Chapter 3: MOAT CAILIN
This Chapter takes plsce right before the Battle and subsequent siege of Riverrun.
The Northern Army Reaches Moat Cailin
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299 AC
THE NORTH
MOAT CAILIN
ROBB STARK
Moat Cailin, the ancient stronghold of the First Men that have guarded the North, since the Age of Dawn.
After the death of Berron Stark, during the Andal war 6000 years ago, the castle lacked a proper lord who can govern the boggy lands of the neck and because of it the stronghold began to decline and by the time of Aegon's landing in Westeros it was nothing more than a crumbling ruin, with only three towers remaining standing in place where once there was twenty.
That was until the time of Cregan Stark, as it was him who laid the foundation of repairing the ancient stronghold to it's former glory.
Cregan will not live to see it though as even with best builders and best Stone masons, it took more than 60 years to repair the castle, as the marshes of the neck made it extremely difficult for the builders to repair the castle.
Now Moat Cailin sports forty towers, instead of twenty, and now it can defend against attackers from both South and the North.
"You are over thinking, again" The voice of his cousin snapped Robb out of his thoughts.
He composed himself before glaring at a smirking Wulfric, who was riding beside him on a grey stallion.
He cursed himself for asking his cousin to join him in the front of his marching army. His father had taught him that he should always know the men who are fighting for him. And as such, each day he invited a different lord to ride with him in the front.
And today, it was Wulfric's turn to march with him.
He shook his head before looking at the ancient fortress of the First Men and even from afar he could a host camped just outside the castle's Northern Gate.
"Looks like our uncle was busy" Wulfric muttered seeing the camp.
As they reached near the castle, a horn suddenly blasted from the battlements, signalling their arrival and the gates of castle opened for him to enter.
"Wulfric, tell our men to make camp and inform the lords to be prepared for a war council" Robb ordered causing his cousin to nod, before racing back to the army to relay his orders.
Robb rode through the gates and into the castle where two men were waiting for him inside.
He dismounted his horse, giving it to the nearest stable boy, before racing towards the two individuals.
"Uncle Ben, Lord Reed" He greeted with a smile.
"Robb" Benjen Whitestark greeted his nephew, giving him a manly hug.
"Lord Stark" Howland Reed greeted him with a small bow which Robb returned.
"Damn Robb that's quite an army you have gathered" Benjen praised his nephew about the army he had brought with him.
"You like it, more than 30,000 men from all corners of the North ready to fight for their Liege Lord" Robb boosted.
"How did you managed to gather so many in a single month" Howland voiced "Your father could manage to gather only 18,000 during the rebellion"
Robb and Benjen's smile died at the mention of Ned, still wrongly imprisoned in the dungeons of the Red Keep.
Robb shook away his sadness and said "After I got the message saying that my father was injured during his fight with the Kingslayer, I sent ravens to all the lords, telling them to prepare their men incase of any conflict" he explained to Reed how he gathered so many men.
Both Benjen and Howland nodded, impressed that a boy of only five and ten namedays managed to thought ahead of the coming conflict and prepared himself accordingly.
"Come Nephew, lets head inside" Benjen offered "You should freshen up before the War council"
Robb nodded to his uncle before the three of them headed inside the Keep.
"The River Lords are falling back, with Jaime Lannister and his army of 30,000 men on their heels" Robb's voice cut through the tense silence "It will only be a matter of time before he besieges Riverrun itself"
"And Tywin is bringing around another host" Wulfric continued where his cousin had left "The scouts reported that they are marching to the Green Fork, no doubt they want to fortify the ford as it is the only possible crossing along the Trident river for miles".
"We have to march quickly, before Riverrun falls" Benjen said worriedly.
"But my Lords Riverrun is a formidable castle, surely it will not fall so quickly" Lord Glover protested "And Lord Edmure is already gathering another host near Riverrun"
Robb shook his head "The River lords have already suffered a disastrous defeat at the Golden Tooth, they will need time to gather another army that can challenge Jaime Lannister and his host" He said gravely "Time they do not have".
"But even still why should we fight for a southern House, why should we bleed for them" Lord Bolton said, causing Domeric to look at his father in shock.
"Is he mad, doesn't he know who Eddard Stark's wife is" Domeric thought looking at his father and thinking if he is crazy or an idiot or probably both.
Knowing his father, it will most probably be the third.
"Choose your next words very carefully Lord Bolton" Robb said coldly looking at the Lord of The Dreadfort right in his eyes "ThisSouthernHouse as you are calling it belongs to my mother and Lord Eddard Stark's, your liege Lord's, lady wife".
Roose Bolton pursed his lips before bowing "Of course my Lord" he said softly.
Robb nodded before looking at Benjen "Uncle Ben, how many men did you and Lord Reed managed to muster".
"At least 4000, including the Crannogmen of House Reed" His uncle replied.
"Good and how many are you bringing south"
"At least half of them with the rest, mostly the Crannogmen, will stay here and guard the Neck and Moat Cailin".
Robb nodded at that, Moat Cailin is the single most important fortress in the North, and if it ever fell in enemy hand it will spell disaster for the North.
The war Council went for another hour, finalising all the plans for the upcoming war and preparation for the march tomorrow.
After the council Robb went to chambers that has been given to him by his uncle. The chamber belonged to Edwyle Whitestark, Benjen's Son and Robb's cousin who was currently at White Harbour, being fostered by Lord Manderly. He is only ten namedays old, too young to fight in a war, so he had stayed behind at White Harbour.
He freshed up and put on his night clothes but before he can sleep there was a knock at the door.
Robb frowned, thinking who is knocking at the door in this late hour.
He opened the door and to his surprise Dacey Mormont is standing in front of him in all her glory.
Before Robb can open his mouth to ask why she was here, Dacey was already upon. Her lips kissing his furiously and her tongue invading his mouth.
Robb managed to pull away, before looking at smirking girl with a raised eyebrow silently asking her what she was doing here.
"You promised me a night remember" Dacey whispered seductively before nibbling his jaw causing Robb to groan in pleasure.
"I have haven't I" Robb asked with a smirk, with one of his hand cupping and squeezing her breast causing Dacey to moan in pleasure.
"Take of your clothes now" Dacey ordered.
"Whatever my lady commands" Robb said taking of his night of his clothes.
And that night the lord's chambers was filled with the sounds of groans, moans and sighs of pleasure.
And done!
Sorry for the short chapter guys, I promise the next chapter will be longer.
Now Robb's entire host is 32,000 strong. He left Winterfell with 25,000 men . At White Harbour another 5000 joined his army and another 2000 joined him at Moat Cailin.
The composition of Robb Army will be detailed in next chapter.
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