Chapter 4. White Harbor

Part 1. Sanctuary

The city of White Harbor was at full battle readiness just in case King Joffrey sent his fleet up the coast to attack the city and the north. William Manderly the Nephew of Lord Wyman Manderly was regent of new castle and lord of White Harbor until his uncle's return. He was in the main hall going over the latest reports from the war front. King Robb Stark was on his way to Harrenhal to face Lannister forces. Tywin Lannister had been on the run since the battle of Mill Stone a victory but a strategic blunder by Edmure Tully.

"Milord!" A man announces entering the grand hall of New Castle.

William looks up from the maps of Westeros to acknowledge the man, "Yes what is it?"

"There is a man here wishing to speak with you…"

"Who is he?"

"He says his name is Justin Stark…"

William's mouth started to open slowly and he sat down as his mind rolled with many thoughts, "Bring him in!" When William saw him he saw a smaller version of Benjen Stark standing before him, "You are a Stark aren't you?"

"Justin Stark my lord…First of his name…Son of Benjen Stark and nephew of Eddard Stark…I ran way at the age of 13…I have returned home…"

"To a land in war…"

"I know I found out before I stopped in King's Lamding…My crew and I need lodging and shelter…"

"My home is your home Lord Stark…The North has declared your cousin King of the North…I shall write him…"

"NO!" Justin said more forcefully than he wished, "I don't want my cousin or anyone else knowing I am here…You can tell me how the war is progressing…"

William ushered him to the table where he had battle markers for the position of troops, "Your cousin has won here in the whispering woods, Green Fork, and Mill Stone…"

Justin studied the map, "Why did Robb…I mean King Robb attacked at Mill Stone he could have trapped the Lannisters in the river-lands?"

"That was Edmure Tully who did that…The King has gone to Harrenhal to fight the Lannisters…"

Then Justin noticed the cracken statues over key cities in the north, "The Iron Born have invaded…"

"Yes…I drove them away two weeks ago as they tried to take this city…"

"I sent my man Kable back to Braavos to find my friend and ally Victor Brace he commands an army of 60,000 men…"

"And he will just fight for you without pay?"

Justin smiles, "Victor and I started that army and we have saved each other's lives on more than one occasion…We are brothers in all things but blood…He will come and they will fight…"

"How long will it take him to get here?"

"Six to nine days depending on the current…"

"Alright then my castle is your castle…"

"One more thing and this is between us…"

Justin told Lord Manderly about Sansa in private. She was given a cloak to wear, then snuck into the castle and placed in a room. William gave Sansa four servants to wait on her and an honor guard of ten men. Then Justin went to his room where an iron chest was waiting. He removed his clothes and put on his armor. His arm grieves were in the shape of wolf heads. His body armor was black and silver. The head of a silver wolf adorned his chest and he had a silver wolf's helm for his head. He then strapped his twin swords to his back. Each was made of valyrian steel and had a wolf's head on the pummel howling.

"How do I look?" Justin asked after entering Sansa's room.

She smiles, "Like a war god…"

Part 2. Victor Arrives

Eight days later hundreds of ships were off the coast of White Harbor. All flying the sigil of house Stark. As Victor came ashore Justin was waiting wearing his armor and William Manderly was with him. "You haven't been gone a month and already you are in trouble…"

They laugh and hug each other, "May I present William Manderly Regent of white Harbor…Lord Manerly my friend and brother in arms Victor Brace…" Brace bows then Justin introduces his cousin Sansa. They gather in the main hall of New Castle.

"We've just received word that your cousin the King is heading for Riverrun for his grandfather's funeral…" William said placing a wolf-head statue over Riverrrun. "Also the Karstarks have abandoned the King…"

Justin looks at William in concern, "Why?"

"Rickard Karstark killed two Lannister boys that had been captured against the King's command…The Karstarks made up half the King's forces…Most of the river-land forces have been dwindled down to nothing…"

Justin shook his head, "I am half Karstark I will intercept the Karstark forces and speak with them…In the meantime…" Justin points to Moat Cailin, Deepwood Moat, Stony shore, Bear Island, and Flint's Finger. "Victor you take 20,000 men and drive those Iron bastards from the north…"

Victor takes a wolf's head and places it over Moat Cailin, "I'll march on Moat Cailin first…" He takes another wolf's head marker and places it over Flint's Finger, "Then I will take the Finger…From there I will march up the stony shore to Deepwood…"

"Good I will march along the coast until I enter the river-lands, then march toward Riverrun…"

"What about the Karstarks?" William asked.

"They will probably march along the coast to reach their castle so I will intercept them…We leave tomorrow morning…" The next day Justin leads 40,000 troops along the coast towards the river-lands while his friend and ally Victor Brace leads 20,000 men against Moat Cailin.