Lyle Bracken

Lord Lyle Bracken is the former lord of Stone Hedge. He was born in 383 AC, to his parents Lord Benarr Bracken and Lady Marissa Darry, the first child of four. He inherited the lordship of Stone Hedge after his father's death in 403 AC, and was stripped of it in 407 AC. In the year 412 AC, he was made Captain of the Windblown.

Appearance and Character
A formerly cheerful, excitable lad, his years in exile have hardened Lyle Bracken. Gone is his boyish grin, replaced by an almost permanent scowl. While he still quick to laugh and jest with his comrades, most of his nights are now spent training his sword arm and practicing with his fellow mercenaries. The effects of his practice are clear, he is heavily muscled, wielding a massive two handed sword covered in notches and scars.

History
Lyle was born to Benarr and Marissa Bracken, in the year of 383 AC. From a young age he showed a keen interest in the martial arts, a sharp contrast to his younger brother Jason. He took to riding and jousting quickly, and was quickly said to be his father’s ideal son.

Their relationship however, was said to be have deteriorated when Lyle grew older, as he and his father often disagreed about the affairs of Stone Hedge and that of his siblings. Either unrelated, or because of this, Lyle was sent to Harrenhal at the age of 13, where he would squire under its castellan, Pollux Vance, for two years.

He then returned to Stone Hedge, and it is speculated that his father and him grew even more estranged, for when the War of Three Thieves began Lyle fought with his lord paramount, Lord Brandon Tully, rather than under the command of his lordly father, who commanded the armies of Stone Hedge. It was under the command of Brandon Tully that he was knighted for his valour, by Brandon Tully himself.

The Scarlet Winter, 402 AC-405 AC
After the war, Lyle Bracken returned to Harrenhal briefly, before being informed of his father's death. He then returned to Stone Hedge to be named Lord, and was put in charge of Stone Hedge during the events of the Scarlet Winter.

While the Scarlet Winter was harsh and unforgiving, Lord Lyle benefited from the food stores that his father and family had laid. However, even these did not prove to be enough, as the winter dragged on without mercy. Lyle and his family attempted to help the smallfolk and their vassals as much as they could, but it was a difficult winter, especially with Lord Lyle's lack of experience.

The Aftermath, 407AC-413 AC
It was at the end of 407 AC that Lyle Bracken was at his lowest. Having declared for King Maegor Targaryen, and having raised his levies, the unlucky lord followed orders from Alaric Arryn to besiege Lord Hrraways town. It was there he learnt of Major’s death and Alaric’s defeat. Fearing violent reprisal at the hands of the Queen, he fled, making his way to White Harbour with only twenty-five of his most loyal. From there they made their way to Essos, to make a new life, without the threat of royal retribution. Lyle said that he would never forswear their king, that he was one of the Westerosi who had not knelt to Queen Viserea Targaryeon, who still held that Maegor Targaryen and his get were the rightful line.

It was in essos that Lyle and his fellows joined the Windblown, a mercenary group that had stopped by to replenish their ranks and look for further employment. At the time it was lead by the flamboyant Tyoshi  who welcomes the exiled Westerosi within their ranks with little less than a backwards look. Lyle rose quickly, his physical aptitude and martial training making him a star amongst the grizzled sellswords. He became a sergeant quickly, the only thing holding him back was the ponderous tongue of High Valerian that stood as the closest thing to a company language.

It was in the Windblown that Lyle encountered Aelor Sand, a bastard son of the late Maegor, serving as a dragon for hire. They fought on the same side several times, before Aelor left to pursue other matters.

Captain of the Windblown, 413 AC- 418 AC
By 413 AC, Lyle had further risen, growing even stronger than he had been in the past, and after  died, he was raised to the rank of captain with only a small amount of complaint. Lyle swore he would do right by his mercenary brothers, that he would lead them to riches and victory, but on occasion it is said he looked towards Westerns with a look of longing, for the homeland he could never again have.

Now, Lyle has been captain of the Windblown for 5 years, and has lead them through thick and thin, past stingy employers and unwinnable battles, they have emerged still standing. Recently, their past contract, employment with the city of Braavos has ended, and so Lyle finds himself closer to the Kingdom of the Three Daughters, closer to the festival of lights. It is said there he seeks a worthy patron.

Family
Benarr Bracken b 359 AC, d 403 AC

Marissa Bracken, née Darry b 362 d 404 ac Marq Bracken, brother of Benarr b 361 AC, d 395 AC
 * Lyle Bracken b 383 AC
 * Sarya Bracken b 384 AC
 * Jason Bracken b 386 AC
 * Lisa Bracken b 391 AC

Sanelle Bracken, sister of Benarr b 363 AC, d 397

Lothar Bracken, brother of Benarr b 366 AC

Household
Lord Lyle Bracken: Lord of Stone Hedge

Sarya Bracken: Lady of Stone Hedge, Lyle's sister

Jason Bracken: Steward of Stone Hedge, Lyle's brother

Ser Lothar Bracken: Castellan of Stone Hedge, Lyle's uncle

Ser Otho Bramble: Knight of Bramble Keep, a distant relation to the brackens

Ser Lucas Roote: Master of Arms to Stone Hedge

Ser Patrek Rivers: Captain of the Bracken Guard

Hoster Paege: Knight in the service of Stone Hedge

Septon Norbert: Septon to Stone Hedge

Maester Loras: Maester to Stone Hedge