Chapter 83: Fighting amongst fishes
28 AF
There is a two-year time jump since last chapter, spanning the rest of the winter. As always, relevant changes to the family are visible on the family tree in my bio. I have also added the entire Karstark and Umber family tree, as well as parts of others, as they are now intermingled with the Starks to a significant degree.
Robb
It was a beautiful spring day. He stood before the window in his solar, whilst looking over the glowing hills around Winterfell. In the distance, farmers were busy on their lands.
He had recently made new farmlands available to the east of the castle. A lot of those lands had lain fallow, others had consisted of small, dispersed woodlands. Many native farming families had rejoiced at his decision, as the lands were all parceled out to their younger sons and brothers.
The families would need to clear and cultivate the lands themselves but could use the wood they cut for themselves first to build farmhouses. After having seen to their own uses, they were forced to send all excess wood to Wintertown. There it could either be used to light fires or as building materials.
He hadn't simply given the lands away, the farmers that were rewarded with the lands and materials would need to pay bigger rates of food to him as taxes for the next thirty years. Still, it was a major gift. It had made him beloved with much of the rural population, but it had served much more practical uses as well.
The population of his lands had grown. In his youth, Wintertown had had homes for twenty-five thousand people, although only three thousand permanently lived there. The other homes were only used during winter. That situation had changed. Now, there were living spaces for forty thousand people and twelve thousand of those had become permanent. It had become a bustling small town, which traded a lot with the rest of the North.
Other villages and towns on his land had also expanded, most notably a fishing village close to the source of the tributary of the White Knife. Formerly, it had been a village of two-hundred people, where the occasional river barge left from to ship wood downstream. It had always been strategically located, at only eight miles from Winterfell.
Now, it had become a little town of twelve hundred people with a harbor that constantly shipped things to and from Castle Cerwyn, White Harbor and all lands in between and then transported it by cart to Wintertown. His son Rickard had come to jokingly name it Winterport, and the name had stuck.
Now, these places needed food. He had already expanded his food production a little over the years, and the continued cultivation of the lands around Moat Cailin helped to feed Winterfell directly, but it was not enough. They were importing a lot from the lands of Houses Tallhart, Cerwyn, Dustin and Manderly for their daily use in the castle and towns. This couldn't be helped, but he could make his dependence on them a little less extreme.
It also served in pacifying and using the expanded rural population. From Winterfell to the White Knife, small farmsteads and hamlets were being created in specifically designated areas and its population density was increasing. It was still far below that of the Riverlands or the Reach, but the gap was decreasing slightly.
He, his sons, and his brother Rickon had been hard at work to map these out the past months. His brother and sons often travelled his lands to talk with the farmers on where to establish new villages and fields. These men knew the land, what to grow on it and where it was best to sow in fields. They used that expertise as best as they could.
He looked upon the eastern hills, with its old and first new farms and how the sun was shining upon the first spring harvest. The hills glowed with wheat, oats and barley, which the farmers would start soon start to harvest.
His peaceful thoughts were suddenly disturbed, by a knock on the door. Not much later, Maester Jonos walked into his solar. The Maester looked white in the face and seemed a little out of breath. "The raven scroll was marked as very urgent by Lord Hoster Tully, Your Grace. Once I read it, I ran straight to you. He handed him a small paper.
It was written in tiny letters. Clearly, a lot needed to be said on the small scroll.
War has broken out in the Riverlands. My youngest brother Elmar has risen up in rebellion against us. He has crowned himself the King of Rivers and Hills with the backing of the Faith Militant, House Footly and other Reacher houses. He may also have support in the Westerlands. Armies are crossing our Southern border, while families are rising up in his name all over the Riverlands. I request the armies of the North to contain this revolt. Riverrun and its allies cannot hold this alone.
Lord Hoster Tully
He looked upon the maester. "Is this real?"
"I am afraid so, Your Grace. The bird that Lord Tully sent it with is known to me and the outer scroll had all the agreed signals on it." Maester Jonos replied.
He nodded. "Maester would you be so kind as to walk past the guards' quarters on the ground floor when you walk back? Tell them that I want my two sons and brother brought to my solar immediately. Tell no one the reason why. Ask my Commander of the Kingsguard to go get the Hand further in the hall as well."
"Of course, Your Grace." The Riverlander bowed.
He glimpsed out of the window again. Gone were the peaceful thoughts of only minutes ago. Now all he saw was men whose sons would be send south with his army. All those men were uncertain whether they would ever return to those glowing hills. They just didn't know it yet.
It took less than twenty minutes before all had assembled into his solar. He told them all the news and the looks of shock were visible on all their faces.
"How could this happen? I thought we had had him watched the entire winter?" Harry asked him. Torr murmured his agreement with his brother.
He sighed. "We had the second son Oscar watched in Harrenhal. Berthan managed to get six spies inside of the castle, before the boy took direct control of it. During the winter, he found two of them, but the others kept reporting any visitors that came and went. We tried to get spies into Pinkmaiden, Wayfarer's Rest and Stone Hedge, but to no avail."
He took a deep breath. "After the big fight between the second and third son two years ago, we thought that it didn't matter that much anymore. We were watching Oscar closely and could anticipate any of his moves. We didn't expect the youngest son to try and usurp both brothers. Apparently, my youngest cousin felt bold enough to do so after fighting with Oscar. Either that, or he was manipulated by the Faith or the Reach enough to make a gamble for it. It was a mistake of me not to have him watched more closely."
"What happens now?" His seventeen-year-old son Jon asked him.
He sighed. "What I have tried the past twenty years to prevent. You boys will be going to war with me. I will have to call the banners. I want both of you to accompany me, my brothers Rickon and Jon as well. Last time, when I was injured, all depended on Jon. Now, I want the full might of House Stark to come down upon those foolish enough to oppose us."
"Is that wise, father? We all know the fate that House Gardener faced when they did the same." His heir asked him.
He grinned. "Aye, but we are not fighting dragons today, my son. I killed the last ones almost thirty years ago."
This made the other four men smile. "Besides, your children will remain here. If the worst was to happen, Bran will be appointed regent with Harry as Hand of the King. Their two great-uncles won't let anything happen to them."
Rickard nodded at that. "You want me to stay?" Lord Harrion Karstark asked.
"Aye, if you would agree to stay behind. There is no one that I can trust with both the kingdom and my family as much as you." He agreed.
His brother-in-law scratched his beard. "I guess my sons are old enough to lead the Karstark forces. My wife and daughter-in-law could rule Karhold in the name of my five-year-old grandson. It wouldn't be ideal, but Karhold and the Karstark line would be safe enough. Edrick and Rickon will not shame the family name in battle either. It could work."
"Thank you, Harry. Rickard and I will keep your boys close in positions of honor deserving of their status. They will have more than enough chances at glory, but they will never serve in the vanguard or the first assault. They are my nephews as well. I will do my best to make sure they return to you." He answered.
Harrion nodded appreciatively. "Thank you, Your Grace. Nothing would please me more." Torrhen looked relieved as well.
"Harry, you will rule the North in my absence. Alys will rule Winterfell and I will personally take care of the Riverlands. Harry, would you keep an eye on my grandchildren's educations from time to time?"
The Lord of Karhold nodded. "It would be my pleasure."
"Thank you." He told the man that had always been as an older brother to him.
"Rickard, call the council together. Jon, you will join too." He looked at his youngest son. "You are my son and as such you are one of the commanders of my army. I will have you informed from now on. You are to join every council or command meeting from now until we are back home." He commanded.
Rickon and Torrhen laughed at his son, as he put an arm around him. "Welcome on board, nephew. You will now step into the wonderful world of old men bickering, while they order the younger men in their lives to do what they have decided amongst themselves."
His youngest son shrugged. "I'll be executing their orders anyway. Might as well bicker back." Rickon laughed loudly, and it helped ease the tension.
"What will you do, father?" Rickard asked.
"I will call the banners. I have a lot of letters to write." All men nodded.
"I want a quick response. Last time I arrived, Riverrun was under siege and the Riverlords had been defeated, their troops scattered to the winds. I want to arrive before that happens. Last time, I arrived in the Riverlands eight weeks after calling the banners. Now, I will make that less than seven. We leave Winterfell in twenty-five days. We leave Moat Cailin 20 days after that. I will ask the lords to assemble on either of those points." He ordered.
Harry frowned. "That won't allow the furthest houses to fully levy their forces. My sons, the Umbers, the Whitefyres, the Mormonts, Shields and even Ryswells will be hard pressed to fully assemble their troops, the Mountain Clans won't rally at all."
He nodded. "Aye, but speed is key here. I want to race south with at least fifteen thousand men and catch the rebels by surprise. We have a lot of allies in the Riverlands, which will be waiting on our guidance. Before we encounter any enemies, we will be able to link up with the Freys and Mallisters."
He walked to his desk and pulled out a map of the Riverlands. He pointed to the areas where the families lived. "Our allies along the Blackwater and around Riverrun must resist until we arrive, if we are too late the damage could be horrible. The Darrys and Mootons will be in trouble too, after both their heirs have announced their betrothals to Bran's daughters this winter."
Most agreed with that, except for his youngest son. "Fifteen thousand? That's less than halve of what the North can call upon. You would leave most of our strength at home against the might of the Reach!"
"No, look at what Hoster wrote. He mentions House Footly and others, but never House Tyrell. We will not be facing the great army of the Reach. We would have received word of our spies in Highgarden if the young king had marched. He probably knew we were watching him and used House Footly as a proxy. We will only encounter the border lords. If it becomes clear that the Tyrells are mustering behind them, we call the others south. In the meantime, we take care of the rebels." He told his boy, who relented.
"For now, I will order the lords to mostly call upon old men, second sons and those without a future. Those who won't mind not coming back and are eager for the glory and future prospects that can be found at the end of a blade. The others can be rallied later." He sighed. His sons were too young to understand that command, but the other three men nodded understandingly.
"Now go, you all have your orders." They all nodded. They walked out of the room, while he bowed himself over the map for a minute. He walked through the preliminary plan that was forming in his head. He needed more information. He would do the same he had done thirty years ago and march towards the Twins. Olyvar would help him. There he could more accurately decide on a specific strategy.
He walked out of his solar, Torrhen easily falling in line beside him.
(Seven weeks later)
He let out a breath he didn't know that he had been holding when he finally rode through the portcullis of the eastern castle of the Twins. Next to him rode his two sons, behind them rode Jon, Torr and Rickon. Their five direwolves trotted in front of them, which made the honor line of soldiers jump back in fear.
His sons' direwolves, Ash and Fang, had grown to the same sizes as the others. They looked menacing, but he knew they weren't as strong. Grey Wind, Ghost and Shaggydog had years of battle experience. The first two in his earlier campaigns and Shaggy in Essos. Ash and Fang were largely untested, although they didn't look less threatening.
In front of him stood his former squire Olyvar, now the Knight of the Twins. Next to him stood his cousin twice removed and wife Walda Frey. She had her expected scowl on her face. He knew she never forgave him for what he had done to her family, but frankly he didn't care. They shouldn't have betrayed him.
Their two sons stood next to them with their wives and small children. One of the terms for House Frey had been that they hadn't been able to choose whom they could marry their children to.
The heir, Ser Perwyn Frey, was raised under his Uncle Edmure in Riverrun. Later, he had had him married off to a Blackwood cousin. A useful connection to a side branch of one of his staunchest supporters in the Riverlands.
His brother, Ser Frankflyn Frey, had simply been married to the daughter of one of their remaining landed vassals. A totally irrelevant marriage politically, while helping Olyvar's grip on his lands.
Their absent sister had been married off to the third son of House Paege. Again, allied to a house that supported him and Hoster Tully and again to a side branch.
Ser Olyvar bowed lowly, and his family and household followed suit. "The Twins are yours, Your Grace."
He jumped from his horse, and his sons and brothers followed suit. "Rise, Ser Olyvar." He replied formally, before walking over to his friend and hugging him tightly. "It has been too long Olyvar. It is good to see you, it saddens me that it needs to be under these circumstances."
His former squire nodded severely. "I got your message in time. I raised eleven hundred men that are ready to march. Both me and my sons will join you."
"That is wonderful news, good friend! Please reacquaint me with your family, afterwards we will talk in your solar." He responded, and his friend obliged happily.
After some small talk with the Frey family and household, they headed towards the solar, but he turned at the last moment. "Ser Perwyn, Ser Franklyn, I would be happy if you would care to join us."
Both Frey knights looked at him in shock, as did their father. He looked at Olyvar. "My sons will be joining too and both of yours are older than my youngest. Besides, if they will fight for me then they are eligible to join me and know how and why."
Olyvar looked surprised, but pleased and nodded in thanks. His youngest son looked proud, whilst his elder seemed cautious but content. He nodded to both his own sons, and they knew what he meant. Befriend the boys. We need the support of the future generations of the Riverlands now more than ever.
Rickon, Jon and Torr followed him silently, whilst the majority of his lords talked about provisions and how to best set up camp with Olyvar's steward. The five direwolves lazily walked beside them, scaring off all the servants that they came across inside .
The solar they walked in was rather small, but it could house the nine men that walked inside. The problem was the five gigantic direwolves, but most bundled together at the fire. Only Ghost stayed close to Jon, laying beneath the table between all their feet. This seemed to put off Olyvar's sons, while his old friend didn't seem to mind. He even fed the albino wolf a snack under the table. Apparently, both remembered each other well.
"How is the situation now in the Riverlands, Olyvar?" He asked, while Ser Franklyn spread a map of the region out over the table.
"Bad, Your Grace. Ser Elmar Tully has marched into the Riverlands from the south with five thousand men from the Reach under Lord Footly. Many amongst their host are claimants to the lands that you have forced them out under the treaty with Willas Tyrell. The Faith Militant has also joined him in his march with at least four thousand men." His vassal said, while pointed it out on the map.
"Those forces initially put the keeps of Houses Parrell and Menning under siege. In the meantime, they were reinforced by allies from the west." Olyvar's finger switched towards Pinkmaiden.
"House Piper has raised their banner in support of the rebellion. They managed to get their cousins of House Lefford on board too. Twenty-five hundred Westerlanders have marched under two sons of Lady Alysanne. Two thousand mercenaries from the West have also joined them, paid by Houses Lefford, Payne and the Starry Sept. They joined together with Lord Piper's fifteen hundred men and joined Elmar." He explained, while pointing again to the Gold Road castles.
"Both castles were stormed and fell quickly. Lord Parrell and Menning were killed, together with some of their sons, and their remaining children were shipped off to Tumbleton." Olyvar paused a little, taking a sip of wine in the meantime.
"Their next target was Stoney Sept. There they met two thousand men send by Lord Tully under the leadership of Lord Ryger. Lord Ryger was supposed to be a vanguard sent there to secure Stoney Sept, before the rest of the Riverlands' forces could arrive, but the enemies took the keeps along the Goldroad much quicker than expected. Meanwhile, raising the forces of the Riverlands proved harder than expected due to many lords remaining neutral, and others being drawn into skirmishes with scattered rebel houses."
"Lord Ryger was soundly defeated outside of the walls of Stoney Sept, together with a part of the town's forces. Lord Ryger and his heir fell in battle, and Stoney Sept surrendered right after to save itself from being sacked." Olyvar continued.
"Stoney Sept has been taken?" Rickard asked in surprise. The three Freys nodded seriously.
"Please, Olyvar, continue." He spoke up stoically.
"The enemy is now regrouping around Stoney Sept, with more rebels joining them there. Lord Perryn has raised his troops in support of him there and Lord Keath seems to be marching to join him. Every day, zealous peasants spurred on by the High Septon, reach Stoney Sept to take up arms against the 'heathen' Starks." Olyvar pointed out awkwardly, he ignored the quoted insult.
"The High Septon, who could have have seen that coming?" Rickon scoffed. "The fat prick is descendent from House Tyrell himself. If he has called for our destruction, it has been done on the orders of Highgarden. His father was a Tyrell bastard. He wouldn't lift a finger without the backing of House Tyrell."
He looked at his younger brother, who fell silent. He agreed with every word he had said, but this outburst wouldn't help them further now. They could speak off this afterwards amongst themselves. He signaled Olyvar to continue.
"Small knightly houses and hedge knights also Elmar in Stoney Sept. His numbers grow by the day, and we soon expect them to start marching on Riverrun and take control of the Western Riverlands. There are some who mention the Brackens, Vances of Wayfarer's Rest and Smallwoods joining him. However, other reports specifically mention that their lords remained neutral."
"We will need to investigate that. Those houses could make an almost five thousand men difference. We need to know who we are up against." He replied.
"Certainly, Your Grace. Lord Tully has already sent out scouts to check on those houses and we will expect to hear about his results soon." He nodded.
"Then we will leave this point for now, please." He motioned for the man to carry on.
"The other main rebel houses are scattered around the region. Aside from the Pipers and Perryns, the Terricks, Keaths, Lollistons, Cresseys, Rollingfords and Stokeworths have risen in rebellion."
He cursed. "I gave Ser Desmond Grell Stokeworth on a silver platter. He has been dead for less than three years and his sons betray me?!"
Ser Perwyn Frey responded. "Sadly, yes, Your Grace. There is more." He looked towards his father for permission, who let him speak.
"While the Gold Road castles were being sieged, the Terricks blocked the houses of the Eastern Riverlands from joining their lord in Riverrun and maybe form a defense around Stoney Sept. In response, Houses Darry and Mooton banded together and managed to bring a coalition together with the Houses of Cracklaw Point. Together, they defeated the Terricks at the Green Fork, with the help of House Greensnake, who attacked the Terricks from behind. The battered forces of Lord Terrick fled back to their keep after the battle. The coalition's forces have pursued him and are laying siege to his keep." The heir to the Twins explained.
This was met with grunts of approval. It seemed that the alliances that he had made this winter had paid off. Bran had fostered with Lords Darry and Mooton in Riverrun and called both men his friends. By betrothing his daughters to their heirs, he had formerly allied them to House Stark. He himself had made sure that their dowries had been very high, thereby effectively buying Maidenpool and Darry's loyalty for the next few decades.
"At the same time, House Stokeworth attacked Rosby. His forces were augmented by a thousand zealous armed peasants and troops from minor houses around Blackwater Bay. He put Rosby under siege but was defeated under its walls when the sons of Lord Sumber arrived. Afterwards, Houses Rosby and Sumber marched towards Hayford and defeated a group of minor nobles there who had gathered around Lord Cressey's forces and were besieging the castle. That last force was completely put to the sword by all three houses." Ser Perwyn explained.
Rickon whistled. "Cassel doesn't play around, it seems."
"Neither do Alaric, or the sons of Rodrik Umber." Torr remarked.
The Riverlander heir looked at him for permission to continue, which he granted with a nod.
"Yesterday, more good news came in. The Sumbers, Rosbys and Hayfords, after ridding themselves of hostile elements in their immediate lands, quickly marched on Stokeworth and together with fresh reinforcements from House Rykker they immediately stormed the castle. They took it after a brutal attack. The male line of House Stokeworth ended in the process, whether they were all executed or died in the fighting is uncertain."
Torr grinned coldly. "We are speaking about Umbers and my cousin Alaric. I wouldn't count on anything being accidental."
The two young Frey knights swallowed and looked at each other. He decided to take over the meeting now.
"So, if I understand it all well, the situation is like this. The rebels are decisively winning in the south and southwest, bolstered with troops from the Westerlands and Reach. In the meantime, they are losing terrain in the east and southeast." He pointed out on the map.
"Yes, Your Grace, however, the situation in the center and east remains tense. Thousands of scattered zealots remain dispersed across the Riverlands. They attack all villages consisting of Old Gods believers. These circumstances force the Blackwater Bay forces to remain close to their lands. It has also forced the Blackwoods, Goodwoods and Paeges to leave considerable forces at home when they marched to the aid of Lord Tully." Olyvar answered.
"On top of that, you have House Rollinford in the former Crownlands, who is trying to gather the scattered forces of the enemy around him in the area. For now, he seems preoccupied, but he remains a threat to the houses around Blackwater Bay.
"How many men have already gathered at Riverrun?" His brother Jon, jokingly nicknamed by Rickon as Jon the Elder, asked.
"Some eight thousand, I guess. As mentioned before, the forces of Houses Blackwood, Goodwood and Paege have only partly joined Lord Tully, meanwhile he has lost over fifteen hundred men of his own retinue and that of House Ryger under the latter's lord at Stoney Sept. House Mallister has arrived with all its might, as well as Houses Deddings and Bigglestone."
"Only eight thousand?" Jon asked surprised. "They will be heavily outnumbered by the rebels, if they reach Riverrun before us!"
The Freys nodded solemnly. "Yes, but the king ordered us to remain here, so we did. The other houses in the Riverlands are either remaining neutral or are unable to get to Riverrun."
"What about the Brackens, Vances, Lychesters, Mallerys, Wayns and others?" His son Jon, or Jon the Younger, asked.
"It seems like they are all remaining neutral for now, but there are mixed reports. My guess is that they are waiting to see how the wind blows." Olyvar replied, which led to curses amongst his own kinsmen.
Ser Franklyn looked at him. "Your Grace, if I may ask, how many men did you bring with you?"
He looked upon his friend's youngest son. "Seventeen thousand men from the North have marched with me through the Causeway. Amongst them almost all of my most veteran commanders. I also left a thousand men under my brother Brandon to guard Moat Cailin. On our march south, Ser Hugo Morass joined us with five hundred men as well."
"Hugo Morass he? He is the younger brother of Lord Vance of Atranta, is he not?" Olyvar asked him. He nodded affirmatively.
"Could he persuade his brother to join our cause?"
"He doesn't know. His brother doesn't seem to answer his ravens. However, he has sent him a bird to at least stay neutral with the message that he and his sons don't want to fight his kin. He seems to think that this will work." He replied.
"That's something, at least. The Vances are allies of the Pipers and Brackens, forcing them to stay neutral could significantly weaken their side." The Knight of the Twins remarked.
He nodded and looked over the map on the table. "What are you thinking, Robb?" Jon, the Elder, asked him. For a moment, it seemed as if they were thirty years back in time. He, Jon, Torr and Olyvar, standing over a map of the Riverlands and deciding on what to do. Then he looked upon the faces of his two sons and he once again realized that everything was different.
"Nothing just yet." He lied. His brother immediately saw through him but seemed to understand that he didn't want it discussed right away.
"Rickard ride to the army and oversee that the camp is set out to our standards. We will stay here for multiple days, and enemies are all around us. I want the camp secure. Tell the commanders that we will hold a war council in the Great Hall in four hours. All lords and heirs, or other seconds-in-command, are invited." He told his heir.
"Aye, father." Rickard nodded, before immediately leaving. Ash stretched himself out before the fire, before following his master.
"Brother," he turned to Rickon, "you will send scouts to the east and south. Make sure that nobody creeps up on us. Send some over the bridge to the west as well. I don't want any surprises. We are fighting a full-scale rebellion. We don't know what friendly territory is and I don't want to encounter any surprises."
His youngest brother turned around, whistling to Shaggy to follow him out. His youngest brother had grown into one of his most trusted advisors ever since he returned from Essos. No words were needed to know that he would do accomplish the task he had commanded.
The youngest Frey son looked at him. "May I ask you a question, Your Grace?" He nodded. "Why did you only bring seventeen thousand men south? Why not more? The North should be able to raise much more, no?"
"Because I don't think that I'll need more." He dismissed the comment. "Speed is of the essence here, not manpower. A prolonged war will weaken the Riverlands and entrench Elmar's powerbase and support from the Reach.I will crush my young cousin before the year is over and may the Gods help those that chose to follow or influence him. They will need it." Ser Franklyn Frey swallowed visibly but bowed his head.
"Brother," he turned towards Jon. "I want you to talk with Ser Perwyn here about the defenses and supplies at the Twins. I want you to get acquainted with the local situation as much as possible before the war council." He told his right hand, who shrugged before walking out with the Frey heir and Ghost.
He then looked to his namesake. "Son, Ser Franklyn is clearly not impressed yet with our Northern prowess. He thinks seventeen thousand of us aren't enough to crush this revolt. Will you change his mind? Show him the camp and introduce him to your cousins."
His son grinned. "Which cousins, father? We brought too many."
"Doesn't matter too much, I don't think." He shrugged. "However, the Karstarks might make the biggest impact on him." He mused, whilst scratching his beard. Torr chuckled softly from behind him and even Olyvar seemed to smile. "Harry's sons?" His old friend asked.
"Aye, with his Umber wife." He responded knowingly, which served to raise Olyvar's eyebrows into his hairline. The Knight of the Twins turned towards Jon. "Don't get him too drunk boy, I know how your cousins work. I have shared ale with their father and uncles many times."
Jon laughed loudly. "I will do my best, but can't promise anything, Ser Olyvar. Karstarks and Umbers have a natural desire for ale, and I am half Karstark myself."
He laughed loudly, and so did Torr behind him. Olyvar simply shook his head in amusement. He clasper his son Franklyn's shoulder. "Don't shame my name, boy. It took me years to prove their father Harry that I was worth partaking in his limited supply of Northern ale. I would not want to lose that hard won privilege."
The youngest Frey son looked oddly at his father but shrugged and followed Jon and Fang out.
He sat himself down at the table with Olyvar and Torr. "You don't happen to have any of that Northern ale in your cellars, do you?"
Olyvar laughed. "As Harry always said, it is an acquired taste. Well, once I acquired it, I couldn't get enough. Bran has been providing me with barrels of ale throughout the years. I had one opened the moment your army was sighted. I didn't want to hear Smalljon berate me when he had to wait for his mug."
Olyvar called out loudly, and one of his guards opened the door in response. "Have the servants bring us three mugs of Northern ale. Make haste of it, the king is thirsty."
Not much later, the mugs arrived. They spent the rest of the afternoon catching up. They told stories about their families and Olyvar told him about the five children of his sons and how he loved spending time with them. How the Twins had become a loving place for his family and how thankful he still was for the chance that Robb had given him.
In turn, he told him about his children and grandchildren. He told them about how their friends' families were faring and how life in the North was going. For a few hours, it seemed like peace had returned and he was simply touring the Riverlands once more.
When it was time to come back to reality, they walked to the Great Hall. Before the meeting began, he had talks with his brothers and Cley. He told them of his plans and what he wanted them to do during the meeting.
They started the war council by explaining the situation in the Riverlands. Around the table stood the highest nobles of the North, as well as his Ser Olyvar Frey and Ser Hugo Morass.
Closest to him stood Rickon, Rickard and Lord Smalljon Umber, who had taken over the mantle of his deceased father this winter. Also present were his brother-in-law Lord Domeric Bolton, his son-in-law Lord Gawen Glover, Lady Dacey Mormont, Lady Alysanne Shield, Lord Timothy Flint, Lord Donnel Locke, Lord Roger Ryswell, Lord Artos Ironsmith, Lord Halys Hornwood, Master Brandon Tallhart, Lord Cregan Slate, Lord Manfred Woolfield and Lord Robin Flint.
Some heirs also stood in the inner circle around the large oaken table placed in the middle of the Great Hall. They stood there because their lordly fathers or grandfathers remained in the North. These were Ser Wyman Manderly, Ellard Dustin, Edrick Karstark and unexpectedly Meeron Reed.
The twenty-one-year-old grandson of Old Lord Howland Reed had joined him when marching through the Causeway with two hundred Crannogmen. He came in name of Lord Howland to help him in the war. The unit was apparently specialized in tracking and scouting and could help catch the groups of fanatics scattered across the Riverlands.
Behind those main lords and heirs, stood minor lords from all over the North. Those sworn to the vassals standing beside the table. Further back, on top of the benches, stood the adult heirs of the main lords. For the four heirs in the front, he had allowed their brothers, uncles or other seconds-in-command to take place on the benches. Many of those were family or friends of either of his sons.
You had Osric Umber, Harmond Umber/Manderly, Daryn Hornwood, Benfred Tallhart, Jeor Mormont, Donnor Shield, Denys Dustin, Donnel Slate, Ondrew Locke, Benjen Ryswell, Brandon Woolfield, Bryam Flint, Donnel Flint, Torrhen Ironsmith, Edrick Cassel and Barthogan Fenn.
Most notably were his son Jon, his nephews Brynden Stark, Medgar Cerwyn, Belthasar Bolton and his wife's other nephew Rickon Karstark and her cousin Osric's son Vayon Poole. Lastly, you had his grandson Galbart Glover next to him. The eleven-year-old boy was serving as his cupbearer and as one of his squires.
He looked upon his vassals and kinsmen, as they were shouting their opinion on what plan they would need to follow. "We should just march on Riverrun and from then on towards Stoney Sept! We cut off the head of the snake and end this war quickly!" Lord Roger Ryswell shouted.
"If we do that, we leave our supply lines in danger! We also endanger ourselves to a Tyrell ambush without any more information." Lord Halys Hornwood rebuffed the proposal in shock.
This went back and forth multiple times before Jon, the Elder, spoke. He was standing next to Lady Dacey Mormont and Master Brandon Tallhart. "What if we split our forces? We did it before at the Twins. We could do it again." Most men became silent, as they all respected Jon's skills in governance and warfare.
"Split how?" Domeric asked intrigued.
"We send a large force towards Riverrun to halt the advance of the Reachmen and Westerlanders, at the same time we mop op the organized resistance east of it." The Lord of Sea Dragon Point spoke with authority.
"Wouldn't we splinter our forces and risk facing Elmar at Riverrun with only part of our forces?" Ser Wyman Manderly replied.
"That seems unlikely, doesn't it?. Elmar is still regrouping at the Stoney Sept. It seems that fanatics and lower nobles are joining his army every day there. He will need to arm and organize those or risk losing control of his forces. This will take time. We could be in Riverrun in a few days. There, we would be joined by at least eight thousand Riverlanders under Lord Tully." Lord Cley Cerwyn responded.
"Even so, what would be the benefit of dividing our forces?" Lord Donnel Locke asked.
"As Ser Wyman pointed out, it would defend our supply lines. If we push south, the rebels can never hope to reach the Twins. More importantly, we could quickly free the forces of the Darrys, Mootons, Greensnakes and the houses of Cracklaw Point. In a second stage, we could also free our kinsmen in Blackwater Bay. They are being attacked and prosecuted from all sides. It is our duty to help them, if we can." Jon countered.
Many loudly supported the plan, the Umbers, Karstarks and Cerwyns chiefly amongst them. It was their kin that was being leading the defense against the fanatics there, but others also had kin that had migrated to the area. Their uncles and cousins also shouted their support for them through the Great Hall.
"My uncle and cousins have proven themselves by defeating the Stokeworths and a coalition of local Andal nobility. They even sacked the former's castle. They would be great additions to the army, yet they are stuck because of constant raids into their lands. Raids that kill innocent Northmen and Riverlanders alike, simply because they won't believe in their pesky religion. I will gladly march to help them." Smalljon's booming voice echoed through the hall.
He almost smiled. His plan was working perfectly. "What would the eastern force do?" Lord Timothy Flint asked.
Now it was Rickon's task to put the last nail in the coffin. "We should hit Lolliston Grove and Falconry Tower. The seats of Houses Lolliston and Terrick." His brother took a step forwards.
"The Lolliston's are raiding neighboring allies of us like the Goodwoods and Darrys, which forced them to split their forces. Their buildup is also scaring the other surrounding houses and obstructing them from fully marching towards Riverrun. Defeating them could free a lot of scattered troops." Rickon explained the plan he had told him beforehand.
"We could also send reinforcement to Falconry Tower. The keep is already under siege, but the Riverlanders seem unable to take it. With some of our men, its resistance would quickly falter. When we have taken those two keeps, we have destroyed the mayor strongholds of the rebels in the Center Riverlands. After that, nothing more than small holdfasts and towers of knightly houses remain north of Harrenhal."
"You think that we can achieve this quickly enough to rally back in Riverrun before confronting Elmar himself?" Domeric asked Rickon, whilst throwing suspicious glances his way. It was clear that he suspected that this was all his plan.
"Aye, and if we do, we could count on thousands of extra Riverlanders to join us." His little brother responded perfectly.
"We could make the Twins our supply base. We fortify it and leave a strong force here. This would ensure the possibility of calling up more Northmen in the future, would the need arise. I couldn't rally all my men in time to march south. I could easily command my younger brother to send another thousand men south." Smalljon remarked.
Lord Hornwood agreed with that. "Aye, we need to keep the way between Riverrun and the North open. It is important that the Twins, Seaguard and Raventree Hall remain securely in our hands." He pointed out on the map.
"What do we do if Elmar marches early?" Lady Dacey Mormont asked.
Jon, next to her, shrugged. "Two options, the first one is that we rally as many of our men as we can around us and we make our stand. The Riverlands aren't that large, and some of the reinforcements won't be too far away anyway. Or we fortify the castle, pull back, regroup and strike back ten times as hard."
Most men seemed to agree with that. "Does anyone have anything against the plan?" He finally spoke. None spoke up, although Lord Ryswell looked like it was all a waste of time. It wasn't a coincidence. He was the only man in the room that was older than him without any fighting experience during the past wars, if you discount skirmishes with a few dozen Ironborn."
"Then I would propose the following." He spoke loudly. "I march on Riverrun with ten thousand men, amongst them the Riverlander forces of House Morass and half of those of House Frey."
"Fifteen hundred men remain here in the Twins together with five hundred of House Frey under Lord Hornwood. He has proven himself in the past wars to have great skills in fortifying settlements, raising troops, throwing back raiders and raising and training new troops." He continued. Lord Halys beamed of pride at the compliments, and nobody rejected.
"Four thousand men under my son Rickard will march on Lolliston Grove." He looked towards his heir.
"The Lollistons are a weak house, even with their band of fanatics. You will gather local allies to your side, before striking the keep and putting an end to their madness. You will do this with forces from Houses Stark, Umber and Bolton. Lords Umber and Bolton will be your seconds-in-command." He told his son.
He hadn't chosen those two by accident. They were powerful lords. Moreso, they were experienced and capable commanders who would advise him well. Domeric was his son's uncle and Smalljon his father-in-law. Both could be trusted to serve him without harmful ulterior motives.
"Lord Reed and his special force of light troops will join you as well. Use them to get rid of as many fanatic rabble as possible. Make a showing of it. I want tales of their fates spreading far and wide. Armed religious groups have been banned from this kingdom since its founding. It is time they realize this. Maybe it can help others to think twice before joining their doomed cause. If not, it will give us the opportunity to get rid of all of them once and for all." He commanded Rickard, who nodded eagerly.
Then he looked to his other side. "My brother Rickon will lead two thousand men against House Terrick. Houses Flint of Widowswatch, Locke and Woolfield will march under him."
He looked across the room. "These rebels have directly challenged House Stark by crowning my baby cousin king. I want them to see the direwolf banner coming towards them as they realize their impending doom."
All men seemed to agree with that. They could hardly contest his or his heir's command, especially with the backing of Lords Umber and Bolton. Rickon's own exploits in Essos had become widespread knowledge. All knew that one couldn't rise in a sellsword company that quickly without skill of command. Besides, many of their sons, brothers or cousins had joined him on his travels and heard of his experience firsthand.
"All other houses will march under me to Riverrun. If my calculations are correct, that should be a force of over ten thousand." He concluded. All of his lords nodded approvingly.
"Your Grace, if I may?" Lord Halys Hornwood asked.
"Of course, Lord Halys." He confirmed.
"My forces only count a thousand men and I know that my grandson will want to see some of the fighting. As such, I would have him march with you with my two hundred cavalry. This leaves me seven hundred men short to fulfill your orders." The old lord explained his problem.
He looked on the benches to the face of the young Daryn Hornwood. Lord Halys' grandson had been named after his late heir and his old friend. Lord Halys son Larence had remained at home to rule the Hornwood.
There were still those who looked down upon him for his former bastardry. For that reason, Larence mainly focused himself on his family's lands and his son took up relations with the other Northern families with Lord Halys. None dared to look down upon Daryn for his father's lowborn mother, as the boy's own Umber mother's outrage was widely known.
Daryn's good connection to his mother's cousin Smalljon and his sons also helped him a lot. His early winter marriage to Sansa's youngest daughter Barbrey Bolton cemented his place amongst his peers.
The young man laughed happily when his grandfather announced that he would fight. He knew that this was hard on Lord Halys. He had once lost his only legitimate child in war. To let his future heir fight now was not an easy thing, although it helped that he had another grandson and granddaughter safely back in the North this time.
"You are right, Lord Halys." He looked around the room. "Two hundred men from Houses Dustin, Flint of Flint's Finger and Tallhart will remain under your command too. Combined with another hundred of House Slate." He made eye contact will all the lords of these houses, but they simply nodded their agreement.
"What do we with House Rollingford?" Edrick Karstark asked.
"House Rykker seems to have come to the help of our kinsmen's forces in Stokeworth. The Rykkers are strong, and I will order them to help them hold off any attack on the lands around the Blackwater. We will send some reinforcements to them in time, but the vast majority of our forces are needed in Riverrun."
"After the fall of the main rebel settlements in the east, most of our Northern forces will rejoin together in Riverrun. The remaining peasant bands can be cleared up by the local nobility with only a few hundred of our own men. With a strong Northern center, we will break those Andal mercenaries my young cousin has gathered around him.
Approval roared out of dozens of Northern throats, as the lords hit their fists upon the table and the youths hit their leather boots on the wooden benches. When the noise died down, he spoke again.
"All three forces leave at daybreak in three days. I expect your men to be well rested, but ready." He commanded, whilst looking in the eyes of many of his commanders.
All nodded and left the Great Hall to go back to their troops. In the end, only some of his family members and Wolfsguard stayed behind. Rickard remained silent next to him, as he was concentrating on the maps in front of him. Jon and Brynden walked over to him.
"Has there been any word from home?" His youngest son asked him. He shook his head. Jon sighed, but understandably so. He walked over to him and put a hand on his shoulder.
"Don't worry, son. The women are safe. Your mother is there to take care of your new wife. Lyessa's grandfather, Lord Roderick Dustin, is also in Winterfell. I know that it's hard, but there is nothing that we can do here except winning this war so they will be safe in the future." He said compassionately.
Jon sighed once more and looked up at him and his elder brother. "How do you two do it? How do you leave them behind like this? Especially in her pregnant state, I don't know what to do."
He shared a look with his eldest son, before answering.
"We have no other choice. If we were to remain home, home would crumble around them. It is our duty to our house and to them to fight this war. My last war in the Riverlands I first fought for my father's freedom and my grandfather's lands. After that, I fought for the survival of our house. You have only had the life you were born into because I won that conflict. We must now do the same or the lives of your wife, sister, your sibling's many children and millions of others in the Riverlands will be in danger."
Rickard nodded in agreement. He walked over to his younger brother. "Father is right. You must focus on what you can control. You can't control anything that happens in Winterfell, not even father can. That rests with mother, Uncle Harry and the maester. Allara is pregnant too, Jon. On top of that, I already have three healthy children at home. Do you think that I do not worry? I do, but I have no other choice than to continue." His heir said.
"You don't have a choice either. You must accompany father to Riverrun and help Hoster. I will be gone for multiple weeks, at least. You and Brynden will need to help father to represent our house in my absence. You are a prince, Jon. More importantly you are a Stark. You were made for this! We have been leading the armies of the North for eight thousand years, you aren't the first to feel unsure or homesick. Our ancestors overcame it because they knew that winter was always coming. You know what happens to those that despair in the face of winter. Those that live of summer and try to ignore the coming of winter."
It wasn't a question. It was a statement, and Jon knew it. "They die." His youngest son replied. "Aye, they do." Rickard replied. "You aren't dying brother. Our sisters are all leaving Winterfell. Who else am I going to annoy when we get back?" His eldest grinned.
Both his sons grinned at each other. "You aren't king yet, Ricky. Everything you throw at me I will throw right back in your face." Jon countered good-naturedly. Everybody laughed, as Rickard rolled his eyes.
He looked upon the scene with pride. These two were the future of House Stark, together with their cousin next to them. The only three males born with the name Stark of the next generation. They had to carry on the pack, after he was gone. If they handled like this, the pack would be in safe hands.
He walked over to his nephew. Bran's son was a good friend of his son Jon and he had been thought well. He had fostered for years with House Blackwood, and he knew that the seventeen-year-old looked forward to seeing them again.
"How are you holding up?" He asked Brynden.
"Well enough, I think." The boy shrugged. "A mixture of excitement, anticipation and uncertainty would be the best way to describe it."
He nodded. "That's normal. I still feel the same way, even after all these years. Don't worry too much. You are capable with a sword and well-protected." He told him, while nodding to Ser Benedict Blackwood. Ser Benedict had always been his brother's protector, but Bran had ordered him to protect his son in battle.
Bryn laughed. "Aye, my cousin has a way with his sword. He is also extremely motivated, after what those fanatics are doing to his homeland. They have explicitly called for the destruction of House Blackwood and all other Old Gods believer south of the Neck."
He looked into the eyes of the Kingsguard member with whom he had spent the least amount of time these last years, as he had remained with Bran in Moat Cailin.
The knight answered his stare without hesitation. "I won't fail you, Your Grace. I will not hesitate to cut as many of those filthy fanatics down as I can, but not at the cost of Prince Brynden or anyone else of the royal family. I serve at you and your family's pleasure. I know where my priorities lay."
"Good to hear, Ser Benedict. However, rest assured that everyone responsible will face my wrath. Vengeance will still be yours, even if it is not always at the edge of your own steel." He replied. The knight had been loyal for over two decades. He had nothing but respect for the man. He deserved to know that the repercussions for this so-called 'Holy War' would be dire for his family's enemies.
He looked back to the three male Starks in front of him. "You will all do well. You are Starks of Winterfell, and my kin. All three of you will get commands, starting with Rickard. You two will have your chance to shine, but I need you to remain patient for now. We need to act quickly to stop the force at Riverrun from being destroyed."
All nodded. "Good, you will do me proud, I know that."
He finally turned around and shouted loudly. "Galbart come here, I know you that you have been listening in on the conversation. Make yourself useful and fill us all a cup of ale. Afterwards, you may sit with us." He told his eldest grandson, who sheepishly appeared from behind a Frey curtain.
"How did you know grandfather?" The eleven-year-old Glover heir asked him in surprise, as he shuffled on his feet at the other side of the hall.
"Lad, come here." He told him, and the boy quickly obliged. He put his hand on the lad's two shoulders and turned him around.
"Look around the hall. What do you see?" He asked him.
Together they slowly scanned the room. Looking past the furniture, Wolfguards and members of House Stark. The boy didn't seem to understand, until his eyes went wide. "The direwolves!"
He inclined his head. "Now, never make the mistake again to think that four male adult direwolves won't know where you are. They can smell and hear you from very far away. If you were anyone else spying, they would have attacked you." He chastised him lightly.
"However, they know you. You are kin and your mother, as my daughter, has a direwolf of her own. I know that you have always been raised with a direwolf near and that you do not fear them, but never make the mistake of underestimating them. These are no mere dogs. Grey Wind could snap your head off before you would have time to react. Ash, Fang and Storm wouldn't be much slower." He told him seriously.
The boy's eyes widened. "They … they wouldn't do so, would they grandfather?"
He shook his head. "They won't, but you should never underestimate them again. They don't like it." He latched onto the small pull in the back of his head and made Grey Wind bark to emphasize the point. After all these years, he could do this without thinking.
The boy startled, before looked down and mumbled an apology towards the oldest direwolf. All Starks laughed in response. "Now get us that ale, grandson. In turn, I will tell you a story of the past wars of your choosing. As long as it doesn't concern this castle, that is." He had no intention to tell the boy what his other grandfather had done here to House Frey all those years ago. He was too young for that, and quite frankly he didn't want to remember it either.
The boy brought four cups for them, and a watered-down cup for himself, and he spent the next half an hour telling his kin about his battles against the Dragon Queen.
This is it for the chapter.
I have put a lot of time into the family tree, so please go check it out. The link is in my profile, just get rid of the spaces in between the parts.
The war in the Riverlands has kicked off. Robb and his advisors saw Oscar Tully, the second born son, as the great threat in the family feud. Because of this, they have been caught unaware by the youngest Tully Ser Elmar. He has risen in revolt against both Riverrun and Winterfell with the aid of the Faith Militant and some border houses of the Reach eager for revenge. He has also gotten aid in the Riverlands and out of the West from Houses Lefford and Payne.
By the time that Robb reaches the Twins with 17k Northerners, (he left 1k under Bran at Moat Cailin to make sure that what happened under the Ironborn never happens again), the war is in full swing. The sides are becoming clear for everyone, although some houses' alliances remain uncertain. Many stay neutral, but Ser Elmar has a lot of support in the Western and Central Riverlands, as well as the Former Crownlands. Robb and Hoster Tully have a lot of support in the Northern and Eastern Riverlands, and around Blackwater Bay.
We see Robb's strategy and we see the new generations of House Stark taking major rolls in this war. We will have to see what happens to them.
Soon, we will once again see some much-awaited battle scenes.
Thank you for continuing your support of this story.
Fannic
Reviews:
- George Christian810: As it wasn't used in conversation, but simply in his inner monologue, I think both can be used.
- J.E.P 1996: Thank you! Something like that! Rickon is a mixture between the Black Fish and the Wild Wolf.
That is actually not a bad name haha! I might use that one.
- Scifiromance: Thank you so much for your kind words once again! You were right about Oscar. He wasn't able to keep his allies together and his younger and even more ambitious brother swooped in. The Starks will have to act now.
I am glad you noticed this. Yes, the marriage of Jonella and the Dustin heir is a strong marriage to tie them to the Crown, but also a very good marriage for both the Cerwyns and Dustins. The Dustins join the Northern peerage once again in earnest, while the Cerwyns gain a very powerful ally (with a lot of agricultural production and trade potential) to their southwest. What did you think of the Riverlander marriages? The Starks cemented themselves in the Eastern and Central Riverlands with the Mooton and Darry marriages, while Bran personally gains marriages with his former friends' houses.
- Harvey Porter: That might have happened, if it weren't for two reasons. First and foremost, VALA! Rickon would not be able to effectively care for his daughter and serve in the Wolfsguard and he will never leave her care to anyone else. Secondly, he is too independent minded still. Brynden had lost a lot of his young adventurous mindset by the time of Robert's Rebellion and certainly at the time of the War of the Five Kings. Rickon is his early thirties and wants to do too much on his own still.
- GregTheGregor: Thank you so much! That is wonderful to hear. You will get an update of other kingdoms soon. Here you get a major development in the crisis with the Reach.
- Timdoe: Bedankt voor de mooie woorden! Hopelijk was dit hoofdstuk evenzeer naar je zin. Ja, ik spreek Nederlands. ;-)
- Poly19hum: Thank you! Hmmn, that could be the case. That will largely change back now. Family description will remain an important part of it but combined with fighting and lots of action.
- Guest1: Yes, Catelyn has had it rough.
- Guest2: Thanks, it took some work! The Houses of Cracklaw Point have joined the Starks. They had been exempted from taxes by the Starks for fifty years, which means they still have 22 years without taxes to go. It would be foolish to give this up. They also received a lot of autonomy, which they would never again receive under an ambitious Riverlord. For them it is a no brainer to join the Starks. The boom of both Maidenpool and Duskendale will also have helped some of them economically. I would imagine they practically adore Robb for his policies.