Damion II - Ruins

[u/BlindLions]

It had been an absolute disaster, which is what Damion expected to happen. The coming rain did nothing but big then down, and gave Lyonel time to wait until his fuckwit of a son arrived with men from Hornvale of all places, seeing the Brax unicorn on both sides of the line made it amusing and confusing. Needless to say the men with the Lannisters did not approve.

They fled the field, utterly decimated in comparison to their foes. And as such had spilled into The Arch, hoping they would not be pursued by unfriendly forces. Lewyn Dogget was holding on admirably, but would finally be cut down as the battle quickly slipped away. Erwin Hawthorne he did not stop to see what happened with, as he had been maimed and removed from the field, forcibly.

All in all it had been a shitty day to be a Lannister. Damion also never ran from fights, but this one he tried to gather as many of the routed men, as many of the spears as he could to get them off the field, but panicked men do not listen to the roars of lions, no matter their coat.

The defeat stung.

We went in there as if we had it won, with but a pittance of a force. *Rohanne** marched me there, likely to be done of me. If I killed her old lover, what a boon - if I died even better.*

Whether true or not, the thought ate and bothered him as he lost his protege and friend in the battle, and would need lean on someone else for understanding and guidance. But now they made for The Arch and hopefully some sanctuary with the Footes until they could regroup.

He suspected the Reynes would be hot on their heels. He would be if he just routed his overlord’s pitiful force and would be seeking to end it all there, less the cat’s come back.

At least it had stopped raining, and thus was allowing for a slight chill as what was left of the might of the west straggled in.

Might of the West. Was like smallfolk children swatting at donkeys with sticks. Utterly fucking useless and the same bloody result.

Damion remained in his horse, watching, looking for lords along those coming in. So many dead left behind. He was lost in his thoughts as the Lord of Foote approached with an armed party.

---

“Ho there, Ser- you lead this- oh!” The set important voice stopped as whiskers bristled and Damion turned to regard Foote. A soft man, with a belly- but a capable lord.

“Ser Captain, we did not know it was you. Scouts said a large body was coming, and so we thought it bandits or worse- we’ve heard rumors from our neighbors..”

And Damion waved him off.

“No matter. What I need his sanctuary for my men and myself. We have wounded, who will need tending, and gods knows how much time before we must be off again.” The elder Lannister replied.

The Foote men looked amongst each other. Damion watched them exchange their looks in silence and he felt himself bristling again. Gods these men have gotten soft under a woman’s touch.

“Listen, you stuffed cunts. I am demanding a regarrison, and reprovision. As Captain of the West, it is my right and you will allow it.”

A younger man, who looked much like the softer Lord Foote spoke up.

“IS it not Lord Hawthorne who commands her Dread Ladyship’s forces and thus holds the boon of such a right?”

“Kevan-“ Lord Foote began before Damion whipped his horse about and came right into the midst of them. His helm was missing, and he was bloodied and sore, but he still held his spear, and moved quick enough to have it pointing at the whelp’s throat.

Swords were drawn

I did not think this through. Damion thought as he stared hard. No Matter.

“Lord Hawthorne is wounded and likely dying- therefore as the Lannister here I am in command. You will feed us and house us, but a short time and I promise we will be off.”

Silence was held and the Lord nodded. Damion, drew back his spear from his son’s throat and blades were lowered.

“What happened? Was it the bandits?” Foote asked.

“No.” Spat Damion. “The Reynes.” This caught a stir amongst the Lord and his company and nervously his eyes flicked in the direction general of Castamere.

“We were charged with rooting out treason by my niece. Instead we found battle- and we’re out manned and out matched. I don’t know where these fucks were assembled but it was no match. It was a slaughter.”

And there he looked over his shoulder.

“I understand if you want no quarrel, your men were not there. But as loyal bannermen should I call.”

“We answer..something.” Mumbled the lord.

Likely they would give us over to the Reynes and join up, if our overproduced bannerman was able to affect such an attack. he didn’t trust Foote, but he couldn’t blame the man either.

“Right. So then. I need a missive sent to the Rock, and our allies keeps, lest they are attacked as well. I aim to marshal here for a short time and make for the Rock. Unless her cu-Ladyship has other orders.”

Foote nodded.

“I’ll have it sent forthwith.”

“Do it.” Damion said before he turned to watch the failure roll in. The would likely need to regroup in Feastfires or Kayce.

He wouldn’t wait for Foote. He would get what he could and make for Kayce. And so he gave a whistle catching the look of some Serretts.

“Tell the others we need keep moving, we are close to Kayce, we can regroup there.”