Storm's End

[The Forgotten God]

///

As the battle ends, the victorious army lets out a cheer. Hector and Hollis are discussing something near the fallen king's body, and the crows will have themselves a proper meal for the next few days. Screams of the wounded ring out and the dying cry for water or mercy, which the camp followers give them with daggers.

Terms of surrender are sent to the giant castle, which has been utterly unfazed by the trebuchets of the Iron Fleet, and a period of negotiation is likely. The common soldiers enjoy looting though, both the enemy dead and their own more than fair targets.

[Queen Joanna Lannister]

Ser Cedric rode to the castle under a peace banner, escorted by some Goldlander guards. He was quite an odd choice for a messenger, but perhaps his superiors had thought that sending in a Stormlander would somehow be a show of good faith.

He'd been at Storm's End numerous times before, and so rode confidently up to the main gate.

"The battle's over," he called up to the guards, "I'm here to deliver the terms to Kelsey Baratheon."

[The Forgotten God]

After a bit, the gate opens enough for him to pass through. In the throne room, he sees the beaten queen sitting at the great table, some of the few remaining knights and advisers about her. A little boy and a little girl are in the corner being read a story by a priestess or a maid in really odd clothing. The woman looks up momentarily to the man. "What terms has my gracious" snake bites are less venomous than the word, "cousin seen fit to offer?"

[Kurts]

Killion cleaned his blades off on the white cloak of one of Aaron's bodyguards, looking over the battlefield, feeling oddly serene. He ordered his men back to the ships, seeing little more they could do here. Except for the few holdout lords who would undoubtedly suffer for their stubbornness in the months to come, this war seemed won, a fitting final chapter for the Kinglands.

He paid his final respects to Aaron's corpse, uncharacteristically reverent, with a nod to Hector and Hollis.

"A good death." he remarked. "Warriors should not die in bed."

[The Forgotten God]

The Ironborn, loot from their battle in tow, head to their ships. Hector nodded, sweaty from the fight, bleeding from his cheek. "A true legend," he said. "worthy of the names of his ancestors." He looks to the castle then waves for some armorers to start getting the plated welded mail off the man. "Fire, I think, is how they do funerals now. He deserves a grand one." He flattened his hair down on his head.

[Kurts]

Killion only nodded, having no objections. He may be spearheading a crusade against the dead king's religion, but he would not stand in the way of a worthy foe's last rites.

"What will become of his wife?" he inquired.

[The Forgotten God]

"It depends on how swiftly she gives up," Hector said. "She is family, after all," he said. "I suspect she'd prefer her sons have their ancestral lands, just..under new management," he said. "That's assuming she doesn't make me sit here for six months getting rained on," he took a swig of whiskey. "Then I suspect I'll be less friendly."

[Kurts]

"I would not blame you." he remarked, looking up at the clouds, taking a swig from the red wine in his wineskin with a sigh. "There's a storm coming, but I suppose that's always true in these parts. I had best be off. Crownlands to bring under order and I suspect you have your work cut out for you here as well."

[The Forgotten God]

Hector nodded. "I do. Be seeing you, King Killion," he said. A few drops start falling. "Safe sailing." The armies are splitting up into camps as the Ironborn board their ships.

[Queen Joanna Lannister]

Cedric was unfazed, though had the good grace to keep his face straight. He stepped closer to the table, holding his black helmet under his arm. "Total surrender. All your lords get to keep their castles and heads in return for swearing fealty to Her Grace, Queen Joanna of the Goldlands. If they do not wish to do so, they will either be a head shorter or sent to the wall. Bend the knee and you get to keep Storm's End and your children will be allowed to continue the Baratheon line." He paused, looking at the two children in the corner. "Your children will be fostered at Casterly Rock with their cousins until they're of age to assume lordship of Storm's End. Your daughter will eventually marry one of Queen Joanna's sons."

He gave the hall another once-over, and noticed the red priestess. "Oh," he said almost as an afterthought. "And the red priests will be sent back east. We will arrange safe conduct past the Iron King's witch hunt. These are the terms."

[The Forgotten God]

Kelsey looked at her children. "I don't give a rat's ass about the priests," she said. "Let me go with my children," she said. "This castle has nothing for me without them or my husband." She is trying not to cry.

[Kurts]

Killion returned to his flagship and set sail for King's Landing. It was not as if he had actually expected a thank you.

[Queen Joanna Lannister]

Mar 6, 2016 10:53:45 GMT -5 The Forgotten God said:

Kelsey looked at her children. "I don't give a rat's ass about the priests," she said. "Let me go with my children," she said. "This castle has nothing for me without them or my husband." She is trying not to cry.

Cedric seemed to consider for a moment. "That is acceptable," he said with a nod.

[The Forgotten God]

After the rather short negotiation the castle is surrendered. Hector is mostly happy to just get out of the rain. He has the lady of Storm's End and her children sent to a tower under heavy guard. He sends a raven to Casterly Rock to inform his wife of the news and sits at the table, looking oddly pensive.

[Lord Lyonel Vikary]

Lyonel arrives to see Hector. He wearily took a seat.

"It is done then. Queen Joanna's throne is safe from the claims of Kelsey Baratheon and the Goldlands now have the Stormlands under their control. The Stormlands lords will be required to swear fealty to Queen Joanna in order to keep their lands and titles. Perhaps we should send a force to ensure they all do so."