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Chapter 8: Catalyst to War
Arthur
He was dropped roughly from the horse he was on, hitting the ground roughly and groaning in pain.
They would stop once every two days, and every two days he was thrown from that horse and each night he couldn't even rest easy. Not with Jaime trying to talk to him or nightmares of him holding his wounded father, so to say he has had a rough few days was a tremendous understatement.
"What did I say! Stop doing that." Jaime told one of the soldiers who responded with boot licking, he tried to rise but the bind scratched against his hands, yet he bit through the pain and leaned himself against a tree.
He offered Jaime no glance, no words just as he had done the last several days. Some nights and days he would attempt to speak to him as if he didn't shove a dagger through Jory's eyes, that he didn't knock him unconscious and kidnapped him whilst leaving his father to bleed on the ground.
He should have listened to his father, Lannister's are nothing but dishonorable cretins. And he was a fool to think the Knight was genuine in his friendship towards him, no friend would do that to another friend. Shame filled him as he worried for his father, and siblings, even Sansa was included in this. Then he went to think about what is going to happen.
War, if his father and the King are unsuccessful. He looked around and heard some men joking about his father, jesting about how the great Eddard Stark was wounded by a spear and he wanted to immediately throttle them. Sooner or later he is going to get loose from these binds, then he is going to leave a few men without teeth before going back to the capital and be with his family, and Mya too.
"Ignore them. They don't know what they are talking about." He looked away when Jaime tried to talk to him again, he doesn't want to be friendly. "Arthur, what I did was for my brother. Can you honestly say you wouldn't do the same? Are you no better- " He's had enough of this, he wouldn't hear any more of it. Sending a mighty glare towards Jaime he responded to the man.
"I have not a word for you, Kingslayer. My father was right about you, dishonorable and greedy." He could see he hurt Jaime with his moniker, he never once called him that and right now he felt good saying it. "Let me go. Let me go and I will get my father to stop this madness." Jaime gave him a cold stare, standing up and turning his back to him.
"Your father CAN stop this madness, by giving me, my brother. Then you, your father and your sisters can go north to that wasteland you call home."
He gritted his teeth, turning back and closing his eyes. Planning and scheming to get out of this situation he got himself in.
Robb
He watched his brother ride on the horse using the invention that Tyrion had given them, Bran cheered as he made the steed go even faster.
"Not too fast! Stay where we can see you!" He yelled out to him and smiled widely, Bran hasn't been this happy since he fell from that tower.
"You know something has to be done, they killed Jory, took your brother captive, wounded your father," Theon said to him, bringing him out of the joyful moment going on.
He understands what Theon was trying to ask him, his friend wants him to assemble the Northern army and march south to avenge those guards, Jory, and to bring his brother to safety. When he read the letter sent to him by Sansa, he immediately wanted to call the banners for war. It was Luwin who convinced him otherwise and said he had to be patient, they are still a part of the Seven Kingdoms.
"What would you have me do? Go to war?" He asked sarcastically, Theon nodded and said that it would be for justice, though the man was right he was also wrong. "Only the Lord of Winterfell can call the banners, and I- " He was going to respond but Theon stepped in.
"They put a spear through your father's leg, the Kingslayer rides with Arthur to Casterly Rock where no one can touch him." He was quick to respond to Theon, his voice thick with a rising anger at the Krakens insistence on waging war.
"You want me to march on Casterly Rock- " He tried to say before Theon cut him off.
"You're not a boy anymore! They attacked your father and took your brother, they already started the war. Robb, it's your duty to represent your House when your father can't." He let his anger take hold of him and won't be bullied to do something he doesn't want to do, despite his familial attachments calling him to take some action.
"It's not your duty, and it isn't your House." He snapped and immediately regretted it.
The words cut deep and the look on Theon's face showed this, he tried to say sorry but his friend didn't want to hear it. In the end, he sighed and told himself he would apologize later, looking around he noticed that Bran wasn't anywhere to be seen. He asked this aloud and Theon said it wasn't his House, before going off to look for his brother.
He strode through the woods and thought about the troubles circling his family, Bran being pushed from the Tower, his mother left, Arthur's been captured and his wolf is missing. His father being attacked and wounded by Jaime Lannister, a mentor for Arthur in his letters and that gave way to his own suspicions about what had happened.
What if Arthur wasn't kidnapped, what if he left with Jaime willingly. He doesn't believe his brother would do such a horrible thing, yet dark thoughts will be dark thoughts after all that has happened. No! He thought and shook his head, he cant think like this and can only have faith that in that incident his brother chose family over the Kingslayer.
He was coming past a large tree when he saw Bran, he wasn't alone.
Three men, one woman. The man was wearing black, a Night's Watch deserter whilst the others were wearing furs meaning they were Wildlings. He hid behind a tree and took a deep breath, to calm his breathing, steeling himself for what he might have to do to protect Bran. He stepped out and approached them as they were cutting Bran's harness.
"Drop the knife, let him go and I will let you live." He offered them, they didn't listen.
One man came at him, swinging his ax twice before he made a move and slashed open the Wildling's neck. The woman whacked him in the back, he whipped about and grabbed her by her hair and thrust his sword into the chest of the next Wildling that attacked him. The two lives he took will be dealt with once his brother is safe and sound, he turned and saw the deserter holding Bran by knifepoint and he cursed his slow actions.
"Drop the blade, do it!" His enemy demanded and Bran told him no, so brave the little one was. He was slowly setting his sword down, but then an arrow pierced the deserter's chest from his back. He let go of his sword and the woman to run to his brother, to see if he was alright. Theon came over with another arrow nocked and ready, pointing at the woman cowering in the back.
"Tough little lad. At home, you aren't a man until you've killed a man, well done." It was the moment he looked at the people he's killed, there could have been a better way than this, a more peaceful way.
"Have you lost your mind, what if you've missed?!" He chided Theon on his recklessness, Theon, in turn, gave him a look.
"He would have killed you and cut Bran's throat." He tried to respond to Theon's response, saying he didn't have a right. "A right for what? To save your brothers life! It was the only thing to do so I did it." Theon was sort of right, no doubt the deserter would have killed them if Theon hadn't acted.
"What do we do with her?" He gestured towards the woman who answered for herself.
"Give me my life my lord, and I'm yours." She pled or begged him and looked at Bran before deciding on it.
"We'll bring her back with us." He said and wondered if any of his brothers or father might have made the same choice.
Mya
She was in a rut.
No, she was in a pit.
It's been several days since Lord Stark was attacked by her half-siblings uncle, several days since her lover was taken and when she had heard... To say she was furious was an understatement. It had even caused her to get horribly drunk, which is rare but in the end, she wrecked her room and tore open sheets and threw chalices against walls.
Jaime Lannister actually looked to be turning around, his attitude was changing with the friendship he had with Arthur. Yet when it came to Tyrion, a man she could honestly say was the most tolerable lion, the knight acted with his pride and ego rather than the wit his family was supposed to have.
She was worried for Arthur, what if he was hurt? Or being mocked and humiliated by Jaime? Lord Stark had offered gold in exchange for the safe return of his son. Arya has also been in a sorry state, unable to concentrate on her lessons, Sansa was affected but other than that not so bothered over Arthurs absence but is concerned of her father. She wanted to throttle the child, yes he is only half a sibling but a sibling nonetheless.
Then there are the wolves, keeping much of the Red Keep awake over the disaster hitting the Stark family.
Now as for the Lannisters, they have not been happier in the Starks sorrows. Joffrey laughed, the Queen demanded justice for the 'attack' on Jaime, Myrcella and Tommen are still children and don't really care all that much for the troubles plaguing the rest of them.
Now to her side of the family. Father is furious yet, wanting to skewer Jaime for what happened but instead ran off into the Kingswood to gut an animal. Her uncle Renly is more or less worried about the reaction this will have at court, nothing new there. No word from Stannis despite Lord Stark beckoning him to return to his post as Master of Ships. She has made her stance on things, hoping she can personally gut the Kingslayer herself when he shows his face.
This does have some effect from Tyrion being captured by Lady Catelyn Stark, such as war.
Just a few days ago news came from villagers of the Riverlands, that a large number of brigands have been causing havoc. Their leader is a man the size of two fully grown men, a greatsword as tall as her fathers great Warhammer, it was obvious the man leading them was Gregor Clegane and Lord Stark knew this. Using the authority of the King he gave an order for Clegane to be brought to justice and for Tywin himself to come and claim responsibility for the man's crimes or be named a traitor, a bold move made.
"My father should act like a King and fix this, but no. He wants to pretend like a war wasn't at our doorstep, he doesn't care." She said to herself, no one but her in her chambers.
A knock came to her door and she walked over and opened it, seeing the shocked sight of her uncle Renly. "Uncle? What. Are. You... " She stopped slowly as she saw the blood.
"Mya. It's your father, he's been wounded."
No.
Arthur
Another night, another quiet glare being exchanged between him and Jaime.
But no more.
With the small knife he 'borrowed' from one of the men, he cut his binds and quickly got to his feet. He surprised Jaime and the others and took advantage of it, taking a spear from one man and gutting another. Next, he took that dead mans sword and prepared for the assault, deflecting two blows and kicking another soldier into the ground and another onto the fire pit.
"Don't be foolish, boy!" One man said and was going to come at him, if not for Jaime to approach with a sword in hand.
"I am going back, and you won't stop me." He seethed with gritted teeth, Jaime only looked at him with a cold face but his eyes showed so much emotion.
"You know I cant do that." Jaime finally said and nodded for his men to close in, but they only made one step before a long growl called out.
He looked with everyone and saw with a large smile that his wolf, Dusk had come out of the brush. He's gotten bigger and he will save his questions for why he is here, right now they need to get out of here and back to the capital. He turned his eyes back on Jaime and lowered his blade, he needs to get out of here.
"Jaime. If not for me but for my uncle's memory, the Sword of the Morning. Let me go." He pled and Jaime's face became soft, lowering his own sword that was pointing at him.
He took it as a sign and mounted the destrier, whistling for Dusk to follow. Before leaving he did turn to Jaime one more time, then he rode off towards the capital and his family.
Eddard
"You should have seen it, Ned. I got the cunt."
He had just arrived with Mya and Renly, his friend was worse for wear and bleeding from the gut. Milk of the Poppy has stemmed the pain but it won't save him, he is surprised his friend survived this long but Robert has always been strong as a ox. He sighed and took a seat with Mya being on his right, Roberts eyes went to him and then to Mya.
"My daughter, my sweet child. Oh, it hurts." Robert groaned out in pain, Mya choked with tears streaming from his face.
Joffrey and Cersei left, the boy is in tears as well and the Queen looked at him with pleading eyes.
Mya is the only child of Roberts in this Keep, Joffrey and his siblings are baseborn from Cersei and her brother. While Robert was on his hunt he confronted her, to give her a chance to save her children and to save herself. He told her to run and get passage east, to hide and live peacefully for Robert will be beyond furious when he hears of the truth. Now Robert is on his deathbed, and he has to see to the protection of his friend's children, and Mya as well.
"I want the funeral feast to be the biggest the kingdoms ever saw, I want everyone to taste the boar that got me." Robert boasted and demanded, making the moment more gloomy.
"Father, stop," Mya said and squeezed her father's hand, he feels for the girl and what she is going through.
"I'll be fine, child. Now you must go, we'll speak soon." Robert told her and he could see the child knew she and her father last moments are now. Yet Mya took her leave, leaving him and Robert alone.
"You damned fool."
"No time, paper and ink on the table. Write down what I say." He nodded and reached for what his friend asked of him, "In the name of Robert of the House Baratheon, bah just write in all the damned titles. I hereby command that Eddard of House Stark titles, titles to serve as Lord Regent and Protector of the Realm upon my death, to reign in my stead until my son and heir, Joffrey, comes of age." He wrote every word until the last bit, instead of Joffrey he wrote the rightful heir, Stannis is the rightful heir.
Robert signed it and that was that, but his friend had more to say.
"After I'm dead, at least they'll say I did this right- This one thing, you'll rule now and hate it more than I did." Even now Robert would make light, even when it involved his death. "And Ned, the girl: Daenerys Targaryen. You were right, everyone else was worthless. Let her live, stop it if it isn't too late." A sharp nod this time, he will do just that.
"I promise." He swore with an urge to help his friend.
"And my son... Help him, Ned! Make him better than I. And Mya, take her north with your boy, Cersei won't make her feel welcome once I am gone." He wanted to tell his friend the truth, to spare him the rage but he couldn't. Couldn't make his brothers life all but a lie, though he will protect Mya with everything he can.
"I... I swear to honor your memory." Robert japed about being remembered as the King who was gutted by a pig.
"Now go, get me something for the pain... And let me die."
He did all he could once he left his friends chambers, Daenerys is in danger if she isn't dead already, the Queen is no doubt plotting her next move, and Renly has already come to him and tried to ask him to seize control whilst the castle sleeps. He began taking steps and asked for Baelish to aid him in getting command of the Goldcloaks, lastly, he bargained for a ship to take Lady Mya to White Harbor and to keep her safe while also giving thought to his son of whom he sent a raven for Catelyn to let the dwarf go.
The next morning, the herald came and informed him that 'King' Joffrey has summoned the Small Council.
A/N: So begins the spirals of chaos. Dusk comes to Papa, Jaime still has heart, Eddard and Mya are treading dangerous waters and Robb is doubting his siblings. See the outcome in the next exciting episode of Sword of the Dawn. I know this chapter was mostly canon, yet hoped you enjoyed.
Guest, Agreed, Sansa didn't really have a choice, screw your family and keep favor with the royal family. Or keep loyalties with family and have an unhappy married life with Joffrey. Yet this was in Arthur's PoV and felt Sansa was betraying him and the family.
Metal Flash, Yeah romance isn't so much my strong suit but I will strive to improve. Robert and Ned wont be finding out, with all that's happened. I do hope the Naruto tale will inspire you, I will be honored.
Ulquiorra31, Sorry about that, and thanks for liking it.
Well this ends chapter 8 and I hope everyone enjoyed it. Will be working on this for a few days and some of the new story I'm working on too. I bid everyone a good night