Great Bastards

THE HOWLER'S CRY

AEGOR II

184AC

For the third day in a row, Aegor had to sit and grit his teeth as Lord Douglas Arryn wined and dined the Archon of Tyrosh in Grafton Tower. The Tyroshi retinue had become quite comfortable as guests in the city of Gulltown, the boy noticed, and he could not help but wonder if the Archon would find an excuse to stay even after the repairs on all his ships were completed. Ignoring the wails of Orwyn Grafton, who kept nagging at him to teach him to wield a sword, Aegor tried to ask Daemon when they would be allowed to leave, but once again, he was completely absorbed in conversation with his betrothed. Daemon and Rohanne had been completely inseparable since the night they met, Aegor realised, yet an even unlikelier romance appeared to be blossoming between the master of coin, Perryn Corbray, and Rohanne's elder sister, the plump and pompous Rubyanna.

"Before this is all said and done, there'll be two weddings," Aegor muttered to himself, trying to not to scowl at the sight of Daemon and Perryn being so enraptured with the Archon's daughters. He had imagined the trip to Gulltown to be a grand adventure - not a week-long aimless feast where he was forced to listen to the drawl of grasping merchants and foreigners. By now Aegor was beginning to regret blackmailing King Daeron into allowing him to come. He decided to make better use of the secret he had used against Daeron, that their father, King Aegon the Unworthy, poisoned his own father King Viserys to claim the Iron Throne, next time.

The hurried arrival of Lord Jon Hightower, the golden chain of hands around his neck shaking as he waved a letter before Lord Douglas' face, snapped Aegor out of his reverie.

The Guardian of Gulltown's brow furrowed with concern as he read the contents of the letter. He appeared reluctant to share it, but when Archon Rothego himself pressed Douglas on the matter for all to see, he announced with surprising eloquence: "I have just received a letter from Lord Quintus Arryn, Knight of the Bloody Gate and brother to Lord Donnel Arryn of the Eyrie. Their youngest brother, Hilbert, who was exiled several years ago for trying to depose Donnel, has recently amassed an army of mountain clansmen and has announced his intent to attack the Bloody Gate, and conquer the Vale. Yesterday the entire realm received white ravens from the Citadel marking the thawing of winter, and Quintus has informed me that Donnel and his court have already returned to the Eyrie, and refuse to use any resources to defend against Hilbert and the wildlings. Though the Bloody Gate has never fallen," Douglas explained, "Ser Quintus has only been left with a few loyal men, and fears that the surrounding lands, which have just endured one of the harshest winters in living memory, will be ravaged. He implores us to send the might of Gulltown to assist him." Douglas gave a subtle smirk as everyone in the Grand Hall digested the revelation, and Aegor realised that the merchant was pleased that the senior Arryns had begged for his help. Even if Lord Donnel himself was too proud to lift a finger, it seemed that this Ser Quintus was genuinely in need.

Aegor gave a determined glare at Daemon, and immediately his half-brother understood him and sprang to his feet without having to utter a word. "I shall fight," Daemon declared, unsheathing his Valyrian steel greatsword, Blackfyre, for all to see. "Some of the men who came with me from King's Landing are apt fighters. We shall march to defend the Bloody Gate, and I promise you, Your Excellency," Daemon assured, turning now to Archon Rothego, "that we will return by the week's end. Then, I hope to marry the Lady Rohanne in this very city."

The kingslanders, Valemen, and Tyroshi all cheered passionately. The Archon even promised to send a squadron of his own men, given they had naught else to do until their fleet was repaired, and Perryn Corbray reminded Lord Douglas that his two brothers-in-law, the Lords Corbray and Royce, would have received letters from Ser Quintus as well. "As three of the most powerful lords of the Vale willing to assist," Perryn announced, "you must join forces, good-brother."