Paperwork and Fluff

It was unknown why the Mountain Clans became bold enough to make incursions outside of the Mountains of the Moon. Yet, it was a decision that would come to haunt them soon after. The attempt on Lady Dalia was simply the spark that lit the flame that would bring them to their knees.

The Mountains of the Moon were home to the descendants of the first men more commonly known as 'Clansmen' who rejected the authority of the Arryns. The clansmen were made up of an egalitarian society, believing that every person's voice, regardless of gender, should be heard during councils. Despite their savagery, the clansmen were noted to be fiercely loyal to each other, with this sometimes extending to other clans.

Whilst conflicts between the clans did occur, they were often resolved by payment of blood money or by settling personal grievances through violence. The clansmen lived short and savage lives, having largely been considered bandits and outlaws.

Before the incursions, they were known to wield stone axes and wooden clubs. Having to raid local settlements and small groups of travelers, to survive. Taking all they could, be it women, weapons, grain, and armor. Like their counterparts, they rode horses, though far smaller due to the narrow paths they needed to traverse. Only those close to the chiefs and their families rode them due to the high cost of maintaining them.

It has been hundreds of years since the clansmen had threatened the rest of the Vale with anything more serious than raids. Hence why the incursions had taken many by surprise and allowed them to successfully wipe out several settlements before a proper response could be mounted. These would quickly be put to an end by Lord Lorimas Mudd, who would begin the campaign that would see the end of a millennia-old threat, once and for all.

Excerpt from 'A Tale of Mudd and Steel' by Maester Alyn Feld

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(Lorimas POV, the Gates of the Moon)

Several servants walked in and out of the solar, depositing various books and reports on my desk. Whilst removing those I've already gone through.

Stacks of parchments and books sat atop my desk.

"We've done our best to compile the list of provisions that will be required for the campaign," Nestor voiced, his tone carrying a hint of fatigue.

The two of them had been looking through various books on the Mountain clans and the reports sent by the Lords of the Vale.

Glancing up at Nestor, Lorimas could see that the man needed a break.

"That will be all, Nestor" Lormias said "Thank You"

Nestor raised an eyebrow, sending a glance towards the pile and then back at Lorimas. With a respectful nod, Yohn's cousin chose to take the chance provided, but not before sending a look of pity toward him.

Lorimas hated reports with a passion, not to mention the amounts of books he had to go through to gain a better idea of how the mountain clans fought was necessary.

He was all for raising the levies of the Vale and rushing towards those savages, but that would mean sending thousands of men to their deaths, for little to no gain.

Dalia would also be quite furious at him for doing so, and his nephew wouldn't be all that pleased either. So he had to plan and prepare before he made any moves.

As of now, the first to third Banners were spread out across the Riverlands. Guarding its strategic points and the coast from Ironborn reavers and pirates, whilst hunting for small bandit armies that had formed in the wake of the rebellion.

The Sixth and Fourth Banners under Strong were doing the same for the Crownlands.

Leaving only the Fifith Banner available which heading towards them under Erlends command.

Much of the Valeman already raised under Lorimas's command had to be divided and sent throughout the Vale to protect settlements and Holds.

It would take time for the levies to get into position, they were far less organized and efficient compared to the Banners.

Weapons and supplies were another issue as they had to be redistributed, and their quality assured.

Supply Routes need to be planned, created, and secured, lest his men starve and riot.

Strategies and tactics have to be considered, normally this wouldn't be an issue as the Valemen had been fighting the Mountain Clans for several millennia. The issue was the Mountain Clans were far better equipped than they had ever been in the past, their attacks and raids were expertly planned and coordinated.

Whole settlements had been wiped out, with no one spared. This made it difficult to get news on their position and left them blindsided.

Lormias having calmed down from his rage after finding out about the attempt on his wife had to consider his decisions carefully.

Whoever was leading the new incursions by the mountain clans was far more skilled than expected. He had to be careful not to play into his opponent's hands.

This was evident by their attempt to capture his wife, as that was something he doubted the mountain clans could come up with on their own.

They were a people focused on martial might, not strategic thinking and scheming.

Regardless of who this mastermind was, may the gods have mercy on him for he as hell wasn't going to have any.

Planning the campaign was quite difficult, while their Shadow Network had access to the Lords of Westeros. The same could not be said about the Mountain Clans, this made it difficult to anticipate their next moves.

His nephew might've been able to find them thanks to his abilities, but he was currently focused on purifying their future seat.

It wasn't that hard to excuse the Fifth Banner's delay to the Vale Lords, since while his nephew was purifying that cursed monstrosity, the Banners themselves were facing a suspicious amount of raids from Bandits.

It practically confirmed that the Mountain Clans had help from someone, one that had vast resources that allowed them to be more effective than normal.

Still, he and the Lords of the Vale busied themselves by discussing their counterattack. They understood the reasons for the delay but they couldn't afford to wait, hence the various meetings held clarifying their roles, duties, and goals that were to be performed and achieved.

The plan itself was rather basic, the Valemen were to spread out and position themselves around the Mountains of the Moon, allowing them to defend the settlements from any attack from the mountain clans.

This would allow them to prevent any more raids and attacks, Forcing the Clans on the defensive.

While not ideal it was necessary, as it gave him and the rest of the Lords the time needed to wipe out the various pockets of clansmen that have set up camps around the vale. As well as locate the source of their supply and equipment.

Once they were wiped out, and whoever was supplying them was cut off, they would be able to go on the offensive. With the clansmen's capabilities of maintaining an offensive being greatly reduced.

With their offensive capabilities greatly reduced, he would be able to pressure the clansmen from various entry points around the Mountains.

The information provided by the books and reports suggested that despite their increase in skill and equipment. They were still unable to match the Valesmen in an open battle, having far less experience to do so.

This also meant that they would likely resort to the familiar hit-and-run tactics, they've done in the past.

The issue was that Vale's mountainous terrain made ambushes quite easy for them. Even if the Banners were here, they wouldn't be as useful as they were elsewhere due to the lack of familiarity with fighting in such a terrain.

Lorimas knew that even if they were aware of their vulnerability to ambushes, the clansmen would still have the upper hand. He wasn't eager to throw his men to their deaths. Not to mention the bloody shadow cats who would prey on his men and supplies.

The Knights of the Vale, while useful in routing out clansmen and killing them in open grounds. Weren't all that useful in this mountainous terrain, which was heavily unfavorable for cavalry. Cavalry simply could not do well in the narrow passes.

It gave Lormias a headache that one of the greatest forces under his command would be more of a liability than any help.

…

"You're worried" a soft voice spoke.

Lorimas looked up to see Dalia standing in front of him. Having been too tired to notice her entrance.

"I thought you were with Mya?" He asked.

The brunette let out a gentle smile at the remainder of their adopted daughter.

"She's Sleeping" she replied.

He raised an eyebrow at that, confused at why Mya was put to sleep so early.

Seeing his confusion, Dalia rolled her eyes "It's long past her bedtime Darling, you've been here for a while"

"Really?" He asked, had he been in here for so long?

Ignoring his question, Dalia took one of the reports on his desk.

"They're leaving no survivors" Dalia frowned, as she read through it.

"They are preventing any news from leaking out to us, we're lucky to have any news at all" He sighed.

Her blue-grey eyes held a certain venom within them as she spoke "When do you intend to wipe them out"

Tapping his fingers on the desk, he looked thoughtfully "It would be foolish to attack them immediately, they've gotten themselves a rather scheming leader"

She nodded at that, while she was angry about the loss of her close handmaidens who had been dear to her, she knew better than to rush her husband, especially with something she had little expertise in.

"As long as they face justice, I care not how long it takes," she said.

Making her way behind him, she gave him a warm smile as she massaged his shoulders. He couldn't help but let out a groan of satisfaction.

"As for you my dear, you need some rest".

…

The day had finally come for him to leave.

All his forces were in position, boxing in the clansmen in their mountains.

He was ready to leave, especially if that meant that he could finally avenge the attempted kidnapping of his wife.

Erlend had sent ravens informing them to launch the attack, he would be arriving soon to join them, as the bandits that had been harassing the fifth Banners had been wiped out.

Yet, there was no excitement to be had, war was not a pretty thing. Those that claimed there was honor and glory in it, were fools or green boys who never experienced it.

"Lorimas!" He turned to see his wife calling him, Mya walked beside her.

They both came to a stop in front of him, his wife staring intensely at him "Make sure to come back to us" Her voice was demanding, yet he could feel the love in it.

"Don't worry my love, no savage is going to keep me away from you" Lorimas moved to engulf her in his arms.

"Arrogant Oaf" She didn't move, returning his hug with enthusiasm, and kissing him softly on the lips.

"Papa, come back" Mya beamed as joined in the hug, making him let out a chuckle, before disentangling from Dalia and hugging her too.

"Listen sweetling" Mya listened intently to what her father had to say "When I'm back I want to hear from Maester Colemon that you've done well in your lessons, Understood?"

"Yes, Papa." She nodded, while Dalia hummed in appreciation.

"Good girl" kissing her on her brow, before handing her over to Dalia.

"Lenny expects you to avoid doing anything stupid" She stared at him.

Lorimas merely laughed in response, having already started moving towards his horse. "I'll do so Dear, you worry too much"

He could practically feel her rolling her eyes at his response but felt only warmth at her worry, he would come back to them, he had promised after all.