The Reach Camp

[Sam]

Here the remnants of the Reach armies have gathered, to tend to their wounded under the banner of Hightower, flanked by those of Tarly and Redwyne. The largest center tent, however, belongs to Lord Simon Tarly, where he and his squire, the Lord Hightower, are quartered.

[Tallahar]

Lord Edmure Dawnrose comes to the tent of Simon Tarly. He says he wishes to speak to the Lord of Horn Hill and the young Hightower.

[Sam]

He is admitted by the knights standing guard, though all watch the Manderman closely with suspicious eyes. Dawnrose enters the tent to see Lord Simon Tarly sitting at a small desk, his eyes closed and a cup of wine next to one of his hands. A fourteen year old boy with a sling on one arm is sleeping fitfully on a bedroll in one corner of the tent. Simon opens one eye upon hearing a man enter, and then opens the other after seeing his visitor.

"Dawnrose," he says simply, exhausted telling in his voice. "Can I help you with something?"

[Tallahar]

"I will keep this short. With the realm in the way it is when we get south I think it would be the best for both our realms if we work together."

[Sam]

"In what way," Simon asked gruffly. "It seems to me that we have all been 'working together' for nigh on four years. What could you propose that would be different?"

[Tallahar]

"There is going to infighting as soon as we reach the south. But I wish that our two realms help each other we trade and man power to help the Reach as a whole."

[Sam]

"Bickering and infighting are unfortunate companions to alliances of expediency such as this one. I have faith that her grace the Queen will be able to quell such conflicts as we move south. My only concern now is for the safety of my home and my countrymen," Simon said simply.

"I fully intend to do everything in my power for the betterment of the Reach," he added, stressing the last word, "however the last I checked your lands are not part of that realm."

[Tallahar]

"It's the Far Reach where your lands are. Now do you wish to work together. This will only better both our realms and mean that while other places are still struggling our realms will be much stronger."

[Sam]

"I was taught by my kinsmen never to trust the word of a Tyrell, for many men have made that mistake in the past and paid dearly for it," Simon said, a slight sneer curling his lip. "What assurances would I have that you would not merely stab me in the back at your convenience?"

[Tallahar]

"Because I am too tired to bother with things such as that. I am tired of war and killing. I wish only too see the land I love be strong again."

[Sam]

"Words are wind," Simon retorted. "If all men remain loyal to our true queen, there will be no need for such alliances that you offer. And if some decide that loyalty is not worth it, we will bring them back into the fold."

[Tallahar]

"And then there will be someone else who will attack you as they don't agree. Tarly you know how war works. If you don't desire the alliance simply say."

[Sam]

A thought occurred to Simon, and he laughed. "I desire no alliance with you, Dawnrose. Do you even speak for the rest of the Mander? Perhaps if Lord Oakheart or one of his kin gave an indication of desiring such an alliance, I would be more willing to listen, but frankly what you offer means very little to me."

[Tallahar]

"I came out of respect for you Tarly I could asked to speak to Lord Hightower but I did not. Now if you tell me if you've seen an Oakheart and I shall speak to him first but as I know there are none."

[Sam]

"Lord Hightower is asleep, as I am sure you can see, and he has empowered me to speak for him," Simon said. "I think I have heard all that I need to. You may leave, my lord," the last word was emphasized sarcastically, and Simon chuckled to himself for a moment, before settling back into his previous position and allowing his eyes to droop closed.