Red Parlay

**The Red Parlay** would be the first slaughter committed at the hands of the Lords of the Vale during the War for the Mountains of the Moon proper. The Red Parlay would see an enraged Lord Gunthor Arryn, accompanied by the Lords of the Vale, enact the first stage of what many within the Vale considered to be "only just" in the wake of the murders of Ser Corwyn Arryn and Arthor Arryn.

It would later become known as the first of the Four Grave Atrocities of the War for the Mountains of the Moon.

## Background

The murders of Lord Gunthor Arryn's two sons, Ser Corwyn Arryn, and Arthor Arryn, by which both the Vale felt a most grave loss dear to its heart, so too left the succession unclear, though, alas, the succession was not to be an issue for this day.

When at least Lord Gunthor had emerged from his seclusion after hearing of his sons' deaths, he did so unveil a new means by which this war would be fought, without honour, and without decency, with no Blue Falcons present, but only those of Red.

And so, the Lord Gunthor had sent out messengers to all corners of the Vale of Arryn, calling for a parlay with the Chieftains of the Mountain Clans some twenty-two miles from Strongsong, to which, some of the Chieftains answered.

## Engagement

###### *An Exert from the Writings of Maester Yorwyck's Work, "The War for the Mountains of the Moon".*

In an open field, behind a large oak table, sat Lord Gunthor Arryn. Ser Horton Belmore to his right, Ser Lucan Corbray to his left, with Lord Prentys Hersy then to Ser Horton's right, Lord Maladon Coldwater to Ser Lucan Corbray's left, and so on with the Lords of the Vale, no arms present, and no hostility raised. Behind them stood some twenty men-at-arms, hands to their pommels.

The Clansmen made themselves known around midmorning, and did so come to parlay, taking the opposing seats to the Lords of the Vale. The converse is said to have been short, with few words passing between the two. It is said that Lord Wydman spat at the Clansman as they arrived, and that Lord Coldwater belittled his education with slurs most foul. Though such were not the words of fate, for those came from Lord Gunthor Arryn, who spoke for but a few words, before raising his left into the air and then swiftly down once more.

Moments later, arrows shot free from the treeline, Brukk of the Black Ears and Umar Underhand of the Red Smiths were killed nigh instantly. The Lords Corbray, Hersy, Coldwater, and Pryor are said have to drawn their swords most eagerly and jumped across the table to make battle with the Chieftains, while Sers Horton, Dunstan, and Benedict Belmore made certain to protect their liege. Everwhile, the four-hundred Clansmen present charged forth, but theirs was not a position of safety, for out to their left flank came charging some three thousand Valemen, a great many mounted . . . The slaughter was swift, their ends, were not.

It is said that at the end, when all the Clansmen either lay dead or dying, or had fled the scene, Lord Gunthor Arryn, hefting a two-handed greatsword above his head found Tsekka the Only Daughter of the Sons of the Mist attempting to crawl away - for her right leg had been chopped away, only to bring down the greatsword with such ferocity her whole person was split in two. Similarly, Ser Lucan Corbray is said to have been so covered in blood by the end some joked he'd taken a bath in blood.

Whatever the truth, the War for the Mountains of the Moon had now unquestionably begun, with the first of what would become known as one of the Four Grave Atrocities taking place.

## Aftermath

The Clansmen present at the Red Parlay were left either as carrion for the crows, or harbingers of the atrocity carried out by the men of the Vale. It is unknown exactly how many Clansmen survived the day, but what is know, is that those who did, carried a most dishonourable and gruesome tale of a 'new Arryn' riding under a Red Falcon Banner, and of the butchery enacted unto the Clansmen present.