Sword of the North

by RedArcer

With the last of the dragons dead, there was nothing that should stand in the way of the lions' rule. Wolves and deer were nothing to their roar. Too bad that that night many years ago a certain archer was born between blood and fire in the tower of joy. For the Counter Guardian Emiya this was just a holiday, compared to the war of the grail the game of thrones was almost boring.

6. Chapter 6

Iron Wolf.

Of the seven base classes summonable during the Holy Grail Wars Archer qualified for all but one. As his very name suggested his skill with the bow was unmatched qualifying him perfectly for this class, his ability to learn the skills of the users of each weapon he analyzed made him eligible to fill the Saber and Lancer classes .

His personal story with each version of Emiya Shirou made him fit to fill the role of Berserker too many times he'd lost his mind just seeing the face of his past self. Even the Caster class had no secrets for him being first and foremost a magus a warrior who had learned all his skills through magic. As for the Assassin class with the work Emiya had done over the ages for Alaya was perhaps the one she best pictured herself with.

Archer was sure he was also compatible with some extra classes but he didn't even have the slightest affinity with the Rider class which was ironic considering that his new ancestors the Targaryens had gone down in history for being dragon riders.

In the past lack of driving skills had never bothered Archer much, modern times didn't require any special knowledge or skills to operate various modes of transport and the times he had been summoned in the past had only been for short periods which had never meant the need to use many vehicles.

Now this gap came to bite him, while he suppressed a wave of nausea caused by the rocking of the ship that was to take him to Bear Island. Archer wasn't the only one who was hurting Maiya who had followed him from Winterfell also didn't look good. The faceless woman was clearly greenish in her face as she swayed to the rhythm of the waves, Emiya was doing better than the woman but not by much just masking her discomfort.

"Awesome I have seldom seen someone fit so well into a ship the first time they step on it," said the ship's commander, completely unaware of the very discomfort Archer was feeling

Emiya 's praises not realizing that what he was complimenting was the boy's acting ability and not his seamanship

"In my years as a captain I have discovered that you of Westeros are not very fond of the sea especially if you are from the north. Sure there are obvious exceptions the best known are certainly the Greyjoys ugly people but it cannot be denied that they are skilled sailors"

By now Archer thought that the captain spoke only for the pleasure of hearing his voice as he continued his monologue, most of the information that the man was divulging was useless or well known, clichés that the populace loved to repeat.

"Roch enough you're pestering the poor thing" a new voice interrupted the ship's captain's rambling, the newcomer turned out to be Jorah Mormont the son of the bear lord.

The Mormont heir was a large man worthy of the seal of his house, tall and stocky with thinning blond hair hardly handsome but still exuding his charm.

"I apologize for Roch she is a skilled sailor but she seems to love the sound of her voice too much"

"Don't worry Lord Jorah hasn't been a nuisance at all," Archer said

"I'm not a Lord yet" there was bitterness in Jorah 's voice as he spoke of his status

"I apologize, I didn't want to touch a sore point, I know that your appointment was postponed because of me"

"No need to apologize we both had little choice about delaying my appointment."

"That may be true but that doesn't change the fact that because of me you still don't sit in your father's seat" said Emiya

"My appointment has not been cancelled, only postponed"

"Yet if I don't seem insensitive to you, it seems that this delay bothers you rather"

Hearing this Jorah wearily raised a hand to his face "Is that so obvious?" the man asked

"For those who know how to read the signs well, yes" Archer simply replied, looking the man straight in the eyes

"I will be honest and forthright as your father's ward we are expected to spend a lot of time together if you bear a grudge against me for any reason, speak up now so we can resolve our disagreements now before it's too late"

"Insolent words even for a bastard of the north, any other lord would have had you punished for it"

"But not you"

"But I don't," Jorah agrees

"You are right, the delay in my appointment annoyed me but not for the reasons you think. I have no particular desire for my father's responsibilities" seeing Archer's confused look the man got ready to continue

"With the postponement of my appointment as lord of the Mormonts , my marriage has also been postponed and I am irritated by this"

"Why?" Archer asked curiously

"My beloved is a noble daughter of the Hightower house, her land is rich and powerful as a Lord I can aspire to her hand but as a simple heir my proposal would only be an embarrassment for both me and her" replied Jorah

"From the look on your face it seems like you love her with all your heart"

"You're young so maybe you can't understand love but for her I'd be willing to do anything"

Hearing these words Archer almost had the uncontrollable desire to laugh, time could have erased most of Emiya 's memories but even during his slavery under Alaya the memory of three women, the great loves of his life, had never completely abandoned him.

Rin, Saber , Sakura their faces and names were burned into Archer's mind and with them all the dreams and regrets concerning the three women, even after being cursed Archer had done his best when he could for the three women. After slaying his past, their safeguarding had been the biggest goal in his mind whenever he was summoned in one of the Grail Wars.

So Archer knew full well what the Mormont heir was talking about , out of love he had seen and done some incredible deeds for both good and bad.

"Just be careful not to get lost in this love of yours" Archer gently advised as memories of fire and shadows came to mind

"You and my father will definitely get along well he too told me your same words when I confided in him my intentions to get married "

"What kind is it?" Archer asked curious about his new guardian.

Jeor Mormont was a complete stranger to Emiya unlike his previous guardian, the only thing he knew about the old bear were rumors, tavern stories that were told in front of a fire with a beer in hand while it was snowing outside.

"What can you say about Jeor Mormont the stories didn't tell" joke Jorah

"sometimes even I find it hard to discern what is fiction and what is real"

"Being his son must be difficult" Archer knew from personal experience what it meant to live in someone's shadow and from Jorah 's words it was understood that the shadow of the Mormont patriarch must be enormous.

"My father is a great man I admit being his son is hard but I wouldn't trade him for anything else in the world" admitted the older man

"But you're not with me, aren't you?" Jorah asked

"My father's fame was built on a life of sweat and blood, his story is one of victories, duty and honour. But you in not even a decade are becoming as famous as him" there was curiosity in the voice of the bear island heir as he stared at Archer

"I've heard stories about you boy, whispered barely in some cases but for someone so young you're on everyone's lips. The honorable Lord Stark's bastard, a brilliant swordsman who was never defeated in combat no matter how bigger or more numerous his opponents" the older man's gaze had never left Emiya as he delivered his speech as if expecting something from him

"They were just training matches nothing serious my fame and ability is largely exaggerated" Archer said simply perfectly calm under Jorah 's inquiring gaze deliberately neglecting to mention the deaths he had caused a few nights earlier during the ambush they had suffered.

"Well I'm glad pride and vanity haven't gone to your head, I've seen too many young men blinded by their training successes freeze on the battlefield where steel and blood sing for the lives of men" complimented Jorah happily surprised by Emiya's words of humility

"I warn you in advance under my father's supervision there will be no room for pride or vanity."

"I've never been the proud type," Archer said sincerely his fighting style was proof of that more than one heroic spirit had been scandalized and offended to see him calling him unfit and shameful for someone who had managed to reach the throne of heroes.

"Good because under my father you won't find any. You wanted to know what kind of man Jeor is Mormont let me tell you, take my words as a warning. My father puts duty first there is no family, love, honor, glory or anything. For him there is only duty and the safeguarding of others" admiration and bitterness filled Jorah 's voice as Archer had previously suspected the man greatly admired his father but was crushed by the shadow and expectations that these emanated.

"It will be interesting to meet him" said Emiya the more she heard about the lord of the Mormonts the more she painted an image of him that reminded too much of his past if a man obsessed with duty and the protection of others ready to sacrifice everything for them.

"Really interesting" Archer repeats as he stared at the horizon in search of Bear Island.

The horizon was burning and with it Bear Island, the docks and towers that topped the harbor were ablaze, screams and shouts filled the air as alarm bells rang non-stop signaling everyone to great danger.

"Pack of useless mangy dogs, get those oars moving for every second we lose one person dies," growled Captain Roch, the amiable personality he'd previously displayed completely gone now that danger was at hand.

Where before there was a man who liked the sound of his own voice too much now there was a tough seaman worthy of the captains of the tales told in taverns.

A change in personality that had also undergone the heir of the Mormonts who had become deathly calm, instead of showing apprehension for the state of his house the man had become calm. He didn't scream or yell he remained silent as his eyes didn't stop watching the flames that were devouring his house.

"As soon as we dock don't leave the ship stay close to the crew and under no circumstances try to seek confrontation " Jorah 's voice was steely as he gave his orders to Archer

"I assume you will join the fights right away?" it was a useless question. Emiya already knew the answer just by looking at the man

"I'll do my duty," Jorah answered simply , his knuckles white as he gripped his sword tighter and tighter.

"And I'll do mine" Archer replied with cold eyes and voice

"I cannot guarantee your safety if you take part in the fighting"

"I'm aware of it but I can't promise you that I won't do anything when so many people are in danger" Emiya had made a decision a few nights ago, she would no longer allow her indecision and inertia to cost someone's life.

"Fine" sighed resignedly Jorah it was evident that the man would have wanted to continue the discussion and in other circumstances he would have done so bad ship they were getting closer and closer to shore

"but keep in mind that this is not a workout. If you cross blades with someone and to take their life or defend yours, no one will show mercy towards you because you are young or because you wear the Stark insignia" the Mormont heir said seriously as for the first time since he had seen the flames he looked away from them to address it to Archer, pausing at the wolf of the house of Winterfell embroidered on his tunic .

"Show no mercy because no one will show you any" with this last piece of advice Jorah takes his leave heading towards the bow of the ship in order to be one of the first to disembark.

"Master what are the orders?" Maiya asked the girl's face still had a greenish tinge but the approach to the shore and therefore the lessening of the ship's rocking and the urgent situation had given her the strength to get back into action.

"Get ready to fight," Archer replied at the sight of the woman's ravenous hunger for death, however he was about to add

"Try to avoid pointless fights but if someone seeks death grant it to them" Maiya could seem faithful but Emiya knew that one false step would turn what looked like a faithful dog into a beast ready to bite its master to prevent all this from happening Archer had to be careful to measure the length of the leash.

"As you command my lord" with a half bow the woman certainly leaves to go and prepare for the immediate clash

"Wait a minute" after thinking for a second Emiya called her servant

"Get me a bow and arrow before I go"

"Are you sure sir?" Maiya asked hesitantly , the girl's confusion was understandable since he was reborn Archer had never wielded a bow, all of the north knew his swordsmanship but to all the world he was a complete beginner with the bow.

"Obey" I simply ordered Emiya not deigning her any other explanation

"Bow and arrows won't do you any good we're going against Greyjoy ironborn. the bastards are armored against any arrow" growled the captain

"I understand that you want to do something but with your useless actions instead of helping you could make the situation worse" wisely advises the old seaman

"Bring me a bow and arrows" Archer repeats completely ignoring the words just heard

Seeing the serious look on his master's face Maiya hurried to execute the order that had been given to him

"He misjudged you boy I thought you had a good head on your shoulders but now I see you're nothing but an arrogant child" Roch shook his head in disappointment

"With the armor that protects them for your arrows to be effective you should hit them on the head. Such a shot for a beginner is almost impossible, even a skilled archer would have difficulty sending such shots under similar conditions"

The man's words were perfectly true, the boat swaying in the headwind generated by the heat of the flames, the same luminosity all made a possible shot difficult, the difficulty increased if, as the captain claimed, the only eligible area was only the head.

But Emiya wasn't just any archer there was a reason why the archer class was so dear to him that it even became his name. His element and origin could be sword, swords could fill and possess his soul making him in every way an incarnation of them but deep inside his heart beat bow and arrows.

Bow and arrows that finally after a long time were back in his hands. The quality of the weapons was very bad whether it was materials or design they were nothing like even the English longbow let alone his black bow that came with it.

However, the lack of the weapon hadn't surprised him at all, even though he hadn't touched a bow since he was reborn Emiya had kept abreast of the state of development of his favorite weapon and was utterly disappointed.

The Seven Kingdoms possessed a level of technology comparable to that of the Middle Ages of its original world in many respects but as regards the manufacture of weapons especially those of throwing such as bows and crossbows they were still behind. Crossbows were even so rare as to be almost non-existent.

With such a shabby weapon it was no surprise that everyone questioned his decision to snipe from the ship, but despite this Archer had no doubts of his future success, after all he had never missed the target if he didn't want to.

This had also been one of the reasons why he had avoided holding a bow for so long, the weapon had now taken on the meaning of death for him because he had brought only this with it. To abhor a bow meant definitively accepting the idea of killing again, risking returning to being that emotionless machine aimed only at the extinction of human lives precisely to preserve the latter.

A lesser man would still be filled with insecurity from the fear of falling back into that abyss, but Archer was not a normal individual his mind and will were iron after he made a decision they did not bend or break easily.

So there was no hesitation in his movements as he strung the string and took aim, the bow in his hands having a range of almost 400 meters under optimum conditions, conditions which, as Emiya had previously noted, were not ideal making the bow's actual range only 250 metres .

The dock was now less than 300 meters away making it just out of range of the weapon or at least it would be for any archer to Emiya was as easy as breathing.

Silent as night the arrow shot through the air completely unseen, unseen in the midst of the chaos of battle amid flames and screams, before reaching its destination the brain of one of the many Ironborn who were delighting in killing and pillaging.

A second was enough for the shouts on the ship to subside, for the doubts that had filled the air about Archer's choice to not only subside but cease altogether to add another victim to Emiya's tally .

After the first came the second, then the third and so on. With every shot Archer hit the mark and with it a victim, he didn't even need to watch his arrow hit the target before nocking another.

If the ship had fallen silent at the sight of the boy's first victim now it looked at him as if he were a monster. The skill Emiya was displaying right now with a bow in her hand was like no one had ever seen before, Jorah himself having abandoned his position to watch the spectacle his father's future ward was putting on.

The Mormont heir wasn't the only one who had stopped to watch Maiya had also ceased her preparations to look at her master's handiwork. But where the others looked at Archer in awe and reverence the faceless woman had an ecstatic expression on her face.

The spectacle Emiya was showing was only strengthening the girl's faith by taking her as further proof that Archer was truly who he claimed to be: death.

Emiya 's rate of fire increased, by now the boy's quiver was almost empty while the pier was full of corpses

"Now the landing can take place safely," Archer said as the last arrow left his hands, shooting down even the last enemy that prevented the ship from docking safely.

"Half of you follow me, the rest protect the ship" I order Jorah after awakening from his trance, after quickly gathering his troops the man was the first to set foot on land, eager to drive away the invaders from his land.

With a battle cry, the sailors following the bear leapt into the fire of the fight, leaving the rest of the crew on the ship to wait for the end of the fight.

Maiya was one of the volunteers who had joined the expedition, all too eager for the soon-to-be bloodbath.

Emiya was one of the few who remained on the ship, the bow abandoned at his feet now useless with no arrows to shoot, his hand instead went to the sword that had attached to the waist the same blade he had taken from the corpse of the young guard who had died to protect him.

"You did a good job boy I underestimated you" the captain admitted approaching Archer who I simply ignore the man more concentrated on observing the ship's rail

"How long are you going to stay hidden?" Emiya asked to the wind

"Who are you talking to boy? are you going crazy by any chance?" the worried captain asked, unable to understand who Archer was talking to

"Would you like me to pick you up?" the boy asked the void once again making the crew worry even more.

"What a scurvy boy, he can't even stand jokes" answered a mysterious voice completely surprising the crew who began to look around frantically in search of the newcomer.

One by one, a dozen Greyjoys in leather armor covered with seaweed and hair soaked in salt spray emerged from the ship's railing. The men had come up the side of the ship. From their condition, it could be seen that the men had been lying hidden in the waters near the dock, a probable insurance policy from the ironborn in case the Mormont forces returned sooner than expected .

It was a strategy designed specifically for the raids on Bear Island, which took advantage of the absence of most of the men who went out for fishing to start the attack, in case of a sudden return of the Mormont ships the men hidden in the waters would wait for the sailors to get off the ships to join the defense of the island not only to attack them from behind but also to destroy and steal the ships on which they had arrived .

Emiya 's presence had partially hindered their plan, not only their forces on the dock out of the water had been decimated but also the ship instead of being completely empty had remained with part of the crew on board.

Crew who were now in a panic at the sight of enemies emerging from the depths of the sea

"I have to admit you were a good boy, I've never seen anyone so skilled with a bow" said what must have been the enemy's leader

"How about joining us ?" the man cheekily proposed as he swung his ax merrily

"If you accept we will not only spare you but we will also show you how real men have fun can't you see how much fun we have" the man chuckles ominously, Emiya had no doubts what the man considered funny the fire and the destruction he had caused were clear indications.

"I'm not interested" Archer replied immediately almost insulted by the invitation

"I'd be careful of your words boy. What I have given you is a rare and precious invitation, not everyone is worthy to become iron men" now it was the enemy leader who was insulted and offended by Archer's refusal.

"So I wonder if I'm not worthy enough or are you?" joke Emiya

"You insolent little bastard who do you think you are?" yell the man ready to rush into the attack

"Careful with your words you are talking to a noble son of the Stark house" finally after having managed to muster enough courage the captain spoke. The man hoped that by revealing Emiya 's origins and insignia he would be able to avoid the clash, it was a decidedly stupid choice at least according to Archer.

Greyjoy men had already proved themselves willing to do anything capable of ignoble acts justified by their faith and creed, protected by the shadow of one of the great lords the men were free to act as they pleased and were not easily frightened.

"A wolf cub I can see the resemblance to that dog of Ned Stark must be my lucky day I'm willing to bet that he would pay a tidy sum for your safety" as Emiya had predicted the revelation of his origins had not at all calmed the assailants on the contrary it had only made them more eager to take up arms.

For them, a lonely and apparently defenseless member of House Stark was not a threat, it was far from a possible source of income, a quick way to accumulate a lot of gold in a short time

"I, you don't …." I begin to stammer the captain having realized his mistake too late

"What do you say boy will you become an Iron Wolf or we will have to ask your good lord to pay for your skin" the enemy leader proposed one last time

Archer this time does not deign to respond in the slightest preferring instead to act believing that it was more in his style. As quick as any of the arrows Emiya had previously fired, he sprinted into the enemy line.

His actions completely surprised the Greyjoys , the ironborn were used to instill fear and terror in their opponents whether civilians or soldiers. Considered so mad as to be capable of anything, the Ironborn were the most feared soldiers of the seven kingdoms always on the attack and never on the defensive, they were difficult opponents who had to be faced with caution especially when fighting on terrain that was advantageous to them such as a ship.

As skilled sailors the Greyjoys were experts in naval battles, and had made fighting on the deck of a ship a sort of art, proving themselves superior to anyone else in this area, managing to use the rocking of the ship to their advantage to devastating effect in battles.

But now despite their reputation, their numerical advantage and the fact that they were on a boat the most congenial terrain for them the Greyjoys were being attacked against all logic and common sense.

Taken by surprise the Ironborn took a few seconds to regroup, it seemed like an extremely short time but in the midst of the heat of battle those few seconds made the difference between life and death especially if that little time was made available to a skilled warrior like Emiya .

And once again Archer demonstrated that the value that had allowed him to ascend the throne of heroes was not an invention but the fruit of all the blood he had shed.

Blood that was also shedding at this moment as he slaughtered the first of the Greyjoys like a pig taking advantage of their distraction, the remaining men watched in disbelief as their friend bled to death on the deck of the ship.

In a fight every second is precious and once lost it was almost impossible to recover it, once the opportunity was lost the gap did not decrease but only increased, leaving you alone to eat the dust.

And that was just what the Ironborn were doing as they continually caught by surprise couldn't recover by tripping over their own feet failing to counter Archer's attack.

Greyjoy leader finally managed to croak as he stepped back in fear to hide behind his men, the arrogance and self-importance that had previously distinguished him completely gone , clouded by the terror Emiya had instilled in him.

The order and warning were useless however, the Ironborn under his orders were already doing their best to stop Archer's onslaught by sacrificing their blood and limbs in an effort to stop the boy.

But no matter how hard they tried they couldn't even slow down Archer's advance in their desperation they even went so far as to sacrifice their companions to the jaws of the wolf in the hope that with their sacrifice they would be able to suppress it.

Their hopes as well as their lives perished at the point of Emiya 's blade , before the skill of the bastard of Winterfell the Ironborn were but sheep condemned to slaughter until only the leder remained.

"Get away monster" stammered the man as he moved further and further away from Archer until he reached the ship's rail

"If I am a monster what are you?" mocked Emiya

"I am the brother of the Lord Reaper of Pyke then don't kill me" Archer's question had been ironic; yet, the man had answered the same revealing his true identity.

The man was not just any brigand and cutthroat but a noble son of one of the seven great houses; yet, despite having gold and riches at his disposal due to his status, the man had stooped to commit looting and rapes.

His hadn't been a choice out of necessity, he hadn't been driven by hunger or poverty to commit crimes of the worst kind. The man would very well have lived another kind of life but instead had dabbled in the darker aspects of ironborn culture for his own delight.

"You can't kill me my brother would never forgive such an offence" In a reversal of events the man who had scoffed at Emiya 's status indeed had delighted in the possibility of being able to earn at his expense now hid behind his title and his kinship.

"It will mean that your brother will be willing to pay a good amount for your return and your safety" with a mocking smile Archer not only ridiculed the man's pathetic defense but as if to spread salt on the wound he turned against him the same threat that the man had previously made.

"You can't, this is behavior not worthy of a Stark , only the Ironborn are guilty of such low behavior" to complain was not the Greyjoy who was still paralyzed by fear and amazement but the captain of the ship who could not believe that the son of the honorable Lord Stark was saying such outrageous words.

"I don't care if this isn't behavior worthy of a Sterk I'm still a Snow first and foremost" the title of bastard that so many men tried to strip from their honor meant nothing to Emiya who wore it almost like armor a sort of medal to justify his not so perfect actions for a noble.

His were words that neither the captain nor the Ironborn could fully understand and accept for a medieval society centered on the nobility Archer's words and way of reasoning

"Moreover, with the money from his ransom part of the damage he caused can be repaid" Emiya wasn't looking for money for himself, money didn't matter to him but for people who had lost homes and possessions even a few gold coins could be the difference between despair and salvation.

Salvation had now come to bear island Archer could already hear the clatter of reinforcements arriving the battle had been won. Jorah 's arrival from the rear had put the brigands in crisis who, caught between two fires, had been unable to do anything but succumb trapped between a rock and a hard place, victims of their own tactics.

With the battle won, Emiya could now focus solely on what would become his poor victim

"Before you asked me to become an Ironwolf I'm sorry for you but I guess I already am" with a predatory smile worthy of the wolf that represented his house Archer crouched down so that he could look the terrified man in the eyes, a smelly puddle was forming between his legs as fear assailed him.

"So don't worry I'll treat you like any iron man worth their salt would. I'm sure a noble man like you knows what I'm talking about" as an avenging angel Emiya was ready to dispense his dark justice he would pay blood with blood, pain with pain.

In this new life he would not only be a warrior and wise man but would also willingly assume the guise of a bloodthirsty demon in order to bring order to this world of chaos. To his family he would have been a kind and supportive son and brother but to his enemies he would not have hesitated to bare his fangs the men who sought blood and destruction would have found in him a beast ready to slay, a wolf covered in iron an IronWolf .

The Greyjoys have just met their worst nightmare. Archer will show them no mercy. The Ironborn don't know what awaits them for the first time in their existence they will find themselves facing someone equally skilled in tricks and foul play. The men who think themselves the terror of the seven kingdoms are about to face someone worthy of being called the devil. It will be fun to see their reactions when they have to taste their own venom.

Sorry for the delay but as they say, life gives you work. As always, the next chapter is already available on my p a treon

/RedArcher739

P a treon . com(slash)RedArcher739

Next chapter: Wildlings and Tsudere