Chapter 6:

Author's note:

The Fire Zombies will be included in the next chapter. I wanted this chapter to be a full White Walkers arc. This chapter is a bit like "A Feast of Crows". The next one will include both arcs. From this point on, the story has "M" as rating. The only reason herefore is to be sure for the rating.

Thanks for your patience,

JF2

Jorden didn't know how long he's been there. The last thing he remembered, he laid with Zia in his hands. When he opened his eyes, Robin stood over his bed. How could Robin be here? She was one of the commanders he had left in the camp. "Good morning, my grace. How're ye doing?" "Fine, and you?" "Could be better." Robin turned and looked out of the window. "Since the loss of Zia, everyone's in grieve. My condolences abou'that." She came closer and said: "I know how much she meant for you." Her blond hairs were twinkling in the morning sun. Her blue eyes were staring kindly at him. She looks beautiful. But then, he thought of Zia. His eyes filled with tears, but they froze on his cold face. He looked puzzled at her and she nodded: "We found you laying there. Zia was in your arms. Ron and Zack have departed to Eastwatch. They'll get that castle, I'm sure of that. Oh yeah, you ordered us to keep the crows alive. What do we need to do with them?" Jorden looked at her, thinking. "Who's their leader?" "Wout, my grace. He's handsome boy, you know." Without knowing it, he found himself jealous. It was a strange feeling. He grieved for Zia, the love of his life, but he was jealous on Wout. What would it be? "How many prisoners are there?" "10, excluding Wout." "Okay, he'll fight me when my strength returns. If he wins, they're free. If he loses, well, I'll see what their fate will be."

Robin left the room of Jorden. Afterwards she went to the prisoner. At first, she didn't like Wout. But now, after a week, she liked him more and more. She got a strange feeling when she was with him. Something she never felt before, attracted. She wanted to be with him for hours and hours. His smile made her warm inside. When she opened the door of the cell, she saw Wout sitting there. "Hey, you're back." He came closer the door of his cell, "Almost thought you wouldn't return. Those clothes are good, ye know. Your chest reminds me of the hills I saw north of the Wall." She smiled and gave him his meal. She said : "You know you aren't supposed to talk, do you?" "You know you're not supposed to be that beautiful, do you?" She took the compliment with ears that went red. I know this feeling. Jorden had it with Zia. It's called Love. She looked him in the eyes and said: "I won't deny my feelings, are you in love with me?" "Are you a girl?" Robin came closer and kissed Wout.

Luca opened the door and saw Robin standing there. She's too close to the prisoner! "Away from that door!" Robin jumped when she heard Luca. "Didn't see you coming. What do you want?" Luca knew that Robin wanted him gone. She wants some time with her dog. "I have to bring Wout to the king. He wants to talk to Wout." Robin stepped back, so Luca could open the door. "How many times do I need to tell you to stay out of this, Robin?" "Not enough, father. Try something harder, please." She winked at him and went through the door. Luca brought Wout to Jorden. He closed the door. "So, you must be Wout." Jorden said out of his bed. "Luca, bring a chair for my guest. Where're your manners?" Luca took a chair and sat Wout upon it. He could give him a good glance, for the first time. "Look, I won't make it difficult. Luca, what are you doing there? Bring the guest some wine." Luca brought some wine and filled two cups. One gave he to Jorden, the other to Wout. "If you tell me where your troops are, I'll let you go." Wout shook his head. "I won't." "You want to play it hard, do you? Luca, bind him and bring my knife, if it pleases ya." He did what was told. Jorden took his knife and pointed the sharp end towards Wout. "Look, the game's easy to understand. Every time you deny something, I'll cut you. Deal?" "No." Wout said. Jorden immediately cut him in his finger. The wound drew blood. "Well, will you fight a trial by combat after this cozy conversation?" "Aye, if ye want that." Jorden smiled. "You get the game. You'll be better than me after some time." "So, where are the troops?" "There aren't any troops." Wout looked at the knife, waiting for it to cut him. "Why not?" "Because we were holding a feast, some rangers had returned with positive answers." Jorden nodded and threw his knife towards the wooden table. It stuck there. "Okay, that's enough. If you've lied to me, you'll die screaming, deal?" Wout's fear was readable in his eyes. "I see you understand. Luca, will you be so kind to take the prisoner away? Oh, yeah, Wout. I've got to thank you for something." Wout looked puzzled at him. "For killing my girlfriend. Your folk will pay for it. I won't stop until I've conquered the North. Luca, every crow you find will be killed. But keep 10 crows and mr I-pee-my-pants." Jorden laughed. Luca wanted to laugh but understood it would be inappropriate.

Jon was walking through the camp. He had heard news about the death of Zia. Jorden will be very sad about that. Jon entered the tent. He saw Neits. She had blond hair. She's a very good fighter. Otherwise she wouldn't have that hair of hers. Her frozen eyes looked at him. "I heard about Zia. She was a friend of mine." "I understand your grieve. I never really got along with her. But this doesn't minimize the loss. She kept the captain safe. But we have to move on. To make matters worse, one of the representatives of the spiders said that they have a delay of a few days." She looked at him in disgust. He looked her right in the eyes and said: "It doesn't pale in comparison to your grieve. But we have to do something. I'll be in my tent, if you need me." He exited the tent and saw Harry. "What're you doing here? You need to be in the stables." "I can do whatever I please. Leave me alone." He held the door of the tent and said: "I've received a raven that Mary is returning. Maybe she'll be here in a few days. It was a heavy battle at Eastwatch, they said. Mary didn't want to fight and, as punishment, must stay in this stupid camp."

Ron was riding next to Zack. Mary came to them and said: "I don't care what you say, but I won't fight, Jorden can fuck himself with that castle." "You can return to the camp." Zack said severe, "I'll report Jorden about this. With all the details if ye want." "You can do it together. Robin will watch it with pleasure, I think." She turned her horse and galloped towards the east. They had to ride one day, before they would arrive at Eastwatch. I still feel bad leaving Jorden there in Castle Black. Robin had stood to proceed Jorden's campaign. From Shadowtower, there wasn't something new. The last news was that Donder would attack at sunrise.

Three blows, that's what Tom had blown. Donder would've charged in front and killed every crow. That was the plan. It didn't work out like that. They were still fighting for the gates of Shadowtower. Donder just killed a crow. A spray of blood came on his clothes. One tried to attack Tom. He blocked the sway and ripped the crow's throat out with his sword. The lines were breaking. Tom gave the signal, where the cavalry was waiting for. He heard the sound of approaching horses and saw 20 black mounts coming. They went through the whole and charged the group of crows. Chaos was everywhere. Some crows tried to flee. Tom guarded the gates, so no crow would make it out a life.

Donder was fighting, the best he could. He entered some buildings, smiths probably. We've caught them in surprise. The fires of the smith where still burning. He saw a man, taking out an iron stick with an orange top, coming to him. Donder tried to block it. The man had put so much power in his attack, that he fell backwards. His back was open and Donder could get the right end of the stick. He put the warm stick in the man's back, making the armor smelt. He pushed harder and harder, until he discovered pure skin. Then, he removed the helmet of the man and pushed the warm iron against it head. He screamed like a pig. Donder crushed the man's skull. Blood mixed with brains flew up everywhere. When he considered the man done, he looked around him. Everyone was fighting, the sound of iron kisses was hearable. He held the iron stick for the rest of the battle, until the orange faded a bit.

At the end of the battle, only 20 crows survived. They did, as tradition, a duel. It was Donder against a half-giant. The man looked so strong that he could pull out trees without effort. But he wasn't fast enough. Before he knew, he had a sword in his belly. Donder pulled it out, making blood sprawling out. The man fell backwards, right into a fire. He caught fire and the man, in between life and hell, screamed. When the screaming finally stopped, they saw the damage. Some things were burned down. Several bodies were piled upon each other, making big hills. Some crows gave a last stand, but victory was sure. The lift up to the Wall was down, planks still falling. The smell of burning flesh was in the air. The sounds made by the dying horses became sickening. Donder ordered to kill all the horses, which couldn't stand up. The corpses were laid out of the castle, so the crows could feed upon them. Why do men always need to fight? It brings only death and decease.

Ron entered the tent. Zack stood there, looking at a table. On the table, there was a map with different wooden sticks. They each differed in length. It was clear that Zack had made a plan. Zack heard the sound of the steps of Ron and turned. "The plan's set. You're going to lead the reinforcements. I'll try to fight my way into the castle. If you hear 2 blows of the horn, you can have your turn. This will only happen if necessary. Understood?" "Aye." Ron wanted to say more but turned and left the tent.

Zack mounted his black horse. He patted it on the neck and moved forward. The moon was coming up. It's a new Moon. The priests would say its bad luck to attack. He met Ron and went beside him. "It's going to be a tough day, you know. I hope you're ready." Zack said. "I'm ready when you're. A tough day, you said? Every day is as tough as you make it to be." Ron moved a bit faster, to speed up the pace. "You've got to understand that war ain't a game. It's your first battle, Ron, and the adrenaline is thriving in your body. But believe me, when it's over, you'll deem battles inhuman. If I were you, I would prepare myself for the worst." He looked at Ron and hoped that he knew that this world isn't a fairy tale one.

Zack commanded the wights to stop. He galloped through the lines. He pointed the sword in the air and said: "Let's attack those bastards!" He galloped down and lead the front. The castle hadn't closed the doors. He saw a few crows. He galloped towards them and killed them. Blood dripped of the sword and Zack turned. He let his horse prance and yelled: "Come out and meet the god of Death." His horse was back on the ground and the Night's Watch came out. They looked frightened to him. He commanded the wights to attack them and, before the crows knew it, they were attacked in the rear. The wights overwhelmed the crows. Zack saw crows losing arrows upon the wights. He demanded his horse to climb the stairs. It had difficulty but it succeeded. He saw the archers and charged them in the flank. He jumped on one of them with his horse and swept his sword, hitting the throat of the other. When the archers were dead, Zack descended the stairs. In full gallop he killed some deserters. Blood came everywhere. He turned his horse. "We're your biggest fear!" Zack saw that the Night's Watch held their ground. He charged the rear of the Night's Watch. He blew his horn to be assured of the victory.

Ron heard the sound and began to turn his horse. He took his sword and held it before him. "Remember this day, as the day that we defeat those crows." He commanded the wights to come forward and galloped toward the gate. He let his horse jump right on a crow. The crushing sound of his bones was heard. Ron swept his sword and began hitting the Night's Watch. Blood flew through the air. In some weird way I enjoy this. He was through the lines, showing the Wall. He tried to find a place where he could charge. When he commanded his horse to gallop, his mount got shot. It fell forward, taking the rider with him. His leg was crushed between the ground and the horse. He couldn't move. He tried to move the horse. He saw a crow coming with an axe, the blade pointing at his neck. Ron closed his eyes and tried to block the axe with his sword.

Robin opened the door. The chair was placed to block any entrance of people. She walked through the dungeons. They were all empty. The most prisoners were killed in the battle. She heard Wout walking in his dungeon. She closed the door and threw the keys to the ground. "We'll continue where we left off." She pushed him back into his bed. She came closer and kissed him. "That's where we left off, right?" "Aye." He undressed her clothes, making her breasts visible. He cupped them and went lower and lower. When they were done, Robin said: "We're going to do this more often. I love you, you know. Ever since the first time a few days ago. I sneaked away, remember? I'll try to talk to Jorden. Maybe I can convince him to let you go. But I don't promise anything. He loves his traditions, I reckon." She took her armor. "I've convinced him to make sure that you get enough food and you don't have to work like the others. Maybe you can get more." She winked and opened the door.

"No, no and no." Jorden walked and looked at Robin. "He can't be released." He looked Robin right in the eyes. "You know they killed Zia. Now they'll pay for it. I'll make sure that we get the North, a few dead men won't change the end, will they? The trial is this evening, I don't care what you think about it." He touched her shoulder and nodded. "Don't worry, when we're in Winterfell, you'll see, you will be happier than ever." "Not if I have no one to love." A tear formed under her eyes. "Jorden, I love Wout. I'm sorry, I didn't want it. The feeling doesn't go away." "Everything eventually goes away. Life's a circle, you know. If he can win from me in the trial, you and he can have a happy ending." Jorden walked away, not returning on their conversation.

Luca made everything ready for the trial. He placed some chairs at the side of the training yard. When he saw that no one was watching, he entered a tower. There he found a cage of ravens. Jorden didn't like crows. He found a candle and lit it. He placed it on the table and wrote: "Hi, Jorden is planning to do a trial. How is it doing in your castles? We'll do as we said. Jorden isn't a competent king and he'll never be. When the Wall broke, I saw him killing our beloved King. That's a deed he'll pay for. Will you help me to pay the debts of our true King? When you read this, burn it." Luca bound it to a crow and the crow flew away. He copied the same text and bound it again to another crow. Now we can only hope.

The evening came and Jorden commanded Luca to get Wout and the prisoners. The moon was falling from her tower and the sun almost replaced her. "Let's get going with this. I want to be done when the sun rises." All the prisoners were set on their knees, with their heads bowing. Wout, who would be fighting, got a sword from Robin. Jorden saw the desperate look of Robin. She wants that he survives. Jorden unsheathed his sword. "Wout, son of no one, will fight Jorden Snow in this trial. If Wout loses, the prisoners will be executed. If he wins, the prisoners will be let free beyond the Wall. Wout will have one chance to defeat me, the champion. Let's begin!" Wout swung his sword with his left hand and then again with his right hand. Jorden concentrated himself and blocked the first attack of Wout. The kiss was loud and sharp, but nothing happened yet. Wout tried again, when he saw the unprotected flank of the champion. Jorden did a smooth move and, while protecting his flank, did an attack towards the sword hand. The sword hit the place between his glove and the armor of Wout. Blood came sprawling out of it. Wout tried to lessen it, but it wouldn't work. Jorden forgot about his sword and pushed Wout forward on the ground. More blood came from the wound in his hand. Jorden pinned Wout down and laid his fingers right on the eyes of Wout. He pushed hard. Harder than he thought he could. Blood came out of the eye sockets and a sickening sound was heard. The skull of Wout was crushed. Jorden stood above the corpse and looked around. He gave the signal to Luca. You could read the fear on the faces of the prisoners. Luca killed all the prisoners immediately, one by one. Jorden looked at the crushed skull. His sight blurred, making him unsteady. He laid his hand on his left temple, but it wouldn't disappear. He came off the corpse and tried to stand up. He looked at Robin, who was crying. "You, you!" Her voice broke. She knelt before Wout's corpse, looking at his crushed skull. "What did …." Before she could finish her sentence, Jorden fell on the ground.

Jorden woke up. He was lying in his bed. He looked around and saw the naked back of Zia. This can't be true, Zia's dead. She turned and Jorden could clearly see that it was Zia. He stood up and came closer. "Zia!" Tears formed in his eyes. He missed her so hard. Zia turned, but instead of coming closer, she took a step back. "What did you do, Jorden? You're not the same anymore. Move on. This grieve is as dead as me, ye know. I've seen how you look at Robin." Jorden came closer, but there was an invisible wall between them. "What do you mean? I'm the same man as before." "You'll see." She came closer, as close as the wall allows her. "I'm always there, ye know." She pointed at his heart. When she did that, he felt a force pushing him back. He fell through a black darkness. Not knowing where he was, he tried to locate himself. At the other side, he saw Wout and Robin. Robin came closer, closer and closer. She touched gently his eyes. She pulled him towards Wout. Wout had an axe in his right hand. "You'll pay for what you did, ye know. If I don't do it, someone else will."

Will be continued…..