Blood flowed like a river as war on the Moon's Gate continued, never in his life had Yohn thought that he would side march under Targaryen flag ever again after the rebellion, after the death of his kin Kyle Royce by hands of Aerys the Mad. Yet here he was surrounded by the Targaryen loyalist of Narrow sea trying to bring down the fort another of is kin ruled on.
It was moments after he cuts down another man in color of blue that he hears the earth-shaking roar that silences the battlefield into the grave. He turns to the side only to face Thoros of Myr a red priest of R'hllor, a man who has made his name by competing Robert Baratheon to standstill in drinking and a madman with flaming sword.
Thoros giving a rueful smile to Lord of Runestone and turns to sky reaching mountain above them, "It would not be for long." Before he could question the meaning of his words the dark night came alight, red molten lava rained on the white marbles of The Eyrie followed by screams that echoed throughout the valley.
The silence of men of Gates of moon under leadership of lesser branch of House Royce, Lord Nestor Royce turned deafening yet the screams from the castle above continued and for the first time in years, Lord Yohn felt fear.
The marcher lord of Stormlands, Lord Beric, a much charismatic lord and true knight compared to many in Westeros turns to Lord Bronze of Runestone and speaks seeing the pale pallor on the lord's face, "You have nothing to fear from the King, Lord Royce. The king's justice is as fair as The Father and as merciful as The Mother of the seven."
Yohn nods for their was nothing else but believing the Marcher Lord words that he could do, to save Vale from poison of Petyr Baelish and ignorance of Lysa Tully. It was the sound of horses that then turned his attention to his rear as young heir of Greywater Watch, Jojen Reed catches up to them flanked by men of Velaryon colors.
Jojen whilst still sitting on his horse looks around the army of his king and Yohn still on the ground could see it in the eyes of the boy which were strange and intense as none he had ever seen. The unnatural wisdom despite his age added another factor of his interest in the King who kept a young lad in his routine.
"Lord Beric, Lord Celtigar, please see that men of House Arryn and House Royce of Moon Gates are seized, weapons and armor stripped of them." The young Reed begins and Yohn notices even the usually sour Lord of Claw Isle did not dare to question word of green boy. The boy then turns to Yohn Royce, "Your kin, Lord Nestor Royce, lives as of now Lord Royce. King Aemon will preside judgement for his actions and you will have your words with the King then."
Yohn nods appreciating the information provided, though still wrought over his own actions that lead to him marching on the ancestral seat of his own liege lord.
It was at the hour wolf that he heard the sound of dragon landing not far from his tent. And it was not for long when messenger in Velaryon clothing informed him of summon to the king.
King's solar was simpler to look at, the people sitting inside were not. The King was not the man he had imagined when he marched against his liege's house. Aemon Targaryen was lad who looked no older than ten and five, his eyes were red just like the ancient beast sitting by his side though none held savagery or madness that associated with Aerys. He was tall for his age with lean build and broad shoulders and with calmness of winter frozen sea for he had seen his anger unleashed upon the Eyrie.
The silence he had hold onto was broken by the King's word, his words carrying lilt of northern ruggedness, "Have a seat Lord Royce", the boy king points to chair by his front.
Yohn accepts the offers and starts with question of his own, "Am I still a lord, my lord?" Yet his words of insult spoken for his misplaced title changed nothing on the King's face as he continues, "I rode against your House for justice of my own when Targaryen's brought death to my kin and now you ask for my loyalty under the threat of dragon above my neck, is this fair."
His words brought change not in King's face but the woman in mask standing not far behind, her hand going by her waist, to the sword strapped on it though the turn of king to her stopped her her action. The red eyed King then turns to him, "My grandfather Aerys deserverd death for his actions that is true Lord Royce but tell me this what will you do shall your bannermen tomorrow comes to your castle and asks you to hand your son, for them to deliver justice over a crime that has not been proven."
Yohn face change at that and before he could interrupt the King continues,"In now means do I defend my grandfather's action for I lost my other grandfather and Uncle to him but tell me this lord Royce for all the fairness you asks off where was justice when Lord Tywin sacked the Kings Landing, when smallfolk of capital was brutalized by his men, when mother Elia was defiled and killed by Gregor Clegane with his hands red from my brother's butchery, when my sister Rhaenys was stabbed half a hundred times. There was none then yet you ask for it now when I give you nothing but fairness to question."
The silence in tent was far-fetching for none of all present had anything to say and it was broken by Lord Celtigar of Claw Isle, "You question our King of his right to conquest when it was Targaryen who forged the Throne on which Lannister whelp sits, Lord Royce. Why march under dragon's flag when its a Targaryen who commands it. "
Lord Royce cranes his neck to the side where Lord Celtigar sits and snaps in rightful fury, "I marched lord Celtigar for Vale suffers in the absence of actions. Lady Lysa Arryn's extreme paranoia of protecting her son like a lamb and desire to lay hidden in wall of impregnable castle of Eyrie and Lord Baelish's influence has caused mountain clans to riot all across the Kingdom of Mountains. Armor and weapons provided by Lannisters have taken away advantage once held by knights and men of lords. They thieve, loot and kidnap villager while our Lady Paramounts shuts herself in while people wait for doom."
His words causes to start murmurs on the action of Lannisters in the tent and it's silenced by words of Aemon, "You need help for your people and you shall recieve such, Lord Royce however Arryn name drowns today, Lady Lysa will join silent sister or face sword to his neck while her son gets to choose exile in essos or night's watch at ten and four."
Lord Yohn face freezes hearing the terms for his liege's house and he asks in trepidation, "And what of my kin Nestor Royce, your grace."
Aemon turns to Jojen Reed, the green lad of Neck then speaks the truth plainly, "Nestor Royce has confessed under several witness of working under Lord Baelish and of taking orders from him to close doors of Moon Gates under the promise of Lady Lysa's hand and becoming regent of Vale."
Lord Royce face turns ugly hearing the words though he maybe headstrong but he was no fool, he had always known of ambitions of proud and prickly Nestor. He had been envious of the family from the main branch of House Royce for many years, and had been craving more for his son, yet all for Nestor's nature he shared his blood "What has your grace decided of his fate." he asks calmly.
"Lord Nestor will join the black while his son and daughter will be married to houses of suitable stations and the crown will be open to your suggestions.", Aemon answers calmly.
Lord Royce nods his head and stands up from his chair and kneels drawing out his sword as the Lord of Runestone swears his fealty.
Not too far away from the now ruined castle of The Eyrie in a tent with the flag of a black broken wheel on field of green, lady Anyawood wakes up from her sleep interrupted by the arrival of Petyr Baelsih together with Ser Lyn Corbray. Seeing them together makes her realize that Ser Lyn had always been by Baelish's side though none mattered now for war has now broken deep into Vale.
"I have read the remarkable declaration of this Aemon of House Targaryen, as I am sure so have you, Lady Anya" Petyr began upon being seated.
"The words in there are concern for all of us, Littlefinger", Anya begins, though not a single worry could be found in her words.
"The lords of Vale, almost all except for few like Graftons wait to face fury of young dragon, lady Anya" Petyr begins his voice full of doubts.
Lady Waynwood sighs, "What is it that you seek Lord Petyr, moving with words will get us to nothing", tiring of conversation within moments of meeting.
Petyr Baelish fingers his beard, "As you may already know Lady Waynwood, Lord Royce marches under Targaryen banner of this Aemon. The Eyrie has already fallen hours ago with matter of Lady Lysa and Robert Arryn unknown, it's your son who is presumed to be the heir though I doubt Lord Royce will forgo this opportunity to lay claim to it for his own."
Anya Waynwood seemed amused, "And you want me and my house to fight a dragon to support Harrold Hardyng", she gives a small laugh in between and continues, " you are as bold a thief as I'd ever care to meet."
"And what if Daenerys Targaryen, daughter of Rhaella with her husbands Aegon Targaryen, son of Rhaegar together with their three dragons come to our rescue," Petyr offers while continuing, "Harrold becomes Lord of the Eyrie, Warden of east and Defender of the Vale together with your granddaughter as Lady of Vale, while House Waynwood gets the recognition it deserves in bringing true dragons to the throne."