Chapter 12

Eddard made his way through main camp the last Three months had taken its toll on him and his men since leaving Hellholt and it had been hell having lost one ship in the crossing to ironborn raid and another two to a storm he had lost 2000 men, Summer storms had also brought mud with it making progress slow down the horse's, bogging down the supplies wagons and causing sickness of bloody pux to break out as well as minor colds and shaking sickness amongst the men and the Ironborn harassing their supplies lines leading to desertions many of the Reachmen and Dornish.

As Eddard made his way to his tent he came across GreatJon waiting outside ''Jon'' he greeted him 'Ned' GreatJon said handing him a cup of beer then taking a swing from his ''Is something wrong Jon'' Eddard asked taking a drink 'Tarly and Cuy are at it again' GreatJon replied, Eddard sighed one of the more major problems was the lords of the Reach each of them was in it for them selves not each other case in point was Branston Cuy of Lord of Sunhouse and Randyll Tarly lord of Horn Hill both men were stubborn as all hell Randyll is military commander house Tarly is famous for their military strength and genius and view anything other than open battle as acts of weakens such as Branston Cuy.

When the Ironborn first began their attacks against the Reach, Branston order the adamant of his families' ancestral home to protect his people rather than meet the enemy on an open field of battle but in protecting his people he gave a force a thousand Ironborn took the castle give them a launch point to attack and raid deeper into the Reach. ''I will talk to them'' Eddard said as he continued to drink 'many of the men have been talking about leave Tarly and Cuy and going our own way and I agree with them'

Eddard coughed up his drink he himself had heard the complaints of the norther army but to hear it from his now vassal was disheartening to say the lest 'do what you will Eddard and I will follow but know this if we don't do something soon we rick losing this war'. GreatJon then left Eddard alone to his thought's as he entered his tent, Eddard knew he had to do something to get everyone back on course fighting the Ironborn and not each other.

The first thing he did was go over the maps of the Reach the scouts had been busy bringing back reports day and night of the Ironborn movement, troop numbers and supplies if he could find something of merit then maybe he could get Branston and Randyll to stop fighting each other and start fighting the war. As he went through the reports he found it what he was looking a report of Sunhouse from three days ago.

Location: Sunhouse

Conidiation; Under Ironborn Occupation

Strength of Force: 150-200 strong

Eddard ready the report as three days ago the Ironborn force was down to a quarter of its strength as he counited to go through report he found another one for Sunhouse two days old detailing that only 100 men remand, the newest one that he came across stated that only force of 50-75 men were in Sunhouse something was going on that was making the Ironborn leave and Eddard need to find out exiting his tent he went in search of his vassal lord.

It didn't take long to find them they were all in the mess tent eating, drinking and talking amongst their men, he approached his men and they immediately stopped and looked to him ''we are breaking camp get the men information I want to be on the march by nightfall'' he commanded 'where are we going' GreatJon asked ''the Sunhouse'' Eddard said walking away from them towards Lord Cuy and Tarly.

Finding Randyll and Branston was easier then finding his own men all he had to do was follow the yelling, Eddard never understood the south he may have been fostered in the Vale as a young boy but never understood the culture of it all looking around the was proof that he didn't understand them. In the North everyone took care of each other and lived simple lives in times of war, winter, peace and famine it did not matter, in the south it came down to your family name and wealth you had, who could have the best armor, horse, sword, anything and very thing each lord trying to outdo each other for nothing.

As Eddard approached the command tent he heard Tarly and Cuy going at each 'you are a disgraces to the Reach Tarly and a coward' 'I am not coward Cuy I am the best commander in Westeros and the most respected Lord in the Reach ' 'Yes respected for flogging peasants' at least I still hold my home Cuy' 'I did want need to be do in order to protect my people unlike you' 'and where are your people your army, you are weak and are nothing'.

Eddard hearing enough entered the tent and gained their attention ''My lords I am here to tell you that we are breaking camp and moving out'' he told them 'and where are you and your army going' Branston asked ''Sunhouse resent scouting report say that it is undermanned'' Eddard replied 'and was I not informed of this until now' Branston asked ''I have just learned of the reports but something tells me that you already knew of the reports lord Tarly'' Eddard answered 'and what if I did you are not the Warden of the South there is nothing you can do' Randyll said.

Unfortunately, Eddard knew Randyll was right there was nothing he could the law was clear. When Aegon the I Targaryen completed the conquest of Westeros the first thing he did was sign into law that on Warden may interfere with ruling off than other in peace or war it is the oldest law in the Iron thrones history and one that no Warden may break without suffering great consequence.

''I not be able to do anything to you Lord Tarly, but I can inform Lord Tyrell'' Eddard said Randyll just laughed 'that fat flower will do nothing to me or my Family the Tyrells are house ruled by women and are nothing more than upstart stewards and little more' Randyll called walking out of the tent.

Eddard felt a great anger rise up in himself he wanted to go after Randyll but stopped himself he had more important things to do any go after a cunt like Randyll Tarly as he went to exit the tent Eddard felt a hand on his shoulder 'I thank you for helping me and my people I know it isn't much, but I can give you 60 fighting men-at-arms. ''I thank you for your offer, but I must decline'' Eddard responded leaving the tent. Having taken care of Tarly and Cuy Eddard went to seek out his wife but she found him first.