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Game of Rivers
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Game of Rivers


The Kingdom of Lucerne following the capture of Berne, and the internal reorganization under William begin to heavily target the Riverlands for their next conquest. The region south of the Riverlands called Fairmarket was the first problem in the way as without control of Fairmarket then the threat of a land based offensive was going to be moot. Fairmarket was not very heavily populated but had two main population centers in the form of the large city of Fairmarket, and the western stronghold of Whellia. With this in mind the forces of House Starke, House Lannister, and House Scarlet would mobilize against Fairmarket. Representitives of the Kingdom of Lucerne were sent into Fairmarket, and the capital of the same name, and these diplomats were either killed outright or tortered and sent back nearly dead. Only in the west where House Wilde was dominent would the sent diplomats return safely. In the case of House Wilde when it seemed that conflict was coming they would send one of their members in the form of Andrik Wilde of whom would enter Fairmarket with the command to wait there with fifty men in case the defence failed. With diplomacy having failed the Invasion of Fairmarket was launched, by the combined forces of Lucerne of whom moved in three different spots against the defence of Fairmarket.

Invasion of Fairmarket


The leadership of Fairmarket was led by House Jennet of whom deployed their forces alongside nearly twenty thousand mercenaries hired from the Riverlands. While unreliable they gave them significant numbers and made a once easy invasion more of a problem. Eddard, Robb, and Brendan Starke led the forces of House Starke into the center of the attack. In the west Saiden, Darion, and other Scarlets led the attack but found that the forces of House Wilde and their vassals were reluctant to engage in actual conflict and were doing more retreating then anything elce. In the east the mercenarie forces of Fairmarket were joined by a small army sent from the Island of Frey of which were called freedom fighters but were sent by the Freys as an insult.

With the weakest section of the Fairmarket forces standing on the eastern front, it was the objective of the Lucernians to target that area. Jamie Lannister would instigate a situation where the mercenaries would march during the day and then both armies would camp during the night both sides never exposing themselves. After five days of this the mercenaries and Freys were becoming less and less prepared for battle, and this was exploited on the sixth day when Jamie Lannister moved his men during the night. The Fairmarket forces noticed this and assembled their forces for battle, but their scouts were slacking and did not notice the divergence of the Lannister forces and focused on in front of them. While Jamie moved right at them two larger forces moved in from the sides and enveloped the Fairmarket force. After fighting for several minutes the Mercenaries accepted defeat and would surrender with little hold out fighting, while the Frey`s fled eastward back to the ships on the coast. News spread quickly but not quickly enough for the main Fairmarket force of whom was stuck in between the Starke`s and the Lannisters.



While this was happening the Wilde family determined the time was right to change sides, and under the guidence of Olivia Wilde returned nearly all of their forces to Whellia. Back in Whellia Olivia Wilde would lead some two thousand men at arms and a hundred knights towards Fairmarket and behind all the fighting going on in the center. All of this went on while the Scarlet forces moved towards Whellia slowly as they feared they were being lured into a trap, and it was around this time that they were joined in the fight by the forces of House Lovie who were finally arriving in the area and brought overwhelming numbers. Olivia though arrived at Fairmarket, and without alerting the defenders of the Wilde turning on them would use Andrik Wilde to allow Olivia Wilde and the army of House Wilde to enter the city. Entering the city they turned on the Fairmarket forces, and burned and pillaged the town before massacring House Jennet, and taking nearly all the nobles prisoner. As this happened the forces of House Lannister arrived at the gates of Fairmarket joined by the well aware Saiden Scarlet and recieved the bodies of House Jennet as gifts. Saiden Scarlet would want to take the Wilde family prisoner, but Catherine Lovie had arrived and under the orders of William Lovie III. would command House Wilde spared and handed control of northern Fairmarket, while House Scarlet was given the south.

Tully, and Blackwood Give in


When it came to the Riverlands the main powerbrokers were the most powerful house in the form of House Tully, and the dominent southern house in House Blackwood. These two houses learned of the destruction of Fairmarket, and immediatly the Tully`s made the decision to join Lucerne whatever was offered to them. House Blackwood would accept this as well, but many in the house wanted to resist for honor`s sake, but Brandyn Blackwood disagreed and invited the Lucernians to Raventree for a metting. Unwilling to meet in a unknown venue such as Raventree the meeting took place in Riverrun. The meeting in Riverrun would count in all the major houses of the Riverlands, and major elements from Lucerne including Catherine Lovie of whom led the Lovie delegation.

Watching the coast disappear, and the vast city of Riverrun appear on the horizon I was shocked at its scope. The port itself ran for miles, and the port was guarded by two large castles on both edges, and in the distinct center was a massive tower the size of which I hadn`t seen since I saw the Cloud Tower back in Lucerne. Eddard approached from behind me, and I felt his hand go to my shoulder. ``Its quite the sight isn`t it Saiden.`` I looked still at Riverrun as he spoke, and the tide of Blue Flags carrying the Tully Fish were so many that it made the city appear blue.

``Were you as intimated the first time you were, or is it just me.``

``When I came here to marry Catelyn I was beyond scared.`` He walked away and towards the mast, and I followed in behind him. ``'''Back then the tower you see in the center was nothing but a wall, and now look at it. Its funny the way things change.'''`` He stared out into the port, and behind us I looked and saw the form of my squire, and other nobles coming from beneath. My family vassals in Sigmund Mien, and Tirrion Fraizen came into sight and Tirrion gave me a bow as he caught glimpse of me looking. I laughed at the gesture of Tirrion who through his mother was my blood relative and was older then me, and yet he still managed to be beyond loyal.

``Will Lady Catelyn be meeting us on the deck alone.``

``I would assume her brother Edmund will meet as well, along with any of the Lords that are in the city.`` He turned towards me and rested his hand on my shoulder. ``'''Never forget that you and I are Lords of Lands larger and more powerful then these Riverlords. While you may be intimidated by the larger port and the castles, never forget that they know what we represent. We represent a threat that their ships, and their trade cannot hope to resist.'''`` The boat finally reached the dock, and men poured themselves onto the side throwing ropes to the dock hands, and letting us go ashore.

Following behind Eddard he was enveloped in an intimate hug by his wife Catelyn, and looking at the two I couldn`t help but be envious of that kind of love. I had married Jessica when I was very young and she was already past her bloom. She was a beautiful women I would never say otherwise, but her beauty hid an anger and pettiness that was entirely unbecoming. For years I tried to love her, but despite her good and loyal work for me she was still nothing I cared for truly. Not the way Eddard loved his cat. Not the way William loved Bella. It was just so much lesser then what it should be. ``Lord Saiden shall you accompany us.`` It was a question but the man saying it said it with a hint of laughter and I realized I must have looked ridiculous lost in thought standing on the edge of the boat. I turned and bid my squire Fredick Clegane II. to bring my sword shield and I followed behind Eddard.

As we walked I looked into the bay and watched the ship of Jack Shephard, and the representatives of House Lovie  that had been sent to further the talks. We all knew that with Riverrun so went the entire Riverlands, and other then some hot spots the talks were going extremely well especially with the constant threat of the large Lannister and Starke combining with my houses forces. ``Fredrick have you ever seen ships this big.`` The young boy looked around and he was so awe struck it made me laugh.

``No my Lord I havn`t.``

``Well lets get moving, and perhaps we can find a pretty Brannish girl for you to marry while were here.`` It saddened me that this honorable young man was so mistreated by his father. Apparently his father had spent years working at a betrothal for his younger son, while letting poor Fredick the second of his name sit idle training with the Clegane forces. As he followed closely behind me I wondered whether there was some kind of silent failing in the father that had led to that kind of neglect, but the evidence was so widespread maybe loving your child unconditionally was the rarer act.

Before I knew it we reached the base of the tower, and a giant tent was arrayed where Eddard, his wife and her brother the lord of Rivverun had gathered around a table. A skinny man in purple armor with a intricate beard approached me from the side, and clasped his hand on my shoulder. ``Lord Scarlet I bid you welcome to our beloved Riverlands.`` As he stared at me it dawned in his face that I had no idea who he was, and he laughed. ``I`m sorry my Lord where are my manners.`` He dusted his hands on his jacket before outstretching his hand for me to shake. ``'''I am Bryndan Blackwood son of Lord Tytos Blackwood of the Raventree. I am very glad to see your people today, as it is long due that Lucerne and Riverlands be joined together. In the coming days know that I am willing and greatly hopeful to help you with everything your people may need.`` '''Going back to the notes my Maester had given me on the boat, I remembered back to the Blackwood`s and realized the company I was with.

Byrdan Blackwood was the heir to the seasoned but not elderly Tytos Blackwood, and despite being the third oldest was the heir. Apparently some kind of mishap had broken faith in the oldest boy, and since then Bryndan had become the voice of House Blackwood. Maester Seryn told me that the Blackwood`s would be beyond important to us, and thus without another moment pause I reached and shook his hand. ``Lord Bryndan I believe Raventree has a lot to gain from our friendship.``


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