High As Honor

by RedSands

In this AU of A Song of Ice and Fire, Jon Arryn and Lysa Tully are able to conceive a boy on their first try. But after Jon's untimely demise, it falls upon Olyvar to manage the Vale in his father's stead. But between his sickly brother Robert, his possessive mother Lysa, and the threat of war, it proves difficult to live up to the words of his House...

23. High As Honor: Checkpoint I

Well, here we are. The end of the first portion of the story that resides in AGOT. But before we move on to ACOK, I figured that I would have my own reactions of your reactions, and answer any questions that may have come up.

We start with LordofRhovanion, who has brought to question how the Vale could have the second most fertile region in Westeros.

If we are going to only discuss the fertility of the Vale without it being interconnected with how many men they can raise, I'll make this argument: According to semi-canon sources, the rivers that flow through the Vale allow for the lands that are not mountainous to possess think, rich soil. If we use the logic and scientific fact that we have in our possession today, we can assume that due to these rivers, the soil has a great deal of nutrients that can attribute the fertility of the land. There is no question that the Reach and Riverlands have more land that is fertile and fit for farming, but the rivers, along with the natural run off of the minerals from the mountains into the valleys, would theoretically allow for the Vale to have more fertile soil that could be used for farming.

As for the number of men they can raise, I suspect that it would be close to 25k, the majority of these men residing in the eastern areas of the Vale, where they lack the same mountainous terrain. Such locations include Gulltown, Snakewoods, Runestone, Coldwater, and the immediate areas surrounding them. The northern portion of the Vale also lacks the same mountainous terrain, inviting the possibility that considerably larger settlements could exist there.

In response to Dracarot's review: "It is not a question of wanting. The throne is mine, as Robert's heir. That is law. After me, it must pass to my daughter, unless Selyse should finally give me a son. I am king. Wants do not enter into it. I have a duty to my daughter. To the realm. Even to Robert. He loved me but little, I know, yet he was my brother. The Lannister woman gave him horns and made a motley fool of him. She may have murdered him as well, as she murdered Jon Arryn and Ned Stark. For such crimes there must be justice. Starting with Cersei and her abominations. But only starting. I mean to scour that court clean. As Robert should have done after the Trident." -Stannis Baratheon.

Something tells me he's not going to calm down. :)

Trap3r: Oh yes, everything has fallen apart. As everything usually does in A Song of Ice and Fire. But more guests at the Red Wedding...we shall see.

MerryMachiavelli: In regards to how Warden of the East works, you'd have to take that up with GRRM. I think it's only supposed to be an honorary title with the only practical use being in the event of invasion. In the case of Olyvar not named Warden, just blame Robert for being weak willed against his wife, as well as a poor king.

Also, for those addressing Olyvar's wisdom (which is written to be stubborn and childish, because he's basically still a child), I'm planning on writing his rational in an upcoming POV that will belong to him. You're all free to guess what it is and agree/disagree with it. Beginning work on the ACOK portion soon. Have a great day all!