Betrayal.

The word echoed in Ser Robin’s mind in the hours after learning of his countrymen’s attack on the Parchments. His people slaughtered, gold rightfully his shuttled off to the Reach or the Marches. It was not enough for Orys to seize his home, murder his people, and steal his treasure. Now, in the absence of Lord Penrose, his *allies* had done precisely the same thing.

Word had taken time to reach him, and by the time he learned of it little could be done.

Couldn’t it, though? Ser Robin found himself atop the battlements of Stonehelm, looking to the east. Word had arrived of yet more raids, Parchments among them. The Stormlands was a wounded beast, and carrion fowl circled it pecking at exposed flesh-- be they Rosby, Dondarrion, Yronwood, or Blackfyre raiders. Now their King was in captivity, and Storm’s End no longer besieged. Orys had returned to King’s Landing after a fire, it seemed. Returned with Theodan, most likely.

No response had come to his letters to Caron or Dondarrion, and now with word that his home had been attacked by marchers-- it seemed clear they were not as strong allies as he had hoped. They did not heed Theodan’s Marshal, in fact they attacked his castle and pillaged it for its wealth.

His allies treated him as badly as Orys had, and with even less cause-- at the very least he was at war with the King on the Iron Throne and such actions are warranted in a war. What did House Penrose do to House Dondarrion or House Caron? Lord Raymont and Lord Thoros had perished fighting side-by-side at Haystack Hall and Parchments, yet Lord Thoros’ progeny attacked Lord Raymont’s. Why?

The thought kept returning to his mind. Orys had their King, his men held more than half of the Stormlands, and the remaining free Stormlanders had commenced in attacking each other. Ser Robin did not have the men nor the inclination to march on Blackhaven, demanding his gold back. He did, however, hold the heir to Blackhaven in his very grasp.

If Dondarrion was to turn on Penrose, Penrose could not sit idly by and allow it. He gathered his loyal friends Ser Ronnel and Ser Allard, his new friend Ser Gyles Morrigen, as well as as many Swann knights as would heed his call. To Ser Ronnel he handed a note written in his own hand, and gave him orders to ride hard for Bollingfield.

To Ser Allard, Ser Gyles, and the Swann knights he beckoned they follow him. The approached the door to Ser Barristan’s room and opened it, prepared for the arrest.