Mid to Late 300 AL: Aftermath:
The Capture of The Huntsman:
Randyll Tarly had his back up against figurative and literal walls when his forces were met by Oberyn Martell and Barristan Selmy's, and immediately locked into a fierce fight. Tarly had his forces in strong defensive positions and was fighting at a standstill until the Golden Company and the Tyroshi mercenaries took him in the rear once they saw battle had joined. In spite of this, thousands would lie dead before his men attempted to flee, his own generals dispersing into separate units in their attempts to cut free. Quentyn Martell distinguished himself by cornering Tarly and forcing him to submit, though he was nearly slain by the older and wiser man when challenged, and had to be bailed out by Archibald Yronwood. When the day was done, the Reachmen who didn't manage to flee threw down their arms and yielded, providing thousands of captives and mouths to feed. Dickon Tarly was wounded, but managed to flee and with a sizeable group of men is now racing to Highgarden.
Perhaps most importantly of all, Aegon Targaryen was recovered, underfed and abused, but alive.
That night, Oberyn Martell was on the verge of drinking his wine when he noticed a strange aroma drifting from it; it was confirmed to be poison, and the guards reported almost immediately afterward a group of men had been caught trying to break into the holding pen of Randyll Tarly. They admitted under duress they had been bought and paid for by associates from the Vale of Arryn, but it was unclear as to whose exact order it had been.
The Moon of His Life:
There were none to stand in the way of the khalasar as it continued it tyranny throughout the Riverlands; small holdfasts fell fast and easily, and only larger castles and fortresses managed to remain untouched by the horselords, though any remaining crops and smallfolk were raped and pillaged. As they were encamped a few days ride away from Fairmarket, Lord Harroway's town having been sacked the week previous to provide further fuel for his campaign, Drogo was in the midst of having his hair cared for by his khaleesi while being read news of the fall and capture of Saltpans when a crossbow thrum rent through the air, piercing the throat of his silver haired wife. As he held her in his arms and the life leaked out of her, his bloodriders apprehended the man, dressed in the motley garb of a Tyroshi. The man held his tongue even through rigorous torture and now awaits the Khal's wroth.
Upon reaching Fairmarket the Khal was mildly surprised to see banners twirling in the sun bearing a trout...
The Call of the Dragon to The Kraken:
Under the command of Lord Orkwood, the coast along Blackwater Bay and Gullet stretching from Claw Isle to Duskendale were heavily raided by Ironborn. The newly reformed Iron Fleet struck first at the home of House Celtigar; the island offered no resistance aside from the castle itself, which was stormed with light casualties due to its small garrison. The treasures of the ancient house were few but great in value; relics dating back to Valyria were found, mostly trinkets and the greataxe of House Celtigar was not recovered. After a heavy line of questioning however, the Ironborn weedled out the bit of information they were truly sent for: the location of a horn said to call krakens from the deep. Hidden in the tombs of the house's forefathers, a strange banded conch was found incised with strange runes. Grown, iron hard men claimed more than just the ocean could be heard when placing an ear near...
After this conquest, the Iron Fleet assaulted Driftmark. Without sizable garrison, much like Claw Isle this castle fell with little contest. Lord Orkwood allowed those of high enough birth to attempt to parley with the king of salt and rock in person rather than speak directly for his liege, though a raven brought expected news from the isle of Dragonstone, its occupants asking for aid against King Euron Greyjoy and his ironborn.
For it was to the ancient seat of House Targaryen that Euron headed directly. He set his blockade, and the next dawn blew the fiery horn he brought back from his travels. A great cry was heard, of both pain and longing, and it was not long before the form of a great winged beast could be seen. Before he had reached the king's vessel however, a cry of alarm went up from the watching ironborn: a fleet approached on the horizon. In surprise his horn blower broke off early and fell to the deck coughing blood while men raced to battle positions. Within minutes they turned to meet the foe and battle joined.
While he had the numbers, many of the largest warships had gone with the Ironfleet, and his smaller reaving vessels had difficulty at first bringing to heel the great titans of the Royal Fleet. Eventually Edric's fleet was forced to flee, or rather those that remained. 5 ships were boarded and the rest sunk, while the Ironborn took moderate casualties. Only 13 remained at the end of the day with the Baratheon Fleet, limping into Blackwater Bay. At this point Euron abandoned his blockade and retreated to the Whispers to meet with the Iron Fleet.
Later that evening after taking a thrall to bed, Euron Greyjoy awoke to find her loosening his dagger in its sheath. She was drowned soon after, but not before begging forgiveness and claiming to have been a whore in the Vale, chosen and sent by Lysa Arryn herself...
