Episode 3 - Scabbards, Quivers & Oarlocks
-5 Chapters
Chapter 1: Celebrations in Dorne
In Skyreach, a Lord is bestowed the gift of a Princess. Willem Fowler takes Cedra Martell to wife in Skyreach, where the streets are bustling with celebration. From the Prince's Pass to Sunspear, garlands are passed & five days of celebrations & feasting is presented to the smallfolk. Sunspear is always elated to see one of its own find their calling.
Chapter 2: Eastwatch by the Sea
For as long as the Wall has existed, the men of House Stark have supported the Night's Watch in their times of need. Now again, men of House Stark, Umber & Karstark arrive at Eastwatch by the Sea.
A climb is prevented when wildings clash with thousands of men instead of a dozens. Then another. Some cross through the Bay of Seals, doomed upon landing by sentries posted along the shore. Over weeks, as shipments of arms & supplies, good leather & hearty drink are provided to the Night's Watchmen, prisoners begin telling tales.
Boastful tales of a man named Redbeard. A King Beyond the Wall - to unite the clans & bring the Wall down. Some prisoners speak of armies in the hundred, some in the thousands, some in the tens of thousands.
As wagons travel up the Kingsroad, carrying resources & men from Winterfell & Barrowton, Karhold & Last Hearth, it is unsure if the Northmen outnumber these savages, or if they may drown in a tide of wild men.
Chapter 3: Echoes of the Maidensball
Festivities amongst the Rivermen rarely cease. They do become more martial in nature however. Talks of prosperity give way to alliances to march united. As Lord Piper weds a daughter to Lord Darry & the young Lord Frey travels south to remain at Seagard who's lost its heir, marrying the old dogs daughter, all await one grand union.
As lady Atia Tully, is wed to Ser Raymund Bracken, sealing the enmity between Stone Hedge & Riverrun.
Chapter 4: The Knights of Summer
The rapids of the Torrentine lead through the Red Mountains, from Dorne to the Reach. And following them is a force, Knights, many of them Freeriders, Pikemen & Men-at-Arms. They have followed a leader down these mountains, climbed through narrow passes & trails to stand at the gates of their ambition: Horn Hill - its attending lands scattered through patches of lush forest & its forces depleted since the days of Daemon.
As the forces scatter to loot & devastate, a scout catches glimpse of a camp, what seems like a token garrison force. Not able to resist, the Dornish Vulture descends on the camp.
In quick succession, a trumpet blares, hooves & shouts come rumbling down their flank. The dornish men stare down a real army - thousands of Tyrell troops try to pin them toward the camp. As the surprised attackers try to flee south, a second force, again thousands strong, blocks their escape.
They are surrounded & entirely annihilated by an army that has studied this exact battle on parchment maps a week prior.
Chapter 5: Fire upon the Stormy Sea
They say the sea is never truly dark. There is always a star, a moon, or a distant shore to give a sailor hope. Tonight, there is only fire, thunder, and the roar of the sea.
Near the hour of the owl, a great fleet pushes through the heavy waves. At its helm stands a man possessed by a singular drive. To be known is to be feared. To be feared is to be rewarded. Opposing him will be a man of much wit, a man that will keep his head.
Then the storm comes down on both of them.
When they meet, winds that scream across the ocean like the cries of the drowned. Great waves rise like mountains between the ships, smashing hulls together and sweeping men from their decks. Lightning splits the heavens, illuminating the battle for mere heartbeats at a time.
Miles away, the keepers of a lonely lighthouse watch the spectacle on the Sunset Sea. They can see no banners, no formations, no men. Only a vast, pale fires burning upon the black horizon.
For hours, the pride of Lannisport batters the Iron Men. Large ships of the line crashing through captured vessels & loot laden Longboats. Then, the sails of House Drumm manage to strike between the lines, Westermen sailors face to face with the bony white hand. The line holds, much boarding fails. The Drumm ships do not turn to harry, having slipped past the lines, they sail onwards due north. Lightning crashes as Lord Drumm makes his escape, the crimson shimmer of Red Rain illuminating his deck as he points it home. His men row until the storm fills his sails.
As the hour of the nightingale drags in, half the Hammerhorn Fleet lies upon the seafloor together with their captains, many more drift in the tide. What's left is captured by the young lion.
The bards of Lannisport will surely get to writing — but will they speak of the horrors?
As the Lannister Fleet remains among the wreackage of broken masts, burning ships, and drowned men, they look north to an Iron Champion, sailing home in undeserved glory.