DARYO

The hard truth finally dawned on him. It would be years before he would be able to thread the streets of his beloved Braavos. "Every man must face his destiny" Daryo thought to himself. The order had assigned him the duty of foreign agent as a pre-requisite for admittance into the higher circles of order. Although fear was a long defeated enemy as part of his training as swordmaster, nothing had prepared him for parting with his family and friends, perhaps for life. He could still hear his master words: "fear cuts deeper than words". For the first time in years, Daryo felt the cold steel of fear cutting through his guts.

The salty breeze of Gulltown reminded Daryo of Braavos while he took his time to decide which way to go. He had but an obligation to the order in this new assignment: to keep the closest chapter of the order aware of his whereabouts, and wait for further instructions. Then in a strike of luck, or fate, he had no longer to decide: a caravan of traders was hiring guards to escort it to a place named Silver Cross.

The order of the weeping lady, had its origin lost in time. Its founder, Itryus Carzel had vowed to avenge crimes against the innocent the day he witnessed a baby be slaughtered in front of his weeping mother by order of a powerful shipmaster as punishment for unpaid debts. Although Itryus could not save the baby, he made sure the shipmaster had a painful death not long after. No one knew who killed the shipmaster, over his body was found a parchment with the old valyrian words: "Inuya nablaris" meaning "No more innocent blood". As similar executions began to happen in Braavos, rumors began to emerge, but the responsible for such executions was never found.

By the time of his grandfather, the order had grown considerably, and extended into other realms. It was still a secret society known only by its members and few men outside it. Stories about its feats could nevertheless, be heard everywhere.

"We shall have no need for extra swords on our way back, you are dismissed." said the security chief of the caravan. "You may want to try your luck at Moonwatch keep, they may want to hire some sellswords. I heard there's been some tensions with the neighboring house, the Burlingtons". It was late afternoon when Daryo Forell reached the gates of the Moonwatch keep. A sentinel shouted from the top of the wall: "Who are you and what do you want?" "I am Daryo Forell, swordmaster of Braavos and I am looking for a job". The sentinel disappeared behind the wall and after what seemed to be along time for his tired legs, the porticulis opened and he was allowed inside the keep.

An older man addressed him as he entered the main yard "Wait here, Ser Rolland Sylver will see you".

Interlude

   As the year progresses, new events take place. Ser Alan Grissom disappeared just before being uncovered as the leader of the bandits. Several Burlington men-at-arms, as well as the castellan, are beheaded for having worked with the former captain of the guard. Ser Rolland Sylvers returns to the rivercountry. Ser Daegar Hawthorne dies during a hunt in the Whispering Wood, one month before his wedding. Tytos Sylver is sent to the Stormlands to be fostered by one of the local houses. Annara Sylver, at the invitation of her uncle, Ser Bernard, goes to the Gates of the Moon to study. Ellerys Woodenshore hires Dario Forel as a fencing instructor for his house’s ship crews. Finally, Ser Bernard Sylver resigns from his post at the Gates of the Moon to help his brother administer Moonwatch.
   Now, one year later, Lord Bronze Yohn Royce is promoting a tourney to celebrate the name-day of his son, Robar.

ROLLAND

   Thanks to Ellerys, who provides some special herbs to treat Lord Willem, Rolland’s father recovers. According to Maester Lyonce, he will never be the same physically, but his mind is intact.
   A few days later, Rolland finds out that Marion is going to marry Daegar.

TYTOS

   The dungeon cells of Stonewall were the last place on Westeros Tytos Sylver thought he would know. He chuckled as he remembered how different his life had been just a few days before… before Rolland arrived. At first, he had been happy to see his brother again, but that quickly changed when they visited Stonewall. Marion was there, as beautiful as ever. Tytos smiled as he remembered the times he had seen her around Silvercrossing. She liked to ride and would always pass through Stony Bridge. That’s why he was always at the town – to get a chance to see her. Tytos wanted to finally talk to her during the visit, but Rolland was all over her. And even mocked him when he reminded his brother Marion was a Burlington. How he had wanted to hit his brother that night! Maybe that’s why he invaded the Whispering Wood. To prove he could succeed at something without Rolland’s consent or support. But now he was a prisoner of the accursed Burlingtons. His only chance of escaping blown away by his brother. He wondered what could possibly have passed Rolland’s head to convince him that damn Braavosi was a better choice for champion than Wencel Borran. Rolland had sealed his fate. Tytos would now be a sworn brother of the Night’s Watch, condemned to spend the rest of his life fighting savages in the everlasting cold of the Wall, with rapists and murderers as comrades.
   As he realized the hopelessness of his situation, a great sadness came upon Tytos and he let the tears roll free.

CERDIK

   After meditating at the Moonwatch’s godswood, Cerdik decides to offer his fealty to Rolland, becoming a sworn sword for the Sylvers. His decision is raised by Annara, who tells him she already knew he was going to stay and that his life there will be a great one.

ROLLAND

   At the bandits’ camp, the group finds a bottle of Arbor wine from the very same vintage that poisoned the Sylvers. Lord Wesley recognizes it as being from his own cellar and realizes it must have been switched with the poisoned one that he gave to Rolland.
   The group follows on to Moonwatch, where Lord Nestor hears about the recent events from both parties. He retires and at evenfall, passes his judgement: the Burlingtons must refund the Sylvers for their lost silver shipments and add a fine equal to half the total value, however, both penalties will be dismissed if Lord Wesley agrees to pardon and release Tytos. Rolland insists that his brother should be released unconditionally, since the accusations against him were false, but Lord Nestor reminds him that the Seven Gods think otherwise, since they gave the victory to the Burlingtons’ champion.
   Before leaving Moonwatch, Lord Wesley tells Rolland that his proposal of marrying Ephrain to Annara still stands. The Sylver heir says he will consider it and offers again the friendship of his house.

CERDIK

   Tired of watching the lordlings arguing, Cerdik decides to check on his men back at the camp. He rides upriver and crosses the Silverrun into the Whispering Wood. After a few minutes, he hears his name being called at the edge of the forest and returns to find Rolland, Lord Wesley and several men-at-arms. While they discuss how to procede, they are surprised by the arrival of Ser Bernard Sylver and a group of Knights of the Vale. He informs them that Lord Nestor Royce is at Moonwatch and has summoned both houses to settle the dispute between them.

ROLLAND

   Close to the end of the trial, Rolland notices a rider approaching fast. He realizes it is Cerdik, who arrives as Dario falls to the ground. The box he carries is explanation enough and the Sylver heir confronts Lord Wesley once again about the bandits. Burlington derides the word of a bastard such as Cerdik and the so-called proof that Rolland presents. To show his contempt of the accusations, he orders Daegar to spare Dario and decrees that Tytos will be executed the next morning. Rolland requests permission to talk to his brother and advises him to take the black.
Before leaving, Rolland confronts Lord Wesley about the evidence brought by    Cerdik. Burlington doubts its veracity, but agrees to check the alleged existence of the bandit camp. They argue about how many soldiers Rolland can take and when they finally decide to leave, they realize Cerdik is gone.

DARYO

   Trusting on his water dance skill and speed to overcome any armored foe, Dario chooses to wear only a leather jerkin for protection. His adversary, Daegar, shows up in plate mail. The trial begins with a few attacks and parries in the middle of the Stony Bridge. Suddenly, thanks to a lucky strike, the Westerlander manages to hit the Braavosi’s weapon arm, making a deep cut that severs muscle and tendon. The wound proves debilitating to the higher-skilled Dario and balances the combat.
   The water dancer presses the attack with quick strikes, but the Hawthorne knight parries each one of them successfully. Dario tries to use his speed in a hit-and-run tactic, but Daegar is aware of the limitations his armor imposes and saves his strength. The Braavosi takes the offensive again, but his wound proves a difficult obstacle to overcome and he misses most of the attacks, even losing his sword once.
   Dario’s defeat seems certain. However, after sidestepping the Westerlander, the water dancer finds and opening and plunges his sword into the knight’s left thigh, crippling Daegar’s leg. Dario becomes confident again of his victory. Unfortunately, the Seven Gods do not smile on him, as the Burlingtons’ champion puts all his strength in one last blow. The wound prevents the Braavosi from reacting quickly enough and Daegar’s blade bites deep into Dario’s chest, spilling blood and opening a nasty gash. Already weakened by the previous wound and the stress of the battle, this final hit sucks the last bit of energy from the water dancer and leaves him unconscious.

CERDIK

   Intent on helping the Sylvers, Cerdik, with Rolland’s approval, takes his men, Longfoot and a couple of Sylver men-at-arms to the Silverrun at midnight. They wait until two in the morning, when the moon is behind the west mountains, and cross the river at its narrowest point. They enter the Whispering Wood and try to find tracks of the bandits. After two hours and a half, they manage to locate the brigands’ camp. Cerdik reckons there are about 15 criminals, although only 11 are present, mostly asleep. With a quick surprise attack, Cerdik and his soldiers kill the bandits.
   While his men-at-arms are finishing the last brigand, the Umber bastard is attacked by a hulking man that emerges from the wood. The attacker is taller than Cerdik and wears a bear skin, making him remember Annara’s words. After a brief but brutal fight, Cerdik, with Cub’s help, dispatches the gigantic man. Turning his attention to the camp, he finds one of the boxes used by Rolland’s house to transport their silver. Cerdik leaves his soldiers to guard the camp and dashes through the forest with the box, planning to reach Silvercrossing before the trial starts.

ELLERYS

   Aboard the Seajester, one of his house’s merchant ships, docked at Heart’s Home, Ellerys Woodenshore ponders about the two-week delay of the silver shipment he must take to King’s Landing. He decides to travel to Moonwatch to find out what’s happened. After a five-day journey on horseback, the young lordling and two men-at-arms arrive at the Sylvers’ keep at evenfall. He soon meets with a slowly recuperating Rolland, who informs the newly-arrived noble about the events of the past few days. Both conclude that Ellerys’ presence might serve as boon to resolve the situation. By keeping it secret, they can use the Woodenshore as a neutral witness, in further attacks, to testimony that the brigands emerged from the Whispering Wood. Ellerys decides to stay at Moonwatch so as to be present during the next silver shipment.

ROLLAND

   As he takes leave of Cerdik, Rolland is informed by Lyonce that Lord Wesley has agreed to meet the Sylver heir. At the appropriate time, Rolland arrives bringing Dario, Cerdik and a handful of men-at-arms along. Lord Wesley is similarly accompanied. Both nobles meet at middle of the Stony Bridge, where Rolland accuses Burlington of poisoning him and his father, and hiding bandits in the Whispering Wood. Lord Wesley denies both accusations and brings Tytos forward, in chains. The young Sylver is bruised and battered. Burlington tells Rolland that his brother and a few soldiers invaded the Whispering Wood and attacked his guards. Tytos denies the charges, but Rolland knows the situation is difficult. At his advice, Tytos asks for a trial by combat, which is set for the next day, at dawn, on the same place.

CERDIK

   Accompanying his half-brother, Smalljon Umber, in a trip through Westeros – set up by Greatjon himself -- so that both would get to know the Seven Kingdoms a little better, Cerdik breaks from the party after they enter the Vale. He wishes to visit some First Men ruins to the northwestern. After a few days travel, together with four Umber men-at-arms, Cerdik arrives at Moonwatch at the break of dawn. He notices the frantic going-ons at the keep and soon finds out what is happening. At a meeting with Rolland, he offers any help the lordling might need in dealing with the situation. The Sylver heir accepts.
   Left to his own devices for a while, Cerdik takes the time to visit Moonwatch’s Godswood. While contemplating the Burnt One, the charred remains of the weirwood heart tree, he is found by Annara. After a somewhat unsettling conversation with the girl, the Umber bastard is warned to beware of the bear. The Sylver child then offers him a tour of the keep, which Cerdik accepts.

ROLLAND

   After hiring Dario Forel, Rolland takes Tytos and a few men-at-arms and rides across his house's domain. He tries to discover some evidence of the bandits, but is unsuccessful. During the ride, Tytos insists they should ignore Lord Wesley -- who is clearly abetting the bandits -- and go into the Whispering Wood to find them. Rolland disagrees with his brother and explains that such an action would only lead to bloodshed and strife between the houses. Returning to Moonwatch, he is informed by Maester Lyonce that there appears to be no extraneous substance in the wine presented by Lord Wesley. Unconvinced, Rolland has one of the keep's pigs fed with an apple soaked in the beverage. Hours later, the animal is still fine and any lingering suspicions are laid to rest. Rolland takes the bottle to his father and both drink of it as they go over the situation and call it a day.
   Early the next morning, Rolland is informed by Dario of the mysterious riders that left the keep the night before. Having noticed the Tytos' absence during breakfast, the Sylver heir quickly concludes that his brother has taken justice in his own hands. He summons Dario and a few men-at-arms and rides towards Silvercrossing. They do not find Tytos at the village, but recruit a hunter, Thomas Longfoot, to help find him. The group travels 12 miles upriver to the Silver Ford, where the hnunter find the tracks of Tytos' riders. Rolland, Dario and Thomas cross over to the Burlingtons'lands, riding fast to the Whispering Wood. There, they follow the tracks deep into the forest until they find a spot where there was a fight. Thomas believes Tytos and his companions were ambushed and taken captive. Unable to do anything at the moment, the group heads back to the ford.
   By this time, Rolland is feeling extremely unwell, with heavy breathing and profuse sweating. The symptoms bring back his earlier suspicion of the wine being poisoned. This becomes a certainty when the group returns to Moonwatch and he is informed that Lord Willem has fallen ill. Rolland finds his Lady Merian at his father’s chambers and she tells him, amid tears, that she is pregnant.
   Forced to rest by Maester Lyonce, Rolland finds out that Dario has identified the poison used as a rare toxic substance, fulmilia, found only in the forests of Qohor. Just before falling asleep, thanks to a cup of dreamwine, Rolland orders Lyonce to send a raven to the Gates of the Moon informing Lord Nestor Royce about the developments and another one to Lord Wesley, setting up a meet between the two for the next day, at noon on the Stony Bridge.

DARYO

     After traveling across the Vale for two years, taking service with several lords as a fencing instructor, the Braavosi water dancer reaches Moonwatch. Dario introduces himself to Rolland, who requests a demonstration of his skill. Intent on improving Tytos’ swordmanship, the Sylver heir suggests that Dario spars with his brother. The Braavosi quickly defeats the young lordling, impressing Rolland and earning a place as retainer.
     Dario spends the day getting to know the keep and its inhabitants. He flirts with a serving girl, Myra, and attracts the attention of Martyn, son of the Sylvers’ captain of the guard and master-of-arms, Wencel Borran. The boy is mesmerized by the water dance and begs Dario to teach it to him and to tell him of the Free Cities. The Braavosi agrees, but asks him not to encourage Martyn’s flight of fancy, since his place is at Moonwatch.
     At night, Dario’s flirtation with Myra pays true as he is treated to a better dinner and passionate lovemaking. He falls asleep soon after, only to be awaken around midnight, when he sees a group of riders quietly leaving the keep.

ROLLAND

      After four years as ward to Lord Hoster Tully, Ser Rolland Sylver finally returns to the Vale to visit his family. Accompanying Lord Tully's son, Edmure, on an official trip to the Eyrie, the lordling takes leave of the party and together with four Tully men-at-arms heads for the Sylver’s keep, Moonwatch.
      Arriving at the Sylver’s keep, Rolland is informed by his father, Lord Willem, that the house’s last two silver shipments have been robbed by bandits based out of the Whispering Wood. However, Lord Wesley Burlington, whose domains cover the forest, refuses to let a Sylver force enter the wood to search for the criminals. He claims there are no such bandits and that the whole story is a ruse from his ancient rivals. Rolland spends some time with his mother, Lady Merian, his younger brother, Tytos, and his younger sister, Annara, whom he finds sleepwalking later that night. When he calls for her, she says:

I see rivers of blood,
I see the shadow of death,
And the light of life,

      Then, the Sylver child faints and Rolland carries her back to her quarters.
      The next day, at the request of his father, Rolland, together with Tytos, visits Stonewall, the Burlington’s keep. There he reacquaints himself with Marion, Lord Wesley’s eldest child. Both met when they were wards at the Eyrie, several years before. The warmth exchanged between them makes Tytos angry, because he believes his brother is consorting with their enemy. Later, Rolland meets with Lord Wesley and offers to reduce taxes on cargo transportation along the Silverrun river in exchange for permission to search the Whispering Wood. Burlington vehemently denies the existence of brigands in his domain and instead offers a way to seal a truce between the two houses: marrying his son Ephrain to Annara Sylver. Rolland promises to take the offer to his father.
      At night, Lord Wesley throws a feast for his guests, where Rolland and Marion reminisce about their childhood at the Arryn’s castle. However, the young Sylver fails to maintain a complete hold on his companion’s attention. Ser Daegar Hawthorne, a Westerlander knight, also courts her and his storytelling skill impress the young woman. Still, Rolland and Marion set a mock duel between themselves for the next morning. The event will serve as rematch for Rolland, who still remembers a rather painful hit to his head from the wood sword wielded by Marion at the Eyrie, several years back. After the feast, Rolland returns to his chambers only to find Tytos in a sulking mood. The younger Sylver rails again on his brother for wasting so much time with Marion. Rolland teases his sibling and Tytos flies into a fit of rage.
      The mock duel goes well and the obvious victory is Rolland’s. However, as soon as it is finished, Daegar challenges the Sylver heir to a duel as well, but using live steel. Rolland is suspicious of the request, but accepts it. The combat is tense and short, with Rolland victorious again. Strangely, Daegar seems to lose his balance and almost nicks Rolland with his sword. The Westerlander knight apologizes, but leaves Rolland suspicious of a poisoning attempt. The Sylvers talk once more with Lord Wesley, who gives Rolland a fine bottle of Arbor as a parting gift.
      Back at Moonwatch, still suspecting foul play on Burlington’s part, Rolland asks Maester Lyonce to test the wine for poison. More relaxed, Rolland details the events of the day to his father.