Battle Of Bloodstone 1: The Harbor Assault.
You were quite sure that you were going into the thick of it when Ser Gerold triple checked your armor, the chainmail your father had brought, and made sure you were wearing plenty of padding.
But he was not the only one being checked. You were doing your own check of both his armor and his equipment. Including one particular thing that irked you to the high hells.
"Ser Gerold, why in all the seven hells are you wearing your cloak into battle, it's quite impractical!" You exclaimed as you tried to rip it off, only to get a swift punch in the shoulder for your troubles.
"I understand your concerns, but I have fought with such burdens since before you were born Arstan, and I am quite comfortable in fighting in it now." He replied.
"Aye. maybe in single combat, but this is a pitched blood battle, with other people fighting besides you." You complained. "That is quite different. At least shorten it so it's up to your waist, so no one trips you, or you trip yourself, or-"
You were punched in the shoulder again. "Would you stop that!?"
Ser Gerold gave a wry smile. "No." He then pointed to your head. "Please tell me you're wearing the helmet I gave you."
You nodded and quickly slid the half helm he gave you. It was quite hard to see, but with the battle coming up, you would rather lack vision and live, than be able to see properly, and die.
"Good. You keep that on unless I tell you otherwise." He stated. "And the shield?"
You hefted the kite shield and made sure it was on tight to your arm. "Good, and the Sword?"
You tapped the hilt. "Why can't I use something else?" You asked.
"You haven't earned that right Arstan. Now come, we must get moving, we have work to do." Ser Gerold stated
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The boats that were going to be landing were from the Pridewynd and the Silver Sails. Both massive gally's that carried hundreds of men and each boat could carry dozens to the shore.
Ser Gerold's request for Volunteers was awe-inspiring.
Lord Brynden Tully, the Blackfish of Riverrun, Ser Harald Tarly, Second son of Lord Tarly… Ser Barristan Selmy… The Bold, possibly one of the greatest swordsman alive, according to Ser Gerold.
And those were just the men you recognized. There were dozens of more knights and squires that you didn't recognize, for they were lacking any heraldry on their armor, and they were all covered head to toe in steel.
There were also dozens of low born soldiers, dressed in leathers, bits of chain, or just farm clothes, and were armed with spears and shields. A few had rags covering their feet, while others had fine boots.
Only a few had what you would consider armor.
Ser Gerold looked at them all. "Men, stand fast!" He ordered, and every man and boy looked at him. "We are going into the harbor, to prevent the enemy ships from leaving and harassing the fleet. They will be fierce, but they are pirates and mercenaries. When they see the tide turning, they will flee like dogs and will be cut down as such! Now join me, and we shall kill them all!"
"YEAH!" The men shouted.
The speech was simple and lacked elegance, but to you and the volunteers, it was rousing.
"Arstan" The kingsguard looked at you and knelt down to your height. "If anything were to happen to me, find Ser Barristian, he'll help keep you safe."
Ser Barristian nodded and everyone quickly boarded the boats they were using as landing crafts.
"Start Rowing lads!" You heard a low born sailor shout as the boat slowly moved away from the ships.
Ser Gerold was up in the front, his sword raised, and his shield up, his armor shining in the sunlight… and his white cloak, cut down to a reasonable length, only a little shorter than a cape.
The Enemy would see you, but would they react to you?
Bloodstones Response:
1D100 => 38+20 (Harbor Defenses)-20 (Jon Arryn's Assault on the other side of the Island)-5 (Heavily Armored Assault)-15 (Failed Scouting from the fleet, no warning)=18
But the Bloodstone's Garrison seemed to be focused on other things, like your father's assault on the Castle keep from the other Harbor.
The Garrison only had say three hundred men guarding their harbor, with only half of them archers.
"Shields!" Ser Gerold ordered as everyone raised their shields rose to protect the oarsman.
The boats slowly slinked to the Harbors piers, and even though the arrows struck the shields, only one or two got through, and even as they hit the oarsmen, they only hit them with enough force to bounce off their bodies.
"Come on you fucks!" You heard a voice call from another boat. "Come and kill us!"
You didn't share the enthusiasm of being killed. You liked being alive.
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You made Landfall a few minutes later, and following ser Gerold's lead, you drew your sword and kept your shield up.
Unfortunately, you were face to face with a Pirate, armed with a short sword and buckler, and his strike missed you, your vision barely catching his strike.
Strike!:
1D100 => 83+20 (Traits and Skill)=103 vs
1D100 => 14+10 (Skill)=24
Killing Blow!
You quickly fell back on to the training you had been given by Ser Duncan and Ser Gerold, blocking the blade with your shield and moving back, sending the man off of his balance.
Your sword quickly found its way into the vital area of the neck, and the steel did the rest, entering the man's body like he was a piece of meat being stabbed by a fork.
It was unnerving how easy it was to kill a man, and a moment after you killed him, and retrieve your sword, bile rose from your throat.
You unleashed your bodily fluids on to the ground.
This was unlike seeing a man killed… you had done it.
What do you do?:
[]Rest for a moment: You need to rest, and gather yourself.
[]Get Back to Ser Gerold: Your master still needs your help. Though from the number of corpses he seems to be leaving in his wake, maybe not that much help.
[]Search for Ser Baristian: You should look for the man they call the bold.
[]Help the Smallfolk: They seem to be struggling. Not surprising, but… they need help.
AN: Enjoy.