Chapter 25 A New Council
The planned feast started more than a little somber, the hall and the tents outside were filled with Riverlords and Northern Lords who only this morning had been fighting to form their own Kingdom free of the Iron Throne now their king had bent the knee to a Targaryen Queen. To say they were upset was an understatement, some even talked about if Queen Deanery's had cheated somehow. Some pointed toward the Valerian steel blades used by most of Queen Deanery's champions, but it was countered with the fact that Robb had used Ice, a Valerian steel sword. Some tried to think of a way to get out of their words to obey the findings of the trail by battle, however trail by battle had been an acceptable way to determine a person's guilt or innocents or to settle issues since before the Seven Kingdoms even formed and was accepted from beyond the wall to the shores of Dorne. A few River lords, mostly those who were closer to the Crownlands even talked about turning their banners to Joffrey rather then bend the knee to a woman but a reminder of Joffrey's many degrees to kill all who rose against him, and that Queen Daenerys promised to give forgiveness to all whom bent the knee to her, apart from the Frey's which no one liked anyhow and the Boltons who turned their cloaks.
Add to that, they could go out into the yard and see the undead wight locked away in a bear cage surrounded by multiple armed knights with crossbow men watching or into the Gods wood and spot the children of the forest all of which supported Queen Daenerys claim of the real enemy. In the end the Lords and Ladies, the Knights and men-at-arms all swallowed their tears and moved into the great hall to bend the knee to Queen Daenerys. The high lords would remain while the rest would enjoy the feast and a rather large amount of ale in multiple tents outside the castle.
In the great hall of Riverrun Queen Daenerys sat at the head of the High table with Jon on her right and Robb who would have been sitting in the center of the High Table had been moved to Deanery's left with his wife, Talisa Stark who this morning had been a Queen and now was just Lady Stark. Behind Daenerys a large banner of House Targaryen rested along the wall, something it hadn't done since the very start of Robert's Rebellion over 20 years ago. It would start with the High Lords and major houses, as Daenerys stood in the great hall.
It started with Robb, his wife Talisa and Lady Catelyn Stark who bent the knee and swore oaths to be loyal to Queen Daenerys and house Targaryen. They had come forward, while Daenerys stood before the center of the table and bent the knee. Standing to her right and slightly behind her was Jon.
"I Robb Stark, formally King of the North and Rivers bend the knee to you Queen Daenerys of House Targaryen first of her name rightful ruler of the seven kingdoms of Westeros and swear to be loyal to you and to honor your commands." pleaded Robb loudly so all the great lords who were watching and awaiting their turns could see their former King do so. "My entire House swears loyalty to you from this point on and into the future."
"I swear loyalty and so does the child within me." added Talisa, because she was heavily pregnant she wasn't required to physically bend the knee but she bowed her head to Queen Daenerys. This was important because some feared that if she didn't bend the knee herself then others may say that while Robb bent the knee the child growing within her didn't and rally around him or her to make their own ruler.
"As do I." added Catelyn her voice breaking a bit, she was looking at the floor not at Daenerys and not even a glance at Jon.
Jon thought he would enjoy seeing Lady Stark bend the knee to Daenerys and in some ways to himself, and he did…somewhat. He would never forgive her for how he was treated by her and how she got Sansa mostly to treat him horribly. Sansa had learned her lesson and he saw Sansa as his sister even if they were by blood cousins, had had forgiven her long ago because she was a child following her mother's led. He could never forgive Lady Stark; he had long ago stopped hating her and unlike her children Jon didn't see her as part of his pack. She was only important to him because she was important to people who were important to him. He had to admit, seeing Lady Stark bend the knee was enjoyable, but all joy turned to ash as he saw Robb bend the knee beside her. Robb had been his best friend, until he went to the watch, he was a brother and to see him defeated even if it was for the greater good was painful. So, victory while sweet and enjoyable was also bitter.
"Arise Lord Stark, Warden of the North and Lord of Winterfell." ordered Daenerys repeating what she had basically in the field. "You are more than just a lord, we are kin. My beloved and soon to be King Consort and father to the next generation to sit the Iron Throne is your cousin by blood and brother in heart. You will always be welcomed in my court and your voice and sword will be most welcomed in the coming struggle."
"Thank you." said Robb "What do you command of me?"
"You are needed here at the moment, because an army is coming down upon us." stated Daenerys "In time you will return to Winterfell and take up your lordship and other duties there but in the meantime your Sister Lady Sansa Stark will govern the North in yours and mine name."
"My younger sister, Lady Sansa is wise and she is a great leader to the North." stated Robb, he hadn't seen Sansa since she left for Kings Landing, now in many ways she was older than he was thanks to the time travel.
"She is, she has already made deals with the Free Folk north of the Wall which means they will fight beside us when the real enemy comes." agreed Daenerys, in truth she actually wanted to keep Sansa in charge of the North. Only Tyrion and Sansa's own recommendation that was a bad idea prevented her from putting Sansa as full time Wardeness of the North over her brother. Still with the war in the South and later against the White Walkers Sansa would be ruling the North while her brother waged war.
"I am concerned about having so many Wildlings south of the Wall." admitted Robb speaking for all Northsmen. "There are thousands of years of hatred between the North and the Wildlings."
"So was I at first and I still share some concern over small groups may put old hate before what is right." admitted Daenerys "But the Free Folk know the real threat and some among their numbers have already bent the knee to Winterfell, a new House, House Thenn will rule from Queen's Crown in the Gift and last Raven from Winterfell said the chieftain of the Giants is considering bending the knee to Winterfell as well. That would be almost 300 giants plus a thousand mammoths to our cause. They will require a lot of land, but they will be a great benefit to the North and the Realm as a whole. Also I have found that facing a common threat can burn away the old hate leaving something new and great behind."
That caused all the eyes in the room to widen, Giants where things of legends but legends seemed to be coming back in large numbers.
"I will have a very different North to rule over once I return." Stated Robb as he turned to leave and take his position to watch the other great Lords and Ladies bend the knee.
"Before you go, there is one other matter that needs to be handled." stated Daenerys as she looked at Jon who nodded his head even as Robb and the others looked confused.
Jon then pulled Longclaw out and moved stand between Robb and Daenerys, a few lords and ladies looked on in worried confusion but to everyone's amazement aside from Daenerys, Jon's and Tyrion who sat watching the scene he designed play out Jon bent the knee to Robb placing the Valerian steal sword before him.
"I Jon Stark, named Lord of the Dreadfort by Wardeness of the North Sansa Stark bend my knee to the Warden of the North and Lord of Winter, Robb Stark." Stated Jon, that is when everyone got the idea of what was happening. Jon had been named Lord of the Dreadfort by Sansa and approved of by Queen Daenerys, true most of his time would be spent in King's Landing but he still was a banner man to House Stark of Winterfell. The second child of Queen Daenerys and Jon would be lord or Lady of that great Northern seat and they would be bannerman to House Stark of Winter as a Cadet house. "I will honor my oaths and any children of mine who rule from the Dreadfort or whatever I decide to rename it will be loyal bannerman of House Targaryen and House Stark."
"Arise, Lord Stark of the Dreadfort." confirmed Robb as Jon arose and took Robb's hand before moving back to where he had been beside Daenerys. With that bit of theater done, it was time for an almost repeat performance.
It was basically the same as Lord Edmure Tully, younger brother to Catelyn Stark, Lord of Riverrun and warden of the Riverlands bent the knee to Queen Daenerys. The same words where said, in almost the same tone. Once again however Queen Daenerys raised her hand to prevent Lord Tully from leaving.
"Lord Tully, with the traitorous House Frey gone and disinherited we need a new Lord of the Twins." stated Daenerys. "I have found a great fit and he will bend the knee to you now."
With that Daenerys stepped back as Gendry came forward placing his Warhammer down at Edmure's feet repeated basically the same words Jon had done to Robb only to Edmure making him Lord of the Twins. He added how he was a bastered son of Robert Baratheon, someone who was loved in the Riverlands and how he would be loyal to House Targaryen on the Iron Throne and House Tully.
"Arise Lord Gendry of House Baratheon of the Twins." ordered Edmure, he had at least the common sense enough to know he couldn't prevent his unknown man from claiming one of the most powerful and best located castles in Westeros. It had been decided long ago. Normally it would be a high lord who had a say in who got castles within the land they ruled, not in this case.
"Remain kneeling Lord Gendry." stated Daenerys countermanding Edmure's orders, even Gendry was confused as Brienne came forward and pulled her sword, placing the blade on Gendry's shoulder asking if he would protect the weak and serve the realm as a Knight. When he answered yes, she moved on and just like Jaime had done at Winterfell to her she knighted him. "Now arise Lord Gendry a knight of the Twins."
"A moment, my Queen." Stated the former Blacksmith now a knight and a Lord before he looked at Arya who nodded her head and came forward. This wasn't planned but it wasn't unexpected by those who knew them well.
"Arya…I remember when…" started Gendry
"The answer is yes." stated Arya before Gendry could do some flowery speech which wasn't either of their styles but was expected. Then she kissed him as she heled him up and for anyone who didn't get what was happening Tyrion raised a glass.
"To the Lord of the Twins Gendry of House Baratheon and the future Lady of the Twins Arya of House Stark." Announced Tyrion as there was clapping even as Catelyn looked on is stunned silence, she hadn't even had a moment to talk to Arya and now she was betrothed to be married to man whom all she knew was that he was a bastered son of a king, a former blacksmith and now lord of the Twins.
Catelyn failed to see the brilliance of the move, as the son of Robert Baratheon a man who was beloved in the Riverlands giving him the Castle of a hatred house like the Frey's was more tolerable. Throw on top of it, that if he not only bent the knee to House Tully but was married to Arya who was the niece to Lord Edmure Tully gave him the more reasons to accept the change. House Frey did have a lot of family connections through multiple marriages but their betrayer of House Stark, House Tully and the other Riverlords meant few would want to try to push their claim. Throw in their long history of charging extremely high rates to cross their bridge meant few loved them. None would miss them and those who did have a claim to the Twins by marriage wasn't going to attempt to go up against dragons.
It also worked for Queen Daenerys and for Arya and Gendry most of all. Queen Daenerys got someone whom she had total faith in holding a key link between the Riverlands and the North. The Twins would be key to crossing armies and if the worse should come evacuation common folk out of the North would be far easier with the Twins. For Gendry this made him a lord of a great seat, worth husband material for the second daughter of a great house like House Stark. For Arya, it meant that while yes, she would have to play the role of a lady, as much as she could be with Gendry and keep her family all at once. They would make the oddest Lord and Lady in Westeros for sure, a blacksmith bastered son of a king and the high-born lady turned deadly assassin would rule the Twins.
One by one the Lords, Ladies and Knights came into the hall and bent the knee to Queen Daenerys pleading their lives to her and her cause. To serve her loyally and faithfully, Queen Daenerys thanked them and told them to rise but she knew their loyalty belonged more to Robb then to her.
"It was like this when you first bent the knee to me." whispered Daenerys to Jon as a small break took place and Robb had left to go to the bathroom. "They do not love me."
"No, but they will in time, you just have to show them who you are." confirmed Jon "It worked for the Northern and Vale lords in our time."
Robb returned to his seat, he seemed disappointed about losing his crown and his kingdom but he also seemed a little bit happy to now not have to deal with the infighting among the great houses.
"So am I going to head back to Winterfell?" inquired Robb
"In time." confirmed Daenerys as she looked at all the high lords and ladies who were still in the room. They were eating, drinking and talking about the change of situation they now found themselves in. Somewhere already talking about coming down on King's Landing on Dragon back and burning the Lannister's out, not seemly to care about how many small folk would die in such an attack. "These are still your lords and ladies in their hearts and Joffrey is bearing down on us. We need to prepare for his arrival, he is only 4 days away from here."
"I can confirm that." added the Blackfish as he walked up to Robb to whisper in his ear before pausing and instead leaning toward Queen Daenerys. "Ravens from Raventree hall report they have spotted his Vanguard, given the distance and if he isn't stopping to attempt to take any keep his main body should be between Raventree Hall and Stonehenge. "Also reports from Wayfarer's Rest says a massive Lannister host is moving around it and heading our way. They should arrive here around the same time."
"Just where Bran reported they would be." confirmed Jon as Robb and the Blackfish looked at him, Daenerys nodded giving him permission to carry on. "Brann, has been using some of his time when not looking into the history of the Night King to reporting the movements and plans of our enemies. We need to start laying out our plans."
"Not here." ordered Daenerys as she looked around at all the lords still in the hall, she should have stopped Jon from talking but that was her fault. She turned to Robb "Can you call your advisors together, I believe a war council is needed."
"Alright, the Great Jon and Lady Mormont are still recovering, but I will call them." confirmed Robb as he sent a servant out, as Queen Daenerys rose and hit her glass goblet with a small knife causing a ringing sound to fill the air. The sound pulled everyone's eyes toward her.
"My Lords and Ladies, we are only a few days away from Joffrey's army arriving at these very walls." announced Daenerys "So eat, drink and rest for tomorrow and the following days will be busy as we prepare for his arrive to give him a welcome that he will not like at all. I would like all of the formerly King's Robb war council to meet in the solar so that we can go over our new united plans. We will inform the rest of our plans tomorrow."
There where multiple nods around the room and a few cheers, here the Riverlords and the Northern lords where more than happy to fight with Daenerys if it meant crushing their common enemy if Joffrey.
The council was a strange event as everyone seemed more than a little unsure of where everyone was in the peaking order. It got off to an rough start as Robb by force of habit moved to the head of the table only to have to step aside as Daenerys as Queen took her rightful position at the head of the massive table where multiple maps of Westeros was laid out. It wasn't the painted table but it was good enough.
Tyrion moved to Deanery's right taking a seat so that he could see the table, as hand of the Queen that was his proper position while Jon stood at Deanery's left with Robb beside him. Soon the room was full with over a dozen people who either stood around the table or where against the wall.
"Lord Varys, will you place the pieces as best as you can with the information you know." requested Daenerys, that was her normal starting line for these war councils as Varys nodded his head and began to place multiple pieces on the maps. Explaining as he did so, to those who didn't know or needed a refresher of the placement of forces on the map. Targaryen banners now controlled three of the seven kingdoms of Westeros, from the Wall to almost the gates of King Landing Queen Daenerys ruled.
"The operation in King's Landing goes well but the second operation has yet to begin." stated Varys as he placed markers down for the Redwyne Fleet which sat outside King's Landing.
"What operation." inquired Robb
"This information doesn't leave this room." ordered Daenerys "We can't risk it being discovered or thousands will die."
There where nods around the table.
"My Father, in his madness had catches of Wildfire placed around King's Landing from under the Red Keep itself to the slums of Flee bottom, under homes and septs alike." explained Daenerys as the new commers eyes widened. For her part Catelyn Stark eyes widened as well, but she already knew the information, it was more in shame because she had forgotten to share the information with Robb already.
"In our time, my sweet sister blew up the Sept of Baelor rather than face a trail for sleeping with Jaime. It blew up the Sept and took most of the upper part of the hill as well, thousands died. We were lucky it didn't set off the others or else the entire city may have gone up in green fire." Explained Tyrion, Catelyn and the newcomers where shocked and horrified to blow up the second holiest sept in the Seven Kingdom behind the Stary Sept in Old Town was inconceivable. "If those catches go, the until city with a population greater than the entire North would be nothing but ash within minutes."
"By the Seven, the Mad King was worse than I thought possible." stated the Blackfish, he had been to King's Landing multiple times, imagining the city as nothing but ash was something he didn't want to think of.
"He was." confirmed Daenerys "He planned to have Robert rule over ash, or maybe he thought he would rise from it a dragon, he was truly mad. Either way attacking King's Landing is out of the question until we get those catches removed. I will not burn down the Capital City of the Seven Kingdom."
"Thanks to my contacts and those of our Master of Ships Ser Davos Seaworth we are well underway in that task." stated Varys "I estimate that we have gotten about half of it out but the real challenge will be getting the ones under the Red Keep and those in the richer neighbors nearby. The gold cloaks will be paying more attention there then the slums of flea bottom."
"Save them for last." ordered Daenerys "If the Red Keep is destroyed, we can rebuild it, save the people's homes and businesses first."
That came as a little bit of surprise for those who don't know Daenerys, they would assume she would want the Castle but she was putting the people's need first.
"Understood your grace." Stated Varys "The operation has slowed down a bit because of the number of Redwyne ships in the harbor but it is still moving forward well enough."
"Good." stated Daenerys "And our other little task in King's Landing?"
"As for the second operation, my little birds have already informed me about where in the Red Keep or new Lord Reyne can find him." explained Varys "He should reach the city in a day or two, one of my contacts will meet up with him and help him into the castle, after that it is up to Lord Reyne to reach the waiting horse."
"What are you talking about?" inquired Robb "Lord Reyne?"
"Lord Bronn Reyne Lord of Castamere." stated Tyrion laughing a bit as he eyed his brother who was standing against the far wall. "The bastered son of a bastered mother of the Red Lion of Castamere before my father drowned them all in their hall when they rose up against the Lion of the Lannister."
"Or that is the story we will tell, it may actually be true too." added Jaime, Bronn had always said his mother was a prostitute. "The Red Lion was said to father more than a few bastereds in the Westernlands so it might even be possible that he is the true grandson of the Red Lion."
Jon shifted a bit, he may not have been a true bastered but he grew up with the name Snow, not Stark. Beside him, under the table Daenerys took his hand and gave a confronting squeeze before the two shared a short private smile.
"Either way, it is payment for what you would have called a sell sword named Bronn for his service to House Lannister, he wanted a Keep and a castle of his own." explained Tyrion "And Castamere is an open seat even if we will have to reopen it and clear out the flooding from what my father did."
"Ok, but what is he doing?" inquired Lord Tully, more than a little rudely but he wasn't known for his patience to begin with. He had been much higher up in the order when Robb was King, he was his Uncle after all but now while he voice carried weight he was much lower down on the list. He was a high lord and ruled over all the Riverlords the same way Robb ruled over the Northern Lords for the Iron Throne.
"Before we arrived, Jon flew him down past the Lannister lines toward King's Landing." announced Daenerys "If all goes as plan, he will rescue Little Lord Robert Arryn from the Red Keep and possibly freeing Lord Redwyne which Joffrey had imprisoned in the black cells."
"Joffrey had Lord Redwyne imprisoned?" asked the Blackfish stunned by the news "He was really stupid enough to imprison the man with the largest war fleet in Westeros?"
"While said fleet was sitting in Blackwater rush." added Tyrion with a grin, he knew his nephew well and while he hadn't been part of the plans to capture the Redwyne twins he knew what his nephew would do with the news and planned according. The Blackfish rolled his eyes in amazement of the stupidity of King Joffrey.
"I have already given Bronn multiple passageways into the red Keep and my little birds have already told me where Lord Redwyne is located." stated Varys "Getting in and out shouldn't be an issue, it is getting Lord Arryn which will be the problem. Getting Lord Redwyne would only be a bounce."
"We captured the Redwyne twins, one is with Stannis on Dragonstone the other should be arriving in White Harbor soon." Stated Jon "All we asked from their father was for him to sit the war out."
"And that may help drive the biggest warfleet in Westeros to our side." stated Tyrion "And to make matters worse, they will need that fleet very soon."
"A few days ago, we got word by Bran that the Iron Born have launched an attack on Lannistport, the Lannister fleet there is burning and the Iron Born has landed multiple small forces across the entire shore of Ironman's Bay." Stated Daenerys as multiple markers showing the kraken of House Greyjoy were placed on the shoreline on the other side of the mount range which split the Westerlands from the Riverlands.
"My Father should learn about it soon." added Tyrion as he pointed to a series of Lannister markers just beyond Wayfarers rest heading toward Riverrun. "I kind of wish I could be there to see him receive the news."
"That leaves him with a hard choice, either he can keep on the march and head toward us to unite with Joffrey's main force from the Reach which was the plan, or he can turn and follow the Tumberstone back to the west to deal with the Ironborn raiding the shore." stated Jon his hand moving across the map.
"Yes, those are his two real moves." confirmed Jaime "He could split his forces, but he doesn't like that, he prefers to have one massive army which he can personally command. He likes to keep his fighting strength under his control whenever possible."
"He split his forces against us, sent the Mountain out with his most of his horse to raid and attack the Riverlands." countered Robb, the Mountain and his men had burned countless fields and destroyed a few small tower keeps while they rampaged through the Riverlands.
"That was just raiding, his goal was to set the Riverlands alight and that is what the Mountain is good at. The Mountain didn't have to worry about strategy or supplying himself, only burning and destruction." countered Jaime "If my father split his forces, he will send a force under my Uncle Kevin. There is no one else he would trust to lead an army in his name who is still loyal to him besides my Uncle."
"What do you think he will do?" inquired Robb as he looked at Jaime.
"Honestly I don't know, he will know we are the biggest threat, and my father always deals with the biggest threat first but the Greyjoys just attacked the Westerlands and as warden of the West, he can't let that stain against his honor remain." Stated Jaime "I could see him going either way."
"Also, he really, really hates the Greyjoy after they destroyed the Lannister fleet at the start of their first rebellion when Robert was King, he hasn't forgotten that slight." countered Tyrion as his brother nodded in agreement remembering his father's anger at that during the opening moments of the Greyjoy rebellion and more so how King Robert always reminded him of it. "I would put money down on him turning his army back to the West to take on the Ironborn, if he doesn't how many men will abounded him and head home to protect their wives and children from the Ironborn. A few lords may go with them. Also if he loses those lands it will be hard to get men from other lands to come up for an army. They would want to stay home to protect their families."
"Only issue is that the path he would take to head up the Tumberstone is just under a day's march from here." stated Jon as he looked back at the map. "We will not know which way he will go until then and then there is Bolton."
"We haven't heard much from the traitor, no sightings no nothing." noted the Blackfish, he oversaw the scouts in Robbs army and had done an amazing job. He was the one who masterly hid that the smaller Northern army had split in two at the start of the war, allowing the horse under Robb to smash and crush Jaime's army at Riverrun at the battle of the Whispering Woods.
"He found a crossing here." announced Jon as he pointed to a between the Red and Blue Fork of the Trident, the green fork had already joined the blue fork slightly North of that point meant that area was borderline swampland. Because it flooded almost every time there was a heavy rain next to no one lived there. "His scouts found a small path which will take him into the swamp and up this hill here before getting onto dry land, from there he plans to move on us from the East. He has a force of horsemen, foot and archers. They are much smaller than the force under Lord Tywin and would be tinny compared to the massive host under Joffrey, but their goal is to strike us in the rear."
"If he gets behind us, we don't have enough room inside the Castle for a siege if we have an enemy army on the North bank of the Red Fork we will…" started Lord Edmure Tully
"He will not get behind us, or at least he will not get behind us uncontested." reassured Jon as he looked at Daenerys who nodded her head.
"When we left the Twins, we already knew where Lord Bolton planned to cross the river." explained Daenerys "As such, a force of Unsullied and northern archers as already taken the hill and have fortified it,
With that she placed a marker on a hill blocking the path Roose had to take to head to Riverrun. Yes, they could risk going around it but from on top of that hill the archers could rain down death upon them and they would be trapped between them on the high ground and a river. To charge up a muddy hill was also an option, but they would be going straight into the spears and shields of the Unsullied with Northern Archers raining death upon them.
"So we don't have to worry about Bolton?" inquired Lord Mallister
"Not fully, he could send his horse out on ride along the river, they would be slowed in the mud and under a hail of arrows for part of their journey and all wouldn't all make it. If he tried his foot as well…there would be bodies washing up Maidenpool." stated Ser Jorah before pointing to the hill where the marker was. "Unless he takes that position the best, he can hope is that some of his horse get through nothing more than that."
"And we have our own horse to counter him." Stated the Blackfish who had commanded Robb's scouts and light horse many of times.
"I don't think the horse will be needed, Greyworm, commander of the Unsullied and my Master of War is commanding them." stated Daenerys, she could see some of her new subjects shift a bit at the idea of a foreigner being the Master of War. That would make him Queen Daenerys main battlefield commander who would outrank them on the field.
"With luck, he will be able to crush Bolton if attacked or at least force him to turn back so we will not have to deal with him." stated Jon as some of the Northern and Riverlords rolled their eyes at the idea of a former slave solider beating a skilled Lord like Roose Bolton.
"We should focus on how to deal with Joffrey's army, his force is massive, and he is bringing siege weapons with him." stated Jorah Mormont as he refocused the meeting on the massive force of Crownlanders and Reachmen coming down on them from King's Landing.
"Agreed, with his ballista I am hesitant to put my dragons in the air against them. We can't afford to loss them." stated Daenerys as she took a seat and prepared to listen. "I am open to ideas."
Lord Roose Bolton sat on horseback in the middle of possible the worse swamp in Westeros outside of the Neck. One of his scouts had found this path through the swamp when they were holding the nearby Harrenhal for Robb now he was marching against the boy wolf. He had planned to move through the swamp, taking two or three days to do so because of how narrow the path was but once on the other side he could swing behind the boy wolf and take him in the rear while King Joffrey hit him in the front. That was the plan and overall, it was a good plan, but it had all come undone.
"How did they know of this?" inquired one of his nearby riders, in the south the man would have been a Knight but Knights where rare in the North.
"I don't know." Answered Roose as he looked up the Hill, a hill he had to take. Standing on top of that hill, behind makeshift but slowly improving defenses was a line of spearman with archers behind. He assumed at first it was Robb considering he spotted a couple of Northern banners, but they seemed to be only around the archers. In the center where the spearman where was the three headed dragon of house Targaryen.
This was Queen Daenerys not the young wolf.
He studied the field before him with the ice-cold gray eyes, he didn't like what he saw.
The Hill overlooked the only path out of the swamp. True Queen Daenerys didn't place her forces right at the base of the hill but about 3/4th the way up with the archers behind them. Still the archers on the high ground could rain down death on his forces coming up from the swamp. He could send his forces up and take the hill but those where Unsullied spearmen up there they would kill 10 or more for everyone he took out. He had the force to do so but it would mean the end of his foot and a good amount of his horse and even then, he wasn't totally sure it wouldn't end with a Targaryen victory given the terrain and the Unsullied spearman holding the ground.
The other option was to send his horse charging out of the swamp and onto the solid ground at the base of the hill and then have them ride to their right along the riverfront. That part was less muddy so his horse should be able to ride up and around. They could then try to take them on from the rear, while his foot marched up the front. That would likely result in about the same number of dead and he didn't know if they had defenses on the other side or another force of spearman and archers.
His best bet would be to send his horse out like he planned and have them ride around the Hill and head to Riverrun, he didn't see any horse so they could reach Riverrun without his foot however those archers would still rain death down on them on that ride. He could expect to lose at least a quarter possibly half of his horse just moving them around the Hill and into open land.
"Your orders." Inquired one of his banner men
"We can't take the position. I don't know how they found out about this path, but we need to find another way around." stated Bolton as he turned his horse around. "We need to head back."
"At once, my lord." said the banner man
"Send a rider to King Joffrey explaining our failure and send scouts out, we need another crossing." ordered Bolton already knowing that finding another crossing not controlled by Riverlords or Queen Deanarys was unlikely.
A miles north of Wayfare's Rest Lord Tywin Lannister looked down at the message in anger as his younger brother and his most trusted advisor Kevin. Both men where sitting on horseback slightly back from the road where the army was marching by none of them knowing the problems back in the Westerlands.
"Every keep and castle along the coast from the Crag to Hags Mire either taken or under siege." stated Kevin as he considered the news along with his brother. "Countless villages burnt, crops ruined, and common folk killed. Our fleet destroyed at anchor in Lannistport."
"For the second time in my lifetime and Lannister Honor affronted yet again." stated Tywin, it didn't matter all that much that those lands were considered poor by the standards of the Westerlands. There were a tiny few gold mines there, but none compared to the massive mines which were spread out around the rest of the Westerlands and the "mine" under Casterly Rock which was the richest of them all. None knew that the mine had run dry almost 3 years ago. The smaller mines, the belief that the vaults of Casterly Rock where full of gold kept the West as powerful as it was. To have that image broken could destroy the entire west.
"Of course." stated Kevin "The Greyjoys are fools, we may have allowed them some of the North when we won but to attack us now, we will have to crush them."
"How?" inquired Tywin as Kevin blinked.
"We head up the Tumblestone and head to Nunn's Deep and drive the Iron born off our shores." stated Kevin, he knew that his brother knew the map. Tywin had studied the map of the Westerlands and the nearby areas of the Riverlands and Reach since he was a kid. He had ridden around the Westerland to the point that he likely knew some lands better than their local lords. He for sure knew of the path through the mountains to Nunn's Deep. "It would be a hard march, and it would take our man a while to go through the narrow path but from Nunn's Deep we can retake the lands lost."
"Have you forgotten about your great nephew, my grandson the King's order to be part of a joint attack on the Young Wolf at Riverrun?" inquired Tywin shaking his head. "If we had waited, we could have finished raising a full host at Lannistport before we marched, we would have a thousand more men and we could divide up our forces, you are taking some to deal with the Iron Born while I kept on the march toward Riverrun. We could have brought possible three of four thousand more out of the Reach and brought more Stormlanders and possibly the Dornish in as well, but that would be less likely. We could have the full backing of house Tyrell with a marriage but no, my idiot of a grandson had to be like his fat lazy idiot of a father, King Robert. He had to order this march, to crush is enemies when he should have waited. Now if we loss, house Tyrell could very well abound us. They have nothing holding them to us."
Kevin stood in silence, not sure what to say. His brother had always been reserved and never said anything without taking care to think first. Yet he had just insulted the King, his own grandson and admitted that the Tyrells could abounded them and turn their banners to Queen Deanarys.
"What are you planning brother?" inquired Kevin as he decided to focus on the current situation and that was a safe thing to say.
"We will crush our enemies." Stated Tywin as he rode forward leaving his brother to wonder what he meant and what his brother was planning.
King Joffrey Baratheon was enjoying a quick hunt, while on the march with his army he had grown board and had taken to a nearby woods to hunt down some wild boar or stag. He had gone on a few hunts with his father, but he never really enjoyed the process of the hunt. The tracking of a stupid animal, the stalking it through the woods before finally killing it with a spear or a bow was a waste of time in his view. So he had a much simpler way of getting what he wanted.
He lined up a hundred or so man and had them march through the woods making as much noise as they could while he sat on a chair in a clearing on the other end with his crossbow ready. The men did all the work and he got to get what he really wanted, the thrill of a kill.
"My King is this a wise move?" inquired Lord Tyrell as he stood behind his sitting king waiting for the animal to come into sight. There had already been a few rabbits and even a fox but nothing worry of King Joffrey's bolt had come yet. "We need to be focused on…"
"Defeating our enemies will be easy enough, we have more than enough man." countered Joffrey with annoyance in his voice. "Once we arrive at Riverrun, we will surround it and storm the walls and end the Young Wolf."
The Lords and knights nearby all shared a look with each other, Riverrun was surrounded on three sides by rivers, hence the name. The Tully's had dug a moat on the fourth side which they could flood at will which would make Riverrun into a manmade island. The Tully's also had floating bridges which they normally left out to allow easy travel across the rives but they could be floated into a small dock located within the castle's walls whenever needed. Jaime's army had been defeated in the early stages of the war because he had to split his army up to put the castle under siege.
They were marching on Riverrun but given their position they would be hitting the wall with a natural river on it not the moat which would make filling it in next to impossible. True there was a small stone bridge over the Red Fork which would get them to the side of Riverrun with a moat. That bridge was only wide enough for a single cart and ran almost right beside one of the major towers at Riverrun, they could cross it but it would be a slaughter.
They would have to use their own raft to cross the river upstream which would be slow and take a lot of time, something King Joffrey wouldn't want to spend. That meant the only way to storm Riverrun would be the siege towers with ramps at the top, they could bring them to the water's edge and drop the ramp coming down on the castle wall. That would be costly since all the defenders would be right there waiting for them.
The only way to surround it would be if Bolton and the Westerland forces arrived, and the Northern/Riverland host was large enough to defeat Bolton which meant likely the best they could do is surround Riverrun on three sides.
It was something every Lord who had looked at a map and had spent more than an hour studying Riverrun Castle would know. Yet their King didn't.
Suddenly a massive stag ran into the clearing, he had a massive set of antlers on him among the largest any of them had ever seen. For a second everyone was stunned at how beautiful this animal was, it was almost a perfect reputation of the stag on the King's own standard.
"Perfect." Said Joffrey as he raised his crossbow and fired, the bolt flew off to the side as the buck looked at him for a second before taking off at a run as Joffrey reloaded. He tried to reload but before he could out of the woods came a massive dark shape which leap on the deer's back, it's fangs sank deeply into the deer's neck bringing it down among the tall grass at once.
"Fuck." Cursed Joffrey as he took off at a run toward where the deer fell. He arrived only a few moments later to find the stage gone and only a trail of blood leading back into the woods.
"I am not about to let some animals take my kill." stated Joffrey
"My King Stop!" yelled the least dressed man among the party but he was the royal master of the hunt. "Don't go in there!"
"Never speak to me like that!" stated Joffrey as he got into the man's face.
"My King, it's a trap." Stated the man as he bent down and pointed toward the tracks. "That was a wolf…one hell of a big of a she wolf."
"I am not afraid of a wolf." countered Joffrey
"My King, that she wolf took down a massive stag with a single bite and did it in a way to avoid any antlers and judging by the tracks there are at least a dozen if not more wolves with her." stated the Master of the Hunt, that got Joffrey's attention.
"Let the stupid wolves be, we have better things to do." stated Joffrey as he headed back to his horse, in the woods a large pack of wolves with a large she-wolf, a dire wolf she wolf had been waiting for anyone to follow them. Unknown to Joffrey it was the same wolf which had bitten his hand all those years ago and who's master had sent her away, she recognized him and waited for him to come when he didn't, they started to eat their prize.
Back at Riverrun, the war council was wrapping up as a general outline was forming.
"Can't we just send in your dragons and burn them." stated Edmure Tully for the seventh or eighth time. "It worked for Aegon on the field of fire and they had a larger army then what Joffrey has."
"Joffrey has multiple ballistas ready to defend him if we came to close." countered Jon, everyone had told him that multiple times but he still wasn't getting it.
"I will not risk one of my children not when I don't have to." added Daenerys
"Our plan is good, unconventional but good." stated the Black Fish to his nephew who was technically his ledge lord.
"It may not be as dramatic as a dragon swooping down on them, but this will be almost as good." stated Tyrion
"Maybe we shouldn't let them know we have bent the knee, wouldn't it be better if they don't know we have bent the knee to you?" inquired Robb
"That news will be in Kings Landing by morning Lord Stark." countered Varys "Little Finger will know of it, what he does with it is uncertain, but King Joffrey will know about it by the time he reaches us."
"How can, you be sure?" inquired Robb
"Because I knew your movements just as fast when I was in King's Landing." stated Varys as he decided to show off a little bit. "In fact, if I was still serving King Joffrey I would know of you bending the knee by nightfall, Little Finger's network isn't the equal of mine but it is close. He will learn. As for Joffrey, so many small folk where here to witness the battle and they will spread the news far and wide it can't be contained for long if at all."
"Well, we are all glad that you serve us and the People of Realm Lord Varys." stated Daenerys beside her Jon eyed Varys, a thought had just entered his mind. Did Varys know about the Red Wedding before it happened? That was something Tywin Lannister would have kept very close, but if anyone could have known it would be Varys. So did Varys let all those Northern and River Lords die, including his cousin. Jon didn't want to know so he pushed that idea to the back of his mind.
"I wish I could be of more use my Queen, but it is hard to beat someone who has eyes everywhere." stated Varys
"What does that mean?" inquired the Blackfish
"Me…he means me." Said a Raven as it landed on the table, the voice was off, but it sounded like Bran.
"Bran?" inquired Catelyn as the Raven nodded his head.
"Bran, what have you learned about the Night King and his movements?" inquired Daenerys as she turned her attention away from Joffrey to the real threat.
"Not much, lots of information and helping you is limiting my time to search." stated Bran's voice through the Raven
"I understand." stated Daenerys as she considered, Bran was giving her so much information that it was hard to beat. It was almost as if she was inside the war councils for Joffrey and others and with that information it was almost impossible for her to be defeated. "Bran, I want you to focus solely on the Night King, we will handle things on our front."
The Raven nodded his head and gave a slight bow.
"My Queen is that wise, information Bran has been able to give us allowed us to position ourselves for great victories, to give it up now?" inquired Tyrion
"We will have to count on Lord Varys and his little birds, he is extremely skilled and the best Master of Whispers anyone could hope for." stated Daenerys, as Varys bowed his head a little even as he stood a little taller. "All our victories will mean nothing if we don't find a way to win the War for the Dawn."
"Thank you for your praise your Grace and I agree my Queen that our victories will be meaningless if we lose to the Night King." stated Varys as Jon, Jorah and others nodded their heads in agreement. Even Tyrion agreed after a moment of considering.
"I would ask a question before you go Bran." Inquired Varys as Raven Bran turned toward him.
"Has my friend Illyrio Mopatis reach Marreen with his fleet?" inquired Varys as the Raven Bran paused for a moment, the eyes of the Raven turning white for a moment.
"Illyrio will arrive in Marreen tomorrow morning and the fleet is a day behind him. The rest of the Unsullied, as well as the second sons and the third dragon all remain in the city." answered Bran as Varys nodded his head, that was good news.
"Good then if all goes well the Unsullied, along with Sir Barristan and your last dragon can board ship and head to Westeros." Stated Varys to Deanarys who nodded her head and smiled at the idea of having her third child back.
"I have another question Bran, where is the army of the Undead?" inquired Jon.
The Raven looked down as if it was defeated.
"The Night King is hiding his movements from me now." explained Bran "Last I saw he split his forces up, a large force is standing just north of the Haunted Forest while others are still searching for a dead dragon to break the Wall."
"Thank you Bran, focus on finding out how we can defeat him leave the rest to us." stated Daenerys as the Raven nodded his head before the eyes turned white for a second before going back to a black. The Bird looked around confused for a second before flying out the window.
"That was strange." stated the Blackfish.
"Many things are strange in this world, and I believe it will only get stranger." Said an elderly voice of Measter Aemon who sat near the end of the table, Samwell standing behind him to provide aid and to serve as basically a second measter.
"Still, I don't like this going on the defensive with dragons we can…" started Lord Tully again.
"Again, my lord I will not risk my dragons against their ballista." stated Daenerys clearly getting frustrated by this line of questions. "Our plans will be more than enough."
"Ah…excuse me" started Sam as all eyes turned to him, instantly Sam looked like he wanted to hide.
"What is it Sam?" inquired Jon
"Well I have an idea, that could allow us to use the dragons before Joffrey arrives but not put them at risk." explained Sam clearly nerves to speak before all these high lords some of whom where legendary figures.
"Go on." reassured Jon as Sam spoke of his plan, at first some looked at him like he was crazy but Tyrion began to smile as he realized just how smart of the plan it was and that no one had never done it before.
"Can it be done?" inquired Daenerys with interest.
"In principle it is easy." stated Maester Aemon "I am actually surprised no one had thought of it before or maybe it has been done but it has been lost to history, the problem will be designing it."
"Shouldn't be that hard, I designed a saddle which allowed me to ride I could have a design worked up in a few hours." stated Tyrion "I will need Gendry's help there, he would know more about making it then I would."
"Depending on the design, it shouldn't take long to make." Added Gendry who had spent most of the time remaining against the wall without saying a word.
"We have the items you would need." added Robb as his Uncle nodded his head in conformation.
"It would keep the dragons safe." reassured Jon
"Do it." ordered Daenerys "If this works, it will put our enemies at a great disadvantages."
"I need to leave." stated Arya as everyone looked at her. "While I was with Robb's forces a Faceless men came and talked to me. He agreed to honor the deal I made in our future to leave but he told me to come to Braavos and the House of Black and White."
"Why?" inquired Jon
"Not sure, but I have a guess." stated Arya "But I make no promises that it is correct."
"Tell us." ordered Daenerys as Arya took a breath.
"The Faceless men worship, him of many faces also known as death…we serve him." stated Arya, letting the word we sink in, Arya had never been the most religious but to come out and say she worshiped Him of Many Faces caused a few uneasy looks mostly among Robb and most of all Catelyn. "Death makes all men equal; the Night King has taken the dead from their rest and used them…that is an ad front to those who follow Him of Many Faces."
"Are you saying that the Faceless men may go to war?" inquired Jon
"War is not their way." countered Arya
"Besides what would an army of Assassin's do against the night king?" inquired Robb
"But Braavos might." finished Arya as Robb like everyone else blinked. Braavos was among the most powerful of the free city. It was said that Braavos could build a warship in a day and they were either the richest or the second richest Free City. Their gold could turn the tide in paying for the coming war.
"The Faceless men are rumored to have strong ties with the Iron Bank and with the Sea Lord." Stated Aemon "If Braavos is to be convinced to go to war they will all need to be convinced but having the House of Black and White on your side can only help us."
"Agreed." Stated Tyrion "Now the question is how to get you to Braavos."
"I only to get to a port." stated Arya as she held up a strange coin. "I can take it from there."
"I can fly her to White Harbor today." offered Jon before looking at Daenerys, he didn't want to say it but Deanarys knew it wouldn't look good for her to leave right after they bent the knee to her.
"No, I will need you for the coming battle." countered Daenerys before looking at Arya "Sorry but Braavos will have to wait until after the battle. We will send a raven to White Harbor for them to prepare a ship to go to Braavos."
"Maybe a royal party as well, to make official ties with Bravoos." advised Tyrion
"Lord Manderly has friends among the court of the Sea Lord of Braavos…" said Robb "I considered sending him to Braavos but I needed someone to maintain white Harbor."
"His sons can do that." Stated Tyrion "And he is the Master of Coin, he can make contact with the Iron Bank as well."
"Alright, send a raven at once instruction Lord Manderley to prepare to go to Braavos to make contact with the Sea Lord and the Iron Bank." Stated Daenerys as she turned to look at Arya. "I left a wight at White Harbor to show the people the coming threat, would the Faceless men be interested in see it."
"Aye, I believe so." confirmed Arya
"If not the Sea Lord hopefully will." Stated Jon
"I believe that is everything." Said Robb, normally that was something reserved for the King or in this case Queen to say, to call the meeting to a close but Queen Daenerys let the slight insult go because this morning he was a King but it didn't stop her from raising her hand to stop the meeting from coming to a close.
"There is still one more thing which needs to be discussed." Stated Queen Daenerys as she turned to the Blackfish. "Sir Brynden Tully, the Blackfish I have a question to put before you."
"And what is that?" inquired the Blackfish before adding. "My Queen."
"Your skills are without question, and all know you are a man of honor." stated Queen Daenerys, as Brynden's eyes widened, he realized where this was going a second before everyone who didn't already know did. "How would you like to become the third member of my Queen's guard."
"Third?" inquired Bryden looking at Jorah Mormont
"Don't worry I will not be commanding you, at least not yet Ser Barristan is Lord Commander, he is still in Meereen but Lord Varys ships will hopefully be bringing him and the rest of our forces over soon." Stated Jorah
"Take your time to consider." Stated Daenerys "This is a lifelong duty and…"
"No need." Stated Bryden as he chucked to himself. "If only my brother lived long enough to see the Blackfish wear a white cloak, that would have been funny to see him react to that. Still the answer is yes, I will take the White."
"Excellent, I will add I am not limiting the Queen's guard to just men. Sir Brienne of Tarth has been invited but has yet to accept or decline an invite." stated Daenerys as Bryden shifted a bit. "If you don't want to serve with a woman, you are free to take back your acceptance."
"I would have taken it back the acceptance this morning." stated Bryden "However how can I say a women cannot fight when I saw what Brienne of Tarth and my own great niece Arya did on the tourney ground this morning."
"Good, it will be an honor to have a knight of your skill and honor at my side." said Daenerys
Darkness was falling over the great free city of Volantis, as the oldest of the daughters of Valyria, Volantis was by far the largest of the free city and the possibly the richest. No one was sure how rich Bravos was and having been founded by Valyrian slaves who rebelled against their masters to earn their freedom most in Volantis didn't consider it a true daughter of Valyria…possibly a bastard daughter but not a true daughter. As the darkness began to fall over the city, thousands of people were still in the sleep, some heading home from work some still at work still. Some heading toward taverns to enjoy a drink or a pleasure house to enjoy the pleasure of the flesh, still some headed toward the multiple temples to the Lord of Light to watch the lighting of the cauldrons which would burn through the night to keep the city "safe". Hundreds filled the large courtyard in front of the main temple to watch the lighting of the largest cauldron.
To their slight surprised instead of High Priest Benerro or one of the lesser priests was conducting the nightly ceremony, it was an unknown. It wasn't even the second or another member of the holy council or even their aids but a generally unknown however he wore the robes of a high-ranking priest in the order but not that high. That was very odd and like anything strange gossip began to spread about the event. That gossip lessened however once word rippled through the crowd that a meeting of the holy orders was taking place which explained why so many of the high leadership was missing. That kind of meeting wasn't unheard of, but the timing seamed off to those who thought about it, most didn't. They prayed to the fire beseeching it to keep the darkness away for another night.
"For the Night is dark and full of terrors!" cried the hundreds of voices in the square as one.
Their cries reached through the thick walls, large red wooden doors to the very heart of the temple. There a massive round table had been placed long ago; the table was made of solid red stone with an opening cut out so that a center area was open for anyone who wished to address those sitting at the table to stand before them all. Behind the table lining the very walls of the circle room was a large ring of burning fire so that those sitting at the table was surrounded totally by fire.
The only exit/entrees to the room were two staircases which lead downwards allowing the ring of fire to be complete, an opening in the roof allowed smoke to pass out of the temple.
"For the Night is Dark and full of Terrors." stated a massive man, his arms and legs thick with muscles, his skin a pitch black with flaming tattoos running visible one his arms, the flames went all the way up his arms and across his chest and back stopping around his neckline, over his heart was a tattoo of a flaming heart. However few if anyone would ever see his tattoos outside of his arms. He wore long bright red robes with a red leather armored breast plate, his shoes where simple sandals as a massive book containing the written works of the faith hung from a strap over his shoulder. He carried no weapons outside of his faith, his position, and his magic.
"For the Night is dark and full of terrors." repeated the rest gathered in the room, all wore the same general items as the man, red robes with either a leather breast plate or a corset depending on gender.
"Please be seated." stated the man as all who had earned a chair at this high table took a seat, there were 11 seats in total but there was in fact almost 30 people in the chamber. Those without seats remained standing, their where either aids or guards. The only other people who got seats where four scribes who sat at their own tables behind the 11-member council. Their job was simple to write down everything said and seen within these chambers, to make a record for all time.
"We are gathered here to hear the words of Priestess Melisandre." stated the man as he took his slightly taller and better seat as Melisandre who was standing in the center of the table bowed her head toward the man.
"It is an honor, High Priest Benerro." stated Melisandre with a bow "The Lord of Light blessed as all when you were chosen to lead us and now the great enemy is moving, and we need to move for the long night is upon us."
"Lady Melisandre has shared with me some of the events which has taken place." announced Lady Kinvara as she sat only a few seats away from Benerro, a sign of her position on this council. "It is fantastical but if true it is a clear sign the greatest enemy to the Lord of Light on the move. I request that Melisandre share her fire and show us what has happened in her life."
"I second that motion." Stated an older fat bald man.
"It is agreed." Stated Benerro, every member in this room had learned at least some of the true magic and had been gifted by the Lord of Light. So all knew what was about to happen even if it would have caused the normal common folk and high noble to freak out.
Melisandre nodded and she produced a flame in her hand before slamming it into the ground. The moment she did the flame shot outwards in four directions passing under the table and toward the large circle wall of flames which surrounded the room. Melisandre had to grit her teeth as her fire joined with the larger fire. She began to focus as the fire began to dance taking on unnatural shape until it became clear as day figures made from flame moving in the fire. There were four matching sets and everyone around the table could see at least one of them.
"It started at the Wall in Westeros." announced Melisandre as the wall of blue fire shot up to demonstrate the wall of ice in Westeros. Images of multiple people appeared, one of which had a crown on his head. "King Stannis had received word of the White Walkers, the great servants of the Great other marching on the Wall and had gone there to fight for the dawn. There I meet Jon Snow, a bastered son of Lord Eddard Stark of Winterfell."
It took hours, and almost all of Melisandre strength and her will to tell the story of the Wall, the White Walkers, Daenerys coming to Westeros, Jon Snow rising from the dead and the battle at Winterfell. Her encounters with Bran the Three Eyed Raven, the travel through time, replacing their past selves and how Queen Daenerys and Jon Snow…who was really a Targaryen where now conquering Westeros to prepare for the Night King whom was also on the move.
"That is enough." ordered Benerro as Melisandre called back her fire and stood back up her legs shaking and her body swaying a bit.
"This is indeed concerning." Stated Benerro, which seemed like an understatement to Melisandre. "Your faith must be strong to last this long presenting your tale to us, I don't believe anyone has ever done it this long."
"It is only a sign of how important the issue is and the threat before us." stated Melisandre
"Agreed." stated an older woman
"I agree as well." confirmed a man missing an arm as all around the room there where nods of agreement.
"It is a concern; however I am worried about this Three Eyed Raven, he clearly serves the Great Other." Stated Benerro "Do we want to work with an enemy of the Lord of Light."
"All those who do not follow the Lord of Light serve the Great other at least to some level." Stated Melisandre, that was a bedrock of the faith but then she took a breath and did a quick prayer before going on. "I am wondering if the texts are wrong."
That got everyone attention, to question the holy word was punishable by drowning, which was the worst way to go for someone who worshiped fire.
"I wonder if there are multiple servants of the great other all pushing to be his favorite." stated Melisandre "Like how the houses of Westeros all push to be the ones standing right next to the King or Queen, or the families in this city fighting for control. The three eyed raven and the old gods may want to be in the position currently commanded by the Night King and the White Walkers."
There was a pause as everyone in the room considered, that wasn't what the holy books said about the great other the enemy of the Lord of Light. Still how us could they explain the three eyed raven, the champion of the old gods whom by their own book was a servant of the Great other like all false religions where helped fight against the White Walkers. They should have been on the same side, yet they weren't. They had seen in the battle that the Lord of Light had gifted Melisandre the strength to alight all the swords of the Dothraki and to alight the ditch outside Winterfell so clearly he was fighting with the Old Gods against the Night King but the text say they were both enemies.
"That is an interesting idea." admitted Kinvara "Still the holy books say otherwise, however there has been times in the past when lost books have been found in massive libraries of Asshai by the Shadow that have changed the doctrine of the faith. Maybe the answer to that question is lost in those books."
"It could be." agreed Benerro, that was earth shattering because that was a core part of the faith. "Either way it is clear that these White Walkers and the Knight King is the greatest threat at the moment."
"Agreed." stated multiple people
"Still, we cannot rush into this, all of us must pray to the Lord of Light for wisdom." stated Benerro as he rose from his chair. "We will reconvene tomorrow at night so that his holy light can shine on us all day providing wisdom."
"Agreed." stated Kinvara as the council all rose from their chairs and headed down the stairs and to their chambers. Melisandre followed hardly able to walk as her strength was so low but she had done her job. The council now knew and with luck they would do what she wanted.
Well, I hoped you liked this chapter, until next time please keep reading. Thanks Wilkins75.