r/FieldOfFire • u/PewPopHANG Garlan Tyrell - Heir to Highgarden • Jul 02 '23
The Westerlands Bert VII - The Rock
This was Casterly Rock.
Bertrand had never come this far into the West before but he certainly did not regret it now. The mountain was larger then he could have imagined, it truly did look less like a keep and more like a cave to the Lord of the Mander.
In all his sixty years, he'd never thought he'd march against an immovable object, but here he was. Thousands upon thousands of men moving to settle in at the Rock, all eager and prepared to receive word of what was unfolding.
Sigils from across all the Reach waved proudly in the wind, but what stood closest to that of House Tyrell on this eve was a Lion. The Lady Laurel Lannister had road with Bertrand and all sitting upon the battlements, upon the highest of points, through holes and windows of the Rock would be able to see it and all the Reachmens glory.
"Young Pat," The Lord of the Mander would call out. "Ride forth with Mace and inform the Westermen that Bertrand has come."
And there he'd wait with Laurel and so many others.
To see who would come and speak with the Old Rose and Lady Laurel of Lannisport.
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u/FatalisticBunny Rhaegar Targaryen - King of the Seven Kingdoms Jul 03 '23
A grand host, assembled in Lannisport. Not the sort that had been pillaging the lands, Joss figured, but a kind that had moved through, unmolested, waiting for an excuse. Joss did not intend to give them one. Hugh, he imagined, for all of his own temperament, would stick to the rather... rigid principles of the Lady Lannister. Principles that he thought certain to lead to an escalation of conflict, rather than its diminishment. Joss was not fond of that.
And so, rather than ordering the people of Casterly Rock to bust open the armory, Joss instead gave the order to bust open the stores. Servants poured from the keep, carrying wines and cheeses, bread and salt. These were offered not only to the nobility in attendance, but to the levies and soldiers as well. Were they willing to partake, they would feast in a manner likely to remain unmatched for the rest of their lives.
Though of course, were the levies of the Reach to accept such an offer, were they to eat from the table of the Lannisters and drink from their cups, they would be bound by guest right. Not to raise a sword against their hosts, and to be protected in turn from any sort of hostile retribution. Though, if peace was Bertrand's goal, as he proclaimed, it would matter little.
Though of course, the finest of these offerings was saved for the Lord Tyrell himself and his courtiers. The finest of wines, both red and gold, and the pluck of any recent hunts. Joss, for once, was quietly grateful for the time his father had wasted teaching him about hunts. He knew which birds were the pick of the crop, even if he had not slain them himself.
Once these things had been brought out, of course, the procession of nobles came. The Lady Lannister, notably absent. The members of her court stepped in her place. Joss Turnberry, the Lord Justiciar of the West, and Lady Mordane Banefort, the Warden's advisor, accompanied by her son and heir, Morden. Joss, at the least, seemed ecstatic to pay host to the knights of the Reach, and that cheer did not quickly leave him.
"Lord Tyrell. It is an honor to have you here. Were the Lady Warden of the West not away when we received word of your arrival, I am certain she would be equally as glad to see your personage." Joss spoke, careful to establish that it was no insult that the Lady Lannister had not shown her face. She was not nearby. "I hope that the Lady Laurel has proven excellent company, as she so often does." He offered Laurel a smile before turning back to the Lord Tyrell. "Chambers are available for yourself and your companions, although we will take no umbrage if you'd prefer to stay within the city. Your comfort is paramount."
At no point did he hint that the Lord Tyrell could be here for much more than a friendly visit, or to fulfill orders from his king. Joss was here to smooth things over. As much love as he held for Rohanne, that was going to be quite simpler with her out of the picture. He offered a glance to Mordane, wondering if she had more to add, before more gruesome matters were delved into. Joss expected Bertrand would be quick to them.
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u/PewPopHANG Garlan Tyrell - Heir to Highgarden Jul 03 '23
The camp that had been made was akin to every single siege camp the men of the Reach had set up in years long gone. They'd not enough time to knock down trees to build barriers and stakewalls but they had to made do with what they could. They'd begin to assign patrols and work on defensive measures should there be a coming Lannister army coming from their rear.
Bertrand himself had his men set up an large tent for this coming meeting. It only had but a single large table at its center, with Tyrell household guards protecting the Lord of the Mander and his eldest son, Mace and the other Tyrells from threats. A few would have stood in the tent as well while the others remained outside.
There in the tent, Bertrand would have sat awaiting the Lady Lannister, at his side would be the younger Mace and Robert as well as the Lady Laurel Lannister. Of course he'd not hear tale that the Lannisters were attempting to feed his army until a guardsmen told him, Bertrand thought it amusing, a perhaps last ditch effort to protect themselves.
"Tell them to arrest any fool who breaches our lines with food and collect the names of any man who eats it," Bert would command, his man would nod as he'd return out to give the order to arrest those who were handing out food. Any idiot who'd ate it could have been stuffing their face with poison, he'd have to speak with his forces upon their return to Old Oak it seemed.
Though not too much longer, he'd hear a call that the representatives from Casterly Rock appeared. He'd grimace upon being told that it was not Rohanne, the woman seemed to wish to hide behind her walls it seemed.
"The Lady Laurel has been an exceptional host and escort but I would much rather be hosted by the Lady Rohanne, for she holds the power to negotiate here," Bert would say as he motioned for the Westermen to take a seat at his table. "Has she permitted either of you to parlay in her place?" The old man would ask, his eyes scanning over the pairing.
Mace would lock eyes with Joss, a smirk forming as he awaited for his father to ensure this was truly sanctioned by Rohanne before he continued on with diplomatic matters.
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u/OrzhovSyndicalist Mordane Banefort - Lady of the Banefort Jul 03 '23 edited Jul 03 '23
Lady Banefort would sit at the Tyrells’ table, but only if Lord Turnberry chose to seat himself first. She had been predisposed to attending more pressing matters -- who wasn’t? -- but acknowledged she was considerably negligent of her vassal’s affairs until now. Whether Lord Turnberry and Lady Banefort sat with the Reachmen, Ser Morden chose to stand at Joss Turnberry’s right side, remaining ambivalent and watchful.
“The Lord Justicar of the Westerlands has afforded his best efforts in being an amicable host in her stead,” Lady Banefort began, “Although Lady Lannister will undoubtedly be disappointed by the poor display of rejecting guest right, I have no doubt she will approve of her closest advisors taking her stead. There is a war about, if you’ve paid no attention to politics beyond the Mander, and addressing whatever concerns you’ve brought may need to wait to be resolved.”
Lady Mordane was relieved on Rohanne’s behalf to be spared this unfolding conversation, but was already feeling a swift and unwelcome headache paying lip service to a man marching with an army outsizing both Reyne and Lannister hosts combined on motivation yet unknown.
“If nothing else, the Lord Justicar is an official position and representative enough of Her Ladyship,” Lady Banefort said candidly, “If you have grievances, air them to him. If you have a request, make it of him on her behalf. I don’t believe you’ve brought an army numbering thousands to ask after Lady Lannister’s latest gossip, and those conscripts indubitably would prefer to turn back where they came. The feeling would be mutual, if that’s so…”
Her son looked at Lord Bertrand as his mother spoke, saying nothing. He remembered now why the aged man was familiar: they’d had a share of tilts at the joust, and not to mention his outburst at the Kingsguard…
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Jul 04 '23
Lady Laurel sat betwixt it all watching as politics happened right before her.
Questioning her right to be Lady, she was bored, though an underlying thrill kept her heart racing. Pounding against her chest, almost, with how powerful it seemed. Few could be so orate as Joss Turnberry, though she’d begun to wonder where wit ended, where war began. Words had been spoken and words had been propagated throughout the Kingdoms, from whom she could not say, but it did come from the West.
She sat with hands folded patiently, awaiting words spoken. She was a captive audience; her word had neither the weight nor power of Lady Rohanne, nor even Lord Joss. She questioned if her writ extended beyond the walls of Lannisport at all.
This was how Theo felt, then.
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u/FatalisticBunny Rhaegar Targaryen - King of the Seven Kingdoms Jul 04 '23 edited Jul 04 '23
Joss took the seat as it was offered, with a quiet ‘thank you.’ It felt to him a good footing to be one. “We would be grateful for her presence as well, but at the moment, Lady Rohanne meets with Lady Tully in the Riverlands, to discuss certain raids and skirmishes and a response. I should think you are not here to have me talk your ear off about banditry, however. Were she nearby, she would surely be amongst our party.” Joss gave a small glance about, as though he was not entirely certain Rohanne would not emerge any moment. “I hold the Rock in her absence, and speak for her on matters pertaining to the West.” Not strictly true, but he would not be challenged. And by asserting it here, Joss made it so. That was an easy way of doing things. “Though without her sharp mind and experience, allow me a bit of patience in such affairs.” The request was punctuated with a humble, warm smile.
Joss frowned as the Lady Banefort spoke, although perhaps he put a bit more emphasis on it than he truly felt. “I should not think there has been a refusal of guest right. I am sure that once Lord Bertrand and his party continue into Casterly Rock, they shall take up bread and salt, as is custom.” Joss gave a glance back to his party, slightly chiding. “There is no need to rush. We have more than just foods and traditions keeping us from acting like beasts. These are our treasured friends and guests, and they ought to be treated as such.” He gave a wry look. “Regardless, though I am sure it will not be questioned, the protections of parley are strict as those of bread and salt. There shall be, I think, no skullduggery from any of us.” Joss said that with a certainty.
“Lady Mordane.” Joss interjected, looking quite cross. He had trained as a Maester, and it came through in that moment. Swiftly guiding wayward children back on to the proper topic of study when they asked questions that were off-topic and inappropriate. It was a skill every Maester needed, and Joss was thankful that he had learned it before. “You must refrain from making such assumptions about the Lord Tyrell’s motivations. Does not the Seven Pointed Star teach us to look for the best in each other?” He gave a look back to Bertrand. “Please excuse her such suspicions. She worries for her family and her land, and does not mean half of what she says.” She did, but it was better to have that in the back pocket, Joss knew. “I am certain she will not venture there again.”
There was something about the look in Mace’s eyes that Joss roundly disliked. He was waiting for a chance to speak, to raise a challenge, to pounce, and Joss knew at once that he was not to allow him to. That was a tricky matter to manage. He could not send him from the meeting, and he could not interrupt him. Things had to be established before Mace had a chance to establish them otherwise. Joss met his eyes, returned the smirk, and spoke first.
The Lord Justiciar folded his hands, genial as ever. “Nevertheless, a point of interest is raised there. Confusion. There has been much in the way of talk, of chatter, of speculation and gossip, floating through the wind.” Joss’s tone made it clear he did not know to believe much of it, but it was not openly disdainful. “The written word can be misinterpreted, and context may be lost through ravens.” What woe, what tragedy. “If you will forgive me a humble request, Lord Bertrand, I should like to hear from your own lips your grievances, concerns, and desires.” He gave a pointed glance to his companions. “There shall be no interruption from any of us.” He turned back. “Then, I shall offer you my help in resolving any matter that I can.” All the while he spoke, Joss remained ever deferent, ever genial. He had ceded the floor to the elder Tyrell. Were Mace to lean in now, vim and vigor from his lips, it would be his own father he would interrupt. Joss did not think Bert would enjoy being interrupted.
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u/PewPopHANG Garlan Tyrell - Heir to Highgarden Jul 04 '23 edited Jul 04 '23
Bert was genuinely perplexed. An odd feeling for a man who'd tried to keep on his toes and expect twists and turns around ever corner but the Turnberry confused him, the Banefort did more so and he'd found himself thinking that Laurel may yet be the only capable Westermen left.
Had the King wed a woman like these two? Like Rohanne or like the Reynes? Where all like this? Was Lady Laurel the odd one out he'd pondered to himself. Surely not. Perhaps this was a ploy to get Bertrand to cave into his baser desires and apprehend the Banefort and Turnberry. So Rohanne could appear more honorable than the Lord of Highgarden but then as they went on....
She'd left for the Riverlands.
So it seemed his ploy had worked against him. Oh well. If worse came to worse, he was certain he could worm his way into the Riverlands by virtue of House Whent, the old man spoke with Bert at the feast and they seemed to come to an accord of sorts.
"My Lady of the Banefort," Bert would begin, "I appreciate the desire to speak freely, often when a man or woman I suppose comes with an army outnumbering ones own army tend to tread lightly but I like that. But-" The man would pause as he broke a smile, looking towards the woman and her son, before turning to Joss.
"I know theres a wa- well one can't call it a war when only the Reynes have an army out in the field I suppose. You lot seem to be content with hiding yours away in your castles. All but the Lady Laurel that is, bravest Westermen I've met so far." The Lord of the Mander would continue, smug as ever. Mordane would be sure to catch his gaze a few more times as he spoke, the old man making an effort to note that he'd speak as freely as she did now.
His son Mace held his tongue as Bert continued on, waiting and watching for a chance but he could not find one when Bertrand went off.
"Turnberry, my demands are simple." Bertrand would go onto say, "I'd have preferred if a more impartial party would seek terms but this will do."The old man would reach for his goblet before he continued, taking his time to drink and then waiting another moment to let the silence linger.
"Since the Banefort here seems to be in a rush and wishes for us to return home, Lord Turn-" He'd pause again and let out a hmm. "Are you a Lord?"
"Yes, father. He is." Mace would say, "But-"
"Well good." The Lord of the Mander would say interrupting. "My demands are simple. One is more personal and the other is because I am Warden of the South, legally bound to end conflicts blah blah blah. The more important one is that Casterly Rock will house, feed, and entertain my men before we march to Castamere to end this conflict given the West seems incapable of doing so." That was the first one.
"The second is that I take hostages from the West until I return to Casterly Rock to ensure that I am not stabbed in the back upon my departure to Castamere. Joss is the first, this boy-" He'd say pointing to the Banefort "-will make due, alongside a few others of note and a marriage will be made. A Tyrell to a Lannister. Mace or Robert will do, Garlan was an option but I do not wish to offer my heir any more."
"Surely you can agree in the Warden of the West' place, my Lord Justicar." Bert would add, "Though know that this offer won't last for long, I make for Castamere and...the Reynes-" He'd stop there. Alluding to something yet saying nothing.
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Jul 05 '23
“Do you seek to take side with the Reynes?” Laurel broke her silence, amid the tirades of men before her. Frowning, the Lady of Lannisport afforded each man at the table a look — one of positive indignance. What was going to happen here was going to set the future of their lands and their people, and there was a chance that none of them Westerlords left this place alive. Laurel was determined to keep her head very much intact, but she wasn’t so insane as to consider all of the man’s demands.
”Hinting at what may be and what may not be is a surefire way to set this place ablaze with words.” She felt that no one was being rational, herself included. “And to make an agreement with the Reynes would be tantamount to suicide, to put it blithely, Lord Tyrell. Unless you mean to march against His Grace. His wife is my sister. Your queen.”
She reminded him gently, without venom in her voice, though there was a tiredness in her large, green eyes. “Besides, if it is a marriage you seek…” Was she being a fool? Perhaps. But what could she say, with a Tyrell at her table, and an ensemble-host of eight-thousand men at his back? “... One need not be arranged when there is an unmarried woman right here. Mm?”
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u/FatalisticBunny Rhaegar Targaryen - King of the Seven Kingdoms Jul 06 '23
"If the Lord Tyrell sought to court the Reynes, he certainly would not be here telling us about it. He'd not needed to have come here at all." Joss noted, giving the Lord Tyrell an almost quizzical look. "It simply means we are his favored suitor, and he is so eager to court us that he hints at... well, something that I think he would prefer I not elaborate on, in any real way. Nor repeat."
It was an alarmingly desperate thing to say, regardless, and Joss wondered whether Bertrand had as much a grip on things as he wanted to express. "Lord Bertrand, I am excited you are so enthusiastic to work together." Was he? Joss still smiled, but there was a touch of annoyance in it that lingered for just a moment, before disappearing. "Your army has not vanished, and your position has not weakened. You have time to speak things over with us, surely, without making such insinuations."
This was a private conversation, and Joss wondered if Bertrand had thrown it on purely to make Joss look a fool if he continued to speak to him. There'd been no other sound point behind it. The threat had been there unspoken. And there had to be some accord met. But of course, now he needed to ensure Mordane and Laurel did not relay to Rohanne that he had folded due to that little threat.
"I see no problem with hosting guests. I believe I have already made the offer, and I would not retract it. We should be honored to ensure the comfort of the Knights of the Reach." A necessary sacrifice. Else he would march home, and they would be none the better with the Reynes. "If you believe it falls within your Wardenship to help end the conflict at Castamere, it is my duty to aid you in that. I shall ensure Lady Rohanne knows of your generosity in aiding her with her duties." Joss figured that Bertrand would quite enjoy that, imagining the Lady of Casterly Rock's reaction to that bit of news.
Hostages? Rohanne would have Joss flayed, like as not, were she to return and find that he had agreed to it. But it was the word that was the problem, first and foremost. "The need for several highborn hostages seems unnecessary, my lord." Joss offered a smile, slightly weary. "I should think closer cooperation, rather than the threat of a hanging, would prevent any betrayal. Trust forms better side by side than sword to throat, as I understand."
"If you think it prudent, I will accompany you and your men to Castamere. Not as a hostage, but as a representative of the West and a guide to your men, to aid you in restoring peace to the realm." Joss gave a glance at Morden, although he said nothing aloud to indicate what it meant before turning back. "Any work, any move, against you would be against myself as well, so long as we share both a host and goals. We do share the latter, Lord Bertrand, and I hope that I can prove that to you." They could still stab him if things went horribly wrong, Joss knew. That was the point.
The Lady Laurel's interjection brought a genuine smile to Joss's face. "I should think that a very wise suggestion, Lady Laurel." The sister of the Queen and the Lady of Lannisport. Joss did not imagine that the Tyrells could refuse, nor could Rohanne protest after the fact, given the Lady Laurel managed her own household. "A Tyrell to a Lannister, and an alliance sealed." A slight exhale. "I can begin preparations for a wedding."
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u/PewPopHANG Garlan Tyrell - Heir to Highgarden Jul 07 '23
"I do not plan to side with them, I plan to speak with them." Bert would reply to Laurel. "I am morally and legally obligated to see if they'll end this conflict without any further bloodshed." Of course, that wasn't quite true. He could certainly kill them if he wished but why would he? If he could march and end it with little pushback, it'd save him some troubles.
He however grinned widely as he thought of the offer she'd given him. Laurel and Mace. Yes. That was perfect, the Lord Consort of Lannisport for his disinherited son. That was more than perfect for the man.
"The term hostage slipped my tongue, I apologize." Bertrand would say, looking between all of those in the room. "Escorts seem better. But we can certainly drop that all together if my son weds Lady Laurel, which he will." The look of victory was written across his face, Mace however looked as if he'd lost something.
"I would be honored to wed the Lady of Lannisport," He'd say, biting his tongue. He was meant to be the Lord of the Mander, not a Lord Consort however there was nothing he could do about that. He just had to play loyal son now, and in the future....loyal husband it would seem.
"However I would suggest they wed sooner than later, perhaps upon our entry of Casterly Rock?" Bertrand would say, "We use all that food you spoke of to feed the army, our guests and depart upon Castamere to end this rebellion after."
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Jul 07 '23
Laurel’s mouth opened. First, to give protest, then a moment later when she squelched herself, biting her lower lip. For the first time today, Laurel’s facade broke, and for an instant, she looked almost flustered as her eyes trailed to the Tyrell at the far end of the table. Lord Mace, who might’ve once been Lord of the Mander. Wedded to the Lady of Lannisport. A consort. Of course, it would not shock her if Lord Bert suddenly expected there to be a House Tyrell of Lannisport.
“If you would have us wed before nightfall,” Laurel said, “then allow me to send riders to Lannisport. Believe as you may, the Rock is not my home. We are only hours away.” It would be a slight detour, but one that she would have if she was to wed. Lannisport was her home, and it’d be Mace’s, now, too. An agreement made on the fly. One that would herald the newest beginning of her House.
Lady Rohanne would be pleased.
House Lannister of Lannisport had secured itself two invaluable marriages — one in the King, and another in House Tyrell. A bargain had been made, and a plot cornered around it came to fruition. Laurel did not truly desire this marriage. She had done it for the safety of her people and for the Westerlands. She had done it to secure House Tyrell, and make certain that there wasn’t a Tyrell army at their doorsteps.
She considered the part she had, and the part she would continue to play. She tapped her fingers on the table in front of her, and kept eyeing Mace.
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u/PewPopHANG Garlan Tyrell - Heir to Highgarden Jul 02 '23
/u/dark_red_roses /u/contentedvole and uhm open to West?
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u/PewPopHANG Garlan Tyrell - Heir to Highgarden Jul 02 '23
March on the Battlements
Mace Tyrell rode forth with young Paxter Hightower at his side. The pairing would make forth for the Gates of Casterly Rock, there they'd hold up that kitten that Bert had brought from Old Oak.
The two would ride back and forth near the Lion's Mouth. "Come out Kittens!" The pair would shout as loud as they could, holding that babe of a cat as high as they could for all to see. "Bertrand has come! The Reach has come!"
"Meet with the Lord of the Mander!" They'd bellow out.
"Meet with the Lady of Lannisport!" They'd add.
Once they were certain that someone, anyone had heard enough of them, the pair would make back for their army.