Game of Thrones
The Moon's Child
Chapter 24
The Storm Lord
304 AC- The North- Winterfell
Ky and Albert walked tentatively out of Winterfell, the charred ground crunching beneath their feet. Up ahead of them, his hand still on his sword hilt Davos Seaworth looks out across the Northern landscape. The two pass him, walking towards the spot where the Red Woman fell. "She's a murderer." Davos called out to them "She killed a little girl… burned her at the stake. I told her if she came back here, I'd execute her."
Ky stopped and turned to face him, as Albert carried on trudging through the snow. "Well she's dead now My Lord hand, and if she hadn't come back… well things would be a lot worse."
"Aye maybe" Davos nodded as he relaxed his sword hand "But I can't forgive. And what of you, you march here with the flaming heart banners, behind the Red Woman, are you a believer?"
Ky shrugged slightly as something caught his eye, he crouched down as the first rays of sun danced on the ruby of Melisandre's choker, he picked it up and pocketed the piece. "I don't really know what I believe anymore, My Lord Hand. But I did get to talk to her a little on the way up here. You know what she told me?"
"No" Davos shook his head
"She said only death pays for life."
"She said a lot of nonsense." Ser Davos rolled his eyes slightly
"Maybe" Ky nodded "But how do you think she brought your new Lord back from the dead?"
"I don't know" Davos sighed
"Only death pays for life, what price do you think you have to pay to bring the Prince who was Promised back from the dead? They say there's power in King's Blood."
"Shireen" Davos whispered
"A Princess dies, a King lives… that was the price."
"You believe that?" Davos spat, almost aghast.
Ky shook his head "A year ago I would have thought that was a load of bollocks. But I suppose it doesn't matter what I believe, she believed it. And here we are." Ky left Ser Davos and trudged across the snow to join Albert. The larger man grimaced slightly as he pointed towards her body. Wrapped in her cloak, her body was ancient, the remains skeletal almost mummified.
"It's like she collapsed into dust."
Ky turned his nose up slightly "Well she's certainly looked better. Come on…" He started wrapping her body up in the cloak and held her under her arms, as Albert grabbed her ankles. "We'll have to find our dead as well"
The two carried her body back towards the castle as the sun continued to rise over Winterfell. Albert let out a laboured breath "Do you think they do breakfast here?"
…
"We're here to say goodbye to our brothers and sisters. To our fathers and mothers. To our friends. Our fellow men and women, who set aside their differences, to fight together... and die together, so that others might live. Everyone in this world owes them a debt that can never be repaid. It is our duty and our honor, to keep them alive in memory, for those who come after us, and those who come after them... for as long as men draw breath. They were the shields that guarded the realms of men. And we shall never see their like again."
A crowd had gathered at the gates of Winterfell, led by the Dragon Queen and her Warden of the North, representatives from the surviving Northern Houses, The Unsullied, The Dothraki, The Night's Watch, The Wildlings, The Brothers Without Banners, The Knights of the Vale and right at the back a small group of men from the Stormlands who had come to Winterfell under a dead King's banner. They listened respectfully as Jon Snow finished his eulogy, as the Dragon Queen led a procession of torch bearers, through the hundreds of funeral pyres that had been hastily assembled. Ky led his men through the rows and rows of dead defenders, before coming to several stacks of bodies, draped in their flaming heart banners to mark them. "What was the final count." Ky asked Albert as he looked at the stacks.
"Three hundred and sixty two." Albert sighed "Another forty or so injured."
Ky nodded in silence as a soldier handed him a torch, he walked to the central stack, where the Red Woman's body had been placed and thrust the torch into the centre of the stack. They stood in silence as the flames took hold. They had to walk away as the smoke became too thick "I want to be out of here as soon as we have word on our wounded."
"Agreed" Albert nodded "I've sent some men to The White Knife to secure our boats. Looks like we won't need as many to get us back to White Harbor"
As thick black smoke filled the air, the gathered crowd took shelter behind the Walls of Winterfell. As Ky and Albert attempted to navigate the courtyard a voice stopped them in their tracks "Reeve"
Both men dropped to a knee as she crossed the courtyard "Rise" She spoke coldly "You're a long way from the Stormlands, why are you here?"
"We were contracted by a Red Priestess, she needed to get here."
"Well, you're part of history." She told them plainly "Walk with me." Ky turned to Albert and gave him a nod, the larger man led their group of men away. Daenerys watched as they disappeared into the castle. "You carry a Usurpers banner." She said coldly as the flaming hearts disappeared.
"A means to an end Your Grace." He bowed slightly
"The Dead have been defeated." She sighed "The Long Night averted, but Winter is still here, and I have one last war to fight."
"You going to make your move on the Iron Throne?" He raised his eyebrow
"As soon as possible." She nodded "What support can I expect?"
"My fighting days are done, Your Grace." Ky let out a deep breath "Besides most of my men are dead."
"As much as I'd treasure your direct involvement Reeve, I was referring to the support I can expect from Magister Illyrio and his friends."
"What makes you think they'd tell me Your Grace?"
"You seem adept at making yourself useful." She grinned for the briefest moment before her face took a sterner appearance "Cersei Lannister's days on my Throne are coming to an end. I need to know who my allies are, and what they can do for me."
Ky nodded "I was going to wait to see what was happening with my wounded before I did anything, but I could try and make contact with them sooner."
Daenerys considered what he had said for a moment "There's a celebration tonight. You and your men should attend. Leave tomorrow."
"As you wish Your Grace."
…
304 AC- The Stormlands- Nightsong
There was a commotion in Nightsong, a small force of men had crossed the Dornish Marches and headed towards the castle. The smaller garrison left behind had prepared the castle for siege, but the small force made camp, instead a single rider approached the castle under a white peace banner. A cloaked woman had asked for an audience, which was duly granted. In the Lord's Chamber, the young Tristain Caron, Lord of Nightsong sat upon the Nightingale chair of his forefathers, dressed in his canary yellow doublet. He stared vacantly ahead and rocked back and forth slightly. The young Lord was flanked on his left by his mother, Ariana Caron, also dressed in the yellow and black of their house, and to his right, dressed in a crimson gown and hood, the flame haired wildling Lilly.
The doors to the chamber were opened, a woman walked in, dressed in a purple cloak with a hood. She stopped before the Nightingale chair and took the hood down, her hair was a silky black mane with a hint of silver grey, her skin milky white, the occasional line on her face giving her a dignified beauty. She looked upon the three with a pair of haunting violet eyes. "Where is The Reeve?" Her voice had a musical quality
"In The North." Lady Ariana answered her "Answering the Dragon Queen's call to arms "You may direct any enquiries directly to The Lord of Nightsong."
"The Dragon Queen." The woman sighed "Foolish girl should be sitting The Iron Throne by now. Am I to assume The Reeve's fat friend has accompanied him North."
"He has." Ariana answered "But as I have just said. You may petition The Lord of Nightsong directly."
"I heard what you said." The woman replied coldly "It's not this unfortunate child I require?"
"Who are you?" Lilly spoke up "What do you want with them?"
"Are you The Wildling?" The Woman asked
"I am" Lilly replied
"Hmmm… perhaps you may be of use." The woman looked her up and down
"Who are you?" Lilly repeated herself "Why do you want Ky and Albert?"
"Because I am one of their masters." She said dismissively "They serve in my Order."
"Are you one of The Nine?" Lilly asked nervously
"It appears The Reeve is not as careful with secrets as he is sworn to be." She sighed in frustration "Ladies… My Lord, it appears I will have to work with you."
"Work with us for what?" Ariana asked
"Cersei has brought The Golden Company to the capital. The Dragon Queen will be forced to make her move soon. One of my fellow members of The Nine, The Vulture King has taken Sunspear, and now sits as Prince of Dorne, another The Fox King is essentially controlling The Reach from The Low Tower. I was coming to relieve The Reeve and Lord Une of The Stormlands, to prepare for The Dragon Queen's war. The Nine have much invested in this."
Ariana and Lilly shared a glance, "You have our full cooperation" Ariana answered "Lady…"
"Ashara… Ashara Dayne."
…
304 AC- The Free Cities- Pentos
"My entire fleet is here." Salladhor Saan sighed as he poured himself a jug of wine "I assume I don't need to tell you how much money I'm losing. I'm a pirate, I should be seizing ships, not waiting around in port."
"You are one of The Nine Saan." Illyrio Mopatis told him as he poured a glass for himself "We have been planning this for a long time. With a grateful Dragon Queen on The Iron Throne, you will truly be the greatest captain on the fourteen seas."
"When do we introduce her to the boy?" Saan asked
"Soon." A voice answered as Jon Connington sauntered into the room and planted himself on an expensive looking couch "As soon as she is ready to take The Iron Throne."
"What if she rejects him?" Saan asked "She has dragons, an army of her own, and she already has a King. What else does she need?"
"Gold." A voice answered Tycho Nestoris, of the Iron Bank of Braavos joined the other three men. "She has already lost one dragon, if the whispers we hear about The Dead are true she will have lost a lot of her army. As for The King in the North… a King no longer. She will see the boy as a more than adequate offer, and then we will control Westeros, The Narrow Sea, The Disputed Lands and all The Free Cities."
"I'll drink to that." Saan smiled widely
"Is everything else in order" Nestoris asked Connington
The former Hand of the King stroked his beard and nodded "Ashara Dayne should be in The Stormlands, The Vulture ki… Martell has retaken Dorne and The Fox King is ready in The Reach."
"Where's H'ghar?" Nestoris asked "I thought our Harvest Prince would be here by now."
"You've missed him" Illyrio told him "He's gone to White Harbor… He wanted to see the damage The Dead caused for himself… we were in agreement."
"Well then" Nestoris smiled as he took a seat among the other three "It seems we just have the small matter of the war."
…
304 AC- The North- Winterfell
"What do you know?" Ky asked as he sat down next to Albert and took a swill of Ale from a large pitcher "Fucking dreadful" He cringed, taking a second sip.
"Well" Albert began as he finished his own drink "A dozen of ours won't be fit to travel for at least a fortnight, maybe more. The rest of them are Walking Wounded, should be ready to go whenever."
"We'll be heading out in the morning with the healthiest of them, let the rest catch up when they're ready."
"Fair enough" Albert nodded as he slurped another mouthful "While you were rubbing shoulders with royals, I was talking to some of the other soldiers… do you know why the dead all collapsed and stopped fighting?"
"The Red Woman?" Ky shrugged
"Nope" Albert shook his head
"The dragons." He sighed
"Nope"
"Give me a clue then."
"Well you know that vision The Red Woman showed us, of The Night King"
"How can I forget?" He conceded as he sat back and pondered what he was being told. "Why?"
"Well… someone killed The Night King, and the rest of them all just died… again."
"Who did the deed?" Ky asked
"Guess"
"Jon Snow?"
"Nope"
"I heard Jamie Lannister was here?"
"Nope"
"What about that fat lad from the Night's Watch?"
"It was not Sam The Slayer." Albert told him
Ky thought for a moment "I give up."
"Sansa Stark" Albert leant in and near whispered
"Sansa Stark?" Ky repeated
"Everyone is saying it… Sansa Stark killed The Night King."
"Sansa Stark?" Ky questioned him "Are you sure?"
"I swear" Albert held his hands up "I was speaking to a Mormont man at arms, who heard it straight from one of the officers. Sansa Stark killed The Night King in The God's Wood."
"I'm not sure I believe that Albert." Ky dismissed him "We are talking about the girl that was married to the Imp, and Ramsay Snow?"
"Think about it…" Albert whispered, "She might be magic"
"Magic?"
"They say she's a red head" Albert nodded knowingly
"Well I am a fan of red heads Albert." Ky nodded "But I don't think that's a sign of being magic."
"Isn't it?" Albert asked with a raised eyebrow "Lilly says Redheads are kissed by fire."
"That's because Lilly doesn't like the word ginger. I dont think being ginger makes you magic."
"There's the Red Woman." Albert held up a finger "And the magic baby we have at Nightsong is clearly a Red Head."
"Still not convinced Sansa Stark is a wizard." Ky shook his head
"Really, think of the powerful men she has doomed. Engaged to Joffrey Baratheon…. Died horribly. Married to The Imp… Sentenced to Death, Married to Ramsay Snow… Died Horribly."
"Again… unconvinced"
"Okay… then how about this? Stannis attacks King's Landing with a massive army and fleet, it all goes wrong and he's defeated. Stannis attacks Winterfell, and is defeated. The Night King attacks Winterfell and is defeated… who was there at all of these events."
"Fair point" Ky conceded
"Anyway what's happening with this celebration tonight?"
"I think we're invited." Ky told him "But don't get too drunk, we're going back South tomorrow morning."
…
Spirits were high in Winterfell's Great Hall, as torchlight flickered The Defenders of Winterfell feasted and drank in view of their Queen and The Starks. Far away from the top table, The Nightsong contingent eat and drink their fill. The atmosphere was happy one, however Ky raised a hand to silence Albert and the others, as he noticed the other tables around them become quiet until a hush fell over the room.
"You are Robert Baratheon's Son?" The Dragon Queen was stern, all eyes fell on the young man stood at her table, about their age Ky and Albert strained their necks to see him
"This could be interesting" Albert whispered
"Who is the Lord of Storm's End?" The Queen asked him
"I don't know" The young man answered
"Does anyone?" Daenerys asked the room, Ky sank back silently praying he would not catch her eye.
"I think you should be Lord of Storm's End." Daenerys addressed the young man.
"I can't be, I'm a bastard" The young man near mumbled
"No, you are Lord Gendry Baratheon of Storm's End, the lawful son of Robert Baratheon. Because that is what I have made you."
Before the boy could speak, Ser Davos Seaworth, former Hand of the King to Stannis Baratheon stood up and raised his cup "To Lord Gendry Baratheon of Storm's End."
The room erupted into a cheer as the jovial mood reasserted itself, as people lined up to congratulate the new Lord, Ky turned to Albert "Shit."He whispered
"Look's like the Stormlands have a new Lord." Albert cringed slightly
"We need to get word to Une." Ky sighed "Or one of The Nine."
"What are we going to do about this new Lord?" Albert asked "Something tells me he's not part of the plan."
Ky paused for a moment. "We stay close to him"
"To the Dragon Queen!" A drunk Wildling toasted
"To Arya Stark, The Hero of Winterfell." The Dragon Queen raised her own cup
The rest of the room cheered as Ky looked at Albert "Arya Stark" Ky repeated "Not Sansa Stark, thank the Gods you're not The Master of Whisperers."
"Close enough" Albert shrugged
…
He sits with his head in his hands atop the battlements of Winterfell, emerging periodically to take a swig of wine.
"Lord Gendry" A voice called to him, he didn't answer, he just took another swig "Most people would be celebrating. But here you are."
"I just asked the love of my life to marry me and she said no." He slurred slightly
"Ah… that explains the sad face." Ky nodded "Look on the bright side though, you're a Lord now… you'll have all sorts of high born ladies swooning over you."
"She is Highborn." Gendry replied with a hollow laugh "She lives here."
"Thats awkward. When you say here you mean Winterfell?" Gendry gave the slightest nod "Which one, the pretty one or the hero one?"
"Hero one." Gendry told him "And she is pretty, she's beautiful."
"Fair enough" Ky nodded "You going to stay here and pine over her?"
"There doesn't seem to be much point in that" He sighed "Who are you anyway?"
"My name's Ky Wheelwright" He offered a hand "I'm a Reeve?"
"What does that mean"
"It means I'm sworn to The Lord of Nightsong"
"So?"
"And technically speaking he's sworn to you now. My duties will be taking me home tomorrow, perhaps the Lord of Storm's End wants to see Storm's End."
Gendry thought for a moment "When do we leave?"