A Pride of Lions (Drennan)

[tywin]

Hundreds of golden lions fluttered in the wind alongside hundreds of lesser known sigils. House Lannister had soaked the scene in crimson, but the colours of other minor Houses speckled the canvas of the gathered Westerlands army. The ruins of Castamere lay scattered amongst the tents and pavilions, and the high winds wipped cold rain over neighing horses and grunting soldiers. Thousands had assembled at Castamere; bannermen had been arriving in droves, adding their own numbers the burgeoning Lannister host. The weather seemed to have cursed them - a dark skys spat upon them, and thunder rumbled in hearts of the clouds - but inside the tent of Lord Tywin Lannister there was near silence.

"Leave him take the initiative? Let the young wolf sharpen his fangs? Absolutely not!" barked Tywin as he slammed a fist onto the long table covered in maps, cups and vessels of wine. He stared at his collected bannermen - one of them had suggested that they wait to see if Robb Stark would march. This was unacceptable to Tywin - he would never let it be said that the lion shied in the face of the wolf. "What say the rest of you?" he demanded, leaving the question opened to the congregation.

[drennan]

House Breaoc's own banners flapped in the wind and rain above their tents as men sat in thick skins huddled around fires to ward off at least some of the cold that came with being wet through. But even the dark skies above could not dampen the spirits of the men it soaked to the bone completely. Like all those serving the Westerlands and the Lannisters they were hardy men and they reason to be joyful. War was brewing in the North and the excitement of it ran through the House Breaoc camp like a ripple in a pond. They sang and joked despite the miserable weather that tried to ruin their mood. War and glory came hand in hand together and glory was always welcome to the common man. Their leader and Lord, The Bear of the Westerlands was absent from their camp at this moment, his presence as with all other Bannermen, requested by non other than Lord Twyin Lannister, one of the most powerful and rightly feared men in all of Westeros. When he called men answered.

Drennan Breaoc, Lord of Bears Rest stood inside the tent of his Liege Lord as did all the others, his hands feeling somewhat empty without his friend but to bring a weapon into the tent of his Lord would have most likely been considered treason in times such as these. Instead he stood, silent, listening and watching as some fool opened his mouth and sugested simly waiting to see what happened. That was obviously not what Lord Twyin had wanted to hear as his fist slammed into the table, making several Lords jump where they stood and leaving the wine vessels rocking where they sat.

"What say the rest of you?"

The large man cleared his throat with a rumbling cough and pushed through the line infront of him so he stood that much closer to his Lord, and the battle plans laid out on the table,

"We remind them who we my Lord. We remind them that the Lion will not be threatened by a pup, nor a pretender king."

[tywin]

Tywin scanned the bannermen to see who among them had spoken up - "Lord Drennan" Tywin said sternly, fanning his fingers out across the map of the Riverlands that lay before him, wrinkling it slightly, "Finally some bravery breaks through the fog of fear that seems to have blinded my bannermen" he snarled, eyeing the others with contempt. "Tell me, mighty Bear Lord, would you march on Winterfell? I know the men of Bear's Rest have a constant thirst for battle, so strip the blood lust from your words and speak true". Lord Tywin had brought 56,000 Lannister men to make camp as Castamere, and with his bannermen at his side his host was even larger. The personal army of Ser Torin Lannister was also reading at Casterly Rock, and would soon bring thousands more men into the fold. It was the largest Lannister army assembled since the days of the rebellion, and now Lord Tywin was listening to a man who knew the significance of that.

[drennan]

"My Lord"

The fur covered man bowed his head slightly as the Lord of the Westerlands addressed him personally, the occurance of which he could count on the fingers of both hands. He had few personal dealings with the man but knew all there was to know of him publicly as well as some things that were whispered in rumour.

"Command it and we will burn it to the ground and piss on the ashes...Sire"

His eyes lifted from the ground and looked over the maps infront of them, for the first time seeing how detailed and intricate they were, perfect condition despite the environments they were used in, and then slowly up to meet the gaze of his Lord,

"Speak true? Very well then, you have not the men nor the provisions to lay siege to the North without failing, it is simply to vast to be held by an invader. But a castle? Even Wintefell can be taken, it is simply stone and mortar. Bloody the Wolf if he dares to bare his fangs to the Lion and crush his home if he doesn't learn his lesson."

[tywin]

Drennan Breaoc was unlike most of Tywin's other bannermen. Men donned their finest garb, as though they intended to go courting maidens, when they were asked to give the lion counsel. Tywin knew most of them sought to flatter him with their words - "Yes Lord Tywin, we can win", or "Of course Lord Tywin, the lion shall prevail". Tywin had grown tired of soft counsel spouted by soft men - but Drennan Breaoc was not a soft man. "The lands of the North are as arid, cold and unappealing as the women of the North" Tywin snapped back in something that passed for jest, the right side of his lip curling into a half smile as he looked up from his chair at the warrior lord before him. "I will happily give the snows of the north to the man who brings Robb Stark to heel" he continued before pressing a wine cup to his lips. The cinders in the hearth behind Lord Tywin made the air thick and warm, but the sweat on the brows of his bannermen could not be attributed to the heat alone. He eyed the map of the Riverlands as they grew more nervous - "Lord Drennan" he said sharply as he rubbed his stubbled chin, not moving his eyes from the map, "I do not wish to face the Starks at the neck - Moat Cailin gives King Robb an advantage that cannot be undone by sheer numbers. I intend to march on the home of his mother, Riverrun, and drag the wolf south where we have the advantage. What say you to that?".

[drennan]

The Bear let a slight smile play on his lips although he said nothing, at the humour their Lord displayed, something he would not have attributed to such a harsh man. It was a pleasent surprise but one he would not dwell for the moment, certainly not while there were more important things in the present. His eyes flicked over the maps once more quickly following where the Head of the Lannisters fingers played, following their path and while considering the mans words.

"I would say it is a foolish thing to lay siege to an island. But then you are no fool my Lord, so a feint then? Threaten the things the pup holds dear and he will have to reconsider his plans. Very clever Sire."

His fingers stroked through his long bread, toying with a braid for a few moments as he collected his thoughts,

"What of the castle itself? Isolated by the open sluice the Wolf would loose the chance to hide behind its walls while planning a counter to your stratergy. With no safe haven to greet him, his plans would be rushed. Nervous men make mistakes, mistakes that could be exploited to your advantage."


(20,000 Mountain Men of House Breaoc march to Castamere to join House Lannister's plans and camp with the Personal Guard of Drennan that is already here)

[tywin]

"You have basked in the Westerland sun for too long, Lord Drennan - Riverrun is no island" scoffed Lord Tywin, stabbing the map with his finger, "But you have the right of it otherwise, and the march will be a feint. We dare not dash our men on the walls of Riverrun like waves on rocks, not with the young wolf to contend with. As soon as our banners are seen by Tully scouts their ravens will take wing, and in days the north men will file out of the neck and into the open field".

Tywin repeatedly stabbed his finger at the tiny castle on the map that represented Riverrun as he spoke now, "Our main force will march at sunrise tomorrow, provided our reinforcements arrive from Casterly Rock tonight. Lord Drennan, I want you to take your men and leave for Riverrun tonight, burning and pillaging all of the villages you encounter on the way. Spare the children and women, but kill the men. Fly a Lannister banner alongside your own. The Tully scouts will judge your numbers and will send warning to Robb Stark. When he arrives expecting a few thousand enemies, he will find the entire Lannister host waiting for him".

[carrow]

Drane had watched the conversation in silence, waiting for the right time to say something. His name was not as prestigious as many Westerland lords but he knew he was worth more than most of them. Naturally enough they followed Tywin Lannister, he certainly knew what he was doing but it had perhaps left some of them a little incapable of thinking for themselves. Drennan Breaoc seemed to be dominating the conversation with Tywin, Breaoc was a strong man but a very different man to Drane.

Drane finally thought he should say something, he needed to impress Tywin, "My lord," he said quickly, Attacking the Tulleys to draw out the Starks is a plan without fault, but I urge you not to underestimate the men from the north. By going to Riverrun we enter enemy territory and could face both the Stark and Tulley armies. Let the Starks move, let them leave their land, let them be perceived as the ones who have broken the peace." He looked round to see the expressions of the others present and continued, "Time is on our side, at first this army was raised because of Eddard Stark's behaviour, he is no more and our King is now firmly behind us. We cannot see this is as a war of conquest but a campaign to restore order and every drop of blood that is spilled weakens the Seven Kingdoms." He didn;t know if what he was saying would be popular or not but he pressed on.

"We will be joined by the other Great Houses and the Starks and Tulleys will see their rebellion as pointless and we need not fight this war." Drane had already proven his credentials as a ruthless man who could do what was necessary but he was a pragmatist. "If I thought it necessary I would say crush both of them but I think the more profitable path is to wait and make a deal. Robb Stark is a boy and will be easy to handle."

Drane sighed and shrugged, "I will of course do what is ordered and my men are at your disposal, but it is my duty to give you my honest opinion."

[tywin]

Lord Tywin's eyes flicked to the source of the intrusion - Drane Carrow. Tywin had history with Lord Drane, and he was only too aware that House Carrow was as dangerous as it was loyal. "The men of the north have by all accounts declared war on our King by naming a King of their own" snarled Tywin, "Our King has Lannister blood in him Lord Drane, or had you forgotten?". Tywin often asked for counsel, but seldom did he take it - the arrogance of Casterly Rock was well known. "And you speak ill of conquest and the spilling of blood, Drane, but I know you to be a man with a thirst for both. Why the change of tune?" he scoffed. His eyes fell on Drennan Breaoc before returning to Drane Carrow - "House Tully will rise no matter what we do - Catelyn Stark will force her brother Edmure into supporting King Robb".

[NPC]

A moment later a runner boy arrived. He was barely fifteen with a mess of brown hair. At least he appeared to be clean. He held place at the side while Tywin made his point, knowing full well it was best not to interupt. When there was a moments silence and he assumed he had been noticed the boy plucked up the courage to step forward.

"Lord Tywin, a raven arrived. Bearing Torin's seal." The boy held out the rolled up scroll still bearing the wax emblem of Torin's Lion, giving a quick bow once he was done and stepping away. Tywin made him incredibly nervous and he was all to glad to follow advice he had been given. "Get in, do the job and step out," the key was to try limit reasons for Tywin to notice him. While he might notice him for a positive reason, it was more likely it would be for a negative reason.

[tywin]

Silence fell as Tywin's eyes darted back and forth across the note he had been handed. No doubt words hung on the lips and tongues of Drennan and Drane, but neither dared speak while their Liege-Lord read. Veins in Tywin's temples rose to prominence as he clenched his jaw hard, each word he read angering him more than the last. "The Vale marches on Harrenhal - and Torin is marching with them" croaked Tywin, his words rich with venom. "He says the whore of the Eyrie is every bit as comely as he'd heard". He rose from his seat, slamming the note onto the table before him, "If the Vale attacks Harrenhal then we need not march on Riverrun at all - Robb Stark will march south to bolster Edmure Tully's forces as soon as he hears of Lord Emre's plan". He moved before his bannermen now, toe to toe with Drennan and Drane - "It appears we'll be marching to Harrenhal to meet my son" he said sharply.

[drennan]

The Lord of Bears rest bit his tongue, something he would do for only a handfull of men in the land as Lord Tywin scolded him for calling Riverrun an island, something which it would become if the gates were opened and the river allowed to surround it. His jaw clenched but he remained silent, he wasn't stupid and making an enemy of a Great House was not something Bears Rest would survive no matter how brave and loyal his soldiers were. With a short nodding bow he turned to leave as he was given his orders, orders to sow chaos and fear as he traveled East towards Riverrun. His was the task to put fear into the northern false-king and make him come running into a well laid trap.

His exit however was halted by another voice which spoke out from the assembled Bannermen. He didn't know the owner of the voice in person but he knew of the House as soon as Lord Tywin spoke of them. House Carrow. As Ser Drane continued to speak, Drennan stopped and turned to cast a glance over the man taking in his appearance and marking his face to memory incase it would be needed at a later date.

The large Lord couldn't hide the smirk on his lips as Lord Lannister brought the weight of his words down on the lesser house's liege, practicly calling him a coward without actually saying the word but the meaning was clear. There would be war and there would be no more talk of waiting on the back foot to see what the little pup would do. He barely felt the young lad push against him through his heavy leather coat as he waited quietly to present his letter.

Lord Breaoc stroked his beard, unable to hide the gleam in his eye at the prospect of a good fight. It was well known that the men of House Breaoc were loyal till death but it was also known that they held a passion for battle in their hearts, they were poor farmers and adequate masons but it was in battle were they held there heads high. Few were as unafraid to die on an enemies blade as the soliders of the Bear.

There was little more to be said. The decision had almost been made for them, they would march where they're Lord sent them. They would march to Harrenhal...

[carrow]

Drane shrugged, definitely feeling that the other vassals were pleased he had seemed to annoy Tywin, but he carried on. He shrugged, "I have no problem spilling blood, my Lord, but it is an expensive business and it will cost you for years and years. I am not a blood-thirsty monster, I use my sword when it is prudent." Drane looked around the other men, "People have long memories and if we are seen in a negative light people will remember. You can sometimes achieve more for less by avoiding war." Men could often get caught in the lust for glory and forget that they might actually lose. "As for conquest I too aim to take more lands at the expense of our enemies, and in any coming battle my host and I will be there. But I am not blinded by ideas of glory."

The messenger entered the tent and there was silence as Tywin Lannister read the message. When Tywin explained the contents of the message that settled it. Of course, it would be helpful to have the power of the Vale with them, an army that could have sided with the Starks. Taking Harrenhal would be relatively easy when Robb Stark brought his armies to them that would be the real challenge. Drane knew that without Robb Stark the north would be leaderless, who else would they follow? The bastard Jon Snow? The other two male heirs were children. Was there a way they could eliminate Robb Stark? It was worth thinking about.