The Lands Surrounding Byrch Hall

[The Gambler]

The Lands Surrounding Byrch Hall

[Vex]

3rd Moon, 26th Day

Having parted ways with Ser Willem and three guards, Dacey, Jormun, Ser Malcolm and 22 other guards follow the bandits' tracks. Discreetly.

[41 Survival]

[The Gambler]

(You rolled a 1 and Jormun rolled a 20. Off to a great start.)

Between the sizable group and the cloud of birds still following Dacey, they had everything but a neon sign indicating their location. The trail went cold near a border village, which with hostilities with House Butterwell so fresh in its inhabitants' memories, reacted in a realistic and logical manner to the armed party riding from the west. Alarm bells were rung in the town sept, a rider was spotted galloping hard for Byrch Hall screaming about a raiding party, and a mob of angry peasants began pouring out of their homes with pitchforks, hunting bows, cudgels, and other makeshift weapons.

[Jormun Rivers]

Jormun calls for the group to halt as the peasants amass, rubbing his temples with a muttered curse. "When questioned, we were travelling on to the village to ask if they had seen the bandits, as well as food and rest, while the other group did the same with Lord Byrch. Decently believable and we'll likely be ridden down by the Lord soon."

[The Gambler]

A crossbow bolt flies by, too close to Jormun's face for comfort. A foot to the right and he would have had one more thing in common with Hoster. It appeared that after years of raids, the smallfolk were of the "shoot first, ask questions later" variety.

[Vex]

Dacey cursed and ordered the party to turn around and gallop away from the village.

[Jormun Rivers]

Jormun whistles after the bolt flies by, visibly unbothered by almost dying. He is happy that Happy hadn't been on his shoulder, though. One dead falcon would have resulted in a dozen dead villagers.

[Vex]

Dacey brought the group to a halt a while later, once they were a safe distance from the village, and turned to Jormun. "This is useless. The trail's been cold for days. I suppose we just collect Willem and the guards from Lord Byrch and go home. Unless we can talk him into helping us, that is," she said.

[Jormun Rivers]

"Those peasants were prepared to defend themselves. My guess is this Lord is useless against the bandits, and the people know it. Best we go home and bury our guards."

[Vex]

"We ought to at least send someone to let Willem know," she said, and dispatched two of the guards towards Lord Byrch's castle, wherever that was. She instructed another one of the guards to pull up a makeshift peace banner in case they were to run into any more angry villagers.

[The Gambler]

The guards return shortly, informing Dacey that Willem has been arrested for the trespass and banditry of House Blackfort. Lord Byrch is demanding 200 gold dragons for his safe return and promises that until it is paid, anyone bearing Blackfort colors on his lands will be slain on sight.

[Jormun Rivers]

Jormun whistles quietly once again as the news returns, looking towards Dacey without expression. "Looks like we have a war, then."

[Vex]

Dacey looked at the guard for a short while as if expecting a punchline, then realized he wasn't joking.

"That castle really is cursed," she commented dryly, and took the course back to Harrenhal. "Belric will be elated."