Ninth Month of 682 B.C. Storm's End
Ser Arrec Durrandon
Ser Arrec had been a nobody before Boremund and his sister had gotten themselves captured and killed respectively. His own branch of the Durrandon family had served for many years as castellans and then guards for the main line, before eventually becoming nothing more than common household knights. It was something that Arrec himself had been before escaping the ill fated battle in the Riverlands, and whereby it became clear after a council of his cousin's bannermen had been called, that he was for all intents and purposes the Durrandon heir. And because of that he had learnt things about his family and their time as rulers of the Stormlands that he would rather have not learnt. For one thing they were facing threats from the Reach, and from the pirates in the Stepstones and the daughters, as well as threats from the Dornish and from the Ironborn. Furthermore the finances of Storm's End were running low, war upon war was causing havoc and chaos amongst their supplies. It was a bitter truth, made even harder by the fact that they were losing respect amongst their bannermen, the marcher lords laughed at their name and the joke they had become and were even considering rebellion, and as such Arrec had been forced to wed his sons to their daughters in order to make sure they did not rebel. It was all too much for him and all that he thought the Durrandons stood for.
As for his own family well it is something that Arrec is not truly sure he wants to dwell too long upon. His own wife he had to kill for honour's sake when he had found her abed with Ser Humfrey Penrose, a mere knight, not even a noble lord. He had killed her and then earned the enmity of his own sons for that reason. His firstborn, Arlan hated his guts he knew and often plotted rebellion, Arlan though was more a warrior and a drinker than a true thinker. It was his second son Durran who was the thinker, a plotter and too clever by half, Arrec had seen how the boy plotted and schemed when he thought Arrec was not looking, both of his two older boys hungered for something that Arrec was not sure he wanted to give them. As for his third and youngest son Robar, well Robar was smart and good at arms but he was shy and barely said two words, Arrec knew not what this son of his thought, but he thought he could trust him to some extent. As to his two daughters well he knows Shaera whispers in Arlan's ear about what he should and should not do and she has fucked her way through most of the Stormlords. Gael, is sweet and innocent and he is tempted to give her to the Teague boy who is King in the Riverlands and then take the Riverlands by force.
Of course he is aware that most of this paranoia about his family makes him seem like a mad man but truly he does not care and right now the attention of the meeting being held is more important. "If you would care to repeat what you were saying Maester Goren I would be much obliged." Arrec says.
Maester Goren an old man and a stickler for rules, and also an avid supporter of Arlan, sighs and says once more. "I said, that I do believe we should consider what Yoren Yronwood has to say about his offer from his father. After all there is a chance for significant expansion if we go through with his offer."
His son Arlan speaks then and his voice is laced with a sweet poison. "But then surely we cannot afford to expend more and more of our strength on a foreign war, when we ourselves might have something brewing here. After all if the reports are correct, Lords Tarth and Estermont are planning rebellion and it seems Connington and Swann mean to join them."
Maester Goren speaks and Arrec is certain there is something passing between the maester and his son. "Well I know that there are rumours of trouble brewing but then surely by giving them something to fight for in a place where they have all traditional benefitted the most, that would sway them away from rebellion and into open action for the crown once more?"
Arlan nods then and says. "Aye that does make sense. Though there is still the issue that King Boremund is still locked away in Trident Keep. How are we to break him out is the question, and would he still make a fit king if we did?"
Ser Borros speaks then. "Aye I think he would. He is the rightful king and I do not think being a captive in that damn fish prison would have done much to break his spirits. He is a Durrandon and your family is not easy to break at all. Though the question of breaking him out is the problem that I have not as of yet been able to find a solution for."
Arrec takes a huge gulp of wine and then asks. "This is all well and good, but there is still the issue of the terms of this alliance Yronwood proposes. What are the terms?"
Maester Goren looks at the letter once more and then says."In return for the aid of the Stormlands, Yoren Yronwood has said that his father Lord Yoren promises to give parts of the northern Dorne to the Stormlands and to give some aid in any future conflicts that the Stormlands might have with the Reach or with the Riverlands. He also suggests a betrothal between his daughter Saera and King Boremund."
Arrec is silent for a long time as he considers this and all that it could mean for the Stormlands and its future. Whilst he still has his doubts about his own sons, he can see how this alliance might be beneficial for King Boremund when he does eventually come out of his prison. He takes another gulp of wine and then says. "Very well, arrange a meet with Yronwood. It is time the stag marched to war once more." The next day Arrec says the exact same words to Yoren Yronwood and ravens fly and by moon's end the forces of the Stormlands are marching for Dorne to unseat the Martells from power.