Author's Notes –
Thanks for sticking with this fic as I know that it's been awhile since the last update, well, any of my fics. It is summer, and I have been busy with yard work and doing other stuff outdoors on the weekends and after work. Don't expect regular updates until the fall.
I know that some readers might feel that I've nerfed the White Magic, but if you think about it, White Magic doesn't always revive someone, especially in the world of Tactics. White Magic does not keep people from dying! Tetra's death prior to the battle at Fort Zeakden is a great example of the limitations of Revive and Phoenix Down. I'm treating those as being able to restore those rendered unconscious to fighting form, not bringing them back to life. In the game, there is a stat-line for times your characters have been "wounded", i.e. knocked out, as well as casualties for the times when a character actually dies (drops a crystal or treasure chest). The later is actually a stat needed for a character to become a dark knight (fifty kills – opponent drops crystal/treasure).
Think of it this way – in the beginning of Tactics, the characters have crappy equipment and thus it takes a bit to render an opponent unconscious. Once unconscious, it takes time for someone to die (turn into crystal/drop a treasure chest) though there are some exceptions. Bosses in most of the boss battles end when a boss has been wounded or if killed, the boss stays dead.
As to the classes of the Stormriders, well, I'm using the classes from the troupe that I used in my most recent completion of the game. This is from an exchange I had with a reader. I realize that in the game you never really use Alma so you can't control her class/job growth, so I've beefed her up.
Ramza of course has mastered everything.
Radd is a master knight, squire, and dark/fell knight; he is also a capable bard
Cid is a master holy knight, knight, and squire
Meliadoul is a master Templar, knight, and squire; she is also a capable dancer
Rapha is a master Heaven Knight/Skyseer, Black Mage, dancer, geomancer, summoner, white mage, mathmatician, mystic, and chemist
Marach is a master Hell Knight/Neitherseer, black mage, white mage, bard, ninja, theif, geomancer, time mage, and chemist
Beowulf is a master Templar, knight, squire, dragoon; is a high level samurai, and mystic
Reis is a master dragonkin, and is notable but has not mastered each of the magical fields, accomplished as a knight, and a dancer
Alma is accomplished in all of the magical jobs, but is only a master mathmatician, white mage, time mage, and black mage -
The other Stormriders all mastered Squire, Chemist, and Knight job classes. Only Temperance has mastered Dragoon, the twins are master thieves and ninjas; everyone else is high level but have not mastered the other job classes.
Though they are masters, there is a difference in levels that will play a role in later chapters.
That's it for now.
Please read and review.
Jon
Only those who had spent their entire lives north of the neck understood that winter was not the only season that the harsh land experienced. Most of the Sworn Brothers buried themselves in two or three layers of furs to protect themselves from the chill of the Wall and the north, but not John. Having been raised in Winterfell he was comfortable with winter and though it was far colder at the Wall, he could feel warmth in the breeze that the other Sworn Brothers missed.
As one of the few native to the north he knew what crops were best suited for the cold climate he was tasked with helping the new settlers of the Gift. The cold was the main opponent, but there were ways to deal with it if one was willing to do so. Hearths were essential for each house, and the largest ones required one per room. But even hearths could not keep out the chill of the north. Few had the settlers had the resources to build a solid home from mortared or cut stone, and while wood was plentiful, it was not as good at keeping the cold out. What many resorted to was building/digging homes that were underground. While not as deep or intricate as Moletown, the structures were sturdy and warm. What worked for the settlers worked for their animals as their instinct to survive drove them to settle into the subterranean barns and caverns rather than to remain in the elements too long. This also helped the farmers from having to worry about their animals wandering too far away as the animals began to adapt to live in the north. Unfortunately too many animals had perished over the winter, though it only helped add to the stores for the settlers, Stormriders, and Sworn Brothers.
With more settlers also came the need for more firewood, and the tools needed to harvest the wood, and the cleared areas allowed for more settlers the space needed to build their new homes. Though buildings could be erected, they would not be complete until the ground thawed enough for them to harvest enough clay to finish lining the walls with cob. With the Builders busy rehabilitating the castles along the Wall, the work in the Gift was primarily handled by the settlers and the few Stormriders that were available to help.
Though he interacted and knew many of the Stormriders, Jon's mind always drifted back to Rapha. Having never traveled to Dorne or even seen anyone from the always hot desert lands, Jon assumed that the Dornish had the same sun-kissed skin as Rapha though he doubted that they were all as beautiful as the Stormrider's mysterious mage. While each of the senior Stormriders were able to utilize magic, it was clear that some were more skilled than others. Rapha, Alma, and Reis were in charge of the troupe's magical lessons, lessons that were not limited to just the scores of Stormriders, but to the Stewarts of the Night's Watch as well.
Many of the Stewarts were now capable of starting their hearth fires with a fire spell but only Jon was capable of using it during battle. The Stewarts though saw little need for the ice/blizzard spell as it was already cold and usually freezing out but they assumed that the lightning and fire spells would be much more effective in battle. Only a few Stewarts had actually seen the spells in use though as the senior Stormriders were the only ones confident enough to use the spells during actual battle.
As experienced as the Stormriders were though, Jon could not help but notice that the troupe employed unusual tactics. Rather than relying on their numbers they relied on their speed and skill to overwhelm their opponents. It was hard to anticipate where the Stormriders were going to appear and engage their opponents. While the Night's Watch opted to settle in and fortify a position, the Stormriders tended to engage in places where their enemies were most vulnerable.
"Your flame spell burns hotter than the others," Rapha stated as she eyed the burnt corpse of a large boar. The stench of burnt hair filled the grove where the mixed group of Stormriders and Brothers of the Night's Watch had encountered the singular of boars. Using the end of her staff she flipped the corpse over so that the flames were smothered between the corpse and the snow. "Because it is so hot you need to mind where you aim your spells."
"I'll be needing a new cloak," Samwell sighed as he eyed his cloak. "This is as hard as a shield now."
The others chuckled as they began to clean the remains of the boars. While a few of the boars had their fur completely burnt off but the others would make good furs. The three other Stormriders were recent additions though they had easily held their as the group dealt with the well-fed singular of boars.
"This is more than our horses can bear," Jon stated. "It is unfortunate that we did not have one of the grumpkins with us."
"We have made good time thus far," the olive skinned woman stated, "it would behoove us to make the most of this. There is a farm not too far from here we might be able to convince them to allow us to use a cart if they have one."
As the senior Stewart, the decision was Jon's to make. Having taken a less traveled but more direct trail they were well away from the main road but with the number of new settlers and their farms/ranches springing up throughout the Gift, they were never far from some settlement. "Let us take what we can to them, and then come back for the rest on the morrow if necessary."
Between the six of them they were able to hoist a boar onto each of their horses before walking their mounts towards the farm. They were a day out of Queenscrown and bound for Icemark when they had first caught sight of the boars.
The grand old boar had been nearly as tall as the horses and twice as wide with tusks as long as his forearm. A few sows were impressive in size but significantly smaller than the old boar, and the rest only came up to the underside of the horses. The singularity was worked up perhaps because of an encounter with a hunter or some other predators and had charged at the armed travelers.
It had been unfortunate for the boars that they had come across them as the Stormriders and the two Sworn Brothers quickly moved to more favorable ground. A few arrows had been loosed but it was the volley of spells that had rattled the swine. Rapha's unusual magic had been the first to strike, unleashing bursts of mystical energy at the charging singularity.
Lightning and fire were the most popular and thus practiced spells, and flew readily at the enraged swine. Yet the swine continued their charge, enduring the magical volley to close with the half-dozen young warriors. Swords, spears, and axes were drawn and in the span of a few minutes the swine had been cut down, though a few had simply run off.
Having seen how effective the magic that the Stormriders used was, Jon understood why they employed the tactics that they did. They spaced themselves out as they did because the spells they used had a large area of effect. Though only a few spells affected the terrain, the spells did affect animals and plants in the area, and targeting an area versus targeting an opponent affected the tactics that opponents employed. By timing spells and targeting the area where the swine were likely to cross the Stormriders were able to injure the swine as the beasts charged them. It also meant that they need not target the swine who had been outside their range of targeting when they had first began chanting their spells.
The Stormriders always preferred to keep their battles short and quick. Their magic was effective and disruptive, but there were limits to how often they could cast their spells, meaning that if their fights went too long they would lose the advantage that their spells had created. Only the more experienced Stormriders were able to handle long, extended fights or battles. It was a glaring flaw easily exposed by those with proper training and experience. Fortunately all their opponents thus far had either been quickly dispatched for had their spirits broken after the display of devastating magic.
It was nearly nightfall when they had reached the small farm. In exchange for some of the meat that they had they were allowed to use the family's spare cart and bunk in the loft of the barn. As most of the buildings were partially underground the loft was the part of the building that was above ground. Even the best constructed buildings allowed some of the freezing winds in though the walls provided some measure of protection from the elements.
He could not help but note that Rapha and the only other female Stormrider huddled together, sharing their heat beneath their blankets and keeping out the cold. He felt an odd pang of desire at the thought of huddling in the blankets with the olive skinned teen.
It was a natural reaction for any young man such as himself, though he could not help but wonder how the handful of males in the Stormriders reigned in their desires. The fact that a good number of the young women who had joined the Stormriders had worked in the brothels would seem to make it difficult for the young men to deal with their carnal desires. Even the Sworn Brothers had spoken of how attractive the various girls in the Stormriders were and what they would do to them had the girls opted to work at the brothel in Moletown.
He'd taken a vow of celibacy, as did all Sworn Brothers, but not all of them took that vow as seriously as they were supposed to. Why else were there brothels in Moletown and Queenscrown? But he was not like the others, or was he?
Radd
The warm spring breeze had a hint of salt reached the remote window of the lofty tower, a reminder that the season was nearly over.
"It is unbecoming of you to appear nervous," Tywin stated. As always the man was standing by his desk eying the accounts and memos. "You need to focus on your duties and studies."
"I find it unusual that I have yet to meet my future bride," Radd countered as he looked over the preparations for his fast approaching nuptials. "And I have completed the readings."
"Your uncle has had to tend to his own business since our return from King's Landing," Tywin explained. "With your wedding fast approaching he has had to take care of his own affairs. If you truly have completed your readings, tell me, how much the going rate for mutton is in Lannisport."
"Currently the butcher pays eleven pennies per stone on a healthy, sheered sheep. This would not have anything to do with the fact that the Lannister gold has run out; would it?" There was a slight stiffening of his father's back at the question. In the month since he'd arrived Radd had made an effort to review all that he could about the finances and resources that his family had at hand. "I imagine that forgiving the king the loans that they had taken from us hurts, but it is more about supporting the lavish lifestyle that everyone else expects us to live." He could see the way his father's body moved as the proud man tried to hide his thoughts and feelings. Beneath the well-constructed façade there were minor tells that suggested something contrary to what was being verbally expressed. "We need not have a tourney – everyone will know who will win given the presence of Ramza and several other Stormriders. Without the need to refurbish the tourney grounds, host the participants, and the prize money to the winners we save at least a million dragons."
"The masses will expect us to have a tourney," Tywin pointed out.
Radd offered a slight nod as he ceded that point, "I have been raised as a Stormrider – we do not fight unless necessary. Our participation in the previous tourneys was necessary to establish to the realm how capable we are. There is no need for them to display their skills now. For all who arrive expecting to see the Stormriders display their skills, they will be greatly disappointed. Why not avoid that disappointment by not having the tourney.
"By making a spectacle of my wedding you are acknowledging that I truly am not your son, but by making some concessions to how I have been brought up you acknowledge that I was your bastard son but now recognize me, but also recognize that I have something of value to the family."
"His idea has some merit," Kevan's voice interjected. Both Radd and Tywin turned to face the house knight of Lannister, "but traditions must be maintained. Here in the West the bride will have five champions to defend her honor. Anyone may challenge any of the champions and should the challenger unseat a champion they may assume his place. At the end of the tourney the remaining champions will either confirm the Queen of Love and Beauty, or chose a new one. As the groom, you will not one of Janei's champions but must be a challenger. Should you fail to unseat any of Janei's chosen champions…"
Radd nodded, knowing that the rest need not be said. As a noble, in particular as the son of Tywin Lannister, he was expected to prove himself before the rest of the Lannisters and their guests.
"The boy has brought to the Lannisters a treasure that you have long sought," Kevan added as he deftly changed the topic. "Now he needs to name the blades."
The sword strapped to his side was rarely far from his reach. From the tip of the blade to the end of the hilt the sword was as long as he was tall though first hand span beyond the cross guard was dulled enough that he could grasp it despite the fact that the hilt was large enough to be held with two hands. The blade itself was red with golden edges, a dark gold cross guard and red hilt. It was considered a Valyrian blade, what the Stormriders knew as mithril and given the rarity of such blades was valued at over a million dragons. Still, his blade was special. "It has a name," he said as he caressed the cross guard. "Arondight."
"And the other?" Kevan asked.
The other was a mere ancient blade, one of several dozen that the Stormriders had in their armory, but it was the one that he'd had since the troupe had been able to purchase the weapons. The weapon was a sign of Ramza's trust and faith in him. Even though they had acquired and used other weapons before leaving Ivalice, he had always kept the ancient blade on hand as a back-up weapon until they had reached Westeros where it had become his primary weapon again. "Darkstorm," he replied. It had been his chosen family name when the Stormriders had been formed and the King had allowed them all to take a family name but seemed appropriate now that he was a Lannister.
Neither of the elder Lannisters felt the need to remark, though Tywin turned to his brother, "While it is always good to see you Kevin, I wonder what would have occurred that you felt the need to rush to Casterly Rock."
"I did not feel the need to rush," Kevan admitted. "But Janei wanted to meet her future husband. She is with her hand maidens as they settle into their new rooms."
Radd stiffened. Though she was the youngest of Kevan Lannister's children, she had seen seven more summers than he, an odd occurrence for a noble born woman considering that most noble born girls were considered women upon their first flowering and were often betrothed by the time they were thirteen and married by sixteen. For Janei to be unwed this long suggested that she was difficult in some manor or other.
As the heir to Casterly Rock, Radd and his wife were expected to live in the Golden Manor with Tywin though they would be housed in a separate wing of the building until he assumed control of the Lannister estates. The castle was impressive and appeared to have been carved out of the actual rock with scores of tunnels large enough that Sir Clegane could easily traverse the halls without needing to stoop or crouch. The castle was carved out of the mountain and overlooked the sprawling city of Lannisport. Manors were carved out of the face of the mountain, and the castle was perched atop the mountain. There were several barracks throughout the mountain, though the knights were given the choicest ones nearest the various manors while the guardsmen were stationed in the subterranean ones.
In the weeks since he had arrived in Lannisport, Radd guessed that he had seen only a third of the castle but he knew that there were still more hidden tunnels and passages, as well as dungeons, and torture chambers to go along with the libraries, farms, treasuries, guardrooms, kitchens, stables, wine cellars, sewer and aqueducts. Without the aid of anything but the map that Malach had drawn following his secret excursion to Casterly Rock, Radd knew that he would need to quickly establish an intimate knowledge of the castle should anything occur.
"Janei will be in her quarters in the lower Southern Manor," Kevan stated.
Radd nodded, knowing that he was being dismissed. It was unusual for Kevan to do so, but few who knew Tywin and Kevan knew that while the younger sibling often agreed with his elder brother, it was only because he actually agreed with the decisions that Tywin made, but for him to dismiss Radd implied that the two had other business that they did not yet want to share with the Lannister Heir.
The lower Southern Manor was of course on the southern side of the mountain and overlooked Lannisport and was halfway down the mountainside. Having refused to have a squire, Radd was instead appointed two companions – Tion Frey and Tyrek Lannister. Both were cousins by blood and near to his age as well, though they were not nearly as capable as he was with any weapon as had been evident during the Squire's Melee when both had failed to earn any notoriety and were not knighted. Neither had said anything of Janei other than that he would know her on sight. In fact no one had said anything to him about her other than that he would have to judge her for himself.
"Ser Radd is here to see his betrothed," Tyrek stated to the handmaiden stationed outside of Janei's room.
He allowed his attendants/companions to deal with the handmaidens and knights that were assisting Janei. It was what they were there for, though he hoped that after a few months the pair would be as quick with their blades as they were with their tongues.
"The lady is in the bath," the surprised handmaiden replied.
Radd took note of the slight flush on the young woman's face. He knew that he had descended the stairs far quicker than most – Tyrek and Tion were both winded – but it seemed odd that Janei would have a bath drawn for her immediately after she'd arrived at the Casterly Rock. While Kevin had lands near and around Lannisport, he lived in the upper Southern Manor so that he could attend to any business while Tyrion was absent. The move from the upper to the lower manor should not have been difficult or laborious… was it that Janei had let herself go as Tion's mother had? While his aunt may have been a beauty in her youth, the woman had not aged well though she continued to eat very well.
He was about to say something but a second handmaiden arrived, "The Lady Janei would meet with her betrothed, alone." Three more handmaidens exited Janei's chambers, the final one leaving the door open for Radd to enter.
Janei sat before her dresser so that she could see his reflection in the mirror. The robe she wore was a deep red with golden trim and a gold embroidered lion but it was the fact that Janei's hair was a dull yellow rather than Cercei's golden hair and while she was not as strikingly beautiful as her late cousin, Janei was nonetheless breathtaking. "Janei."
"You're younger than I thought," the stunning beauty stated, her grey eyes shifting from his reflection to the assortment of powders on her dresser, "but you do have uncle's green eyes. Come closer so I can have a better look at you."
He did as she asked, though he kept a respectful distance.
"Do you really need that?" she asked, her reflected eyes on Darkstorm.
"I find that it is better to be prepared and not need it then to need it and not be prepared," he replied.
Her dark brown eyes drifted from his sword to meet his green ones, "Was life in Valyria that difficult?"
"There were dangers everywhere but with good comrades one can create a safe zone."
"You do not have good comrades here?" there as an amused look in her eyes.
"You believe that the sheer number of men at arms and knights guarding Casterly Rock keep you safe, but I have seen the strength of their arms and"
"and they are not as capable as the vaunted Stormriders," she finished. She held his gaze even as the silky robe slide down her shoulder to reveal more of her smooth, white skin beneath in the mirror.
He kept his eyes from wandering despite her attempts to tempt him. Try as he might, he was not Ramza and his resolve wavered as she leaned towards her mirror to get a better look at her own reflection as she applied powder to her face to lighten her features. "While I do not mind the fact that my future wife wishes to discretely reveal her treasures to me, I find it suspicious that you would stage the fact that you just bathed and use that as a pretense for trying to seduce me."
There was a startled, almost panicked look in her eyes as she considered the situation. "So," she sighed, "it seems you are your father's son – a man immune to the wiles of a woman."
"That's not true," he said as he took a step towards her. "My father was not a man free of the desires of the flesh – had he been I would not be here. I hope to not have to worry about a wife that would try to undermine me or who would try to manipulate me."
Not bothering to cover up, she turned around to look into his eyes.
He was starting to get a better idea of his future wife but he did not want to give voice to his concerns just yet. Their relationship was still in its infancy and now was not the time to offend it was the time to appraise and get to know each other. "Please, do not let me keep you from your bath."
Sansa
The appeal of life in the capital city had long lost its luster to the eldest of the Stark daughters. While she had initially been hesitant to depart the first time, it was not until after she saw her father's injury that she realized how much danger lurked beneath the glamour cast by the capital city. Sansa had learned that she could not trust everyone and that a silver tongue combined with a keen mind, were just as deadly as a well place blade.
Still, the city had many offerings that Winterfell lacked. Fruits such as lemons and oranges were more plentiful and accessible, though food tended to spoil quicker due to the heat. The meat on the animals was less greasy and fatty as the animals did not need to store as much fat to deal with the harsh cold.
Since her return to King's Landing she had rarely dined alone as a good number of lords and ladies who sought her companionship during their meals, many seeking to convince her to wed their son and thus increasing the influence of their family. The old Sansa had loved lemons as the yellow fruit was a rare treat to her when she had lived in Winterfell but word of her preference for the fruit had led to the various nobles to have their cooks whip up a lemon cake or pie, which then turned into a competition to include lemons into other dishes. It had gotten so pervasive that one of the noble ladies had her cook serve up a lemon themed dish in each course of their dinner. It was no wonder that she had come to savor having her breakfasts alone where she could enjoy a simple mutton stew and bread with Jane and Septa Mordane.
"We may need to plant more hedges," Jeyne sighed as she glanced at the hedges. The sound of fire-hardened wood hitting wood and occasionally against padded armor reached her ear despite the thick hedge of shrubs that separated the yard from the garden.
Sansa offered a weak smile as she dipped her break into the stew, "The hedge was just planted, it will take a year or two for it to grow thick enough to block the sound of the men doing their drills. At least it shows that they are not content to be outshone by the Stormriders."
Jeyne nodded. Having remained in King's Landing when Sansa and Arya had been escorted back to Winterfell after their first stay, she had been on hand when the failed coup had taken place. "It was not that they were outshone, but that they were saved by the handful of Stormriders that came to the Hand's aid. Still, even after three months I have yet to know who all of your father's newest men are as they spend so much time practicing when they are not on patrol."
"War has been averted, but vigilance is still necessary," Sansa ceded. "Brann has written to me of the dangers that they face at the Wall and the hordes of wildlings that they have encountered."
"King's Landing is far from the Wall," her life-long companion and friend rebutted. "But you are not thinking of King's Landing, are you?" A mischievous smile formed on the other girl's lips. "Have you caught someone's eye?"
The redhead shook her head, "As the daughter of the Hand and the sister of the current Lord of Winterfell, I have caught many eyes."
"Has anyone caught your eye?" the other girl teased.
"Not as of yet," she sighed. "Lord Duram can wield a knife but only when cutting his mutton or fish; Lord Massey is too much like the king; Dickon Tarley is still a squire though he aspires to be a honorable and steadfast man; Monford Velaryon is far too young; Ronnet Connington is just a land knight but is easy on the eyes; Renly is easy on the eyes as well but…"
"You would prefer a lord closer to your age," Jeyne suggested.
Sansa nodded, unwilling to say what was truly on her mind when envisioning the King's youngest brother. "What of your own luncheons? Did you not have dinner with the Mertyns? I recall seeing him during the tourney but never saw his face beneath his helm."
Jeyne blushed, "Do you think we would make a good match?"
It seemed sudden, yet hardly unexpected.
"He is as good with a sword as he is handsome, and he is as considerate as he is firm," the other girl stated. "Milo favors the spiked hammer, a weapon that the Stormriders' trainees seem to have difficulty with in their spars."
With each passing day it was becoming more and more difficult for the once obscure band to ignore the requests that they train with various knightly and noble houses. Word of the strange man-like beasts known only as minotaurs and their raids in Dorne had reached even the Crownlands. That several accomplished knights and nearly a hundred men at arms had been felled by two score of the creatures, who in turn had been bested by half their number of Stormriders made the accomplishments of the troupe all the more impressive.
Her father had been worried when word had reached them that several Stormriders had fallen in the sorte, but it had been short-lived when he discovered that Arya had survived. Those who had fallen had been amongst the greenest of the recruits and had only ridden with the Stormriders from King's Landing to Dorne. The more seasoned members of the troupe had emerged unscathed of course.
Now everyone was taking the tales that the veteran Stormriders had told of the many strange creatures that they had encountered in the East much more seriously. The nobles that had remained in King's Landing after the brokered peace were now insisting that their knights be allowed to train with the Stormriders and ride out with their trainees on their patrols of the Kingswood and Crownlands. While there had not been any unusual creatures spotted in the Crownlands or the Kingswood, there had been word of other odd creatures appearing in the Narrow Sea as well as the lands east of the sea.
"I believe the two of you would make an excellent match," Sansa said with a smile.
"Worry not," Jeyne said as she placed her hand on Sansa's, "I do not think that a union would occur soon. The lady Mary Mertyn is traveling with the King and the others to attend the Lannister wedding. It is fortunate that so many of the lords and ladies have gone to Lannisport, if I flower before Lady Mary returns my father may agree to have me wed to Sir Milo as the Lady Mary wishes for a grandchild."
Sansa nodded and smiled. She knew that Milo was the third son of the Lady Mary, though the eldest sons had yet to produce any heirs. There was little threat for Milo to inherit the family lands, but the marriage was one that would add to the prestige of the lesser-landed noble family. The Pooles were also a lesser noble family, but the fact that the current head of the family was the steward to the Hand of the King was a significant accomplishment for a house whose only accomplishment thus far had been producing a member of the Kingsguard generations ago. A union between Milo and Jeyne would allow Milo to claim lands in the North as the he was unlikely to inherit any of the Mertyn lands or holdings.
Having already been engaged to the then prince, Sansa was wary of another hasty engagement. Her father was not likely to be rushed into another engagement, especially as the King had just married a new Queen, and neither man sought to further legitimatize the King's many bastards. Regardless, there were plenty of notable nobles who were not married and whose houses would benefit from a union with House Stark.
She knew that her parents loved each other, but they had only been married because her father had chosen to take his brother's place as her mother had originally been betrothed to Brandon Stark, the elder brother whose death had helped fuel the flames of Robert's Rebellion. While their marriage may not have been perfect, they had grown to love each other as they raised their children. It was more than the King could say of his first marriage. Clearly love and respect did not always go together.
Would she be able to find someone whom she could grow to love and respect? She had respected Joffery, but only because he played the part of the well groomed prince though he was more of a scoundrel. Still, he was trying to redeem himself through his service to the Stormriders and Night's Watch but the illusion that not only she but many had believed to be the truth. During the meeting with each of the potential suitors and their families she felt she had been able to see through the masks that the other nobles had presented and thus far there was no one whom had caught her attention. Perhaps it was the fact that Lady was always at her side whenever she agreed to dine with anyone, as the now mature direwolf was an intimidating presence that always had Sansa's best interests in mind. While the direwolf had not attacked anyone, she did have a talent for sniffing out when someone was being dishonest and insincere, something that helped Sansa greatly.
She was glad that a number of nobles had gone West with the King, though the caravan was surprisingly small when compared to the one that had gone North. Perhaps it was because the Queen was with child and thus remained in behind to lessen the risk of anything hindering the pregnancy. None of the members of the Small Council traveled with the King either, though five of the Kingsguard accompanied him. The most notable of the nobles to head West was Lord Stannis, though he had opted to take a ship south and around the coast of Dorne and few of the other nobles went with him.
Having come down from Winterfell twice in the past year, Sansa did not feel the need to travel West. He father saw this as a good opportunity to study with his steward Vayon Poole in the managing of a household. In a way he was trying to prepare her for marriage though he was not actively seeking to match her with anyone.
What time she did not spend supping with other nobles or with Vayon was spent riding with the men. When the men had first come down from Winterfell they had been boastful and confident in their ability to defeat any number enemies, but the failed coup had proven them wrong. Even outnumbered, they had accounted for themselves killing a score while losing a dozen. The numbers advantage had been all that was needed by the usurpers as they had left only twice as many men to deal with the Hand's men so that the Kingslayer and the other kingsguard that sided with the Lannisters were free to confront the Hand and the King. Had it not been for the five Stormriders that had intervened the men from Winterfell would have fallen along with the King and the Hand. Those five warriors had bested three of the kingdom's best swords along with a score of Lannister red cloaks.
The score of young men that had accompanied Sansa and Arya south were different. They were younger and had been impressed by the accomplishments of the Stormriders who, for the most part, were just as young as they were. With youth on their side, the men eagerly took up their practice weapons and threw their hearts and arms into their training. That a score of them trained with the Stormriders and their trainees everyday also helped improve and sharpen their skills with their weapons.
With permission from the King, Sansa took a small contingent of the Winterfell men with her into the Kingswood twice a week so that Lady's instincts would not be dulled and her hunger sated. While Lady could and would eat scraps that the cooks provided most agreed that the direwolf needed to be allowed out into the wild to hunt occasionally.
Queen Margery favored her falcon but Lady Sansa preferred to let Lady loose. The direwolf always came back with some kill, usually small boars but occasionally a buck or a bear. With all that had happened since she had first departed from Winterfell, she could not help but see her wolf in a new light. The incident at the Trident had been eye-opening and had been the catalyst for the former queen's downfall.
At the time she had been unsure and uncertain, but looking back on it now it was clear that Joffery had been a manipulative boy who had expected the world to bow to him. And yet it was his mother's mask that had been the most insidious and deceptive. That he had conspired to have Bran killed just because he had felt slighted in having to pretend to be sincere to an injured boy had turned her stomach, but the reason for Bran's injury had been the result of discovering the affair between the queen and her brother, and that the queen had attempted to have her husband the King and those loyal to him murdered was beyond repulsive and deserving of the execution that she and her co-conspirers received. The former queen was a prime example of a woman who was able to present a sweet face with a honeyed tongue that hid all the venom and contempt that simmered beneath the surface. Now whenever Sansa was speaking with of the other nobles she could not help but wonder if there was something malicious behind the masks that they put up.
Oberyn
The swift sand steeds that were famous in Dorne were famous for their endurance and speed, and only the most skilled riders could master riding those steeds in battle. As good as the Stormriders were they often opted to dismount before engaging in battle.
As a small troupe of less than two score, they encountered several packs of wild animals, further emphasizing the lieutenant commander's order that the remaining Stormriders always have their weapons and armor on hand. Marauders were a different thing altogether as most had heard that the troupe was riding through the land and opted to avoid the youths regardless of the fact that they comprised of youths that had barely been tested in battle. Oberyn credited it to Ramza and the Hound's presence as both were renowned fighters whose fame had spread like wildfire. Once they had reached Ocean Road there had been nothing but the occasional hunting trip to provide food for the troupe when no inns were closeby.
When the Stormriders had first arrived in Dorne the troupe had been unable to recruit anyone but after the encounter with the minotaurs a few adventurous souls had volunteered even knowing that they might be bound for the Wall as the former prince was.
He could still not look at Joffery without feeling the heat of his rage welling up within him. The boy was clearly his father and mother's child in appearance but was far different from the spoiled royal brat that had hired an assassin to kill one of the Eddard Stark's children. Perhaps it was because Ramza had broken down the boy and rebuilt him into fine young man, but Oberyn could not help but hope that it was just a well acted charade. Even though the golden twins of Tywin Lannister had been killed, Oberyn knew that his sister and her children had not been avenged.
"Everytime I see him I want to plunge my blade into him," Elia muttered as she reigned in her mount so that she was now beside her father.
"By the time you neared him his arrows would have already pierced your breast," the seasoned warrior stated. "Young Darkhill may not be as quick as his mentor, but he is skilled with his bow. Besides, there are twice as many of them as there are of us. Even if we had twice their number we would fail."
He turned slightly to his left so that he could see his niece beside him, "Did you not see how they fought the minotaurs? Ramza is small, but he stood firm against the charge of the minotaurs. He and his troupe did what five time his number of Dornish blades could not do. Had I not witnessed it myself I would have thought it a fluke.
"We cannot beat him as we are, that is why I want you to ride with them and learn from them. Such skills will make you all the more formidable and fearsome. I do not wish to make the Stormriders into our enemies. They serve the Iron Throne, and He currently sits on the Iron Throne."
"Then we merely find different dance partners," Arianne suggested.
Oberyn offered a slight nod, "Just steer clear of the newest Lannister – he is a former Stormrider and is every bit Ramza's equal with a weapon. The Lannisters owe us a debt that cannot be easily paid."
"All the more reason"
With the quickness of a viper, he slapped the rump of his daughter's horse, sending it into an unexpected flight while also silencing the outspoken girl. "They owe us a debt, but there are new players on the field – it is best that we tread lightly as we return to the grand stage."
"What would you have me do?" Arianne asked as she watched her cousins chase after Elia.
"Stay with Trystane and when we reach King's Landing, propose to the Hand that your father wishes to strengthen the ties between Dorne and the Iron Throne by suggesting a possible union between Trystane and Sansa Stark. You will need to get a better measure of the girl before you and thus your father can agree to such a union, but it will be an excuse for you to get close to the girl and get her measure." His eyes lead hers to the younger Stark daughter that rode beside several Stormriders. "Speak to your cousins and impart with them the importance of training with the Stormriders, particularly Ramza and the Hound. Learn what you can from him but keep an eye on the fallen prince."
She gave a slight nod even as she spurred her mount so that she could join her cousins.
While she was not the oldest of the girls, the Sand Snakes all looked to her for direction as she had qualities that each of his daughters knew that they lacked. He had not tasked her with trying to seduce the Stormriders' lieutenant commander because he knew that Ramza had an uncanny ability to see through others' insincerity. No, Ramza would have his hands full with Elia.
More and more sails appeared on the ocean to their left, a sign that they were nearing Lannisport. For much of the trek, he had allowed the girls their freedom as he observed their interactions with the Stormriders. Though Elia was closest in age to Arya Stark, the two had a frosty relationship as they both sought to train and spar with Ramza. Elia wished to avenge her previous loss while Arya refused to be outdone by any of those she deemed her peers. Both girls were better than most of the Stormriders recruits and only the gangly woman and the Hound were older than Ramza but they were clearly not as impressive with a weapon as Ramza. That he was a master of several different weapons made him an even greater threat as he was truly unpredictable and fluid.
Still, he had his hands full with the gift that he was going to be presenting to his former comrade turned Lannister heir. That forced Arya and Elia to train with the Hound or Brienne and the recruits while the other Sand Snakes failed in their attempts to try and spend more time getting to know the young bastard and his squire.
Joffery Darkhill was bound for the Wall after his year of training with the Stormriders as were most if not all of the boys. He still wore the Stormriders' trainee armor but his cloak was all black unlike the light grey that the other youths were adorned with. The original Stormriders would remain as Stormriders, as would most of the first recruits, but with the royal decree that their troupe could not have more than a hundred men, it would not take long for the few men to be outnumbered by the hordes of young women that could not join the Night's Watch. Still, the Stormriders would bolster the Night's Watch's numbers as the small recruiting party lead by Ramza would convince many to move to the Gift.
As the group had not sent out any advance riders, they entered Lannisport with no fanfare where they found a small inn on the outskirts of the city to settle into. Seeing all the banners of the various noble or knightly houses that had assembled in Lannisport irked the Red Viper. There was still too much bad blood between the Martells and the Lannisters.