Lattrell:
So we are having a surreal, hushed discussion over breakfast: are we going to participate in the attempt on Daemon, or not. After a long and heated discussion, we wind up deciding to go for it. Barrett is one strange Lord, even having this discussion with him is unsettling. I wasn't very happy with the 'plan', but at least I get through that we have to complete the reconnaisance, and make it very probable that the report gets home. So, Rha, Anya and Barret go to see Marduk again, while Willard, Bass and I try to get in touch with Jihatti.
We get to the market and the guild, and speak to a Westerosi (ain't many of the others we can talk to). He says Jihatti does not just meet people. But we talk to the clerk, and say hi from Abi Maraz, and get an audience.
Jihatti is quite a man, more or less naked in an opulently outfitted room, with slaves and servants everywhere. We have to strip down; he knows all Daemons men will have tatoo, so he wants us checked. After that it is fairly simple, Daemon is hiring ships from one year forward, in a staggered fashion. The amounts involved suggest long hires, but no time limits or destinations have been mentioned. So he is planning to invade somewhere, in a year, and he needs several hundred big ships. This suggests moving at least 10000 men. Rumour says he's going to Tyrosh, but this is not confirmed. Daemon also has tried or succeeded in hiring pirates frol Slaver's bay who own warships. That probably means an adversary with warships.
As we leave, we spot Niram Lado, with 8 very seasoned looking guards. I following Lado with Willard trailing, to a very posh looking inn. A while later a very pale woman arrives, with 10 guards. They stay until just before dark, before they leave together, in the direction of the Palace. Willard and I return to the inn.
After a long day of waiting, Barrett and the 'boys' get to meet Marduk again. It turns out they have a plan, or 'plan'. They know there are about 50 guards inside the palace, but they can get in through a secret entrace. Then a party of 15 will fight its way to and hold the gate, so that none of the outside guards can get in. The rest will then kill Daemon and everyone else. Not the absolutely worst plan I have heard, but with lots of gaping holes in it.
The following night we meet Marduk again. He has a lot of seasoned looking people with him, including some Rhallor Priests. Hopefully these can cause Daemon extra harm. Rha gets 2 arrows with Basilisk venom. Uncertain if it will work on Daemon, but might hurt some of his lieutenants. Fingers crossed...
Caradog:
Jason is dying of the wasting. This is some of the worst news I have heard in a long time, but it is certainly real. I can't go to see him, the situation in Ehrenford and around is too uncertain, but I have to let Joy go to Riverrun to say goodbye on her own. The Freys and the blasted Mountain that hides will pay for that. Too.
After the ceremonies in Ehrenford we discuss what we will do from now on. The new guy in Ehrenford seems to see things my way, finally we can get this game to resemble polo more than a knitting match. I am very much looking forward to that. I send scouts to Charlton to look for the Mountain. Unfortunately he seems to be gone, but Charlton has 5 units. I want to take some units in close, maybe have a small skirmish, and go knock on their door and suggest they stay out of the following. So we can beat up Frey without them interfering. I don't get completely shut down, but the others are not exactly chomping at the bit. I send my scouts to Keath, in case the Mountain has gone there. If he kills my family, I'll probably do something really stupid, so can't have that.
In Riverrun Joys says goodbye to her father; she is now the ruler of house Mallister. I imagine her dad tells her to get the hell married as well, before he goes to meet the spirits. Peace be with him. I will miss him most profoundly.
