-Prologue-

Days of Reyne

We begin with two enigmatic lords, Lord Aaron Flanders and Lord Brent Salsbury who are in a meeting at the house of their mutual ally Lady Lyanna Mormont.

"Mi'lady, I was sent here by Lord Rodrick of Ironrath to be your protector," Said the fallen Lord Salsbury, he was a young lord in his early twenties he and was a tall man standing around 6'7 with hair as black as smoke and a trimmed beard and short hair.

"I am here answering your call my Lady," Said Aaron Flanders Lord of the Dreadfont he was a man of about twenty-three with dark brown semi-long hair, a 5 o'clock shadow, a scar over his left eye, and about an inch taller than Lord Salsbury

"Alright, Lord Salsbury, go with Lord Flanders, if you are to be one of my protectors then you must be sufficiently trained," Decreed the Lady

"But, why with a knight not of your house?" Questioned Lord Salsbury

"Lord Flanders is a loyal ally of House Mormont, and he is also the Lord Commander of my Queen's Guard," She explained

"If you will follow me Lord Salsbury, we can begin your training." Lord Flanders said gesturing towards the door

The two lords venture to Lord Flanders' castle the Dreadfont in order to begin Lord Salsbury's training and initiation into Lady Mormont's Queen's Guard. The castle was made of black stone carved into the peak of a mountain with an eternal storm raging above, its dizzying heights reminded one of Harrenhal. The two lords entered the castle and headed for the training room. The training was brutal Lord Salsbury was definitely a trained fighter, but he was beaten more often than not by Lord Flanders, the battles left him with bruises and even at times broken bones.

"You are quite the skilled fighter, who trained you?" Inquired the castle's lord

"I was trained by Ser Reginald of Castamere," He answered downcast

"I see, so you were a member of that fallen house," Lord Flanders said with reverence

"I was but a banner man to the house, I am the Lord of House Salsbury," The lord replied

"Even so, do not let the horrors of your past keep you down, get back up and harness your rage, use it to smite your enemies." Said Flanders sparking a fire in Salsbury's heart

"Well, that will be all for today, Ser Maximus here will lead you to your quarters," Said Lord Flanders gesturing to a man waiting by the door

"Right this way Mi'lord," The sworn sword said walking away

As Lord Salsbury walks to the barracks he notices the walls getting narrower leading to a small room that could maybe house one hundred fifty men. Later at his bunk he reminisces back to his time at Ironrath, when he was trained by Ser Reginald of Castamere. But today reminded him of the lesson of parrying attacks and how this is the first time he has been beaten in years. He also thinks about his childhood friend Mira Forrester that was sent to King's Landing to become a handmaiden for Margaery Tyrell.

Just before nightfall he is thinking about Ethan, Mira's younger brother, killed by Ramsay Bolton while Lord Salsbury was defending the gate, and now he understands the reason why Lord Rodrick sent him here, to form alliances, but now Lord Salsbury must get some rest because tomorrow Lord Flanders plans to test him. After three hours of shut eye Lord Salsbury is woken up to the sound of bashing metal and walks out of the barracks to find Lord Flanders and his men in a circle formation with Ser Maximus wielding a steel arming sword in the middle.

"What in the seven hells is going on?" inquired Lord Salsbury.

"A duel between you and my sworn sword Ser Maximus," said Lord Flanders

"What weapon should I use?" asks Lord Salsbury.

As Lord Salsbury asks as one of Lord Flanders men throws a shield to the ground for him.

"No blade?" asked Lord Salsbury quizzically

While looking at the shield it seems to be ironwood from House Forrester. As soon as Lord Salsbury looks up Ser Maximus is already slashing for his face.

"This is not fair!" yelled Lord Salsbury.

"War is not fair," Lord Flanders said sternly

As soon as Lord Flanders finishes his sentence Ser Maximus strikes Lord Salsbury's shield chipping away the top right corner. Then Ser Maximus plunges his sword into the shield cracking it in half. Lord Salsbury rebuffs him and then kicks the back of Ser Maximus' knee bringing him down, then smacks the back Ser Maximus' head with the other half of the shield leaving him unconscious. Lord Flanders orders the rest of his men to help Ser Maximus to the maester.

"Well done Lord Salsbury, now that will be all for the next few days as I have some business on Bear Island," Said the elusive lord, "Take the time to explore the castle, as dreary as it may seem it does have some fantastic sights." With that the lord left the other to his own devices.