All rights belong to GRRM
Roose I
"Your master has a lot of nerve, sending you here," Roose said quietly, crossing his arms. Standing across from him was Harys Swift, the Knight of Cornfield. "What's to stop me from killing here and now and sending your head back to Tywin.
Ser Harys did not look like a normal knight. Most of the time, the man wore yellow steel plate decorated with the blue rooster of his house. Now, he wore black leather clothes and a dull yellow cloak. They were not even the man's finest leathers, but of course, the man wasn't trying to be noticed. As of now, he looked more like a common messenger than the master of Cornfield.
Roose and his small host of 7,000 men were currently camped at Moat Cailin as Bolton sent ravens to the Ryswells and Dustins. The Leech Lord was also planning on how he was going to sweep the ironborn back into the sea. From what Bolton knew, Torrhen's Square and Deepwood Motte were still under ironborn control, and Bowden Hawker had yet to get past Flint's Finger.
Men were rallying at Winterfell as well, as commanded by Lady Catelyn. Roose's bastard, Ramsay Snow, was also rallying what Bolton men he could at the Dreadfort to bring to Winterfell.
Roose had been surprised when Ser Harys had arrived at the ruined northern stronghold, although he did not show it. Roose did not know the man personally, only that he fled south to Tywin after the Battle of the Camps.
The knight shrugged. "I go where I am commanded," he answered simply.
Roose nodded at him. "Tell me what Tywin wants then leave. I am already committing treason just by speaking to you."
Swift pulled a message from his belt and handed it to Bolton, who took it. "Lord Tywin only requires your answer."
Roose broke the red wax seal and unrolled the scroll, taking a moment to read it. The message was simple. He was asking Roose to switch his loyalties and help Tywin take down Robb Stark. As a reward, Roose would become Warden of the North and the Boltons would become the prominent house in the North. The Old Lion had also promised to legitimize Roose's bastard, giving him a true heir.
Tywin also outlined who else had already agreed. A man who's host of 4,000 strong was already among Roose's own force. The Frey's had agreed to turn their cloaks on the Stark's, in exchange for a few marriages from Tywin's cousins and the promise that two of the Kingsguard would have a Frey squire. Finally, Tywin promised that the Frey's would be named Lord Paramount of the Riverlands since Edmure Tully and his uncle would be killed in battle.
"Do you know what this says?" Roose asked carefully.
Swyft nodded. "I do," he replied easily. "A man by the name of Lothar Frey has arrived with me to take care of some matters with his family. Black Walder is now the leader of the Frey host."
Roose frowned. "Bold of you to assume that I had already agreed to Tywin's terms."
Harys shrugged again. "Why would you not? Robb Stark has put aside many of his northern bannermen in favor of his new southern allies. He also is set to marry a southern girl. Do you think he gives a shit about his northern bannermen? Robb Stark even allowed the Greyjoy boy to leave, and look at what has happened? Robb Stark will lead you to ruin if you continue down this path."
Roose had to admit, the knight had a point. Robb is the reason why half of the North is now being invaded by ironborn. The Leech Lord wasn't even sure if the boy knew what had happened. If Robb Stark truly cared about his homeland, he would have never trusted Greyjoy. A severe lack of judgment on the young king's part.
If Robb Stark was also truly betrothed to a southern girl, then it would be the first time in a very long time that the lord of Winterfell had not married a northern girl. Something that would surely disappoint many other northern lords.
"Stark's new southern allies have a mighty host," Roose commented. "How does Tywin plan to deal with them?"
Harys waved aside Bolton's question. "The Tyrell's have always been a greedy family. When Robb Stark dies, and Lord Tywin will ensure that he does, Mace Tyrell and his family will join the winning side, as they have always done," he explained.
"That is the reachmen. My countrymen will never give in to the Lannisters." Roose countered. "The Starks are beloved."
Harys smirked. "Why not? Their king will be dead, and who better to follow then the man who saved the North from the ironborn invaders, invaders who unfortunately killed Robb Stark's siblings and mother."
Roose was beginning to see what Tywin wanted. There was still one thing that worried him. "Tywin has what? 20,000 men. Nothing against the might of the Reach, Stormlands, Riverlands, and the North."
Harys folded his hands behind his back. "If you think Lord Tywin is devoid of allies. You are badly mistaken," he said. "The lords of the Blackwater have realized who their lawful king, joining their fellow crownlanders at Duskendale. Lord Tywin has also reached agreements with the Vale and Dorne."
Roose raised an eyebrow. "The Vale and Dorne? You truly want me to believe that Tywin Lannister has allied with men who watched Ned Stark grow up and the Martells who have a grudge against the Lannisters?" Roose argued. "Has Tywin also enlisted the aid of the Warrior as well?"
Harys shook his head. "Not a word I said was false. Lord Petyr Baelish, King Joffrey's Master of Coin, is set to marry Lady Lysa Arryn very soon. He will then take over as Lord Protector of the Vale and the Knights of the Vale will soon march to Lord Tywin's aid."
"And Dorne?"
"Princess Myrcella has been promised to Prince Doran's son. The Red Viper is rallying his countrymen as we speak." Harys said. "60,000 men from the south and east. Another 20,000 at Duskendale and a full host at Harrenhal. All under the command of Tywin Lannister, who has never lost a war."
"Robb Stark has not lost a battle yet." Roose pointed out.
Harys scoffed. "Robb Stark has danced a pretty dance, but the music is done playing and soon the boy's world will crumble around him as Tywin shows him why he is the most dangerous man in Westeros." the knight of Cornfield nodded at the message in Roose's hand. "Lord Tywin will win this war, of that there is no doubt. He is offering you a chance to join the winner's table. I advise that you take it."
Roose tapped the table thoughtfully. If what the man said was true, then Roose could easily take the North while Robb Stark was destroyed in the Riverlands by Tywin and his new allies. Bolton could then blame the deaths of Catelyn Tully and her children on the ironborn. Then, like snow in the sun, House Stark would be extinct, leaving House Bolton as the dominant house in the North. As they should have been.
Roose would also be seen as the savior of the North if he repelled the ironborn, which would be easy enough. They were terrible fighters when not on their ships.
Roose nodded. "I accept Tywin's terms," he said, throwing the letter into a burning brazier. "This will stay between us, of course."
Harys nodded. "Wise decision, my lord. King Joffrey will make his official decree making your house rulers of the North as soon as I return to Harrenhal."
Roose waved his hand, gesturing for the man to leave. "You can leave now," he ordered.
Swyft bowed and left, leaving the Leech Lord alone to bask quietly in satisfaction. His house will now be in its rightful place as rulers of the North, and no one is there to stop him from destroying the remaining Starks.
Line Break
Hey all,
Sorry if this is a short chapter. This is just kind of a stepping stone to keep the story going. I hope you all are staying safe and having a good day.
King Beleram
