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CHAPTER 212
295 AC
POV THIRD PERSON
Aermir, fueled by his desire to stoke the Lords' anger further, shifted his attention to Lord Manderly, his voice heavy with purpose.
"I have only just begun building my fleet, my lord Manderly, and it pales in comparison to yours. So I must inquire, how many ships and how much cargo do you lose to the Sistermen on an annual basis?"
Wyman Manderly weighed his response carefully, caught between loyalty to Lord Stark and the predicament Aermir had placed him in. Reluctantly, he divulged the grim truth.
"Typically, they take around 20% of our annual trade."
The revelation elicited a chorus of dismay from the gathered lords. Aermir then turned his gaze back to Lord Stark, his inquiry pointed.
"My lord, I pose the question again: What measures did Jon Arryn undertake to address this issue? Allow me to pose another scenario. If Jon Arryn were to approach you with allegations that House Drasil or House Manderly were plundering Vale ships, how would you react? Would you merely seek evidence, or would you conduct a thorough investigation to root out the problem?"
Lord Stark found himself in a tight spot, as he, too, was aware of Jon Arryn's inability to handle the Sistermen threat effectively. Aermir pressed further, his determination unwavering.
"I will accept nothing short of a permanent resolution to this problem. If Jon Arryn is unwilling to rectify it, then the responsibility will fall upon us to address it. I cannot stand idly by and watch my ships be consumed by these cravens. If my lord, you do not grant me justice, I will claim it for myself with the help of the Druid."
Aermir swiftly penned a message on a piece of parchment and handed it to a raven perched nearby.
"I have dispatched word to the Druid, and I am confident he will provide us with the assistance we require."
Intrigued by the discussion, one of the attending lords posed a question.
"Do you know the Druid's whereabouts?"
Aermir responded with assurance, "I may not know his exact location, but my raven will carry my message to the temple, where the Druid's raven will receive it and convey it to him. I am preparing to depart for Moondrift Port and will set sail without delay. Even if I must confront our adversaries alone, I shall not hesitate."
The Umbers, Flints, Karstarks, and several other noble houses rallied behind Aermir, expressing their unwavering support for his cause.
Aermir extended his gratitude to the assembled lords but expressed a predicament.
"I appreciate your unwavering support, but I find myself with only ten trade ships remaining, and I cannot provide transportation for our brave men. Lord Manderly, may I humbly request that you join our cause and lend your warships to aid us in this fight?"
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Aermir had once again placed Lord Manderly in a challenging position. A refusal would cast him as aligning with the Seven and jeopardize his standing among the Northern Lords. Lord Manderly weighed his options carefully before responding.
"Although a significant portion of my fleet is currently deployed at sea, I possess 20 warships, and any other ships within our docks are at your disposal, my lords."
Lord Stark recognized the futility of trying to dissuade Aermir's resolve, realizing the precarious situation the foolish pirates had stirred up. Lord Stark, a seasoned ruler of the North, observed the unfolding situation with a mixture of concern and resignation. He knew Aermir well enough to understand that once the Druid's mind was set on a course of action, there was little that could sway him.
As he listened to Aermir's impassioned plea for justice and support from the Northern lords, Lord Stark couldn't help but reflect on the precarious position they all found themselves in. To the most Northern lord, the insult to the Druid Emrys and the Old Gods was a serious matter, and Aermir's determination to seek vengeance was clear.
He understood the implications of the pirate attacks and the potential conflict with the Three Sisters. Lord Stark's duty was to maintain the fragile peace and unity within the North, and the last thing he wanted was to plunge his lands into a costly and bloody war. However, he also recognized the deeply ingrained values of courage and survival that Aermir had so eloquently reminded the Northern lords of.
Inwardly, Lord Stark questioned whether Jon Arryn, the Lord of the Vale and Warden of the East, would truly take decisive action against the Sistermen. History had shown that diplomacy often yielded little in dealing with these pirates. Still, the prospect of a military confrontation weighed heavily on his mind.
Ultimately, Lord Stark understood the gravity of the situation and the fervor that had overtaken his bannermen. While he might attempt to guide them toward a more diplomatic solution, he knew that Aermir's determination, coupled with the support of other influential houses, might inevitably lead the North into a conflict, and he had to accept it.
...
Aermir's foresight left little room for chance, and his intent to stage an invasion of the Sisters had been carefully planned long before the events were set in motion. To ensure the success of this audacious endeavor, he organized extensive training exercises. Located approximately 50 kilometers from Moondrift, a dedicated contingent of his army, alongside select Templars and Paladins, engaged in mock battle drills.
In the picturesque but remote and makeshift training grounds, the sounds of clashing weapons and the fervent voices of soldiers reverberated through the air. Each participant, driven by unwavering dedication, honed their combat skills and tactical acumen. The training was not merely a physical exercise but a testament to their shared commitment to the impending mission. They were moving like one body, one mind.
As they tirelessly practiced and perfected their maneuvers, the men forged a powerful sense of camaraderie and unity. This unity would be pivotal in the upcoming campaign, where every member of this well-prepared force would play a crucial role in executing Aermir's meticulously crafted plan.
Upon receiving the messenger, Aermir wasted no time in setting his plan into motion. Swift and decisive, he issued orders to Harlik through the magical connection he has with Berus. Under the banner of the Sword of Winter, an army of two thousand valiant men began their march. Their boots pounded against the rugged terrain as they moved with purpose.
While Aermir addressed the Northern lords and forged alliances in Moat Cailin, his army steadily closed the distance to its intended destination. Within the ranks of Aermir's marching army, a sense of unity prevailed, bridging the distinctions between his templars and his own loyal men. Of the two thousand determined souls making their way toward their destination, half hailed from the temple, while the other half were dedicated followers of Aermir himself.
Among their numbers, five hundred knights stood proudly, forming the backbone of this formidable force. In their midst, three hundred paladins from the temple were among them. Despite the titles and roles that marked these warriors, there existed a remarkable similarity in their training, purpose, and unwavering resolve. They were following the same physical, tactical, and martial training.
The paladins and knights of Drasil were, in essence, the elite commandos or special forces of Aermir's army, a cut above the rest. Each one of them possessed a level of skill and prowess that equated to three to five knights from any other house. They were a formidable sight, donned in meticulously crafted armor that provided full-body protection, a testament to the craftsmanship of Tobho Mott and Aermir himself.
Those enchanted weapons and armor, each imbued with magic, set them apart. Both the paladins and knights were distinguishable by their dark green attire, adorned with a giant tree emblem on their chests. However, the paladins bore the sigil of the weirwood tree, while Aermir's knights displayed a black tree emblem, mirroring the symbol on his own sigil.
These select warriors were the embodiment of Aermir's vision, combining martial excellence, magical items, and unyielding loyalty to him. As they marched forward, their formidable presence sent a clear message to all who beheld them: the Sword of Winter was not to be underestimated.