Rickard Frost – Riverrun/Golden Tooth

Rickard had been nervous when the Greatjon Umber foolishly tried to persuade Robb Stark to declare the north independent. The man was loyal but he wasn't the smartest of men the north would stand no chance of being separate from the rest of the realm. Luckily Robb wanted to follow his father's last request and declare for Stannis which was a massive weight of Rickard's shoulders as it meant he would not have to choose between his family and loyalty to the Starks.

The Lannister defeat and their retreat from the Riverlands gave the men of the North and Riverlands confidence which Rickard and Robb Stark meant to capitalise on. Rickard respected many of his new liege lord's ideas he was a smart lad and burdened his lordship well. When Robb had suggested they should march west and destroy the host that Stafford Lannister was amassing Rickard immediately agreed for it meant the Lannisters hold on the throne would further weaken.

The only disagreement that they had was about Theon Greyjoy and his return to the Iron Islands. Rickard knew that Lord Harlow the current ruler of the islands was a smart man who could be trusted but Rickard's spies had informed him of Euron Greyjoy's reappearance. Euron was a smart and conniving man who could stir up trouble and having Theon close could only be a good thing. Robb Stark had flatly refused Rickard's suggestion saying Theon was like a brother and could be trusted.

So Theon left shortly after the north had declared for Stannis to Rickards disapproval. He was not the only one to leave Rickard sent both of sons off on their own. He gave command of the Western Fleet to Roland with the orders to decimate the Westerlands coast and bring as many of the lords there to heel. His uncle Theo would be with him so that his son didn't do anything to rash.

As for William his younger son had been given a far more dangerous mission that only a handful of men knew about. If his son was successful then the war would hopefully be over much faster and be far less costly.

Thinking of his sons made him worry for their safety but he knew they were surrounded by good and true men which reassured him somewhat. He was brought out of his thoughts as he walked into the Lord's solar at Riverrun with his good brother Yohn Royce.

Yohn had come only this morning from the Vale to join their cause and with him 19000 men, 9000 of which were camped outside the castle.

Rickard looked around the large room at the lords and knight, he and Robb Stark represented the North, Yohn and Ser Morton Waynwood representing the Vale and Edmure & Ser Brynden Tully and Ser Stevron Frey representing the Riverlands.

"My lords I thank you for coming this evening there is much that needs to be discussed before our departure to the West tomorrow. The army we are bringing west is now gathered and with the addition of Lord Royce's men the West will soon crumble and submit to his grace" Robb Stark said silencing everyone before speaking once more.

"I believe the best way to enter the West would be by passing the Tooth does everyone agree" Stark asked which caused everyone to nod Rickard included.

"Good, now since many of us will be going to the West my uncle Edmure has offered to stay behind and hold the Riverlands should Tywin Lannister try to enter once more" Robb said indicating to his angry looking uncle.

He knew that Edmure Tully wanted to go to west but that the man's uncle had all but shouted at him saying he need stay in his own lands to defend them.

"Now my lords what news is there of the Tyrell host that has taken Stoney Sept" Robb asked looking to Rickard.

"My lord the people of the town have all been slaughtered only a hundred of so managed to escape. Lord Fossoway it appears is angry after what King Stannis and the Stormlords did to the Reach. I have ordered Lord Cuy to retake the town and put the Reach army to the sword except for Fossoway himself. He will be kept alive until the King himself can punish him for his actions" he said calmly which seemed to please most.

Edmure Tully was not satisfied with that tho "tell Lord Cuy to hold off his attack until I can join him I want to be there to punish those who killed my people" the man said angrily.

Rickard sighed to himself and looked to Ser Brynden who was shaking his head at his nephew's stupidity. "My lord I don't think that would be wise if we do not attack now then Lord Fossoway will move further north and take more towns and castles killing many more" he told Tully who merely nodded and grinded his teeth.

Waiting a few moments for Edmure to calm down Robb spoke once more "what of the capital and the king's progress in the Reach"

All eyes turned to him once more as they knew he had the most contacts and men in south. "My lord the king is doing well in the Reach as we heard yesterday he has beaten the forces of Garlan Tyrell with the aid of lord Tarly. The king has divided his host in two Ser Samwell Tarly is taking Highgarden while the king and the majority of the army secures the northern Reach." He stopped there for a moment and felt proud of his former squire and all he was achieving before speaking again.

"It seems Renly Baratheon is after postponing sailing on the capital once more" he said before being interrupted by Ser Stevron Frey.

"Has Renly finally seen how fruitless his attempts will be? He stands no chance of winning the fool" Frey said while drinking some wine.

Rickard didn't like Ser Stevron he seemed too greedy a man to trust but none the less answered. "On the contra it appears Lord Renly has managed to gather even more sellswords to his cause and is awaiting them now. If my reports are correct his army stands at close to 20000 men." This revelation seemed to silence Frey and many others; Renly was gathering more and more men and had yet to lose any unlike every other army fighting.

The meeting ended after that and Rickard talked with his good brother and some of men for a short while before retiring for the night to rest for the upcoming journey to the west.

The journey to the Golden Tooth had been uneventful Rickard spent most of the time talking with Lord Leo Lefford trying to convince the man to order whoever held his castle to surrender. It proved to be futile tho the man feared Tywin Lannister too much and would suffer because of it.

Before coming to the Golden Tooth Robb Starks Direwolf found a mountain path that would allow the army to circumvent the giant castle and allow them access to the heart of the Lannister lands. Rickard however decided not to follow the rest of the army he remained behind with 3000 men while Robb and Yohn lead the men through the mountains.

His army was camped now outside the castle and he himself was sitting atop his horse with his squire Ben Blackwood to his side holding his banner. To his right was Ser Gar Flint cousin of the lord of Flints Finger who held the kings banner and a banner of parlay. "My lord they are coming" Ser Gar said pointing to three riders coming from the castle bearing Lannister and Lefford banners.

He knew that the castle could withstand a siege for many years but he also knew if it came to it he could take the castle but it would cost of him many men so he needed to find another path.

"Lord Frost I am Ser Preston Hill castellan of the castle" the old knight said before Rickard interrupted him.

"Ser Preston I hold your Lord prisoner in my camp surrender the castle now or his life will be forfeit" he said in his most lordly voice.

The knight seemed to be thinking carefully before he spoke once more "my lord I have received orders from Lord Tywin to hold the Tooth and that is what I mean to do your threats will have no affect"

Rickard looked at the knight carefully before looking at his two companions who were both young maybe twenty years old. He could see that the men feared him no doubt they had heard about his killing of the Gregor Clegane.

"Ser Preston I do not wish to take the Tooth by force but if you do not surrender that is exactly what I will do. I will break down the walls and kill every man who stands in my way. The gold that your lord treasures so much will be taken and given to those more loyal to his grace. House Lannister is soon to be ended and when Tywin Lannister's head mouths the walls of kings landing your loyalty will be for nought. You have till sunrise to surrender peacefully. Open the gates and lay down your arms and give over Lord Lefford's family. Do these things and no one will be harmed" he spoke in his most commanding voice all the while looking at the two young knights who's faces were gone pale with fear .

After that he and his men rode back to the camp then in relative quiet until his squire spoke up. "My lord will they surrender" Ben asked softly. Rickard thought on that for a while before answering his new young squire.

"I do not know Ben if they are smart they will but fear causes men to do stupid things and men of the Westerlands fear Tywin Lannister far too much" he said worrying how many of his men would die taking the castle.

He spent the rest of the day and evening going over maps and drawings of the Golden Tooth trying to find some weakness he could exploit but unfortunately he could find none. It was an hour before midnight when Ser Gar rushed into his tent.

"My lord there is something happening within the castle the guards on the walls have all but gone and there are screams coming from the yard" Ser Gar said out of breath. Following the knight outside and to the edges of their camp he looked at the giant castle.

Ser Gar was right Rickard could only see only a handful of guards on the walls while before they were fully manned. He could distinctively hear the sounds of a battle within the walls the clashing of steel and the screams of men dying. "Ready the men, whatever is happening I mean to take advantage of it" he said turning to Gar.

Shortly after he sat atop his horse fully armoured with his axe in hand and his sword by his side looking at the castle. The sounds of battle had all but disappeared and he could see the glow and smoke of a fire within the castle.

"My lord the gates" one of his men shouted out. Looking Rickard saw that the castle gate was opened and dozen or so riders were coming out heading towards him and his men.

At the head of the riders was one of the young knights Rickard had met with earlier with a young boy sat behind him. The knight jumped from his horse and got to one knee in front of Rickard and spoke loudly "my lord the Golden Tooth is yours as are Lord Lefford's family." When he finished speaking the young boy and an older girl was thrown at his horse's feet.

He looked at the two Leffords the boy was about eight and his sister was about fourteen and both looked to be shaking in fear. "Ben please take Lord and Lady Lefford here to their father I'm sure they would be happy to see him and he them" he said to his squire who lead the two away.

After they had left he turned his attention to the knight who was still on his knees and bleeding slightly from a cut above his eye. "Explain" he said loudly.

"My lord me and my men have secured the castle in the name of the rightful king Stannis Baratheon Ser Preston and all those who refused us opening that gates have either surrendered or been killed. The Tooth is yours" the young knight said with a serious look upon his face.

Rickard couldn't believe what he was hearing but none the less spoke confidently "Ser you have done your king a great service one which will be long remembered. Rise now and ride with me and my men"

Together with the dozen Lefford knights and a thousand of his men they entered the castle. Rickard could see a small number of bodies lying dead or dying in the yard among them was Ser Preston. "Gather the people of the castle in the yard immediately" he told the young knight.

Hundreds of people now stood in the yard all looking at Rickard and his northmen many of whom were free folk who were getting the most stares. "I thank you all for your cooperation the king will hear of each and every one of you when he takes the Iron Throne and will no doubt wish to reward you for your loyal service. I want you all to know that your lord and his children will not be harmed they will remain safe of this I promise you" he said loudly which caused the people to begin to shout "Frost" and "Baratheon".

That night he called Lefford to the lords solar which Rickard had taken as his own. "My lord I hold your castle, your family and all your gold. I will give you one last chance declare Joffrey Waters a bastard and announce Stannis Baratheon as the rightful king or you will seal your faith and I will have no choice"

Rickard watched as the lord was struggling for words and Rickard watched the man with a certain amount of happiness. It was several moments before Lefford did speak "my lord I answered my liege lords' call to fight for Joffrey but I have no love for the boy. I regret now not declaring for the rightful king but I will not make that mistake again. With your leave I will call whatever men still remain within my lands and together we will fight for king Stannis."

With Lord Leffords declaration for Stannis and the Tooth under his control they were now another step closer to securing the throne and ending this war once and for all.