199Chapter 9
Winterfell 196AC
" Not many men "
" no milord, I think that all Lord Stark could gather for the coming campaign"
" well billet the men as I go see Lord Stark"
My Marshal salutes me and goes to the men. I scan the men of House Stark latest army and shake my head at what I seeing. Brandon assembled 3,500 men of poor quality. Old men and green boy with a scattering of men of fighting age toss in. And on top of it their mostly ill equipped and barely trained.
I also notice how there very few House banners beside the Stark's. Maybe a score of minor Houses and three major ones had sent men to Winterfell. Brandon personally meets me in the great hall as I enter with my Housecarls.
" So you finally come Harthacnut and I see you brought your army too. "
" Good to see you Brandon, I hear you got a Skagosi problem need some help"
"Barthogan left a mess and I gotta clean it up. How many men did you bring?!"
" 4,000 men and plenty of supplies too milord. Are the Skagosi still in Karstark lands or advance out of them?"
" no thank the old gods their staying put and fortify their gains at the moment. I want the men to march out this week and smash them quickly. Harthacnut I need this rebellion over soon, the Karstarks are driving me mad with their complaining and I got other problems to deal with."
" I try to end it quick with the Skagosi but we still need to conquer Skagos or negotiate a peace settlement with after we drive them back to the sea."
" I know but first I need them off the mainland then I got to stop some of my bannermen from killing each other. Manderly gathering a new fleet for another battle with Skagosi fleet but first we need to stabilize the North."
With that we parted and I began the preparation for the new campaign. I spent three days organizing men, breaking out supplies and mapping a route to Karhold. The new Lord Karstark commanding the vanguard while I lead the main force. Brandon taking 1,500 men to Dreadfort to end the fighting between Bolton and Hornwood.
Five days after I arrived at Winterfell we march out to Karstark lands.
It took several days to go up the kingsroad then turn to the Last Hearth. There we stop for a day to rest the men, lord Umber wasn't happy seeing me but he couldn't do anything and we are gone the next day. I have the army travel along the last river for three days until we are at the edge of Karstark land.
There we make camp to rest and the next day I lead the army into enemy territory. The Skagosi are ready for us because on the first day they attacked us three times in hit and run strikes. I use my few bicycle scouts to recon and some light infantry to screen the army.
After an unsuccessful strike we discovered to our shock that some of the local smallfolks had joined up with skagosi as we check the enemy's dead. Karstark wasn't happy about it and advise we reach Karhold as soon as possible. The next three days we advance and swept away Skagosi fighters off our path killing dozens and taking a score prisoners while losing about 50 men.
Things got easier once we left the woodlands behind and enter the grasslands of the regions. We pass through a few villages but none exactly happy to see us or the new Lord Karstark. The king of Skagos been making promises of no more high taxes, more freedoms and rights to the small folks.
The former lord Karstark wasn't so popular with the small folks. The new Lord Karstark tries to repair the damage by promising them things and handling out some of our food to them. I am annoyed at him giving away our supplies but let it go since he need support of the commoners after all this. By the time we reached Karhold the army swell up with over two hundred recruits. There we make camp then once camp been fortified, the building of siege engines begins.
The next day siege trenches are started on and an attempt to parlay with the garrison failed after they attacked the men I sent under a banner of truce. Lord Karstark tells me of a secret tunnel to the castle and I order him to lead a strike force of my thegns to enter the castle.
Five days later
" keep going!"
I scream at the men manning the ram toward the front gate. The garrison rain down rains, rocks, spears and anything else they could find on us. I stand with my Housecarls from a distance watching the assault on the gate while several groups of men with ladders go for the walls. The walls are thinly manned and their able to climb up on to the walls. The battle on the wall savage as men are toss or fall from it. The fighting goes on until finally the main gate open by the strike force and the rest of the army pours in and overwhelms the garrison.
By the time I entered the damaged castle the dead are being piled up in the courtyard and prisoners locked up in the dungeon. Lionel Karstark strides around like a peacock for taking back his ancestral home. Skagosi lost 165 dead and 78 captured while suffered 47 killed with 80 wounded. The damage to castle pretty severe but repairable given time and enough men.
He stays behind with a three hundred men garrison and supplies. After a couple of days to rest I march the army out to the grey hills where their main forces should be. Pass through more woodlands and suffer attacks on my baggage train but I counter with more light infantry with light cavalry in support. They drove our attackers off and bag us some prisoners who give me the location where the main Skagosi army is after I pass them to my marshal.
The Skagosi are mustering around the Grey hills and their king leading them. I forced march the men until we there and setup camp on an empty field. The next day they appear over the hills and with their army spread out loosely. My men quickly formed up into formation and I sent my light infantry to skirmish. The King of Skagos deploys his own skirmishers and they fight a series of running fights before my own retreat back to my lines.
My cavalry on the flanks are order to start a flanking attack. While my infantry advance head on the Skagosi positions.
" milord look the cavalry!"
I turn my head to see some of the cavalry fallen into pitfall traps dug around the hills. Skagosi archers came out of their hiding place behind a big hill and shower my survivors with a volley of arrows. I gave the order for them to retreat and have my own archers move up to support them. The main Skagosi army uses the uneven terrain to their advantage and as my infantry go up the hills they become dangerously spread out.
What happens next horrific me, one group of my phalanx advances too quickly separating themselves from the rest of the men and are trapped. The Skagos had before hand laid down pitch on the battlefield and lit it cutting off several hundred men with a wall of flames behind them. The rest of my men begin to break until I rally them and reform the ranks but the screams of their comrades who are being slaughter by the Skagosi across the wall of flames doesn't help morale.
The rest of the Skagosi charges at us and heavy fighting starts. With the rough terrain it's hard to keep the phalanx intact and I force to use my light infantry to support the flanks. With my Housecarls I get in the thick of the action and encourage the men to hold the line. It a while but slowly we push them back and advance forward until I see the Skagosi cavalry who are mounted on damn unicorns riding down from a nearby hill but instead of hitting our flank or rear they go for the camp which is lightly guard.
I have my remaining cavalry move to engage them and begin a fighting withdrawal back to the camp. At that moment my horse Stormcloud is killed by a spear thrust and an arrow smack into my chest but my steel plate saves me. As I was being dragged to the rear by my Housecarls one of them tells me the camp burning and enemy are flanking us. My commanders successfully disengage and with archers covering the withdrawal. Thankfully the Skagosi had enough and withdrew back to their starting position.
Their cavalry been driven off and camp save but a quarter of our supplies were destroyed. I lost near six hundred men today and that didn't sit well with me. I shouldn't have risk the phalanx in a hilly terrain and I underestimated the men of Skagosi. Especially their king who showed he a capable general and nearly almost defeated us.
The next day is a series of skirmishes and running fights as we both refused to commit to another pitch battle. I did launch a daring night attack on their forward positions and drove them out but I abandon the positions. On the third day I lured their cavalry out by tricking them by having a unit of light troops disguises themselves as camp followers and try to flee. They fell for it and my men also carry sacks of gold which they drop as they ran. The Skagosi cavalrymen like idiots halt and dismounted to go for the gold as my own cavalry rode out to attack them.
Their greed cost them their lives as they were run down by surprise with very few escaping from it. The rest of the day was another round of skirmishes and a Skagosi night attack on our camp which was stopped by the trenches I had dug around the camp.
On the Fourth day I had my pikemen discard their pikes and switch to usual weapons. I have them formed up the classic shield wall formation, slowly advance the army up the Grey hills again with light infantry and archers in support. The cavalry acting as reserves for this battle and I leave a strong guard in the camp this time. This time the Skagosi army meets us head on and form their own shieldwall to fight. We smash into each other hard then spend the next two hours going back and forth in bitter fighting. Losses start to pile up as men hack, slash and stab at each other. A dozen men fell to my blade and I cover myself in blood at the end. With the men exhausted, bloody and many with wounds or dead I forced again to withdrawal with our casualties being taken back to camp. The highlight of the day was a duel involving one of my Thegn and chief of House Stane in which he killed the chief but lost an eye.
Our cavalry covers our withdrawal and allows us to fallback in good order.
That night there no night raid or major attacks.
Next morning
" sir they sent a partly under a banner of truce"
My Marshal announced to me as in came into my tent. I go out with two Housecarls and see four Skagosi mounted on unicorns. The leader wore chainmail and plate with the green lobster of House Magnar on a white cloak. While the other three wear mismatched armour and equipment.
" Sygerrick Magnar I presume?"
" aye that King Sygerrick of Skagos but yes I am. I come to negotiate a truce Jarl Kynligia"
" To our battle or your rebellion? Because I assume even with recruits that joined your banner you can't like me keep affording to bleeding out men?"
" we Skagosi don't bow to you mainlanders so easily your Lord Barthogan Stark learned that!"
" Doesn't matter if you win this battle. There be more coming and no matter how strong you are we will overwhelm you with sheer numbers. A new fleet assembling with the Dragon king in the south sending his fleet and men. So you got two options Magnar, negotiate a peace that benefits Skagos or we put all your people to the sword!"
Sygerrick Magnar stare at me for a long moment.
" aye lets talk…."
With that he disarms and enters my tent with me following behind.
Two weeks later
Winterfell
" Brandon just sign it and end this rebellion. The North needs to be at peace if we are to finally recover."
" the Karstarks are going to hate me forever Harthacnut if I sign it."
" so what Bran they got their seat and most of their lands back. The Skagosi are willingly to end their rebellion, hand over their warships and exchange prisoners. Just sign the treaty because I not providing more men or supplies if you don't. I want to go home Bran, my wife expecting and I not missing my first born's birth"
" Fine damn it I sign the treaty but I telling the Karstarks it's your fault."
" fine I ok with that"
Hearing that Brandon signed the Treaty of Winterfell. Ending the great Skagos rebellion and restoring peace to the North and end to the current unrest.
The Boltons had been reined in and their fight with house Hornwood over. The sellsword problem also been taken care of and survivors are at the wall now. Things should be cooling down in the North in the next weeks and hopefully the roads be safe again for trade soon. Grain from the Reach pouring into what being call Stoney Port by House Fisher small folks. So much that their warehouses are stack full of grain waiting to be sold to the rest of the North.
Sygerrick finish signing and gets his copy of the treaty. Under the terms he loses his crown, his warships, army is disbanded and he releases all prisoners in his custody. But in exchange he got the Grey hills along with the whole peninsula its is on and now has more land for his people. The Karstarks be piss but they got Karhold back and they got ⅔ of their lands. A big plus in all this is the Skagosi also finally start paying taxes to Winterfell through it be two years before they begin the first payment.
Brandon can spin that fact as a victory since almost no lord Stark in recent memories ever gotten them to pay tribute.
The Skagosi are in good spirits at the thought of new land to settle. Already their planning on calling it new Skagos and craving up plots of lands. Part of Treaty will has me providing them tools for free and that is going to be costly. But I'm fine with it as long as the Skagosi don't cause any more trouble.
The feast later that night goes smoothly, Brandon did had to seat Lord Karstark at the end of the table after he learned the terms in the treaty and the next morning I left with my men. On the way home I thought about the Skagos campaign since the battle of Grey hills was a bloody draw. The battle prove that phalanx can't always be relied on and reorganization will be needed in the future.
Our forces were almost evenly matched but I outnumbered them by a thousand men and they were better trained. But still the Skagosi nearly won by using the weakness of my forces, terrain and clever tactics. Maybe creating a military school and having large scale drills will boost the quality of my officers and men.
Three weeks later
Gondor, Kyntligia keep
" its a boy my lord! A healthy strong son"
The midwife exclaims to me as she entered the room where I waited. I go into the birthing room seeing Myrmadora in bed holding our newborn baby in her arms.
" Cnut he beautiful! Come see your heir and son darling"
She says and I walk up to her. I see a reddish tiny face he has her hair color, my eyes and very cute.
" what should we name him? I was thinking of Theodoric or Augustus."
" I prefer we name him after you, he your firstborn son and heir. He should carry the name of his strong father."
I smile at that and agreed with her. Now Amalasuntha my daughter by Lysara born just four days ago has a sibling and my line is secure. Hopefully there be a long peace in the North for them to grow in.
200 AC 1 month, day 1
Tolkien district, city of Gondor
Karl's pov
" dad lets go it almost time"
" I know John I excited about the game too"
I told my youngest son as I put on my coat. My wife and two older sons were also ready before we left the apartment. Once I locked the door we go to the district square to find an Uber wagon. The square full of people like us looking for a ride to the stadium and eventually we find a wagon half fill to the game. I paid the price and we climb in with the other people waiting.
Gondor has become so big the last few years that I barely recognize it when we moved here almost four years ago from Barrowton when I heard there was a demand for blacksmiths. There more blocks of apartments, shops, offices, public baths and public buildings. Along with a new sewer system, aqueducts, warehouses and factories.
The ride through the city took a while with the street pack but we got there just in time. John and his brothers were already at the merchandise stands. My wife Sarah gives me a look when the kids beg for me to buy them Jerseys. I give in and got us all jerseys before I showed our tickets to the guards. They examine them and once sure their real let us pass through.
The newly built stadium could seat 8,000 people with food and drink vendors included. Our seats are close by and in a good spot to see the game.
" dad they're coming out"
My eldest son Harrison say as Gondor United and Axemen United came out to the field with fans cheering.
Our Jarl Harthacnut also the team captain at the front of the team waves at the crowds. Announcers began shouting at the crowd.
"Welcome folks to the first day of the new century and the Grand opening of Kyntligia Stadium!"
" Today is the first game of newly formed Golden league. Gondor United vs Axemen United I hope you all enjoy the game!"
The game started shortly after and my kids are cheering in support of Gondor United. My wife joins in too as the game finally starts. I grin thinking that coming to Gondor was the best decision of my life.
Kyntligia Stadium
I wipe off the sweat off my face with my shirt as the first half ends. One to zero on the scoreboard with us winning against the Axemen who are pretty decent. I drink some water, rest along the guys as the coach lays down the game plan for the second half. Our fifteen minutes are up and we leave the locker room for the field again.
The rest of the game goes our way and we score another goal. The Axemen do score a late goal but it is too late to win the game. The guys cheer, some do victory dances and others just lay on the ground tired. I went to the stands to hang with the fans and sign autographs before going home.
My Housecarls joined me once I finish changing clothes in the locker room and outside the stadium.
A uber wagon takes us to my keep which is now bigger and at this rate could become a palace by the next decade.. On the way we pass the Commodity exchange in the business sector, its full with brokers and clients coming in or out. The exchange has been a success for the region and economy. Sellers have an easier time finding buyers for their product or produce in the North and outside of the North now.
I also see the hospital almost done with the construction crew at the moment taking a break. They wave me while we pass by and arrive at the keep. Servants welcome me and my majordomo has a stack of reports for me in my office.
Mostly updates on several topics and the daily newspaper. I see in the paper Lord Umber died from an infection and his ten year old son is the new lord. Also read there seems to be a power struggle between the mother and uncles over custody of him. I look at the headline news and couldn't help but laugh.
House Stark bankrupt!
By Igor of Gondor
Lord Brandon Stark in a stunning and disastrous move has defaulted on loans made by predecessor and additional loans he made to maintain House Stark coffers afloat during the Skagosi rebellion. The Iron Bank has stated it will take legal action and has sent an ambassador to King's landing.
The Iron bank has also recalled all loans in the North and seize all Northern trade ships in Braavos.
The Sealord of Braavos has issued a statement supporting the Iron bank.
I nearly choked while laughing at Brandon's misery. Oh he going to be having a great time trying to fix this mess.
There several more interesting stories in the paper.
Lord Karstark marries a Skagosi!
New keep of House Wulls finished
Tamara Cerwyn claims her baseborn daughter is fathered by the late Barthogan Stark
New Lord Bolton grants town charter to the village of Dreadfort
The Jardoms of Gondor, Bear island, Fisher, Wulls and Deepwood all agree to jointly fund a restoration and expansion of the Kingsroad.
This should be an interesting year with watching the Starks try to deal with the Iron bank. At this moment my son comes into the room shouting at me and hugging my legs. I pick him up and entertain him with details about the match today.
My wife enters the room with her cousin and my daughter in tow. I kiss Myrmadora then Lysara before passing Hart to his mom and picking up my little girl. I kiss her cheek and she asks for new toys. I smile and promise her next week a new doll or dress. Lysara takes her from me and proudly reminds me she with child again by rubbing her belly.
I look at Myrmadora and give her a look that makes her blush.
" dinner is ready"
She told me and leaned close to whisper to me.
" I got a new maid for tonight Harthacnut"
I winked at her and join them for dinner. Which consist of fresh bread, roast beef and mashed potato with a variety of fruits. Myrmadora reminds me of the meeting with six district representatives over the new law code your planning to pass.
I nod to her and can't wait to pass the legal code. With how big the city become I had to split the city into six district with an elected representative each to a city council. Who run the city day to day. I also replaced with the city guard with a police force that has new uniforms and equipment.
For dessert lemon cakes which we love. I do wish for chocolate was available but finding it if it even exist isn't easy.
Couple of hours later
Later that night I find Myrmadora in our chamber with a naked petite redhead head with hands tied behind her back sitting on our bed.
" Harthacnut I caught this little thief trying to steal from me. I think we need to whip her."
Myrmadora says with a grin on her face to me.
" no milord I promise I will never do it. Don't hurt me please"
Our little "thief" says in a very convincing tone.
I walk up to her and with one hand cup her chin. She looks at me with lust burning in her eyes and licks her lips.
" Your right I shouldn't hurt you…. Don't want to mark your flawless skin but your still going to be punished for trying to steal from my wife and it's going to last all night"
She licks her again as I undid my pants. Her nipples hard and her lustful eyes excites me. I look at Myrmadora who grinning at me with nothing but her girdle on now.
Where does she keep getting these girls?
Next day
"Everyone one in agreement?"
I ask the districts reps who all nod at the new law code and court system. Which is great now I free from having to pass judgement on minor crimes and civil disrupts. But I still need to judge over capital crimes and major civil cases.
Watching reruns of law and order helped in writing the new law code through something can't be used due to lack of technology or knowledge. My growing bureaucracy so far now is going to be getting bigger after this. Might have to open another school just to make their enough literacy people to fill it up the new spots.
" Jarl… some of the merchants are worried about the current Stark situation"
" they shouldn't be since most of our trade is focus on the sunset sea, we have access to the Iron islands, Riverlands, Reach and Dorne. Braavos has no power on the Sunset sea so our ships should be safe"
I said and they all agreed with my statement.
The meeting ends after another hour and afterwards I attend the new theater house for a play about the long night. The performance alright through like in the middle ages back on earth being an actress or actor isn't consider much of a career. But I sponsoring shows, rewriting plays best I can remember them from my old life, hired some playwrights and slowly acting becoming a respectable trade.
After the show I paid a visit backstage and the lead actress was kind enough to service me with her mouth. Once she done I leave to tour a new armaments factory and find its performing well.
I go home after making sure a shipment leaves on time.
Several days later
Unknown location
Unknown pov
The ships anchored in the cove and the crew begins to unload the crates on rowboats for the beach. My men start to load the crates on wagons we brought and once their done I thanked the captain.
A smile slowly forms across my face at the sight of several dozen crates. With the cargo now secure, me and my men leave the cove. I couldn't help but laugh at my good fortune to accept the offer….. Soon I will be in charge and no more bowing to fools.
Skagosi Rebellion or Sygerrick's rebellion
196 AC
The North
Outcome: Treaty of Winter
Kingdom of Skagos
Leaders: King Sygerrick Magnar
Forces: 5,000-10,000 plus dozens of ships
Losses: 2,000-3,000 and several ships
The North
Leaders: Jarl Harthacnut Knytligia, Lord Manderly, Lord Karstark ( KIA), Lionel Karstark and Paramount Lord Brandon Stark.
Forces: 6,000-8000 plus Manderly Fleet
Losses: 1,000-1,500 and almost entire Manderly lost.
Another chapter done and the next one will be short because it will be about the situation in the North, reforms pass by Cnut and the new military system he put in place.
Also Harthacnut going to begin enjoying his status as a major nobleman. Pretty much he going to be spreading his seed around and having a string of flings with a mistress or two toss in. Since Myrmadora from Lys which is pretty much the capital of sex slaves and a culture where sex is normal. So I having her encourage him and even joining in.
Myrmadora getting new maids every two or three months for several reasons. So expect more steaming and some random scenes. Also their football now, I put in a list of teams later and sort of House Stark broke….. Their be ok just need to tighten their belts. I mean they still got some money just can't afford to pay off the debts they own.
Uber is a thing now in the North and public baths too. So hygienic going to improve as Harthacnut encourages folks to wash every day. They charged fees but are pretty cheap.
Gondor now has 7,000-9,000 people living in it and the Jarldom now has an overall population of 28,000 thousand.
The Skagosi who settled new Skagos are adapting well to taking up farming and several trades.
The economy of The North still going to gradually focus around the Western regions. Naturally several houses are going to become poor and some had already.
There still a migration of people to the Jarldoms at the moment through it not as big before. Forcing several lords to raise wages or giving more rights to their smallfolks to keep them.
Also the commoners are starting to demands certain rights to their lords and it getting serious in some lands ruled by heavy hand Lords. Their a reason why their a new Lord Bolton. The food situation finally over too and a side effect of cheap Southern grain flooding the North has led to prices dropping.
Finally there are going to be some major changes in Westeros starting with some islands.