Chapter 2
Barthogan POV
The clear sky outside the window was bloated with black dots as the ravens flew to there respective destinations. Barthogan looked upon the ravens as they flew to deliver the news to their vassals about mustering their respective men-at-arms and levies for the coming conflict in the south. He could truly feel his four-and-fifty years as he gazes upon the retreating forms of the avians. His thoughts change from the upcoming war to the people who will answer the call, 'We have sent word to Houses Woolford, Greene, Whitewood, Greenwood, and Stonel hopefully they will muster in force before the fleet returns. The other masterly houses must be notified to help fortify our defenses here in White Harbor". The gaze of his weary grey eyes slowly drifts to the missive he is currently writing.
To the Acting Lord Paramount of the North Benjen Stark,
News has reached White Harbor from Kingslanding. Lord Rickard Stark and his heir Brandon have been slain by the Mad Tyrant. House Greystark has raised troops and supplies to aid to support House Stark to defeat the second coming of Maegor. We share the grief and desire of vengeance against House Targaryen. We will bend the knee to the Stark of Winterfell and aid him in these dangerous times. We have sent word to our vassals of our upcoming task. We recommend that you begin to muster all forces of the North to answer your brother Eddard's call.
Lord Barthogan Stark of the Wolfsden
The age lines of his face grimace with rage at the thought of the Mad Dragon Aerys, 'We will have our retribution against the Targaryens. This will not be another Hour of the Wolf but a Day of the Wolf. We will sever them root and stem'. He slowly starts to rise out of the chair of the Lord's chamber to give this last missive to the Maester. His large frame of just shy of seven feet ducks under the entrance of the chamber as he starts to make his way through the white stone pathways of the castle. His steps thunder throughout the hallway as servants new and old bow out of his way. He is on a mission to see this task done. The wooden door of the maesters chamber grew closer and closer as his thunderous steps echoed throughout the hallway till be stood outside the door itself. His heavy fist pounded onto the thrice before entering the room as the door gave way under his strength.
The Maester turned away from his reading as he looked upon Barthogans large frame with the missive grasped in his hand. Maester Roderick was a small gaunt man about the height of Barthogans chest. His weathered skin the color of weirwood paste, fading grey-red hair that never seemed stay in one place, and his eyes the color of smelted copper gave way to the tiredness that was reflected in Barthogans own grey eyes. Maester Roderick took one look at the missive and walked towards the cage of the last raven in the keep. "My Lord is this to be the last missive to be sent? We must still inform House Stark of what is brewing in the South", said Roderick as he gently let the raven hop onto the paper-thin skin of his hand.
Barthogan slowly inhaled as he stated his retort, "Aye, this is the last missive that is to be sent. It is for Lord Benjen as he is the only Stark in Winterfell. I do not know if he's received the news yet of what happened to Lord Rickard and Lord Brandon, but he must be informed to muster the full strength of the North. House Targaryens days are numbered. Once you mess with the pack there will be no rest till all enemies are dead".
The Maester gaze shifted into one of pain as he petted the head of the raven. Maester Roderick slowly shut his tired eyes as he scratched the raven's head one last time before he opened them. "They say dark wings bring dark words my lord. News will travel fast that we are mustering hopefully Lord Benjen will be swift to gather aid for the coming campaign", said Roderick as he took the letter from Barthogan. The thought of war greatly displeased Roderick as tied the missive to the leg of the raven. His thoughts drifted to what this would mean for the realm, 'Where one war ends another will follow. How much will the North lose in this coming conflict', he thought sadly as the raven grew agitated at the added weight on its leg. He slowly moved towards the window and felt the chill of the morning wind as it blew onto his face. He released the raven as it took flight and did not turn his gaze from it till the raven was but a speck in the distance.
"My Lord I will go tend to Lord Brandon his condition is still precarious from the earlier fit. You must recall both Edwyle and Arthur to help with the preparations. I do not know if Lord Brandon can do his duties as he is still bedridden", stated Roderick.
Barthogan exhaled tiredly at the thought of his brothers' sons slowly helping ease the building tension within him. "Aye I will send word to them of what is to come. With their help I can go to the Wolfsden to see to matters there. It has been awhile since I have seen Theon and his children", said Barthogan longingly. It had been many moons since he had seen his son and grandchildren. "See to that my brother is cared for Maester you have served us faithfully for years. I will see to the mustering of the men and inform Edwyle and Arthur that they must return to White Harbor". With those last words Barthogan left the maesters chambers as he started to head towards the training yard of the keep.
Maester Roderick POV
The steps to the Lord's bedchamber seemed to never feel easier as Roderick made it up to them to tend to his lord. His thoughts grew more concerned as he contemplated Brandon's condition, 'Time has not been kind to Brandon as it has Barthogan. Where once stood an aging man of around six feet filled out with the muscles of an ox now was the corpse of a man who was but stone's throw away from the Stranger'. With each step his chains of black iron, silver, iron, pale steel, and yellow gold felt more like a burden than the knowledge he possessed. 'For what knowledge I possess can save my friend and lord from death', thought Roderick gloomily as he finally made his way to the chamber's door. Engraved upon the door was the depiction of two wolves, one which was bowed subservient to the larger one. With a heavy heart Roderick announced his arrival to the occupant of the room. The Lord's chamber was quite bare aside from the furniture and bed in the center of the room. There was but one tapestry hanging onto the side of the bed of the first Greystark kneeling and swearing fealty in perpetuity to the Kings of Winter.
"My Lord Brandon how are you feeling this morrow", said Roderick as he made his way to the bedside.
"I have felt better bashing in the heads of those golden cunts of the Golden Company back in the War of the Ninepenny Kings. Hahahaha", roared Brandon with a laugh as he gazed upon one of his oldest remaining friends. His laugh soon turned into an agonizing coughing fit as he folded into himself.
Roderick rushed to his friend and slowly helped him get in control of the fit. "You cannot keep pushing yourself my lord. You must rest and recover. I will get some milk of the poppy to ease the pain", said Roderick as he moved towards the supplies that were kept by the bedside.
"Bah with that I do not want my mind to dull with that crap", stated Brandon as he slowly sat up upon the bed. The only thing that could be heard in that moment was the wheezing of Brandon.
"Barthogan has sent word to your vassals to muster and gather in White Harbor. Word has also been sent to Winterfell of what has occurred. Edwyle and Arthur will also return to help prepare and take over your duties till you are fit once again, said Roderick. As soon as those words left his mouth did Brandon seemed to regain some life into the aged grey eyes and a small smile returned to his weathered face.
"I am overjoyed to hear that it has been too long since they left for a tour of our lands. Though I am concerned of who will answer our muster. The Greenwoods and Whitewoods will come as they always have. Though the Woolford's will be trouble. I am concerned they will try and take this chance to rebel against us as they did in ages past", said Brandon wearily.
Roderick's thoughts turned to House Woolford after his lord's statement. House Woolford were once more powerful than the Greystarks and had always desired their domain as they felt it was a slight, they were given overlordship to the surrounding lands when White Harbor was still in its infancy. Roderick shuddered remembering the tales of the last Bolton-Woolford rebellion against both the Starks and Greystarks.
Roderick could only sigh as his lord once again thought of the Woolfords. Those tricky bastards always seemed to bring every Greystark into a depressing mood. "My lord we will handle them as we always have. Right now, we must concentrate on gathering the fleet and preparing our forces to aid young Eddard in the Vale", stated Roderick hoping to change the subject.
Brandon's face slowly regained an icy composure as he thought of the tasks ahead, "Aye has there been any word of Eddard making it to the North?", said Brandon. "Not to my knowledge my lord though there is talk of him entering the Three Sisters", said Roderick. Brandon's thought soon stopped at this information, 'The Three Sisters then this means we can meet him before he gets to Winterfell', thought Brandon. Brandon turned to Roderick as his face broke into smile that has not been seen in ages, "Send word to the Sisters the Greystarks will come to there Lords aid. We will get this lone wolf home. For the lone wolf dies but the pack survives", said Brandon excitedly as his smile grew at the prospect of seeing the son of his late friend.
Authors Note: I felt like it would be interesting for the Greystarks to have their own Boltons. I felt like it would be interesting to have them since in this story the Greystarks never joined the Boltons to rebel against the Starks. I really wanted to wait before I uploaded this chapter, but I just felt very inspired to try and get one out before the holiday weekend started. For the next 2 chapters in the story, it will focus more on the world building rather than the plot itself. I am still in the process of ironing out everything regarding vassal houses, plans for the Manderlys since I do not want to outright exclude them from the story. Shoutout to KingOfSummer 245 you have been a huge help with a lot of interesting ideas about the world building and the examples you have given me. I plan for the next chapter to be an overview of both the domains and economic and military makeup of both Houses Greystark and Manderley. The chapter after that will also be more on the vassal houses of House Greystark and some history of their relationship with the Greystarks. It might be a, but I plan on resuming the plot and introducing some more members of the Greystarks. I hope everyone has a great Memorial Day weekend and stays safe over the holiday.