Chapter 19
Author's Notes: I can't even begin to say how sorry I am. I spent the last 2 weeks sleeping 4-6 hours a day because of midterms and assignments (which finally ended today, yes!) and I could never find the time to update. BUT I am back!
The wind blew across the forest, barely lifting the snow but chilling all within its reach. The khalasar had landed and placed their camp in the forest leading up to the Wall. The cold was something the bloodriders had not expected. Many of Ashley's Dothkari people could barely suppress their need to leave the cold behind them. Some said they could feel eyes watching them when they ventured out from the camp. Others laughed at these suspicions, claiming that the Dothkari gods would melt away their fears of the cold land with their fire. Still, a sense of unease had drifted into the camp since they had landed in Westeros. The horses showed that all was not as it seemed in this place.
"Your Grace, we must leave this forest," a man could be heard, in the middle of the camp. "There are things here which would relish our demise."
"I have heard this before, ser, and again I shall tell you that it shall not be so. We will stay until whatever it is that sends men running comes out to meet us. No true warrior sulks under trees, only thieves and murderers. We shall wait."
"I do not fear. We shall wait also." Another man spoke up.
The wind screeching outside stopped all talk. It seemed as though the wind was talking, sending a message to someone out there.
"Tighten our defenses Jhogo. I may want to stay but I will not be foolish enough to ignore the signs."
"Yes, Khaleesi." The man left the manse in search of the patrol.
A blast of chilled wind blew into the tent. It raised the hackles of all inside and sent the dragons into uneasy flight. Now, Ashley could feel it. She had sensed something out in the forest but had vowed to not show any weakness or failings in front of her khalasar. I will not be afraid, she strengthened herself.
"Khaleesi…" Ser Barristan began again.
"I know, ser. Double the patrols. Something haunts these woods."
"Yes, Your Grace."
As the old knight left the tent, horses whinnied to the east of the camp. Ashley stood up, her senses screaming out that something had entered their camp.
"Drogon, Viserion, Rhaegar. To me." Ashley whispered as all went silent again. Her bloodriders drew their swords silently, listening out for any disturbances. A cry was heard, then another. More and more began to ring out in the cold air.
"Daario, I am heading outside. Flank me. I will meet these so called spirits face to face."
"As you wish Khaleesi."
Ashley left the safety of her tent and was greeted by bloodriders running towards the south of the camp, towards cursing and screams of horror.
"Rhagar, gather the Unsullied and meet us on the other side of the camp. Make sure that some remain behind to protect those who cannot fight."
"Would it not be better for you to stay behind Khaleesi?"
"And let the people question my courage? Not today, Rhagar, not today." Ashley felt more than saw Spencer slip into a space beside her. "I know you warned me," she whispered to the Westeroi, "but I must do this."
Spencer strode forward, keeping up with the pace of her queen. "Then all I can ask is for you to not die."
"That is a request I can grant."
The three dragons circled high in the sky, waiting to spot their prey and protect their mother if the need arose. As Ashley approached the sounds of battle, a Dothkari warrior ran up towards Ashley's party.
"Khaleesi, they came from the woods. We cannot see them but they see us."
"Where are the patrols?"
"Gone, Khaleesi. No one has heard from them since they left the camp."
Ashley frowned. A dragon has no fear. "Light a torch, every one of you. If they cannot be seen in the dark we shall burn them out. Fan yourselves out. Keep in tight circles. If one falls, mend the circle again. I shall not have these creatures have sway over my fate!"
The sounds of battle would come and go. The circles formed by the khalasar slowly encompassed the camp but the enemy still could not be found. When silence prevailed, all that could be heard was the harsh breathing of the soldiers around Ashley. They show no outward fear. Good. We may win this battle yet, she thought, determined to banish her own terror.
The attacks ceased. Then, shrieks were heard over the wind. Shrieks of those that seemed enslaved to haunt the earth for eternity. Ashley held onto her own sword, sweat dripping from her hands even in the cold air they currently stood. As they shrieks grew closer, Ashley whispered her command. "Dracarys."
Fire rained from the sky as her warriors fired flaming arrows towards their tormentors. The world around them lit up, revealing the enemy. Man-like figures with disfigured faces and ragged clothing had surrounded the camp. Their weapons still had blood dripping from them into the snow. The creatures seemed to stare deep into a man's soul as their shrieking rose into the sky. The snow around the camp melted at the onslaught of heat.
Ashley shouted out one more command. "Nevren!"
The whole army surged forward in wider arcs, aiming to defeat an enemy that seemed to be invisible. The swords slid through the ghosts and seemed to have no effect. The soldiers then took their torches and used them to drive the ghosts back. Each flame that touched a ghost seemed to consume them no matter where they ran.
"Set them all on fire! Do not let them escape, they cannot live to see tomorrow. Nevren!"
"Nevren!" was the resounding answer.
Ashley found herself fighting beside Spencer. If she had not been relying on her own sword to survive the night, she would have noticed the determination and skill that Spencer now possessed with her sword. Spencer kept herself within arms-reach of Ashley, making sure she could sense the other girl near her at all times. She had been afraid at first, remembering the stories from her childhood of these woods but when she was faced with the choice to run or stay and protect Ashley, it became no choice at all. Her torch swung in time with her sword, leaving a trail of light as she swung. Around her she could smell the bloodshed and she fervently hoped that not all would be lost this night. As she turned towards her next opponent, she ducked as a sword had prepared to drive straight through her. Clenching her jaw, she began the dance again, a show of fire and metal. Gods, we must survive this night or all is lost, she thought. Spencer turned to find Ashley still fighting beside her and stopped breathing as she saw an axe heading towards Ashley, away from where she was.
A cry from one of the bloodriders stopped the axe from completing its full swing. Ashley had swung her sword up to block the axe at the sound of warning. Her movement managed to save her arm but the axe sliced through her sleeve leaving a bloody cut. She side-stepped another swing as she searched the sky for her dragons. Finding Viserion nearest to her she beckoned him to her.
"Viserion, Dracarys!"
The dragon, now as white as the snow around him, swung his head around at his mistress' voice and breathed hot flames onto her adversary. The being screamed in pain as it slowly burned away in front of Ashley's eyes. As soon as she had seen its demise she turned, ready to win this battle.
"Spencer, to me!"
As soon as the fair-headed girl had joined Ashley pressed forward again, her bloodriders fighting to keep her in their protective circle. They fought for what seemed an eternity to Ashley, each fight draining her but she would not rest until it was done. The world around her became flashes of steel and fire, all those around her determined to fight, determined to win, and above all determined to be victorious for their Khaleesi.
A cry of "Nevren!" rose up from the khaleesi and it was echoed by her khalasar. Then…dawn broke.
'Nevren' is a World of Warcraft word (for those of you wondering). I'm not really sure what it means but I figured it suited the word 'Attack!' really well so I used it :) Apologies for the lack of Spashley but I think after reading this chapter you'll understand why that couldn't happen this time around. We will get there people, just stick with me til then. Now, click the little button below please.