Chapter 27
Stormlands
Hyle Hunt
The sound of hooves hitting the ground as they rode echoed in his ears. Some sixty riders rode with him and Alyn, a group joining them when they entered the Stormlads. They had a task they needed to complete and Hyle was determent not to let his liege lord down. He disliked this business with kings and succession, too many secrets for his liking but he did as he was told, as did the men. They were all members of lord Tarly's personal guard. They knew who they were looking for.
Alyn, Hyle and Richard had a discussion on how they should proceed with finding the king, reaching a decision that their best option would be to start with castle Hasty.
"I don't think they will give us a warm welcome, lord Tarly is responsible for imprisoning most of those that were at Bitterbridge and one of Hasty's sons reportedly died during the battle of the Blackwater," said Hyle.
"I don't expect a warm welcome, but we don't have another choice, if we get them to tell us something we won't be going blind. Without any concrete information we might as well start searching the Dornish marshes castle to castle," said Alyn. They knew that the group was heading south, but where exactly? There might be a small port in the Stormlands that might offer them passage but they could also be going to Dorne, which in Hyle's opinion was the better option. Hyle wanted to go south immediately but Richard wanted to start with Hasty and Alyn agreed with him.
"Your cousin is right, the Hatsy is our best bet, we follow their trail," Ser Richard said and the two Hunts nodded. Hyle still didn't trust the knight, he knew that Richard was keeping something from them but he also knew that there was no point in demanding more answers, he would just have to continue to watch the man.
After a long ride through the Kingswood the party finally reached the site of Hasty castle. It was an average-looking keep, walls at height of ten or so meters, there was a road that leads from the Kingsroad to the main gatehouse and there were six towers spread out along the walls, the banner of house Hasty waving in the wind on top of castle towers. Hyle looked at the ground around the castle, it was mostly cleared out but signs that something had happened were there.
"I'm actually surprised Stannis didn't finish them first before he attacked Kings Landing," Alyn said.
"He wanted to deal with the Lannisters first, s small house is not a problem," Hyle said.
"Aye, now let's see what kind of a welcome will we receive," Alyn said spurred his horse forward riding toward the castle, Hyle and the rest right behind him. After a short ride, they came close to the gatehouse. The gates were closed and a sound of crossbows cocking caught their attention. They lifted their heads to see soldiers manning the walls.
"Who are you and what your purpose here?" asked an older man loudly, a Hasty crest on his chest plate.
"I'm Ser Alyn Hunt, I and the men with him are looking for a group of knights that might have passed through here."
"We have seen no knights pass through here in a long time Ser," the man said.
"Well Ser I believe you are not telling me the truth," The man narrowed his eyes looking at Alyn.
"Are you calling me a lier boy?"
"That depends, you might not have seen some random group of hedge knights pass through here but you have seen a group lead by Loras Tyrell," Alyn said and Hyle could see the name straighten himself. "We know that they aided you in beating lord Fell and his forces, so we would be interested to know where they went."
"And why should I tell one of you Reach dogs where they went? Even if I knew, I wouldn't be willing to tell you."
"We mean them no harm Ser, we just want to find them."
"You aren't the first group of Tarly men we have seen, it seems that the Tyrells really want their lost rose back, shame you won't find him."
"Ser we don't mean to bring them to Kings Landing or anywhere near it," Alyn said and Hyle could see that his cousin was starting to become frustrated by the lack of answers but this was expected.
"And what do you intend then, do you want me to believe that you are just here to ensure their safety?"
"We are," Alyn shouted. "If you let us in your castle we could explain."
The older man laughed "Let you in, if I did that what is to stop you from attacking us as soon as you were let inside?"
"Honor for one and also we are but sixty men while you have an entire castle garrison behind you, even if we tried something it would not go well for us," Alyn stated.
"Forgive me ser but I have little reason to trust your words. I won't let you in nor tell you anything. You coming here was a wasted effort," with that the men proceeded to leave the walls.
It was then that Richard rode in front of Alyn. "Ser Bonifer!" he shouted and this got the man's attention. So that was Bonifer Hasty, he had heard the name once or twice before. He was supposed to be in command of a free company or something like that called the Hundred.
"Yes?" Ser Bonifer asked looking at Richard.
"Ser, what this man tells is true, we don't seek to harm or to deliver those young men to the Tyrells and the Lannister, we only wish to find them, to ensure that no harm comes to them."
"Why should I believe you, Reachmen that sided with the murderess Lannisters."
"I'm not from the Reach Ser Bonifer, I'm a Stormlander like you."
"Even worse then;" Ser Bonifer spat.
"Ser we don't serve the Lannisters, I would rather throw myself on my own sword than bend the knee to Tywin Lannister. Rhaellas grandchildren deserved better than to have their fates sealed by that monster," What Richard said made the old knight look at him with a careful gaze. "Ser, I fought for her son on the Trident, I bled beside him, I-I watched him die," Richard said with something a keen to regret in his voice. Bonifer most have sensed this as well because he leaned on the castle wall and stared at Richard for a moment as if deciding if the words were truthful.
After a moment Bonifer moved away from the edge of the wall. "You may enter Ser, but only you."
"As you wish Ser Bonifer," Hyle then moved his horse forward, he was not about to let this man go in alone, it was not because of any concern it was because of Hyle's distrust of him.
"If he goes then so do I and my cousin, Alyn is the commander here," Hyle said as he glared at Richard.
"Fine, be it as you wish," Bonifer said and seconds later the large wooden gates started to open. Hyle, Alyn and Richard all rode inside the castle slowly, watching the guards with careful eyes as they entered. In the courtyard, they were met by ser Bonifer, a dozen of his guards and a man who looked similar to the old knight but younger.
"You told my brother that you want to find Loras Tyrell and his company, why should we help you?" the younger man said.
"Because if you did so you would be helping us in restoring the rightful king to his place," Richard said and removed his yellow hood. Men all looked at him but non showed any recognition apart from Ser Bonifer whose eyes were wide with shock.
"Richard Lonmounth," Bonifer said and the man beside him and several others looked at him.
Riverrun
Catelyn
Catelyn sat in a chair in her son's solar thinking over what they just heard, her mind racing with thoughts, trying to comprehend what lord Darry told them. Some pieces did fit but every time her mind went back to one question why didn't Ned tell her about it?"
Ned was not a man to lie ever, the man compulsively told the truth every time you asked him something, she wasn't sure if heard him tell a lie in his life. This just seemed so unreal to her. The bastard that plagued her life, that she thought as a threat to her children, that he would one day come to take what was rightfully theirs. Bastards are after all creatures made from lust that desire what they can never have. But here came a man saying that it was all a lie, a ruse on her husband's part to protect the last son and heir of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark.
She never liked Lyanna, since the moment they met when she arrived in Riverrun during the year of the false spring. Lyanna on the surface was a pretty girl who seemed like a normal lady but she was anything but. Lyanna was unladylike as it got, yes she was courteous and kind but she liked to spar with swords, she hated needlework and even was blunt to the point of insult on several occasions during her stay with Catelyn and her family. Catelyn even heard that Lyanna called her Lady septa. The girl even befriended a bastard servant while she was there. Brandon had told her that it was the wolf's blood of the Starks that made his sister like that as it made him who he is but she never gave that much thought, to her Lyanna was simply a savage girl in a gaze of a noble lady.
When she got Arya and later realized that her daughter was exactly like Lyanna she thought that the gods were playing a joke with her, she loves her daughter as she does all of her children but she wanted nothing more than for her to be a proper southern lady. Sansa is like she was in her youth, a perfect lady that would one day marry a lord and be the lady of his castle. When the marriage proposal between the king and her family was offered she urged Ned to take it, to one day see her daughter as the queen of the Seven kingdoms was too good of an offer to pass dawn but she was wrong, she should have made her daughters stay, she should have told Ned to stay. The Starks have never fared well down south.
She looked at her son who was standing his head pressed on his arm next to a window, he has been standing like that for a while now. Robb wary much like her was still trying to process the news although they were having very different thoughts about it. Her brother had left to see that lord Darry is given a room while her uncle sat next to her, looking at the second letter Raymun brought which was currently laying on the desk in front of them. Catelyn feared what news the second letter contained inside it.
"So, what are we to do?" her uncle finally asked, breaking the silence that engulfed the room. Catelyn looked at Brynden with concerned eyes. She didn't know what to do, and very much honestly she didn't care about the boy that could or could not be the last son of Rhaegar, all that mattered to her was getting her two daughters back from the Lannisters and seeing her family safe. A small part of her held up hope that Jon would somehow manage to save Sansa and Arya from their captivity in Kings Landing but now she saw that hope was for nothing, the boy it seems has disappeared with his Tyrell friend.
She heard Robb sigh. "Open the second letter."
Cat turned to him "Robb?"
"I don't know if this is true or not, father was an honest man but I'm starting to see why he would have done such a thing. Maybe the other letter contains more answers." Catelyn watched as her uncle took the letter, opened it and started reading. As he read his face turned into a frown.
"Damn it, Hoster," Brynden said through gritted teeth.
"What, what does it say about my father?" Cat asked surprised. Brynden sighed, grabbing his nose with fingers of one hand while handing the letter to her with the other. She took the letter and read it carefully. What was said in there was almost as unimaginable as what was said in the first letter. Supposedly Tywin Lannister was the one pulling the strings behind Robert's rebellion, all so he could get rid of Aerys and his family. That part she might believe but what she read next made her blood boil. It said that her father aided Tywin from the start. Hoster Tully did partake in the rebellion on the side of the rebels but he did it to help remove a mad tyrant from the throne, he was a man of honor, he would never join a man like Tywin Lannister. "Lies, these are all lies," Catelyn said tossing the letter.
Robb walked over and picked up the letter himself before reading it. As he read it his face didn't change, a cold stone face of a lord remained.
"Tywin Lannister," Robb said in a tone barely above a whisper "and my grandfather. How can this be true?"
"It isn't this is some plot to deceive us, to make us vulnerable by either the Lannisters or the Tyrells," Cat said. Her mind started working, yes this was a plot, a plot to sully her father's good name, to weaken Robb and his forces in some way. The boy was not a prince, he was a bastard who must have sided with the Lannisters in exchange for Winterfell and the North. She can't let this happen, she can't let her son to be overthrown by a treatures bastard. There really was not low that the Lannisters won't stoop to get what they want. She looked at her son who was still looking at the letter and then at her uncle who seemed to be in deep thought. "We can't trust the words in these letters and we cant trust lord Darry, his family fought against us during the rebellion."
"Darry is not a man who would lie about something like this, let alone try to deceive us," Brynden said.
"How do you know? The Lannister must have promised him something in return for his services. The fact that he still lives is enough to confirm that something is off about him," Catelyn said.
"Men with enough luck or skill on their side tend to survive battles Cat. Not to mention he isn't the only one who survived. By all accounts, Beric Dondarion is still alive, as are Thoros of Myr and some other that your husband sent to bring the Mountain to justice."
"Then how do you explain what it says about my father, your brother, that he was in on all of it with Tywin Lannister from the start. That can only be a lie and nothing more."
"Hoster was a good man to his family and to be bannermen but he was not Jon Arryn or Ned Stark. He was not a man without ambition. As you well know to who he wanted me to be married and as it says here Jaime Lannister did deliver a message to Hoster during his visit all those years ago. All that time your father did think about a potential marriage between our house and the Lannisters."
"That doesn't prove anything," Cat said. They continued to discuss what was said in the letters, Catelyn adamantly refused to believe what was said in them, all were lies meant to deceive them but she will not be so easily fooled. She was not as easily trusting as Ned was. After a while, her uncle grew quiet and seemed to have returned to his thoughts which left her with her son. Then Bryden Tully spoke once more.
"Check for a switch beneath the middle of the desk, the table has a hidden compartment to the side."
Cat looked at her uncle with wide eyes, she wasn't aware of what he was talking about. "What switch?" Robb moved the chair out of the way and started looking for the hidden switch and after a short wait a clicking sound was heard and the side of the desk opened. Brynden stood up and walked over to the small compartment, where he found a number of notes, raven messages and letters.
"Hoster always kept the most important things hidden but he could not hide them from me," Brynden said as he took out a small group of letters with a seal of the lion of Lannister on them. Catelyn watched as he handed them to Robb.
Kings Landing
Cersei
Cersei was walking down the halls of the Red Keep going towards the Tower of the hand, usually, she would go there when there was a small council meeting but right not she had a much better and important reason to go there, she needed to see her father and inform him of a plot that was being formed against them. Lord Baeslih made good on his promise to get her information on the Tyrells intentions, the man proved to be more useful than she thought.
When he informed her that the Tyrells were planning to marry Sansa Stark to that cripple Willas she was furious, the damn roses dared to go behind the backs of her family. She never trusted them, Olenna Tyrell's reputation was well known throughout the realm and her granddaughter was exactly like her, the only difference between them was that the first was an old hag and the second a harlot. The Tyrells might have helped her father save the city but he could have done that without their help and as time went on she had to watch as that little whore put her claws into Joffrey.
When she tried to tell him to be wary of her Joffrey brushed her off, not carrying for what she had to say. When she tried to tell her father of the threat the Tyrells posed he brushed her off as well, telling her if she had to claim something she first had to get the truth and she now had it. With this, she will strike back at the Tyrells and her father will finally start to listen to her. Tyrells were not an ally, they were a threat, everyone who wasn't a Lannister was a threat.
She climbed the stairs of the tower, then headed to her father's solar where a guard stood watch in front of the door. The guard looked at her and bowed. "Your grace."
"Tell my father I come to see him, it concerns an important matter."
"As you wish your grace," the guard said and then knocked and entered the solar exiting moments later allowing her to enter herself. Her father was sitting behind a large wooden desk, writing a letter of some sort. Tywin always did something when she entered his solar, wherever it was, here or back in Casterly Rock. She approached the desk and took a seat opposite of her father. He didn't even acknowledge her entering, he just continued to write. After he was finished he put the quile down, poured some wax on the letter and pressed the seal of the hand into the red wax. Moving the letter to the side he finally looked up to her.
"What is it this time?" he asked.
"I come to inform you about a matter concerning the Tyrells," Cersei said with a hint of pride but her father remained motionless, an unimpressed look on his face.
"I already told you your blind suspicions don't concern me, if you have proof then I will listen."
Cersei smiled "But I have proof and I know what they are up to," she said with more pride this time.
"Tell me," Tywin simply said, his tone devoid of emotion.
"The Tyrells are planning to marry Sansa Stark to Willas Tyrell and send her to Highgarden."
"And you know this how?"
"A capable servant told me."
"Who?" Tywin asked and she knew she had to give him an answer.
"Baelish."
"What exactly did he find out?"
"He said that some of the Tyrell servants overheard the old rose and others talking about their plan. They mean to steal Sansa away from us. She is too valuable of a hostage to give up to the Tyrells. If they send to the Reach she will be out of our hands, we cant let that happen."
Tywin studied her with a careful gaze for a moment, as if thinking about her words, she knew that's what he was doing. "Are you completely sure of Baelishes information?"
"I would come here if I wasn't, now would I?"
Tywin leaned back into his chair " If Baelishes word is true, we still can't let something like that come to pass. As you said she is too valuable, as she is the key to the North. If the Tyrells want to marry her off to one of their own we would have to beat them to it. We do that and we secure the North for House Lannister after the Starks and Tullys have been dealt with."
"I agree, we should probably do it as quickly as possible before the Tyrells get the notion of our plan."
"Agreed," Tywin said he a nod.
"We should marry her to someone close, not a distant cousin but someone close enough."
"You have someone in mind?"
"Not really, Tyrion perhaps," Cersei said mockingly "he should be able to at least put a baby in the Stark girl quickly enough."
"I will not let that insult to my family's name get the key to the North," Tywin said through clenched teeth, "I appointed him as my replacement because I had no one else capable enough to rile that son of yours in, I needed Kevan to stay with me. He might have done that but I will not give will a reward this great," Tywin said with disdain in his voice.
Cersei knew that her father hated Tyrion as much as she did. That misshapen monster is responsible for the murder of Joanna, her mother, the woman father loved the most. She knew that Tywin Lannister will never allow his dwarf of a son to gain any significant lands, any lands if he could help it. He might appoint him to some position for a time but not for too long. In fathers words, Tyrion is an ill-made spiteful little creature, full of envy, lust and low cunning. He is suited for some tasks but only for a time, allowing him any prolonged power would only be an insult to the family name. She still didn't understand what compelled father to send Tyrion to serve as his replacement, uncle Kevan would have been a much more suited Hand, father could have done well without him.
"Guard!" Tywin shouted and a man entered only a second later.
"Yes my lord," the man said with a bow.
"Go find Tyrion and Tyrek and tell them to come to the small council chamber," father said in a calm yet commanding voice.
"As you wish my lord," the man said and immediately walked away to complete his task.
"Your cousin Tyrek and Tyrion will join us in the small council chamber, we will discuss this more there."
"Why Tyrion?" she asked.
"Because I want every Lannister on board, I don't need any further complications," father said as he got up, "Come," he said and started to walk to the small council chamber.
They waited in the chamber for her insolent brother and cousin to arrive. Her cousin Tyrek was the same age as Sansa Stark, he had the same looks as most Lannisters. He was very much like his father Tygget, her uncle was not a man of great intellect or cunning but preferred marshal prowess much like Jaime. Cersei had to admit she was fond of Tyrek, but that could mostly be because of his resemblance to Jaime. Lancel was easy to manipulate but Tyrek is too loyal to her father.
Soon both her degenerate brother and Tyrek arrive each taking a seat at the table after father ordered them.
"Cersei has leaned that the Tyrells are plotting to marry Sansa Stark to Willas Tyrell," Tywin said looking at both Tyrek and Tyrion.
"Wery well, she is a lovely girl, Willas might not be a knight on a white horse but he is a good match," Tyrion said.
"I bring them into the royal fold and this is how they replay me, by trying to still the key to the North out from under me."
"Sansa is the key to the North. I seem to remember that she has an older brother."
"The Kasatrk have matched home, Robb Stark has lost a sizable portion of his army, Theon Greyjoy murdered both of his brothers. Once Robb Stark is dealt with Winterfell will go to the next in line.
"That makes Sansa Stark the heir to Winterfell," Tyrek said to which father nodded.
"And we are not going to just hand her over to the Tyrells," Cersei said with a proud smile.
"But the Tyrell army is helping us win this war, would it be wise to refuse them?" Tyrek said.
"There is nothing to refuse, this is a plot and plots aren't common knowledge. The Tyrells won't carry this one out at least until after Joffrey's wedding. We need to act fast and kill this union before it happens."
"And how do we do that? Tyrion asked. "Send her to Casterly Rock?"
"The young wolf has already attacked the West," Tyrek said.
Tywin glared at Tyrion "We find Sansa Stark a better husband. One more inclined to us."
"Wonderful, but who?" Tyrion said.
"Tyrek will marry Sansa Stark," Tywin proclaimed. Cersei would have agreed to marry the girl to Tyrion just for sake of mockery but this will do as well.
"Me?" Tyrek asked surprised.
"Yes, you. You served our family well, the time has come to reward you. Sansa Stark is a finer reward than most would have gotten. And it's time you are wed." She initially wanted to marry Tyrek to Ermesande Hayford but Tyrion stopped it, saying it would be inappropriate and insulting for their cousin. She frankly didn't care but her monster of a brother got his way.
"Thank you uncle, you honor me," Tyrek said earnestly. So much a fool like his father, at least uncle Tygett knew that he could never surpass Tywin so he chose to wield a sword instead of ruling.
"You cant do this," Tyrion protested and everyone turned to him. "Joffrey was made this girl's life miserable ever since he cut her father's head, now she could finally be free and you give her to him. That's cruel, even for you."
Tywin turned his head to Tyrek "Do you intend on mistreating her?"
"No, my lord," Tyrek said shaking his head.
"There," Tywin said looking from Tyrek to Tyrion "The girl's happiness is not my concern, nor should it be yours."
"She is just a child;" Tyrion said loudly.
"Please, she is the same age as Tyrek," Cersei said. "Besides she was flowered, I assure you."
"There you see. Now there will be no more discussion of this, the matter has been settled. The marriage ceremony will be arranged soon." Tywin turned his stone-cold gaze to Tyrek again. "You are a Lannister, you will do your duty to the family. You will marry the Stark girl, bed her and put a child in her. Soon this whole ordeal with the Starks will be over and we will be able to put it behind us," Tywin said firmly.
"Yes my lord," Tyrek said. Cersei could see that Tyrion wanted to protest more but decided not to, knowing full well that it would be pointless. Seeing him defeated brought a satisfied smile on her face, she foiled the Tyrells and made her father see them in true light, getting to watch Tyrion squeal was only a bonus. Not to mention that father said that this was a reward for Tyrek, Tyrion himself asked for a reward some time ago, he asked for Casterly Rock, as if that monster would ever be the lord of the greatest castle in the Seven Kingdoms.
The Red Mountains
Grenn
They reached the Red Mountains that made the border between the Stormalnds and Dorne in a matter of days after leaving Blackhaven. Grenn was just glad that no real problems came when Cole picked a fight with Loras, for a moment Grenn thought that they would have to fight the entire castle guard but that didn't happen. Grenn never really saw mountains up close, this being the closest to them as if even got and they were going to pass through them to get to Dorne. Right now they were following what Robar said was the Boneway. If by just naming things like that, Grenn wasn't sure if he really wanted to meet and Dornishmen.
Grenn rode on top of Ranger until he came next to Robar. "So what can be expected here, except bandits."
"Well as far as I know the Boneway stretches all the way to caste Yronwood, the Yronwoods guard the road as far as I am aware. But there are several other houses near the road as well."
"Any chance of them attacking us?" Grenn didn't trust nobles, let alone ones he knew nothing about.
"I doubt it, we are just travelers in their land and they are neutral in this war, so even if they know who we are they wont do anything."
"Somehow that doesn't encourage me much," Grenn said.
"I know, none of us have ever been to Dorne before. I know that Jon's father went here once or twice but that's it."
"Chin up you two," Loras said from in front of them. "What, scared of sand?"
"No," Grenn said.
"We are just talking," Robar said.
They continued to ride for an hour more, The scenery was the same as it was for the last several days so Grenn was getting bored of looking around. Their journey was long as he could see that it was taking its toll on the others as well, but they were enduring it better than he did. Then at some point out of nowhere, Jon began to sing. Grenn heard Jon sing back in Hasty castle and he had to admit Jon had a talent for it. Soon, Loras joined in on the singing and then Robar and finally him.
A bear there was, a bear, a bear!
All black and brown, and covered with hair.
The bear! The bear!
Oh come they said, oh come to the fair!
The fair? Said he, but I'm a bear!
All black and brown, and covered with hair!
And down the road from here to there.
From here! To there!
Three boys, a goat and a dancing bear!
They danced and spun, all the way to the fair!
The fair! The fair!
Oh, sweet she was, and pure and fair!
The maid with honey in her hair!
Her hair! Her hair!
The maid with honey in her hair!
The bear smelled the scent on the summer air.
The bear! The bear!
All black and brown and covered with hair!
He smelled the scent on the summer air!
He sniffed and roared and smelled it there!
Honey on the summer air!
Oh, I'm a maid, and I'm pure and fair!
I'll never dance with a hairy bear!
A bear! A bear!
I'll never dance with a hairy bear!
The bear, the bear!
Lifted her high into the air!
The bear! The bear!
I called for a knight, but you're a bear!
A bear, a bear!
All black and brown and covered with hair
It was a nice tune, Grenn remembered parts of it from listening to some minstrel in a tavern who sang it more than once when he was in Maidenpool but Jon and Loras seemed to know it well. Robar much like himself tried to keep up with the other two. As the song finished both Jon and Loras started to laugh.
"I'm impressed Loras, you actually managed to sing the entire song without stopping," Jon said smiling.
"I have been listing to you sing it for years so it was just a matter of time before I learn it too," Loras said returning the smile.
"A nice tune," Robar said.
"Thank you, I just taught it was so quiet might as well sing something," Jon said.
"And we didn't even have to beg you," Loras said.
"Miracles happen," Robar said playfully.
"Well if this journey continues to be as uneventful as does far I might sing something else. The Dornishmans wife would be a suitable one," Jon said.
"I don't know the song, you will have to teach me," Grenn said.
"Don't worry I will," Jon responded.
The journey for the next three days was mostly uneventful as Jon said, they met few people, mostly locals. His training continued and he was proud of how it was progressing, Loras even said that he might become a decent swordsman yet, which coming from him was a compliment. Jon did seem to be in better spirits than when they were on the road before Blackhaven, he still seemed distant at times but compared to before it was much better. He did try to teach Grenn the Dornishmans wife but progress was slow, Grenn would confuse the lyrics in his head but Jon was patient. Jon said that it took him more than a week before Loras was able to sing the Bear and the maiden fair without stopping, mostly. Robar acted like his normal self, talking and japing with them but his eyes always seemed to be looking for something, some kind of danger or hidden enemy.
As they rode through the Red Mountains following the Boneway they were yet to encounter any bandits, maybe Ser Tristan's information was false or out of date. The further south they went the higher the temperature seemed to get. He himself was from the Riverlands so he was used to warm weather and sunny days but here it was getting hotter by the day and they were yet to reach real Dorne, where the endless sandy deserts were. Grenn did start to worry at the thought of having to cross the desert but the Robar reassured him that the nearest port was at the end of the Boneway at Yronwood, that they won't need to cross the desert to find a ship.
"Alright try again," Jon said to Grenn.
"The Dornishmans wife was as fair as the sun and her voice was sweet as a peach," Grenn sang.
"No, you switched the lyrics again. It goes. The Dornishman's wife was as fair as the sun, and her kisses were warmer than spring," Jon sang. "And then the beginning of the second part starts with The Dornishman's wife would sing as she bathed, in a voice that was sweet as a peach."
"Fine, I get it," Grenn said annoyed. "Can we pause for a bit?"
The wolves behind them suddenly stopped and began to snarl, Lady even started barking. Jon was about to speak but Robar beat him to it. "It seems you will get your wish."
Grenn looked in the direction of where Robar was looking and saw a figure standing on top of a cliff, a bow in hand. Their group stopped, carefully watching the man. Soon more armed men appeared. They were armed with a large assortment of weapons, from longsword to spears and bows but they didn't look like knights or men at arms.
"I guess we found our bandits," Loras said putting his hand on his sword.
"I told you we should have been more careful," Robar said.
"I see two archers, one on the left and one on the right," Jon said, his facial expression now serious.
"Two with swords, one with mace and shield and two more with spears," Loras said in a low tone. "We can take them."
"Those archers do pose a problem," Robar said. Then a voice was heard from the group of bandits.
"What do we have here, a group of noble knights?" said a man with a heavy accent as he walked to the front of the bandits. He was tall, will olive skin and dark hair. Grenn noticed a sword strapped to his side.
"There's no need for conflict friend. Let us pass and no blood will be shed today," Jon said firmly.
"Let you pass, that's not how this goes. First, you will get off your horses, give us all of your valuables and we just might let you go back from wherever you came from," Ghost and Lady moved to the front, now standing next to Jon. The brigand's eyes went wide as they saw the massive beasts. The man in front only grinned sinesterly. "They will make fine pelts when I'm done with them."
"Boss," One man said, an unsure look on his face.
"They are just big wolves you idiot!" the man shouted to his subordinate. "Now hand over everything you got."
Grenn glared at the men, then he heard Jon speak in a whisper. "Robar take care of the two on the left, Loras kill the archer on the right and use his bow to kill the one on the cliffs, Grenn protect Loras, Ghost, Lady and I will take care of the rest."
There was no need to give confirmation, they all understood what to do. As soon as Ghost leaped towards the first man they sprang into action. The man with a spear was caught off guard by the wolf's attack and had his arm bitter off, the man next to him suffering a similar fate at the hands of Lady. An arrow went past Grenn's shoulder as he rode forward. Grenn fought the bandit one on one and being on horseback he had an advantage. He knocked the man's sword from his hand and cut his throat with one fast slash across the neck. Meanwhile, Robar was taking on a man with a mace and another with a spear simunteniaulsy while Jon and Loras both had their hands full with their own opponents. Grenn could see that the first archer was killed but the second one was still alive. Grenn noticed another opponent coming towards him and went to block his attack.
The leader of the bandits had moved back and Grenn noticed that he wasn't alone, more men seemed to have joined him. Grenn managed to kill his second attacker when he saw the second archer aiming an arrow at Loras who had his back turned. Everyone was too busy fighting the bandit reinforcements to notices it, even the wolves.
"Loras!" Grenn shouted. He watched as a spear hit the archer just as he was about to let go of the bowstring. Then he heard a loud sound of horses galloping and a warcry. Everyone stopped fighting to see a mounted unit, some two dozen strong charge towards them. Grenn first thought that they were more bandits but then saw a sigil on their banners, it was a spear piercing the son on an orange field. He watched as the bandit leader was cut down as he tried to run and the rest of them died while trying to fight the new attackers or their small band. The ones to survive were the ones that threw their weapons immediately.
Jon and Robar lowered their swords but Loras was ready for the fight to continue. The direwolves moved to stand beside Jon and Grenn joined Loras who was off his horse as was Jon. What he could only guess were the Dornish watched them carefully, then a young man moved to the front, he rode on top of a horse like the others did but by the way, others looked at him, Grenn knew there was something special about him.
The Dornish soldiers started rounding up the bandits as the young man approached them. He was thickly built, had a broad nose and dark hair and eyes. He eyed them cautiously before speaking.
"I thank you for your help in beating these brigands Sers," the man said.
"It is you we should be thanking, you were the ones who helped us," Jon said.
"We helped each other, we have been tracking this group for a sennight. I glad it's finally over."
"As are we," Robar said.
"To whom do I have the pleasure of speaking?" the man asked looking at Loras and then the rest of them with suspicion.
"I was about the ask the same thing," Jon said.
"I'm prince Quentyn Nymeros Martell," the man proclaimed loudly.
AN: Well the Hunts are on the hunt, the Lannisters are scheming and we get to finally meet the Dornish, I hope you liked this chapter. As always leave your opinion. In the next chapter, there will be more of Quentyn, the Hunts and Tyrells.
hateme101: Yeah she does. I think when it comes to Jon and her children she will see anything as a plot if it evolves him. If the truth.
Prince Loki Stark: The North might yet live, yes. And the fish aren't going to be happy.
BioHazard82: Thanks man.
Force Smuggler: I will probably give each of the Tullys a POV in the upcoming chapters.
Guest: Sorry to disappoint you but in this Tywin hates Tyrion even more, he is not going to give him anything.
Nomad-75: He is still hurting about that. He might try, I don't want to spoil too much of the incoming plots but the story is called the Wolf and the rose.