Chapter 25:
Author's Notes: Happy New Year all! I hope you enjoyed the last day of 2009 and the first morning of 2010. To make up for not posting before the year ended, I'm posting one up now and the next in the evening. Happy reading!
There had been no warning of events that had transpired at Winterfell since the departure of Arthur Carlin. A servant escaped in the dead of night to warn the approaching army. At first, none of the soldiers were willing to grant him an audience with Spencer but after the man had pleaded to Ser Barristan, he was brought in front of Ashley Stormborn, the last of House Targaryen.
"Khaleesi, a man here has begged an audience," Ser Selmy announced as he entered the khalasar. Ashley turned from her conversation with Missandei and Spencer to face the old knight.
"Where has he come from? Surely there is no other town near here except Winetrfell," Ashley said.
"That is where he claims he is coming from."
"Send him in then," Ashley turned to Spencer once again, "I think you should be by my side when he enters. If he is a man of your household he should recognize you and your position to him." At Spencer's nod, Ashley faced forward again to greet the servant.
Vayon Poole, a steward of Winterfell, had been at Winterfell from the time of the rebellion and had been regarded by Arthur Carlin as a good man which led him to be elevated in Winterfell. He was not the man that Spencer remembered. He was still a tall man, strong but slim in build and his graying hair added an air of wisdom to him. He now seemed to have aged far more than he should have.
"Your Grace, thank you for letting me speak to you. I come on behalf of those who do not wish to be under the current ruling in Winterfell and hope that you shall grant us our former masters again."
"What is the meaning of this Vayon?" Spencer spoke up, her shock now apparent.
Poole hesitated, disbelief showing on his face. "Lady Spencer. We…we thought you had died along with your father…I am glad to see you again. So much has passed since you were last here. I am grateful for your return."
"Explain yourself," Ashley interjected.
"We…we were attacked, and overrun by Theon Greyjoy. A lad I watched grow up under Lord Carlin only to see him bite the hand that fed him and claim Winterfell for King Aiden. The lady of the house, Lady Paula was in Riverrun with Lord Glen and Lord Clay had gone to the Wall so there was none left to oppose him."
"What of Anthony? Did he hurt him?" Spencer asked.
"I helped the boy escape with another servant, my lady but I have lost any means of finding his whereabouts now." The man answered with a sigh.
"This Theon, is he a lord?" Ashley asked.
"No but he is heir to House Greyjoy, which is a smaller house under House Lannister." Spencer replied.
"Are there many of you still loyal within?" Ser Barristan asked.
"Yes, most are but his soldiers more than outmatch those of us willing to fight."
"Ser, find someone to find a bed for him tonight. Make sure he eats as well. We will need your council in here."
Spencer watched as reed walked out with the old knight. "Ashley I need to find out more."
"Say no more Spencer. I understand. If I need you I will send for you."
With that, the Westeroi left in search of the man who could ease her worries or add to them. Ashley watched her go, conflicted, before turning to a bloodrider.
"Gather the captains. We may be soon taking our first steps in claiming my kingdom again." Once the Dothkari warrior had left she turned to the last person in the room. "Find Spencer and ensure she does not act out of emotion more than thought. She would attack the place by herself if she deemed it right in her mind."
"Yes Khalessi." Missandei answered, bowing before she set out to leave. As she left the tent, Aggo entered along with Brown Ben, Jhogo, and Ser Selmy.
"Any news from Daario?" Ashley asked as soon as they were seated. Jhiqui flitted in and out among them with a few other handmaids, offering them something warm to drink as they talked.
"He has opened Lhazeen to trade again and has disposed of the Butcher King. He seeks his next orders," Brown Ben answered, steadily emptying his cup before reaching his cup out for more.
"Good. That is one less problem. He needs to place someone in Astapor who will follow all my orders, I will not be questioned or doubted again. Make that clear to him. Once he has done that, the Stormcrows must join us here on Westeros. Tell him to follow our path but to land south of the Wall. We do need more men lost to whatever haunts those woods across the Wall. Send word to Clay Carlin to anticipate their arrival and to let them pass." At the nods she received she continued, "As you may have heard, we have encountered our first enemy. This boy, claims to be Lord of Winterfell and places Winterfell under the rule of King Aiden. As this is not the case, we shall remove him and send word to those ferreting in the North under the order of the Pretender that I am coming and I will not be stopped."
"Would it be wise to let the element of surprise slip away now? We are still far from the Sun City so the less those in the south know of our coming, the easier it will be to take them as we march." Brown Ben asked.
"They will know whether we want them to or not. I do not believe that this House Lannister has placed spies in the north to watch over the lords of the North rebelling against them and the further we march south, the closer we are to being discovered. No, let them know I am coming. Only one thing must not be discovered. My dragons must remain a secret until they are old enough to ride. I will not risk some fool lord trying to make a name for himself by attempting to kill them or take them for his own."
Ashley rubbed a hand across her temple, "This place is a pit of serpents. So be it. What shall we do to take Winterfell? I want it to be mine as I will use it as a stronghold until we know who is for us and who is against us." At Jhogo's grunt, Ashley smiled, "I know the weather is not to your liking but this is a vital place in the North," at Ser Selmy's nod in agreement, she continued. "Those in the south always fear and respect whoever is Lord of Winterfell. This had been the Carlins until Theon Greyjoy sought to make his name here and it shall be me when all is said and done. However, if a Carlin is still alive to rule then I shall return their home to them."
"Why? This would be a spoil of war, which you would have won fairly. Why give it back to these people?" Aggo asked.
"Because my father made one mistake in his reign, he made too many enemies and never sought to keep them on a leash. I will have allies, or minor houses as is the custom in this kingdom, and I will ensure that the enemies I will have remaining will be too weak to launch anything other than a weak voice in barren lands." Ashley spoke, a sliver of steel inserted into her voice, making it known that this would not be discussed nay further. "What do you know of Greyjoy, ser?"
"He is the heir to the Iron Islands. His father Balon, is dead, so his uncle, Euron, rules until he dies. He will not be a problem, he is young and arrogant. The real problem from House Greyjoy will be Euron. He is wild, cruel and ruthless. If he should turn his sights to Winterfell we will have to remove him and quickly. He will be after the dragons, if he hears any word of them."
"Can I not find someone to rid me of him in his bed?" Ashley asked, frowning. "No, nevermind. If he comes near mine, I will kill him myself. So what shall we do with this Theon then?"
"Let his head be sent to his uncle as a warning." Jhogo replied.
"And incite him needlessly while alerting him of our presence? No, banish him to the woods. Someone or something will finish him off. The sooner we restore order here the better. My scouts have returned with news that raiders ride through the north, killing and looting as they go." Ser Barristan said.
"One problem at a time, ser. First Winterfell, then the north, I shall deal with these marauders as we march. Once Westeros is mine, all these unseemly bands and so forth will not survive here."
"Winterfell is fortified, yes? Then we shall have to take the walls first, once we get inside it will be an easier matter." Aggo stated.
Ashley nodded in agreement, "Poole will be of use to us. We shall send a small army inside through whatever means he used to escape, open the gates and take Winterfell. Who shall lead them?"
"I will. I need to let my sword awaken again." Jhogo replied quickly.
"Do not die in there, I need my bloodriders with me when I rule Westeros. Your bloodlust will send many running." Ashley ordered with a smile. "If that is all, I shall leave it to Jhogo to finish this matter for me. When the way is clear, send for me. You may go."
Ashley watched her captains leave, a frown forming on her face again. This will be my first real step towards my future, she thought, one victory will lead to more and I will finally avenge my brother. Let me have your wisdom in this Rhaegar and not the madness of our family.
Some Queen Ashley for everyone!