Chapter 3 - Crossroads
Eddard
Ned rode silently beside the two guardsmen wearing Arryn colours. Returning from Winterfell to the Eyrie was long and tedious. When word had reached him of his mother's illness he had left the Eyrie at full speed, and he had made it just before she had passed. Brandon, had not despite being closer. He still did not know how that had happened. Karlyn when she had said her goodbyes to him, had said something about Brandon hunting when she had sent the initial messages. Which had seemed more Brandon than anything else, thus it was possibly true that he had not received the messages until well and truly too late.
His brother had a large amount of Wolfs Blood in his veins and it caused issues at times, though, Ned noted wryly as he rode swiftly down the Kingsroad with his escort, he was loyal to the pack. A pack, Karlyn had noted to him and Lyanna, which was now being separated. A pack which was no longer a pack.
Tugging his cloak around him, he reined in as they came to the cleared area around what was called the Crossroads Inn. One of the two guardsmen spoke "We should take shelter for the night."
The inn was three stories tall with turrets and chimneys made of white stone. Its south wing is built upon pilings that rise over a bed of weeds. The Trident once flowed under that wing, but the river has since moved. The long and drafty common room has wooden kegs at one end and a fireplace at the other; beer and wine are offered at the inn. The building has a kitchen a porch, and a cramped narrow staircase. The rooms upstairs have featherbeds, and some have hearths as well.
On the north side of the inn is a stable with a thatch roof and a bell tower, with garrets found beneath the tower. Past the stables was a forge. The building is surrounded by a low wall of moss-covered broken white stones.
Ned personally didn't like the inn, but he nodded. "Yes. See to our lodgings, I will see to the horses." He dismounted and took the reins of the three horses and headed for the stable. The other guardsman followed Ned, knowing that if he left the ward of the Warden of the East, alone and something happened then it would be his life.
Ned walked into the stables and found the stable lads already busy, with several horses. He paused and studied the banners on the horses backs. It was a blazon of a white sword and a falling star, crossing on a lavender background. House colours south of the Neck was not his strong point. So he casually studied the men assisting the Stable lads. One man was tall with tanned skin and black hair. He turned as if feeling the gaze of the lad holding the horses at the door.
The man frowned at Ned. "What are you wanting, boy!" he spat. His accent was Dornish Ned realised. And he obviously didn't recognize the sigils on Ned's cloak, or he didn't care. The Wolf of Stark and the Falcon of Arryn were clearly represented
"I am just waiting my turn to stable the horses" He replied. He felt the second guardsman at his back.
A Stable lad turned and said "Ah Lord Eddard, sorry for the delay." Ned was known as he had traveled this way many times. The Dornish man sneered but turned back to his fellow Dornish.
"No rush." Ned assured. "I can handle them myself if you are too busy."
"If you could start my lord, One of us will be with you shortly."
Ned nodded and led the three well ridden horses into the cool stables. He kept his head down as he and the guardsman, known as Felth worked to settle the horses before the stable lads joined them.
One, known as Ky Rivers gave a glance back at the departing Dornish and rolled his eyes. "Dornish, heading to the Eyrie to trade with Lord Arryn." He supplied the information.
Ned and Felth exchanged looks and both knew they would be sharing the roads with the group. If they were as surly as they seemed to be now, it would not make for a pleasant ride. They were still 5 days, minimum, from the Bloody Gate, and then another to the Eyrie.
Finishing up, making sure the horses had food and were well brushed, Ned and Felth moved into the Inn proper to seek their companion and food and bed before they set out the next morning.
In the tap room, Ned noticed the Dornish had taken over a corner near the large hearth but he let his gaze sweep the room and found the other guard, Ryln sitting at a table, ale and meat already on the table waiting for Ned and Felth. Together they moved and sat at the table, Ned kept his back to the room, allowing the two guards to watch the room.
"Well?" Ned asked as he reached for the trencher of meat to serve himself.
"They are traveling to the Eyrie. Lord Dayne and two of his children. Along with a retinue of 30 guards and 10 house servants."
"That's a lot to house here." Ned mused.
"Most of guards are in tents out the back." Ryln replied before taking a sip of ale. "They leave tomorrow morning. They want to be on the road early."
"Five days" Felth murmured.
"Yes" Ryln replied. "But they have carts, so they will be slower."
A laugh from the tables near the hearth cut through the noise of the room, stilling conversations. Ryln reported, sotto voice that one of the guardsmen, was joking around with a young man maybe 17 or so. "Not the heir" he muttered to Ned. "There is an older brother, back at home."
Ned smiled faintly. Ryln was a good snoop, and he loved gossip. "Family seat?"
"Starfall. In Dorne of course."
Ned nodded and finished his meal. "Just one child here?"
"No, there is a girl as well. Young. Younger than Lady Lyanna. She is upstairs with her maid"
"Upstairs. Well, a young girl really should not be down here." Ned said softly. "And we should head to bed, we need to go early as well." He pushed his chair back, stood. The two men with him nodded and followed suit, tossing a couple of coins at the barmaid as they left
The next morning dawned crisp and cool as Ned and Ryln saddled the horses. Ryln paused and looked over the tall back of the roan he was tightening the girth strap on. "Hmmm not good." he murmured so Ned looked up.
"What?" Ned asked.
"Young lady in the door yard."
Ned turned and spotted a young girl, younger, he noted than his sisters, by Karlyn, a couple of years, Lyanna, maybe a year. She was not dressed for the weather at all. Cloth, his mother would call silk, with short sleeves and a flowy skirt. Soft shoes, ill suited for the mud and cold were on her feet. She was walking resolutely towards the stables with a look of pure determination on her face. And her feet were getting covered in mud.
Ned sighed. "Okay, I will deal." he left the horses and moved out to intercept her.
"Excuse me, my Lady." he said his face as neutral as possible. "May I assist?"
The girl had black hair and purple eyes. And she studied him carefully, taking in his house sigils on his cloak and the three horses and other man behind him.
"I am Ashara Dayne. I am looking for my horse"
"Your horse my lady is probably still stabled. None of your house are out here at this time."
"So?" Came the response.
Ned bit back a sigh. It was like dealing with Lyanna when she was in a mood. "My lady, the weather, you are not properly dressed for it and if your father was aware of your being out here..."
"My father wants me to go to some stupid castle in the east. I want to go home. So I am going home. My horse?" she snapped regally.
"I am Eddard Stark, of House Stark. I am unable to identify your horse Lady Dayne," He paused "Ryln, go inside and find one of the Dayne retainers please"
"NO!" Snapped the girl. "Do not!"
Ryln sighed. "Sorry little lady, but he is my lord, I obey him." with that he deftly avoided the girl's angry eyes and stomping foot and all but raced into the inn. It had Ned thinking -Wimp- as Ryln vanished into the building.
Then Ned turned back to Ashara. He frowned. "How old are you?"
"6 name days" came the cold reply. She had crossed her arms, and he could see clearly the sigil of Starfall on her sleeve's cuff.
"Do you really think it is wise for a 6 year old girl to run away?" He asked.
She glowered at him, her eyes shooting violet daggers at him. From the door to the inn came the sound of footsteps and the young man who had been in the taproom the night before came out just ahead of Ryln at a run. He was wearing armour now, that gleamed slightly in the cold morning light. "Ashara!" he all but snapped at his younger sister. "What are you about?!"
She spun, and faced him. "Arthur, go away. I want to go home to Starfall!"
"Seven hells!" He groaned as he made it to them. He looked at Ned. "Lord Eddard, my thanks."
Figuring that Ryln had mentioned his name, or that the Dornish had asked around, Ned made no comment other than to bow politely. "You are welcome Lord Arthur." he replied. He then jumped to the side to avoid a little fist from the very upset 6 year old.
"Ashara!" Arthur snapped
But all Ned said was "Feisty. She will enliven the Eyrie for sure." Then he turned back to saddling his horses as Arthur, picked his sister up, over his shoulder and stalked back to the inn.
Ryln joined him chuckling under his breath. "Good dodge." he quipped.
"Shut up Ryln, and go get Felt and lets get going."
Authors Notes and Review responses:
Timeline of events:
254 - Alain Dayne Born
256 - Arthur Dayne born
257 - Elia Martell is Born
258 - Oberyon Martell born
259 - Rhaegar Targaryen born
262 - Jaime, Cersei Lannister Born. Brandon Stark Born. Robert Baratheon Born.
263 - Eddard Stark Born
264 - Karlyn Stark Born
265 - Catelyn Tully Born
266 - Lysa Tully born, Lyanna Stark Born
267 - Ashara Dayne born
268 - Benjen Stark born, Edmure Tully Born
269 - Allyria Dayne born
269- Tyrion Lannister was born. Lady Joanna Lannister survives.
273 - Lady Stark Dies. Karlyn Stark Fostered with the Lannisters, betrothed to Jaime Lannister.
Our story takes place between 273 and 285
Other events that will be shown:
276 - Birth of Viserys Targaryen
277 - The Defiance of Duskendale - possibly done a different way
281 - Tourney of Harrenhal - Possibly done a different way.