Escape From Ironrath

Participants| * House Forrester
* House Glenmore

Casualties| * Ortengryn
* Royland Degore
* Owen
* Rast
* Rickar Hunter
* Franklyn

The **Escape From Ironrath** is an event that took place after the Forrester-Whitehill Conflict.

## History

### Prelude

Following the capture of Talia Forrester and Royland Degore by Torrhen Whitehill, the former met the latter in the dungeons (along with Elaena Glenmore and Maester Ortengryn, who were also in the cell). Following the reveal of Elaena's pregnancy, the four began to plot to escape the keep and the Whitehills keeping them hostage there. As Talia was the only one able to move around freely, she was given the responsibility of freeing the others.

First Talia snuck into Gryff Whitehill's chambers and stole the keys to the cells, planning on stabbing the Whitehill and killing him but was unable to in the end. She snuck down to the cells and freed the others, and they crept out into the courtyard.

### The Escape

Hiding behind a house, Royland decides to find weapons while Ortengryn and Elaena take a different route to the gate. While alone, Talia is attacked by Derrock Crowl, who claims she ruined his life. She is forced to murder the man, and suffers a breakdown after doing so. Royland finds her and comforts her, and the two steal a horse, meeting Elaena and Ortengryn by the winch that lifts the gate. Suddenly they hear Gryff yelling (revealing that Talia did not, in fact, kill him) and in their panic Royland, Ortengryn and Elaena realise that two people have to stay and raise the gate while one rides with Talia. Elaena gets on the horse and Talia apologises to Royland, but he says it was the right call. He and Royland raise the gate as Talia and Elaena escape. Grag Warrick begins riding to the gate, aiming to give chase, but Royland quickly drops the gate to prevent him from doing so. The castellan says he'll find another way out.

Talia cries out as she realises the gate is shut, jumping down from the horse and running back to the gate. She begs Royland not to leave her, but he tells her that he swore to Rodrik he'd make sure she survives. Ignoring her pleas, the Sentinel tells her to give him her hand and slides his bracer onto her wrist, sealing her role as Rodrik's Sentinel from now on.

Ortengryn alerts Royland to the fact that the Whitehills are advancing on them, and Royland orders Talia to leave. As Talia and Elaena depart, Harys begins gloating to the two men left behind - referring to his and Royland's unfinished business (as Harys took his eye during the Siege of Ironrath). Royland asks if Harys is just going to put him in a cell again and Harys retorts that this time they're going to die instead. Rickar Hunter pushes Ortengryn into the centre of the clearing and, despite his protests, he is executed by two bowmen. Enraged, Royland kills three Whitehill soldiers in quick succession (Owen, Rast and Rickar Hunter), sustaining a crossbow bolt to the shoulder in the process.[108] Taken by surprise he is stabbed by another bannerman, leaving him injured and unable to fight properly. Harys gloats that gates appear to be the Forresters' greatest weakness, referencing Asher Forrester's death several months ago, and then goes on to say how Talia and Elaena will only be caught and dragged back to Ironrath again. Royland raises his sword for one final attack but Gryff stabs him through the chest from behind.

As he bleeds out on the ground, Royland laughs. As Gryff yells at him to explain himself, Royland chuckles that the Whitehills have 'already lost', before finally falling unconscious and dying. Talia and Elaena are briefly seen on their horse, riding into the night.

### Aftermath

Following Talia's escape, Gryff finds a smallfolk girl and dresses her up as Talia to hide the escape from his brother Torrhen, unaware that Harys is sending Torrhen messages and updates on the state of Ironrath.

Meanwhile, Grag Warrick catches up to Talia and Elaena, but is murdered by Namond Glenmore, who brings the two ladies to a Glenmore camp.