Chapter Sixty-Two
…
Winterfell Main Road
The sound of horses' hooves thudding over the snowy dirt road heading to Winterfell is a tell-tale sign for many of the Smallfolk to jump aside and clear the way. It is not the first time that a brave or foolish Smallfolk feels themselves a little self-important and gets himself or herself trampled to death by galloping horses.
All of them are Northeners and they respect the graciousness, fairness and kindness that the Stark of Winterfell gives to them. However many of them are practical and know that kindness or no, the Starks are highborn and nobles. If any of their number gets accidentally run over, there is no way that they can demand justice from the high born that caused their fellow's death. This is their lot in life as has been for so many generations.
For the Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North, he pays no attention to any of this as he rides in the best manageable speed he can handle without hurting himself. If he's more honest with himself, Eddard Stark can say that he is not surprised. He has been expecting something groundbreaking and bad ever since the Royal Party has come into his home. Now he rides back as fast as he can after that panicky Messenger from Witneffell found the Hunting Party reporting the sudden disaster coming to his house.
Robert bless his soul agrees to cut his Hunt also and even offers to ride with him. Ned after all cannot leave if he so commands it. He is after all his king with honor and duty demanding that he obey above all. Robert may not be the most responsible among men but he has his heart in the right place. If you are his friend, Robert would cross waters and battlefields for you.
Right now though Eddard urges his own horse as he is almost at the final stretches of Winterfell heading to the gate. At his side he can hear the chuffs of Lya, his massive direwolf easily keeping up with the horse. With him personally nursing her back to health, the animal is now hale and healthy with it going back to its prime. He is astonished by how big she has gotten, though she prefers to hunt in the forests of the godswood and only comes back to be at his side when she's done feeding.
Behind him he can hear also the calls of his men keeping up with him and further, the yells of Robert urging the freezing Southern entourage of his to move their frozen butts over. He ignores all these as he instead focuses his attention on getting to the gate of his own home. Far ahead he can already see the familiar separate camp of those from Rivendell gleaming as magnanimous in their ornate glory. He might have smiled at the sight knowing that it is the entrance to his home when he is totally caught off guard to see his Household Guard and his wife bodily charging the guards of the Rivendell camp.
…..
Rivendell Camp Entrance
Leomord half-expected this trip to the North to be a little exciting seeing that the roads of Wild Westeros is not as secure as that of the lands controlled by Rivendell. He has been all over the damned continent already and has his fair share of bandit and thievery troubles. However seeing that this is the king's entourage, he doubts anyone would be dumb enough to attack the freaking king of the Seven Kingdoms short of an assassination attempt sponsored by some powerful rich lord.
Right now however he is totally caught by surprise as he rushes towards the site of an upcoming battle cavalry sword drawn. The Northeners are already charging en masse in classic Westeros style with no regard whatsoever to formation or strategy. The six man guard of the Black Guard however led by Dracon are reinforced by two of the archers at the makeshift towers seeing the close danger to the line.
"SHIELDS LOCK!" the shout from Draco galvanized the eight Guard members into pairs of support and frontal defense, their round shields interlocking into two parallel lines. A shield wall with spears jutting out, capitalizing on the narrow entrance of the camp.
The wooden palisade is flimsy seeing that no one expects from the North any major danger. The Northeners however makes a wild charge through the "entrance" of the palisade not turning right or left to notice that the "barricades" they are charging through they can simply bowl over with enough effort. Leomord smirks inside. Part of the training to be a professional soldier of Rivendell is psychological warfare and bluffing is one of those.
As it is the Northeners shot head straight to anyone with common sense who heard about the War of the Faith must never do, challenge the Black Guard in a completely fortified position where they are in full formation.
The charge might have sounded like a CRUNCH if the Northeners made contact with the shields of the Black Guard. It does not unfortunately however. Instead it is a symphony of broken bones, flesh squelching and exploding as the spears of the Rivendell soldiers shoot outward like a porcupine. The charge of the Northeners stop immediately as at least three of their number is dead in seconds before even making contact with one groaning on the floor, clutching his thigh in agony. Bunch up as they are though, another four died when the second rank of the spears push their spears forward making them easy target due to the mass of bodies.
Leomord wastes no time taking in the advantage of the situation also. Rushing forward, he jumps over a shoulder over one of the Black Guards before charging in. A Silver Winged Knight is a terrible sight to behold. Their strong reputation and their appearance is a factor of that. With their shining large heavy unique armor and ostrich wings add-ons at their backs, wielding sword and shield so fast despite their weight is enough to give anyone a double-take.
His very entrance causes one of the Northeners to be bowled over with broken bones as his weight versus the armor of the Silver Knight Warrior ends with the latter steamrolling the former. Roaring he slashes with a forehand and a backhand sending the rest barreling away in fear at the large gleaming figure disemboweling at least one of them and wounding another. Seeing the opening provided by Leomord, the rest of the Black Guard Order also rushes forward with a steady chant their crescendo dulling off the shrieks of a certain Lady of the North crying out how they should murder the curse from the gods living in their land. The battle might have been a massacre for the Northeners if not for a sudden deep bellowing shout of: "ENOUGH!"
The sudden loud shout from the otherwise frigid and stoic Lord Paramount of the North stops whatever violence that is going on and for good thing too. Out of the twenty men of the Northeners, only five of them are still in fighting shape with the rest either dead, dying or seriously wounded on the ground.
"WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?!" an angry roar this time joins also Ned's and it does not take long for the familiar fatty form of Robert appearing also beside his friend eyeing the stained ground and the unmoving bodies.
"Ned! Ned! You have to help us! These madmen attacked my retinue by order of my bastard sister!" Catelyn's voice immediately interjected making the Lord Paramount of the North blink in surprise before looking questioningly at the gathered Black Guard and Silver Wings' Order members now appearing en masse to the source of the commotion.
Leomord just scowls at the lying bitch. How dare she?
"You lie!" he hisses with enough venom that can melt ice making every eye in the vicinity turn at her. His sword is immediately pointed at her though the bitch is shielded by her husband pulling her behind him. "You have no honor! Attacking us here without stating your purpose and you lie calling our Lady names and insults. I should cut your tongue from your lips,"
"Grandmaster put down your sword and we will get to the bottom of this," the Northern Warden states out raising a palm outward in peace.
Leomord resists his urge to scoff though he admits that the man has a better sense of politics than his wife. The Silver Wings Order after all is greatly renowned for their integrity, and for upholding the practice of chivalry. Plus they have great mastery over their weapons and the Northern Lord is wise enough to know that pissed off enough as they are, they could easily overwhelm his party and that of the king's.
Unfortunately his wife it seems does not share his common sense.
"He's lying Ned! Kill them! Kill them all and the bastard also responsible for hurting our son by her very presence!" hisses his wife pulling and tugging at his cloak while glaring at them with hatred.
Leomord has enough of the dumb bitch. While he would be happy to argue with Lord Stark all day. There would be no point with idiot whispering in his ears. In any other given day, it would be folly to challenge a Lord Paramount in his own domain. Fortunately however there is someone currently here who has greater authority than even a Lord Paramount.
"Your majesty, what is your decision? This woman demands a fight, should we fight and end this with bloodshed or we sheathe our swords and talk this civilly as men would do?" Leomord calls out to the king who sighs before grabbing harshly the wine skin off of a nearby squire before taking a long gulp out of it, massive streams mixing into his bushy beard before wiping it off with one meaty hand.
"Let's get the fuck inside and please somebody take care of the dead," he grumbles at everyone listening before urging his horse at the direction of the gates of Winterfell.
…
Inside Winterfell Guest Quarters.
Jaimie would be lying if he said that he isn't nervous. If he's going to be more honest with himself, he feels as if he would be vomiting as the realization of his deed hits his psyche like a battering ram nearly overcoming his composure. He does not mean to do it, pushing that boy off the window. It is a spur of the moment decision, his natural Lannister arrogance combining with the deep seated fear of his affair with his sister.
Did he regret what he's done? With every fiber of his being he does. Yet what is done, is done already and Jaimie as much as he regrets what he's done would simply do what he does best, go with the flow. In his current situation that's the best he can do at the moment. At least he can protect his relationship with Cersei and branching out, also his secret children. More than anyone he knows what's at stake if they are discovered.
The sudden sound of footsteps approaching snaps Jaimie back to the present as he instinctively grabs the handle of his sword, only to see the visage of his father coming up the stairs.
"I know you are determined to disappoint me by insisting on this pathetic position of yours and ignoring your gods-given birthright as the next Head of House Lannister, but I don't think you are at the level yet of stooping down to kill your own father," jibes Tywin Lannister harshly making Jaimie scoff at the same old music the two of them are doing.
"Good morning to you too father," he simply replies. "Are you here simply to remind me of my failings to our house or is it something else?"
Jaimie refuses to back down as his father pins him with one of his signature unnerving stares that would make anyone quail. The Old Lion of House Lannister has a talent on making people feel extremely vulnerable and thus easy to read and exploit.
"The third son of House Stark has suffered an accident today. The Lady of the House has accused and attacked the camp of the Lady of Rivendell breaking guest rights and leads to an investigation by the king in finding out the truth. Keep your sister and her children safe while be mindful. Things at the castle are hectic and the last thing that we want is for Joffrey to make another scene like he did at the yard where he shamed himself," and with that final word, the Old Lion turns around and heads back to where he walks up. He pauses however at the entrance.
"Better yet, keep him out of sight until the time comes when we head down for King's Landing. That would be better for all,"
…
Winterfell Hall
Robert has always been envious of Ned's marriage compared to his own. After all he doubts anyone's marriage is better than his to that of Cersei, the spiteful shrew that she is. She hates him as much as he dislikes her. Robert would never be the one to pass a fuck on a pretty face and a cunt, however for Cersei? These days he'll rather freeze his cock on the Wall than be anywhere that shrew. The only consolation that Robert has in this accursed marriage life of his is that he is sure at least that the children is his seeing that Cersei's title and position would prevent the blonde lioness from cheating on him.
Right now however as he listens to the explanation of the "mad" (in his opinion at least)woman in front of him. He rather doubts the truth about Ned's "happy" matrimony. Apparently the woman's son fell off the tower, and while crippled, the Maester's diagnosis is that he would be alive. Robert might have happily chalked it up to an accident if not for Delianah's servant slash lover who is supposed to be the boy's guardian at that time have been attacked also and nearly died. Thus an "investigation" must be done much to Robert's displeasure. He is not as durable as the Northeners on this cold landscape and his fatty heat is being defeated in all fronts by the cold air.
Of course as the goddamned king he might have happily said fuck it and start heading South. However that would of course be a political suicide. The North is one of the Crown's greatest supporters and with Lannister shits popping all around King's Landing, Robert needs them more than ever. Of course on a more personal reason, Robert simply doesn't wish to insult Ned who is rather angry looking right now, his usual constipated face being more constipated.
In a way Robert cannot fault his reaction. His son is crippled by an "attempted murder" and his closest trading partner is attacked by his own men who also died on the said attack. Everything is going downhill for his friend right now and it is not helping that his wife's attitude is less than stellar on her accusations.
"Bastardry is a sin that the gods themselves ordain as one of the worst," preaches the Tully woman either not seeing the rolling of eyes all around the room. Even Tywin Lannister looks like he wants to be anything but here.
"My bastard of a sibling, gods curse her name has been the cause of this unfortunate events that are now plaguing my family. Her servant whom I trusted for being a foreigner failed to protect my son and I would not be surprised if she is the one responsible for his current predicament. I would bet that one way or another the bastard Tully is connected to-,"
"Enough of this farce!" the rich cultured voice of Tywin Lannister fills the entire room shutting the fish up as the Old Lion stands and she retreats to her sit.
"A son of a Great House has been "attacked". As such an investigation must be made and the culprits be brought to justice. However the king's entourage would be leaving soon for King's Landing for the Seven Kingdoms cannot move without its ruler. In respect to House Stark, the Kingsguard would be handing the investigation for three days for every alien person here whom they feel needed to be investigated. After three days however, the king's court must head back to King's Landing in fulfillment of its duties,"
"What about the bastard?" shrieks the fish swatting away the hands of her husband trying to stop her.
"That bastard has a name and is the Lady of Rivendell. What about her Lady Stark?" Tywin coolly speaks out.
"She is the cause of all this. What punishment will she get?" continues Catelyn.
"If basing on religious opinions alone, there is not sufficient evidence that says about the Lady Delianah Tully guilty and be needing punishment. Until sufficient evidence be found, she is not guilty until proven otherwise,"
"Not guilty?! Not guilty?!" the fish is almost frothing at the mouth now. "She isn't here is she? She has ran away with that servant of hers on their monstrous unnatural beasts. Can't you see that her very actions make her suspicious?"
"The Lady Delianah has head home for Rivendell to find help for her servant and friend. She has informed all of us about her abrupt departure and her reasons why. She would join us once she is sure that the Lady Yasmina is alright. Be it as it may, until the investigation is done, she would not be guilty unless the Kingsguard says so,"
Robert wondered how in the world does the Tully woman not die yet of vein explosion with how red she is at the face. That is why he never expects the next words that would come out of her mouth.
"I accuse her of treason! I accuse her of murder and the attempt to kill a Lord Paramounts son! If you won't bring justice then the gods will. As is my right, I demand a Trial by Combat!"
…..
Rivendell, Healing Houses
The Healing Houses of Rivendell are probably the best in the entirety of Planetos. It houses the most modern practices and magical healing skills that no one in the entire world has yet seen. Catering to almost every known disease, no one yet who entered its halls have come out without feeling fulfilled or refreshed.
Right now though Delianah stares at the unmoving body of Yasmina breathing shallowly in the bed from which the healers has brought her to. It has taken them almost the entire afternoon to make sure that the young woman from Yi Ti would be far from the worst of it.
As for Delianah, for the second time in her new life here in Westeros, she feels angry and completely pissed off. She thought she has covered all her bases when Viktor died, now here it is again, another of her closest circle dying under her watch. She has made sure to teach her friends and allies skills that would keep them alive in the real world. What she never expects is that an attack from the unseen, and this makes her extremely angry.
Once more in the wake of her successes, she has failed to maintain Constant Vigilance and one closest to her almost paid the price for it. Well she'll make sure that the bastards get it. She might be too late to reverse what happened but she can damn well avenge her.
"My lady, the Death Dealers are ready and the Black Guard reserve also. We only await your command," the sound of Amelia's voice makes Delianah stand up from the chair she is sitting in at Yasmina's bedside.
With a kiss on her concubine's brow, she turns around to face Amelia who bows at her presence. Dressed in the ceremonial attire that the Emperor of Yi Ti has given her, Delianah has never felt more safe. Anyone might have called her mad for not wearing armor or anything like this world's people tend to do. She is not going however as Delianah Tully, the Lady of Rivendell however. She is going as Delianah Tully, the Witch, and the Messiah of Rivendell. Every gem in her outfit serves as a battery source of a ward that would protect her from magical and physical attacks. Enhancement runes cover every scale on her outfit. She would have supernatural strength and speed, with powerful wards that can block anything short of a killing curse. Basic paranoid Auror protections in a graceful outfit.
"Are you sure about going in this trip Amelia?" asks Delianah. "It is not too late to turn back. This would not be like anything you will be fighting against. Our enemies wield magic almost the same as my own. It would not be easy, especially since you and the men would be on your own for at least twenty minutes,"
"I am almost insulted by your accusation Lady Delianah," Amelia answers with a mocking sneer. "I have pledged my life and my blade unto your service. Nay, we will bring the bastards that hurt our Yasmina. As long as you command it Lady Delianah, we will fight any battle that needs fighting,"
"Very well, then lead on Lady Amelia, in a few minutes we portkey to battle!"
…..
Author's Note: hello hope you like this chapter. Thanks for the Reviews and for the votes of confidence guys. I will try to continue the story. However due to pressure, I am not following the original long timeline I planned it to be. I would shortcut it so that we would have an ending soon.