DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN GAME OF THRONES THAT BELONGS TO IT'S RIGHTFUL OWNERS.
A/n: Alright folks I am back with another chapter of Warriors of Winterfell I hope you are patient with me as this is on rotation with my other stories. I am also trying and the emphasis of TRYING to write an original novel, but due to keeping up with these stories plus my busy life (Yes I am still working I work at a hardware store so I never got shut down in my home) my family life, and my other obligations writing had been tough through this pandemic. So have some patience with me.
To the person who P.M.'ed me to write a Game of Thrones/Warhammer crossover I have to say this here as well as in my response message to you. No, no and NO! The reason being as that I have no clue about Warhammer AT ALL, period. So don't ask me again. To anyone else who wants me to write THEIR story for them the answer is no. 1: I do not have the time to do it. 2: I will not write other people's fanfictions for them. And 3. If you have the ideas YOU write them. Sorry to sound like a bitch but enough is enough and I am tired of the requests so PLEASE stop asking.
Alright that is said and done lets get on with this chapter which is inspired by a Chinese Donghua called Mo Dao Zu Shi or the Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation which is basically a bunch of Martial Arts guys in a fantasy setting catching demons and monsters. I won't go into details the full episodes are on Youtube and they are subtitled you just have to turn on the captions. So without further a do lets really get on with the chapter.
THE WARRIORS OF WINTERFELL
Chapter 24: The Stag's Demands
WINTERFELL
Ned Stark stood outside on the battlements with a guard beside him. Tonight it was his turn to guard the castle as his ancestors had done centuries before. Catelyn was still recovering from her long journey, and had taken to rest while he stood guarding the gates to Winterfell. Bran and Rickon had long since gone to bed being children still in training. Robb was in Wintertown patrolling the streets with Greywind at his side.
Looking across the darkness towards the moonlit moors that surround the castle. He had seen images from the mirror of the great war between the dead and the living eight thousand years ago. It put a chill to his bones about the battles to come.
"Can't rest m'lord?" said a feminine voice.
Turning Lord Stark looked at the familiar form of Shifu as she walked up the steps towards him. Her silvery gray robes made her look ethereal in the moonlight.
"What brings you here Shifu? Should you not be retired yourself?" he asked her. Shifu's flowing dark hair resembled the dark skies that he was currently watching. She looked at him with dark pools that also looked like the darkness beyond. The age and wisdom behind them held Lord Stark in such awe at to what wonders and horrors the great immortal has seen throughout the centuries.
"I should ask the same of you?" she said in a friendly gesture. Breaking his thoughts of her past.
"It is my turn to take watch on the walls." he said feeling himself grow chilly with the wind. He tightened his wolf's fur around him but the wind did not subside and the chill was felt to his bones. The guards too felt the chill as they huddled next to the many fires that littered the wall providing heat and light. The only one not effected was Shifu as she remained calm despite the cold.
"Ah the north wind, such a feel to have it so close to your skin isn't it m'lord," said Shifu as she walked up closer to him. He remembered when she used to do the same giving lectures to her students. Lord Stark remembers it well, for he himself was once her student when he was just a lad. She was only doing it as a mother would do her wayward son. She placed her hand on his shoulder a sign of motherly comfort.
"It is, but this wind is different then the last time it blew," he said to her feeling the ominous cold.
"Of course Lord Stark. It is the winds of Winter that are blowing from the North. The Great Long Night approaches as the days are getting shorter, but there is still time to prepare as it is not yet time for the Others to come across the Wall. Right now they are gathering numbers and the Freefolk are fleeing south towards the Wall. As we speak The Night's Watch is prepared to deal with the influx of Freefolk coming into Westeros from the True North. We will be ready to deal with them when the time comes," Shifu said with confidence.
"You sound sure that we will win?" he said to her as he faced the beyond. His back did not turn to see her. He did not feel her confidence in their victory. In fact it reminded him of the battle of the Trident just before they marched into battle. It was the same feeling of both jitters and fear. Shifu however smiled at him giving him some warmth.
"The outcome is uncertain m'lord we could be victorious or we could fail miserably. I for one rather look positively at the outcome. For it has been a very long time," she said to him. Providing a mother's comfort where his own mother is not here anymore.
"How many have you witnessed in your time traveling Shifu?" he asked her his voice curious and yet weary from talking about war. The signs of a soldier who had seen too much.
"I have seen many, too many to count. But the Night King has only been around for ten thousand years. Chosen by the Great Other the one who rebelled against Death and fought to control or consume life. Remember Death is part of Life for without Death, life can't flourish," she said to him and he could see her at the right of him.
"The scriptures of the Lord of Light in Essos states that Death is an enemy to the Lord. That he brings darkness to all around him as well as every nightmare one can think of," Lord Stark replied. He felt like he was in his lessons again getting lectured on politics and religion.
"They are partially right, for R'hllor is the lord of light, but he is also the lord of shadow. Shadow is night but not true darkness. The Night that they mention is the absolute darkness that consumes all life. To embrace the shadows is to embrace the light or so they say. The shadows are the servants of the Lord of Light as they are told in the religion of the Fire God. But he is the fire god here in the North, one of the many Old Gods that we worship here. The Trees are the Gods of the Earth and Ice. Remember old Nan's tales of how the Great Other stolen the power of Ice from the Old Gods?" she said to Lord Stark.
"Yes I remember the tales she recites every night to the boys to help them go to bed. Though sometimes I have to wonder why she tells the scary ones to Bran?" he asked her with an amused tone to his voice.
They remained on the wall in silence watching over the moors that make their home. It was quite save for the sounds of the wind and the passing guards. Lord Stark remained vigilant as his ancestors had done to guard the North and her children. As he watched he contemplated his refusal to King Robert Baratheon. Could he have prevented his death if he had gone south? His regrets festered in his head, but then they were squashed by his logical mind.
No, he still would have died, for Robert was a feeble man. A man of many wants and lusts and one of them was hunting dangerous game with a spear. If one were smart they would have gone with a bow instead of a spear. Or at least a crossbow which makes it better.
Still Robert should not have pursued a boar of that size alone. He was drunk when he was hunting another thing that he should not have done. And why didn't he use a horse? Lord Stark gazed towards the horizon where the shadows of the Wolf's wood started to appear through the light of the rising moon to the East.
"Was it a wise choice to refuse one's king?" he asked Shifu.
"Under normal circumstances no, but in your case it was a wise choice. Starks do not belong in the south. They can venture there for brief moments to do their King's will, but nothing more. No good comes from being in the south playing their games in the court of King's Landing." she said. Her tone shown her wisdom as if she had been there before.
"The Game of Thrones," Lord Stark whispered.
"Aye, the Great Game, as they called it. To play would put one's life in danger for the price of losing is far too great a risk," she said looking beyond into the dark sky. The wind bellowing in her hair and her eyes seemed to show great regret in them.
"Aye," Lord Stark said contemplating the silence. It was during this silence that a flutter of wings could be heard as a raven made its way towards the Maester's tower. From the erratic way the bird was flying it must have flown a long way. Excusing himself he made his way towards the tower where Maester Luwin was sure to be extracting the message from the bird.
Sure enough when he entered the tower and climbing the steps towards Maester Luwin's chambers he found himself at the door to Maester Luwin's headquarters. After knocking and being allowed to enter. He spotted the Maester taking the message off of the bird. He then calmed the bird down before putting it into a holding cage to allow it to rest before releasing it to return home. The bird was exhausted and quickly fell asleep as soon as the Maester closed his cage. Turning he was surprised to see Lord Stark there.
"M'lord I was about to send someone to get you. It seems there is a message from King's Landing for you. It has the royal seal on it," the Maester said.
"It must be the invitation to King Joffery's coronation," Lord Stark said.
"Yes, m'lord I expect as much as it is custom for one to pay homage to the new king and to declare for him," said the Maester. Sighing Lord Stark started to walk away towards his post once again his heart heavy for it means he would have no choice but to travel south. He would have to take Robb with him for the law states that he has to present his heir to his King in case of his untimely death.
"I will write a reply and when the bird is rested send it back towards home," he said and the Maester nodded before allowing a space for Lord Stark to write.
Taking the quill and ink he started to write on the small scrap of paper for the ravens. When he was done he handed the paper off to the Maester who put it in the holder for the raven. The bird was still asleep showing its exhaustion. Lord Stark knew that in the morning the Maester would release the bird back to King's Landing with his reply. Thanking the Maester he walked out towards the door when he heard a crash. Both he and the Maester quickly grabbed weapons and headed out.
LORD STARK'S CHAMBERS
Catelyn was having a fitful sleep when she had the strange sensation that someone was in her room. Not sensing her husband nor anyone she knew her danger senses were on high alert. Pretending to cuddle in further the woman reached under the pillow where she kept a dagger. Lord Stark insisted that she sleep with one under her pillow in case they were attacked. And she is now glad she did for as soon as he could hear the man's breath coming in from above her she slashed out.
Startled the man fell back as Catelyn leaped to her feet and grabbed her sword. The thin blade was made in the Yi-Ti style which is fine for most women. Never the less the man stood up and began to twirl his blade around ready for a fight.
"The Lady must die that is what I was told," the man said and tried to kill her. His crazed look was one that Catelyn remembered hearing from many stories. A Cat's Paw, an assassin that is trained to hunt and kill upon the nobility's wishes. And if that nobility was someone who sent him then she knew that she was in for a fight.
The Cat's Paw came around with a knife and Catelyn dodged by sweeping out with her leg. This caused the assassin to go off balance for a bit. Getting up she readied her sword as the man charged. When steel hit steel she was shocked that the steel didn't cut through the knife meaning….
"Valyrian steel," she whispered as the man tried to stab her again. Kicking high she got him in the face before leaping from the window. Luckily for her she knew Winterfell like the back of her hand. So with a graceful back flip she landed on the ground with the grace of a cat. The Cat's Paw followed leaping from the window. When he landed he landed with a crash alerting everyone on the walls. She knew her husband was on the walls watching the forest but not the assassin.
The assassin charged at Catelyn again and she parried with her sword using his momentum she faked a jab which he flew through allowing her to give him a knee to the gut. The man went down in pain, but not before she struck him from the back of the head. He then fell towards the ground. But before he could hit the ground Lord Stark grabbed him from behind preventing him from stabbing himself to death on his knife. The guards quickly took the man and dragged him to the prison cell much to his own surprise.
It was unsurprising that a howl could be heard from another room and another man leaped from the tower. But he was being pursued by Robb who had come to check on his brothers. As the man leaped to his death a flash of gray was seen as Shifu came into action. Leaping with incredible grace she caught the man and landed on her feet. Stunned the man was shocked to see the woman catching him. He then knew no more as she struck him, knocking him out.
When the two were on the ground Robb landed safely inside a pile of hay right beside the tower. Getting up he ran up to his parents which he was surprised were both out. Catelyn and Lord Stark looked just as startled to see their oldest son.
"Who would dare attack the Stark Family," said Robb looking quite angry at the two men, but they were motionless.
"I think we can wait till later for such tortures right now go see to your brothers," Lord Stark said and Robb nodded before he ran off.
That left the two Stark elders and Shifu to see to the guards. After a quick nod the guards returned to their duty leaving Lord Stark alone with Shifu and his wife.
"Who sent them?" asked Catelyn.
"Take a guess, Littlefinger," said Shifu as she picked up the dagger. Both elder Starks were stunned at the beauty of the blade.
"That isValyrian Steel!" said Catelyn confirming her suspicions on the blade. The light reflecting off the nearby torch confirmed it by the lines on the blade itself.
"Aye, and if I had to take a guess the assassin must have mistaken you for Bran. Seeing as in the South he would not have woken up yet. Even if he did he would have been paralyzed from the waist down. No, this one came to kill him. And if there are two that means the killer which from my guess is correct sent them to ensure their silence," said Shifu.
"Silence about what? The Queen's affair? How preposterous!" she said outraged, "Besides he didn't come for Bran he came for me!"
"Come let's discuss it in my solar; not out here. The men can keep an eye on things here. We need to discuss this NOW," he said and walked towards the building. Catelyn and Shifu followed but not before Lord Stark gave an order to a servant to tell Robb to meet them in his solar.
When they entered the solar all of them looked grim as they sat down in chairs before Lord Stark's desk. He sat there his head in his hands and his face was in a frown. As they waited Robb entered the solar and shut the door. He quickly sat down in the chair next to his mother.
"What is going on father, who were those men?" said Robb both in curiosity and fear.
Lord Stark lifted himself up to be sitting upright in his seat a frown on his face as he spoke, "They are called 'Cat's Paws' hired assassins from King's Landing. Do you know why they were in Bran's room Robb?" he asked his son.
"I don't know. All I know was that I returned from my patrol early so I wanted to check up on the boys before getting a bath. Old Nan had fallen ill with a fever so she had asked me to give the boys their stories before sending them to bed. I checked with the Maester about Bran's injuries and Maester Luwin reassured me that he is on track to recovery. So when I was done telling the boys a story I was about to leave when Summer gave me a warning," Robb said looking exhausted.
"Robb, honey, did you check up on Rickon too while we are on the subject?" Catelyn asked.
"Rickon is fine mother and is sleeping soundly," he said much to her relief.
"When did the assassin appear and where was he?" Lord Stark asked his son.
"He was hiding in the shadow next to the window. I had just blown out the candles when he appeared. If Greywind was with me he would have sensed him. Summer thankfully was and managed to attack him before I could react." said Robb.
"That would explain why the man's arm was badly bitten." said Shifu.
"Before Summer could get to his throat he leaped from the window and I pursued him," Robb replied.
"Thank you son, as for the other one Cat what was going on with him?" he asked her.
"I was sleeping in our chambers when I felt a presence in my room. I kept a knife under the bed just in case we were attacked. He leaped at me but not before saying "The Lady must die that is what I was told," and then he attacked me," Catelyn replied.
Lord Stark put his hand to his chin deep in thought. Something is not right and then he remembered what Shifu said, "You said that the dagger came from Littlefinger how do you know where it came from Shifu?" asked Lord Stark.
"I remembered a tourney I visited a few years back with Lord Tyrion. He was the owner of the dagger then, a piece he had found on one of his trips to Essos. He bet on a knight that lost that tourney against Littlefinger. So in losing he gave him the knife in payment. Now a Valyrian steel knife fetches a hefty price for its rarity. So I don't think Littlefinger gave it up lightly," she said looking to Catelyn.
Catelyn's eyes were filled with anger, but at the same time deep in thought. Years of training in the North had taught her that rushing into things would only lead to death. So she thought long and hard before a memory hit.
"Lysa often mentioned Petyr when I was at the Eyrie, the only Petyr I know is Petyr Baelish a man from the Vale who was adopted by my family. He had a thing for me years ago. If you recall Ned he gotten into a fight with Brandon for my hand," she said to her husband.
"Yes, I seemed to remember that fight. Brandon was a fool for doing something like that. He nearly exposed us to the rest of Westeros." Lord Stark replied.
"What does that have to do with Littlefinger?" asked Robb curiously.
"Littlefinger is the name my father gave to him because Petyr is from the fingers of the Vale. His family is of minor nobility from the smallest area of the fingers. Which is why he had gotten his name. He is also called The Mockingbird for the small bird he has as his sigil. His family crest is completely different, but he made his own as he refused to return to the home of his family. His ambitions is what drove him from my sight as he craved not only my hand, but he craved power. He wanted to rise higher then his station and my father didn't allow it. After that incident with Brandon he was cast out to return home. But I suspect he may have gone to King's Landing instead," she stated.
"Perhaps we should ask Lord Varys if he knows," replied Shifu.
"I will get in touch with him when the time comes for his reports on Sansa and Arya. For now we will see if they truly came from Littlefinger, and if you are right Catelyn then he is trying to cause a divide between us the Arryns, and the Lannisters. It is time I sent a raven to Lord Tywin informing him of the deceit. I suspect he may have some suspicions but just in case." Lord Stark said.
"Will you be informing Lord Tyrion too," said Robb.
"Aye, he has a mirror so I will inform him as soon as this meeting is adjured. In the meantime we have guests to torture." said Lord Stark as he rose up. Just as he said so one of the guards burst into the room out of breath. He was on his knees and Lord Stark rushed to his side.
"What is it?" asked Lord Stark.
"We barely managed to stop it, but one of the assassin's tried to kill himself when he woke. We stopped him from chewing on a piece of poison that he kept in his mouth!" the guard said. Lord Stark's face was stern as he walked out accompanied by Robb and Shifu. Catelyn stayed behind to tend to the guard.
"Check to make sure the other one does not have poison in his mouth." he said to Robb who ran off to see that it gets done.
"Lord Stark?" said Shifu.
"I need to send that raven now!" he said to her and she nodded as they headed over to the Maester's tower.
When he returned he was met with several guards who were led by Robb. Those guards were then dispersed to guard all the entrances of Winterfell including the library. When it was over Lord Stark returned to his solar to look at the raven again from King's Landing. Looking at it he read the message.
His majesty King Joffrey has been crowned as the new king of the realms. So as tradition demands all lords are required to attend to pay homage and allegiance to his majesty. The ceremony will be held in one moon's time. So all Lord Parmounts along with their heirs are required to be there to pay their allegiance.
King Joffrey, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, ruler of the Andals, Rhoynar, and the First Men.
"Quite abrupt the way it was written isn't it?" said Shifu.
"Yes, perhaps we can make a trip to King's Landing since we have to pay homage to King Joffrey, the bastard king." Lord Stark replied.
"What about the Prince and Princess?" asked Catelyn.
"I will send a raven to King's Landing replying to their request. Then I shall head over to White Harbor to sail to King's Landing since it is the fastest way to travel. There I will make contact with Sansa and Arya to see how they are doing." he said.
"Hopefully you can bring Arya home," said Catelyn.
"No, Arya is on her first mission she is a warrior first and foremost. She chose this and as much as I want her home she has to fulfill this mission," Lord Stark replied.
Catelyn sighed, the mother in her just wants her home. But the reality of it is too much to bare. Arya had to fulfill her mission to find her sister. When she does she can make contact with Lord Stark when he gets to King's Landing. Maybe he can convince her to come home. She has to complete her training after all, and if it were possible that she has to stay then perhaps Sansa can take her under her wing.
"Lady Stark I know your thoughts, care to speak them out loud to a former mother?" asked Shifu.
Lady Stark was filled with grief over not being able to see her own daughter. "Sansa and Arya are both my daughters. They are the world to me," she said. Shifu's gaze softened a bit to allow herself to feel for the woman in front of her.
"Sansa is a full fledged warrior Lady Stark. she is trained to fight all sorts of situations both with her fists and her wits. And if Arya is with her from what Lord Varys said then they are fine. Sansa can be her teacher until she is ready to return home. But you must be strong for them m'lady." she said to her and the woman nodded, but the tears still came.
"It still hurts though hearing that Sansa had been taken and Arya going off on her mission. It hurts, to see the children that I raised with my own hands leave. Especially Arya, she is still a child and not ready to face the world," Catelyn said to Shifu.
Shifu took a deep breath, "Yes, we all have to face such things eventually. Though on the case of Arya I know how that feels. To lose a child so soon. But you still have Bran and Rickon to take care of. They both need you as much as your daughters. It would hurt them if their mother neglected their little brothers for them," she said to her.
Catelyn smiled at the words that came from Shifu, "You are right Septa. I do have other children to tend to not just my own daughters. I have all the children of Winterfell to take care of as well," she said.
"There now, you must remember a Lady of Winterfell not only takes care of her own children," she said.
"She takes care of them all," replied Catelyn.
"Are you fine now m'lady?" asked Shifu. Catelyn nodded before she made her way back towards the castle leaving Shifu alone in the courtyard. She then turned towards the wall and walked up the stairs that would place her among the guards.
MEANWHILE
Lord Stark walked down the passageways towards the dungeons. The cold darkness was a comfort to him as he walked into the torture room. The sounds of screams could be heard as he made his way towards the end. The dungeons are empty save for that very room at the far end. Very rarely do they have prisoners except for the people on their way to the Night's Watch at the Wall. Then the dungeons are filled with people. Today however there is only their two 'guests' at the end.
The screaming only intensified when he came to the door. Opening it he saw both men strapped to a chair screaming in agony as the person there touched their skin with a plant. The torturer is wearing leather gloves but the naked men before him were bare. They are covered head to toe in welts caused by the plant as he switched to something more nasty. A viper was kept inside a basket and from the bite marks the venom is working its way through the victims.
"How long?" he asked the torturer.
"It has only been ten minutes m'lord and already they scream," he said turning towards Lord Stark. To his surprise it was not the normal torturer.
It was Lord Bolton.
"Roose why are you still here? I thought you left already?" he asked him.
"I was on the road going south when I caught wind on the road of two strange men heading towards Winterfell. Curious I followed them until it came to my attention that they were Cat's Paws from King's Landing. I've heard tales of their skill in assassinations and wanted to see who sent them." Lord Bolton replied. He then placed the snake down and picked up a blade.
"Now I know my way around surgery and torture. The former is not what the Boltons are known for down south. Here in the North it is the former since my family has one of the best surgical hospitals in the seven kingdoms. I came here to look for my son. Instead I am met with men who threaten the North. So I will get information out m'lord one way or another," Lord Bolton replied as he began to cut in certain areas to flay the skins from these men.
Their screams of agony filled the chamber as they tried to withstand the torture.
"Now you men are going to tell us why you are here and who sent you," he said and as if the emphasis he had a pair of hounds in the corner waiting in silence to feast on the flesh of those men.
"We will not tell you anything savage!" one of them said.
"Such a pity, m'lord do you wish for me to continue?" Lord Bolton asked.
"Please, Lord Bolton I am sure you take great pleasure in doing so," said Lord Stark his face impassive as he sat down in his chair. It was a wooden chair with direwolves carved into the legs. Lord Stark sat down and watched as Lord Bolton continued to torture the men until one of them is near death. The other had long since died from blood loss and stress.
The second one an older man with missing teeth sucked in his breath with such noise. Blood dripped from his mouth as he looked at the men before him.
"Now, who are you working for?" Lord Bolton said to him.
"I would rather go to the Wall then tell you," the man said.
"Lord Bolton, I'm sure you want your fun but the man needs to rest. We will torture him later in the meantime I would like to have a word with you," he said indicating for Lord Bolton to follow. The man followed him towards another room while the guards went to help the prisoner down and towards his cell. When they were a safe distance away Lord Stark turned to him.
"I thought you would have returned to the Dreadfort by now?" he asked him.
"I would, had matters not turn my head southward," said Lord Bolton. And he sat down on a chair to explain better since he had been standing for sometime. Now that Lord Stark got a look at the other man he was dressed in traveling clothes with large chunks of mud and blood on them.
"Is it the dead?" asked Lord Stark.
"Partly the other had to do with an order that has been delayed from the Neck. You see I ordered some medical supplies for the Dreadfort some months ago and they never even made it to Moat Calin. I had to investigate first before informing you seeing as you had your hands full with finding your daughter and dealing with the Long Night. The Bolton lands had been attacked recently by both the dead and the living. Bandits had been hitting my lands dressing as Freefolk. My castle is overrun with people needing medical attention. Those supplies are vital to the Dreadfort. My son Ramsey is off to rescue his friend so I can't rely on him for it and Domeric is having his hands full trying to curb the influx of new patients. I also had to deal with a rising plague that has been affecting my livestock though I think it might be miasma from the True North." Lord Bolton explained.
"Then we have this to deal with," Lord Stark replied.
"Yes, I had heard word that Prince Joffrey is a bit of a spoiled brat and a tyrant if you ask me," said Lord Bolton. This was the most vocal that Lord Stark has heard from him. His raspy voice has never been used much in a while and all this talk means that things are getting dire.
"These robberies why haven't I heard of them?" asked Lord Stark.
"I have not heard of them either till after the slave raids. These I just recently found out originated in the Neck and when my shipment disappeared I had to look since I was on the King's road. I traveled south after asking the Reeds to send a raven to their father. I needed to speak to Lord Reed about the matter," said Lord Bolton.
"And yet you did not inform me," Lord Stark replied.
"I had no time to inform you m'lord. If I did then I was sure my lead would get away," said Lord Bolton.
Lord Stark was now intrigued at this turn of events. He would have to ask Lord Reed if what he said was true. But since he was here he might as well get something useful from him.
"Very well I will look into the matter, but next time something like this turns up you will inform me is that understood?" said Lord Stark rather sternly.
"Understood m'lord," said Lord Bolton.
"Good now that, that is over I want you to do something for me," he said. Lord Bolton stood up straighter. Lord Stark leaned in close to him, "Do you know of the term Torture during Pleasure?" he asked.
"I am aware of it m'lord," said Lord Bolton intruged.
"Do so on our, 'guest,' and you have my full authority to flay him if you must I just want the info that he has." Lord Stark replied.
"It will be done," Lord Bolton replied before walking out.
Lord Stark did not like where this was going. First the demand from the new king and now this! He just understood that if his suspicions are correct then things need to be done before it can get worse. As he walked out of that room he saw Lord Bolton in the distance heading towards the Maester Towers. Probably to send a raven to the Dreadfort or to whoever he was speaking to.
Speaking of which he needs to get to the wall to speak to Shifu. He needs to talk to Holland Reed.
A FEW HOURS LATER
It was in the early hours of the morning when Lord Stark returned to his chambers. He sent eagles out to the lords in hopes that they will answer his inquiry. Roose did look exhausted when he explained his return to him. But now he has to figure out what Holland Reed has to do with this situation. Just as he was about to head off to bed a knock was heard before his door opened.
"M'lord word from White Harbor," said a servant girl. She held up a scroll with the seal of house Manderly on it. Judging by the size it must have come by Eagle instead of Raven. He thanked the girl as she left to resume her duties elsewhere before her lessons. Lord Stark watched her go before looking at the scroll in his hand.
Opening up the scroll he read the post.
Lord Stark,
I apologize for the delay in getting this message to you. But we have been having issues with pirates and slavers as of late. Recently over the past two months shipments bound for Essos have been seized by pirates from Slavers bay. My sources in Essos have been also having issues with these raiders and are trying to put efforts into halting their activities. I have also heard about Lord Bolton's issues with getting medical supplies from the Neck and I too had a shipment stolen that was bound for the Dreadfort. I would inquire about any other issues from other holds about pirates. There is no doubt that things are happening that we don't know about m'lord. Word is from King's Landing that many lords are not happy with King's Joffrey. He has not even taken the crown yet and people are declaring war. Word has it that the boy is a bastard fathered by Lord Jaime and the queen. If this is true then there will be war. I will keep my ear to the water and inform you of any other predicaments.
Lord Wyman Manderly of White Harbor.
Lord Stark's mind was troubled by these turn of events. His lords are now sending in reports of raids and pirates! The messages must not be getting through fast enough and they are being intercepted. And how did he know about Lord Bolton...oh that is right he mentioned medical supplies and White Harbor is a main port in the eastern end of the North. Going towards his desk he took out a pot of ink and a quill and wrote back to Lord Manderly.
Lord Manderly,
I will be arriving in White Harbor within two days time. I have to set sail for King's Landing to attend the coronation of our new king. While I am there I will be looking into the raids with my sources in the city. I am also looking into sources of possible raids on our land shipments and the disappearance of my daughter. Just last night I had an assassin coming into my home to try and assassinate my wife and my son. I will see where this leads to as well. If you hear any words spoken about it you are to report to me immediately! The North will be on high alert for their raiders and I will not tolerate anymore raids on Northern lands. I will see you within two days to discuss the matter in person.
Lord Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North.
After sealing the letter he called for one of the Eagles to come down from their perch outside the Maester Tower. The bird quickly swooped down baring the crest of house Manderly. He quickly tied the letter to the Eagle's talon and released it into the air. The bird is much faster then a raven and it can fly higher. As he let it fly he turned towards Shifu who had just entered the room.
"How is Catelyn?" he asked her.
"She has long since returned to bed m'lord so all is well." said Shifu as she turned to him. Her long dark hair flowing behind her. Today she wore it with a small top not with the direwolf as a hair decoration. Her silvery gray robe as usual hid her features and her sword.
"That is good. I had just sent the raven to Lord Tywin Lannister of Casterly Rock and I have sent my reply to Lord Manderly in White Harbor and to his Majesty in King's Landing. So upon the morrow I will be leaving for White Harbor. I have a ship I must catch to King's Landing," Lord Stark replied.
"Will your son be going with you?" she asked.
"Aye, Catelyn will be in charge until my return. Robb must know his king if he is to rule the North upon my passing," Lord Stark replied.
"Very well, I will guard the North for you…" she was about to continue when Lord Stark placed his hand on her shoulder.
"No, I want you with me when I leave. I have a few things I need to discuss with my old teacher concerning the king. And I need to secure Prince Tommen and Princess Marcella. If what I suspect is true and Littlefinger is behind the attempted assassination. Then I need you to get in touch with Lord Varys and my daughters Sansa and Arya. It is very important that they are in the loop with what is going on. If what I believe is true then they must be informed. Lord Varys has told me of their location within the city. So it is important that you get in touch with them in person. Can you do that for me while I am in King's Landing?" he said.
"Your will shall be done," Shifu replied.
"Good, I shall inform my wife when she is rested. My son I will inform when he wakes. For now let this night end with the rise of the sun and our praises to the gods," he said. Looking towards the east where the last of the cold night gives way to day. Over the peaks in the east the sun began to rise ending Lord Stark's watch over his home.
Feeling tired and exhausted he made his way towards his bed for he will not be working today or the day afterward. He will prepare to leave on the morrow as soon as he is able. The cold mist of the early morning blanketed the moors beyond Winterfell and the Wolf's wood beyond. Already he saw the likes of Greywind, Summer and Shaggydog playing in the woods and appearing into the moors once again to return home. The direwolves will help in playing a vital part of the North's future. He can tell it from afar. Though not lucky enough to have one Lord Stark still would not mind the company.
As the three wolves made their way towards home he began to make his way towards his bed. There Catelyn was already sleeping her chest rising and falling and since Lord Stark is there is allowed to go into a deep sleep. Just as he himself was about to enter the bed a knock came from the door. When he opened the door Maester Luwin was standing there with a scroll in his hand. It bore the seal of House Reed.
"An eagle came m'lord from Holland Reed," he said.
"Ah it must be for my inquiry into Lord Bolton's meeting with him," he said as the Maester left to resume his duties to the children. Closing the door he was met with a now awake Catelyn. But his mind was not on her or her inquiring stare it was the letter in his hand. Quickly he broke the seal and began to read.
Lord Stark,
After your inquiry into Lord Bolton's claim I had to write this message in the hopes I will not be eavesdropped by unwanted parties. The reason why Lord Bolton never told you about his meeting with myself in detail is because we believe we have a spy among out ranks. One of my scouts have recent stumbled upon a bandit camp not far from where the Neck begins. Lord Walder Frey has informed me about the bandits as they had escaped from the Twins with two of his daughters. They were found days later dead on the side of the road. Their throats slit and their purity taken. It was also the same road where the shipment of medicinal supplies that Lord Bolton has ordered has been sent. He ordered a shipment of medical herbs only found here in the Neck. An order of Fish Eye fungus, Lamphrey slime and gills, two orders of Tistle grass. One order of horse shoe crab blood, four orders of fire lily flowers and four dozen poisonous cane toads. All of them found here in the Neck and only here. He also ordered some feces of the swamp rats to help with a problem of rodents. I've also added some Skeever tails to go with the shipment as a sign of good faith.
However I have had a report that the shipment has gone missing and Lord Bolton himself was coming down to see the shipments in person. When I met him along the road the shipments were gone and the people who were supposed to ship them were dead. All of them with the same signs as the girls. Either these men knew how to handle Northmen, being Northmen themselves or we are dealing with someone who knows the North. Lord Bolton needed those supplies to ready the Dreadfort for a possible invasion from the True North. With the Freefolk coming down he wanted to have the supplies ready just in case. I fear that we might have a traitor in our midst. Someone with knowledge of the North and of her secrets. If this gets out to parties outside of our realm of influence then I fear for our home.
Please Lord Stark don't punish us for suspecting. We need to ensure that the North is kept safe.
Your loyal servant,
Holland Reed
After reading that lengthy message Lord Stark now knows why Lord Bolton had gone south. The list of ingredients that Lord Reed has supplied in the letter are indeed ingredients for healing. If what he is reading is correct then they are the ingredients needed for people with infectious flesh wounds or to prevent infection after surgery. If he was asking for supplies then his own must be running low. Lord Stark knows about the influx of Freefolk to his northern holds as was part of protocol. But the Dreadfort is well out of range...unless...it has something to do with the reports of the undead being seen in such areas. Flesh wounds from undead are very infectious and if not treated right away can kill a person within a fortnight.
Getting dressed he made his way towards the dungeons and towards the torture chambers. There he heard the sounds of pleasure being made. Upon entering he spotted Lord Bolton off to the side. With the prisoner chained up to chair his pleasure being handled by two specially trained whores from Wintertown. Lord Stark knew that a torture session is underway. The man was crying as the whore played with his cock as she teased him with her tongue.
When Lord Bolton noticed Lord Stark he indicated with his head the direction of a private room to speak freely.
When Lord Bolton closed the door Lord Stark confronted him, "How many people had been bitten by the undead?" he asked Lord Bolton.
The man was not one to lie, "So far only fifty six people, but the numbers are growing. We are trying to locate the source of this outbreak. I think it is somewhere in the marshlands. That is where many go missing. I have men and hounds searching the land for unknown bodies or unmarked graves and priests out and about to deal with them. They all are armed with weapons of dragonglass just in case. I also have guards posted at every village to ensure that there are no more attacks. But these ones are smart and they are watching us. I think I might have a White Walker among them. With your permission I would like to have one of your hunters there," he said.
"Take two of them for we need to make sure that there are no White Walkers here on this side of the Wall. And I inquired about your shipments with Holland Reed. He confirmed your story. I will be leaving on the morrow to White Harbor to present myself to King Joffrey as he takes the throne. I also sent a letter to Tywin Lannister about the assassination and asked him if he had anything similar. If I were you I would look out for any sort of strange characters. I fear that someone is trying to play us," he said.
Lord Bolton nodded his head in agreement, "Will you be taking your first born with you?" he asked.
"I'm afraid I have no choice. Robb has to present himself to the new King. I am to leave and be gone for two moons time. In the meantime you are to keep up reports to Winterfell about any new sightings. Do I make myself clear?" he asked.
"Very, my lord," Lord Bolton replied.
"Good, now did he yield anything yet?" he asked Lord Bolton indicating the man outside.
"Some, the girls are very good at their jobs. He apparently was hired by a man named Petyr Baelish in King's Landing. He is known for his brothels and money and is the King's Master of Coin. The man paid him to kill both the Lady Stark and young Brandon to ensure the silence of both. Your wife I do not know the reason but I know of the boy. Word travels fast to the Dreadfort. You were wise to have your Maester train with us. That surgery saved his life and his ability to walk," said Lord Bolton.
"It has been very helpful in that situation and in others. I thank you for it Lord Bolton. As for my wife I think I have an idea why he wanted her dead. For she is the target of her sister the Lady Lysa of the Vale. He wanted to make it look like a sibling murder when we have her son here," he said and Lord Bolton turned to him in shock. His cracked voice whispered harshly, "Do you want to start a war?!" he demanded.
"No, but she pushed Catelyn's hand when she tried to poison her son, and she also killed the King's Hand." Lord Stark replied.
"That would explain why you fortified the eastern shore. Very well I will make the preparations at the Dreadfort once we finished this business. I know he has more information and when he wields more I will present them to you," he said.
"You do that Lord Bolton," Lord Stark replied. The man quickly left the room and left Lord Stark there waiting. His mind was troubled as he left to head towards his chambers. Sleep beckoning him but first he needs to talk to his wife.
TBC
A/n: Man that was a bit of a ride. Threw in some action for you though brief as it was. I got the inspiration for this by a Chinese drama show called 'The Untamed,' which is based on a Chinese Anime or Donghua called Mo Dau Zu Shi or Master of Demonic Cultivation in the west. Yeah that show or shows inspired this chapter since I was stuck in a rock and watching Game of Thrones episodes did not help...ok that and playing Skyrim for a few hours. But you get my drift.
Alright since that is done and I am back to writing I hope you all stay safe during this world crisis and please remember to leave a review and no FLAMES, BASHINGS OR LORE MONGERS PLEASE! Thank you.