Horn Hill's War Room

[Sam]

This large room is traditionally used as Lord Tarly's solar, however whenever armies gather around the military bases at Horn Hill, the solar is converted into a war-room where the leaders of the Reach meet to discuss their military stratagems.

[Sam]

Ser Samuel Tarly sits at the large table that was created by two desks having been pushed together, which sits in the center of the room. Covering it is a massive map of the southern half of Westeros, showing every country south of the God's Eye lake in the center of the continent. Small lead figurines were set in marked positions on the map, representing soldiers that existed in the field, and they were painted to signify their loyalties, if they were known.

Now that Lord Irwyn had arrived with the Sun General, the military minds of the Reach were all assembled at Horn Hill, save for Ser Paxter Redwyne who remained in Oldtown with his father's fleet. Lord Varner had arrived a days prior, and Lord Robert Tarly had been overseeing the army since the first men were raised.

[Sam]

"Lord Dondarrion has marched north, to Summerhall. I think we should march, my lords," Ser Samuel said, coming into the meeting of military minds. "Lord Caron has two thousand men at Nightsong, if we left him with two thousand of our men he could certainly hold the Prince's Pass against Lord Fowler, and we could march north with thirteen thousand to meet with the seven thousand under Lord Dondarrion at Summerhall.

"Ten thousand men can hold Horn Hill against the Mander, should Lord Oakheart gain the support to attack us. I do not mistrust the Tyrells, but I do not know how much control they truly hold over their bannermen. There are Mander armies at Grassy Vale, Ashford, and Goldengrove and we do not know whether those men will fight for us or against us. Lord Rowan does not have solid control over his army, so we cannot count on his support I think, but I do not doubt my father can hold our borders should the Mander turn on us.

"Even if that happened, our fleet at Oldtown could easily take the shields from them, and sail up the Mander to capture Highgarden, which would bode poorly for the Mander even though it would not particularly gain us anything," Samuel paused, to catch his breath, and then looked at Lords Varner and Irwyn. "Has Lord Hightower said anything about 'King' Cedric's proclamation to any of you?"

[The Flint]

Cyrus sighed softly before muttering, "Fuck Cedric Lannister with his own flail. I am inclined to agree with you Ser Samuel. But with this declaration it is possible we could lose the Iron Born as they declare independence, and we do not know what Lord Dondarrion will do either, although I wouldn't expect him to declare independence, he doesn't even control the region he's in."

[Sam]

"If Howland Royce remains on our side, we might still find victory, but the loss of the Ironborn could be crippling to our cause. I do not know Lord Qhored Harlaw, but I can certainly imagine the Ironborn proclaiming a king of their own if things go sour for us. I don't think Lord Tully has the balls to call himself a King, but Stark will probably do so as well. It would be better for us, I suppose, if the newly-made Prince Horas," an ugly frown crossed his face, when the word passed from his lips, "secedes as well, for then at least we know he will not be supporting Rodrick."

[The Flint]

"The Dornish have never come north of the passes in a hundred years. I don't fear them. Still, the Vale and we are so far away we can not help each other if it comes to battle. They must concentrate on aiding the Riverlands, while we focus on the Stormlands. The Mander should finally help themselves for once." He rolls his eyes.

[Sam]

"In that case I request to march east with Ser Derick and Loren, to join with Lord Dondarrion's men, my lord," Samuel said to Lord Varner.

[Ser Kenneth Coyn]

Loren who had remained quiet until now spoke, "I am afraid that the West's declaration may reduce the shine of our cause. While we set out with a noble cause for justice, if opportunists continue to declare themselves King we will quickly be counted amongst the Jackals and lose more support to the King. If any of those Lords on the fence can be swayed to our side without use of force it would be preferable to save our strength for the true enemy."

[The Flint]

"I don't think the Vale will declare independence, and it wouldn't make sense for the Stormlands to do so. The Riverlands might consider it, and the Iron born will be sorely tempted. Should I ask Justin to make some public statement rejecting the declaration and have him urge the others to do likewise?"

[Sam]

"Would independence be so awful?" Ser Samuel asked quietly. He paused for a second, and continued. "If I may speak freely, my lords, it seems to me that the Far Reach's allegiance to the Iron Throne have brought little to us besides suffering..."

[The Flint]

"Ser Samuel, our cause was for justice. Most of our fellow lords have gone along with that. But will they go along with independence? I don't know that they will. Lord Irwyn's father fought to prevent the Dornish from seeking independence, it would seem a rank hypocrisy for us to claim that we have any right to it."

[Sam]

"Lord Alexander fought for the honor of the crown, and in return he was murdered and no justice was done. He gave his life defending King Rickon, and that sacrifice was forgotten as soon as Rodrick took his brother's place. Perhaps House Baratheon's tenure as royalty has run its course," he suggested. "I do not wish to cast any disparity on the memories of those Reachmen who died heroes defending the King and Kingdom, but the King seems to have done that already, so why should we preserve his legacy?"

[The Flint]

"Rodrick will be put in his place. But can seven tiny kingdoms stand up against Braavos? How long before we fall under their grip just like Pentos did."

[Sam]

"The sealord's slimy hands are not large enough to grasp at Westeros, I think. His fleets are strong, and he is tied to Dorne, but he does not have the manpower to conquer us all. Even the Valyrian Freehold was never large enough to encompass Westeros, and it was many magnitudes larger than Braavos," Samuel said.

[The Flint]

"Braavos has dominated all of the Free cities Samuel. Why would it be any different for us? They are already bullying us thanks to Rodrick's selling our souls to them."