Lord Errol looked upon the walls of Longtable, behind which hid their craven lord. Somehow it struck him that the plaintive request to be left alone was more craven even than simply striking his banners and sitting out the war. At least the latter situation meant making a decision, one that would hold consequences one way or the other.

The Stormlanders laid out their siege lines methodically, preparing ladders and the likes for an eventual assault on the walls. Their flanks to the north and south were secure, and picket lines would inform them of any comers long before they were a danger. They would, ideally, have all the time they needed to break these walls and force Lord Merryweather’s knee to the dirt.