Game of Thrones: New Era

Chapter 16 of my Game of Thrones story, enjoy.

Reviews

wazzup11: Well, my note at the end makes my thoughts on them clear. As for what happens, wait and see :)
Marina Ka-Fai: Uh-huh, yep :)
Boris Yeltsin: Thanks; glad you enjoyed it :)
Wolfgirl2013: Thanks and not for some time, as her second chapter is also her last chapter in the story and series.
Veridissima: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it, glad you like her.

Now onto the story.

Disclaimer: Game of Thrones belongs to George R.R. Martin.

The Silent Warrior

The tent was silent save for the rasp of the whetstone against the warrior's blade. Outside the tent, the typical noise and activity from an army camp could be heard. Seated on their bed, the Silent Warrior examined the edge of their sword again, ensuring the notch in the blade had been fixed properly.

Satisfied the Warrior stood up; they were still clad in their simple breeches and a tunic, as well as their helmet. The Warrior usually wore light armour and was going to pull it back on; although they continued to wear their helmet. The helmet was light too, but had a visor which covered the face, a long narrow slit ran across it where the warrior's eyes would be, allowing them to see.

The warrior was also not that tall and had a lithe slender build; clearly not suited for direct combat. The warrior had already acknowledged this and fought primarily as a skirmisher, while also working as one of the army scouts. The warrior also possessed two weapons, a short sword and a dagger and, apparently, a third weapon.

This weapon was usually strapped across the warrior's shoulder and bound in oilcloth, for some reason hidden and not used. Finally they pulled on their armour; a light breastplate, similarly light gauntlets up to the elbow, light greaves and light pauldrons.

Once they did that they secured their weapons to their belt and the third weapon was again strapped in place, over their shoulder.

Once they were prepared, the Warrior stepped out of their tent, into the camp, into the noise. They looked around, taking in their surroundings, scanning for any dangers, observing the comings and goings of the camp.

Messengers and runners ran to and fro between the tents, even though the sun had already set, there were still plenty of people about, not all of them on guard duty. The camp was certainly larger now that they had gained allies, the Dornish had joined their army with the one now marching towards King's Landing.

Finally leaving their position at the front of their own tent, the Warrior began to walk through the camp; continuing their observations. While walking the Warrior pondered to themselves.

'We near the end now, if what we've heard is true, only a token force stands between us and King's Landing.' They noted. 'I must be ready, the battle will be brutal, but within it, I may find my chance. All it will take is the right act, at the right moment, and the battle will be won. But to reach that moment...'

The Warrior shook their head, now wasn't the time to dwell on such things. Instead they stopped and observed the scene before them.

They stood in the shadows by the commander's tent; watching as King Robb and King Gendry stood near a small camp fire, talking to three others. One of course the Warrior already knew was Sandor Clegane. The other two were Dornish, the leader of the force that had just joined with them, Prince Oberyn Martell.

The other was a woman, one who, according to the rumours the Warrior overheard, was called Ellaria Sand, Oberyn's paramour. The Warrior listened as the five of them talked.

"So, it's settled then?" King Gendry was saying, looking from Oberyn to Sandor.

Sandor nodded. "Aye, Your Grace, Prince Oberyn and I have come to a mutual agreement."

Oberyn grinned. "One which benefits us greatly I must say."

"Indeed, attacking him together and both trying to kill him, certainly increases your chances of success." King Robb replied with a small smile.

That drew a small laugh from Ellaria and Oberyn and grim smiles from the others. The Warrior sighed quietly; they knew what was being discussed. Sandor and Oberyn both sought to kill Gregor Clegane, the Mountain. Now it seemed they agreed to take him on together and therefore kill him together.

Satisfied with their observations, the Warrior turned and left before finally leaving the camp altogether. They planned to scout ahead and see if anything was lying in wait for the army, when it would set out in the morning.

As they searched they considered other rumours they had heard.

'Another possible threat could have been mercenaries, but most have either already chosen a side, or are too small to cause serious damage...'

Even as they thought that, something came to their mind. 'There is them though, what's left of them after falling on hard times. Although they are more bandits than mercenaries...Those, Brave Companions.'

No sooner had the warrior thought of that, they heard a scream up ahead. Tensing they quickly drew their sword and moved quietly forwards. They soon saw a small group of men, around seven of them, all armed and all definitely members of the very group the Warrior had just been thinking about.

Right now however, the Warrior was more concerned about the source of the scream. They soon saw it, for two of the men had pinned a pair of commoner girls, likely lost in the woods, not much older than the Warrior themselves, to the ground.

Their intent was obvious and the girls struggled and screamed as the men tore at their clothes.

Glowering the warrior's grip on their sword tightened. 'I don't think so, beasts.'

With that they picked their moment and struck. Leaping from the shadows they were able to fell one of the seven men with one strike. Pulling their sword free, they took advantage of the shock and confusion to strike again. This time they only wounded their target, but a follow-up strike got through and killed him. There were five left and now they had drawn their swords, ready.

The Warrior stood undaunted, the two girls were backing away, terrified. The five remaining Brave Companions advanced, they then made the mistake of attacking first.

This allowed the Warrior to use their momentum against them and cut down another, then, suddenly, drawing their dagger they surprised another and killed him, stabbing his throat.

Acting quickly they were forced to abandon their dagger as they used their sword to deflect attacks from the remaining three. They deftly leapt back, avoiding another blow and, infuriated, one of the men charged in.

'Fool.'

"You're dead!" He bellowed.

Only for his phrase to prove prophetic, for his own fate. The Warrior ducked his strike and then thrust their sword through him, finishing him off. Pulling the sword free, they deflected another attack before receiving a blow to the back of their head.

Dazed they crumpled to the ground, dropping their sword. The Warrior quickly shook their head and retrieved the sword, rolling out of the way of more attacks and then deflected another attack, still attempting to fight back. Just then however, the two Brave Companions screamed as spears thrust through them, surprising the Warrior.

They got their answer however when the men dropped dead and standing there were two Dornish Warriors.

"Are you alright, that was close?" One asked.

The Warrior merely nodded, not saying a word, retrieving their dagger in the process. Cleaning and sheathing their weapons, the Warrior checked on the two girls and verified they were safe.

After silently thanking the Dornish, the Warrior returned to camp with them, the two girls, who it turned out had no home to return to, had followed and had now joined as camp followers, out of gratitude to the Warrior for saving them. The Warrior meanwhile took their pleasure in knowing that the Brave Companions were finished at last.

End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.