A song of Ice and Fire and Game Of Thrones are both the property of George R.R. Martin and HBO. Also Warhammer Fantasy is the property of Games Workshop and does not belong with me in any way. Also you'll notice the similarities between my story and A Song of hammers and Twin-Tailed Comets written by Trazyn the Infinite. I am using parts of his story in mine. I Have sent him a PM asking for permission to do so, but haven't received a response back. I will continue my story, although in the future if he responds and is not ok with me using his ideas this story will be removed.
Jon I
Wolf's Wood. Third week of the sixth moon 297AC
The densely packed trees swayed in the cold breeze blowing in quietly from the north. Bird songs filled the air along with the occasional call of the other animals found in the Wolf's Wood. I basked in the serenity of it all, until the arrogant voice of a certain squid broke the peaceful aura of the forest.
"What's with that dazed face Snow? Dreaming of a girl back in Winterfell, or is it a man? Seeing as you take no interest in the girls," Greyjoy had ridden up beside me, his cocky smirk gracing his face.
Normally, I would have a response for the constant annoyance that was Theon Greyjoy, but it wasn't worth it. I knew he was just looking for an excuse to relieve his boredom. The heir of the Iron Islands has been restless ever since we left ten days ago, no doubt missing his favorite pastime of whoring in Winter town.
"Leave Jon alone Theon," the voice of my brother called out.
Robb, my brother, and our father's heir, rode up on my right. Like most of our siblings he took after his mother, the Lady Catelyn. Except for Arya and myself, I look like our father with a long face and dark brown hair. Arya was said to be the spitting image of our aunt Lyanna.
"Calm down Robb. I was only jesting with Snow here," was Theon's reply.
Snow. The dark haired Iron Islander always emphasized my name when he spoke to or about me, ever since Lord Stark brought him home after his father's failed rebellion, eight years ago. Geyjoy, as well as Lady Catelyn, never forgot to remind me of what that name meant. A bastard. A stain on Lord Stark's impeccable honor. Thinking about it always pained me, like an arrow digging deep into my heart. I pushed those thoughts far into the back of my mind, focusing on the memory of what brought us so deep into the Wolf's Wood.
It had been two weeks since some strange feeling inside of my chest stirred me from my sleep, compelling me to stand from my bead. A trance came over me and as soon as it faded I found myself standing on the inner wall of the castle, between the north gate and the hunters gate, staring out into the Wolf's Wood. The night was dark like it always is at the beginning of a new month. I could see nothing but blackness as the wind picked up and started to howl, it's cold touch biting into my skin through my night clothes. Yet I remained rooted in the spot where I stood. I knew not how long I stood there, nor when I noticed it in the sky. A star shone more brightly than the rest, breaking through the inky blackness of the night. It grew brighter as time passed and without warning a blinding white beam of light descended from the heavens.
It crashed far off into the Wolf's Wood, illuminating the trees and woke all living things from their slumber. Their cries of surprise and fear carried far and wide, on the rush of wind the light created when it struck the earth. A strange humming sound followed with loud claps of thunder close behind. The bell rang from it's tower, waking all who were not already roused from the previous noise. Guards ran back and forth in confusion. Trying to make sense of what they were witnessing. Then, as suddenly as it came, the pillar of light vanished, leaving nothing but darkness and the shouting of men in its wake. A flurry of activity followed the light's disappearance. Lord Stark, Ser Rodrick and Maester Luwin questioned all the guards on duty that night. Jory Cassel, the captain of the guards, was dispatched to Winter town to keep the peace. While mounted patrols were sent out into the Wolf's Wood and surrounding countryside. Ravens flew from the rookery en mass to all the surrounding Lords who might have seen the light.
Three days later, many of the birds returned. I could only speculate as to their contents, but I had no doubt the guards on duty saw the light. It was especially so for the lords in the Wolf's Wood. Lord Stark had ordered Jory to gather thirty men and the best horses in the stables. He would lead men to unravel the mysteries of the light. Lady Catelyn had looked nervous when this was announced. She was absolutely terrified when she learned that he intended to bring Robb along, as well as Theon and myself, though I doubt she would care if I never returned. So the next morning before dawn, the men readied the horses to leave with Lady Stark holding tightly onto Robb for a good while before letting him go. She gave Lord Stark the same goodbye, and then we rode through the north gate with Lord Stark in the lead. We made slow time as we trotted through the forest, searching for any signs of the light, but found none. The party turned west after running into a party of twenty men from Ironrath. That was three days ago and so far we found no signs of anything strange.
"What do you think we will find out here?" asked Greyjoy
"Ask Jon. He was the one who saw the light that night," commented Robb.
"I told you all three days ago, I have no idea what it was. I saw the same thing as all the others who saw it," I answered, hoping to prevent further questions.
I told my father and siblings what I saw that night, leaving out the parts about the strange feeling I was having. I didn't exactly lie to them, but it still felt wrong to omit parts of the truth. I was afraid they would think me mad.
Greyjoy's boasting broke my thoughts. "Well, whatever it is, I'm sure it's no match for me and my bow."
While I doubted Theon would kill whatever caused the light, if we even found anything, I couldn't deny his skill with a bow. I was a better rider than the eighteen year old, and a better swordsman as well; something I took great pride in. I was even better than Robb as well, but I threw most of our matches. It wasn't right for a bastard to best his true born siblings. Father would always compliment me though, when he could. Away from the eyes and ears of his wife.
A mocking voice spoke from behind us. "Just like the Seven kingdoms were no match for the Iron Islands, Greyjoy."
Theon turned around and scowled at the owner of the voice, Asher Forrester. He was Gregor Forrester, the Lord of Ironrath's second son. He was a year younger than Greyjoy. He had short dirty blonde hair, with a lean face and blue eyes. He said he took after his mother and was tall and lean of face and body. I liked Asher. He was a good man who was charismatic and quick to laugh and jest. He was brash as well, according to his brother Rodrick. Rodrick was Asher's opposite; he was calm and serious like Lord Stark and his father. But you could see kindness and warmth in his eyes when he spoke of his family. He was the perfect image of a northern heir. Tall and broad, with dark brown hair that ran down his neck, along with a brown beard. He had strong facial features and the same blue eyes as his brother. Theon had a response ready for the young Forrester, but before he could speak the hooves of a horse sounded through the trees. One of the scouts Lord Stark sent ahead galloped towards us, stopping just before Lord Stark and Lord Forrester.
"What have you found?" asked Lord Stark.
" A tower milord, not five miles west of here," answered the scout. Lord Stark nodded and ordered the column forward.
I heard it about an hour later. A man's voice danced among the trees. I couldn't make out any of the words but it sounded almost like singing. Lord Stark stopped the column about a quarter of a mile away from where the scout said the tower was. He then ordered Lord Forrester to follow along with his two sons, Robb, Theon and myself. The other men were to stay fifty yards back. The singing became clear as we approached, but the words were foreign to me.
"Wo marschierst du, Männer von Reikland?
Wo tragen Sie Hellebarde und Schwert?
Wir marschieren für unseren Kaiser und Sigmar, unseren Retter und Herrn, in den Krieg."
We could finally see the tower once we reached the edge of the clearing, fifty yards out in the center. It was as tall as the towers of Winterfell's second wall, though it appeared to only have five stories. It was wider though, and completely dilapidated. Stones were crumbling or gone in some places and the mortar was all but nonexistent. I was surprised it was still standing. About ten yards in front of the rotting wooden doors were three large longs surrounding a fire. The source of the singing was there. A man was sitting with his back to the tower. Lord Stark ordered us to keep our weapons sheathed unless attacked. We approached him slowly, while he kept singing, not seeing us or not caring.
"Morgen ziehen wir in den Krieg, um uns den Wirten des Chaos zu stellen.
Morgen werden wir in den kalten Gräbern begraben, die uns erwarten."
He wore the most splendid armor I have ever seen, but wore no helm. His face was on full display and looked like it belonged to one of the knights from those southron songs that Sansa loved. He was polishing a beautiful sword. It had strang writing carved into the blade that led down to a straight bronze crossguard. A golden brown gem was inlaid into the center of the crossguard. It looked like that strange substance Maester Luwin showed Robb and I. Amber, I think it was called. The grip was wrapped in some sort of brown leather and the pommel was a flat circle, the same color as the crossguard. He remained seated and just kept singing, even as we continued our approach.
"Und wenn die Kämpfe beendet sind,
Und die Sonne geht nachts unter.
Höre mein Gebet, rette meine Seele,
Und bring mich zu Sigmars Licht."
Someone took in a sharp breath to my left, loud enough to stop all of us in our tracks. I turned and found Theon standing absolutely still. His eyes were wide and his shoulders rigid. I could see why. Behind him stood a man with a wide brim brown hat and brown leather coat that fell to just below his knees. He had an arm wrapped around Greyjoy's neck and the steel of a knife pressed to the side of his neck glinted in the sunlight. His face was hard and covered with a black goatee. Fearsome scars ran over his right eye. Speaking of his eyes, they were grey, but not like Lord Stark's. No. They were hard as stone and so cold they made me shiver. Another man stood behind Cold Eyes. He wore a faded blue robe that hung to just above his ankles, which was wrapped tightly around his lean body. He had a heart shaped face with a scruffy beard the same color as his messily sheared blonde hair, which hung down to just under his chin.
"Niemand bewegt sich oder der Junge stirbt," The man spoke in the same strange words that the other man sang in. "Identifizieren Sie sich jetzt."
Lord Stark spoke in a voice that I have never heard him use before in my life. And his eyes were as stone hard as Cold Eye's. "Release him or I swear on the old gods that I will kill you and your companions!"
Blue Robe stepped forward and all but shouted at Cold Eyes. "Lass den Jungen Richter frei. Ich habe dir gesagt, das ist unnötig."
Cold Eyes gave a curt reply, that sounded like a warning. "Vermassel das nicht Magister."
Blue Robe seemed unfazed and approached us after Cold Eyes released Theon. He smiled and bowed his head, then spoke.
"My apologies for my companions actions, he is just very cautious," he spoke slowly in the common tongue. Though his strange accent shone through, it made him somewhat hard to understand.
"That's no reason to hold someone at knife point," commented Lord Forrester, his hand still rested on the hilt of his family's greatsword.
"You are right of course," acquiesced Bluerobe. "Come, join our fire and let us talk like civilized folk."
He gestured to the area where the singing man was. Turning to do so we found the singing man standing, sheathing his sword in a scabered. He was calm and had a slight smile on his handsome face. Looking into his now visible blue eyes, I wondered if he knew we were here before we left the tree line. Bluerobe spoke again, asking us to send someone back to our party, to let them know we were unharmed. Yes they definitely knew we were here. Lord Stark sent Greyjoy back, who had not stopped glaring at Widehat since he released him. Widehat didn't pay him any mind; he kept his focus on the most dangerous of our group, those being Lords Stark and Forrester and Rodrick. Greyjoy had to be told again before he left scowling. Bluerobe again gestured to the logs around the fire before walking to the log the singing man sat down on. We followed, stopping before the logs flanking the fire. One for each lord and his sons. Lord Stark sat on the end closest to the strangers, while Robb and I sat on his left. The Forresters did the same on the log across from us.
Widehat sat down on the side closest to Lord Stark and pulled out some strange piece of wood from his coat. It looked like a small cup with a round thin handle sticking out of one side. He pulled a small pouch out of the same pocket in his coat and began packing the wooden cup full of some shredded brown substance. Then he pulled out a thin piece of rope covered in what seemed like candle wax and stuck one end in the fire. Pulling the rope out, he placed the lit end over the wooden cup and seemed to suck the flame into it. He then exhaled a thin line of smoke. It didn't smell like the smoke from the fire and when it reached me, it burned my eyes somewhat. I looked around the fire and all the northmen were looking at Widehat with raised eyebrows. He looked up at us and then offered the strange thing to us. We stared at him, not sure if we should accept it. Bluerobe took it and spoke.
"You don't have to accept it. It's just common courtesy to offer it to others if they don't have a pipe themselves," he said, before sucking in some smoke himself and releasing it. He then handed the "Pipe" back to Widehat.
"Who are you and where did you three come from?" asked Lord Stark, wasting no time to get to the point.
"The first part of your question is simple enough. I am Rainer Stassen, a magister of the celestial college." The now named Rainer Stassen stood and bowed after speaking. He sat again and continued. "The gentleman to my right is Ludolf Richter. He is a templar. And the gentleman on my left is Leonhard von Ritter, a Reiksguard."
Both men nodded their heads at us before Asher blurted out a question. "What in the seven hells is a Magister, a Templar and a Reiksgaurd?"
"Well, a Templar is a man who hunts traitors and criminals, a Magister is a scholar and a Reiksguard is a knight who defends our nation's leader," answered Magister Rainer.
"So he's like a Kingsguard?" asked Robb.
"A more accurate description would be "Emperor's Guard", but yes. Though that's not all the Reiksguard does," answered Rainer.
Lord Stark spoke again before anyone else could interrupt. "Where are you from?" he repeated his second question.
"Ah, forgive me. That is not a question that can be answered simply," stated Rainer.
"And why not?" asked Lord Forrester.
"Because we do not know where "here" is in relation to our home land,"he stated and continued. "My I ask your names before I begin"
Lord Stark Spoke for the group. "I am lord Eddard of House Stark, Warden of the north for His Grace Robert the first of House Baratheon. These are my sons, Robb, my heir, and Jon. The man across from me is Lord Gregor of House Forrester and his sons, Rodrick, his heir, and Asher, his second son. Now tell us what I asked, if you would."
"I shall endeavor to explain how we got here, so please hold all questions until the end," said Rainer.
We nodded and Rainer began telling us where he believed his homeland was in regards to Westeros. They believed it was to the west across the Sunset Sea. About a three and a half moons journey. How they got here, on the other hand, was a grand tale. Templar Richter was investigating some political dissident nobles, which turned out to be a large plot to assassinate the Emperor of their realm, Karl Freanze. Richter rounded up, or killed, all of the traitors bar the leader, Heinrich Gruber, who fled to the coast with a group of his own soldiers. Richter was ordered to follow with his own forces, including Ser Leonhard. They tracked him to the great port city of their realm Marienburg.
This is where Rainer enters the story. Gruber arrived just before the news of his deeds did and bought passage on the same merchant ship that Rainer did. Gruber and his men took control of the ship after it left port and used the sailors and passengers as slave labor. But the ship's navigator was killed in the fighting. Gruber threatened to kill Rainer's brother if he didn't help navigate for them. Apparently a celestial magister was a scholar who studied the stars, so he was qualified to do so. Richter discovered that Gruber fled by ship and commandeered a warship and gave chase.
Gruber led Richter out into the deep sea where a storm blew both ships off course after a month of chasing. Hoping to lose the Templar, the traitor steered the ship to the east. Ater another two weeks of sailing they came upon Westeros' east coast. Low on supplies, Gruber attacked a passing trade ship, killing all but the captain, and sinking his ship. Gruber ordered Rainer to learn the captain's language so he could read the maps stolen from the ship. Unfortunately for Gruber, Richter was persistent and seemed to have the gods on his side because he found him after a month of searching for him after arriving. So the chase began anew and three weeks ago Richter engaged Gruber off the coast of a peninsula northwest of here.
Richter's forces engaged Gruber's with the help of the merchant ship's enslaved survivors. Unfortunately a fire started in the middle of the battle and ignited something below the deck of the traitor's ship; the fire spread to both ships sinking them. Templar Richter and Ser Leonhard were the only ones to make it to a small rowboat in time. They found Rainer in the water, holding onto a piece of wood. They were the only survivors. They have been making their way south for a week when they noticed the light, two weeks ago, and made their way here, arriving a day ago.
It was quite the tale and a feeling of satisfaction bubbled up within me when I heard a man like Gruber was slain. He was bad enough, lusting for power, but he fell even lower when he enslaved the innocent men from the merchant ship. Slaver was outlawed in the Seven Kingdoms, Lord Stark had sentenced Lord Jorah Mormont to death for the act of selling men into slavery. A man whose house is one of the most loyal of the Starks bannermen. I'm glad Gruber died. Also I couldn't help admire Templar Richter and Ser Leonhard for staying true to their charge and chasing the traitor for so far.
"You found nothing in the tower after you arrived?" Asked Lord Stark.
"Nothing. It's completely desolate. Come take a look," stated Rainer, before standing and grabbing a torch that was hidden behind the log he sat on, walking to the tower with the other two following.
We did the same. The rotted wooden door groaned in protest while the magister opened it; its hinges were all but rusted and barely hanging on the wall. A musty smell greeted us as we entered. The torch illuminated the rotted tapestries and paintings hanging on the walls, as well as the remenatis of a carpet that lined the floor in front of us. We pressed a door frame that led to the next room. It was large with another rotted rug. In the center of the room was a pillar that stretched up to the ceiling. Rubble was piled around it's base, likely the stairs that led to the upper floors. This was it. This was what we spent nearly two weeks riding through the forest for.
"You have found nothing in this place?" asked Rodrick.
"Other than rats, birds and rot; no nothing. A shame too, I was so looking forward to finding what caused that light!" answered Rainer in a very disappointed voice.
Lord Stark sighed and made for the exit. The sun met us as we left the tower and so did the party of men we had left in the woods. Lord Stark turned to the tower and stared intently at it for a long while. He looked back at Magister Rainer.
"What are your plans now Magister?" asked Lord Stark.
"Well, we were merely looking for a place with people who could tell us where we are." stated Rainer
"I see," spoke Lord Stark. "Well I cannot in good conscience leave you here to starve. You are more than welcome to join us on our way back to Winterfell and stay at the tavern in Wintertown, until you can plan what you will do next. No doubt Maester Luwin will wish to speak to you."
Magister Rainer bowed deeply to Lord Stark then spoke. "You have our utmost gratitude Lord Stark and we would gladly speak to anyone you wish."
Lord Stark nodded and asked if they needed horses. Rainer replied, saying that he and Richter would, but that Ser Leonhard was all set. He then made a statement that raised a few eyebrows.
"How do you feel about demigryphs?"
Authors Note
Hope you enjoyed the chapter. Let me know if the bullshit story Rainer was feeding the Starks was any good, I tried to mix in some truth to make it more believable(A lie mixed with some truth is more believable than a plain lie). And don't worry Ned doesn't trust them we will get to his point of view in a chapter or two. Jon believes them to a degree. After all he and Robb are only thirteen, and they would be more focussed on the events of the story rather than worry if it was true or not.
On another note. This is the timeline I will be loosely following in my story. Though certain canon characters will go to different places than in ASOIAF. Shout out to the people who made this. It's absolutely awesome. Check it out if you want or if you haven't already seen it. This is the only chapter I will be dating, so if you want to follow along with the dates use the spreadsheet. But if everyone wants me to date each chapter I will.
spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Aj_uNZmcJaTddG9BVU5tRnJJTE5KcE5JRkFha1ZfNUE#gid=8
On another nother note. I know the Foresters aren't book canon, but I wanted to use them in this version of my story, especially Asher. Their ages will be scaled down for the purpose of my story and will either be noted in the story itself or in the characters section of the end chapter notes. The only other age change for characters will be for Sansa. In my story she was born in the final month of 284, making her 12 at the story's start and 13 at robert's arrival.
Language translation
I'm using the German language as the stand in for Reikspiel, which is based on German(It is basically German). If anyone who is reading this can speak and write German feel free to correct me(I just used google translate so go easy on me). German first with the English translation following.
Reikspiel (German) (The song Leonhard is singing)
Wo marschierst du, Männer von Reikland? Wo tragen Sie Hellebarde und Schwert?
Wir marschieren für unseren Kaiser und Sigmar, unseren Retter und Herrn, in den Krieg. Morgen ziehen wir in den Krieg, um uns den Wirten des Chaos zu stellen.
Morgen werden wir in den kalten Gräbern begraben, die uns erwarten. Und wenn die Kämpfe beendet sind, Und die Sonne geht nachts unter. Höre mein Gebet, rette meine Seele, Und bring mich zu Sigmars Licht.
English Translation
Where march you, men of Reikland? Where carry you halberd and sword?
We march to war for our Emperor and Sigmar our savior and lord. Tomorrow we go to war, to face the hosts of chaos. Tomorrow we will be buried in the cold graves that await us. And when the fighting is done, And the sun goes down at night. Hear my prayer, save my soul, And take me to Sigmar's light.
Richter and Rainer speaking in Reikspiel
(Richter)
"Niemand bewegt sich oder der Junge stirbt."
Nobody moves or the boy dies.
"Identifizieren Sie sich jetzt."
Now identify yourselves.
(Rainer)
"Lass den Jungen Richter frei. Ich habe dir gesagt, das ist unnötig."
Release the boy Richter. I told you this was unnecessary.
(Richter)
"Vermassel das nicht."
Don't screw this up.