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Post by Sam on Jul 2, 2009 11:19:40 GMT -5
This merchant city located on the banks of the Blackwater Bay has long since been held by House Royce, King Rickon having awarded the castle to the famed Lady Aranya Royce nearly half a century ago. Lord Brynden Royce's second son, Ser Armand, stands in line to inherit the city and its modest castle when his father dies.
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Post by Sam on Jul 2, 2009 11:21:37 GMT -5
Ser Aaron Royce, riding at the head of his small force of three hundred men near Duskendale, the heir to the Vale squints to make out what banner is flying from the castle's towers.
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Post by The Smith on Jul 2, 2009 11:55:54 GMT -5
There is no banner. The town still bustles but the keep is vacant.
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Post by Sam on Jul 2, 2009 14:52:11 GMT -5
Ser Aaron frowns, and then has his squire heft his father's banner of House Royce, as well as Ser Aaron's own personal arms which were a Black Stallion rearing up on the backround of Royce Bronze. The young heir to the Vale ordered his men to make a small orderly camp on the edge of the woods, about a mile from Duskendale.
He spurred his horse and rode up toward the gate, fifty of his men following him in an orderly column. "Open the gates, in the name of Lord Brynden Royce. Who holds these walls?" he calls out in a clear voice, when he is close enough to be heard by the men in the gatehouse.
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Post by The Smith on Jul 2, 2009 17:44:59 GMT -5
The gate stands open and unguarded.
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Post by Sam on Jul 3, 2009 15:21:21 GMT -5
The small troop of men moved in through the gates, and ten immediately ascended to the gatehouse, signaling the rest of the army to move up to the castle. Ser Aaron waited in the main courtyard as his men moved up, and when they were fully assembled inside the city's main wall he ordered two hundred of his men up into the gatehouse, with orders to spread out and secure the other gates of the city. He began to march with the other hundred, up to the small caste that rose up above the cityscape.
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Post by The Smith on Jul 3, 2009 15:23:46 GMT -5
Some men call out, and wave. Most just hurry about their business ignoring Royce's men.
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Post by Sam on Jul 3, 2009 15:37:42 GMT -5
Ser Aaron stops his horse and dismounts, walking over toward one of the men who waved. "Does no man control Duskendale?" he asked, curiously.
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Post by The Smith on Jul 3, 2009 15:40:58 GMT -5
The man shook his head, "Lord Thatcher did not think it necessary. No one dared violate the law under his watch." He smiled fondly.
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Post by Sam on Jul 3, 2009 15:43:29 GMT -5
"There is a new Lord Thatcher now, from what I hear. Do you think he'll be as kindly disposed toward law and order?"
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Post by The Smith on Jul 3, 2009 15:47:00 GMT -5
"Ummm I do not know? The queen is letting Lord Thatcher's son reign us?" The man seemed confused.
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Post by Sam on Jul 3, 2009 15:48:23 GMT -5
"Nevermind," Ser Aaron said, containing his impatience. "Is the castle empty? Have you no garrison?"
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Post by The Smith on Jul 3, 2009 15:54:45 GMT -5
"The Castle is Empty, and we need no garrison." the man replied, "You are Lord Royce correct?"
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Post by Sam on Jul 3, 2009 15:56:47 GMT -5
"His son, but you were close, I just returned south with the royal army. Duskendale was not harmed in the fighting?"
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Post by The Smith on Jul 3, 2009 16:00:29 GMT -5
"No Lord Thatcher would never allow any thing bad to happen." the man replied, "I am glad your father survives. He was a good lord as well."
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Hope you all are well and happy.