Ninth Month of 301 A.C. Moat Cailin

Lord Cregard Stark

The north was secure, the last of the Ironborn had been driven out of Torrhen's Square with Cregard personally being the one to see to Dagmer Cleftjaw himself. The man had put up quite a fight, and still it had been good to see the scum removed from his north. The people of the north seemed to be slowly coming more accustomed to him and to whom he was. That his brother and sister had so charmed the northern lords and ladies at the feast that Cregard had been advised to hold had more than made up for his own lack of entertaining his guests, for he could not understand such frivolity though his lords seemed to enjoy it. And when the raven had arrived from King's Landing announcing Aegon's conquest of King's Landing and his crowning, Cregard had felt happy for the boy, that at least he had gotten his just deserts, that the raven also confirmed Cregard as Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North was just an added bonus.

And now there was a challenge coming to his claim as Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North. He had received the raven written by that girl, or was it a man, what kind of a name was Petyr Baelish anyway, or Sweetrobin? But regardless someone was coming to challenge his claim and he would not have it. "Tell me what news there is of the Valemen coming." He said.

Lord Howland Reed the Lord of Greywater Watch spoke. "My lord, my men and women have reported that a vast host of Valemen are coming up the causeway slowed down by snow and by arguments with Freys but they are still coming."

"And what are their numbers? Who is leading the host?" Cregard asks.

The small crangongman is silent a moment and then says. "Around 20,000 men my lord. And it does seem that Ser Harry Hardying is the one commanding the host as heir to the Vale. Though it does seem as though Lord Yohn Royce would really be leading the host and as such, some green boy errors might not be made."

Cregard nods and then says. "What are these men like? Lord Rodrik you fought beside the men during the rebellion what can you tell me of them?"

Rodrik Ryswell a man who is very lucky to still be alive takes his time in answering but when he does his response seems well thought out. "Well my lord, Lord Yohn Royce is a stubborn man with more pride than sense, though he is without peer as a commander in the Vale. Lord Horton Redfort is an old man and someone more prone to caution than exuberance, and as for Lord Devon Melcolm, well the man is so green he pisses grass."

"And can anyone of them be bought or sold off into doing our bidding?" Cregard asks.

There is silence for a moment and then Lord Wylis speaks. "I do not think so my lord. Their honour will not allow them to do such a thing. Furthermore, as they are fighting on the order of Robert Arryn they will remain true to their word until such time as they are either dead or their cause is well and truly lost. It is perhaps better, to think about removing the main threat one way or another."

"And you mean to suggest removing the Lady Sansa Stark would do the job just as well as seeing the lords of the Vale bought off? What makes you think such a course of action would go down well?" Cregard asks.

"It is an evil that is true, to kill a young girl, but a necessary one at that. Something that must be done to ensure the future of the north." Wylis Manderly says, and considering the man knows about Rickon Stark Cregard is quite tempted to agree with him.

And yet Lord Howland speaks then. "What you suggest is not honourable Lord Wylis. It is one thing to kill a foe in battle, and yet another to kill a harmless girl who wants nothing more than to return home. Besides, killing the girl would only alienate the lords who remember Lord Eddard's memory as she is his only surviving child."

There is some murmuring at that and Lady Maege does say. "What Lord Howland says is true my lords. Killing the lady Sansa would do nothing to further the cause and ensure stability in the north. Better to deal with the threat her husband poses and to ensure that he is no longer around when the final day comes."

Some more murmuring at that and then his brother Torrhen speaks. "What is this Harrold Hardying like then? Is he someone who will command respect?"

Silence and then Lord Wylis speaks. "According to those from Gulltown whom have met the boy, he seems a good sort of lad, a strong man with a good sense of honour and good with a sword in his hand. Though whether he has the brains for command is another issue."

Cregard nods and then says. "Very well then we shall deal with them when they make it through the neck. Lord Howland, I want you and your men and women to bleed them every step of the way." The man nods and then Cregard looks at all of them and says. "Now there is nothing more to discuss so all of you apart from Torrhen and Lord Wylis leave and prepare for the next set of instructions." Once the other lords have left Cregard turns his attention to Lord Wylis and asks him. "Has your man succeeded yet?"

The lord of White Harbour is silent for a moment and then nods. "Yes my lord. Rickon Stark is back in White Harbour as we speak alongside his wolf and the wildling Osha."

Cregard nods. "Good that is very good. Once this fight is done I mean to speak with the wildling woman and with Lady Sansa and from there we might carve a path for little Rickon that is to my liking."