Houses and Heraldry

[Gifted]

"That sounds familiar." Cedric grinned and followed them into the room

[Raven]

Merrick led the way, and they went over the plans, outlining which sections had been blocked off and where the plague had spread. He deliberately avoided mentioning some things they'd done - supposedly because they were unimportant, but in actuality because he was well aware Cedric Cardon would know much better than the child he was here to deal with. That night he immediately sent a letter back to King's Reach.

A few days later, Maxwell Cardon received a letter of his own.
Lord Maxwell Cardon,

I, Duke Richard Mormont, am writing you on behalf of the King. I understand that you may not be particularly fond of my family and I, yet I hope that we can forge new bonds of trust and move past old hardships. This is not something that simply happens, and for that purpose I wish to offer the first token: a gift of information, though it isn't a great deal, I believe it can help you. I have learned from a reputable source that Cedric Cardon is in South Port, staying at Anderson Arlyn's castle and assisting him in dealing with the plague that has begun to spread there. Arlyn will not hand your brother over, but I hope that you will have some other method of bringing the traitor to justice.

Sincerely,
Duke Richard Mormont.

[Gifted]

Cedric listened intently to what Merrick and Anderson told him as he scanned the board. The whole thing felt and looked nightmarish and gave him a sick feeling of deja vu, but that was why he was here. He gave some suggestions, citing either that his father had told him once that it would work or that he'd tried it himself and 'it worked in Summer Forge'. "The most important thing you don't already seem to be doing here is making sure those killed by the illness are isolated. You send priests and physicians to see them when they're dying - you should make it part of their job to remove the bodies and bring them to a central location to be buried when they're dead. Expose them to as few people as possible."

Maxwell dutifully wrote back the Duke, hoping he could use this to stop his brother once and for all.
Dear Duke Richard Mormont, Official Adviser to His Majesty King Cyrus Mormont,

I am grateful for the information, and am more than willing to accept a gesture of friendship on behalf of the Royal Family. The hardships from which our hostility originated are in the past, and in working together through understanding and mutual benefit I believe we could forge a strong, long-lasting relationship between our houses.

This is not the first time my treacherous brother has found housing with the child Arlyn, nor shall it likely be the last. I have made numerous attempts to talk sense into the boy, but my brother has a way with words and it is difficult to speak in terms of logic to a naive child.
I have no means of reaching him while he remains safely inside the castle, however I have already dispatched several of my men to the South Sea. Should something influence my brother to leave the safety of the childs castle, rest assured my men will dispatch of him with extreme prejudice.

Sincerely,

Maxwell Cardon, Lord of Summer Forge and Master of the Sword

[Raven]

"Ah, yes. I'll ensure that it gets done," Merrick said.

In the following days, Merrick instructed the men to form a mass grave in a site of his own choosing - carefully chosen so that, though it would seem like a quick decision, as the grave grew, it would contaminate one of the rivers that had yet been fresh - both with the plague and with the decaying matter. He finally said, "The guards have just finished separating the bodies from the rest of the population. Cedric, would you mind taking a look at what we have for a supply system, as well as the quarantine?" It would require Cedric leaving the castle. "I believe it should hold through, but two heads are better than one, and I wish for this to be over as soon as possible."

[Gifted]

While it was true Cedric hadn't at all left the building since his arrival a few days ago, it wasn't like that was odd considering what they were doing. He always seemed to be doing everything he could to help, and maintained his usual cheerful attitude even if he was more reserved and exhausted than before. So it definitely seemed a bit out of character when he didn't jump at the request. "Er, you mean just from iin ere? We've been over the board a couple of times already..."

[Raven]

"No, I meant the actual practice of it. Things tend to be different on paper," merrick said

[Gifted]

"I'm er, not so sure that's a great idea." Cedric tried to tactfully avoid the subject. "You studied for this, Merrick, I'm sure anything you came up with will be way better than what I could do, anyway."

[Raven]

"Well, you've already proven I don't know everything," merrick said

[Gifted]

Cedric smiled. "Yeah, but you've also thought of some things I would never think to consider. I'm positive you've probably done fine with the supply lines."

[Raven]

"Well, I can't force you, though I'm sure it would put Lord Arlyn's mind at ease."

[Gifted]

Cedric nodded, but it was clear he had no intention of going and checking the supply lines.

[Raven]

Kenny dully tore into the latest update at breakfast, but as he read it, he sat up straighter. "Rosanna," he said.

[Gifted]

"Yes?" Rosanna looked over as she was pouring herself a drink. It had been a while since Kenny had looked like that.

[Raven]

"The men along the left flank defeated Adam's soldiers," Kenny said

[Gifted]

"That's great!" She brightened up. "How much more territory did we claim? Is it enough to start talking new supply lines?"