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Vivian was numb as they walked through what was left of the village; it was only ruins. Burned bodies were scattered across the floor, making Elyana feel sick. She had never seen so much destruction, neither of them did. Tears flowed freely down Vivian's cheeks as she worried for her family. Were they amongst this terror?
They ventured further through the village, Vivian's heart beating faster, the closer they got to her family home. Then she let out a scream; a ear-piercing scream that could probably be heard from King's Landing. She no longer recognised the home where she once lived.
"Vivian, I'm sorry," Elyana said sadly. Vivian sobbed while she stepped closer, hoping to find someone, anyone. The house wasn't as badly burnt as the others which gave her some hope. "I shall make my father aware that the attacks are down here as well."
"But Ely, you'll get in trouble," Vivian cried as she searched for a body. There were no bodies in sight which confused her. Where would they be? "Milady, there's no one here."
"What?" Elyana called out, she was waiting outside, making sure no one came. Elyana looked at the rubble beneath her, checking to see if there were any weapons left. She knew it was unlikely but if they were to get home safely she needed something to protect herself with. With no fighting experience, she worried a little but thought that it couldn't be that hard, she only needed a small knife.
Vivian came out of the house looking broken. She was no longer crying but there was an emptiness in her eyes.
"She was hiding in the wardrobe," she said, with no emotion. She didn't know how to feel. "She wouldn't have known that there was a fire until it had spread."
"Vivian, I am so sorry."
Vivian gave Elyana a small nod before storming off to the horses. Elyana sighed deeply, she didn't know what to do. She was feeling so overwhelmed by the scene, she couldn't comprehend how Vivian was feeling right now.
Edwin was getting impatient; they hadn't seen any of the attackers for the whole duration they were patrolling. It was clear that people had tried to do some damage here but there were a few fighters in this town who were obviously itching for a fight. The townsfolk had given a description of the attackers which added to Edwin's suspicions of them being Wildlings.
"Milord, perhaps they ran for the Wolfswood?" Mors Castell called from behind Edwin.
"We shall take a trail through the Wolfswood on our way home then. Make sure you send a raven to make sure Ely doesn't go adventuring today."
"A raven came not long ago, milord. Elyana and her handmaiden are gone. Lady Westwood said that Elyana mentioned that Vivian's mother was ill."
"Oh, damn it, Elyana. Why must you be so difficult?" Edwin muttered to himself.
"Shall I go look for her? I know the village they would heading," Mors suggested.
"Yes, go now."
Elyana was aware of a lonely woman walking behind them. The horses were tired so they did not want to rush. Every now and then, Elyana glanced over her shoulder, making sure they were safe. It was safe to say that she was a little paranoid after sighting the Wildlings and the attack of a local village. It was all too much for her so she stopped her horse, confusing Vivian, and called out to the woman.
"Hey!"
The woman looked up at her with a strange look on her face; was she afraid of them?
"Why are you following us?" Elyana asked.
"You look noble."
I look noble? Why does that matter?
"I am Elyana Westwood. My father is Lord of Stoneclaw," Elyana said proudly. "Why is it that you ask?"
"Perhaps you could help me?" the woman whimpered. She lifted her grey hair out of her face, showing a long cut on her forehead; blood was still oozing from the wound. Elyana winced a little before cautiously jumping down off her horse.
"What happened to you?" Elyana whispered, examining the injury.
"I came from the village. There were five of them but I escaped. They knew how to fight, it was horrible."
"Oh my, what did they look like?"
"Four men, one woman. They were covered in furs-"
"Wildlings?" Elyana mumbled, to herself more than anything.
"Yes, milady."
The old woman's eyes changed from scared to almost amusement.
"Elyana!" Vivian screamed. Elyana turned to see a man holding Vivian from behind with a knife against her throat. What was happening?
"What is going on here?" Elyana yelled. Where was this confidence coming from? She felt like a weak little kitten. Elyana Westwood, you are a Tiger of Stoneclaw.
"We need money," the woman sneered.
"I don't have any. Go on, you can check, if you don't believe me."
The man pushed Vivian to the floor before gripping Elyana's arm, forcefully. Elyana let out a small, pained whine as his hand checked her clothing for any items of value. She felt sick. His hand roamed a bit too much as he did so; he squeezed her breasts slightly before sliding down to feel between her legs. She struggled to break free from his grip but it was no use, he was stronger than her and he laughed at her struggle.
Vivian saw the knife that Elyana had found, tucked away in the saddle of her horse but was stopped by the woman as she reached for it. The woman hit Vivian across the head with the handle of her knife, causing her to fall to the ground from the blow.
"Find anything?" the old woman called to the man.
"No, she's worthless. Let's just kill them."
"No, please!" Vivian exclaimed. Elyana stayed quiet while the man stared her down.
Elyana felt useless; how could she think she'd be able to look after herself? These people were savages, they did not know their ways. Now they were going to die because of her little rebellion against her mother. She could hear Vivian's cries which only made her feel worse. I deserve this.
She felt the cold of a knife against her throat so she closed her eyes tightly hoping for it to be quick. After a few seconds the feeling went away and she heard an additional man's voice. When she opened her eyes she was elated to see Mors, with the Wildings on the floor, at the end of his sword.
"You have a choice. Return north of the Wall or die here, at my hands," Mors said coldly. Elyana never saw this side to him; she had seen the playful side to him but then he wasn't in a fight at Stoneclaw.
"Go on, kill me," the man snarled. "GO ON THEN!"
After he stopped yelling, Mors took his sword and buried it in the man's chest. Elyana looked away, not wanting to see a man die right in front of her. The woman started panicking and tried to run but Mors grabbed her and pushed the sword in her back before throwing her down, next to her friend.
Mors wiped his forehead and ran his fingers through his long blond hair before turning to look at Elyana. She was still looking away.
"Are you ok, milady?" he asked quietly. She looked him in the eye and she could see worry and concern in them.
"I am now. Thank you, Mors," she replied with the corners of her lips turning up slightly.
"What were you thinking, Ely?"
"We were going to see Vivian's family but when we got there, the village was in ruins."
"What?" Mors was confused, they had no idea that the savages had come all this way.
"What were you doing here, Mors? How did you know?" Elyana asked.
"Your mother sent a raven, telling us of your disappearance. I came straight away and it was a good thing I did, too. You could have died, Elyana. What am I to tell your father?"
"I-I'm sorry. Can we go now? I don't want to stand amongst dead bodies any longer."
Edwin was pacing the study, he had enough bad news for one day. His face was red with anger and his hands, that were balled up into fists, were shaking. Talia sat in the corner of the room, trying not to let her anger get to her as it had gotten to her husband.
"I'm sure things will work out, Edwin," Talia spoke up. This was the wrong thing to do, apparently as Edwin brought his fist up and punched the nearest wall.
"I have spent so long making this happen. How can he turn his back on us and marry that whore?!"
"She is not a whore, Edwin. He had backed out of Walder Frey's deal first. I am sure that he is also angry. He has made a mistake but he is still our King," Talia tried to make her husband see sense.
"We will see about that."
