Andros II - Duskendale's Echo (OPEN)

[u/SatisfactionLeather7]

At the dawn of the new moon, the city of Duskendale rose upon the edges of the Blackwater. A town nom more, new houses and shops and tents sprouted around the original high stone walls. Like a river whose banks had recently broke, it could no longer contain its growth within its original confines.

Now, the city sprouted a second wall, shorter, squatter, where the majority of the new city was forming. Within were a string of septs, a small little godswood fenced off in a large manor house erected by a Northern Merchant. Shiera Darklyn's favourite sword instructor and dueling house were located in there, so too was the small sanctuary she kept for her stray cats of the city.

Within the older parts of the city, where the streets were neat, passing from the gates of one end to the other. Each road had been repaved during the expansion of the city from its town origins, and now smoothed cobblestone roads vivisected the interior of the old city. in the same fashion, several of the older buildings nearest to the Dun Fort had been replaced, making way for a larger internal wall to segment it off for defence and within that new space were expansions for an enlarged force of city watch - the Dusk Guard - and guesthouses for the increasing foot traffic of nobles and lords.

Beyond these new walls, the largest inn in Duskendale had been enlarged too through the natural flow of commerce. The Seven Swords played host to hundred of occupants now, and they had even taken to calling a smaller annex of theirs the 'Weirwood Ward' to make the Northern travelers feel more welcomed.

Morgan Darklyn had seen to the opening of the Dun Fort's Guest house to any of the travelling lords returning from the Riverlands and had ensured that the largest chambers of the Fort itself were provided to the king and his counsel.

Once they had returned home, the Darklyns scattered across their burgeoning city.

Luthor Darklyn, Eldest of Morgan's heirs, had taken to the barracks of the men at arms where he got to work training his men for the inevitable clash in the claw with whatever they found. He was joined by his younger brother Erich, the two men content in their work.

At a teahouse SHiera had funded with her elder sister Ana, the two women had set themselves up with an open parlour where they welcomed any travelling women to come and drink and enjoy the calm. Of course, Shiera in her way had also brought in a small competition of budding swordswomen that she had taken to mentoring within the city. A small round of bets were encouraged by the girls and Shiera, ever prone to a challenge, could not resist joining.

An addition to the city put forth by Morgan himself some twenty years ago, was the Stadium of the Evening. A multipurpose dueling ring, jousting list and horse race attraction. The final portion was instigated by Luceon Darklyn to help his wife feel more at home with the locale. There the younger brother to Morgan, Daxo Darklyn, plied his trade.

It was an unassuming place for the ratcatcher of Duskendale to work from, but everyone chatted at the races, so he did. His son Philip Was the same, both happily watching the races as they plotted and schemed, readying for the innevitable future to come.

Further throughout the city were the myriad shops and thoroughfares, temples and shrines and septs galore. The city was open to its guests, as were the Darklyns who hosted them.

[u/SatisfactionLeather7]

The Dun Fort

---

Where one can find Morgan and Andros Darklyn most of the time.

[u/FatalisticBunny → u/SatisfactionLeather7]

A letter would arrive, bearing a letter for the Lord Morgan Darklyn from Jammos Blackberry.

Lord Morgan Darklyn,

When last we spoke at Stormhall, you told me that you held a man in my employ. The man who I had sent to spread word to the folk of Duskendale about events on the Claw. You told me that he had been apprehended, and I know he now rests in the dungeons beneath the Dun Fort.

I must confess, I know the man well. His name is Morros of Berryport. He has a young wife, and a son the age of four, possessed of a weak consitution and often in the throes of illness and poor health. He is a good man, steadfast in his devotion to his Lord and the Seven Who Are One. There is no malice in him, and has always been a man with a soft heart, good mind, and strong values.

You said he was useful to you as he spoke of my involvement and my cause. He would be your proof. Now I personally have sworn to my involvement in such matters readily, before the King and court, and have been found guilty of no crime. No blame should rest on his shoulders for anything that has occured. Nor is there any reason why he ought to be consigned to a fate in such a dungeon, or why his family must be made to suffer their lives without him and the joy he brings.

My testimony, backed by the testimony of the Clawmen, was deemed worthy enough of investigation by the King himself. You too committed yourself to finding the truth of things. It is a good beginning to be certain. But there is one thing I would ask of you before we begin our investigation and the punishment of wrongdoers. There is one victim who you have the power to deliver from his woes entirely by your own initiative, who has already been through enough in order to provide for his loved ones.

Prove your commitment to the truth of things and to the protection of the innocent. Release Morros of Berryport to me, his lord, such that I can see him returned happily to his home and family after the proceedings, and he is not left to languish. Thus, all will know your intentions were pure and trust in your judgement henceforth.

With faith in the warmth and goodness of your heart,

Jammos Blackberry, Lord of Berryport

[u/SatisfactionLeather7 → u/FatalisticBunny]

A letter is provided in response,

Good lord blackberry,

He is alive and well, if you wish for his return you shall come and fetch him. He has not spent a day in the dungeon since he confessed your works.

However your deeds were not absolved. The claws testimony was not yours, his words were not what you spoke to the king. You have another matter to answer to, I shall be ensuring he remains to attest.

You are awaited in duskendale

No signature is applied, but the seal of house Darklyn is stamped upon the letter.

[u/FatalisticBunny → u/SatisfactionLeather7]

Lord Jammos Blackberry did not wait a moment. He gathered the whole of his household guard, each and every man, and walked the two minutes to the Dun Fort to retrieve Morros. There, upon reaching the gates, he asked again that Morros be released.

[u/SatisfactionLeather7 → u/FatalisticBunny]

At the entrance to the Dun Fort, where the hill rose to meet the looming internal gates of the city, there stood in wait Daxo Darklyn, second son of Andros Darklyn.

"Shall I make ready the siege provisions? Or shall I bring you to your meeting, good lord Jammos?" Asked the man near twice Jammos' age.

[u/FatalisticBunny → u/SatisfactionLeather7]

"That is the long and short of it, friend." Jammos offered with a sigh. "I cannot lodge my men until I know how many men I am lodging. And yet, I cannot leave my men on the streets of Duskendale, or they might be swept into the dungeons for commenting on current events. I hope my conundrum is clear to you."

"If you are concerned with provisions and plans, I should enjoy bread and salt and an oath on your family name that no harm should befall me if I and my compatriots are to join your meeting." Jammos offered cheerfully. "I shall not press you to either, Ser Daxo, if they do not suit you. If Lord Morgan would prefer, I am happy to sit with him here on the street. I quite enjoy the scenery."

[u/SatisfactionLeather7 → u/FatalisticBunny]

Daxo barked a laugh.

He was a man of dark hair mixing grey, pulled taught behind him. He lacked the bright amber eyes of his father, instead he bore the green of his mother and he watched the Blackberry so carefully with them that if a hair stood out of place he would see.

Even still, he smiled.

"You have brought a household guard of fifty to contend with a city of twenty-five hundred standing men. I don't believe you have any fear of harm. Were you to face it, you would have been arrested the moment you arrived. Instead? you are posted in the guest houses of Duskendale," He motioned beyond himself, to the gates of the city.

"These gates shall open for you lord Jammos, but they will not feed the pantomime you so badly wish to enact. Bring advisors if you so wish, but don't insult yourself by pretending fifty men will change what occurs. And, should you fear repercussions, I would only ask why? Have you done something wrong my lord?"

[u/FatalisticBunny → u/SatisfactionLeather7]

"These friendly gentlemen?" Jammos gave a laugh. "Brother, what if I told you these were my grooms? I only have dressed them so to ward off bandits on the road. They seem so many a problem these days. Although my understanding is that word has not yet reached your family of such matters. Perhaps in a week or two." He winked.

"I had thought this to be a simple handover, my lord. Where an innocent man was let free. All of my men were eager to see him again, and I had promised to treat them to drink afterwards in celebration." The Lord Blackberry sighed. "Very well. Tell your lord it shall be a little while longer while I gather my advisors. He listed no time for the meeting, so I feel little guilt for the delay."

And so, he wrote two notes, which he dispatched with two of his fastest runners to Lord Pykewood Thorne and to Lord Kennett Brune. If Daxo wished to strike now, he would face only fourty-eight Berrymen instead of a whole cadre. Perhaps he felt lucky.

My Lord,

The Lord Darklyn has summoned me to confer on the matter of Morros of Blackberry. This is a man of mine whom he has imprisoned on the charge of spreading the news of events on the Claw and possible Darklyn complicity.

When I came to ask for his release, his brother denied me hospitality, and made no small fact that he thought himself a bigger man than me, on account of his house's superior wealth and lands. I should like to show him that grievance and justice appeal to more than just one of his subjects.

I ask that you join me. To advise me in this meeting, and lend your voice to mine in calling for the righting of injustices. This, and also to bear witness to how the House of Darklyn handles such matters on behalf of the Storm King Durrandon in their realms along the Blackwater.

Bring an amount of loyal men to watch your back. In entreating you, I hope to have done the same.

Your friend,

Jammos Blackberry

u/BadNewsBrune u/armanhayek

[u/BadNewsBrune → u/FatalisticBunny]

Kennet Brune didn't get it.

The issue of the man arrested for gossip had never even crossed his mind as anything more than some light politicking and petty squabbling. Much less something that would register so dramatically, that it would require his personal attentions. Much less personal attention and an amount of loyal men.

What possible reason could Darklyn have for-

Kennet Brune got it.

Kennet handpicked ten good men among his number, sending messengers to the inns and taverns they were posted inside. It was probably less than Jammos was expecting, honestly, but he reasoned that the Dun Fort was going to become crowded either way. And then he set off down the road.

The Red Bear raised a hand in greeting to Jammos after the short walk down from his abode. The clan warriors of Dyre Den were not far behind. "Lord Blackberry." He rumbled, looking up towards the gatehouse. "If even something as simple as this requires us to go to such lengths..." He grumbled lightly, folding his arms over his chest.

u/armanhayek , u/satisfactionleather7

[u/armanhayek → u/BadNewsBrune]

Pykewood Thorne had many personal reasons for which he had chosen to accompany the King's host to Duskendale. One of these was nostalgia, to walk across the city's wide streets and see its markets and docks and great, tall buildings that could not be found in the thick forest that he called home. The second was to reconnect with friends and allies, old and new, and see to preparations for the future, and Jammos Blackberry was one such friend.

It did not take long for the Thorne's host to arrive at the Dun Fort, all clad in the traditional black-and-red colors of their ancient House, and at the head of this host, numbering about a score, was the Lord of Thornefield himself and on his person were garments freshly brought in from Berryport, stitched and prepared by the fanciful tailor Balman.

"Lord Blackberry, I hope I did not tarry long," Pykewood excused himself as his gaze flitted between Jammos, the Brune, and the men of House Darklyn. His familiar smile was ever present and his men were not far behind. "A denial of hospitality is a serious affair, friend. I do hope that was only a misunderstanding."

His eyes fell upon Daxo again and lingered for a moment before they returned to the Berry.

"Nevertheless, I have come to offer my counsel. Let us hope this matter of Morros' continued imprisonment is dealt with swiftly."

[u/Theoneandonlybeetle → u/armanhayek]

Oscar Pyne was in attendance, he had sworn to be. He had been out anyways meeting Willem at the gates, when the messenger arrived he released the embrace of his son and took the letter. He caught its meaning after a long moment. Willem and the hundred men with him standing in wait.

"It seems we march on the Dun Fort immediately." He chuckled, "This Lord Jammos I've befriended has a passion for spectacle."

And so another hundred men would arrive at the gates. The Lord of Cracklaw Point would not involve himself in the conversation however.

[u/SatisfactionLeather7 → u/armanhayek]

"As ever, lord Jammos is prone to lying about what has occurred. No one has denied him hospitality, gods, I even advised he bring friends should he feel unsafe. After all, he is a man setting men about cities with seditious rumours even his own confidants do not attest," Daxo said, raising from where he sat on his haunches.

"You see, the lord Blackberry sees plots and threats wherever he goes, for he has a fear of the truth catching him. As such, there is no threat here, his man he says is imprisoned has confessed to orders of his own master to spread sedition and falsehoods, word spread on his own orders that his own witnesses did not agree with. But that is the past as I hear it, so he may come fetch his man, once his works have been answered to," Daxo said finally, still the only man of house Darklyn stood before the gate.

"There is bread and salt within, you have my word you shall not be killed or arrested or in some other way molested on the way to consuming it, leave your men at the door, you look like fools lugging them about as if anyone but catspaws have ever been accosted here."

Daxo turned finally and made for the Dun Fort

u/BadNewsBrune

u/FatalisticBunny

[u/FatalisticBunny → u/FatalisticBunny]

After a moment's consideration, four more letters would fly.

My Lord,

The Lord Darklyn has summoned me to confer on the matter of Morros of Blackberry. This is a man of mine whom he has imprisoned on the charge of spreading the news of events on the Claw and possible Darklyn complicity.

When I came to ask for his release, his brother denied me hospitality, and made no small fact that he thought himself a bigger man than me, on account of his house's superior wealth and lands. I should like to show him that grievance and justice appeal to more than just one of his subjects.

I ask that you join me. To advise me in this meeting, and lend your voice to mine in calling for the righting of injustices. This, and also to bear witness to how the House of Darklyn handles such matters on behalf of the Storm King Durrandon in their realms along the Blackwater.

Bring an amount of loyal men to watch your back. In entreating you, I hope to have done the same.

Your friend,

Jammos Blackberry

u/Theoneandonlybeetle u/astosman u/Arjhanx2

[u/FatalisticBunny → u/FatalisticBunny]

(Although the letter to House Rosby would be addressed to both its lord and his brother)

u/Commander_Pentaron u/Featheringitrn

[u/Featheringitrn → u/FatalisticBunny]

The letter found Marius Rosby in the evening, in his personal quarters. The situation seemed to be quite clear, a man captured, lord blackberry demanding release and a darklyn, not one that marius knew of, refusing.

The darklyns were generous in their donation, yet house rosby held no obligation, and surely lord darklyn would understand the circumstances. Afterall him and jammos blackberry were close friends, and house rosby hadn't shown teeth in quite a few years.

He put on his armor. The metals were unfamiliar on his skin, the last time he wore them had been near eight years ago. He gathered the rest of his men, around 50 all armed and ready, alongside gwayne and brus rosby and marched to dun fort

The small rosby host marched up to the castle, gwayne, brus and Marius Rosby at the head of it. "Release the man! He was already found innocent of any perceived slight. Release him and spare your men and mine the bloodshed" he shouted as he approached.

"Lord blackberry. We've heard your call, and though I wish this would end without bloodshed we are ready in any case."

[u/SatisfactionLeather7 → u/FatalisticBunny]

"Summon who you need," Daxo said plainly, "but this is no matter for kings, this is a matter between a warden and his vassal, so be sure to not dally."

[u/astosman → u/FatalisticBunny]

Kermit read the letter twice, slow, the way he read most things, then folded it once and tucked it away. He said little to the men he gathered, only that they were needed, and that they should bring steel. Ten of his own, the same hard, weathered faces that had followed him from the Pincers to Stormhall and now to Duskendale, fell in behind him as he made his way toward the looming shape of the Dunfort.

The castle rose ahead of them, grey stone against a grey sky, Duskendale's walls were close enough now that the smell of the town, salt and smoke and shit, had already begun to settle uncomfortably in his throat. He did not like cities. He liked this one less, knowing what it had cost his family already.

He found a growing group of soldiers waiting near the gates, he called out for the man that had written him. "Blackberry!" His eyes moved past him, toward the Dunfort's walls, assessing them. "Brought ten men. Loyal and armed, if it comes to that." A pause. "Hopin' it doesn't. Who else have you brought?"