Chapter I: Lucimore Saltcliffe
1 First Moon 7996, "The Bleeding Years"
My council assembled before me in my meeting hall, one of the many rooms and chambers within Salt End. To my right sat my castellan Lord Sunderly, my treasurer Joseran, and my justiciar Urzen. To my left sat the muscular raider Eldred, captain of my fleet, my spymaster Odd, the drowned man Gorm and my newly arrived maester, a crannogman named Morgan.
"I thank everyone for attending this meeting," I said. "Before we begin, I must announce a change in my ruling council."
"Lord Sunderly, you have been an able councilor, but I shall remove you from your position so you can attend to your own lands and spend time with your family," I said nervously. I knew Lord Sunderly was likely going to take his removal as a personal insult.
Victarion Sunderly kept a neutral facial expression while rising from his seat. "It has been an honor to serve you, Lord Saltcliffe," he said before departing the meeting hall. I couldn't help but notice by his brusqueness that he was none too pleased.
"I have seen fit to appoint Ambrode to the position of castellan," I declared.
The newest addition to the council had been waiting outside and entered the chamber, taking a seat where Lord Sunderly had sat moments ago. Ambrode wore a simple tunic and sported a well groomed mustache. He was content with his lot in life, and this also made him somewhat lazy. However, he was also known to be ruthless when necessary. Like me, he was a zealous worshiper of the Drowned God.
The rest of the meeting was uneventful as I assigned new duties to my councilors. Their tasks were mundane ones that kept them on the island, aside from Urzen who I dispatched to Lordsport to improve my standing among the Botleys. Maester Morgan and Gorm glared at each other during the meeting, likely due to them being zealous worshipers of different gods, but I paid little attention to it.
I dismissed the council and they filed out of the room. "Joseran, please remain here for a moment," I said, "Maester, I require your help as well."
I had decided that a gift should help smooth things over with Lord Sunderly.
"Joseran, please arrange for a gift to reach Saltford, for my vassal's loyal service," I asked, "one of the longswords from my repertoire should do nicely, I would think."
"At once my lord," Joseran bowed before departing.
"Maester, I should like to name a designated regent as a precaution," I told the crannogman, "for now, Ambrode will serve in that position."
I considered the maester, for I trusted them little. However, Maester Morgan did not seem liable to betray me any time soon. He seemed to have a gullible nature, but I had not yet become well acquainted with him. The only other things I knew about him were his tendencies to overindulge in food and drink, and his fervent support of the Old Gods of the North. I decided he was probably trustworthy enough, and was fairly competent at the least.
"A wise choice, my lord. I shall put it to writing now," he said before hurrying off to his chambers.
The next half-year was uneventful as I chose to remain at home and oversee my domain. During this time, my wife brought word from the maester that she was with child. It was quite the relief that my bloodline would live on, and Gorm prayed for my child's health.
It seemed my wife had developed an... unusual appetite. Although I hate wasting coin, I decided that I could afford to spend a little to accommodate her bizarre requests.
A farmer had sought my intervention in a petty dispute. His boar had gotten his neighbor's sow pregnant, and the neighbor wanted recompense. I allowed each one a piglet and claimed the rest for myself. After this incident, I realized just how boring life was becoming when a petty dispute was the most interesting thing to happen in weeks. I knew that a raid was in order.
I didn't wish to leave my wife when she was with child, so I summoned the warrior Hagen to my great hall. He approached my throne and bowed. Hagen was an experienced commander but otherwise unexceptional. He was prone to jealousy, laziness, and deception. A small consolation was his open-handedness when distributing the loot after a raid, which should make him popular among my men. I let him take more than two thousand men and my entire fleet to find suitable lands to pillage.
Hagen sent back word that he had reached the Summer Isles, and they were ripe for plundering. In particular, the island of Stone Head would be the ideal target. The island swore fealty to Prince Jalabhar Qho, a petty prince commanding the loyalties of two thousand seven hundred men. Certainly a formidable opponent, but they would need to cross the strait to remove my raiders from the island, giving my ironborn an advantage in any battle. The villagers of the island had noticed the ironborn longships and fled into the keep of Stonehead. My reavers disembarked and quickly secured the island, laying siege to the small stronghold where the island's population had hidden with their wealth.
Interrogating a captured villager who spoke the Common Tongue revealed that the local ruler was one Tapuhuru Karomo. The ironborn were not bored during the siege as they had ample opportunity to explore their foreign surroundings.
Back on Saltcliffe, I received word that Harma, an agent of the cruel Lord Bennarion Botley, was spreading word of Lord Botley's wisdom among my subjects in an attempt to undermine my authority. I tasked Eldred and his men with keeping an eye on her, silencing her if she posed a threat.
My wife gave birth to a healthy daughter, whom we named Tyosa. Thankfully, the birth did not meet any complications. I chose to educate Tyosa myself so I could keep an eye on her progress. Of course, it would be several years before Tyosa's education would truly begin.
After giving birth, my wife started complaining of chest pains. The maester assured me he was trying his utmost to treat them, but it did not bode well for Lady Frenya's health.
Lacking sufficient manpower to storm Stonehead, Hagen opted to starve it into submission. He told me the defenders were led by a pious Summer Islander named Balabhar, brave but ugly as sin.
My wife was once again with child, only a few months after giving birth to little Tyosa. This time, I wished for a son as I knew a daughter would have a difficult time ruling among the ironborn.
This birth may not be as smooth as the last, as there are haunting omens surrounding my wife's pregnancy. I can only hope that perhaps they are mere coincidences, but I fear for my wife and unborn child.
Joseran presented me with additional tax revenues he had managed to weasel out of my subjects, proving his value as my treasurer. I was not surprised, as Joseran is very charismatic and is charitable to the less fortunate. Like myself, he is also a devout worshiper of our god and practices chaste behavior. It is good to have a level-headed voice such as his on my council.
Lady Frenya has given birth to a second daughter, named Gremma. Despite the bad omens, Gremma appears to be perfectly healthy. I shall have her educated by Maester Morgan.
It seems my wife has recovered from her troubled pregnancy, but she is now bedridden and infirm. I do not expect her to live much longer at this rate...
Urzen sent back word that he had managed to improve Lord Botley's opinion of me. Hopefully that will convince them to stop trying to usurp my lands. I was worried Urzen would bungle the job, as he is known to be spiteful of the achievements of others and prideful. However, his trusting nature and skill at cyvasse and other games of the sort must have endeared him to Lord Botley. Like most of my council, he was also a pious follower of the Drowned God.
The starved defenders launched an ill-fated sortie in an attempt to break through my siege lines, but they were unsuccessful. The garrison fled into the island's jungles and Hagen supervised the ransacking of the abandoned stronghold. Although not the wealthiest of targets, they loaded up everything of value and set sail, leaving the Stone Sea to find a new target in Cape Lizard.
Hagen is certainly proving to be an able commander, and a suitable substitute for Captain Eldred who is helping train troops at Saltcliffe.
I received word at Salt End that Harren the Black had died, and it was rumored he had been murdered. His son, Harwyn Hoare, ascended to the throne. Harwyn was known to be cruel and had already established a reputation as a tyrant. I shall watch with interest whether the son is a worthy successor of the father.
It seems Ambrode has allowed smugglers into my lands. I am beginning to regret my decision to have Lord Sunderly replaced on the council. At least Ambrode seems driven to correct his mistake.
Hagen's next victim is the island of Lizard Head. It's ruler, Lord Chibundo Ojokolu, is sworn to the Principality of Golden Head. He dares not leave the lord's army at his back, so he has sent word that he plans to lay siege to Iguanulo before taking the city of Lizardhole.
The principality's ruler is an even lesser prince than Jalabhar Qho. Prince Doshuru Biabaku cannot even field two thousand men, so I expect little resistance.
While laying siege, the ironborn once again explored the island. However, many have been reported missing and several were wounded during attacks by strange catlike beasts and large scaly lizards lurking in shallow water. Hagen is bringing back some small lizards to amuse the children. Despite these losses, the army is still at nearly full strength and Iguanulo surrendered in short order.
In Westeros and the Summer Isles tales are spreading of my victorious raids along the coast of Jhala and in the Stone Sea. I long to join my men, but I would feel guilty leaving my wife's side when her condition is so poor.
Ser Gregor Goode has incited a rebellion against Harwyn Hoare in the Riverlands. I will watch and see what fate befalls him.
Hagen reports the fall of the town of Lizardhole. It had little of value, so I sent word to advance into Tamarinu and continue raiding. Prince Biabaku lacks the men or the alliances to stop me. Lord Gwalahuru Ibaharo rules in these parts. These lands are more densely populated, and the ironborn have pillaged the countryside while laying siege to the small fortress of Bownulu.
The defenders are being led by Santonar, a brave but cruel man.
Alas, my wife the Lady Frenya died clutching at her chest. I have elected to hold a small funeral with close kin and those who knew her. I will miss her, but now I am free to take a ship and join Hagen in the south.
Some singers came seeking to play during the funeral. Although my late wife was ever charitable, I see no reason to spend good coin on them.
A merchant demanded that my maester pay off some debt. The fool should realize it isn't an appropriate time, and he certainly won't be getting any gold.
I have elected to store extra provisions for the winter, I would rather be cautious than risk starving.
The court fool has started to frustrate me so much that I ordered the guards to toss him in the dungeons. Upon reflection, my judgment was improper, but I find it satisfying to do as I wish even if it might seem arbitrary to others.
At last, it is done...
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