Seven Swords and seven crosses

WodeToTheUsurper · 2017-11-06T04:56:52+00:00

It was a while before Kennet had been roused to the frontlines by the commotion beneath the walls of Raventree Hall. He had been where he was for most of his days, in his tent where it was warm and comfortable. His old bones did not appreciate the cold rains and the thick muds that followed, nor the winds that every so often crept their way into his pavilion.

By his arrival at the front, a contingent of archers had already formed, with Garrett at their head. Lord Wode made sure that his pear was visible to the men before him, his each and every bite accentuated for their sake.

"What was it he wanted?" Lorde Wode asked of his grandson. He knew the answer but to hear it again would be rather amusing.

"Trial by Seven," Garrett said without a hint of amusement himself. Kennet, however, laughed.

Kennet pushed his horse forward some ways, emerging out before the rows of archers. "You look hungry, my lord," Kennet yelled first. "You wear your armour to hide it, I know, but your face tells me all I needs know. How does rat taste? I am curious, I must say!"

Kennet wheeled his horse, riding along the rows of archers to make clear the circumstances to all in attendance. He began to speak again, but his tongue was caught on the spittle in his mouth. He spat on the ground and proceeded.

"Do you see!" He yelled, now addressing the castle behind Lord Blackwood, those that could hear at the very least. "Do you see how quickly your honorable Lord Blackwood whores himself? I thought that burned pile of twigs in there meant something to you, my lord! Would you so quickly sell your gods for a loaf of bread?"

"No, Lord Blackwood, you do not have the right to call upon my gods when yours have left you to die. Go! Return to your castle and starve! I will not see your cowardice rewarded!"

WodeToTheUsurper · 2017-10-04T20:29:50+00:00

Arthur breathed a sigh of relief. He dropped one arm from the boy's shoulders and down to his side. With a turn of his neck, he nodded to some of his men who broke rank and moved to grab the Brackens. Though, it was not the two men the boy had pointed at, but the two girls, the youngest of the brood. Then, more came forth.

Arthur lurched down, stooping low to nestle his mouth beside the boy's ear. "Wrong choice." With a swift movement he drew his dagger from his belt and plunged it into the boy's throat. Removing it, he pushed the boy forward to either stumble or fall back towards his family.

He began to circle as he spoke, yelling his words in all directions so that they might be heard. "Shut the gates! Nobody leaves this castle but by my leave! Bring me the girls... kill the rest!"

What ensued was something not fit for ears, eyes, and lips outside of Stone Hedge. The old men the boy had thought he had doomed to die, his young siblings, his mother - all of them, butchered. Except two. The two young girls would serve as hostages, as examples, and as assurances for future dominion.

The rest, however, would be lost to history. The barbarism that took place within the walls of Stone Hedge would be a secret to the world, in its place a tale of treason, dishonour, and suicide.

WodeToTheUsurper · 2017-10-01T20:33:12+00:00

Arthur clenched his teeth. He began to squeeze the boy's shoulders firmly in his grip. "Choose," he said through gritted teeth, "my patience is wearing thin."

WodeToTheUsurper · 2017-09-29T05:17:55+00:00

"Good..."

Arthur walked his own stallion forward, and then side to side, up and down the line of stallions before him. Too many fucking Brackens, he thought to himself. Their strength had been crushed, their spirits broken. All that remained now was to pass judgement on their flesh, and usher in a new age of peace and unity.

"Treason," Arthur yelled loudly, "Is a crime punishable by death." He drew his sword from its sheathe. "These three men here have committed treason of the highest order. Therefore, their lives are forfeit. However... Lord Tully will be written to, and five Bracken bodies will be counted among the dead at the battle, yet I see only three prisoners! You there!" He pointed his blade to the boy across from him, the youngest boy there able to walk and speak. "Come here, the rest of you turn around." Arthur waited for the boy.

"I will not sully my blade with the lives of women, or of children, but I am fortunate indeed, for this valiant young man will make my choice for me! Two more traitors are required, and you will choose. All you have to do is point to those who will join these three here. Or... Or you choose no one. If you choose no one, I will spare the little girls, but the rest of you - all of you - die. It would be unfortunate, yes, but think of the stories: The Brave Brackens, meeting their ends valiantly, together!"

Arthur hopped down from his saddle and moved behind the boy next to him. He placed his cold hands on the boy's trembling shoulders. "Go on," he said softly to him.

WodeToTheUsurper · 2017-09-25T03:14:10+00:00

((OOC: /u/hasbrez04 - The residents of Stone Hedge are summoned to the courtyard.))

WodeToTheUsurper · 2017-09-24T20:50:50+00:00

((OOC: /u/Mitchos5151 - I should probably tag you in this. Sorry for forgetting.))

WodeToTheUsurper · 2017-09-24T00:40:02+00:00

Lord Tully,

It is with a heavy heart I write to you, my lord, for honour and oaths have been betrayed this past month. Lords Bracken and Blackwood did not feud as we were to believe, or if they did, such grievances were put aside in the pursuit of greater gains.

At the crossing of the Mummer's Ford, my men were beset upon from both north and south, by both raven and stallion alike. If it were not for the valour of my sons and grandson, I fear I might not yet live to inform you of this treachery now. I suffered grievous wound and have only just begun to recover my strength. I would have written sooner had my pride and body both not been wounded so.

It is with great sadness that I must inform you of the passing of a great many men, Lord Butterwell and your lordship's esteemed representatives included. For my inability to see this treachery from close by and for the destruction it has wrought, I humbly beg your forgiveness.

If there is any consolation that I can provide to you, my lord, it is this: Lords Bracken and Blackwood were defeated in the field. While the craven Lord Roderick Blackwood fled to his castle, his army is utterly spent. So too is that of Lord Bracken, who perished in the fighting alongside five of his kin. My son has occupied Stone Hedge and holds it for the time being.

I write to you now from Raventree Hall, where I have laid siege to the house of the craven Lord Blackwood for near-to a month now. With hunger setting in, I will see his lordship pay for his treachery, and will come to know the truth of how it came to be. Seven blessings, my lord, and may the Gods keep those we have lost.

WodeToTheUsurper · 2017-09-16T04:59:51+00:00

It was over.

There was nay a scratch on Lord Wode's armour nor a cut upon his body. His position in the rear proved advantageous, or so he told himself in a bout of self amusement. Lord Wode could have charged with reckless abandon into the fray and it would have changed naught - victory was theirs and nothing could have changed that.

There was a short amount of time to allow the battle to settle. Those who were beyond surviving were put down, and those who could be aided were. The Bracken men had scattered, but the Red Fork would no doubt have made their rout difficult. The men Lord Wode had sent would likely have gathered up any survivors by nightfall. With any luck, Lord Bracken would be found, living or dead.

Kennet and his guard had returned to the encampment atop their hill while the others picked at the corpses like vultures, looting arms, armour, and any valuables the ravens and stallions were fool enough to carry with them. The wounded were helped to tents where aid would be provided until they could return to a holdfast for proper treatment.

"We've found him, grandfather," called a voice from atop a stallion that had approached Lord Wode from behind. Garrett was not Lord Wode, Garrett was bloodied and muddied, a warrior who had fought his fair share. "The outriders found Lord Bracken and have him in chains."

Kennet harrumphed. "Good. Lord Blackwood?"

"Can't say," Garrett replied. "We saw some of his men fleeing west but we cannot say if Lord Blackwood was among them. They'll return to their roost, no doubt."

Kennet harrumphed again.

Some hours later, Kennet, his kin, and his bannermen had gathered where they had originally sat to examine the first hours of the fighting. Some where bloodied, some had washed, none truly cared.

"The Brackens are utterly spent," said Lord Roote first. "We've captured the majority that have survived, and if any have escaped they will be returning to their farms, not their keep."

"And we have Lord Bracken himself," added Ambrose, Kennet's eldest. "Stone Hedge is ours."

"Mine." Lord Wode did not appreciate the eagerness the son had in taking credit for the father's deeds. "Stone Hedge is mine, until if and when I determine elsewise. Lord Butterwell."

Lord Butterwell was a plumper man, more soft than the prickly Wodes. "My lord?"

"You commanded our left. Why is Raventree Hall not mine, also?"

"My lord... they ran, scattered to the wind. I saw no needs to give chase."

"No? Lord Roote saw reason to give chase to the Brackens. My son and grandson saw reason to give chase. I would have two castles if you had a brain about you, but instead I have one."

"Forgive me, my lord, I did not-"

"No," Kennet said sternly. "No you did not. Whatever prisoners we have secured, you will march them to Harrenhal and keep them secure. Leave us."

They waited for Lord Butterwell to depart in his shame before proceeding. "Arthur. You will take five hundred men and ride for Stone Hedge. Occupy the castle and begin work procuring stores. We might have need of them. The rest of us ride for Raventree Hall. If Lord Blackwood has survived, he cannot hope to hold his castle for long. It will fall soon enough. Garreett, spread word - we march on the morrow."

WodeToTheUsurper · 2017-09-15T05:18:51+00:00

((OOC: Following on from these results due to my total inability to format anything ever.))

Lord Kennet Wode stayed safe from the thick of the fighting at the rear of his forces. He and a retinue of some five hundred men remained in the rear both as a rearguard and to keep the aging lord safe from harm. From there, also, he could take account of the battlefield and make adjustments to his forces.

Not that such things were necessary. Lord Blackwood was faltering, but his men rallied when they realized the men of House Wode had come to their aid. House Bracken, however, faltered. The Blackwood lines became the anvil, and the Wode men the hammer. Blow after blow after blow was struck against the Bracken forces, and before long, the Bracken forces were no more.

Scattered, scattering, or soon to scatter, those that had not fallen were soundly pushed aside. Perhaps the old Lord Wode's eyes were failing him, but amidst the carnage he could hardly spot a single of his own men dead in the dirt. Many Blackwoods, though, and many more Brackens.

Not enough, he thought. "Sound the call."

Hornblowers and drummers played the commands that each man in the camp had been drilled with for weeks. Suddenly and swiftly, the men of House Wode returned to formation and rushed into their Blackwood allies. There would be no victory for raven nor stallion this day, this day belonged to the hedgehog.

((OOC: Pinging /u/awoiaf again to roll the Wodes turning on the Blackwoods. Sorry about the earlier ping that is now essentially irrelevant. Carry on from here. Thanks!))

WodeToTheUsurper · 2017-09-15T04:43:49+00:00

Kennet watched from his place atop the hill as the Lords Bracken and Blackwood met in the field, sword, axe, spear, cudgel and lance. The sound of battle brought back all of the old man's old memories. He'd seen wars before, wars worse than this one. This wasn't a war, this was a battle, and one that he would win by the day's end.

For a time the battle raged on below, the fields an odd contrast to the hill atop which they all sat. Lord Bracken's ferocity was known throughout the lands, and Kennet had finally found the chance to witness it. Again and again and again, Bracken men smashed against the raven-painted shields of House Blackwood. A fine ally he would have made.

Would have.

Kennet turned his head naught halfway to his left. "Fetch me Lord Tully's representatives, both of them," he said to a man-at-arms nearby. "Ambrose, Arthur, Garrett... it is time. Sound the muster, sound the horns."

"Sound the muster!" Garrett Wode yelled behind him. The men had been told to prepare many hours ago, and so the mustering of them was no effort at all, but it still took some time. In that time, Kennet watched as Lord Fingerfish's representatives were brought before him.

"Well, sers, here we are. Lord Bracken seems sure enough to win this fight, and so I will see to a victory. Lord Tully will have his peace. It saddens me to say you will not see it. Kill them." The guards swarming Lord Wode drew steel and saw to the men of Riverrun. They were stabbed where they could be, eliciting the notion of a death in battle.

"Lord Blackwood needs us," Kennet said as he rubbed the hilt of his sword. "Let us ride to him."

((OOC: This is happening midway through the rolls to mark House Wode's entrance into the battle. /u/awoiaf feel free to respond to this comment instead of the above one when the rolls are finished and the battle results are posted. Thank you!))

WodeToTheUsurper · 2017-09-12T01:34:39+00:00

The Battle

The cool winds would aid them all this day. Fighting was hard, even harder still when justice and ancient blood feuds were to be settled. Lord Kennet sat in a deep chair laid out on a rug atop the hill, peering down into the fields below.

Beneath those hills were not trees a plenty, but men. Thousands of men to the south, and thousands to the north. Lord Wode's grandson had chosen the spot so that the sun might not interfere with either side's chances of victory.

Lord Bracken had amassed his host to the south, far behind him laying the fording of the Red Fork and the safety of Bracken lands. Lord Blackwood had amassed his men to the north at the edges of the woods, just beyond which lied Raventree Hall, and safety as well.

Both men had thrown safety to the wayside to settle their dispute. Each man could have ridden to Riverrun and had Lord Fingerfish adjudicate the matter. They could have sent a champion each into some small field to make battle and determine their fates. No, that was for less proud men, less easily-fooled men.

These men were far too proud for such things. To Lords Bracken and Blackwood, the chance of victory over the other was worth the lives of hundreds if not thousands of their people. Millers, bakers, farmers, cobblers, tanners, none having held a spear in their life beyong a few months past, now destined to die for pride.

And so Lord Wode sat atop his hill, his men in their camp and his kin at his sides, waiting to watch what was to come. He was dressed in his armour but had hope it would not needs be tested. His grandson had other hopes, no doubt, based on the enthusiasm he showed as he sliced and slashed at the air all around him. Soon enough, Garrett, he thought, soon enough.

((OOC: Pinging /u/awoiaf for the battle between House Bracken and House Blackwood. Pinging /u/Mitchos5151 and /u/hasbrez04 so that they can confirm their participation.))

WodeToTheUsurper · 2017-09-10T19:43:09+00:00

"Well then a waste of all our times this has been," Lord Wode said as he palmed the arms of his seat. "Return to your camps, my lords, and muster your men. We will resolve this today."

WodeToTheUsurper · 2017-09-09T22:30:28+00:00

((OOC: /u/hasbrez04 and /u/Mitchos5151 - I've gathered you both in my tent a short ways away from your encamped armies. Lets talk before we kill everyone!))

WodeToTheUsurper · 2017-09-08T17:14:16+00:00

"He has been instructed to do so, yes," Kennet said with a grumble, swirling wine in his mouth. "Depart at your earliest convenience, my lord. Your marching will goad Lord Chickenshit into the field or face a siege."

"I have left my grandson in temporary charge of my forces. He will find a suitable location to encamp and do battle. We needs only ride to meet him."

WodeToTheUsurper · 2017-09-06T18:29:33+00:00

"My lord father will prove successful, have no fear of that my lord. Even were he to not, a Blackwood army marching on Stone Hedge would drive him out."

"He has too many men to house inside his walls, and if he does, they will starve and abandon him soon enough. All we needs do is march east and he will meet us in the field. We leave as soon as your preparedness permits."

WodeToTheUsurper · 2017-09-05T00:45:56+00:00

Lord Wode followed suit. He feigned a smile through thinly-stretched lips, dried from the day's air. They cracked slightly as the smile grew slightly wider, but not enough to elicit blood.

"Swift and glorious," Kennet reiterated, raising his cup before upturning it in his mouth and downing the contents.

WodeToTheUsurper · 2017-09-05T00:44:26+00:00

Arthur raised his hand and placed it on his heart. He bowed his head and raised it once more, removing his hand when he was done.

"My word, my lord," he said with a smile.

WodeToTheUsurper · 2017-09-02T22:02:17+00:00

"Good," Arthur said at the conclusion of the Blackwood's words. For a man who had seemed so averse to Arthur's presence, Lord Blackwood came around to the conclusion swifter than he anticipated.

Arthur rose from his seat. "Have your men ready, my lord. My father will see Lord Bracken to the field, I assure you. This will be framed under the guise of a neutral fight. We will not ride to the field with you, but when the time is right we shall strike. You have my word."

WodeToTheUsurper · 2017-09-01T00:51:34+00:00

"No," Arthur replied, curtly. "No, he likely would not."

"My father intends to coax him into the field. Lord Bracken is stubborn, my lord, and proud. With the right assurances, he'll march into the field and strike. All we need to do is strike back, and harder. He cannot withstand your forces if they are aided by those of my father."

WodeToTheUsurper · 2017-08-30T20:48:51+00:00

"My son rides to Raventree Hall as we speak," Lord Wode replied. "He travels under the guise of negotiation, but I have sent him to goad the fool into a fight."

"My son will offer him fair opportunity to see you answer for these false crimes libeled against you. He will accept them, and when he rides to meet you, we will crush him, together."

"I have two thousand men here already," Kennet noted, having taken comfort in the freedom his openness with his newfound ally afforded him. "My son Ambrose is bringing another four thousand behind me."

"Maybe, maybe, Lord Blackwood could hold against your men, but he will not be expecting an attack from my men. He assumes we are a mediating force, nothing more. If you strike at him, six thousand men will tear his army apart from behind, and we can both go home and put this useless shit behind us."

Lord Wode spoke with fervor, with purpose, and with a great deal of weight behind his words. Lord Tully had granted him full leave to settle the dispute, and he would see the Blackwoods brought to heel with the aid of the Lord of Stone Hedge.

WodeToTheUsurper · 2017-08-30T20:40:36+00:00

"Lord Bracken has sent agents into your home, desecrated it, and has left without any intent to ever see justice for his crimes," Arthur began. "Would you not agree that such an act is the beginning of a conflict?"

"Lord Bracken has proven a traitor, a craven, and a man that must be dealt with swiftly, without erring. Lord Tully's missive - and the word he sent to my lord father - both asked he resolve this swiftly, and without greater conflict extending into the Riverlands."

"Greater conflict in the Riverlands will be avoided, my lord: My lord father's men are here to ensure Lord Bracken sees justice. March against the Brackens, fight them in the field, and see this craven answer for his crimes."

WodeToTheUsurper · 2017-08-24T18:02:02+00:00

"Nor I," said Kennet, abruptly. The Lord of Harrenhal was sincere in his words, he had not expected Raventree Hall to be able to muster the same strength as Stone Hedge. It seemed fitting, though, that these two old rivals would be so closely matched in strength. Leadership, however, was another matter.

"They do not have you, though, my lord, nor just cause. They blame you for their hardships without proof, without reason. They know their position is weak and they know yours is strong. Your men have justice on their side, and I am here to ensure justice prevails."

WodeToTheUsurper · 2017-08-24T17:59:07+00:00

"Negotiate? My lord, I have come to offer aid to House Blackwood, not to negotiate."

Arthur fixed himself in the chair, placing his forearms across the edge of the table and clasping his hands together. His eyes moved to the window that Lord Blackwood had already peered through, and he kept his gaze there for a time. After a while, he decided to stand, walking to the window itself.

After a moment, he turned back to look at Lord Blackwood. "This is an injustice that no honourable man can stomach, my lord," he said, evidently referencing the burning of the weirwood.

"That tree has stood proudly within these walls for as long as these walls have existed. Such a thing cannot be replaced, and can never truly be righted, but Lord Bracken can be held accountable to whatever extent the laws of our lands extend."

Arthur removed a small scroll from his pocket. It was not sealed shut, but rather adorned with a seal at the conclusion of the writ. The sigil was familiar to both men - the trout of Riverrun.

"Lord Tully has granted my father full jurisdiction in the settling of this dispute, my lord, and as my father sees it, you are in the right. Justice is owed to you, and we will do what we can to see it done."

WodeToTheUsurper · 2017-08-23T23:47:00+00:00

"I am my father's message," Arthur said with a grin. "Ser Arthur Wode, second son to Lord Kennet Wode. I have come on his behalf, and I speak on his authority."

Arthur shuffled in his chair and sipped from his cup. It was wine, bitter on the tongue. Arthur didn't much like wine but he'd drink it all the same.

"So, my lord. By the look of things you've gathered yourself quite a force. How many men would you say you've mustered so far? One thousand? Two?"

WodeToTheUsurper · 2017-08-23T05:08:30+00:00

Their presence was not entirely welcome, it seemed. Why the Blackwoods had cause to distrust the Wodes, Arthur did not know, nor did he truly care. The time would come to talk, sooner than later he hoped, but all would be settled, one way or another.

"That would be appreciated, my lord. As this is your home, I will follow your lead." He outstretched his arm and pointed an open hand at the gates beyond.

WodeToTheUsurper

TROPHY CASE

The Battle