The men were ready for war. Columns of fresh solders ready to fight for the King and the House of the Dragon. Or so my Knight Jon Connington would believe. Well the men were fresh and cheery, none seemed truly prepared for an actual battle. Tournaments remain fresh in the young nobles and the spoils of war clouded the minds of the young farmhands with but a spear in hand.
And so we marched. Ser Jon believed we could catch Robert at Stoney Sept so we kept a fast pace. Many of the men humming tunes from their local villages or singing a common tune when the mood struck.
As we would camp for the night the training would begin. With men-at-arms from the war of ninepenny kings working with the young men on how to maintain formation against charges and melee's. Of course, I was not exempt from my own duties as a prince and squire to Ser Jon.
From cleaning his plate armor to sword and mace practice I worked all day to perform my duties. Many would gawk at me as we began the march. For most, it was their first or second time seeing a member of the royal family. Except for those of King's Landing.
"Daeron!" Shouts Ser Myles from afar, a friend of my brother, and without a Kingsguard to guard me, my new sworn shield.
"Yes Ser?" I respond.
"Jon requests you to join him in his tent, if you are to support your brother when you're older we want you learning how to prepare for war." Says Myles.
"I see, I will follow you to the tent." I say, walking over to join him.
Passing through the camp I can hear the sounds of men getting ready for war, the twang of a loosed arrow, the thud of men wrestling and grappling others. To the sound of horses moving throughout the camp, bringing supplies from across the Crownlands to feed us.
Reaching the tent after a quick walk with Ser Myles I follow in behind him as Ser Jon and many knights discuss their strategy for Stoney Sept.
"Ser Gaunt, what say you about the sept?" Asks Jon from his spot at the head of the table.
"I say we ask for surrender and if none is received we burn the town." he replies bluntly.
Many of the older knights agree with Ser Gaunt. With Sers Staunton and Thorne responding aye. Only not all agreed.
"Ser Gaunt! I shall not be part of such a army that burns a town of innocents!" Cries Ser Farring, well leaning forward on the table. Glaring at the man for his opinion.
Several more agree with Ser Farring and the table looks to be in gridlock, with a few whispering among themselves. However before the discussion can continue Ser Jon lifts his hand up and forestalls further conversation among them.
"We shall ask for surrender, if none is forthcoming we shall occupy the town until Robert is captured. That is my word as Hand of the King. Let us move instead to the plan of how to potentially occupy the town." Commands Ser Jon to the rest of the knights.
"Aye my lord hand, there shouldn't be much of a Stormlander force, so I say once we have dealt with the initial resistance we clear the town from the center outwards. Pushing them up to the walls they thought would protect them." Says old Ser Thorne, having fought in the ninepenny kings as an older man already, This would be his last war. Already his sons Jasper and Alliser are representatives of the family in King's Landing. With old Ser Thorne spending his time at his family's villa in the northern Reach.
"Any other ideas my loyal men?" Asks Ser Jon.
The tent is quiet for a moment as the younger men in the room think of their own ideas for the upcoming battle against Robert. None give another plan to attack.
"Good, we should reach the town within a day from now. Ser Thorne will lead the vanguard of this attack. I will follow. Now Ser Gaunt, you will lead the outriders to confirm no interfierence from troops further afield. Finally, Ser Myles, you will lead the reserve." Ser Jon commands.
I zone out for the rest of the meeting, watching the Crownland Lords discuss among themselves their final preparations before the long road ahead tomorrow. Eventually a septon is brought into the tent.
"Welcome, Septon Hardyn." Says Ser Jon, as a man in light robes and peppered hair walks in. Carrying with him the tome of The Seven-Pointed Star.
"My lord Hand." Says the Septon, before giving a shallow bow to the lords and turns to face me, and giving a longer bow.
"May we pray?" Questions Hardyn as he rises.
"Begin your prayer Septon." Ser Jon responds.
"My Prince and Lords, together we are here today in response to heinous oathbreaking my many lords to the just and pious reign of King Aerys II. Know that your cause is a righteous and glorious to the Gods. The Father commends you for teaching your unruly brothers a lesson, the warrior will guide your path with discipline and strength, and the Crone grants you wisdom to win without much loss. Leave this tent with the comfort of our Gods, for they shall guide you to victory!" Says Septon Hardyn with the conviction of a true man of faith. Content with his holy book and faith.
Bowing once more the man waits at the side of the tent entrance waiting to see if any wish to converse on the nature of the Gods to a holy man before the battle personally.
"You know your tasks my lords, with the Gods on our side we shall win this war." Says Ser Jon, before waving them away.
As they leave the tent Ser Jon turns to Ser Myles and I with a smile.
"Welcome Squire, how was your first taste of a war council?" he says, leaning on the table.
"It was certainly interesting lord hand. They were quite the argumentative group. Always finding a way to argue with each other." I say.
"Yes, many are dissatisfied with the way things are done at the moment. Some would prefer Aerys picked Lord Velaryon or Ser Gaunt to lead this army. Instead of a man from the Stormlands." Ser Jon said. His smile giving way to a pointed frown at the entrance of the tent.
"Better you than either of them my friend, Until Rhaegar comes back you'll keep everything in order for him." Says Ser Myles, before walking over to Ser Jon and slapping him on the back. "It'll be alright." he continues, "you'll prove yourself tomorrow." Ser Myles then leaves, leaving me with Ser Jon.
"Aye, for Rhaegar." Ser Jon responds.
Turning to look at me Ser Jon says, "Well Daeron, let us get to work. Tomorrow will be a long day. Send your prayers, and with luck this rebellion will be over by the end of the day."
Walking out of the tent a different ambience surrounds us. Where before many sang songs, now all the remained was energy, with many doing tasks. Loading up carts or preparing armor and weapons. The cooks preparing a larger meal for tonight. In preparation for tomorrow. Many Knights congregating by the stables as they watch their squires check for any faulty equipment.
Ser Jon sighs. "Follow me Daeron, we've got an army to command."