Ser Willam Royce
Runestone
As rain poured down, four hooded riders made their way through the iron gates and into the courtyard at Runestone, the leading rider was quick to dismount from his horse, and gave the reins over to one of the household guards, while the others continued onwards towards the stables.
"Welcome home, Ser Willam, we've been expecting your arrival for some days now." a balding man said, bowing his head in respect.
"I only wish it was under different circumstances, Captain Eldric, it is good to finally lay eyes on a familiar face again." Willam clasped the man's hand, and gave it a firm shake "How are things here since it happened?"
"As you could expect, the mood is rather low, you know as well as I how respected and loved was our Lady Rhea, the realm has lost a fine woman." Eldric said, turning his heel and they both made their way towards the keep.
Willam was shocked when he had first received the news. She was the mother he never had the chance to know, she took him in when she did not have to after his mother and father died in a shipwreck off the coast and raised him beside her son.
"That it has, Eldric… That it has." Willam removed his hood once they were finally in the warmth of the keep, and then followed by his gloves before running a hand across his brown curls, removing the fringe from his eyes "Any word from the prince?"
"A raven arrived a few days ago bearing the Targaryen seal, the prince has departed from King's Landing and is set to arrive in Gulltown on the morrow." Eldric confirmed, while Willam busied himself, looking up at the tapestries that hung on the wall, thinking of times passed within these walls "We should expect him here shortly thereafter, and that is when Lady Rhea's body shall be laid to rest."
"There's an uneasiness about all of this, can we be sure that it was an accident?" Willam shook his head "Lady Rhea was well known for her riding and hunting capabilities."
They halted just outside the great hall.
"It is an unfortunate reality, but accidents tend to happen, even to the best of us." Eldric gently held Willam's arm and pulled him into a whisper. "I must warn you, Willam, I fear Ser Gerold is conspiring to seize Runestone. Your family's bannermen are here now. Some of my men overheard that he has been saying that it was Aerion who ordered his own mother's death in fear she would name another as her heir."
"Then Gerold is an even bigger fool than I first thought, the bannermen will not go for this." Willam replied "I shall speak with my cousin and attempt to convince him to abandon this foolish pursuit. Prepare some men to leave with haste should your suspicions be correct, Captain."
Eldric gripped tightly onto his arm before he could enter the great hall "Tread carefully, my lord."
Willam looked down at his arm and then back up at Eldric, and without saying a word, the captain removed his hand and left towards the courtyard.
The knight took a deep breath, he had only been within the walls for a few moments and already might have to act against a cousin to ensure the survival of another, these were dark times. It was that moment he wished he was a squire for Lord Ronald Darry once more, but those days had past, and now he was sworn knight of the Vale.
He would serve his prince to his dying breath, it was the vow they made to each other at childhood. William thought of that time, and how inseparable they were. They feasted with each other, trained together, and were always in competition, but that only made their bond grow beyond kinship, to a true brotherhood.
He composed himself, and widened the doors to the grand, and was not at all surprised by the sight of Gerold seated upon their house's ancient stone throne, runes etched into it. It was a dishonour to be seated so shortly after Lady Rhea's death, but Gerold always did prove himself to be a snake, a fat one at that.
"Gerold." Willam called out, clasping his hands behind him, his gaze then falling upon the men that gathered around him "Pleasure to see you, Lord Tollet." he spoke to the man with balding hair, and a beard that reached down to his chest.
"I hear it is Ser Willam now, it is good to see that you have grown strong." Willam knew Lord Tollet would never raise a sword against his liege, he was as loyal as they come among the bannermen, he'd fall behind Prince Aerion.
"Willam." Gerold leaned lazily against that throne, a mug of ale in one hand and piece of parchment in another. "It is good to see you again, I trust your tutelage in the Riverlands has come to an end."
"That is has. I came here to see Rhea buried, she was kin." Willem's eyes wandered around the room, he had a dozen guards scattered at each of the pillars that led to the stone throne. "What are we doing here exactly, cousin?"
Gerold held out the piece of parchment
"This was found among Rhea's possessions within her solar, it is a letter to the King informing him of Prince Aerion's permanent banishment and cutting him from the line of succession, unfortunately she was dead before it could be sent."
"What are you talking about, cousin?" Willam spat.
"She left Runestone and our lands to me." Gerold continued.
"Are you mad? Lady Rhea has not even been put to rest." he scoffed "You insult those present if you are to expect them to believe this nonsense, depart from this foolish pursuit for power, cousin, Aerion will show you mercy should you do so." he pleaded to the lords "Surely you do not fall for this?"
"Aerion is not right." Lord Coldwater was the first to say "That monster killed my heir, and would destroy us should he go unchecked. He deserves death, but since I can not get that, then I support Lord Gerold Royce. Let him rot elsewhere."
"I knew deep down I may never have been able to convince you to stand by my side, Willam, your ties to our cousin are too strong for that to be." Gerold waved his hands towards the guard "I am sorry for what must happen.. seize him!"
Willam pulled out their ancestral Valyrian blade, Lamentation from its sheath, backing up slowly towards the door as two guards set upon him with their swords drawn. He swiftly dealt with them, blocking their attacks and piercing through their breastplates, causing them to stagger backwards, being no match for the sharpness of the Valyrian steel.
He turned and ran out of the hall "Chase him down!" he heard his cousin shout, and all twelve men chased him through the corridors as he made his way towards the courtyard.
"Captain Eldric!" Willam shouted as he reached the courtyard, men were preparing to leave when he arrived, and the captain looked to him "We must leave now."
Eldric and five other men moved between the knight and the five guardsmen chasing him, and they began to engage with each other, the sound of swords filling the courtyard while Willam mounted his horse, and galloped out of the castle once the gates were opened, with a small party of fifteen following after him, all on horseback.
Prince Aerion Targaryen
The Sea Snake, Narrow Sea
A bang on the door of his awoke the prince from his slumber, he didn't remember much from the previous night, only he and Jory got extremely drunk with the crew on the upper deck. When he looked to his right, he saw his northern friend asleep, half his body dangling off the side and snoring heavily.
Aerion rose from the bed and stretched his arms out, letting out a loud sigh as he grabbed the grey tunic that hung over the bed's post. The prince noticed the stains and shrugged, pulling it over his head, and then opening the door as the knock came again.
"What is it?" he asked.
He was met with one of Lord Corlys's guardsman. The man was cladded in shining bright steel armour and a sea-green cloak that draped over his shoulder, who bowed at first sight of the prince.
"Lord Corlys asks that you join him in his quarters, my prince." The guard answered.
Aerion rubbed the sleep from his eyes "Very well, let us get to it then."
"Perhaps his grace would like to dress?" the guard asked.
"He would not." The prince responded, closing the door and following the guard.
The guard escorted him through the ship and onto the main deck, where the captain's quarters was located. The man knocked on the door, the first time without answer and shared an unknowing look with the prince before knocking again.
"Come in." a voice shouted from within.
"Prince Aerion." Lord Corlys bowed his head as the prince entered his quarter, rising from his chair behind the desk.
Aerion turned his head back towards the door as it was shut on them by the guard, muffling the noise being made by the sailors. The prince didn't utter a word while he took a seat on the other side of the desk and poured himself a goblet of wine.
"Good morrow, Lord Corlys." He broke his silence, taking a sip of his wine as Corlys sat back down, they shared a look causing the prince to look down at his stained tunic, causing a small chuckle "I apologise for my appearance, your sailors know how to drink, they gave poor Jory and I a run for our coin, they earned enough silver to keep moral up."
"As I have been made aware, my prince." Lord Corlys was stern "Your little drinking game cost me one of my men who fell overboard, and my most expensive wine I planned to sell."
"You should have joined us." Aerion grinned, taking another sip "If it bothers you, I shall pay for any loss of profit that you have endured. Now, do tell me that there was another reason you woke me than to discuss these trivial matters."
Corlys scoffed, and there was a long look between the two before he finally grabbed the bottle of wine that sat on the desk and poured himself a goblet of wine, and then pointed towards the map laid out in front of them. "What is it you see?"
Aerion peered over at the map, it contained a dozen island scattered across the Narrow Sea, from Dorne to the Disputed Lands in Essos "The Stepstones." He pointed out.
"Yes." Corlys nodded "What do you know of the stepstones?"
"It was inhabited by pirates." He said "the triarchy made their move to claim them and establish a colony, then soon after, you and my father went to war to fight them off, without the help of the crown, and their permission."
"Why do you think we did this?" he asked further.
"What is you are trying to achieve, Lord Corlys?" Aerion shook his head, insulted "These questions, do you think you can catch me out? Trying to see if I am not as informative as I should be. I may have been raised at Runestone, but I know every house that is worthy enough to be known, and the reasoning behind most of the wars that have occurred in the last five hundred years."
"It was a question, my prince, I did not mean offense." Corlys replied "Though do humour me, if only for a moment, why do you think we went to war?"
"I know my father went for another reason, but for you it was the shipping lanes, how could it not be? Your house relies on its trade, it is why you are among the most powerful houses in realm, had the Triarchy succeeded and managed to push you back, then you'd lose much of your trade in the far-east." Aerion said.
"Very good." Corlys nodded, an impressed look on his face "So imagine my surprise when my son comes to me and asks that I make a deal with Runestone and its new lord, a land where there is not much I would gain in the way of trade."
"I have been wondering these last few days what it is you wanted to talk about." Aerion rubbed his finger against his ear and leaned back on his chair "Runestone has many materials to trade. Stone from our quarries, Iron from our mines, Wool and grain from our farms."
"No doubt I could get them cheaper elsewhere." Corlys shook his head "No, if we to come to an arrangement, then there is something else I would need from you."
"Is that right?" Aerion said.
Corlys rose from his chair and began to look through the cabinet where a pile of books laid in neat order, though he grabbed a rolled-up letter that laid beside them and proceeded to plant it on the table. "Do you know of a man by the name of Racallio Ryndoon?"
"No."
"I did not think you would. He is a drunken fool from Tyrosh, and captain-general of the Triarchy's forces, reports are saying he is trying to broker a deal with Dorne, to launch a new invasion for the stepstones." Corlys said "Should this happen, we'll have to defend those islands from both the west and the east."
"And this concerns me why exactly?" Aerion shrugged.
"My own forces were diminished during those three years at war. I've not had nearly enough time to replenish my fleet, and I would sooner die than go to king seeking his help, we won the war without him, we can do it again." Corlys replied "But I need men, which you can provide. I am told you have a standing army of three thousand strong."
"One would say it is cold-hearted to come to me so soon after my mother's passing." Aerion smirked "You are lucky I am not one for mourning, that being said, I do not know if I can accept this arrangement, not until I have evaluated the numbers we would be able to raise. We have been struck with numerous battles with the Mountain clans recently."
"What I am hearing is that you will consider this alliance?" Lord Corlys leaned in closer "Should you agree, then this can be the beginning of a long-standing partnership between House Targaryen of Runestone and House Velaryon, and I will ensure you are given enough riches to dominate the Vale for years to come."
Aerion rose from his seat and took one final sip of his wine before placing down the empty goblet on the desk "There is much to consider, Lord Corlys. I shall have to discuss this with my advisors on my return to Runestone and send a raven of my decision. How long until we are at Gulltown?"
"Should not be long now, midday at the latest, there is a high chance that you should see Gulltown from here if the fog has cleared." Corlys informed him "I appreciate you taking the time to speak with me on this matter, my prince. I hope this is not the last of our discussions."
"Neither do I, Lord Corlys." Aerion nodded, before heading out of his quarters.
They arrived shortly before midday, just as Lord Corlys said. The city had two different piers, the first was made of wood, available to the smaller vessels, and the other was a stone pier, for the larger ships and a few war galleys that were in service to House Grafton, the rulers of Gulltown.
Grafton Keep was overlooking Gulltown on a steep hill, it's series of white walls and towers rose high above the city, Aerion remembered when he climbed to the very tip of the keep as a child, and could see clear across the land for miles, and a great view of the southern side of the mountains of the moon.
"It is finally good to be on land once again, that is enough time at sea for many moons." Rodrik said as they stepped off The Sea Snake.
The port was loud and filled with people from every corner of the realm, and even across the Narrow Sea, the prince was glad they didn't exactly stand out, this was the last place he wanted any attention.
"A few days does that to you, old man?" Jory replied, a smirk on his lips "I'm famished, let us find a tavern to get some food and drink in our belly's, eh?"
"I'd say we both had more than enough wine yesterday, don't you reckon?" Aerion turned to him.
"Aye, I agree. That is why we should have some ale." Jory chuckled in response, slapping the prince on the back "There is still a short distance between here and Runestone. I need some meat, I swear if I must eat another bit of bread, there'd be a lot of puking."
"Fine." Aerion looked over to Rodrik "Head to the stables and prepare the horses for departure, I want to be gone quickly."
"At once, my prince." Rodrik nodded, leaving the two and heading from the docks.
"That's the spirit, Aerion." The Northman wrapped his arm over his shoulder as they walked to the nearest tavern named The Half-Mast, which was located just a few buildings from the port, between a blacksmiths and a stall where a baker sold his goods.
The tavern only had a few patrons, less than what Aerion was expecting, there were a few ragged fellows sitting in a corner table, and another half a dozen scattered in groups of two. Aerion and Jory sat down at a table nearer to the door.
"What can I get ya'?" a wench came over and asked them. Aerion didn't expect any sort of courtesy from the women, he and Jory weren't exactly dressed like nobles, or anyone of higher standing.
"We'll both get an ale, and some sausages." Jory nodded to her. She looked to Aerion for a moment, and winced her eyes, no doubt noticing his silver-blonde hair and lilac eyes, then turned quickly to get them their ale "You should have worn a hood if your worried about being noticed." Jory said.
"I'm not worried. I had to hide myself enough times in King's Landing, I refuse to do it here, especially now that I am Lord of Runestone." The young woman returned with their ale, filled to the brim in large mugs, the contents spilling slightly onto the table as she planted them down.
"Sorry." She apologised.
"That's quite alright." Jory grabbed his mug and immediately started jugging down the ale, and then smacked it down on the table "That's lovely, where's those sausages?" he asked her.
"The cook is preparing them now for you." She said, turning away and heading towards a couple of new people that entered.
They were in the tavern longer than Aerion would have liked, he wanted to be gone from Gulltown already. Jory ordered another round of ale and more sausages to fill himself up on.
"We should go now." Aerion said. "We left Rodrik over an hour ago, he will be waiting for us."
"Okay then, I'm full enough for the journey." Jory muttered, shoving another sausage in his mouth.
They both rose from their chairs and made their way from the tavern and found Rodrik near the main gates with three horses, he wore an annoyed look on his face as they came into view.
"Apologies for our lateness, Rodrik." Aerion said "This one insisted on eating ten sausages, and drinking half as many ales. I don't know how he still standing" he lightly pushed Jory and watched as he almost fell to the ground, though managed to keep his feet.
"I'm fine." He said, gripping tightly of Aerion's shoulder to stabilise himself.
"We should make haste at once, my prince." Rodrik said, shaking his head as he passed the reins of a horse over to Jory "We'll be leaving you here if you can't get on it, what use shall you be to our prince should we get into an incident on the road, eh?"
"It's quite alright, Rodrik, I've been known to handle myself." The prince chuckled, grabbing the reins of the other horse and climbing onto the saddle "Let us not forget Jory is of the north, I am more than sure he can fight while drunk, whether he can ride a horse is another matter."
After many failed attempts, Jory managed to climb upon the saddle of his horse and set off towards Runestone. It wasn't until they were only a few leagues from the keep that they saw a small riding party of ten travelling their way, flying his mother's banner, black iron studs on bronze, bordered with runes.
Aerion, Jory & Rodrik came to halt and waited for them to come, all while having their hands resting carefully upon their blades in case of any trouble. Aerion dismounted from the horse, as one of the men in the party opposite came further while the others also came to a halt.
"Who goes there?" Aerion called out. "I am Prince Aerion. Lord of Runestone."
"I know who you are, my prince." The man's face was covered; however the voice was familiar to him. He jumped from his horse and closed the gap between the two "It is not so easy for one to forget a brother." He said, removing his hood.
"Willam?" Aerion said, he stood slightly taller than the prince, with short brown hair and hazel eyes. A wide grin formed on his lips, and he embraced him "It is so good to see you again. How come you are leaving? Do not tell me I have missed my mother being put to rest."
"One of my scouts told me of a small group of three heading towards the keep a few miles back, I had to take the chance it was you." Willam patted his shoulder and stepped back "I wish this reunion could continue with happy spirits, however I bring dire news."
"What news?" Aerion bit his lip.
"Gerold has seized Runestone. House Coldwater has sworn fealty to him." Aerion looked back at Rodrik, surprised by the news, as Willam continued "He claims your mother wrote a letter to the King informing him that you are not to inherit Runestone upon her death, only she was killed before it could be sent."
"What? Surely he did not expect anyone to believe this nonsense." Aerion scoffed "He could not at least have waited until my mother was in the ground before attempting to usurp me? What is the reasoning behind House Coldwater's treachery?"
"Do you not remember that it was the unfortunate death of Lord Coldwater's heir that got you banished from Runestone?" Rodrik said atop his horse "We need to send word to Lady Jeyne, she will assist us in removing Gerold."
"I have already sent word to House Redfort, I know they will assist us should it come to a siege." Willam said "I shall command one of my riders to make the journey to the Eyrie, since we have no ravens."
"I must speak with him." Aerion replied "I want to look him in the eye and ask him why, before I shove my blade into his throat."
"That has already been attempted, Aerion, had it not been for Captain Eldric, I never would have made it out alive." Willam shook his head "We do not know how many follow him. Raise our army and call in the banners, we may still have House Tollett, the castle will be ours before you know it."
"Don't be so foolish. A siege can take months." Rodrik finally removed himself from his horse, and stepping towards them "Runestone has enough provisions to last a year, and that is without strict rationing."
"What would you recommend then, Rodrik?" Aerion looked his way, then at Jory "Can I get suggestions from anyone?"
"Perhaps we should travel to the nearest village, gather up some supplies and make camp, and then discuss our next moves. This Gerold may have men looking for us at this current moment." Jory pointed out.
Aerion nodded "Are all in agreement?"
"Yes." Rodrik answered
"Agreed." Willam said.