Chapter 59: Valarr Fishing in Troubled Waters
"Kingsgrave." Valarr tried to search his memory, but his mind was blank—clear proof that he had slept through Maester Visari's lessons on noble houses.
"Your Highness, Kingsgrave lies to the west of our current position and to the east of Prince's Pass," ran over, slightly out of breath, and whispered into Valarr's ear. His dragon, , could not match Silverwing's speed, so he had ridden together with Valarr.
"House Manwoody originally built their seat high in the mountains east of Prince's Pass, commanding the central route from above. In ancient times, a Gardener King of the Reach crossed Prince's Pass intending to invade Dorne, but he was slain by the then-lord of House Manwoody. That is the origin of their sigil."
Lucerys spoke fluently, his mastery of noble history evident.
"House Manwoody is not among the foremost houses of Dorne. They have long-standing territorial disputes with both House Wyl and House Fowler. During the Age of Kings, House Fowler ruled all of Prince's Pass. They defeated House Manwoody, destroyed the original Kingsgrave, and forced them to relocate their seat to a valley on the eastern side. The Wyl stronghold of Wyl and the Red Mountains where we are now stationed were once within their influence."
Lucerys carefully observed the old man calling himself Caswell Manwoody.
"The main branch of House Manwoody at Kingsgrave consists of four members: Lord Dagos Manwoody and his wife, Lady Pessany Vance, along with their two sons, Ser Dickon Manwoody and Quentyn Manwoody. If this envoy truly is Caswell, then he must be the head of the Dead Man's Valley branch—one of the two remaining cadet branches. That branch was reduced to a single patriarch around 121 AC, while the Redstone branch became extinct in 117 AC."
"As expected of Prince Lucerys," Caswell bowed deeply.
"State your purpose, ser," Valarr said calmly. Though he disliked study, it did not mean he lacked judgment. In a short span, he had already grasped the essentials of the situation.
"Your Highness… House Manwoody has reached the brink." Caswell's voice trembled with grief. "Lewyn—'King'." He deliberately stressed the title. "He led the host in an assault on . My lord and Ser Dickon both fell in battle, and nearly all sworn knights of the house perished."
His voice broke.
"Lady Pessany could not endure the loss of her husband and eldest son… she threw herself from the tower."
He raised his head, tears welling in his clouded eyes.
"Your Highnesses, House Manwoody is willing to bend the knee—to the Iron Throne and to House Varezes." A tear traced down his wrinkled cheek. "Quentyn is still a child. The house needs protection. Kingsgrave has no strength left. If Your Highness lands your dragon at the castle, the entire house will swear fealty."
Valarr tilted his head, considering.
"Ser Caswell, you will rest for now. We will give you our answer shortly."
"If the blood of House Manwoody may endure, we shall forever serve House Varezes and the Iron Throne." The old man nearly collapsed, and had to be supported away by soldiers of the Silver Blood Army and knights of Blackhaven.
"Your Highness, this could be a trap," Lord Randal Cafferen said immediately after the old man was taken away. "The Dornish are fickle. Oaths and laws mean little to them. The moment you dismount, poison and blades will follow."
"I know." Valarr tapped his temple lightly. "I may not possess my brother's brilliance, but I am not witless either. Lucerys, Lord Edric—are there any men here who can confirm his identity?"
"Yes," said after a moment's thought. "Ser Oberyn Sandstone. He has met members of House Manwoody before."
"Lord Randal, bring him," Valarr ordered.
"At once."
Randal Cafferen quickly departed for Oberyn's tent. The Dornish knight, now prosperous after Dragonzel's rewards, readily agreed to assist. He had even secured a marriage alliance and expanded his household since entering Varezes service.
After examination, Oberyn confirmed the old man's identity.
"It is indeed Ser Caswell Manwoody," he said. "But I advise caution. Dornish lords betray as easily as they breathe—especially those long at odds with the marcher lords."
"Your Highness, should we inform Prince Dragonzel?" Lucerys suggested.
"No." Valarr shook his head. "This matter does not require troubling my brother."
He glanced at the pale moonlight spilling into the tent.
"Lucerys, inform Ser Caswell that we require proof of sincerity. Quentyn Manwoody must come here—to the Red Mountains. I will appoint a great lord as his foster father. Also, send word to Tigaro. Confirm the truth of House Manwoody's situation."
"Understood." Lucerys immediately departed to carry out the orders.
Valarr remained silent for a time, then spread parchment upon the table and began writing swiftly.
"Thinking is troublesome…" he muttered. "Brother, when will you return?"
Meanwhile, Dorne descended into deeper chaos in 123 AC.
King Albin Dayne launched an assault toward Sandstone, but was repelled by the remnants of House Yronwood. At a critical moment, Obara Sand led cavalry into the fray, shattering the pursuing forces of House Qorgyle. Lord Qorgyle was slain on the battlefield.
Upon seeing their lord's head raised upon a spear, Sandstone opened its gates in surrender. Yet after Obara marched north, the new lord executed the Dayne-appointed governor and restored Yronwood banners.
Furious, King Albin rallied his strength once more, swearing vengeance.
Elsewhere, House Uller continued its raids against Martell patrols—burning villages, seizing grain, and vanishing before retaliation could arrive. Only curses remained in the wake of their destruction.
Lewyn Yronwood suffered setbacks near Skyreach, yet still seized the fortress below it. The Fowler heir fell to a thrown spear, and the remaining forces withdrew into the heights of Skyreach.
The war raged on without resolution.
From the Red Mountains, Varezes forces sent small detachments southward, probing villages and oases. What they found was unsettling.
Many settlements stood nearly empty.
Young men and women were gone.
Fields lay barren.
Oases had withered back into desert.
War had taken its toll.
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