The Return of the Eagles

Cape of Eagles and the Iron Islands

The Return of the Eagles was a military conflict with two major campaigns lasting approximately from 118–130 A.I., in which the Ironborn under King Victarion “the Griffin” Volmark and King Harras “the Black Chain” Hoare defended against King Edric Mudd and his attempts to reclaim the Cape of Eagles.

Background

After the fall of Seagard to King Cragorn “the Black Kraken” Greyjoy, the Cape of Eagles remained in Ironborn hands for more than twenty years. During this time, the Volmarks, through Prince Garmon Volmark who held Mistlewood, established a small fleet and harbor on the Green Fork of the Trident. From there they sailed along the Trident to the Narrow Sea. Ironborn adventurers are said to have reached distant lands thought impossible before, even visiting House Royce in the Vale and House Bolton in the North.

The Riverlanders, meanwhile, required years to recover from this blow, most notably Mallisters, who managed to save many of their people from Seagard under Lord Wilbert Mallister. Wilbert soon died, and his brother Tristifer took leadership until Wilbert’s eldest son, Cedric, came of age. In this time of exile, the Mallisters traveled widely, from the Vale to the Reach, seeking alliances and opportunities, though they never forgot Seagard. King Edric Mudd, too, never abandoned his claim to the Cape of Eagles, and forged alliances that would lead to the First Reconquest.

The War

First Reconquest (118–120 A.I.)

The First Reconquest by King Edric Mudd against King Victarion “the Griffin” Volmark began in 118 A.I. Many allies joined the campaign, the most famous being King Armistead “the Fool” Vance, Lord Corliss Den Ford, Lord Robert Risley, as well as other houses of the Riverlands and Blackwater Bay such as House Blackwood, House Bracken, House Toyne, and of course the Mallisters. The Ironborn were defended by House Greyjoy, House Volmark, and House Greyiron. With the cunning strategies of Robert Risley, the Riverlanders were able to turn repeated defeats into their first victories.

Battle at Cullingsail

At last, when a portion of the Riverlander host cut off the Ironborn, Cedric Mallister led the storming of Seagard and retook it. Yet both armies were severely weakened and had suffered great losses, and thus agreed to an early peace. The First Reconquest ended in 120 A.I. Seagard, Hook’s Bay, and Leechpool were restored, and Lord Cedric Mallister was reinstalled as Lord of the Cape of Eagles, though without the full cape. The Ironborn, however, retained control over the Trident, a crossing they had seized years earlier by taking Charlton lands while the Mudd king was weakened by an attack from Marq Gaunt at House Darry.

Second Reconquest (127–130 A.I.)

In 127 A.I. King Edric Mudd launched the Second Reconquest to seize the entire Cape of Eagles against King Harras “the Black Chain” Hoare. This time the alliances were concentrated on the River and the Hills and the Rivermark: House Vance, House Brax, House Den Ford, House Blackwood, House Bracken, House Strong, House Charlton, House Mallister, and House Mudd. The Ironborn coalition included House Volmark, House Greyjoy, House Greyiron, House Drumm, House Hoare, and House Goodbrother.

Again, Ironborn strength was evident. For more than a year and a half the Riverlanders gained no victories, suffering many losses and sowing doubts of ultimate success. Yet LordCedric Mallister did not abandon hope. At Cullingsail, a forest near Seagard, he faced the Ironborn, and under the command of Lord Corliss Den Ford the Riverlanders won their first major victory of the campaign, beginning the liberation of parts of the Cape. Still, both sides were exhausted.

King Harras “the Black Chain” Hoare convened a council and sent Erich Greyiron and his heir Balon Greyiron to negotiate. The meeting turned violent between Cedric Mallister and the Greyirons; the Greyirons attempted to kill Cedric, but he fought back, killing Erich Greyiron and capturing Balon Greyiron. With no clear account of who struck first, the negotiations collapsed, and the war resumed.

Massive storms hit the Cape of Eagles.l

Soon after, violent storms lashed the Cape of Eagles. Some hailed them as signs of the Seven favoring the Mallisters; others saw them as dire omens. Fighting continued, nonetheless. Former Mallister vassals such as Lord Alladar Rushmoor and Lord Lyle Chaynes rose in rebellion against the Ironborn oppressors, joining the Riverlander cause.

The Ironborn regrouped and struck through the marshes near Mistlewood, while Prince Sam “the Silent” Greyjoy marched toward Oldstones. The Riverlander host was forced to split, and the Ironborn turned their own tactics against them. Even so, Lord Corliss Den Ford again secured victory, though the fighting was close and costly for both sides. By 130 A.I., the Cape of Eagles was fully liberated, and King Harras “the Black Chain” Hoare abandoned the claim.

Aftermath

After more than thirty years, the Cape of Eagles was restored to the River and the Hills. Losses were devastating on both sides, but the Riverlanders emerged triumphant, with Seagard and the Cape once more under Mallister and Mudd authority.