Arrivals - 6/25 afternoon - Jacques, OPEN

Jacques · 07-24-2011, 01:47 AM

The gold dust of the hills had given the entire party a dingy coating to dull the brilliant sheen of their armor and jewels, brocades and leathers- a far less glamorous sort of gold than the Sankan nobility were known for, though in truth it was not the usual bright and gallant procession they were famous for either- the singers still accompanied them, and there were one or two jesters among the company but there were more soldiers. Half the infantry of House Harrowmont accompanied them, to join the forces of House Dupont that were already marshalled and waiting, encamped outside the walls of Hsydra in their own faint cloud of dust and smoke and the scents of horses. The encampment was well-ordered and established, but made to be disassembled and moved, whether into the city or to march south remained to be seen.

With luck, perhaps the camp will remain here, Jacques thought as he looked it over. Perhaps the war need never be joined. Aye, and perhaps Dunixi will dance her way down out of the hills, leading the Kings of Mountain and Stone down from their fabled caves to rule the land astride unicorns and dragons too. He glanced up at the sky and thanked the gods it was at least fair weather for the journey- the rain that had threatened would at least hold off until tonight when they'd all be safe installed in their tents or within the castle.

Ethan Ashpool · 07-25-2011, 11:26 PM

Ethan pulled his horse alongside his father's and surveyed the scene before them. "Are we stopping here, father, or are we moving forward?" His voice was quiet, thoughtful as he tried to formulate what was in his father's mind. He had said his qoodbyes to his sisters and his brother and he had donned his leathers and armor alongside his father. His leg throbbed, but he ignored it. He would not look weak in front of his father or his father's men. He would not look like some lordling who didn't belong on the battlefield. He knew the whispers that he wasn't good enough to be his father's heir, but that was not for anyone but his father to decide, and before riding out on this journey he had made the promise to himself that he would earn his father's regard and he would do whatever it took to preserve Sanka, and preserve their line, and most of all, to prove that he was his father's heir in all ways, his throbbing leg and bleeding heart be damned.

Jacques · 07-27-2011, 02:02 AM

"We'll go on to the castle," Jacques answered. "For tonight. Perhaps we'll join the camp tomorrow." A direct presence would help keep morale up- waiting was hard on an army.

"How are you holding up?" he asked his son, looking Ethan over again. Both boys injured... not the best way to begin heading into battles, but there was no help for it.

Lucian Dupont · 07-27-2011, 12:40 PM

Lucian was happy to see home. It had been so long, it seemed. His father and uncle had already readied the defenses, their men having been prepping for such a day since his unlawful arrest. Sure, it might not have been sanctioned by the Lord Ashpool of the time, but there was no telling where Matthias’ loyalties may have settled, and he was sure as hells not going to sit idly by if he was going to ally himself with Castell. Thankfully, things had a way of working out.

“My father should be expecting us,” he assured Jacques, turning slightly to his province lord. The city was not as big as Vadra, nor was the castle nearly as opulent, but it was home, beautiful in its place just at the base of the mountains. The castle was on a slightly higher ground than the rest of the city, seemingly glowing in the distance as the sunlight bounced off of the stone. “Would you like me to ride ahead, my lord?”

Jacques · 08-02-2011, 07:13 PM

"Send one of the knights ahead," he instructed Lucian. "Might as well provide the people with one, united show."

Jacques looked at the city ahead of them. "Ride in gloriously, ride out gloriously, and hope to all the hells we come back just as polished as when we rode out." Gods, he was surrounded by boys when it came down to it- oh, they'd been bloodied at Stoft but they hadn't been cut. The battles ahead were going to be the vicious kind- against other Forsilvrans instead of babbling barbarians.

"Your scouts on the southern borders- I want them to get close to the Castell's eastern cities, see if their garrisons are getting bigger..."

Lucian Dupont · 08-03-2011, 01:07 AM

Lucian nodded and turned towards one of his nearest riders. “Ser Tavish, go on and inform my father that we will be arriving in the city shortly.”

For everything that their arrival meant, his lord was handling himself with a very comforting poise. It was almost as though his future good father was quite acquainted with this ‘brink of war’ business. It was not so much a point of curiosity as a pleasant thought. He hoped that by the time he was Jacques’ age, a war behind him, he would have the same air and the same wits about him. Though, he raised an excellent point. No matter how this war ended, no matter how much it devastated either side… When the dust settled, it would be a different world than they knew now.

“It will be done,” he said confidently, relaying that also to Tavish before he rode out to carry out his orders.

Ethan Ashpool · 08-04-2011, 06:48 PM

Ethan shrugged and looked at his father. "I'll manage, Father." His leg throbbed, but he wasn't going to complain about a little pain. Not when he had to earn respect on the battlefield. Swallowing, he nodded to Lucian and watched Tavish go, before pulling up his horse. He was practically ready to start fighting, as it was, but more he just wanted to something to do.

Jacques · 08-17-2011, 03:21 AM

"Good." Whether he was speaking to Lucian or Ethan or both was unclear. He did not bother to set them straight. Instead he studied the city before them, and then turned his attention south. "We will not tarry long. I want to keep Castell from getting his troops too comfortable too close to our borders. When the scouts get back, we'll send some fore-riders. It's not the chivalrous thing to do but chivalry will get you fucked in these games... a few hundred dead peasants will likely do nothing to Castell but it'll upset Leiham's delicate sensibilities, and likely Paige's as well if we try hard enough."

Ethan Ashpool · 08-17-2011, 11:19 PM

Ethan gave a grimace-like smile and shrugged. "Oh well. Better for them to see how their purported king does not take care of them. As for Leiham, if he doesn't want to war he should just get out of the way. The time is passed for words and intrigue. It comes down to the ring of iron and steel to settle this mess." He mused to his father, as he looked out over the terrain trying to find advantages.

Lucian Dupont · 08-20-2011, 02:52 AM

“Comes down to iron and steel? Well, then it is a most fortunate thing indeed that it is Dupont iron and steel,” he said, looking out in the direction of Castell lands as if he would see Victor ruling smugly from his throne. It was that look on his face as if he had some divine right to look down his nose at others that stuck with Lucian. Remembering as he stood before him as if being judged by the very gods as he condemned Xavier to death…

“I am personally of the opinion that Castell lost his regard for chivalry the moment he unlawfully arrested me and held me as a bargaining chip for my cousin. I say let the heavens open and rain fire upon the bastard’s head. And if the gods can’t be fussed, I would not mind doing it for them.”

Jacques · 08-21-2011, 06:56 PM

"Castells never cared for chivalry- their gods are avarice and pride, which doesn't allow much room for courtesy." Jacques liked to be fair when could- though often enough it was a luxury, the world being what it was. "Leiham fancies himself learned in war as most the Ovadorans tend to, though he's never so much as boarded a hostile vessel. Their fathers were the ones who won the War of Kings, but there's a far difference between hearing the stories and seeing it yourself."

He looked at the city before them. "You've seen to your defenses well, Lucian. That's good... it means we can worry about crossing the border instead of spending extra time on fortifications. I am not fond of the style of battle we're about to embark on but against superior numbers, it's the best way."

Ethan Ashpool · 08-23-2011, 03:43 AM

Ethan nodded at his father's words. "Sometimes it needs to be done, Father. We need to weaken them, draw them out." He frowned as he looked at the maps again. "Is there a way to see their raven flight paths? If we can track the way messages are sent between the nearest towns we might be able to disrupt their communication better, too."

Jacques · 08-30-2011, 01:10 AM

"Station archers in the area around the town. Though if the maester has half a brain he'll usually council his lord to send riders out as well as the raven... But we'll have archers with the outriders and scouts. It should better the chances of blocking their first attempts to send for reinforcements."

07-24-2011, 01:47 AM	#1
Jacques Ashpool. Jacques Ashpool. Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 572 Mentioned: 0 Post(s)	Arrivals - 6/25 afternoon - Jacques, OPEN The gold dust of the hills had given the entire party a dingy coating to dull the brilliant sheen of their armor and jewels, brocades and leathers- a far less glamorous sort of gold than the Sankan nobility were known for, though in truth it was not the usual bright and gallant procession they were famous for either- the singers still accompanied them, and there were one or two jesters among the company but there were more soldiers. Half the infantry of House Harrowmont accompanied them, to join the forces of House Dupont that were already marshalled and waiting, encamped outside the walls of Hsydra in their own faint cloud of dust and smoke and the scents of horses. The encampment was well-ordered and established, but made to be disassembled and moved, whether into the city or to march south remained to be seen. With luck, perhaps the camp will remain here, Jacques thought as he looked it over. Perhaps the war need never be joined. Aye, and perhaps Dunixi will dance her way down out of the hills, leading the Kings of Mountain and Stone down from their fabled caves to rule the land astride unicorns and dragons too. He glanced up at the sky and thanked the gods it was at least fair weather for the journey- the rain that had threatened would at least hold off until tonight when they'd all be safe installed in their tents or within the castle.

07-27-2011, 12:40 PM	#4
Lucian Dupont Rise From The Ashes Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 188 Mentioned: 0 Post(s)	Lucian was happy to see home. It had been so long, it seemed. His father and uncle had already readied the defenses, their men having been prepping for such a day since his unlawful arrest. Sure, it might not have been sanctioned by the Lord Ashpool of the time, but there was no telling where Matthias’ loyalties may have settled, and he was sure as hells not going to sit idly by if he was going to ally himself with Castell. Thankfully, things had a way of working out. “My father should be expecting us,” he assured Jacques, turning slightly to his province lord. The city was not as big as Vadra, nor was the castle nearly as opulent, but it was home, beautiful in its place just at the base of the mountains. The castle was on a slightly higher ground than the rest of the city, seemingly glowing in the distance as the sunlight bounced off of the stone. “Would you like me to ride ahead, my lord?” __________________ You should have known the price of evil. It hurts to know that you belong here. No one to call, everybody to fear. Your tragic fate is looking so clear. It's your fuckin' nightmare.

08-03-2011, 01:07 AM	#6
Lucian Dupont Rise From The Ashes Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 188 Mentioned: 0 Post(s)	Lucian nodded and turned towards one of his nearest riders. “Ser Tavish, go on and inform my father that we will be arriving in the city shortly.” For everything that their arrival meant, his lord was handling himself with a very comforting poise. It was almost as though his future good father was quite acquainted with this ‘brink of war’ business. It was not so much a point of curiosity as a pleasant thought. He hoped that by the time he was Jacques’ age, a war behind him, he would have the same air and the same wits about him. Though, he raised an excellent point. No matter how this war ended, no matter how much it devastated either side… When the dust settled, it would be a different world than they knew now. “It will be done,” he said confidently, relaying that also to Tavish before he rode out to carry out his orders. __________________ You should have known the price of evil. It hurts to know that you belong here. No one to call, everybody to fear. Your tragic fate is looking so clear. It's your fuckin' nightmare.

08-20-2011, 02:52 AM	#10
Lucian Dupont Rise From The Ashes Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 188 Mentioned: 0 Post(s)	“Comes down to iron and steel? Well, then it is a most fortunate thing indeed that it is Dupont iron and steel,” he said, looking out in the direction of Castell lands as if he would see Victor ruling smugly from his throne. It was that look on his face as if he had some divine right to look down his nose at others that stuck with Lucian. Remembering as he stood before him as if being judged by the very gods as he condemned Xavier to death… “I am personally of the opinion that Castell lost his regard for chivalry the moment he unlawfully arrested me and held me as a bargaining chip for my cousin. I say let the heavens open and rain fire upon the bastard’s head. And if the gods can’t be fussed, I would not mind doing it for them.” __________________ You should have known the price of evil. It hurts to know that you belong here. No one to call, everybody to fear. Your tragic fate is looking so clear. It's your fuckin' nightmare.

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07-25-2011, 11:26 PM	#2
Ethan Ashpool The Dragon Lord's Heir Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 217 Mentioned: 0 Post(s)	Ethan pulled his horse alongside his father's and surveyed the scene before them. "Are we stopping here, father, or are we moving forward?" His voice was quiet, thoughtful as he tried to formulate what was in his father's mind. He had said his qoodbyes to his sisters and his brother and he had donned his leathers and armor alongside his father. His leg throbbed, but he ignored it. He would not look weak in front of his father or his father's men. He would not look like some lordling who didn't belong on the battlefield. He knew the whispers that he wasn't good enough to be his father's heir, but that was not for anyone but his father to decide, and before riding out on this journey he had made the promise to himself that he would earn his father's regard and he would do whatever it took to preserve Sanka, and preserve their line, and most of all, to prove that he was his father's heir in all ways, his throbbing leg and bleeding heart be damned.

07-27-2011, 02:02 AM	#3
Jacques Ashpool. Jacques Ashpool. Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 572 Mentioned: 0 Post(s)	"We'll go on to the castle," Jacques answered. "For tonight. Perhaps we'll join the camp tomorrow." A direct presence would help keep morale up- waiting was hard on an army. "How are you holding up?" he asked his son, looking Ethan over again. Both boys injured... not the best way to begin heading into battles, but there was no help for it.

08-02-2011, 07:13 PM	#5
Jacques Ashpool. Jacques Ashpool. Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 572 Mentioned: 0 Post(s)	"Send one of the knights ahead," he instructed Lucian. "Might as well provide the people with one, united show." Jacques looked at the city ahead of them. "Ride in gloriously, ride out gloriously, and hope to all the hells we come back just as polished as when we rode out." Gods, he was surrounded by boys when it came down to it- oh, they'd been bloodied at Stoft but they hadn't been cut. The battles ahead were going to be the vicious kind- against other Forsilvrans instead of babbling barbarians. "Your scouts on the southern borders- I want them to get close to the Castell's eastern cities, see if their garrisons are getting bigger..."

08-04-2011, 06:48 PM	#7
Ethan Ashpool The Dragon Lord's Heir Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 217 Mentioned: 0 Post(s)	Ethan shrugged and looked at his father. "I'll manage, Father." His leg throbbed, but he wasn't going to complain about a little pain. Not when he had to earn respect on the battlefield. Swallowing, he nodded to Lucian and watched Tavish go, before pulling up his horse. He was practically ready to start fighting, as it was, but more he just wanted to something to do.

08-17-2011, 03:21 AM	#8
Jacques Ashpool. Jacques Ashpool. Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 572 Mentioned: 0 Post(s)	"Good." Whether he was speaking to Lucian or Ethan or both was unclear. He did not bother to set them straight. Instead he studied the city before them, and then turned his attention south. "We will not tarry long. I want to keep Castell from getting his troops too comfortable too close to our borders. When the scouts get back, we'll send some fore-riders. It's not the chivalrous thing to do but chivalry will get you fucked in these games... a few hundred dead peasants will likely do nothing to Castell but it'll upset Leiham's delicate sensibilities, and likely Paige's as well if we try hard enough."

08-17-2011, 11:19 PM	#9
Ethan Ashpool The Dragon Lord's Heir Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 217 Mentioned: 0 Post(s)	Ethan gave a grimace-like smile and shrugged. "Oh well. Better for them to see how their purported king does not take care of them. As for Leiham, if he doesn't want to war he should just get out of the way. The time is passed for words and intrigue. It comes down to the ring of iron and steel to settle this mess." He mused to his father, as he looked out over the terrain trying to find advantages.

08-21-2011, 06:56 PM	#11
Jacques Ashpool. Jacques Ashpool. Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 572 Mentioned: 0 Post(s)	"Castells never cared for chivalry- their gods are avarice and pride, which doesn't allow much room for courtesy." Jacques liked to be fair when could- though often enough it was a luxury, the world being what it was. "Leiham fancies himself learned in war as most the Ovadorans tend to, though he's never so much as boarded a hostile vessel. Their fathers were the ones who won the War of Kings, but there's a far difference between hearing the stories and seeing it yourself." He looked at the city before them. "You've seen to your defenses well, Lucian. That's good... it means we can worry about crossing the border instead of spending extra time on fortifications. I am not fond of the style of battle we're about to embark on but against superior numbers, it's the best way."

08-23-2011, 03:43 AM	#12
Ethan Ashpool The Dragon Lord's Heir Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 217 Mentioned: 0 Post(s)	Ethan nodded at his father's words. "Sometimes it needs to be done, Father. We need to weaken them, draw them out." He frowned as he looked at the maps again. "Is there a way to see their raven flight paths? If we can track the way messages are sent between the nearest towns we might be able to disrupt their communication better, too."

08-30-2011, 01:10 AM	#13
Jacques Ashpool. Jacques Ashpool. Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 572 Mentioned: 0 Post(s)	"Station archers in the area around the town. Though if the maester has half a brain he'll usually council his lord to send riders out as well as the raven... But we'll have archers with the outriders and scouts. It should better the chances of blocking their first attempts to send for reinforcements."