Today was to be the day of the battle. The camp was alive with men quickly preparing for the upcoming fight. Men put on their armor if they had any,some were at the smiths ensuring their swords were sharp enough to cut through Lannister armor. Many men took still took their moments to pray to whichever God or gods they prayed too to keep them safe.
Torrhen took a moment lingering just outside the camp to speak to the old Gods. 'Please Gods of old I know you have near no power here in the south but if you can hear me please protect me. Protect me from sword,lance,and arrow. Help to steady my blade and make my strikes swift and accurate.' He couldn't hear a reply but felt like they had heard his plea and all he could do was to hope they had the power to protect him in these lands.
He took a moment to look at the night sky. Watching the stars twinkle in the sky along with the bright shining moon. This could be the last time his eyes could gaze upon that beautiful night sky. The sound of clanking armor came closer and closer coming to a halt right beside him. Turning to the right he saw his brother Robb.
"You scared?"
"Terrified." Torrhen replied lifting up his shaking hand.
Robb patted his younger brother on the back.
"It'll be ok." Robb replied. "I have your back."
"And I yours."
The pair took a moment to enjoy the moment of the night sky before walking back to the camp. They mounted their horses at the head of the column. Both looked back to ensure there were no stragglers before kicking the horses into motion.
They rode down the road a while and eventually shifted into the woods to try and stay out of sight of Lannister spies. Branches cracked beneath the feet of their horses and men that marched behind the commanders and other officers who were all mounted on horses. The smell of cooking food and laughter indicated that they were closing in on the camp.
Robb gave the order to be as quiet as possible to prevent detection and keep the element of surprise. As the end of the tree line approached Robb lifted his hand halting the column. They could hear the sounds of laughter of the men on guard duty talking and passing the time and boots squashing in the mud.
Where they were at there were two guards sitting near a fire. It seemed like there really where not much defenses. Two men? That's all they have? Stafford clearly was not an expert commander. Even this far in to your own territory you should still have some defenses in anticipation for an attack.
"You ready brother?" Robb asked quietly.
"Ready when you are brother."
Robb drew his sword with Torrhen following suit. The rest of the army drew their own before Robb lifted the blade and dropped it down signaling he attack. The army charged in the line of horses in the front going in first with the infantry following close behind.
The guards were taken off guard not having enough time to draw their own swords before Robb and Torrhen cut them down. The camp was alerted moments later and the horn was blown. Soldiers drew their arms some running out of tents fumbling with their armor to join the defense. The men on horseback cut many men down easily infantry following close behind finishing any man who still breathed.
Torrhen rode hard into the camp cutting down man after man. One he stopped and exchanged blows steel clattering against steel before Torrhen's blade found the mans chest. As he continued to ride in he saw a lone soldier and went for him. Unbeknownst to him a spear lay right beside the soldier. He picked it up and crouched down preparing to stab the horse. Torrhen tried to stop his horse when he saw the spear but was too late. The tip pierced into the horse causing it to cry out in pain before collapsing into the dirt.
Torrhen's leg was caught under the horse. Not enough to severely injure it but enough to trap him. He picked up his sword from the mud and lifted it up stopping a blow from the soldier's sword from hitting him. The man was stunned giving Torrhen a moment to try and pull his leg out from beneath the slowly dying horse. He pulled and pulled barely getting it to move. He and the man exchanged sword blows until finally the leg slid free. He then slid around using his legs to trip the soldier. He ripped the dagger from its sheath and jammed it into the mans chest.
Torrhen got up picking his blade up off the ground and rejoining the battle. Tents in the camp started to go ablaze lighting the area up with a bright orange glow. Some Lannister's ran up thinking they could take the young man down. He made quick work of them. An arrow flew passed his face missing him by mere inches. He quickly found the archer and charged him as the man pulled an arrow from the quiver. The northerner was quicker and was able to kill the archer.
He turned and saw Robb taking on three Lannister's. He was quickly able to dispatch of one however began to struggle with the others. Torrhen charged forward and stabbed the one in the back giving Robb the ability to take on the other. Robb patted his brother's shoulder giving a 'thanks' before they moved on fighting side by side cutting through the Lannister line.
Behind the line was an older man in his golden armor giving orders that must of been Stafford. The Stark assault was halted at this line Lannister's pushing back and holding their ground. Lord Karstsark cut down two men and managed to punch a hole in the line. The Stark army used that as a entry point and poured into it causing the defensive line to completely falter.
By now the camp was as bright as the day with most of the tents in the camp now ablaze spreading the bright orange glow. Robb and Torrhen pushed in hoping to catch up with Lord Karstark. The lord was several feet managing to get though several Lannister men saying on the heels of Stafford who started falling back after the line broke.
They fought until Stafford was trapped. Lord Karstsark got to him first and they engaged in a duel. The pair danced around swinging their swords at each other as the battle raged around them. Robb wanted to get to them but it was hard to get through the soldiers. One man came at him and Torrhen jumped between them swinging his sword and cutting mans hand off. He let out a loud scream as he gripped the arm where the hand used to he.
The battle started to slow and Lord Karstark was still in a deep fight with Stafford Lannister. Their blades clashes singing with each clash. They danced and clashed going and going. Of the two warriors it appears Lord Rickard was getting getting the upper hand as Stafford began to tire. Robb wanted to take Stafford alive to hold another Lannister prisoner. Maybe then would Tywin accept an offer of peace.
However Robb got to Rickard too late and watched as his sword was thrust into the knight's chest and ripped it out. Blood spat out from the mans mouth as he fell to the ground. Rickard cheered and thrust his sword into the air soldiers cheering around him. Robb approached the Lord and gave him a small lecture of wanting to keep the commander alive a prisoner. Lord Karstark gave an apology that was obviously fake and Robb walked off.
The sun had finally come up shining over the battlefield. Many tents had burnt to nothing but ashes and all the fires had burnt out save a few small ones that lingered around. Torrhen and Robb walked side by side inspecting the damage and bodies laying on the field. The silent sisters and healers stilled the field helping treat the wounded. The screams of pain as cloth was applied to wounds and limbs were cut off to avoid the spread of rot echoed throughout the former Lannister camp.
Lord Bolton eventually came up on his commander giving a respectful bow and began giving a report of the battle.
"My Lord. There are five dead Lannister's for every one of ours. I'd say we rummage what we can and don't take any prisoners. We have nowhere to keep them and barely enough food to feed our own men." The older lord said.
"If we don't take prisoners what will you you have me do with them?" Robb asked.
"Kill them." Roose replied bluntly.
Robb was clearly put off at the suggestion of killing prisoners many of whom willingly threw down their swords. That was not Ned's way nor was it Robb's. They couldn't possibly kill prisoners who threw down their blades in surrender. Torrhen didn't like the suggestion much either. It was one thing to slay a man in battle but to kill an unarmed man shackled and on their knees would he criminal and dishonorable.
"Lord Bolton we are not in the business of killing prisoners. If they had swords in their hands and were charging at us in an attempt to kill us by all means we shall cut them down. However it seems that these men are on their knees in shackles. We take them prisoner. I will not return to my father bearing news of a massacre." Robb replied to the Lord of the Dreadfort.
Torrhen smiled at Robb standing up to the lord. He was to succeed Ned whenever he met the Gods and he was growing into the role. Especially after him and Ned were arrested by Joffrey and Robb ordered the banners to march south. Sending Theon away was a gamble but every lord had to make a gamble and he didn't know if he'd see his father and brother again and felt it necessary.
Even Ned himself took a gamble declaring his men to Robert Baratheon during the rebellion. All they could do now was pray and hope the gamble paid off in the end. Ned wasn't so sure on it but the die was cast.
"As my Lord commands." Roose replied ending the conversation of the prisoners. "The officers may prove useful in giving up Tywin Lannister's plans."
"I doubt it." Robb replied.
"As you say my Lord. As we say in the Dreadfort a naked man has few secrets...a flayed man none."
Robb's head jerked to look at lord at the mention of flaying.
"We aren't flaying them either!" Robb said voice raised.
"Lord Stark outlawed flaying in the North." Torrhen said finally chiming into the conversation.
"Aye he did." Roose started. "However we are not in the north."
"No flaying." Robb said with a stern voice.
Lord Bolton just nodded his head accepting his commanders judgement. As they continued through what remained of the camp looking as bodies were dragged into piles and silent sisters and others helping treat wounded men. Torrhen looked around and saw a woman tending to a man who's leg was severely wounded. He was fighting and protesting. Robb noticed it too.
The pair walked over to hear is protests. 'No please...it's fine. I feel fine!' And heard the woman reply 'the rot has set in'. Torrhen noticed the woman and his eyes widened. She was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. Her long dark hair pulled back not hiding a single inch if her face. The young man almost stopped in his tracks however the screams of the poor soldier brought him back to reality.
He dropped down along while placing hands on his shoulders. He turned to see Robb and Torrhen.
"My lord please." He begged. "It's already feeling better. Please I can't lose my leg."
Robb took his gloves and put them up to his mouth.
"Bite down of these. It's better than biting in your tongue."
"My Lord perhaps some of our own men would require your attention." Lord Bolton said.
Robb gave the lord a look as well as the woman.
"These men are all my men." She said preparing to cut the lads leg off.
He and Torrhen pushed the man down and he took the leather gloves between his teeth unable to resist the men. Then the screams began as the woman began to cut at his leg. There was no worse sound then that of a saw blade cutting into a man. The sound of the teeth cutting through the flesh and the cracking of the bone as it dug deeper harmonizing with the soldiers screams.
Eventually the woman cut through the leg and the muffled screams somewhat subsided. She and the silent sisters wrapped the leg up with cloth. The two helped lift him up and place him in a cart where he can go get better attention to that leg. Robb and Torrhen stopped to gaze upon the woman as she wiped the blood from her hands. Torrhen noticed this and nudged his brother.
"Eyes off brother. Remember you have a beautiful Frey girl to marry."
Robb have Torrhen a playful punch to his shoulder.
"Do not jest with me."
"Hey you made that decision of your own free will."
"I know."
With that Torrhen patted Robb on the back and walked over to the mystery woman. Along the way he contemplated what to say. He didn't want to sound stupid. He had to make a good impression. As he got closer a sigh escaped his lips as he prepared for the conversation.
"You're far from home?"
She turned to look at him and tossed the cloth into her box of things. She stopped taking a look at the young man almost immediately recognizing him. Not just as the man who assisted her with the soldiers leg but as the brother of Robb Stark.
"So are you." She replied.
He smiled. That was also true. Near a thousand miles now lay between him and Winterfell. He couldn't wait to finish this gods forsaken war and return home. Perhaps this battle will force Tywin and that boy king to sue for peace.
"Not so far as you My Lady."
A smile crept up on her face.
"Oh yea? Perhaps I'm from Riverrun? Or Lannisport."
"Then in that case my Lady if you truly are from Lannisport I shall have to keep a close eye on you."
A chuckle escaped her lips as she clasped her hands together.
"Why to see if I'm a Lannister spy?"
"Perhaps you are."
He then helped her lift her box of medical supplies and set it down on a carriage earning a thanks from the woman before she jumped up on the cart patting it alerting the operator to go. With a kick of the horses the carriage began to move forward taking he woman further away from Torrhen.
"Where are you from?"
"Volantis!" She shouted.
"Volantis?" Torrhen asked. You're a long way from home!"
Serena walked quickly though the halls of the Red Keep. Joffrey had called for an emergency meeting of court after news from the war had come in by raven. Serena had already heard the news. Robb had managed to sneak a large force into the Westerlands and smash a small force mostly comprised of trainees and recruits led by Stafford Lannister at Oxcross. It was said the Lannister's were soundly defeated with some reports saying five Lannister dead for every one Stark. Joffrey and Tywin were furious. Serena was about to find out how furious Joffrey was.
Knowing Joffrey he's probably sitting on the throne screaming until his face turned blue "Kill them all! I want their heads on spikes! I want Robb and Eddard's heads on platters to serve to Sansa!" Or something like that knowing Joffrey. With her and Sansa being in the capital she fears what Joffrey might do to them despite Serena swearing her allegiance to him.
That fear was on her mind the entire walk to the throne room. The war had been getting on Joffrey and the Queen for a while. Defeat after defeat the respect of the Lannister name fading with each one. When Cersei had heard her filled up of wine found itself flying into a wall splashing the red liquid everywhere. It was a surprise it was the wine that was tossed and not something else knowing Cersei.
"Damned Stark's. They keep embarrassing my father like this the fear of the Lannister name disappears."
It was true. The only thing keeping the Lannister's in any form of power was the fear of Tywin and the House he built from the house up from nothing. It was barely moments after that the word came that Joffrey called a session of court.
Down the hall from the throne room she could hear Joffrey's voice echoing off the walls.
"You're here to answer for your brothers latest treasons."
"Your grace whatever my traitor brother has done I swear to you I had no part in it."
Sansa! Serena started to run through the halls hoping to get to her before Joffrey did. The words still echoed through the hall from Lancel describing the recent battle but Serena paid no attention to the words only thinking of Sansa. The voices drew closer and closer. Voices turned to what sounded like screaming.
She got to the doors which were left slightly open. She shoved them open with a bang echoing through the room causing everyone to stop and see what caused the sound. She saw Sansa kneeling on the ground gown town Ser Meryn standing over her blade drawn. Immediately she drew her own blade the steel's song echoing through the hall.
"Ser I demand you stay your blade."
A look of anger grew on his face...in fact he always looked angry so really there was no change. He saw the girls blade and gripped his own tighter anticipating a strike.
"How dare you draw a blade on a Kingsguard!" He shouted.
"How dare you draw your blade on a helpless girl." Serena replied bitterly.
Joffrey looked on with curiosity. Angry the girl drew her blade but curious to see how it would play out.
"Someone get Sansa something to cover herself with."
The Hound was the man to step forward tearing the cape from his armor and draping it over the girl who took it happily.
"What sort of knight draws a sword on a little girl?"
"One who obeys his King!"
Both gripped their blades staring each other down. The tension in the room could be felt by everyone. After seeing what he did to her sister it was a miracle the knight was not dead on he floor already. It wouldn't be much of a loss for society. It seemed like a duel was going to take place but before that could happen a voice interrupted them.
"What is the meaning of this!"
Everyone looked to see Tyrion with his man Bronn entering the room. Tyrion looked outraged at what he was seeing.
"The Lady Serena has just threatened a Kingsguard." Meryn replied making his case.
Tyrion didn't seem to buy his story. If there was one thing Tyrion was it was an excellent judge of character and Serena was not one to threaten someone out of nowhere like that. He looked to Serena for her to make her case which didn't need to be made her sister hiding beneath the Hound's cape.
"Well then Ser Meryn care to explain Lady Sansa's torn gown?
It wasn't Meryn that answered but Joffrey.
"She was answering for her brothers treasons."
Tyrion took several steps towards the throne walking up the steps and stopping.
"The poor girl committed no treasons! What her family has done they have done alone. How could she commit treasons in the Westerlands here in Kings Landing you halfwit!"
"I'm a King I can do as I please!" Joffrey screamed back.
"The Mad King did as he liked and he died for it!"
"Never threaten the King in the presence of a Kingsguard!" Meryn yelled at the imp.
Tyrion turned around looking at the knight.
"I wasn't threatening. I was merely educating the king on out history. Bronn should Ser Meryn speak again do me a favor and kill him."
"With pleasure."
Meryn was not so happy with that.
"That was a threat. See the difference."
Tyrion then stepped down from the steps and helped Sansa up. He then looked to Serena seeing the fire of anger in her eyes sword still drawn hand gripped tight around it. Tyrion placed a hand on her own to settle the girl down.
"My Lady you can put that away."
Seeing as the situation had improved since Tyrion arrived. Meryn was still upset but who cared how he felt? She listened and loosened the grip on the blade and slid it back into its sheathe. She walked out with Sansa and Tyrion along with his sellsword Bronn.
"Are you alright?" Serena asked checking in on her sister.
Sansa nodded giving a 'yes'. She could tell Sansa why lying. She was scared and had all the right to be the way Joffrey has been treating her since Ned's death. Now he was stripping and beating her before the entire court. The fear was present in the girls eyes showing for the world to see. If Joffrey wasn't the king she'd drive her sword through him.
"Tell me true." Tyrion started. "Do you want an end to this engagement. If you do I can end it."
"I am loyal to my beloved Joffrey my one true love." She said before walking forward with her handmaidens.
Serena stopped a moment along with Tyrion and Bronn.
"Lady Stark you may survive us yet." Tyrion said.
"His grace is backed up. Clogged from balls to brains." The sellsword said.
"You think dipping his wick will cure his ails?"
"There is no cure for being a cunt." Serena said before leaving the pair behind and going to see her sister.
The Stark had a good start ahead of her getting to her chambers a few moments before Serena. She knocked on the door hearing a 'who is it?'
"It's Serena."
A few moments went by and a handmaiden opened the door. Serena didn't recognize this one. She didn't know Sansa had gotten a new handmaiden. She stepped in the room and the handmaiden closed it behind her. Sansa was standing of the other side of the room replacing the old town gown with a new one. She wasn't naked but was still putting the new gown on. Some the the makes and bruises were already visible from Ser Meryn's assault.
"Are you alright?"
"I am now...thank you Serena."
The red head finished putting on the dress and then sat down on the bed taking a moment to rest.
"I thought Joffrey was going to have me killed." Sansa said the fear clear in her voice.
"I will never let that happen. I'll drive my sword though that little shits face before he kills you."
Sansa smiled at that. The two were always close however grew closer since coming to Kings Landing. Serena has been there for Sansa despite not being blood. The younger girl always wondered why. Why she felt required to protect her.
"Why do you protect me so?" She asked. "We are not blood yet you protect me like no other."
Serena shifted and walked over to Sansa sitting on the bed beside her while trying to figure out the words to say.
"Why is Ser Rodrick loyal to your House? Why are all the other Lords and Ladies of the North loyal to your father? Lord Stark took me and my brother in having no cause too. He could his given us to an orphanage or to one of his soldiers. Instead he took us into his castle raising us along side his sons and daughters. He had us educated and trained. Gave us food from his table. He gave us a life our parents could have ever imaged. House Stark is my family."
Sansa almost looked like she was going to shed a tear. To have such a staunch protector with her to protect her from Joffrey's wrath.
"Thank you Serena." She said hugging her sister...not her fathers ward,not adoptive sister but her sister. Always.