Lyonel

Birds were singing and sun shined through the window as Lyonel Bracken opened his eyes. He was lying in a large and comfortable bed, feeling dizzy and weak. He felt a mild pain radiating from his lower back, but with a grunt he managed to pull himself to a sitting position.

"Oh, you're awake," a friendly voice spoke to Lyonel's right, and he turned his gaze to see Maester Bennis approaching him, pulling a small vial from his sleeve. "You're in Castlewood, remember?"

"Yes," Lyonel muttered hoarsely. "How long has it been?"

"Since you arrived? Well over a fortnight."

Lyonel grimaced at the thought of having been bedridden for that long.

"Milk of the poppy?" Bennis offered the small vial to Lyonel, but he rejected it. "No more milk of the poppy," he decided sternly. "It's about time I get back on my feet again, there's a war going on."

Before Bennis could respond, they heard the door being opened and shifted their gazes to see Axel Rivers entering the room. Seeing his loyal squire alive and well brought a smile upon Lyonel's face. "Axel, it's good to see you," he said sincerely, to which the boy nodded.

"It's good to see you awake," he answered with a small smirk.

"I'll let you two catch up," Maester Bennis said, putting the vial back in his sleeve. "If you change your mind about the milk of the poppy, just let me know." With those words the balding maester wobbled out of the room. Axel then took the seat next to the bed.

"How are you feeling?" the boy asked with a gulp.

"Weak," Lyonel answered truthfully. "Better than before though. There is still pain, but it's pain I can endure."

"I was quite worried for you during those first nights," Axel admitted with a small chuckle. A moment of silence followed, as Axel was clearly hesitating to say something.

"Something on your mind, lad?" Lyonel asked with a raised eyebrow.

Axel let out a small sigh before speaking up. "You were feverish throughout the first week after us arriving here, and as I sat here by your bedside I… I heard you talk in your dream. Most of what you said made no sense, but there was a name you kept repeating over and over again. Lyonel, who is Jeren?"

Lyonel took in a deep breath, gazing out of the window as memories flooded his mind. "He… was a dear friend of mine, long ago," he started with a subtle gulp. "He was the Stone Hedge's stablemaster's son, so I knew him from as young as I can remember."

"What happened to him?" Axel asked softly, and Lyonel had to clench his fists and compose himself to not break into tears.

"He died in the war," he said quietly. "When Stone Hedge fell to the Teagues, he died fighting on the battlements." No longer able to hold it back, Lyonel felt tears running down his cheeks. "I only learned of his fate when returning there after the war was over."

"I'm sorry," Axel said with a regretful tone, and Lyonel was quick to wipe the tears from his face. "It's alright, it was long ago," he muttered.

"He… was your lover, wasn't he?" Axel asked carefully, and Lyonel shot him with a surprised glare. As he struggled to find his tongue, Axel spoke up again. "It's alright, I'm not judging you," he assured. "I'm a bastard, born of sin, who am I to judge anyone?"

"You… you're the only person to know," Lyonel said with a vulnerable tone. "We kept it a secret from everyone, even though my brothers probably did have their suspicions. I… I've often felt shame, for what I shared with Jeren. However, there is nothing I wouldn't trade to be with him again."

"I understand," Axel said with a tense but empathetic tone. Silence lingered in the room for a moment, until suddenly Ser Elbert Harlton arrived, limping and leaning on a walking stick. With him came also the brown-haired Cargyll woman, whom Lyonel remembered having saved him from the Faith Militants in the woods.

"Maester Bennis said you're awake," Elbert said with a grin on his broad and bearded face. "You're looking better already."

"I'll take your word for it," Lyonel quipped in response.

"I haven't had an opportunity to introduce myself to you yet," the Cargyll woman spoke up with a polite tone as she approached the bed. "I am Deana Cargyll, daughter of Lord Desmond Cargyll."

"Pleasure to meet you, Lady Deana," Lyonel responded as he shook her hand. "And thank you, for saving my life."

"It was an honor," Deana said with a bright grin.

"So, what has happened while I've been sleeping my pain away?" Lyonel then asked.

"My lord father has taken most of our troops to Duskendale together with Lord Cargyll, to join Prince Barron's host," Elbert explained calmly. "They mean to take back the lands held by this King Lucifer and his allies around Trident."

"Lucifer is no longer in Stoney Sept then?" Lyonel asked with a frown, and Elbert shook his head. "He has marched north with the Faith Militant, most likely to wed Lord Harroway's daughter as you found out he planned," he said with a subtle gulp. "And now that they've amassed in Harroway I can only assume their next move would be to take Trident Hall."

"And Lord Brydan?" Lyonel asked quietly.

"He has taken back Fairmarket," Axel spoke up. "And I believe the latest report was that he is preparing to march in Lord Robert's aid."

"Yes, together with lords Tully, Bracken and Mallister," Elbert confirmed. A moment of silence followed, as Lyonel pondered what he should do next. A part of him wanted to join Prince Barron's host. It would be a shorter travel, meaning he might be able to make it there before the fighting begins. My duty is with Lord Brydan and House Blackwood, he reminded himself. Within Barron's army he would be just another soldier, whereas Brydan undoubtedly would be in need of more personal guidance.

"I shall ride back to Raventree Hall, as soon as possible," Lyonel declared. They all looked at him with a surprised expression. "Are you sure you have the strength for such a long journey?" Deana asked softly.

Lyonel let out a sigh and stretched his arms. "Well, I better have," he said nonchalantly. "Because I've made up my mind regardless."

"You certainly are one hardy son of a bitch, Bracken," Elbert said with a grin, tapping Lyonel on the shoulder.

"I'll come with you," Deana then stated calmly. "Since you'll have to ride through enemy territory, it's better you have some protection."

"I suppose so," Lyonel replied with a respectful nod for the lady.

Lyonel, Axel, Deana as well as half-a-dozen mounted Cargyll soldiers left Castlewood the next morning, Ser Elbert waving them bye at the courtyard with his wife, sons and mother. The first few days on the road were especially hard for Lyonel, but he pushed on without complaint. They avoided most settlements, sleeping in woods and staying off the roads where they could. Aside from a few chilly rains the weather was mostly decent.

After reaching the shores of God's Eye they headed west to the lands of House Smallwood. There they spotted a small band of Poor Fellows guarding a bridge. Instead of risking a fight they decided to take a detour to south, crossing the river at a shallow ford upstream. From there they rushed with haste towards north, and after nearly a fortnight's travel Lyonel was filled with relief as they finally saw the inn Drunken Ferryman on the southern bank of Red Fork, and the old stony bridge next to it.

"I must say I admire your loyalty to Lord Brydan, Lyonel," Deana said as they filled their first mugs of ale in the common room of the inn.

"How so?" Lyonel asked calmly, taking a first sip of the ale.

"You could've remained in Castlewood, certainly no one would've thought worse of you for it," the Cargyll woman spoke, studying Lyonel's face with her narrowed eyes. "Yet you rush back to your lord with a barely healed body after almost getting killed on a mission he sent you for."

"I've pledged my sword to his service, that's all there is to it," Lyonel claimed nonchalantly, to which Deana chuckled slightly.

"No man is that simple," she argued. "You are a genuinely loyal man, I do not doubt that, but why to Brydan? Loyalty to family is one thing, but the Blackwoods and Brackens have been enemies throughout most of history. Loyalty to someone you admire is also common, and I could imagine you having admired Lord Roderick, but what has young Brydan ever done to gain your admiration?"

"What are you getting at, mylady?" Lyonel asked tensely.

"I think you are loyal to Brydan because you need some principle to cling onto, a purpose for your life," Deana spoke softly. As Lyonel frowned and glared at her she let out a small chuckle. "Sorry, 'twas just a thought I had," she quipped, taking a gulp of her ale.

"And what is your purpose, Deana?" Lyonel asked quietly. "What principle do you cling onto?"

Deana shrugged, turning her gaze down for a moment and taking in a deep breath. "Protecting my family, I suppose," she then said with a thin smile. "My father and mother, my little brother and his kids. And if that means going to war with the Faith Militant, or the bloody gods themselves, then so be it."

"I'll drink to that," Lyonel grunted, raising his mug.

Before sundown next day they arrived at Raventree Hall. It was easy to see from the trampled fields around the castle that an army had somewhat recently been camped there. In the courtyard they were welcomed by Ronas Blackwood, Ser Uthor Wayn and Lady Ellyn Blackwood.

"It is good to have you back, Lyonel," Ronas said with a grin on his face, while Ellyn rushed to hug her cousin Axel.

"Brydan has marched to war, then?" Lyonel asked quietly, and the grin vanished from Ronas' face as he gave him an affirmative nod.

"They left for Fairmarket six days ago," he said calmly. "There Lord Mallister will join them as they march for Robert's aid in Trident Hall. We can only pray they make it there before the Faith Militant does."

"Lord Mallister remained loyal after all, then," Lyonel spoke, scratching his beard. "Are you sure we can trust him?"

"I believe so, yes, for now at least," Lady Ellyn now spoke up with an assertive tone. "Lord Mallister came to visit me personally while Brydan was taking back Fairmarket from the Poor Fellows. He admitted that he had considered betraying Lord Brydan and the Storm King, but chose to remain loyal because he sees Lucifer the Liar as the High Septon's puppet and doesn't want to see him as king."

"And a puppet he certainly is," Lyonel noted calmly. "I met the young pretender king in Stoney Sept, and I got the impression that the poor lad has been brainwashed by the Faith to sincerely believe in these delusions of being the last scion of the Justman bloodline."

A modest feast was held in the great hall of Raventree that night, but despite the seemingly upbeat mood Lyonel could sense the dread under the tense smiles and nervy laughs. The war had begun in earnest and all of their future was veiled behind the blood red curtain of fate.

On the following dawn Lyonel, Axel and Deana prepared to continue their ride, this time east towards the Blue Fork where they hoped to catch up with Brydan's host. However, as Lyonel was packing the saddle bags of his horse he was approached in the stables by Lady Ellyn.

"Mylady," he greeted her with a slightly surprised tone. "These must be hard times for you, having to wait here for your husband's return… I wish I had something encouraging to say, but the words escape me."

"I will be fine," Ellyn assured calmly, a nervous look in her eyes. "However, there is something I wish you to tell Brydan when you meet him."

"Sure, of course, I will relay whatever message you wish," Lyonel promised.

Ellyn gulped, turning her gaze down and taking in a deep breath before speaking up again. "I wish you to tell him that I am carrying his child."

Lyonel's mouth opened, and for a few seconds he struggled to find his tongue. "That… is wonderful," he finally uttered. "Congratulations, I'm sure Brydan will be overjoyed to learn this."

"I learned two days ago myself," Ellyn said quietly. "For now, you are the only person to know besides myself and Maester Joseth." The lady now grabbed Lyonel's hand and looked him into the eyes. "I know Brydan trusts you, Lyonel," she spoke with a pleading tone. "Please, tell him that I will give him a son, and that that son will need him."

"I will," Lyonel promised with quiet but confident words. "I will tell him."