Chapter 18
Brienne pulled her cloak closer as the wind gusted over her group. She had tried to not let her companions see how badly the cold affected her but after a few days her pride was overridden by her survival instinct.
It had been several long days of hard travel to get to Winterfell and their destination was finally nearing. All along the road they encountered groups traveling to white harbor or other lands to the east.
From the brief conversations with the passing folk she had learned that they were from beyond the wall, Free folk. They had been sent to lands of a house named Woolfield to settle and help prepare for the coming winter. She also noted that the group, with exception of the Stark guards escorting them, were either children, elders, or injured.
"Milady," One of the knights called to her from the front, "I can see Winterfell."
She ignored the honorific, they had stubbornly refused to stop using it despite her insistence, and looked over the hilltop to see the ancient castle.
It lacked the artistic designs of the castles she was used to, but the steep roofs, imposing granite walls and the sunless gloom of the North gave the citadel a gravitas that she hadn't felt except when she visited Storm's End.
She was surprised to see a rather busy town around its walls. Recently built houses lined the roads with groups arriving from the north and more groups departing to south. A line of carts loaded with logs arrived from the west, the sound of forges rung out even to the hill they are riding over.
They rode into winter town the bustle and work being even more apparent by the lack of idol folk. Everyone was carrying supplies, thatching, cutting wood, spears and farm tools were being made at every forge see saw. They rode up to the gate and were admitted to the castle, passing over the moat that was not frozen despite the cold and being a stagnate pool. They were greeted by a group of men, the oldest looking one had a bald head with thick white whiskers.
"Halk? Is that you?" the man called as he stepped forward.
The oldest knight that Lord Manderly had sent to escort her swung down from the saddle, "Rodrik you old stone face! Its been what, three years?"
"Aye that it has," He and Halk clasped forarms "good to see you again old friend."
"Good to see you as well." he took a step back as Brienne dismounted and walked up.
"Milady, this is Ser Rodrik Cassel, Master-at-arms of Winterfell. Ser Rodrik, this is Lady Brienne of Tarth."
Rodrik scrutinized her armor briefly before giving her a martial bow. "Welcome to Winterfell Lady Brienne."
"Thank you Ser Cassel. I would like to request an audience with Lord Stark on behalf of the crown." She offered him the leather wallet with her orders from the Lord Hand.
Ser Rodrik read it quickly before responding "He is currently attending the Wall. The Stark in Winterfell is currently Lady Sansa Stark. If you would follow me I will send a servant to request her presence."
She followed the master-at-arms into the main keep as a nearby servant left to find the lady.
They lead her through corridors to the solar, after a few minutes with Halk and Rodrik sharing tales the door was opened and the Lady Sansa walked in followed by a maester, a green robed man and to her shock Sandor Clegane.
"Welcome to winterfell Lady Brienne. I hope the North has treated you well during your journey."
"Thank you Lady Stark, The land has been rough but the people have been accommodating."
"What made the crown send you to Winterfell looking for my brother?"
"I have come here on behalf of the Lord Hand Argilac Baratheon to gather information on the situation north of the wall." she replied.
The green robed man and the maester grew grim at her words while the hound scowled.
"I see, please be seated." Brienne and her sat as as a servant brought a plate of bread for them to eat.
"Begging your pardon milady, but what have you heard so far?" Asked the green robed man.
"Wildlings are migrating south. House Stark has began working on rebuilding forts on the wall. Preparations for winter have started in earnest despite it not being autumn." Brienne paused for a moment before adding, "Talks of the long night come again and Others have been mention by Lord Manderly."
"These are all true." Sansa replied calmly "We also have the free folk manning the wall while we train new soldiers and make the weapons and armor for them."
There was a silence as Brienne looked from her to the other Northerners, seeing no sign of humor she asked. "You have ... evidence of the long night returning?"
Sansa turned to the aged maester. "Maester Luwin?" The Maester placed a leather bound book on the table in front of Brienne.
"We have several eyewitness accounts from various clans that confirm the presence of the Others as well as their thralls."
"Thralls?"
"Maester Luwin is refering to bodies of the dead that the Others reanimate through arcane means, they are known as wights." Answered the green robed man.
Brienne pulled the book closer and looked it over. Each account had the name of the witness, the location or general area of the siting and the clan they were from. "These witnesses, are all from Beyond the wall?"
"Correct," Luwin pulled a second book from the near shelf, "We have also recorded all the different clans as they move south. We record their names, origins, the number of members that moved south and the number that stayed at the wall."
"Did they volunteer to stay at the wall?"
"My brother made it a requirement that every clan that crossed the wall would leave every able bodied fighter to help defend it."
Sansa turned the book to a ribbon marked page, "This is the numbers of fighters the Free Folk had left to man the wall. Brienne looked at the number twice. "45,500 estimated fighters?"
"Correct, we can only estimate the number since there are fighters who are now clan-less or were separated from their clan in the migration." supplied Luwin. "And House Stark will be calling the banners to supplement this force?"
"We will." Sansa answered.
"Your vassals know of this as well?"
"They do and have preparations being undertaken as well. Corbec and his companions have been instrumental in helping spread the news."
"Who are his companions? I am not familiar with any orders with green robes."
"I am one of the Green men from the Isle of Faces Lady Brienne. I was charged with attending the godswood of Winterfell and aiding House Stark at what ever capacity I can."
Brienne shifted in her seat as she absorbed the plainly stated facts that had so many implications of massive changes to Westeros as a whole in the coming years before speaking again.
"If you could start from the beginning again Lady stark," She pulled out a journal and quill from her bag, "I would like to learn of the order of these events and the details as well."
0
Two hours later Brienne sat in the maesters rookery and wrote in her smallest writing possible to fit as much information as possible on the scroll before handing it to Luwin to send south.
She stayed long enough to see the raven fly off before heading to the great hall in search of some food.
As she entered she saw the hound sitting at one of the low tables watchful of anyone approaching the Lady Sansa. She approached and sat opposite of the heavily scarred man.
"Evening Ser Clegane,"
"I'm not a fucking knight."
"I meant no offense."
"It's not offensive it's annoying. I thought I would finally stop hearing that stupid title up here, but suppose not."
She stared at him as he scowled at a servant boy passing with a stew bowl.
"May I ask you something?" She took his grunt as a yes.
"Why are you here?"
He seemed to ignore her till he grunted out.
"Made an oath. I'm the sworn sword of Lady Sansa."
"Did you swear it as a penance?"
"For what?"
"For your partaking in the arrest of the late Lord Stark."
"No, I was following the Queen's orders. King said I was pardon of those actions because I was following my oaths."
"I can understand the kings reasoning for your pardon, but then why?"
"Does it fucking matter?"
"I just find it odd to swear oaths to the family that warred against the family you were sworn to previously."
"Do you know my family?"
She carefully replied "I know of your brother..."
"Of course, everyone knows him. No one remembers our father, our mother or our little sister."
"A sister?"
"See what I mean, my trice dammed brother overshadows them all. My sister was the only real person in our family. Me and my brother were breed to fight. My mother had no spine.
My father was obsessed with us being loyal to the Lannisters and having us trained to fight. But my sister she could sing and make people smile, made me smile, she was the only light of life in that shitte keep.
My brother killed her and I couldn't do anything. Snapped her neck and all I could do was bury her. father said we couldn't embarrass the Lannisters by letting people know they had murders as bannermen.
Think the Lannisters cared? No, they made sure I never had the chance to fight him.
Keeping the dogs separate so they could set them on others." He trailed off as he angrily tore into a loaf.
He glanced at Sansa sitting at the head table. "She look like her, hairs different, but I still see my sister. I couldn't help my sister, but maybe I can help this one."
Brienne looked at him silently and angrily shoveling down his stew before changing the subject.
"What do you make of the stories of the Others?"
"They sound like a pain in the ass to kill."
"You believe in them?"
"One thing I've noticed in my time here, Starks don't waste. They're practical. The whole North is bloody practical. The lot of them say the Others are coming. So I believe them. They wouldn't let the Wildings south if they weren't sure it was necessary."
"Fair points Ser. Have the Wildlings proven to be compliant?"
"Not all of them. Some don't liked listening to anyone south of the wall. They call us kneelers and scorn lords. So a few clans tried to raid."
"Were they punished?"
"Aye, the Thenns asked permission to hunt them down, I was sent with several Stark men and had the whole clan put to the sword."
"The whole clan? But wouldn't that mean..."
"Children were spared, left with another clan. The rest weren't so lucky."
"Doesn't that seem extreme?"
"They have almost 50,000 people joining the north, with demons of winter coming for them. Think they have time to talk and debate what to do? They had to make sure the other clans don't get any ideas. Why do you think the Thenns offered to help? Sure they like wildlings more than us, but they like having a safe place to live even more. They wanted to make sure the others fell in line."
"I see." Brienne made a note to herself to find more information regarding that incident to send south later. The two fell silent and remained that way for the rest of the meal.
0
Argilac sorted through various letters while he waited for the rest of the small council to arrive. This was not going to be a pleasant meeting by any means, yet very necessary.
The door swung open and Lord Tarly entered with Lord Rogers, both with leather wallets in hand trading various sheets of paper.
"Something the matter my lords?"
"No, nothing wrong Lord Hand." Replied Tarly as they sat at the table. "We have been working to put together a report to the king regarding some of the improvements of the city."
"How have they been going?"
"Slowly," Tarly leaned back in his chair. "The walls have been repaired, as well as the gates. However the buildings have been difficult. We have had to sort out squatters claiming it as a home, find rightful owners if they are alive. In some cases we've had to knock down adjacent buildings to enact proper repairs lengthening the process."
"On the positive side, When the king ordered the Lannister supporters out of the city and seized the late Baelish's properties. We have had several establishments that are making revenue for the crown. Making it easier to pay for the repairs."
"The royal Tavern is a success then?" Argilac was skeptical of the notion of keeping some of the properties, the tavern was the prime one.
"Surprisingly it has been very successful. The soldiers visit it daily, keeping the lowlifes away so it is a safe and well behaved crowd. With the crown taking ale as a alternative tax from local brewers it has a steady supply of drink. The Royal Tavern even has a battle banner from the campaign and a very good painting of the king over its bar."
"I may have to see it myself in the future."
The door opened and Stannis along with the rest of the council arrived.
They were seated and the council gave the king the reports on various projects they had been assigned or issues that had arisen that were settled.
After everyone else had finished, Argilac pulled out a paper and passed it around the table.
"We have confirmed that Daenerys Targaryen has started to gather strength with the purpose of invading Westeros."
The collective reaction was a grim worry with no small amount of apprehension. Lord Rodgers had given Argilac word earlier that the situation of Daenerys Targaryen had changed drastically. Meereen was under the red dragon banners, the other slaver cities had been defeated in the field then Yunkia retaken by another slave revolt and Astapor taken when several slaves opened the gates fleeing out one side of the city while a dothraki horde entered the other.
The status que of the region had been thrown out the window, Davos then had informed him that Daenerys had started to assemble a fleet by buying, capturing or building as many ships as possible.
"What does her army numbers appear to be?" asked lord Tarly. "She is estimated to have 8,000 unsullied, nearly 40,000 infantry of various Essoian backgrounds and a large horde of Dothraki that no one really knew the size of but was estimated about 60,000 at least. Not to mention the three dragons she also had at her disposal."
The numbers were daunting, especially when he spoke them aloud. The realization of what would be hitting their shores silenced the council.
Stannis was the first to break the silence that had fallen on them. "Lord Davos, how long would it take for a Targaryen fleet to cross the narrow sea?"
"Assuming they intend to pack their ships as full as possible, I would estimate their voyage to take at the least two and a half months with good weather."
"Thoughts as to where the they would make their landing?" the king asked the table.
"My first guess would be Dorne," answered Lord Tarly, "they have not forgotten the death of Elia Martell and the Red Viper would love for the means to start a war."
"Gulltown is another possibility," Lord Mallister scratched his chin as he answered "They had sided with the dragons before, no reason to consider the possibility of them taking the dragon's side again."
"A possible third option would be the Stormlands," Ser Locke looked mildly apologetically at the stormlanders present as he spoke. "The late king Robert did have to force them to unite into a single force during the rebellion."
"You make an excellent point," conceded Argilac, "the worst part is those three are not the only places that have Targaryen sympathizers, the Reach will definitely need to watched along with some parts of the Westerlands."
Tarly nodded at his statement, "Very true, the Tyrells owe a lot to the Targaryens and Mace Tyrell has never been shy about his ambitions to marry his children into royalty. His son Loras is one option but he has plenty of nephews who could also be offered as a husband."
"That being said, "interjected Davos "We do have allies in those lands who can help us keep the others in order. House Redwyne may be tied to the Tyrells but we we're the ones to bring their sons home as well as fight with them at Pyke. Lord Tarly, who else would you say could be counted on to stay loyal?"
"Most of the eastern reachers will stay loyal to the king. The houses Rowan, Caswell and Meadows have been trading more frequently with the Stormlands and won't break faith unless there are extenuating circumstances. Those north of them will in all likelihood follow their lead. The central houses along with the Hightowers are the ones that warrant a careful watch."
"Lord Rodgers, do what you can to keep the central reachers under watch. Grand maester Hill," Stannis looked at the newest member of the small council.
Grand Maester Seamus Hill was a bastard from the Westerlands who had been sent by the citadel along with 12 other candidates to be vetted by the king himself for the role of measter for the council Seamus Hill was know to be a argumentative, condescending and tended to have ideas that, more often then not, would break, catch fire, or injure persons nearby.
In the Measter's opinion the perfect option to make their preferred candidate more appealing. Stannis, however, picked him because Seamus never hide his opinion in any discussion or debate, thought outside the proverbial box, and had no ties to any major house.
"Send a raven to Lords Baratheon, Swann, Tarth, Caron and Dondarrion. Give them a summary of the threat to the east and tell them they are to review their defenses and make the needed improvements. Send the same messages to Lords Royce, Corbray, Redfort, and Lady Waynewood regarding the Vale.
Also ensure Lords Stark, Tully, Harlaw, Lannister, Tyrell and Martell will also be informed of the situation."
"Begging you pardon your grace but, if you think the Martells may aid the Targaryean, why let them know you are taking measures to prepare?" asked Lord Tarly.
"To let Prince Doran realize they will not have surprise on their side, giving him a chance to rethink any possible thoughts of disregarding his oaths. There is also the fact they have yet to commit an act of treason against the crown and we lack hard evidence to prove they are planning to commit treason.
Therefore they are still under my protection as their king. Until they raise their banners in defiance or they actively aid the Targaryen cause, they will be treated as peers of the realm. Understood?"
The council nodded and confirmed their understanding.
"There is one more matter of note." Added Agrilac,
"The north is currently preparing for winter," The council jolted in shock, "As well as making preparations for attack from north of the wall."
the confusion was visible on the others faces and before they could speak he added "I have sent an agent to the North with the purpose of finding out more information. I hope to provide an insight on this in the future as I learn more."
"We will revisit this once you have received word from your agent." Stannis stood up from the table. "This council is finished for today, thank you for your time my lords." The council all rose and bowed to the king and left the chamber.
Later that day a flock of ravens flew out from the Red Keep.
Sorry for the delays, as I am sure you understand, life is a wack bowl of timey wimey stuff. Thank you for your patience and for your reviews. They are helpful in reminding me points i have missed or forgotten.