Day 1

Before departure

After the Children left, our dear Doctor had immediately gone to work on the medicines that were needed for the journey to Duskendale, which didn't take long for him to complete them.

Afterwards, he went to rest, and recharge himself as Isaac wouldn't let him continue without him having repercussions on his energon deposit. Although, he didn't like to be reminded of his position of low energon, he knew that in the coming days. He will have to face many great challenges, as per told by Maccadam, or so he thought.

His dream was a complicated subject to acknowledge, for it was a rare thing for him to believe in visions of the past or future. A matter he had to look into, but in the meantime, he had a job to do.

A job that he needed to finish, before he could move on to his rest of his projects, and to do that, he had to go to the most unattractive place to have ever existed. A visit to the most dreadful home in the North, a visit he had long tried to avoid, and with good reasons. Rumors, and gossips are one thing for someone to feel concerned about visiting the place. However, it's another when History, relays the details of all the nastiest things that have happened under the rule of House Bolton.

A great deal of tragedies, and misfortunes have come to those who have tried to cross against the Boltons. Death, is the least of concerns, especially a quick one, which there isn't an option to begin with. As the years pass, their kindness ever dwindles, and as for them having a since of modesty is not something to be spoken.

One of those examples is Dreadfort, a big Castle with its big towers, long walls, but dreadful as ever. The years haven't been kind to it either, and as for the depiction of it. Was but a sore in the eyes of the Doctor.

When arriving to his destination, just outside of the Castle. He could see the monstrous fort, standing in front him. He had taken every will to come here, not an easy thing to do. But his expertise was needed, as he saw the large number of tents lining up around the Castle. Presumably, the injured villagers were stationed there, as soldiers would flock in, and out. While the silent sisters, ever so vigilant to prepare the bodies of the dead.

As he started to approach the first of many patients that he needed to inspect. He was stopped by the armed men, who were guarding just outside the camp. Of course, questions were asked for what intentions he was here for. In reality the Doctor ignored them, as he passed by them. Not giving any notice of their yelling, and threats.

As he came in to the first tent, he saw many of the people who were laying to their beds, and with all different kind of conditions. Others were scared, traumatized, legs or arms were broken or even cut off, head injuries, and of course Sickness.

"Right, let's start then"

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2 hours later

"There we go, good as new. Just remember to give this to your mother. Every morning with water, and she will be back on her feet in no time" handing over the vase with green pills to the young lad that had glimmer in his eyes, he nodded rapidly "Thank you Ser"

He smiled, and turned a brief look to the woman who was one of many who were traumatized or shocked by the incident. The woman gave him a small smile, and whispered in a very low voice, that was barely even heard "Thank you".

However, the Doctor nodded, and rose to his feet, his Backpack on his back, and his suitcase on his hand "Have a good day" he said as he nodded one more time, before turning towards the exit of the tent. To his astonishment, he had forgotten how many tents he had visited, and how quickly he was able to cure or help the people in need 'A new record' he grinned as he walked the long path towards outside nodding along the way towards the patients he had looked before going to the child's mother, each one had given him a small bow towards him, a show of respect, which he appreciated deeply.

As coming out of the tent he heard "A Giant there you are" a young voice said, as he saw a young man with black hair, a very short beard, and a constant grin on his face "Took a while to find you. Now that I have, Lord Bolton seeks an audience with you Ser" said the man, as he looked at Ratchet with anticipation, and… excitement. The Doctor in response "And you are" he asked with curiosity. The young man smiled as he raised his hand in the air, pumped it to his chest, and with bride he said "I am Ser Walton Steelshanks, however people around here call me Steelshanks Walton" he leaned his head "Why" "Not sure, maybe cause I'm wearing steel greaves, or maybe cause I'm good with a sword" he said, again with pride.

Ratchet studied him closely for a minute, while the man's nerves began to appear. As he couldn't tell if the Giant was glaring at him, or trying to intimidate him. Either way, it soon ended as Ratchet said "Why would Lord Bolton, request me if not coming here for himself" he asked with venom in his voice.

Catching the meaning behind that voice, young Walton said "Listen here" he said with a deep voice, trying to intimidate him as well, or at least trying "My Lord has a lot of business to take care of, he doesn't have time for the likes of you".

Young Walton tried to make himself sound as tough as possible, with no avail. However, what he got to see, was something that will haunt him for a lifetime, the Giant with an evil smile said "The Likes of me…mhm…Such as a shame, really. I know better than to question Lord Stark's, orders when he said to have all of his bannermen to report to him of their conditions. Although it appears that some of his men didn't listen, and of course that had bad symptoms for all of you" he leaned closer to his face "However, in this situation I can assure you, that the likes of me, are the only thing keeping your men, and your dignity alive".

Walton gulped, seeing the sweat drooling down his face. He could only assume that he'll faint any moment. Surprisingly, he didn't, young Walton only gave a slow nod, and as said "A-Apologies I-I meant no d-disrespect" he said in a low trembling voice "None taken" The Doctor leaned back, as he notice the large crowd that gathered around them.

He refocused his attention at the man in front of him "S-Should I inform Lord Bolton, that you're in dispose" "That won't be necessary" he said as he started to make his way towards the main gate "I suppose you can take me, to see Lord Bolton" said Ratchet "Y-Yes of course" said the man, as he tried to keep up with him.

On their way, Ratchet could see the courtyard, to his Astonishment it was a lot smaller than the one in Winterfell. However, he noticed the armed men, all staring at him, with great wariness. Swords, spears, and crossbows, could be also seen, ready to be armed, as if there were going to a war.

It was unsettling, not knowing what they were trying to do. Maybe a show of power, maybe because they were expecting him, and knowing what had followed during his stay at White Harbor. They could expect an outbreak from him, although it was unlikely 'Show offs'

As they entered the Castle, he couldn't be more spooked at seen the darkness of its halls. Nothing could be more unwelcomed, then the stench of decay, and he could tell. How the stain of rotten blood could be seen in some areas of walls.

He couldn't help, but ask himself as the reason that he came in this horrid place. As they continued walking, he noticed a large wooden gate in their way. As the man bushed through, he realized that they came into the Great Hall.

As Walton told him to stay, while he went to fetch his Lord. He spared no moment but to scan the hall he was in.

To his surprise the hall could use a bit of an upgrade. As he said before, modesty isn't one of the things that is considered in some people. The roof was leaking, the wooden tables were creaking, the windows were barely allowing the daylight to come in. Only the torches were able to light the hall.

However, before he could continue checking out anything else. He noticed something disturbing, about the torches. Specifically, the handles that were holding them.

As he approached one of them 'A-Are those' he focused closer only to see what it was 'Human-' before he could finish his thought a voice spoke "Hands" said the deep voice.

As he turned around, he saw the great Lord Bolton standing just outside the entrance of another door "Those are Human hands" he said as he approached him.

Ratchet was taken back with what the man said, as he glanced one more time, at the skeletal hands that were holding the torch, and later he to approach the man.

"Human skeletal hands" said the Doctor with uneasiness "Yes, Hands" said Lord Bolton, as they met face to face. One could say that there was a challenge in their eyes, or even anger.

"I thought flaying was banished in the North" asked Ratchet "It has" said Lord Bolton, as he continued "Those have been here, a thousand years" "Ever thought of redecorating them" "No, I can't say that I have" a pause was made, as silence has drifted in the hall no one spoke, only the wind could be heard.

After a moment Lord Bolton was the one to break the silence "I believe, that congratulations are in order, for a well done job" he said, as Ratchet got the meaning of it "Yes, it would be a shame to let any more innocent die. Besides there few in this world who care about civilians, then others" Ratchet said with a hit of sarcasm.

The man narrowed his eyes, as expecting a feared reaction from the Doctor. Unfortunately, for him he got nothing but a grin from the Cybertronian.

"Nevertheless, I suppose from where you come from, lives are a significant prospect of someone's honor" "No" Ratchet said with frustration "It is the Duty of someone like me. A Doctor's role, to intervene were it is necessary to protect or save a life, no matter the rank of the person" "Very noble of you".

Silence fell again, as both restarted their eye contest, but not a moment to lose a cough was heard from behind them "My Lord" said Walton, trying to ease the attention between them.

Lord Bolton returned to the man, with a glare. In response Walton cowered before him, however with a swift move he refocused his attention to Ratchet.

"To business then" he said as he turned and started making his way towards the door, were Walton was standing beside "Business" Ratchet questioned "I don't believe we have any kind of business to talk with, Lord Bolton" he said. As the Lord turned to look at him, and said "There is one more patient you need to see" and with that he left the hall, making way towards the unknown.

The Doctor was hesitant to follow, not sure if it was a trick or a trap. However, from the looks that Walton gave him, he pleaded to follow him. With a heavy sigh he did.

As he went pass the door, he saw stairs going up, and as he started to climb them "What is your Lord planning to do with me" he said, to Walton who followed him behind. In response the man had a heavy heart in his voice "No plan Ser, only salvation" the response that was given to him, had taken him by surprise. Not wanting to ask more he continued walking the stairs, to yet again to an unknown destination.

As five minutes passed, Ratchet was able to catch up with the Lord, who was but standing in the right-side corner, of yet another door, only this one was smaller than the rest. Indicating a chamber of someone's.

Before he could ask "In here" the Lord said, as he raised one of his hands, and bushed the door to open. Signaling him, to get inside, to which the Doctor was hesitant but followed his instincts, and walked towards the open door.

As he came closer, he started to hear coughing, coming inside the chamber. By his calculations, the sound was not of an adult's, but a child's. As he ignored the Lord stare, he stepped in the room, and inside was a boy laying in his bed coughing constantly without none stop.

As he came closer to the bed, the kid was the exact resemblance of his father. Turning his head to Lord Bolton, who stood beside him he said "That is my child…Domeric, has been like this for fortnights. The Maester can't do anything to help him" in that very moment he saw something that no one has ever seen, fear.

Coming from a feared man such as him, is but a rare sight "I beg you, help him. The only thing I have from Bethany, is my son". Now realizing the true purpose as to why he had requested him. He immediately began his work.

Leaving his equipment down the floor, he raised his hand to scan him, and see the symptoms of his. The boy was sweating endlessly, and the constant shimmer of him, indicating that he was cold could only mean one thing 'Winter Fever' he thought as he immediately turned towards his Backpack opening it, and trying to search a specific vase "It's Winter Fever, what have you given him to try and sustain or at least reduce his temperature" he asked as he kept searching for the one thing that could save the kids life.

"Dreamwine, or Milk of the poppy. The Maester said it would be effective as a pain killer, and that the Domeric would be cured in no time" he stopped as he looked at him "Dreamwine, is only able to resist the fever, in a standard amount. It's effective as it some small degree, but Milk of the poppy is highly lethal. Especially to a child, it could have killed him" he said with a stern in his voice as he continued searching.

In the same moment, another voice was heard at the door "My Lord" said a confused voice, sparing a glance he saw, what appeared to be a Maester. The Maester couldn't say another word before "OUT NOW" yelled the Lord, as the man in ropes bowed in fear, and left giving a glare to the Doctor, before leaving.

As he found what he was looking for, he turned to Walton, and said "I need a cup of water, now" not a moment to lose the man did as he was told. Ratchet refocused his attention to his young patient, as he got one pill from that vase he was looking for "What is that" asked the Lord "It's a pill, that will reduce, and fight the fever. Once disperse, it will immediately interfere with his immune system, specifically his antibodies, with that his temperature will be reduced" Ratchet took the glass of Walton's hand, and Immediately treated the boy with the pill. Once he downed it with water, they had to wait for the pill to take its effect.

"Now" "Now we wait" as a moment passed, they could see Domeric's breathing had slowed down. As well as the reduction of the coughing, which was a good sigh "You do know that you're lucky" said the Doctor "Whatever do you mean" "If a child had the Winter Fever, they wouldn't last long, usually on their third day, his parents would mourn him. You are lucky to have in possession, a Maester. While others…struggle to keep their Children fed up" he said, as he saw the small remorse on the Lord's face "No one is lucky, if they aren't careful enough. The gods bid it to take someone's life then so be it. Man is at fault, that is true. But we to are weak and mindless animals, that is why the powerful are able to survive, and the weak die" "No" he said in a low voice, as the Lord glanced at him "That is why everything needs to change, and that is why I fight to keep the living alive as long as possible. Not the gods, not the universe but knowledge of caring is but important in this world".

Not another word has been said between them, as they heard shuffling coming from the bed, a voice was heard "Father" Lord Bolton immediately went to his son's side, holding his son's hands as tight as possible, while smiling at him. As he gathered his equipment, Ratchet made his way outside only to hear a low voice say "Thank you"

With that he nodded not looking behind, while continuing his way towards the main gate.

A/N

Merry Christmas

I hope everyone is spending their time with their loved ones, and that everyone is safe.

So, I finally got to the point where there is a small interaction between Ratchet and Roose, and I know this scene feels familiar as to the scene were Ned was needed to be looked after. Well, I can assure that it isn't the same, as to the point of this interaction was for all you to understand that some characters in this story will have some intense interference with the Doctor. However, it won't mean that is going to be led to death, for those characters who disagree with Ratchet, no no, my point is that some will try to look intimidated but perhaps they have a soft spot in their hearts. You never know, of course.

For now, I will continue writing of course. But the next update will be next year. So, I wish you all a Happy Christmas, and A Happy New Year, and above all else stay safe.