A large number of men marched on Winterfell, they didn't seem to be a threat as they headed straight for the gates at a steady pace, still he had his men at the ready awaiting them. It wasn't until he seen the banners did he realize that these were not the bannermen he called upon to march south and free his father. Large and proud grey banners with white owls upon them caused him to squint in confusion. He had never seen nor heard of such banners. Who they belonged to was a mystery.
After all that had happened, Robb was beginning to realize how cautious one must be in Westeros. Not even good men like his father faired.
"Maester Luwin, I do not recognize those banners. Are you familiar?" asked Robb, warily. At the front of the men was a lone horse, who upon it was hard to tell. Their lord, Robb had figured.
The man himself seemed shocked by what he was seeing. "Aye, my lord, those be the banners of House Silke of the Sting."
This didn't end Robb's confusion. He had never heard of such a place. "The Sting?"
"In the Land of Always Winter."
"A house of wildings?" he barely mustered, astonished and a little nervous.
The maester shook his head, a strange look upon his face that Robb couldn't read. He trusted his maester as he had knew him since he was a boy, but it troubled Robb to never know of this house he spoke of. "They used to reside in Westeros, my lord, but descended North during the tyranny of the Mad King. They refused to be ruled by such a man. They are a proud people and King Aerys burned the wife of Lord Garren Silke to death, believing the act would cause the lord to kneel before the King, but he did not."
A dozen questions ran through the mind of the young Lord Stark. If they had left by choice, why had they decided to return and to Winterfell, no less? "Why come here?"
"That, we will find out together, I suppose." answered his Maester with a thoughtful tone. "From what I recall, House Silke was pledged to the Lord of Winterfell, at least before. I don't believe they mean us harm. Winter is coming, my lord, perhaps, they seek the warmth of Winterfell."
Robb considered his maester's words, still thrown. He knew nothing of these people and he wondered just exactly what he was getting himself into by simply awaiting them at the gates of his home. A kingless house… Well, wasn't that what he was, now? With a leap of faith, Robb said nothing more and continued to eye the banners as they neared.
It was then that he took a good look at the man upon the lone horse leading the small army of men, only to realize it was no man at all, but a lady. It didn't necessarily shock him too much. House Mormont of Bear Island was led by Lady Maege. It wasn't unheard of, just very uncommon.
When she descended off her horse, Robb was able to get a better look at her. The woman wore a fine cloak, no doubt lined with furs, with a hood designed like the face of an owl and it's pointed beak resting just between her brows. When she pushed back her hood and revealed herself, his blue eyes set upon a beautiful woman with dark, wild curls and skin fair. Her eyes was like steel and her gaze fell upon them with a glint that he couldn't place. What had first caught his eye, however was the sword hanging from her hip.
"I come to speak with Lord Stark of Winterfell." she declared in a tone of confidence. She spoke as clearly and precise as her glower on them had been.
Robb stepped forward and nodded, still taking her all in. She was small, physically as most women, but her presence had spoke volumes to him. "Perhaps, you could introduce yourself."
"I am Daiannha Silke, Lady of the Sting in the Land of Always Winter and I have come to offer my aid in your march to King's Landing."
"Forgive me, my lady, but how do you know I intend to go to King's Landing?" Robb prompted, brows furrowed at her proposal and the power of her words. Slowly, he was understanding she might not be the type of lady he was used to.
Lady Daiannha stepped closer. "Benjen Stark of the Night's Watch is a welcomed friend in the Sting, Lord Stark. Winter is coming, the North must fight wisely."
He couldn't help, but feel that her words were somewhat loaded with another meaning. Robb didn't find her treacherous as she could have certainly went a different way about it. The Lady of the Sting definitely had the men for it. In all truth, he didn't know what to make of her. She seemed foreign to him. "You know my uncle?"
"I said that didn't I?" she uttered, sounding quite impatient. Robb hadn't expected it, but curved his lips into a smile.
"I must apologize for my wariness, Lady Silke-."
"Daia will do just fine." she interrupted with haste.
"Of course." he nodded even though her behavior was strange. "Anyways, forgive me for my wariness, but I have not even heard of House Silke until your banners reached our sight and the little I have heard tells me your House turned their back on Westeros."
Daiannha of House Silke let out a laugh, but there was no humor behind it. "I came here in kind, to offer you my help and you, in return, insult my family?"
"I did not ask for your help, my lady." It might have been a stupid thing to say. He wanted to show the Lannisters the strength of the North and perhaps this women could help him, only he wasn't ready to trust her quite yet.
"But you will need it." she challenged, sharply. He was impressed by how unwavering she was. "You might believe you can march to King's Landing and save your father, but I know for a bloody fact it will not be that simple. This is an act of war, whether you are too stupid to see it or not. Where there is war, there is the need of men to fight and I have the best men the North can offer."
"What makes you think your men are the best in the North?" questioned the young lord, dauntingly. In truth, the men who carried the owl banners looked more than capable. Most were burly and thick with resolve written in their faces. True northmen.
"You know little of my House, so I won't take that as insult." Daia began, narrowing her grey eyes. "House Silke has been the House of the Grey Warriors since before even King Aerys took his first breath. We train from the moment we can walk and we fight to the moment of our death."
Her wording interested him, immensely. "We?"
"Forgive me, I forgot you smother your women instead of let them flourish. In the North, the true North, any fighter will do, man or woman."
Her sharp tone amused him. "Sorry to offend, my lady."
She scoffed in return. "Then quit referring to me as lady and remember my name."
Robb chuckled. He had never heard a woman such as herself speak in such a way. It was almost as if she were demanding to be heard. He was still wary of this woman, but he reminded himself she was northern. She might not be like the schemers of the south and if his uncle had informed her, she must hold honor. His uncle would never endanger his family. "Very well, perhaps this is conversation better suited inside."
"It is about bloody time." she drawled, tiredly even though a small smile played at her lips. She grabbed her horse's reins, leading him forward. "I was wondering where the so called 'southern hospitality' was."
"This isn't the south." Maester Luwin chimed in. Robb had almost forgotten that the maester had stood a few paces behind him.
He watched as Daiannha eyed the lands around her, an eyebrow quirked in slight judgment. This woman was not convinced. "It is to me."