Fourth Month of 279 A.L. Condor Bridge

Lord Andrew Dondarrion

Relations between the Reach and the Stormlands had always been historically tense, ever since the days of the Durrandons and the Gardeners, there had been war and political intrigue a plenty between the two regions. Under the dragons such a thing had become less common but it was still present and as such under King Aerys who quite clearly preferred the Stormlords due to his familial association with House Baratheon things had become even tenser and the bickering had gone to a whole new level. Of course that was not the reason why Andrew Dondarrion Lord of Blackhaven was currently engaged in raiding Ashford lands, no his reason was something a lot closer to home. Lord Ashford, the fool and the braggart had offered his bastard son as a potential bride for Andrew's daughter Selena, and that was an insult and dishonour not only to Andrew and his house but to Selena as well. Andrew had rejected the offer and then had decided to teach Lord Ashford a sharp lesson.

With this in mind his plan had been going quite well he had taken land and supplies from Ashford lands and had stored them in Blackhaven, bringing with it increased wealth and trade, and more people to work his lands and deal with the bandits that had been plaguing his lands since the times of his father. And then the Tyrells had gotten involved and they had sent Lord Randyll Tarly to engage in combat, and so in the past two months there had been some six or seven skirmishes between Andrew's forces and Tarly's forces most of them ending with both sides withdrawing to prepare for another day. Eventually though Lord Tyrell had begun mobilising more men and as such the throne had sent Jon Connington Lord of Griffin's Roost to lead the Stormlands host of some 7,000 men to deal with the Reacherlords host that was said to number the same amount. Connington was green behind the ears but he had the sense to call a war council. Present in the council besides Andrew and Connington were Lord Caron, Lord Swann, Lord Selmy, and the Lords of the Rainwood. Lord Connington spoke first. "This conflict has gone on for far too long. The King wishes to see it at an end before it becomes a matter for him to deal with exclusively. As such envoys were sent out to the Tyrell camp asking them to stop their fighting if they wished to discuss terms. Lord Tarly sent word back that he would not stop until his liege lord or Lord Ashford bid him stop. Lord Ashford refuses to stop until you are hung and dry Lord Andrew. And so this war continues."

Lord Caron speaks then a veteran of a hundred battles his words are listened to by all. "And that is where Tarly shall fall. If he had accepted these terms then perhaps he might have stood a chance in court. But of course the man believes he holds the advantage and as such we can use this to our advantage."

"And how would we do that my lord? After all we might hold the bridge but they hold the stream and the ways out of this bridge are blocked by their men as well." Andrew said.

Lord Caron looks at him then and says simply. "We hold the bridge do we not? We find a way to bring Tarly and his men onto this bridge and then we break it. To do that we must move our men from the bridge and the surrounding area to east side of the stream. And to do that we must push through the encampment of roses that we currently find around us. We must give them battle."

There is some murmuring of agreement there but then Lord Connington speaks up. "That plan sounds like it will cost us a lot of blood and bodies. The King wishes for this conflict to end as bloodlessly as possible, what you suggest will not do that Lord Caron. In fact it will likely only encourage the conflict to continue for longer than it needs to."

Lord Caron looked at the man and said simply. "I am merely suggesting an idea that could perhaps help us deal with the predicament we found ourselves in. At present I think that this is the best idea that we can go with, considering the circumstances. Unless the throne is going to be sending us reinforcements or unless Lord Tyrell is willing to bring his case before the throne, then this is what we must deal with."

Andrew speaks then. "I believe that what Lord Caron suggests is a good idea my lords. It means that we have control over the situation which at present we do not. We have men, men who know what they are here for, we must end this conflict soon enough if we want to avoid having the throne involved. We must act and we must act now. I say we do as Lord Caron says and we do it soon."

Lord Connington sighs and says. "Very well then. But seeing as it was you who started this whole problem Lord Dondarrion you shall be tasked with leading the men into breaking the encampment. Bring Lord Tarly back alive and we shall see what the King has to say about it all."

Andrew nods and the council is dismissed. Later on he is armoured and waiting, waiting for the sound of a horn being blown to signal the beginning of battle. When said horn is blow, he draws his sword and he leads his men through towards the southern edge of the bridge where the roses are encamped, and he pushes hard. Steel clangs on steel, he swings his sword connecting with armour denting it and breaking, on he pushes his men pushing along with him. He swings his sword, hacking and slashing, blocking and dodging, he takes a few blows but on he pushes swinging and hacking swinging and hacking. His sword is stained red when he next sees it, he does not take long to think on it he pushes on and keeps on swinging and hacking, swinging and hacking.

He takes a fair few blows to the chest and the arms, his body grows weak and tired, but still he pushes on the sound of his men dying around him giving him strength. On he goes swinging and hacking and yet his swings lack the potency that they had earlier on in the battle. He swings but his swing often misses its target and he finds that he is getting more blows to the chest and arms than he was before, his blood pouring out from the dents and wounds he has taken. Eventually he goes for one swing to many and falls of his horse, off balance he is lost amongst the fray of battle and when they find him once battle is done and dusted he is dead, trampled to death.