A/N: Hello Everyone, happy new year and all that.. Sorry I haven't published till now, but with the holidays, work, having to quarantine due to Covid scares and what not.. I wasn't feeling it, in trying to write more. I had some difficulty going forward ,little bit short but I needed to get this meeting done, but Imma push through and get more chapters going now. Thanks for sticking with me and as always give a review!
After trying to keep up with young Ethan Forrester both with his fast walking/running pace and also how much he was talking was very interesting to me... he went on about how exciting there were other knights around this world of his and how he wanted to be a great one, go on adventures, how the realm would know his name, also asking me of any major feats or enemies I defeated. I found his personality to be very entertaining and reminded me of younger padawans back at the temple when I would travel through there in-between missions with my former master. After making our way through the castle and finally coming to the door that would be into Lord Forrester's solar, Ethan knocked, then after hearing a gruff, "Come in", he smiled back at me and went on his way. I entered through the door and I was in a decent sized warm room that had a fireplace that was warming the room, a good hearty desk with Lord Forrester standing behind it while in front were 4 chairs which 3 had people in front of them. Lord Forrester's heir Rodrik, the Maester Ortengryn and another man I had seen at various times but I believe his name had slipped my mind, yet but thankfully Lord Gregor spoke as soon as I entered.
"Ser Ethras, thank you for coming, I know you have met Rodrik, our Maester Ortengryn before, Duncan as well.. I was hoping to inform you of what we think is going to happen in the next few days and also have that talk you had told us about in a smaller audience to answer any more questions we have." While he moved his hand to indicate a seat for me to go to. I walked over and sat down and he motioned for a drink and I nodded yes to be polite, as he poured a cup of wine and gave it to me and went back to his desk and sat down. I took a few small sips of the wine and soon Lord Gregor began.
"Well after the little you have told us of your upbringing and training Ser, I was curious if you knew any more of your parents, or to say, where or whom they were because we have noticed that you strike a fair comparison to a particular sort of people that are known in these lands as from being from Essos." He spoke and I saw that Maester Ortengryn seemed to perk up and lean in while waiting for me to explain it all.
"Ah yes I believe I've heard a few whispers in passing from people seeming to notice my hair most of all" I chuckled softly at this. I believe one of my parents might have been of Valyrian descent and the other not so much, and I just happen to favor that side of my family's bloodline. I won't truly know the extant as to the more detailed history of my family but it's one of the few things I really know about my family. Has there been a lot of conflict with people having Valyrian blood in the north?" I asked back as they were nodding along with me following to what I was saying. The Maester answered me after a nod from Lord Gregor.
"To a degree within the last generation, The North has had a somewhat..complicated history with those of Valyrian blood, mainly the family of House Targaryean which was overthrown in the Rebellion after the King, Aerys II but also known as the mad king had killed both of Liege lord and his heir and then demanded for the head of our current Lord, Eddard Stark and the former King's son stole away and kept hidden Lord Starks sister Lyanna, throughout the war and eventually she died as well...Lets' just say that while no one will show you outright hatred per se.. in the sense of attacking you, I would caution a bit throughout the lands, due to more stubborn and somewhat lack of forward thinking and holding onto past grudges. Lord Stark is very fair and kind and wouldn't hold anything against you since you were not even born then I would wager, but more in the Southern lands there are a few families that hold Valyrian blood that are held in a high degree due to their lineage. But alas from what I remember hearing, King Robert Baratheaon has a famous hatred for Targaryeans in every way, from everything that happened during the war. Baring a few thick skulls and families personal history, most in the South are used to Valyrians and think nothing more of them." He explained to me and I was deep in thought of processing this information. If I ever went south I would have to be wary and caution when encountering anyone else.
Lord Gregor joined in then, "Yes I would say for the most part in the North here, we are a welcoming people and except for just being an outsider, we are very tolerant for the most. And I am sure when tales of what you did to help out our smallfolk will start to spread, I don't expect any negative ill intentions to be thought of towards a Knight such as yourself." He reassured me as he took a drink from his cup.
Rodrik chose to then step into our conversation, "And when someone sees how you handle yourself with a sword, I'm sure any worry and doubt will disappear quite quickly. I'm most impressed after our sparing went rather well I would say. That's been quite a different way of fighting than I am used to from our men at arms and all the training I've had my life. Quite a shock to say the least, but in a good way I should say" He added respectfully towards me while lifting his cup up in a salute.
"Yes indeed Ser Ethras, that was some display of sword work I must say, very formidable and efficient as well, I'm sure you order trains some fine warriors as the very least, since you say you have not been a Knight for very long, I shudder to think what an older Knight would have to offer on the battlefield." Lord Gregor said to me while sipping his wine a bit.
"Yes my Lord, it is true we train and spend some time on our skills and while I thank you for your praise, compared to my former Master, I'm but a babe in the ways of fighting" I chuckled back at everyone while I took a small sip of my drink.
"Has there been any word on the attack of the village and the Lord those men are pledged to?" I asked to Lord Gregor after a few laughs were given at my previous comment. Lord Gregor's face turned cold and he sighed as he answered me.
"Hmmm yes... that is why I called for you, a Raven arrived a few hours ago from Highpoint, Lord Ludd has responded with denials and saying we are making up this situation and claims innocence with all of it, with him eventually saying he is going to his Liege Lord, Lord Bolton to put forward a claim of harassment and asking for a formal hearing. I was hoping to just keep this between our two houses, but he is forcing me to call on the Starks. I already sent a raven to them with what has happened and asking for a formal hearing to be given to us and travel to Winterfell to address this all. I expect a answer in a few days with the clear weather we have."
" I am to assume that this issue just got more complicated and involved then yes? What would the other Lords say to everything that I have told you and with the peasant folk and prisoner we have?" I asked back not knowing the full situation with the politics involved that seem to travel with any culture.
Measter Ortengryn answered me grimly, "To say that this will be an more than minor issue is putting it nicely I am afraid... The houses of Forrester and Whitehill have not the most cordial relations over the centuries and it seems every few decades... tensions come around and blood is spilled for what others would consider minor accidents or misinterpretations. I hate to be negative but a lot of caution will be needed if the Starks agree to having a meeting about this, and with the Boltons being involved... tensions will be even more so.. they cannot appear weak, with their bannermen being disciplined and in front of the whole North. They have a deep history and pride as being the second most powerful house in the North and in every sense blood enemies of the Starks for millennia. Many battles and harsh rulings have only kept them in check and somewhat loyal. I feel grave tidings must be looked for and we must as a House tread carefully in the next weeks I would say." Everyone else nodded along with what the Maester said and bore a grim, cold look on their faces.
"Well I assure you my Lord, I will do everything I can to convince and show what occurred and strive to help solve this. I would never want to put your House in danger, you all have been truly great host to me in my time of need and I could never forget that and willingly bring harm into your keep my Lord." I said to him giving it my best to show how I really did feel.
"I thank my Ser Ethras, I'm sure once the Starks are involved we will have a fair hearing and with our evidence and prisoner, all will be right and we won't get in far too much trouble. Those Whitehills are slimy with their tongues and I wage they will say so many false words they will bury themselves." He said very convincingly and after that we spoke a bit more of when we would possibly leave and that I was still a honored guest and just bide my time while we wait.
I left after that and made it back to my room and just meditated a bit, not wanting to leave my room, just to have some time alone and not be accidently interrupted, after a few hours I got up after a knock on my door from a servant announcing that dinner was being served and I thanked her and got up and went down to the hall and was greeted warmly by all and after spending time at various tables with everyone seemingly trying to talk to me, a few hours later I was exhausted from so much contact with everyone. I bid everyone good night and went back to my room and fell asleep content after a long day.
The next few days passed with between preparing for an eventual trip to Winterfell to me going to the library they had at the keep, reading as much as I could about the local history and from around the realm to try to learn as much as I could so I was informed to what had happened and help bridge the divide in different religions, cultures, houses and wars that had happened. In-between all of that I would continue to spar with who ever wanted to try at the 'foreign' knight and had some conversations with the Forrester family, visit and explore the surrounding area and fell into a routine that was quite pleasant.
Four days later during dinner, Lord Gregor announced that a raven from Winterfell arrived earlier and the selected party would make haste to see the Starks and settle this issue. We would leave in the morning and ride as quick as we could and bring a small party of guards, the villagers, prisoner and myself and make our way. It would take three to four days of riding to reach Winterfell in this good weather I was told. I didn't have much to prepare so I was ready, and I went to bed early knowing the next few days would be long and trying. My steps into the North were truly beginning.