Aemon Steelsong

### Early Life

Born to Dalla and Mance Rayder during the Battle of Castle Black, Aemon was no stranger to battle. He was sent by the Lord Commander Jon Snow with Samwell Tarly and Gilly to Oldtown during Samwell's training to be a Maester. He was raised at Horn Hill by the reluctant Randyll Tarly. Aemon never adopted the standard bastard's name that Randyll insisted on calling him.

When he was a young child he was trained by the master at arms of Horn Hill, he quickly showed his prowess in battle and was sent to the Golden Company to get rid of him. He began as a squire, and his ability to fight was recognized quickly.

By the age of twenty he had proven his ability to fight and was officially allowed to join the ranks of the Golden Company. When the order was given for the Golden Company to be dispatched to The Reach to combat the Ironborn menace, Aemon was apprehensive to return home. Yet he did his duty.

### The Second War of the Kraken

The Golden Company arrived late into the war, but was integral in turning the tide in favor of the Reach. Their campaign began in Cider Hall. Aemon was given a small detatchment of knights, his task was to ensure the safety of the smallfolk in the area. He did so as well as one could with so few men. Urras' raiders were much less terrifying on land as opposed to the sea. Perhaps the training of the Golden Company was the true reason for the quick change of events, as many of the Ironborn were convinced of their prowess in battle, they were no match for true warriors.

After the sinking of Urras' flagship at the mouth of the Mander by the Golden Company, Aemon encountered the Bane upon the shores of the Mander. The two fought, bastard sword to axe, in the end Steelsong proved victorious and the Second War of the Kraken died in the slow moving river. With the death of the previous Captain General during the war. The Golden Company found itself leaderless once more.

### Captain General of the Golden Company

Rewarded for his valorous behavior, and the recommendation of his comrades, Aemon was selected to serve as the Captain General of the Golden Company in 321 AC, a position of high honor. One he proved himself ready for time and time again. Aemon was a masterful warrior, with his adoptive father's head on his shoulders. He had a mind for war and often guided the king's for whom he sat upon the small council for as well as he could.

However he was dismissed by Rhaegar I Targaryen in 340 AC, something that shook the Golden Company to its core. Until then, the Captain General stayed as such until death. Rhaegar appointed Guyard Rykker to replace him. An unitelligent young boy, he quickly proved himself to be unable to lead the Company to anything resembling success. During a training exercise Guyard was accidentally wounded fatally. Some still whisper this was orchestrated by Aemon to regain his rightful position. Yet any who knew Aemon would never presume that he was capable of anything like that.

Indeed, Aemon had no part in the death of Guyard. He even insisted that Guyard be afforded every honor that another Captain General would receive, such as a gilded skull. But the deed was done and there was need once more for a Captain General. It was obvious to many that no one would follow any but their true leader Aemon Steelsong. Rhaegar I reappointed the Aemon to his rightful position.

### Death

Aemon remained in his position until 350 AC upon his death at age 50. Aemon had discovered the truth of his parentage via raven from Jon Stark. This shocked him, he wasn't the son of a Reach nobleman, but Mance Rayder a traitor, a wildling, a king. He was convinced from that moment on he must die a valorous death. Rumors of a new group of bandits forming in the Kingswood reached his ears. He left King's Landing in the dark of night and didn't return. When the Golden Company dispatched scouts to locate their Captain General the did indeed find him. He was dead, in a cave. Further in the cave, bodies of the entire bandit group were found. It is unknown how many men Aemon killed before giving into his wounds, some say ten, others as high as a hundred.

### Legacy

Aemon was rather prolific in his youth, he married a young girl he met in Fleabottom. She took his name and sired him many sons. The name Steelsong is still known in the Golden Company, none proving to be quite the same warrior as their father. But many proving their worth and showing their prowess as professional soldiers with loyalty to house Targaryen.