The North attacks the faith

[Lord Oswyn Baratheon]

"Could we not just call him now to report before the Small Council? Oswyn recommended. "So that we may lay this matter to rest."

[Horas]

"If the Small Council has specific questions for Lord Manderly, I have no objections," Bayard says with a small shrug, "But if he is to swear fealty to my house and myself personally, I will still need to speak with him individually. I propose we adjourn for the time being."

[Lord Oswyn Baratheon]

"I have no objections, as long as we are kept abreast of any new developments." Oswyn relented. "I must know if the fleet must be outfitted for war. If Lord Manderly does swear White Harbour to the Vale, I cannot imagine Lord Stark will take it lying down."

[Horas]

///////////////////////////

Lord Bayard reopens the issue of the North a few days later. Once all the lords of the Small Council are in attendance, Bayard begins.

"My lords. I have spoken with Lord Manderly, and he has agreed to swear fealty to me. All that is required is a formal writ from the crown severing his existing oath of fealty to Lord Stark. As it seems that it will now be war, I suggest that we proceed forward towards planning the attack."

[The Smith]

Lord Aenys nodded, "I will do it. I will have a scribe write up, and seal it myself.'

[Horas]

"I am glad to hear it, my lord. As to the invasion; the bulk of the forces being landed at White Harbor makes sense to me. I assume that the Royal Fleet is ready for such purposes?" Bayard asks, mostly to Oswyn. "The Arbor fleet would be a welcome addition as well. Perhaps Lord Hightower might be contacted."

[Lord Oswyn Baratheon]

"We are not yet at full strength, but with no enemy navy to contend with that should hardly be an issue." Oswyn replied.

[Horas]

"We will require ships for transport, not fighting," Bayard replies. "And though I am not the most experienced in battle tactics, certainly a ground front would be useful as well? Even if Moat Cailin is never assaulted, it will require the North to divert troops to guard against the possibility."

[Lord Oswyn Baratheon]

"Let Lord Tully guard the Neck." Oswyn advised. "Stark would be mad to march a force south with the threat of White Hoarbor so near his keep."

[Horas]

"True," Bayard says. "I should mention that there is a possibility that Lord Bolton may aid us as well, according to Lord Manderly. Though his support is not something to be relied upon -- I rather expect him to hold back until it benefits him personally."

[Lord Oswyn Baratheon]

"Less enemy troops for us to contend with either way." Oswyn said, pleased by the new development. "Without the levies of his two most powerful bannermen, what hope does Stark have?"

[Horas]

"I prefer not to count the chickens before they are hatched," Bayard replies, "But it bodes well for us. Though I still believe a swift victory depends upon landing the greatest number of troops possible at White Harbor; that is why I believe we should bring Lord Hightower and his Arbor fleet in on this plan."

[The Stranger]

There is a slight creaking at the door, and Lord Saxon Cave peeks his head in, "Forgive the intrusion milords, but I had a devil of a time finding the place..." He smiles slightly at his own jape. Without further word he sits down next to Oswyn.

[Marie]

Lord Hightower enters shortly after Lord Cave. He glances around, inwardly nervous, but quickly takes a seat. "My lords."

[Horas]

"We were just speaking of you, Lord Hightower," Bayard says. He ignores Saxon for the moment; after all, regardless of Cave's physical presence he had been there all along. "Or more specifically, your fleet. The more ships we can load with troops, the greater our numerical superiority will be upon landing. A decisive battle is much preferable to a protracted war, don't you believe?"