While the chase between Earl Reyne and Lord Frey was in full swing, Danyla had already arrived with her fleet at Runestone, the seat of House Royce in the Vale.
From Runestone, one could reach Braavos by crossing the Narrow Sea to the northeast. However, Runestone's harbor was less than ideal, and it was nowhere near as prosperous as Gulltown to the south.
Danyla had chosen to spend the night at Runestone for two reasons. First, she wanted to see whether Daemon's wife, Lady Rhea Royce, was really as unattractive as he claimed. After all, Rhea's younger sister, Danyla's personal maid Rhaella, could certainly be considered an icy beauty. Surely her own sister could not be that ugly!
Second, Danyla was interested in House Royce's Bronze Runes Armor. According to the family, this bronze armor could protect its wearer from any harm, yet countless people throughout history had died wearing it.
The elderly Earl Royce was the guardian of Danyla's younger cousin, Jeyne Arryn, Duke of the Vale, as well as Warden of the Vale. After learning that the Mountain Clans of the Mountains of the Moon had also become involved in the incident, Danyla had sent him a secret letter.
The Mountain Clans Tribes were primitive tribal peoples who lived in the Mountains of the Moon in the Vale, varying in size and strength.
These clans had originated during the Andal invasion of the Vale. The First Men who refused to submit to the Andals had retreated into the Mountains of the Moon, where they multiplied in the mountain forests and formed separate clans.
As a result, they retained many First Men traditions and shared customs with the Wildlings beyond the Wall-raiding and refusing to submit to authority.
They did not recognize the rule of the Eyrie and remained