Maekar
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Sam/BlueLion
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Post by Maekar on Jan 9, 2014 9:18:54 GMT -5
The Stout keep made of stone-and-timber, surrounded by a thick curtain wall sits upon a small bluff above a small lake, which allows the Lord of Horn Hill a commanding view of the thick woods that surround the castle in all directions. A two roads run out of the single gatehouse, one running west and sligtly north, to Highgarden, and the other south southwest, toward Oldtown. Known as excellent huntsment, the Tarlys make good use of the game that fills their forests and trappers come from all corners of westeros to petition Lord Tarly for the use of them as well; much of the fur in the south comes from merchants based in Lord Tarly's land.
The current Lord is Simon Tarly, known widely as a prodigious fighter and wielder of the storied Valyrian greatsword known as Heartsbane.
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Maekar
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Sam/BlueLion
Posts: 1,437
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Post by Maekar on Jan 10, 2014 23:15:43 GMT -5
The dragon Cyrax appeared in the skies over Horn Hill, and circled the keep lazily three times, before gliding down to land on a patch of cleared land outside the castle gates. Maekar released the chains binding him to the dragon's saddle, and dropped to the ground lightly. He was a little disheveled, and wearing the same chain-and-leather that he had been wearing four days prior when he had left the Targaryen army camp at Highgarden. He had several days of stubble on his face and his hair, though still tied back, was messier than normal.
"Ser Maekar Waters, come to seek an audience with the Lord of Horn Hill," he called out to the sentries on the gatehouse. He had come to Horn Hill several times over the last few years, to attempt to convince Lord Tarly to join the host, but had never been successful. Still he, or at least his reputation, was known to Lord Tarly's men, but this was the first time any of them had ever heard him introduce himself as Waters having often preferred to name himself for Dragonstone, the place of his birth.
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Post by Vhagar on Jan 11, 2014 7:04:18 GMT -5
Lord Tarly's men looked down upon him in surprise. One of them, a boy on the brink of manhood, looked terrified of Cyrax. But another said "You may enter, Ser Maekar."
He was shown into the lord's solar. Lord Tarly was a tall, grim-faced man, battle-hardened and stern. He looked upon Maekar with a grave expression. "So, they send the bastard to beg me for men. Again. What makes you think I will agree this time?"
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Maekar
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Sam/BlueLion
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Post by Maekar on Jan 11, 2014 7:22:20 GMT -5
"The spoils that eleven dragons will bring," Maekar replied bluntly. "The Prince of Dragonstone had been placed in command of the King's host, and he brought with him nine dragon riders from the capital. The Faith cannot hope to stand against such a magnitude of flame; we have the firepower to wipe Oldtown off the face of the Earth if we so choose."
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Post by Vhagar on Jan 11, 2014 7:52:49 GMT -5
"Indeed. And with so many dragons, why do you need my men too?" Tarly snapped. "You have an army already."
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Maekar
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Sam/BlueLion
Posts: 1,437
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Post by Maekar on Jan 11, 2014 8:03:28 GMT -5
"You know full well that Heartsbane in your hand is worth more than a score of men armed to the teeth," Maekar snapped back, getting irritated. "Do you not wish this war ended? Half the Reach is a smoking ruin, and the other half is overgrown from want of men to work the land. When the Dragonbane dies, we can begin setting this Kingdom to right and repairing the damage that's been caused. If your presence will increase our chances of emerging victorious by even the slightest margin, is it not worth it to fight? His grace the King does not forget the service of his people."
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Post by Vhagar on Jan 11, 2014 8:15:22 GMT -5
"Aye, I want the war ended," Tarly agreed. "But it seems to me that you need me more than I need you. I will lose many men if I join you, men whose lives would be spared if I remained here. So, I ask you, how shall House Tarly benefit from sending men to join your host, ser?"
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Maekar
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Sam/BlueLion
Posts: 1,437
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Post by Maekar on Jan 11, 2014 8:35:40 GMT -5
"What do you want," Maekar asked, "in exchange for leading the men of Horn Hill to war?"
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Post by Vhagar on Jan 11, 2014 9:06:58 GMT -5
"I want what every man wants. Lands and honours, and ties to the royal house," Tarly replied.
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Maekar
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Sam/BlueLion
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Post by Maekar on Jan 11, 2014 9:19:16 GMT -5
Maekar had once known the ages of Lord Tarly's children; the Lord himself was in his late thirties, and Maekar tried to recall how old the children were. He was pretty sure that the heir was at least of age to be a squire, only a few years from knighthood.
"To whom in the royal house would you tie yourself, my lord?" Maekar asked. "The King has many relatives, by which an agreement can be made."
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Post by Vhagar on Jan 11, 2014 9:48:31 GMT -5
"I have several children," Tarly replied. "I believe House Targaryen has a number of young maidens amongst its members, any one of whom would make a suitable bride for my heir. Failing that, I have a daughter, newly flowered, who might be wed to one of the young men of the house. I believe the king has some nephews and cousins of a suitable age to be betrothed."
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Maekar
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Sam/BlueLion
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Post by Maekar on Jan 11, 2014 10:09:41 GMT -5
Maekar nodded. "My cousin Lord Rhaegar, son of Aenar, is unwed, a lad of sixteen, as is my uncle Lord Baelor if you prefer an older groom for one of your daughters. Lord Rhaegar's two sisters are Elseyris and Visenya, fourteen and fifteen respectively. All four are dragon riders. The King's brother, Prince Aemon, has a son of twelve, and his other brother, Prince Maelys, has a son and a daughter, both aged eight," he said, listing off the marriageable relatives as if he were describing a herd of cattle to sell at market.
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Post by Vhagar on Jan 11, 2014 10:23:00 GMT -5
"Even at Horn Hill we know of Aenar's folly. I shall not wed any of my children to traitorspawn," Tarly vowed. "It must be one of the others. Prince Maelys' daughter would suffice. My heir would be a good age for marriage by the time the girl grew to womanhood."
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Maekar
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Sam/BlueLion
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Post by Maekar on Jan 11, 2014 10:59:59 GMT -5
Maekar nodded again. "The crown will make an appropriate dowry for the girl when the time comes, and if you like I shall arrange for her and a small entourage to come to Horn Hill once the war has ended, that she might grow accustomed to the place that will become her home. With no wedding or bedding to take place until after she has flowered, of course," he said, extending a hand. "Are we agreed?"
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Post by Vhagar on Jan 11, 2014 11:10:36 GMT -5
"We are." Tarly shook the offered hand with a firm grip. "Those arrangements are most suitable, ser. How soon do you require my men?"
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Maekar
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Sam/BlueLion
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Post by Maekar on Jan 11, 2014 11:19:07 GMT -5
"As soon as you can be ready to march. The Prince of Dragonstone has marched south from Highgarden on the Roseroad, by now he should be a day or two away. If you wish the safety of a dragon, I can escort you and your men most of the way to the Roseroad aback Cyrax, though I must turn south toward Uplands as soon as I can. I have many more keeps to visit before the Prince reaches Oldtown. How soon can you march, and with how many?" Maekar asked, returning the handshake just as firmly.
"If you will allow me the use of your rookery, I will send a letter to the Red Keep to inform the King and Prince Maelys, as well as Lady Miana, before we depart," he said, hoping that he had gotten his young cousin's name right.
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Post by Vhagar on Jan 11, 2014 11:26:10 GMT -5
"We can march the day after tomorrow," Tarly replied. "I'll need to send a rider out to rouse my vassal knights. I can bring...five hundred men. It would be more, were it not that so many had died already. Of course you may use the rookery. We've some birds still, thank the gods."
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Maekar
Site Council
Sam/BlueLion
Posts: 1,437
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Post by Maekar on Jan 11, 2014 12:03:13 GMT -5
Only long years of practicing maintaining an impassive expression stopped Maekar's eyes from bulging out of his head; Lord Tarly at the head of five hundred men would be a huge boost, both in resources and in morale to the army, for he was well known in the Reach and beyond as one the greatest warriors in the Seven Kingdoms. "That will be perfect, my lord. News of your joining us will bring heart to the men, and bolster our forces considerably," Maekar replied.
With their business concluded, Maekar made his way to the rookery, writing a short letter detailing the deal he'd made with Tarly. He stamped his seal on both of them, and had the Maester send it to the Red Keep.
That night, Maekar stayed at Horn Hill in guest quarters granted to him by Lord Tarly, and he finally had a bath, shaved, and his clothes washed for the first time since leaving the army. On the appointed day, Lord Tarly marched from Horn Hill at the head of a small host, the size of which increased as his vassals join them en-route to the Roseroad. On the second day of marching, as Maekar flew above the five hundred men flying Lord Tarly's banners, he was able to see the marching banner's of the Prince's army moving south along the road.
Maekar swooped to the ground, to inform Lord Tarly of the royal army's position, and to give him a second letter he had written, addressed to Prince Aegon. Once he was sure that the Lord of Horn Hill would safely join the large army, Cyrax peeled off to the south, in the direction of Uplands.
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all alone and also really bored 
Hopefully going to kickstart the festival too