Chapter 31
Starfall
Lord Virion Dayne
The day started off just like any other at Starfall, he awoke, broke his feast, then went to check on the new messages he got that day. After that, he dealt with several petitions from the smallfolk and his knights. He sent his squire Manfred Dondarion to fetch some documents while he sat in the great hall with his younger sister Allyria. It was baffling how much like Ashara she looked like, the same color hair, the same eyes, lips, if one didn't know they would say that she is Ashara. But unfortunately, the older of his two sisters was not here anymore just like his brother.
Vorion himself looked a lot like Arthur with the same silvery blond hair and purple eyes but with some differences like height in which Arthur had him beat but not by too much and Arthur was the more muscular of the two due to his preference for sword fighting. Vorion was always the heir, he was skilled with a blade but his role was always to be a ruler while Arthur as a second son had more liberty but also a wish to make a name for himself. No man could make a better name for himself than the Sword of the Morning amongst the kingsguard, the seven greatest knights in the realm.
As he and Allyria talked, the doors of the hall opened and in came the captain of his household guard and several of his men with four young men with them.
"My lord you have visitors," the captain said and he looked at them. They stopped about a dozen meters from the table. Three of the men he has never seen before but he had a strange feeling about the one in the middle, like he knew him from somewhere, maybe from one of Oberyns celebrations or a tourney.
"And who might you be?" he asked the raising an eyebrow. The young man with dark brown hair in the middle looked at him.
"My lord, my name is Jon Snow, Ned Starks son. The men behind me are my companions," The young man's words made Vorion flinch for a second. The boy came here. He needed to know why, could he know, did Ned Stark tell him something?
His face hardened but there was surprise in his eyes. "Why do you come here, Jon Snow?"
"I come here for answers to questions I been asking myself for a long time," Jon paused. "I need to know who my mother is. Most people say it was lady Ashara, so that brought me here. I-I came here to find out the truth," Jon said the last sentence clearly unsure of himself.
Lord Dayne looked at Jon for a long moment. "Captain take my sister to her chambers, Ser Jon would you follow me to my solar. We will be better able to talk there," Allyria looked surprised for a second but complied.
Then the voice of his squire came from the door to his right. "My lord I brought what you asked," Manfred said. Vorion noticed that Jon and one other of his companions were eyeing his squire.
"Are you by any chance Manfred, Beric's cousin?" the knight in lavish armor and with light brown hair said. Manfred looked taken back by the question and so was Vorion, these people knew about the Dondarion squiring for him.
"Yes, ser I'm, how do you know who I am?"
"We are friends of Beric's," the same knight said.
"Friends?" Manfred asked.
"Yes, we been told that Beric talked about us from time to time," the knight said with a smile. Vorion looked at Manfred, whose face turned to one of realization and then to one of excitement.
"You are Ser Loras and Ser Jon," the boy said wide-eyed. Vorion turned to look at the man he now was almost sure to be the Knight of the flowers, Loras Tyrell.
"The very same," Loras said with a bow.
"Enough theatrics Loras," Jon said. "Yes, that's us."
"H-Have you see my cousin, is he not with you?" the boy asked with worry in his voice. Beric was basically an older brother to Manfred and the boy had asked more any news about his cousin since the war started. The steward of Blackhaven had no real answers, only that Beric was still alive and waging a gorilla campaign against the Lannisters.
The faces of two men turned solemn. "I'm sorry, he is not. We met last during a tourney at Kings Landing, we know that he left for the Riverlands and that he is still there fighting the Lannisters," Vorion noticed how heavy the words were, lord Beric was truly a friend to them. His squire seemed both worried for his cousin and relieved that he is still alive. "We have also met your son there, my lord."
"You met Edric?" Vorion asked. He had not heard from his son in a long time. He prayed for Edric's safety every day, hoping that he would get the news that his son is coming back home.
"Indeed, brave fella, will make a good knight someday," said Loras. "We believe that he is still with Beric."
Vorion nodded. "I thank you Sers for the news. We have not heard of our family for a long time now. Manfred, lead ser Jons companions somewhere they can rest. Ser Jon, I would appreciate it if you followed me to my solar."
Jon was ready to comply but the Tyrell stepped forward, "Where he does I go, I'm not going to leave his side."
"This is a private matter ser, he might be your friend but this is for Jon to hear."
"Never the less, I'm coming with him," the young knight said definitely. Vorion narrowed his eyes at him. The other two knights were ready to join the Tyrell. He got a feeling that no matter what he said that the flower will follow them anyway.
"Do you trust him?" he asked Jon.
"With my life," Jon said.
"Alright but only him, the other two will go with my squire," Vorion said firmly. Jon looked at the other two, one with similar looks to Jon seemed ready to argue but stopped when Jon nodded.
So Vorion and the two young men proceeded to make their way to the lords solar. Once in there be bid them sit down and offered them refreshments in the shape of either water or Dornish red. Vorion and Jon eyed each other for a moment before the Lord spoke.
"So you wish to know who your mother is?" Vorion asked,
"Yes, I do. Most people I encountered say that your sister lady Ashara is my mother. So I ask of you to tell me if it's true, if it's not then I'm truly sorry for bothering you," Jon said, Vorion could detect some melancholy in his tone as he spoke. He shook his head, why wasn't he surprised that no one ever told the boy of his mother.
"I can tell you the story of how my sister met Eddard Stark, I can also tell you of your mother but I'm afraid it's not mine to tell you that," there was a look of anticipation and hope on Jon's face first but in turned to one of confusion and annoyance.
"Why can't you tell me?" he asked.
"For one I'm not sure that I know the full story of exactly what happened, only some main details, second," he stopped and sighed. "It's not mine to tell you that, the answers I can give you will not be satisfactory."
"If you can tell him then who can?" asked Loras.
"Someone who was there with both your mother and father from the beginning, someone you can answer all of your questions and more."
"And where is this someone?" asked Jon asked skeptically. Vorion thought that the first thing the boy would have asked is who it is.
"He is in Tyrosh," the lord answered.
"Tyrosh?" Jon exclaimed.
"Yes."
"Who would know about my parents and be in Tyrosh?" Jon asked, he could see that the boy was even more confused now.
Vorion sighed "If I tell you, you must promise not to tell anyone and that you will go there to meet with him."
The two looked at each other as if uncertain at what they were getting themselves into. "We promise."
"That man who can tell you the truth is my brother Arthur Dayne," Vorion said and the boys eyes almost popped out.
"Arthur Dayne is dead, my father killed him," Jon said.
Vorion shook his head. "My brother survived that fight and was forced to leave Westeros but he still draws breath I can assure you of that," Vorion noticed the shock on the young men's faces. As if someone like Ned Stark could beat someone like Arthur in a fair fight. Not even Barristan, Gerold or that turncoat Jaime Lannister could do that. He offered them some time to let the information sink in before he continued.
"You are saying that my father lied about the fight, that he lied to everyone," Jon said with anger in his voice. "My father was not a liar."
"My brother lives I assure you it not a lie on my part."
"W-Why would my father lie about something like that?" asked Jon.
"Because boy if Robert and the Lannisters found out there would have been questions and no doubt Robert would have wanted Arthur to swear himself to him. My brother would have rather thrown himself on his own sword than be in the same room as the Usurper or Tywin Lannister unless he is there to kill them. The reason the fight broke out at the Tower is because that fool Eddard refused to listen to reason."
Vorion could see that Jon was a bit confused by the mention of Tywin Lannister and Robert. He was probably wondering what they had to do with his mother or him. The boy's confusion turned to anger once more after the insult to Eddard.
"My father was a good man. Now would you tell me what Ser Arthur has to do with this, who is my mother?" the boy asked agitated.
"I have already said too much, even the walls have ears saying anything more could be costly. If you wish answers you will have to go to Arthur," Too many people had spies planted in every place of interest and he had no doubt that Doran had someone loyal to him as his eyes and ears in Starfall, the same could be said for the Spider. The Daynes of Starfall are loyal to the Martells, they fought for them in every war since the unification of Dorne under Nymeria, the Daynes were always close friends with the Martells since then but loyalty to the family comes first and Arthur is his family. He knew the princes too well, if the truth came out Doran would stop at nothing to get his blood on the throne and Oberyn would probably rant and rave and call it lies or at the very best an insult to his sister's name. Arthur made him swear to guard the truth with his life until the right moment came and Vorion had no intention of betraying his brother.
Vorion wasn't doing this just so the boy could find out who his parents are he was going this so the boy would finally be in Arthur's hands once more, where he should have been from the start. The reason he just doesn't tell him what he knows is safety, he was aware that Doran had spies in his castle and that he will be informed of this little visit, and if pressed Vorion will say that his bastard nephew came for answers and then left. If too many people know a secret it's not a secret anymore, it's information and the boy's parenting is somewhere in between those two right now. He and his brother knew it, Richard Lonmounth, Jon Connington, lord Velaryon and his bastard brother knew about it but Vorion had a suspicion that that list became longer in recent time. He wasn't prone to the plans of his brother and the rest of the loyalists but he knew that if you wanted to make someone king, that king needs to get support for his claim first and he can't get that support if no one knows about him.
"You may rest here for a day, if you want to sail for Tyrosh a ship will be waiting for you on the morrow."
Kings Landing
Pypar
He always liked weddings, they were usually happy affairs with lots of food, drink, music and it was generally a good time, this, however, was not one of those weddings, for the most part actually. The bride to be was a hostage girl who was practically scared out of her mind. The worse part was that she was going to marry one of the people who murdered her father. He had seen a lot of things since he became a spy but he could say with certainty that the Lannisters were definitely the biggest group of merciless assholes he had ever seen.
Keeping an eye on them all wasn't easy, specially Tywin. Pypar was honestly afraid that the old lion would find out that someone had rummaged through his office but thankfully that didn't happen and he still had his head nicely attacked to his shoulders.
When he delivered the news of the wedding to the man boss left as his substitute while he went to do gods knows what, a man by the name of Colins didn't make much note of it saying that does not change the situation much, only cementing the hold Lannisters already had over the girl. It was another one of his fellow spies, one that was watching over Liitlefinger that persuaded they should do something to help the girl. His argument is that as a sister to a lord paramount she was valuable plus the girl had suffered enough as it is. So it was decided that Pyp would have to pull something off. Without the boss to coordinate the plans, they were left to their own devices.
With the help of the spy network, they managed to smuggle in some really strong Dornish red, the kind of stuff that only a mad man would want to drink. In addition to that Pypar had also acquired a substance that will make sure that no harm comes to Lady Sansa at the hands of her future husband, well at least in the bed.
During the wedding feast a servant girl Andrea kept pouring the wine into Tyrek Lannisters cup, it was not too much so they don't accidentally kill him but enough for him to get drunk fast. When the time came for the bedding he slipped away through a back door and silently followed the newlywed couple. A smile appeared on his face when he saw that the wine did its part and an even larger smirk came when he heard a crashing noise coming from behind the chamber door. He opened it to enter and find the Stark lady scared and confused.
"I'm glad to see that worked," he said in a cheeky tone while she only stared at him. He closed the door and proceeded to move towards the now unconscious Tyrek Lannister.
"Please I didn't do anything, he just fell, I think he had too much to drink," she said in a frantic tone.
He stopped and gave her a look of sympathy, she really was scared out of her mind. "Don't worry milady I'm not here to harm you actually I'm here to help you."
She eyed him with a mixture of fear and confusion. "Why help me? You are a Lannister."
"Just because I wear red armor doesn't mean I'm a Lannister, well technically speaking I'm one of their guards but that's not important now. What is important is that you help me put him in the bed and take some of his clothes off."
"Take his clothes off?" she asked stunned.
"Yes, if we are to make this mummery convincing we would need to do that," she didn't say a word just starred at him barely blinking, this went on for few moments until Pyp had enough, he didn't have much time. "Do you want him to put his prick in you or not?"
The last sentence snapped her back to reality. "No, I don't," she said.
"Then help me move him," Pyp said pointing at the body. Surprisingly she quickly stepped into action and helped him lift the drunken Lannister and drag him into the bed. Once there they quickly removed some of his clothes to make it look like the bedding had happened. Pyp then moved to the other side and pushed the sheets aside pulling a red glass flask.
"What is that?" she asked concerned,
"This milady is blood," he said and she looked stunned. He opened the flask and poured the blood on to the bed. She looked at the stain and then at him, her eyes asking the silent question. "It's to make it look like you did the did," he said and her face blushed red.
"Who are you, did Margaery sent you?"
"I'm afraid I can't answer those questions, just know that I'm on your side, I'm a friend."
"How can I trust you?"
"Look at what I'm doing, I can easily lose my head for this. If the Lannisters find out I don't know who will order my execution first the queen or Tywin. I'm putting my life on the line so yes you can trust me."
"Fine," she said, there was a bit of determination there now, the fear and confusion subsiding.
"I'm going to need you to take your clothes off also."
"What?" she asked in a bit louder tone.
"You don't need to do it now while I'm here but once I leave and lay next to him," She looked at the bed and Tyrek before sighing and nodding.
"I will do so but..."
"But what?" Pyp asked.
"What happens when he wants to sleep with me again?"
Pyp pulled a second small bottle and presented it to her. "For that, I have this, a drop or two in his wine or water and he won't be able to perform for three or four days if what I heard was true. It's some really strong stuff and I don't want it anywhere near me."
"Just a drop in wine?" she asked.
"Yes just that," Pyp answered. "Well someone is going to be looking for me soon so I best get out of here and remember, take your clothes off and lay next to him," he said and quickly proceeded to make his way to the door. The sound of her voice stopped her.
"Thank you," she whispered.
"No need to thank me yet," Pyp said and proceeded to open the door, taking a look around to see if anyone was there. With no one in sight in exited the chamber and prayed that the lady would follow his advice. She will do it if she wants to lessen her suffering.
As he made his way through the halls Pyp didn't see someone standing behind a corner watching him. "Interesting," the man said.
The Neck
Greywater watch
Howland Reed
Howland was looking at the map of the seven kingdoms that was spread over the table. The Ironmen have invaded the west coast and took Torrthens square and Deepwood Moth, Moat Cailin has been taken but worst of all Winterfell had fallen to that turncoat Theon. Theons treachery did not surprise him, it was a stupid move to send him back to the Iron Islands, it gave up the only guarantee they had over the Iron Born. He had sent a small force of his best fighters when he heard that Theon attacked Winterfell in hopes of aiding the Tallhearts and Cerwyns in retaking the Stark seat. His men wanted to use the attack as a diversion so they could sneak in and rescue the Stark boys and his children. Unfortunately passing Mout Cailin took longer than expected and his men arrived too late only to find the battle over and Winterfell burned. There has not been any sign from his children or the Starks since.
At first, he was worried greatly for the safety of his children, he still is but had trust in Mira, she was strong, a fighter if anyone can keep them safe it's her. His wife's words proved helpful also. As much as the uncertainty of the children's fates bothered him there was still a war on and the Iron Born weren't his only problem. By all accounts, he received Tywin Lannister had reached an agreement with Mace Tyrell and so added the Tyrell forces to his own. He felt a dark feeling in his gut, this all began with Ned's capture and execution. Howland and Ned had not spoken in years, mostly because of Ned's selfish choices, preferring to keep the boy forever ignorant of his true parentage just so his best friend could sit on the Iron throne. But he still grieved for Ned, not just for the man he was when he died but the man he was before the choice he made in Dorne. He also grieved for Lyanna, what would she say if she could see them all now, she would have probably taken the nearest sword and beaten them all to death with it. She would beat Ned for how he watched over Jon and him for allowing it to happen. For years he pleaded with Ned to send to the boy him, so he could grow up normally but Ned kept refusing until out of a sudden he sent Jon to the Reach. At first, he thought it was a ploy to gain the support of the Reach, he hoped that Ned had decided he would support his nephew but when he asked Ned simply said no. Howland sighed, maybe Ned would have told the boy the truth after all someday, who knows but there was no time to bother with what-ifs.
Howland moved a wolf's head piece over the map of the Riverlands towards Riverrun. Richards plan was already in motion, by now someone must have reached Robb Stark and if not then soon. The last he heard of Richard he was going after the prince who disappeared after Renlys death.
There were bloodshed and violence on all fronts but there were some upsides to that. One of their main concerns the Stormlands and the Baratheons were taken care of by the Lannisters so they won't be a threat. The Lannisters are on a third of their original fighting straight but still formidable. The Reachmen had the numbers and capable commanders but if what Richard told him is true then there is a possibility of turning them on their side. The Vale and Dorne are the wildcards here, the Vale has one of the strongest armies in Westeros, the best heavy cavalry for certain and Dornish spearmen are taught bastards, proving that during the battle of the Trident.
Maege and Galbert had arrived here not long ago with a relief force to aid in fighting the Ironmen but the force cant move past the Neck until Moat Cailin is retaken. The old fortress can not be overwhelmed by a simple charge, hoping to take it with ladders. Each tower was perfectly positioned to provide archer fire so to defend the other two. There was a good reason no army had ever managed to get past it. It was a mistake to leave a skeleton crew to guard one of the most important places in the North.
Robb Stark had made so many mistakes, mistakes that his father would have never made. He broke oaths left and right, killed his own bannermen, declaring himself king, every one of those mistakes played in Tywin Lannisters hand and served to weaken the North. The boy had a good mind for battle but when it came to the ruling he was still too green. Tywin will exploit that weakness unless Richard or one of his subordinates is at his side to aid him. The South isn't the North and they play by different rules.
The relief force that came with Maege and Galbart was two and a half thousand strong, combined with the rest of the Northern forces that stayed home they would be able to drive the squids back into the sea. The Dustins and Ryswells had the largest forces in the North due to sending only minimal support to aid in saving Ned. He had a suspicion Barbrey was responsible for that, years ago she got it into her head that she would be the lady of Winterfell when she married Brandon but instead he was betrothed to Catelyn. When he died Ned was the one to marry Catelyn and Barbrey married William. When he and Ned returned to the North without the body of her husband she took it as another insult and started hating Ned and the rest of the Starks. The leaving of William's body was not meant to be slight but it was necessary, all of the bodies were left there, all but one. Arthur truly was the greatest of the kingsguard even after he received injuries that should have killed him, he refused to die. Howland still remembers the image, Ser Arthur Dayne barely standing with blood gushing from his wounds but with Dawn still firmly in his hands, ready to continue the fight, to do his duty. It was luck that the Sword of the morning had collapsed due to exhaustion. Both Ned and Howland knew that if the word of Arthurs survival reached the wrong ears questions would have been asked, ones that Ned feared the most were the old lion and the new king.
They could have admitted that Arthur survived the fight and returned to Starfall but Arthur was not a man that would simply give up on his duty and someone like Tywin Lannister would have sent someone to kill Arthur in his sleep or at the very least send a spy to watch him. The Great lion's mentality was if you aren't with him you are against him and Arthur was certainly the latter. Death gave Arthur a way out, ensured his survival and continued service to the boy he called king. Howland knew that the kingsguard was angry that he could not serve directly, that he is not there to watch over the boy but Richard sought to that and Arthur used his talents in other ways to aid the son of his best friend.
He shook his head, he was getting lost in thought again. If they are to get the relief force north they would need to attack not just from the south but from the north also. An attack on too front would not be expected and had a higher chance of success. The only catch was that they would need men, men that the Dustins and Ryswells had. Whoresbane and Crowfood will send aid but those men would better be used in keeping the Ironmen from pushing further inland. Just as the plan started to form in his head the door loudly burst open and in came his two guests.
"Howland," shouted Maege "We been cupped up here for too long, the damn squids are tarring through our homeland, we can't stay here any longer."
"I have to agree with her Howland, my home has been taken and my family being held captive, I can't leave them."
Howland sighed "I'm aware of the situation at hand but we need a strategy, we can't blindly attack the Moat, even if we manage to take it, it won't be without great cost and what force will help you rescue your family then," Both Maege and Galbart glared at him for a second before agreeing that he had a point. "I have sent scouts to watch over the area around the Moat, so far there haven't been any changes. Victarion Greyjoy is still there with a sizeable force."
"Then what are we supposed to do?" asked Maege. "Wait here and hope that the squids bore themselves to death."
"I was thinking about..." Howland started when a guard entered the hall.
"Forgive the intrusion milord but the scouts have returned from the Moat and they brought someone with them."
"Who?" Howland asked. Could they have captured one of the Ironborn?
"Milord it's your son and daughter with several others," the guard said and for a moment he thought that he hadn't heard him right. Howland felt like a rock had been lifted from his chest, and a feeling of relief went through him. Right then he saw his daughter Meera walk in with Jojen beside her. There were a large man, a woman and two other children behind them but Howland paid them no attention as he rushed towards his children.
"Thank the gods you are alright," Howland said as he embraced Jojen and Meera.
"Did you really doubt me, father?" Mira asked playfully.
"Not for a moment," Howland said smiling.
"Father we have brought someone with us," Jojen said as he broke away from the hug. "These are Bran and Rickon Stark, Osha and Hodor."
"Brandon and Rickon Stark, thank the gods, we thought you might be dead. Your brother the king will be overjoyed to hear the news," said Galbart.
Howland looked at the new arrivals. He remembered little Bran when he was a toddler but this was the first time seeing Rickon, having not been to Winterfell in a long time. The woman Osha had a spear in her hands and he remembered the large stablehand Hodor. "My lords, I welcome you to Greywater Watch."
"We thank you, Lord Reed," said the boy who was being carried by the giant.
"No need to thank me, your family are friends of mine, I will do whatever I can to help you. I just glad to see you all safe."
"Father, Winterfell has been burned," Mira said sadly.
"We know girl, the Ironborn will pay dearly for that," said Maege.
"What took you so long, your mother and I were worried sick," Howland said.
"Going on foot and avoiding Iron Born isn't easy as it sounds. We got into a tight spot or two on the way here. When we were near Moat Cailin your scouts found us and brought us here."
"Well, all that matters is that you are here now. You must be tired and hungry, go get something to eat and some rest. We will talk later," Howland bugged his two children before they nodded and the guard led them to the kitchens. He turned his attention to Maege and Galbart. "Come we got some work to do."
Galbart nodded and a feral smile appeared on Maeges lips.
Riverlands
Dolorous Edd
Tracking through a wartorn country is probably the bravest and stupidest thing he had ever done, well perhaps a close second. The reason he and five more unlucky souls were riding through the Riverlands that were filled with bloodthirsty Northmen, Riverlanders seeking revenge and Lannisters who were ordered to kill first and ask questions later was because they were tasked with finding the fucking Hound of all people. Edd knew that he seemed like a pessimist to others due to his sense of humor but he saw himself as a realist and the reality of the situation was that if they didn't get killed by either the Starks or the Lannisters, the Hound just might do it if they are unlucky. He knew the reputation of the man they were hunting, Edd saw him fight in a melee during one of king Robert tourneys, Sandor Clegane was a beast of a man much like his brother whose skill with a blade was well-matched with his size. He didn't know why he was told to capture the Hound, but there were many who disliked the Lannisters and the Cleganes were well known as their go-to attack dogs, so if someone wanted one of them dead Edd will oblige, he was getting paid good money for this anyway.
His tracking group was made out of him and five more people, each a capable fighter and even better archer. The first was Ronald Storm, the bastard of Griffins Roost, a ginger cunt but a good fighter which is not surprising considering he grew up in a castle. The second man was a knight by the name of Rolly Duckfield, a stupid name if he ever heard one but still who is he to judge. The third one was an old knight by the name of Brendel Bryne, a former hunter named Maxwell and a woman called Wenda. The first three have been with him for a while but the latter two being a more recent addition. Maxwell was the quiet sort, never talking much but he can hit the mark from any distance and Wenda, she was deadly with a bow and with her beauty. During this mission, they made few close encounters, such as one with a group of Lannister deserters and one with a group of Northmen pillaging a small village. Every member of his company proved themselves in those tight spots, even Wenda who saved Rolly's life when she pushed a dagger into the throat of one of the Northmen who managed to get the upper hand.
They have been tracking the Hound for a while now, they lost him for few days but soon managed to pick up his track. A group of fleeing peasants told them about a large man in black armor riding on top of a horse with a dog-shaped helm. The Hound seemed confidant in his skills to so openly show himself, he wasn't even trying to hide his identity.
"How long do you think will take until we catch up with him?" asked Rolly.
"Don't know exactly, by what we have been told he has at least a day on us. If we are lucky he will make a long stop somewhere which will allow us to reach him," said Edd.
"And what do you think will happen when we do reach him?"
"Two things can happen, either we are lucky enough to capture him or he kills us all," Edd said dryly. "My money is on the second option."
"There is six of us, he can take him," said Roland.
"Careful bastard, this isn't one of your sparring partners back home, this man is a monster of a man, who doesn't care who gets in his way because they always end up killed by his hand," said Brendel, his tone serious.
"How much are we being paid to hunt down his dog anyway?" asked Wenda. "If I'm risking my life to capture someone like that, I would like it to be for a good sum at least."
"The boss said that he will give each of us five hundred golden dragons if we do the job. That is more than the Lannisters are offering," said Edd.
"For the Hound, he better," Wenda said.
"Why does the boss want the Hound away?" asked Rolly.
"I don't know what goes inside Lemoncloaks mind, I know not to ask questions and he pays me good money for it. When he needs something like this you do it without complaining," said Edd dryly.
"I heard that the last man who tried to cross him was found dead in the Blackwater Bay, his throat cut," said Rolly.
"That sounds about right," replied Edd.
They spent two more days traveling down one of the roads, thankfully without any incidents. Edd was starting to think that they would either never catch up with the Hound or that they might lose him again until Rolly came back riding hard back to them. Edd had sent him further to scout ahead and by the look on his face, Edd knew that Rolly found something.
"What is it?" asked Roland.
"I think I found him, the Hound," Rolly said and everyone looked at him with picked interest.
"You think or you know?" asked Brendel.
"Tall man, black armor, black warhorse and a dog-shaped helm, so I know."
"Where did you see him?" asked Edd.
"By the river," Rolly pointed in the general direction. "He is watering his horse."
"Did he see you?"
Rolly shook his head. "No, I stayed at the edge of the trees, so that he wouldn't spot me. He is not alone, there is also a little boy with him."
"A squire?" asked Roland.
"The Hound is not a man for such things, more like a hostage," said Brendel.
"So what's the plan?" asked Wenda.
Edd put his hand on his chin and thought for a moment. "Brendel, Rolly and I will get his attention, while we do that you three will sneak up from behind him, snatch the boy, get him out of harm's way and then proceeded with capturing him. With us on one side and you on the other he will be surrounded."
"Clegane is not a man who will care if he is surrounded. Push a dog into a corner and he will fight even harder," said Brendel. Edd had to admit the old-timer had a point.
"Fine, Roland will take the kid while Wenda and Maxwell use their archery skills if it gets too much for us. Aim for his arms or legs, don't kill him. The boss wants him alive," replied Edd and everyone nodded.
They quickly followed Rolly to where he said he saw the Hound. On their way there they split into their assigned groups. Once Edd and his two companions reached the part where there was a small clearing near the river they rode slowly towards their target. Edd allowed Rolly to do the talking on this one. As they approached the Hound spotted then, an angry snarl appeared on his scarred face.
"Good day, Ser," Rolly said joyfully. The angry snarl remained on the Cleganes face, his eyes glaring at them.
"What the hell do you want?" the Hound growled.
"We would just want to water our horses here beside you Ser, nothing more."
"I'm no Ser and you cant water your fucking horses here. Go find somewhere else to do it."
"But Ser there is plenty of space for all of us."Edd looked towards the tree line behind the Hound, Wenda and the others still weren't there. Keep him talking Rolly.
"I came here first so fuck off now or I will make you."
"There is no need for such aggression," Rolly said.
"Now you are really starting to make me angry your little shit. Leave or I will break every bone in your body," Edd looked at the tree line and could see his companions slowly making their way towards them, bows ready.
"You really don't know how to deal with people apart from threats, do you Clegane?" Edd said and the large man's eyes flared with even more anger.
"So what did the Lannisters send you after me, took those cunts long enough," Clegane snarled and gripped his sword.
"It doesn't matter who sent us, all that matters is that you are coming with us," Edd said.
"Never gonna happen cunt," Clegane said and pulled his sword from its scabbard, attacking Edd first. Edd had just enough time to react and pull his own sword out to block the attack but due to the strength of the attack, he found himself falling on the ground. Clegane was about to bring his blade down to kill Edd but Rolly blocked the attack and went on the offensive, pushing the Hound back slightly. As Edd use the opportunity to get back up, Rolly blocked Clegane's attack only for the larger man to grab Rolly by the arm and throw him on the ground. Brendel rushed forward parrying the dog's attack only for the Hound to quickly swing at him again.
"Fuck, the bastard it fast for his size," Edd thought as he got closer to the large man. Edd joined Brendel and the two of them combined their efforts but the Hound fought them off. Clegane blocked a vertical slash from Edd and used his leg to kick him backward while pressing his attack on the old knight immediately after. Just as Clegane managed to disarm Brendel and was getting ready to throw the finishing blow an arrow hit the large man in his leg and Clegane unleashed a loud animalistic scream. Then as he tried to turn around a second arrow hit him in the other leg and a third into the right shoulder. Clegane tried to continue the fight but he quickly fell on one knee.
Edd looked at the tree line to see Wenda and Maxwell with notched bows pointed at their target while Roland held that child which Edd could now see wasn't a boy but a girl dressed as a boy. "Took you long enough," Edd said. The Hound tried to get up but quickly fell back on one knee.
"Don't try it big guy, my arrow tips are coated in special poison, it won't kill you but it will make you a lot weaker and it's working fast as you probably feel it," said Wenda.
"Fuck you whore," growled Clegane. Edd looked from their target to the dark-haired child who was squirming in Roland's arms.
"Don't worry child he won't hurt you anymore," said Rolly.
"But he didn't hurt me," the child said. Clegane turned to look at the girl, giving her a strange look before passing out.
AN: Well that was the new chapter. I originally had planned to publish it two weeks ago but some things came up. I changed the whole Bran goes beyond the wall part because while walkers arent making large moves yet. In the next chapter, we will see more of Kins Landing and Jon and company reach Essos.
Force Smuggler: Glad you like it.
BioHazard82: Thank mate.
hateme101: I'm glad you like it, Robb has always been one of my favorite characters.
Yamajiji: Robb is starting to realize how the game is being played, he knows that he now cant beat Tywin in an honorable way so has to resort to other means.
Prince Loki Stark: It wasn't Tyrion but he will get his part to play.
NoobFenrir: I'm glad you like it, I like smart characters and honestly it should be too hard to figure out some things. I still have not thought about the kid's part.
denolotdn: I happy you liked it.
ClassicXD: I'm happy you like my story so far. This is my first time writing a sheep in a story and I have to say I think it alright.