Arena of Honor Recruiting the enemies?

It was the middle of the summer, and even the nights seemed to be burning up with heat. Bearface reluctantly made his way to Rhaella’s inn, where his team was supposed to meet before the second arena match of the fourth season. To his immense surprise, they were all there, ready to fight. He shrugged, maybe it would be a good omen for the match.

As they positioned themselves in the battlefield, Bearface noticed they were holding the Baratheon banner, which he knew was ChristianOr’s favorite, and her good luck charm. He tried to catch her eye but she seemed too busy observing the opponents. 

Look Bearface, over there at Greyjoy is Azuraz with her team, and Covya is with the Lannisters. Both teams seem strong.

While they were constructing the strongholds, Bearface spied on their opponents, and as a few of them, including the Lannisters had chosen fight camps, Bearface decided to play it safe and asked them to raise trading camps.

So, I guess we need Maidens, darlings? Rhaella asked just to be sure, as they had done this many times in the past.

Who will take the Clan Castle? ChristianOr asked worriedly but she was waved off.

Should be fine, Lord Strandli assured her.

They all tried to locate altars of Maiden to strengthen their trading.

Lord Strandli was looking to secure a second Maiden, when ChristianOr erupted.

It is not fine, Lord Strandli, she said pointedly. Lannisters took our Clan Castle.

Oh, Seven Hells not again, murmured Strandli but immediately opened a rally. Bearface, dropping the Maiden he was holding, followed suit. ChristianOr tried to open one as well, but as she was not receiving troops she disbanded it and decided to solo, right after lord Strandli’s rally would hit, to get rid of a few troops, before Bearface would hit.

Lord Strandli lost narrowly, but took some of the defenders with him.

They both turned to look at Bearface. If he did not manage to oust King Ultra, their Clan House would be gone. 

ChristianOr finally breathed in relief. Lannisters though were not resigned to losing the Clan House and immediately started counter attacking.

Don’t you dare to leave the Castle, ChristianOr commanded Bearface, forgetting in the heat of the moment that he was the leader. But she was right. They needed to defend.

ChristianOr looked around and realised that while Baratheons and Lannisters had been skirmishing over the Baratheon Clan House, Greyjoys were having a free day with all the altars and had climbed to first place. She immediately cast her eye around for an easy Maiden and attacked immediately.

Bearface was still busy in the Clan Castle so he could not assist them.

ChristianOr looked at the mixed troops he had been sent, and winced. She was well aware he would be unhappy about it, as he must have said a million times that he could not defend with anything other than cavalry warriors, as the rest did more damage than good.

To make things worse, she lost her Maiden, and saw to her horror their team sliding down the rankings.

Bearface, what can we do? she turned to him in despair. This match was not looking promising.

Only one thing to do, I will leave Clan Castle and try for Glory City, he explained.

ChristianOr had her doubts they could pull this off, but she was supportive of the commander’s decision.

Their first foray was definitely not a success, but as the holder was defending with spears, ChristianOr liked her chances. She peered around but Lord Strandli was nowhere to be seen.

It was a rude awakening. ChristianOr was used to YaKout’s teammates teasing him, so she never expected his spears to be this strong. 

Let us try again, Bearface said stubbornly.

Bearface, we need to take some Maidens, or we will be last at this rate, ChristianOr was panicking. Let us secure some points and we can try again later for the Glory City.

At this point Lord Strandli reemerged, showing triumphantly how he had already secured one Altar of Maiden for the Baratheons. 

ChristianOr bit down the comment that if he had helped with Glory City they might had taken it, mostly because she was not sure that it would have actually made a difference. She concentrated on the altars instead.

Little by little Baratheons started creeping up the rankings. Lannisters with their troop camps and Greyjoys were fighting it out in Glory City, which allowed them to make a comeback.

They had second position, but they would drop to third if Lannisters secured the Glory City and their below opponent was nipping at their heels anyway.

I see an opportunity for Glory City, Lord Strandli commented, and immediately called the banners. Once more Bearface followed suit. 

Turned out Lord Strandli was right. His rally did not capture, but Bearface was right behind him.

We have it, Lord Strandli cheered.

Reinforce Bearface, ChristianOr asked, as she was worried.

More troops please, she asked again. 

ChristianOr decided to refresh her march, even though it was by no means the lowest but she misjudged the timing, and to their horror saw the Baratheons getting kicked before securing.

Bloody Hell, Strandli exclaimed, but neither Bearface nor ChristianOr paid any heed to him.

Mineshafts, grab what you can, Bearface instructed urgently. Once more they had slipped down the rankings, so this was their only chance to make up for it.

Looking good, Bearface commented as most of the mine shafts had been emptied which gave them a decent difference from their opponents. If Lannisters do not capture, second place looks secured.

What about first? Lord Strandli asked hopefully.

Bearface had to laugh. 

Ok let us try once more, but we need to time our rallies to hit, one right after the other, if we are to have any hope.

Baratheons rallied to the banners and they set out.

Their heart was racing, and they hoped wildly, but, alas, it was not to be.

At least we can be proud of our excellent rally timing, Lord Strandli commented cheerfully.

Bearface smiled, and as the trumpets sounded the end of the match, looked around but ChristianOr was nowhere to be found. 

Lord Strandli shrugged.

Saw her sending a raven to the Greyjoys, so maybe she headed over there to congratulate them.

ChristianOr was on the opposite side of the map, near the Lannisters camps. Covya was sitting there morosely, as his team had ended up fifth.

I really thought you were done for, when we took your Clan Castle, he told her.

We almost where, she replied with a smile. I did recognise you might have had to do with that play. Was a really good idea.

What good that is? he replied listlessly.

Might be, as it gave me an idea, she said. Come join us, i prefer to have you fighting with us, than against us.

Covya looked surprised, but also pleased.

I might just do that, he said smiling, his good humour restored. But would you be better off, getting some of the Greyjoys to join you?

ChristianOr gave a cryptic smile but said nothing. No reason to disclose that she had already sent a raven to the Greyjoys asking Azuraz’s friend Sheva to join them. No reason at all….