House Lash

## Beginning

House Lash started as a cadet branch of House Targaryean, Started by the first man of the house Cade Lash the bastard son of Saera Targaryean. He had come to Westeros a year prior where he confessed his birth to the king, though he claimed he wanted nothing more then to serve under them "Be it as family or a humble servant." the King was hesitant and doubtful of the young mans claim but his hand and beloved son Baelon convinced him he was telling the truth as he and many others stated he had his mothers eyes. The year before he became a Lash Cade was true to his word and served as nothing but a humble soldier to the Targaryeans and befriended Baelon in his short time knowing him. Thus the following year when Baelon fell sick and died Cade was as sad as many others. Though he quickly moved to aid the King when the matter of succession looked as if it would turn bloody and was just as stout and loyal to protecting the King from anything during the great Council. He was rewarded for this act shorty after the council's end where his Grandfather declared him legitimate and gave him his own house. The exact reason he chose his house name is unknown but Cade ultimately took the name Lash and took his land in the crownlands to start serving the king.

He spent most of King Viserys reign building his castle and relations. For the most part he had spent his time in King's Landing which while it meant he was close to the crown and its people he didnt have much of a connection to the people he was helping rule something he wanted to desperately rectify, especially to help assure his house didnt die with him. He started in the crownlands and from there started to learn the ins and outs of lordship, marrying a minor house and giving birth to 3 sons and a daughter over the course of the peaceful 26 years of King Viserys. Fortunately his understanding of politics also helped him be very aware of the underlying issues growing between Princess Rhaenerya and Queen Alicent, normally such matters wouldnt interest him but Cade promised to uphold the King's will and allow his daughter to take the throne in his place. Nothing shook this promise from the stout Targ loyalists and Cade made this clear showing up to tournaments dressed in Black and mingling with men and women who had done the same. Thus when suddenly news of Viserys death reached his doors he had little time to mourn when he was suddenly informed Aegon and not Rhaenrya had ascended to the throne. Realizing the Greens coup Cade was one of the first to spit in the face of this claim and instead showed there support for Queen Rhaenrya who he sent a letter pledging his support. "House Lash is not the biggest or strongest house but as long as a single one of us draws breath you have men willing to fight for you."

## Proving there Worth

The Dance of Dragons had begun and Cades colors were the same as they had been. Thus Criston Cole's campaign to Duskendale saw a trip to his castle on the way there. Cade predicted this though and Criston came to a castle with only 100 men guarding it and no valuable hostages as Cade had taken his children and most of his army of minor levies to Dragonstone where he expected to defend the castle from any attackers. His castle eventually fell but no attack cam as the Greens didnt dare strike where most of the Dragons remained. though Cade would finally get to prove his worth when Daemon and Rhaenrya marched to King's Landing. Cade marched with them and his forces helped take the city and put down any lingering resistance. Once King's Landing was secure Cade sent his eldest son out to retake there home and free there villagers from any lingering Green oppression. There he stayed while the rest of the Lashes stayed in King's landings patrolling the city and keeping the peace and interrogating the captured enemies such as Tybald Lannister, where they earned there house name when they gave the man a taste of the lash. Sadly each of these tasks grew more and more difficult with each passing day, week, and month. The peoples discontent grew, there heart for the wars continuation faded, as did there trust in Rhaenyra's judgment, the Sheppard who appeared agitated them more with his preaching and it seemed more and more troubles appeared in the city with little in terms of solutions. Worse they came under fire when it was implied one of there own was responsible for Alyn Velaryon's retreat and ability to escape on time though the one responsible, Cade's second eldest son wasnt arrested. Sadly he wouldnt survive much longer as he lost his life in the Riots that came shortly after the death of Queen Heleana, attempting to defend the Dragonpit. Cade attempted to help stop the riots and fighting off many of the bloodier riots but they couldnt make it to the dragonpits in time before they collapsed or save Syrax from death. Instead they ended up fleeing the city when the Queen did and returning to there castle with the intent of going to dragonstone again to link up with her once more.

That was not there fate, instead just as Cade planned to leave his castle he heard the terrible news of his Queens death, while he had his regrets about the war and seeing her turn darker and be known as a Mad women he still respected and pitied her for the sheer amount of loss she endured, when Aegon was once again in King's Landing Cade stayed his hand pondering what to do next, and when the king attacked other crownland lords because they once served the Blacks Cade realized surrender would mean nothing and thus his banners carried the Blacks still. Once again Cade marched out with his forces to meet the North and Riverland forces in taking the city back after there victory at the Kingsroad but was surprised that instead of a bloody and brutal final siege the city was surrendered to them with no real fighting. The Lashes did not question this luck as the war had taken enough lives, instead they served as the keepers of the peace in the city, but also as executioners during the Hour of the Wolf. Once the city was secure again the Lashes returned to there castles and out of the politics in the city. Though Cade wouldnt be the one to turn House Lash into the major military force it was, it was started here, as his son Traven spent time keeping the castle secure and felt his forces unable to meet the task. He began training men to slowly become the wolfpack guard, capable of scouring the crownlands and protecting the people, and his time as lordship would be what started to turn the Lashes into a respectable army. In the meantime the Lashes expanded there presence as well integrating more into Westerosi nobility and becoming more then just cadet Targaryeans in there own right, and a house that can stand on its own.

## Golden Era of House Lash

By the time Daeron I was king House Lash was in a much more powerful position and a standout house, and when Daeron made his call for the Dornish wars, Jason Lash lead some of his forces into war, where the Lashes distinguished themselves, specifically the Wolfpack guard which would soon be seen as one of the best Calvary forces in the crownlands. Though they didnt return to Dorne during there rebellious streak, something Jason would grow to regret when he heard of the Young Dragons death, even if he later acknowledged he probably couldnt have changed the outcome due to the means of which he died. The Lashes continued there loyalty through this time, becoming more prominent now that there military might was considered something to be feared though years later there respect with House Targaryean would reach another moment of strife under Aegon IV, as they weren't so naïve to not find him as corrupt as most people did, because of this they were more on the side of the Prince Daeron in any matter, though they also maintained respect to Daemon and Brynden especially the soon to be Lord Taren Lash who idolized the warrior capabilities of the former and thus while many panicked when Aegon died declaring all of his bastards legitimate, Taren was one of the first to congratulate Daemon on this and his transition to Daemon Blackfyre.

None of this would change what came next, Daemons history is well known as is his rebellion and Taren by then a Lord of many years was offered a chance by the Blackfyre rebels to join there cause. A warrior, he was an easy choice to see why they would try to but Taren much like Leo Tyrell disappointed them by staying loyal to the crown, he sent his forces to help fight in the Riverlands clashing with the Bittersteel lead rebels, he sent some men to the Reach as well but they had less success and were pushed back, regardless Taren was still growing strong and his army was present at the famous Battle of Redgrass Field, Taren slew many knights and even some lords on the opposing side before the Hammer and anvil tactics of Daerons sons combined with Bloodraven's Ravens Teeth slaughtering Daemon and his sons caused the Blackfyre army to break apart and fall away. Taren would eventually remarry a lady of House Tarbeck as a reward for his loyalty and from there stayed close to Bloodraven, with the Lashes being one of the few houses who rarely if ever said anything negative about the man as they respected his resolve. This loyalty would extend enough that a few Lashes even joined the Raven's Teeth, Bloodravens personal archer company. In the coming years, the Lashes only raised there levies for minor conflicts in there region but stayed close to the crown, Lord Colton Lash raised his army to help Bloodraven on his march to Whitewall and capture Daemon's son and drag the Butterwell gold to King's Landing, where he was knighted by Bloodraven himself.

From there though the Lashes maintained a relationship of a mighty military force they rarely used it, they saw there skill at arms as a deterrent for conflicts, which was mostly successful though not enough that they never saw another skirmish in between the wars. But they were always prepared, and maintained there power through the century, when the Third Blackfyre Rebellion started, the Lashes didnt directly see conflict though some Lashes fought in the Raven's Teeth with BloodRaven, there armies moved to bolster King's Landing, eventually when the war was one the Lashes backed Bloodraven in his call to have Bittersteel executed seeing him as the real threat behind the rebellions not Daemons Kin. They assisted King Maekar in quelling the Pyke Rebellion and mourned the loss of the king in the aftermath, though when the great Council was called they approved of Bloodraven's action in dishonorably killing the Blackfyre who came to press his claim reasonably, claiming the amount of death in that family's name and how much more he prevented by killing him, there pleas were ignored and the new King Aegon V sent Bloodraven to be executed, before eventually trailing back and allowing him to go to the wall, where two Lashes joined him. This caused the first real rift between the Lashes and House Targaryean as Jacob Lash wasnt at all nervous about making japes at Aegon's expense, not helped by the many lords Aegons reforms angered. This was especially noticeable during the 4th Blackfyre Rebellion where the Lashes offered no support to the crown and after the battle of Wendwater Bridge, Jacob joked to his friends that "The King gives the Blackfyres too much attention, my army could have singlehandedly dealt with the threat, and we wouldnt have lost a lord doing it." Though this was slightly mended during the Storm Rebellion, backing Aegon due to there concerns that the war would bring about too much destruction that didnt justify the slight Lyonel suffered. Thus he was thankful when Duncan the tall bested Lyonel in single combat to end the dispute, though there issues with Aegon didnt fully end until the King's death at Summerhall. While there wasnt an all around affect the Lashes suffered Jacob felt remorse that he didnt do more to help the king feeling if they did Aegon might not have died trying to reach such an extreme. They strived to prove there loyalty again when the War of Ninepenny Kings came about, though Jason's fighting days were behind him his heir apparent Taren was more then capable of leading the Lash forces into war, fighting in the crownland flanks and assisting the crown in many of there victories. In the aftermath the Young lord was knighted by Gerold Hightower an honor he would proudly brag about at many feasts and tourneys.

## The Struggles of the Lashes

The last two kings of the Targaryean dynasty had Lash support, for whatever comfort that would bring them, King Jaeharys teign was soo short lived Taren barely had time to process it as shortly before it his father passed peacefully in his sleep. Taren would reintegrate himself into the Capitol where he interacted with the King and his small council on a daily basis while teaching his son Tavion how to be ready for lordship himself. This changed when he started to notice the way Aerys behaved was getting more and more eccentric and the relationship between Aerys and his eventual hand and best friend Tywin Lannister started to fall apart. The full extent of that would be when the Defiance of Duskendale began and Tavion watched Aerys ignore Tywins suggestion to stay, seemingly because Tywin suggested doing so and get captured by Denys Darklyn and his men. Frustrated Taren nonetheless marched with Tywin to siege Duskendale and be ready to assault the town should Darklyn contie to be defiant, not even the risk of the king would sway him since they had the prince ready to take over. Nonetheless Barristan's daring rescue was met with praise by Taren, and when the King ordered the Darklyns executed Taren had his men help carry out the grisly task. It was said young Tavion winced at the sight of the brutality and Taren assured him it was good to do so. "One must never feel dull with the sight of such actions even if he must also have the ability to carry them out."

Sadly Taren would continue to have a low opinion of Aerys over time seeing his slow degradation into the Mad King everyone remembers he eventually stopped frequenting the capital and stayed in his home, he was known to make many assumptions things would be better once his son the Prince took over and seemed almost eager for the day it would come, though sadly even the young Prince would disappoint when Taren attended the tourney at Harrenhall where he named Lyanna Stark the Queen of love and beauty over his wife. It was said afterwards Taren left the tourney shortly afterwards, muttering how the apple didnt seem to fall far from the tree. This slow rift came to a sudden halt when Roberts Rebellion broke out, though Taren had his issues with the King he didnt see any benefit to the realm helping Robert and allowing another strife, as he remembered his fathers fears about how the storm Rebellion could devastate the realm. Still he felt himself actually considering helping someone other then the dragon though eventually duty called and Taren raised his armies to go help the King. The Lashes followed the Prince into battle with Taren being apart of the vanguard while his army made up a bulk of the rear, and he readily defended the king alongside the KG. Despite his amazing valor and skill at arms Taren was slain dueling three Northerners when the vanguard was smashed, his army rose up to assist the king and many soon were killed as well, and the prince was slain anyway by Robert in single combat. Taren's commander in arms took what remained of the Lash military into a retreat back to there castle, where the people of the castle were devastated to see such a token force remained of there might leaving roughly 15% of the Lashes forces remaining. There woes continued when they heard of the Sack of King's Landing and eventually Lannister forces arrived at there doorstep demanding there surrender. Though many were ready and willing to fight still it was Tavion who made the call to open the gates and bend the knee where he and the Lashes were forced to swear allegiance to King Robert and spared any further punishment. A mistake Tywin would regret in time but not for years to come.

And so House Lash, a cadet branch of House Targaryean out lasted there liege lords and there power and prestige they had spent years building had taken a hit as well. It was the weakest the Lashes had been in over a century and Tavion vowed he would not die until he had restored the Lashes to great glory. Tavion spent the first few years of his lordship training and strengthening the Wolfpack Guards, assuring that even if there army was small it would still be strong, he increased the trading relations the Lashes had hoping to grow there wealth and relations with other houses while slowing growing in power and doing as much as they could to not cause any incidents, in a way it can be said the Lashes faded into the background to allow there power to grow and didnt even offer support to the Greyjoy Rebellion instead choosing to do what his father did and train his son Ethan Lash in all things that a lord must know and allowing him to grow as a person, it seemed rather then try to stand out, Tavion was biding his time for something coming. And they were right for it was said Tavion seemed fixated on a dream he had and thus refused to have his armies march until the right moment that a dragon returned. When the War of Five Kings (as it was known at the time) broke out Tavion found his family wanted to fight if only because so many innocents were getting butchered int he aftermath but tavion again stayed his hand but notbefore having doubts about if his vision would come to pass, it was only when he heard of the invasion of Stannis' land did he know for a fact his dreams were true. A Dragon had returned to Westeros.

## Service to the Brightflames

Shortly after Tavions final victory over Stannis and full control of his lands Tavion and his son rode to Dragonstone personally to greet the new king. After a short conversation the two would bend the knee to there new King and promising to fight for them as fiercely as they once fought for the Targaryeans, and Baelor accepted them happily, once they were called to battle the Lashes started tp prove there worth with the army Tavion had spent years rebuilding reminding the Seven Kingdoms why the Lashes were once a feared force. Cayle Lash would stay and guard the castle due to its closeness to the Lannisters while Tavion lead his own armies into battle and Ethan Lash would take his place as a soldier in the royal army, Both father and son were veterans of many battles in the Dance of Dragons fighting against Aegon, a boy they likely thought they would be serving in time, assuming he was truly a Targaryean rather then a Blackfyre like many had suspected. Besting several knights Ethan grew to make friends with many knights and future Lords in the Royal army and Tavion would secure a path in the crownlands for the King to make his final attack on King's Landing, and both men were present at the battle that brought Baelor to the Iron Throne.

Unfortunately there boon would soon come to an end. Ethan would stay with King Baelor's army and was in the fateful battle in the Whispering wood where Baelor was slain, quickly making the call he ordered some men to help Daeron off the battlefield and save the prince and future King before finishing the battle, and soon after mourning the Good King he left the army to take his place at Castle Lash and a more active role in houses dealings, though he would eventually be remembered as being one of the most divisive members of House Lashes long history. Tavion Lash lead the house to many more battles in the King's name and keeping the peace where he could while Ethan started leading small parties through the crownlands contending with bandits such as Bard Koi and Renly's Rebels. They stayed out of many of the internal politics of the realm though they were very aware of things such as The Yellow Wedding and the Black Rebellion but at most offered supplies and support to houses they liked without actively entering them. Though once House Brightflames's position was pretty much secure with the fall of the Westerlands, the Reach, and the Iron Islands they slowed down, getting to know others more at feasts and showing there prowess at tourneys, and getting involved in more personal matters, Ethan helping hold off the attackers at Griffen's Roost while Tavion would be apart of helping stop Jon Black in the Battle of the Gold Cloaks. Though the Lashes commanded respect, that would soon prove to be the start of there tragic decline and changes for at one such feast Ethan Lash attended with his newly wedded wife Genna Drake, who had been courting for years before the union. A drunken Daemon Verdant flirted with Genna, rather aggressively some say, and Ethan took offense with the two men getting into it. Though daemon was drunk Ethan was said to have little tolerance for the rich new lord, probably because of how new the marriage was and Ethan feeling he had to take a strong stance, regardless the issues started to grow for the Verdants and the Lashes, and while every offense both inflicted towards each other past that point cant be fully documented one thing we know for sure it lead to the Verdant-Lash War.

The most devastating Brightflame Civil War since the Black Rebellion the Lashes biggest ally was the Redwaters against the upstart and wealthy Verdants who were backed by many other lords, though the Lashes had vassals and allies of there own. Though the Lashes saw early troubles when the Northern allies took Castle Claw for Daemon there initial campaign saw them push the Verdants forces back beating there general Tion Raine they were ambushed by the Bulk of the Verdant army but eventually pushed them off again, though this was sadly undermined by the death of Tavion Lash in the attack, leaving the saddened Ethan to take control of the army. This crucial death cost them, though Ethan was no stranger to battle leading such a host was difficult and his temper over the death of his father didnt make things easier for him, even more experienced Lords backing him didnt ease the troubles they faced, and the following battle they couldnt beat back the last defense of the Verdants, and then the Redwaters control of the Stepstones was lost and long time friend and ally to Lord Verdant Haywin Darkspear took control again sending his men to take Castle Lash. Ethan rushed back to try and save his home and lift the siege but he was held off by more of the Verdants numerous allies, long enough for Daniel Youngflower to successfully take the castle killing Ethan's uncle Cayle Lash in the process and forcing the Lashes to surrender or lose there home.

The war proved to be the end of Lashes most powerful status, a respected Crownlands house it once was now crippled in every aspect and left in Ethan's hands to pick up the various pieces. In short, it was the same situation they appeared to be in after Robert's Rebellion, though Ethan was no Tavion Lash, where Tavion would have taken a more careful approach to things his lordship and his house, Ethan thought the best way to regain prestige was to keep himself and his house active, and so when the King called for aid in Dorne after his sister was kidnapped he rushed to join the party to help. The events known as the Cornered Viper was infamous for Ethan's headstrong actions, attacking the guards at the gate rather then go for a direct approach and getting captured and beaten up, escaping only to lead those who would follow him into a direct attack rather then follow the more subtle approach of his other companions, and starting a brawl that forced them to abandon there plans to keep them from getting slaughtered in the riot. Ethan would rush to the Princess who was being held at knife point by Princess Arianne, and in his haste he punched the princess, accidentally leading to Princess Rhaneys' throat being slit. Though the Princess was saved by quick timing of others Ethan was caught and tortured and restrained for his actions giving him time to step over the folly of his actions. In the aftermath it seemed that the King was set to exile him of the near manslaughter of his sister, but he was saved by being cast out of westeros by the will of one Haywin Darkspear, the man whos actions cost his family the war with the verdants. In a twist of irony Haywin soon found Ethan kneeling to him after a short discussion and Ethan vowed to be a steadfast vassal of Lord Darkspear hoping under him he could redeem his family name.

## Service to House Darkspear and Lash split

Ethan Lash returned home breaking the news of his new allegiance only to be surprised by the reveal of Taren Lash his cousin who had been one of the Wolfpack Soldiers all this time. Fed up with Ethan's mistakes he challenged him to a duel for control over House Lash. And though Taren ultimately proved to be the victor he refused to kill his disgraced cousin, instead demanding he and his wife leave, and offering anyone who wished to do so could leave as well. Ethan left the next day to a crowd of soldiers following him, dividing House Lash even further, Taren Lash would lead House Lash of New Dawn, while Ethan would go to the stepstones to lead House Lash of Wolfhaven.