Chapter six
Oaths
Justin arrived at the hall just as his Father seated himself at the high chair. It was wooden and immaculately carved. Around the arm rests sat 2 eagles heads with wings protruding from the back. The chair was said to have gone back to the days of his Grandfathers Grandfather. Justin wondered if he'd ever sit the seat himself. His dreams had come back to him almost nightly now. He had planned to mention them to his uncle but he didn't want the old man to think him mad. "Ah my boy returns. How was your time down south lad?" His father stood from his chair a smile beaming from his face. He had grown old Justin noticed. His once black beard was now streaked with grey, his hair had thinned to a wisp of what it once was, his face was covered in wrinkles and his stomach had grown large. "It was good father but this is my home. This will always be my home" Justin approached his father and opened his arms embracing the man as he patted him on his back before sitting for supper.
The food was dull compared to what he had been given in the Reach but it suited Justin just fine. Instead of extravagant meats and vegetables it was a simple meal of beef, stewed mutton and potatoes. With a cream cake for dessert. The rich wines he had grown accustomed to were now replaced with bitter ale and wine that tasted like vinegar Justin couldn't even finish the wine but after a while the ale went down well. After the meal his Father invited him up onto the battlements to look out over the land. It was almost pitch black save for the stars and the sliver of moonlight shining down upon them. "One day all this may be yours lad. The villages dotted around, the men of this castle, the stresses and benefits of being a Lord may fall to you" Justin looked upon his Father unsure how to respond he had a concerned look on his face as though he had just received the worse news of his life. "Father, Danard is your first born. He'll be the Lord once you return to the Mountain" The Lord's of house Maxward has always been entombed into chambers carved into the mountain. It was said that the Lord's body and spirit would strengthen the stone and keep the mountain standing and the prospect of the Eagle's return at bay. "Aye, but, but I received this this morning. Read it and make sure you understand the words" his Father handed Justin a small piece of parchment, Justin unrolled it and began to read. "Your Liege Lord Eddard of the house Stark hand of the king and warden of the North has been imprisoned by the boy King Joffrey Baratheon on false charges of treason, as a sworn Bannerman of house Stark you are called to raise as many men as you can and march to Winterfell within the fortnight. Robb Stark first true born son of Lord Eddard Stark" Justin rolled up the paper and handed it back to his father thinking back to his dreams once more. "Surely Lord Stark's son doesn't plan to march against the crown? That's insanity. We'll all be named traitors" his father looked at him uncertainty and concern in his eyes and face. "Only if we lose. Many called us traitors when we marched against the Targaryens. Many more still call King Robert userper behind closed doors. But Eddark Stark is our liege Lord and we swore an oath to protect him and his did we not?" Justin nodded knowing what his father said was true.
"When do we march for Winterfell?" "In a couple days time. Most the men here will march with us and Bernard thinks he can muster another fifty men by the end of the week. The rest will stay here to protect the common folk and your mother" Justin's stomach was in knots now, his mouth was incredibly dry and he felt sick. "Father I-I don't know if I'm ready. I'm scared" his father placed a hand on his shoulder smiling back at the lad. "Want to know the truth of it? So am I. I was scared when my Father told me we were marching against the Targaryens. I was scared when we crossed the neck. The only other time I had been South was for mine and your mothers wedding. I was scared that night too. But we all have our duties and it's time you took up yours. Go get some sleep we'll talk more on the morrow" the walk back to Justin's chambers was a long one. He could not stop thinking of what his Father had told him. He arrived in his chambers locking the door behind him and slumping down onto the bed. The fire in the hearth was slowly burning out as he lay staring up at the ceiling hundreds of thoughts swimming through his mind before sleep finally took him.
That night the dream was different. There were no twin castles or battle. Instead he was in the great hall at Winterfell stood besides a man he did not know giving council on the war to come. Was this Robb Stark? And if so why was he asking Justin's council and not his Father's? There was another man there too. A withered old bald man with no fingers on one hand. "I can rally another three hundred men from the Riverlands if you give me leave to travel there your Grace. Ser Dexard will remain here with the bulk of my forces and I'll travel across the neck with a small force accompanying me. My Brother by Law has sworn those swords to me personally. He has enough food and supplies to last his men six months. Maybe a year if they ration well. Other then that the Captain of the Gaurd at Eaglesend says he can muster another hundred men if the Mountain clans agree to join our cause. I would move the rest of my forces here as I promised your grace but If Eaglesend falls we'll have no warning of the enemy's approach south" Justin stood from the table rubbing his hands together. Despite the fires burning in the great hall a strong chill had taken the air.
"Ser, Ser it's time to wake up Ser" Justin shot up his eyes filled with sleep and his vision blurry he barely made out Dexard though the pale morning light. "Dexard? What are you doing here? Why aren't you with the other men?" Dexard helped Justin out of the bed as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes. "Ser Captain Bernard sent me. He told me to rouse you, he said you're to meet your Father in the great hall. He's already in council with your brother and Captain Bernard about the march tomorrow" "Aye of course infrom then I'll join them as soon as I'm dressed" Dexard nodded and made his way towards the door shutting it behind him.
As Justin approached the great hall two guardsmen stood to attention before pushing open the heavy oak and iron doors. As Justin approached the table he saw his Father and Captain Bernard poring over old maps as his brother stood with his back against the near by wall. "It's been many years since I've been to Winterfell my Lord but I think this route here may be our best option. With any luck the large force we have amassed will sent the bandits scurrying back to their nests and we may be able to recruit more men along the way. Promise of food and payment will give any man the drive to fight for his Lord after all" Captain Bernard stood from the table stretching his back as Justin approached. "Father, forgive me for my lateness. I didn't miss anything of importance did I?" "No we were just planning a route for the march tommorow" his Father didn't look up at Justin too preoccupied with the maps laid out in front of him. "You'll command the forces at the rear M'Lord" said Captain Bernard showing Justin the plans for the march. "Father you can't be serious at sending Justin? He's a boy. He can't go to war" his father looked up from the maps giving the boy a look of disapproval and some hints of anger. "You were 14 when you first rode out with me to disperse a band of brigands Justin is 16 hes ready" his brother walked towards the table his face turning a deep shade of purple as it always did. "Father he's too young and if you send us both off to war and we both die all you're left with is a bastard son and we know that bastard won't be able to rule anything" Justin kicked a chair over on his way over to the table getting close enough to his brother that their noses almost touched. "Don't call him that he's your fucking brother and I am ready I've competed in a melee at the hands tourney, I've trained for nearly 7 years for this day, I'm more than ready" Justin fist was clenched now, his brother had always had an awful temper and they would often clash as children. "Oh a bloody tourney aye fighting squires and soft southern fairies must have been so difficult" his father slammed his fists down onto the table. "Enough, I said he's ready and i don't care if you're going to be the Lord when I die, until I return to the mountain I'm your Lord and your father and you'll obey me, as for you Justin you need to learn to respect and listen to your brother if you're ever to be his sworn sword. Lucas is a bastard, but he's also your brother. Remember that, I've had enough for the Day Bernard continue your preparations and you two sort out your differences before we march. The last thing I need is my sons constantly butting heads, it won't be good for morale if the other men see" with that their Father marched for the door cursing under his breath as he went.