Chapter 12-Bloody War Part 1

News of Lord Eddard Stark's death echoed throughout King's Landing and through the Seven Kingdoms like a massive ripple, boarding on wave, as people knew the man by reputation. To be killed by Robert Baratheon's son soon after the boy ascended to the Iron Throne on the grounds of treason shocked many who heard the news. The Crown stating the man tried to usurp Joffrey of his rightful position and those loyal to him but was stopped before it could happen. How the man spoke foul treasonous words before the end, wishing to see Robert's bloodline die, even planning to kill the King's bastard children. To bathe in their blood while sitting on the Iron Throne, proclaiming himself no longer Regent, as the late King instead, but rather the new King of Winter while ruling over the Seven Kingdoms in a barbaric fashion. They claimed Lord Stark intended to burn down the all the Septs throughout the land, butcher Septons, rape the Septas, and destroy every Seven Pointed Star book throughout the land.

Unfortunately, for the Crown, the man's reputation in the previous two rebellions made any demonizing of him nearly impossible to stick. Not only that, but the Lin Kuei had already been spreading the truth long before the Crown could make its official statement on the actions of King Joffrey. They held nothing back in terms of who and what Joffrey was in terms of his parentage and how his supposed claim to the Iron Thone. It wasn't long before half the Seven Kingdoms knew the truth of things before the Crown could say otherwise and the other half knowing right before the Crown could did say anything.

Which in turn made enemies of House Lannister surround the Pride of Lions on all sides. The only saving grace for House Lannister was their numbers were slightly greater and the enemy of the lions were not fully united.

From the North, House Stark marched down past the Neck, an army hungry for blood and vengeance over the loss of their Liege Lord. Unfortunately, at the moment, they were delayed in crossing the Twins due to Walder Frey, Lord of the Twins, raising his bridges to ensure no one would cross unless he said you could, and for a heavy price no less. This was making the Northern army restless, many calling for the claiming of the keep and putting House Frey to the sword for this outrage.

Robb Stark was currently considering the option but wished to hear all voices on the matter before he made such a daring move since he wanted to have a strong host when confronting the lions. While the might Houses from the Riverlands would help make up the losses after taking the Twins, they were currently battling House Lannister's incursion into their domain. Even if they combined their strength, it would be difficult to win against the full might of the Lannister House.

Which was why Sub-Zero was there to give sound advise on how to proceed next in this war. Though it was being stunted by Robb's mother.

"Negotiate? With Walder Frey? The man is a cunt of the highest level," spat Greatjon Umber figuratively and literally when Catelyn suggest speaking to the Lord of the Twins over attacking it.

"I admit, the man is not someone you enjoy being around. But he is my father's bannermen. Pledged to my House. We can add his forces to our own," offered Cat while Robb looked over the table carefully with his fellow Northern Lords around him to offer their own advise/opinion.

"We have the numbers. We can take the Twins and move quickly to the Riverlands to fuck the Lannisters right in the ass," said Rickard Karstark with many nodding in agreement.

"Parlaying with Walder Frey might be more prudent Lord Stark. The Twins would allow us to handle our supply lines in a more secure manner and the added forces of House Frey would be a good boost to our forces when meeting up with those in the Riverlands," said Roose Bolton calmly while he eyed Robb Stark with cold calculating eyes and occasionally glancing at the man looming in the shadows behind the young wolf.

The Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei himself.

"The Lannister host outnumber us by a much wider margin than what we have now my Lords. Attacking the Twins would only weaken us when we finally get to show our might when needed most. From what I heard of Walder Frey, he is not someone I would call a friend or trust to have my back. But we need to cross the Twins if we are to defeat the Lannisters," said Robb at last.

"Surely you don't plan to treat with him Lord Stark," said Lord Glover with Robb thinking it over.

"Who else can Lord Glover?" asked Robb with a grimace.

"He could hold you hostage my Lord. The man could sell you out to the Lannisters," offered Greatjon knowing treachery was one of things people often associated Walder Frey with.

"It's a risk we need to take," said Robb knowing he was risking much simply by talking to Walder Frey.

"I will go speak to Walder Frey," said Cat suddenly.

"Mother!" exclaimed Robb while she glanced at him.

"I have known Walder Frey since I was a little girl, and he is one of my father's bannermen. I know him well enough to talk to him and convince the man to join our side," said Catelyn while she hoped it would be enough to sway the Lords around her.

"Unfortunately, Lady Stark, such a move would not end well," said Sub-Zero at last before he moved closer to Robb.

"You don't know that!" protested Cat with a scowl on her face.

"Do I? I know many of you here are still distrusting of me. For what I am in terms of being a foreigner from strange lands and what I do with my clan. But Eddard Stark trusted me. He trusted me to go with him to retrieve his sister, to prevent further bloodshed after the rebellion, and the man allowed my clan to locate itself in the North to grow. Which is why I know many of you here while mistrusting, also wish to give me the benefit of the doubt. I did train the previous Starks before Robb here and the other Lords when they were still young. From Stark to Baratheon to Tully," said Sub-Zero while he saw Catelyn glare heavily knowing his words were reaching the Northern Lords.

"You forget your students from House Targaryen and House Lannister too. All taught by a man who is from a clan that strikes from the shadows in a dishonorable fashion," said Catelyn in a challenging tone in order to remind everyone here who.

"I have not forgotten who I trained. I will admit as much for I have taught many Lords and even warrior woman who wish to be more than what the Westeros says they are because of their gender. I have also not forgotten of how what I taught them was used during Robert's Rebellion and how my students fought each other on their chosen sides. My students were supposed to outlive me or pass down what I taught them. Not for me to outlive them," said Sub-Zero with sadness in his voice and that got him some sympathy from the Lords of the North.

"Regardless, I am Robb's best hope to negotiate with Walder Frey. The man would not harm me," said Catelyn while Sub-Zero shook his head.

"It's not about hurting you which puts your son at risk, Lady Stark. It's all about perception and what Walder Frey thinks that will be crucial during any such negotiation with him," said Sub-Zero with Robb frowning and saw many of the Northern Lords doing the same.

"Perception Grandmaster?" asked Robb since he was slowly learning things since the man marched with the Northern army.

"Walder Frey is many things. He is greedy, ambitious, and has no respect for women. The fact he has married so many women during his lifetime, fathered countless children, legitimate or otherwise, and cares not for any of them speaks volumes of his character. The fact he does not have a fixed toll for the crossing of his bridge, demanding heavy prices be paid from the more influential Lords with marrying into his House speaks of how little his honor really is due to the Twins being a strategic place to cross. Walder Frey knows this and exploits it to those who he knows can afford to pay the tolls demanded, yet not retaliate against him," said Sub-Zero with Robb grimacing since he knew the stories of what the old man demanded from some Lords who wished to cross his bridge.

Marriages of their daughter into House Frey. Either to the man himself or his sons. Though rumor had it Walder got first crack at them on the wedding night before anyone else in his home.

"He is a loyal bannermen of my House. He will not betray my father. Nor would he dare to challenge one of his children," said Catelyn while Sub-Zero shook his head again.

"Walder Frey has no respect for women. He has no love for House Tully. If you were to go in there to speak to the Lord of the Twins to negotiate for your son, it would make House Stark look weak. It would make Robb look weak in his eyes. Hiding behind his mother's skirt while you do all the talking to allow this army to march to war," said Sub-Zero with many nodding in agreement.

"And what do you propose assassin? Have my son walk into the Twin himself? Alone? To be captured or killed by a supposedly ambitious Walder Frey?" asked Catelyn while glaring more at the man.

"Walk into the Twins? Yes. Alone? No. Only a fool leading an army into war would speak to Walder Frey alone when the opposition could offer him more. Several Lords here would have to go with Robb to show a form of intimidation and strength. Things Walder Frey respects and fears. Those who go would be able to discreetly help Robb with the negotiations and to make sure we can cross with the price of it being less than what we wish to pay," said Sub-Zero with the Lords around them nodding.

"And if the terms Walder Frey demanded are too high for us to pay? Or tolerate?" asked Roose curiously while glancing at the Grandmaster with an emotionless expression on his face.

"If push comes to shove, we shall simply try our talks for a better deal again, only with his heir who will replace him upon his untimely demise," said Sub-Zero coldly with the implication of it not being missed.

"You mean to kill Walder Frey if he doesn't cooperate!" accused Catelyn while looking at him in horror.

"If necessary. Walder Frey will be more cooperative if he feels a blade to his throat and knows the one holding it is not afraid to use it," said Sub-Zero with Cat glaring at him.

"Have you no shred of honor? To use cowardly tactics to get your way? What would one expect from an assassin such as yourself!" accused Catelyn with Sub-Zero's eyes narrowing.

"Enough!" exclaimed one of the few women in the room.

"Aunt Lyanna?" asked Robb confused by the woman having stood up and looking increasingly angry.

The woman had been among the first to grab armor and weapons before getting on a horse to ride into battle with a look on her face that few dare not challenge. Even Roose, for all his emotionless expression would look hesitant to stare at her. With Robert dead, the woman no longer had to play the mummery of being a weak, wounded, and broken woman she had been forced to play since the end of the damn rebellion. Many said it was the death of Robert and Lord Stark that finally set her off, snapping the woman out of her state of weakness, and unknowingly restored the angry she wolf back to full form. To finally have the strength with teeth and claws worthy of her House's sigil to rip her enemies to shreds.

"I will not allow the Grandmaster to be insulted here today. Not by my brother's wife or anyone here from the North. This man saved my life years ago. Stopped a fight between my brother and the Sword of the Morning. A fight my brother would have respectfully lost had it occurred. His advice on this matter is straight and true because he knows what we face in terms of opposition. Walder Frey has no love for women, especially Tully women. Robb must be there to speak to the man with support from the Lords here. If he demands too much from us, we remove him and let his heir, who will be far more reasonable, to agree to more favorable terms," said Lyanna while glaring at everyone there.

"You would sully my husband's honor and the honor of your House by doing such a thing. As his wife, I will not let this stand!" exclaimed Catelyn while Lyanna got right in her face.

"Then leave! You speak of honor, yet our enemies have none of it. They will use treachery, deception, and betrayal to kill us in this war. Do you think honor win's wars Tully? No! It's through blood, swords, and pain. Lots of it! Walder Frey cares about money, power, and how much he can get from the side he chooses to support. The side that can give him all that he wants, and more! He doesn't care about your House or being one of your Father's bannermen. What Walder Frey wants is to spread his vile seed to every single House he can get with any daughter worth fucking! Do you know what that means? He will want one of his offspring to marry Sansa or Arya in the future. By the Old Gods, if he lives long enough, the man might try to do it himself! We all know it," stated Lyanna with many in the tent nodding.

"She's not wrong Lady Stark. Walder Frey is a vile creature whose greed is only surpassed by his appetite for bedding women. The only thing he respects is power and fears those who have more than him with the means to use it on his House if crossed," said Howland Reed, who was with them per Lyanna's own insistence.

Catelyn glared at the crannogmen with contempt. She was grateful the man and his House were loyal to her husband's own, but the fact Howland would side against Cat was an insult. She was the wife of Ned Stark and felt any loyal this man, this frog eater had to him should be passed down to her too. The fact he was doing the opposite was unacceptable and feared he would lead Robb astray with poor Northern advice.

It was even worse now since Howland was siding with Lyanna and the assassin.

"If what you say is true Lord Reed, who among us should go with Lord Stark to speak with Walder Frey?" asked Greatjon knowing the man was an oddity, even in the North, but no less loyal.

"You Lord Umber, Maege Mormont, and the Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei," said Howland with Maege snarling at the thought of being in the presence of the extremely old man ruling over the Twins.

"He better not attempt anything with me or try to marry into my House with one of my daughters," said Maege with the urge to smash the old fuck with her mace.

"Lord Stark will ensure Walder Frey doesn't Lady Mormont. Rest assured, arranged marriages between the North and House Frey will not happen," said Sub-Zero calmly, yet strongly with his eyes telling all who looked at him that he was a man of his word.

"I'll depart for the Twins tomorrow. With any luck, we will be able to cross without the need to pay the price for with bloodshed and good Northern lives," said Robb before dismissing them from the war tent until only the Grandmaster and his Mother were left.

"How can you not listen to me about this? Not trust me to do this? Do you not trust your mother and do what must be done here" asked Catelyn once she was sure the other Northern Lords were not around.

"It is because they are right, mother. You may know Walder Frey since you were a little girl, but only to a certain extent. It does not mean he will be receptive to you speaking to him about our army crossing his bridge. Tully bannermen or not, the man's reputation is well known. Even father made it clear when I was a boy to be mindful of him should I have the unfortunate pleasure of dealing with him," said Robb with Catelyn not looking happy hearing this.

"I am the daughter of his liege lord. Walder Frey would not harm me or deny you the means to cross. If an arrangement of marriage between you, House Stark, or one of your Northern Lords is the price to get over the bridge to the Riverlands, it is worth paying," said Cat with Robb shaking his head.

"With all due respect Lady Stark, you are not the one paying such a price. Your son is paying the price. If not him, it is one of your children. If not them, one of the Northern Lords who do not wish to be tied to House Frey for well-known reasons," said Sub-Zero with the woman glaring at him.

"It is the way things are done in the South and the rest of the Seven Kingdoms," counter Cat angrily.

"But we are not the South, mother. We are of the North. The Lords in it barely tolerate you. If I or any of my House marry into any Southern House, much less House Frey, their loyalty to me might waiver," said Robb knowing the North had very little love for his mother and did not wish to make things worse.

"Walder Frey will see such a denial as an insult Robb. He will not let the army cross the bridge. He might even imprison you out of spite until his demands are met," said Catelyn fearfully.

"Which is why I will be going with him. If Walder Frey does try something, I will ensure it fails and the old man does not live long enough after the attempt," said Sub-Zero knowing his reputation and that of the Lin Kuei will hopefully restrain Walder Frey's greedier impulses.

"This is wrong Robb. Please, let me talk to Walder Frey. I know I can get us across swiftly," pleaded Cat while Robb shook his head.

"No, my decision is final," said Robb with Cat leaving in a huff.

"She should not be here for this war. She is too emotional right now over the fear of her daughters still being in danger," commented Sub-Zero with Robb sighing tiredly.

"I know, but she won't listen. My mother is very set in her ways and believes things are done with a certain level of protocol, even during war," said Robb while Sub-Zero shook his head.

"The only thing certain about wars are they will always be violent Robb. You know this. The stories your father told you about Robert's Rebellion and the Greyjoy Rebellion are proof of it. The question is, do you have the courage to see it to the end? To be ruthless to your enemies who would not be so kind to you in turn?" asked Sub-Zero knowing their enemy would not believe in honor, decency, and being civil in any sense of the word.

For a long moment, Robb was deep in thought about what he wanted and what needed to be done. It clear to the Grandmaster that the young man was still sorting out his position as Lord of House Stark with the death of his father. But there was resolve there too. A resolve that needed to be shown if the North were to win this war.

"I am Robb of House Stark. The blood of Winter Kings is in veins. I will kill my enemies and anyone who stands in my way of justice," said Robb with Sub-Zero nodding.

"And I will help you achieve it," said Sub-Zero with Robb nodding.

"Father trusted you for years. My aunt trusts you. I would be fool not to trust you," said Robb knowing the man in front of him would help in the war to come.

Their conversation was cut short when a Lin Kuei agent came into the tent stealthily and handed the Grandmaster a scroll before leaving quickly.

"This is not good," said Sub-Zero after reading the parchment.

"What? What is it?" asked Robb with the scowl on Sub-Zero's face showing, even with the mask hiding most of it.

"It is your grandfather, Holster Tully. Arya, Sansa, Jon, and the Stark bannermen from King's landing all made it to Riverrun. Only no sooner did they make it, Holster had Jon thrown in the castle dungeons," said Sub-Zero while Robb looked shocked.

"What? Why?" asked Robb with Sub-Zero sighing.

"For the same reason your mother disliked Jon for most of his childhood," answered Sub-Zero with Robb going from shocked to angry.

"Has my grandfather lost his mind?" asked Robb angrily knowing this was bad since it would send the Northern Lords into an uproar.

"Apparently, being a bastard of House Stark, his paranoia related to bastards in general, and the fact Jon is a member of Lin Kuei has warranted it. Your grandfather is under the impression Jon will assassinate him and Edmure, let House Lannister sack the Riverlands, and swoop in to take what is left once all of the smoke clears," said Sub-Zero while the man shook his head.

"By the Old Gods, what possessed him to think that?" asked Robb with Sub-Zero's eyes narrowing.

"I have my suspicions. Don't worry though. Jon is strong. I trained him to be that way. Also, my agents at Riverrun will ensure nothing nefarious happens to him," said Sub-Zero with Robb nodding.

"We need to get over the Twins soon," said Robb with Sub-Zero nodding.

(Dragonstone-At the moment)

Stannis was a hard man. Always had been. Yet, he did his duty. Never once complaining, though it was his right to do so, given all that Robert had done to him during his time as King. He had been denied the Baratheon ancestral home, giving it to Renly to spite Stannis for the failure to retrieve the Dogwa Queen and sister to the Mad King Aerys while she was pregnant with what would soon be born girl during the worst storm Westeros had ever seen. Stannis took the punishment without complaint, though he did make his case on how it wasn't his fault the ship with the remaining Targaryens got away from him.

But Robert was never one to care for excuses, much less tolerate those he hated getting away from what he believed to be justice for the crimes the dragons has committed against him.

Still, correspondences with the Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei, as well as his studying of means to protect his daughter from the dreaded grayscale had been a boon for him. When his daughter got it, Stannis had the doll, clothing, and bedsheets Shireen had slept in burned. He left nothing to chance. Even the maids and servants had much of the same burned for good measure, all they lost was replaced with his own coin to compensate them for it. He even ordered the Maester to examine them carefully to ensure none of them had the disease on their person.

When Sub-Zero came personally, the Maester at Dragonstone was against it, but Stannis would not be denied the advice of the man who helped teach him much during his youth before the rebellion. While foreigner in every sense of the word, the Grandmaster had been a wonderful teach, almost a second father to him when distressed with dealing with Robert's actions. The Lin Kuei assassin had wished to study all things related to the disease stating knowledge was power and would need all of it to combat the illness that was spreading on poor Shireen at the time.

To Stannis, fighting the disease was like fighting a war. A war being waged on his daughter's infant body and one the Lord of Dragonstone wished would end quickly. The Grandmaster himself proved his worth multiple times over, studying everything and anything about grayscale to determine a proper course of treatment.

Though one he, his wife, and Maester did not wish to hear when proposed.

(Flashback-Years ago)

"You wish to cut into the little girl's flesh? Have you gone mad?!" asked the Maester in the room.

"Quiet Maester! Please explain yourself Master Liang," said Stannis though one could clearly hear the anger in his voice while his lady wife currently looked like she was a mixture between rage, despair, and desperation.

"It is not an option I propose lightly Lord Stannis. But from my extensive research into the disease, it must be done to remove it and to keep such a vile thing from spreading. It is not a pleasant thing to say, much less to the father of the child. But if she is properly sedated, I can perform the procedure carefully to the point where she will feel little to no discomfort during the process," said Sub-Zero with Stannis calming down slightly.

"And after she wakes up?" asked Stannis's wife while dreading the answer.

"Sadly, there will be more than a little discomfort for her after the procedure is done. I won't lie when I say her time recovering will be one of pain. I am removing flesh from her body. While it will heal, it will be a slow, somewhat painful recovery. The only edge we have on this situation is the fact the girl is very young and can heal with little scaring, which would only be seeable if one looked carefully, knowing where to look, and under a bright light," said Sub-Zero while Stannis's hands clenched tightly, grinding his teeth to the point you could even hear it in the room.

"Is there no alternative?" asked Stannis one last time, despite knowing the answer.

"There is none. If there was one, and with less pain, I would suggest it in a heartbeat. The only other real option before you is to send her away to Valeria where the stonemen dwell," said Sub-Zero with Stannis closing his eyes and struggling to control the anguish of making the choice before him.

"It would be more merciful to send her away my Lord. Or perhaps, end her suffering with a small bit of poison that would send the girl into a painless sleep before the end," offered the Maester, only to see the look of pure fury on the man's face.

"Get out! Get out now before I run you through with a sword or thrown from a window from the tallest tower here!" exclaimed Stannis with all the fury his House possessed aimed at the Maester.

"My Lord! Surely you would not side with the foreigner? He is a savage. An unholy creature of ice. He will do nothing but cause pain for you and your House!" protested the Maester, only to be grabbed by his robes and chains by the Lord of Dragonstone and thrown out of the room.

"If this man comes within spitting distance of this room until I say otherwise, kill him!" ordered Stannis to the guards outside the room.

"Thank you for putting your trust in me on this matter, my old student," said Sub-Zero calmly while he saw Stannis was still trying to keep his anger in check.

"Everyone tells me the same as that fool I just threw out of here. Kill my only child in her sleep or have my daughter sent away to become one of the stonemen. To Hell with them! She is my daughter. My only child. Please, prove them wrong Grandmaster," said Stannis, as his eyes held fury and a pleading look blending as one.

"Trust in me my old student. I will never lead you astray," said Sub-Zero before he told the man what was needed and went into further detail about what was required.

Sub-Zero had been true to his word when he said the treatment would work in curing Stannis's child of the vile disease. The procedure implemented had been successful, though the recovery was difficult given Shireen was in pain despite the carefully administered milk of the poppy drops to keep the pain from overwhelming the girl. The Grandmaster had told him to administer only a certain amount of the painkiller a day or risk the girl becoming addicted to the stuff as she grew older. She also had to refrain from smiling or frowning too much during the beginning of the recovery process or it would cause her even more discomfort as well as distort the flesh when it was healing.

It has been challenging, but the end result had paid off and Stannis had no reason to doubt Sub-Zero or question his honor after the deed done to save his daughter from a fate worse than death.

(End Flashback)

Now, Stannis had brought all the Lords loyal, who were able, to him to his war council on Dragonstone to discuss the future of the Seven Kingdoms. Namely, who should sit on the Iron Throne now that his brother Robert was dead. They had much to discuss when word of Stannis's brother died. Some offered condolences while others believed they should get straight to business. Stannis preferred the latter in this case since Robert was not as loved by him as many believed. News of Joffrey's true parentage being brought into question had reached him almost as quickly as the message Ned Stark had his loyal bannermen drop into his hands personally.

The late Northern Lord had been smart to instruct the man to deliver the message personally into his hands, knowing such a letter could be damning if anyone else obtained it.

And what a letter it was.

Stannis,

By the time you are reading this, Robert will be either dead or dying. There is also a good chance I will too with the way things are here in King's Landing. Either way, war is upon us, and I fear for the future of the Seven Kingdoms. I have always cared about Robert despite all his faults. While he has named me his brother by choice, you are his brother by blood and deserved more than what was given, and what was denied. I tried to restrain Robert from delving into many of his known impulses, but sadly, he was a force of nature, if not law, unto himself. Whether as the heir to the Stormlands or when he was King. You have had the unfortunate pleasure of dealing with him on this front more than I.

And now that Robert is dead or soon will be, the future has been made uncertain. If you have not already heard by now, your brother's legitimate children are not really his by blood at all. They are the children of Cersei and Jamie Lannister, which means none of them have a claim to the Iron Throne. Robert had many bastards in his time, and I even met a few of them. The eldest I have seen, Gendry, looks like Robert in his youth, you could see it as plain as day should the two of you ever meet. Fortunately, the boy has none of his father's more frowned upon tendencies neither of us could stop, though I would wager he would be able to swing a war hammer just like Robert.

But that is not the reason for this letter. This is to talk about the future of the Seven Kingdoms. Given the situation upon us, you could claim the right to the Iron Throne given the children with Cersei are not his own and the illegitimate ones cannot claim it for themselves. However, there is one who could sit on the Irone Throne with a stronger claim than yours. One, who I had to shield from Robert since the end of the rebellion after learning the truth of things.

I speak of my sister's son, Jon. His true name is Aegon. Yes, Lyanna was with child. I claimed him as my bastard to hide the fact from Robert knowing there was a risk the truth would destroy him and tear the Seven Kingdoms apart even more than it already was once Robert took the Iron Throne. Rhaegar had married my sister and annulled his marriage to Elia Martell. How this was not known to everyone, I do not know. I suspect foul play and treachery but cannot prove it. The rebellion was a lie. All of it. Whether Jon Arryn, Robert, or someone else played a hand in the lie, I cannot say. Again, I suspect treachery on the part of others to keep the truth suppressed in order to instigate the war.

Which is why I need your help. When the time comes, the war will begin. My nephew will soon learn the truth of things from those who do know of it. Those I trust to tell him of what happened all those years ago that I could not. When the time comes, I would ask you to support Aegon's claim to the Iron Throne so he could become the King we always wanted but were denied. I know a part of your heart wishes to be King, as it would be your right to some degree. However, there are still many who dislike Robert for usurping the Targaryen rule, and I have no doubt they would see you as one by extension.

By backing my nephew, the snide remarks made against you will be removed. I also believe my nephew would grant you any reward you wish if it is within his power. I will not claim to know your mind on this, or if you will do what I have asked. All I can do is make my requesting and pray to the Old Gods you will head my words.

Signed

Eddard Stark

Hand of the King and Warden of the North

Stannis had read the letter so many times that he could recite everything on the parchment word for word without hesitation. There were quite a few options available to him in this point in time before the war truly started. On one hand, he could do as Lord Stark asked to back his nephew for the claim on the Iron Throne for the dragons. The fact the truth was written out to him spoke volumes of things about the Northman who had written it, and the trust the man had in Stannis aiding Rhaegar's remaining son in the war.

The second option would be to press his own right to the Iron Throne, being Robert's brother gave him claim to it due to Joffrey and Tommen not being late King's seed gave him the right to press his own claim for the Iron Throne. The problem with this was Lord Stark's words saying he would see him as a usurper by extension of being Robert's brother, maybe even more so to Lord Stark's nephew's claim.

There was also a third, less honorable, option he could consider taking for his path in life but was also the most dangerous. He could officially pledge to serve the dragons once more, bring them back to the Iron Throne through Lord Stark's nephew, only to turn his cloak, slay the boy, and claim the Iron Throne for himself. It was a dark thought that had entered his mind after the first two options played out in his head, but the third one stood out the most, yet liked it not. Even now, his mind told him the Lords and smallfolk would never support him as King if he went down this path. They would see him no better than Robert, and even worse than Tywin for when he sacked King's Landing years ago.

Not to mention Shireen would be ashamed of him. She loved to read all the stories written about the bravest knights and Lords in the land. She thought her father could do no wrong because he was just and honorable in all he did. Never one to shirk from his duties, always trying to do things right, and was of the belief his hard work would pay off in the end.

Stannis knew if he went with the third option, he could possibly gain the Iron Throne, but lose one of the most important people in life. Was the loss of love worth the crown he would wear? No, it was not. He knew the crown on his head would be meaningless if things were done in such a nefarious way.

Hence why he was stuck between option one and two.

"I would hear your advice on this. Do I side with the dragons? Or do I make my own claim for the Iron Throne?" asked Stannis with the Lords looking around at each other to see who would not only speak first but also try to get a read on them for the side they would back.

"What do we know of this hidden Targaryen who might make his claim for the Iron Throne? You said he was Rhaegar's last remaining son. Does he have the madness?" said one Lord curiously.

"By all accounts, no. He has been under the care and guidance of Lord Stark along with the Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei. If there was any indication of madness in the boy, the latter would have dealt with him by now," said Stannis knowing the Grandmaster would have seen any signs of the madness that Aerys was known for during his reign.

"If he is Rheagar's trueborn son, by blood and by right, he would be the next King if we followed the rules of succession," said a second Lord calmly, yet cautiously.

"True, if a Targaryen sat on the Iron Throne. For the last 20 years, it has been Baratheon," said a third Lord with a bit more daring.

"A Baratheon with ties to the Targaryens on his grandmother's side. You forget, the bloodline of House Baratheon currently tied to royal blood. Even if Robert took the crown by force, his claim wouldn't be considered uncontested if there was at least one male with Targaryen blood capable of sitting on the Iron Throne. Rheagar's remaining son has the strongest claim right now. If Lord Stannis were to try and seek the crown, he would be seen as another usurper by many still loyal to the Targaryens. They would not stand for it a second time," said the first Lord from the group.

"And what if this boy takes the throne and becomes Aerys reborn? Or seeks to revenge on those who sided against the dragons during the rebellion?" countered the third Lord.

"If he had any such indication of madness, this dragon would have shown it by now. Or do you think Lord Stark and the Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei would be blind to such things?" countered the second Lord with Stannis sighing before raising his hand to stop further squabbling.

"And what say you Red Priestess? What do you have to say in all of this?" asked Stannis while he turned to the woman in the shadows of the room wearing all red to match her hair.

The Red Priestess of R'hllor Melisandre.

"My God spoke to me many times in the flames. Has shown me many things. I have seen images of the prideful lions tearing themselves apart. The fires of war threatening to consume the land. A mockingbird seeking to rise high, only to be struck down for its treachery. Peace to return through fire and ice being brought together through the aid of wolves, stags, and snakes putting a dragon back on the throne," said Melisandre with Stannis glancing from her to the nervous Lords around him since they did not like the idea of a woman who worshipped a foreign God giving them or their Lord advise.

"You are certain?" asked Stannis with Melisandre nodding.

"My God has shown me this in flames. There is no mistake here. I know a part of you secretly wishes to be crowned King and sit on the Iron Throne, my Lord. I saw that vision at one point, seeking the Iron Throne, but the signs shifted to show me what would happen if you did," said Melisandre while Stannis nodding since he had heard it before now.

A flaming stag marching toward the Iron Throne. Only to lose to a man who laughed while he flayed all the men around him for fun. The image shifting to the flaming stag losing its head to a sword made up of the crescent moon for a blade and sun handle. The wielder was a knight of some kind with a torn image of a stag in a field of flowers on the chest plate.

All these visions/events from a possible future, which Stannis believed would have happened if not for Sub-Zero's arrival in Westeros all those years ago.

Even now, the image in the flames Melisandre had shown him regarding his future ambitions, should he choose to follow them, stayed with Stannis. It was a sense of foreboding in the flames and knew in his heart the Iron Throne was not for him. Tempting though it was to seek it and the power represented from such a thing.

Besides, if this young Aegon Targaryen was indeed worthy of the crown, rewards and boons would be given to those who followed him. Lord Stark believed in the boy, and the Grandmaster would never let another Mad King sit on the Iron Throne.

"I have decided our next course of action. We will back this Aegon Targaryen. While he has not pressed his claim yet, it is only a matter of time. We will use this time to prepare our forces. There will be others who will march to see the dragon back on the Iron Throne. One worthy of the crown. Let it not be said I did not do my duty to it and be called another usurper like my brothers," said Stannis with many of the Lords in the room nodding.

Though some were clearly hesitant to agree.

(Dorne-Sunspear)

Rhaenys watched him getting dressed in his armor when entering his room unannounced. She knew this day would come one day. The death of the usurper. A chance to put Rheagar's son, her half-brother on the Iron Throne. She could not claim it for herself due to her mother swearing off as much in order for them to live and make it back to Dorne safely. Rhaenys knew her mother had been nervous about them being around Stark bannermen on the way back to Dorne, but Lord Stark had proven to be a good man, one of honor, escorting them to their homeland without issue with his most trustworthy bannermen.

It wasn't until much later did Rhaenys learn the truth of things from her mother about the war and the fighting that took place. How Rhaegar had his mother's marriage to him annulled so he could marry Lyanna Stark. Elia made it clear she didn't hate the she-wolf for this situation, at least not anymore, and had wished Rhaegar had done thing after Aerys had been removed. But Rhaegar had been impulsive in his desire to change things, almost impatient even. Elia also suspected other forces were at play since she knew Lyanna would have said something to someone, wrote letters, and other messages to people to explain the situation.

So why didn't they reach anyone?

Her uncles, Doran and Oberyn, had already suspected something was off when they talked about it with Elia in secret when they didn't think Rhaenys wasn't paying attention to them. They suspected there was a conspiracy to remove the dragons, agents in place to not only start the war in way deemed justified to the public masses, but to see House Targaryen lose.

And make all those loyal to them lose too.

"You are leaving," said Rhaenys while she watched the man who watched over her as a child put on his Kingsguard uniform like he always did, only this time for a different reason.

"He is my King. I belong by his side," said Ser Arthur Dayne with a sense of purpose in his voice.

"And me? Do I not matter?" asked Rhaenys though it was spoken with a small jape in the mix with a hint of sorrow.

"You are both a Princess of Dorne and House Targaryen. Every day I spent guarding you was a pleasure I would never take back or feel regret doing. I knew the best way to protect Rhaegar's true legacy was to protect you, yet not be by your half-brother's side. But you are protected here, and your half-brother is going to be in the thick of war. If I do not stand by his side, protecting him from harm when called upon, I betray the oath I made as a member of the Kingsguard. You know how I feel about the breaking of one's oath," said Ser Arthur with Dawn now strapped to his back and ready for him to wield in the name of future King.

He had been filled with worry when it was decided how the boy would be raised. It had burned his very soul knowing his King would be raised as a bastard. Considered lower than low, looked down on, spat at, and cursed by many of the so called "pious" people in Westeros. But he knew his duty and what had to be done to protect him, and his Queen had given him the command to protect Elia and her child. If one of Ser Arthur's reputation was seen with Lord Stark's supposed bastard boy, many mouths would start talking, many would start asking questions, and soon come to some very dreadful conclusions.

It had been worrying for the first few years, wondering if anyone had figured it out? Did anyone learn the truth of things? Was his King in danger? Was he growing up strong? Not just physically, but mentally too? The Grandmaster had written to him in secret, using man's main language, which was similar to the one from Yin Ti, though with a few difference in the language itself. All the same, it did his heart well to hear how the King was being raised, despite his false status, and had become a student under the Lin Kuei Grandmaster.

It was a much better alternative to the Night's Watch, which Ser Arthur feared the boy may one day join if Lord Stark's wife had any say in things. Fortunately, Lyanna and Master Liang had been able to keep such ideas from the boy's head.

And now, a war was about to be fought. One where he could wield his sword in his King's name and put him on the Iron Throne where he belonged. Not the usurper who wished innocent people dead for the acts of others. Not the greedy lion seeking to take the dragon's place and achieve his personal ambition through his offspring, with two out of three being failures. The third lion, Tyrion, being the most worthy of his father's House, yet was hated by the head of the pride, ironically enough.

He longed for this day. Prayed for it even. He prayed to the Old Gods, the New Gods, and the Rhoynar for this moment where the usurper would die. Where the fat stag's rule would end with his bloated drunk body rotting and the rightful King could rise to take his place. When Robert demanded that he return to be a member of his Kingsguard at the urging of Jon Arryn to further signify his reign as King, Ser Arthur refused him, much to the Demon of the Trident's anger.

Not even a few moons into his rule and already someone like Ser Arthur was saying no to the man who wore the crown that was not meant for him. Many wondered what Ser Arthur would do next. Go to the Wall? Exile in Essos? No! Ser Arthur would stay in Dorne and watch over the last (as far as anyone knew) of Rhaegar's family. The action only enraged Robert more, claiming he would seek to have the last of Rhaegar's dragonspawn sit on the Iron Throne one day.

So long as you live Robert Baratheon, I will not wield my sword against you. But assassins or soldiers you sent to Dorne for the Princess or her mother, that is a different story. If you truly wish to test my resolve in protecting what Rhaegar loved most, march your army to Dorne. I will make sure the sands of Dorne drink the blood of all you send here to march to their deaths. And should I see you with said army, the vow I made here will be at an end, just as your life will end should you try.

Robert (at the time) may have been the Demon of the Trident, but not even he would have dared fight Ser Arthur regardless of the time, place, or army at their backs. Everyone knew that if Ser Arthur had been at the Trident beside Rhaegar's, much would have been different regarding the rebellion.

"I know how you feel. I never had a chance to meet Aegon, but I know you receive letters of his progress from time to time, and you smile more each time you do," replied Rhaenys with Ser Arthur nodding.

"He can set things right Princess. He will remove the vile taint the usurper left behind. But that will only happen if he sits on the Iron Throne. I must ensure he does," said Ser Arthur with Rhaenys knowing the man would ask Aegon to remove the stipulation the usurper had made to Elia to foreswear any rights to the Iron Throne through Rhaenys.

To make sure she was given back what was stolen from her by the hated filled stag. All so she could live and grow up to be a beautiful woman.

"Then go to him Ser Arthur. Protect him as you did me all these years. When you see Aegon, tell my half-brother he only needs to say the word and all of Dorne will march for him, spears at the ready. I will be among them," said Rhaenys, as she had been training to fight after seeing her uncle Oberyn training one day in the yard.

Despite her mother's worries, Rhaenys had become quite skilled with a spear, short sword, and a twin pair of daggers. Oberyn had said she had inherited her father's skill and potential, but for the preferred choice of weapons of House Martell. Rhaenys was also quite skilled with throwing knives and could kill or severely injure someone from quite a distance.

"Do you resent me for leaving?" asked Ser Arthur while Rhaenys shaking her head.

"No, you know your duty. Never once did I suspect you would shirk your duty in protecting me when I was growing up. You are a true knight of the realm, but also a member of the Kingsguard. You need to be by your King's side," said Rhaenys with the man looking at her with sadness.

"Rest assured, you and your half-brother will be united when the Iron Throne is retaken. I will see your family made whole again Princess. I swear it on my oath as a member of the Kingsguard. I do not care what your mother promised the usurper. You are a Princess of the Seven Kingdoms, and I will see your acknowledge as one soon," said Ser Arthur with Rhaenys smiling.

"I wish to meet my half-brother. While he could never replace Egg, I know they would have had a strong bond if allowed to grow up together," said Rhaenys with Ser Arthur nodding.

"One of the few things I wish, was my sword to slice the head off of the wretched monster who took him from you and your mother. I will look to finding and killing the other one who tried to assist him in that attempt," said Ser Arthur in a dark tone.

"Amory Lorch," snarled Rhaenys, as she would forever remember the name of the man who nearly killed her that day when Gregor Clegane had killed Egg before moving to violate the girl's mother.

Only for Sub-Zero to appear and kill the Mountain and severely injure Lorch before moving to get them to safety.

"He is out there too. While I doubt the man is a threat to your brother, I will not allow the pig monster to get within 1,000 feet of him. I will end his life and bring his head back to Dorne," said Ser Arthur, as he walked out of his room, and Rhaenys following.

"Doran and Oberyn have been itching to kill him for years. He has had the fortune of being one place or another at the same time when neither my uncles were not. Lorch even managed to stay away from the cities and towns where my cousins were visiting," said Rhaenys with Ser Arthur nodding since he found that was quite vexing too.

"He cannot hide this time. This war makes that impossible," said Ser Arthur while heading to the stables to get on the fastest horse he could obtain for his travels.

"Before you kill him, let Lorch know my family on both sides send their regards," said Rhaenys with Ser Arthurs nodding after mounting his horse.

"As my princess commands," said Ser Arthur before he headed off to fight by his King.

"I know you want to go with him," said Elia Martell, who appeared after Ser Arthur left.

"I do. But we both know neither Uncle Doran nor Oberyn will let me. They want me safe. They dotted over me when I was young. I was honored and flattered they did when growing up, but now…," said Rhaenys while frowning in frustration.

"Now you wish to show your strength. Both as a Princess of Dorne and House Targaryen," said Elia while smiling with pride at her little girl growing up to be a grown woman.

"The usurper is dead. All that is left are the lions and their supporters," said Rhaenys with Elia nodding.

"They will be brought low my dear. Pride always comes before the fall and we know how prideful lions can be when they wish to show their might," said Elia with Rhaenys looking where Ser Arthur road off.

Many among the pride of lions from the Westernlands would not be returning after this day. They were sure of it.

(Riverrun-At the Moment)

Jon was in the dungeons of Riverrun, per the command of aging Holster, the man not able to lead his bannermen into battle, as old age had left him bed ridden. Even with the attempt at poisoning him five years ago being thwarted, time had been a poison onto itself. The Old Trout, as some called him, had ordered his grandchildren to be given rooms along with the Stark bannermen who made it out of King's Landing.

Jon was not so lucky. No sooner were they safe, Holster had ordered Tully bannermen to arrest Jon and throw him in the dungeons. Much to the shock of Arya, Sansa, and all of the Stark bannermen there to witness it. Some Stark bannermen even drew swords to defend Jon, knowing the boy was their Lord's son, bastard or not, and wondered what possessed Holster to give such an order.

But Jon knew the answer. He knew the moment the cold heartless eyes of Holster Tully looked at him with disgust and hate.

It was because Jon Snow was Ned Stark's bastard son. Proof of the Northern Lord's unfaithfulness to the Old Trout's pious daughter who married into the Warden of the North's House. Holster was not one to tolerate slights against him or his House, and Jon was a living breathing symbol of such a thing. It did not matter to the Old Trout that Jon was not a threat to his half-brother's claim to the North or Winterfell. It did not matter Jon was not a threat to any of Catelyn Tully Stark's children in any sense. Even the simple fact Jon had helped save them all from being hostages of the Lannisters did nothing to calm the hate the Old Trout felt toward the young member of the Lin Kuei.

Oh, Jon knew he could fight the Tully bannermen that came to arrest him Holster's name. Win against them if he wished. But it would only make things worse for Jon, as Holster was no doubt looking for an excuse to see him beaten or struck down. Even when Arya and Sansa told them it was because of Jon, they even made it out, Holster refused to listen, nor did he seem to care that doing this would earn the wrath of the Lin Kuei Grandmaster.

It was even worse when Jon overheard his siblings were being kept away and unable to visit him with Holster making it clear anyone who defied his orders would be flogged repeatedly for three days in front of the entire castle. Fortunately, some of the servants and guards were Lin Kuei agents, and made sure to keep him aware of what was going on.

With any luck, the Grandmaster would come and set things right.

(Highgarden-At the Moment)

It had finally happened. War. Olenna always knew it would happen after Robert Baratheon died. Many who were loyal to the dragon were waiting for this day. Praying for it. They knew Robert was a shit King and it was clear to all his so called "son" Joffrey would be a shit King too. Even now, she heard from the Reach's more reliable people in King's Landing about how Joffrey was already proving to be Mad King Aerys Targaryen reborn. All the while, the boy King's mother encouraged said behavior, smiling at her son with pride when seeing him order men being forced to fight to the death in the throne room. The winner given a moment of respite before his victory is short lived when a Lannister guard kills him on the ground it was to "punish" the victor for murder.

It was barbarism. Complete and total barbarism.

Only a fool would support this second coming of the Mad King. Her House had backed Rhaegar because he was not his father and knew he would be a good King when sitting on the Iron Throne. The Queen of Thorns knew enough to know the Bard Prince was far from the rapist that Robert Baratheon portrayed of the young Targaryen. Even with Lyanna alive to back Robert's claims, the Queen of Thorns did not believe it for a second, as she knew when someone was lying to cover a terrible truth or secret.

Hence why she made sure to keep a secret correspondence with the Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei on the events following Robert's Rebellion. If anyone knew the truth of things, it would be him, and Olenna was a woman who wished to keep her ears and eyes open on all things. Olenna also made sure none of her children or grandchildren knew of this since they were not ready to play at this level of the game.

Especially since the game of thrones had become even deadlier.

Joffrey had been an idiot to have Lord Stark executed. The fact Cersei did nothing to stop only proved her own level of stupidity was even greater than the boy's own. But was even juicier was the fact Lord Stark said something that could not be silenced once spoken for everyone to hear in the throne room and outside of it. The fact Lord Stark even said it was shocking enough, but the fact Olenna believed it instantly without question was another since the now late Warden of the North spoke the words before the end.

Rhaegar had a second trueborn son who was alive! The last true dragon not seen since the Old King had a male heir who could make a claim for the Iron Throne.

And Olenna had a strong feeling on who the male heir was among the masses.

"How do we proceed with this grandmother? This issue cannot be ignored or stand," said Willas, who was her grandson and heir to Highgarden.

The fact he was smart made Olenna glad the oafish stupidity her son had inherited was skipping the next generation of Tyrells. While his need for a cane due to his injury was saddening, it did not deter the man from being a proper future Lord of the Reach and House Tyrell.

"Agreed. There are several who could make a claim for the Iron Throne. Stannis of course, but I doubt he would help us grow strong under his rule if the man pushed for it. Then there is Renly, who is quite the charismatic man with a belief that the Iron Throne should be his simply because he is well loved by the people and would be a better King over Stannis," said Olenna knowing those two would possibly fight for it.

"Stannis is the older brother of the two. Rules of succession clearly state Renly cannot claim it in front of Stannis," said Willas with a frown on his face and Olenna scoffed.

"Since when do the current members of House Baratheon care about the rules in anything? Robert was King because of he didn't follow the rules. Now Renly seeks to do the same and get people to support him for it," said Olenna with Willas sighing.

"Renly may try to drag us into this and fight beside him. Margery told me that he has become close to Loras. Very close," said Willas with the implication not lost to Olenna.

"We both know Loras and his preferences Willas. Even Margery and Garland known the truth of things. Oh, Mace is blinder than a man without eyes and an idiot. He wouldn't believe it unless Loras and Renly were in bed together in the middle of the deed itself. The only way Renly can make his claim official is for Stannis to suddenly die, and we both know that man will not do such a thing for a long as possible," said Olenna with Willas sighing.

"And the North?" asked Willas while Olenna scoffed.

"Robb Stark is a green boy. A strong boy given his Northern upbringing, but he doesn't wish to be made a King. All he wants is justice for the slights aimed at his House and to avenge his father. A cause worthy of story and song. But he has never fought in a battle or war before today. Oh, he is being advised by those who have, but his mother seems on trying to get her way in this. Gods only knows why. She may have learned a few things at her father's knee, but these wars must be fought by minds and bodies who know how to fight them. If that boy listens to half of the things she says, it will end in disaster for Robb Stark," said Olenna with Willas nodding knowing Catelyn Tully Stark was protective of her children to the point of obsession and making sure her influence to their decision or actions was well known.

"They say the Grandmaster is teaching him along the way," said Willas with Olenna nodding though she had doubts.

"With the young wolf's mother trying to blunt the teachings with things like honor, decency, and other choice words that have no business in this war. The Grandmaster trained many of the current Lords during the time of Aerys, many of them died, but those who didn't used those very skills to come out on top. Rhaegar would have won at the Trident had he been mindful of his foot as Master Liang told his students time and time again," said Olenna with Willas believing as much.

"The real question upon now is, who do we fight for in this war? The stags? The wolves? Or the dragon who will soon rise with those who would gladly wave the banners once more? Which side does House Tyrell join?" asked Willas with Olenna deep in thought.

"Many saw our failure during Robert's Rebellion when we laid siege to Storm's End instead of sending troops to the Trident to support Rhaegar. I still cannot believe Mace did such a stupid thing and left the Prince unprotected," said Olenna bitterly.

"We cannot make the same mistake twice. But with father being who he is, I doubt we will be able to make the right decision this time," said Willas, who didn't wish to speak ill of his father, but the man was as Olenna had said, an idiot.

And idiots make idiotic moves, which get good men killed.

"Which is why we will wait a little longer before making sure Mace understands what needs to be done to back the winning side. Renly can prance and posture like a peacock all he wants, but we will not back a usurper when all it does is make us look desperate to tie us to the Iron Throne. Otto Hightower did that during his time before and during the Dance of the Dragons and it did not end well," said Olenna, as she had decided to listen to the Grandmaster during one of their secret meetings to study past events in history to prevent bad decisions from repeating themselves.

And she was glad they did.

At one point, her mind was one of ambition, to climb the ladder until her bloodline was tied to the Iron Throne with future children being descended from House Tyrell. Former stewards of the Gardner Kings turned Wardens of the South, rising to have members of their House being called Prince and Princess, and one day being called King and Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. Olenna would be lying if she said it wasn't something she didn't want now, as the old woman did want it. Badly! But she knew from the past readings of history that the overly ambitious made stupid mistakes and paid for it in the end when they least suspect it.

Olenna was not about to make the mistake as those from the days of old. She would still be ambitious but be smart about it. Make the smart moves. Not the hungry desperate ones people whispered about her House when recovering from the aftermath of House Baratheon mocking those loyal to the dragon.

"Is that wise?" asked Willas with Olenna nodding.

"House Tyrell owes everything we have to the dragon. Not the wolves. Not the falcons. Not the damn stags or the lions. The dragons made us what we are and all they asked for was loyalty. Loyalty, we gave, only for us to act poorly when we answered the call to fight for them. Not this time. We will not answer the call when the stags, the lions, falcons, or wolves call to join them in the war. We answer the call of the dragon. When the hidden dragon does roar, and this one will, House Tyrell will answer it with the full might of our bannermen," said Olenna with Willas smiling.

"And no one will dare question us for it as those desperate for power," said Willas with Olenna smirking at her grandson.

"No one," said Olenna knowing they would grow stronger from this and for all the right reasons.

"What about Loras and Renly?" asked Willas knowing those two could be a problem.

"Leave Loras to me. You need to prepare our bannermen. But make sure to do it discreetly," said Olenna knowing it would take time to muster the full might of the Reach when they did.

"Leave it to me," said Willas before he kissed his grandmother's cheek and went to carry out the order.

(The Twins)

Sub-Zero had been to the Twins quite a few times during his travels throughout Westeros when he was gathering the means to create and strengthen the Lin Kuei. He had quite a few of House Frey's children pay him a visit for training after all, but none of them had managed to get past the first two weeks and returned home in disgrace. Naturally, Walder Frey saw it as a slight on his House, as he saw things when the old man didn't get what his aging heart desired. The man was a whiny man child in the body of an old man in the remaining twilight years of his life. The man could not stand the idea of anyone denying him or his House anything, no matter how large or small the demand was from people.

So, it was only natural, for Walder Frey, to be rude to the men in front of him while sitting at his table, eating food, drinking wine, and being around his future wife he intended to marry. The future wife in question wished she didn't want to be there but forced to stay because of her future husband was here to "greet" his guest seeking passage across the Twins.

"Greetings young wolf. I am a tad surprised you decided to meet with me yourself. I half expected your Tully mother to come walking in here like she owned the place," said Walder Frey while greedily eating the food around him.

While his children, both bastard and legitimate, watched from the side to see how things would play out between the man and those who came to deal.

"My army wishes to cross the Twins, Lord Frey. I merely wish to pay the toll required so we can join House Tully against the Lannisters," said Robb while standing in front of the table while the man kept on eating with the manners of a slobbering pig.

Or something that made a slobbering pig look refined. It was hard to tell given the way the old man ate things in their presence. It was quite nauseating for them to witness.

"Yes, yes. Your army seeks to fight the Lannisters. Killed your father from what I hear. Shame that. Good man your father. Honorable to a fault they say. Well, except for siring your bastard brother with some whore during the rebellion," said Walder with a cackle before he drank some wine.

Robb didn't move or flinch with the words Master Liang spoke to him about Walder Frey.

Walder Frey will seek to insult you while making it seem like passing conversation about personal things from the past. Whether it's about you, your father, your mother, siblings, or the North itself. He wants you to be angry. Stewing in it slowly. He won't stop with just the one insult. He will try hit multiple jabs at you and the pride you have for your family. If not you, the Northern Lords you are with, and Walder will do everything he can to make your anger cause mistakes during the negotiations.

How do I counter him?

By not giving into his words and the insults. Let him spew his insults. They are words. Words are wind as many will say. Granted, you could easily sling your own choice of words here, but Walder wants it. To insult others in his own castle is one thing, but to receive them is another. The man is an opportunist and a hypocrite. It is one of the reasons he doesn't leave his domain. This castle is just as much a prison as it is a home. A prison he made for himself with all the luxuries he could want so it's comfortable for him all the same.

In other words, I should let him rant and give him nothing for it.

Exactly, you must turn his own actions against him. By doing nothing, he becomes angry. He will wish for the negotiations to end and will simply demand a toll in the form of gold over marriages.

Do Lady Mormont and Lord Umber know this?

They do. Their own bannermen have had dealings with House Frey to cross once in a while for one reason or another. They used low level bannermen during these crossings to prevent Lord Frey from making such high demands. Do you know why?

Because the bannermen have no authority or right to deal with him in terms of arranged marriages.

Correct. Its why Lords and Ladies who cross here rarely travel to the Twins to pay tolls. Lord Frey will try to demand as much wealth from them as he can if arranged marriages to his seed is not possible.

With us here to cross, he will demand a heavy toll.

And he will get it Lord Stark. Either by the gold we have or the blood that will stain our blades. Nothing more.

Standing in front of the old man, Robb understood what Walder Frey was trying to do when he made a jabbing insult toward his father and Jon. The old man was protected by his castle, unable to leave it due to his age and because no one would lift a finger to help the man should someone wish him harm. The man was hated by many Houses, and many would gladly raise a toast to the man's death when the day came when Walder Frey breathed no more.

"It was war Lord Walder. Many children were born from it. Just as many died from it," said Robb evenly with Walder scoffing and throwing some half eaten chick on the ground where the nearby dog ate it with gusto.

"Yet I'm looked down on because of my brood. Look at them. Legitimate and bastard alike. They all wait for the day I die. Pick my corpse clean like vultures they will. Wanting to the be next Lord of the Twins. As if I would let any of them. No matter how much they pamper me, speak to me with fake smiles, and do my every whim," replied Walder snidely while glancing over at his many children and grandchildren.

"Lord Walder, the North has a great need to march South. If we do not, the Lannisters will overtake the Riverlands. I must meet up with the Tully bannermen to drive the Lannisters out," said Robb while he saw Walder continue to eat, moan a little in exaggeration, and eat some more.

"Oh yes. Holster's side is being attacked by the Lannisters. How dreadful. I suppose crossing my castle here on the river would be important for you and your lot to cross. But crossing an army over my bridge is not cheap. Massive amount of soldiers marching, damages the foundation, and I need a lot of coin to compensate me for any future inspections or repair work done," said Walder with ugly smile on his face now.

"You would demand a heavy tax from us? Knowing your Liege Lord is in trouble. Knowing that he could use your help and ours? What about your oath to him?" asked Lord Umber in a growling tone.

"I swore an oath to him just as I swore an oath to follow the King who sits on the Iron Throne. If I had to choose between which oath to follow, a King trumps a Lord any day. And it just so happen, the King now on the Iron Throne is a Lannister," said Walder with a near toothless grin.

"Unless what we offer outweighs anything the Lannisters or that shit of King could pay you," remarked Maege while itching to smash the old man with her mace.

"And to think people say bears of the North don't use the muscles in the body that matter most. Yes, I am willing to let you pass. For a price," said Walder while the greed in his eyes growing now.

"And the price in question?" asked Robb while already knowing the answer.

"I have a lot of children. Been spreading my seed around since I reached my ascension as a man. Now, I have too many of them. Need to get a large number of my brood out of my house," said Walder while the implication was clear.

"If you are referring to arranging a marriage with my House, the answer is respectfully no Lord Walder," said Robb while Walder frowned at him.

"No? Do you think your Northern blood is too good to mingle with my own? Because you have the blood of Winter fucking Kings in your veins?" asked Walder angrily but it was clearly for show since he wasn't angry at the rejection.

Not yet.

"My blood is my own. Who I choose to marry is at my discretion and the same with my Lords. If they wish to marry into your House, it will be there choice. Not mine," said Robb while Walder was showing he was annoyed now by this refusal.

"You're just like the rest of those shits throughout the Seven Kingdoms. Looking down on me, mocking me for what I do in my own castle. Do you want to cross my bridge? You have to pay my toll that I set and demand of you. I don't want gold from you Lord Stark. Nor gold from any of the Northern Lords since you probably less to nothing for wealth. I want my House tied to yours. You marry one of my daughters or you can go back to the fucking lands from which you came. Also keep in mind the Riverlands will burn long after House Lannister is done with them, and it will be your fault for not agreeing to my demands!" said Walder while making it clear he held all the cards.

"The guilt will be yours for being an oath breaker to House Tully and not aiding them in their time of need. My answer is no. But we will not return North. We will simply take the Twins," said Robb with Walder laughing now.

"Take the Twins? My castle? From me? You dimwitted green boy! Do you honestly believe your army can take what is mine? Do you know why people pay my tolls, no matter what? It's because they don't have a choice! The alternative is to turn back around to wherever the fuck they came. I even have one of my brood marry into the Lannisters, which tells me not even the old lion was not willing to argue with me over price," said Walder while Robb narrowed his eyes at the greedy and ambitious man.

"Is that your final answer to this Lord Walder?" asked Robb with Walder smirking at him.

"It is. So, fuck off!" replied Walder while glancing at Robb and the Northern Lords with him.

"I had hoped you would be more reasonable Lord Walder, but now I see you for what you really are in life. A dried up ambitious cunt who is more of a parasite instead of Lord of a castle. You take what you want and throw a tantrum like a child when denied. It is no wonder ever Lord and Lady in the Seven Kingdoms denounces, mocks, and belittles you and your House," said Robb at last to make sure the old man before him knew what his thoughts were regarding the ruler of the Twins.

Thoughts turned words, which now made Walder Frey very angry.

"You have a lot of nerve insulting me in my own House, boy! Do you think to intimidate me with them at your side? I don't care if you brought these two Northern cunts, or the Lin Kuei Grandmaster here with you. I have my bannermen here, in my walls, my castle, and my word is law here. No one can challenge me here. Neither Lord nor King!" exclaimed Walder angrily.

"Then why do I sense a shiver of fear crawling up your spine," commented Sub-Zero at last while flexing his power through the room.

"I'm not afraid of you or your powers. In fact, kill them all! I'll present your heads to the Lannisters and the King with my reward being the new King's dear sister marrying one of my sons," said Walder while the bannermen in the room drew weapons.

"Before or after you fuck her first?" asked Lord Umber while Walder Frey snarled more since that rumor made everyone despise him more.

"What are you halfwits waiting for? Kill them all now!" commanded Walder angrily to his bannermen in the room brandishing weapons while Robb, Greatjon, and Maege drew their own.

Only for a blast of cold to cover the room to make the people in it shiver.

"Secure the old fool. I'll deal with them," said Sub-Zero to his Northern allies.

Within moments, Sub-Zero was upon the Frey bannermen before they could even know what happened to cause such a cold feelings. Bones were broken, skulls cracked, organs ruptured, the weapons these men held were destroyed as if they were made of fragile or bitter glass. Some of the bannermen in the room had their limbs frozen by the Grandmaster's power, only to be shattered moments later, causing the soldiers of House Frey to panic, scream, and run for their lives.

"You miserable ice cunt! When the rest of my House comes to save me, they will fuck your ass over like a cheap whore!" exclaimed Walder Frey while Robb had his sword at the man's neck with Maege and Greatjon watching his back with their weapons.

"And who among them is going to risk their lives for you? I would wager you have only a few short years left in life Lord Walder. Do you think any of your bannermen or children will risk their lives for you? They would sooner let us slit your throat and let us go so they can take control of the Twins before your body goes cold," said Robb while Walder snarled more and making his face look even more grotesque.

"None of my children will help you. None of them!" countered Walder with Sub-Zero approaching him in a cold and menacing fashion.

"Are you sure? Your eldest and heir looks to be a far more cooperative man than you could have hope to be in life," said Sub-Zero while Walder glared at him.

"Stevron Frey? That weak shit for an heir? I should have had his mother swallow my seed that night. He is weak, just like his bitch of a mother. All of them are idiots. None of them are worthy, least of Stevron , who is only my heir in name. I can disown him and the others at any time, and they all know it. Once I have a true Frey to call my heir, I will name him as such with this pathetic lot having to sit there and take it," said Walder angrily while his children and grandchildren sitting in their chairs, or rather were sitting in their chairs, and now the floor, were watching things in whole new light.

"You'll never have another child after today, Lord Walder," said Robb angrily while pressing his sword even tighter against Walder Frey's throat.

"And you will never make it out of here alive!" countered Walder Frey.

"You would be surprised," said Sub-Zero before he nodded to Robb, who paused for a moment before he slit the Lord's throat with his sword and made the old man bleed out instantly before death took him.

"Listen up! As of right now, your Lord of the Twins, Walder Frey, is dead. Slain by my hands for actions of greed and ambition to bleed my House of what I would not give. I care not if you feel anger towards the deed, but I do care that you understand why I did it. Which one of you is Stevron Frey?" asked Robb, as he looked at the brood in front of him.

"I am Stevron Frey, my Lord," replied Stevron Frey, who was clearly an elderly man himself though in much better health than that of his now dead father.

"By right and succession, you are the new Lord of the Twins. Do you understand?" asked Robb with Stevron looking from the young wolf to his dead father's body and back.

"I do my Lord," answered Stevron Frey with a nod.

"And do you have any of your father's tendencies to be a greedy shit of a man?" asked Robb giving the older man a hard look worthy of a Stark.

"No, my lord. While I am the oldest and was named heir, my father always saw me as a disappointment in regard to what he felt was being a 'proper Frey' in his eyes. The only reason I was still the named heir is because all of us are disappointments in his eyes. He wanted another version of himself, but never had one of his children or grandchildren meet those expectations. It was why he kept marrying multiple women over the years, and even doing what I no doubt you heard him do when one of his children married a woman into our House," said Stevron while Robb glanced at the corpse of Walder Frey with a snarl.

"So, the sick fuck bedded his own children's wives first," remarked Lord Umber while Maege spat on the corpse.

"Only the pretty ones. My father made sure any woman marrying into House Frey were always pretty for his sons to marry. He also made it clear to the father of the bride that there would be consequences if she were told in advance and did not lay down with him in bed," said Stevron while Robb narrowed his eyes on him.

"And what is your decision regarding letting us cross the Twins?" asked Robb with sharp eyes with Stevron Frey letting out a sigh.

"Two cold coins. Nothing more," said Stevron Frey knowing he was in no mood or position to argue with Lord of house Stark.

"NO! HOUSE FREY WILL NOT LET THIS STAND! DIE YOU CUNTS!" yelled Lothar Frey, as he charged them from behind with a knife in hand with Black Walder joining him.

Only for Sub-Zero to freeze Lothar's body in its entirely and Greatjon taking Black Walder's head clean off in a single swing of his sword. To further add insult, Maege smashed the frozen body of Lothar to icy pieces with her mace while snarling as if she were an actual bear herself.

"I take it there aren't any more objections from the rest of your House?" asked Robb while Stevron Frey shook his head.

"No, my Lord. House Frey will march against the Lannisters and stick true to their oaths," said Stevron with Robb nodding.

"Here are the coins for paying the toll. My advice to you is to set a proper rating system for the future price of crossing the Twins," said Robb with Stevron nodding.

"I never agreed with my father's ways of doing things. I told him as such. He laughed and mocked me for being so weak. Said our House would gain wealth and power through his way of doing things. I told him it would only lead to our ruin. Again, my father laughed and mocked my words before he threatened to disinherit me for saying something stupid in his eyes. I was silent after that. I dared not risk saying more about it," said Stevron knowing his father cared for nothing but himself.

It was amazing half of Walder's brood and bloodline were remotely nice or tolerable.

(Northern Army Encampment)

When Robb returned, everyone knew what had happened at the Twins. The signs of Robb, Greatjon, Maege, and Sub-Zero fighting were clear to the trained eye. The fact the negotiations when at the Twins didn't last long was another sign and Robb Stark called a quick war council with the other Northern Lords helped solidify things.

"Good riddance to the old shit. I never liked him. Always heard disgusting rumors about how things went down in the Twins under his rule," said Lord Glover with a shiver.

"One less issue to deal with. Now we can cross the bridge, meet up with House Tully's bannermen, and fuck the Lannisters right in the ass," said Lord Karstark while many nodded.

"Will the Frey bannermen fight beside us?" asked Lord Manderly with Robb nodding though many felt the Frey bannermen could do much, except be a vanguard unit taking the heavy hits.

"Stevron Frey is more practical than his late father. We had a run in with Lothar and Black Walder Frey after Stevron pledge to support us following his ascent as Lord of the Twins. They won't be interfering anytime soon," said Robb while the implication was clear on how that was the case.

"The dire wolf shows his teeth and claws once more!" proclaimed Greatjon with a laugh.

"In truth, we owe our good fortune to the Grandmaster. His actions at the Twins allowed us to survive Walder Frey's attempts at negotiating on his terms and the treachery that followed when we said no to them," said Robb with the Northern Lords looking at the man in a good light.

Catelyn Tully? Not so much.

When Robb went to his tent to take it down, his mother was right behind him, a firm, yet angry look on it that told people she was not in the best of moods. The Grandmaster was not around, heading to his own tent, which surprisingly was small, meant for a single man and barely anything else. Not that she cared what the Lin Kuei warrior did, so long as he wasn't around when giving her son an earful for doing what he did at the Twins.

"Do you know what you have done? What you did?" asked Cat when entering her son's tent and saw him with his back to her while packing things.

"I secured our route to your father's bannermen. House Frey is marching with us too. Now we can safely march without issue," said Robb in an uncaring tone since he knew this was coming.

"You killed a Lord of his House. In his castle! Do you think this will not stand with the other Houses when they hear of this?" asked Catelyn while Robb scowled heavily.

"You presume they will do something. They didn't for Tywin Lannister when he put down two rebellious Houses and sacked King's Landing. Why would they care what happens to someone like Walder Frey? The man was a pig, a cunt, and would have backstabbed me when the opportunity presented itself him. Or is that another ugly thing about Southern politics you hoped I would tolerate?" asked Robb while his mother looked like she wanted to slap him for being disrespectful.

"Twin Lannister's infamy brought nothing but fear to the lands he ruled. Many were waiting for the day he died so they could breathe easier," countered Cat while Robb looked back at her.

"And he is dead now mother. The realms are not breathing a sigh of relief. Not while his son has taken over and your girlhood home is suffering for it," said Robb knowing Jamie Lannister had much to answer for and the whisper the Grandmaster received of the Kingslayer adding kinslayer to the list only made it more prudent to bring this lion down.

"Do you really wish to be feared? Your father didn't rule through fear. He was honorable and just during his time as Warden of the North," said Cat with Robb clenching his fists.

"I don't wish to be feared by the North. I wish to be like father when it came to ruling. But I am not just ruling over them, mother. I have still green in their eyes. They expect me to win for the North and for the memory of my father. A man they respected. If I can't do this, than I am not worthy of being called his son nor the ruler of House Stark," said Robb knowing his father fought in two wars and came back alive to tell the tale.

"And killing a Lord will change that? Because he didn't agree with you during simple negotiations? Do you not see what this will do?" asked Cat with Robb struggling to contain his anger his mother.

"And what would you have me do, mother? Give Walder Frey what he wanted? Marrying one of his daughters to me? To have a foothold in the North? Or if not me, one of the Northern Lords or one of their sons?" said Robb with a hint of anger in his voice.

"Sacrifices must be made for the greater good. I didn't marry your father for love. I did it because duty compelled me to do it. Over time, I grew to love him just as he did me. There will come a time where you will need to make the sacrifice for the greater good. I pray to the Seven such a sacrifice is only in the ways of marriage and nothing else," said Cat with Robb letting out a tired sigh.

"I am not going to have this discussion with you. Ever since we departed from the North to head South, you have been giving me advice that goes against those of the Northern Lords I lead. You have been constantly combative and questioning of my decisions, trying to change my mind, and possibly planning to go behind my back if my way of doing things are not in line with your own," said Robb while seeing his mother frown further in anger.

"I am only doing what I can to protect you from harm and from the political dangers this war will bring once we are in the thick of it. Wars not only one with men, steel, and violence. You need to make allies to take on the Lannisters. The might of the North is not enough. Not even combined with my father's bannermen can we defeat them. You need to contact the Lords of the Vale. They will side with us," said Catelyn with Robb nodding to that.

"I already did. The Grandmaster approved of my decision when I told him about it," replied Robb while Cat was, please he was thinking smart, but clearly upset he was listening to Sub-Zero.

"You should not rely on him so much for guidance. He not blood or family of any kind," replied Catelyn with Robb looked at her.

"And who should I rely on? I need advice from those who have seen wars and fought in them. I have no doubt the Northern Lords will give me great advice prior to the battle to come. I also need someone who can teach me in a way they cannot. You have no understanding of war when it comes to leading an army, mother. Much less one from the North. You expect everyone to obey you because you married my father and considered his wife. But you are from the South and the Northern Lords will only tolerate you being here provided it doesn't impede us. As such, you should not be here with me," said Robb and had to turn around to see the hurt look on his mother's face.

"You're sending me away? Back to Winterfell?" asked Catelyn while Robb shaking his head.

"No, you are going to treat with Renly. Word has it he is trying to rally the Stormlands to oppose the Lannisters, even if it is a move to be crowned the new King of the Seven Kingdoms. You want me to listen to you, well I am asking you to listen to me. We need to bring the Lannisters down with more men and Renly can give us that much," said Robb while Catelyn frowned at the idea of not being around to guide her son "properly" in the ways of ruling.

"And all the while, the Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei sinks his claws into you. Making you consider actions many would see as dishonorable," remarked Catelyn while Robb had enough and turned out to glare at her.

"This is war, mother! Or have you forgotten?! Our enemy does not care about honor. They don't care about being civil or the politics behind it. They will simply wipe us out and write the story regarding this and how it took place in the way they see fit, with our own blood!" exclaimed Robb knowing it was one of things Sub-Zero taught him when it came to the endgame of any conflict.

"I am only trying to help you. All I have ever done is tried to help you," said Cat while Robb sighed again and wished his mother would stop thinking this was a simple thing when it wasn't.

"I know you are mother. But right now, you are being a hinderance with the Northern Lords looking at me to see if I can stand on my own two feet. To see if I am strong enough to command the North, much less rule it as the new Lord of House Stark. They won't do that should I constantly go to you for advice, much less listened to your words over them. My position with the North would become unstable and I could lose their loyalty," said Robb with Cat shaking her head since she didn't quite understand the North.

These Lords have been sworn to House Stark for over a thousand years. They have to obey you. They must obey you," said Cat with Robb closing his eyes in frustration.

"The North only follows the strong, mother. They don't care about titles, but the actions of the one who has them. Right now, I am the Lord of House Stark. But I have very little experience and therefore my strength in their eyes is not up to the level of father's. I cannot become strong if I only listen to you and not them," said Robb while motioning her to leave him so he can pack up his tent.

With a huff, the Tully woman left the tent to seek out the man who had the greatest influence on her son to give him a piece of her mind. She would make the assassin understand his place in this was not to control the North or her son with his ways.

"Can I help you, Lady Stark?" asked Sub-Zero before she even got within arm distance of him.

"I want you to keep your distance from my son," replied Catelyn in a commanding tone she had used with her children when they were unruly.

"Your son is nearly a grown man. One drawn into a war following his father's death," said Sub-Zero while nearly finished with his own packing.

"I won't have you bring dishonor to my husband's House. To my son's House," said Catelyn with Sub-Zero turning to face her.

"In what way have I risked bringing dishonor to it?" asked Sub-Zero while crossing his arms in front of himself.

"You helped kill the Lord of the Twins, Walder Frey. You provide advise that suggests my son be ruthless and uncaring when fighting against the Lannisters. You poison his mind with dishonorable actions," said Catelyn with Sub-Zero shaking his head.

"You act like warfare is one that can be handled with civility. Through politics and making deals where each side agrees to something and honors it in the name of peace. In a perfect world, war would not exist, and words of reasoning would be the only weapons required. But we are not in a perfect world. We are in a world where violence is the norm and the one side not afraid to wield the 'big stick' against the other, and victor is the one who wins to write the story," said Sub-Zero while Catelyn narrowed her eyes at him in anger.

"And what do you know of reason? Of using words to seek peace? Assassins like you only know how to take life and be paid for it," spat Catelyn angrily while Sub-Zero remained unapologetic.

"My clan does take life from the shadows. But considering the alternative, my way is necessary, and in many ways preferred to the pointless death of so many. Would you prefer these men of the North, your father's bannermen in Riverrun, die on the battlefield against the Lannister forces? Or would it not be better, even cleaner, to silence the enemies' commanders so their lines will break and flee before any kind of battle is waged the next day?" questioned Sub-Zero knowing the woman would rather the men fighting in this war fight and die on the battlefield like good "honorable" soldiers they were over letting them live to see their families again.

"I am warning you assassin; I will not tolerate your influence over my son. I held no say in you training my husband, brother, and even Jon. But I will not allow you to taint the mind of my son with your ways," said Catelyn before she stormed off.

Sub-Zero only shook his head at the foolishness of the woman. She claimed to be honorable and just, but the fact remained the Tully woman was naïve and blind to the lives of those around her. It was sad to see the woman refuse to see the truth of things, even when they were staring her in the face. It was not entirely her fault though, as Catelyn Tully had grown up with stories and songs of brave knights of old fighting injustices throughout the Seven Kingdoms, being good and honorable in all things. How they marched forward with the Gods on their side and were the voice of reason before swords were drawn.

While the Tully woman now understood those things were a major exaggeration, she was still in the belief that was how things were done or should be done on their side. The idea of fighting in any other way was considered dishonorable and Catelyn Tully clearly preferred the bannermen of the North and those of her Father's House die "honorably" in battle, regardless of the side who won. She believed the victor, no matter who it was, would be honorable and merciful.

The woman clearly did not understand the way of things despite learning all there was to know at her father's knee when she was just a little girl.

(Essos-Qarth)

Daenerys was angry. Very angry. She had not only been betrayed, but her dragons had been taken while she was out to explore the city. Smoke had been beside her while Ser Jorah was out seeking a means to get them out of the city to one where they could find an army to command. The few Dothraki who had followed her since the death of Khal Drogo were assigned to the guard manse the Thirteen provided her to ensure no harm came to the three young dragons inside.

Only to find one of her handmaidens had betrayed her, causing the death of more those who were loyal, and the loss of the three dragons Daenerys had claimed as her children. The fury in her eyes burned for all to see with Ser Jorah trying to calm her down while Smoke stayed silent to watch the fuming woman comprehend things before her and waited for said fuming to end to help offer his advice on the matter.

"Such an action cannot stand. Those who stole from you should have their lives taken as a result of this deed," commented Smoke while Daenerys closed her eyes while crouched down and looking at the loyal Dothraki handmaiden who had been killed by the attackers of the manse.

"That much is clear, but we don't know who took the dragons or caused this," said Ser Jorah with Smoke looking at him now.

"Don't we? I think you and I both know who did this Ser Jorah. Who else has the means and opportunity to take the dragons Daenerys possessed? Who would want them for their own purposes? Who would seek to hold them to bind Daenerys here in the hope she would not only have more dragons, if thee are any more eggs to be found, but to have children from her womb who would one day ride and command them?" asked Smoke hypothetically with Ser Jorah sighing before he nodded in agreement.

"The Thirteen," spat Daenerys angrily.

"It could be one, a few, or all of them Khaleesi," commented Ser Jorah with Daenerys closing the eyes of the handmaiden she held before kissing her head.

"It doesn't matter if it was one, a few, or all of them who did this, Ser Jorah. They are all guilty. My three children have been taken from me, their mother. I will not let this stand. I want these fools to be made an example of for anyone else bold enough to consider trying something this stupid against my House!" state Daenerys furiously.

"All of them Khaleesi?" asked Ser Jorah with Daenerys nodding.

"All of them Ser Jorah. I highly doubt one or a few of them decided this while keeping the others in the dark. This is their way in trying to control me. But a dragon is not a slave and never will be so long as I draw breath," said Daenerys while glaring at the man from Bear Island.

"We need at least one of them alive to know the location of the dragons. If we don't, our plans is only half of a success," said Smoke with Daenerys nodding.

"Ser Jorah, go out into the streets. Find my dragons. Do what needs to be done. Smoke and I will pay the Thirteen of Qarth a visit to find answers directly from the source of this betrayal," said Daenerys while Smoke smirked underneath his mask.

"I don't know what powers or influence these men have in this city, but they will soon find themselves in some serious shit," said Smoke with Daenerys nodding before she found some daggers on the ground belonging to one of the Dothraki warriors who had stayed by her side.

She would show these fools what it meant to awaken the dragon!

She would show them fire and blood!

(A/N: YAY! I updated. Seems so long since I worked on this one. I know you want me to work on my older fics, and I will! But I want to get this one done so I can. I still feel the call of the GoT bug. Even more with the House of the Dragons. First season was awesome! Looking forward to season two when it comes out. Best part is there will no rushing it since the book is already done for it and therefore no one has to worry about alterations from the book. Until next time…PEACE!)