AN: Alright, let's get right in.
LEYTON
REACH-HIGHTOWER-LORD'S SOLAR
Lord Leyton Hightower was going through the daily motions of being Lord of a city. It was much busier than just being Lord of a keep. He had just finished signing a command ordering the deployment of troops to head to Dorne, when his son burst into the room.
"Father! An Ironborn ship is approaching!"
Color drained from Leyton's face. 'Balon, that madman.'
"Send the fleet out to meet them. We will remind the Ironborn why they failed last time."
"No Father. That is just it. They are waving a flag of parley." Baelor explained.
"And you believe them?" Leyton asked his son, looking at him as though he lost his wits.
"My Lord!" The newest Maester assistant ran up to the solar. "We received a raven from Pyke. They said that an Ironborn ship would be arriving. It will stay at sea while it's captain and a guard bring us a gift."
"Well talk about timing." Leyton muttered to himself. He supposed that however bad his actions, he needed to protect the city. "Have a dozen crossbowmen and another dozen skilled duelists head to the port. I will meet this captain myself."
Within the hour, Leyton and Baelor were watching two Ironborn row into port, with a half dozen crossbows on each of them.
One of the Ironborn stood up. He was tall and had a clean shaven jaw. "Lord Hightower I presume? My name is Gyles Farwynd. Heir to Lonely Light."
"Speak your business and make it quick." Leyton ordered the man.
Gyles smiled. "A gift. Proof of loyalty from the Ironborn, to the Iron Throne." He picked up a third passenger on the boat, one bound and having his limbs tied. Gyles removed the hood on the prisoner, to show a Dornishman.
"I believe you would be very interested in him. May I present to you, Prince Quentyn Martell."
Leyton looked shocked at the scene before him. Essentially the best hostage they could use in the war against Dorne, and he was delivered to them by the Ironborn of all people.
"Father, could that truly be him?" Baelor asked.
"He does resemble Doran from when he was younger." Leyton replied.
Turning back to the Ironborn, he asked. "How did you capture Prince Quentyn? I doubt Doran just let his son get on an Ironborn ship. For that matter, how did you go to Dorne in the first place? We would have seen movement if you had gone."
Gyles grinned again. "I would be glad to explain all these things once less ears are listening. And we have had bread and salt."
Leyton was silent for a moment, then he nodded, ordering the crossbowmen to lower their weapons. Even the Ironborn would not violate Guest Rights.
"What orders have you given your ship?" He asked as Gyles rowed up to land.
"They will wait for word for two days. If nothing, they will return to the islands, with word of my demise.
Leyton's men and the other Ironborn stood guard over Prince Quentyn, while Leyton and Baelor broke bread and salt with Gylles.
"You said you would explain?" Baelor started the conversation.
"Yes, well then, I believe I shall start with the how if it is all the same to you. My family's keep, Lonely Light is a full eight days northwest of Pyke. As such it is often forgotten about by most lords, even among the Ironborn. We were surprised when Lord Balon ordered us to head on to Dorne, first sailing west for an additional three days, then heading south. We were so far at sea, and the usual ships either focusing on Dorne, or by the coasts, that we were never spotted until we finally turned northeast after clearing the Arbor and reaching Dorne. We landed a day's ride east of the Brimstone." he explained as a servant came and filled their cups. Gyles picked up his goblet and swirled the Arbor Gold around. "From there, we met up with an...let's call him an old friend of my father. He led us to the keep the Prince was being guarded at, we snuck in, grabbed him, and hightailed it out."
"Yronwood." Leyton said. "Prince Quentyn was being warded at Yronwood. You're telling us that a band of Ironborn crossed the desert, then captured the Prince from one of the greates keeps in Dorne, and brought him back to your ship?"
Gyles laughed aloud. "It was easier than one would expect. You ever wonder how the Dornish managed to empty out so quickly whenever invaded?"
"Sparse population and camoflauge I would think." Baelor answered.
"Tunnels. They run all through Dorne. It is the closest guarded secret. Maesters who find out end up poisoned. Our friend led us to the tunnel's entrance, and we made it all the way to Yronwood. Ran into a few guards, but they were easy to deal with. Have some of our men make tracks outside, and they don't even think to look in the tunnel."
It was shit. Leyton knew that. Such a story was improbable at best. Yet he had no proof that it was wrong. And if he antagonized the Ironborn enough to cause trouble, especially when war was already being waged, Robert might just decide the Ironborn are in the right, and punish him. Besides, he was already under Guest Rights.
"Putting that aside, why bring him here? You could have brought him to Pyke."
Gyles finished his Arbor Gold before speaking. "See, that is the issue. The Prince got sick somehow. Guess the Dornish really don't belong on the water."
"So you need him treated?" Leyton surmised.
"Might as well keep him here. We will get the credit for his capture, and now I just have to report back to Balon, and the war is done. Besides, don't want to risk all of them being lost at sea if the weather is bad."
Leyton's attention was caught by that last remark. "What do you mean by 'Them'?"'
"While on our way back, we took a wrong turn and ended up in another keep. There, we overheard a lord speaking to a servant. Called her Ellaria, and said they regretted the Viper's death. So, seeing an opportunity, we waited for night, then snuck into the servant quarters and took the woman and her bastards. We will be taking them to Pyke."
After that, Gyles grabbed his guard and they returned to their ship, sailing back to the Iron Islands.
Later, Leyton would ask the Maesters to look at Quentyn. They found the boy to be barely hanging onto conscious, and his Life Points were still active from War Mode.
Q: 1500
DORAN
SUNSPEAR-PRINCE'S SOLAR
Doran was essentially in a walking sleep. He did the actions required, he spoke plans that he thought up, and he listened to his advisors. But ask him to repeat what he said, or what was said to him and his mind was empty. Why would it not be? His Son was gone.
He had been gone for half a moon, mayhaps more by now. When the raven came from Yronwood, he could hardly believe it. IRONBORN of all things. They had killed Ser Gerris Drinkwater, cut off Darkstar's arm, and abducted Quentyn while also avoiding detection through the heart of Dorne. Yet there was no mistake, it was them, as a raider wearing the sigil of House Farwynd of Lonely Lights had been killed by Ser Archibald Yronwood.
There was only one answer. One way such a thing was possible. There was a traitor. And Doran knew just who it was.
Daeron Uller.
It was the only possible answer. The Ironborn had come to raid the shores near Hellholt, but Daeron had come to claim the keep he felt should be his. Seeing an opportunity, the disgraced Dornishman had allied with them, and led them to Yronwood. That would also explain how they escaped capture. Daeron had been on the run for weeks already. A few missing scouting parties probably ran into them, and that was how they escaped detection.
Soon, another tragedy reached his ears. Ellaria and her daughters had disappeared from the Red Dunes. There was no sign of a struggle. They went to bed in a spare servants room, and when no one saw them, the keep was searched. Doran had suspected they were also taken by the Ironborn, as the seat of House Vaith was near enough to the sea that the Ironborn could sneak along the coast. Especially if they were disguised as a royal fleet ship.
Then, just earlier today, a raven arrived from King's Landing. Doran knew what it said before he even opened it.
'Prince Doran of House Martell,
As you are no doubt aware, both your son Quentyn, and your brother's paramour and bastards have been captured and taken hostage. Rest assured that they are under the throne's protection, albeit they are not in the capital. Come to King's Landing, swear fealty to the crown, and step down as Prince of Dorne. If you do so, your family will be returned to you, and we can work out other concessions once War Mode has ended. I have sent my troops ravens ordering them to hold the keeps they already control, but to cease advancements. If you do not respond within 5 days of receiving this letter, they will continue their march towards Sunspear.
Do the right thing. For both your family and your people.
Robert, of the House Baratheon, First of the Name.
'I have held out long enough, have I not brother?' Doran thought to himself. 'If he speaks true, then I can avenge Ellia, and save your girls.'
Doran tried to think through every possibility. He does nothing, and the Dornish get another five days at least to shore up their defenses, but with the blockades and loss of land, they would eventually lose a siege. He could order an attack in the five days, but that would mean ending any attempt to sue for peace from a relatively strong position. He could accept the terms of surrender, and if Robert spoke truth, then it would be the end. If he lied, then Dorne would be leaderless. What else could go wrong?
Doran noticed a servant bring him a plate of blood oranges grown in the Water Gardens. Doran picked one up, and tore the skin off. He then bit into it, only to spit it out.
'Overripe.' Doran thought to himself. Then he realized it.
'Just like me. I have been too cautious. I waited too long to strike, waiting for the perfect moment. Jon Arryn was in Dorne after the Sack. We could have taken him hostage. When Robert came to fight, we may have lost but we could have taken him with us. I have spent years waiting for the PERFECT opportunity, while ignoring great opportunities that would likely have worked.
He called in Maester Caollete. "Send a raven to the capital. Tell them I will be arriving as soon as travel can be arranged. We have lost enough."
ARYA
WINTERFELL- ARYA'S ROOM
It was strange with Winterfell so empty.
Of course it was not really. Septa Mordane was still there to scold her and praise Sansa, Jeyne and Beth, who laughed at her failures. The cooks were still in the kitchens. Ser Rodrick was still instructing the boys everyday.
Even so, half of the guards had left with father, Jory included.
And with Jon gone to Greywater Watch, she was stuck duelling just Robb, Theon and Bran.
She wished she could be in Dorne. They had heard reports about War Mode. Arya wanted to see it for herself. She could kill monsters herself, or have her monsters fight people. If it was always active, then she would be able to show Mother that she did not need a husband to take care of her.
Speaking of Mother, she had been different. Not really noticeable, but if Arya had to describe it, it was like when a persistent annoyance was finally dealt with. Like when Sansa did her hair when she was younger and she hated how tight it felt.
Of course what Mother's annoyance was was obvious. Jon. He had left about two weeks after Father had departed, it was a simple thing, escorting the men back to The Neck, but they had to inform Lord Howland about it and wait for his reply. To do so, they sent a raven to one of his banners, and that banner sent a rider to Greywater Watch, so it took a while to get everything ready. That was when her changes had started.
Even so, something that had not changed, was Arya's inability to win a duel.
R: 2450 A: 1050
"My move." Robb said as he drew.
"First I play Block Defense, forcing your Sonic Chick into Attack Mode." He turned Sonic Chick the correct way. "Next, I will sacrifice my Frostosaurus, remove your Mask of The Accursed from it, and summon my Sword Arm of Dragon. It attacks, and with my Royal Decree still active, you can not activate your trap cards, assuming they were more than just a bluff."
R: VICTORY A: DEFEAT
"And that is that." Robb said with a grin.
Arya was getting sick of this losing streak. It made sense; her deck was made out of the discarded cards of the others, of course it would be weaker than theirs. The only one who gave her good cards was Jon, and she realized that he likely let her win whenever she beat him. Bran, Theon and Robb never gave her a break, and she was not sure if she preferred to lose on her own, or get a win even if it should not have happened.
She was glad for the chance to duel Robb. With father gone, he had to become the lord in some aspects, but others Mother and Maester Luwin took care of so Robb would not have too much responsibility before he was ready for it.
"If I had my own deck, I would have won." Arya said annoyed.
"And if you did not put a bucket of horse dung above Sansa's door, you would have your deck by now." Robb retorted.
"She deserved that." Arya said and would say no more.
"Mayhaps." Robb said before getting a thoughtful look on his face. "You know, Mother does not actually look through your deck when she takes it away, does she?"
"No. She just takes it." Arya replied, wondering what he was thinking.
"Next time you get it back and get in trouble, give her your spare deck instead. She won't know the difference."
Arya suddenly got a big grin on her face at the thought of that. She could finally start winning on her own.
With that done, the conversation turned to other things, specifically, Jon and Father.
"A raven from Castle Cerwyn said Jon departed there a few days ago, so if he sticks to the Kingsroad he should be there and back before we know it." Robb told her.
"Why did he have to go anyway? They are guards, they could have gotten back themselves." Arya retorted.
"Lord Howland is one of Father's closest friends. Some things require more gratitude than others." Robb tried to explain.
"And Father?" Arya asked.
"He is still in the Capital. But with the capture of Prince Quentyn and the Red Viper's children, the war should be ending soon. He may actually be back before Jon if the winds are good."
JON
BARROWLANDS-KINGSROAD
"We got the food." Ygritte said as she and Dryn came with hands filled with rabbits.
"And we got the fire." Jon announced as the sparks lit the wood. "Skin them and we can roast them."
Soon, all five of them were eating roasted rabbit.
Jon was at first surprised to learn that Ygritte and Dryn wanted to join them in heading to Greywater Watch. When asked, Ygritte had said "Never seen a swamp before. Wonder what it looks like." Dryn echoed the same sentiment.
There was of course concern for two hostages to leave Winterfell, but they figured that they would not endanger the others. Ned even remarked before leaving that Jon would be safer in a group, even a small one.
And so, Jon's solo task of escorting the Reed men had turned into a group effort.
"So, what do you think of The North?" Jon asked them.
"Y'mean the South." Ygritte said.
"The name of the kingdom is The North." Jon pointed out.
"I've been to the North. This is South of it. As for what its like...A lot less snow than I thought." Ygritte answered.
"You should have seen her on the way down here. We all thought the first stone building south of the wall was where the King was." Dryn mentioned, only to get smacked on the head.
"You should hear the Southerners who visit. They don't have any snow outside of Winter." Jon spoke.
"How d'you know? You been down there for yourself?" Dryn asked.
"Not since I was a babe. I was born in the south, but that is all I know." Jon explained.
Soon they were finished eating, and were about to put out the fire when Dryn noticed something in the distance on the road. "Riders." he announced to the others.
A group of ten riders, one of them a woman in riding leathers dyed black, approached them. Once they got closer, Jon recognized the quartered sigil of Houses Dustin and Ryswell.
When they were noticed, the men rode right up to them. "You! what are you Crannogmen doing on Dustin Land?" he pointed to Deryck, the elder of the Reed men.
"Returning to our Lord Howland Reed of Greywater Watch." He answered.
"Really? Your companions do not look like they live in a swamp." The lady among them remarked. Her hair was equal parts brown and grey, and she had wrinkles around her eyes and mouth.
Jon figured that as it was his task to see the Reed men returned, he had to step up. "You'd be right. I am Jon Snow, Lord Eddard tasked me and the others to see these men return safely.
The woman stared at him, as though seeing a ghost, before an iron mask descended on her face.
"Truly? And how do we know this? A bastard's loyalty is less secure than a chair that's been plagued by termites. For all we know, you started your own bandit group. You have already stolen from me." She gestured to the rabbit skins still visible.
"We have done no such thing." Jon spoke out. "King Viserys, first of his name, declared all animals within a mile of the Kingsroad to be under no lord."
"Mayhaps," The lady now identified as Barbery Dustin conceded. "Still, you have not answered the other possibility. Am I supposed to just let bandits harry my people?"
"We are not bandits. We are just on our way down the Kingsroad, same as you." Jon replied. This was getting bad. He had heard from Father that Barbery was not a friend, but he did not expect such hostility.
"More riders from the north." Dryn announced. Everyone looked and barely made out a group of five or so riders. The banner however was clear, even from a distance.
"Bolton" Both Jon and Barbery muttered at once.
Soon, Roose Bolton, lord of the dreadfort, arrived to see the gathering.
"Lady Dustin, I was expecting to run into you earlier. I wondered what kept you busy, and now I see. Pray tell, what is going on here?" Roose announced in a quiet voice.
Lady Dustin put her iron mask back on and answered the leech lord. "Apparently, Lord Stark decided to get some use of his bastard after all these years. He's escorting Reed men back to the Neck."
"I see." Roose rode up, so he and his horse were right in front of Jon. "So, you are the Bastard of Winterfell. I see your mother left nothing of herself in you. You look just like your father and uncle. I look forward to seeing you and your family again." Roose turned back to Lady Dustin. "Well then, shall we be on our way? You said you knew a girl that would make a good match for Domeric."
"Of course My Lord. Let us go." Barbery and her men turned their horses around, and they accompanied the Boltons back into the Barrowlands.
Jon sighed in relief, but also wondered why Ygritte had not said anything. He turned and noticed Dryn behind her, holding a knife to her back, likely to keep her quiet.
"You know that doesn't work anymore with the cards?" he pointed out.
"It was more of a reminder." Dryn explained.
"Who was that?" Ygritte asked.
"That was Lady Barbery Dustin. She holds the lands to the west of the Kingsroad. She also hates House Stark for some reason, but father never told me."
"I thought Lords held the land, not their wives." Ygritte pointed out. "Your sister complains about it enough."
"She is a special case. Technically, House Dustin is dead. Her husband died fighting the Targaryens during the Rebellion, as did his uncle and great uncle. With no blood related members of the house, there is no one to carry on the line. My father was actually asking about who the heir was a few years ago, but I am unsure who gets the land once she dies." Jon explained.
"And the man with the pale skin and a voice that just feels wrong to hear?" Dryn asked.
"Lord Roose Bolton. Lord of the Dreadfort. His wife was Lady Dustin's sister. I guess they remained in touch, they were talking about wedding his son to someone."
"I've heard of the Bolton's." Ygritte said, her arm instinctively going to her bow and pointing it at the Kingsroad where they were just barely in view.
"Rumors, I am sure. They haven't flayed since bending the knee." Jon assured her.
"You know nothing Jon Snow. Men do not change as easily as their words." She said.
"In any case, I say give them a day to get ahead, then we can continue on." Jon decided, and no one objected.
LEYTON
HIGHTOWER-LORD'S SOLAR
"You are certain?" Leyton asked, saddened by what the Archmaester in front of him said.
"I am afraid so. It is some illness we have no answer for. Ever since he got here, the Dornish boy has been growing weaker and paler. He never fully regained consciousness. And since we are not in Dorne, we can not use this 'War Mode' to save him, if that was even an option."
"What if we rushed him to the Dornish Border? Then we could heal him." Leyton suggested.
"It would do no good. The boy's Life points are less than 500. He would never survive such a trip, by land or ship. I am afraid, Prince Quentyn is as good as dead."
AN:
As you can guess, Gyles is lying. Specifically, everything after he picks up Arbor Gold is a lie. He does have Ellaria, but that is not how they were captured. Basically, Darkstar had other like minded Dornishmen help, but they used actual monsters for the switch, and then killed them, leaving no trace unlike the Ironborn corpse he used.
Doran is a wreck, and decides that he has done everything he can. In the past, he was always patient, waiting for the right moment, now he is making a choice.
Arya gives us a rundown on Winterfell, and Robb suggests a solution to Arya's losing streak.
Jon and Ygritte are heading to Greywater Watch, and they run into some trouble along the way. Ironically, Roose ends up saving them, as Lady Dustin knows that Roose could hold her actions against her to blackmail her.
Finally, despite being the key to peace, Quentyn is not long for this world.
Also, I am thinking of stopping using italics for the first time a card is used. As I start having the same people make multiple appearances, it will just take longer to check if the card is new or not.
Hope you are all well. Feel free to comment, and see you all next chapter.