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Post by Amelia Royce on Mar 3, 2015 7:10:30 GMT -5
The host of 6,000 infantry and 2,500 cavalry, commanded by Prince Benjen Stark.
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Post by Amelia Royce on Mar 3, 2015 7:18:34 GMT -5
On the morning of the march, Benjen goes to say good bye to his wife and children. He is dressed for war, wearing black leather armour, a grey fur cloak and a bronze circlet, which upon his head. His sword Frostwolf, given to him by Rickon Stark shortly before his death, is at his hip and so attired Benjen looks like a true leader.
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Post by Lord Dudley Mudd on Mar 3, 2015 9:47:17 GMT -5
Lars approaches the Prince, dressed in his chain mail shirt underneath his furs. His quiver and bow slung over and hanging on his back. A dagger and dirk on his hips. Yes, he is ready for command of the rearguard, even though he is nervous as ever. No matter how many battles he enters into, the calm before the storm always gets him nervous. He likes the nerves though, makes him focus. Lars bows to the prince. "Quite the morning, your Grace."
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Post by Amelia Royce on Mar 3, 2015 9:57:51 GMT -5
Lars caught Benjen just as he was about to enter his headquarters to see his family.
"Lars!" He said, turning about. "I hope you slept well. All ready to keep our backs safe?" He grinned.
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Post by Lord Dudley Mudd on Mar 3, 2015 11:14:01 GMT -5
"Aye, your Grace!" Lars replied with a grin. "There will not be a flank this day. I'll make sure if it." Lars typically never stays up late or drinks before a march like this one, so rest was something he had plenty of.
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Post by Amelia Royce on Mar 3, 2015 11:27:03 GMT -5
"Good to hear it," Benjen replied cheerfully. He himself had spent half the night awake, memories of various battles still clear in his head. Fortunately Catherine had been able to make the Prince forget about those.
"I hope you have said all your goodbyes," Benjen stated. "There is a chance we could be away from Eddard's Rest for a long time."
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Post by Lord Dudley Mudd on Mar 3, 2015 12:57:15 GMT -5
Lars shrugged. "Everyone I know is coming with us." He finished with a laugh. "I said goodbye to the rest of them when I left the mountains." Lars looks over at the Prince's headquarters. "I will let you get to your goodbyes though. I should attend to the troops. The rearguard will be ready when you are, your Grace."
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Post by Amelia Royce on Mar 3, 2015 13:21:05 GMT -5
"I hope you will see all those you left behind in the mountains again," Benjen replied with a nod. "And thank you, we will march in a bell's time."
He turned around and entered his headquarters, heading upstairs to see his family.
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Post by Lord Dudley Mudd on Mar 3, 2015 14:32:11 GMT -5
"I'm sure I will see them again before too long." Lars says with a bow to Prince Benjen. Lars then walks to where his troops should be preparing to count heads and get a feel for the rearguard.
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Post by The Forgotten God on Mar 3, 2015 17:11:09 GMT -5
Princess Catherine and their children watch Benjen as he dresses for war, the young woman's fair features marred by worry. She clips his sword belt on and hums to herself. "This doesn't feel right, Ben. Are you sure this is the only way to confront the Lannisters?"
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Post by Amelia Royce on Mar 3, 2015 17:14:18 GMT -5
"I would prefer any other way, my love, but for the lords of the west to listen we must first drive them out," Benjen replied. "For now they're winning the war and have no need to listen to reason."
He sighed. "I promise I will do my best to return to you soon."
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Post by The Forgotten God on Mar 3, 2015 17:19:34 GMT -5
She frowns and faces the army he has assembled. "I know you will." She looks at the maps strewn about the area and focuses on one. "You should kill Hollis Clegane first."
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Post by Amelia Royce on Mar 3, 2015 17:24:19 GMT -5
Benjen shook his head. "If we go after Clegane he will lead us a merry chase and we'd be leaving an army fifteen thousand men strong to freely roam the Riverlands. We need to win a battle and quickly."
He paused a moment. "But I am curious, what makes you suggest that?"
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Post by The Forgotten God on Mar 3, 2015 17:33:57 GMT -5
She points at the map. "You only need a victory to convince lords to come to terms. You can use Riverrun to move your army through and catch Clegane between your forces and my brother's at Seagard. Lord Lefford can't take any major castles in three weeks, can he? If you smash Hollis in the north, you'll free the Freys to send their men south to join up with us."
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Post by Amelia Royce on Mar 3, 2015 17:45:41 GMT -5
Benjen looked at the map and gave the matter some thought. "Clegane has a force of unknown size following him. I cannot go back on the plans and the orders I have already sent," He finally said.
"I'm sorry Catherine. Your family will be safe at Seagard. Even if we should defeat Clegane, there will be two armies marching into the Riverlands. With losses sustained against Clegane we would have no hope against the invaders. Even with Frey's men."
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