Version 2.0
Despite the relentless raiding that had plagued the Winter Kingdom, Brandon's success with winter-resistant crops and the influx of new settlers had bolstered his resources. From the courtyard of Winterfell, his host assembled. With around 200 Kings' guards, The elite core of Brandon's forces hardened warriors. 600 Household Guards, skilled warriors who were better trained and equipped than levies. As they marched, they would meet up with Jarl Amber's 500 Household Guards and the 2,500 Levies, who were mostly Farmers, hunters, and villagers who had taken up arms for Brandon.
Most kingdoms in the North couldn't afford to field such a force without starving their people, but Brandon's winter crops made it possible. Even so, the army could not stray far from the heart of the Winter Kingdom. With enemies on all sides, leaving the land unguarded would invite disaster.
/
The army moved with purpose, the thud of boots and the creak of wagons filling the air as they marched through snow-dappled forests and frost-covered fields. Scouts brought reports of the Ironborn invasion had two separate hosts moving inland from the coast, pillaging and burning as they advanced.
Halvar flew his eagle over the enemy forces. "They're separating; one stayed in the Barrow Lands, and one has continued," he reported.
Brandon's army marched through the open fields near the coast, frost crunching beneath their boots. Scouts brought word of the first Ironborn host, a force of 2,000 battle-ready raiders who were not far from them.
Brandon quickly ordered his men to form up in the clearing just beyond. His Kings guard, and Household Guards formed a solid shield wall on the left, with Jarl Amber's men anchoring the right flank and levies spread through the centre. Halvar and his wargs moved to the edges.
Soon, the Ironborn crested the hills before spotting Brandon, and not waiting for a moment, they surged forward, a tide of chaos and violence. Their axes gleamed in the winter sun, and their war cries echoed across the field.
The Ironborn's charge slammed into the shield wall, the sound of metal meeting metal reverberating like thunder. Brandon's men, disciplined and experienced, absorbed the impact and pushed back with coordinated strikes. Whilst the levies in the centre, braised behind their shields, held back the flow of Ironborn.
On the right flank, Jarl Amber's men clashed fiercely, their swords biting into the Ironborn. On the left, Halvar's wargs darted into the fray, sending beast into the men and, for the first time, terrifying the Ironborn before the flank of Kings and House Hold guards smashed into the Ironborn's disorganised flanks.
The battle raged, the winter sun climbing high and then beginning its descent. The Ironborn fought savagely, their desperation driving them to reckless acts of bravery.
Brandon fought at the forefront, his blade cutting through Ironborn. "For Winter! For the North!" he roared, rallying his men to press the advantage.
By late afternoon, the Ironborn's ranks began to crumble. Their initial ferocity gave way to fear as Brandon's forces pushed them back. The levies surged forward, eager to claim victory, while the King's guard and Household Guards captured fleeing raiders.
As the sun started to dip, the battlefield was littered with the bodies of the fallen. The Ironborn had been soundly defeated. Of their 2,000 men, hundreds lay dead, many more were taken prisoner, and their remaining forces fled back toward the coast.
Brandon's men freed dozens of slaves the raiders had dragged with them, offering them food and shelter. The Ironborn's supplies and loot were seized, a bounty that would be distributed among Brandon's troops.
As the men celebrated their triumph, Brandon stood atop a low hill, his gaze fixed on the horizon. Feeling like things were getting back on track for him, A united North did not feel so distant.
/
As the army camped that night, a sole raven approached, gliding through the camp, its caw calling to Halvar. He was quick to get the news before rushing to Brandon.
"My King," Halvar began, finding Brnadon among the King's guard laughing "An army has invaded from the east."
Brandon stiffened. "Who?"
"The Locke King."
A murmur of anger swept through Brandon's men. "Things just don't stop."
Brandon didn't hesitate. Rising from his seat, he turned to his men. "The Ironborn are broken. We've done here, but the wars continue. The Locke King thinks to take what is ours. We march in the morning. And we will not allow this coward to bring death to the Winter Kingdom."