Oakenshield, Seat of House Hewett

**jacb547** · December 06, 2015, 04:44 PM

WIP

The Armies and Fleets of House Hewett

The Forces and Fleets of its Vassals

**Oznerol** · December 07, 2015, 05:44 PM

A carrack, with the Gardeners' heraldry arrived to Oakenshield, requesting an audience with Lord Hewett. Septon Robar, Mern's confessor and former childhood tutor is Gardener's envoy.

**jacb547** · December 07, 2015, 07:24 PM

The septon is shown to Lord Dean by some guardsmen, the Lord himself, a handsome middle aged man was busy reading trade reports for the past quarter but closed his book when he saw the septon make his entrance. He rose and welcomed him with a firm handshake and a "Septon.". Dean was dressed with a black doublet and some furs over it, he looked tired but interested in what Robar had to say. The Lord sat again and bade he do the same, on the other side of the table.

**Oznerol** · December 08, 2015, 02:46 AM

Robar was old, but clearly enjoyed a robust health even if he walked with cane which looked totally unnecesary. The septon blessed the lord with a gesture of his hand and took a seat.

"I thank you for granting me an audience, Lord Hewett. My old bones are thankful"

With rubby cheeks and blue eyes he looked like a lovely grandfather, his beard purely white.

"I came on behalf of Mern Gardener, he wishes to reach an understandment with your lordship"

He coughed to clear his voice.

"Your son was simpathetic to his cause at the parlay, and he's thankful for it. My master, Mern, thinks we might reach an agreement benefitial for both concerning his claim to the throne of his forefathers. Lord Dean, you are the Shield of the Reach and he truly respects your Lordship, your support would be invaluable"

**jacb547** · December 08, 2015, 10:03 AM

Originally Posted by Oznerol

Robar was old, but clearly enjoyed a robust health even if he walked with cane which looked totally unnecesary. The septon blessed the lord with a gesture of his hand and took a seat.

"I thank you for granting me an audience, Lord Hewett. My old bones are thankful"

With rubby cheeks and blue eyes he looked like a lovely grandfather, his beard purely white.

"I came on behalf of Mern Gardener, he wishes to reach an understandment with your lordship"

He coughed to clear his voice.

"Your son was simpathetic to his cause at the parlay, and he's thankful for it. My master, Mern, thinks we might reach an agreement benefitial for both concerning his claim to the throne of his forefathers. Lord Dean, you are the Shield of the Reach and he truly respects your Lordship, your support would be invaluable"

Lord Dean watched quietly and with attention, those closer to him knew he was won't to go to war unless absolutely needed. Hewett knew his son had talked a bit too much during the parlay, althought he understood Tyler felt he had been insulted by Lord Peake and Ser Oakheart. But even his precious neutrality wouldn't last forever he knew so after a pause he spoke, the many hours of sleep he did not have weighted on his voice:

"I thank you, and your master, for these words of respect." Dean paused for a bit, weighting his words "My son told me that Mern seemed to be the most polite and well spoken among the claimants." Not that there had been much competition from the others Hewett thought quietly. "I hope, Mern understands that the Shields must pay a good deal of attention to the seas, especially northward and such I am reluctant to commit to any wars in the mainland."

Dean was well aware of the task entrusted to his ancestors when they were granted these isles, to protect the Reach from overseas threats and given the current situation everyone on Oakenshield was wary of Ironborn and Westermen sails. Even thought he wanted to end this war as quickly as possible he could not shy away from the duty of his House.

**Oznerol** · December 08, 2015, 10:16 AM

"Your reluctance is understandable my son, thus my master has several proposals"

The kind septon leaned forward.

"We offer you a betrothal, between one of your children and my master's daughter. Elinor is a beautiful flower of nine years, who in few years shall blossom into a true Gardener beauty of unparalled grace and piety"

He looked at Hewett's eyes. Such a proposal would boast Hewett's prestige beyond he could even imagine, for they didn't boast descend from Greenhand, unlike many others in the Reach. A Gardener betrothal would make them one of the realm's peers.

"Also, Lord Florent, my master's uncle, has a modest fleet at his disposal that I'm sure he could add to yours, reinforcing your watch over the Mander. A fleet comprised by fifty strong ships, ready for battle. You shall not worry about the raiders, then, and your hands will be free to support whoever you deem worthy, in this case the only rightful heir to the throne, Mern Gardener himself"

"We shall also send word to Redwyne, asking her support against potential Ironborn raiders"

**jacb547** · December 08, 2015, 10:48 AM

The Septon could notice interest in the eyes of Lord Dean, he was not an ambitious man but he was no fool either. The girl was the same age of his son Joseph and given his firstborn particular inclination the one who most likely would continue the Hewett line. Lord Hewett spoke again, this time with more energy and determination to negotiate, he was after all a born merchant.

"That does gather my attention, if a bethroal was to be set between my son Joseph and the young lady Elinor I wouldn't object that some of my troops were directed to the mainland in order to support her father's claim. I however would need to maintain a strong garrison here to deter both raiders and enemies from within the Reach itself and of my 320 ships" He gave special importance to that number "I could divert perhaps a third to help Lord Florent blockade the Mander from your enemies trading cogs and ships."

"Before I commit any further however. I would need assurance of the cooperation of House Redwyne and garantee that my islands are not threatened from within the Reach" Lord Hewett was clear, he was a cautious man and would not commit entirely for a cause unless victory was closer then it seemed at the moment.

**Oznerol** · December 09, 2015, 03:44 AM

Originally Posted by jacb547

The Septon could notice interest in the eyes of Lord Dean, he was not an ambitious man but he was no fool either. The girl was the same age of his son Joseph and given his firstborn particular inclination the one who most likely would continue the Hewett line. Lord Hewett spoke again, this time with more energy and determination to negotiate, he was after all a born merchant.

"That does gather my attention, if a bethroal was to be set between my son Joseph and the young lady Elinor I wouldn't object that some of my troops were directed to the mainland in order to support her father's claim. I however would need to maintain a strong garrison here to deter both raiders and enemies from within the Reach itself and of my 320 ships" He gave special importance to that number "I could divert perhaps a third to help Lord Florent blockade the Mander from your enemies trading cogs and ships."

"Before I commit any further however. I would need assurance of the cooperation of House Redwyne and garantee that my islands are not threatened from within the Reach" Lord Hewett was clear, he was a cautious man and would not commit entirely for a cause unless victory was closer then it seemed at the moment.

"My Lord Hewett, the marriage depends on the success of our armies, if we are soundly defeated, Father avoid us that fate (makes the sign of the seven-pointed star on the chest), who will save the tender Elinor from the vengeful Manderly or the ruthless Peake? Your troops will be invaluable, the more you bring, the better, and your supremacy at sea, essential"

The septon sighed.

"Imagine Peake or Manderly at the throne, do not fool yourself, my Lord, they will who rule, and not their wives. They pretend to rule on their own, and that can only bring darkness and chaos, the best option for the realm's welfare is joining my master's cause wholeheartedly. We will make contact with Redwyne as soon as possible, my Lord Hewett, to ensure our seas aren't menaced"

**jacb547** · December 09, 2015, 02:48 PM

Originally Posted by Oznerol

"My Lord Hewett, the marriage depends on the success of our armies, if we are soundly defeated, Father avoid us that fate (makes the sign of the seven-pointed star on the chest), who will save the tender Elinor from the vengeful Manderly or the ruthless Peake? Your troops will be invaluable, the more you bring, the better, and your supremacy at sea, essential"

The septon sighed.

"Imagine Peake or Manderly at the throne, do not fool yourself, my Lord, they will who rule, and not their wives. They pretend to rule on their own, and that can only bring darkness and chaos, the best option for the realm's welfare is joining my master's cause wholeheartedly. We will make contact with Redwyne as soon as possible, my Lord Hewett, to ensure our seas aren't menaced"

"Then, out of concern for Elinor's safety let her remain in Oakenshield for the lenght of the war. My islands are shielded from enemies by my fleets and she will also get to meet her future husband. The lady could bring any companions she would like." Hewett did not have any fondness for Peake or Manderly but it was clear he would not side with Mern out of the goodness of his heart, not unless he had something to gain preferably something that independed of the course of the war. He was after all a merchant a heart and prefered safe investments.