Chapter 6
Eddard POV
Eddard repeatably cursed those Skagosi in his mind. They hadn't just killed his emissary, a man who had served his family since his father Rickard was Lord of Winterfell, but they had also launched a sneak attack on Karhold. Luckily the Karstarks were more then used to attacks from wildlings and Skagosi, and Lord Rickard was a more then competent commander and he'd been able to repel the attack, though not without losses. Both Rickard Karstarks uncle Anolf and his cousin Cregan were killed in the assault.
He was standing in Rickard's solar in Karhold with Wylis Manderly, Greatjon Umber, Roose Bolton, and the Lord of Karhold himself. Bolton, Umber and Karstark were chosen for their close proximity to Skagos, as well as revenge in Rickards case. Wylis was present because the Manderly fleet would be used to ferry their troops to Skagos.
There were three thousand Stark and Bolton men each, two and a half thousand Karstark men, two thousand Umber men, and one and a half thousand men from White Harbour. Twelve thousand men in total and more then enough to bring Skagos to heal. The actions committed by the three Magnars of Skagos angered him more then he could possibly believe. Yes relations between Skagos and the main land had never been good, and Ned knew that many of the islands inhabitants weren't pleased with his 'meddlings', but he hadn't forced them to change their traditions, he hadn't forced the magnars to bend the knee and swear fealty, but that may have been part of the problem. Ned had forgotten what the word Magnar meant in the Old Tongue. King.
"The Manderly fleet had blockaded Skagos, preventing them escaping and from seeking allies from beyond the Wall." Ned statd as he assessed the situation while staring at a map of the North laid out in front of him.
"Do we have any ideas of their numbers?" Wylis asked. After all, it was without question that they outnumbered the Skagosi, but the question was by how much.
"We don't know their exact numbers but considering the size of the island, and reports of its population I would put their numbers at around 3,000." Ned answered the heir of White Harbour.
"Then what are we waiting for?" Rickard demanded angrily, his rage clouding his judgement. "We outnumber them four to one and we have the island surrounded. Lets attack hard and fast and leave the island in ruins." Ned did not like the approval that crossed the faces of the other lords at Rickards words. True he had no love for Skagos but the idea of wiping out the island and its inhabitants just didn't sit right with him.
"Rickard's right." The Greatjon stated loudly. "The Skagosi are like wildlings, good warriors but not soldiers." Ned couldn't help think that, that was the closest thing to a compliment that an Umber had ever given wildlings. "Can they hold a shield wall? Repel a cavalry charge? No, they can't. Unorganised and undisciplined, and we have better armour and weapons. So what are we waiting for?" The Greatjon asked.
"Because this won't be like the last two times we went to war, or our previous encounters with wildlings and Skagosi." Roose Bolton staed in his quiet voice, but Ned was pretty sure that he could here traces of annoyance in Bolton's voice. Umbers and Boltons, though not necessarily enemies, the two families were by no means friends. "There are no castles to capture and to lay siege to, and we'll be dealing with an army of what is basically wildlings, not a raiding party that numbers a dozen." By the time that Roose had finished speaking, Ned was in nod doubt about the patronising tone of his voice, and by the way Greatjon clenched his fists he detected it as well.
"So what do you suggest Lord Bolton?" Wylis demanded of the Lord of the Dreadfort. Though he was loyal, Wylis, and by extension his father and brother, weren't warriors and soldiers. Their true value to the North was their port and their wealth, not their skills in warfare.
"Lord Bolton is right, and so are you Lord Umber." Ned answered instead of Roose. "If we attack hard and fast then they'll retreat further in land and use the terrain to their advantage." Guerrilla warfare was a bitch to fight against and required both time and wealth to combat, neither of which Ned could afford to waste.
"So what do you suggest Lord Stark?" Greatjon asked respectively. Though brash and occasionally acting with little thought, the Lord of Last Hearth respected his liege lord a great deal.
"We need to attack them on multiple fronts and surround them." Ned answered as he pointed to Skagos on the map. "The Manderly fleet will land our forcres on these three shores. The bulk of their forcs are on this shore here," Ned stated, pointing at said shore, "Me and Lord Rickard will take our forces and engage them in battle. Ser Wylis and Lord Umber will land their forces on this shore here, while Lord Bolton lands on this shore. While me and Rickard engage their forces, you three will capture the island. Understand?" He asked them to which they all nodded.
Rickard was mere then a little pleased about the chance to avenge himself on the Skagosi, though the Greatjon was feeling a little miffed about the fact that he would be absent from the major battle. But he respected and acknowledged that Ned's knowledge of warfare was superior to his own, and if he ordered him there then the Greatjon would go there.
A loud horn drew all the lords attentions and a few moments later a guard dressed in Karstark colours burst into the war room. "Pardon m'lords," the guard spoke bowing respectively. "But our scouts reported a large host of men heading towards he castle."
"Skagosi?" Rickard spat in question.
"No my lord, they're arriving from the east." The guardsman answered, piquing their interest.
"Are they carrying a sigil?" Ned asked the guard.
"Yes Lord Stark, a bear on a green field."
"Mormont." Ser Wylis stated in surprise, something that was mirrored by the other lords present. There was quite a distance between Bear Island and Karhold, Maege would have had to march her forces day and night without rest in order to reach Karhold. But the question was why? Despite the atrocious actions of her nephew, Ned didn't doubt Maege's loyalty. Hell Maege was more disgusted by Jorah's actions then anyone, but that didn't change the fact that Maege didn't need to bring her forces, which meant that their was another reason.
"Send Lady Maege here when she arrives." Ned ordered the guard and bowed before leaving.
"So, why do you think the She Bear's here?" Rickard asked in an attempt to lighten the atmosphere.
"Ha, knowing her she heard about the battle and couldn't risk the opportunity to show off." The Greatjon suggested while laughing, causing the lords, minus Roose, to let out a few chuckles.
For the next ten minutes while the five lords waited for Maege to arrive, they spent that time planning, and re-planning the strategies to use against the Skagosi. If there was one thing the gathered lords, all proven war veterans, knew it was that in war every plan more often then not went to complete shit. After the ten minutes the very same guard led Maege, along with her oldest two daughters Dacey and Alysane ino the war room.
Maege was a short, stout, grey haired woman in her early fifties, not that it affected her strength, and she was a ferocious warrior that had few equals in the North. She was currently dressed in patched ring mail with a spiked mace strapped to her waist. Alysane looked like a younger version of her mother, and was in her early twenties and had a sword strapped to her waist as opposed to her mother and sister who favoured more destructive weapons. Dacey however was a large contrast to her mother and sister in appearance. The heiress of Bear Island was neither short nor stout, standing at near six feet tall and like her sister Alysane, Dacey was in her early twenties. She was also more attractive then her mother and sister, and wielded a morning star. Both of Maeges eldest daughters had fought in the Greyjoy rebellion so he had little doubt about their skill in arms.
"Lord Stark." Maege proclaimed loudly as she bent to her knees, with her daughters following her example.
"Stop polishing Rickard's floors and stand up Maege." Ned ordered with a smile, causing the she bear to let out a booming laugh as she enveloped her Lord in a bone crushing hug. If she hugged him any harder then Ned was sure that he wouldn't have been able to fight in the coming battle due to a broken rib. Or three.
"So Maege, what brings you here you old hag?" Greatjon asked her once she released their liege lord, and rather be insulted Maege let out a booming laugh before she turned serious.
"Ironborn." The way she spoke showed her opinion of the pirate like people. An opinion that everyone present shared. "Ever since Euron fucking Greyjoy attacked Dragonstone the number of Ironborn ships spotted by my scouts has tripled, and though there hasn't been any raids yet, it's only a matter of time, and my forces are far too green and inexperienced. They need a good blooding, and my daughters could do with the experience." Maege finished pointing a thumb at her two daughters behind her. If Ned remembered correctly Maeges daughters had only been involved in minor skirmishes during the Greyjoy rebellion as opposed to any of the major battles.
"We'll take every man, and woman," Ned told her. "That you have for the battle."
"Good. Now what are you lot planning to do with those fuckers?" Maege asked clapping her hands together.
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Theon POV
Theon stood on the deck of a ship, 'The Direwolves Howl', that was personally commanded by Lord Stark. He could see the island of Skagos in the distance and Theon couldn't resist the smirk that crossed his face. On the Iron Islands you weren't considered a man until you killed a man, and while Theon had killed wildling raiders before, he'd never fought in an actual battle before.
Theon knew he was arrogant and impulsive, but he wasn't stupid and thanks to Rebekah, though he was loath to admit it, he knew that his position was the Heir of the Iron Islands was in no way as secure as he had thought. He hadn't wanted to believe Rebekah at first, about how his father favoured his sister Yara over him, but after talking to several merchants and traders, a couple who were even from the Iron Islands, he could no longer deny what he had been told. As a result Theon, though he loathed doing it, had spent a lot of his time in the Winterfell library, researching the Iron Islands.
The North did not have a fond opinion of the Iron Islands, considering the way the books criticised his peoples tradition and history, but there was one thing clear in all the books, the Iron Born only respected strength. If he ever wanted to be Lord of Pyke then he had to prove himself strong, and this battle was the perfect chance.
As they got closer to Skagos Theon couldn't help but glance at Lord Stark. Truthfully Theon's thoughts towards Lord Stark were very conflicted. On the one hand the he had played a large part in his fathers downfall, and Theon knew that no matter what anyone said he was a hostage. But on the other hand the man had raised him, cared for him and while he didn't necessarily see Lord Stark as a father figure, he did see him as an uncle of sorts. He was a hell of a lot better then any of his true uncles, not that their was much competition. Rodrik cared only for his books, Victorian for his battles and Aeron for his faith. And the less said about his uncle Euron the better.
"Nervous Theon?" Lord Stark asked as they neared Skagos.
"Ha, ha, nope Lord Stark." Theon replied confidently, ignoring the look in Eddard's eyes.
Lord Stark chuckled a little at his words. "I was the same before the Battle of the Bells, certain of victory no matter what."
"You speak as if we're going to lose." Theon questioned suspiciously, feeling confused. "We outnumber them more then two to one." Basic maths suggested that the largest army won.
"War never goes as planned Theon. One day you'll be Lord of the Iron Islands and in the event that you lead men into war you need to understand that. Hope for the best but prepare for the worst because that is all you can do in war Theon." Theon couldn't help but stare at Lord Stark, his words giving him a strong dose of reality.
"Thank you Lord Stark." Theon said honestly as he and Lord Stark returned to staring intently at the Island. There was no port or harbour on Skagos and so that they'll have to use longboats to reach the beach. Theon could just make out the Skagosi army on the beach, and he fingered the sword strapped to his waist eagerly.
"Halt the ship and lay anchor." Lord Stark bellowed and the 'Direwolves Howl' halted to a stop, with the other ships in the Manderly fleet following its example. "Prepare the longboats." Lord Stark ordered and about a dozen men on the ship did as ordered. Once the longboats were ready Lord Stark stood at the front of the ship and raised Ice, the fucking massive valyrian steel great sword of House Stark and bellowed, "Come with me and take this Island." Stark's proclamation was met with a resounding cheer as all the men drew their swords and followed Lord Stark into the longboats, Theon included.
Despite his highborn status Theon found himself rowing the boat he was on, along with seven other men to the beach. "Heave. Heave. Heave." Someone kept bellowing and more then one Theon resisted the urge to tell the cunt to shut himself up. Theon felt his arms beginning to ache and he couldn't help but acknowledge that rowing a longboat, even with so many other men, was no easy task, and the waves and the rowing caused the water to splash everywhere, completely soaking him.
Rowing, rowing, rowing, until finally the longboat reached the shore of the beach. 'Finally, time for battle,' He thought as he got off the boat and drew his sword, only to duck as an axe was swung at his head by an absolutely massive Skagosi, as fucking tall and looked just as strong as the Greatjon, dressed in stitched together fur. Ducking under another swing of the axe Theon slashed at the wildling with his sword. Unfortunately for the heir of the Iron Islands luck wasn't on his side as his opponent moved with a speed that should have been impossible considering size, and proceeded to slam his sword with the axe, the resulting force causing Theon to drop his sword.
"Shit." Theon muttered as he faced his enemy unarmed, except for the bow strapped to his back and the dagger on his belt. Theon kept backing up into the sea to avoid the swinging axe, before he tripped up and fell into the ocean. The wildling raised his axe above his head and Theon, moving with a speed he didn't realise himself capable of, drew the dagger from his belt and rushed at his opponent, driving the knife through his neck before he could bring the axe down on him.
Theon couldn't help but look around him in shock. Their army was still at the shore of the beach, only just getting off the longboats when the Skagosi attacked them. 'This isn't how it should be,' Theon thought confused at the battle. The Skagos army wasn't at the shore of the beach, it was further in land, they must have rushed to the shore and engaged them directly, but why? Yes it gave them an early advantage but by waiting they would have been able to hail arrows on their army, causing them to lose countless men attempting to reach them. Proof that the Skagosi didn't fight with conventional tactics Theon realised.
Shaking himself from his thoughts Theon withdrew the bow on his back and knotted the arrow, his brief encounter with his opponent showing his skill with a blade was sum what lacking. Pulling back the string and then releasing it Theon smirked as he watched the arrow fly straight into the eye of a Skagosi who was rushing towards him, killing him instantly. Knotting another arrow he released it into another enemy, saving the life of a man in Karstark colours who didn't see the man coming up behind him.
For a long time the battle remained just like that for Theon, standing near the edge of the battlefield , picking off his enemies one by one with a bow an arrow. His skills with a sword may only be average but he was one of the best archers in Winterfell and he was putting his skill to good use. Until a voice called across the battle field, drawing his attention.
"STARK." A loud voice bellowed. Theon looked towards the man speaking. He had long thick blonde hair and looked nearly as big as the Greatjon. He also carried a massive hooked scythe in his hands that was coated with blood.
"Weeper." Lord Stark spat back, his voice filled with more loathing then Theon had ever heard from the man before. Lord Stark cut an imposing figure dressed in boiled leather armour and with his Valyrian steel great-sword Ice in his hands. Theon remembered scoffing about the fact that Lord Stark was using such a ridiculously large weapon in battle, but the sight of a dozen bodies at Lord Stark's fee and the fact that Lord Stark and his sword was absolutely drenched in blood showed the man's skill with the weapon.
"I admit that I didn't expect your cowardly southerner ass to ever have the guts to attack us." The Weeper yelled as he swung the scythe with an impossible speed at the quiet wolf. But despite the speed that the Weeper moved with Ned Stark was able to duck under the scythe and swung Ice at the Weeper, only for the attack to be blocked.
"And that was your mistake Weeper." Eddard snapped at him. "In order to build ties I was willing to look over your past crimes, but rather then take the opportunity you chose to attack the North, and for that you will die." Despite the battle raging around him Theon couldn't tare his eyes away from the two warriors, it revealing a side of Ned Stark that he had never seen. Snapping out of his thoughts Theon knotted another arrow and aimed at the two warriors trying to get a clear shot, but he just couldn't. The two moved too fast and Theon couldn't take the chance that he'd hit Lord Stark.
"It'll be you that dies Stark." The Weeper growled back as he dodged an attack from Lord of Winterfell. "And after I kill you I'll take your daughters as my sluts, fucking them until there's nothing left and then I'll let every man in my army have a go at them. Imagine the sight, the proud and noble daughters of Lord Eddard Stark turned into sex slaves." The man finished with a dark laugh and Theon saw Eddard falter slightly.
"You know I was going to give you a quick death, Weeper, but for that, for threatening my daughters, I will make you suffer, and you'll be begging for death before I kill you." Eddard vowed in a deadly cold voice that actually sent a shiver down his spine.
Eddard and the Weeper attacked each other again and Theon saw two Skagosi rushing at the two, and he launched two arrows at them, killing them both as well as any other enemy that tried attacking Lord Stark.
HHHOOOOWWWWLLLLL.
Theon looked towards the source of the sound. It seemed to be the mix of a roar and a howl and came from a freakishly large beast. It looked like a wolf, but it as too large, even from the distance that it was at, Theon could easily tell that it was the size of a horse. A freakishly large wolf with grey fur and that was running towards Lord Stark at a speed that no horse could match.
Theon reached for another arrow from his quiver only to find he had run out of arrows. 'Oh shit,' Theon thought as the wolf gave a massive leap into the air and he hoped that someone else managed to kill the blasted thing.
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Jon POV
Jon rode alongside Rebekah as they traveled through the Riverlands, only a few days ago having been at the ancient and ruined fortress of Harrenhall. It had been an imposing sight and a permanent reminder of the folly of the Ironborn. But it had confused Jon greatly that even after the fall of the Targaryen regime it was still a ruin. True it would cost a fortune to restore to even a fraction of its former glory, but its location was both strategically and economically invaluable with the surrounding lands being some of the most prosperous in the Riverlands.
Jon couldn't help but glance at Rebekah who rode on a horse alongside him, humming a tune as she was deep in thought. Jon tried not to stare at his cousin as he tried to determine his feeling for her but he couldn't help it. She was a very beautiful woman. Traders and merchants often praised the beauty of Margaery Tyrell and Queen Cersei but Jon had no doubt that Rebekah could easily match them. With soft features, alluring eyes and flowing dark hair she was easily the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Her developed body and very form fitting clothes were also were very distracting Jon thought as he pulled his eyes from his cousin so she wouldn't notice.
Jon was smart enough to acknowledge that he was attracted to his sister, and he hated himself for the way that he constantly reminded himself that she was in reality his cousin. But still Rebekah had been raised as his sister, and was his sister in all but blood, and it was wrong. 'Not that it stopped my ancestors,' A small treacherous part of his mind thought.
"You're brooding," Rebekah spoke in a song like voice.
"I am not brooding." Jon defended himself, even though he was actually doing just that.
Rebekah just snorted at his words. "You brood like an eighty year old lady."
"Oh, so I'm an eighty year old lady now?" Jon asked back with a large smile.
"Yep." She replied popping the P. "Not that it seemed to bother aunt Lysa." Rebekah said mischievously, causing Jon to shudder at the mention of her aunt. While travelling the Riverlands they had stopped at Riverrun and by pure luck, or perhaps bad luck, Lysa Arryn had decided to visit her family in Riverrun. Why that shrill full woman had decided to visit her family when it was clear as day that she loathed them Jon didn't know but she had and if you believed the guards it was so she wouldn't have to suffer her husband in Kings Landing.
But still, the way that woman looked at him actually scared him. It wasn't hatred, hatred he could deal with. At first he didn't know how to describe the way she looked at him but by the time they left Riverrun he had no doubt about it. She lusted after him, and the thing that proved it was when she had taken her breasts out to feed her son, who was six years old, and gave him what she must have thought was a charming smile, when in reality she simply looked constipated, and asked him if he would like to feed from her as well. Jon didn't think he had ever ran so fast in his life. And worst of all was that Rebekah had found the entire situation hilarious.
"You know I was tempted to give her the keys to your room." Rebekah stated, causing him to groan.
"Please stop Rebekah, your giving me nightmares." Rebekah just laughed.
After riding for a bit more they stopped to water the horses at a lake, but not just any lake. In she distance Jon could just make out the Isle of the Faces. There was a lot rumours about the Isle, even deep in the North. It was a place surrounded in mystery, and many people were known to visit the Isle. It was said that before conquering Westeros, and again before his death that Aegon the first Targaryen had visited the Isle. It was even rumoured that before the Battle of the Trident where he met his end that Rhaegar Targaryen had also visited the Isle.
"Your curious about it." Rebekah stated as she smoothed her horse.
"Aren't you?" He asked her.
"Yep." She answered before looking over his shoulder and he noticed her eyes widening in alarm. "Get your sword now." Looking behind him Jon saw five riders heading in their direction, and he quickly withdrew his sword from where it was strapped to on the horse.
Once the five riders reached them Jon saw that they all bared the sigil of House Frey on the their clothes. They were a far way from the Twins. "Where are you heading?" Who Jon assumed was their leader asked. Like most members of House Frey he had the classical weasel like looks, unlike most members of his family however Jon could see intelligence and cunning in his eyes.
"Harrenhal." Rebekah answered. Unlike him she wasn't holding a sword but he could make out a concealed dagger in each of her hands.
"Why Harrenhal?" Their leader asked.
"We have business at Riverrun, we're stopping at Harrenhal for suplies." It took Jon a minute to realise what Rebekah was doing. Relations between Riverrun and the Twins were tense, their respective lords holding nothing but disdain for each other. There was no way for the Freys to prove Rebekah wrong, and if they did take her to Riverrun Lord Tully would more then likely put them in chains for attacking his granddaughter.
"What business could you possibly have with Lord Tully?" The Frey demanded.
"Our business is our own." Rebekah snapped back at them.
"You're a far way from the Twins." Jon stated, speaking for the first time as he pointedly looked at the sigil he bared.
"And you two are a far way from the North." He snapped back. "Do you know what I think?"
"Don't know and don't care." Rebekah snarked back at the man, causing his eyes to twitch in anger.
"I think you two are thieves and poachers-."
"Coming from a member of House Frey that really ironic." Jon was starting to get really alarmed by what Rebekah was doing and he tightened his grip on his sword just in case.
"And in the name of King Robert and Lord Hoster Tully you two are under arrest."
"No chance Black Walder." Rebekah replied with complete loathing as hurled her twin daggers at the Frey guards, or more accurately their horses. Rebekah's aim was true and and the daggers embedded themselves into two of the horses eyes, killing. Without wasting a second she grabbed the dagger that was on his belt and launched it at the third horse, leaving only one horse left. The man on the last horse charged at them drawing his sword. He was swung his sword at Jon but the attempt was sloppy, and he easily dodged under the slash, and he was able to stab his sword at the man, his sword going right through the man's stomach, killing him.
Jon didn't have a chance to acknowledge the fact that he had just killed someone, the first time he had ever killed someone as Black Walder started attacking him with Jon only just able to hold off his attacks. After several parries and blows Jon was able to slash his sword downwards, cutting Black Walder from shoulder to stomach.
"No please have mercy, have mercy." One of Freys guards begged for mercy as Rebekah stood over him, with a sword at his throat. His pleas for mercy however had no effect on Rebekah as she drove the sword through his neck.
"He surrendered." Jon stated, staring at Rebekah in shock as she turned to look at him. Her eyes, they were emotionless, no compassion or mercy in them. Jon knew that Rebekah could be ruthless, but being aware of it was one thing, actually witnessing it was quite another.
"And I didn't accept." Rebekah stated coldly as she walked towards him, stepping over the body of Black Walder.
"You didn't have to kill him." Jon snapped at her angrily.
"And what would you have had me do? Put him in chains? Take him to Riverrun? My grandfather would have likely executed him for attacking us, as would most of the Riverlords. Maybe he would have taken the Black, or maybe he would have chosen death over it. In the end it really doesn't matter." Concentrating on each other Jon didn't see Black Walder twitching, or reaching for a knife.
Jon did however see him pull Rebekah to the floor and drive his knife through her stomach, again and again. Jon reacted instinctively. He slashed his sword and took off Black Walder's head. Crouching down next to Rebekah Jon urgently placed his hands on her wounds, applying pressure. Jon was no maester or healer but he knew enough to know that when someone was badly injured you needed to put pressure on her wounds. "Come on Repekah, stay awake." Jon spoke encouragingly to her as he slowly lifted up her tunic, revealing no less then five stab wounds. "Shit."
He slowly rolled the tunic down, causing her to gasp in pain. "Sorry," He told her, drawing his attention from her wounds to her face and he was shocked by what he saw. Rebekah's normally blue eyes had changed colour to red, while the whites of her eyes had darkened to the point that they looked black, while she had some very prominant veins under her eyes now. Pulling his eyes away from her face Jon concentrated instead on the matter at hand, her injury.
There was no way that Jon could treat those injuries on his own. He could bandage them but he had no way of preventing infection. She needed a professional, but there was none nearby. It was nearly a two days ride to Harrenhal and she wouldn't make it. There was only one place, Jon realised as he looked straight ahead of him.
The Isle of the Faces.
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Davos POV
Davos stood alongside Lord Stannis as the two of them spoke to Salladhor Saan. He could tell that Stannis hated being in the presence of his old friend, in fact he was almost spurised by the fact that Lord Stannis hadn't attempted to imprison or execute Salladhor. Davos knew from personal experience how Stannis dealt with criminals. "So you mean to tell me that you have no idea where he is." Stannis demanded angrily from the pirate lord.
"Salladhor Saan has told you all he knows, that the Greyjoys fleet has scattered to Pentos, Lys, Myr and even to Slavers Bay, but the Crow's Eye's ship is not among them." Salladhor defended himself, causing Lord Stannis to grit his teeth and Davos noticed his hands clenching in anger and decided to interfere.
"Is there anything else you can tell us Salla, maybe an idea of where he went, or perhaps knowledge of someone who might know where he's gone?" Davos questioned before Stannis lost his temper and attempted to take Salladhor's head. He could tell merely being in the pirates presence angered his lord a great deal.
"No Davos," Salla stated before he turned to Stannis. "I know it probably means nothing to you my lord but I am truly sorry for you daughter." Stannis merely nodded in return and he and Lord Stannis returned to the castle while Salladhor returned to his ship.
"Well, that was pointless." Stannis snapped as they walked to the castle. His lord had possessed a level of fury that Davos had never seen when they had learnt about the attack on Dragonstone, not that the former smuggler could blame him. Shireen was the most sweet and innocent girl that Davos had ever met, and now she was the prisoner of quite possibly the most feared Iron Born alive. He knew that Lord Stannis was a hard and unfeeling man, but the kidnapping of his daughter had affected the man greatly. For all Lord Stannis' faults, he loved his daughter greatly. As for what had happened to Lady Selyse, well although she was an unpleasant woman, and that was probably the kindest possible way to describe her, she didn't deserve what had happened to her.
"We may not have learnt about where Euron is heading but we now have the names and locations of those who helped him." Davos pointed out, and while the chances were slim it was possible that those who helped Euron may know where he was heading.
"Tell me about the state of our ships?" Stannis instead asked.
"We have a dozen war galleys ready to pursue the Ironborn." Davos answered the middle Baratheon brother. "Maned by experienced sailors and soldiers from the lords of the Narrow and Sea and several of the Storm Lords." Stannis merely grunted in response, deep in thought and only half paying attention. "If I may ask m'lord,"
"My lord." Stannis automatically corrected.
"My lord. Why did you get rid of all the Florent guards?" One of the first things that Stannis had done when he had returned to Dragonstone was ship all the Florent guards back to Brightwater Keep and it was something that was bugging Davos.
"Tell me Ser Davos, do you know where the Florent guards were during the attack?" Stannis instead asked in return.
"I heard that Ser Axell recalled them into the castle to protect Lady Selyse and Shireen."
"For all the good it did." Stannis muttered. "Euron's knowledge of the layout of Dragonstone was perfect, he knew the exact positions of the guards and which parts of the castle were the least defended. As well as where Shireen and Selyse were within the castle." Davos felt like his blood had turned to ice when he realised what Stannis meant.
"You think someone helped him." Someone that was a Florent, was left unsaid.
"I know it." Stannis answered as the two of them continued on their way to the castle.
End of chapter 6. Please Review.
Yes I know the Weeper is a wildling and not a magnar on Skagos but I wanted a sadistic and bloodthirsty character and he just fit the bill
In case anyone's curious I've decided to list the kingdoms of Westeros in terms of wealth (At least how I rank them), showing where the North used to be and where it is now. Though I must say it was hard to rank the wealth of Dorne, Riverlands and Crownlands and deciding which region was the wealthiest.
After Robert's rebellion.
1) The Westerlands
2) The Reach.
3) Dorne.
4) The Riverlands.
5) The Crownlands.
6) The Stormlands.
7) The Vale of Arryn.
8) The North.
9) The Iron Islands.
Now (2 years before season 1)
1) The Westerlands.
2) The Reach.
3) Dorne.
4) The Riverlands.
5) The Crowlands.
6) The North.
7) The Stormlands.
8) The Vale of Arryn.
9) The Iron Islands.