Post by The Smith on Jun 8, 2008 12:39:52 GMT -5
Avery Baratheon planted his hands on the ledge and looked out of the narrow loop. The view before him fell dizzingly into space. Far below waves crashed against the rocks at the base of the adjacent tower that joined from Dragonstoone’s curtain wall. Avery felt the impact vibrate in the stone. The wind coming off Blackwater bay was freezing and he was glad of the thick mantle he wore over his surcoat and undershirt, the jet black stag emblem of his house at his heart prancing across the gold. He remembered winters in the Eyrie where he’d spent his adolescence, being bitterer than this, but not lasting as long.
It had still been a hard winter. The coldest, some said, for forty years. North-easterly winds raced up from the sea to be funnelled through the stone maze of Septs, gates and corridors and passages of Dragonstone Citadel, chasing rubbish into the air, snatchig back hoods and flicking off caps, whipping tears from eyes. In the outer harbour, galleys rose and fell with the waves that curled in past the breakwater, spewing gusts of foam into the aur as they struck the base of the Tower of Aegon, a sentry fort positioned on the wast of the main Citadel. Only the most seaworthy trading cogs ship had ventured out of the harbour for several weeks and few had entered. The knights and men-at-arms of Dragonstone now kept constant vigil on the Citadel’s seaward walls, squinting at the storm-dark horizon and cursing the weather as they waited for the glimpse of hostile ships whoever they might be.
Avery swung away from the loop. The wind howled as he opened the thick oak door to his private chamber from the rampart walk and slammed it shut behind him. Avery’s private audience chamber was not a patch on the size of the Painted Table Chamber, but Avery liked its Myrish rugs, wall hangings and sense of intimacy.
Avery divested himself of his mantle and tossed it into the corner. Moving to the small table, he sloshed some ale into the goblet before crossing to the roaring fire where he stood gazing into the dancing flames lost in thought.
The door to the chamber opened. Avery looked around as he heard a familiar rasping cough and saw Farren, shuffling to a stool that has been left free beside the fire. The smith’s wrinkled face with its ugly scar that furrowed his cheek from lip to brow was pale against his black leather jerkin.
“I apologise for my lateness my lord Prince.”
Avery inclined his head in acceptance of the apology.
“You are ill Farren?”, he asked as the smith coughed again.
“It’s the cold, my lord Prince.” replied Farren. “The only place I feel warm these days is by my forge.”
A smile played over Avery’s lips.
“Then it is well that my task for you and your fellows involved some hours at the forge.”
The smith coughed again. “Indeed my lord.”
Avery had been standing behind his chair, but he now took a seat.
“So it is finished then? he asked
“Aye my lord”
“It was a little longer than you first estimated Farren.”
“Indeed my prince.” replied the smith. “We do apologise for that. The cold has slowed us down…being able to get sufficient iron quickly enough out of the depths of the Dragonmont in this weather has delayed us significantly. However it’s done now. All that remains is for the installation which begins tomorrow."
The smith paused.
"My lord you have done what we have asked ready for the installation?”
Avery nodded.
“To your exact requirements and specifications Farren. I myself supervised the project. Indeed, I’ve developed some interest in these matters over the last year.
Farren nodded in satisfaction and rose from his seat.
“Then I shall take my leave my Prince and will meet you on the morrow to put the finishing touches to our endeavour.”
///////////////////////
The docks area was bustling, although nowhere near as busy as it normally was due to the cold weather. A hundred knights stood in neat formation on the dock wall, just in front of a wide stone jetty that sloped down to the water where smaller boats could off-load cargo and passengers. The inner harbour was still crowded with the vessels of local merchants and fishermen, the larger ships having to moor in the outer harbour just off the crumbling eastern breakwater. In the distance near the Tower of Aegon, Avery could see his flagship surging in the choppy waters.
In the distance, the iron gates to the Citadel were open as the citadel’s inhabitants made their way down the steep road to the harbourside market. A confusion of sounds and smells drifted from the market to mingle with the shouts of fishermen hauling nets engorged with fish onto the harbour wall and the thick smell of pitch from the shipwrights’ workshops near the docks.
Seeing the knights arranged in stately formation and the presence of the Prince on the docks, a small crowd had gathered. Avery’s cousin Rhaegar Velaryon and Ser Vortimer Rivers were deep in conversation with Farren and a number of his fellow blacksmiths as Avery approached them. Farren and his fellow smiths began to kneel but Avery impatiently motioned them to rise. Farren approached the prince and pointed to the west before explained quietly amid coughs what was happening.
Several cogs were gathered around the base of the newly strengthened Aegon’s Tower. The cogs began to move slowly towards them. Avery could see the thick coils of what looked to be a massive rope strung out behind the lead cog, but which he knew to be the very thick links of the chain he had ordered forged.
“See…!” His cousin Rhaegar shouted excitedly to Avery, pointing at the slowly approaching cogs. “It’s in the perfect place Cousin. The entrance to the harbour can only be entered by five or six ships at a time and more ships than what can be brought against us can defend the harbour behind the chain as securely as if they were behind a curtain wall.”
Shading his eyes from the glare of the water as a weak sun broke out from behind the clouds, Avery grinned at his cousin and peered at the two squat towers he had ordered constructed, or in Aegon’s Tower’s case, strengthened. Both were too small to hold too much of a garrison. Aegon’s Tower was built against the bluff of the Dragonmont close to the western breakwater, whilst the other which Avery had dubbed the Court of the Chain had it’s footing in the water on the eastern side. On the eastern side Avery had ordered cuts to be dug through the bank, making the Court of the Chain very difficult to assault. Attackers would need to approach the tower on foot by wading throught the water or by bridging the little channel before they could reach the base of the tower. Avery intended on posting as many bowmen as could fit in both towers to fire down at any attackers struggling through the water, while the ships behind the raised chain would also be able to provide a withering arrow fire on any attackers. At Aegon’s Tower, the defenders of the Citadel’s wall would be able to pour a heavy missile file upon any enemy in support of the bowmen defending Aegon’s Tower itself. For the chain to be disabled or lowered by any enemy would be costly.
The cogs moved closer to the Court of the Chain feeding the heavy links out behind them. Avery and his company now began to move eastwards around the Harbour to the Court of the Chain. The cogs were now nearing the base of the tower. Avery caught the flash of something down low where the dark water swirled around the base of the tower. Sunlight on steel indicated that the chain had now almost been fully stretched out and was ready to be attached to the large winch inside the Court of the Chain that provided the mechanism for lowering and raising the chain.
The whole process was complete within a couple of hours. Ser Vortimer Rivers had been appointed the new quartermaster of the Court of the Chain, under the direct command of Avery’s cousin Rhaegar Velaryon. Both were men Avery trusted implicitly and both would be responsible for the operation of the chain, including the daily raising and lowering. Avery had also instituted a new security system of complicated passwords, checking and signaling to avoid treachery and enemy infiltration of either or both Aegon’s Tower and the Court of the Chain.
As the chain was raised to its’ full height, the small crowd that had remained to watch the whole proceedings began cheering. Avery, now located at the top of the Court of the Chain tower waved to them, redoubling their cheers. Where the harbour broadened out into what was the mouth of Blackwater Bay, the huge boom chain now stretched taut, a bare two or three feet above the water, its’ massive black iron links glistening in the weak sun.
Results:
A massive iron chain that can be raised and lowered is finished and installed across the entrance to Dragonstone’s Harbour.
The towers at each end of the chain are strengthened as described and fully garrisoned by bowmen and men-at-arms.
Avery Baratheon moves towards Master in Engineering (Fortifications)
Avery Baratheon gains Beginner Skill in Construction
Lord Rhaegar Velaryon and Ser Vortimer Rivers are placed in charge of the Dragonstone harbour system.
A new security system for the garrison of both towers is devised to ward off treachery and infiltration of the harbour system.
It had still been a hard winter. The coldest, some said, for forty years. North-easterly winds raced up from the sea to be funnelled through the stone maze of Septs, gates and corridors and passages of Dragonstone Citadel, chasing rubbish into the air, snatchig back hoods and flicking off caps, whipping tears from eyes. In the outer harbour, galleys rose and fell with the waves that curled in past the breakwater, spewing gusts of foam into the aur as they struck the base of the Tower of Aegon, a sentry fort positioned on the wast of the main Citadel. Only the most seaworthy trading cogs ship had ventured out of the harbour for several weeks and few had entered. The knights and men-at-arms of Dragonstone now kept constant vigil on the Citadel’s seaward walls, squinting at the storm-dark horizon and cursing the weather as they waited for the glimpse of hostile ships whoever they might be.
Avery swung away from the loop. The wind howled as he opened the thick oak door to his private chamber from the rampart walk and slammed it shut behind him. Avery’s private audience chamber was not a patch on the size of the Painted Table Chamber, but Avery liked its Myrish rugs, wall hangings and sense of intimacy.
Avery divested himself of his mantle and tossed it into the corner. Moving to the small table, he sloshed some ale into the goblet before crossing to the roaring fire where he stood gazing into the dancing flames lost in thought.
The door to the chamber opened. Avery looked around as he heard a familiar rasping cough and saw Farren, shuffling to a stool that has been left free beside the fire. The smith’s wrinkled face with its ugly scar that furrowed his cheek from lip to brow was pale against his black leather jerkin.
“I apologise for my lateness my lord Prince.”
Avery inclined his head in acceptance of the apology.
“You are ill Farren?”, he asked as the smith coughed again.
“It’s the cold, my lord Prince.” replied Farren. “The only place I feel warm these days is by my forge.”
A smile played over Avery’s lips.
“Then it is well that my task for you and your fellows involved some hours at the forge.”
The smith coughed again. “Indeed my lord.”
Avery had been standing behind his chair, but he now took a seat.
“So it is finished then? he asked
“Aye my lord”
“It was a little longer than you first estimated Farren.”
“Indeed my prince.” replied the smith. “We do apologise for that. The cold has slowed us down…being able to get sufficient iron quickly enough out of the depths of the Dragonmont in this weather has delayed us significantly. However it’s done now. All that remains is for the installation which begins tomorrow."
The smith paused.
"My lord you have done what we have asked ready for the installation?”
Avery nodded.
“To your exact requirements and specifications Farren. I myself supervised the project. Indeed, I’ve developed some interest in these matters over the last year.
Farren nodded in satisfaction and rose from his seat.
“Then I shall take my leave my Prince and will meet you on the morrow to put the finishing touches to our endeavour.”
///////////////////////
The docks area was bustling, although nowhere near as busy as it normally was due to the cold weather. A hundred knights stood in neat formation on the dock wall, just in front of a wide stone jetty that sloped down to the water where smaller boats could off-load cargo and passengers. The inner harbour was still crowded with the vessels of local merchants and fishermen, the larger ships having to moor in the outer harbour just off the crumbling eastern breakwater. In the distance near the Tower of Aegon, Avery could see his flagship surging in the choppy waters.
In the distance, the iron gates to the Citadel were open as the citadel’s inhabitants made their way down the steep road to the harbourside market. A confusion of sounds and smells drifted from the market to mingle with the shouts of fishermen hauling nets engorged with fish onto the harbour wall and the thick smell of pitch from the shipwrights’ workshops near the docks.
Seeing the knights arranged in stately formation and the presence of the Prince on the docks, a small crowd had gathered. Avery’s cousin Rhaegar Velaryon and Ser Vortimer Rivers were deep in conversation with Farren and a number of his fellow blacksmiths as Avery approached them. Farren and his fellow smiths began to kneel but Avery impatiently motioned them to rise. Farren approached the prince and pointed to the west before explained quietly amid coughs what was happening.
Several cogs were gathered around the base of the newly strengthened Aegon’s Tower. The cogs began to move slowly towards them. Avery could see the thick coils of what looked to be a massive rope strung out behind the lead cog, but which he knew to be the very thick links of the chain he had ordered forged.
“See…!” His cousin Rhaegar shouted excitedly to Avery, pointing at the slowly approaching cogs. “It’s in the perfect place Cousin. The entrance to the harbour can only be entered by five or six ships at a time and more ships than what can be brought against us can defend the harbour behind the chain as securely as if they were behind a curtain wall.”
Shading his eyes from the glare of the water as a weak sun broke out from behind the clouds, Avery grinned at his cousin and peered at the two squat towers he had ordered constructed, or in Aegon’s Tower’s case, strengthened. Both were too small to hold too much of a garrison. Aegon’s Tower was built against the bluff of the Dragonmont close to the western breakwater, whilst the other which Avery had dubbed the Court of the Chain had it’s footing in the water on the eastern side. On the eastern side Avery had ordered cuts to be dug through the bank, making the Court of the Chain very difficult to assault. Attackers would need to approach the tower on foot by wading throught the water or by bridging the little channel before they could reach the base of the tower. Avery intended on posting as many bowmen as could fit in both towers to fire down at any attackers struggling through the water, while the ships behind the raised chain would also be able to provide a withering arrow fire on any attackers. At Aegon’s Tower, the defenders of the Citadel’s wall would be able to pour a heavy missile file upon any enemy in support of the bowmen defending Aegon’s Tower itself. For the chain to be disabled or lowered by any enemy would be costly.
The cogs moved closer to the Court of the Chain feeding the heavy links out behind them. Avery and his company now began to move eastwards around the Harbour to the Court of the Chain. The cogs were now nearing the base of the tower. Avery caught the flash of something down low where the dark water swirled around the base of the tower. Sunlight on steel indicated that the chain had now almost been fully stretched out and was ready to be attached to the large winch inside the Court of the Chain that provided the mechanism for lowering and raising the chain.
The whole process was complete within a couple of hours. Ser Vortimer Rivers had been appointed the new quartermaster of the Court of the Chain, under the direct command of Avery’s cousin Rhaegar Velaryon. Both were men Avery trusted implicitly and both would be responsible for the operation of the chain, including the daily raising and lowering. Avery had also instituted a new security system of complicated passwords, checking and signaling to avoid treachery and enemy infiltration of either or both Aegon’s Tower and the Court of the Chain.
As the chain was raised to its’ full height, the small crowd that had remained to watch the whole proceedings began cheering. Avery, now located at the top of the Court of the Chain tower waved to them, redoubling their cheers. Where the harbour broadened out into what was the mouth of Blackwater Bay, the huge boom chain now stretched taut, a bare two or three feet above the water, its’ massive black iron links glistening in the weak sun.
Results:
A massive iron chain that can be raised and lowered is finished and installed across the entrance to Dragonstone’s Harbour.
The towers at each end of the chain are strengthened as described and fully garrisoned by bowmen and men-at-arms.
Avery Baratheon moves towards Master in Engineering (Fortifications)
Avery Baratheon gains Beginner Skill in Construction
Lord Rhaegar Velaryon and Ser Vortimer Rivers are placed in charge of the Dragonstone harbour system.
A new security system for the garrison of both towers is devised to ward off treachery and infiltration of the harbour system.