Rise of Silverpine chapter 14
I do now own Warcraft or A song of Ice and Fire
The five Westerosi ships were exiting Menethil bay, their final destination within sight. The small fleet has just passed the tip of Gilneas, preparing to enter the former kingdom's small bay. A Reach ship sailing under the Redwine banner, a Crownlands dromond sailing under a Baratheon flag and two Lannister war galleys and finally, a Malister carrack. The five foreign ships were escorted by four Kul Tiras galleons and the two massive Silverpine Frigates.
"The weather could use some work." Said Tyrion Lannister, him and his brother Jaime standing near the nose of The Stag's Fury, the only ship of the royal fleet to make the trip west.
All the dwarf received in response was a dry grunt of agreement from his kingsguard sibling.
"Show some excitement brother! Where is your sense of wonder?" asked Tyrion, taking a swing from his flask.
"After over a week at sea, I just want to get on dry land." Returned Jaime as the two of them looked over the grey lands of Gilneas.
"Still, don't you find it curious?" asked the younger brother.
"Which of all? The fact that there were these many lands further west or that those massive wolf banners look oddly familiar?" sarcastically asked Jaime.
"All of the above, brother, all of the above." Returned Tyrion with a wry smile.
"Still, dear Robert did not have to drag half the kingdoms lords with him." Continued the dwarf.
"It was father's idea, actually. Supposedly to promote good relationships." Answered Jaime.
"I am interested to see how father handles this situation, to be honest. After the Starks nearly going to war with us, blaming their children's' misfortunes on us, I want to see how will he act now. The man has never dealt with foreign politics."
"You just want to see him fail." Said Jaime, casting a sideways glance at his shorter brother.
"Perhaps, but even you have to admit, calling old Ned on this journey sure was a brave move."
"It is understandable. Dorne does not particularly like us, and now the North which is larger than the other six combined hates us as well."
"Indeed. If something was to happen, I wonder where they will stand… honestly I am surprised that lord Stark came at all." mumbled Tyrion as a dock appeared in sigh, a clear welcoming party there, the same white banners with a wolfs' head and a silver moon above it flying high.
Tyrion saw that most of the welcoming party were already mounted, obviously clearly wanting to get going and yet he knew that this would not be the case. His sister had insisted on bringing her wheelhouse along and judging by how long it took to load the accursed piece of wood, he knew it would be some time before they get going.
"Get ready, little brother. We will be getting off down soon." Said Jaime as he turned away and disappeared down into the ship, looking for his Robert… or maybe Barristan or Cersei.
Still, it would be another ten minutes at least before the ship docked and Tyrion took the time to properly explore the surroundings. The clear shape of what can be nothing else but a city clearly visible in the distance, most of it obscured by fog. The shores were steep and rocky, the waves crashing brutally into them. As his mismatched eyes scanned the small tight bay, his eyes landed on several ships. Two were identical to the Kul Tiras ones, a name which even Tyrion had trouble pronouncing. One of the ships had a blue anchor on a field of white while the other had a golden lion's head on a field of blue. There were other smaller, similarly designed ships but there was one other that stood out. Purple colored, sleek and low and with a singular triangle sail, the ship bore no banner. What caught the dwarf's attention were the figures on it, for they were clearly, even from this distance, not human. The representatives of this…alliance that reached Lannisport mentioned that there were other races in this union. Tearing his gaze away, his mismatched eyes somehow found their way to the Malister ship, on which, both lords Tully and Stark were traveling. The dwarf remembered how Lord Stark did not even bother coming down ashore in Lannisport, instead staying on the ship and awaiting departure. There was this cold war going on between the two old friends, which was somehow both amusing and heartbreaking at the same time. Still, as the deck began filling with more and more men, most preparing the queen's wheelhouse to be unloaded, Tyrion decided it was high time for him to go and prepare himself.
As the ship finally docked a few minutes later, his brother and old Barristan were the first off, both of them coming to flank the ramp that was lowered from the deck onto the pier. It was then that Robert's massive form followed down, the youngest Lannister honestly been left surprised that the wood did not shatter under the weight. He saw the leader of the welcoming party moving forth on a mount, Tyrion raising an eyebrow at the horn that protruded from the horse's head. Just as he himself was about to go down, his own father, the mighty Tywin, pulled him to the side.
"Do well not to embarrass our family or the crown." He said in a stern voice.
"Wouldn't dream of it, father." Returned Tyrion with a smile, receiving a glare for his response.
Finally getting on the shore right behind his father and sister who completely ignored him, Tyrion saw the rider dismount, finding him to be rather… short.
For a moment, as more and more details became visible, the Lannister was left stunned. It was a girl. A very young and petite one yet she held a certain eternal beauty to her. High cheekbones and deep green eyes. Pale skin and blond hair. Her body slender, clad in a form fitting black ornate armor. And then… there were her ears. Long, going up above her head, ending in pointed end. And yet, the strange deformity actually made her more beautiful if anything else.
Managing to tear his eyes away, Tyrion scanned the faces of those around him. His father actually managed to display surprise while his sister was sizing the girl up as if she was a threat while old Robert… well, he stood with his mouth open and Tyrion hoped he did not say something stupid to offend what was obviously the captain of their welcoming party. Actually, a certain part wanted for the king to do that, if only to watch his old father try to handle the situation.
Thankfully or not, at that moment Eddard Stark approached, his ship having docked further down the pier, stopping his former friend from making any comment as he drew his attention, be it for better or worse. As Robert turned back to the girl, the green-eyed warrior was already beginning to speak.
"I am Elida Sunsworn, hand of the queens. Welcome to Silverpine."
"Greetings, lady Sunsworn. I am Robert the first of house Baratheon, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men , Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm." Said proudly Robert, leaving the dwarf surprised that he managed to say all his titles.
Lady Sunsworn, on the other hand, simply raised an eyebrow at the long introduction before returning a simple.
"I am no lady." She uttered clearly before composing herself.
"My apologies on behalf the two queens for not been here. Trouble at the border kept one in the capitol and the other in Hillsbrad." She continued.
"Two queens? What kind of a kingdom is this?" Said Cersei, the smugness ever-present in her voice, but Tyrion detected what could have been a hint of genuine curiosity.
"Silverpine is ruled by two sister-queens chosen by the people." returned Elida with pride.
"Would make for an interesting succession." Spoke up Tyrion, drawing his father's glare.
"Enough of this bloody banter! Let's start this damn journey already. I've been on this damn ship for too long. Lancel! Where are you, you useless twat. Bring me some bloody wine!" good old Robert made himself known in the only way that he could have, the initial good impression getting lost on their hosts. Tyrion could clearly see the disgust finding its way to some of the men's faces.
In the end, it was another hour before the party set for the north. The journey took them close to the nearby city and as Tyrion looked at it, he was left impressed despite the lack of walls. There was a clear design thought, a style to the way it was built. It was unlike King's landing, where houses were stacked one upon another, each peasant building his own, the streets tight and sometimes even impassible.
Still, the Westerosi did not even get to enter the city, instead turning north and going over a series of bridges. An hour into the journey, the fog gave way, revealing what the terrains was really like. As Tyrion rode next to his brother, his mismatched eyes roamed over the naked fields to the west and indeed, while there was perhaps a slight sloping to it, matching the one that they were going up on, there was nothing on them other than the occasional small rock. Not a single tree for as far as the eye can see. To the east, on the other hand, dense forest was heavily present, howls of wolves filling the air.
Nevertheless, the Lannister had to give credit where credit was duo. The roads were good. Very good at that. In fact, this country road was better than the ones back inside king's landing. And with lanterns alit every few meters or so, one cannot really fault any aspect of it. And yet, despite the fog lifting, the land around them remained dark and grey, a soft wind blowing through the fields to the east, howling as it went, creating waves in the tall grass.
The party, for the most part, traveled in silence, each region keeping to themselves. Lady Elida rode at the front, leading the way, fifty or so riders flanking her and the entire procession, almost making Tyrion feel like a prisoner. Robert came in next, kingsguard on all side. Somehow, the very land itself kept the royal warriors on edge. Tyrion rode right behind his father, Cersei's wheelhouse rolling next, as many as forty Lannister men at arms following them. The Starks and Tullies came in next, barely ten men between the two lords and even less for prince Oberyn Martell and Garlan Tyrell, both only second sons an indirect insult on both parties.
While the dornish hate for the Lannisters was well known, the Tyrells have grown tired of trying to forge an alliance and were now simply doing everything in their power to spite the ruling family, playing along the edge. After Sansa Stark's disappearance, the name Margery Tyrell was brought up many times, Cersei bringing it down every single one. The fact that Robert did not particularly like the Reachmen, their king still living inside his rebellion where they were his enemies, did not help uniting the kingdoms.
Tyrion was brought out of his thoughts by the host reaching a massive wall. The youngest child of Tywin has been to the wall back in Westeros, but that thing looked more like something naturally formed whereas this was clearly man-made. It was smaller than the one back in Westeros, but while the worth of it could not be question, Tyrion had to wonder why was the gate missing.
Once through where the gate should have been, a chill suddenly ran up Tyrion's spine as he gazed upon the next step of their journey. Maybe it was because it was already twilight, but the forest, which he learned was the core region of the kingdom and actually bore the name Silverpine, felt that much darker and frightening. The trees were much taller and thicker, reaching high up, obscuring the sky. They stopped in the shadow of the wall for the night and Tyrion was glad for it. All that time on a ship only for them to instantly start riding was not something even he could have foresighted. That night, he got little sleep and sincerely doubted if someone could get a good night's sleep in this forest. The night was filled with sounds. Howling of wolves, cawing of crows and every time he went out of his tent for a piss, he felt as if hundreds of eyes were upon him and not just the golden eyes of the owls.
The next day, the scenery was the same for the entire trek, the group just managing to arrive in Pyrewood shortly before sundown, not that the sun breached the treetops. As he looked at the fortress looming over the small town did the Lannister realize that this was the first proper fortification that they have come across. A lord's keep with an adjacent village/town. When they entered the town, Tyrion was surprised at the respect that the citizens showed for the girl leading them while they gave the cold shoulder and mild curiosity at best for the Westerosi nobility.
They spent their second night in Shadowfang keep, the people from the seven kingdoms learning that this castle used to be the capitol only months prior. Tyrion had to wonder about the names that these people gave their lands. Whereas Gilneas was plain weird and Silverpine was pretty straight forward duo to the bark of most of the pine trees, Shadowfang was just eerie. One thing was for certain though. If the seven kingdom ended even at neutral relationship with this Alliance, the dwarf will be spending time in this new, to them, part of the world.
The next day, the trip was relatively uneventful until they reached a major crossroad, a road coming from the north joining their path as they headed east. The bustle increased as carts moved back and forth. Barrels of wine, carts of timber or just sacks of grain. Simple necessities moved almost all the time, there hardly been a moment when a cart of some description was not close to the party. As barely an hour was left before sundown, the host steadily entered a deeper and deeper ravine, what looked like a town judging by the many light appearing from the surrounding forest as the road went.
Eventually they did enter the town in question, discovering a massive construction sight as hundreds of houses were been built simultaneously while what must have been thousands of people remained in tents. Many houses were already completed on the steep slopes and as Tyrion scanned the town did his eyes landed on it, the dwarf not really believing that he has somehow missed it.
An absolutely massive fortress stood towering high above the town on a hill to the north. From his position, the short man could not really make out much of it rather than the tall, sharp spires, but he had a feeling he would soon see more.
The party began climbing the hill to the south, the road there winding back and forth almost like a serpent until they reached the summit where the fortress was finally revealed to them in all of its glory. When he saw the former capitol, Tyrion was not expecting much of the new one, perhaps a slight improvement at best. But this was so much more.
A long bridge with many pillars ran between the northern and southern hill, been the only way into the castle where a gate with a drawbridge awaited them at the end. A rather short wall ran around the entire length of the hill, creating the first layer of protection, the towers having long black tubes where normally some form of catapult would be located. Several building could be seen inside peeking over the wall as they were built on the hill that kept on going up. If he had to wager, he would put his money at kitchens, armories, stables and the likes. The second level was much more grand. The central keep was square and really really tall, the very top of it ending in the same slopped roof while having four small towers in all four ends. What must have been the throne room was directly attached to it, judging by the many large windows that part possessed. There were several larger buildings and no one could really say what they were from this distance. Tyrion was so lost in admiring it that he barely noticed that they have reached the front gate, two massive wolf banners with silver moons above their heads hanging at either side of the gate. Once inside, they quickly made their way to the second level, the signs of recent construction all around. Reaching the massive courtyard, lady Elida quickly went to the side, dismounting with ease while many of the Westerosi party followed at location all over the wide space. Even Cersei got out from her wheelhouse, looking around with disdain. Perhaps the lack of a welcoming party even here somewhat angered her, but then again it was rather hard to please her, mussed Tyrion.
It was at that moment that from the left side where trees were clearly visible behind a short iron fence that the largest wolf that Tyrion had seen came out, slowly strolling as if it right at home, the massive creature's golden eyes stalking each and every one.
"Don't you remember the last time a beast like this one savaged your prince? Kill it!" nearly yelled Cersei while Tyrion could see that Joffrey was indeed cowering in his saddle at the sight of the beast. As all Lannister men unsheathed their swords and began slowly advancing on the wolf who was yet to break his stride, all men suddenly yelped in pain and threw their swords to the ground, the steel an angry red, smoking as it burned the wooden and leather handles.
"You should really consider yourself lucky that my sister is not here, least all of you would be already dead." Spoke a female voice, a hostile edge clear in her voice.
All eyes turned towards the entrance to the keep itself, finding a girl in a black and red dress, a crimson corset above the dress as equally-colored gloves adorned her hands, one extended in the air towards them. Silver wolf ornament ran across the entire dress as what Tyrion can only call a Tully red hair adored her head.
"S-Sansa?" a whisper carried over the suddenly silent courtyard, the dwarf's mismatched eyed landing on Eddard Stark as he stared at the girl with wide eyes and open mouth. The girl remained silent for a long time before thin lines appeared on her cheeks
"Hello father." She said as tears ran down her face.
Thank you for reading.