5: The Defiance of Duskendale Part 3

(Duskendale, The Blackwater Rush, Blackwater Bay, The Crownlands, The Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, Westeros, GoT Universe)

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(Rogar Arryn POV)

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Rogar was beside his father and Lord's Yohn Royce and Lyman Corbray, as they strode forward with Robert Baratheon and Ned Stark trailing behind them. While they were gone Lady Anya Waynwood was named High Stewardess of the Vale in their absence and Lord Nestor Royce, The Keeper of The Gates of The Moon.

The strode into Lord Tywin Lannister's War Tent, finding Ser Jonothor Darry, Ser Arthur Dayne, Ser Barristan Selmy, and Ser Gerold Hightower of the Kingsguard present alongside the Crown Prince of Dragonstone Rhaegar Targaryen, Lord Steffon had, and Lord Luthor Tyrell. Robert moves to stand beside his father, while Rogar exchanges a curt respectful nod with Lord Tywin.

''Where is Lord Rickard and Lord Hoster? The North and Riverlands are not present?'' Rogar's Father asked.

''Lord Rickard is sending the White Harbor fleet, but is unable to attend due to an increase of Wildling Incursions hindering any troop movements.

''I'm Guessing Lord Hoster is busily handling the Fortification of the Neck in case the Wildlings try and sneak past the Moat?'' Rogar asks.

''Something like that.'' Tywin says.

''What are our options?'' Asks Ned.

''Short of Surrendering or Storming the Town? Nothing.'' Says Lord-Commander Hightower.

''Maybe not.'' Rogar speaks up drawing all eyes to him.

''Go on.'' Says Tywin.

''I recently acquired the services of a group with a hidden network across Westeros. Duskendale has a den of them. If I can sneak in, met with them, they might be willing to provide information on The city we don't have access to and might even be willing to sabotage the Defenses if and when we storm the town. Only problem is they don't do this stuff for free, they will need to be paid.'' Says Rogar hoping to play off that the Order of Artys were Mercenaries in order to gain the funding needed to finance a few pet projects.

''How much?'' Asks Prince Rhaegar.

''For an Introduction usually a Hundred Gold Dragons, given that we're the aggressors here and at our current strength, maybe five thousand. To sabotage the Duskendale Defences likely a minimum of at least Forty Five Thousand Gold Dragons. Of Course throw in something of singular value and it can be less expensive. I chose that last one. '' Says Rogar.

''Set the meeting, Ser Arthur will accompany you.'' Says Rhaegar.

''So long as he's cloaked and Dawn is not hidden it shouldn't be a problem. This group has a thing for rare blades and their users, so his presence may help us actually.'' Says Rogar, who looks for confirmation to proceed from first his father and them Lord Tywin, both whom grant their confirmation.

''How long will you be?'' His Lord Father asks.

''As long as I am needed to be.'' Rogar says.

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(POV Shift: Jon Arryn)

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Rogar was cleverer than Jon had given his son credit for. Acquiring the services of such a vast Mercenary organization at barely eleven Namedays? An impressive feat especially as he was tight-lipped on who this group was and apparently never had been heard of before now.

Lord Tywin wanted to know more about this group, but Jon could give Lord Tywin no information, even if he had this information he most likely wouldn't give it to Tywin without a direct command from King Aerys or Crown Prince Rhaegar even if he did know.

So young and yet already making moves that proved he was capable of making calculated maneuvers most his age dont do and if they do not nearly quite so well.

Perhaps it was time to appoint him Castellan of The Gates of The Moon as a precursor test to becoming the Keeper of The Gates of The Moon.

''Lord Arryn? A Word?'' Jon turned to see Set Arthur, a measure of uncertainty on his otherwise impassive face.....

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(POV Shift: Rogar Arryn)

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Rogar and Ser Arthur were dressed in leathers underneath light cloaks, they entered through the Duskendale Sewers and had a bit to go before they arrived at there destination.

''I never knew this Part of the Sewers existed.'' Arthur mentions, having reviewed all possible entry points to the City with Lord-Commander Hightower and Ser Barristan before leaving the White Sword Tower.

''That's because it doesn't exist, not officially at any rate. The Order has strongholds across Westeros that have access points not on any official maps or records. Most of these strongholds were constructed pre-conquest, meaning that if it predates The Conqueror, then the odds are quite good that The Order will have a Stronghold or in it, or at the very least a dozen different Supply Caches in or around the cities or towns.'' Says Rogar.

''Why do I get the feeling that you know far more than your claim of a recent acquisition suggested?'' Ser Arthur asks.

''Because that claim while true was not the entirety of the Truth. Dawn is not the only Seord formed of metals wrought from a Fallen Star. When I searched for the Talon Tome I accidentally discovered the Order of Artys, an ancient sect of men and women dedicated to the Arryn Bloodline. Warriors who were also Scholars. I learned from them that Ser Artys Arryn wore Armor and wielded a Sword forged from such metal. I saw it for myself. However while it was within my rights as their new leader to claim them, I choose not to.'' Says Rogar.

''Why not? Reclaiming ancient Artifacts of one's Lineage is a singularly noble task.'' Ser Arthur asks.

''For the very same reason not just any old Dayne may pick up Dawn. Ser Artys Arryn was House Arryn's First King and the First Knight of The Vale. It would ultimately be unfair to Reclaim the Artifacts without an earned Knight. And As King Aerys is the Only Man with the right of wearing a Royally made Crown, the Path of Kingship is closed to me. Leaving Knighthood as really my only option. We're here.'' Says Rogar as He finds the clue markers to enter

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(POV Shift: Jon Arryn)

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Ser Arthur had offered to take Rogar as his Squire, having saw a potential he claimed would e a injustice to be left squandered elsewhere. Jon had planned to name Rogar Castellan of The Gates of The Moon but this offer was not the sort of thing that happemed twice, and if it did, then it did so very rarely.

The Sword of The Morning and Deadliest member of King Aerys II Targaryen's Kingsguard offering to train Jon's son and Heir into a Knight? By the God's he was stuck. On the one hand becoming Castellan of The Gates of The Moon before becoming The Keeper would allow Rogar sufficient hands-on learning and experience before his inheritance of The Eyrie.

But on the Other hand his Son being Trained y Ser Arthur and potentially Knighted was such an invaluable opportunity as well, that Jon was at a loss of what to do.

It was safe to say that Rogar caused as many problems as he solved....

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(POV Shift: Prince Rhaegar Targaryen)

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Having finally met Rogar Arryn, Rhaegar began to see the truth of Arthur's estimates. The boy was part of a rare breed of individual. Skilled in combat yet quite intelligent. It made Rhaegar wonder if The Young Rogar might have a place in his Future Small Council. From what Varys said, and what Rhaegar himself had heard and seen so far, Rogar would be a fairly capable prospect for the positions of Master of Laws, Master of Ships, and Master of Coin. The only question was which one was he most suitable for.

Rhaegar would have to study him for a little bit longer yet, before making his decision, and he'd like to get Arthur's opinion on the lad too. Tywins as well perhaps? In any event a lot was to be done before the decision could be made by Rhaegar.....