ToG — Legacy Forums — Strolen's Citadel

Re: ToG

#121

Kat, Rheyna, Odrin

Nina Simone - Sinnerman

"Tell me, my old friend, what dangers keeps the majority of folk penned up inside the fortress? IS there an illness or enemy force encroaching on the Neck we should be aware of?"

“Dangers? No, Swampcat, the crannogmen must be gathered for an evening feast", he finally spoke his voice lacking conviction.

"You're as nervous as a swam-rat, boy. What's wrong?" He gave the young man's shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "Tell me, friend. Help me to keep Kat safe, and perhaps we can help you as well."

Kennett stopped and for a long time didn’t move or speak. Odrin’s hand weighed heavily upon…

“I—my family--“

He paused as the group heard a sound from the keep, Greywater Watch (sixty yards away uphill, at this point). Rheyna was the first to notice a tall man clad neck-to-knee in steel emerge from the thatch doors and look down upon the group from his vantage point. He eyed them silently for a long ten seconds, and then ducked back inside the fort.

“You should…run.” Kennett mumbled solemnly, barely audible, tears suddenly welling up in his large frog-like eyes. “I—I am sorry, Kat” he said quietly.

Odrin recognized the whistling sounds that suddenly erupted from the keep, but the recognition and the reaction to fast-flying steel bolts, was not the same thing. Armored men poured forth from Greywater Watch suddenly, wielding crossbows, and The Seven knew what else. The worst part was that there was no cover in this bog. Nothing to hide behind. Some trees far off...

Missiles were suddenly thwacking and thunking into the muck and mud around Odrin and Kennett. One shaft nearly missed Rheyna’s thigh as the lithe thief stumbled backwards seeking cover. Another missile found flesh, shattering Kat’s collarbone, before burrowing deep into her shoulder. She made a strange sound and like Rheyna began scrambling back into the swamp. As she did so, another steel shaft pierced her kidney and with a grunt, she fell forward into the muck. Her body wasn’t moving but her hands still clutched at the soil, still trying to pull herself away from the onslaught.

“Kaaat! Screamed Kennett, suddenly torn from his self-pitying trance. The crannogman rushed toward his childhood friend, oblivious to the whistling bolts around him, only to be stopped dead in his tracks by a missile through the throat. For an agonizing moment, Kennett clutched at the shaft with both hands, then gurgled something, spat, and fell backwards into the muck.

Odrin was already moving. He noticed Kat's fingers still twitching in the mud. Not yet dead.

Nancy Sinatra Bang Bang

Re: ToG

#122

As she dove toward cover Rheyna saw her friend go down and screamed a mixture of rage and anguish, but she knew that there wasn't much she could do. The crossbow bolt protruding from the treacherous Crannogman's neck served as evidence enough.

Looking to Odrin she shouted to him, "back, back into the trees!"

OOC: Do I possess a throwing knife or two in addition to my standard dagger?

Re: ToG

#123

(OOC: from your character capsule: "...She wears simple leathers, and carries at least a half-dozen hidden throwing knives on her person at all times....")

Re: ToG

#124

Belomas, Korley, Velaquo, Quills, the King's Small Council, Ser Boros Blount of the Kingsguard, and the mortally wounded Ser Rufus Gargalen

Walking in as erect as possible, the pain in his side made it difficult, yet he suffered through it. The cold stares from all those present bore deep into his soul and peered in the very being that lay inside. Pushing out of the hands of the soldiers who were 'helping' him walk he walked as a knight should in the presence of the King and Council. Stopping shy of the stairs he bended knee and lowered his head fighting the spasm in his back with every ounce of strength his powerful frame could, twitching only slightly. Noticing the lack of the King made a slight twitch of the side of Rufus' mouth but little else showed in his face.

"My Queen Cersei. My Lord Hand Tywin. Lord Tyrion and gathered Council. I am here as summoned by Law to swear to the King and Country my name, my armor, my house, and my soul."

Rufus stayed kneeling as the feeling in the room was palpable and unnerving. He was sure that Ser Korley spoke of their encounter which with Lord Tywin being present could actually end up with his head laying six feet from his shoulders. If the rumors were true of the young King, that could be the a more gentle ending. He awaited their reply, any reply, so that he could stand proud and accept whatever fate that befell him.

Tywin Lannister’s face was unreadable. Tyrion shifted in his seat.

Varys spoke with the voice of a moth, “Rufus Gargalen, your grace” he said looking at the kneeling knight before the council.

“So this is the wounded cockatrice my nephew almost slew.” Tywin intoned, “I know the House, from Dorne. Tell me Korley, what shall we do with him?” Tywin said turning to Hill.

“Can we start by giving him a bath?” Tyrion dead-panned as he wrinkled his nose.

No one seemed to notice the Maester, Belomas, who simply stood and waited behind the kneeling Gargalen.

No one spoke, awaiting Korley’s “ruling.”

----------------

Meanwhile, immediately outside the Small Council’s chamber door, Ser Boros Blount did not take his eyes from Velaquo, “Tell me” he growled and opened his mouth in a grin, “Are all the women of Myr whores from birth, as they say?” Boros was full of piss and vinegar. After all, he had six of the King’s Guard, the best fighting men in Westeros, standing in rows beside him. Velaquo had only Quills.

Re: ToG

#125

"He is a drunk, and I have little regard for him," Korley said. "And if you have not summoned him to King's Landing specifically, he is a liar as well." he said.

Re: ToG

#126

"Back, back into the trees!"

Odrin jerked like a dog at the end of his chain. His hands, mere inches from Katrina's still-twitching form instead clenched into fists as he abruptly changed direction, his boots digging into the muck as he vaulted after his mistress. Unfortunately for Kat, he had been too well-trained to ignore a direct order like that.

Serve. Obey. Protect.

The axeman did not carry a shield, but no matter; his body would serve as shield for now. Using the full power of his build, he was at Rheyna's side in an instant, putting his armored back between her and the deadly bolts whistling towards them. As he pulled her to her feet, Odrin fervently hoped that the girl could run. He didn't think he could out-pace their pursuers if he was forced to carry her.

Re: ToG

#127

Rufus eyed Korley Hill, a slight smile creasing his lips but not his strained eyes. He stayed kneeling however, right hand to his chest as if in salute and his left resting comfortably on the hilt of his blade.

"Alas the drunkard was here last eve, today is a new day and I have arrived at the behest of the summons set forth by the Law of the Iron Throne to swear fealty to the newly crowned young King." A slight pant escaped his lips at the last as a wheeze attempted to break through his chest.

Coughing, and noticing a flake of blood fall to the floor he continued, slowly so as not to draw further attention to the severity of his injuries.

"If Ser Korley wishes to stop me then by all means, but the Law is the Law. Unless My Lord Tywin Lannister does not wish my oath and sword arm in defense of his son the King. Then I shall depart with my dignity as bruised as my backside and my honor only slightly marred."

Keeping his head low, Rufus eyed the position of everyone in the room, a chilled feeling swept over his spine. The hair standing on end unnervingly.

Re: ToG

#128

Rheyna, Odrin, Kat

Odrin felt the shaft enter his exposed back, but he felt no pain as he grunted, just warmth. It would take more than a crossbow bolt to stop the determined, fearless giant now...the pain would come later.

Scrambling from the Keep's clearing, towards the overgrown swamp, Odrin shielded Rheyna with his massive frame. Bolts thwacked all around them, but somehow the two finally managed to find cover, an overgrown patch of cat-tails and grasses half as tall as a man. Ducking into the green maze afforded them temporary cover...and hope.

Odrin looked around as he panted. He would not be able to backtrack his way out of this swamp for all the gold in Braavos, not that he cared for gold. Rheyna had two throwing knives squeezed tightly in both fists, as she too studied her surroundings.

The rain of bolts seemed to suddenly stop, to be replaced by sudden and actual rain, and the muffled sounds of men rushing through the bog toward their impromptu hiding place. They had to move.

Rheyna suddenly pointed, spying an overgrown half-trail through the tickets, reeds, and weeds…

A hundred yards down the path Odrin spied a small boat on the muddy banks of a brown stream. Inside the boat, was a youth with a shock of red hair, fast asleep.

The sounds of their pursuers intensified.

Re: ToG

#129

Odrin gripped Rheyna's shoulder firmly to get her attention, putting his finger first before his lips, before pointing at the boat. He didn't care for their odds if they stayed here.

Re: ToG

#130

Korley, Belomas, Gargalen, Velaquo, Quills

"A drunk and a liar" Tywin considered.

"And on the verge of death, it seems" added Tyrion

"Yes, your grace" Varys nodded to Tyrion, "From the little I gathered (ha! Varys has gathered EVERYthing), if it wasn't for the Maester", he pointed to the silent Belomas,"Ser Rufus Gargalen would be dead."

a few moments of silence.

"The law is the law you say..." Tywin began again, ignoring both his Imp son and Varys. "I know not your true intent, but in these times of war an oath and sword are not to be discarded so easily."

Tyrion cocked a brow, perhaps surprised that his father didn't simply signal Ser Manden Moore to behead the mysterious knight here and now.

"Yet, you have insulted my nephew." Tywin considered a moment, "I tire of your audience Ser Gargalen. If you wish to swear your fealty to the Lannister cause, so be it. From this moment on, you are Korley's man. You will accompany him on his mission, and lend him your sword-arm and fealty, and perhaps prove your worth to us yet. Or die in the attempt. Either way, you will have served us. And if you misbehave, I am sure my nephew will behead you next time." Tywin concluded.

It was settled as far as the Hand of the King was concerned.

With that Tywin turned to the Maester, "From whence you come, Maester? Which Lord do you serve? Skills such as yours--for surely Ser Gargalen would be rotting meat otherwise--are likewise not to be discounted. Perhaps, we could recruit you as well, eh?" Tywin lips parted (a smile)

At this, the ancient, doddering Maester Pycelle shifted in his seat and managed to look concerned.

------------

"Tis true, Ser Boras" Quills quickly interjected, afraid that Velaquo would attack the King's Guard right then and there, "all women of Myr are born whores. But some manage to revert back to maidenhood, as the years go on, and their looks wither." he said and attempted a big friendly grin.

"Hrrmpph" said Ser Boras Blount.

Re: ToG

#131

Belomas smiled in an embarrassed manner. He knew the Lannisters had a reputation for seeing through lies, and he saw little need to do so anyway.

"I am currently between placements, my prior lord, Lord Selwyn, has sadly passed on, and his current 'heirs' did not see fit to retain me.
As for Ser Gargalen, gut wounds are sadly not a rarity in Tarth, and as a bear or wild boar might not notice a mortal would, so too goes this Knight."

"So yes, my lord, I would be pleased to serve."

Re: ToG

#132

Odrin gripped Rheyna's shoulder firmly to get her attention, putting his finger first before his lips, before pointing at the boat. He didn't care for their odds if they stayed here.

Putting her throwing knives back into their sheaths, she glanced toward where Odrin pointed, spotting the boat with its apparently sleeping passenger. Rheyna nodded slightly, here, they had no chance.

Re: ToG

#133

Few men could imagine the sense of satisfaction than Korley Hill felt. His actions had been vindicated, and he had been claimed not as a bastard but as a nephew. And, a bastard he was, Gargalen came to serve the King, and ended up being handed to the bastard who almost killed him.

There was going to be work to do if Gargalen was going to be his man, or he would end up like the others who had served Korley and failed.

Re: ToG

#134

Korley, Belomas, Gargalen, Velaquo

"...as a bear or wild boar might not notice a mortal wound, so too goes this Knight."

At this Tyrion made a rude noise and actually laughed.

"Ah, the venerable Lord Selwyn the Evenstar. Yes, news from the Sapphire Isle reaches us periodically, but not often enough" Tywin opined. "It is settled then, Maester. You will also accompany Korley. He marches on that Qohorian s**tsack, Vargo Hoat, and his crazed band of bloody mummers. And from what I hear the lisping goat has his own Maester in tow. A vile man, thrown out from the Citadel at Oldtown for his "experiments", from what I hear. Qyburn, he is called. Looking at your chain-links, Maester, I see that the arts of war are not unknown to you. Very good. Hoat has his Qyburn, and now my neohew will have his...what isyour name?"

"He is called, Belomas, your grace" chimed in Varys.

"Yes, right. Belomas of Tarth. Welcome to the Lannister cause. The King's cause. Do right by Korley, and we shall see that you are rewarded upon your return."

Again, Pycelle shifted uneasily, but stayed quiet.

"Enough" Tywin added emphatically. "Korley, you will find your four-hundred horse army, outside the gates. They are already gathered. Now, if there is nothing else, I have a kingdom to run. "

With this, Tywin rose, as did the others, and without further ado, left the Small Council chamber.

Ser Manden Moore of the King's Guard gave his patented fish-eye stare to Korley, Belomas, and the still kneeling Gargalen. "Time to go."

Re: ToG

#135

Keeping a shielding arm around Rheyna's shoulders, Odrin ushered her towards the dubious safety of the boat. They went quickly, keeping their heads down to disguise their position as best they could, but Odrin feared that the enemy would discover their trail at any moment.

When they reached the boat, then, he wasted no time. He hoisted Rheyna aboard, then quickly pushed the boat from the muddy bank and leapt inside, in almost the same motion. The youth stirred, but was not quick enough to avoid having a firm hand clamped down over his mouth. The surprise on his face would have been comical if the situation was not so dire.

"I would rather call you friend than enemy," Odrin murmured, doing nothing to disguise the slight growl in his voice. "But I cannot afford to be gentle with the Ironborn on our tail. Keep silent and you will have our gratitude."

Re: ToG

#136

Velaquo
The mercenary smiled - tossing insults hence and forth was commonplace amongst his ilk, especially when a well-placed jeer could lead your opponent to folly.
This was not the time nor place to fight Blount like a foolish youth - another day would come, where he'd die a swift death. With no audience, ideally.

Then, he laughed, and slapped Quills on his back: "Right you are - with all the women for sale, you truly can bed the one that's your heart's desire, with no folly like marriage in your way. If you save up enough coin, that is!"

Where was Belomas? Velaquo wondered. Lannister sensibilities were easily offended - but then, their fates were not tied. Velaquo could keep his head even if Belomas lost his.
In good mood, he bantered on with the King's Guard - about armor this time.
"I see your Westeros armor is far superior to ours - care to tell me more?"
All armors have flaws he purred deep inside.

Re: ToG

#137

Standing as smooth as possible, Rufus kept his composure as best he could and saluted Lord Tywin as he rose, "As my Lord Lannister commands."

Turning to look at his new Commander he eyed the hard stare of Korley and smiled, "This should be interesting." he said as he walked to stand next to him.

Re: ToG

#138

Dismissed from council, Korley took leave of the opulent chamber. There was work to be done, he gestured for Gargalen and Belomus to follow him. Before departing he wanted to inspect his 400 men. Not each one, there wasn't time for such puffery but he did want to speak to the officers, get a feeling for them before he departed. He could certainly hope for 400 strong and able bodied men, but this was a time of war and he might have green recruits, or men too old for the fighting formations.

"Maester Belomas, tell me, have you ridden in campaign before?" Korley asked. "And what of you, Gargalen, have you fought and killed or do you spend all your time in taverns moonlighting as a troubadour?"

Re: ToG

#139

"I am no stranger to war, and it effects, nor am I unversed in the strengths and weaknesses of fortifications. My prior Lord was spared the trials of major campaigns, but of course had to deal with bandits and the occasional rabble. I do know of someone far more familiar with war on the road - a mercenary captain of some repute by the name of Velaquo. He has been called General by his men, dreams of smashing castles and dying in glory. He may be of some use against the mummers, if nothing else to distract archers from you, " Belomas smiled. "He does not currently, however, have a cohort."

"He is in fact waiting in the next room, in the esteemed company of Ser Blount." He spoke the last sentence completely dry, without obvious sarcasm, for he knew not how Korley viewed the knight.

Re: ToG

#140

Chuckling more to himself so as not to infuriate Ser Korley "Lannister's" sensabilities, "I haven't lived this long on my good looks and my rough demeanor alone. But alas young Ser, you found out my real self... a poetic knight of infamy!"

Running a rough finger over a ragged looking scar under his chin, almost whimsically thinking of how it got there. "I have been known to use the pointy end of my sword correctly, at least I'm still alive and the people I poked aren't. That means something. Yet I prefer the mass of my morning star, trumps a shield any day."

Walking aside Korley felt awkward yet doubly empowering, the click of the Maester's chain made it all the more surreal. Decent company for a change, oh how the Seven can play tricks on the unwary. A quick prayer to the Crone for Her wisdom and foresight hoping this is the path that he needs to follow. And silently hoping it isn't the Stranger playing tricks on him.

"But to answer your query. Yes I have seen battle, all brutal and unforgiving to both the losing and winning side. War is Hell on the earth for sure. My place is in its fray."

Re: ToG

#141

Velaquo
As Velaquo saw the maester and the knights and sers leave the council chamber, he swiveled around, for finding chinks in knightly armor was only entertaining for so long. Also, having to find another maester to be your siege engineer might be bothersome.

"I am glad to see the lion has roared, but not taken your heads. Shall we?"

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#142

Korley sized up this Velaquo character and rather quickly decided that he did not like him and did not trust him. He did not let this cross his face though, one did not survive long in the presence of Lannister high blood by letting emotions fly wild like some hysteric woman. That was how bastards ended up on the Wall, or left to rot in some small shithole.

"We shall," Korley said, "The Lion has roared, and now it is time for us to go take some heads."

Re: ToG

#143

Korley, Velaquo, Belomas, Rufus, quills

The odd foursome, and Quills, exited the Red Keep, and proceeded to the gates of King’s Landing, where the troops were waiting to ride.

Bastard, Korley’s cremello courser, was frothy with anger as usual, giving the squire who was grooming him a hard time.

The four hundred, or the three hundred and eighty seven to be precise, were divided into four units. As Korley feared, the make-up of his impromptu army was less than ideal. About half the men were actual fighters who had recently battled Stannis Baratheon’s men on the Blackwater. These men were hardened. And tired looking, Korley noted. Then there were about one hundred “reserves”, either Gold Cloaks (city guardsmen) converted to soldiers, or simply men who longed for battle. The rest were greenboys and old timers, some maimed, a few recently un-retired, a few too young but able.

The horses themselves at least, Korley considered, seemed fresh and able mounts.

The officers were as follows:

Ser Leomun Lefford, a blonde-bearded youth, he had a talent for looking good atop his mount in his shining armor. He managed to seem both eager to please his new commander (Korley) and simultaneously sour with having to take orders from an “improper Lannister”.
Ser Philip of Rosby, another young man, whose only claim to fame was his relation to the Lord of Rosby, a man who recently had perished from a persistent cough. Ser Philip was a freshly made knight, and seemed the overly proud type. He also had a persistent cough. His hundred men had crossbows, besides the standard lance and sword.
Belton Jast, a converted Gold Cloak and seemingly sober and direct. He spoke calmly, listened intently, and his unit seemed the least disorganized of the four.
Jon Piper, “Rowdy” as his men called him, a barrel-chested bastard, with the voice of five men, and an air of pompousness about him.

Korley studied them and had the fleeting thought that Belomas, Velaquo, and Rufus might make better commanders.

Quills sidled up to Velaquo and whispered in his ear, "General, fresh troops to rebuild the Silks" and grinned widely, then, "Do we ride on this campaign? Or a boat to retrieve our gold? What is your wish?"

Rufus Gargalen was given a huge destrier, befitting the warrior's size and weight, though the horse had only one eye.

The gathered troops awaited Korley's word.

Re: ToG

#144

"Sir Korley, do you plan to lay siege or have a plan with a short timeline? If the former, we are going to need many wagons with teams for food and other supplies for doubtless the Mummers will have already ravaged the countryside. Food, axes, metal fitting for siege weaponry and the like are something we should get first, if we plan for their use.

Personally, I think subterfuge is the best avenue - it has brought down far more castles then the pounding of stones. I have some thoughts, though my familiarity with the area is not strong. From what I have heard of the mummers, strong drink and lots of it may provide us with some - possibilities."

Re: ToG

#145

Odrin, Rheyna, Kat

Two days after the attack at Greywater Watch...

Rodry steered the boat south, along the slow-moving brown stream, which eventually widened into a river. The ginger-haired youth was not a complicated man. He agreed to help the duo immediately; having no love lost for the Ironborn who had overrun his beloved swamp. It had been a narrow escape from the pursuing crossbowmen.

With Rheyna’s and Rodry’s help, Odrin had removed the steel shaft from his back, and the wound was healing nicely, though still painful. They had encountered no other Ironborn or Crannogmen as they made their way along the Neck.

Finally, two days after the onslaught at Greywater Watch, they emerged from the endless quagmire.

To be continued...

(ooc: Dossta, since I know you're away on weekends, when you return Monday, you'll be in a whole new chapter/dynamic :) )

Re: ToG

#146

Velaquo

"Quills, though it may pain you, the stash is secure - but these men, they long for a general, someone to lead them..."
It was fairly obvious who that general might be, in Velaquo's eyes.

The mounted crossbowmen were most to his liking, as Quills could observe.

Re: ToG

#147

"A one eyed horse. Who would have thought?" Patting its' flank, Rufus found humor in this beast and chuckled to no one in particular. "A beast it is, and a mean one at that. I wonder how many men he broke before they broke him? Countless I wager." Stopping mid thought he noticed what he thought to be a flaw in the men standing before them.

Turning to focus on the army displayed before them he stopped admiring his new companion. "Are we defending a castle now? I had thought we were besieging one?" Walking to stand near Ser Korley as he surveyed his command, Rufus pointed to the crossbowmen that stood in a half hazard array.

"What good are crossbows against an enemy prepared? Sure they pack a punch, but after the first wave of attackers taken by the crossbowmen, they are dead. Sure it takes little skill to wield the bulky contraptions but their range is horrible and it takes minutes to re-cock and arm one, and that's if the bowman is skilled. And I wager they are not by their unkempt dress and spindly arms."

Exasperated he continued.

"It takes three good galloped strides for heavy horse to close the distance and remove the threat of those idiots. I'd rather hit someone over the head with it than shoot it and risk being run down. This I have witnessed in full force, there is little a man with a crossbow can do against a mad frenzied horse in heavy armor and a man wielding a blade or spear. Kill them now and save the pay."

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#148

Korley saw that he needed to do some work, and while it wouldn't do to go mixing the four columns, he could change a few things at the top. The assignments were simple. Maester Belomas would split his time between riding with Korley and riding with Rosby. If the Maester could do something about the incessant coughing that would be good, a man with a cough was like a horse with a limp. Belomas might also temper Rosby's pride.

"You've a keen eye for something then, it seems," Korley said to Rufus. "They would have to work in ranks, and there aren't really enough of them for that. I think they would be keen for an ambush though, draw the Mummers down to them, concealed..." Korley said, letting Rufus fill in the rest of the idea. he had a slight change of heart and didn't quite feel like keeping Gargalen as his whipping boy. Ser Lefford was a bastard hating type, and he wanted legitimate leadership and Ser Gargalen fit the bill. He figured the two would keep each other occupied, and well if one or the other really angered him, well, he had official permission to decapitate any of them. Korley though to himself that as much as he might like it to be Gargalen who lost his head, he would bet on Lefford first.

Rowdy Piper seemed a natural match for Velaquo and his pet Quills. They spoke conspiratorially to each other and he trusted Velaquo's pet less than he trusted the 'general' himself. Piper seemed a good enough soldier, and he was rather interested to see how he fared in combat. When time and chance permitted it he would speak to Piper about keeping the two occupied so that they didn't have time to put their heads together too often.

Korley decided that Belton Jast would do for his personal column, not because they were the best, but because they had the most discipline out of the motley group he had. There was some time before they found the mummers and put them to the sword, and he liked to lead by example. With some luck, the 400 would be a decent fighting force by the time they were called to fight.

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#149

Looking to Ser Korley, Rufus grinned his rakish grin.

"Whose ambush Ser? Theirs? Or mine?" Still not sure of this new "Lannisters'" intent, he figured he would charm him into liking him. Or simply annoy him into taking another swing at him, in which case either would be fun.

Rufus was glad the groups were being put in the charge of others, it meant they would not be around each other all the time. And he wasn't sure of his new companions yet. Hell! He didn't particularly like Ser Korley, he was still a bastard after all, but he began to respect him. Stood his ground against him and didn't apologize for his actions. Like him or not, a man not sorry for trying to gut you was one to hand at your side when the fray was thickest.

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#150

"Our ambush, Ser Rufus, our ambush. We will be hunting the scum of Westeros, and I plan on butchering them."

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#151

Spitting a glob of what he hoped was not thickened blood he pointed toward the force splayed before them.

"If I am to take this rabble and run and hide and bleed these bastards dry, I need as many swords as crossbowmen. No sense in having an ambush when my ambush can not defend themselves."

Using his thick hands to display his meaning. "The bowman here, concealed and hopefully downwind so as not to alert those Bloody Mummers of the shite they drop in their pants. A stage of foot soldiers between me here to act as a sally wall to break any charge meant for the hapless bowmen so they can retreat, regroup, and rearm. Rinse and repeat." Slapping his hands together to emphasize his point.

"And hopefully we will run out of bodies to pepper before they run out of bolts or nerve. Anyone caught running in the wrong direction will simply be cut down by me. Be they common rabble, or pompose knights."

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#152

We've four flights of soldiers, and you have a clearer mind when you're not drunk, I like that.

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#153

"Ha, I'd not disparage the common crossbow were I you!" Velaquo laughed. "Maester Belomas, surely you have seen the plans for the repeater used in the free cities? Once we dispose of those Mummers, consider re-arming."

Alas, the nobles assigned him Piper - a rowdy bastard, but then, Velaquo was used to those, had gutted a few too rowdy ones, and led those who could spare their rowdiness for legitimate foes at most times. They shook hands - and, as expected, 'Rowdy' tried to crush his hand. For certain, strength was one factor - the other was to know where to squeeze. Slightly prior to making him wince, Velaquo let go without embarrassing the man, slapped his shoulder, and turned to the men, examining their armaments, and asking Piper: "I see what they have - but what arms can they use?"

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#154

"My mind was perfectly clear when I was drinking. You just failed to see the intellect behind it." Smiling, he clapped Korley on the shoulder to go and inspect his beast again. Leaving the others to decide how they were planning on getting this rabble of a force to the Murmmers without being detected, or having to kill any of them for being deserters.

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#155

"Don't make me stab you in the back again, Gargalen." Korley said.

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#156

"A wound of endearment Ser!" Smiling as he brushed his horses flank. "But alas I am married to my sword and mace young Korley. Your advances must be declined."

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#157

"Don't make me stab you in the back again, Gargalen." Korley said.

Don't make me stab you in the back...AGAIN!!!! (Gargalen)

lmao

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#158

Ah the endearment in his voice.