Post by The Stranger on Apr 10, 2008 21:33:47 GMT -5
The ship sailed into the harbor, unopposed. Robb had fought at sea before, but he had never captained his own ship. The feeling of being the top man on board was refreshing. The salty sea sprayed him in the face, but he did nothing to avoid it, despite the light stinging in his eyes. Robb gazed to his left where his brother's ship sailed beside him. Robb saluted Bret from afar and laughed. This is what I was born for. War.
All around him ships were unloading men. Thousands upon thousands were landing on the beach. Robb gave the orders and he and his crew climbed onto the sandy shore. He ordered his men into a shield wall but it proved needless, as the craven Dornish had abandoned their capital city and retreated into their castle. Snakes always run, Robb thought. Or sliver, rather, he mused. He ordered his men to attack and breach the city walls at all speed. "The Red Huntsman will be the first banner into the castle, or all of you lot are heading to the Wall to die in the snow!" They laughed and picked up their pace. Bret's men had hooked up with Robb, and they joined the swarm of men pouring into the city. Men and women were running through the streets frantically and it became a bloodbath. Irwyn kept the army in check for the most part though, outlawing rape and plunder. The host surrounded the castle and threw up the ladders, overwhelming the attackers despite the arrows and oil.
"I'm first for the rape if anyone finds the Bitch Princess!" Robb yelled through the slaughter. "I'm second!" Bret called, sending all near into a torrent of laughter despite the moaning of dying men all around. Robb swung his sword with joy. Two lone defenders came upon Robb simultaneously. He rose his shield and blocked both blows, before swinging his own blade down onto the man on the right, taking off his arm at the elbow. The second man retreated a step, raising his own circular shield in defense. Just then Bret came from the side and inserted his spear into the man's ribs, and wrenching it free before stabbing it into his face. "Thank you, Ser," Robb said politely. They laughed and looked for more sheep to slaughter.
Both of them killed their own share of men, disappointed that the Princess had left so few to defend the pride of Dorne. When the castle was deemed clear, the commanders and their men went to the Great Hall for the victory feast. The leaders of the armies were at the front, Lord Irwyn, Lord Harlaw, Lord Lydden, and Lord Tyrell. Ser Gilbert Flowers, Irwyn's most trusted man, and Ser Mychel Hill, the second in the command from the west, were right behind. Robb was striding up to join them when suddenly Lord Lydden fell to his knees, clutching his throat. Ser Gilbert was doing the same, as was Lord Tyrell. He felt relieved when he heard Lord Irwyn and tell the Drunken Bastard to quit his japes. Gilbert only gagged in response and suddenly someone called for the maester. Lydden's brother grabbed his head and was screaming for help, and the hall broke into commotion.
Eleven hours later, Robb and Bret sat in their quarters in Lemonwood, their armor and clothing stained with blood. They were both exhausted and quickly fell asleep. Robb dreamed terrible dreams that night, of the burning buildings, of the women and men he helped butcher after the poisoning. He remembered the terrible screams and shouts for mercy that fell upon thousands of angry deaf ears.
The next day Robb was informed he would lead the van on the attack on Godsgrace. His friend Ser Oliver Bulwer had voiced his displeasure and his wish to return home, but Robb had no such thoughts. War may give him nightmares, but when he awoke in the morning he was ready to slay as many Dornish as could. I will avenge Ser Gilbert. I will avenge Lord Lydden. I will avenge brave Aegon. I will kill. That is all I know and love now.
Robb rode towards Godsgrace, knowing he was a true man for the first time in his life.
Robb improves sword from master to master (improved).
Ser Bret Tarly improves spear from noteworthy to expert.
Ser Bret Tarly improves leadership from apprentice to noteworthy.
All around him ships were unloading men. Thousands upon thousands were landing on the beach. Robb gave the orders and he and his crew climbed onto the sandy shore. He ordered his men into a shield wall but it proved needless, as the craven Dornish had abandoned their capital city and retreated into their castle. Snakes always run, Robb thought. Or sliver, rather, he mused. He ordered his men to attack and breach the city walls at all speed. "The Red Huntsman will be the first banner into the castle, or all of you lot are heading to the Wall to die in the snow!" They laughed and picked up their pace. Bret's men had hooked up with Robb, and they joined the swarm of men pouring into the city. Men and women were running through the streets frantically and it became a bloodbath. Irwyn kept the army in check for the most part though, outlawing rape and plunder. The host surrounded the castle and threw up the ladders, overwhelming the attackers despite the arrows and oil.
"I'm first for the rape if anyone finds the Bitch Princess!" Robb yelled through the slaughter. "I'm second!" Bret called, sending all near into a torrent of laughter despite the moaning of dying men all around. Robb swung his sword with joy. Two lone defenders came upon Robb simultaneously. He rose his shield and blocked both blows, before swinging his own blade down onto the man on the right, taking off his arm at the elbow. The second man retreated a step, raising his own circular shield in defense. Just then Bret came from the side and inserted his spear into the man's ribs, and wrenching it free before stabbing it into his face. "Thank you, Ser," Robb said politely. They laughed and looked for more sheep to slaughter.
Both of them killed their own share of men, disappointed that the Princess had left so few to defend the pride of Dorne. When the castle was deemed clear, the commanders and their men went to the Great Hall for the victory feast. The leaders of the armies were at the front, Lord Irwyn, Lord Harlaw, Lord Lydden, and Lord Tyrell. Ser Gilbert Flowers, Irwyn's most trusted man, and Ser Mychel Hill, the second in the command from the west, were right behind. Robb was striding up to join them when suddenly Lord Lydden fell to his knees, clutching his throat. Ser Gilbert was doing the same, as was Lord Tyrell. He felt relieved when he heard Lord Irwyn and tell the Drunken Bastard to quit his japes. Gilbert only gagged in response and suddenly someone called for the maester. Lydden's brother grabbed his head and was screaming for help, and the hall broke into commotion.
Eleven hours later, Robb and Bret sat in their quarters in Lemonwood, their armor and clothing stained with blood. They were both exhausted and quickly fell asleep. Robb dreamed terrible dreams that night, of the burning buildings, of the women and men he helped butcher after the poisoning. He remembered the terrible screams and shouts for mercy that fell upon thousands of angry deaf ears.
The next day Robb was informed he would lead the van on the attack on Godsgrace. His friend Ser Oliver Bulwer had voiced his displeasure and his wish to return home, but Robb had no such thoughts. War may give him nightmares, but when he awoke in the morning he was ready to slay as many Dornish as could. I will avenge Ser Gilbert. I will avenge Lord Lydden. I will avenge brave Aegon. I will kill. That is all I know and love now.
Robb rode towards Godsgrace, knowing he was a true man for the first time in his life.
Robb improves sword from master to master (improved).
Ser Bret Tarly improves spear from noteworthy to expert.
Ser Bret Tarly improves leadership from apprentice to noteworthy.