Davos
With the help of a Wildling escort, Davos had managed to return to Winterfell in just over a week's worth of travel. He was glad to have made it in such time, the news of the ranging party returning directly to the castle on one of the dragons was surprising, but not as much as much as when he learned that one of Daenerys's had died beyond the Wall. He was glad to be away from the Wall. The constant looming of the giant wall of ice made him feel sick and the men of the Watch weren't as sociable as the men at Castle Black were. And then there was the mysterious rider from beyond the Wall who returned Longclaw at the tunnel gate. Davos kept it with him ever since.
The thought of seeing the castle of Winterfell again gave Davos feeling of anticipation as he and his escort were on the roads of the hills just beyond it. However, those feelings vanished when not only the castle came into sight, but an army of soldiers with banners that held the sigil of a burning heart. More worshippers of the Lord of Light, and these in particular ones happened to be known as the Fiery Hand. The flaming tattoos on their cheeks made them easy to identify. If they were here, then there was a chance that the witch Melisandre was here too. His grip around the reigns of his horse tightened and his teeth clenched. He spurred his horse into a fast gallop leaving the Wildlings behind him.
It wasn't long until he passed through the gates and into the courtyard. As the horse came to a halt, Davos noticed that everyone in the castle was working twice as hard as they did before he and the others left. Everyone had a look of determination in their eyes, but there was also a small but of fear behind it. His gaze turned to the forge that Gendry was given and he wasn't expecting the fires to out. Gendry himself was walking with Sandor Clegane, Brienne of Tarth, and the one eyed Dondarrion lord, Beric.
Something Davos wasn't expecting was Gendry to be dressed in fine clothes and wore a gorget with a Baratheon sigil, but it was different than the any of the three stags flown by the Baratheons during the War of the Five Kings. The sigil was only the head of the stag resting on an anvil and the crown around the neck was gone. Davos walked over to them and earned a smile from Gendry. "This a new fashion for smiths?" Davos asked.
"There was problem making the Valyrian steel," Gendry informed, "I'm not sure what, but Sam's looking into it as much as he can. As for me, I'm going to the Stormlands to take my place as Lord of Storm's End."
"Lord? You've been naturalized?" Gendry proudly nodded at him. "That explains the sigil then."
"My family's words are what defined the downfall of them. We claim the fury is ours without any means behind it. So when I become lord, the Baratheons will have new words. We Forge the Fury."
"I like it. These three coming with you?"
"Indeed," Beric said, "we're to be the ones to support the boy's claim to his birthright."
"We were hoping you'd come with us." Gendry informed.
"Me?" Davos asked, flattered.
"I need people I can trust to help me be a lord. I can't think of anyone else better than you."
"I thought that's what they were for." Davos gestured to the three who followed Gendry.
"We're just supporting his claim." Brienne informed.
"I haven't known Lady Tarth very long, Clegane's coming because he wants to, and Beric sold me to the witch."
Davos had completely forgotten about her. "I noticed the army of fire worshippers on my way here. Is she here too?"
"She was," Gendry said, "but she died the day she got here."
"Executed by the King I hope."
"She traded her life for his," Beric interjected, argivated, "Jon died beyond the Wall and turned into a wight, but her magic and sacrifice brought him back to life."
Davos was lost for words for a moment. He wanted her dead for everything that happened because of her involvement with Stannis, but serving Jon, she kept giving reasons for him to not want to. He wouldn't ever forgive her for burning Shireen, but he couldn't help but feel grateful for bringing Jon back, especially now that he has a wife and thanks to one of the Wildlings who escorted him, he learned Jon was going to be a father. "Then she has faced justice. When will you be leaving?"
"As soon as we receive word from the Riverlands." Brienne informed. "Arya secured them from the Lannisters and we're waiting for their troops to empty out before we leave."
"Then if that's all, I need a heavy drink and a word with the King. I expect he'll be wanting his sword back." Davos gripped Longclaw which was worn around his waist. He bowed his head to them and excused himself. "Oh," he ceased his pace, "I nearly forgot, my escort will be here soon with your things you all left at the Wall."
"Finally." Sandor said.
The next couple of days were mostly spent strategizing the offences the current forces loyal to the Targaryens would use when the dead would arrive at Castle Black. Jon would ride Rhaegal and lead Ygris and Lyarras to battle against the Night King and Viserion while Daenerys and Drogon would flank the Army of the Dead from the north. The archers and infantry would hold a line at Castle Black after the Wall would fall and the Dothraki would flank from the east and west. The Only problem was that they were outnumbered without the other Kingdoms. If they could defeat Viserion, the dragons could focus their attacks on the bulk of the dead prevent any escape.
Davos had been working with Tyrion and Varys to form a plan to steal Cersei's Wildfire stores and smuggle what they could to the Wall. But after much anticipation, a raven from the Riverlands arrived informing the Tully's had full control once again. After some counsel with Jon, Davos was granted leave to advise Gendry and join his escort to the Riverlands, eventually leaving for the Stormlands. They would be accompanied by twenty Northmen and twenty Knights of the Vale who would ride with them until they would break off for the Vale, returning to the Eryie with Lord Royce.
Presently, Davos was walking with Gendry who was leading him and Jon to his solar. Everyone else who was leaving was preparing their horses and a cart of supplies for the journey. Davos and Jon weaved through many busy people while Gendry slipped through with ease. Finally clear of everyone, Davos, Jon, and Gendry stood in the forge, waiting for Gendry to inform why he brought them there.
"I felt bad I was only able to make the one sword. So in my spare time, I've been working on something to make up for the failures." Gendry approached a cloth that was draped over an armor stand and pulled it off, revealing his work.
Underneath was a fantastic set of armor made for Jon. Gendry had made a pair of steel half gauntlets, both covered the entire forearm and they each had the Targaryen sigil in the elbow plating, a new gorget that had a direwolf facing forward with rubies for its eyes and connected to it were steel pauldrons that were lined with fur and had four steel plates flowing the shoulder to the arm. The upper section was designed to be worn over Jon's black armor. For the legs were two greaves that covers the front of the legs. Both of them had a feather pattern etched in them, similar to the pattern that was on Jon's wedding attire.
Jon and Davos were both marveled at the work, Jon not being able to resist feeling the direwolf on the gorget. "This is beautiful." Jon commented.
"It's the best work I've ever done." Gendry informed. "Only wish I had the time to make a helmet."
Jon smiled at him, pleased with what he was already given. "I'll manage without one."
"Then it looks like this is farewell for now." Gendry set the cloth on a table and approached Jon, giving him a hug. "Thank you, for everything."
"Good luck." They let go of each other and Davos followed Gendry out of the forge while Jon took another moment to look at the armor. Two stable boys were holding the reigns of their horses, waiting for them to be mounted. The caravan was nearly ready, only waiting for a few riders and four bannermen. One to carry the banners of each house they would be representing. The Stark soldiers carried the Banners of Stark, Tarth, and Gendry's Baratheon sigil, while the Knights of the Vale carried the Banner of House Arryn. Jon had some banners of house Dondarrion made, but Beric refused them saying that he had no banners anymore. He was currently saying his goodbye to the archer, Anguy, who decided to stay in Winterfell to help train the archers.
Davos noticed Lady Brienne and her squire, Podrick, were getting their saddles ready as Tormund approached Brienne. He held a dragonglass dagger to her, the quality of it had to be the best Davos had ever seen so far. It was simple, but the handle was made of bone of some kind, carved into bear. This was the first time Davos saw the lady not look reviled to be in Tormund's presence as she took it and even smiled at him.
"Davos," Gendry said, "Are you ready?"
"Are you?"
Gendry shook his head, but he smiled while he did it. "Seven hells, no. But I hope you'll help me to be."
"Aye, that I will." The two of them mounted their horses and all was set. Jon and Daenerys stood with each other off the side to see them off. Beric rode at the head of the caravan and was taking the lead.
"We ride hard for the Riverlands!" Beric shouted. "Let's remind the world that Winter is here!" He spurred his horse out of the gates and the caravan followed suite. The moment Davos rode out from the gates, he couldn't help but feel a loss of security.
Beric wasn't lying when he said they would be riding hard. It felt like he was trying to outdo the speed of the Wildlings, but he was still slower than them. But they arrived at the Twins quicker than planned and Riverrun even quicker. But throughout the entire journey, there were many awkward moments when they would pass a Lannister encampment. The enemy soldiers would stand and keep their hands on their weapons, but never took up arms against them.
Outside the castle on both sides of the rivers that ran under Riverrun, there were many Riverlanders wearing Tully armor, and not a single Lannister soldier was present. The caravan halted at the drawbridge entrance and waited for the it to lower for them. Instead of entry, the guards on the battlements pointed crossbows down to them. "Who goes there?" One them called out.
Davos trotted his horse to the front of the caravan and stopped next to Beric. "We come from Winterfell on behalf of King Jon Targaryen and Queen Daenerys Targaryen! We seek an audience with your Lord, Edmure Tully!"
The guard scanned the men of the caravan and left the battlements, but the rest of them kept aiming their crossbows. Minutes later, the guard returned and gave a signal to the men. They raised their crossbows away and the draw bridge began to lower. The moment the edge of it connected with the bridge, Davos and Beric led the others into the castle. Inside, they were greeted by about fifty more Tully soldiers in the courtyard, all of them giving caution. They lost the castle once and they didn't look intent on losing it again. Once everyone was inside, the drawbridge raised back up and a men escorted by three guards approached.
"My lords," He said, "we've been expecting for you. I'm Edmure Tully, you're most welcome here."
"Lord Tully," Davos said, "I'm Ser Davos Seaworth, is the Lady Arya here?"
"My niece is resting in her chambers. She's still recovering from her wounds. My maester is tending to her as we speak."
"That's good news. May I be the first to present Gendry of House Baratheon." Gendry walked forward bowed his head to Edmure.
"Baratheon?" Edmure asked, intrigued.
"I'm the last living bastard of Robert Baratheon." Gendry informed. "I was naturalized by Queen Daenerys."
"That's wonderful to hear. These wars have ended too many great houses from the world. You must all be weary from your travels. I've rooms prepared for you and your men and if there's anything you have need of, only ask."
"Thank you, milord." Davos cleared his throat at Gendry. "'My' lord." Beric and Davos did what they could so far to turn Gendry from a smith from Flea Bottom into the Lord of Storm's End, but there was far much more work to be done. "If I could, I'd like to see Arya."
"Of course, my lord. I'll take you to her myself while your men get situated."
Edmure began to lead Gendry into the castle as his men assisted the Stark soldiers with their horses. Brienne followed closely behind them as did Davos.
Upon reaching the door to Arya's chambers, Edmure knocked twice before a elderly maester opened the door and greeted them. "Lord Edmure," The maester said, "what wonderful timing. She's just woken up. Do come in."
"Actually, I'm afraid I have other matters to attend to." Edmure replied. "I shall take my leave." Edmure left as everyone entered into the room and saw Arya in a large bed under the fur blankets. She set down a metal trinket she had in her right hand onto a nightstand next the bed and then everyone saw her other arm bandaged and set in a splint.
"Lady Arya," Brienne said she quickly walked over to the side of the bed and knelt down to her. "I must be honest and express my frustration at you for doing something so rash without any help. Lord Reed told me he offered help but you refused him. What were you thinking?"
"I was overconfident." Arya said, shame was present in her voice. This surprised Brienne and even Davos. Arya had always been so sure about things and never doubtful, yet here she was in full humility. "I thought I could do things quick and easy, but I got carried away. I thought I was better than I was, and I paid the price for it. If it wasn't for Ghost and Nymeria, I would've died."
Brienne was speechless. Davos knew she probably had a lecture prepared, but it seemed it wouldn't be necessary. Out of all the concern, Gendry chuckled to himself a bit. Everyone turned and saw him and smirking at Arya. "Have you noticed that things turned to shit when we part ways?" Arya was amused at his remark and let out a small bit of laughter.
"More reason for me to go with you then."
Brienne was about to object, but Davos placed his hand on her shoulder to stop her. She turned her head to him and he merely arched his brow, as if she really thought things would be any different. Brienne sighed and stood up. "How much longer until your arm heals?"
"Earliest I was told was just over one moon. But I'll be sure to get better before we even get to Kings Landing then."
"Just in time for the dead." Gendry openly said.
"We received word about that. Edmure didn't believe it at first, but after a conversation reminding him of his failures, he's agreed to go to King's Landing with Tytos Blackwood and Jonos Bracken."
"Why them?" Davos asked. "I've heard the Blackwoods and the Brackens have bad history."
"They still do, but Edmure said that if Jon is trying to unite the realms for a better purpose, maybe he could do the same with his vassals."
"Smart move." Davos replied.
"Probably the first one he's ever made." Arya jested, although she might not've been wrong about that. "So when will we be leaving?"
"Tomorrow afternoon." Gendry informed. "Hopefully we'll be resupplied by then and have secured a safe route to the Stormlands."
"My lords, my lady." The maester interjected. "It's time for me to change the lady's bandages. If you wouldn't mind leaving us."
"Of course," Davos said, "we need to consort with Lord Edmure anyways." The maester bowed his head to them and Arya just gave them a small smile, but she looked the tiniest bit sad, as of she didn't want them to. Regardless, Davos and Brienne left the room, Gendry followed slowly, giving Arya one last look before he closed the doors.
Gathered in the main hall of Riverrun, Edmure had just finished going over his troop's movements with two of his captains. "With most of the Lannister froces gone, the Riverlands are free to declare for the King Jon and Queen Daenerys." Edmure said, taking a drink from a wine glass he held.
"Glad to hear it." Davos said. "Now only four more realms need to. When the meeting with Cersei happens, that will hopefully be the turning point for everything."
"I do have some concerns however. The reason it's happening at all for example. You claim there's an army of dead men marching on the Wall?"
"The largest and most dangerous in the world."
"Impossible, the White Walkers are just a story."
Brienne sighed at his remark. "I thought so too," she said, "but then I saw them beyond the Wall. I saw their army, I fought them, and I slew one of the Walkers."
Edmure just shook his head at her, disbelieving everything she said. "You have to understand how that sounds from my position. Such a thing is hard to believe without proof."
"Which is exactly what we brought back from beyond the Wall."
Edmure sighed, he looked tired. "I'll go to this gathering, but until I see such I thing, I don't think I can believe it."
"I don't blame ya," Davos said, "I didn't want to believe it either. Even when I saw that damned creature at Winterfell, I still didn't want to. But only when I saw it did I realize that it couldn't be ignored any longer."
Edmure just looked at his wine glass and took another drink, pondering what was said. "There's something else I'd like to discuss." He said, changing the subject. "I've sent a raven to Winterfell asking for what justice is the King and Queen have in store for the remnants of House Frey."
"The King and Queen have decided that the Twins are forfeit to any claim the Freys had. Since all the men are dead save a few babes, there's not much contending going on."
"That's true. But what about the remaining family members?"
"Since the women had no part in the Red Wedding, they're declared innocent. The King wants to remind the realms that a child isn't responsible for the sins of the father. The fate of the Frey army hasn't been decided yet."
Edmure scoffed. "Most of the Frey soldiers surrendered and have changed their allegiance to my vassal houses, but those that didn't run amok and cause trouble. But it won't be much longer until the bulks of my forces are Tullys."
"So then the Twins are without a lord." Brienne stated.
"Not for much longer, I plan on giving them to a lesser house that remained loyal to my uncle the Blackfish."
"Actually," Davos said, "I'm afraid that the Twins were already given a new lord."
"What? By whose authority?"
"The Queen's. There's someone in Kings Landing working as an insider for us and he's close to Jaime Lannister." Davos pulled out a small scroll from his pocket that was stamped with the Targaryen sigil. "There's a debt owed to him, and the Hand promised to double it if he switched sides with us." Edmure took the scroll from Davos and unraveled it, reading its contents.
"This doesn't make any sense. I've never heard of House Blackwater."
