Pyke

[lordbalorgreyjoy]

Balor face tightened with pain at the recounting of events, but shook his head at the last. "No, Gedrick. I am no so stupid as to punish good men for nothing. If the Drowned God wanted him, then nothing could have prevented this". He sighed and sat down in his chair, looking for the first time Gedrick had known him, at a loss. He waved Gedrick away wearily and, as he closed the door, he heard Balor whisper to himself, "But why now, and like this?"

[Lilith Royce]

The news of Sabastian's death travelled through the island. Bella went up to Balor's chambers to offer him what comfort she could. It wasn't much but she brought a bottle of the finest whiskey she'd captured during her last expedition.

"Sometimes the Drowned God's ways are strange to me," she said as she plunked the bottle on Balor's work table.

[lordbalorgreyjoy]

Balor looked at the bottle and back to Bella "I appreciate the gesture, Bella. I will grieve for Sabastian in my own way but we are under threat of invasion and..." he closed his eyes briefly before Bella could see the pain and tears forming "And...I have other heirs to my name besides Sabastian."

[Lilith Royce]

Bella and Balor drank in silence for a while. She finally said, "Salt water and battle do not shame the Drowned God. Let me know where you need me services."

[lordbalorgreyjoy]

Balor blew out his cheeks and rubbed his eyes with the palms of his hands. He had not slept well since the loss of his son and had not visited his wife or daughter in a long time as well. He could not bear to look at the red, tear-stained face of his grieving wife anytime soon.

Halon smiled and said "It was a good plan and a great victory, milord. And another important hostage, yet you do not seem pleased?" Balor leaned back in his chair. "Yes, another victory. I feel like the kraken encircled by sharks. I will kill many of them, but my blood will stain the water too eventually. I have to change the outcome somehow. We sink one hundred of their vessels and there is still over one hundred more. My men fight bravely but they will be worn down and overcome in time". His face twisted. "I have to get through to this Callen somehow. Either his man was incompetant or I was used by him and discarded once the riverlords were forced back into the fold". He paused for a moment and considered "If that was the plan all along, then maybe I have underestimated him..." he shook his head. "Either way, my letters are ignored or mis-read, whilst the Blackwoods pour poison in his ears. I need someone to talk to him face-to-face". His eyes looked across to Halon sadly. "Only you, my friend, can I trust to do this for me but I will not lie, the risk is great. You could be seized and killed or captured and thrown in the darkest dungeon to rot, far from the sea".
Halon looked troubled at these words and stood, walking across to the window and looked out across the sea "Balor, you are like a younger brother to me and I would do anything if I thought it would help you or our people. I know the risks and I take them gladly. Give me a week to settle some affairs here and say goodbye to my family and I will go". As he turned, Balor could see the suppressed fear in his eyes and rose and gave him a large embrace "Know that you are the best friend I have ever had and better brother than any of my natural ones" his lips quirked in that odd smile as some humour returned "Of course, that's not saying much as one died and the other I had to kill". Halon burst out laughing and aimed a mock punch at Balor.

Once he left his chambers, Balor returned to looking moodly out the window, as the storm clouds gathered.

[Lilith Royce]

Bella Blacktide watched as her brother headed out early the next morning. The straight forward assumptions of her world were being shaken and she didn't have a sense of where life was going anymore.

She went back to her cottage to fuck the Silent Man.

[Percy Rivers]

Halon was sent back bearing two messages. One was the proclamation sent out by Callen, but there was also another.

Balor Greyjoy,

I ask that you surrender and show yourself at the council. I give my word that no harm shall be done to you. Although your crimes in the Riverlands were many, you did them in my name, and without knowledge of my laws.

Along with your surrender you are to release Mallister. Upon his return you are to pay tribute amounting to five hundred dragons every three months for five years, to both the Arbor and the Riverlands for your actions against them. Your sons shall be taken as wards, not far into the greenlands, but in the service of lords along the sea. Do this and you will receive trading and logging rights along Cape Kraken.

[swammeyjoe]

A Raven arrives from Lord Lannister

Lord Balor Geyjoy,

I send this raven to you as i travel to the King, and i tell you this, it would be in your best interests to surrender to his Grace and accept whatever terms he has given you. I have already bent the knee and you are the only one who remains openly opposed to him. You shall be protected if you go to Storms End, Callen would not attack a Lord with so many others around.

Also, if you accept Callens terms, i tell you now, we should forge an alliance between our house so that they both may end up stronger than before.

Lord Randal Lannister
Lord of House Lannister
'Hear us Roar'

[lordbalorgreyjoy]

As the armada of Redwyne ships pass by Pyke, the ironborn fleet is assembled and shadow them warily. A large ship, captained by Lord Botley nears the Reach fleet bearing a flag of parlay, seeking to meet with the leaders of the expedition to discuss matters.

[michael]

Looking up at the Gates Harral yells "Open these gates now you whoresons before i cut both your faces off!"

[lordbalorgreyjoy]

The guards looked surprised, as the gares are already open.
Seeing who shouted they laughingly call down asking whether Harral is drunk again.

[michael]

OOC: argh you bastard
"One more snicker out of the either of you and i'll paint my ship with you blood." pulling out one of his axes and pointing with it at one of the guards. "now tell me where my brother is or someone who isn't a complete idiot."

[Lilith Royce]

Bella and Amdle came to see Balor. They wondered what provisions Balor needed for the upcoming months and were working to supply them through their trading company. Bella had laughed at the suggestion that Balor would ever go along with the idea of trading but Amdle persisted that the Iron Isles were rocks and even here some goods would be welcome.

Bella went along to see Balor's response and to raise her ask in defence of her mad husband if necessary.

[sabastiangreyjoy]

Sabastian felt the eyes upon as him as he made his way towards the keep. He noticed some of the women whispering among them, and a few children pointing at him, but most of his concentration was on putting the other foot before the other, every step closer to the keep felt heavier than the one before. He knew that this was what was expected of him, but he wanted nothing to do with the power of ruling.

He would rather return to the Free Cities and continue to serve Elane.

It's not serve her you want, its taking her to your bed a voice that sounded like his own said in his head

He stopped before the gate and waited a moment, before stepping through into the Keep.

[lordbalorgreyjoy]

As he entered the main hall he saw that it was Lord Dickon Harlaw sitting upon the Seastone chair, not Balor Greyjoy. Lord Harlaw looked up as Sabastian entered. He blinked and gave a slight shake of his head.
"Sabastian?" he said incredulously. After a moment "It is you, isn't it?" he said unbelievingly.
"Thank the Drowned God! We had feared you lost! How on earth did you manage to survive??" he got up and gave the startled boy a large hug. "Your Lord father will scarcely believe his good fortune! And your dear mother has been distraught and Meera inconsolable, especially after Urri..." he waved his hand as if clearing a bad smell "Well that's nothing to concern you for now. Sit, eat! Tell me where you've been m'boy!"