7 The Naval Battle

After the battle, I left the command to Tytos as I hurried with the Marines to Riverbend, we arrived after 1 hour. I then organised all our River Galleys, a total of 40 River Galleys and 5 Longships to escort. A total of 2100 men!

Only 2 hours after I arrived did we set off. Darry had also increased their naval forces and currently they had 20 River Galleys and 3 Longships for a total of 1750. However they also had a exceptional River Galley, it being 1.5 times larger than a normal one. It carried 3 catapults and 8 scorpions but only 25 men.

We met a bit after the bridge to the Inn of the Crossroads, they had stationed their Galleys Infront with each Galley having 1 Longships

with it. They also had 10 Longships in the back. I deployed my veteran marines in front and the recruits in the middle.

We quickly clashed our men had the advantage due to using armor and it quickly showed, our marines could take on 2 of their marines and still come on top. And as such we was decimating their naval forces. However their flagship had begun firing at our stationed galleys, that's when I sent out a smoke signal.

**POV Shift to Jon**

We were hiding near the shore of the battle. Our mission was simple. Infiltrate the flagship. We had hid small rowboats at the coast and we were waiting for the signal. And sure enough there it came.

We all rushed out of hiding and launched to boats into the sea. We all had no armor. A round shield and a sword. We also had grappling hooks. We reached the side of the boat quietly. They were all focusing on the front. Me and Jorgen, each in our own boat threw up the grappling hooks. The 3 other boats did the same.

I secured the rope before I began claiming. Me and Jorgen got to the top at the same time. We spotted nobody close so we jumped over. Quickly enough people began coming up from all 5 ropes. After 2 minutes everyone was up. We were at the back of the ship, near the captains chambers.

I then turned around and gave a signal to the beach. That's when 35 engineers and 25 sailors jumped into the ocean and began swimming to the boat. Immediately after we began going through the boat killing guards, soon enough someone was spotted and we stopped hiding and instead charged, they were light work due to our specialised training. Soon after the ship crew and engineers arrived. I then ordered them to begin firing at the Darry Galleys, this would be fun indeed.

*POV Shift back.*

I saw Jon and his team jump into the water. They would finish their mission. And sure enough they did. 8 minutes after the galley began firing at their own and we increased our ferocity and soon enough they gave up and we got control over their remaining 20 Longships and 11 River Galleys.

After that I decided it was time to take control. Immediately after I sent my army to Darry Keep and they put it under siege.

Immediately after, I send my strike team to Maidenpool where acting as Darry men they went and kidnapped all their shipwrights and naval experts. They were then brought back to Harroway and out to work, I then went to Quiet Isle and took it over. I then sent 700 builder whom began transporting it to a fort. Immediately after I declared our control of the Bay of Crawl and the first part of the Trident and nobody was allowed to claim tax in the area between and of Riverlands Bay of Crabs, through the red fork to the inn of the kneeling man which basically included Darry, Cox and Moote.

I then sent 10 River Galleys to siege Darry. Another 25 to Quiet Isle and the last 20 to Riverbend.

The next thing I did was go to Inn of the Crossroads and began building my buisness plans. I orgnised my caravans to visit inn of the crossroads. I began buying pleasure houses, taverns, pubs and other thing to earn money. I began putting up a Caravan Guild, I hired 1000 extra marines for my new ships. I also began enforcing travelling and merchant tax.

I also sent a letter to Hoster about the recent events.

And lastly I went to Jon and Jorgen and ordered them to increase the size of the unit of men to 200 instead of the original 50, however they would also make units. The 50 most elite troops would be unit 1, then the next 50 would be unit 2 and so on.

Soon enough a month passed and the Darries finally gave up.

I arrived at their Great Keep.

"Lord Darry, a pleasure to finally meet you." I said

"The pleasure is all mine." He said with an angry face.

"Indeed, well I have come to discuss what will happen with House Darry."

"*puh* what you meant 'what else' you will just do what you've to every other house, extinguish their ancient lineage and take their fort."

"Oh, no no no. You got me all wrong, I'm not here to end your bloodline, in fact it will live. However you will swear an oath for your house that will last for 100 years. For those years you will pay House Bracken precisely 20% of all your income and we will have access to all your land." I said

"Hmmm, that is an acceptable price. Very well." He said.

And as he did he stepped of the chair and signalled for me to sit. He then bowed down on one knee and sweared an oath of fealty for 100 years for his and that they are to pay me 20% of their total income.

And with that I stood up and left the room. I had a lot to do.

After that I went back to the inn of the crossroads. Here I began organising and creating a large military base. Immediately 2000 recruits moved in and we began creating barracks. I also had the builders build bigger walls and fortifications. Similarly we begin constructing a large keep in the middle of the Crossroad. We also began connecting the inn of the crossroads to the seat. Creating a port and expanding the city to reach the port.

With that I at last recruited another 500 light cavalry and 2000 infantry completing our max standing army. We now had, 41 River Galleys and 30 Longships, 2900 marines, 1000 Heavy Cavalry, 1500 Light Cavalry, 100 combat engineers and 7500 Infantry Trooos. This was one of the largest armies in the Riverlands if not everything north of Kings Landing.

I also had an additional income about 50% of that of what the Lannisters have. The gold mines are still operating getting me 45% of my total income. The horse buisness was another 10% the caravan and pleasure houses/taverns was 15% and the last 25% was from the taxes.

And with that time quickly passed, we finished the year of. 197 and entered 198, halfway through the year something dramatically happened. The death of Jon Arryn. The Lord Hand and closest advisor to the King Robert Baratheon. Immediately after King Robert declared his intention to travel to the north immediately. And soon enough I got a letter. King Robert Baratheon will be staying in the Crossroads inn. I quickly ordered that from our naval forces, 20 River Galleys will be stationed in Quief Isle and 20 Ironborn ships. Another 20 Galleys will be in Inn of the Crossroads. And the 10 Longships will patrol the trident. Lastly the Flagship is stationed at Riverbend with 5 longships. Lastly the 1000 Heavy Knight, 200 elite unit and 4000 are to be stationed in Inn of the Crossroads. We currently have 3000 stationed in Gods Plains, which is what I call the area between Lychester and Tumbler. We have an additional 1500 in the Hearth Area ( Stones Hedge, Lychester and Donnelwood ) and then a permanent 3000 in the Crossroads area ( Harroway, Riverbend and Inn of the Crossroads ) We also have 500 Light Cavalry in every area and 1000 Heavy Patrolling between Hearth and Crossroads area. We also have 1500 marines in Quiet Isle, 1000 in Inns of the Crossroads, 250 patrolling and 275 at Riverbend.

With this Military force we have complete control over the crossroads and we are getting rich because of it.

And now that the King is coming we must showcase it. We began buying expensive things, especially wine, we imported wine from everywhere, even small liquor shops in the streets, whatever you want we got it. We also had a small scout party arrive a week before the King did.

** Sorry for small chapter but I gotta go to sleep so good night