Chapter 86: An unexpected arrival
28 AF
Rickard Stark
He looked at Uncle Rickon in the solar of Castle Darry, as they kept debating the issue at hand. His uncle wanted to gather three thousand men and march on Sow's Horn. He wanted to bury the bodies there, before uniting with Houses Sumber and Rykker to exterminate House Rollingford for good.
He had told him about the dangers of such an endeavor half a dozen times by now. The road was way too close to Harrenhal, they didn't know where Lord Rollingford was and there could be other ambushes, his father needed them at Riverrun, … but it made no difference. His uncle honored his epithet of 'Wild Wolf' with every word that came out of his mouth.
Many would think that his wrath had been fed enough with his treatment of House Terrick, but that didn't seem to be the case. His father's youngest brother had heard about Sow's Horn only days after arriving at Falconry Tower. The next day a terrible assault had started which had resulted in the capture of the Terrick's ancestral castle. It had also resulted in the dead of Lord Terrick and his two brothers, as well as his only adult son. Uncle Rickon had only spared the women and children.
He knew that it was personal for him. Martyn Cassel, now known as Lord Hayford, had been one of his best friends growing up. Martyn's younger brother Edrick remained his ever-present shadow to this day. What had happened to their sister and her family was horrible.
He felt sympathetic to the issue, as he wanted to end House Rollingford as much as any Northman did. Nevertheless, it remained a bad idea to march on them now, but his lords, and uncle, wouldn't accept leaving the Lords of Blackwater Bay to their own devices any longer.
"What if we do both?" He finally relented.
"What do you mean both?" Rickon asked.
"We send troops to aid the lords of Blackwater Bay, but you still accompany me and the vast majority of our forces to Riverrun." He responded.
"Who would you send?"
"Lord Donnel Locke and a thousand Northmen can continue to Maidenpool together with five hundred men from Cracklaw Point. They can march along the coast there towards Riverport. That should protect the lands there from being ravaged by our enemies. It would also allow our forces to rally at Riverrun with enough strength to confront Elmar. The pretender has marched from Stoney Sept. We need to cut off the head of the snake quickly."
"I still don't like it." Rickon countered. "It should be a Stark that brings justice to our people along the Blackwater. Only the running direwolf would send the right message."
He sighed. "Uncle, destroying House Rollingford won't win this war. It won't allow you to go back to your daughter. Beating Elmar could do that."
He saw a change in Uncle Rickon's eyes then, and he knew he had him. They went back and forth a few more times, but in the end he relented. When his uncle finally left, he felt relieved.
With Elmar marching on Pinkmaiden, the threat was coming closer. All houses in the area, except for the Pipers, were nominally neutral. If Elmar's presence became strong enough in that region, some would feel forced to join him in his rebellion. This couldn't happen, and his father had ordered all their men to gather at Riverrun.
Only Lord Hornwood would remain in the Twins with five hundred men to prepare for the arrival of their second army. A second army that could be needed, as their spies told them that the Lannisters and Tyrells were rallying their forces.
His compromise to send Lord Locke south went against the orders of his father, and he would not be happy about it. He just hoped his father would forgive him when he arrived with the forces of the Eastern Riverlords instead.
After taking Lolliston Grove, he had left a garrison there under Ser Roland Rivers and the remaining troops of House Darry. Afterwards, Rickon and the Riverlords had gathered at Castle Darry, and they had met up there.
In total, their force here numbered over ten thousand men now. They had set out with six thousand Northmen. Twenty-five hundred men from Cracklaw Point had been rallied, and three thousand men from the Riverlands had joined their cause. If you stripped away their losses and the garrisons they had left behind at Falconry Tower and Lolliston grove, you were left with a force between ten and eleven thousand men.
Fifteen hundred men would march south, the others would march west. All local houses had voiced their fears. Many zealous and rebel groups had been destroyed, but not all of them. They effectively left their lands defenseless.
He had agreed with the sentiment, but had ordered it nonetheless. He had proposed that the noble families temporarily evacuated to the Twins, but they had all refused. Some would evacuate to Maidenpool instead, as they probably didn't want to come under the thumbs of Northern rule. He didn't mind. These lords were loyal. He wouldn't try to get their families in his grasp. They deserved better.
They had done a good job in the region, effectively ridding the land of all zealots north of the Red Fork. On top of that, all organized resistance between the Maidenpool-Harrenhal line and the Riverrun-Darry line had also been destroyed. Scattered warbands and a lot of neutral houses remained there, but all lordly houses and large landed knights who had bent to Elmar there had been dealt with.
Nevertheless, his forces would take no chances. They would follow the Riverroad from Castle Darry to Riverrun with dozens of scouts on all sides. He would not meet the same fate as his maternal kinsmen had at Sow's Horn.
(Twelve days later)
Riverrun's redstone walls doomed up over the water of the Red Fork. The reflection of their towers and flags visible in the rust-colored water. On top of its towers, next to the trout of House Tully, the direwolf of his house fluttered proudly in the wind. It was a welcome sight.
An even better sight was the large army encampment south of the river. Some twenty thousand men had gathered. Together with his nine thousand soldiers, it would be a significant force.
He rode through the encampment to make sure that the whole army saw him arrive with the reinforcements. For the occasion, he wore his bronze and iron crown. Ser Dickon Brune and his Uncle Rickon rode next to him, with Ash and Shaggydog in front. Behind him, Rion followed with Cedric Cerwyn and Morgan Barclay.
His lords and troops had scattered upon arrival. He had ordered them to set up camp first and had given them leave to seek their family members and friends afterwards. Nonetheless, the entrance of two princes, three Wolfsguard members and their thirty men strong Stark retinue that followed them didn't go unnoticed.
He passed many known faces and greeted a lot of noblemen on his way to the keep. Some congratulated him for his victory at Lolliston Grove, while others congratulated Uncle Rickon for successfully storming Falconry Tower.
At the inner edge of the camp, Medgar Cerwyn greeted them together with Nymeria. He talked for a while with his cousin, before granting his squire leave to go with his elder brother towards the Cerwyn encampment.
He still found it odd to see Medgar with a direwolf, but he knew the story behind it. Aunt Arya had only allowed her two eldest sons to accompany her husband to war, if her eldest took Nymeria with him. Medgar was no warg, he knew that much, but Aunt Arya definitely was. With how the female direwolf had stared at him just know, he wouldn't be surprised to hear that Aunt Arya was keeping close watch on her son.
In the end, only the five of them, and their guard contingent, remained when they entered through the gates of Riverrun.
There, he was met by hugs of not only his brother and father, but also multiple of his cousins. "Hos, it is good to see you again!" He exclained, as he embraced the Lord of the castle. "It is very good to see you too, cousin." Hoster smiled back.
Next up, Bryn congratulated him on his victory and his Karstark cousins followed suit. Hos presented him to his daughters, while he exchanged war stories with his brother and the Karstarks.
After a while, his father motioned for him to follow him upstairs to the solar. Uncle Rickon walked behind him, while his Uncle Torrhen remained his father's ever-present shadow.
Once they had entered the Tully solar, he saw that his Uncle Jon was already there waiting for them. His father closed the door ceremoniously. "Thank you for coming back so quickly. The situation has changed since we parted ways." He started, as he walked behind the desk, on which a map of the Riverlands was spread out.
"The 'Slaughter at Sow's Horn' has changed the playing field. It resulted in the complete removal of Old Gods' believers in the area around Sow's Horn and a third of those living on the Hayford lands. It has emboldened the fanatics, and their rhetoric has radicalized even more. There are seven of the Most Devout marching with the Faith Militant. Two of them have now called for a march on Blackwood Vale to kill every 'unbeliever'." He explained, a deep frown resting on his head. His father seemed worried.
"Southron nobles have since started saying that ridding the Blackwater Bay of our kind is not only plausible, but recommendable. Our spies have recorded movements in Wayfarer's Rest, Stone Hedge and Lychester after the battle. Discussions in the courts of Houses Grell, Shawney and Chelsted seem to have changed as well. They seem to have been seriously deliberating joining Elmar." His father told them, which shocked him. This would bring in many thousands of extra soldiers for the enemy.
"Why haven't they?" Uncle Rickon bluntly countered.
His father smiled a little. "Because of you two. The fates of Houses Terrick and Lolliston became known soon after what happened at Sow's Horn. It seemed that it made those neutral houses think again of what could happen to them if they picked a side and lost."
"They are scared to bet on the wrong horse." His father's younger brother scoffed with disgust.
"Aye, they are. They are squished between on one side the possibility of ridding their lands from us forever, and on the other side facing the destruction of their power and houses." His father confirmed.
"Whatever they choose, we can't let them get away with this." He told his fathers and uncles. "They will simply lay low until another opportunity to hit us presents itself later on."
"Aye, they won't simply get away with this." His father replied. "However, it would be best if we could deal with them independently from this rebellion."
All agreed upon that. "Sadly, it seems that the news of your victories didn't spread as quickly everywhere. While only a handful of knightly houses joined Elmar after Sow's Horn in the Riverlands, more joined from outside our borders. Our spies mention a contingent of at least three hundred soldiers and knights entering Stoney Sept to join the Faith Militant from the Reach." Uncle Jon informed them.
"It is no coincidence that Elmar has moved his army to Pinkmaiden. While the Lannisters are gathering around Lannisport, their eastern vassals still do as they wish. The Leffords had already fully joined the enemy, with two of Lady Alysanne's sons having joined Elmar. Now, House Payne seems to have joined too. They had already paid for mercenaries, but now Lord Cedric Payne's second son seems to have personally crossed into the Riverlands with six hundred men of his father's men. Other knightly houses are sending men with Payne as well, which has grown the contingent of reinforcements of the enemy to a thousand men." The Lord of Dragon's Lair continued.
"At the same time, stories are heard of a small gathering at the mouth of the Tumbleton, intend on threatening Willow Wood. The keep is already in chaos, after the death of Lord Ryger and his heir and only son. The widow of the late Lord Ryger seems to have taken command of House Ryger for now, apparently intending on her husband's nephew to succeed him."
"Isn't Celia Tully married into House Ryger?" Uncle Rickon asked.
"Aye, she is." His father sighed.
"Not that it is benefiting anybody." His Uncle Torr scoffed.
"Celia has unsuccessfully tried to get ahold of the Ryger household. Her mother-in-law has openly accused her of trying to force Willow Wood to join the rebellion." His father explained.
"Is it true?" He asked.
"No one can know for certain, for now. Hoster is contemplating forcefully repatriating her to Riverrun. However, he fears that she could do more damage in Riverrun when he has to leave with the army."
He scratched his beard. This was an ugly situation. "What now? What are your plans?" Uncle Rickon asked, clearly thinking a similar thing.
"We march on Pinkmaiden." His father told them with determination. "Every day, Elmar's forces get stronger. At the same time, innocent Riverlanders die and the future economy of the Riverlands gets diminished. We had to wait on your men to strike. Since you have arrived, we are the strongest that we will ever be. No more houses are expected to join us, while Elmar can only get stronger. We need to hit him now and hit him hard."
His father looked at both of them, clearly trying to emphasize the importance of the situation."How many men did you bring with you?" He asked them.
"Over nine thousand." He replied. His father scratched his beard, a family habit it seemed. "A good number, although it is less than I expected."
He shared a look with his Stark uncle. In the end, Uncle Rickon courageously spoke up himself.
"After Sow's Horn, I felt that it was irresponsible to leave our kinmen in Blackwater Bay alone. I asked Rickard for three thousand men to march on House Rollingford multiple times, but he refused me. In the end, we agreed to send Lord Donnel Locke with a thousand Northmen and five hundred men from Cracklaw Point to Riverport by way of Maidenpool and Duskendale. That will at least make sure that these houses can survive the remaining attacks and raids until we are in a capacity to directly come to their aid."
His father's eyes betrayed nothing, as he looked to him for confirmation on the story. He nodded that it was true.
"I would have liked those men in our army here a lot more. Your move will probably save thousands of people around Blackwater Bay, but if we lose against Elmar it will all be for nothing anyway. Lord Donnel is a mediocre commander, but he is loyal and obedient. He could have been useful during any possible engagement." He finally gave words to his thoughts, after a moment of silence.
"It is what it is." He relented. "In total, that would bring our army up to twenty-nine thousand men. Fifteen thousand Northmen, twelve thousand Riverlanders and two thousand Cracklaw men have joined us here at Riverrun."
"Wouldn't it be safer to wait for the reinforcements from the North to join us? We would have overwhelming numbers then." He asked his older kinsmen in the room.
"Aye, we would. If their numbers stayed the same, which they won't." His mother's brother warned him.
"What Torr is trying to tell you is that both the Lannisters and Tyrells seem to be mobilizing, nephew." His Uncle Jon told him. "If just one of those joins Elmar, we are screwed. Their armies would be at Pinkmaiden quicker than our reinforcements. We don't want to get into a situation where we face Elmar and fifty thousand men from House Tyrell at the same time. Our only hope then would be to give up most of the Riverlands and regroup until our allies can come to our rescue. That would be a disaster. We must strike now." His father's right hand told him.
"Jon is right, Rickard. We cannot let that happen. If we defeat Elmar, we can deal with the remaining rebels and most neutral houses will fall in line if we don't punish them too harshly. If Tyrell tries to march then, we can hold him. However, both at the same time with raiding bands of lunatics in our rear attacking every village and supply convoy would be a catastrophe." His father agreed.
"Very well, we march on Elmar. When?" He asked.
"In two days." The Lord Commander of the Wolfsguard spoke ominously. "We take the River Road to Stone Mill. From there, we follow the Red Fork down to the seat of House Piper. On their lands, the future of the Riverlands will be decided."
"Poetic." Uncle Rickon scoffed. "It is House Piper that started this whole thing by poisoning cousin Elmar's mind." He then looked to father. "I hope their punishment will be on par with the gravity of their actions. I didn't leave Winterfell for them to get a slap on the wrist."
His father didn't flinch under the heavy gaze of his younger brother. "Their punishment will be proportional to their crime." Uncle Rickon seemed to be content with that answer.
"Rickon, I want you to lead the outriders. You can finally show me those tricks you told me that you picked up in Essos. Maybe it can do some good, other than giving you an opportunity to boast about them to ladies of ill repute." His father started explaining his plan.
His uncle grinned. "With pleasure, brother."
"The vanguard will be commanded by Lord Cerwyn. He will be calm and won't be looking for ways to pounce on the enemy and gain glory for himself. I can count on Cley to strictly keep to my orders. As my goodbrother and a great Northern lord in his own right, he will also be able to keep the others in line." All agreed to that.
"I myself will command the center. I want the rest of you in this room to ride with me there. Hoster will get command of the rear. Lord Tully needs to have a command and the rear is relatively harmless. Still, it shows the Riverlands that I value them and their liege lord. Any more questions?" None spoke up.
"Very well, prepare for a council meeting tonight. I will tell the lords the marching order and as always this will be accompanied with a lot of threatening and shouting." His father advised them. He had been shocked at how the marching order had been received the first time in Winterfell and how his father had handled that. By now, he knew what to expect.
He would spend the rest of his day washing up and writing letters home. He would have to write letters to his wife and children, but also to his mother, grandmother and Uncle Harry. He would even send one to Moat Cailin to Uncle Bran.
His uncles had always supported him in his education and when he had difficulty living up to the expectations of being the first Crown Prince of the North in three hundred years. Uncle Bran had also been his second most important advisor when it came to the Riverlands, after his late great-granduncle Brynden. He had used most of their lessons during the past months and he would show them the appreciation they deserved for teaching them to him. Maybe they could give him more advice, for what was to come soon.
(Eight days later)
He was just preparing to lay down for the night, when Ser Jeremy Bigglestone entered his tent. "I am sorry to disturb you, My Prince, but there seems to be commotion on the edge of the camp."
He turned towards the knight of the Wolfsguard and frowned. "At this hour? Has Elmar attacked?"
"No, My Prince, it seems new arrivals have joined us at the last moment. I don't know much more." The Riverlander told him.
"Thank you, Ser Jeremy. I will be out in a minute. Have our horses prepared. I want to go look. Our forces need their rest for the battle tomorrow. This commotion needs to be dealt with quickly." He replied. The knight bowed silently, before leaving his tent.
He walked over to the bowl of water at the edge of his tent. He splashed some water on his bare chest and face, before grabbing a plain dark grey tunic. He adorned a light grey cloak and clasped it around his neck with his silver direwolf broach. He picked up his crown and put on his sword belt and his boots.
He left the tent, to see Rion trying to hold control of three horses at the same time. He smiled at his cousin. The boy had spirit, and he knew he wouldn't be able to convince him to stay here instead of accompanying him. He nodded to Ser Jeremy to leave and all three mounted their horses with a dozen armed guards, before riding through the Riverlander part of camp to the edge of their encampment.
What he saw there was not something he had been expecting. He saw half a dozen men holding up their hands in a motion of surrender, with dozens of armed nobles and guards around them with their blades drawn.
He rode up to the place of commotion, before dismounting swiftly. He saw Lord Brynden Blackwood there with his sword drawn. Next to him stood two of his brothers, Lord Lucas Goodwood and Ser Edmund. Lord Brynden's heir Tytos and Lord Lucas' eldest son Robb stood around them together with dozens of lower nobles and guards.
When he looked to the six men they were surrounding, his surprise grew even greater. To his shock, he recognized Ser Lymond Bracken. Ser Lymond was of an age with him and Lord Jonos' eldest grandson and future heir to Stone Hedge. What was Bracken doing here?
The tension in the air was palpable, so he quickly strode forward. "What is the meaning of this?" He bellowed loudly to gather everyone's attention. Flanked by Ser Jeremy and Ash, he made quite the entrance and all the men around him made way to let him pass.
He looked to Lord Blackwood and Goodwood for an explanation. "Bracken arrived here unannounced with some of our outriders. He says his men are an hour from here, which our scouts confirm. He says he wants to join our side for the coming battle."
He squinted his eyes, as he looked over the Bracken knight. "Is that true?"
"Yes, it is, My Prince." The Riverlander replied, following this up with an elaborate bow in his direction.
"Why the sudden arrival?" He asked him, almost as suspicious as the Blackwoods around him. He had seen the destruction of the Riverlands firsthand. Meanwhile, the Brackens had done nothing. Not only had they ignored all their summons, but everyone also highly suspected them of favoring the rebellion.
"As you know, my younger brother Lucon joined the rebels." The Bracken knight started his explanation, but he was interrupted by Tytos Blackwood.
"We know. We fought a battle against your brother a few weeks ago, cousin." The heir to Raventree Hall spat out. He emphasized their familiar relation in a manner some would a disease.
A scowl flashed over Ser Lymond's face as he looked at his Blackwood cousin, but he didn't retort. He took a deep breath and the scowl disappeared, before continuing his explanation.
"There was much debate amongst my family on what to do, as Lucon's actions went against my grandfather's orders." He voiced calmer than expected.
"Your grandfather's orders? Which were what? To do nothing as our people were raped and murdered by raiders hailing from your own damned lands!" Ser Robb Goodwood countered, not even trying to hide the rage that he was feeling. While the words could have rightfully described the situation on the Blackwood lands, the lands he meant were probably his father's and not his uncle's.
The Goodwoods' lands were the ones closest to Pinkmaiden and they had had to endure the worst of the raiding. Surrounded from all sides, the enemy raiders came and destroyed their lands. Tens of thousands had died, with all their vassals' keeps either joining the enemy or being destroyed. Only their keep had held out, now housing numerous refugees. From the east, raiders from near Stone Hedge had passed destructively through their lands multiple times on their way to Pinkmaiden.
This time he put up his hand, to make clear that they would hear him out. He would not have Bracken interrupted again. He motioned to the Riverlord to continue, for which he nodded his thanks.
"However, Lucos actions greatly troubled us. Some of our vassals or their families had joined him when joining Elmar. Rallying our forces for the king would mean asking them to fight their kin. It would mean fighting our own kin."
He nodded, an understandably though choice. "Nonetheless, your grandfather swore vows. He should have remembered them better." He countered. He may understand the difficult situation, but oaths were not taken lightly. The betrayal of a grandson did not absolve the grandfather of his duty. His comment was met with support from the Riverlanders, as more and more men arrived behind them. He paid them no mind.
"You are right. He should have, Your Grace. I am here to rectify my father and grandfather's mistake. House Bracken remains loyal. Lucos is fifth in line. He comes after my father, me and then my brothers. His search for glory and a name for himself should not come at the cost of the thousands of years of glorious history that are House Bracken."
This was met with grumbling from the Blackwoods and Goodwoods, but he ignored it. "Your father and grandfather are not with you or with your forces?" He asked.
"No." Ser Lymond honestly replied. "My grandfather is too old to join any army, and my father … remains in Stone Hedge as well." He managed to say. The meaning was clear. His father didn't agree to him being here.
"Are your brothers here?" He asked him, but again the answer was no. "I came here with the approval of my grandfather, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to raise so many men. Nevertheless, my brothers refused to take up arms against Lucon."
He let that sink in. The future Bracken heir had come alone, as the rest of his family were cowardly hiding away at Stone Hedge "Why did you? Why are you taking up arms against your youngest brother?" He asked loudly, and all inched forward eager to hear that response.
"I have not come to take up arms against Lucon. I have come to honor the oaths that House Bracken swore to Houses Tully and Stark. I have come to fight my lieges' enemies. I mourn my brother's presence in their company, yet it changes nothing to my duty." Ser Lymond gave the perfect reply. It was clear that he had rehearsed it, but it was a serious thing to say, nonetheless.
"You will do anything that I or my father commands?" He asked the Bracken.
"Yes, My Prince, you both and Lord Tully as well. I serve Houses Tully and Stark, but no one else." The last sentence was clearly aimed at the Blackwoods and Goodwoods angrily standing around him.
"You say that you have gathered an army?" He asked, accepting the answer for now.
"It was difficult to raise the force, which explains my tardiness." Dozens of men scoffed around him, but he motioned for Bracken to continue.
"Still, a thousand men marched with me. We are ready to fight for Houses Stark and Tully. We will do anything you ask. If it is your order that we fight in the vanguard and that we risk our lives on the morrow, we will, My Prince. I will. I have just one request, nonetheless I will accept it if you deny it." The Bracken spoke convincingly.
"Name your request." He asked regally, his voice not betraying any emotion.
"I would request that me and my men are positioned on the opposite side of my brother's force on the morrow. Neither I nor my men wish to directly fight our kin." Ser Lymon pleaded. For the first time, he could see fear in the knight's eyes.
That fear told him a lot. Firstly, it showed that he actually planned to fight under them and that this was no trickery. Secondly, he would resign himself to his decision whatever it may be.
He looked around the many nobles and soldiers that had arrived and realized the gravity that his decision would have. He took a deep breath, before looking into the brown eyes of the Bracken before him.
"House Stark would never order anyone to become a kinslayer. That includes both your soldiers and you. You will fight for us tomorrow, but you will not directly face your brother." He ruled. The Blackwoods and Goodwoods looked intensely at him, but none interrupted his ruling.
Ser Lymond went to his knee, and his five companions followed. "I thank you, My Prince." He voiced, and even an idiot could hear the sincerity in his voice.
He looked around, for the first time seeing his father, uncles and many lords of the North silently overlooking the spectacle from atop their horses. His father motioned for him to continue, but by now everyone had followed his gaze and seen their king. Many shouted and went to their knees, the Brackens first and foremost, but his father held up his hand.
"Rise, everyone." He boomed loudly. "You have heard the Crown Prince. The Crown will adhere to his ruling. Now I would like my son to be able to finish his verdict." His father looked intently in his eyes, urging him to continue.
He took another deep breath, before looking around once more. He noted that many of his Northern friends had accompanied his father. Among them was his goodbrother, Osric. He looked back to Ser Lymond, who was still on his knees as his gaze kept switching between him and his father.
"Ser Lymond, you will ride back to your men and they will set up camp with us, but at the other side of the encampment next to the men from the North." Ser Lymond nodded seriously.
"To help you in this matter, my goodbrother Osric Umber will accompany you back with a sizeable escort. He will guide you back and show you were to put up your tents." The veiled threat was clear. He would also deal with him if anything seemed amiss.
He turned around to the Umber heir. "Osric, you may take as many men as you deem necessary to fulfill this task."
"Very well, My Prince." Osric boomed back from atop his horse.
"Now, this issue has been dealt with. Our army has gained a last-minute reinforcement of a thousand men, and we thank House Bracken for it. Now disperse, you will need your rest by the morrow. I want you fresh and rested to be able to kill as many enemies as you can. You all owe me the heads of at least three of Elmar's followers. I myself am intent on claiming at least ten of their scalps." He shouted.
All his men roared in approval, and Ash howled loudly in unison with them. When the sounds died down, he laughed as he looked at his direwolf. "For those of you that don't speak giant direwolf, I will translate it for you. Ash says that he will kill a lot more than ten."
All his men laughed with his joke, especially his father and those of the North. "Now get to your beds, you lazy fucks. I will come to collect those heads by nightfall tomorrow!" He roared, as he turned around.
The group of men quickly dispersed. Lords Blackwood and Goodwood nodded to him to signal their approval, while Osric clapped him on the shoulder as he rode past him towards the Bracken delegation.
His father came up to him, and Bracken still seemed to wait on his king. The king in question called out to Ser Lymond. "All of us need our sleep before the battle. We will talk on the morrow. Get your men encamped. No one will lift a finger against you here."
The future Bracken heir seemed to accept this, as he mounted his horse together and introduced himself to Osric Umber.
"Come son, follow me. We have a lot to discuss before we get to have some rest." His father told him. He mounted his own horse, and Ser Jeremy and Rion followed him silently.
Once inside his father's tent, he was given a glass of wine. "Ah, drinking Arbor gold before bedtime. It is a thing that I have done regularly these past years. The result of successful campaigning in the South. Until two years ago, the Redwynes even sold it to us. They needed the money badly. It's a shame that the new Tyrell forbade his cousins from selling it to us. It's a shame for them too. They made a fortune from our lords buying it en masse."
He looked inside his father's eyes. No matter how fond he was of the liquid, they were not here to talk about wine.
"Please father, cut to the chase." He interjected.
His father chuckled. "If you insist, my son. The Bracken arrival is … unexpected. However, it is not a bad thing. A thousand extra men is nothing to scoff at. Besides, it is better than them joining the enemy which could have happened just as easily."
He agreed. "Why do you think he joined us. Why now?"
His father smiled. "Why do you think? It was your decision to let them into our camp."
He nodded at that, stroking his beard. His father wanted to test him. He had done this hundreds of times before, just never on such an important matter.
He scratched his beard, thinking about the question. He looked over the faces of his nephew and cousin, as both their squires were looking intently at him. They had both sworn to keep their secrets and were family. That was the only reason they were allowed to attend this kind of conversations. The two of them and the Wolfsguard were often the only two witnesses to his conversations with his father.
"I think that the Bracken family is split. Hendry does not agree with his son being here, that much his clear. The two other brothers probably don't support this either. Nonetheless, Lymond managed to rally a thousand men. He could never have done that without Lord Jonos' support. Either this was the Old Bracken's idea, or Lymond managed to convince him of this." He thought aloud.
"Very good, but why does the old horse agree?" His father answered with another question.
"Lymond spoke of the glory of House Bracken. If they remain neutral, they might be in danger. If we crack down on them hard, they could lose more ground against the Blackwoods. House Blackwood has already eclipsed them in manpower and influence in our court due to the past wars and their marriage to Uncle Brandon. They can slowly regain equal footing, but only if they keep hold of their lands." He started explaining his thought process.
"If they keep refusing our summons, we could take away some of their lands claimed by the Blackwoods and give it to them. I know Lord Brynden and Tytos were already aiming for that."
His father nodded. "What is their risk? What if Elmar wins?"
He hadn't thought about that until now, and suddenly he understood. "It would be minimal. Lucon would ask to spare his family and his house. With Jonos and Hendry remaining in Stone Hedge, the only danger would be on Lymond. He could face banishment or die in battle. House Bracken would survive and remain in power, at the cost of only its future heir. Meanwhile House Blackwood would have been destroyed."
"Exactly. Lord Jonos is risking Lymond's life and fortune for the future of his house. Lymond already has two daughters. He also has two brothers, one who already has a male heir. House Bracken is secure anyway and Lymond's action spare them from our wrath if we win." His father concluded.
He went through his hair with his hand and looked at the two younger boys. Both looked shocked.
"Let this be a lesson for all of you." His father looked upon all three of them. "Some men will do everything for their legacy and that of their house. They will even gamble with the lives of their own children and grandchildren. Tywin Lannister was a man like that. I had to fight against him and maybe someday you will have to fight similar men. Don't underestimate these kinds of rulers. They are dangerous and will stop at nothing to achieve their objectives."
He let that sink in. His nephew Galbart spoke up then. "What will you do with House Bracken then, grandfather? You say they are dangerous, but they will fight with us."
"Aye, they will. I will have them watched by the houses next to them in the line, but I don't expect a betrayal. Lymond knows what happens if he betrays me. His father and grandfather were there at Atranta when it happened and in the aftermath." He explained, before sighing.
"House Bracken will escape most harsh punishments. It wouldn't be right to do so after they fought for us in the hour of need." He continued.
He frowned. "We can't just let them get away with this? One of them will fight against us tomorrow."
"Oh, Lucon won't get away with it. His fate is death or the Wall. The same goes for all lower nobles who joined him. A statement will need to be made." This reassured him somewhat.
"Nevertheless, I can't punish House Bracken, except for excluding them from court." His father continued, deep in thought. "Now that I think about it, I might be able to do something to punish Hendry Bracken in particular. He was my councilor for years, and now he turns his back on me. That won't stand. Hendry is Lord Jonos' nephew and goodson. This means that he is not his natural heir. I might be able to force Lord Jonos' to pass him over as heir for young Lymond here. That would be a suitable punishment within my means, I believe."
His father grinned viciously, and he had to agree with the assessment. Even if they couldn't directly take out the threat posed by House Bracken, they could still impact them from the inside. Ser Hendry wouldn't take on being passed over likely. Not after serving as Lord Jonos' heir for nearly thirty years.
Suddenly, his father turned serious. He leaned on the table on the other side of the tent. "You know the herald that I sent to Elmar's camp?"
"The one that needed to announce that you wanted to talk?"
"Aye, a son of a Dustin vassal. He still hasn't returned. I fear the worst." The ominous reply came.
He cursed aloud. "What has Elmar come to? Hurting messengers? Is that how he wants to better the Riverlands? I hope for him that he dies on the field tomorrow. That way he doesn't need to see the results of what he has done."
His father's stare turned hard. "I hope that he survives. That way, he can spend the next forty years at the Wall to contemplate what he has done."
"You wouldn't have him executed?" He asked surprised.
"No, my spoiled misguided cousin won't make me a kinslayer. He may die in the fighting tomorrow, but I will not take his head nor order anyone else to take it." His father replied from the other side of the tent.
He nodded in agreement. "However, I will gladly behead all those in his entourage. No matter where they come from or what title they carry. My vengeance for Sow's Horn will be brutal, but it will have to wait until we have won."
He nodded once more, as he finished the glass of wine in his hand. His father did the same, as he walked back over to him.
"Now you need to rest. We have a big day tomorrow. We have a battle to win, and then we need to drink. It's been too long since we both shared too much ale. Your mother is too strict on us in Winterfell." His father smiled, as he clasped him on his shoulder.
He answered with his own grin. A barrel of Northern ale and a night without responsibilities. He relished the prospect. He clasped his nephew Galbart on his back, not unlike his father always did with him. He called for Rion to accompany him back to his tent and after the boy had said his goodbyes, he obliged.
He walked out of his father's tent and passed his maternal uncle. "Are you ready for tomorrow, Ricky?" His uncle asked him.
"How do you ever know that you are ready?" He asked the Commander of the Wolfsguard. "I have fought in, and commanded over, a battle already and I have won. However, tomorrow the armies will be ten times the size. Will it be similar?"
Torrhen Karstark thought about that. "Aye, but messier. More bodies, more screaming and more crude tactical maneuvers, but the essence will remain the same. Something that you do need to prepare yourself for, is that it will take longer. Both armies will have a lot of reserves and the fighting can take until nightfall. Conserve your strength. No one benefits from you killing ten men in the beginning only to be exhausted and killed by a peasant by the end. The North doesn't need a dead hero prince. It needs a future king."
He made note of that. "Thank you, uncle. I will see you on the morrow."
"Of course you will, nephew." Uncle Torr reassured him.
"Leave some enemies for me to fight." He joked.
His uncle chuckled. "Can't promise anything, Ricky." He laughed aloud, before walking back to his tent. Some things never changed, no matter how severe the circumstances.
This is it for this chapter!
Rickard and Rickon debate the result of Sow's Horn, before reinforcing Houses Sumber, Hayford and Rosby with fifteen hundred men. The anger of what occurred there remains great among the Northmen, even Robb is furious and prepares to answer in a brutal manner.
Elmar has moved to Pinkmaiden and the Stark force has marched to meet them. On the eve of the battle, they get unexpected reinforcements. House Bracken plays games with their future and even their own, but it results in another thousand men for Robb to command.
Rickard shows himself to be capable of ruling with understanding and empathy, if needed. Nevertheless, he remains an inherent sceptic and sends Osric Umber to 'accompany' (read control and frighten) Ser Lymond Bracken. Robb shows unity within House Stark by adhering to his son's decision, in private he also agrees with it. More importantly, Rickard manages a compromise to which the Blackwood clan agrees and raises the army morale the evening before the battle.
Next up is the Battle of Pinkmaiden.
Thank you for following this story.
Fannic
Reviews:
- Rebfan90: Thank you for your loyal support!
- Scifiromance: Thank you so much! Yes, it is a hard world and Sow's Horn has killed the last remaining vestiges of chivalry.
Yes, it does. Robb has been working hard to make and ensure his alliances. Three more Stark princesses will marry South of the Neck, making it a total of five (Mallister, Royce, Baratheon for Robb's daughters, and Darry and Mooton for Bran's).
- Poly19hum: Rickard is the result of a harsh people and a harsh world. His main influences (except for House Stark) are his maternal Karstark family and his in-laws of House Umber. He wants to be decisive and strong, even if this requires occasional cruelty.
- Supremus85: He might in the future. Although he has some very useful friends in his cousin Hoster Tully and his brother-in-law Ser Jeffory Mallister already. When the Darry and Mooton heirs marry his cousins they might also join his entourage. The Blackwoods and Goodwoods have securely put themselves in the Northern camp too. He won't lack allies, but those alone won't be enough. He will need to secure support from other subjects too.
- Yogurt9928: I have replied to you in a PM. Be sure to get back to me for book suggestions. Thanks again for the lengthy and kind reply.
- Force Smuggler: Thanks!
- CadetMarshal: Thank you. These women were just as fanatical as their husbands. They fed, clothed and armed the army by making arrows and leather armor. In his eyes they needed to die and deserved heinous acts because of what they did to many of the people in Riverlands. It served to boost the morale of his forces, on the backs of women he thought dead already. He is a harder man than his father.
Thank you for the idea. I have been thinking about something similar for a while, but nothing is decided yet. If you have any more insights, be sure to PM me.
- Freakdogsflare: If you kill all houses you would create anarchy in the Riverlands for decades to come. If you destroy any neutral house, Robb's allies of Houses Mallister, Deddings, Mooton, Rykker, ... will think him a tyrant and switch sides. It is not something he can do without facing rebellions for the next 50 years.
What will happen with the Reach will soon become clear.
- Foxy-Floof: He is harder than Ned. He also has something from his other grandfather Rickard Karstark. He indeed wants this rebellion dealt with and he is very angry about the calls for genocide on his people and the horrible acts committed because of this. For him, it's an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.
- Children of the Forset: They did, for a while. After that, they made peace. Then the Andals committed an even greater genocide upon those that remained.
- Timdoe: Bedankt! Ja, dat is zeker. Hij heeft via zijn moeder's familie en vrienden andere, hardere, invloeden meegekregen. Daarnaast denkt zelf Robb dat deze rebellie het gevolg is van hoe zacht hij is geweest tegenover the Reach. Rickard gaat zijn vader's 'fout' niet herhalen. De heren van Cracklaw Point zijn reeds opgeroepen. Ze versloegen samen met Huizen Darry en Mooton Huis Terrick en vochten onder Rickon toen hij hun burcht bestormde. Nu hebben ze samen met Rickon en Rickard Robb's leger vervoegd.