289 AL
Chapter II - Jorah I
It had been a day worth of battle since King Robert Baratheon and his liege lord Eddard Stark had landed on Pyke with their forces. The battle had been fierce but the Ironborn had been pushed out of Lordsport and the Botley Castle was all but destroyed under the combined might of the Baratheon/Stark host. They had moved upon Castle Pyke, the seat of House Greyjoy afterwards.
The Stormlanders had brought in plenty of siege engines and managed to bring a part of the southern wall down.
Thoros of Myr had been the first one to jump through the breach in Pyke's southern wall. His sword coated in Wildfire, giving him a fearsome appearance. Jorah himself was not far behind him. And charged into the fray as well. He didn't know how many Ironborn he had slain that day. But victory was now all but assured. He had seen Maron Greyjoy getting captured by two Stormlander Knights, they would most likely gain a hefty reward out of it.
But when Jorah, Thoros and a mix of Baratheon and Stark man were about to enter the main hall of Pyke, where Balon Greyjoy was cowering on his Seastone Chair they heard a fearsome growl coming out of the main hall. Jorah and Thoros cautiously entered the great hall of Castle Pyke. The men in their company lingering behind them, fearful of what was about to come.
They saw a huge half naked figure standing in the great hall, easily 7 feet tall. Jorah would have thought that Gregor Clegane had stripped himself of his armor and went on a killing spree. That is until the creature turned around. Revealing it's demonic face. Glowing red eyes stared at him, while the enlarged canines of the demon-man formed a terrifying grin. Short and black spiky hair that grew slightly upwards only made his look more fearsome.
Jorah readied his sword, judging from the bloodbath around the creature it did not plan to surrender. Thoros was once again the first to strike, his flaming sword reaching for the demon-man's naked chest. With a fell swoop the demon-man it's sword connected to that of Thoros, shattering the flaming blade. A few drops of wildfire burning on the creatures chest.
Jorah wasn't sure what to do, his honor demanded him to stand and fight, but seeing the creature made him question this as a valid course of action. 'Who are you! Speak!' He demanded of the creature, hoping it was at least capable of speech. The creature grinned, 'You are not worthy of knowing my name. But you should know this. You shall die on this battlefield. ' The creature took another mighty swing, this time at Jorah.
Jorah managed to barely dodge the incredibly fast attack of the creature. 'Well done, not many manage to dodge my swings. I must be out of practice.' The creature spoke, moving towards Jorah, who was now unable to dodge due to the unfortunate position he brought himself into while dodging the previous attack.
As the creature was about to strike at Jorah Thoros of Myr charged into battle once again, using a second sword he managed to cut the distracted creature. The cut was however shallow and the creature simply shrugged it off. 'Weakling!' The creature swung it's fist at Thoros knocking him into the wall of Pyke. As it once again took a swing at him Jorah knew that his last moments had come, yet he stood valiantly. Sword and head raised against his oncoming death.
Suddenly he heard arrows soaring through the air, a dozen or so archers had lined up not too far behind him. Pelting the creature with arrows, yet the arrows did not seem to penetrate the wounds creature it's thick skin. Then two men ran forward, his King Robert Baratheon rushed at the creature with his enormous warhammer. The creature was obviously stunned for a moment. Though Jorah wasn't sure if this was due to Roberts' strength or the arrow volleys he had just taken to the chest.
'Good! Good! Fight me! Hit me with your strongest blow! Show me that humans can fight!' The creature bellowed at Robert. Who was entering his infamous battle fury, living up to his House it's name. Jorah's liege lord Eddard Stark was covering the King's flank, his Valyrian steel greatsword Ice was apparently strong enough to block the creature it's blade. But Eddard wasn't, forcing both Jorah and Eddard to strike at the creature while Robert was busy pounding it with his hammer.
However the sense that they were equal with this three on one battle didn't last very long. As the creature suddenly grabbed Roberts warhammer, throwing the King of his balance. But not before King Robert had managed to break several of the creature it's ribs. Then Jorah saw something unbelievable, the 7 feet tall man-like creature started growing. It's hands became even larger and claws grew out of his fingernails, his skin turned red as a strange fur started to cover it's entire body. The already announced canines and predatory mouth changed into that of a true beast as two large horns grew above the creature it's red glowing eyes. And two humongous bat-like wings emerged from it's back.
'This is the second time in a few years that a human was able to truly injure me... So allow me to show you why you will never be able to defeat me despite your skill.' The creature threw it's sword away, and let go a mighty and deafening roar. 'Now this is exiting, you three have made my blood boil as it has not boiled in many years, to face opponents like you... Fight me! Do not let me down!'
King Robert was about to charge in again, but Lord Eddard stopped him, 'Lord Jorah, get reinforcements. We can't win like this.' Jorah made a quick bow and ran towards the door of the great hall. King Robert and Lord Eddard attempted to fight the creature again, but they stood no chance now. Even King Robert with his immense strength was tossed aside as if he was nothing but a ragdoll.
Jorah soon returned with dozens of crossbowmen and men at arms, King Robert and Lord Eddard lay on the floor, bloodied and bones broken. But not dead.'Spears! Line up in front of the King and Lord Stark! Crossbows shoot that demon!' Jorah ordered, as the Stormlanders and Northerners charged in to defend their liege lords. Many were struck by fear when beholding the demon. But for now their discipline and loyalty won out over cowardice.
The creature was soon being pelted with arrows, while spears struck it everywhere as soon as it moved towards the crossbowmen. Jorah and Thoros, who had regained consciousness quickly brought Lord Stark and King Robert to safety. But King Robert suddenly stopped them and stood. 'Demon! Know this, I Robert Baratheon will not rest before you are dead!' Jorah was shocked that the King could still talk, let alone stand. But nonetheless his declaration to the demon had apparently impressed it.
'Hahaha! Very well Robert Baratheon! I, Nosferatu Zodd will spare all of your lives for today. And to you Robert Baratheon! I foretell you this, beware of the Lion!' The demon said as he laughed with an inhumanly deep voice and started to flap his wings. And with a mighty blow of it's wings the demon known as Zodd flew through the roof of Pyke, into the setting sun of the Ironman's Bay.
All of the men present let out a sign of relief. They had survived an encounter with a demon! And even Pyke had been submitted. It was not long after the battle that a few soldiers found Balon Greyjoy his corpse amongst the victims of the demon. As Robert recovered after a night of sleep he ordered the captured Maron Greyjoy, second son of Balon Greyjoy to swear fealty to him as Lord Paramount of the Iron Islands. Balon Greyjoy's youngest son, Theon Greyjoy was to become a ward at Winterfell. The Greyjoy Rebellion was over, but the effects of the encounter with Nosferatu Zodd would be fellt all across the Kingdom.
Cyricist001; Essos should indeed be (relatively) easy pickings, off course it won't be a complete cakewalk. The Hawks will face at least some proper resistance.
I personally think that Robb Stark would use the Behelit. In a situation like the Red Wedding (Spoilers?) where he loses everything, it could happen. And I wouldn't drop such a major hint if I wasn't going to use it right?