Dragons and Thrones: A Dark Shadow Looms
Chapter 6 of my crossover story, enjoy.
Reviews
Boris Yeltsin: Thanks :)
raw666: True, that is something, but the question is...what? Do bear in mind, I mentioned last story, once free of the Fade, Arya's major problems were over, so it's going to be something happening to her.
Marina Ka-Fai: Thanks :)
Thewritter1996: Thanks :)
Wolfgirl2013: Thanks :)
Veridissima: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it, you mean her mother's uncle, yup, it's good :)
Now onto the story.
Disclaimer: Game of Thrones belongs to George R.R. Martin. Dragon Age belongs to Bioware.
Cullen
Cullen smiled as he mounted his horse.
"Are you sure this will be necessary?" Lord Stark asked him,
Cullen nodded. "It is just a precaution Lord Stark; while we're certain that we've expelled the Venatori and Red Templars from the North, their bases still remain."
He was planning to lead his men on one last search of the North, based on everything he found, there was still one more Venatori hideout in the North.
"It will likely be either unoccupied or lightly guarded but, better to ensure it is no longer usable for them." Cullen explained. "With our most recent victories, I think we can be rest assured that we've removed their undue influence once we deal with their last hideout."
Lord Stark nodded slowly. "I see; very well then, good luck. The Twins have fallen, the Freys that were against the Venatori or did not know have reaffirmed allegiance with the Tullys and us, I think after this, we should be secure and can focus on aiding King Stannis."
Cullen nodded; the war still wasn't over, but it was changing pace, unless something drastically changed, it was going to become a long and costly war of attrition.
'That isn't something we can afford, not with Corypheus waiting to destroy us all.' He thought.
So, all prepared, he led his fellow Templars out of Winterfell and began their patrol.
As they rode, Cullen considered the recent events again; he had to admit, it was a stroke of luck they uncovered the truth behind the Freys.
He sighed. 'It makes sense I suppose, trying to trap the Starks and Tullys with these marriages, leaving Corypheus with a wide open field to march through...If it wasn't for the suspicions and resourcefulness of Roslin Frey and Amerei Frey, we might never have found out.'
The news made its way to both Tullys and Starks, thanks to these two, despite Amerei being married into the Lannister family. It was clear at least some of their current enemies knew about the bigger threat, or at least cared.
'Lady Roslin told her husband and Lady Amerei sent word to her sister, Lady Bolton, who in turn, informed Lord Stark...' Cullen reflected. 'Given how forthcoming he apparently has been with information; it is reasonable to assume Alexius didn't actually know of this plan involving the Freys, now he and Crassius are prisoners in Riverrun and perhaps, we can learn more.'
This was welcome news indeed and made his search easier, being more light-hearted and having something good happen for a change certainly helped his men's spirits.
All the same, he couldn't help but feel something wasn't quite right. But he knew, right now, there was nothing else he could do, he'd just have to be ready and face whatever it was when it finally appeared.
His main focus right now was finding this last Venatori hideout. Nevertheless, during the search, he did try to think of the source of his concern.
'There is still one major Venatori player, apart from their leader, unaccounted for...Magister Erimond.' He recalled. 'The one that twice nearly took Lady Arya away as a Tevinter slave. But no, after everything that's happened, he wouldn't be able to operate in either the North or Riverlands anymore...so it's not him.'
He continued to think about it all the same, even as they finally found the hideout they were looking for.
After searching thoroughly for any new clues, their only hint being that Corypheus sought something called the Well of Sorrows, Cullen wasn't sure what it was, he only knew one thing, it was certainly not going to be anything good if Corypheus was pursuing it.
Leaving the hideout he looked around, they were near the coast, just seeing it reminded Cullen what had been troubling him.
He was worried about Varric, who had gone to the Iron Islands to try and help them deal with their own Venatori infestation. He had not heard from him in some time.
Standing here, he could just make out the Iron Islands in the distance, it seemed there was some sort of activity there, enough for him to be disturbed. He knew he needed to get a closer look.
"Mattryn, pass the spyglass." He called out as he stepped closer to the shore.
Mattryn obeyed and Cullen used the spyglass to search for any signs. Looking towards the Iron Islands he froze at what he saw.
"Maker's Breath!" He cursed.
From where he stood he could just make out the Iron Islands, surrounded by large ships, blockading the islands and effectively cutting them off. Ships bearing a familiar crest on their sails.
"Commander?"
He growled. "We have to return to Winterfell at once, Red Templars are attacking the Iron Islands, we need to inform Lord Stark, try to send aid!"
His group quickly returned to their horses as did he. Mounting up they began to quickly try to return to Winterfell.
Cullen just prayed they weren't too late.
End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.
