Moat Cailin…
Moon of the Eagle, 281 After Aegon's Conquest… Six hours later…
With Ben…
"Aerys has called the banners."
"We knew he would," I sighed, looking at the unnerved Teddy. "What's wrong?"
"He… He burned Ser Jonothor Darry alive."
"He what!?" I snapped, shooting to my feet as Teddy shook his head slowly – staring blankly at the floor.
"Right in the middle of the Great Hall while he laughed down from on high the Iron Throne. He tried to round up all the Northmen in the city. He managed to find three… He… He burned them too," he said, looking up from the floor.
"Fuck…" I groaned, putting my head in my hands before looking back at my oldest friend. "As if it wasn't bad enough that Harry decided to up and bring the Queen with Viserys but now the mad bastard's burning innocents?"
"Yeah. He is. Darry was in charge of protecting the Queen… Where is she anyway?"
"She's here in the Moat. Harry didn't have a place to put her so I offered her one of the nicer suites I had already lined up for Viserys. So they're close to each other, at least."
"Ah, I see. But, yes, apparently Ser Lewyn's managed to piss him off too. Apparently he was the gimp sleeping when Harry slipped into the city."
"He's Prince Doran's Uncle, right?"
"Yeah, that's him."
"He's a knight, a member of the Kingsguard."
"But he's still a Martell."
"True… What about Ser Barristan? Jaime?"
"Sent to hunt down Princess Elia and Queen Rhaella."
"Hm, alright… I'll need to make a trip to the Water Gardens with Harry soon then if he already has men on their trail."
"All the Bold and Jaime know is that we're behind everything thanks to one of Varys little birds, they won't be riding to Dorne to retrieve them. But why go with Harry?"
"Elia already knows him."
"Ah, right…"
"Who knows, I may take Ryan too."
"Ryan? Why him?"
"He's about Elia's age, and she's about to become single." I shrugged as Teddy worked his jaw.
"That's a low move, Ben…"
"Maybe… But if we can seal an alliance with Dorne too then that's one less potential enemy to worry about."
"Hm… When do you plan to execute Rhaegar?"
"Me? No. I probably won't do shit to him. Lord Stark has plans for him, I believe… He hasn't confirmed what those plans are but he will pass the sentence."
"Then he will swing the sword?"
"No… Probably not, but he will die. Soon." I scowled, snarling slightly as I stood in front of the window.
"If he isn't going to swing a sword, then how will it be done? The Starks are pretty damn anal about their traditions."
"Aye, and that's why I have a guess," I said darkly, furrowing my eyebrows as I shook my head slowly.
"Well, at least it wasn't what I was thinking." I raised an eyebrow and waved my hand. Teddy chuckled nervously. "I was thinking you'd feed him to Ancaleon."
"No, that'd be over as quickly as a sword swing but just… No," I shuddered. "But, but, it's a Hell of a lot better than being burned alive."
"From Wildfire no less."
"Aerys uses Wildfire?" I gaped as Teddy just nodded grimly.
"Yeah."
"Fuck… That shit is so unstable."
"You know how they make it?"
"No, and I don't want to," I said, shaking my head as Teddy nodded in agreement. "That shit sounds more volatile than Fiendfyre."
"Yeah, it does," Teddy shuddered. "At least Fiendfyre doesn't explode in your face."
"Right?" I sat back down, not even wanting to begin thinking of the implications. "A thin layer of wildfire will burn for an hour. The older it gets the wilder it becomes, and the fact that it burns so hot and catches so quickly that it becomes explosive is just too much. It's like if jetfuel and fiendfyre had a bastard with anger issues."
"Merlin, what I'd do to get my hands on a time turner just to strangle the bastard who came up with it."
"Me and you both," I hissed, pinching the bridge of my nose. "We'll have to assume Aerys' armies will have caches of it."
"And if they do?"
"We shoot them first." Teddy cringed but nodded all the same.
"Probably for the best… When do you want to go to Dorne?"
"The sooner the better," I said as Teddy nodded. "What has Harry told you?"
"The basics." He frowned, folding his arms over each other. "He got the Princesses to safety and brought the Queen and Prince here. Said the Prince wouldn't leave Maegor's Holdfast without Queen Rhaella."
"That's the gist of it, but what he didn't tell you is that Elia's pregnant."
"Really?"
"Apparently so. I'll have to see about getting Andromeda to see her at some point just to make sure everything's going smoothly. The Princess apparently has some health issues. Having Rhaenys almost killed her."
"Well damn. What are her symptoms?"
"She's generally weak, short of breath - that kind of thing. My money's on asthma but I don't know enough about medicine to give an opinion one way or another."
"Fair enough. Anything else interesting?"
"Yes, actually. Elia demanded that Harry send Ser Arthur Dayne with them. He did it and, in my opinion, it was the best move he could have made. The man is a hero in Dorne."
"Why?"
"He's the Sword of the Morning, whatever that means. I've only heard it in two places. To the smallfolks, it's the Knight who wields Dawn – the Dayne's ancestral sword."
"Huh, the more you know. Where was the second?"
"You remember the night everything went to shit in Oldtown?"
"How could I forget?" Teddy shook his head, pinching the bridge of his nose. "That was the night everything went to Hell in a handbasket."
"Right… Well, I heard it in that vision."
"Really?" Teddy asked, his eyes wide as he stared at me.
"The Sword that shall bring the Day. Sword of the Morning, lead them true, is what the voice said."
"Shit… It's a good thing Harry got him to Dorne then."
"Fair but apparently any Knight of House Dayne can be made a Sword of the Morning."
"You believe that?"
"Absolutely not," I scoffed. "Harry said he sent a stunner at Ser Arthur from ten meters away, max, and the man was able to dodge the first one altogether and then used his sword to deflect the next – and the blade vaguely resembles mine."
"Shit…" Teddy muttered as I sat down behind the desk.
"That's what I thought." I sighed, shaking my head. "That's why I'm keen to meet the man, but there are other places I need to be first."
"Right, but where do you want me?" I frowned, drumming my fingers against the wood of my desk.
"Riva. I've already received three ravens from there bound for Lord Varys."
"Already?"
"Aye. His 'little birds,' report on everything they know."
"And what do they know?"
"Not much, thankfully. Population estimates, food production, things like that."
"Do you think they know about the road crews?"
"Probably but it doesn't really matter as long as they don't know about the Legions. The Small Council will probably think the crews are just part of a small operation without really knowing just how vital those road crews really are to mask the legions' presence."
"Right. What do we know about the Stormlands?"
"Precious little," I grunted, nodding. "Tell you what, as long as ravens are coming through the Moat, go to Storm's End. Riva's under control right now but we'll need to know what Storm Lords will fight with us and which will fight against us."
"Alright then, I'll get going. You know how to contact me with the coins."
"And I'll be sure to let you know if anything comes up." I nodded as Teddy did the same as he stood up, twisting on his heel and disappearing with a quiet pop. I sighed, standing up and cracking my back as I did. "Bloody Hell…" I groaned, looking down at the courtyard below and the towers above me as a few regiments of the First Dragon worked through their drills. They may have fought off a Dothraki khalasar until the Khalasar ran with its tail between its legs, but they hadn't seen a battle against Westerosi…
But they would.
Soon.
I sighed, stepping away from the window as I went to leave my solar. I had a professor and a brother to find…
"Woah, woah, woah, back up," Ryan snapped as Harry and I met him. "What the fuck do you mean you want me to come with you to Dorne?"
"Just that," I said, folding my arms over my chest.
"Why though?"
"Because we could tie House Seastark to House Martell if Prince Doran agrees to it."
"First of all, I'm not your puppet to fucking marry off, Ben!" Ryan snapped, shoving a finger under my nose while narrowing his eyes at me. "Second of all, why do you think they'll even go for it?"
"Because you're about to be in control of a city the same size as King's Landing, Ryan. And it's bound to be a pretty vital seaport. Even now, some of the settlers have decided that they'd rather stay in a city than in a hut on the White Knife."
"In a hut, he says," Ryan growled, rolling his eyes. "Ben, you set up a few of the road crews in Riva and taught them to build stone buildings, the baths, and a wastewater plant - basic as it may have been. At this point, I'm convinced you're trying to rebuild Rome."
"No, no I'm not," I said, shaking my head. "I don't want to build an empire, I'm just trying to make things better for everyone."
"And how're you doing that for me?" He snarled. "I just want to go home!"
"You could have stayed!"
"And never know what happened to you? To dad, to mom, to Rebecca? I couldn't have lived like that, Ben," Ryan said, shaking his head. "I… I never thought when we went through that portal that we would end up in a different world altogether… Ben… I just want to live my life the way I want to. I know your marriage to Dacey worked out for you and all but I want to find love on my terms."
"Ryan–"
"I know, I know!" He snapped. "I'm a Lord now, I have responsibilities."
"It's more than that, Ryan," Harry said. Ryan's eyes snapped to him. "You're a noble now, you're stuck in their circles. Arranged marriages are how things are done here."
"But how can I marry Elia if her husband's still alive?"
"We arrange the marriage quietly, when Rhaegar is dead you have the option to marry her or we can give Brandon the option."
"But she's a beautiful woman, Ryan," Harry said.
"Really?" He scoffed. "Do you know how many beautiful women I had throwing themselves at me when I was in the premier?"
"And how much money are you losing to see beautiful women now?" Ryan blushed hard.
"I– I-it's not illegal here… And it was just one night…"
"Brandon?"
"Yeah…"
"Dumbass." I sighed, shaking my head as Ryan sniffed – still obviously embarrassed. "You know fucking whores as the Lord of Sea Dragon will just look bad on you."
"So?"
"So you're expected to take a wife, one who can take care of the running of your castle and give you heirs to take the castle after you're gone. And on and on the cycle goes."
"Why do you think bastards are looked on so badly here?"
"I-"
"Because a kid from another cunt muddies up the line of succession. Look what happened to the Targaryens here, for instance."
"I don't know what happened with the Targaryens, Ben."
"Oh…" I blinked glancing at Harry who shrugged.
"It didn't seem that important." I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose.
"Fair enough. Okay, so basically? Aegon the Conqueror had two wives – Alabama style – and both of them had sons. One had to have a kid before the other, right? Well, until the older brother had kids, the younger brother was the de facto heir. Then the elder brother had a daughter, so that stirred up a pile. Then Aenys – the elder – had a son, making Maegor – the younger – third in line to the throne. Well… Long story short? Maegor killed his nephew, took the throne, never had a son of his own, died, and so the throne went to Aeny's eldest living son."
"Oh… Damn…" Ryan blinked, cocking his head to one side. "So, uh, who's your heir?"
"Technically speaking, Leo. But like Brandon, he may not take to that life so Cregan may end up with the Moat. But, unlike me, you won't just have a keep; you'll be in charge of a city. The swamps make making a town a bit difficult."
"Fair enough… But what exactly are you trying to say?"
"You need a wife. If it's Elia, great. If it's not? We'll find you a woman or you'll find one for yourself."
"Aye, I know…" Ryan frowned. "Speaking of which, isn't Benjen supposed to get married soon?"
"He is."
"Where's his bride to be?"
"Word from Lord Leyton is that she's still in Oldtown."
"Oh… So you, Ned, and Benjen will all be married off soon?"
"Aye, and if our luck holds so will you."
"But Rhaegar will have to die."
"And he will." I snarled before I blinked and then frowned. Pausing for a beat to collect my thoughts with my hand on my beard, I finally asked: "Say, do you think Benjen would want to get married sooner rather than later?"
"He's fifteen, Ben."
"While it may be distasteful to us, there are kids here getting married much younger. If she's already had her period… Well, anyway, we can be in Oldtown in minutes," I said, gesturing absently as Harry nodded while Ryan's eyes widened at the realization. "We're going South anyway, it wouldn't be too much of a detour to go to Oldtown and then pop over to the Water Gardens."
"Should we take Gerold with us?" I frowned hard at that.
"Aye, we probably should… Since we'll be down there and all." I sighed, opening one of my desk drawers and looking for… ahah! There they were. I grinned, taking the silver bracelets from their place in one of my desk drawers.
"Handcuffs? Really, Ben?"
"Yep, they weren't that hard to make." I smirked as I looked at my brother. "What? Do you want to trust a few ropes around a man they call The White Bull? The man's a legend and not just because of his fighting skills, he's just too damn strong."
"Er… Fair enough…" Ryan winced, nodding at that. "But you might need more than one pair to hold a man like that."
"You ever heard of Ser Gregor Clegane?"
"The Mountain?"
"That's him. If you think Ser Gerold's strong, you should see what that monster can do. I've heard stories but just because of them I've made cuffs big enough to fit around his wrists and strong enough to give Ancaleon pause. Oh, sure, Ancaleon would break them, eventually, but Gregor? No. Even a horse wouldn't be able to break these."
"They do say the Mountain's as strong as a horse."
"Makes you wonder what kind of horse he needs." Harry said absently. I just shook my head.
"Not the point, gentleman… But a big one. Come on, we need to get to Winterfell." I said, pulling a leather bracelet off my wrist and holding it out for them to grab. They nodded, grasping it along with me. "Oh, shit, right…" I said, catching myself before I forgot. I drew my wand, flicking it as I said, "Expecto Patronum, Invenerit Hominem: Dacey Agonstark." My Direwolf Patronus bowed its head, sprinting off into the castle as I stowed my wand again.
"What'd you tell her?"
"That we were headed to Winterfell and would be back in a little bit. She doesn't like it when I just up and leave without letting her know." I shrugged, looking back down at the bracelet. "Memoria."
Instantly, the all too familiar hooked by the navel sensation snatched us up - flinging us toward Winterfell. And then we were there; the three of us were standing in Winterfell's courtyard. I took my bracelet back, pushing it back up my arm as my voice rang out over the yard.
"Benjamin Agonstark!? Well, I'll be damned! I ain't's seen your face in months!"
"'Lo, Ser Rodrick." I grinned, waving as the old knight walked toward us. "Lord Stark in his solar?"
"No, he's in the Hall. He's holding court for the week. Heard what happened to the lady. I trust our beloved prince isn't long for the world?"
"Oh no, definitely not." I growled, clenching my fist.
"How will you do it, then?"
"I won't be handling it unless Lord Stark asks me to, but it'll either be done by a sword or with a knife."
"A knife? What, you gonna cut his throat?"
"Something like that. I was thinking of starting with a knife and ending with an axe."
"Wha- oh… Oh, I see… He'd share Harlan Bolton's fate then?"
"Aye." I growled as the old knight winced.
"Nasty way to go but I'd say he more than earned it." Ser Rodrick nodded gravely. "I'll let you be on your way then. Whyever you're here ought to be important enough."
"It is. It was good seeing you, Ser Rodrick."
"Same goes to you, lad! You'll have to tell me about that wife and those boys of yours sometime!"
"You're behind, Ser, I've got a daughter now too!"
"Ah, you dog!" The Knight laughed, slapping me on the back as Harry, Ryan, myself, and he all walked toward the Great Keep. "I'll leave you to find Lord Rickard. Good fortune, lad."
"And good fortune to you, ser." I said as he nodded and peeled off back to the yard, constantly barking insults and orders at the men at arms. We moved inside the hall, immediately finding the man we set out to find.
"Ben?" He asked, his eyebrows in his hairline as he turned from the farmer who currently had the Lord Stark as his audience.
"Lord Stark. It is done."
"Shite…" Rickard muttered, looking around the hall at the rest of the plaintiffs who had come to plead their case to the Stark. "I fear I must apologize," Rickard boomed, standing from the Throne, "but an urgent matter has arisen that requires my full attention." A chorus of groans and protests met that declaration, but Rickard lifted his hand anyway. "Lord Agonstark, perhaps you would enlighten them?"
"Indeed, Lord Stark," I said, nodding as I walked to the front of the room, Winter's Bane obvious on my hip and my draconic crest standing proudly on the front of my shirt. "Ladies and gentlemen," I said gravely, the smallfolk looking around each other nervously as I did, "we are at war. I have received word from King's Landing that Aerys, the King, has raised his banners."
"The King? Who're we fighting?" One voice asked. I shook my head.
"You misunderstand, sir, the King has raised his banners against us."
"What!? Why!?" Was the general message that came from the explosion of noise.
"Because I hold Rhaegar Targaryen, Aerys' son and heir, prisoner at Moat Cailin."
"What the fuck did you do that for!?"
"Because Rhaegar Targaryen has committed a heinous crime against Lord Stark's household, one too terrible to say aloud. But know this; wars have been fought for far less." The room instantly fell silent at that. "King Aerys has raised his banners, but the legions have already rallied to Moat Cailin. They are ready to march as we speak. Men and women of the North, go home. Settle your differences and prepare. War is coming, and we must be ready to meet it. Spread the word. Tell your families, your friends, of what has happened."
"We do not require you to take up arms, nor is there a threat to your lives," Rickard said, but the people weren't convinced. "The fighting will be contained to the south. The Lion legion has been prepared and marches to reinforce White Harbor, they will be ready to meet any threat to the East. Just as the Second Dragon and Bear Legions defend the West. You will not be called upon to fight unless the situation is truly dire. But fear not! I have seen these legions fight! Lord Agonstark pitted them against a Dothraki horde and the legion that defends you, the First Wolf, crushed eighteen thousand screamers and lost not a single man!" The smallfolk finally relaxed slightly as their Lord's body language screamed his confidence.
"Stand ready, for this fight is the North's fight! Go! Tell the people what has happened here!" The smallfolk cheered before they turned around and rushed out of the hall, almost clambering over each other in their haste to leave.
"That went well…" Rickard breathed as he looked over at my companions. "Master Potter, Lord Seastark? It's good to see you as well, though I wish it were under better circumstances."
"I believe I speak for both of us when I say we agree, my Lord." Harry nodded, shaking the Lord's hand before Rickard shook Ryan's.
"Aye, but you didn't just come to tell me that Aerys had raised his banners, did you?"
"No, Lord Stark," I said, shaking my head. "Perhaps you should summon your sons and we can talk about it in your solar."
"Eddard is still on the road, Ben."
"I'm well aware. It's Benjen we need to talk to."
"Oh? Is that so?"
"Aye, it is." I nodded as we began to make our way toward his solar. "I plan to make for Oldtown. Lord Leyton will have gotten the message we sent him by now, he'll know what Gerold did."
"He will not be well pleased."
"No, I doubt he will be." I grunted, falling silent as Lord Stark intercepted a servant and told them to fetch Benjen and Brandon. The girl nodded and scampered off, going to hunt down the Heir and Second Spare as we made our way to Rickard's solar.
Strangely enough, we were met at the door by a scowling Brandon.
"Benjamin." He growled, glaring at me with his hand on the pommel of his sword. "The last time we saw each other, you knocked me unconscious."
"No, the last time we saw each other you slapped the hell out of me," I said, leveling a glare at Rickard's eldest son. "And beside that, you'd have killed Rhaegar if I hadn't."
"Bloody good that did us. We're at war, Ben."
"And Aerys will see just how outmatched he is soon enough. He's already proven he doesn't give a damn about either of his sons so if we kill Rhaegar, we still hold Viserys."
"Since when have we had Viserys?"
"Last night." Harry shrugged. "I took him, Rhaella, Elia, and Rhaenys from King's Landing. The Queen and both Princes are at the Moat while the Princesses are safely at the Water Gardens in Dorne."
"Huh… Your magic really is something, did you two know that?"
"Aye, we did." I smirked, reaching into a pouch on my hip and tossing him a bracelet. He snatched it out of the air and furrowed his brows at it.
"What is this?"
"It's your own Portkey. Just say Wolfpack and it'll bring you right here to Winterfell. I've got one for Ned, Benjen, and Lya too. Lord Stark, here's yours," I said, handing him another leather bracelet.
"My thanks," he said as we stepped inside his Solar and made ourselves comfortable.
"How's Lya?" I asked, looking between Rickard and Brandon. They both darkened considerably, but I understood why.
"She's been withdrawn, barely leaves her chambers now. Sometimes she'll go to the godswood but…" Rickard trailed off as Brandon snarled.
"She still screams in her sleep. Andromeda's offered her that dreamless sleep potion but Lya refuses, says she sicks up everytime after she takes it."
"Aye, I believe it… The side effects of it are rather… Extreme." I sighed, shaking my head lightly. "But it does let you rest."
"Aye, and thank the gods for it. She'll take it after she wakes, so Andromeda says, but she's only a half shell of her old self, Ben. Rebecca's the only one who can pull her out of it and even then she's still withdrawn."
"And Rhaegar's going to pay with his life for it."
"Have you decided how he will?"
"Aye. I'll bring him here for you to mete out justice, Lord Stark."
"That's for the best." Rickard nodded. "He who passes the sentence-"
"Swings the sword." Brandon finished for him, nodding darkly. "Father…"
"You want to do it, then?"
"Aye, I do."
"I cannot let you do that, son."
"But father-"
"I am still the Lord Stark and Lyanna is my daughter. I know she is your sister but I must be the one to carry out this sentence, his sentence."
"And what will that be? Beheading? One swing and it's all over." Brandon snarled. I looked at Lord Stark whose eyes were as severe as a blizzard. "What?"
"He attacked a Stark, Brandon. You know our law."
"You don't mean-"
"Aye. That's exactly what I mean."
"Gods…" Brandon shuddered, looking between the two of us. "Truly?"
"Aye. We'll summon the Lords, let them see what happens when you attack a Stark." Rickard growled. We all fell painfully silent for a long while until a knock came from the door. "Come," Rickard said. The door swung open, admitting Benjen himself.
"Father, you summoned me?"
"Aye, I did lad. Come in. You know everyone here, yes?"
"I know cousin Ben, but, my apologies, my Lords, I do not remember your names – though I do know your faces."
"Harry Potter."
"Ryan Seastark. I'm Ben's brother."
"Ah, I see. My apologies. It is good to see you both again." Benjen nodded to each of them before turning back to his father. "May I ask why I am here, father?"
"You know of Benjamin's gifts, yes?"
"Of course."
"And I trust you have heard the servants talking?"
"Aye… I have. Is it true? Are we at war?"
"We are, son." Rickard sighed, shaking his head. "We have in our custody Ser Gerold Hightower. He was complicit in Rhaegar's crimes against your sister."
"I see… Why are you telling me, father?"
"Because it is time you took your wife and your keep, my son. You will be given command of the Second Dragon legion until a legion is trained for your keep. You will be charged to defend the West against any who may attack us."
"Do you bid me ride for the West castle, Father?"
"No, Ben will transport you."
"Aye, I will. Hell of a lot better than a horse ride."
"So father has said," Benjen smirked. "Will you give me time to prepare?"
"Aye, but now we make for Oldtown."
"Oldtown? Truly?"
"Indeed." Rickard sighed, shaking his head. "I know I told you that you would be wed when you came of age but…"
"But these are uncertain times, I understand father. Will I be wed in Oldtown?"
"If the gods are good, aye. Lord Leyton will appreciate being able to see his daughter wed in the Starry Sept and then we will see that you are wed in our godswood as well."
"As you command, father." Benjen nodded, bowing slightly. "May I go prepare?"
"Indeed. You have the hour, son. Go on, now." Benjen nodded, turning around and striding out of the room. "I suppose I must prepare as well."
"And I." Brandon said. "The wedding will not be for sometime yet, even if we leave tonight."
"All the better," I grunted.
"Aye, but Brandon? You will need to remain here, in Winterfell."
"Damn… There must always be a Stark in Winterfell."
"Exactly," Rickard nodded. "I will see to Benjen."
"Right, you lot can stay in Oldtown while Ryan, Harry, and I take care of business in Dorne."
"Pardon?"
"Ben wants to marry me off to Elia Martell." Ryan snorted as Rickard stroked his beard. "Unless Brandon would rather marry her."
"May the gods bless your union, cousin." Brandon smirked as I chuckled.
"Hm, nonetheless it would be a fair match…" Rickard said with Ryan cocking an eyebrow as he did. "You would not need wed immediately, of course. Rhaegar still has an appointment in our Godswood."
"I still don't know what you all are talking about when you talk about how he'll die. Who the bloody Hell is Harlan Bolton and what does he have to do with anything?"
"I fear you will find out soon enough, Lord Seastark," Rickard said quietly, his face grave. "Needless to say, Rhaegar's death will not soon be forgotten."
"Cavalry! Canter!" I barked, spurring my courser forward as the three hundred horsemen of the Second Dragon Legion finally managed to arrange themselves to ride down the road. The spot I selected was just over the horizon from the city so we would be riding for a little while. It took nearly an hour, but Oldtown came into view as the heavily armored cavalry cantered forward. Rickard was at my right with Benjen alongside him as Ryan rode to my left with Harry at his. Lord Stark was riding slightly in front of us, the Legionnaires carrying their Dragon banner and Lord Stark's direwolf as we rode at a trot toward Oldtown. "Trot! And Walk!" I barked, the group coming to a much easier pace as we rode along the surprisingly wide road, getting gawking stares from the smallfolk we passed.
The next thing I knew, bells were ringing in the city. I blinked in surprise before they were abruptly stopped though we kept riding as we approached. Though when the gates opened, I called for the halt, waiting for the men of the city watch who had rode out to meet us.
"Hail, Lord Stark! We were not expecting you!" The watchman said, tucking his helmet at his side as he held his horse's reins. "I am Ser Uther Oakheart of the city guard, welcome to Oldtown. What brings you so far south in such strength?"
"Dark tidings I fear, ser," Rickard said, frowning deeply. "We mean House Hightower no insult by bringing so many armed riders but one does not take chances with a prisoner such as ours."
"Prisoner? My apologies, my Lord, I did not know you had one in your retinue. Where is he?"
"In the middle of the formation," Rickard said. "Lord Agonstark?"
"Aye, my Lord." I nodded, wheeling my horse around and standing in my stirrups. "Cavalry, part! Prisoner, for'd!" I barked as the formation split in two, neatly parting two horse widths as a group of five (four guards and their prisoner) rode forth and broke from the legion. "Cavalry, join!" The formation smartly rejoined, closing the seam in their ranks flawlessly. I turned back around, seeing the look of absolute astonishment on the watchman's face. If only he knew how many bloody hours we had to spend teaching the horses to do that…
"Ser Gerold!?" Ser Uther gasped, his eyes wide as he looked between Lord Stark and the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, garbed in simple white cotton with his hands bound behind his back. "What is the meaning of this?" He demanded, touching the pommel of his sword just as another pair of riders stormed through the gates. Ser Uther whirled around, watching the riders as he donned his helmet once again. As the riders came closer, the black surcoat was the first thing all of us present noted. There was only one house in Oldtown who would wear a black surcoat and as he rode, we were able to make out the sigil emblazoned on their chests.
The Hightower itself.
"Ser Baelor?" Ser Uther gaped, staring at Lord Hightower's eldest son as the Breakwind glared at his great Uncle. "Ser Garth? What is the meaning of this?"
"We are to escort Lord Stark and Lord Agonstark to our father at once," Baelor bit off, his eyes never leaving Gerold. "My father, Lord Hightower, is to pass judgment on Gerold."
"I am Ser Gerold still, boy. I know not how I came to be here-" he growled, wrenching around to try and burn me through with his glare before he turned back around, "-but I am a knight all the same."
"You are no knight." Baelor spat, snarling at the White Bull as the poor watchman's eyes just grew larger and larger. "You spit on your vows with what you did to Lady Stark."
"I did as my prince bid, no more! 'Twas as my duty as Kingsguard!"
"But in doing your duty as a glorified slave, you shat on your duty as a Knight. In the name of the Mother, Knights are charged to defend the young and the innocent. In the name of the Maid, Knights are charged to defend all women. Once you were a Knight, but now? Now you have spit on those vows and are a Knight no more. Not in my eyes." Baelor hissed, wheeling his horse around.
"Lords Stark, Agonstark, if you would?" Garth the Greysteel asked, wheeling his own horse around. I nodded, standing in my stirrups and turning to the men.
"Corporal, make camp and get the men settled in. We may be here for a while." The First Corporal nodded once.
"Aye, Lord Marshall, it will be done. Men! Break into your-" He barked, turning to his men as I took the reins of Gerold's horse, cantering until I had caught up with the small group trotting back to the city.
Despite myself, I couldn't help but be impressed with Gerold's skill on a horse. Even with his hands bound behind his back and without a saddle, he sat the horse with ease. Hell, he rode the damn thing with a grace not many could ever hope to match as we made our way through the city, getting stares and whispers as we went. After all, you rarely saw Lord Leyton's oldest sons, a pair of Starks, and even more Northmen in Oldtown… Much less when that group was leading Gerold Hightower - Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, the White Bull himself, and practically a legend to Oldtown - on a bare horse, wearing naught but a white cotton shirt and pants, with his hands bound behind his back.
If word hadn't already spread through Oldtown of what had happened in King's Landing it may not for a while yet, but there was no doubt that what happened today would spread through the Seven Kingdoms like wildfire once the townspeople learned of it.
"Uncle."
"Nephew," Gerold spat as he was forced to his knees in front of Lord Leyton, seated in a high chair overlooking the Hightower's great hall. It was smaller than Winterfell's, but that was simply because it was inside a tower. Space was rather limited. But Lord Leyton looked every inch the Lord as he sat on the Hightowers' seat, his shield resting on the floor as he leaned forward – fury blazing in his green eyes and etched upon his face.
"You stand accused as an accomplice to rape. The crime being against a daughter of a Lord Paramount. Rhaegar Targaryen has already been found guilty of this crime by both Lord Stark and Lord Agonstark. How do you answer these charges?"
"I did as my Prince commanded me do, I do not deny it." Gerold spat, struggling against his cuffs as he rose to his feet. "But guilty I am not! If you cannot see that, then I appeal to the gods. I demand a trial by combat." Leyton sneered, nodding down at his uncle.
"As is your right," Leyton growled. "Will you fight for yourself?"
"Aye. Who here would champion me?" The White Bull snarled, looking around the silent room. "I thought not. As such I demand my armor and my sword. I am Lord Commander of the Kingsguard still, you cannot strip me of that."
"To which King? The Hightower acknowledges Aerys of House Targaryen as King of the Seven Kingdoms no longer."
"Nor does House Stark," Rickard said.
"Nor do Houses Baratheon or Arryn." I finished, holding up the letters in question. "From Lord Robert and Lord Jon."
"He is still my King and I am his Lord Commander. I demand my armor."
"So be it," Leyton growled, nodding to a pair of servants who stepped forward with a box. "We have not your armor from your days as Kingsguard but this is the armor you set aside when you went to King's Landing."
"It will serve its purpose," Gerold growled, still struggling against his cuffs. "And my sword?"
"Here," I said, turning to one of my men. He stepped forward with the White Bull's sword, passing it to me. I took it with a nod, walking up to Lord Leyton and passing him the blade.
"It is yours. I remember the day my father gave it to you," Leyton said, unsheathing the blade and holding it skyward. "You have spit on his memory."
"I have done no such thing."
"The gods shall decide that," Leyton said, returning the sword to its sheath and passing it to a servant who put it on the box. "Lead him to the arena. I have much to discuss with Lord Stark, his son, and Lord Agonstark." The room cleared as Lord Leyton rose to his feet, settling the shield against his side as a pair of Legionnaires dragged Gerold to his feet, following a pair of Hightower knights from the hall. "Rickard. It has been too long, my friend."
"Aye, it has." Rickard grinned, clasping Leyton's hand as he drew level with us. "But sooner than the last time."
"That is the truth of it," Leyton nodded. "But these circumstances may very well be darker than even then."
"I wish it wasn't so but indeed you are right… War rides for us, Lord Hightower."
"Indeed, my Lord Stark," Leyton sighed, shaking his head slightly before his eyes turned to Benjen. "You must be the boy my daughter is betrothed to then?"
"Aye, my Lord. I am Benjen Stark." He said, holding his hand out. Leyton grinned, taking his forearm and shaking.
"Good to meet you lad. Once all this… Unpleasantness with Gerold is done, we will arrange for the preparations to begin. I am sure that with the other unpleasantness from the King bearing down on us, we needs must stand as allies."
"Aye, that's the truth of it," Rickard sighed. "I apologize that we cannot send men to help defend Oldtown but the Legions will be occupied on the front. We don't have men to spare."
"Worry not. Oldtown is able to defend itself well enough, the City Watch is a strong enough force to its self. Though I may be able to raise levies…" Leyton frowned. "Loathe as I am to."
"Every man would take up arms in defense of his home if need be."
"Aye, that is the hope," Lord Leyton nodded.
"But we can make sure that you're a bit better defended," I said as Leyton lifted an eyebrow.
"I do not see how that is possible, Lord Agonstark."
"I have arbalests capable of reaching distances up to six thousand feet from flat ground, Lord Hightower." Leyton's eyes widened as I nodded. "And I am willing to offer two hundred to you to use as you see fit – be it placing them on the Hightower or setting them on the city walls."
"You would be willing to just give us these?"
"You're to be family soon, my Lord, think of it as the dowry."
"Done," Leyton laughed as he looked at Rickard. "Truly, those will serve me better than even your best wood ever could, Lord Stark."
"Aye, House Glover and Forrester are proud of their carpentry but Lord Agonstark's overgrown crossbows are a sight to behold when in use."
"For them to sling a bolt over a mile, they must be," Leyton said, nodding as he folded his arms over his chest. "I fear we must be going now, my Lords. Gerold will be readying himself to fight by now."
"Who will fight him, Lord Hightower?"
"My second boy, Garth," he said, frowning. "Though he is skilled, I do not know if he can defeat the White Bull."
"Then allow me to take his place," I said. Leyton's eyebrows narrowed, looking me up and down.
"You carry a sword aye, but you wear no armor? Would you need to borrow from my armory?"
"No, my Lord, I have my own. But you have my thanks for the offer."
"Indeed… You would fight Gerold?"
"My Lord Hightower, he won't even make it through my armor." I grinned.
"As you say… Very well. If Lord Stark allows, I do not see why you could not be my champion."
"I will allow it. I have seen Lord Agonstark fight one man and that fight was over in three blows."
"Who was that, my Lord?"
"Khal Bharbo."
"The Horse Lord? The one whose Khalasar was said to have left Myr with twenty-thousand but returned to Pentos with less than a tenth of that and without their Khal?"
"Aye, one in the same. And, needless to say, the rumors are, in fact, true."
"I've heard he was a fearsome warrior." Leyton said, looking at me slightly differently now. I just shrugged.
"He didn't fight like it."
"Benjamin, you cut through his sword."
"Then he came at me with a dagger."
"And then you made his insides, outsides."
"Aye. That I did."
"You left him to die?"
"Oh no, he fell to his knees. You know how they all try to keep their gut from spilling out onto the ground? Well, the height was just convenient enough for me to relieve him of his head rather easily." Lord Leyton winced but nodded all the same.
"Should you win the battle, end Gerold cleanly, yes?"
"Aye, my Lord." I nodded.
"Thank you. He may have disgraced himself but he is still my father's brother."
"For that, and only that, I'll see to it that his death is clean, my Lord," I nodded. "His will be the last clean one."
"Rhaegar?"
"Aye."
"Yes… His crime sees even those in flea bottom to the block… But to have done that to the daughter of a High Lord?" Leyton shook his head. "He is not long for this world, is he?"
"Not at all. What do you know of Harlan Bolton? The current lord Bolton's great grandfather?"
"Oh…"
"Indeed."
"Gerold Hightower. You are charged as being an accomplice to Rape on a Lord Paramount's daughter and, as is your right, you have demanded a trial by combat. We have gathered here today to ascertain the truth of this… Most heinous matter. May the Mother grant you Mercy, may the Father grant you Justice, may the Warrior guide the hand of the righteous, and may the Stranger take you be you guilty… Or may he stay his hand if innocent you be." Leyton Hightower said, standing above the arena as the crowd began to murmur – all while Gerold stood in the middle of the ring. Gone was the white armor of the Kingsguard; now he was in simple – if well-made – steel plate pocked with obvious signs of disuse.
"If you are not going to fight me – Nephew, or you, grand Nephew – then who is?"
"Lord Benjamin of House Agonstark has agreed to be my champion." Leyton said as I stepped into the arena – my white armor glinting in the sunlight drifting in from the massive windows around the Hightower itself.
"What is this?" Gerold growled, his own silver-grey armor dusted with rust and wear from years of unuse. "You are not worthy to wear the color of the Kingsguard!"
"What are you going to do about it? Fight me?" I deadpanned behind my visor, my fingers hovering on the pommel of my sword. "Isn't that why we're here?"
"You are no knight!"
"Nope, but I'll still kick your ass!" I snarled to gasps around the arena. I even saw Rickard wince but Ryan and Harry both just barely managed to keep themselves from laughing.
"You dare!?"
"Yep. Lord Hightower?"
"Begin!" Leyton said, seating himself as I drew my sword and Ser Gerold his. He snapped his visor down, lifting his shield as I moved in. Winter's Bane touched Hightower's sword, sliding down it as we tested each other. I nodded slightly, setting my feet and bashing Hoarfrost against Hightower's shield.
Gerold took a step back, absorbing the blow from my shield on his own and striking back as quick as a viper – his sword slamming into my left flank with the force of a hammer blow. If I was wearing any other armor, I'd have been feeling the hit for days. As it was, though, I just took it. I pinned the sword against my side with my arm and threw a punch with the shield. Gerold grunted, dropping his sword after the third blow made contact.
His shield was slightly worse for wear now – three deep gouges running through the plain white paint job, and a piece of the shield itself was lying on the floor from where the very left edge had sheared off.
"You're strong, I'll give you that…" Gerold snarled, as I dropped his sword and advanced in, feinting an overhead and coming around from the other side. He caught the strike on his shield but Winter's Bane bit through the iron ring around the shield and deep into the oak, nearly splitting the shield itself in half as the sound of ringing metal screeched through the arena. "Gah!" Gerold spat, dropping his shield as he ducked past me, snatching up his sword while I was occupied with the weight of his shield hitting the dirt - taking Winter's Bane down with it like an anchor. "But you're not strong enough!"
I wrenched Winter's free but wasn't fast enough to avoid the lunge to my back Gerold managed to score on me. I felt my heart freeze as the tip of his sword skated across the vibranium plates and into one of the gaps necessary to make sure the armor moved properly. He nearly drew blood from me as I wheeled away, bringing my shield around to strike at his sword.
He danced away, coming for my ribs again but this time I managed to parry, knocking his sword away. He brought the blade around, aiming for my shoulder but instead managed to deflect my blade, slowing Winter's blade before it made contact with his left arm - his shield arm. He grunted again and I saw the dent in the still whole steel bracer but the White Bull didn't relent. I held up my shield, letting two blows bounce off it before I drove my sword forward. He dodged to the right, slipping a hit under Hoarfrost.
'Fuck! No wonder he's Kingsguard!' Shot through my mind as I brought Winter's down in a vicious strike against his sword. Gerold lurched forward, staring down at his now truncated castle forged blade in shock as I lunged forward.
Winter's Bane forced a rent through Ser Gerold's armor, tearing through it between his ribs, and went straight through the man. He let out an explosive whoof of air, falling to his knees with my sword still sticking through him – blood leaking from the front and back of his armor as the blade emerged from his back. He looked down, gasping for air as he looked back up at me.
"The battle is done," Lord Leyton said behind me. I nodded, kneeling in front of Ser Gerold as I removed my helmet. I pulled his off next, letting him clutch at Winter's hilt as it jutted through him. Through it all, his eyes had never left mine, but now he struggled to pull his shield arm up. He did it, weakly managing to take me by the shoulder.
"E-end me…" He grit out. I nodded, standing up but turned to face Lord Leyton. The Lord Hightower nodded gravely as he looked past me to his Uncle, still fixed with my sword.
"Ser Gerold, the gods have spoken." Lord Leyton said gravely as the arena fell silent. "As your Lord of Hightower, I hereby sentence you to die. Lord Agonstark?" I nodded, turning back down to the wounded knight and gripped the hilt of Winter's, jerking it out of him with a sickening squelch. He gasped, barely managing to keep from screaming as he put a hand over the hole in his chest.
"For Lyanna." I grit my teeth as he nodded, bowing his head as I stood to his side. Winter's Bane rose and fell, ending the White Bull once and for all.
"It is finished," Lord Leyton said, standing. "Justice has been done. Ser Gerold has been found guilty of his crimes. His body will be sent to King's Landing and he will be buried under the White Sword tower as a Brother of the Kingsguard. He loved his King and his Prince so much he betrayed his very honor. He lived as Kingsguard, he will be buried as such. Send for the Silent Sisters." The Hightower Lord commanded, standing over the arena as the audience began murmuring quietly around us. "My Lords, my Ladies, you are free to go."
It took nearly half an hour after the silent sisters came to retrieve Gerold's body that the hall had mostly cleared out, leaving just myself, Rickard, Ryan, Harry, Lord Leyton, and a contingent of other Hightowers as we gathered on the floor.
"Lord Agonstark, I thank you for seeing justice dealt in this matter."
"It was my honor, Lord Hightower," I said, nodding to the man. "He was good."
"Damn right he was," Garth Greysteel muttered, looking my armor over critically. "I thought for sure he had you more than once."
"Aye, so did I," I muttered, thinking about the hit he got to my back.
"Where'd you get that armor? I've never before seen it's like."
"I made it. My master gave me my helmet to mark me becoming a master smith myself." I said as the Hightowers in the room blinked in surprise.
"I must say, that is rather unexpected… How did you become such a proficient warrior if you are also a smith?"
"He believed that before I could master the weapon I made, I had to master the weapon itself. He was a hard old man." I said as Harry and Rickard nodded in agreement. "But I am sure you and Lord Stark have other matters to discuss?"
"Of course, of course." Leyton nodded, turning to look behind him as he waved a teenage girl forward. "This is my daughter, Alysanne, Lord Stark."
"And this is my son, Benjen." The girl blushed and curtseyed as Benjen took a short, awkward bow.
"My lady…"
"Lord Stark, Benjen," she said, standing straight again.
"Baelor, darling, would you both chaperone? I believe the pair would wish to spend some time together before their wedding."
"Of course, my Lord." The woman, who I assumed to be Lord Leyton's wife, said.
"Aye, father. I shall," Baelor said, nodding to Benjen. "Well, come now. You're to be family soon." Benjen nodded hesitantly before he looked at Alysanne.
"My lady?"
"Of course." She said, taking Benjen's offered arm. "My thanks."
"It is my pleasure. Ser Baelor? Lady Hightower? Lead the way." I had to keep myself from laughing as the pair and their chaperones walked from the room.
"My, is he always that serious?"
"You should see his brother." Rickard sighed.
"Brandon?"
"No, Eddard."
"Ah, the quiet wolf?"
"Aye."
"Very well. One day I should like to meet him very much. But as of now, we have other matters to discuss, no?"
"Indeed we do. Ben, Harry, Ryan? You are dismissed."
"Thank you, Lord Stark," I said, bowing slightly as the two Lords made their way from the chamber.
"Where to, Ben?"
"Dorne." I grinned, pulling a necklace from under my armor and selecting a pendant. I held it in my palm and offered it to the duo in front of me. They looked at each other and took the pendant, then we disappeared in a wink of blue light.
