Desert of Dorne
Jon Arryn
Jon was confused, not by the fact that Prince Oberyn was making a detour on their trip to Sunsper, well given their reason yes he was, it was the fact that it was to have a fight and not a fuck. That's when he remembered the name of the town both of the Prince's parents favored. With the quick explanation from young Harry he understood. The Martells had quite often gone out of their way in the past to help Lightstall, so much so that it shocked even Aerys at his maddest. They put more gold here than anywhere else, helped with construction, patrolls and whatever else they felt would help. Although a lot of that slowed down, if what Vern said is true. Bandits and raiders were preying upon them more often now, the Martells couldn't afford to send many troops there, houses were getting dilapidated and the population was dwindling. Oberyn wanted to change that and Jon Arryn, Lord of the Vale would help him dammit, it's his duty and his honour demands it.
Four days later
It took a surprisingly short amount of time to get here, they could see the bandit camp, oddly large for bandits especially because of the small wooden fort they built. They also without a doubt saw the Arryn/Martell/Lightstall party from their watchtowers.
From what the scouts reported the bandits had all the supplies out to build a wooden palisade about four hundred metres from the fort. It seems that their party arrived just in time. Had they even constructed half of it it could have spelled disaster. Now all they needed to do was make a plan sound enough to work. Vern, one of Lightstall's village leaders, provided sound advice, the Martell forces should be the front lines, they have more experience fighting in the deserts, while the Crowns forces should advance behind them.
Surprisingly it was Harry that made the most tactically sound decision, having the archers aim for the largest concentration of raiders. No one else thought of suggesting it, it was too obvious, no one thought it needed to be said. That's when he followed it up by saying, "Why not attack at night? We have oil, archers and arrows, they have a wooden fort, if light it and the tents around the place on fire we'd be able to see clearer, kill those who are asleep and get rid of or seriously damage their biggest asset."
Oberyn had an open mouth, it was a simple strategy, not a single seasoned soldier thought to suggest it. It made sense to attack them when they were tired and rest our own forces beforehand.
What was said next made Jon think even better of the young man, "Once night falls we can send three teams of sixteen shock cavalry and three horse archers with each team to different points around the camp. Once, say, four volleys have been fired the shock cav charge in, the horse archers fire at anyone they see in the camp that isn't us. It gives time for our infantry to up if we move fast enough to warm up and not tire ourselves. When we get in there the cav, all of them, fall back and regroup as one and get ready for anyone running from the fight."
Oberyn was nodding along with it before adding, "A slight tweak to that plan lad, if we send a mix of twenty five light and medium infantry with the horsemen we'd be pressing on four sides, boxing them in. Keep the horsemen in their teams to go after more of the bandits that flee." With that it was decided, the plan was set and Sirius looked proudly at Harry and congratulated him on his plan.
Midnight
Harry
Harry nervous, more than nervous in fact. He made the plan they were using to assault the bandits, wouldn't anyone be nervous. On top of that, his rest wasn't peaceful. Now though, now he had to be on his toes and keep focused. People put their trust in him after all. The horsemen and the light and medium infantry were moving out as quietly as possible to get set up, they were giving them about thirty minutes to get there and ready. Meanwhile the main camp was full of activity, men were setting up talking or just making sure they had all their gear. There were no speeches this time, there was no defence, it was to be a hard and fast attack. Little should go wrong but something could.
Hour of The Wolf
The archers were looking at me, ME, to give the signal to fire. I thought that they would look to Jon or Oberyn, apparently though they were told it was my plan so they decided to follow my lead.
I look over the archers, breathe in, "ARCHERS READY!" One hundred and twenty burning arrows come up, "LOOSE!" One hundred and twenty flaming arrows fly from our archers into the wooden fort, some of them hitting men around it. It doesn't take much for the fort to be lit, it's made of wood afterall. After the first volley there's screams of 'FIRE' coming from the fort, then the second volley is fired, half being sent to the fort, the rest being fired at the tents strewn around. Screams erupt from the tents that still had people in them, either at being hit by arrows, lit on fire or being stuck in a burning tent.
Harry signaled the infantry to advance at a walk before signaling a light jog after about one hundred metres. Third volley loosed, flaming arrows crash onto poorly armoured men trying to get into a box like formation to combat the horsemen. After the arrows hit the horsemen crash into their ranks, cutting them down by the dozen. Each team of horsemen withdraw from the camp to set up and wait for the runners. The fourth volley of arrows, a mix of flaming and non flaming, hit a few seconds before the infantry could get there, slaughtering a few dozen of their axemen and injuring a few more.
That's when the infantry got there, a wedge of thirty light infantry with longswords and shields plunging into the enemy with forty heavy infantry right behind them. Behind our heavy infantry was another seventy light infantry, with them Oberyn, Jon, Sirius and myself.
When Harry looked to his right and saw one hundred poorly armed and armoured, in some cases having no armour not even a shirt, men rushing towards them he quickly ordered forty of the light infantry to form a shield wall, Harry was one of the people in front.
When the enemy collided with their shield wall it was like nothing Harry had felt, an instant impact followed by constant pushing and pounding on his shield. That's when he feels a break in the hitting and decides to stab towards his enemy, feeling his sword sink into what he thinks is a man's stomach Harry yell, "PUSH, KILL THEM!" That's what they did, the forty men with Harry and Harry himself made quick work of their poorly equipped enemy, losing no one themselves, and looked back to the main party to find that the battle was over, they had won.
The Narrow Sea
Wendel Manderly
Wendel was worried, he had officially committed treason by aiding the young dragoness. Hells, he is still aiding her, going so far as to take her to The North. He knows Lord Stark, Ned won't turn her away, won't give her to Robert Baratheon but it doesn't mean that he won't punish House Manderly. Too many things could happen, the wrong people could find out but how could he refuse the child, she looked so lost. So afraid. That's when he hears a knock at the door to his cabin.
"Lord Manderly, it's Dale, can I enter?" Wendel allows it and sees Dale Ashes, a bastard from The Borderlands and one of his best sailors in the doorway walking through.
"What is it Dale?"
"Well it's...it's just that the lads are worried, we are transporting the last Dragon Princess my lord and well, it's disconcerting."
"Aye, I understand that mate, I'm worried too. Her father killed Lord Stark's father and elder brother, while he's a good man it still infuriates him, however I don't think he'll take it out on the girl. He won't blame her for her father's and brother's crimes against House Stark."
Dale looks at Wendel and says, "Wendel, that's not what I meant and you damn well know it. Most the lads know Stark or at least of him. We all know he wouldn't punish her for crimes that happened before she was born. We're worried about us. We're smuggling a Targaryen Princess into The North. Treason."
Wendel sighs and rubs his face, "I know. Believe me I know. If I have too I'll claim her as my bastard from the trip six years ago, I want to explain to Eddard and Father though. They'd understand, we couldn't leave her there. Who knows what could've happened, loyalists could have found her."
Dale smiles grimly, "I know old friend, you did the right thing, no one on this ship disagrees with that."
Two Weeks Later, White Harbour
Wyman Manderly
'Wendel was coming back, goods sold and gold made, most importantly however the boy got to go out on the sea. Gods I miss that.' Wyman thought to himself as he waited to greet his son after nine long moons. When he saw the ship he couldn't help but to smile, it truly was good to see his son. That's when he noticed it, the shock of silver hair. Valyrian hair, hair he'd seen only three times before. 'What has my son gotten into now' Wyman thought with despair. Because the only times he had seen that hair, well it was on the late Queen Rhaella and if he bought a dragon here, well that's just not good for them, Stark will need to be told and hopefully there's a good explanation otherwise, we're fucked.
It took all of thirty minutes to get into the Keep of New Castle, though it was hard to stay annoyed, Daenerys was a quite lively child, rather curious and always asking questions.
Wyman looked at his son's friend, asking with his eyes, 'Why do you have a Targaryen Princess?' Young Dale just shrugged, as if to say, 'I don't know, it was Wendels idea' Granted, it probably was.
When they all got into a smaller room Wyman looked at Wendel then at Daenerys then back to Wendel and said one simple word, "Explain."
Wendel sighs in relief before explaining the circumstances, how she ran from her brother, how she was lost, scared and confused. How Wyman himself told him to help those who need it.
Whyman looks at his son and sighs before saying, "Your right, I didn't really expect you to come home with a Targaryen though,' Here Wyman held up a hand to stall any argument coming from his son, 'I'm annoyed that you didn't write to tell me, not that she's here. Now we're going to go and see Ned, make sure he knows and see what he wants to do. We're actually fortunate that he barely communicates with King's Landing now. Now let the girl get some rest, I'm sure she's tired. Dale show her to some rooms please."
Dale nods with a quick 'Yes, My Lord' and escorts Daenerys to her room.
"I hope you're prepared to make a damn good case to Ned, he's going to be annoyed, not as annoyed if you had brought her brother though. You did good son. Now get some rest of your own, we're leaving a few days."
Wendel quickly says 'Yes father' and goes to his rooms to sleep until dinner.
Dorne
Sunspear, Water Gardens
Doran
Doran was annoyed, at himself mainly. He knew that Jon Arryn would be passing close to Lightstall. Just as he knew that Oberyn would rush to help them if they needed it. He didn't expect however, that they would need help. At least not enough to send people here to ask for it. It is fortunate that Oberyn had stumbled upon them and with the circumstances, Jon Arryn's arrival was the best thing that could happen. Doran knew it would be a large party, that's why he only sent two hundred men with his brother.
This Vern though, Doran remembered him, he visited with Athen of Lightstall when Damon Martell was still alive. When he introduced Athen Doran remembered being surprised, less surprised than his father's actions when he saw the man however.
'Gods,' Doran thought,'This is boring, why must I stand around to greet villagers, ridiculous.' That's when he heard his father suddenly boom, "Athen my old friend, by the Gods I'm glad to see you." That was when his father did something completely unexpected. Walking up to the man and picking him up in a massive bearhug, Doran heard the other man laugh before saying "Yes my old friend, it's good to see you hale and healthy, far better than when we last saw one another."
That's when Doran's father put the man down, directing him to Doran and introducing them, then leading them into the gardens to talk, along the way informing Doran who the man was, guessing that the boy with him would one day be his successor.
Doran was happy his brother had helped, maybe it could help convince Jon Arryn to help out too.
Lightstall, Before They Left For Sunspear
Sirius
'I have no idea how Lily did this. Truly it is the worst possible thing to do, extract memories and put them into a book. Definitely easier than writing it all out though.'
Sirius was once more sat at the table with a leather tome in front of him, spells and techniques rushing onto the page, currently it was potions, before that was the animagas process. Next will be combat magic, that is solely because it's what he's best at, being a Black and a former Hitwizard with James really set in a damn good combat repertoire, fortunately James had shown him the Potter Grimoire and he had shown the Black one. Now, finally the Marauders Grimoire is being made. It was luck and luck alone that allowed this to happen.
'Harry is going to be ecstatic', it is after all a lot easier to learn spells when you can read up on them and have someone teach you. Sirius remembers it like yesterday when James had the idea.
James walks towards Sirius looking uncharacteristically serious, indicating that they should go into James' office to talk.
Once Sirius got in there James put up privacy charms layered upon privacy charms before he spoke, "Sirius, with this war going on, we don't know if we'll make it out. Lily and me. We want you to beagle to teach Harry if we don't make it through. This is something that has only been done a few times in history, the last time it did happen was between my Father and your Grandfather. We want you to have a version of the Potter Grimoire, charmed so only you and Harry can read it of course. What do you think Pads? Feel up to it?"
Sirius was shocked, it was rare for anyone, let alone a Potter, to allow someone else a look at the Family Grimoire and it's been done twice to a Black in a century. Sirius looks at James and is taken aback at how serious he looks, then nods before saying, "Sure Prongs...only if you take a copy of the Black Grimoire. Grandfather always said it was good to have someone to watch your back. His was Uncle Charles, only fitting mine is you mate."
That was when it started, before long Lily had added her own editions to both Grimoires and they fit each other like a glove.
Sirius sighs in remembrance of his dead friends, he still misses them but they'd kick his ass if he didn't help Harry to the best of his ability. So that's what Sirius will damn well do, first things first. Finish the book. Then onto the animagus transformation. Then, well Sirius doesn't really know but he'll figure it out.
'Maybe though, just maybe, James and Lily are here, Harry and I fell through Death's Veil after all. Maybe they got reborn here.'
The North, Winterfell
Ned Stark
Ned was furious, he just got a letter from Jon saying that he had to go to Dorne with the bodies of the Princesses and the Prince. Robert had said they were sent years ago. Now to stave off possible war their foster-father had to put himself into the jaws of a snake. It was stupid. Ridiculas. It was so very Robert.
Ned looks out the window of his solar and sees 'Jon Snow' and his son Robb watching the men training with fascination. Watching their slashes, blocks and thrusts. Paying attention to how they move, asking Ser Rodrik why they moved a certain way or swung another. It reminded Ned of better, simpler times. Before the rebellion, before Brandon and his own father, Rickard were murdered.
'Maybe I should write Robert again, perhaps Jon, see if I can convince them to help me to rebuild Moat Cailin.' Ned thought to himself, 'After all, it would help secure The North, Jon would understand.'
Death's Abyss
Death
'It's good that the little human is learning, even better now that he no longer has that parasite on his head. He could be a truly great swordsman, that's what Aemon The Dragonknight said. Such a shame that he has no noble or knightly sponsors. It would be hard enough to get him knighted with one, being foreign, but without one? Near impossible.' As Death watches Harry train with Sirius and Vern, learning from Athen, Death is oddly proud. The little Wizard was proving the Valeryian Sorcerers wrong, they believed that because they had control over the Arcane they shouldn't lower themselves to use swords and the like. Meanwhile the little Wizard is proving to be much more wise, making sure he can defend himself in close combat.
Now those weird little followers of Death, they've just been creating problems, problems in the form of paperwork. A truly evil creation. They aren't meant to be available for just anyone to hire either, they're not even meant to be for hire. They're meant to serve Death's chosen. Solely Death's chosen. Little Wizard would make a good choice, he's smart and quick on his feet. His best attribute however, he doesn't lust for death. He understands it's inevitable. Like taxes. Just not as bad.
Old God Overlook
Council Room
Arguing. Always arguing. Her middle brother admittedly has a fair reason to wish his followers dead, after all he never wanted to God to a religion that condones rape. Her youngest brother is just having a tantrum, plain and simple. She admittedly hasn't heard from the eldest of her brothers in years upon years, paperwork apparently.
Looking around she sees twelve of the most powerful beings in the world, her family, acting like children who had their favourite toy taken away. It's a shame, they didn't even notice that their biggest worshippers were nearly killed off a few years ago, haven't noticed the state of the mortal realm for centuries, maybe longer. They'll notice eventually but when they do...will it be too late?
Casterly Rock, Tywin's Solar
Tywin was confused, it didn't happen often, Jon Arryn going to Dorne didn't make any sense. He could have simply sent the remains along their way by ship and he'd have done his job. Instead he left, advising Robert to appoint Stannis Baratheon as temporary Hand while he was gone.
Now things in King's Landing were harder. Stannis was actually making Renly and Robert do their duties. Already six of his better thugs had been executed. It was bad, especially if rumours were true, they were planning on putting a price on Clegane's head. That, that was even worse than most would believe. He could control Gregor Clegane, Sandor though he couldn't. Sandor's freedom isn't in Tywin's hands, Gregor's is.
Then with Janos Slynt being arrested and an Estermont being put into the position of Lord Commander of the Gold Cloaks. It was spelling a bit of doom for his more...illicit operations there. Maybe he should speak to Cersei about it.
King's Landing, Tommen's Rooms
Tommen was writing on a piece of parchment as practice, Jon said it was what good little princes do so Tommen wanted to do it.
Joff was being mean...again. First he was chasing Ser Pounce-A-Lot then he tried to hit 'Cella. That's when Daddy saw him and smacked his bottom.
Then Daddy spent the day with 'Cella and taught me how to swing a sword. It was made of wood but he promised if I was a good boy he'd ask his friend Ned if I could foster there and be his squire. I'm gonna be the bestest boy! Mommy didn't like Daddy punishing Joff though, said that it wasn't his fault but Mommys mean to me and 'Cella.
Uncle Jamie took me riding today, it was real fun. Ser Barry promised to watch over 'Cella with Ser Pounce-A-Lot to make sure she was safe. Daddy even came with us, it was the best ride ever.
I asked Daddy what his friend Ned was like and Daddy said he was the best man he knew. I hope I can foster with him.
Words W/O AN - 3631
A/N - The battle wasn't as good as it should have been, I'm aware. I am paying a little less attention to that as to have it move a bit faster, I wanted them to reach Sunspear. LMK if you do actually want Tommen to foster somewhere, that isn't Casterly Rock, I'm already figuring out where I want them to go after they see the Starks
