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CHAPTER 220
295 AC
POV THIRD PERSON
Aermir recognized the new opportunities that had emerged following the Battle of Moondrift. Originally, he had considered borrowing ships from the Manderlys to launch an invasion of the Three Sisters. Now, however, the situation had changed. In that intense battle, they had managed to inflict significant casualties on the Sistermen. Thanks to that slaughter, they didn't have to lease ships.
As a result, there were approximately 25 small and mid-sized pirate ships still anchored near the shore. In addition to these, he had his ten ships capable of transporting 500 men. With this small fleet, they could transport an even larger force than they had initially intended, providing them with an advantage in their upcoming campaigns.
Aermir's formidable army consisted of 9,000 men in total, but it was a force divided into different units. The majority of his troops, around 5,000, were part of the Templar army. Among these 5,000 soldiers, only 500 held the prestigious title of Paladin, showcasing their elite status. The core of his army, totaling 4,000 men, consisted of 800 knights who formed the backbone of his military might.
Within his knightly ranks, there were two distinct orders. The first and more prestigious order was known as the Knights of Drasil. The second, referred to as the Knights of Moat Cailin, was created to accommodate those who wished to serve but did not secure a spot in the highly esteemed Drasil Order because Aermir didn't have enough oath spots. The Knights of Moat Cailin typically undertook less complex tasks, such as patrolling trade routes and manning outposts around his land. It was important to note that the Knights of Moat Cailin did not undergo training at the Forge, separating them from their Drasil counterparts.
Aermir had positioned some of his most trusted ones among Knights of Moat Cailin to lead the guards stationed at the outposts around the North. These knights were primarily in charge of small groups, each consisting of ten soldiers, making their roles more akin to traditional law enforcement compared to the elite and specialized forces of the Knights of Drasil and the Rangers.
In contrast, the Knights of Drasil served as the vanguard of Aermir's armies. They worked in close coordination with the Paladins, jointly leading their forces into battle. However, it's important to clarify that the Knights of Drasil were not solely composed of 500 knights. Utilizing a modern decimal military system, their order featured a more comprehensive structure that encompassed squires and foot soldiers under their command. This structure allowed for a versatile and well-rounded fighting force under the banner of Lord Aermir Drasil.
Aermir had made preparations for his impending invasion, leaving behind 2,000 troops to maintain general security and command at the rear. His main force, consisting of 7,000 well-trained soldiers, was poised to launch the attack. Given that he would be taking on the role of the Druid, he saw no need for siege engines in this particular campaign. The stage was set for their assault on Three Sisters, and Aermir's strategies were in place, awaiting the signal to commence the operation.
...
Around a large wooden table, Lord Sunderland, Lord Torrent, and Lord Borrell engaged in a heated discussion. The predicament they faced weighed heavily on their minds, and they knew that time was running out. It was a challenging situation, as only House Pryor had committed to their cause so far, while the other houses of the Vale waited for word from Jon Arryn.
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Lord Pryor, the sole exception, had taken it upon himself to rally a thousand men to join their side, showing a determination to face the Druid and the Old Gods, fueled by what he had heard of the conversions in the North. He would be arriving at Three Sisters in a week with ten small ships.
As they gathered in the chamber, tension hung thick in the air, and the discussion grew more intense with each passing moment. Lord Sunderland, his voice tinged with fear, presented an idea to his fellow lords.
"Brothers, I fear to engage them on land. The mutt of the Druid and his Old Gods' followers have proven to be formidable opponents, and our forces may not match theirs. However, we have a distinct advantage at sea. What if we choose to meet them there?"
Lord Torrent nodded thoughtfully, seeing merit in the idea. "Yes, a sea battle could be our best course of action. We have skilled sailors and a powerful navy. If we can lure them into the waters, we may have a chance."
Lord Borrell, though less enthusiastic, recognized the wisdom in their words. "Very well, let us plan to put our men along the shores and embark as soon as they approach. We should create a network of scouting ships. This way, we can meet them in the open sea. It's our best chance to strike a decisive blow against them."
The Three Sisters lords agreed to this strategy, realizing that it was their most viable option. The discussion continued as they delved into the specifics of their plan and coordinated their forces for the impending naval confrontation. With the fate of their region hanging in the balance, they hoped their combined efforts would be enough to stand against the forces of the Druid.
Unbeknownst to the Three Sisters lords engrossed in their strategic deliberations, a small brown mouse watched them intently from the corner of the room. With beady eyes and twitching whiskers, it observed their every word and gesture. The presence of the tiny creature went unnoticed as the lords focused on their impending conflict with the Druid and his formidable followers. After the discussion was over, the brown mouse dived into the ground like it was water.
...
As Aermir meditated on his mana, he sensed a familiar tug in his consciousness. It was the psychic connection that bound him to Kilim. He paused his meditation and opened his mind to her presence, ready to receive any messages or insights she might have to offer.
"Master, they've decided to meet you at sea," Kilim's voice resonated in his thoughts.
A wicked grin crept across Aermir's face as he absorbed the news. "Thank you, Kilim. Keep a watchful eye on them."
The idea of a sea battle pleased him. It meant he could minimize his losses while dealing a powerful blow to his enemies. He rose from his meditative state and gazed out of a window onto the bustling streets of Moondrift. Only a week had passed since the gruesome battle, yet life in the city had returned to a semblance of normalcy. People went about their daily routines, seemingly unfazed by the looming presence of a formidable army outside the city's gates.
The trading ships that docked in Moondrift appeared anxious, still uncertain whether another confrontation was imminent. However, a glimmer of confidence emerged among them as the memory of the previous warning and subsequent defense against pirate attacks boosted their spirits.
...
In the dimly lit chambers of Riverrun, Lord Hoster Tully and his councilors gathered to discuss the situation brewing in the North and Vale. Lord Tully, a man of stately demeanor and wisdom, was in deep thought, at that moment his heir Edmure spoke,
"My Lord, the North and Vale are on the brink of a significant conflict, and it is our duty as neighbors to consider our role in this matter. We cannot openly join the fray, given our proximity to the Vale and the delicate politics involved. However, we can offer support in more subtle ways, such as providing grain or even loaning money in secret should the need arise."
Lord Tully was still deep in thought but nodded without saying anything; the advisors and nobles around him took this as approval and started stating more opinions on how to help the North. Lord Shawney, one of Lord Tully's advisors, expanded on Edmure's idea and said,
"My Lord, providing grain and financial aid is indeed a prudent course of action, especially considering the potential escalation of this conflict. However, we must also consider the need for discretion in our support. We could establish back channels to communicate with our counterparts in the North, ensuring our aid is delivered discreetly to avoid antagonizing the Vale further."
At that moment, Lord Tully slammed his hand on the table and angrily said,
"Should we! Should we act like we are working for the North and run to their aid without them asking for anything? Especially when the conflict is between an upstart that costs us all our grain earnings and the pirates that raid our ships. Should we? Should we help him more so, he would hurt the Riverlands more! Are you serving House Tully or Stark?"
Now that he knew what their lord wanted, Maester Vyman said,
"Perhaps we can engage in some form of diplomatic correspondence. We might dispatch a diplomatic envoy to the North, expressing our concerns and intentions. This would show our support without overtly meddling in their affairs. Since it will take weeks for the envoy to reach them, everything might be over before we have to do anything. "