Chapter 43: Chapter 11.5 The End of the Conflict
House Royce of Runestone is an ancient and powerful noble house of the Vale, sworn to House Arryn. Its seat is Runestone Castle, located on the coast of the Narrow Sea north of Gulltown. There is also a cadet branch that occupies the non-hereditary seat of the Gates of the Moon, located on the road leading to the Eagles Nest.
The Royce of Runestone adorn their arms with black iron-on-bronze studs, bordered with runes, and their motto is "We Remember ". Wolfgang greeted them with a smile, for House Royce is proud of their ancestry from the First Men.
Calling themselves the Bronze Kings and wearing the Runic Crown, the Royces of Runestone were the most powerful First Men monarchs in the Vale in ancient times, however, over time their power has waned, first submitting to House Arryn, and then to the Targaryen Kings.
"House Royce, a thousand year old house" Wolfgang commented to the figure in front of him. Each party was accompanied by the rest of their delegation.
"Flattery does not make up for all the damage you have done to The Vale, its people and its territory. They are unnecessary" replied the figure in front of him, belonging to Yohn Royce, known as "Bronze Yohn", the Lord of Runestone and the head of House Royce.
Yohn's face is wrinkled and he has gray hair, slate gray eyes and bushy eyebrows, with large, gnarled hands. His voice is resonant, though at times it takes on a solemn, quiet tone. His garb consists of the typical bronze armor of House Royce, with a legacy of thousands of years and inscribed runes that supposedly protect its wearer from harm, though too many Royce have died wearing such an artifact to substantiate that claim.
"The remaining forces of the Three Sisters number 1,100 soldiers, and now House Royce came with only 1,000 more. House Royce cannot make threats."
"Insolent! You think The Valle won't do anything after you've kidnapped their people?"
"Kidnapping? It is simply payment for their crimes. They are criminals and I only impose the King's Justice on them."
"Criminals?" snorted Yohn. "Criminal are your actions."
The situation did not seem to be moving forward, and the two sides were showing hostilities towards each other; Wolfgang was not concerned. Already the entire population of the three islands was in their territory, minus the elderly, invalids and useless people who had been thrown into the sea.
The castles of the lesser houses of the Three Sisters had already all been plundered, new gold to adorn the coffers of House Dustin. Wolfgang no longer had any business in the islands.
"Lord Royce, House Borrel murdered Wyman Manderly and his son Ser Wendel. We only did justice."
"Are we perhaps on the lands of House Borrel? It is an island away, Lord Dustin."
"While we were attacking House Borrel in our rightful right, we were overrun by forces from their neighboring houses. I'm afraid we had to retaliate."
"There is no evidence of that, not even of the attack which, allegedly, House Borrel made on Lord Wyman."
"I am afraid Lord Borrell confessed to his crimes, and accepted his execution in a spirit of unrestricted respect for justice."
"And what evidence is there of that?".
"Do you not think my word is evidence enough?" asked Wolfgang, with mock indignation.
But before Yohn Royce could give his retort, he saw Wolfgang's forces at his back begin to open to form a corridor, letting in a new figure arriving on the scene.
Ned Stark, the Wolf of Winterfell, had arrived.
"Lord Stark..." the man said, and though his tone contained respect, it also evinced annoyance. Thereupon he gave the wolf his full version of events, to which Wolfgang did the same; obviously one tailored to his own convenience.
"Wolfgang Dustin," Ned Stark said. "Vengeance in the name of Wyman Manderly has already been completed. No, in fact, you overreached yourself. My men have already told me, you took the entire population of these islands and slaughtered all the offspring of more than one noble house..."
Wolfgang watched as Ned Stark's hand went to the pommel of his sword, which honestly surprised him. Would Ned Stark be foolish enough to raise his sword in front of him with his army behind him? A thousand plans ran through Wolfgang's head. If Ned Stark followed that line of thought, he would have to be killed. Wolfgang should quickly retreat and take The Neck, to slow the southern advance, at the same time invading Winterfell and taking all the Starks hostage to secure the loyalty of the rest of the North, one he had not yet finished building.
'It's too soon' thought young Dustin.
Fortunately Ned Stark did not do something so stupid, and never drew his sword.
"Lord Royce," said the wolf next. "I will see to it that Lord Dustin is punished, with a ban on ever increasing the number of his army again for 10 years. In addition, the population of these places will be returned as soon as possible, as well as all the looted money. Do you have any record of the wealth of these houses?"
"I'm afraid not," Royce said after thinking about it for a while. "All the records were in those castles. They were probably burned."
"Then... well, at least the populace will be returned" Eddard commented in annoyance. "Is this enough to calm The Vale?".
"No, it is not enough, Lord Stark. Much blood of our people was shed."
"Lord Royce, the blood spilled is the blood of criminals. Don't forget Lord Stark, they were the ones who murdered Lord Wyman and Ser Wendel. On top of that, they are also the ones who have historically constantly harassed and attacked the North, as pirates and bandits. Enough should be simply not adding the Three Sisters to the Northern fold, as they once were."
Eddard's words caused him to reflect, as well as remember the anger and sadness he felt upon learning of the deaths of both people. His eyes grew a little harder as he looked at Lord Royce. Apparently the wolf would not budge.
Yohn Royce understood his position, and became aware that, without proof that House Borrell had not murdered the Manderlys, he could not do much more. At least he avoided the destruction and looting of House Sunderland and Sundercity. That's something.
The Vale could not afford to go to war against the North either. Jon Arryn would never allow it, and would end up giving in to his godson Ned.
"Then I'll have them draw up the agreement that will end this war" Wolfgang smiled, and he drew up the agreement himself, with rather doltish wording. Only those who were certain to be from the islands, who had committed no crime, and who could afford to pay for their transportation, would be returned to the Three Sisters. Royce saw this and frowned, but ended up accepting. His house would arrange to take them back. Of course, upon arriving in White Harbor, he would only find 1/10 of the population, mainly a group of elderly people that Wolfgang had avoided throwing into the sea. They would be the scapegoat for the situation.
Eventually Ser Wylis returned to White Harbor, taking cognizance of the whole situation. He fervently thanked Wolfgang for avenging the death of his father and brother, while declaring that his future grandson, son of Wolfgang and Wynafryd, would be heir not only to Barrowlands, but also to White Harbor and the surrounding area.
Lord Dustin, in gratitude, and before the prohibition imposed by Ned Stark, offered to form a professional army for House Manderly, helping in its financing. There were 7,500 soldiers out of the 15,000 that House Manderly could summon, and in the end they would be integrated into Wolfgang's forces.
Time ran again, as Wolfgang grew and even expanded his family.
4 more years passed, 4 years of pure glory for House Dustin, albeit with more and more enemies; in the Lannisters, the Tyrells, the Sunderland, the Royces, the Citadel, the Boltons and many more. Wolfgang already thought it was time to reduce the list a bit; to exterminate one or another house.
And news reached Wolfgang's ears; Jon Arryn was dead.
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