Riverlands Camp

[Brown Ben]

/////////////////////
A small cluster of tents, some flying the banners of the Riverlords, but most flying the red and blue of House Tully.

Erren muttered something about "The fucking cold" as he wrapped the wool blanket tighter around himself. He made his way towards Lord Tully's tent, presenting himself to the guards.

"If I could meet the good Lord Tully."

[Lord Connor Tully]

Erren is shown into the tent. It is the biggest in the small camp, though it can hardly be called large. The tent is just big enough for a bed, a wash stand and a desk. Oswell sits at the desk wrapped in a fur reading over the latest news from the Riverlands. He looks up at the sudden breeze from the open flap.

"Got a man here that'de like to see you my lord," Cleos says as he shows Erren in. Oswell nods and Cleos goes back outside, leaving the two alone.

"And who do I have the pleasure of meeting?" the man looked familiar to Oswell, though he could not place him.

[Brown Ben]

He nodded, keeping his head down just long enough to be polite before speaking.

"Erren, Lord. Leader of the Shady Glen boys. We got hired on some ways up the Green Fork, near the Twins...", he coughed abit, Gods damned North... To cold. "I actually came here for two things, um. The first M'Lord, is payment; We've gone from the Riverlands to hell, and the bloody thing is, we had signed on for only one year. I've been selling scavenges to keep up some money, but we'd need a Lord's income to get the main thing, Sir, M'Lord."

He nodded, content that he spoken up for the rest of his men, had voiced their grievances fair enough.

"'Bout the Riverlands sir, M'Lord. Have ya got Any word?", was added, worried and abit quieter than before.

[Lord Connor Tully]

Oswell nodded. "Well I can assure you that you will be paid for your service. you have done a good job with your men, I saw you on the battlefield...you have represented the Riverlands well. I do not know when you will be paid, we have much to do after we cross the Twins and much before even that. I will ask you, though I will not judge you unfairly should you decline, to service as you have beside my men. You will remain as you are, a seperate company among my riverland men."

"As to the Riverlands, what I have hear is disheartening. Much of the land is in ruins, Riverrun itself is broken. I have been recieving reports for the last few days, all of them paint the same picture."

[Brown Ben]

The look that washed over his face was of disbelief; As if Lord Tully had just pulled off a mask and their was an Other underneath.

"Riverrun is.. gone, huh?... ", he let out a sigh, as the thoughts rushed through his head. It was tough to take in; He had always marveled at the giant stone fortress when he had gone with his Da to conduct business in the surrounding townside. He had Sworn to Emmett that Nothing could bring it down.

"I spent my time as a child on the Green Fork, M'Lord, sir. If the times get harder and the enemies get stronger, my boys are Riverlanders first, paid men second... I'll make sure of that, if anythin' else," he nodded solemnly, before continuing, in that same, quieted voice,

"You're still the Right Lord of the Riverlands, sir... M'Lord. I'll be right honored to follow the Silver Fish of Tully." He made to spit, but stopped, simply shaking his head. "I'm not saying my loyalties to no thrice-damned Mallister or Frey... If the talk has truth, Sir... M'Lord."

[Lord Connor Tully]

Oswell smiled. "You are a good man Erren. I wil see to it that your men have a place among my own knights. Loyalty goes a long way in these times, I may have need to cal upon you soon my boy. Now come, I have developed a thirst and no man likes to drink alone."

Oswell turns and retrieves a bottle of wine and two cups from his desk and takes a seat, gesturing for Erren to do the same. "Now, I like to know a bit of the men that serve under me. Tell me of yourself, and of your men. You did not come to be here by mere chance."

[Brown Ben]

He removed the rough spun wool blanket from around his shoulders, jumbled it up, and placed it over the seat; So as to notl eave any undesired dirt, mud, horseshit, whichever. He took a drink of the wine, and winced abit; It was no red ale, or the mint drink they had started concocting.

"Er, ahem... ", He wasn't Quite sure where to start... "Well, Sir... M'Lord... Lord Tully, I wish I could give ya something exciting, but, I'm an Innsman's son, M'Lord. A right fine Inn, called the Shady Glen Rest, along the Green Fork, in a town called Aegon's Hollow... ", he paused, a bushy, brown eyebrow curling in question; Bah, he ain't never heard of that damn place, so he continued, "Me an' my brother, Iron Emmett, got called up by some Vance-men for bandit catching. That's where I got my first horseman, some knightly 'Ser' who was tormentin' the locals. It's also where I got my first good money from his loot."

He paused, and took a long drink, coughing abit as he swallowed. "Aw my man, it was a good bit of good money, that's for sure; More than an Innsman's son might get. So, me an' Emmett, we said to each other 'Well, we'll be Crone bastards, we can make a damn good living off this'... We went about the Riverlands, the Vale of the Arryns, and the Westerlands, bringin' sword to bandits, and steel for Lords that needed it... Taking in good men who were willin' to do fair work for fair money. One day, the Shady Glen boys as we came to be callin' ourselves, heard about a good pay for fair work up North..."

He went silent, and nodded solemnly, "We came up to this damn ice hell with 30 good men; Good Riverlanders and Vale-men... We left hell itself with 5.", Suddenly, he chuckled, his face brightening abit, and a genuine smirk crossed his face, "But, we left Hell herself! Who can say that and not be a gods-damned Liar! That's for damn sure. Damn sure."

"If I can ask, and if it ain't much, how about yourself, M'Lord. And..., " He looked genuinely worried, confused and curious, "What'll Lord Tully do now an' he has no Riverrun?"

[Lord Connor Tully]

Oswell offered a friendly smile when Erren winced at the unfamiliar wine, "You did noble work, ridding the land of bandits is a noble calling. It is a matter of misfortune that your work brought you to the hell we all walked into. Many men lost friends and family." Oswell's eyes glazed over as he continued.

"I myself lost my brothers, my mother, and my father," he says in a near whisper. "Riverrun may be in ruin, but I plan to have it rebuilt. It wil once again be the glory of the Riverlands. Where there is hope, there is a future my friend. You said the Shady Glen did you not? I know of the place. I believe I stayed there on a trip to Kings Landing for a night. I make it a point to know of such places."

Oswell swallowed what wine remained in his cup before refilling it. "Erren, you and your men have done great and brave work. Hell, you and everyone here will be remembered as heroes. You have done the work of a knight and more. Should you wish it I will see that the five of you are knighted when everything has been settled and positions can be made available at Riverrun when it is rebuilt should it suit you."

[Brown Ben]

At hearing of where the Lord had stayed, he straightened just abit more, and smirk stretched abit more, and his chest swelled abit larger... And he became an Innsman for a second... "Did you find the beds fair, your horse's well, the food go-. I hope you rightly enjoyed yourself, Sir... M'Lord."

"Well, I'm right sorry I never new such fine, and good, men and Lord and Lady, but they have done and made a fair Lord in his own right, if you don't mind me sayin' M'Lord. I know one man that deserves nothin' but hard labor rebuilding a tough castle,", he laughed as he thought of Lew Flowers..."I know that'll do a world of good, M'Lord. And... ", I'm sure Graced Lord and Lady Tully would see right by it too..., he didn't have the nerve to say it, though...

"Well... I... Sir.. I ain't no knight, per say, M'Lord. But you know... Someday, I'd right like to have a nice red and blue tabard to wear... " He sounded, sheepish, while asking... Could he Ask for such a thing!?... He enjoyed thinking about how his family would respond: His Father wuld say "Be more polite, boy!", Mother would egg him on, asking for More, while his sisters would prolly have thrown something at him, and hissed for him to 'Be Quiet!'...

"...If you think you'll be needing good men on the walls, I mean... Although, for the time... If you'd like three honorable men, two good swords and a mighty fine ax, to ride by your side, I know I and the other two, would be greatly pleased by it..." He, once again, looked even more sheepish than before... Ride with the Lord! By the Seven! All his family members had just fainted... He finished his wine, and had politely asked for more.

[Lord Connor Tully]

Oswell poured him another glass. "I found the rooms quite suitable. In fact, it was one of the better inns I have had the pleasure of sleeping in. No bugs and good food to boot." Oswell found the man's awkward nervousness a touch amusing, "Do not be so nervous around me Erren, I am no king. It is decided, you shall be knighted, given the Tuly colors to wear, and your men shall join you. You will do well, and your family will be proud I expect." Oswell showed a knowing smile.

"When the South is retaken and that traitorous Thatcher is made to pay for his crimes we will return to Riverrun to take stock of the damages. You will be able to see your family, I will not deny you that right. We shall need to find a place for you...what do you think would be a fitting position?"

[Lord Connor Tully]

//////////////////

After speaking with Lord Selwyn Oswell returns to the camp and calls his men together. Standing atop an empty barrel he address his men. "The Lord Hand has asked that I find volunteers to pursue the traitor Thatcher's son and his band of criminals. We are a small force and so instead any who do not wish to take part step forward now. You will not be thought a coward after what we have been through, I will not blame you."

Some of his men grumble amongst themselves, not wanting to leave the 'comfort' of food and shelter so soon. Oswell speaks up once more, "Know this though, you will be fighting whether you choose to stay or go. Our force moves on White Harbor and on to intercept the traitor, while the rest of the army moves on Moat Caillin. I ask again, any who wish to stay here...step forward."

Ths time there is no grumbling, every man has an expression of resolve. They were all that was left of the Riverland forces that marched North under the Tully banner, and they wished to see it through together. "Good then. Make ready to leave at a moments notice. We will join with the Ironborn and be off as soon as we can."

"Master Erren, if you could join myself and Ser Cleos in my tent I would be much obliged. I would talk to you of the march and battles to come." With that Oswell walked off to his tent, leaving the two men to follow.

[Brown Ben]

"Lucky" Lew, scratched at the lengthening stubble that was slowly turning into beard material, "So, the good Traitor's son has gone... traitor... Why am I not - Gods damned this shit is itchy!"

"Me thinks there's a Manderman down a ways with some wax soap left; Go get a shave... And yes, we'll get a good bit of money once the Lord gets his hands on it... ", He stopped, making sure to catch each man's eye, from veteran to the newest, "Failing that, you gimme a word, and I'm sure you can get some land as pay..."

The group, even loud-mouthed Lew, went silent... Land... A bit of soil to call Yours. That was a fair dream to have; And to come true it seemed, too.

"Now... Pack light, sell off the plate and heavy metal. And see if you can scrounge up some black paint and sack cloth. Keep your eyes open, your ears clean, and your head straight. Faith be with you... Now move with a gods-damned purpose!"

And with that, the group dispersed, as Erren turned to follow Lord Tully and his man into the tent...

[Lord Connor Tully]

Oswell walked into his tent and turned to wait for Erren. "The fighting never does end does it Cleos." The old knight simply shook his head and sat down beside the desk. After Erren had entered and taken a seat of his own Oswell began.

"I'm putting the two of you as my second's in command. Each of you will have command of a part of the men. Erren, your's will of course include your other four men. You have done well and I will see that you are rewarded in kind. We strike with the Ironborn, and will set off for White Harbor shortly. Lord Selwyn wishes us to cut off the traitor before he reaches Harrenhal."

Oswell pours a glass of wine for each of them and takes a long gulp, "No quarter is to be given to Thatcher or his men. But the princess is not to be harmed. If all goes well with the main force then we will meet up with them south of the Twins."

[Tallahar]

///////////////////////////////

Lord Dawnrose arrives and asks to speak with the Lord Tully about the upcoming mission.

[Lord Connor Tully]

Lord Dawnrose is shown in. Erren, Oswell, and Cleos are all still within talking of the mission to come.

"Lord Dawnrose, welcome. Here have a seat and a glass of wine. What would you have of me?"