Post by The Stranger on Jul 31, 2008 18:08:55 GMT -5
That night they crept into the town cautiously being sure to keep their cloaks covering them well, though they were all still dressed as sellswords, the kind which were a common enough sight on the fringes of a war zone, seeking riches and not caring how. They avoided the ironborn for the most part, who did likewise with the usual distrust for any greenlander. They moved away from the docks area, to taverns closer to the keep and soon found what Danwell was after – a tavern frequented by the riverlander soldiers present in the garrison. They entered with a slight flurry of damp cloaks being removed and shook. Danwell grinned as he quickly scanned the room. No ironborn. Good. He walked up to the crowded bar and ordered an ale as his men began to scatter throughout the rest of the bar in small groups. He took a large gulp of the unpleasant ale and burped loudly with every sign of satisfaction. “That’s what you need to take the edge of a long ride, eh?” he said to the sullen looking man with a rather alluring pink maiden on his breast. This was in great contrast to the ugly, smelly brute wearing it. The man glanced across briefly and grimaced, turning his back on Danwell and began talking to his pal until Danwell tapped him on the shoulder. Turning back he looked straight into Danwell’s fist as it smashed into his face, hurling him to the ground. “I was talking to you, shit for brains,” Danwell said calmly as he shook his fist. There was a loud scraping noise as the riverlanders got to their feet on masse and prepare to exact revenge. “Who the fuck do you think you are, scum?” the man’s friend snarled, wearing a red fish on his breast. “WHO THE FUCK AM I?” Danwell bellowed in rage, startling the crowd. “I AM DANWELL FUCKING FARRING, COMMANDER OF THE KING’S MEN, YOU FUCKING TURD!” he quickly stood on a nearby table, showing sprightly moves for his age. “And I am here to ask what in the seven hells the men of Seaguard are doing taking orders from a bunch of murderous reaver bastards! Am I the only one confused by this?” he asked incredulously and loudly, addressing them all. He saw Max, Amory, Perceval and Conrad move to cover the exits, as Wat, Sikil and the others insinuated themselves into the crowd. “You may have little love for House Baratheon I am sure, but I cannot believe for a second you prefer the Kraken?” he asked in astonishment. “Why, the last I checked the Riverlands had just finished rebuilding their fleet and Riverrun after the last time your friends the ironborn came visiting,” he said, goading them still further “They are fighting amongst themselves for a crown none of them will hold past the winter. I don’t see any crowns given out around here - just chains. Will you exchange one unhappy master for an even crueller one? At least in Astapor they geld their slaves, have they done the same here or are there still men in the riverlands?” he asked, roaring out a challenge defiantly.
“Even now, the crown has sent a fleet of ships and men to do the very job YOU should all be doing. Keeping the invaders and pirates from your families and homes. Will you sit by and let strangers die trying to save you from conversion to the Drowned God and whatever heathen faith these black-armoured freaks have? Or do you actually have the balls to lend a hand” he changed tone abruptly, not wishing to push them too far, too fast and hunched down to his knees, his face now level with his audience, their faces a mixture of angry, sullen, fearful and defeated. He knew the last were lost to him but he hoped to win over the others and in turn, their friends and comrades.
“I offer you this one chance lads. This one moment to grasp your destiny back in your own hands. To throw off your shackles and show all of Westeros that you are not subjects of the Seastone Chair. I don’t care who fought for Tully and who for Blackwood. I don’t even care that some of you bastards might even be the same ones who stormed the Red Keep by treachery and killed my friends and comrades" he said wearily
"This is bigger than that and bigger than us. This is not just about who sits on that godsdamn pointy seat in Kings Landing, this is about whether you want the days of Black Harren back again? It took Dragons last time to prise the Kraken’s grip from this coast. I promise you, if you let them in again, it’ll be just as hard to get rid of them, and you already know what they think of the likes of you. I bet they’re laughing up there right now in the keep, wondering which of your women they’ll take home as salt wives” he paused, looking at the crowd and then smiled an evil grin.
“Well tonight the Crown Fleet attack. This will happen even if you choose to spit on those who would help you and turn me in or even slay my brave men and I, but I offer you the chance to redeem yourselves and join with us. I go now to fire the ships in the harbour, as many as I can, to light a fire which will shine the way to a better tomorrow for all of us. I mean to make it a day our enemies here will never see. Are you with me?” he asked simply
“Together with your comrades, you can make the right choice. Because lads,” he said quietly “Should Rickon win, and last I heard the invaders were trapped and outnumbered, then they will turn their attention back here. By remaining as you are, you risk the same fate as Dorne and you do not have a Stone Hawk to drag things out” he said sadly. “By siding with us, you save yourselves as well”
Danwell held his breath for their response. Either they would be lynched and go out swinging against traitors, or his words would have their desired effect and they would swarm as an unstoppable force to the harbour and wreck devastation
The man nearest Danwell looked at him, and than looked at his compatriots.
"Get 'em boys!"
Results:
Danwell runs for his life.
“Even now, the crown has sent a fleet of ships and men to do the very job YOU should all be doing. Keeping the invaders and pirates from your families and homes. Will you sit by and let strangers die trying to save you from conversion to the Drowned God and whatever heathen faith these black-armoured freaks have? Or do you actually have the balls to lend a hand” he changed tone abruptly, not wishing to push them too far, too fast and hunched down to his knees, his face now level with his audience, their faces a mixture of angry, sullen, fearful and defeated. He knew the last were lost to him but he hoped to win over the others and in turn, their friends and comrades.
“I offer you this one chance lads. This one moment to grasp your destiny back in your own hands. To throw off your shackles and show all of Westeros that you are not subjects of the Seastone Chair. I don’t care who fought for Tully and who for Blackwood. I don’t even care that some of you bastards might even be the same ones who stormed the Red Keep by treachery and killed my friends and comrades" he said wearily
"This is bigger than that and bigger than us. This is not just about who sits on that godsdamn pointy seat in Kings Landing, this is about whether you want the days of Black Harren back again? It took Dragons last time to prise the Kraken’s grip from this coast. I promise you, if you let them in again, it’ll be just as hard to get rid of them, and you already know what they think of the likes of you. I bet they’re laughing up there right now in the keep, wondering which of your women they’ll take home as salt wives” he paused, looking at the crowd and then smiled an evil grin.
“Well tonight the Crown Fleet attack. This will happen even if you choose to spit on those who would help you and turn me in or even slay my brave men and I, but I offer you the chance to redeem yourselves and join with us. I go now to fire the ships in the harbour, as many as I can, to light a fire which will shine the way to a better tomorrow for all of us. I mean to make it a day our enemies here will never see. Are you with me?” he asked simply
“Together with your comrades, you can make the right choice. Because lads,” he said quietly “Should Rickon win, and last I heard the invaders were trapped and outnumbered, then they will turn their attention back here. By remaining as you are, you risk the same fate as Dorne and you do not have a Stone Hawk to drag things out” he said sadly. “By siding with us, you save yourselves as well”
Danwell held his breath for their response. Either they would be lynched and go out swinging against traitors, or his words would have their desired effect and they would swarm as an unstoppable force to the harbour and wreck devastation
The man nearest Danwell looked at him, and than looked at his compatriots.
"Get 'em boys!"
Results:
Danwell runs for his life.