Pate the Lionslayer

"This is it" Thought Pate of Longleaf, although now he was called 'The Lionslayer' after he had brought down Lord Jason Lannister, head of the army of the Rock. He didn't deny the killing had given him status, but he wouldn't have thought of ever achieving it, after all he was a mere squire only months ago. Lord Roderick Dustin had given him command of a small garrison, and now they were approaching the town of Tumbleton.

After the Butcher's Ball, he had grown confident in his newfound ability to command, and very soon the Dragon riders would arrive, bringing fire and death upon the Green's army. Ser Garibald Grey had taken time to explain to him the strategy and how he and Lord Dustin would break through the main army and face the Hightowers head on, a prospect that scared him, but obeyed nonetheless. Ser Garibald and Sers Torrhen and Medrick Manderly would take over the town.

And here he was, mounted on a horse about to face the largest army in Westeros, one with several capable commanders and fierce warriors, but he trusted Lord Dustin, and knew he and the Winter Wolves could do it.

Chaos was raging across the field. "Hold them!" yelled Pate as he tried to rally his men. Someone had pulled him down from his horse, and now he was trying to keep himself alive, parrying the enemy blows whenever he could. He could also hear the dragons raining death behind him, but he was too focused on not being killed to watch.

Blood and steel stank everywhere and to his panicking mind, restoring order seemed impossible. Until he saw Lord Dustin charging straight to the disorganized Hightower vanguard.

Oh Seven he's going alone! he thought, and before Lord Dustin was killed, he yelled "Follow your commander! Break. Through!". His screams actually worked, the Winter Wolves charged like wild beasts towards the surprised Reachmen, and could see even from here the battle was far from over.

Only a few minutes later and Pate saw Lord Dustin falling from his horse, but the Northmen quickly got up and faced an imposing warrior wearing the tabard of House Hightower. His opponent was brandishing a long-axe that could hack a man to pieces.

Bryndon Hightower he thought. Ser Garibald had given the names of as many enemy commanders as he could, with brief descriptions even, so the name suddenly popped in his mind. Before he could watch more closely, a man with the tabard of House Peake tried to stab him. He reacted quickly and drove his sword through the man's throat. But by the time he turned back to the fight between Dustin and Hightower it happened...

Hightower had hacked Lord Dustin's shield arm, and the man was kneeled and bleeding horribly, but just as Hightower was about to finish him, Dustin reacted and drove his sword straight to Ser Bryndon's neck. Hightower collapsed and before Pate was able to react, Lord Roderick got up and ran straight towards another man, who wielded a black sword.

Ormund Hightower he realized. Oh fuck me. He was given a brief moment to think as he saw Roderick Dustin charge straight towards the commander of the Green army, one-armed and bleeding. It all happened in mere seconds. Dustin had driven his sword straight through Hightower's chest, not even a chance to lift the Valyrian steel blade.

But there was no chance to celebrate, just as Dustin fell to the ground, he could barely hear a war horn, signaling retreat. All he could see was that the dragons were burning scores of Rivermen. Traitors he realized. But he had no chance to think, he ran for Lord Dustin's body and then saw Dustin's horse coming near. Loyal beast he thought. As fast as he could he placed Dustin's body on the horses back and mounted, hoping no arrow nor spear would stop them.

The march back to Harrenhal was a quiet, pained affair. The injured were being carted or placed on horses, but most of the dead had been left behind. Pate had gotten off Lord Roderick's horse and was now walking next to the animal, covered in blood and mud.

"Ser Pate" he heard behind him. It was Ser Torrhen Manderly and behind him was his brother Medrick.

Ser Torrhen looked at the body of his fellow Northmen and, with a grim look, asked "What happened?". "Lord Roderick charged straight through their ranks, and fought Bryndon Hightower, and despite losing his shield arm, he still killed Hightower. And then he struck down Ormund Hightower, after that he died" - Pate told as accurately as he could remember. Ser Torrhen looked surprised, but then his expression softened a bit and said "I suspected he would do that, bloody mad man" When he said that he looked distraught. "Don't worry Ser Pate, I'll make sure his remains arrive safely back to Barrowtown. You did the North a good favor lad". Then Ser Torrhen galloped ahead, his brother following behind, but before he went too far, Pate asked as clearly as he could - "What happened to Ser Garibald?"

"Burned to death" said Medrick with a grim look. "My brother and I will return to King's Landing as soon as we can, but you and your men shall remain at the God's Eye, keeping an eye for Aemond One-Eye" and as he finished talking, he went ahead to catch up with his brother.

"I guess there won't be any more glorious battles for me, eh?" - He thought out loud without caring who heard him.