The Command Tent

[The Smith]

Lord Hand Aenys, and Lord Barriston Dawnrose study a map of the Battle field. They have summoned the other commanders to come plan.

[Sam]

Lord Baratheon is the first to arrive by a long margin, indeed it seems that he spends more time in the Command tent than in his own. This winter war has aged the man, and his hair is noticeably grayer than it was even a few years past. Still, he is armored in simple and unadorned steel plate, with his longsword hanging at his hip. His guardsmen grumble to each other as he indicates that they are to remain outside, and they move off to the side of the path, to where some of the Hand's guards are warming themselves around a brazier.

"My Lord Hand, Dawnrose," he says, by way of greeting, each man receiving a small incline of his head.

[Marie]

Gwayne, now Lord Hightower and possessed of all the titles and honours that went with the rank, came to join the commanders. The years had seen him fill out and grow more muscular. He came in boiled leather and mail with a sword at his side, having left his plate with his squire. He waited politely to be acknowledged.

[Ollie]

Ser Damian arrives shortly after summoned, adorned in his well worn bronze plate mail. What had once been a pristine set of armor was now heavily dented and scuffed, a few flecks of crusted blood worn into the engraved runes and etchings.

"My lords," the Vale commander acknowledges those present with a nod. Stepping over to the array of battle maps strewn across a large table, Ser Damian peers at the plans and troop positions while awaiting for all to gather.

[Flex]

Lord Aurane arrived, wearing elegant yet imposing armour, a red cloak on his back, arrived as well. With him was an aid, with ink, parchment and a quill.

[Sam]

Sept 16, 2013 18:30:03 GMT -5 Ollie said:

Ser Damian arrives shortly after summoned, adorned in his well worn bronze plate mail. What had once been a pristine set of armor was now heavily dented and scuffed, a few flecks of crusted blood worn into the engraved runes and etchings.

"My lords," the Vale commander acknowledges those present with a nod. Stepping over to the array of battle maps strewn across a large table, Ser Damian peers at the plans and troop positions while awaiting for all to gather.

Lord Baratheon held in his fist a small slip of parchment that had been delivered to him only a few hours before. He moves to Ser Damian's side, to speak to his nephew in a soft voice. "Have you heard this news from the capital," he asked, passing the young knight the paper. It took Ser Damian a few seconds to understand the shorthand, but it indicated that the young Crown Prince had been exiled and disinherited for maiming his own father, and the King now lay on his deathbed.

"Dark wings, dark words," Lord Sammael muttered, half to himself. "The troops will take this news poorly when it breaks, but the lesser Lords even more so. Many will wish to return home, to safeguard their own lands in the face of succession crisis."

[Lord Harold Tully]

Lord Harold shows up his hair rarely showing the one strong red and now more grey, however he wears the armor of house tully and a longsword by his hip, he nods to the other commanders who are present.

[Princess Lyssandra Martell]

Princess Lyssandra arrives quietly garbed in well worn clothing. Her hair is tied back in a long tail. She stands in whatever empty spot is available and apart from anyone else if possible.

[The Smith]

Aenys stood up and looked at Baratheon, "What do you think of this nut?" He pointed down at the map of Sandskull Keep, and its surroundings."

[The Stranger]

Jaqen, Captain of the Light Stampede Company entered through the rear, and stayed quiet near the back. The Lorathi wore a light chain mail shirt, over a black and white padded doublet. A small sword hung at his hip. He smiled in an amusement that did not seem justified, and brushed a bang of black and white dyed hair out of his icy blue eyes.

[Sam]

Sept 16, 2013 20:33:35 GMT -5 The Smith said:

Aenys stood up and looked at Baratheon, "What do you think of this nut?" He pointed down at the map of Sandskull Keep, and its surroundings."

"Have the scouts brought anything back? My men said that palisade of theirs runs south from the walls, all that's north of 'em is these hills. I sent some men to swing 'round north, to look at the walls on that side, but they won't return for a day yet. We'll want to attack before long, that palisade gets taller by the day."

[The Smith]

"And I have word from our naval forces that there is a force of Volatnis ships and Tyrosh men trying to evade or defeat our ships, with another large group of men." Barriston replied, "And We do not know how many are in the keep, but looks like at least five thousand behind those palisades."

[Sam]

"Can't be more than seven thousand on the island, after what we killed on Eastswill," Baratheon said, referring to the island directly to the west, that they had taken only a few weeks prior. "They can't be well supplied either, my brother said he sank three ships a fortnight ago, the prisoners said they were bound here. Still, we took a beating last battle, and we let them land any more men it will take us six months to starve them out of that damn fortress."

[The Smith]

Dawnrose chewed at his lip, "I feel forced.... I hate being forced." This war had made the reputation of Dawnrose. He was a careful steady planner, who only took risks when he had to. And because of that he had not yet been defeated once in the campaign. "If you were defending that keep? Would align your forces like that?"

[Sam]

Lord Baratheon had no love for the Reachman, but he could not deny the man's skill, and his words were certainly to be considered. "No," he said slowly. "Rather, only for a short time. A holding measure, to draw in the attacker while a concealed force struck at his flanks or rear. They must be rather sure in their expectation of reinforcement, but could they really be expecting so many men as to make that a viable strategy? They know each of our men is worth two of theirs, they'd need to land three thousand men behind us for that plan to have a chance. Can they have so many inbound on this new fleet?"