Dragons and Thrones: A Reborn Terror

Chapter 37 of my crossover story, enjoy.

Reviews

Marina Ka-Fai: Glad you like it, well, here we go, we're finally going to see Winterfell again, and face an interesting revelation.
Veridissima: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.
Boris Yeltsin: Thanks :)
Wolfgirl2013: Thanks :)

Now onto the story.

Disclaimer: Game of Thrones belongs to George R.R. Martin. Dragon Age belongs to Bioware.

Solas

Solas walked onwards, moving cautiously; he could hear the noise up ahead and knew he was nearing Winterfell.

'The castle is still under siege, before long I will see it…and the army that is attacking.' He noted to himself.

Based on what he had heard, the siege had been going on for a good number of days now. Yet it seemed, based on the noise he was hearing, that Winterfell was still holding out. Crouching down, to present a small target, Solas crested the brow of a hill and stopped. He could now see Winterfell, an impressive sight, even amidst a sea of enemies.

The enemy camp was large and had the castle completely surrounded. But like anything, there were weak spots, ways Solas could exploit to get close to Winterfell itself.

He paused however, noting something. 'What is this…can it be…?'

He took a closer look at the attackers, they were definitely not from Westeros, they were Thedosian, their armour was familiar to Solas, so too was their banner. Any doubts he had were removed when his sharp eyes finally found the commander's tent and saw the commander himself. The commander was a man of middle age, his short greying black hair hidden beneath his hood.

His face was lined with only a sparse beard and thinning eyebrows, his black eyes were desperate and he was clad in the typical robes of a man of his office, complete with a red triple pointed hood. Solas knew the attacking army, knew their commander by reputation.

'So, the Venatori are here…led by Magister Alexius.'

He knew now his task would be even harder, Gereon Alexius was a mage of some skill after all.

He remained where he was, watching as the siege continued. He noted that there weren't many Mages present, based on what he could see of those inside the castle, Winterfell's main army wasn't present, which might have accounted for the small number of Mage's being used to attack.

'But the warrior's that remain inside are being cautious, they are ensuring the enemy can't get too close…Distracting the Mages, good, that should continue to buy them time, for now.' He thought to himself.

Sure enough, the Mage's weren't able to attack; they were too busy raising magical shields to deflect arrow volleys or rocks thrown from trebuchets. This left them too tired to attack and gave the other Venatori pause. Going by the damage Solas could see, their regular siege efforts had been foiled and broken, they were reluctant to make more.

He smiled thinly. 'They clearly weren't expected such heavy resistance from such a small force.'

Making up his mind, he sat down and waited, already planning his entrance while considering how to convince those inside of his good intentions. Finally, quite some time after night fell; Solas stood and made his way down the hill. He cautiously made his way through the Venatori camp, avoiding patrols and guards, gradually making his way towards the walls of the castle.

He finally reached the walls, stepping over broken Venatori bodies and siege machines. He looked up, already aware of those on the wall, aiming at him with bows.

"Hold there!" One shouted down, loud enough for Solas to hear, but just quiet enough that it wouldn't rouse the camp.

Solas replied at the same volume. "I come in peace, I am not one of those attacking you, they are my enemies as well."

There was a beat of silence before the man spoke again. "You expect us to trust you?"
"I wouldn't have risked my neck sneaking through their camp if I wasn't their enemy. I wish to aid you, in any way I can." Solas called back.

There was another beat of silence and then, finally, the gates creaked open, just enough to allow him entry. He slipped through and waited as they closed behind him. Now he was in the castle; he knew what would come next and prepared himself.

Stepping forwards he entered the main courtyard of Winterfell; there was a group of men there, all armed. Standing at the centre of them was a young man, in his twenties, seated next to him was a younger boy, they both had similar features. Solas approached them and inclined his head respectfully.

"Greetings, do I have the honour of addressing Lord Stark?"

The young man shook his head. "Close, I am Lord of Winterfell while my father is away with our army in the south."

Solas nodded; so this was Lord Stark's son. "I see. My name is Solas; I…I have come to offer you my aid."

"I am Robb Stark; this is my brother, Bran." The young man replied. "Right now, any aid would be helpful."

Solas nodded again; observing Bran carefully. There was no doubt about it, the aura around the boy was the same; this was the person Solas had seen in his Fade Dreams, the one he was supposed to find.

Solas sighed and decided to share what he knew.

"It is not much, but I can at least tell you about those attacking you. They come from Thedas like myself." He explained. "They are from the Tevinter Imperium, a land where Mages reign supreme and slavery is the norm. These people are a more extremist group known as the Venatori; they seek a return to the Imperium's old 'glory days'. Modern Tevinter is apparently too…soft for them."

They all nodded and Robb spoke. "So, these Venatori people, why are they attacking us, who is leading them?"

Solas continued. "A Mage, a Magister to be precise, a highly ranked Mage named Gereon Alexius. As for why they are here, that does confuse me. They must have a reason…Has, has anything been found recently, brought into the castle, something that might have drawn them here?"

"I can think of nothing." Robb replied.

However Solas noticed a look of panic and guilt cross Bran Stark's face. "Bran?"

Robb turned to look at his brother, confused.

"There is something." Bran said quietly, not quite meeting Robb's eyes. "The…When I was in the Godswood, at the end of last year, I found this strange…orb, I brought it back and hid it in my room, I don't know why…"

There were some whispers at that, especially from two others standing near Bran, who looked to be brother and sister.

'An orb, can it be…?' Solas wondered, his heart quickening.

"I would like to see this orb, please." He remarked.

They all nodded and as the others returned to keeping an eye on the defences, Bran called for someone named Hodor, a giant of a man, who then lifted Bran up and began carrying him. Solas followed, it only now dawning on him that Bran was unable to walk.

Once in Bran's room, Hodor sat Bran down on the bed and Bran pulled open one of the drawers in the dresser beside the bed and pulled out the object in question. Solas watched in fascination as he saw the orb.

"It's as I thought…and feared." He remarked. "Put it back there and keep it safe."

Bran did so and turned to him. "Is it really that bad?"

Solas nodded. "The Venatori must not get that orb, it is a dangerous object, especially in the wrong hands…It is something powerful, that they stole from its true owner?"

"How do you know this, who is the true owner?" Bran asked, startled.

Solas sighed and then admitted who the owner was.

"Me."

End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.