Within these six moons, the Bronze Order's campaign to rid the Vale of the vile savages would steadily spread and become known as the Cleansing of the Mountains.
Or the Healing of the Hills.
With the bards arguing over which title to go for.
Either way, these debated words and lyricism had long reached the ears of the King... and as of current, the Small Council had to eventually discuss its implications.
To the East, to the rest of the kingdoms, and the crown itself.
"It is an unprecedented roundup of barbarians of every ilk." Otto Hightower, the Hand, said. "Ronan Royce is making a public showcase of it, meting out the summary cleansing himself."
"Gods be good." King Viserys sighed at that but then he questioned. "Haven't you also said almost the same thing about Daemon and his Gold Cloaks?"
A familiarity that he distinctly still remembered.
"Yes, Your Grace." Otto admitted and added. "Though the Young Bronze did not have some two-horse cart to haul away the resulting dismemberments... there is no denying that his damage may be far worse. With the lives lost to his Lamentation even more so than Dark Sister probably ever has."
"And what of it?" The Master of Coin spoke up. "Those are the hill tribes and mountain clans that plagued the Valemen all these years. Even my House had lost plenty during the many eastern tradings that they've ambushed. Not just honey or coin wasted, but Beesbury blood as well."
"So, why fault the young man when he is just doing what needed to have been done long ago?" Lord Lyman really wondered, the very same thing that the eavesdropping cupbearer also thought.
To interjectingly concur was the Master of Laws, who reasoned that. "It's actually not as bad as you make it out to be, Lord Hand. For I have been told that the Bronze Order employed no means or intent of slaying when possible. And as we speak, some of the captured are most likely still awaiting in dungeons... defeated and lost from a most devastating loss."
To which, Lord Lyman was in astonishment. "I'd argue that such a feat of merciful justice is even more impressive than the usual blood-shedding way that we take."
"Yet it doesn't mean that blood hasn't been shed. The deaths should still be accounted for, alongside the misfortunate injuries that stack up in this ensuing onslaught." Otto enforced but already noted that molding Daemon's spawn into something reminiscent of Daemon's bloodthirsty image in everyone's mind might be harder to do.
So, he pivoted, by saying that "The forsakened prince, if he truly is so, cannot be allowed to act with this kind of unchecked impunity. Rampaging on the Vale as he pleases, mayhaps as a means to vent his displeasures."
The King looked guilty as he asked. "Are you implying that he is acting out? Angry that my daughter has taken over a claim that should have been his?"
Even the cupbearing Rhaenyra can't help but tense at the possibility.
"How else would you explain Runestone's lack of response to your missives, Your Grace?" Otto persuaded. "You've already humbled yourself enough to try and request some common ground. To right the potential wrongs, yet they undermine and defy you so with the dismissals and this crude publicity."
The King seemed to take that reality in but just as he was about to sink into a conclusion, Lord Strong suddenly said. "But... it may not be how you presume it to be, Lord Hand. For I've been told that these events had long been set into motion. Long before the naming of the new heir... and it just strangely coincided to take place within this complex of circumstances."
"Oh... do tell..." Otto intoned. Inwardly annoyed of this Strong's contradictions to himself. "About how you are so informed with these events that are happening in lands that are far away?"
"I am the Master of Laws, after all." Lord Lyonel told what was just. "And the Lady Arryn had been corresponding with me on the processing of the captured, and despite the happenings of the Vale being entirely in her purview, she had been confiding enough of their plans with the clansmen and tribesfolk in their jurisdiction."
"In hopes that the crown lend some aid in some of these endeavors as well." He added.
"What aid?" The King questioned. "And does the storied Bronze Order even need it?"
"It's more on what to do with the excess captives they have, Your Grace." The Master of Laws continued. "In the Vale, most of the wild men are already answering for their crimes... but it's more on the less criminal excess that they want help on, specifically on convincing the North and Night's Watch to take many in that had surprisingly agreed to take the Black."
"The stubborn savages that know no oaths are taking the Black?" Otto doubted and cautioned. "Wouldn't that just be a ploy for them to continue their ways Beyond the Wall after some staged mutiny that should be expected of them?"
"Hold on there, Otto..." The King reigned his Hand in and was actually quite accepting of the idea for whatever reason. "Many of that Wall's castles need manning... and I'm sure that the current Lord Commander and Lord Stark would be able to handle the burden."
"But it would be unwise to employ relative wildlings against wildlings, Your Grace." Otto reasoned. "Whether they be from the East or far North, they're all of the same primitive ideologies."
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Of course, none of those potential worries seem to deter the King from being open to the idea... adamant to strengthen that Wall for inexplicable reasons.
And it didn't help that the Master of Laws once again explained that the ones being sent are the more susceptible and meek folks of the uncivilized hills and mountains.
For the Young Bronze had apparently defeated them so thoroughly that they've become renewed.
Which is also when Lord Strong disclosed more of what he knew to the curious King and council...
Of how the more unfortunate womenfolk were to be taken in for some sort of "rehabilitation".
How the young babes are to be molded with them... while the still pliable boys and girls are to be guided into a re-education...
All under the Young Bronze's supposedly gracious considerations. Especially when taking into account that they were all of the same blood of the First Men.
With these groups he vanquished being former misguided vassals that served under the old Bronze Kings... and now, some of them were to be incorporated into a newer bronze rule.
In a way, this campaign can be seen as the Royces finally fixing things.
Fixing the insubordination of the subordinates they had during the time of their resistance against the invading Andals.
A correction that was a matter of course.
But all the more embellished the Young Bronze's capabilities and appeal to everyone else... and no manner of Otto's pitiful manipulation can change any of such an image... for now.