Visenya looked over the maps of the Vale alongside Rhaenys, Bethany and Lyanara Mormont, and Brandon Snow, who had insisted on accompanying them despite being the Hand of the King & Queen. However, since Aegon was still engaged at Dragonstone organizing the bulk of their troops for their southern campaigns against the Gardeners and Lannisters with Jaenyx, Orys, Torrhen Stark, and Colren Blackwood, that left the women commanders plus the Stark bastard to handle the neuralization of the Vale.
They were all currently located on Daemon's personal flagship alongside whatever vessels they could scrounge up from Driftmark and all over the Blackwater Bay, all of whom had dropped anchor off of Claw Isle and their numbers weren't nearly enough to take on the naval units docked at Gulltown. However, Daemon's vessels was large enough to ferry four thousand men, which was a start.
"The most obvious choice when it comes to striking at the Vale is conducting a landing either near Ironoaks, Runestone, or Old Anchor, all of which will grant us access to the Vale proper and thus the parts of the kingdom that matter," Visenya began. "Should the Vale proper fall, the advance towards the Eyrie will be wide open and we can begin besieging the fortress."
"But if I were Sharra Arryn or one of her commanders, that's where I would expect an invasion to begin," Bethany Mormont pointed to the various potential locations for a landing. "If we know that taking the Vale proper is vital in our success against the Arryns, the enemy will be sure to repel us and would take every possible precaution against a successful landing."
"Which is why we must make them think that taking the Vale proper is our first and only objective," Rhaenys stated.
"How do you intend to do that?" Lyanara Mormont asked.
"Well, to make them convinced, we have to actually land troops at a possible location and fight a battle against them," Visenya answered. "Daemon can ferry four thousand troops and land them at various points alongside the Vale's shores. We use those troops to establish a beachhead and wait for the enemy to come to them while our cousin will raid all over the viable ports and harbors of the kingdom. That way, their attention will be focused on the east and most obvious targets."
"But that won't be how we win against the Arryns," Bethany saw.
"No, Lady Bethany," Visenya replied. "Our true approach will come from the west, specifically the Mountains of the Moon and the areas around the Bloody Gate. Now, I know that you have reservations against attacking such a strong fortress, as the mountain clans and other armies of the past have attempted to do so and had failed each time. But rest assured that I won't sacrifice troops to take difficult locations. We have to act contrary to their expectations and that's exactly what we intend to do."
"Can't you use your dragons to burn the Eyrie and other fortresses? That'll save us a lot of time and effort, just like at Harrenhal," Lyanara pointed out.
"We could," Rhaenys nodded. "But at the same time, we have to show to the Valemen that the mountains are not their protection. It's a given that dragons can fly over them, but we also have to show that troops can cross over the mountains and strike at them at any given time. That way, they fully understand that they are not safe should they try to act against us."
Lyanara nodded, now understanding their long-term thinking. "But no army has been able to cross those mountains towards the Eyrie in thousands of years. Even if we do, we also have to deal with the mountain clans, who might see us as intruders and thus adding more difficulties should we attempt a mountain crossing."
"Leave that to me," Brandon spoke up. "As you know, I had to fulfill many important duties as castellan of Winterfell, among them dealing with petitioners in Torrhen's absence. They might not trust anyone coming from what they call 'lowlands', but they have long memories ever since the Andals expelled them from their ancestral lands. They might also be more inclined to at least hear us out if a fellow member of the First Men makes the first move."
"The mountain clans of the Vale number at least three thousand," Bethany added. "Besides their numbers, their intimate knowledge of the Mountains of the Moon and how to move through paths unknown to the Knights of the Vale will be very advantageous to us."
Visenya thought it over, as did Rhaenys. Part of their studies under Maester Harrion before he was sent back to the Citadel was learning about every kingdom of Westeros and each detail of their histories. Among many things, she had found the history of the Vale mountain clans quite fascinating. Descended from the First Men who were defeated at the Battle of the Seven Stars, which saw the subjugation of the entire Vale under the Andals, they had fled their control and resisted the authority of the Eyrie, entering into a feud with the knights of the Vale that lasted up to the present. Quite disheartening to see your homes taken from you. I am not sure if I could last if Dragonstone or my other home in Jae was taken from me.
Like the culture of the First Men in the Kingdom of the North, the practices of the Vale mountain clans were of some appeal to Visenya. They had believed that every person's voice, regardless of whether they were a man or a woman, had to be heard during councils. Some clans share close bonds and conflicts between them were often resolved by payment of blood money. Clansmen were quick to settle personal grievances through violence, which is what the First Men of old also did. A people stuck in time…
They were a poor people with poor quality of weapons and armor, and their way of subsisting included raiding local villages, small groups of travelers, and even whoever ruled from the Eyrie to get what they need, especially if the latter had no protection. The mountain clansmen would take all weapons, grain, and armor that they could find, as well as all women, whether they are wedded or not. That's something that I will have to make clear of my displeasure should I meet any of them in person.
Some women participated in raids, which obviously fascinated Visenya since she looked for any models as a woman inclined to conflict, and they rode small horses that were suited to the narrow mountain paths of the Vale. However, it has been hundreds of years since the clansmen have threatened the knights of the Vale or the Eyrie with anything more serious than raids, even if they do have three thousand at least, she thought.
Still, warriors who knew the terrain and fought on their side would become very important assets, which is what they needed if they were to obtain a decisive victory over the Valemen.
"Any ideas who you might approach to persuade them to fight for us, Lord Snow?" Visenya asked the Hand.
"Well… if we're talking about ability, I would suggest approaching the Painted Dogs first," Brandon answered.
"Who are they and why them, Brandon?" Rhaenys asked. Bethany and Lyanara were initially surprised at her addressing him by his first name, but seeing how their friendship developed, they thought little of it.
"The Painted Dogs actually have a strong merit attached to their name. They had killed Roland the First of His Name, the one who had started the construction of the Eyrie. They pulled him from his horse and crushed his head with a stone maul before he could draw his sword, which is more than what any of the mountain clans accomplished," Brandon explained.
"But?" Visenya saw that Rhaenys knew Brandon was about to say more.
"If we're talking about who can amass the most warriors out of all of the mountain clains, we should approach the Black Ears or the Moon Brothers, both of whom have close ties each other," Brandon replied.
"How many men could they assemble?" Visenya inquired.
"From what I last remember, about five hundred."
"That's not much," Visenya pointed out.
"No, but they have knowledge of the mountain passes, which we would need if we wanted to accomplish a successful crossing over the Mountains of the Moon," Brandon answered.
"You have a point, Lord Snow, but you also have to consider that we might be facing clansmen who might see our troops as intruders and thus making our task more difficult," Visenya countered. "We're going to need more than five hundred if we are to make a difference in numbers."
"I think you're both looking at this from the wrong angle," Rhaenys joined their discussion. "Yes, they might not like working with us and they may hate other clans more than us, but the one thing that they will hate for sure are the Arryns and the so-called lowland lords. They came from peoples who were forced from their homes and have resisted the Andals since."
"True, but what is your point, Rhae?" Visenya asked her sister.
"We apply a tactic similar to the one that we used with Lord Colren and Quenton," Rhaenys answered. "If they agree to support us, we offer them some of their lands back and make them lords again. That way, we give them a reason to fight alongside us and save us the trouble of fighting them."
"That'll be easier said than done, Your Grace," Bethany said. "Many of the clansmen have not seen their ancestral lands in thousands of years and much has changed since they were expelled, so they might face resistance. Also, if you try to overturn the established order in the Vale proper, the Andal lords might offer stiff resistance long after we subjugate them."
"Then let them," Visenya declared. "They chose the wrong side and they should know the consequences of doing so. Plus, we're already challenging the established order throughout Westeros, so what's the harm in doing it in the Vale?"
Bethany sighed before nodding. "Yes, Your Grace."
"Besides, Bethany, the Vale can benefit from the original practices of the First Men returning in force to the so-called lowlands," Brandon added. "After all, isn't that why we're fighting here in the south in the first place?"
The Lady of Bear Island conceded his point. "So… we march twenty thousand men across the Green Fork and towards the Mountains of the Morn while we have to make Sharra Arryn and her captains think that the real target is the Vale proper itself."
"Exactly," Rhaenys confirmed.
"How do you intend to do that, Your Grace?" Lyanara inquired.
"Simple. Either of us or both lead the force on our dragons," Rhaenys answered. "If the dragons are present, then they will assume for sure that whatever troops we lead will be the real threat."
"If that's the case, Rhae, then I'll lead them," Visenya asserted, getting looks of surprise from all of them. "All of us here have seen my sister become very proficient with the bow. However, and please don't misinterpret my words, she is not considered a threat by those that adhere to the Faith. As for me, the entire continent is aware of my role in infiltrating Casterly Rock to liberate my brother. In addition, our enemies have witnessed me handling the sword to great effect. If they see me as commanding the troops in the Vale proper, they will concentrate of all of their efforts to take me down."
To her relief, Rhaenys wasn't offended. In fact, she saw the sense behind her words. Thank the gods.
"And I must remind you, Your Graces," Lyanara Mormont spoke up. "Part of the deal is that the North will take the Three Sisters, so there must be a force sent there."
"There will be, Lady Lyanara," Rhaenys assured her. "However, our priority should be to subjugate the Vale's mainland. Once the Three Sisters are deprived of their only source of outside help, they will wither and possibly surrender without a fight. We have to eliminate the Vale's armies and thus force Sharra Arryn to surrender."
"Once the Vale falls, our eastern flank and the entire half of the continent north of the Trident will be secure and we can thus focus our full attention on the Gardeners and Lannisters," Visenya added. "I'm sure that there will be plenty of houses that want to side with us and would no doubt bolster our numbers."
"But what about Sharra Arryn, Your Grace? What happens to her when this is all over?" Bethany asked.
"That's a decision that we'll make after the Eyrie is secured," Rhaenys told her. "As we all know, no army since the Andals has ever managed to enter the Vale successfully, so we're entering unknown territory here. Your brethren, Lady Bethany, waged a war that lasted a thousand years while the Bloody Gate withstood three attempts by the ironborn under Halleck Hoare. We have to be creative here."
"I agree, Your Grace," Brandon nodded. "But I would also advise caution. There are powerful houses in the Vale that descend from the First Men. Among them are the Royces of Runestone, the Hunters of Longbow Hall, the Redforts of Redfort, the Upcliffs of Witch Isle, and the Belmores of Strongsong. Remember that those houses were defeated at the Battle of the Seven Stars under Artys Arryn and were thus forced to swear fealty to him and his house in perpetuity, so it's very likely that they have strong antipathies against the Arryns that still run to this day. While I shall work to gain the Vale mountain clans to side with us, I suggest that the houses with First Men origins be approached and given offers."
"That's a strategy with much uncertainty attached to it, Bran," Lyanara said. "It's been thousands of years since those houses have submitted to the Arryns. It's very possible that they wouldn't think about turning their coats since that would mean risking everything they have, from keeps and lands to their own people. Plus, the lords from those houses might have a strong interest in maintaining the established order, so they might not be inclined to deal with agents that will bring out great change."
"If they don't wish to get revenge against the Andals for humiliating them in their own lands, then we appeal to their selfish natures," Brandon answered. "Just like we will promise to give the mountain clans some of their land back, we offer each of those houses increased estates and positions of influence within the Vale to offset the other Andal houses. I am certain that especially House Royce will be very interested in striking back against the very people that dethroned their ancestor."
"So… you want me to be diplomatic with those houses while I fight their peers and possibly their own troops?" Visenya asked.
"Yes, Your Grace. Fire and steel might be useful in solving many problems, but we must also present opportunities for those wishing to advance themselves in the new order or to settle old grudges," Brandon explained. "And assuming every lord wants to fight alongside their ruler purely out of loyalty is a faulty assumption because that is a rare trait to find. House Bolton in the North is a great example of the fickleness of loyalty, since they have rebelled at least once against House Stark."
Visenya nodded. "I'll take your suggestions into consideration, Lord Snow. However, I admit that I lack diplomatic tact, the skills Rhae has."
"I think you're giving yourself too little credit, Vis," Rhaenys walked up to her. "You handled yourself pretty well when we were in the North. When we were at Fairmarket, you treated the northern lords with respect and you made them listen to what you had to say. Also, your reputation will serve you well since many will heed the words of one of the two people who infiltrated Casterly Rock and got our brother out alive. Just continue being respectful and really use your achievements to good use. You'll be fine after you learn to use both."
Visenya grinned, appreciating her sister's advice. "Thanks, Rhae."
"Well, then," Brandon stood up, with the Mormont sisters following suit. "I shall depart for the Green Fork tonight and should be at the encampment at Saltpans with a few days. Queen Rhaenys, I would suggest that you fly out on Meraxes and inform the commanders there what the plan is. But we shall not advance until after we hear word of Princess Visenya's clash in the Vale proper."
"Understood," Rhaenys bobbed her head. "I shall fly out by tomorrow. See you at Saltpans, Brandon." He nodded in acknowledgement as he exited the main cabin of the ship and towards another boat waiting for him to board, which would take him and the Mormont ladies to Saltpans.
As soon as they left, Visenya felt something push in her belly. "Oooh," she reached down to cup her stomach, which was growing as the child within her got closer to when he or she entered the world.
"You all right, Vis?" Rhaenys rubbed her sister's belly to provide some comfort.
"It's nothing. Just the baby," Visenya tried to assuage her sister, but she kept close and pressed her hand on her stomach.
"Oh, my," Rhaenys noticed. "I can feel his or her kick."
"A pretty hard one, to be sure," a look of discomfort formed on her face as she felt it again.
"I'm sure that's a good thing. Mean the babe will be a strong one, just like his or her parents," her sister remarked.
"I hope so," Visenya rubbed her belly before placing her hands on his sister's own. As soon as she touched it, she also felt a kick and Rhaenys becoming slightly uncomfortable. "Seems yours' and Egg's babe will also be strong."
"I hope that it is a son and that the next babe of Lord and Lady Stark's blood will be a girl, so that our pact will be secure," Rhaenys stared into her eyes. "But deep down, I will love my babe no matter the gender and I shall make sure that nothing happens to him or her."
"So will I for mine," Visenya brought her sister in for a hug. "Never thought that I would be carrying someone's babe before Jae came, but now that I have one in me, I don't want to let it go. Nor do I want my babe to be the only one."
"Of course," Rhaenys looked up to her face. "House Belaerys needs heirs and more dragons to add to our family. I know that you can do it."
Visenya sighed happily, thinking of all of the children that she and Jaenyx would have once the fighting was done and when they could enjoy moments of peace without a worry in the world. "And our family needs as much heirs as you can bear, Rhae. I just hope that Egg can handle it, with all of the dragons that will come from both of us."
"Stop it," Rhaenys returned her head on Visenya's shoulders. "And don't forget Orys. He has the blood of the dragon, no matter what anyone says, and whatever children he has with Argella will be our nieces and nephews," she squealed in delight.
"Of course," Visenya affirmed.
"Vis, can I sleep with you tonight?"
That caught Visenya off-guard. "Um, what?"
"That came out wrong, didn't it?" Rhaenys was quickly scolding herself for how she worded it.
"Don't worry, Rhae," Visenya patted her sister's back. "Do you mean to say that you want us to… sleep in the same bed as we used to do with muña?"
"Yeah, yeah. Exactly," Rhaenys nodded quickly. "Since we're about to become muñas ourselves, it's only right that we start to be comfortable with each other. Your babes can sleep in my bed, and my babes can sleep in yours if they wanted to. No need to have boundaries between us, right?"
The more she thought about it, the more she imagined tucking her nieces and nephews in with her and her own children getting to become very close with their aunt. "Yeah, no need," she agreed.
Rhaenys squealed in delight again.
That night, they helped each other change into their nightgowns and rested next to each other, their hands on each other's belly so that they could become familiar with their niece or nephew before they laid eyes on them.
Seeing how her sister looked forward to becoming a mother caused Visenya to smile. She was going to bring a child that had hers and Jaenyx's blood, and her man was going to live on in their babe. And she also liked how her pregnancy made her become more… insistent in her desire for her husband.
As she and Rhaenys drifted off into a deep sleep, Visenya remembered when she was in her husband's arms before they departed to Claw Isle and he towards the southern shore of the Gods Eye to prepare the advance on the northern Reach alongside Aegon.
Hands digging into the mattress, Visenya gasped. Fisting the soft satin sheets of their chambers, always a comforting feeling and a good respite from any time they were on the march. But it wasn't the sheets that the Princess of Sphinx Rest and co-head of House Belaerys cared about at that moment.
"Fuck Jae!" Her head threw back in a desperate moan, legs wrapping around her husband's hips as he pounded deep inside her. "Oh gods… please fuck me harder!"
Mouth attached to her neck, Jaenyx feverishly sucked and licked, marking his beautiful and robust wife. Growling into her soft skin and well-defined muscles. Every time with Jaenyx felt like their first time, a feeling that she will always cherish whenever they were apart, his cock driving hard into her.
"I love you so much, Vis," he groaned, grabbing her leg and pulling it higher on him. Exposing more of her sopping wet entrance to his aggressive pounding.
"I love… you too… oh yes!" Visenya let go of the sheets, her nails having cut a few holes from how hard Jaenyx was fucking her before her hands reached up and her nails started digging into his back. Scraping hard down his skin, coaxing a roar from him, a proper dragon roar. She screamed as Jaenyx pulled fully out of her only to slam back in. I really do hope that he doesn't slack after I give birth, she hoped.
Jaenyx hissed when Visenya pulled her head up and bit down on his shoulder, marking him every bit as viciously as he had her. "Careful, Vis. Your nails I can handle, but your teeth?" She pulled back, grinning, only to shudder at his intense amethyst eyes as he tried to warn her and was about to scold her for being so careless.
Suddenly, he pulled out, leaving Visenya painfully empty and alone. "Nooo…" the Princess of Sphinx Rest whine. "Why did you have leave me like this, Jae?" She felt him nuzzle her breasts, flicking her nipples with his nose, tickling and teasing her. "Stop… I need you inside me again, my prince. Please, please, please…" The she-dragon of both Houses Belaerys and Targaryen would have never begged anyone she saw as smaller than her, but her husband and Prince was above all the small-minded men she had evere encountered. She only did so in the bedroom, knowing that he would never hurt her or belittle her.
She then yelped, Jaenyx frantically flipping her over by using her legs. "Hands and knees," he said darkly, his voice low and fierce. Visenya felt a fresh gush of wetness coat her core, her heat and desire growing to new heights when he smacked her ass hard. It certainly didn't help that her child, a full dragon, had added to the heat. "Come on, Princess."
She was a bit uncomfortable whenever even Aegon and Rhaenys called her that, but she was willing to make an exception with her husband. "Yes, Jae," Visenya complied almost immediately. Wiggling her ass at him. "Finish me off, my Prince… oh yes!" Hands gripping her hips, he had thrust inside her with one stroke. "You're so deep… fuck me!" She knew that he loved her dirty talk, her prim and powerful prince and warrior wailing and swearing as loudly as a dragon would. "Your Princess wants to be fucked!"
He thrust and slapped her ass at the same time, causing Visenya to buck. "You're mine, Vis. My wife. My lover." A hand slipped from her hips to caress her belly, swollen with their babe. "And going to be the mother of our children!"
"Yes… only ours!" Visenya's head sunk into the pillow, screaming into it. She loved this position, feeling him rock so deep inside her. She would have felt bothered at another man taking advantage of her, especially if she was arranged to be married with a small man. But with Jaenyx… she was safe. He loved her desperately, barely able to handle this position until she begged him. Only him… only with him, she thought happily.
As his head crashed against a particularly sensitive spot, Visenya shattered. Dragonfire beneath her lids as she came undone. Mouth tilting open in a silent scream. Her walls contracting rhythmically, Visenya swore she climaxed again when Jaenyx shuddered, emptying rope after rope of his sticky seed through her velvet entrance. He would have most certainly quickened inside her if their babe, Gaerion or Maenara, wasn't already nestled in her womb.
Easing out of her, Visenya whimpering at the loss of contact while Jaenyx collapsed onto the bed. She following soon after, atop him, tangled together in a heap of limbs and sweaty skin. Soft, gentle fingers caressed his chest as she traced the scars that came when he suffered from the red death, the disease that took both of his parents, or at least his father and his mother sacrificing herself so that her love could live. Visenya's heart clenched with love for him, feeling Jaenyx kiss the crown of her head with all the affection in the world.
A pleased sigh left Visenya's mouth. "You are the… finest lover that has ever lived."
Hearing his chuckle, she felt Jaenyx pulling her closer to him. Both deciding to forgo night garments as he yanked the sheet and light blanket atop them to ward off the evening winds that blew into Dragonstone. "You sure about that?" Jaenyx eyed her. "I'm the only you've been with."
"No one can compare with you," Visenya kissed his jawline. "Though Egg and Rhae might have something to say about that."
Jaenyx looked at her, amused. Visenya frowned as she began smacking him lightly on the chest. "Do you not trust my words? You are the greatest pleaser I've known and certainly better than the unfeeling self you show others," Visenya only brought up his normal and passionless self when she was irritated with him, or wanted to do some teasing.
"My apologies." Leaning forward, he kissed her sweetly on the neck, making her purr. "Tell me, how do both of those selves compare with each other?" They played this game before, all the time shortly after they were married and especially after they were crowned.
"The self I see now, that's what a true dragon should be. Full of passion." Shifting, finding the most comfortable position for her pregnant belly, Visenya sighed happily when she settled by his side. Head on his pec and arm and leg tossed across him. "I like you better this way and I want to see your smiles more often when we're not… coupling. Your face without your smile makes you look like a piece of wood."
Raising an eyebrow at her, Jae looked confused. "What?"
"You're about to be a kepa, Jae. Do you really want our sons and daughters not knowing how to express themselves to other people? With expression comes strength, which I learned to do in order to scare off small-minded men."
Jaenyx nodded. "I'll try, Vis. Only for you."
"Don't try. Just do," she playfully flicked his nose.
"Okay. I will be more… open with my feelings from now on."
Sighing in happiness, Visenya pulled him closer to her. "You're full of passion, Jae. I just want others to see that."
They spent the rest of the night either resting or continuing their lovemaking before they had to separate. "Be safe, Jae," she said to him before she boarded the ship.
"I know you will," Jaenyx answered confidently.
Visenya flew on Vhagar above the northern bank of the river near Ironoaks. Four thousand men aboard what remained of Daemon's vessels and other smaller ships that he was able to collect from around the Blackwater Bay had landed as close to the seat of House Waynwood as they could, which involved sailing past the mouth of the river that was watched over by Runestone and Old Anchor and stopping near a fork. One lead to Redfort and the other to Ironoaks.
She knew that concealing such a force from the Valemen would be next to impossible no matter where they landed, so she had decided to land as close to the Eyrie as they could while raising as much alarm as possible. The Royces of Runestone and the Melcolms of Old Anchor would surely send warnings to their bannermen on the incoming army of the She-Dragon and to other houses that would soon be threatened by their presence. Sailing around Witch Isle had also achieved the same purpose, which meant that the Arryns had two locations that warned of their approach and thus surely prompting a massive response.
Besides from the obvious threats from the Vale banners, there were also risks that came with sailing so far down the river towards an important fortification close to the Eyrie. They could not maneuver freely due to its narrowness and they would surely be trapped if the Vale sent ships to counter them from behind. Also, the troops were about to enter terrain that their enemies knew intimately and thus not give ground easily. They were many unknown elements that would be in play once they set up their first camp and they had to be very cautious.
However, there were a few factors that served as an advantage. Despite the losses suffered by Daemon at Gulltown, the Vale fleet was also crippled and thus had to remain docked. Visenya conducted a search on any of the Braavosi sellsword ships that might show up, but she strangely found none at either the Fingers, Witch Isle, or any other potential harbor. Braavos can call upon more ships, but as Jaenyx said, they're sellswords so their numbers might be limited.
Another that worked in their favor was the small size of the force. While four thousand was obviously not enough to take on the might that the Vale could muster in a pitched battle, they could also move faster and did not have rely on an elaborate supply network that larger armies operating far from home had to. They could thus live off the land and pave the way for the landing of another wave if need be.
More importantly, their small size will stump the Vale lords before causing them to act with overconfidence. It's a known fact that taking a vital area such as the Vale proper would require more than four thousand men, which will make whoever comes their way presume that the dragons were acting foolishly and send troops without much precautions. They would never know that the four thousand under Visenya's command was not the main thrust but merely a diversion for the approximately twenty thousand men that would cross the Mountains of the Moon, a place where they would not expect an army to successfully traverse anyway but it was still good to conduct deception.
Those thoughts passed through her mind as Visenya had Vhagar land near the encampment, which was right next to the fork that lead to both Ironoaks and Redfort.
Circle above us, girl. If you see any Valemen march towards us, roar, she told her dragon.
Got it. And I'll come down to get you if we have a fight coming our way, Vhagar said through her bond as she flew back into the air.
Visenya walked throught the hastily raised tents, with each of the men bowing their heads and addressing her as "Your Grace." Well, certainly better than 'my lady,' she mused. She then approached the appointed commander of the four thousand, Lord Marlon Umber.
"Your Grace," he dipped his head as he kissed her proffered hand.
"Lord Marlon," she addressed him.
Visenya had concerns about taking the Umbers along. While she could count on the Celtigar footmen who came with her and while she had a working relationship with Maerys Tarareon, who proved to be an expert horse rider besides her brother, the Umbers were a house she had yet to really work with despite meeting Lord Marlon for first time at Widow's Watch and again at Fairmarket. The Umbers commanded three thousand men, of which two thousand and five hundred had marched south and present in the Vale, but they were not known for executing complex tactical maneuvers and their combat experience was mostly derived from fighting wildlings, a very different foe compared to the more discipline and hardened knights of the Vale.
However, she put her concerns aside when Brandon and the Mormont ladies strongly recommended that Marlon Umber accompany her. "If the Umbers come into contact with the Vale mountain clans, they're very likely to fight them rather than the Arryns. After all, they'll probably see people that look like wildlings to them," Brandon explained.
"In addition, it might do some good for Lord Marlon if he engages with real opponents rather than those who would more likely flee the field," Bethany said. "Who knows? Maybe his view on battle could change once he sees how hard it really is to fight against knight in plate armor."
Visenya relented after they made their case and thus allowed Marlon Umber to come with her.
"How are we with the bridge?" she asked the Lord of Last Hearth.
"We began progress as soon as we disembarked, Your Grace," he answered. "But I fear that we might not finish once the enemy comes."
"Don't worry about that," Visenya dismissed. "Besides, that will make them come faster, wouldn't you agree?"
Lord Marlon grinned. "Of course, Your Grace. The Umbers are ready to fight against the Vale bastards and give them a proper northman introduction."
"I expect nothing less, my lord," Visenya smiled back. "But take care as to not do anything rash. We are outnumbered and thus need every man to keep fighting for as long as possible, at least until my sister, Lord Snow, and Ladies Mormont arrive."
"I'll keep that in mind, Your Grace," Lord Marlon nodded, even though it was with great hesitance. I like that he has fighting spirit, but for now, we have to be cautious.
The plan was to dismantle some of the boats they brought with them, with their wood being used to build a pontoon bridge and other types of equipment like ladders and battering rams until they found more wood. The purpose for this bridge was mainly to cut off Ironoaks and the Redfort from the narrow sea and to provoke them both into sending their troops, as the bridge would deprive them of their most viable supply route and threatening their control over one of the most important rivers of the Vale. On top of that, the Eyrie relies on supplies gained through that river, so that would also prompt them to send troops directly sworn to House Arryn to assist.
But while everyone in the camp knew the importance of completing that bridge, they also were perturbed that they were using some of their own boats to construct it. For Visenya, this was her way of silently telling them to fight hard since that would be the only chance of surviving until Rhaenys and Brandon Snow arrived.
For now, they had to build the bridge and wait for the enemy to come. Please hurry, Rhae.
"Release!" Maerys shouted in High Valyrian to their bowmen as they laid down a volley onto the incoming Valemen. She had waited until they were close enough for their armor-piercing arrows to land clear kills, causing as much casualties as possible so that they would send more of their troops into the fray.
They were just about to the complete the other half of the pontoon bridge that would be planted on the southern bank, but seeing what they were about to, the Redforts and Waynwoods, even some bannermen from House Grafton and those directly sworn to the Eyrie, had assembled an army to attack their camp before the bridge was complete. From what Visenya could see from Vhagar's back, she counted at least nine thousand men bearing down on them, with one thousand being mounted knights. But besides seeing the banners of House Arryn, she could not see Sharra Arryn herself. Right. Her son is still young and she's technically not of Vale stock, so it might not be a good image for a Reachwoman to lead Valemen.
Unsurprisingly, the Valemen decided to attack first, trusting their numbers to act as a heavy weight against their smaller-numbered opponents. They began with a charge of their knights, oriented towards the right wing, which was under the command of Maerys Tarareon. The Tarareons fought just as well on foot as on horseback and thus stood their ground when men in plate armor came down on them.
Visenya had placed the right wing, Maerys' troops, on the northern bank of the river facing the Valemen coming from Ironoaks, while the left flank, led by Marlon Umber, was on the southern bank. The center was under her own control, which protected their base, the camp from where the bridge started to be constructed. She had elected to stay on foot while Vhagar would circle around and release dragonfire when she called for it. Not yet, though. We have to get them close enough.
She looked to the right wing, where Maerys began to drop several Vale knights with her armor-piercing arrows. But while her insistence on releasing their arrows at close range did fell many, it also allowed the knights to get within closer reach to their right flank. Eventually, Maerys ordered the footmen to lower their pikes and prepare for the onslaught. As expected, many horses were pieced and knights fell to the ground as the pikes blunted their charge.
Over on the left wing, the Umbers kept formation as another charge of the knights was about to crash into them. The Celtigar footmen lowered the pikes and the same thing that had happened on the right wing also occurred, with many Vale knights unhorsed.
Looking forward, Visenya saw that her center was strangely not yet engaged. Looking over her flanks and judging from the intensity of the attacks, she started to see what the enemy was doing. They wanted to envelop her, judging that their flanks would not last long under a charge of their knights and then finishing up with a force of infantry, whose purpose was cleanup. They saw the center and their camp as unimportant, as they wanted to destroy the bridge from both ends.
Indeed, as time passed, Maerys and Marlon Umber had to step back when the now dismounted knights and Vale footmen started to wear their men down. If this continues likes this, we might have a defeat on our hands.
As her center was currently still unengaged, Visenya turned to her personal guard. "Take half of the men and reinforce Maerys Tarareon. The other half shall go to Marlon Umber. Tell them to contest every inch of ground."
"What about the camp, Your Grace?"
"Leave that to me," Visenya ordered him before he relayed her orders.
Soon, only a hundred men remained to protect the camp as the rest were redeployed to shore up their flanks. She gripped Dark Sister tightly in her hands, knowing that their weakened center would present an opportunity that the Valemen would never pass up.
But, when she looked over her right and left wings again, the enemy's progress had slowed considerably. The sight of additional men supporting the flanks must've reinvigorated the men under Maerys and Marlon Umber, who fought back with renewed intensity while the bowmen continued to lay arrows into the Valemen.
They're about to move on you, Visenya heard Vhagar speak through their bond. Do you want me to burn them?
Not yet, she replied. Once they get close enough, then you can burn them.
Don't risk yourself, Vhagar warned.
I won't, Visenya reassured her dragon.
Just as Vhagar said, a force of Valemen, all wearing the broken wheel of House Waynwood with some Arryn banners among them, marched on Visenya and her hundred men. But seeing that they had her outnumbered, they broke formation and charged.
Understandably, some of the men quaked in their boots, afraid of such numbers about to engage them. "Steady," Visenya urged them. "Just a little closer and we shall unleash hell."
Keep charging, she thought. Just close enough so that I can see the white in your eyes.
Finally, when the Valemen were about to be within a hundred paces of her position, she reached out to her dragon. Turn them to dust.
With pleasure. Vhagar finally made her presence known, her roar startling many on the field as a dark shape flew above them. Diving towards the center, the orange dragon opened her mouth and unleashed her fire on the Valemen, incinerating hundreds right before Visneya and her hundred men. Screams resembling high-pitched pig squeals could be heard, as armor and swords melted and the relative calm that had once occupied this part of the valley was broken with the touch of dragonfire.
Raising Dark Sister, she turned to her hundred men. "Follow me, men!" Seeing their commander and princess charge through the flames unafraid and willing to enter the fray, her hundred men became filled with a courage that they had never felt before and yelled as they followed her.
Running past the charred or still burning corpses and disorganized chaos of the survivors, Visenya push-kicked a Valeman's shield away from him, forcing him to the ground before she slashed his throat with Dark Sister. Another tried to stick her with a pike, only for her to parry it, grab its shaft, and pull him towards as she ran him through with her sword.
Valyrian steel sliced off the head of a halberd, as Visenya rammed it through a chink in the chain mail of yet another Valemen, blood spurting as she drew it back and prepared to face the next threat. She had used her short stature to her great advantage, able to slide around wide swings and slash at legs with impunity. She also used some of what Konno Haru recommended with her legs, crouching down and spinning around while extending her right leg to throw a dismounted knight off of his feet. Pinning him to the ground, she thrust Dark Sister into his exposed neck.
Various corpses started to line her path, but she grew tired as moments passed by. It also didn't help that she was carrying Jaenyx's child in her, although he or she was well-protected by the dragon coat. One tried to slice her belly open with a slash of the sword, momentarily scaring her to death. However, the bastard was stumped at her dragon coat was not cut, causing her to smirk in relief and decapitate him with a swing across his neck.
Finally, she saw what she assumed as a high-ranking knight of House Waynwood. She ran towards him while he seemed distracted, slid underneath several attacks from either swords or axes from other Valemen looking to kill the she-dragon, and cut though his horse's legs. But to her frustration, the Waynwood knight was able to stand up and unsheathed his sword. His legs crushing would've been nice.
Resuming her pose, Visenya managed to deflect a blow from the Waynwood knight before she brought her hilt up and struck him in the helm, stunning him. Deciding to push her advantage further, she kicked him in the groin, causing him to grab it while yelling in pain. There are no rules in battle, she reminded herself. Before he could regain his posture, she raised Dark Sister and slammed the sword down on his neck, seeing his head roll on the ground before looking up.
Having seen the dragon burn their brethren for the first time since Seaguard and on their home ground was frightening enough, but seeing the she-dragon personally cut through several of their comrades and a senior knight of House Waynwood was just too much for them to handle. Thus, what was left began a hasty but orderly withdrawal.
As for her hundred men who stood by her, all of them sporting a mix of Tarareon, Umber, and Celtigar sigils, they ran to their commander, in awe of her courage. "Your Grace, are you wounded?" one of them asked.
"No. Thank you," she said before looking at the man who asked her, who had an Umber surcoat, was large in size, and had a bushy beard. "What's your name?"
"Morgan, Your Grace. I hail from Last Hearth."
"Find me after we clean up. I shall talk with Lord Marlon on how to best to reward you for bravely standing by me," Visenya patted his shoulder.
"Thank you, Your Grace," Morgan dipped his head in gratitude.
"And that goes for the rest of you," she addressed them. "Find your leaders, approach me, and I shall arrange your rewards. You've fought well today, so let's continue to give these bastards a good beating."
"Hear, hear!" Morgan shouted his affirmation and the rest followed. They all patted her back hard as she went to her tent, where she would enjoy respite before continuing on. If only you'd seen me today, Jae, Visenya thought before rubbing her belly, relieved that it was untouched. Whoever our child will be, he or she will be a great warrior like the both of us.