up at the Bloody Gate. "I reckon 5000 men would be more than enough to hold this keep from any thing the traitors will attempt to throw at us."

[Pontifex Maximus]

Lucian gave it a thought, he didn't disagree. "Five thousand does seem like enough." And that would guarantee the safety of the Vale...that few..."If five thousand will do the job, then what's the point of us sitting here, waiting to be attacked?"

[Trot]

Robar shakes his head uncertainly. "I am not sure," He says, "We really don't need all the men we have here."

[Pontifex Maximus]

"So why not lead our own army out? The Riverlands are our allies, why not help them? Of march even further south to the Stormlands and fight the traitorous Baratheons?" Lucian was beginning to get excited. "We aren't needed here, let's go fight our own battles!"

[Trot]

He looks thoughtful for a moment, "Do we know who has moved against Rheanyrs?"

[Pontifex Maximus]

"The Stormlands have given the usurper their full support, I know that much." Lucian wished he had given more attention to the meetings his father ad made him attend. "Why not take the rest of the knights and make our own glory?"

[Trot]

"The Stormlands have given the usurper their full support, I know that much." Lucian wished he had given more attention to the meetings his father ad made him attend. "Why not take the rest of the knights and make our own glory?"

Robar turns calling for a servant to bring a map. "I'm not sure," He begins uncertinally. "The Stornlands is a long way away and it brings us awfully close to Kingslanding. We might be in trouble if we have to fight dragons your father took all the Ballistas."

[Pontifex Maximus]

Lucian was annoyed with all the talk of dragons. "The dragons can't be everywhere at once. Besides, our side has dragons too. Won't the dragons just fight eachother? If all the dragons on our side die, sure, then there would be cause to worry. My father is always so paranoid. If we take a wide enough route..." Lucian consulted the map. and drew a line across the Riverlands. "Then we could hit the Stormlands where they might not expect it."

[Iron Aquilifer]

Balman chanced upon two young knights, one whose father ruled the Vale and the other whose father served the former. ​What are you plotting, my lords?

[Pontifex Maximus]

"Our part in the war, Balman! Join us." Lucian offered him a seat at the table. "If we march the long way around Harrenhall we should avoid the worst of it and decide where to go after that. Send out some scouts, see where the action is."

[Iron Aquilifer]

"Our part in the war, Balman! Join us." Lucian offered him a seat at the table. "If we march the long way around Harrenhall we should avoid the worst of it and decide where to go after that. Send out some scouts, see where the action is."

And Lord Arryn has given us leave to do such a thing?

Easing himself in to the seat, Balman offered a curious glance at the map before them. Allowing himself a moment to forget about their fathers, the knight tried to think of what their foes would do.

We could focus our attention on the Westerlands, he offered. The Lannisters are sure to be at odds with Queen Rhaenyra. He pointed towards several riverland keeps: Riverrun; Wayfarer's Rest; Pinkmaiden. If the Westermen were to try and march they would have to face at least one of these castles.

[Pontifex Maximus]

"My father did not say we couldn't. All he said was that we were to defend the Vale." Lucian said with a glimmer of mirth in his eye. "Who is to say the best defense isn't a good offensive strategy?" He looked at the map. "The Lannisters move against the Tullys, we know that their lands have already fallen victim to their onslaught. We could march west and help them." He pointed to the south. "Or move to support the main effort by cutting off our foes from the capitol."

[Iron Aquilifer]

"My father did not say we couldn't. All he said was that we were to defend the Vale." Lucian said with a glimmer of mirth in his eye. "Who is to say the best defense isn't a good offensive strategy?" He looked at the map. "The Lannisters move against the Tullys, we know that their lands have already fallen victim to their onslaught. We could march west and help them." He pointed to the south. "Or move to support the main effort by cutting off our foes from the capitol."

I will follow you, my lord, wherever you decide our blades are best used to defend our homes. Giving the map and Ser Royce a glance, Balman nodded. Though if I were to urge one course it is to support Tully. If Riverrun were to fall riverlord support may fade away. A message would be sent throughout the realm if tales of fish and falcon standing strong united against the lion were spread.

[Trot]

I will follow you, my lord, wherever you decide our blades are best used to defend our homes. Giving the map and Ser Royce a glance, Balman nodded. Though if I were to urge one course it is to support Tully. If Riverrun were to fall riverlord support may fade away. A message would be sent throughout the realm if tales of fish and falcon standing strong united against the lion were spread.

Robar nods thoughtfully at Belmore's words, "The best way to defend the Vale would be to ensure it's enemies stay far from it's borders. If Riverrun falls we may find enemies at our gates."

[Pontifex Maximus]

Lucian clapped his friend on the back. "I would be a fool to ignore your council." He said to them. "We march to defend our allies then, onwards to Riverrun! The lords of the Westerlands may think they can pillage and burn while everyone else is distracted with the political developments of the south. We shall, in the meantime, defend the lands of those who have been loyal to our Queen."