Daniel Youngflower

**Lord Daniel Youngflower** (Formerly Ser Daniel Youngflower), is the current High Lord of the Southern Stepstones and head of House Youngflower. A former sellsword and renowned swordsman, he is a popular nobleman in the Seven Kingdoms.

## Appearance and Character

Daniel is a lean bodied youth who, for his age is quite tall. His hair is quite long and unkempt and despite his efforts he cannot seem to keep it in check. Renowned for his good looks, dark hair and trademark smile, he tries to be as gentlemanly, kind and chivalrous as he can be, especially around the nobility of Westeros and its Seven Kingdoms.

Once a shy, reserved boy, the Youngflower grew into a confident, loyal brave young man, with an undying sense of honor and devotion, especially to those he considers his friends and allies.

## History

> *I was ready to die for House Tyrell and pledge my life to them, but because of who my father was my loyalty was never enough. Now all I can do is survive and hope to live a long and meaningful life.*
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### Early Years

Born in the long summer, (circa 281 AC), as a distant relations of the Tyrells, Ser Daniel Youngflower was raised in the capital of the Reach - Highgardenand trained from an early age in the art of war. He was trained by the same master of arms as the Tyrell sons and was set on course to one day become a member of the household guard. He developed a romantic relationship with Lady Margaery Tyrell and the two would often spend hours with each other...

That is until an attempt was made on his life by the Queen of Thorns, Lady Olenna Tyrell in his sixteenth nameday, where he narrowly escaped Highgarden but not before he kissed Lady Margaery good bye. He went into exile across the Narrow Sea and into Essos. With nothing but the clothes on his back, and his expert skills with bow,sword and lance, Daniel travelled Essos and later joined one of the many sellsword companies. This would lead to his many adventures and travels around the Free Cities and Slavers Bay.

### Sellsword and Mercenary

The Youngflower arrived in Essos in the year 297 AC, arriving at the Ragman's Harbour of Braavos, having found work as a deck hand upon the ship. With no money, food or much clothing upon his person, Daniel had to rely on his natural instincts to survive in the city, with it's many thieves and dangerous criminals; the young lad quickly found work as a sellsword, serving under a man called Martyn Windstrider who owned a sellsword company known as the Braavosi Titans. It was here, that Daniel met two people who would become his closest friends and allies during this time - Lysino Maar and Rickon Snow. The three sellswords were as thick as thieves, and quickly rose through the ranks, earning money, fame and respect amongst their comrades; Rickon and Daniel were praised and respected for their remarkable skill at arms, and Lysino for his cunning and dangerous personality. When the Braavosi Titans disbanded three months later, the lads went their separate ways, yet remained close friends. Daniel then left for Pentos, where he would truly see the world.

Arriving in the Free City of Volantis, Daniel concocted a slightly suicidal idea whilst he was intoxicated- he would sail to the smoking peninsula of the old Valyrian Freehold, and loot it for plunder and to gain glory. Departing from Volantis to Mantarys via the Demon Road, the Youngflower saved he life of a slave hailing from Lhazar, near Slavers Bay- a young man known as Calo. The two lads would become very good companions, creating a strong friendship, that would end in tragic consequences towards the end of the expedition.

In Mantarys, there was good news with the fact that they actually managed to hire a group of sellswords brave enough to sail the Smoking Sea and venture into the ruins of Valyria. However, the Red Reachman didn't stay in the city of lunatics for long, with Daniel getting into a brutal duel with a psychopath. Killing the man, Daniel later learnt that the crazed murderer was the heir to the city and lordship of Mantarys, forcing the group to flee, and leading to the deaths of five of the companies sellswords.

The remainder of the group would get to the islands, but only two would return- Daniel and the Ibbenese whaler known as Bear. Calo, was euthanized by Daniel in a mercy killing after the man was mutilated by a stone man. In respect for his fallen friend, Daniel went to the lads village and killed the man who sold Calo into slavery before giving Calos father a pouch of diamonds scavenged from the expedition.

### Tournament and Feast of Pentos

A few months after the expedition, Daniel was relaxing in a tavern near the manse of Illyrio Mopatis, where he first laid eyes upon the Brightflame family; it was a few weeks before they set sail for Westeros, and Illyrio was holding a grand tournament of Pentos, where the finest knights in the realm were to fight for the honor of the family. Daniel got to the finals,where he inadvertently saved the life of Prince Daeron- it established a friendship between them which would last for a long time.

Later that day, Daniel was invited to the grand feast in the Manse of Illyrio, where he would not only lay eyes upon his future wife, Visenya Henning, but invited to join the invasion of Westeros as a captain of the Dragons Claw; he accepted and set sail with the fleet a few weeks later.

### Return to Westeros

Daniel fought in the campaigns against Stannis Baratheon for Baelor Brightflame, though most of his work went into the siege of Dragonstone where he was there to watch the king be crowned by his brother and sister and cheered with the many knights and lords who had sworn themselves to his cause. When the Brightflame forces finally hit the mainlands Daniel showed off his skill with lances against the Northern forces around Maidenpool in the brief conflcit with the North before both sides saw reason and settled for peace. It was here Daniel met long time friend Artos Starkwood who would likewise pledge himself to the cause of the dragon and given Daniel was taken more in by the Old Gods then the Seven he found himself fighting in the Northern army loyal to Baelor, where his skill on a horse was a boon to the Starkwood's Calvary forces. He stayed with them for the war with Aegon Targaryean and the many battles with the Golden Company, who pushed him to his limits and brought out some of his leadership skills when a few conflcits were in dire straights. Though it would be some time before Daniel was the leader of men in battle it was here he started to show his capability for it, albeit he gives credit for it to the men who were leading him.

One of the crowning moments of Young Daniel's life was when they finally sieged King's Landing, though his skill on horseback saw little action his skill with a blade was as sharp as ever, waiting with the second wave of the foot he marched on with the king and took the fight to the Lannister held army as they took the walls. Though he wouldnt help secure the Red Keep he did secure many of the gates and areas of the city as they drove the gold cloaks to either surrender or retreat if they weren't cut down. When the city finally fell Daniel made his way to the Red Keep to watch the King he had fought so vigorously for finally take his rightful place on the Iron Throne and sung his praises at the feast that followed, the war was far from over and many more battles were to come but for the moment Daniel was happy and hopeful that the future was bright for all of them. While the king worked to consolidate his power Daniel started to serve the realms interest as a knight, traveling tot he war torn villages and repelling raids alongside his friends in the kings service. It was around this time Daniel claims he started to think about the future and what it might hold. "When I was with the Tyrells my only hope was that I could be a Household knight, gain fame and glory serving and protecting the Reach and if the gods were good allow me to marry and raise a son to carry my legacy. When I fled all I could hope for was to make enough money to live a decent life in Essos, now I was back home and the sky seemed to be the limit. I could still be a knight and still gain that humble living...or I could go farther then I initially ever dreamed, and revive my house make a stable home for a family and grow further then my ancestors."

Daniels wake up call came from the Second battle of the Whispering Wood, where he witnessed the King he thought would unite the Realm perish by a random soldiers sword, though his murdered soon perished after him and Daniel kept the body from being desecrated, the battle was the most bitter victory of his live. Watching his king be carried off to be given its funeral rights Daniel realized that life was no story there was no clear ending and that at any moment his life could end just as easily. The time to Wait for his moment was over he would need to start taking steps to take control before he pushed himself too hard in the wrong direction. So he left the King's army and began looking to forge his own path in the world he was creating.

## Growth in Westeros

> *The king brought me home, I must have come back for a reason. Maybe with time I can be more then just a great knight.*
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Once he had started to unwind from direct military service Daniel stayed close to the friends he made in the Flame, two of the most prominent being Chrisarys Stormfyre, a ward of the Hennings and Haywin Sand, leader of the Broken Skulls sellsword company. With Chrisarys he had a family being treated like a brother to the man and given a home in Hen Hill where Daniel could rest and sleep in peace and with Haywin he had a father figure who helped him create his own sellsword company the Thorns. Daniel stayed this way for roughly a year, helping the Hennings during there trying times such as when Chrisarys was facing trial for treason by the Hand of the King which out him in opposition with the Whents for the first time and venturing to Essos with them as they helped the King’s diplomatic relations and reunited with his sister Elise and two of his half brothers Jon Flowers and Tristifer Pyke. All of this only motivated Daniels desire to bring back his house now that he had family and friends counting on him. And hoped with the Thorns he could gain the money to build a small keep with the Kings permission and restart his house.

His first major contract of work involved an excursion North of the wall which was the first recorded incident of the Brightflame encountering the Others and Wildlings that lived there. When he returned home he learned that Hen Hill had been besieged by enemies of House Henning and Chrisarys father William killed one the fighting. Enraged Daniel rushed back to the castle to pledge his men to the battle that followed and begged to be given command of the Henning Calvary force. An honor he was granted and Daniel was put in command of half of Chrisarys forces in his first test as a real leader in battle Daniel rushed and routed most of the foot under the Dunbridges making it easier for Chrisarys to lead the rest to an effective victory without the enemy doing much damage to his castle. Chrisarys named Daniels skill at arms as key to his victory and his further praised by his siblings, praise Daniel happily accepts. He doesn’t see a major conflict until the Kings invasion of the reach where he returns to the field of battle  with his Thorns and gives King Daeron valuable advise on the terrain and how to best approach the assault. Using his time in Highgarden to his advantage he made sure the King got the best results. He even bested Loras Tyrell at on horseback when he helped the King finally capture Renly though he was bested by his brother Garlen during the siege of Highgarden he wounded him and eventually Garlan was forced to surrender along with the castle. Once Highgarden fell Daniel reconnected with his friend Margaery Tyrell and Daniel felt another brimming hope, that he would actually be allowed to marry her.

Unfortunately that hope didn’t last long, Marg was still married to Lord Renly and there was no way to prove the marriage had been consummated as the lady had lost her maiden head (while she claims it was from riding, and that was certainly possible, others note it was around this time Daniel and her had gotten intimate.) anullment seemed unlikely. Heartbroken at the development (not helped by the possibility it was his own fault though Daniel has never spoken on this matter either way) he returned to the controlled land of the king and stayed with the Hennings linger where he was a witness to the growing instability of the siblings, with Rheagon ousting Chrisarys from power and Visenya fleeing to Essos to have her child away from the conflict. Daniel tried to help without having to choose a side as he had no desire to see them at each other’s throat’s his hand was forced when the Henning civil war kicked off. Though Daniel disapproved of Rhaegons actions he knew Williams will alone wasn’t enough to make Chrisarys entitled to the castle, instead he backed Visenya who he hoped would bring stability back to Hen Hill and keep her brothers in line as he still loved Chrisarys like a brother and had no desire to see any die.

Fate would not be on his side. He suffered his first true defeat in battle when he failed to get his men up the walls of Hen Hill forcing Visenya to retreat and Chrisarys was captured by Rheagon. But Rheagon actions finally turned almost everyone agaisnt him and the second time around the combined forces loyal to both were successful in repelling Rheagon’s hold on the castle before killing him. There he stayed helping Chris adjust to full lordship and where he started to bond with the widowed Lady Visenya. Daniel would lead the thorns into the Black Rebellion coming to the air of Rickon Darkstar. Though in truth he was doing so because he was being paid by the Master of Laws and because his long time friend Artos Starkwood was fighting on Darkstars side as well. While he had little issue in taking on the Redwaters in battle again he did come into conflict with Haywin who did fight for him, though the two didn’t hold grudges after the war was over and even as enemy Haywin still gave him sound advice. For his help in the war he was given plenty of gold and it seemed he had finally reached his goal now all he had to do was plant his feet somewhere and begin making his holdfast. He was just about to ask the king for permission when he was stopped by the news of the battle of the broken arm. Though Daniel was initially going to pass off the offer he soon found himself enthralled by the prospect of more rewards. He joined forces with the Broken Skulls and though Daniel himself did little of note he learned more about naval warfare then he expected.

He and every other participant was showered with praise and gold and for most that would have been that but then Haywin made another call declaring all of the Stepstones under the control of pirates to be his. He called on anyone willing and able to serve to his call to be King of the Stepstones and Daniel eagerly accepted. He had already helped crown one king, what was to stop him from crowning another? Early on it was clear the soon to be king put slot of trust into Daniel letting him command part of his foot in the initial invasion on Bloodstone before letting him lead the attack on the skulls over more experienced Generals. It was the first he had been trusted with such an honor as to lead a whole army and Daniel did it with pride quickly taking the skills from the petty raiders that lived there. Daniel would hold the area until Haywin himself arrived to see it for himself and then made Daniel the offer of a lifetime, he could be lord of the skulls if he so wished as a lord of Haywins new Kingdom. Daniel accepted with little hesitation, while he still cared for the Brightflames and there cause he had less high of an opinion for Daeron then he did Baelor. Haywin was a king he thought he could fight and die for, and so he kneeled and was raised a lord.

## Kingdom of the Stepstones

> *If anyone else made this offer id think they were crazy. But Haywin has something about him, its the same as when I first met Baelor. That feeling that this is a man that can get something done, I cant let this moment get past me, everything lines up just too well.*
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Daniels fortunes changed for the better from here. Once he renamed the skulls Red River he began using the money he gained to build a keep and brought his sister to stay with him (his brothers Jon and Tris were part of his sellsword company and thus had followed him to many battles) where had Jon legitimized by the King. He was undisputed as Haywins second in command, an honor he took seriously. In the years that followed his castle was complete and house Youngflower reestablished he courted and later married Visenya Henning and she was soon pregnant with his child, the Kingdom grew prosperous as did the Brightflames once there control of the reach was fully established while Daniel even secured a marriage for his brother Jon that would only strengthen them, it was the happiest he had ever been. But like times of peace it wasn’t meant to last, though Daniel stayed out of trouble for the most part building an army fit for any house of the Reach he had intergrated himself in Brightflame politics much like the rest of his kingdom and when one finds themselves too attached to the matters of a foreign kingdom its only a matter of time before theres a conflict.

On the mainlands House Henning had made a major error that had earned them the ire of there liege lords Jory Redwater. Jory moved to siege the castle when Chrisarys refused to answer for his crimes and many lords came to his defense or to back the Hand. Daniel thought the choice obvious but found his vassal was defiant. The Whents accused the the Hennings of ruining an important political matter and said it was right for Jory to call for there head, where Daniel refused on the grounds that his head was too far a price. Both sides left for the opposing groups as Daniel took his brother Jon to help Chrisarys repel Jory once and for all. What followed was easily the bloodiest siege of Hen Hill as the large army was countered by the wall and impressive defensive force and they were repelled twice before the attackers successfully scaled the walls, Daniel and Jon fought valiantly staying in the reserve for the first wave before both played there part in stopping the second one with Daniel himself being front and center holding the walls. The third and final wave saw more bloodshed with Daniel battling many lords and knights but being split off from his brother long enough that Jon had no backup when he was hit with a crossbow by Arthur Whent. Daniel made it to his brother in time to watch him die in his arms, and he swore vengeance on the Whents.

The year 303 showed Daniel little in terms of kindness with Jon’s death being just the first blow. Though he wanted Arthur’s head Haywin refused his kingdom was too small to endure civil war and out of respect Daniel dropped the matter though with great reluctance and the two houses remained at each other’s throat for some time without coming to blows. Eventually Haywin decided that the Whents would need to serve the Youngflowers and they ebcame vassals to Daniel but that didnt fully end the matter. It seemed to be a trait with the Whents as of late. Daniels kids being born, twin boys, gave him a brief comfort, he even named one of them Jon after his brother, the other William after Chrisarys and his wife’s father. His feud with Arthur would continue through a few tourneys and there excursions in the sea pushing and clearing the area of bandits to make trading safer though they kept it more cordial then most feuds and Daniel even helped the Prince learn how to lead. But when he came home from a lengthy campaign in the sea he heard devastating news of the 6th siege of Hen Hill not even a few months after the last one and Chrisarys was lacking in allies. Daniel would have marched to help him but by the time he landed he heard the siege was over, Asher Dunbridge had besieged and taken the castle as his own home and put any surviving Hennngs inside to death, which included Chrisarys who’s head was said to have been placed in a spike for all to see. Daniel could have kept marching but to do so would be a massive political blunder, it would be a declaration of war on House Brightflame and Daniel knew that was a wear the Stepstones Couldn’t win, so he had to bury his grief and stomach his rage and then back. War game to him anyway near the end of 303 Rhaegon Sunfyre a fellow lord of the Stepstones used his marriage to the Redwaters to press his claim on The Stepstones. Haywin needed him now more then ever, and Daniel showed up assembling his army and marching to war for his kingdom putting aside his feud with Arthur to work with him in pushing back the Flamehearts, Greywinde’s, and Mallery’s when they tried to land on the skull when Daniel handled the Calvary while Arthur controlled the foot. After that both would send there armies to the Kings castle where they handled things from there as Kian lead the fleets into keeping the the Redwater/Sunfyre forces at bay, by the time they had gotten through the armies were ready for a fight.

After the last offer of peace had been rejected, The Battle by Bloodstone would be met on the islands and Daniel would show the full might of his armies for the brightflame invaders to see, controlling the right flank of the Darkspear forces while his Calvary was lead by his half brother, he bested the opposing forces of the enemy and started to push them back while his calvary forces gave the enemy trouble. He stayed there as the battle grew intense before he saw the prince in trouble, rushing in to help Darron Darkspear he lost his horse but cut through many Redwater men before clashing with Jory Redwater himself. Daniel was eventually able to win when Darron gave him an opening to cut Jory across the chest forcing him to retreat and with him his army started to falter. Daniel would further lead his army into the rout looking to keep on the pressure until finally the army fell back. Though Daniel risked his life time and again to win the battle and was ready to do so again if he won the war he was stopped by his King who finally decided enough was enough, knowing that even if they won they would likely be ruling a kingdom of corpses. He made a deal favorable to his vassals even though it meant his house would be exiled from the Stepstones while the Sunfyre's became the Lord Paramounts of what would be the 8th Kingdom of House Brightflame while the just as traitorous House Pyne would take Daniel's place as the second in command. Daniel was furious but his respect and admiration for Haywin grew, and though Haywin said he should accept the terms and move on Daniel refused, "I was done being a man who followed people just because. Rhaegon had done nothing to earn my loyalty, and I was going to show him that theres more to be a ruler then just having the biggest army." Backed by the redwaters Daniel wasnt going to risk his men in outright rebellion and ruin Haywin's sacrifice, but he started to lead a movement between the loyal stepstone lords to usurp Rhaegon from his place whent he time was right.

#### The Youngflower hidden plot

Daniel Youngflower had proven his military prowess many a times by this point but no one would have called him a man of shrewd tactics, but Daniel proved he could play dirty here more then anything. Daniel took in Darron Darkspear; who had initially moved to Oldstones with his father and uncle, as a squire in his castle keeping him close and in the Stepstones. A clear sign of where his loyalties remained but one that Rheagon couldnt act on, he also organized a means of communicationg with Arthur Whent, Jaq Maloris, and Mander Ryndhill (the main parties to the plot as Lord Warden had expressed a desire to stay out of the plot, mostly for his own safety, as he was fully behind the plan. While Ser Blacksteel was too busy to be back them.) without being intercepted by House Pyne or the Sunfyre spies, and he even used Sunfyres spies against him to send Rheagon false information. His plans took a a bit of a backseat during two conflcits, one in the Stepstones and one in the mainlands. The stepstones soon came into conflcit with the Myrish controlled Tyrosh after an altercation with the Sunfyres, Daniel lead his men to his Lord's service but he kept his best troops at bay letting his green boys do the fighting and get some experince, and he helped organize the plan to capture the Archon's wife to assure they got some benefits from the battle. While Rheagon celebrated his victory and his belief that it helped him secure his control of the Stepstones Daniel had only tightened the noose around his neck.

The second conflict Daniel was party too because of him returning to King's Landing to reconnect with Lady Margeary, and it was here it became an open secret that the two had gotten intimate again. It during one of these visits Daniel was present when the Battle of the Gold Cloaks broke out and he assisted the commander of the Gold cloaks shut down the coup of Jon Black and helped bring some order in the city, unaware of whos plan he was stepping on when he did it. He stayed in the city and helped with the following matters Jon caused including his kidnapping of the Terrace family, soon after he was a witness to Jon's execution and he promptly returned to his seat to help further his plans. Using Darron as his go between to him and his father while staying out of trouble and keeping an eye on moments of weakness for Rheagon, or more importantly his allies the Redwaters. That moment came in the The First Verdant-Lash War where House Verdant a long time ally of the Darkspears came to blows with House Lash of the crownlands. When the Redwaters backed the Lashes in an effort to curb the Verdant power and maintain there position as the strongest brightflame house Daniel knew this was the moment he needed, especially when Rheagon demanded that all of his vassals stay neutral in the conflict. Daniel made a show of loyalty by backing out but he instructed Arthur Whent to stay in the war knowing that no one would suspect anything from this given that the Whents were backing the Verdants and arthur was making a show of him trying to get back at the Redwaters. A believable motive and one that let Arthur get close to some mainland allies to pass along information. As the war weakened and distracted the Redwaters Daniel had begun moving the final pieces into motion and when Rheagon predictably called for Arthur Whent to return to the Steptones to explain his actions Daniel as his liege lord was permitted to arrive as well with a host of men for his own protection.

Arthur and Daniel had arrived to meet Lord Hollis Pyne and Lord Garahel Warden who were attending as well and were faced with Lord Rheagon who was eager to see Arthur explain his disobedience, though Arthur explained that him being neutral didnt mean Arthur had to be Rheagon ignored that to remind him of the explicit orders he gave him, just when it looked like Arthur was in trouble the Wardens showed there true colors Garahel (having at some point joined Daniel's plot) attacked the Pyne forces while Daniel's own also took out Sunfyre forces to quickly box in the surprise Rheagon, though the rest of the castle wanted to strike down on Daniel's conspirators they had Rheagon trapped and any attempt to take them might have prompted them to come down and finish there lord, and soon the rest of the Stepstones came down on the castle, the Ryndhiils, the Warden,s the Lightingfyres, the Maloris all lead by Haywin who had returned to his home. Daniel's plan had come to fruition and Rheagon had to stand down and negotiate terms giving Haywin his home back and sending the Sunfyres and the Pynes out of his home. Haywin reaffirmed Daniel's position and decided to end the war in the 8 Kingdoms ordering Daniel to take most of his assembled force and march down to the Castle Lash to take it for the Verdants. Daniel did so leading the whole Stepstones army in taking the Castle. Though House Lash had a powerful garrison and were known for there abilites at war Daniel had seen many battlefields over the years and was more prepared to be there equal even killing Cayle Lash when he attempted to sortie out and stop the siege before eventually taking the castle in what was the killing blow to the Lash cause. Daniel returned home a war hero and had played a role in puting an end to the Redwater control of the mainlands. The year 303 had been a dark one for the Youngflowers but Daniel had at least found a way to end it in triumph. The year 304 would be a more bittersweet one for the man

## Growing Instability and Darkspear Rebellion

> *Daniel: I know your feelings and I understand this. But I cant in good council approve of this war. Even divided and exhausted the Brightflame army surpasses area's, and if we lose, many of our lords will have to give up wards.*
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> *Haywin: Your council is always appreciated but for once, it wasnt asked for. This is a demand, not an option. We cant allow these people to tread all over the Stepstones again.*
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#### A Dark Winter

The year started with the 4 Trials, Daniel answered the call to deal with the matters in the North to help retrieve the Blade Dark Sister, but he had many other motives, he had wanted to check on the Nights Watch condition as he had heard many rumors about its poor state and because after all these years he wanted to confront his father over abandoning him. Alongside his wife and many other friends and new faces Daniel travelled through the cold North which had suffered significantly in the wars from the Ironborn raids but still looked better off then most other parts of Westeros. When they made it to Moles town he was on the front lines driving off the Wildlings attacking them but suffered a slight injury, thankfully nothing that impeded his progress. Sadly his reunion with Jason would have to wait, when he arrived he was told his father had been lost North of the Wall during a ranging, and instead Daniel spent his time seeing the dismal state of the Watch and doing anything he could to help until the Wildings reached the wall. Though the objective was the Sword Daniel found himself trying to lead men once more and push the Wildings back as they had been done many times before. While he the defenders cut down many Wildlings and even some giants the numbers were just too numerous and the Nights watch was forced to retreat as the Wildings broke through the gate, The Brightflame forces took Aemon and the sword and did the same, only for Aemon to pass in his sleep before they were attacked by the Boltons who kidnapped Ser Terrace the Towering and Ser Rickard Greywinde along with the sword.

Realizing the danger of them being taken to the Dreadfort Daniel was one of the many voices insisting they go to the Fort immidietly, but he defaulted to Zelos' plan to split there forces most going to Starkwood Keep while Zelos and Tristifer would go to the keep and try to scout or sneak in, Daniel followed after them having taken the time to dress in Bolton armor he cleaned to remove the blood and cuts. When Ramsey's plot was uncovered and his allies surrounded Daniel slipped in thanks to his armor observing the castle come to life while sneaking around to find his friends which he did just as there allies arrived to try and bust them out in a battle. Daniel helped Zelos get there friends out and escape before he rode out into the battle by the Dreadfort riding a pony to attack Ramsey directly getting as close as possible and goading the Bolton Bastard into battle, he disarmed the man as his soldiers were eventually pushed back to the castle and he was the one who advocated for a long and painful death for the man before being overruled by the others and given a swift beheading with the sword Ramsey stole. With there success Daniel returned home though he vowed to come back when he was able and save the Nights Watch and push back the Wildling threat for good.

#### Conflicts East and West

Daniel decided to gain some fame and glory some other way, rather then bring war to the Mainlands he would instead go to the east to attack the areas of Essos, getting many behind his case they disguised themselves as reavers and attacked villages and the slave town of Astapor for plunder, though Astapor they made a point of freeing slaves during there attack which didnt do much to help there disguise. Further along was when they moved onward to Meereen to help lift the siege for Daenarys Targaryean, where there friends Ian and Rickard were, here there true nature and identity were revealed, though the dragon Queen was more pleased by there assitance then annoyed at there deception and the Reaving turned a somewhat benficial profit. He returned just in time to help try and save Seles Wilder though he mostly dealt with bandits in the search. After this he spent some time settling down again trying to help his fellow Stepstone Lord Ethan Lash adjust to his position and deal with the Verdants while his own feud was started with Asher Dunbridge the man who killed chrisarys and many other Hennings when he took Hen Hill from them.

Daniel had held off on confronting them because he had other matters to attend to but slowly all of them fell behind and when William Hening came to Westeros Daniel came to the conclusion that he could use him to take Hen Hill back for them. He slowly gathered allies to make the siege as quick and easy as possible but Asher must have caught on for he got help planning an assasination at starfall, Daniel and his family survived and once the matter there was resolved he called his men for war and helped in the 7th Siege of Hen Hill where he personally slew Asher and his brother and saved the long tortured Chrisary who he thought had died so long ago. By the 6th Moon Daniel seemed at peace with himself once again and things looked good for the moment, even with the Free Cities claiming he had attacked them he falsely assumed that there accusations would blow over. He was painfully unaware of Haywin's machincation and the impact it would half a few months later when the Council of Myr was called.

#### Darkspear Rebellion

Daniel came to the council expecting to entertain there demands but refuse them, he was surprised to see Haywin standing there alongside the recently escaped Tywin Lannister and wearing his old crown and calling himself a king again. It became clear quickly that Haywin was siding with the Free Cities over House Brightflame and with his crown Daniel knew what this meant, his Lord was making a bid to become King again and Daniel found himself doubting Haywin for the first time in his life.This doubt would amount to nothing as Daniel soon after war was declared when the Brightflames refused the Councils terms (Daniels debt was paid off by Haywin) Daniel found himself returning to Haywin and pledging his service, no matter how much he desired Haywins spot or for peace with the Brightflames he coudlnt turn on the darkspears. Haywin raised him up again, as he always did and named him his hand of the King. An honor Daniel had always been before but the first time he was named as such. Though Youngflower had been a known military mind and he assisted in the early going of the war such as sieging Dragonstone Haywin ordered him back to the Stepstones to help prepare them for a defensive war while Haywin planned an offensive one.

Daniel spent his time making deals and getting supplies where they needed, which gave him plenty of time to learn about logistics and maintaning supplies for the Stepstones which would be crucial knowledge for his later life, though he advised trying to get a peaceful measure whereas Haywin wanted to cause as much mayhem and blood as possible, but he also offered tactical advice where he could, as much as he could from Bloodstone miles away from the fighting. His loyalty was never question despite his doubts and when the war slowly got close to home he called his banners and assembled his army to help keep Bloodstone under Darkspear control. In the infamous Battle of Bloodstone Daniel sallied out with his king in there major sortie to try and crush the opposition after they had advanced to the castle walls and beaten back the Calvary, Daniel cut down many of the Brightflame forces but made a point of avoiding any of his friends in the battle, instead hoping if he cut the army down the rest would flee. He fought a fierce as ever and he only stopped when he witnessed Haywin's defeat at Zelos' hand. As hand of the King things were in his hand now and after staying close to his dying king in his final moments he surrendeed the Stepstones to the Brightflames once more. Daniel begrudginly took out the Myrish troops he once called allies in the final battle of the war before returning home tired of war and just looking for the chaos to end. But when he saw Rheagon Sunfyre trying to make a play for the stepstones Paramountcy daniel stepped up, knwoing that under no circumstance could he stomach working under the man again. As the most capable candidate Daniel found support from almost everyone before he was given the position as the new Lord Paramount of the Stepstones. Daniel had lost much, including his father figure but in the end he had ended up with House Youngflower stronger then it had been in centuries.

## Quotes by Daniel Youngflower

•*"Life is not a game, Jon; at any moment we could return to dust."* - To his brother Jon Flowers during the Second Battle of Hen Hill

•*"If I am completely honest Lord Whent, i think you're a bit of a cunt."* - To Rodrick Whent during the Trial of Chrisarys Stormfyre

•*"I knew Loras liked spears, but this takes the piss..."* - To Garlan Tyrell when they heard of Loras Tyrell and Renly Baratheon's affair.