| Allies On the Sea |
| Summary: | The levy of House Flint comes across a ship captain in the form of Aeric Mallister. Rapid plans are made to aid in the attack of Ironborn at the Roost |
| Date: | 04 January 21012 |
| Related Logs: | All the Ironborn war ones. |
| Players: |
   |
| Coastline south of Flint's Finger |
|---|
| Just off the beach |
| 02 January 289 |
The levy under the Flint banner is off. Two hundred strong, both footsoldiers and mounted cavalry, and they're making good progress. One can only go as fast as their slowest, but while this isn't a forced march, there is a little.. encouragement to take the route quickly. The sooner they arrive at their destination, the longer they'll be able to take their rest in anticipation of the battle— at least that's Anders' thoughts on the matter. Scouts ride to the front, Anders, his squire Einar, and a bannerman.. and as it filters back, Lady Cordelya is flanked by a couple of guards.. and footsoldiers.. and cavalry in the back to keep the column fully protected. There are dashes of horsemen on the sides, but their positions are fluid depending upon need.
**
Delays. They are inevitable. Why? Because the gods demand them? When a forward scout returned to report that a lone war galley is at anchor in a cove not far from their march flying banners of the Mallisters and the Terricks, what does one do? When one finds their march met by a trio of fresh horses and riders the decision is rather made. "The gods are with us this day, Lord Flint." Declares the center man. He is singular in that he bears brigandine with the livery of Lord Ser Aeric Mallister. The two men flanking him bear Terrick colors.
**
Anders raises his hand to signal to those behind him that he's reining, though his horse isn't pleased with the decision. He eyes the men, and takes a deep breath, letting it out slowly. "Not according to whispers up north.. but perhaps with the anger of mine comes the pleasure of yours." While he's never met Lord Ser Aeric Mallister, he does recognize the colours. "And where is Lord Mallister.." He looks at the flanking men in Terrick colours— before retraining his gaze upon the middle man. "Unless that is you." Anders kicks his horse forward only a couple of steps, breaking away from the group behind him, but only slightly. To make a point and impression. "I am Lord Ser Anders Flint."
**
Aeric doesn't move from the path of the riders though its clear his eyes take in the column. When Anders sets himself forward, he does the same. "It is I. Though with little pleasure beyond that of noting an ally to a cause. Or shall I make a swift horse and name you a favorite of the grey horde?" The statement surely makes the two men with him a little nervous and their horses bite at their bits.
**
Einar almost kicks his horse forward too, although he notes his cousin's intentions in time. He listens to the exchange between the pair, but keeps his eyes mostly on the surrounding area. Wouldn't now be a really bad time to be ambshed by reavers.. Still, all seems clear for now, so he takes advantage of the puase in the ride to reach for his waterskin and take a drink.
**
Anders looks out onto the water, noting the ship before he returns his attention to the rider that also steps forward. "We march to Stonebridge by my Lords request. From there, we do as is demanded of us." He smiles tightly and twists around in his saddle to look at the column of 200 with him. "This is not a day, then, that I wish to see battle, but instead wait and put us to the task where we are best suited." Kicking his horse a step forward, he extends his hand in gesture. "There is an ally to a cause, then. Certainly worth noting to my angry gods."
**
Aeric offers an incline of his head. "Then well met my lord for I have a like cause. The coast lies in flames. Whether from the Greyjoy pillaging or my burning of their boats behind them. I've half a mind to set myself to pillaging their isles with their hosts away but I know my services are better served to my oaths. Lannisport is sacked. The fleet at Seagard burned. The Harlaw witch and her coterie did their damage as was planned. I curse the day I met her." He broods a moment before continuing. "But that is not meat for this moment. I understand the Prince Maron to be leading this fray. I cannot reach the Roost.. but might serve a distraction or solid flank from the sea on the moment it is needed."5r
**
Einar winces slightly at the Mallister's news as he reslings his water. Still, it's better to know what they're riding into than to arrive blind. His horse seems unsettled by something minor and he almost instinctively reaches forward to pat his neck to reassure him.
**
For a long moment Anders remains silent upon his mount in contemplation before he nods his head slowly, gaining the information. "I know not where the troops will turn their face in truth, Lord Mallister. I would hazard a guess that my path will lead me ever southward, but I cannot say that for certainty. Not until I visit Stonebridge." He backs his horse up a few steps with a pull of the rein while he continues, "The only news to now was that there was an attack and that we muster and march with all due haste. If, however, there is a march on the Roost, I will tell them." Now, the trickier part? How to work out the signalling. "Perhaps you have a suggestion that I can bring to them?"
**
"To the Roost or to Stonebridge? For I believe the former to be sieged and I dare not make port." Aeric notes gravely. "When you are ready for me to strike, the signal shall be a black ribbon. Send it by raven if it pleases you for I know of no other way of it to reach me. Send it to sea and it shall find the only roost available. Then I shall know you are at the ready. If I am needed elsewhere… I can only imagine the raven to bear the same but always with the black mark that I know it is you."5r
**
"A black ribbon." Anders nods his head slowly in assent. "We run the risk of having the raven roost in the.. Roost, then. Unless the Roost's Maester has taught one of theirs to fly to ships?" There's no prey to be had on the water for them. "Signal fires. If we light enough signal fires, they may be visible to you, and serve as a fear tactic. Obviously, we will not remain where the fire was lit, but rather, have moved on." His brows rise in askance, "Or, if you prefer, we will attempt the one, and should it not be feasible, keep your scouts looking for the fires outside of town?"
**
Aeric gives a nod. "Fire might work.. how many days will it take you to arrive at Stonebridge? Then to march to the Roost? Timing may be everything in this juncture. Rather than signals. For if I am close enough to see a fire I may be close enough to be espied by the shore. I would much rather them think me still raiding their longships and worried for their escape to sea."
**
"We have another two days to Stonebridge. Then.. a day?" Anders shakes his head slowly, considering. "I'm not even aware if they know we will be arriving. But, if we make good time and are unharried, yes, two days to Stonebridge. A day of rest, then, a day. All told, four." He blows out a breath, and looks.. sympathetic. "It's a long time to wait. If we push the men, three days." He inclines his head. "If you do not hear from us after three, give us that one extra day, and look to the skies."
**
"Make it four then." Aeric notes. "It will give me time to hit a few more and let the word get out and I will take the fourth day to resupply and refresh my men. We can be anywhere along this coast in a matter of that time. Speaking of which, anything you might have to spare would be much appreciated. There are few home ports that I can call upon that have no been ravaged already. Water we are gathering now but food is in short supply and I picked up a number of Lannister men in my travels. We sail heavy with vengeance but wrath does not feed a man."
**
"If you sail to our home port, you will find provisions there," is offered before Anders twists around in his saddle once again, his expression considering. "We can reprovision in Stonebridge and take what we need on the way." Facing front, he inclines his head. "Two casks of ale, a barrel of bread and two deer's worth is the best I can do, my Lord Mallister. My men need to keep their feet, and if we are to make it to Stonebridge on time, it is necessary. But, that, at least, I can spare." This time, he spins his horse around so Einar can see him. "Bring them to the back and help them with our gifts, and return quickly." Anders raises his reins and spins the horse the other way; simple.. just two steps and they're facing front. "Four days, and you will find a friendly port north if you need it."
**
"That is a lot of sail between here and the Finger, Lord Flint." Aeric cautions. "I do not think I could manage the journey in the four days you alot me. We will have to make do, I'm afraid. Or raid the Pyke.. which I am inclined to do. They should have a taste of their own offerings. Not that I'm inclined to eat their filth but when one is hungry.. one eats." He offers a wry smile and a shrug then gestures to the pair he brought with him. "Tolyn, go back to the longboat and tell Avery that we've met Lord Flint and return with a few men to help with the Lord's gift. The men shall have venison with their tack tonight. That ought to bolster their resolve." The man turns his horse and rides hard.. no doubt his mouth is watering. "My thanks to you, Lord Flint. We have been fighting for days now. A little respite and venison will go a long way towards refreshing their spirits."
**
Einar had been listening to the conversation as it developed so just gives Anders a brief nod as he passes on the instructions. To the remaining Terrick he gives a brief nod and then notions down the column. "Come on, I'll get you started with the quartermaster. Sooner we get started the sooner we can all be on our way."
**
"Then I will expect nothing but success for us in four days, my Lord Mallister," is given with a genuine smile. "Provision and we must be off. We still have forest to cross, and then a path south. It is fortuitous that we've met, and once this is done, let me buy you an ale and we'll speak of our due parts." Anders turns briefly to watch the progress down the line. "All this is bad business, and I can't wait until it's over— and it hasn't even begun." Still.. "It's the travelling that takes the longest, I find."
**
"Then I have the better part of joy, Lord Flint, for I sail with blood upon my prow already." Aeric offers a dry laugh. "Four days then and I meet you at the Roost ready to assail the braggart. Let us see who spits the Greyjoy then toast to the champion of the hour." He lifts a hand to salute the man then looks beyond him to the column. "Hail the King! Hail Flint! Death to the Greyjoy!"
**
Einar is, by now, too far down the column to hear the ends of the conversation, the salutes though catch his attention and he turns to glance over his shoulder. There's a trio of sentiments he can get behind and he nods in agreement before he turns abck to his assigned task and fills in the quartermaster as to the ailor's needs.
**
Anders inclines his head, lifting it again to reveal the smile of a man who has just accepted a challenge, and he does so with a genuine laugh, however anticipatory. "Let us see then, Lord Mallister." Lifting a hand, he returns the hail with his own, "To the good King Robert, and his loyal Mallisters! Death to the grey mongrels!" His column, however, remains silent. Just in case.. but it doesn't mean they don't know the honour given. "Time to go.."
