229 A.L.: King's Landing

King Maekar I Targaryen

It seemed that ever since that gods damned duel his whole life had been filled with curses. First Baelor had died from his wounds and Maekar had been named kinslayer, and then the Great Spring Sickness had come and taken his father and nephews Valarr and Matarys, leaving them to Aerys foolishness. Aerys had refused to sire a child on Aelinor and so the whole kingdom had waited for war or something else to happen, war had come ten years ago when Bittersteel had landed with the golden company and Haegon Blackfyre, the man had captured Daella some three years before then and had wed her and bed her, his daughter was dead now as far as he knew, far removed from him and the pain she had undoubtedly suffered. Maekar and Bloodraven had ended that threat Maekar smashing Haegon's face in with many mace blows, ending his life. But the tragedy continued, Aerys and Aelinor had perished in a fire in their manse in the Riverlands, leaving it somewhat ruined and a whole in Maekar's heart where his sister had once been. And so Maekar the kinslayer had ascended the throne, his beloved wife Naerys beside him. He had ruled for eight years and during that time there had been peace of a sort, Daeron had finally settled into his role as Prince of Dragonstone and seemed to have finally weaned himself away from the bottle and had finally sired a daughter on the Massey girl Maekar had had him wed. Aerion also seemed to have simmered down though Maekar knew not of what his son got up to, spending most of his time with the Brackens as it were. Aemon was a maester in service to Daeron and seemed happy, and Aegon, Aegon had wed Rhae in defiance of Maekar's orders and so far seemed to be the happiest of them all. He and Rhae had three children, Duncan the oldest was a strapping young lad of thirteen, Maekar's squire as well. Jaehaerys whilst frail was sharp of mind and would be a good maester or advisor, and then there was little Rhaelle who was a ball of energy at six. Maekar loved his grandchildren and he did his best not to think of his grandchildren by Daella, the memory of her slipping away from him haunted him to this very day.

The sound of the council doors opening snapped him out of his thoughts. In walked his small council, Aegon who served as his hand, Lord Gormon Massey who was his relation by Daeron's marriage served as master of laws, Lord Devan Beesbury served as master of coin, Lord Arnold Osgrey served as master of whispers, Lord Daeron Velaryon served as master of ships, then there was Grand maester Runard and Lord Commander of the Kingsguard Ser Alyn Connington. Once they were all seated Maekar spoke. "Well my lords. What news have you brought me of my kingdom?"

It was Osgrey who spoke first. "Well Your Grace, there has been news from the north. As you know the three Stark brothers Donnor, Brandon and Errold have all declared themselves the rightful lords of Winterfell and spent the first part of last year rounding up support amongst the northern houses. Partway through the year, battle began. Donnor Stark so far seems to have had the best of it, gaining control of the Wolfswood and the far north near the Wall and the Gift"

That was grim news indeed, Maekar had met Donnor Stark when the last Blackfyre war had broken out, the man was grim and hated the south. If he won northern independence and more war would follow. "Very well, what of the man's two brothers Brandon and Errold what have they been doing whilst their older brother has been winning these battles?"

Osgrey is silent for a moment before he says. "Errold Stark still holds the southern north up to Moat Cailin. The Manderlys and their sworn houses are regrouping for a fully frontal march on Winterfell to take it from Edwyle Stark and his mother. As for Brandon Stark I do believe he is being the smart one and is training his men and soldiers ready for a lightning campaign against one of his brothers."

Aegon spoke then. "He is being smart. He is letting his two brothers break themselves against one another before committing to a full on war on his own part. It is what I would do were I him."

Maekar sighed. "And what word has there been from Winterfell?"

Maekar expected Osgrey to reply but instead it was his son Aegon who replied. "Melantha Blackwood has written to Riverrun once more asking for aid, and though Lord Tully has called his banners he is waiting your say so to go ahead and attack Moat Cailin. There has also been word from Lord Arryn. It would appear that some of his lords are beginning to grow restless and are wanting to act on Lord Royce's declaration that Artos Stark's sons Brandon and Benjen should be the new ruling family in the north."

Maekar sighed then and said. "Write to Lord Tully and tell him that once the army from the Crownlands has left King's Landing that is when he can assail Moat Cailin. Ser Alyn Longwaters will command the host from the crownlands." His son nodded and then Maekar turned to Osgrey and asked. "And what news have you brought from across the narrow sea? What is Bittersteel doing?"

Osgrey was silent a moment and then replied. "Bittersteel has been spending more and more time with Baelon Blackfyre Your Grace, grooming him for the role he believes is his right. He has also begun speaking with the Prince of Pentos as well as with the Triarchs in Volantis. It would appear that he is most definitely planning for another invasion. And this time he will have some powerful allies backing him."

Maekar sighed and asked the question that he dreaded hearing the answer to. "And what of Blackfyre support here in Westeros? Which houses would betray us should Blackfyre land?"

Osgrey was silent a moment before he replied. "Houses Peake, Appleton, Butterwell, Corbray and Reyne all remain steadfastly Blackfyre from the last rebellion. Whom else declares for Blackfyre depends on what happens in the north."

Maekar nodded and he feared for what this could mean for the future, and he pictured Daella's body crumpled and bloody, and he swore that he would end this war in the north even if it killed him.

229 A.L.: Runestone

Lord Jonos Royce

Since the war in the north had broken out, not a moment went by that Jonos did not think of his old friend and goodbrother Artos Stark. His goodbrother had fostered in Runestone and they had grown up together, and Jonos has always regarded his friend as a brave and honourable man as well as the best warrior in Westeros since Daemon Blackfyre himself. He had been delighted when Artos had wed his own sister Lorra, declaring to his friend that they were now truly brothers as they had always wished. When news had reached him of his friend's death he had been devastated, his only consolation had been that at least Artos had died taking most of the wildlings with him. Of course news of his friend's death had made him worry about his sister, Lorra was a smart lady and a very protective mother, and she was all alone in Moat Cailin, and as such he had been in correspondence with Artos's bastard cousin Brandon Blacksnow, and as such had made sure that Brandon had ensured Lorra's safety as the north had gone to shit. As for his friend's sons Brandon and Benjen, he saw a lot of his friend in Benjen, that honourable streak and a keen sense of right and wrong, whilst in Brandon he saw Lorra's smartness and Artos' skill with a sword. In his mind they were the rightful rulers of Winterfell and the north, and the Iron Throne's reluctances to allow them to fight for this frustrated Jonos beyond belief and made him think that perhaps he might be better served declaring for the Blackfyres should they ever invade again.

He had finally managed to get the rest of the Valelords behind his nephews claims to Winterfell as well, those houses sworn to him had already pledged their strength, but the addition of Houses Waynwood, Corbray, Templeton and of course the backing of Lord Rodrick Arryn was a great bolster. They were meeting at the Gates of the Moon, to discuss what their next move should be and Jonos had a fair few ideas, of course considering that this was the winter home of the Arryns he let his liege lord speak first. "Well my lords, we are here now because Lord Royce has convinced us that the only way we can see the north set to rights is by having Brandon Stark, son of the honourable Artos Stark installed as Lord of Winterfell. We have all pledged our swords to the boy's cause, and seeing as he is my own squire, I can attest for the fact that I do believe he will make a good lord with the right guidance and teaching. Now I would hear what reports we have been able to gather."

Lord Dwayne Corbray spoke then. "Well my lord, the King has finally allowed Lord Tully to march from Riverrun, now that Ser Alyn Longwaters and the strength of the crownlands has marched north as well. They are currently assaulting Moat Cailin and the Neck, being picked off one by one by the bog devils that dwell there. White Harbour remains closed off to all as always, though it does seem as if the new Lord Manderly and Errold Stark might be close to falling out."

"How do you mean by that?" Lord Arryn asked.

Corbray smiled that smile of his that always left Jonos feeling like he had witnessed something foul. "Let me just say that Manderly is not the same sort of fool as his father was, he is a different sort of fool. And Errold Stark is growing impatient with waiting around hand and foot for the supplies and men that he was promised by White Harbour, soon enough both men will want each other dead, and that can be used to our advantage. White Harbour will soon be open to service once more, and I do believe that we should use that to our advantage."

Jonos spoke then. "Aye that is all well and good, but it could take months or perhaps even years before either man acts against one another. And by that time much could have changed in the rest of Westeros and as such I feel that we must act and put pressure on Manderly now to clear the port and make it easily accessible."

Lord Rodrick looked at him then and asked. "Oh and how do you propose we do that Jonos? Our fleet is not strong enough to break through whatever blockade is around White Harbour, we might be able to weaken them enough to bring our men to land, but unless you want the Sisters to rebel against us we must wait."

Jonos sighed then and nodded. Lord Rodrick's son Ser Jasper spoke up then. "What news has there been from the north proper? What has Donnor Stark been doing?"

At this Jonos spoke up. "According to Brandon Blacksnow, from what he has heard, Donnor Stark has been consolidating his power in the far north. He now has the allegiance of all the mountain clans, the Mormonts, the Glovers, the Umbers, the Karstarks and the Hornwoods. The Skagosi have also joined him in the fold. Brandon believes that the man means to make a move on Winterfell before the year is out."

Lord Rodrick nodded and then asked. "And what of the cranongmen what have they been doing since Lord Howland forgot his oaths to Artos Stark?"

Jonos was silent a moment and then he replied. "The cranongmen tried to have Luthor Snow usurp Brandon from his position as commander of the Moat Cailin garrison. Luthor came to Brandon though and told him it all, and as such they spent time clearing the garrison so to speak. They removed half the garrison who it turned out were men sworn to House Reed who had been reporting back to Torrhen Reed. As such the Moat is secure and the Reeds have seen their strength significantly reduced."

Lord Rodrick nodded and then said. "I do believe it is time that we paid a visit to Lord Sunderland, Jonos. Time to remind him that he is as northern as us two, and has as much an interest in this as we do."