Riverrun Castle

[The Stranger]

"Of course. Who is your message for?" The man asked, as he lead the small party inside.

[Quenton Baratheon]

The party followed gladly.

"Ah, well that is need-to-know information only I'm afraid Ser Jyckson. I'm terribly sorry. It's a poor inditement of our own side that we must still keep secrets from one another and it really does make me sick. However, that's the way it is, and being a man of honour, I simply cannot divulge that information." He gives the bastard a very apologetic look.

"Needless to say ser," he says in a quieter, conspiratory tone, "It is important."

Ser Walter gave sidelong glances of admiration at his new master.

[The Stranger]

"I'll send some men with you, to insure you make it to your destination." The knight says helpfully.

"I apologize that these are lowly quarters," He says, as he shows them to a series of servant quarters. "But we are full to the gills and overflowing with men. I shall have the cook bring some of what we had for dinner, if it please you."

[Quenton Baratheon]

Steffen inwardly cursed at the man's interference, but maintained a smile. Escaping those men was a problem for later.

"I thank you ser, for allowing me these men, but would they not be better served going to fight in the war? I already have three fighting men alongside me, they should prove enough. If anything, money would be of more use in my attempt to deliver this message, although of course I cannot ask you for that." He smiled. "I just hope that we shall be able to obtain passage by boat for a reasonable price."

Steffen sneered with disbelief at the quarters that were shown them, however he smiled when the man looked at him. "Oh ser, these will do splendidly. Of course we understand your situation. These are more than we could have expected. And food too, why thank you."

[The Stranger]

If the man noticed the sarcasm, he didn't say anything.

"Rest well Ser Steffen. We'll rouse you early so that you might continue your journey."

[Quenton Baratheon]

Ser Steffen's party were indeed roused early, much to the restrained chagrin of Ser Steffen himself. As they broke their fast, they were brought up to speed with latest developments within the realm, or which the Ironborn's taking of Seagard was causing the most ruffled feathers. Steffen however, found the events in King's Landing and on Dragonstone far more interesting. His daughter Alessa was married to Lord Velaryon, so was in the thick of it all.

Meeting Ser Jyckson, Steffen went over to speak with him.

"Good morning ser, I do hope you slept well amidst all these terrible things we are hearing. I'd like to ask a couple of final favours from you this morning," he said, smiling apologetically. "Firstly, I wonder whether Riverrun might be able to lend myself and my companions a small boat to take us eastbound down the Red Fork of the Trident," without giving the man time to reply he outlined his second request, "And secondly, would it be possible for me to send a letter?"

[The Stranger]

"We can give you a small boat ser, if that's your wish, although no hands to put at her oars I'm afraid. and yes, if you have a letter, I shall send it to the Maester directly."

[Quenton Baratheon]

Steffen does not seem to put out by the lack of oarsmen. "Oh, no worry ser, I'm sure Walter, Bosmyn and Henree will do a fine job at the oars. I have not written this letter yet, however now I shall. I thank you ser."

With that, he goes off to write, then send his letter.

[Quenton Baratheon]

A while later, following the composure of the letter, Steffen takes it to the maester in order for it to be sent. He informs the maester that it is to be sent to Dragonstone, however the contents cannot be read by anyone else. In fact, he watches as the letter is tied to the raven, in order to make sure that the maester does not take a peek.

After that, the party thank their hosts, and take a small boat out on to the Red Fork, travelling eastwards.

[Erik]

Erik rides up to the castle with his men and demands loudly at the gate, "Who the fuck is in charge here, I have killing to do!"

[The Stranger]

"King Dagon rules here! Announce yourself!" cries a iron-clad man atop the gate house.

[Erik]

"Erik Coldiron, Lord of Bear Island, Master of Ships in exile, who happens to be ready to kill some men thanks to recent news. Open the fucking gate, and let me speak to your betters."

[The Stranger]

The men hurriedly allow Coldiron into the keep, and from there into the Great Hall, where Dagon Harlaw, King of the Islands and Trident, sits, wearing the ancient Iron crown.

"Lord Coldiron. Welcome." The man, younger than the Lord of Bear Island, said. "Excellent work with disabling that boy King's fleet. I'm quite pleased."

[Erik]

"Dagon." Erik says with a bow, "You've grown since last I saw you. Into a king, even. You wear the crown well."

He shrugs and responds, "The fleet was no trouble. I must have killed a score of men at Oldtown, though. The axe splits skulls just as well as kegs, it turns out." He reaches down to give the axe an affectionate pat. "So. Care to explain why our new allies feel the need to leave our asses open and march on King's Landing rather than stay and consolidate here in the Riverlands? And, by the God, leave our fleet beached and undefended?"

[The Stranger]

"They figure, and I think, rightly, that once the King is dead, and their puppet on the throne, the other Kingdoms will collapse into self interest. What should the Lord of the Mander care who is on the Iron throne? I'm inclined to agree myself. We're stretched from Riverrun to Harrenhal, that's true, but we'll have time to consolidate when the rest of them are throne into disorder."