Post by The Stranger on Jul 30, 2008 10:33:48 GMT -5
Willam’s blade fell past Kaland Stone as it came crashing down on the ground beside him. Having heard the news the duo had decided to have one more bout to hone their skills before the siege of King’s Landing. It had been brought to the attention of Willam that the Stormland host would lead the charge on King’s Landing. The exact details to why this was occurring were not given to Willam by his cousin Breck, but Willam knew it must be for a good reason.
Kaland seeing Willam’s blade fall short kicked it out of the way as he came around in an arc which Willam ducked under barely avoiding the steel of Kaland’s blade. Willam brought his sword around in a slash across Kaland’s chest but Kaland’s own sword met his mid strike as they remained in a deadlock each trying to resist the others strength. The deadlock ended when Kaland pulled his blade away, ducked, and returned with another overhead blow which Kaland met with his own sword raised horizontally.
They fought this way for close to half an hour until both of them were so racked with exhaustion that they could barely stand. Since they were boys this was often the way their little bouts would end. Kaland had been a good friend to Willam, and one that he was proud to have by his side in the ensuing battle.
As they crossed the tourney yard Willam began to speak catching his breath as he walked.
“We are assigned to the van in the upcoming battle.”
Kaland stopped turning to Willam beginning to speak “That is suicide Willam. Why should we have to risk our necks first above all the others. We have not brought the most men, and what do they propose that the entire Dondarrion house be eliminated in one charge?”
Willam replied trying to quell Kaland’s anger. He rarely saw him this upset. “It is our assignment. I do not question the orders of Breck…if he says we lead the charge then we will lead the charge. In fact I have asked you here for an entirely different reason. I wish…”
Before he could finish Kaland interrupted Willam. “It’s not just my own skin or even yours I worry about Willam. We have been weakened over these past years…the Stormlands are in dire straights and now this boy king asks us to give more of our peoples blood, because he has some grudge! Please Willam spare me. Your people have bled enough in this struggle. Think of your new wife and the children you some day may have. Then look at your army…you will have half that number in widows and orphans before the siege is over.”
Willam’s eyes showed a hint of sadness as he thought of what was to come, but still he replied. “These orders are final and we are forced to obey them my friend. Know this Kaland there is no one who I would rather have stand beside me in battle than you. Should I fall you must do one thing for me and that is protect my house and my people, and protect this King no matter what quarrel you may have.”
With no further words Kaland and Willam walked into the command tent. Willam had a model of King’s landing erected on the table with certain odd objects representing each of the armies that would be assaulting the walls.
Willam walked over to the table poured himself and Kaland a cup of wine and began to speak.
“The Stormlands will lead the charge but the manner in which we do so is crucial for many reasons. Not only can we save lives but we can also quickly capture whatever objective we are set at.”
Willam closing his hand in a fist continued “I must consult with Breck first but I want your advice in this matter. We will have our men form tight shield wall battalions each carrying approximately 1-3 ladders. We will drill the men in this way so that not only do they protect themselves from arrow fire but they also confuse and spread the enemy thin. What I mean is this”
“By concealing our ladders the enemy will not know which squads carry ladders and which do not in retrospective they will spread themselves thin. We will start by raising our ladders each in unison. Each squad will begin to climb; however once they have raised one ladder the squads with two to three ladders will raise their ladders also in effect creating choke points on the walls that hopefully our men will hold.”
“While we may have to endure arrow fire for a bit longer my hope is that this shield wall strategy will reduce casualties, and use our superior numbers to our advantage. King’s landing is a lot of area to defend and if we can spread them thin initially it should be easier for us to capture their walls.” Willam pointed at the model in front of him as he finished.
“I agree” Kaland replied…”the strategy has been used before in battle but if you can properly conceal the ladders it may work to your advantage. It still does not force us into a great position but it will do. Have you consulted Breck with the details? His experience may also help you develop this strategy.”
Willam nodded. “Once I meet with Breck I will propose my idea, and we shall see what he says…it’s probably just a young fool’s idea but I think it may work for us and the idea is at least something.”
Kaland stood and went to leave replying as he left. “It is a good idea as any but we will still be hit the hardest in this attack…make no mistake Willam we are in for the fight of our lives.” With that Kaland left and Willam stood their solemn and silent.
Goals:
Willam Dondarrion to Master Sword
Willam Dondarrion to Master Battle
Kaland Stone towards Master Sword
Kaland Stone towards Master Battle (Currently Expert)
Kaland seeing Willam’s blade fall short kicked it out of the way as he came around in an arc which Willam ducked under barely avoiding the steel of Kaland’s blade. Willam brought his sword around in a slash across Kaland’s chest but Kaland’s own sword met his mid strike as they remained in a deadlock each trying to resist the others strength. The deadlock ended when Kaland pulled his blade away, ducked, and returned with another overhead blow which Kaland met with his own sword raised horizontally.
They fought this way for close to half an hour until both of them were so racked with exhaustion that they could barely stand. Since they were boys this was often the way their little bouts would end. Kaland had been a good friend to Willam, and one that he was proud to have by his side in the ensuing battle.
As they crossed the tourney yard Willam began to speak catching his breath as he walked.
“We are assigned to the van in the upcoming battle.”
Kaland stopped turning to Willam beginning to speak “That is suicide Willam. Why should we have to risk our necks first above all the others. We have not brought the most men, and what do they propose that the entire Dondarrion house be eliminated in one charge?”
Willam replied trying to quell Kaland’s anger. He rarely saw him this upset. “It is our assignment. I do not question the orders of Breck…if he says we lead the charge then we will lead the charge. In fact I have asked you here for an entirely different reason. I wish…”
Before he could finish Kaland interrupted Willam. “It’s not just my own skin or even yours I worry about Willam. We have been weakened over these past years…the Stormlands are in dire straights and now this boy king asks us to give more of our peoples blood, because he has some grudge! Please Willam spare me. Your people have bled enough in this struggle. Think of your new wife and the children you some day may have. Then look at your army…you will have half that number in widows and orphans before the siege is over.”
Willam’s eyes showed a hint of sadness as he thought of what was to come, but still he replied. “These orders are final and we are forced to obey them my friend. Know this Kaland there is no one who I would rather have stand beside me in battle than you. Should I fall you must do one thing for me and that is protect my house and my people, and protect this King no matter what quarrel you may have.”
With no further words Kaland and Willam walked into the command tent. Willam had a model of King’s landing erected on the table with certain odd objects representing each of the armies that would be assaulting the walls.
Willam walked over to the table poured himself and Kaland a cup of wine and began to speak.
“The Stormlands will lead the charge but the manner in which we do so is crucial for many reasons. Not only can we save lives but we can also quickly capture whatever objective we are set at.”
Willam closing his hand in a fist continued “I must consult with Breck first but I want your advice in this matter. We will have our men form tight shield wall battalions each carrying approximately 1-3 ladders. We will drill the men in this way so that not only do they protect themselves from arrow fire but they also confuse and spread the enemy thin. What I mean is this”
“By concealing our ladders the enemy will not know which squads carry ladders and which do not in retrospective they will spread themselves thin. We will start by raising our ladders each in unison. Each squad will begin to climb; however once they have raised one ladder the squads with two to three ladders will raise their ladders also in effect creating choke points on the walls that hopefully our men will hold.”
“While we may have to endure arrow fire for a bit longer my hope is that this shield wall strategy will reduce casualties, and use our superior numbers to our advantage. King’s landing is a lot of area to defend and if we can spread them thin initially it should be easier for us to capture their walls.” Willam pointed at the model in front of him as he finished.
“I agree” Kaland replied…”the strategy has been used before in battle but if you can properly conceal the ladders it may work to your advantage. It still does not force us into a great position but it will do. Have you consulted Breck with the details? His experience may also help you develop this strategy.”
Willam nodded. “Once I meet with Breck I will propose my idea, and we shall see what he says…it’s probably just a young fool’s idea but I think it may work for us and the idea is at least something.”
Kaland stood and went to leave replying as he left. “It is a good idea as any but we will still be hit the hardest in this attack…make no mistake Willam we are in for the fight of our lives.” With that Kaland left and Willam stood their solemn and silent.
Goals:
Willam Dondarrion to Master Sword
Willam Dondarrion to Master Battle
Kaland Stone towards Master Sword
Kaland Stone towards Master Battle (Currently Expert)