Hello everyone. Here is the new chapter. Hope you like it. Suggestions and reviews are MOST welcome :)
Chapter 11
Pack, Pride and Shoal 3
"They have my wife," father said.
They had marched quickly, arriving at Moat Cailin in the afternoon, and were waiting for the additional force of White Harbor to arrive under Wendel Manderly. Father had named Sansa the Lady of Winterfell, and Lord Tallhart the Castellen.
They were only a few minutes past making their seat in the Children's Tower at Moat Calin when they got this tiding from the force sent to find Lady Catelyn. Robb and others connected the dots soon enough, his mother was probably a captive of the Lannisters now.
"Ned, I beg of you," Lord Karstark said desperately, "keep your mind clear. We need you to think straight my lord."
Father closed his eyes, deep in thought. Robb's blood was boiling, but he knew he had to think reason. He spoke up, "Tyrion Lannister would have to reach his Lord Tywin first. This incident happened nearly 18 days ago days ago. It is good that our men gave us this news long before the Lannisters will think of sending a message to us."
"The lad has the right of it Ned," Lord Umber said. Robb fumed inside. He was the youngest in the war council, but still he was a man grown. "We should keep on marching father," Robb spoke on, trying to keep irritation away from his voice.
Father looked up with a scalding look in his eyes. "They crippled my son," he spoke in a spine chilling voice, "they are burning the Riverlands, they are killing innocents and now they hold a noblewoman hostage. Yes my friends, we will march. There will be war, and there will be justice for those who were wronged by these lions." He had a mad look on his face, which unnerved Robb and many others around him.
There was a brief silence in the chambers. Jon Umber grinned and finally spoke, pointed towards the map on the tables. "We know that Tywin Lannister is down by the Red Fork, taking castles one by one till only Riverrun stands. His infernal son is busy starving out the Tullys. I say we march down and meet Lord Tywin in open battle. Lord Tywin can't defeat our numbers if we take him by surprise."
"Do you not know Lord Tywin," Roose Bolton spoke in his spider thin voice. "The man already thinks he has won the battle before even hearing anything about the opposition. Even if you defeat him, you would never break him until you have him at your swordpoint. We need leverage."
"Lord Bolton is right, and besides they already have leverage over us," father said. "They hold Riverrun and Ser Edmure, and now they also have my wife hostage. We have to move careful here. It's true that we are fighting the Lannisters, but we are fighting for the Riverlands. Freeing Riverrun may finish everything once and for all. We can cross the Green Fork at the Twins and march to Riverrun."
"That will leave the North unguarded," Robb said, bringing everyone's attention to him. "Moat Cailin may hold them, but we should not keep all our hopes on it."
"Moat Cailin has thrown back large Southron hosts numerous times," Theon said.
"Aye, but if we march down the Twins, the garrision there will be all that stands between Lord Tywin and Winterfell, and the other Northern castles."
"What do you suggest Robb," Lord Glover asked.
"When we will march down the Neck, Lord Tywin will surely march north to meet us. I say we split our force at the Twins. One part will engage Lord Tywin and keep him busy while other will take Ser Jamie unaware at Riverrun," Robb finished at the climax of his excitement. He couldn't deny it, he was pleased with himself, and was finding hard not to show it. He could not see any flaw in his plan.
Lord Umber was grinning at him, Lord Karstark and the other bannermen was looking in approval, Lord Bolton was giving him a curious stare, and father was just looking at him, his eyes shining with pride. "So we have a new plan now," GreatJon boomed. "Split the forces at the Twins, one capture the Kingslayer, other take Lord Tywin with his breeches down."
"How do we split the forces Lord Stark," Lord Karstark was addressing Robb.
"We have to take the Kingslayer by surprise," Robb said looking straight at Lord Karstark. "Taking cavalry host would be good for it. The foot host can engage Lord Tywin."
"What do you say Ned," GreatJon asked father.
"That is a good battle plan Robb," father said. "We will split the force like this only."
"Lord Stark," Lord of the Dreadfort spoke, "splitting the forces is a good plan. But let me point out that Lord Tywin's force would be atleast 25,000 strong, with more armored horses than us. The chances of our infantry winning would be slim."
"That won't matter," the GreatJon said. "Give me the command Ned. I'll take them unaware at night and gut Tywin Lannister while he is siiting on his privy."
"I appreciate your offer Jon," father said, "but I'd humbly refuse it. Roose is right. Their numbers would be more." He addressed Lord Bolton, "we don't need to crush Lord Tywin. Our aim is to keep him busy while we capture the Kingslayer. Rickard," he addressed Lord Karstark, "you will command the infantry force. March down the Kingsroad and meet Lord Tywin in battle. Steal a night's march on them, and then keep them busy. Retreat quickly if the battle turns against you, they won't pursue you for long." Father smiled. "I will command the cavalry host, and ride to Riverrun. My lords, it is time to prepare the men to march. White Harbor men must be arriving at any moment. I would like to have a word with my son."
The lords nodded consent and started to go. "You stay Theon, I need to talk to you too" father said. Theon smiled and remained in the tent.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Greetings Lady Stark," Lord Tywin gave greeted coldly when they entered her tent. It was dusk of the same day Tyrion and Lady Catelyn had arrived at the Lannister Camp. The host was about to leave to capture Harrenhal the next day. "I hope you got all the hospitalities here that you so well deserved after abducting my son," he said, voice dripping with sarcasm.
The she wolf looked at his father with fury in her eyes. "Now you hold me your hostage, and that should make us even."
"Yes I do hold you as a hostage," his father almost smiled. "But you must admit, hostages are never treated like the way you are being treated here. It is quite contrary to my reputation in the realm. You might not have heard of the fate of those who have ever dared to cross me."
"I know about it Lord Tywin," Lady Stark spoke without a scrap of fear. "I have heard all about the Reynes of Castamere and happened to Elia and her children." Perhaps the woman had lost her mind after staying away from her home for so long. Even the bravest man wouldn't dare raise his voice in front of the Lord of Casterly Rock. "Lannisters pay their debt, I have heard. But let me make assure you that at times the Starks also pay their debts. This man here, your son," she pointed at Tyrion, "came to my house as a guest. He ate salt and bread in my castle, and there conspired to murder my son."
"Finally we are on the main discussion," Tyrion sneered.
"He had someone push him off the tower," Lady Stark continued. "The fall didn't kill him, so he sent a catspaw with a dagger to kill while he was sleeping. I tried to stop him, and he cut my fingers." She unwrapped her bandages and showed her wounds them. It was for the first time that he had seen her wounds closely, and he couldn't help but gasp.
The skin was cut deep to the bones, and her wounds were leaking blood because of no proper healing and medication. Even his father's eyes constricted at seeing the wounds.
"That man would've killed my son that day, but the wolf tore his throat out. What kind of man would want to kill a sweet boy of seven," she finished, looking at Tyrion with eyes full of accusation and hatred.
Tyrion said in a singsong voice, "I say it again Lady Stark, I didn't have anything to do with your son's fall."
"Wait a moment Tyrion," his father interrupted him, a hint of annoyance in his voice. "How are you so certain that my son here tried to kill your boy? Where did you get the idea that this stunted whoremonger had anything to do with his fall in the first place?"
"Why don't you ask your son," Lady Stark said acridly.
"I am asking you," Lord Tywin retorted with a hint of irritation. "It is you who claims that Tyrion was responsible for your son's condition. Surely you must be having evidence backing your belief."
Catelyn Stark lowered her eyes, refusing to speak. "It was Baelish," Tyrion replied on her behalf, causing the She Wolf to look at him sharply.
"Baelish," his father didn't look much surprised. "That little worm! I'll have his head for this."
Lady Stark was outraged. She argued, "without even questioning your son you will put an innocent man to death. What kind of justice is this?"
"Innocent man," Tyrion scoffed.
"You trust the words of a man who prides on himself for his falseness," Lord Tywin said.
"He is like a little brother to me."
"Little brother," Lord Tywin remarked with a smirk. "Do you know that Lord Baelish claims to have taken both yours and your sister's maidenheads while he was at Riverrun. Last time I checked, people don't claim their elder sister's maidenhead unless they are Valyrian."
Oh you clueless old fool, Tyrion's eyes were watering from all the effort of keeping himself from laughing out loud.
"How dare you speak such foulness," Catelyn Stark almost looked like a savage wolf.
"I told you the same thing on the High Road Lady Stark," Tyrion said.
"Enough of this," his father said before Lady Stark could mouth a retort. "Come Tyrion, let Lady Stark rest."
Tywin Lannister turned and walked out of the door. Tyrion waddled after him.
"What now father," he asked after catching up to him.
"Ned Stark would be oblivious to his wife's whereabouts until we send someone to tell him," he said. "For now we have much pressing matters. You must have heard about the farce of a letter Joff sent to Ned Stark."
Tyrion sniggered. "Ah, my nephew. And here I was thinking he would make a worse king than his father."
As usual, his father didn't appreciate the jape. "That is not the only folly commited in King's Landing. You dear sister dismissed Ser Barristan from the Kingsguard, and made the Hound one of the Whitecloaks."
Thinking of the Kingsguard without Selmy was like thinking of the North without the Starks. "What are you planning to do father," Tyrion asked.
"I am sending you to King's Landing, to rule in my stead as hand of the King." This shocked Tyrion the most of any thing he had heard. "Keep any stupid action of Cersei and her whelp under check.
Tyrion laughed. "My sister might have a word or two to say about that!"
"Let her say what she likes. Her son needs to be taken in hand before he ruins us all. Where was the sense dismissing Selmy? Yes, the man was old, but the name of Barristan the Bold still has meaning in the realm. He lent honor to any man he served. Can anyone say the same of Sandor Cleagane. Now I see what kind of men give advises to his grace and her mother." He pointed a finger at Tyrion's face. "If Cersei cannot control the boy, you must. And I don't have to tell you what is to be done with this Petyr Baelish, or any other traitor you whiff out." Tyrion knew. "Spikes. Heads. Walls." He said.
"I see you have taken a few lessons from me."
"More than you know, Father," Tyrion answered quietly. "Why me though?" he asked, cocking his head to one side. "Why not my uncle? Why not a…bigger man?"
Lord Tywin spoke abruptly. "You are my son."
Tyrion sneered. "So this is my share of glory from your side, ain't it father? With Jaime in the battlefield, I am all that you have."
"Take it in whatever way you want. You are going to the Capital tomorrow."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The narrow sea was more turbulent than ever that night.
Jon Snow was onboard a small spice ship headed to White Harbor. He himself was headed back to Winterfell after his visit to Dragonstone. He had to admit, before this visit to Dragonstone he had never been involved this much in his family affairs. That's why he readily accepted this task when it was given to him. Lord Wyman had offered a personal ship for Jon, but he had refused.
Interesting place, Dragonstone. Anyone who might visit Dragonstone would find it a dreary place full of gloom. But somehow Jon Snow found peace there. His whole self kind of resonated with the place as soon as he landed from his ship. When the time of his departure came, his body screamed in refusal. It felt like home in Dragonstone.
Stannis Baratheon had first felt slighted over the fact that Lord Eddard had sent his baseborn son to him as an envoy. He did everything as father had asked, and in the end sent a raven describing how everything went by. Stannis was a just and righteous man, a much harder version of father. However the Red Woman had a way too much influence over him, much to the annoyance of Davos Seaworth and many others. Jon couldn't help but empathize with the man.
Maester Luwin had once taught him that people wouldn't be instantly resentful to you if take some of their sources of food or shelter, but they will rise in open rebellion if you attack their faith and beliefs. The way Lady Melissandre talked about other religions and her plans to convert everyone towards 'the Lord of Light' wouldn't do good for Stannis' cause if he wants to be the King. With these thoughts in his head, he slowly drifted to sleep.
He was rudely woken up by someone throwing a pitcherful of water on his face. Jon woke up with a start, and noticed two cloaked figures in his chambers. "Get your ass up vermin," he said in a strange accent.
Pirates. He reached for his dagger and pounced at them, but was thrown back with immense force. He hit his head hard on the wall, and saw stars floating in front of his eyes.
"Oh my, we have got a little fighter here," the other one spoke in mock fear.
"Drag him out and line him up with the others."
He was dragged out of his chambers and lined up with the other crew and passengers of the ship. He knew putting up a fight was futile. There were a total of 8 pirates, and they could easily beat him into a pulp. After noticing the others, Jon figured out that he was most easily subdued of all the sailors of his ship. Most of them were beaten bloody by the pirates.
"Quite a bounty we found on this ship," one of them said.
"Where are the women," another asked.
"You mean those hags. Useless, we threw them in the ocean. With their faces they wouldn't have brought us a single coin. We only have saved these," he pointed towards three small girls, perhaps ten years of age.
The one whom Jon presumed was their leader came near them. He was looking at them as if they were something on sale in a market. "Lock these in the cellar. They are all to be sold in Meereen."
