Elia
280 A.C The Old Lady
Elia and Asahra were led through the Kings Wood to the gods only knew, well the gods and her captors. They traveled through the woods and avoided any settlement, the men had whispered of the old lady, Elia even when frightened asked the cart drive who she was. The man laughed shaking his head and told her it wasn't who but a place, finally when they got deep enough into the woods they ran into an old keep. The forest had reclaimed most of it, tall grass everywhere along with Outlaws every which way. The largest tower was leaning down with a Tree growing under its shadow. Whe the light cast on the stone, the shadow looked reminiscent of an elderly lady leaning on her walking stick. That explained why the called it the Old Lady.
"Behold the lovely home of House Toyne breath taking no?" Simon riding next to the cart drawled sarcastically.
"House Toyne? I do not know this house" Elia said Ashara her arm set straight and hanging limply with some cloth to hold it up just hummed. She hadn't said much the entire ride up here, just kept quiet and whenever the gaze of the smiling knight was on them she would cower away and huddled closer to Elia. She hugged her friend and held her in what she hoped was a safe embrace.
"Why are you taking us here?" Elia asked.
"this keep is forgotten, no one in all the seven kingdoms knows this place. Gone with time along with the stones" Simon grunted.
"Do you wish to rebuild your house with the ransom for our lives?" Elia asked.
"No such foolishness, my house is done, I just want coin to share with good men and good wine" Elia would object to good men murdering and harming women. She held her tongue on that regard as they entered the decrepit keep the gates somewhat repaired with patched work. Once inside Simon addressed his band of outlaws raising his sword high.
"Look lads! We caught ourselves royalty! And a big chest of ploughing coin to come!" Everyone cheered for his name, more so the young ones blinded by stories and songs no doubt thinking Simon some hero to the commonfolk. Elia and Ashara were taken inside the keep that faired bettr than the outside would lead one to believe. They almost separated them but Simon allowed her to stay with Ashara while the maester of the castle looked over Ashara.
"Just a broken wrist my lady, it will hear just keep it in the arm sling" he murmured.
"Why do you serve him?" Ashara asked the maester, why serve outlaws when he was a man of the citidale.
"Why not?" he said dismissively.
"He's an outlaw all of them are" Elia said looking to the guards who ignored her comment.
"Aye I suppose they are, but my duty isn't to anyone but to knowledge, and help those in need. They needed a maester and healer and I was there" the maester said finishing up his treatment on Ashara.
"Simple as that? They did not kidnap you?" Ashara asked.
"Nay they robbed me blind though, and when they sent me on my way Simon asked if I wanted to join them." the maester went on.
"Just like that?" Elia raised a brow.
"Aye just like that, whatever the gods will was that day I accepted and here I am….now are you injured as well princess Elia?" the maester asked.
"No, I am fine" she said.
"Well then, I guess these men will take you to your accomidations, I must see to the wonded from the raid" the old maester stood and left them alone. The guards then escorted them to locked rooms where only they resided. One guard changed shifts every so few hours, so far none had bothered them. All content to sit with their arms cross and leave them to their devices. Well until one night, Elia was in the twilight between sleep and consciousness when she heard the scuffling. Mumbling awake Elia turned on her bed to see Ashara fast asleep careful with her hand.
"Come on we just want the purpled eye one!" hissed a voice through the thin door.
"Simon will kill you dumb fucks if you harm her!" another voice hissed.
"She killed Rags!" a third younger voice said.
"Rags was a cunt, he hated every single one of you, are you realling going to die for him?" the voiced hissed back.
"Why are you protecting the bitch!" this time it was a yell angry and young, always a bad combination.
"I'm not I just don't want to get smiles to fucing gut me for the bloody chuckles!" the older voice replied.
"Traitor!" another voice followed by a yell scared Elia and woke Ashara. The door banged and rattled and the scream of dying men came and went as bloody as it started.
"Oh shit! No!" one yelled horrified and the door opened making Elia and Ashara jump scurrying against the wall yelling. The young man smirked cruelly and started to undue his breeches when Elia who could not by some morbid sense look away. A sword stabbed through his mouth coming out of it. His face set in such surprise as he choked on the steel blade and then Elia closed her eyes. Ashara yelled and more men died. When she opened her eyes the smiling knight stood plate covered in blood a particular bloody handprint on the side of his scarred cheek. He smiled and Elia looked up feeling her stomach churn. With his great strength he pulled up on the sword splitting the young man's skull. Elia close dher eyes and hugged Ashara both trembling in fear.
"There, there little birds, they are all dead guts spilled for the stranger's behest" if that was meant to comfort her or Ashara it clearly didn't work. Next morning Simon made this a show that those who tried to harm their as he kindly put it 'coin vouchers' they would take it up with the smiling knight. As if their capture wasn't bad enough now they had to stand by that…monster. Elia had no better words after that horrible event their guard was doubled and the smiling knight would stay inside their room. He wouldn't talk to them only stare and smile, damn him and that smile. He would stare and sharpen his blade then just stare. Elia and Ashara began wondering if he ever ate drank or if killing was all he needed to sustain them.
After a few weeks something happened to break the monotony, the whole keep was up in celebration. So for whatever reason that was, they allowed her and Ashara to exit the keep and see what the celebration was about. The Girl Wanda was being celebrated, she had something tied to her horse as everyone sang and cheered loudly. Wanda had behind her a man in armor tided up awkwardy around his arm. He was big and she wondered if the poor soul had that face before they dragged him through the mud. He was almost as big as the smiling knight, but more round then anything his armor was covered in mud but Elia could make out that coat of arms anywnere, twin towers.
"Look I've caught me a huge boar!" laughter erupted everywhere.
"Wanda! I think it's best we mark him, don't want him to get lost" smirked Simon. Everyone laughed and then the knight was grabbed and he struggled yelling.
"Let go! Let go you shits!" the young man was helpless, he thrashed and though it took a good five men to restrain him they put kicked the back of his knee kneeling him. To a hook on the ground they chained him with short chains. Wanda walked to a fire where she stroked it with an iron rod. Elia felt something drop in the pit of her stomach. Ashara looked to her horrified, would they truly do something so cruel? Would another man in service to rescue them die? This knight was Frey the only reason she could think of him being here is that he was part of some search party. One of them pulled at the man's trousers until they finally got them off baring his behind. Wanda took the Iron rod hot and burning with a swan burning bring orange.
"Alright big boy let's remind the world who you belong to" Wanda smirked and she looked to be enjoying this too much.
"Gods Elia don't look" Asahara said and tried to hold her, but Elia didn't look away. No she would see this she would remember these men would be remembered all of them.
"Gods! Get off of me! Fuck nooo!" yelled the poor man tugging at his chains, then Elia heard the blood curling scream as the poor big man was branded by Wanda with the fawn everyone yelling in celebration.
"Savages" Ashara gritted her teeth and looked away unable to bare more of this madness. Elia after making sure to remember the faces turned and looked to Elia.
"Let's return to our rooms, I have had enough of this madness" Elia walked briskly back into the keep with the smiling knight silent but ever vigilant followed them inside.
"I can't believe such cruelty could exist" Ashara muttered still afraid of the smiling knight. Elia doesn't blame her she was frightened herself but she was being strong, for Ashara who could not hold much together around the big monster. Inside their rooms four guards relieved the smiling knight and he left after eyeing them carefully. This time the guards were either drunk or polite enough to wait outside their rooms.
"I will remember them Ashara, remember them all" Elia said when they were sure they were alone.
"For what? Once they have their coin they will disappear" Ashara said certain of their ultimate humiliation.
"No oh the gods bare witness they shant live Ashara they have insulted us and taken so much" Elia smiled a little and looked to her best friend.
"Say these words Ashara, say them and gain strength our day will come and these outlaws will be put to the sword." Elia was confident, these men thought themselves clever but she knew the three men who no doubt were coming for them. These men did the impossible and they shall do it again.
"Elia…" Ashara said looking at her in a new light of awe and if Elia was being forward admiration.
"Valar Morghulis" Elia seethed like the snake her brother was compared to.
"I don't know the words, my valyrian is lacking Elia" Ashara replied and looked down. Elia lifted her head up and looked.
"Be strong we have to be, I am afraid but we shall live through this and have our vengeance for all they took from us" Elia assured her, honestly her conviction was form desperation and fear but it was enough.
"Okay…I had valor before they…well you know. But you are right I am Ashara Dayne the blood of the dragon and the Rhoynish runs in my blood. For you I shall try my dearest friend" Ashara gathered herself finally snapping from her fear filled state.
"Say it Ashara" Elia repeated.
"Valar Morghulis" the old Valyrian rolled of Ashara's tongue rather well.
"What does it mean?" she asked.
"All men must die" Elia said and looked to the door, their time would come all of theirs would.
Rhaegar
280 A.C Kings Town
Rhaegar awoke early a few weeks after occupying the town. Using the hunters Rhaegar had scoured every inch of the Kings Wood within eight kilometers of the town. Today however is a good day for hunting their prey. Outlaws was the game and Rhaegar gathered with his commanders to set out. Lord Sunmer Crakehall would ride to the fishing town North lead by the huntress Wanda saying she knew how best to traverse the woods to arrive quickly. Ulmer would lead a dual party with Arthur to search the towns below. Each party would contain twenty men for safety less they were ambushed in force like Elia and her ten guard.
Rhaegar put on his black armor and Blackfyre at his hip, when he rode to meet his party he was surprised to see Ser Barristan Selmy waiting for him. Rhaegar smiled slightly, and nodded at the older knight and trotted his horse t him.
"Ser Barristan you have arrived" Rhaegar smiled at his sword mentor.
"My prince I would accompany you on this scouting mission of yours" Ser Barristan said.
280 A.C Kings Wood
"Nay my friend I shall need you in another place, Arthur could use another good man in his scouting for he has two villages to see to. Go with him" Rhaegar smiled and the older knight though not convinced followed his commands regardless. Rhaegar said his farewells with the knight and joined his party already in formation. Heading the formation was Wanda a superb rider, not by training but sheer natural talent. She would lead them, Rhaegar trotting next to her. With him of note was Lord Crakehall and his squires. Rhaegar hoped at the very least a clue would give them something to chase and latch on to. Prince Oberyn Martell had already expressed that he would find his sister and was raising a force to slaughter his way through the Kings wood until his sister was returned. While he admired the man's love for his sibling, this would only make things worse.
After riding through the woods for about three hours Rhaegar and his party stopped near a lowland in the forest. Their formation was constricted and Wanda told them through this decline they would reach the fishing town faster. She stopped their party there, and Rhaegar questioned her decision.
"M'prince I grew up in these woods, I hunt here I know these woods more than anything. Rhaegar looked to the incline lifted upward curved. Wanda looked up at some boulders and snapped her reins riding to them. Rhaegar looked confused and she deissapeared behind them, that gut feeling creeped up on him once again. Like his father leaving for Duskendale and when he thought it all over saving him, the gut feeling creeped up again.
"Gods it's a trap!" Rhaegar donned his helm quickly and drew Blackfyre his men followed suit and yells spread among them.
"Ready lads!" one man said and turned to the hill one man popped from the tress, bow in hand he loosed an arrow finding its mark on one of Rhaegar's men through his boiled leather and he fell from his horse. This followed the yell of men pouring from the ridge some mounted others on foot with swords and spears.
"Circle up protect the prince!" Lord Crakehall said through his helm and the melee began. Rhaegar met a rider and parried his clumsy strike. He wasn't trained and he couldn't see his face obscured by a black scarf. Rhaegar parried another strike and threw a horizontal strike blood spurted and his head was gone. His first kill, Rhaegar never killed a man before and he would think on the philosophical tendencies when no more men were trying to kill him. He turned his horse and chopped the man's arm off his Valyrian sword cut throug them like so much cloth.
Jaime Lannister was certainly a sight to behold he seemed to have killed no man but he protected the flank of Lord Crakehall well enough that none dared get in range of his sword. Rhaegar turned his horse battering a spear away and forced his way forward slashing the outlaw across the chest. How many of them were there? They kept coming and coming a man with a mace ride to Lord Crakehall. The battle wasn't something from a tale form his hook Lord Crakehall traded blows with the man who was considerably fat and they fought with curses and anger. Rhaegar watched Lord Crakehall be pushed back he parried the mace but then the man came at him with full force raining blow after blow. Overhead Lord Crakehall parried and tried stabbing the man on his gut. With the shorter mace he was able to bring it up and parry the sword, with a clean motion he hit Lord Crakehalls arm holding the reins of his horse. The motion was enough for his horse to blod from under him and lord Crakehall fell the men on the ground took the opportunity to try and kill Lord Crakehall. Lord Crakehall not to be done in by some fool lifted himself up and stabbing the opportunist and killing him. Rhaegar slew the two men trying to stop him and the third stabbed his horse. Rhaegar threw himself off the horse and rolled off. Rhaegar stood as quickly as he fell and the fool who killed his horse rushed him half-cocked and Rhaegar parried the spear pulled it stabbed him through the gut.
Lord Crkaehall was once more beaten back by the fat mace wielding outlaw and as Rhaegar made his way to him. Lord Crakehall yelled in pain as the fat man smashed his mace on Lord Crakehall's shoulder. He staggered to a knee and the fat man swung for his head a killing blow no doubt. Rhaegar gritted his teeth and slew another outlaw on horseback sparing the horse dying with its rider when Rhaegar gutted him. The horse moved from his field of vision and Jaime Lannister intercepted the fat outlaw.
"How can a man so fat moved that quickly?" he smirked and traded blows quickly pushing the man back.
"Ben! Pull back you fool!" the womanly voice caught Rhaegar's voice. Rhaegat turned to see Wanda on her horse at the edge of the ridge, with her bow she raised it with a rope attached to it. Rhaegar braced and the arrow sprung from it and Rhaegar turned to see the arrow stab a tree. The tree was just close enough to Merrett Frey that had swoly but surely been isolated as he fought the outlaws and rained blow after blow on his armor. He was soaking up more swords than he was dealing. Rhaegar cursed and began mounted the horse of the last mounted man he killed seuring himself he fought his way to Merrett Frey. Riding the out the outskirts of the fight Wanda came up on Merreet and shot another arrow killing his horse. The horse bucked and Merrett fell like a stone Wanda left her horse and rolled practically off it and rushed Merrett. Rhaegar yelled over the battle to try and get someone to help the squire.
"Rally! To Merrett he is being singled out!" Rhaegar tried but his path was impeded two outlaws blocked his path and Rhaegar engaged them parrying and hacking at them with Vlackfyre. One of them made the mistake of getting closer and Rhaegar cut his throat open for his troubles. The blood spurted from the opening staining his horse's brown fur. Rhaegar grunted and parrying another blow and hacking down with all his might and the outlaw in a desperate attempt brought his hands crossed up feebly. He cut through his hands flesh and bone driving Blackfyre into his skull splitting his head. The sword caught in the bone Rhaegar freed his boot from his stirrup and kicked the outlaw off it. Spinning Blackfyre once he rode to help Merrett Frey.
The squire hacked at Wanda desperately but the woman so bloody quick on her feet she tanlged Merrett's arm use her rope an outlaw came up behind him and smashed Merrett's back with a mace bringing him to his knees. The same outlaw took his helm off and Wanda kicked Merrett's face landing him flat on his back she quickly tanlged the rope around his other arm and took the other end to her horse stopped short of the battle's outskirts. She tied it to her horse and got on it. Three of his men made it to try and help Merrett. The outlaws yelled in preemtptive triumph and intercepted them Rhaegar rode as fast as his horse would carry him. A man got in his way and Rhaegar cut through him. Wanda snapped the reins of her horse and began riding away.
"Cut the rope, cut the bloody rope!" Rhaegar yelled but his men didn't make it in time Rhaegar grunted standing and looked to the tanlged ropes around his arms.
"Huh?" he said dumbly Rhaegar cursed in his mind and when he reached Merrett the rope went taught and he was pulled forward dragged on the ground his armor was the only thing keeping him from dying.
"AAAAHHHHH!" he yelled helpless as he was dragged away by Wanda. Rhaegar sprang forward she would be slower trying to drag that body around. Rhaegar was catching up when two riders caught up to him and cut him off. Rhaegar's horse raised to its hind legs and he leant forward Blackfyre raised until it calmed down and he fought his new foes. These seem to know better and Rhaegar grunted feeling one of them round him and slashing at Rhaegar's back his plate taking the hit. Rhaegar ducked as they swung for his head. They didn't seem keen on capturing him with Merrett now theirs, he wasn't sire if he was glad or insulted but Rhaegar fought on all the same and killed the one before him. Him dealt with Rhaegar was hell bent on taking this one alive.
Facing his opponent Rhaegar parried a blow and drove Blackfyre into his oponents horse neck. The horse neighed his rider falling but Blackfyre slipped from his grasp when he didn't pull his sword back quick enough. Cursing Rhaegar used the weight of his armor and threw himself at his attacker bringing him down. Holding him down as best he could the outlaw freed one of his arms and drew a knife Rhaegar caught the arm blocking the stab to his neck with his forearm. Then he snaked his arm around the Outlaws and grabbed it under his armpit, Rhaegar then using all his might bent it backwards and a snap followed by the man's yell told him he had broken his arm.
"I yield!" he lamented and Rhaegar panted looking at the outlaw for a moment.
"Good, you will be treated by our maester once I take you back provided you answer my questions" Rhaegar promised and carefully helped the man up. Rhaegar grunted bringing the outlaw up and when he turned to find his horse an outlaw had a bow up knocking an arrow back. Rhaegar had plate but his helm fell during the scuffle, cursing his luck Rhaegar turned and knelt bringing the outlaw to bare. The outlaw yelled and Rhaegar closed one eye a spurt of blood landing on his face as the arrow pierced clean through. The body went limp and he heard the man ride away as more horses neared his place Rhaegar peeked and saw Jaime with three riders at his back. With little effort Rhaegar tossed the corpse aside and stood wiping his face with his glove. He'd only hurt himself if he used the back of his gauntlet, Jaime stopped and looked around for a moment.
"The cowards fled, and all their friends are dead" Jaime sounded displeased, though none more so than Rhaegar weeks of scouting and then they got bloody tricked by one of the very Outlaws. Rhaegar sighed, and looked to his dead outlaw.
"Well we almost had that one" Rhaegar shrugged trying to find a brighter side to this. Though he could find none, they were still not one step closer to finding the Outlaws or their base of operations. Retrieving Blackfyre Rhaegar mounted his new horse as his old one was dead, he would put it in for a new trained horse to be sent to him from the capital. Horses ready Rhaegar went with Jaime to regroup with their scouting party. Seeing the carnage before him Rhaegar truly could find no bright side to this pointless battle that cost them Marrett Frey and not even a single prisoner to interrogate.
"My Lord, are you well?" Rhaegar approached Lord Crakehall who was nursing his shoulder where the outlaw had hit him.
"Aye just my pride I'm afraid" he quipped and then looked to Jaime.
"You saved my life, thank you Jaime you did well today more than Marrett" he grumbled with some distaste and anger at his squire being captured by the enemy and a woman no less. His pride was indeed wounded worse than his arm. After rounding what was left of his men, Rhaegar counted twenty men rode out of Kings Town, now counting himself and the highborn. Seven men were riding back with plenty of empty horses and graves hastily dug for the dead. The outlaw's howerver were thrown in a pit together. Lord Crakehall said it was fitting for honor less brigands. Limping back to Kings Town Rhaegar handed his horse to a stable boy and went to the Inn to get out of his armor. Entering he expected to find Arthur but instead he was greeted by the village elder again.
They talked of some happenings while Rhaegar informed him of his own trebulations and the elder vigorously apologized. He did not know Wanda was a brigand and immedietly put out word that if she should be spotted to notify the elder as soon as possible. Rhaegar then spent the rest of the morning arranging for tighter patrols and to organize another scouting this time with a force of thirty men and to follow the animal paths to the village with a formation meant for battle. Rhaegar would trust no more hunters the village provided he would have make his own paths and hunt the brigands himself.
Hours later Arthur arrived with his party from the twenty plus Ser Barristan, four men remained. Gods had they fallen for this trap so bad even Arthur had suffered the losses he did.
"A trap" Rhaegar stated the obvious, Arthur nodded and sighed.
"Aye lost most of my men that man Ulmer shot arrows like some bloody arrow making contraption." Arthur said amazed and angered.
"His arrows hadn't killed a man and he already had another knocked. Damn him and these outlaws" Arthur cursed.
"Calm yourself Arthur, we aren't done yet these sacrefices won't be forgotten or unpaid" Ser Barristan assured them all.
"Aye…they shant, but its only the beginning of a long and tiresome hunt" Arthur lamented.
"Tis true but hold fast my friend your sister and Princess Elia will be rescued no matter what" Rhaegar proclaimed, today had been a lost but it would not remain so forever
Eddard
280 A.C Lady of Lys
The Narrow Seat stretched before him Ned hard order hard sail and hard rowing to make it to the Kings Wood. His captain a former Ironborn raider had assured him they would make it by month's end. Ned had nodded he wasn't a sailor so he trusted his captain of his flagship. Ned joined his brother and Robert who were sparring on the ships deck egged on by the sialors and marines of the ship. Robert was proven the better man so far but his brother would yet still regain his footing and fight back putting Robert in the defence. His brother would swing high and low but Robert would outmaneuver him and then return each swing hard and fast. Both went at it for hours until one of them yielded or a draw was called. Robert won most of the matches but his brother was just as quickly catching up.
Another week sailing and they reached Dragonstone, though Ne wasn't happy about it his captain Faustus Pyke told him it would be wise. The men were tired and they needed rest before sailing once more so they stayed on the hospitality of the castellian of Dragonstone. Ned couldn't remember who the bloke was, how could he his mind was somewhere else. Sitting alone while Robert and Brandon drunkedly sang and led the sailors and men in song.
"Not for marrymet my Lord?" Ned looked form his cup, he was sitting away from the main party on the sandy beach of Dragonsotne. A massive fire lit the night where the drunken men sung.
"Not much in the mood" Ned said simply.
"Aye I heard yer lass is in trouble" he was rather forward but Ned always preferred forward men, like home in the North from being talked to politely and dance around the subject at hand.
"She is, taken by bandits who think themselves righteous no doubt" Ned grinded his teeth angry clutching his cup harder.
"I can understand the feeling, to a degree" the Iron born man said.
"How so?" Ned said wanting the focus to turn from him, he wasn't in a mood to share his feelings.
"My mum" he said simply and Ned looked to him.
"Is she…" Ned began.
"Fine and lovely in Duskendale my Lord" he smirked, and Ned smiled slightly.
"That's good to hear" Ned said feeling his spirits rise a bit.
"Aye it is, never wondered why an Iron born man captains your ship my lord?" he asked. Ne dhad been curious of that actually. More so knowing the reputation of the Iron born so he would know if he could trust the man under his command.
"Aye more than once" Ned admitted.
"Well if my lord has the time I can tell you how I made it here with my mum" the captain poured himself more wine from the jug Ned had brought with him to sit by himself.
"Why not?" he smiled and poured some more for himself.
"Well it starts as any story does, my father the right and mighty as he was sailed down to some town in the Shield Islands, before the local Greenlander forces drove them out he took a thrall…a woman" Faustus drank from his cup thinking of the past and Ned felt his smile tug downward knowing all too well what was next.
"So he did as all Iron Born do with thrall women, and raped my mum, until she was pregnant with me" he sighed looking up the night sky.
"I'm sorry to hear that" Ned said offering the man his sympathies.
"Ah don't be I'm not anymore, my mum said she isn't either because she got me as the trade-off" Faustus replied shrugging.
"My mum said he would beat her and threaten to drown her for the drowned god if she didn't give him a boy" grunted Faustus glaring at the dark waters of the night.
"When I was born my mother told me my drunken father stopped beating her, he found another girl to beat and left my mum to raise me" Faustus drank his wine and Ned himself poured him another cup nodding.
"When I was old enough to stand my father made me stand on his ship, when I was old enough to hold firmly, he made fasten sails and row oars. When I was old enough to understand he showed me how to understand the stars, and maps to sail" Faustus almost whimsically said with a wry grin.
"When I was old enough to cut wood he made me cut down my first man, heh some poor lug in Harlaw that tried fucking Lord Harlaw's wife" he smirked clearly remembering the rather dumb bugger.
"He tried to sleep with the Lords wife?" Ned raised a brow confused.
"Aye the Lord of Harlaw, they call him the Reader his wife was mad at him for one reason or other and entertained men to get his attention. One bugge went too far and tried going to her rooms." Faustus laughed madly slapping his knee.
"The Reader found him with his cock and breeches around his ankles when he went to see his wife!" Ned himself a hardy northern laugh at the mere thought.
"They say The Reader went silently to get his axe while the poor bugger bolted out of the room, by the time me and me old man caught him I cut him down with an axe to his skull" Faustus finished chuckling and sighed.
"Your first kill I take was good" Ned said with a somewhat bitter smile.
"Aye what about yours my lord?" he asked and Ned felt shame creep up on him.
"A Darklyn man stabbed him in the back sneaking into Duskendale" he said and the sailor hummed nodding.
"Well if you had warned him you'd probably have the whole castle coming down on you for the trouble" Faustus assured him though his kill wasn't clean it was a product of the time.
"Maybe but doesn't make me feel any better about it" Ned sighed and poured himself another cup.
"What man feels good about killing another man?" Faustus said making Ned think briefly. He didn't enjoy killing men, he did what he did because he had to. Not because he was fond of slaying men.
"No I suppose not" grinned Ned at his captain.
"Well after I killed that cunt, mah dad took me raiding and I found myself good at it" his captains sighed.
"Never took a liking to it though" shrugged Faustus.
"What kind of glory does a man get by killing an old man or a woman clutching her babe?" he looked haunted and Ned wondered if he had done such atroceties.
"So my dad well into his cups one day remembered my mother and started beating her, I was there and he was yelling and hollering and just kept beating her." Faustus said his voice growing darker and haunted.
"I didn't know what came over me I drew my sword and stabbed him in the back" Faustus said. He turned to me surprised of what I did like the drowned god appeared before him. Faustus finished his cup and sighed.
"I hacked at him until I felt my mum hold me and told me to stop" he shifted his eyes to the ship.
"I know kinslaying is a sin, no matter the god and even if he was a drunk and right fucker. He was my blood" Faustus said.
"So knowing what would happen I took my mum and all the coin and things we could gather sold most of what we owned and traveled to Seagard. Then wondered the mainland until I landed at Duskendale and proved myself a good sail. Lord Darklyns maester made me the captain of this ship" Faustus made a motion of his arms spread.
"Well that's it all I have to my tale" Faustus shrugged.
"Well that is a tale, going to tell it to your boys one day?" Ned smiled slightly.
"Aye I hope to have a son to show how to fix sails, how to sail and how to love the sea" Faustus smiled thinking of it.
"I hope that happens captain" Ned smiled lightly both of them remained quiet the off key singing of the men as a background. With the quiet Ned thought of Ashara once more but this time he saw her in his minds eye. Standing before him and standing next to her clutching to her dress a young lad grey eyes holding a wooden sword.
Bit of a dull chapter sorry but yeah I hope you enjoy the bit of Rhaegar's trouble with the outlaws. Short update not much to say enjoy my friends.