LadySam looked out over Kingdom 276, a glass of whiskey in her hand. The view from her solar was spectacular and on a clear day you could see the Red Keep in King’s Landing. The sky was a tapestry of oranges, yellow and red. Sunsets in Westeros were special; a talisman of what was to come; according to some maesters and older folk. It was good to be home after the long journey from the Twin Dragon Kingdom and all they had faced in All Out War. 

Taking a drink she turned back to her desk, covered with ravens messages from around the kingdom. Having been gone for nearly a moon, there were many issues that needed to be dealt with.Taking a seat she set her glass down and began the process of opening and reading each one. Near the bottom of the pile she spotted the very distinct mark of their King, Vangark. A man of few words, he did not send ravens often. Setting the others aside; she wanted to read his first. Word from the Capital regarding the upcoming KVK. An incredulous laugh escaped her lips and she thought it seemed the Gods had a sense of humor. 

The lords and ladies of UnC had just arrived home; farms needed tending and the barracks were busy repairing armor and replacing that which had been destroyed in the many battles they faced. Another day of battle lay ahead in the event Kingdom VS Kingdom.

LadySam sent for LadyEfrideet to coordinate with her and have the lords and ladies of UnC prepare. You see, in K276 there are a few UnC Lords and Ladies that join with the King to rally together and fight as one. It has become a tradition. Although the premise was sound she was beginning to wonder at what cost to her alliance.

As she waited for LadyEfrideet the same feeling washed over her, was she prepared? Did she train enough? Was her army ready for the fight? Taking another drink she sighs and sets the glass on the desk. A light knock on the door before LadyEfrideet steps in; closing the door behind her.  “LadySam, you sent for me?”  

Looking over, LadySam replies “Yes, we have received word from King’s Landing; KVK has returned and preparations must be made. Get word to all the lords and ladies prepared; whether to fight or farm we need as much support as we can muster.”

“Yes LadySam.” LadyEfrideet replies. In a smaller voice she adds,  “I won’t be making the journey to King’s Landing to join with LxB Lady, my army is not ready and I fear I would be more of a liability than an asset.”

LadySam motioned to a chair in front of her desk as she took her own. “I understand but you are progressing with training and recruiting troops, yes?”

LadyEfrideet sat down and clasped her hands in her lap, “Yes but the process is slow Lady.”

LadySam listened and replied “Sometimes it is better to know your limitations, train and you can join me in the future.”

A look of relief came over LadyEfrideet and she seemed to visibly relax. “Thank you LadySam, mayhaps I will be for the next.”

They finished their conversation and LadySam directed her to spread the word to all of UnC. 

The next day LadyEfrideet’s footsteps could be heard in the halls of the castle as she looked for LadySam. Finally she found her in the training yard.

LadyEfrideet waited for LadySam to finish sparring and stood back watching. 

Fighting was not LadyEfrideet’s strong suit, she did not enjoy battle as LadySam seemed to and wondered if it ever would be. 

LadySam saw LadyEfrideet as she trained and ended the exercise early, dismissing her trainer and set her sparring sword away before stepping over to where LadyEfrideet waited. “Good Morning.” she said breathlessly as she wiped the sweat from her brow.

LadyEfrideet began speaking immediately “I was up late into the evening advising everyone in UnC of the upcoming KVK but some were not found.” she continued; “SCuM and Freedon Nadd said that they would try be making the journey to King’s Landing with you to join LxB but none others.” her voice trailed off, it would not be a good showing for UnC in the eyes of the King.

LadySam listened and was concerned that she did not hear of the disposition of Bezedash, her Diplomat and husband. “What of Bezedash?” she asked.

LadyEfrideet looked away and took a breath, “I was unable to locate him.”

A feeling of trepidation came over LadySam and she could not hide her disappointment. “I see.”  she then added “I will make the trip alone.”

LadyEfrideet excused herself and left LadySam there in the training yard to ponder her situation. “Seven Hells” she said to no one in particular before she left the training yard to prepare herself for the journey.

KVK

LadySam arrived in King’s Landing and directed her commanders to set up their camp in an open area away from the castle. As they did she sent a few scouts to see if ch1r1sh would be joining for the event; they hadn’t spoken since she left the alliance.

With no word for Bezedash she thought of all manner of horrible things that could have happened to him. Busying herself she checked her armor and went to ensure that the cooks were preparing something for her troops. Although she had over 3M troops, there were nearly half that were not going to fight on the front lines. KVK can be a tricky balance of strategy and battle.

Once the troops were taken care of, LadySam saw a single rider approaching with the telltale sigil of the King. As he slowed his horse the message was delivered “The King requests you go to these coordinates, he will meet you there.”  LadySam nodded her acceptance and the rider turned around to head back to the Red Keep. “And now it Begins” she murmured.

LadySam and her armies headed to the coordinates and realized they were headed directly to the UnC hive located to the Northwest of the Capital. By the time she got there she saw that Jim ORiordan’s castle was ablaze with dragonfire and the wall had been destroyed. LadySan immediately sent her cavalry to Freedon Nadd’s encampment in order to hide them, thinking they would be safe from attack. 

King Vangark wasted no time and immediately rallied; LadySam, SCuM, ch1r1sh and Freedon joined. Their troops quickly getting into formation. The enemy castle lay dead ahead.

For what it’s worth, you can criticize the King for many things but he was a great fighter and never backed down from a challenge.

The second rally did even more damage to the opponents troops. Yes there were losses and injured but it was an effective attack to be sure.

LadySam realized too late that her own encampment was under threat and she heard the screams before she could turn around. A new enemy had arrived.

Before she could react, she saw SCuM’s encampment get attacked as well and then ch1r1sh as well.

LadySam saw the Silent Sisters take their place on the battlefield before the fighting stopped. Everything moved in slow motion. Knowing that the number of dead would be in the thousands she prayed to the Seven that the wounded could be treated. Through the chaos she heard the distinct voice of the King, “We must move immediately.” 

LadySam heard her commanders organizing what was left of her armies to follow the King’s troops to their new location. The wounded were taken to safety and the dead were carted off to be laid to rest in a ceremony to be held when they returned home.

When the last of the wounded were loaded into carriages, LadySam mounted her horse and quickly caught up to her remaining troops.

During their journey she received word that a few of her friends in UnC had some success attacking their opponents.

The noble Lady Lyant was a fierce fighter and was not afraid to go out on her own and choose her prey.

A brief smile played on LadySam’s face. It was reassuring to get some good news. It seemed that Lordi99 had some success as well. Perhaps the day would not end as it had started.

Once they had set up their encampments; the rest of the day was spent holding Great Castles on K276 and K307. By the end of the event K276 would be victorious once again. As LadySam’s troops were returning to the camp, she saw Bezedash in the distance, looking as dashing as ever. Part of her thought it was merely wishful thinking but it was really him! A quick embrace before his troops began moving out. He had been detained with a problem of raiders along the road but looked no worse for wear. Before he left he said that they would talk when they arrived home.

As LadySam rode back to her holdfast with her troops she thought of how much she had improved in the last six months. Improvements to her armor, weapons and mindset to name a few. Of course she would not win every battle and there was always room for improvement, she was better prepared for all eventualities.  

Looking back at the day, it was hard to believe that all the action was in the first thirty minutes.

Thank you for taking the time to read my adventures. I wish you all good games and a great weekend!

LadySam67