One of the major islands on the archipelago, Orkmont is by far the most mountainous and rugged, the island is heavily forested, a rarity among the Iron Islands, but certain areas have been already deforested, for the fleet of the Hoares is always growing. Roughly at the center of the island stands the stronghold of the Hoares, a formidable fortress with two rings of walls. The outer ring is guarded by many towers, while the gates are protected by a redoubtable gateway. The inner ring, which houses the keep of the Hoares, towers over the surrounding lands high on the crag where the Hoares of old built their castle and seat, with sturdy and impressive walls. The keep itself is one of the strongest in the Iron Islands and it is a symbol of both Hoare’s strength and their firm rule over Orkmont. The black banners of Hoare flutter above the gateway and the imposing towers.
LORD AND HOUSEHOLD
Harras 'Half-Andal' Hoare
Age: 38.
Titles: King of Orkmont, the Hoare, Lord Reaper of Orkmont. Status: Married, to Queen Asha Hoare. Children: Alannys Hoare (14), Harald Hoare (13), Harrag Hoare (10), Lora Hoare (9), Aeron Hoare (6). Siblings: Alayne Hoare, Alana Hoare, Alerie Hoare.
One lone longship sails into the small port of Orkwatch, the sails drawing up as the day began to transform into night.
Long-shadowed men disembarked tiredly, most of them going about unloading some cargo and conversing (rather, arguing) with the local fishermen, while a small few took horse and rode up to the castle.
At the head of the three men was a long-haired, golden-haired man, who raised his left hand as he approached the gatehouse, showing the missing fingers.
Dark guards in mail hauberks welcomed him, they wore long woollen grey cloaks and nasal helmets, longswords on their hips and braided hair under the helmets. The portucullis was raised and the Ironborn was granted permission to enter the inner keep of the Hoares. Tall walls towered around the golden-haired man as he approached the keep, only accesible through a well-fortified gateway. The Orkwood entered the Great Hall a long room with several fireplaces; in the furthest point from the entrance lays the Hoare's wooden throne, where Harras sat alone near the last fireplace, waiting his vassal. Hoare's cold blue eyes stared at the fire, the flames dancing on the dark hall, making shadows long and fearsome; the King's shadow covered the whole wall behind his back like a silent, veiled menace. The flames made his beard shine with copper reflections.
Norne Orkwood eyed the familiar carvings on the stone walls of the ancient hall as he walked into it: warriors slaying other warriors, curling sea waves, storms ruining the greatest of kings at sea.
He stopped halfway into the hall, standing so that his shadow cast long across the hall, opposite the fire.
"King," he greeted bluntly, without emotion or warmth.
The Chieftain of the Orkwood was an average-sized man, with gilded, straight, thin hair that fell to his shoulders.
A strong jaw was lightly dusted with facial hair, while grey eyes looked out from beneath heavy eyebrows.
The famous half-hand hung relaxed at his left... where a new sight also hung from his belt, a prize from the Reach no doubt, gold and green and vibrant was the sheathed sword.
Harras fingers caressed a relief on the carved throne. His eyes looked at the Orkwood emotionlessly. He wore dark, somber robes, his cloak lined with black fur and held in place by a golden fibulae.
"What news do you bring from the Greenlands?"
His voice was cold and sharp, but surprisingly melodious, almost charming. He then played with a ring on his middle finger.
"The ports are full of ships down there," he began, both men knowing where he spoke of.
"We sailed the straits for a week as traders.. Heard some things, here and there. There's fighting in Dorne." That was of little consequence however.
Norne went silent in pause, and turned to his waist, unfastening the sheathed ornate sword from his belt.
He held it out by the right hand, holding it just by the top of the sheath, then dropped it so that it fell to the floor between the two men, well lit by the firelit.
The features were illuminated by the fire, the symbols and shapes and colors all radiating.. Both men could see them clearly now.
"Now is the time, I say, if there would be any time. We cannot simply sail onto shore, though."
Harras looked at the sword and then his gaze wandered over Norne.
"The fruit is then ripe for the taking. Our time might have come at last"
His blue eyes looked at Orkwood's.
"I have amassed my forces, our strenght is at its peak. I have just concluded a trade deal with House Frey, they shall supply us with enough grain for the incoming campaign. My smiths have worked endlessly forging hauberks, helmets, arrows, axes and spears"
Harras gaze looked again to the fireplace.
"Ironborn shall awake and realize our destiny is to subdue everything and everyone at the sight of the sea"
"Aye, I drowned a lord's son, I think, near Oldtown," glancing at the sword.
"He came riding out with a handful of knights, thinking to scare off the longship from the shore."
The sword did have flowers on its sheath, though that was typical of Reach artistry.
The Half-Hand shifted in position, looking to the fire.
"I would still advise what I advised before, king."
"Aye, I drowned a lord's son, I think, near Oldtown," glancing at the sword.
"He came riding out with a handful of knights, thinking to scare off the longship from the shore."
The sword did have flowers on its sheath, though that was typical of Reach artistry.
The Half-Hand shifted in position, looking to the fire.
"I would still advise what I advised before, king."
Harras nodded silently, hearing carefully. Finally he answered.
"I do remember your words, Lord Orkwood and they will be taken into consideration. Our ships and swords shall soon be raised for war"
He waved a hand.
"Prepare your men, Lord Orkwood. If you wish a room shall be prepared for your Lordship, as sun has set already. We will discuss the details tomorrow"
On their way home, the journey of the Moray and the few longboats following her, lead to the island of Orkwatch after their visit on Pyke. Since Colmar Blacktyde got already a task by his nephew to arrange a meeting with the Lord Reaper of Orkmont King Hoare himself, he left it to his first mate and the crew to reorganise the supplies of their ships for the gold, they made during the recent fur trade, while he went along with 10 men towards the keep upon the island of Orkmont, requesting an audience in the name of his nephew, the King Reaver of Tides and Cliffs.
"Hm." Norne nodded, stooped to pick the sword back up, and then turned to leave, striding from the hall, fastening the sword to his belt as he did so.
The next morning he was summoned to the lord's solar, high above on the keep, overlooking the mountains, the forests and the sea. Harras waited his vassal before the window, arms behind his back. He wore dark leather clothes and the longsword rested on his hip.
"Orkwood"
Originally Posted by Lord Dread
On their way home, the journey of the Moray and the few longboats following her, lead to the island of Orkwatch after their visit on Pyke. Since Colmar Blacktyde got already a task by his nephew to arrange a meeting with the Lord Reaper of Orkmont King Hoare himself, he left it to his first mate and the crew to reorganise the supplies of their ships for the gold, they made during the recent fur trade, while he went along with 10 men towards the keep upon the island of Orkmont, requesting an audience in the name of his nephew, the King Reaver of Tides and Cliffs.
They're led through the first ring of walls and into the second, where the imposing residence of Hoares stands. The walls are lined with guards and the castle seems to be overflown with soldiers, smiths and likewise, everyone hurrying to complete the tasks issued that morning. The smiths worked hard, forging swords, spears and arrow points in the large smithies housed in the second ring. The men are led into the hall itself, where Hoare awaits them, surrounded by several retainers and servants. His lady wife was sewing near a fireplace with her maidens. Hoare raises his cold gaze and looks as the newcomers approach his throne.
They're led through the first ring of walls and into the second, where the imposing residence of Hoares stands. The walls are lined with guards and the castle seems to be overflown with soldiers, smiths and likewise, everyone hurrying to complete the tasks issued that morning. The smiths worked hard, forging swords, spears and arrow points in the large smithies housed in the second ring. The men are led into the hall itself, where Hoare awaits them, surrounded by several retainers and servants. His lady wife was sewing near a fireplace with her maidens. Hoare raises his cold gaze and looks as the newcomers approach his throne.
The first thing Colmar did, when entering the hall was giveing Hoare a stern look before he decided after few moments to kneel down in honest respect, along with his retainers. Silence filled the room, before the old captain began to speak up.
"On behalf of my nephew and brother-in-law (I assume? Else cut it), King Reaver Barnabas Blacktyde of Tides and Cliffs, Third of his name and Lord Reaver of Blacktyde, I've come to greet you, your grace", he replied cold, "Or whatever you prefer as titles. I told my nephew several times that I'm worse at pretty words. Nontheless I'm thankful that I haven't entered this hall with just my head - some kings probably would probably feel more confident to talk with a Blacktyde, when the rest of his body is waiting outside the castle."
A wolfish grin was shown upon his face, indicateing Colmar's dark humor at this point, while his guards remained disciplined.
"Nontheless, we always come as friends, as you might have guessed."
The next morning he was summoned to the lord's solar, high above on the keep, overlooking the mountains, the forests and the sea. Harras waited his vassal before the window, arms behind his back. He wore dark leather clothes and the longsword rested on his hip.
"Orkwood"
Norne entered and stood before Harras Hoare, wearing a slim layer of dark felt over leather.
The Reach sword was still buckled at his side, but his long gilded hair was now tied up at the back.
"Aye, king. I've sent my fellow ahead on a horse to tell my clansmen to gather the longships."
The first thing Colmar did, when entering the hall was giveing Hoare a stern look before he decided after few moments to kneel down in honest respect, along with his retainers. Silence filled the room, before the old captain began to speak up.
"On behalf of my nephew and brother-in-law (I assume? Else cut it), King Reaver Barnabas Blacktyde of Tides and Cliffs, Third of his name and Lord Reaver of Blacktyde, I've come to greet you, your grace", he replied cold, "Or whatever you prefer as titles. I told my nephew several times that I'm worse at pretty words. Nontheless I'm thankful that I haven't entered this hall with just my head - some kings probably would probably feel more confident to talk with a Blacktyde, when the rest of his body is waiting outside the castle."
A wolfish grin was shown upon his face, indicateing Colmar's dark humor at this point, while his guards remained disciplined.
"Nontheless, we always come as friends, as you might have guessed."
Harras looked at his brother-in-law's uncle calmly, coldly.
"We do not jest with such things, Blacktyde. Your nephew is my brother-in-law, and you are his representative. What does he want? Speak"
He leaned on an elbow, while his fingers played with a ring on the right hand.
Originally Posted by Bastard Feudalism
Norne entered and stood before Harras Hoare, wearing a slim layer of dark felt over leather.
The Reach sword was still buckled at his side, but his long gilded hair was now tied up at the back.
"Aye, king. I've sent my fellow ahead on a horse to tell my clansmen to gather the longships."
Hoare nodded.
"We might need, however, allies in this enterprise, for even if suprised the enemy might have superior numbers, and worse, will know those seas like their own bedchamber"
Harras looked at his brother-in-law's uncle calmly, coldly.
"We do not jest with such things, Blacktyde. Your nephew is my brother-in-law, and you are his representative. What does he want? Speak"
He leaned on an elbow, while his fingers played with a ring on the right hand.
"Informations", was all he said simply, ignoreing the cold introduction, "Rumors about reaveings nowadays are wide-spread, but my nephew does not hold the opinion to throw in his fleet into another raid attempt - for now at least. To speak honest we would merely want to know if the Westerlands are currently a target for your fleet or mayhaps allied fleets. King Barnabas has plans to settle with Castamere, the next coastal major seat of the Westerlands in reach, which would require a peaceful attitude."
He looked up.
"Our Houses would both profit from the outcome of it, should the trade deal work out.", he added then, "We're not here to stop you or others from doing the usual things, Blacktyde never did abolish the old ways. But as you know, we keep to the Codex - Blacktydes are known for keeping their reaveing grounds and their honor. Hence why we need honesty on the Greenlanders' court, before we can start makeing an appearence there - any symbolic aid from your side would be preferable, since they might also know about your descendants and might not believe the word of a Blacktyde as much as the informations of a Hoare King."
"Trade", was the simple response, "To speak honest, House Blacktyde does not believe in an longtime era of reaveing will help to keep the dominion of the current kingdoms against new waves of Andals, trying to subjugate us and makeing us part of their realm. The Old Way is good, but we need allies, especially financial ones, when we want to survive and keep up with the wealth of the Greenlander Houses. During the past, it is told, that the Blacktydes settled deals with the Westerlands for the prize of neutrality and gold, which is a main reason, why they are still known as Kings. The Codex forbides us to reave them, as it is not honorable to violate these laws of honor and since those times those words are kept, while those, who violated against its words did not face a long time of reign. If King Barnabas would intend to move against the Reynes or any other Westerlander House in any other form, which you probably thought for a moment, he would be a dead man - the world might have forgotten the Codex, but our family did not."
He looked up then, his look lasting on the wife of King Harras.
"Truth to be told I did not know that you are married to the Reynes - either my nephew did not saw it necessary to tell me or he didn't knew either - thus my honest apologizes, if I offended you", he added then, before looking stern, "About what kind of proposal are we talking?"
OOC: Oh right, I forgot - you're related to the Reynes. ^^
Orkwatch, seat of House Hoare
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Originally Posted by Bastard Feudalism
