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Post by The Forgotten God on Nov 4, 2012 19:55:12 GMT -5
At Coldwater, after a month of scrounging and mustering, eight thousand men gather for war. Lord Fillmore Corbray returns from his posting to assist. Ser Titus's fleet is strong and presumably ore than adequate to blockade a relatively undefended river opening, and the finest en in the Vale, including Ser Kriger Templeton and a very angry Lord Royce, are present.
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Post by Amelia Royce on Nov 4, 2012 20:03:50 GMT -5
Prince Benjen called all the important men to a meeting. "Milords, sers, tomorrow we will march. Durand, I will give you and Crowl a thousand men for the scattered troops. Ser Rycherd, you and I will each lead the remaining men, split into hosts both sized 3,500. Lord Royce, you will be with Ser Rycherd, Lord Corbray you will be in my host."
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Post by Ser Titus Grafton on Nov 4, 2012 20:10:22 GMT -5
"And for myself?" Titus asked, somewhat reluctantly. "What would you have of the fleet, my Prince?"
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Post by Amelia Royce on Nov 4, 2012 20:18:04 GMT -5
"A lot of good maneuvering," Benjen instructed with a smile. "While I want half of the fleet to drop Ser Rycherd's host off just off Cass' Keep I want you to bring my forced as close to the city as possible. We will strike first, get their attention on us while Ser Rycherd attacks the keep. We will join him there if we can."
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Karyl Crowl
Prince
Proud Proprietor of Crowl's Crossbone Construction Company
Posts: 1,022
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Post by Karyl Crowl on Nov 4, 2012 20:20:15 GMT -5
"When should me and Durand lead the scattered troops to attack?" Karyl Crowl asks.
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Post by Amelia Royce on Nov 4, 2012 20:23:18 GMT -5
"Wreak havoc on the way up," Benjen instructed. "We want them seeing enemies everywhere. Burn and raid as much as you can. I want you in the mountain around Cass Keep when we lead the attack. You're my shaved knuckle; any hidden forces the Clansmen have are for you to ward off once battle has begun."
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Karyl Crowl
Prince
Proud Proprietor of Crowl's Crossbone Construction Company
Posts: 1,022
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Post by Karyl Crowl on Nov 4, 2012 20:26:15 GMT -5
"I think that is surely going to be within our power to do so." Karyl says grinning wildly.
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Post by Amelia Royce on Nov 4, 2012 20:28:54 GMT -5
"Very good," The Prince said. "Any more questions before we bed down for the night?"
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Post by Ser Titus Grafton on Nov 4, 2012 20:41:49 GMT -5
"I'd like a brief word in private, once we're adjourned," Titus said, looking about the room, "but I understand the mission."
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Post by Amelia Royce on Nov 4, 2012 20:42:35 GMT -5
"Of course, Ser Titus," Benjen said with a nod. "If there aren't any more questions then the meeting is over."
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Post by Ser Titus Grafton on Nov 4, 2012 21:14:52 GMT -5
Once everyone had gone, Titus shook his head and cleared his throat. "I thought perhaps it'd be better if you heard this before everyone else did, so you can decide what to do with it yourself. This witch that the prisoners spoke of, she's more powerful than I'd ever have imagined," he looked visibly distressed just speaking about it.
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Post by Amelia Royce on Nov 4, 2012 21:22:40 GMT -5
Prince Benjen frowned. "You came upon her? In the city?" He sat down, uncorked a bottle of ale and poured two mugs. "Tell me everything you can about her."
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Post by Ser Titus Grafton on Nov 4, 2012 21:27:05 GMT -5
"Well," Titus began, before stopping and taking a drink, thankful for the diversion. "I don't know. It wasn't pretty. Me and some of the boys went ashore when the scouts reported the town to be very lightly guarded. We set the place ablaze, but found one bigger house near the center of town. That place was different, there were guards posted, and something just...felt wrong. I ordered the men to kill the guards, but wait for my order to enter, but they all had plunder on their minds and raced in, only to be slaughtered. I think," he stopped and drained half his mug, "I think, she killed some of them with sorcery. Didn't even lay a hand on them, they just," he frowned, "they just died, Benjen. And that's not even the damned half of it," he finished off the ale and reached for more.
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Post by Amelia Royce on Nov 4, 2012 21:41:46 GMT -5
"Damn it, of course... with Cassadar behind it there had to be sorcery involved," Benjen growled, downed his ale. "Could you tell what type of magic she used? Was there blood involved? Maybe a sacrifice?"
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Post by Ser Titus Grafton on Nov 4, 2012 21:48:47 GMT -5
"Aye, indeed there was. The Arryn girl told me of it, for one. She had pricks in her arm, and was weak from the blood loss. When I got inside her Manse, I saw another girl, Clarissa Royce, bound on sometime of alter. She also had the prick marks, and was very weak and sick. She's fine now, I brought her out and left her in Gulltown in the care of my Father."
"Unfortunately, her magic goes beyond casting blood death spells, or whatever the hell she did in there. She had a creature as well," his face started to turn pale just thinking about it. "It was a moving creature, I don't know if I'd say it was living, but it was fighting nonetheless. It was made from the bodies of dead men. Probably our countrymen. It had many arms, all with swords in them, fighting independent of each other. It wounded me, and my arm started to fester almost immediately, but along with two brave men, one dead and the other, a sailor named Jarvis, we slayed it and rescued the girl. She's dangerous, Benjen. She and her beast killed many of my men and nearly me with them."
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