Bw8

Raventree, Late 350 BC, five moons later.

It had been five months since the war had ended. Since the Riverlands had bent and he had slew Torrence Teague at the crossing. After that battle he had camped at the Twins for a while. Wounds had been tended to, loot had been gathered and distributed, the dead had been counted and buried and then Lords and their hosts had begun to return home to their homes. Just in time for the harvest. He had been among the last to return home having stayed until the last lord left despite him wishing he could ride hard for Raventree. To gather up his wife in his arms, to see his son, to see the great weirwood tree, to see the people he had not seen since the war began and he was just a teen. Now he was truly a grown man, hardened by the worst Westeros had to offer, devastated villages, battlefields, mass graves, brutalised smallfolk, he had seen it all by now and he would be lying if he said it did not change him. 'Beware the man who loves battle' he remembered someone saying. As much as Lucas wished it was not so he knew he was one of those rare men, one of those who enjoyed the feeling of blade slicing through flesh, of blood pumping through his veins, the power he felt leading armies.

He loved it all, it was not glorious nor was it honorable but some small part of him, the part that was not always sure what, or where home was, thought that perhaps, on the battlefield he was truly at home. Of course in truth he knew Raventree and Lara was home, more so than Ireland had been perhaps. To be truthful he enjoyed living in Westeros. Though he had long since lost any romanticism that he had at first he sometimes felt that rush of excitement he used to get, most often on the battlefield, and perhaps it was for that reason that he loved it? Or that was what he would try and tell himself.

"Think quieter my love, you'll wake Brynden." Allara said and he looked up from his thoughts. The three of them were in the Godswood. The sun was shining and Lucas had worked through the entirety of yesterday to make sure he was free for today, he had promised Lara they would have a picnic, just the three of them in the afternoon and he had enjoyed relaxing with his wife and child, swimming in the small pool that could be found there and laughing and joking. He smiled playfully at Lara.

"Hardly, if he can sleep through your snoring I imagine he's near deaf." returned to which he got a glare.

"Watch your mouth Blackwood." Lara said "Or the Riverlands might soon have a baby as its king."

"Well lets hope his mother can somehow keep the kingdom going, gods knows she doesn't have the ability as it stands." Joked Lucas.

"I hate you." Lara said with a straight face.

"You love me." denied Lucas laughing, his laughing however woke up the baby who began to cry. Lucas risked a glance up at Lara and shuffled uncomfortably at the glare on her beautiful face. Eyes narrowed and jaw tight it was a look that promised consequences for waking her child from his sleep.

"You take him." Lara demanded handing over Brynden without waiting for an answer she lay back down resting her head until Lucas also lay back down with Brynden sat on his chest. They spent a few minutes in comfortable silence giving the odd chuckle at Brydens antics. He was normally a very calm baby but when he was awake and in the company of people he was comfortable with and recognised he was playful, much like his parents. After a while he could tell Lara was lost in thought but he did not press her, more than happy to wait for her to speak and when she did he listened.

"Will there be another war?" She asked him, turning onto her side to face him.

"Only the dead have seen the end of war." Quoted Lucas in response.

"Who said that one?" She asked him, he was fond of using quotes.

"That is one of my fathers." Responded Lucas, in truth he could not remember who said it.

"It's a good one." Lara said "Who shall we be fighting?"

"The Arryns likely. Possibly the Gardeners."

"The Lannisters and Durrandons have realised the opportunity we bring them?" Lara asked.

"Yes, they both wish for the opportunity to war with the Reach but both know on their own they would lose, the full might of the Reach would be too much. They will wait and see what king Harold Gardener does and be ready to strike should he look north." He replied.

"And if he doesn't?" Lara asked "I suppose his son will?"

"Aye, a meek boy who follows his sisters every command, but his sister just so happens to be a fanatic to the statues." Lucas informed her.

"So we have time at least, and to the east?" She asked "I assume the Darklyns will be watching your every move and likely to ally with the Arryns, I would imagine they plot as we speak."

"Aye… it is likely that the Darklyns will be forming a block in the Blackwater to try and oppose us with backing from the Arryns, a double pronged attack would be a serious problem for us as it stands."

"You forget the Vale is also surrounded, my father would be more than happy to contest the sisters once more and perhaps send some men south as well."

"I haven't forgotten, but a two front war is never a good option." Lucas said.

"No it's not, but I'm sure you will have a hundred different plans already made before then." Lara dismissed, reaching over and taking Brynden from his chest and beginning to play with him. "When will the lords be here?"

Lucas nearly groaned, he had wanted to forget about the harvest festival, the first of his reign, that would be held at the end of the week. Not because he was anxious or afraid, more because he just simply wished to keep his routine going but needs must. "In two days, Brynden will likely be first, with his wife."

Lara scoffed and nodded in agreement, Brynden often wrote of his distaste for his new keep, claiming it still felt like it belonged to the Brackens still and he was always eager to return to Raventree and did so quite often to discuss various matters with Lucas or just to visit.

"How is Venessa settling in?" Asked Lara of Bryden's petite and kind wife.

"Fine, she's pregnant as you know, though only at the start of her pregnancy, Brynden says she obviously isn't quite at home yet but is settling in well enough. Though I doubt they will ever love each other, they get along well enough."

"Good, that is better than a lot of marriages can say." Lara said.

"That it is." Agreed Lucas laughing as young Brynden nearly fell as he tried to sit up on his mother's chest.

—-

"My Lords! I welcome you to my hall and hope you have had an acceptable journey. We gather here for the first yearly gathering of the lords since the fall of the Justmans to the bastard Ironborn. Now, if any Lord or Lady has anything they wish to speak off, any issues they wish to raise or any requests they may have, I ask you to stand and let them be heard!" Lucas spoke, his voice firm and clear across the great hall. In front of him were the noble families of the Riverlands, gathered here under the guise of speaking of the harvest. In truth it was actually so Lucas could speak to them all at once and so any issues could be dealt with. It was also a great opportunity for the realm to become more connected to each other, betrothals would be arranged, sons would get drunk together, daughters would gossip and Lord would watch it all discussing business, trade deals, betrothals, fosterage and a variety of other things. It was a good idea that his wife had suggested as it was practised by the Starks.

Lord Ryger stood up, proud yet slightly old he was still a valued lord by Lucas and one he respected and trusted, after all the man had bent of his own free will and eagerly accepted the Old Gods once more. "My own harvest was good my lord, the men returned home just in time as you hoped. However I wish to ask you what your plans are, my King. It is well known you are a smart man, you have surely considered the situation among the other kingdoms." At the blunt question many Lords shifted as though fearing a great and furious reaction from their king but Lucas merely nodded agreeably.

"Aye, I am pleased that you lords have figured out, as I have, how precarious our situation is. To the North we are protected and safe, however everywhere else is more subject to change. I will be frank here and state my thoughts for you all to hear. To the east the Arryns despise us, it is not a matter of if there will be a war it is more a matter of when and how. To the west the situation is better. King Tyland Lannister is not a devout man and does not view the kingdom as a threat to him or his values. It also helps that he had a good opinion of me. Five months ago he sent me his congratulations and a hand of friendship, it is not an alliance but to me signals more than just a hand of friendship, I will get to that later. The Ironborn are scum, I care not for their opinion, if they should so much as land a single ship on our shores they will be slaughtered to the last, I have no doubt they will look to our shores and when that time comes we shall be ready.

To the south are the pious planes of the Reach, have no doubt my lords the Lords of the Reach would scramble to take our land, our waters, our people for their own. And just as the Arryns would so would the Gardeners burn our lands in the name of their statues. However the Gardener King is not so foolish, he is aware that he is surrounded by enemies on all sides. Should he march a host north to face us he would soon find the Dornish, the Westerlands and the Stormlands burning and taking his lands. It is for that reason that I think the hand of friendship extended to me by the Lannister and Durrandon kings mean more than just that." Lucas said, speaking clearly and making sure he did not rush in his words.

"And what of the Blackwater?" Asked Lord Ryger.

"Their lies land once part of our kingdom, and land I would like to bring back into our kingdom, however I understand that a war such as last year would be ill advised and it is for that reason I do not wish for warfare until we are ready for it, it is my opinion that a war with the Blackwater houses would cause a war with the Arryns as well and a two front war is never good."

"My king, we have all these enemies, what do you believe we should do to prepare for them?" Lord Mooton asked. Lucas nodded at the valid question and swept his gaze across the hall meeting the eye of every Lord in the hall.

"War breeds warriors and no kingdom has been so defined by war as our own. We are warriors, each and every one of us. Yet we are few and our enemies many. Our lands are rich and fertile, fed and watered much as we are by the rivers that the kingdom is named after. It is for this reason that we must fortify. Forts must be built in strategic locations. The Bloody Gate provides a chokepoint that an enemy army must march through to attack the Vale, however it is also a chokepoint that a Vale army must march through to reach our kingdom… they have their fort, we will build our own. This fort will not be manned by a lord nor a knight. It will be manned by professional soldiers who elect their own commander with the permission of myself. I will of course finance this castle and the men myself and they will be sworn directly to me." Lucas announced and his eyes scanned the gathered Lords for reactions. Unlike Earth the feudal lords of westeros enjoyed much more freedom in how they ruled. Especially in regards to marital matters and they would be cautious of any act of a Lord that would put that freedom under threat. Forts manned and sworn to their overlord that far from their base of power was always bound to make them anxious.

"My king, while such an idea has extreme merits and we all know you would never abuse the power this would grant you… but my king can you truly say that none of your descendants would?" Asked Lord Charlton, speaking up.

Nodding again he spoke again "I can not. No one could. And it is for that reason that I have decided to cede away the lands of the Gods eye which have been answering to me up to now. The south and western shore will remain in my domain, these lands may be given to another family in the future but for now they will remain as such. However the northern and eastern shore shall be divided into four smaller Lordships, ruled by a new noble title, Counts. They will rule lands smaller than that of a Lord such as you but more than a landed knight or one of your vassals. They will be sworn to me much as you are though shall not command the same power as you do. These lands will be granted to members of noble families who I feel deserve it most. Jermain Charlton cousin to Lord Charlton, Rickard Darry, second son of Lord Darry, Gedon Mooton uncle to Lord Mooton and Tommon Rivers my bastard cousin and son of the Lord Tully and married to the niece of Lord Lychester. I call on you to rule these lands in my name, be it as cadet branches or simply another branch of your houses." Lucas spoke and he watched as many lords startled at the generosity on display. It was a cunning idea, it gave the illusion that he was giving power back to the Lords so he could build his forts to protect the realm. In truth that was not the case, these knew houses owed everything to him and would owe it to his descendants as well. It also distributed power amongst all the lords, either by blood or marriage, all of which were linked in some way to at least one of the new lords or their wifes. However that meant that the power in the region was divided and even if the lords wanted to rebel these houses were divided and all of them agreeing to rebel was highly unlikely. Yet still the Lords saw or ignored these things and it was easily agreed by them all.

"It is clear, from this and many other gestures, that King Lucas has the future of the realm in mind. It is for that reason that I have no problem allowing the building of this fort which will sit upon my lands and I encourage you all to do as I have and to assist in any way that you can to protect the realm from those that would wish to see it burn." Lord Ryger announced. Lucas's eyes scanned the cunning old Lord and met his eyes. He wanted something, he had seen exactly what Lucas was doing and while he obviously held no problem with it he wanted something in return. He had no doubt Lord Ryger would have a request for him. He would deal with it later.

"I thank you Lord Ryger. Your support is greatly appreciated and I swear that I shall not waste it." Lucas said. "Though this is not all I have to say."

"We must be proactive in the defense of our kingdom, of our lands. As you know for the past few moons I have had men trained in matters of naval warfare. I can now announce that we are now protected at sea. We, the kingdom that relies on the waters more so than any other nation and yet has never before had a proper fleet to defend our coasts now has a fleet of 40 Essosi Warships, 40 longships, 20 Westerosi galleys and around 20 carracks." He said and the gathered Riverlanders cheered at the fine news. Ships would be a great boon for them, it would help to defend from the Ironborn and would offer a huge challenge for the Arryn fleet. After a few seconds Lucas banged his cup against the table to silence "Truly this is good news, however this is not the end of our work, these next few years will bring much change to these lands and there are many things I would like to implement but I need your support. You call me the great? Well I tell you I am only as great as the men who stand in my shield wall, the men who fire my bows, the men who collect my taxes and the men who rule our lands. So I ask you now, do I have your support, will you help me in my pursuit of forging this kingdom? Will you become the men future generations of your house look to when they are asked of their great ancestors?"

"Yes!" agreed the nobles eagerly, an excited thrill going through the air.

"For the Riverlands!" Cried Lucas, drawing his blade from his belt and pointing it to the air, the wisp of the blade soon joined by many more who joined him in his cry. Much work was needed to be done but he had the support of the Lords, and in Westeros that was what mattered most.

—-

2 years later. 

He was twenty two now, and a father of two. Brynden and Melissa were mirror images of each other. His looks nearly to a tee, except the eyes, a queer mix of vivid blue and metallic grey. Brynden was a quiet boy but exceptionally intelligent though he seemed to often retreat into the things he found the most comfort in, such as his family. Melissa was much like her mother, fiere and bossy, though she was also an intelligent and kind child.

Much had changed in two years. For one thing his rule was completely secure and recognised by now. For another the kingdom had progressed. His tax system was now in use by all of the Lords, not just his own lands. Sheriff's made detailed tax reports and reported directly to their Lord or his chosen man. Even the smallest hint of corruption or dishonesty was punished brutally. Many sheriffs found themselves sent off to the wall lacking a cock or a hand; depending on severity they might also lose their head. The system was also a lot more centralised and better managed. While this did not somehow generate him twice the amount of revenue or anything at such a large scale it certainly helped his treasury.

Gradually the farming methods that had become commonplace in his own land were adopted across the kingdom. New roads were built or being built in the more travelled locations, and while they were not up to scratch with say roman roads they were certainly better than before and had helped increase trade in his lands. Though the vast majority of trade was still done by river barge and domestically it was still a boon. The roads were expensive however and likely wouldn't repay themselves until the end of his lifetime. His other ventures had proven fruitful as well. Winter had not yet come and so his builders had been able to work all year for the past two years and the Ravensfort at the Bloody gate was nearly finished, perhaps after another moon or so of work.

A city had been built, originally just a town at the joining of the Red and Blue fork on Lucas's orders. The lands there were still part of the original Blackwood lands and the city was well placed for river trade. And it was for that reason that it had quickly began to prosper and with careful investment and planning form Lucas in the past year or so it had grown to around the same size of Raventree's surrounding populations and would probably continue to grow. The Counts had taken their place in their lands and began to manage the previously neglected lands and their rulership had helped those lands to regain the fertility and productivity that made them so valuable. Nearly a fifth of his kingdom's food came from these lands around the God's eye. He had read once that those lands were the most fertile lands not part of the Reach and Lucas easily believed it, that these lands couldn't sustain Harrenhal gave him a glimpse at how huge the castle must have been.

He had also, with the help of his wife and cousin, selected a council to help him rule the kingdom. He had announced it to the Lords at the second harvest festival. He spoke of how it was an opportunity for Lords to take a more active role in helping him rule the Riverlands, relatives, usually heirs, were giving the opportunity to advise and help him and to gain experience in matters of state. The idea has eagerly been agreed to by the lords recognising the opportunity having a member of their family advising the king could be. Though only the best had been selected.

His treasure was his uncle, Tytos Blackwood, a smart and loyal man who he could trust to advise him and not take advantage of the position.

His Marshall and the man in charge of the defence and armies of the realm was Kevan Mallister, a brilliant warrior and a man well versed in strategy.

His cousin, Hugo Tully was his Chancellor, charged with dealing with envoys, advising him on matters of diplomacy and being his ambassador to other, friendly, kingdoms.

Kyle Mooton, heir of Maidenpool was his master of ships and High Admiral. He was an intelligent man of around four and thirty and had a keen mind for all matters naval and maritime.

Minister for commerce was Jon Paege, second son of Lord Paege and the man who had delivered his message to the Vale. He was a good and loyal man who had an unfortunate habit of pissing people off. Though the man was a genius on all matters trade and commerce and knew exactly how to gain profits for the Kingdom.

Minister of Law was Jared Smallwood, heir to Lord Smallwood. He was not a very brave man but he knew what he was talking about and did all that was asked of him with a high level of competence and efficiency and that was all that was expected of him. A warrior was not needed for his position.

Rounding off the council was his Maester, Nelson, who gave sound advice in all matters and was a great servant of his family and someone Lucas truly appreciated and his wife.

Currently on the agenda was the coming winter and another, more sinister matter.

"The winter will be short. Or so my colleagues say and so will not have any major impacts on our trade or food stores which are quite full." Maester Nelson told them.

"Thank you Maester." Lucas told him. "Now onto the other matter." he said, nodding at Hugo to speak.

"King Tyland Lannister has sent word that the Ironborn are mustering their forces, while their target can not be asserted as of yet we would have reason to believe it may be us." Hugo spoke grimly, he saw Kevan Mallister stiffen to attention at that, the Ironborn where his families sworn enemies and any attack on the Riverlands would no doubt be directed first at Seaguard.

"Kevan, Kyle, what would you suggest?" Asked Lucas.

"We can not afford to leave our east coast undefended. The Vale would no doubt take advantage of any perceived weakness so bringing our entire might to bear would be ill advised. I would suggest moving 40 ships to join the sixty already on the west coast. This would leave us with only twenty on the east coast and thus around a third of the Vael fleet but if my own family's fleet needs to be brought to bear we will gladly do so I have no doubt and that would give us around half the numbers." Kyle Mooton said.

"Meaning any battle they may fight would cost them dearly and may stop them from being able to invade by sea should we damage the fleet enough." Lucas said, seeing the plan.

"I would advise we raise two thirds of our men, around 22,000 men or so, which would give us even numbers to the Ironborn and still leave us with ten thousand to defend other areas. I would recommend the Ravensfort be reinforced by another thousand men to deter attack." Kevan said and Lucas nodded.

"Give me 9,000 archers. Longbows. Around 8,000 infantry and the rest cavalry." Lucas said selecting which men he would take and which ones he would leave behind. His words were instantly met with disagreement.

"My lord, such few infantry would be a slaughter, sure our acres may slaughter thousands but it will not be enough, our infantry will still be overrun." Exclaimed Jon Paege.

"I am well aware of this, Jon. In a pitched battle we would be overrun. But this is not a regular foe, these are Ironborn. They are raiders, not warriors. Rapists not soldiers. Unorganized and divided." Lucas said, his words gaining the tone he had come to use when he was speaking of his ideas or plans. Confident yet soft and careful. "Should we meet them in a pitched battle, as the Ironborn will no doubt want the archers to fire raining death on the no doubt shit shieldwall that might be erected, and just as the Iroborn believe we are going to stand and fight we will withdraw. The cavalry will cover our retreat and the archers will still fire. Then, and have no doubt this is how it shall be, the Ironborn will lose any semblance of control or unity they have and they will either break away to chase us in mad packs where they will be cut down or shot to bits or they shall merely get bored. And they will die. Either way they will die. So give me the men I ask for and we shall give them death."