Daeron hurriedly entered the hall. His eyes scanned the room and noted the presence of Ser Malcolm, who was often named Castellan in Lord Gilder's absence, Maester Aldrik, Ser Sigurd, the commander of the fleet, and even Septon Ravel from the town. He was running late thanks to Ser Roger. Daeron wasn't sure Roger knew the meaning of practice. While sparring in the yard this morning one of Roger's titanic blows had knocked him off his feet and into the mud. He had had to change clothes before coming to the Lord's small council meeting. Lord Gilder was commanding the Ice Maiden on patrol today and had left instructions for Daeron to preside over the small council.
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Daeron paused and took a short calming breath before approaching the table at more measured pace. He gracefully took his seat, spread his hands on the table, and glanced around the table at each of the participants, finally resting his eyes on Maester Aldrik.
ReplyDeleteMalcolm wasn't usually one for meetings, but today might be an exception. First, he was able to come straight from the practice yard, still smelling of earth, salt, and horse. While he deeply respected Sigurd's duties, and appreciated the counsel of both the Maester and the Septon, he was also certain that those who wore robes instead of leather often forgot what had come before, and what prices had been paid. The smell of earth reminded him, and he hoped reminded the others at the table as well.
ReplyDeleteThat, and the young Braavosi pup would make his first appearance as, in essence, acting Lord. He hoped Gilder knew what he was doing, educating the lad with such a swift kick, but Gilder had done much that Malcolm didn't understand over the years, and most of it had worked in his favor. Malcolm couldn't tell if the sheen on Daeron's forehead was the sweat of fear or washwater, but knew that if he put in the same effort at the table as he had in the yard, this meeting had a chance yet.
"Ah, there you are young master," said Maester Aldrik. "I have several items which require the council's attention today."
ReplyDeleteFirst, I am sorry to report that your father's condition has not improved. He still remains too weak to stand, and speech is becoming difficult for him. I am at a loss to figure out what is wrong with him. The maester of House Brook was kind enough to send a volume from their library over. It purports to be a recopying of a manuscript on marsh herbs and potions from the days of the Riverlords and the First Men. There are several curative potions it mentions that can be made from plants found throughout the Blue Fork. I have no way to judge the authenticity or accuracy of the book. While I have found many of the plants in this land to have beneficial properties, these potions purport to be almost miracle cures. If you are interested we could gather some of the herbs and I could brew one of the elixirs for Eryyk.
On another matter, we seem to have lost an Ironborn longship. As you may know, we keep a close eye on Ironborn ships from here, and our spy on Pyke provides us information as well. We also share ship movements with the Mallisters of Seagard. We relay these messages by raven of course. We noted a longship leaving Pyke and sailing North toward Seagard. Seagard reported in heading south along the coast back toward us two days ago. We have yet to see it here near the town, nor has our spy reported it returning to Pyke. It appears to have vanished somewhere between here and Seagard.
On hearing of his father's condition, Daeron's shoulders dropped, and he let out a deep breath. His father is dying; Eryyk desires to join his wife, and Daeron doubts that any tea or poultice will tie a soul to a body it no longer wishes to inhabit. These thoughts are not welcome, and Daeron does what he can to keep them from visiting him.
ReplyDelete"That's fine Maester, do what you can for my father," Daeron says, almost in a whisper. After a moment he shakes his head and straightens his shoulders.
"This Ironborn ship, could it have landed somewhere between here and Seagard? I am still not familiar with that territory; is there anything of value that they could be harassing there?"
That territory is split, young master, between the Mallisters and ourselves. There are no settlements, but many small docks with fishermen's huts and some farms are in the area. I too had suspected that it might have landed somewhere in that region. But for what purpose I don't know.
ReplyDeleteRegarding the plants, many of them would be deep in the wetlands. I confess I am not at my best in such country. I would be most happy if I could prepare drawings of what is needed for a party of your choosing, or at least have some men more familiar with traipsing around in the mud to accompany me.
"Ser Malcolm, I think we should send a patrol from The Fog out to make sure the Ironborn have not landed in our territory; it would not be good to only discover them marching on Tannyr's Quay from the north when they are within sight of the town. Ser Sigurd, please have one or two ships ready to depart, in case our Iron cousins have decided to partake in mischief; we shouldn't provoke them if they have taken no hostile actions, but if they have, we should strike them hard enough to make them think twice about invading our territory again."
ReplyDeleteAs he said that, Daeron unconsciously began to rub his own neck. Too bad he could not simply avoid sparring with Ser Roger...
Malcolm frowned deeply. He didn't much care for the thought of Ironborn mucking about in his woods, and he liked even less that his responsibilities today might require that he stay at Tidehall instead of leading the party against them.
ReplyDelete"Very Well. I'll speak to Riker immediately. We should have a few men on patrol in that vicinity already, and I suspect that for a single ship an additional platoon shall suffice, but I'll let them use their judgement.
Maester Aldrik, might we request a similar patrol from the Mallisters? 'Above' us or not, surely Seagard sees the benefit in finding these bandits.
As for the herbs, we could request Riker provide some men for an escort, or send a squad to collect what you need. They know those marshes better than anyone. I'd stay to the south for now, though, until we determine where this ship has gotten to.
Master Daeron, if you need me at Tidehall, I will remain. However, I may be of help on either of these expeditions. Ser Roger and Ser Bohemund are here, along with The Watch and The Rain, so you should be able to mount an effective defense in my absence." He smiled, "Just tell me where I can serve you best.
"The Warrior will protect Tannyr's Quay and Tidehall, as he always has," Septon Ravel says.
ReplyDeleteIf I may interrupt for but a moment. I do not normally come to these meetings, and my matter is perhaps not as urgent as these, but I feel I should bring it to your attention. An old man has taken up residence along the sea outside Tannyr's Quay, he wears the green robe and carries the driftwood cudgel of a priest of the Drowned God. He has been preaching to the smallfolk in town a coming storm from the Storm God, and that the Seven are powerless to protect them and only by being baptised to the Drowned God can they be saved. The crowds he draws have been growing larger as the week has gone by.
"Hmm.. It is said that all gods are worshipped in Braavos, but I admit that I am not familiar with the tenets of this 'Drowned God'. Those who pray to the Father of Waters are often baptized as a public sign of their devotion; usually a few drops of water are splashed on their face, but sometimes they are briefly submerged into one of the cleaner canals... What is at issue with the arrival of this priest?"
ReplyDeleteMalcolm genuflects following the Septon's brief prayer and listens to the exchange.
ReplyDelete"I'd say not much is at issue, Master. The Greyjoy's men use this 'drowned god' of theirs as an excuse for their pillage and rape, and they say the 'storm god' is worse. I imagine, however, that the worst we'll face are raiders and bandits.
"No offense to you or the Seven, Septon, but these holy men crop up now and again, preaching their blasphemy. It's rarely this close to town, but I fear intervening may be worse than leaving him be. If his gods want war with the Seven, it'll come in their longboats, as it did last time, and we'll be ready for them."
Maester Aldrik chimed in, "Well then, that appears to be all the business we have to discuss. I will start preparing the drawings and descriptions of the plants from the book. It may take me several days to complete that, so I think for now you may focus on the missing ship. With your permission, young master, I will take my leave and begin the drawings."
ReplyDeleteDaeron glanced around the table, verifying that each man had said his piece. Maester Aldrik was waiting for Dearon's leave, Septon Ravel obviously had more to say, but did not appear willing to force the matter at this time, Ser Sigurd sat stoically showing no hint of his thoughts, and Malcolm appeared as if he were sitting on the biting thorns of the Iron Throne itself. Daeron nodded at the maester and began to rise.
ReplyDelete"I will discuss the further arrangements of the various patrols with Ser Malcolm. Please, carry on with your days, my lords."
"I will prepare the ships as you asked, my lord." Sigurd said matter-of-factly.
ReplyDeleteOnce Daeron was standing, Malcolm followed to his feet. He exchanged brief pleasantries with Sigurd, nodded to the Maester and then walked to the Septon. “A brief word, Septon Ravel.” As was his custom when he saw the Septon, he pressed 10 silver stags into his palm, saying quietly, “Perhaps this will take care of a few orphan’s meals this month. Ask the Warrior to keep an eye on those of us who head north today, Septon.” As an afterthought, he added, “And you, keep an eye on this green-robed heretic. If he does more than talk, or if the crowds become unruly, I want to be informed before we need Bohemund’s men.”
ReplyDeleteWith that, he took his leave the Septon and returned to young Daeron’s side, and began walking with him out of the chamber. In a muted voice, he said, “Your uncle will be proud of your quick study, Master Daeron. You acquitted yourself well both here and in the yard.
“Time is short if we want the men to reach the border much before dusk. I can inform Riker of the situation, and he should be able to field 20 to 40 men within an hour. I don’t believe that waiting for the rest is necessary for a single longship, and the boys know their business – they won’t fight if they can’t win.”
If it were Gilder, Malcolm would have ended his advice there. However, with the young man next to him, Malcolm couldn’t help adding, “I know these wetlands well, young master. I might be of help to the men of the Fog, but will go where I am required
For half a second it appears that Daeron blushes slightly at the complement, but his composure is quickly regained. He nods in agreement about the about the patrol to the north. At Malcom's final request, Daeron shakes his head.
ReplyDelete"Part of me wishes to join Maester Aldrik's expedition, as much as I do not relish the thought of traipsing through the mud, to both escape everything here and to help my father, if he can be helped... But... Until my uncle returns, my duty keeps me here. Could you select the men to go on that expedition? I will be satisfied with whatever choice you make.
I would also like someone to keep an eye on this Drowned God priest. If he has something to do with the Ironborn, then we should perhaps not trust his motives. However, the Septon has his own faith's interests at heart... A merchant who plies faulty goods should be punished, but not on the word of a rival merchant... I guess my point is we should have an independent and trusted source observe him for a while."
"Of course, Master Daeron. I will speak to Riker immediately. As for the priest, I may have just the man to keep an eye on him."
ReplyDeleteI'm confused as to which, if any, expedition Malcolm is going on, Daeron.
ReplyDeleteooc: my read on this is that Malcolm has been told to stay at Tidehall and send a patrol. I intend to speak to my invented NPC Riker, send them on their way, and then head to the yard to chat with seff about keeping an eye on the Drowned Man.
ReplyDeleteooc: I left it ambiguous, so BR's interpretation is a correct interpretation. Daeron will head up to one of the outer walls/towers of the keep and stare out into the ocean for now, then carry on whatever the daily routine is until the next scene is set.
ReplyDeleteMalcolm made his way through the narrow stone passage between the Old Tower and the armory, then down a flight of wide stairs into the barracks. The barracks of Tidehall were built into bedrock below the western wall. A single great arched hall was divided into two large dimly lit rooms with high rows of bunks, one each for The Watch and The Rain, separated by a narrow corridor. At the end of the corridor, it branched in both directions, giving access to a number of smaller rooms and a row of privies along the outer wall. When Malcolm had been a boy, some of these small rooms had housed Urryk Castriati’s personal guardsmen or were used by visiting bannermen from other houses. Now, these rooms were mostly empty, but a few served as home to men of the Fog. The guerilla fighters spent most of their time either on patrol in the field, or holding vigil at the Haunted Stones, but every few weeks ten or twenty men would rotate back to town, for a taste of warm food and soft beds. This week, a young man (with a wispy beard and a love of the panflute) named Riker had the Fog’s watch at Tidehall. As Malcolm entered the room, he saw Riker among a collection of rough men, all stooped around a small upturned box, rolling dice with copper pennies in neat stacks in front of each of them.
ReplyDelete“Riker! Stand ready, lad. We have need of you and yours.”
Ser Malcolm explained the situation with the missing Ironborn vessel, and its possible incursion onto house lands.
“Take what men are ready here, and meet up with what patrols you can in the area. Stay out of mischief, but if they’ve landed, and you can take them, you know what to do. I want a report by high tide, or I’ll come find you myself.”
Though the men groaned upon hearing the news, hesitant to give up their respite, Riker had the faintest hint of a smile. "Alright, you heard the man. Get your sorry arses ready in twenty minutes. You can drink and dice when we return, perhaps for some Ironborn swords and armor."
ReplyDeleteThe Old Tower was the highest, and the first built, point in Tidehall. From it one could see from the Ironman's Bay all the way to the forests and wetlands of the Blue Fork. Below in the yard Daeron could hear the men laughing and cheering while the master at arms and others practiced throwing axes at one of the wooden targets. Just beyond the docks a small crowd was visible by the shore, listening to a robed man.
ReplyDeleteTannyr's Quay was bustling with activity where merchants were busy trading on the Weaver's Street. A galley, Tyroshi by the look of it, had just come in to port and the docks were starting to come to life as well.
Daeron heard the characteristic shuffling of Maester Aldrik's feet behind him. "Sorry to disturb you, master Daeron. Captain Eyrolio's ship from Tyrosh just came into port and we have a few dispatches, payments, and bills of lading to send with him. Normally I would send a retainer but I thought you might like the opportunity to get out of the castle for a bit, the smallfolk don't recognize you very well yet, but I believe you knew Eyrolio from your father's house. It is no matter though, I can send it with a servant if you like."
ReplyDeleteDaeron turns his head to look at Aldrik, a slight smile forming on his lips.
ReplyDelete"No worries Maester, I'll take it down."
Daeron looked back over the wall for a another moment, then turned to follow Aldrik to his study to retrieve the papers.