A/N Well it has been quite a while since my last update. I m afraid that my life had been rahter prioritized by a new girlfriend and the writing of a paper, but I know that 3 months of absence are unforgivable. I will try to make it up to all of you by writing interesting new chapters. A small recap, Robert's father had been called to war by the Lannisters, and he fears it is part of plot to end his life, and that of Lyanna, the bastard daughter of King Loren. Robert has been named a Lord, and he journeys to Tarbeck hall to gather the support of the local family and securing an alliance. He has succeeded and now rides at the head of 4000 en towards Oxcross, where the army is to gather.
The thundering sound of the men marching the steep passages of the Ashmountains echoed the vale like a mantra, constantly repeating itself. The army was colorful, as it was made up by the hosts of several smaller lords, each flying their own banners fervently, though the primary colors were blue and silver, as all the bannermen of the Tarbecks flied their banners.
The only part of the caravan that was less frivolous was its head. Despite the fact that John Tarbeck, heir of Tarbeck Hall, rode their flying his blue field with silver cross, the larger part was made up by my men. The 500 en given to me by lady Jenna all wore a simple black tunic, provided to tell them apart from the other men. The regiment was made up out of aventuriers, people with no home, who weren't taken up in the personal guard of the Tarbecks, because they could not maintain them. They were a gathering of mostly men-at-arms, but a lot of them also had small bows. Half of them had experience fighting across the narrow sea as mercenaries, so my troops weren't untrained.
My future brother-in-law and I rode at the head of the army, myself wrapped in my black tunic with the Silver Lion, and my chainmail, looking more like a pauper knight than a lord. John on the other hand could have been a princeling. He wore a majestic plate armor, that had been decorated with silver leaf. His helmet had was had wings at the sides, made from seagull feathers. John explained that the seagulls looked more like the Tarbecks than any other animal, they loved the sea, yet lived on the land, and they shat on anyone who disturbed them uninvited at their homes. He sat atop a white stallion, and we were chatting idly while the army moved slow but determined towards Oxcross. We were one day away, and I grew restless as the thought of reuniting with my father made me uncomfortable. Suddenly I was unsure of my new sigil.
"My dear brother, where on earth is your head?" John's voice rudely ripped me from my thoughts.
I smiled faintly and responded. "I was thinking about tomorrow. I am trying to imagine the reaction of Prince Tybalt when he sees my banners flying over this army."
"That will be a sight to see." John's eyes twinkeled with pleasure at the thought. "He'll be outraged, and he won't be able to do a thing."
"I won't be too sure of that." I hadn't heard ser Toran close up behind us.
"Do explain, my dear Toran." I responded, perplexed by this sudden break of spirit.
"Well my lord, everything depends on your father. How many men does he have? How are they positioned, and did your brother succeeded in securing the army of Peckledon? he sent a raven that he arrives today, but the other matters are unconfirmed. And even if your plan works out, he'll probably just send an assassin."
"That's why I have got you isn't it?" I replied cheerfully. "I-.." My words were cut off by a horn blowing, and a rider storming towards us. As soon as the rider was in sight my riders stormed forward to make a protective barrier in front of us. Luckily the rider was one of us.
"Riders! Riders in the east, right behind us, they fly no banners!" The men yelled.
No banners could mean a lot of things, and few of them good. "How many?" I asked him.
"About a hundred my lord, moving in fast, they spotted me and set the chase." The man was panting from riding hard.
"How far behind?"
"Half an hour at most."
"All right, Toran, send a company to the right and left of those woods, 500 men each, and make sure they stay hidden. Set a main line at the end of the woods, 1000 men strong, and assemble 400 riders behind them. The rest should march on, we'll catch up in three hours. John, you lead the continuing army, make sure you reach my father."
"Yes my lord." Ser Toran buried his heels in the flanks of his horse and storm off, barking orders.
"I don't like leaving you in hour of need dear brother." John's face looked worrisome. "I'd prefer to stay here."
"I can't allow that John, my father is in need of these men. I will catch up soon enough." I smiled, "It's not like a hundred riders can stop me."
"For all we know those riders are followed by 10 000 Lannisters. It could be Loren, and if he sees your banners..."
"That is very much possible, but that's all the more reason you need to get to Oxcross. My father will know what to do. You just hurry."
Half an hour later the troops were formed up in the shade of the forest, one mile down of the road. I rode down there, quickly followed by 200 riders. The rest of my cavalry hid in the woods to the west, to cut off the soldiers coming this way.
"It seems they have slowed their progress Probably more men have joined them." I called out, to the lords next to me, each atop their horses. One of them opened his mouth and replied:
"My lord, shall I send a rider?"
"Yes, good idea, dispatch your fastest." We waited for the better part of an hour. Suddenly, hoofsound was very audible in the forest. "Only one rider, not enough noise for more." One of the senior scouts said.
The rider approached quickly, and reached us panting to bring his report. "I'd say about 5000 men marching here milord, I saw some banners, but I only recognised one."
"And which one woulld that be? Hurry spit it out." I said, impatiently.
The rider reached inside his saddlebags, and pulled out a red cloth. "This one milord." he threw it on the ground an d it unfolded on the way down.
A big golden lion was embroided on it.
"Lannisters." I spat.