:-[Chapter 11]-:
Nevertheless, his grandchild from Jaime would inherit the Westerlands and most certainly the Riverlands if Tywin had something to say about it. His neighbours would we weaken, the Vales had no direct heir from Jon Arryn and the North would hopefully had fewer Starks.
The dragons were dead. The lions would retake their places as the stronger animal with him at the top.
:-[T.A.B]-:
Finally, they were on the ship. Finally this bloody rebellion could be put to an end. The waiting for the Northern army had been excruciating. He did not understand why they had to wait for these barbarians. These…men who worship trees and Gods know what else.
With the blessing of the Mother herself, he was put in charge of the Vale army. Lord Elbert Arryn, Heir to the Vale of Arryn was looking at the horizon in front of him. All around him were the crew running around, making sure everything was ready for when they arrived at Sisterwater, seat of power of House Sunderland.
'Those fucking fishheads' thought Elbert, wishing to be anywhere else than here. A man of his importance and rank should not be going on an island inhabited by pirates to seek their obedience.
But no.
They should have come to him, not the other way around. They should simply have gone to Littlesister and put an end to this farce. But Lord Jon Arryn wanted him to go to House Sunderland first to give them his respect. His respect. He was the Lord Paramount of the Vale! Warden of the West! Lord of the oldest Andal family in all of Westeros. It was all a waste of precious time.
:-[T.A.B]-:
Leaning on the boat's railing at night, Harry looked at the horizon, finally seeing their objective, the mutinous House Borrell of Sweetsister. It has been a long way. He felt he had traveled more days than he was going to fight. Which according to what Rickard and Jon wishes, he, Eddard and Robert would not, to the great sorrow of the latter.
This did not bother the young wizard in the least. He did not consider himself really, even if Ser Rodrik was more and more hard on him during sparring. Lately, the knight had taken upon himself to train him personally, now that he had more free time. Of course, the man was beating his ass every single time but that did not deter the raven haired boy.
He had his first win against one of the guards when he completely surprised him with a swift blow to the knee, making him fall. Harry was quick to put his steel sword upon the man's neck, making him yield with a smile.
The men around them cheered to Harry for his first victory. He even got his first mug of ale to celebrate but he regretted his decision. The rocking of the boat and the absolutely disgusting beverage made him sick for a couple of days.
He closed his eyes, feeling a gentle gust of wind on his face. The excitement was starting to reappear. Who would not be? He was about to see his first siege. His first battle. For the first time in his life, he was about to see death on a greater scale.
Ser Rodrik walked slowly beside him, looking at the enemy in front of them. Putting an hand on the boy's shoulder.
"What is bothering you, lad?" asked the knight.
"Simply the fight that is coming. I have seen death before, but not like this." Replied the young man.
"Aye, I can understand that sentiment. My first fight was not something like this. It was against wildling. I was sent by Lord Stark years ago to help the Umbers at Last Heart. Let me tell you, those fuckers are savages. Some of them try to kill you and eat you at the same time. At least those fishheads are not as ferocious."
Their conversation was stopped by a voice behind them.
"Ser Rodrik, Winterstorm."
They both looked behind them and saw Eddard Stark, dressed in full combat armor. Beside him were Robert Baratheon, also fully dressed and prepared. All around them were the best northern warriors Rodrik could find within the army. Around forty men would never leave their Lord's side in case something happened.
"Yes my lord." Said Rodrik, straightening instantly.
"We are at the gate of Sisterton, House Borrell's city. Half our forces shall lead the assault on the city first, taking it for the enemy's hands and cutting any reinforcement. The other half will burn the castle's private port so that we are not taking in the back." Explained the northern lord.
"Who shall lead the attack on the city, my lord?" replied the Cassel man.
"I shall!" Robert's booming voice echoed through the deck.
"No Robert, you shall stay here on the boat while I am the one who will lead." Said the authoritative voice of Jon Arryn.
"But Jon I…" began the young Baratheon before getting interrupted by the man.
"No buts, Robert. You are a child, a young man still. Your moment of fighting will come, but this is not the day. Your father, Lord Steffon, would have my head if something were to happen to you under my watch."
Harry and the men could easily hear Robert grumbled under his breath, not happy with the decision of the Old Falcon.
"I will lead the attack of the city. You two, shall stay here with your guards and that lad, Winterstorm. Ser Rodrik will make sure you are all safe and sound. Once the town has fallen into our hands, we will take down Breakwater by siege."
A chorus of 'Yes my lord' was heard within the deck.
:-[T.A.B]-:
Harry could see the blood pumping among the warriors beside him. They were starting to get antsy for the fight. Jon Arryn had decided to do a night attack on the city in the hope of taking them by surprise and have the city within the night.
The fleet was in position. If the ravens received from Lord Elbert and Lord Rickard were telling the truth, they would attack their target tomorrow and the day after respectively. It was good news. If they attacked simultaneously, they would avoid them uniting under one leader.
The Vale's ships were fast approaching the shore. The winds were blowing strong in the good direction, as if it knew their true purpose. Even the clouds were hiding the moonlight. They were almost invisible in the night.
"The Seven are with us men! It is a sign from them! We are blessed!" exclaimed the Old Falcon.
A powerful roar came from the knights of the Vale.
"Arryn! Arryn! Arryn!"
The moment they finished their chant, the ships were close enough for the first men to jump down. The screams were heard all over the city. The Sistermen came out of their home like a raging fire, ready to defend their home against the invader.
Harry could see the fighting right in front of him, on the island's beach. The sand was already starting to turn into bloody mud, making it harder for the men. The combined force of the Vale and the North were carving through the Sistermen. With Jon Arryn leading the charge, the army was making good progress.
Two men came out of a building on fire, one brandishing a sword while the other was using some kind of big club. They went straight for the first enemy they saw, the Lord of the Vale, who was separated from his men due to the conditions of fighting in a town.
While an old man, Jon Arryn was not a helpless fighter. His reflexes were sharp as the edge of his sword. He managed to easily deviate the first sword swing, making the man lose his balance and fall on the ground. The second man let out a roar while swinging his weapon like a mad man. Clearly he wasn't a fighter.
With a well-place blow, the Old Falcon cut his enemy's weapon in two. With the shock of losing his only equipment of war, the man didn't even see the blow from the invader, killing him instantly.
"You have killed my brother you fucking piece of shit! I'll fucking kill you!" screamed the man on the ground. The man, sadly for him, didn't saw the knights of the Vale coming from behind, decapitating him in the process.
"Are you alright, lord Arryn?" asked one of the knight.
"Yes, Ser, I am fine. Let us push forward! The city is not yet ours!" replied the old lord, energy coursing through his veins for the first time in a while.
:-[T.A.B]-:
Harry try to not get overwhelm by what he was seeing. The pure destruction he was witnessing was humbling, in a way. He knew mankind could act in that way, with Voldemort killing many, many wizards and witches in the war his own parents died.
War was ugly, no doubt about that. Somehow, the Sistermen in the city seem to be completely taken unaware by the nightly offensive. The roads were filling with soldiers of the Vale and the North. Women and children were screaming, trying to run toward their lord's castle.
Due to the dark night, the men on the ship did not see multiples enemies swimming quietly in their direction. Around two dozen Sistermen subtly boarded the ship from all direction like monkeys.
"Attack! We are under attack! Protect Lord Eddard! Get into formation men." Ordered rapidly Ser Rodrik.
With Eddard, Robert and Harry in the middle, the Northern warriors put themselves into a square formation around them, making sure no one could stab them in the back. Screams of rage and war was heard all around them as the Sistermen threw at them anything they could find, rocks, knifes or spears, killing some of the guards in the process.
Blood spurted on Harry's face, blinding him slightly. One spear managed to pass the poor soldier's shield in front of the young wizard and lodge itself straight into his neck, killing him.
"Come on you fucking coward! Let us fight man to man!" raged a very angry Robert, who looked very much ready to fight with his massive warhammer. Eddard was ready, beside him just as resolute.
As if call by the Heir of the Stormlands, the Sistermen ran straight towards the ship's defenders. The collision between the two groups was brutal. Groans, screams of pain and death were heard all over the deck.
Harry, who had previously drawn his sword, was back to back with Eddard Stark. They just looked at each other and took this defensive position. The guards were holding them for now, but more and more were coming from the water.
"Where do these fuckers come from?" a soldier asked incredulously while thrusting his sword through a man's heart.
Suddenly, Harry heard a voice in his mind. The voice was so loud that it staggered him for a moment.
"Kill. Kill. KILL. KILL THE TWO LEGGED!"
The voice had so much hated and rage, it took a couple of seconds for Harry to realize that the voice was the one of Hedwig.
:-[T.A.B]-:
Earlier in the day, in Winterfell
Marco, son of Markus was finally at his destination, Winterfell. He had arrived the previous day in Wintertown and took the time to relax at the brothel. It was a reward in itself, he thought. No man should have blue balls before doing such an important job for an important man.
The Westerlands man walks the gates of the northern capital without any problem. At this time of the day, stalls of goods were disperse in the courtyard for the men and women wanting to sell good to the people in the castle. The people in general much preferred to do their business inside the security of the walls and under the scrutiny of the guards. It was very convenient for him.
He now knew why his employer had sent him at this moment. The Lord Paramount was gone and had taken with him much of the warriors. Security was at a minimum and perfect for a spy.
The courtyard was buzzing with people. Marco did not know how the other spy would find him but he trusted Lord Tywin. The man was cunning and ruthless beyond measure and seems to always have a step before the other Lords.
Marco bought some food from an old cunt that looked at him like he had the plague. He threw at her some coppers before continuing his way.
"Well. I see manners in the young people are losing his charms it seems." Said an old masculine voice behind him.
When the spy looked at the source, he saw the Maester of Winterfell. Not an encounter he wanted to have so early before he even founded the other spy.
"Apologies to you, Maester. I shall be on my way." Quickly said the man, trying to get away the fastest that he could.
The old man looked around him, as if looking for people who could be listening to them.
"The wolf preys on the weak."
Marco's eyebrows went straight for his hairline. He never could have thought that the Maester of all people, was the second spy of Lord Tywin.
With a smile, he gave the second part of the message. "But the lion is king."
With a satisfied smile, the old man swiftly gave a sealed envelope to Marco and shake his hand. His job now accomplished, the Maester returned inside. The Westerlands man put his new secret orders in his pocket and went back to his room to read it.
Once inside, he lit some candles, sat on his bed and opened the letter.
To M
I am glad you have arrived safe and sound at Winterfell. The second part of your work begins now. Rickard Stark has left his frozen capital with his two first sons. Like rarely before, his family is not as safe as they should be. We have an opportunity to give a huge blow to the North with your futures actions.
Your job will be to infiltrate the castle at night and assassinate the rest of the Stark family. The members at Winterfell are Lyarra Stark, the mother, Benjen, the third son and Lyanna Stark, the daughter of Rickard.
Marco almost trembles in joy, seeing the last part. Maybe he could have his fun with a Lord Paramount's daughter, before disposing of her. He calmed himself and continued reading the letter.
Dispose of them as your wish. Their bodies don't matter in the least. Kill them all and you shall be rewarded beyond your meagre dreams.
What it possible? Was Lord Tywin really considering giving him either a knighthood or the lordship he so desperately craved?
Last thing before you destroy this letter as soon as you finish the job. Since you are reading this letter, you have met the spy I put in Winterfell years ago.
Kill him.
Marco did not see that coming. However, judging by the growing smile he had on his face, he did not mind at all this new development.
:-[T.A.B]-:
Hedwig, or Lady Hedwig if Benjen and Lyanna had anything to say about it, was quietly snoring beside the youngest of Rickard Stark. The boy was ruling over some matter of no grave importance like any other days. He had been doing a great job so far. The people were happy and stomachs were full.
The direwolf had grown much in the last months. She was just as big as a horse. The animals didn't like the predator at all, making them skittish every time she got out of the castle at first. She didn't make any move at all against them since she was there however. Hedwig found that the horses were getting more and more used to her.
Maybe it was something that she could use against her master's enemy later on. Right now, she decided to relax in company of her favourite Stark while he was doing his duty.
Suddenly, hurried steps were heard. She opened an eye and saw Maester Walys coming from the back door in haste. He was carrying a letter in his hand.
"Maester Walys, what is going on?" asked Benjen, confused on why his advisor was entering the room in this way.
"My lord, I bring new of your Lord Father and Lords brothers. Lord Eddard will be..." started the man before Hedwig went back to her sleep.
An hour went by before Benjen decide to take his leave and continue his work with the people in the morning. Few of them showed their discontent as few of few wanted to offend a Stark in the heart of the North.
"Come Hedwig. You need to go with Lya, it is her time with you tonight." Said Benjen, a tired look on his face. As a child, the toll of taking care of Winterfell was starting to show.
The direwolf was now bigger than the young boy and bump her head gently on his, showing her support. She also accepted to be petted by the Stark matriarch a few time before following the young girl.
Lyanna was exhausted. She decided to help her brother each day since her father and older brother left for war. Hedwig almost had to help her to get to her room.
:-[T.A.B]-:
Same day in Winterfell, late in the night
Hedwig woke up in a flash. Something wasn't feeling right, making her feel queasy in her stomach. Her movements woke up the young girl beside her.
"Hedwig?" said Lyanna with a tired voice while trying to open her eyes.
But the massive white direwolf didn't answer in any way. She simply opened the door with her mouth and quickly ran out. She also ignored the fact that two guards were surprised to see her leaving so quickly.
A weird smell, something she never smelled before was in the building. It gave her a really bad feeling. The smell took her to the Stark' master bedroom. To her horror, she saw the guard's bodies on the ground. One of them had a very surprised look on his face, looking at the ceiling with wide eyes. The other had his sword in his hand but also had a knife lunge in his throat.
She entered the room, afraid of what she would see.
Hedwig felt her heart tighten at the view. Lyarra Stark was dead, a knife straight to the heart. She had bloodied marks on her hands, indicating that she tried to defend herself against her attacker.
'Who could have done this? Lyarra was loved by all. Why…why!? WHY?' screamed Hedwig in thoughts.
The cold dead eyes of Lyarra started to stir a deep rage inside of her. Something she never felt before. She completely surrounded herself to it.
Her senses managed to pick up more sounds and smells than she had ever felt. Of the cold bloody body of the floor, she smelled a scent she had never smelled before in Winterfell. Letting out the most mournful and full of rage how she could muster, Hedwig got out of the room, following the smell.
It wasn't very far, however. Very soon, she heard the voice of young Benjen screaming for his life.
"I am a Stark of Winterfell! We do not beg the like of you, you monster!" Hedwig heard.
The white direwolf arrived at the young boy's bedroom door that was locked tight. She could not open the door, so she decided to break it down with her own body, jumping over the dead guard. The door was completely removed from its hinges without a hint of resistance.
What she saw put even more anger inside her heart.
Benjen was on the ground at the foot of the bed, a bloody knife at this throat. The man holding the terrified boy looked slightly unhinged with his wide smile and hair all over his face.
Quick as a flash, Hedwig became a white blur, tackling the mysterious man like a ram. The previously smiling man was now screaming for his life, seeing an almost six foots tall direwolf right in his face, growling menacingly at him.
The growl coming from Hedwig even terrified Benjen who never saw the white direwolf act this way.
"Kill. Kill. KILL. KILL THE TWO LEGGED!"
The direwolf golden eyes locked with Marco's. The man only saw his reflection and in it, his death. The gigantic beast lunge its maw directly on the man throat, tearing it to shred. The Westerlands spy could only stay immobile while getting killed by the animal, as Hedwig putted her massive paws on the man shoulders, crushing him under her weight.
Hedwig magnificent white fur was now almost fully tainted in red. The man gurgled his last breath before dying from either massive blood loss or having his throat ripped out.
The direwolf wasn't finished however. Breathing heavily, eyes almost completely reverse in the back of her head, Harry's familiar let out a huge roar that resonate soundly in the closed room's space.
Warriors were coming in frenzy, having discovered the body of Lyarra Stark. They were shocked by the scene. The torn body of the murderer had lost almost all of its blood, which now tainted the stony ground.
"Protect the pack! Protect! PROTECT THE PACK!"
With another growl that shook the foundation of Winterfell, Hedwig put herself between her pup and the men, ready to defend him.
Before anything else could happen, Benjen ran the fastest he could with his little legs to put himself in front of the enraged animal.
"Lord Benjen!" screamed a guard, terrified for the boy.
"D-do not move! I know s-she won't hurt me. Make sure my Lady M-mother and Lady Sister are s-safe." Said the young boy, not seeing the uneasy look of the guards' faces.
"Hedwig," he started saying to the direwolf who was still panting heavily. "You save me. I'm ok now, you can calm down."
Benjen put his tiny hand on the massive six feet tall direwolf's head, hearing the collective intake gasp the guards took.
"Come back to us Hedwig. It's okay, he is dead now." Continued the little boy.
The direwolf's heavy breathing was slowly calming down. Little by little, she came back to the 'real' world. Her eyes came back to their usual senses and with the help of Benjen, Hedwig was back again, before losing consciousness.
:-[T.A.B]-:
On the ship's deck, in Sweetsister, Harry was feeling his direwolf's rage in the fullest. Never before had he felt something this powerful.
"Harry! What is going on?" asked Eddard behind him, seeing his companion queasiness.
"S-something is going on with Hedwig. She is b-beyond mad. Something happened in Winterfell but I-I don't know w-what." Tried to answer the young wizard.
Eddard looked at him without saying another word, seemingly understanding something Harry did not.
"Keep your head in the fight lads. This is not over." Gruffly said Ser Rodrik. "Have your head anywhere else than here and you will find it on the deck, separated from your shoulders!"
As if on cue, the Sistermen around them launched a coordinated assault on the ferocious Northmen. More and more came from the depths of water, climbing easily the ship with specialized tools.
"Aye you fuckers! Come to my hammer. I will gladly send all of you pieces of shit to the Stranger himself!" Robert said, swinging his warhammer around.
The Storm's End's heir was the first of the trio to start fighting. As soon as the warrior in front of him fell from an arrow to the knee, Robert jumped into the fight. His small numbers of Stormlands knights were around him, making sure their Lord's heir was covered.
Eddard had no other choice but to defend himself, even with Ser Rodrik and the other Household guards keeping him safe, he could not stay idle. It was a matter of live and death and as a Stark, he could not show weakness. He easily managed to deflect a stab intended for him, his sparring training kicking in. The Sisterman died a couple seconds later, a sword in his chest.
Shaking his head, Harry went back to his feet, obviously not wanting to die at his first skirmish. Holding his shield and sword firmly in his hands, Winterstorm went into the fight. His senses were heightening. He could see everything moved more slowly around him giving him more time to parry his opponents' attacks.
The Northmen were proving why they were considered among the best warriors in Westeros during a swordfight. Even outnumbered, they managed to repel the Sistermen offensive.
Harry was blocking with his shield and slashing with his sword anyone whom he came across. His reflexes were enhanced and while he didn't understand how or why, his mind stayed in the fight around him.
Suddenly, Eddard was thrown on his back and his shield taken away. The shock of it making him loses his breath for a moment. The man who threw him on the ground lunge at him, trying to strangle him.
"Fuck you Stark! This is for the Rape of Three Sisters!" screamed the man, lost in the heat of battle and forgetting about the thirty or so men and knights around them.
Harry did not waste a moment. Quick as a cat, he ran toward the Sisterman and kicked him with his armored knee right on the cheek, shattering its bones. The man fell on the deck with a groan but before he could get up, the young warrior put his sword into his back, killing him on the spot. He easily blocked a mace coming from a man screaming whatever name, probably the one whom he just killed.
Eddard took this chance to put himself back on his feet, willing to get back into the fight. He was a Northman and a Stark. For his family, he couldn't just die here. He watch as Harry Winterstorm carved up his way through the ship's deck.
The young warrior finally stopped moving when the last enemy was dead by his blade. The last thing he saw before losing consciousness was Eddard saying his name.
:-[T.A.B]-:
Thank you everyone for reading Chapter 11 of The adventure begins! Please let a review in the comment, letting me know what you think about my story.
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