Post by Stavos Clegane on Aug 31, 2017 16:41:14 GMT
Harroway
Their rented boat was rowed lazily down the Blue Fork by the local boatmen whose efforts had been hired for the purpose. They did not have to work hard, as the flow of the river did most of the work for them. An easy income in this direction, they'd really be earning their money on the way back.
Stavos slapped a mosquito that had landed on his neck- something he had repeated countless times today. It was another reason to miss the unyielding rocks of the Iron Islands. The place was practically bereft of biting insects. On the Iron Islands, it was the people who were more likely to bite you.
Finally, he saw a roundtower in the distance, the first visible landmark of Lord Harroway's Town.
It was a town more often just called 'Harroway' now. Lord Harroway, whoever he had been, was long gone. Stavos did not know the specific history of House Harroway, and he'd never cared enough to look it up. Perhaps he'd ask his Maester about it when he got back home.
Probably not, though.
Eventually, the boat docked at Harroway, and Stavos' company disembarked, taking themselves, their gear, and their mules ashore. They'd been travelling in the company of the mules for days, and one would be hard pressed to tell man from beast if scent was their only guide.
Now they would have to change boats, for these boatmen only went up and down the Blue Fork. The Red Fork would be the one to take them to Riverrun, about 300 miles distant. Unfortunately, that trip would be against the natural flow of the river. They'd made twelve knots downstream, but it would be only six, now, until they reached Riverrun. Even if he could find a boat crew willing to pull their oars all day and all night, it would take two more days to get where he was going.
His gaze drifted up to the large Inn nearby, where he could acquire a nice bath and a decent night's rest on a good bed. Sadly, that would only add another half-day to his journey. A half-day he could ill afford if he wanted to be among the first to greet the new King. And as much as he had no patience for politics, the fate of House Clegane was firmly tied to Lannister favor. The Freys would surely not hesitate to get rid of their Clegane bannermen if that favor ever waned.
Indeed, even now the Freys might be enacting some sinister plot to oust House Clegane from the Iron Islands. Stavos felt concern for his younger brothers, but knew they were capable men. They could spare him for the month or two it would take to confirm their House status in Riverrun.
"Thinking of a shower," Bornas asked, noticing that his Lord's eyes had lighted upon the Inn.
Bornas was the lead retainer of the group Stavos had brought down with him. Ranked Sergeant in the Clegane marine force, he was a respected sailor and a decent leader of men. Indeed, Bornas deserved to be in a better House. Stavos hoped that the man never realized how under-utilized he was amidst the tiny Clegane forces. Good men were hard to come by. Good leaders harder still.
"Thinking of one," Stavos confirmed, "and kissing it goodbye. I don't think we have the time. Not with having to pull upstream all the way to the Capital."
Bornas chuckled, "You better hope they let you bathe before meeting the new King, or they'll be calling you Lord Mulesweat soon enough."
"I'm not sure if that's a step up or down from the dogs they take us for now," Stavos replied with a laugh of his own.
"Sea Dogs," Bornas corrected, "and I guess that proves you can teach an old dog new tricks."
As they talked, a large, well-appointed ship came into view. It was coming up to the Trident from the direction of the Quiet Isle, no doubt having come into the Bay of Crabs. Stavos peered at the ensign flying on the ship's mast, looking for the identity of the House who operated the fine vessel.
"Now there's a proper ship," Stavos declared, "not these sad, cramped riverboats."
Bornas shrugged, "Just some fancy Lord who probably doesn't even know how to swim."
"Maybe," Stavos replied, "but I'd rather be up there on deck with them than down here mocking them as they pass. And so will you, once we figure out what waterlogged rotting husk is going to be rowing us upriver."
[Awareness to see the flying ensign, Knowledge to identify the sigil of the House operating the ship]
OOC - If it pleases House Mudd, I thought I might observe your passage. Otherwise, it can be someone else's ship.
The Gods: Awareness (9), Knowledge (12)
Their rented boat was rowed lazily down the Blue Fork by the local boatmen whose efforts had been hired for the purpose. They did not have to work hard, as the flow of the river did most of the work for them. An easy income in this direction, they'd really be earning their money on the way back.
Stavos slapped a mosquito that had landed on his neck- something he had repeated countless times today. It was another reason to miss the unyielding rocks of the Iron Islands. The place was practically bereft of biting insects. On the Iron Islands, it was the people who were more likely to bite you.
Finally, he saw a roundtower in the distance, the first visible landmark of Lord Harroway's Town.
It was a town more often just called 'Harroway' now. Lord Harroway, whoever he had been, was long gone. Stavos did not know the specific history of House Harroway, and he'd never cared enough to look it up. Perhaps he'd ask his Maester about it when he got back home.
Probably not, though.
Eventually, the boat docked at Harroway, and Stavos' company disembarked, taking themselves, their gear, and their mules ashore. They'd been travelling in the company of the mules for days, and one would be hard pressed to tell man from beast if scent was their only guide.
Now they would have to change boats, for these boatmen only went up and down the Blue Fork. The Red Fork would be the one to take them to Riverrun, about 300 miles distant. Unfortunately, that trip would be against the natural flow of the river. They'd made twelve knots downstream, but it would be only six, now, until they reached Riverrun. Even if he could find a boat crew willing to pull their oars all day and all night, it would take two more days to get where he was going.
His gaze drifted up to the large Inn nearby, where he could acquire a nice bath and a decent night's rest on a good bed. Sadly, that would only add another half-day to his journey. A half-day he could ill afford if he wanted to be among the first to greet the new King. And as much as he had no patience for politics, the fate of House Clegane was firmly tied to Lannister favor. The Freys would surely not hesitate to get rid of their Clegane bannermen if that favor ever waned.
Indeed, even now the Freys might be enacting some sinister plot to oust House Clegane from the Iron Islands. Stavos felt concern for his younger brothers, but knew they were capable men. They could spare him for the month or two it would take to confirm their House status in Riverrun.
"Thinking of a shower," Bornas asked, noticing that his Lord's eyes had lighted upon the Inn.
Bornas was the lead retainer of the group Stavos had brought down with him. Ranked Sergeant in the Clegane marine force, he was a respected sailor and a decent leader of men. Indeed, Bornas deserved to be in a better House. Stavos hoped that the man never realized how under-utilized he was amidst the tiny Clegane forces. Good men were hard to come by. Good leaders harder still.
"Thinking of one," Stavos confirmed, "and kissing it goodbye. I don't think we have the time. Not with having to pull upstream all the way to the Capital."
Bornas chuckled, "You better hope they let you bathe before meeting the new King, or they'll be calling you Lord Mulesweat soon enough."
"I'm not sure if that's a step up or down from the dogs they take us for now," Stavos replied with a laugh of his own.
"Sea Dogs," Bornas corrected, "and I guess that proves you can teach an old dog new tricks."
As they talked, a large, well-appointed ship came into view. It was coming up to the Trident from the direction of the Quiet Isle, no doubt having come into the Bay of Crabs. Stavos peered at the ensign flying on the ship's mast, looking for the identity of the House who operated the fine vessel.
"Now there's a proper ship," Stavos declared, "not these sad, cramped riverboats."
Bornas shrugged, "Just some fancy Lord who probably doesn't even know how to swim."
"Maybe," Stavos replied, "but I'd rather be up there on deck with them than down here mocking them as they pass. And so will you, once we figure out what waterlogged rotting husk is going to be rowing us upriver."
[Awareness to see the flying ensign, Knowledge to identify the sigil of the House operating the ship]
OOC - If it pleases House Mudd, I thought I might observe your passage. Otherwise, it can be someone else's ship.
The Gods: Awareness (9), Knowledge (12)