Chapter 31:

Spencer took in a deep breath. Then another as she struggled to fully breathe in the cold air. Silence was all that greeted her awakening. Tears came unbidden down her cheek. She had not cried when she had left her father but now the tears came. Flashes of events passed ran through her head and she could not ignore them or push them away. The silent tears became quiet sobs as she tried to push away the recent memories. Not moving, she continued to cry in the snow, almost ready to give up and die there.

She felt the cold gathered around her before she heard a shuffle coming towards her. A warm tongue greeted her face as she tried to remember why she was lying in the snow. The tears came quickly and silently as the recent memories assaulted her. Phantom let out a small whine, the direwolf unsure of her mistress' condition. Now is not the time for tears, Spencer scolded, I must find a way back. She slowly stretched and flexed all of her limbs and sighed when she realized that nothing was broken. A few bruises were all that was left. She pushed herself up slowly and sought out her surroundings. She rubbed a hand over Phantom before whispering "Thank you," to the direwolf. I need a horse…and some food and water.

"Come. We must get back." She urged her body to move towards the edge of the woods. If she could find an inn or a farm for the night then she could begin to find a way to travel. She needed to avoid any bands or small groups until she was certain of their loyalties. Phantom walked silently beside her. As she reached the end of the trees, a new sight greeted her. All the tents had been destroyed or torn. There were bundles lying outside each tent, other signs of looting. Anger and sadness washed over her. Spencer steeled herself. First Riverrun, then…I will come back for them. There was no one left in the camp and Spencer could almost feel the ghosts of the dead surrounding their belongings. She searched through the camp, stopping and crouching at any sound. "I need food, Phantom and a weapon. No, a sword would be better. Help me." The direwolf set off not far from where Spencer continued her search. She found a few water skins but the cold had turned the water to ice. She continued to forage until she found a full water skin with the water still flowing. Phantom returned, dragging a sword behind her which Spencer picked up. The weight of the sword was a little too heavy for her but it would have to do. A map flapping in the wind caught her attention and she snatched it before looking over it. First Riverrun.

The Twins had not been far from Riverrun so Spencer decided to retrace the journey made before. If I follow the Trident I shall be in Riverrun in a few days. The sound of a footfall on the snow and a low growl from Phantom made Spencer turn. Jhogo walked towards her, favouring his left leg. Spencer flung herself at the Dothkari warrior. "I thought you had been murdered, with everyone else."

"And they call us barbarians. These Westeroi cowards could not face an army like men. Instead they sneak and crawl on their bellies like the snakes they are." Jhogo spat but he held onto Spencer.

"Did anyone else live?" Spencer asked as she moved away from the bloodrider.

"I have seen no one," Jhogo answered, placing a hand on Spencer's shoulders. "I am sorry for your loss. We shall avenge their deaths, you and I."

"We will." Spencer answered with quiet conviction. If not I then who else, she questioned. "We need to return to Riverrun and inform my uncle of what has happened here. I do not remember everything…what happened during the feast?"

Jhogo's frown deepened. "It was treachery, like snakes in the grass, waiting for an unsuspecting prey. We were all drinking and feasting when the doors of the hall were shut, holding us within. Your brother sensed the treachery and tried to rouse the others from their feasting but it was too late. I knew the Khaleesi would not forgive me if I did not bring you back to her alive so when the chance arrived, I took you with me outside the castle. There was slaughter outside. Those not within with us were killed in their sleep, or wherever they stood. Your animal" he stated as he pointed to the direwolf beside her, "did a better job than I of protecting you. One of those men had come from behind and tried to end your life. I stopped him but he managed to hit your head with his attempt at a killing strike. As soon as I drove my sword through him, I carried you to the woods and waited for you to awaken. You arose while I had gone to search for food and shelter."

"So…no one else survived."

"I am sorry."

No tears, no more until the time is right to mourn. Rivverun must be warned of this betrayal. "Let us begin our journey. I fear this treachery has not ended yet."

The bloodrider dragged his own bundle onto his shoulders and waited for Spencer's signal. After a final look around, she turned towards the river to begin their journey.

Sorry for the length of this one but I felt that I needed to close this section before moving on with the story. As always, leave your thoughts!