Highton

[barker520]

"Of course, of course," Jack said, smiling, taking Wat's latest response as a success. "I have been training every able man, woman, and child of Slateville in the art of swordsmanship for nearly a year now, but I would welcome the opportunity to train the villagers from elsewhere."

[Lord Howland Royce]

Wat nod "You can start here then, it will be usefull for the future even if we don't need it for tomorow."

[barker520]

Jack rose, eager to be about the business. He turned to his Lord Steward and close friend. "Wat," he said, softly as Jack could talk, which was still pretty gruff, "don't pass up something only to regret it. Let us be on the attacking side for once, instead of always running away for our lives. Let us bring our fury down on them." With that, he turned to leave.

[Lord Howland Royce]

Wat sigh and go back to read a book. Brows furrowed with concentration, thinking about all the decisions.

[Lord Howland Royce]

After some thinking Wat cursed, "I'll be damned if I doom us all by not going there myself".

He went out of his solar in search of Jack.

[barker520]

Jack saw his friend striding towards him and smiled. "I thought so," he said.

[Lord Howland Royce]

"We are not raising an army yet. I am going to Barrowton to see for myself, I would bring your son with me while you stay in charge of Stoney Shore, prepare the army friend, and prepare them well."

[barker520]

"Very well." He turns and calls into a nearby home, and a young man, no more than sixteen or seventeen, appears with a sword at his hip.
"Yes, father?" the boy asks.

Jack explains to him his mission and hands him over to Wat.

[Lord Howland Royce]

Wat clasps hand with Jack. "Good luck, friend. I fear we'll both need it in the end," he said before he road out with his friend's son.

[barker520]

Jack watched his two closest friends ride east. Come back to me, son, Jack whispered.

[barker520]

\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

Wooden spikes were set up around the keep of Highton, and Jack sent the orders to Goldgrass, Slateville, and Overton for the same to be done.

[barker520]

\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

Jack stands among the stone battlements of Highton's keep, gazing eastward. He had been expecting to see envoys from Winterfell and the Dreadfort for some time now, but none had shown. "Taught me one more time not to trust a lord, Jack," he mumbled to himself. Shaking his head, he retrieved his sword and headed to the training yard. He may be needing his skills to be sharp. Soon.

[Percy Rivers]

Soon riders are seen in the distance. As they near Ser Preston is seen riding near the front.

[Percy Rivers]

They approach the gate. "Last time I came here we met as peacful envoys, but now I hear the Stoney Shore is in open rebellion as well." The knight asks, no hint of the kindess that he came here before with.

[barker520]

Jack had been waiting by himself but at the man's rude words he calls forth the rest of his men, vastly outnumbering the envoys. "Last time you came as a peaceful envoy? What does that mean you come as this time? A hostile force?" He looks around at his men, all armed with bows and swords. "Better make your mind up quick. But this time keep to the same decision. It seems you lords like to raise up someone only to call for their heads a month later," he spats.