Keggee311
Junior Member
The spiral that had attached itself to the Harper's started with the war of The Nine Penny King's. A young Gerald III had taken his father's place to war. His father's infirm nature had led the young man to power early in life. Taking up their ancestral blade 'Siren' he rode to war.
While the young Gerald III distinguished himself as a capable commander on the field something tragic had happened. During the last of the battles on the Stepstones Gerald met a mercenary in combat that had unfathomable strength. Gerald was on the defensive for once. Blow after massive blow the Valayrian sword cracked and broke not once but twice. Leaving the priceless blade in three pieces.
Eventually, Gerald outmanoeuvred his opponent. Gutting the Volantine with what was left of his sword in the man's back. Breaking the sword of his lineage soured his mindset. Adding salt to the wound was finding out his father had passed while fighting in the south. It was almost as if the sword and the man had been tethered together in some way.
The Harper's had eventually declared for Robert in his Rebellion. Seeing the sheer number of lords and troops that had committed to the usurper. It was better to be on the winning side, after all, that and their overlord had called for their banner and their men. Harp's men as they were called had been stirred and rose for battle with a little over two thousand men in all.
Participating in the battle of Stony Sept/Battle of the Bells had depleted the numbers of Gerald III's men. Regrouping at what later become known as Ruby Ford. Gerald III had within the next three days been ordered to hold the ford against royal forces. While he had done so, the late lord fell in the battle along with almost all of his men save for a sparse hundred. The late lord's sons had been among those lucky few to survive the slaughter. Severely undermanned, the Harpers limped home, licking their wounds as a new lord settled into his new position.
King Robert later called their stand a heroic sacrifice. A fancy word for the house nearly being obliterated. For their pain and suffering, House Harper was given additional lands to lessen the blow they had received.
Again the Harper's will be called upon for war. Will they answer the call, sit idly by or betray the liege? Can they stand to be bled again for petty nonsense?
While the young Gerald III distinguished himself as a capable commander on the field something tragic had happened. During the last of the battles on the Stepstones Gerald met a mercenary in combat that had unfathomable strength. Gerald was on the defensive for once. Blow after massive blow the Valayrian sword cracked and broke not once but twice. Leaving the priceless blade in three pieces.
Eventually, Gerald outmanoeuvred his opponent. Gutting the Volantine with what was left of his sword in the man's back. Breaking the sword of his lineage soured his mindset. Adding salt to the wound was finding out his father had passed while fighting in the south. It was almost as if the sword and the man had been tethered together in some way.
The Harper's had eventually declared for Robert in his Rebellion. Seeing the sheer number of lords and troops that had committed to the usurper. It was better to be on the winning side, after all, that and their overlord had called for their banner and their men. Harp's men as they were called had been stirred and rose for battle with a little over two thousand men in all.
Participating in the battle of Stony Sept/Battle of the Bells had depleted the numbers of Gerald III's men. Regrouping at what later become known as Ruby Ford. Gerald III had within the next three days been ordered to hold the ford against royal forces. While he had done so, the late lord fell in the battle along with almost all of his men save for a sparse hundred. The late lord's sons had been among those lucky few to survive the slaughter. Severely undermanned, the Harpers limped home, licking their wounds as a new lord settled into his new position.
King Robert later called their stand a heroic sacrifice. A fancy word for the house nearly being obliterated. For their pain and suffering, House Harper was given additional lands to lessen the blow they had received.
Again the Harper's will be called upon for war. Will they answer the call, sit idly by or betray the liege? Can they stand to be bled again for petty nonsense?
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