Highton

[Lord Howland Royce]

Wat the White, Wat the Brown and Wat Lumberjack each rides with three of their friends to the Rills, Barrowton and Torrhen's square.

[barker520]

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Jack arrives in Highton with son, immediately searching for Wat. He was pleased to see more rows of new houses, a new building for the tavern, and a new stable. His architecture advances had spread throughout the Stoney Shores, it would seem. There were also many, many more people in the city than the last time he had been there. Since the news of the rebellion had spread, peasants from all over the north had flocked to the villages of the Stoney Shore, especially Highton.

[Lord Howland Royce]

Wat breaks into a grin when he sees Jack. "Good to see you friend. How is Slateville?"

[barker520]

Jack was glad to see his friend, too. They had drank together, grieved together, fought together, and very nearly could have died together. "Aye, its comin' along alright, I suppose." He smiled, and added. "Dan seems to take a likin' to it. He calls it Slutville, he's been havin' so much luck."

[Lord Howland Royce]

"Hah, that same lad who couldn't get enough of that Goldgrass Lady is it? And what about you, any women cathching your fancy?"

[barker520]

Jack shifted uncomfortably. The truth was, one had. The lady from this village, in Highton, that worked in the tavern. Ever since he had left Wat and the village behind a few months ago, his mind could not rid himself of the pretty face and curvy body of the woman. She looks like Lisa, Jack recalled. Of course, he didn't want to blurt all that out to Wat. Instead, he said, "I hear you got a little Wat on the way, friend." He clapped him on the arm. "Congratulations."

[Lord Howland Royce]

Wat notices the emotions displayed on Jack's face but chose not to speak of it. "Aye, never thought I would have another one, the previous ending up like she did," Wat said softly.

[barker520]

The silence washed over them for a brief spell. They had both had innumerable tragedies happen to them throughout their lives, and sometimes it was best not to speak of them. Jack nodded, understanding, and said, "What is it you wanted to speak to me of, Wat?"

[Lord Howland Royce]

"What do you know of the recent revolts?"

[barker520]

Jack thought for a moment. "Well, I been havin' villagers comin' in fast as can be, says they're from all over the north. A lot of them been sayin' theres revolts down in the Rills, and that they worked, too. I don't know much 'bout the details of it all."

[Lord Howland Royce]

Wat nods. "I don't know much either, so I've sent White, Brown and Lumberjack to be my eyes and ears. The question is what do we do about it?"

[barker520]

"What do we do about it?" Jack relaxed in his chair, his eyes closed. He pictured the scene in his mind, the burning castles, the arrogant men and women screaming for mercy as he slid his sword into every one of them. Jack rose, knowing he would have to hammer down his point. "We join them! By the seven, we join them! We take the Rills, Barrowton, and Tallhart. Thats where the revolts been happenin'. We come under one banner, all the Highfolk of the North. It will spread like wildfire, can't you see, Wat? We're too numerous, they can't stop us. And you can lead. And I can fight. Thats what us two were made for. What'd you say, friend?" Jack finished, his eyes pleading with Wat to join him. Jack's thirst for revenge had not been quenched when they took a few measely keeps in the Stoney Shore. No, he wanted to punish any lord he could find. They raped my wife. They killed my wife. They killed my son.

[Lord Howland Royce]

"And when the northern lords gather their armies of tens of thousands, and the southern join them. What then? Do you thinkt they will let us bloody go to the Wall. What promise is there that the people revolting had the need to do it like us. They may be controlled by a power hungry lord's bastard for all we know. Do we even have any number for how many we could raise against the other armies? You know they way of battle more than I do, but there are other things at hand that we need to consider. Our goal should be for the good of the highfolk of Stoney Shore. I just don't now friend, parts of me yearn to go and raise the peasants up while another is content on guiding Stoney Shore the right way." Wat said wearily

[barker520]

Jack waved a hand, dismissing his leader's worries. "Wat, twenty years from now, will you be glad you passed up this opportunity? When the folk from the north are being starved and their women raped and killed, and their goods stolen, just like what was happenin to you and me, will you be happy you didn't sieze this opportunity? They're people just like you and me, Wat. Just like you and me." He turned, his face firm, resolute, pointing back towards the village. "Just like Dan the fisherman. Just like Martha One-Tooth, just like Jory Barner, the kid without a nose. Are these the only people who deserve independence? Or does every other Highfolk deserve it too? I think you know the answer, Wat, you're just afraid. Don't be afraid, friend, they can't hurt you anymore than they have. They can take your land, your clothing, your home, your wife, your children, your life. But don't let them ever take your soul," he said, tapping his chest. "The Seven judge us justly. We will succeed in this war, it is past time for it."

[Lord Howland Royce]

Wat seemed to liven up a bit. "I assure you that I have thought the same over and over again. The decision will have to wait untill I hear the true story about what happened in the other places. I think you should give more combat instructions to the people, we might need it".