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Post by Aerys on Nov 4, 2008 17:38:18 GMT -5
"So what do you think they should do, Father? As I see it they could either return to Ashemark or join the King's forces. If they join the King, they should be safe in the short term at least. I assume the King is still in control of Kings Landing?"
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Post by Quenton Baratheon on Nov 7, 2008 4:23:26 GMT -5
Something was clearly irritating the Worm this afternoon.
"How am I supposed to know what they should do? Regardless, how am I meant to do anything? There is nothing I can do Alessa. We must just wait and watch."
He raised a hand to dismiss his daughter. "Go now, I meant only to make sure you knew of the situation."
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With the announcement that Cedric Lannister has crowned himself, 'Prince' Steffen leaves for Casterly Rock in order to pay his respects.
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Post by Quenton Baratheon on Nov 9, 2008 12:00:06 GMT -5
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A couple of weeks after the worm has left, Lord Dudley and family arrive back at Ashemark after a journey along the Goldroad that went a lot better than expected. Dudley put their lack of trouble down to his hiring of a few mercenaries, though in truth it was probably more a result of the Mander being in disarray and Westerners not being the real enemy. Besides, most real military force was elsewhere.
And so the family began to see to their lives once more. The keep was a lot quieter than usual, seeing how Steffen had taken most of the guard with him. Many of the outlying villages were light on men too - these had been called up and led to Riverrun when the army passed through.
On hearing of the Westerlands' situation from the grizzled old castellan of Ashemark Ser Errent Falwell, Dudley procrastinated. He decided that he should remain at Ashemark for the nonce, until receiving instruction on what he should do. He wrote a letter to Steffen at Casterly Rock, informing him of his safe arrival and asking advice.
Ser Jeffry Turnberry, ever hungry for honour and notoriety, rode for Riverrun, taking with him a few Ashemark men. His sister begged him to stay, yet he would have none of it.
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Post by Quenton Baratheon on Nov 30, 2008 13:30:01 GMT -5
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November 546
With all the young men of Ashemark off away from home, the women of the keep - Alessa, Annette, Jean - set to bickering with each other over trivial matters. Sick and tired of all this, Steffen Lannister arranges for a brief vacation at Kayce. A week after sending a letter to the Kennings, the 'court' at Ashemark is packed up and moved out. The children are dressed as finely as possible, and are bought further clothes especially for the trip.
There are few goodbyes to be said as the 40-odd member entourage leaves Ashemark, for Ser Errent, the castellan is the only noble left at the keep.
"I trust everything will be ok here," Steffen murmurs into Ser Errent's ear before being helped onto his horse.
"There won't be any problems," comes the reply.
Steffen nods confidently - the man was reliable. "Good," he says. He looks around at the assembled party, sees the luggage all sorted and ready to go, the excited/bored faces of the respective children, and then calls out the party - "Move out!"
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Post by Quenton Baratheon on Jan 24, 2009 10:28:04 GMT -5
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July 548
Having received a missive from King's Landing, Lady Marbrand and her daughter leave Ashemark once more for King's Landing. They are escorted by thirty men.
The Keep is left in the safe hands of Steffen Lannister, his wife Annette Marbrand and his daughter Alessa.
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Post by Aerys on Jan 25, 2009 15:37:03 GMT -5
Concerned at the rumors sweeping the village and the rising tide of discontent, Alessa Velaryon comes to see her ageing father Steffen Lannister.
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Post by Quenton Baratheon on Jan 25, 2009 15:51:35 GMT -5
"Ah Alessa my sweet. Grave tidings indeed!" the Worm blustered as he paced jitteringly around his chambers, his fists clenching and unclenching. "Imbecilic treachery!" he squawked suddenly.
Presently he seemed to settle for a moment. "He'll hang, this whoreson septon, whomever the bloody hell he is. I have Ser Errent's word on the matter." Nodding, as if the issue was settled, he looked into his daughter's eyes. "How fare you?"
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Post by Quenton Baratheon on Jan 25, 2009 18:12:39 GMT -5
"I've had absolutely nothing to do with any of it!" Steffen stormed, his voice croaking with helpless anger. "The wretch left the west in her youth and never returned. I can't even remember what she looked like. How in the seven hells am I supposed to have 'ruined her life'? No ser, tell them I will not apologise for something I have not done." He looked at Ser Errent stubbornly before turning his head and muttering something that sounded like ungrateful filthy bastards.
He shook his head. "Do not be afraid to dirty your hands ser," he said meaningfully, his eyes looking straight through the man.
He turned and left the room, waving a hand above his head to dismiss the man.
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Post by Aerys on Jan 26, 2009 2:23:28 GMT -5
Alessa who had been a witness to the exchange between her father and the master of arms followed her father out of the room.
"Father...this is unwise. Hanging the septon will only inflame their passions. I'm not asking you to make an apology, indeed one is not needed... but perhaps a meeting with this septon might be in order. A public observation of mourning for Jeyne by us both might also be in order."
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Post by Quenton Baratheon on Jan 26, 2009 13:29:51 GMT -5
Steffen turned and smiled patronisingly at his daughter.
"This septon has incited an unwarranted hatred against us. He deserves everything he gets, and believe me, he'll get everything he deserves."
He took a few steps further but then slowed and stopped. He sighed. "Though you may have a point." He shook his head. "We should move to distance ourselves from whatever grievance is exactly that these fools have against me."
He threw his hands up as far as his ever stiffening shoulders would allow. "We shall mourn."
He shuffled off, saying no more.
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Post by Quenton Baratheon on Jan 27, 2009 17:14:27 GMT -5
From the moment Steffen orders an observance of mourning for Jeyne, the standards flapping in the west coast wind high above the castle are flown at half-mast. Above the burning tree of Marbrand is hung a fresh sigil - a golden lion enclosed within a seven-pointed star on a field of red.
Ser Steffen however, remains behind the walls of Ashemark. In addition, he forbids his wife and daughter from doing otherwise for fears over their safety. To counterbalance the imprisonment and whipping of the rioters, he sends small groups of (armed men) into the villages to deliver large numbers of candles to the septs - with the instruction that they are lit for Jeyne.
He informs these messengers that they are to tell anyone who asks that 'the imprisoned men will be released when he is satisfied that people have finished sullying Jeyne's innocent memory by unwarranted violence against her own blood.'
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Hope you all are well and happy.