The mod updated fine, at least as far as I can see, though things may still break. Nonetheless we press on! Fire and Blood!

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Chapter 24: The Iron Islands


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As we march I send a message to Lord Paramount Gylbert, informing him that I would appoint him to Master of Ships. The Ironborn are better acquainted with the seas than any other people of Westeros.

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I have heard more than one rumor about his ambitions and I hope the recognition and honor might dissuade him. If he declares his independence, I will have to allow it for the time being. We have no hope whatsoever of defeating him with our forces in such a state and another war with Jarl beginning.

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Apparently he has calculated the same, because the reply to my appointment comes swiftly and shows that he knows exactly what my prospects of victory are. With a heavy heart I permit his treason. What else can I do? We have no men and no money, we have the Wildlings to fight, and I can rely on none of my other vassal lords and ladies to assist me. If Gylbert is so determined to rule his spikes of rocky pissing land that jut out of the sea, I'll not spend blood and treasure to keep them. Not at a time like this, anyway.

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Laugh while you can, kraken.

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Presumably pressured by the Freys, the small Riverland holding of Wycombe, ruled by Lady Tilly Terrick, have also declared themselves on the side of Jarl. Their army is my first target and we meet near Chiltern Castle, which Wycombe had laid siege to. We soon defeat them and drive the survivors away towards Darkmoor. I give the order to give chase as my armies are yet too small to fight the Northern ones, so we must make ourselves useful elsewise. Once they are run down and wiped out, we march for Golden Tooth, where the main Riverlander/Westerlander army is currently mustering.

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A letter from King’s Landing tells me that winter is lifting there, and the fields are again fertile and soft. I thank the Mother for her mercy, as this is a sorely needed bit of good news during a difficult time for the realm.

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I am told that the North and Freylands have an army of about 12,000 men already besieging Stillfen, just north of the Blue Fork of the Trident. We should avoid them but must be alert for any sudden moves at interception on their part.

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As we march and aim to meet the allied army, itself now moving north, I am brought a letter from Lady Senelle Martell. She claims that she, not Janyce, is rightwise Princess of Dorne, and asks for my support in pressing her claim. However, she then asks for this support in the form of money - I scoff with laughter when I read how much she asks for! The Iron Throne is bankrupt, indebted to half the world, with payments due to lenders from Ibb to Assahai. I can hardly throw over a hundred gold dragons away on some folly even if I wished to.

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Before I even finish my reply to Senelle, I hear a commotion and rush to investigate. Lord Commander Balman has died, peacefully and naturally it seems, and will no longer serve in my Kingsguard. He is succeeded by Ser Karyl of Old Beehive, who is aging but loyal and still fierce, and after some searching we find the moderately skilled Ser Florian of Blackadder to serve me.

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Days later we join the Tully army in Stillfen - they had marched at great speed to meet our enemies, and we had to catch up. The battle is already in progress but we have had to cross a river to attack and the Northerners have made great use of the terrain. We are driven back across the river with considerable losses, and they give chase, killing even more in Fairmarket. I give the order for a general retreat and dissolve the army, as it’s the only way to save any of my men now.

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Fortunately, the time at war and end of winter has helped to free up a decent number of men to replace my losses. I order new soldiers called up and organized in King’s Landing, and I estimate some 15,000 should be at my command once the last of them arrive. I have also ordered many of the stores opened, now that winter is retreating, and what little grain that remains in them is to be given to the peasantry of King’s Landing. This seems to meet with approval among several of my courtiers and vassals.

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The Maesters report that my young third son, Maegor, who is just beginning his studies, demonstrates a sharp mind and quick wit. It pleases me greatly to see that Targaryen blood remains so potent, and I hope he will be a loyal and brilliant ally of my heir Baelor.

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With just over 10,000 men assembled I decide to give the order to march for the front. The remaining 5,000 are marching from Dorne and will take some time to arrive, but the tide of war must be turned now. Our first target is Wycombe. It will help the cause and boost morale if we can cut away Jarl’s supporters, however small, and it will give me time to assess the situation before committing.

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My sister Visenya informs me that she is once again with child. For all our mutual dislike, she has never shied away from her duty to the House and has given many children. I pray for another healthy one now. But despite this, being on campaign wears at a man, and the temptations of the many camp followers and other women are too strong for me to resist - when I come across some of my men enjoying the company of several comely lasses, I grab a couple for myself. (The hatesex with Visenya must be amazing, but I can only imagine the poor man needs to lie with women who pretends to like him sometimes)

As we besiege Wycbome, we are brought word that an enemy army is approaching from the South, apparently having swept aside the Tully forces far more easily than I had expected. I remind myself that Jarl is truly a master of the art of war and then turn to our defenses. They outnumber us somewhat, but proper use of the terrain may give us the edge. I can count on no reinforcements or other help.

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Sad news comes from Dorne just before battle is joined. Lady Janyce Martell has died comatose in bed, and is succeeded by Prince Archibald, a stuttering, lisping man of few talents.

I was wrong about not expecting reinforcements. The internal wars of The Vale have finally ended and Lord Paramount Laren Crabb, the newly appointed ruler of that land, has informed me that all the soldiers he can muster are at my disposal. Some 22,000 soldiers are already marching for our battlefield in Wycombe, and with Tully reinforcements coming from the south, we may be able to turn this around after all. It is a strange feeling, to have good luck. The precise opposite of everything I saw my poor mother endure.

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The reinforcements do not arrive quickly enough, but we move towards The Vale and will soon join up into a force far too large for the current enemy armies to resist. It will take time to arrive and reorganize, but perhaps this will be seen as the turning point, the first time in a long long time that Jarl was defeated.