Chapter 14 5 страница

" Southerner? " Small Jon growled, as he too stepped forward with his sword drawn. " We're in the North, you Wildling fuck. Not the south! "

Impressively, the woman did not back down despite the fact she had Dacey's mace in her face and had the Small Jon closing in on her. " We be south of the Wall. That makes you all southerners. "

Snarling, the Umber heir kept his eyes on the Wildling woman, " Ice River Clan or not, she still a fucking Wildling south of the Wall. Let me deal with her, Lord Stark. I'll make it quick, more than the likes of her deserves. "

" No, not yet, " Jon's father ordered as he moved past Dacey and Small Jon to stand before the Wildling woman who, to her credit, did not back down from his father's gaze. " What is your name? "

The woman's head flickered, mimicking that of a cornered cat looking for a way to escape being caught. " Osha. "

" Osha, " his father repeated with a nod. " How did you get south of the Wall? Were there any others with you? And where are the Black Brothers that helped this group cross the gorge? "

Licking her lips, the newly named Osha seemed unable to look away from Jon's father. Frowning, Jon concentrated on the two standing nearly toe-to-toe, and felt a strange sensation coming from the Force that seemed to be passing between his father and Osha.

" Two crows helped me and two others of me clan cross gorge long before these ones crossed, " Osha stated, her voice gaining a strange almost dream like sound to it. " They be nice enough for crows. Both wanted a tumble with me, but neither was strong enough to claim it. We be hidin and makin our way as far south as south goes, but we didn't get far. These Ice River fucks surprised us in the night. They turned the two crows with us in ta meals. Cooked em slow on a low fire while they still be alive. After they ate the crows with them as well, they ate my clansman as well. I…They was savin me for some celebration feast they said this morn. Then almost all left to fight. But only a few came back. And – what? Fuck! …What did ya do to me, Stark?! "

" Impressive, Lord Stark, " Lord Nox stated as he stepped up beside Jon's father. " Usually, one has to train for years in order to do what you just did on a whim. Either you've been holding out on me or we need to reevaluate your Force sensitivity. "

" Sorcerer, " Osha whispered fearfully.

" Relax, woman, " Nox said dismissively. " If I wanted you dead, you would be dead already. " That didn't calm the woman down, though she no longer looked ready to run at the first opportunity.

" Who cares why she came south? " Umber growled once more. " She's a fucking Wildling! Let's just end her already. "

Osha's hair whipped through the air as she looked between Jon's father, Lord Nox, and the Umber heir. " Give me my life, milord, and I'm yours, " Osha cried, surprising just about everyone as she dropped to her knees before Jon's father.

His father's face remained impassive as he stared down at the Wildling woman prostrating herself before him. " Swear it upon the Old Gods, " Lord Stark demanded, surprising everyone as Osha looked up at him, hope welling within her.

Osha didn't hesitate. " I swear upon the Old Gods, milord. I am yours if ye spare me life. "

" And I accept your oath, Osha, formerly of the Wildings and now a subject to House Stark, " Lord Stark spoke clearly and loudly for all to hear, making sure that everyone knew that this woman was now under House Stark's protection. " Find some clothes. And when we return to Winterfell, I shall find a use for you. "

Osha nodded quickly before scampering off to scour the camp in order to find proper clothing. " You two, " his father said, pointing towards two Stark guards standing behind him without even looking. " Return to where we tied our horses off and collect them. Everyone else, scour the camp for anything that might prove useful and load it up onto the wagons with the mules. We'll be taking what we can back with us to Winterfell and put it to use. "

Though a few didn't look too terribly pleased with recent events, especially Small Jon, the words of Jon's father were absolute in the North. And with nary a word said, the men and Dacey began to search through the camp looking for anything that might be of use. The only ones who didn't were Jon, Robb, their father, and Lord Nox.

" Father, " Robb said cautiously, his eyes seeking out the Wildling woman who'd managed to find some furs and was currently in the process of changing behind a wagon. " Why did you take that woman in? She's a Wildling. She'll betray us at the first opportunity. "

" No, she won't, " their father replied, surprising Robb and Jon. " There was no lie in her and she meant her oath. If she does betray the trust of House Stark, she will not only die, but she will be forever cursed by the gods as an oath breaker. "

Robb seemed to mull that thought over in his head. " But why even take the risk, father? She's a Wildling. They're all savages. "

" What have I told you about generalizing a group of people, Robb? " their father asked in a tone that both boys recognized easily. It was the tone of voice he took whenever he was lecturing the two on the art of ruling. " Are all Northerners the same? Our people range from those who reside in the Mountain Clans to the Skagosi and the people of White Harbor. Are they all the same? Are all southerners the same? The people in the Riverlands and the Vale are as different from those in Dorne and the Stormlands as night is from day. In the south, there are many that consider us in the North to be little more than barbarian heathens who're only a step above the Wildlings. Are they right? No. I have always told you boys that the sins of the parents are not carried by their children. And the same can be said for a group of people. The many are not beholden to the sins of a few. "

His words, even though they weren't the first time Jon had heard him, struck him like one of Lord Nox's punches. He could've sworn that his father was trying to say something to him, personally, without actually saying it. But for the life of him, he couldn't figure out just what that was.

" But that is only part of the reason why I took that woman into our household, " his father continued. " Recently, the Wildlings have begun raiding the North more and more. But more than that, some are not necessarily raiding but rather are almost fleeing. Then there is the new King-Beyond-the-Wall that has managed to do what few others have done before by gaining the allegiance of almost every Wildling tribe north of the Wall. The Night's Watch can tell us much, but in the end, it is only one side of what is going on. She can probably provide us with more of what is happening from the perspective of the Wildlings. "

For the briefest of moments, Jon could've sworn that it was Lord Nox lecturing the two of them and not their father. The lesson was so like one often given by Lord Nox that Jon was tempted to do a scan of his father with the Force just to make sure his Master wasn't pulling a trick of the mind on them both.

" Leave no stone unturned, " Jon said, repeating the words Nox had often said to both himself and Robb. " And do not trust what everyone knows. But rather seek the truth for yourself. "

" Very good, Jon, " his father nodded. " Now, both of you get along helping the others. I want to return to Lord Manderly and your sisters before nigh—"

A powerful disturbance in the Force rung in Jon's ears, drowning out whatever his father had said. If he hadn't already experienced the disturbance in the Force with Shireen Baratheon, he was sure that he would've been brought to his knees. But thankfully he was able to push the disturbance back from the pounding sensation in his head to little more than a dull ache. Robb however wasn't as fortunate as he found his brother nearly bent in half and dry heaving while Lord Nox and even their father were both staring off in the direction the disturbance came from. " Lord Nox…father? "

" We all felt it, Jon, " Lord Nox stated plainly.

" What…What was th – father? " Jon called out as his father began walking off into the woods.

Jon and Robb, who'd only just recovered, both moved to stop him, only to be stopped themselves as Lord Nox held out his arm, blocking their path. " What is happening is the will of the Force and needs to happen. " Lord Nox explained, lowering his arm, " We'll follow Lord Stark, but do nothing to stop him. "

Knowing better than to question an order given by Lord Nox, Jon and Robb both eagerly nodded their heads and together the three of them left the Wilding encampment, following their father who was walking hurriedly into the woods. They only walked for maybe quarter of a mile at best when Jon heard running water in the distance. Along with the breaking of branches and the cries of two distinct animals. His father broke into a run, leaving the three of them rushing to catch up as a small stream came into view.

The source of the noise stole Jon's breath from his lungs. For standing on the edges of the stream not a stone's throw from where they were was the largest stag Jon had ever seen in his entire life! Even more surprising than the stag was what it was fighting against. A wolf. A wolf that could rival the size of horse! Both animals were covered in blood, cuts, and bite marks as the two circled and lunged at one another time and time again. 'Not a wolf, ' he realized, still in a daze. 'A direwolf! The symbol of House Stark. '

While Jon could do little more than stare in awe at the near-mythical creature and sigil of his father's house, the stag let out a bellow and lowered its antlers in order to skewer the direwolf through the beast's side as it darted back and forth. Yet before the antlers could so much as ruffle the wolf's fur, the beast's head did a sudden upturn as it twisted in place while its body remained still. Its neck breaking in several places with the sounds of a tree falling in the forest. Jon didn't need to look to know who had killed the stag. He'd seen the same technique several times over the past few years and knew of only one who had the control and the power to perform such a feat.

With its adversary suddenly dead, the direwolf immediately lowered itself towards to the ground, its head moving slowly as it looked for what saved it the trouble of killing the beast. When its eyes landed on the four of them, it immediately started to growl, but otherwise stayed still. Deciding to put some more of his training to the test, Jon reached out through the Force, trying feel out the massive direwolf. 'It…No…She's…afraid. But not of us. But rather, she's…she's guarding something. But…what? '

Hearing a sword leave its sheath, Jon looked it time to see his father stab Ice into the soft ground near the stream. " The three of you stay here, " he ordered in a tone that brokered no argument as he slowly stepped through the stream, cautiously approaching the wolf with his hand outstretched towards the horse-sized direwolf.

" What's he doing? " Robb gasped, moving to follow their father, only to stop as Jon and Lord Nox both held out their arms to stop him.

" He's following the will of the Force, " Lord Nox stated plainly, a light smile playing at the corner of his lips. " Now, shut up, stay still, and watch. "

Staying silent, the three watched as Lord Stark crossed the small stream and made his way down the bank on the opposite side. His eyes never leaving the direwolf's as he drew steadily closer while the wolf held its ground. " Easy, girl, " his father said gently, his soft voice carrying over the running water as Jon waited with bated breath for whatever was about to happen to, well, happen. " I mean you no harm, girl. Nor do I seek your prey. I mean only to help. "

If Jon had any doubt as to the supposed intelligence of a direwolf, they were firmly put to rest as the wolf, in response to his father's words, stopped growling and it's face relaxed. It kept its eyes firmly on his father, but it looked more…relaxed than it had before he spoke. When less than an arm's length separated the two of them, his father went to one knee before the massive wolf with his hand less than a finger width from its snout. The wolf eyed the hand warily and gave it a tentative sniff. And then… And then Jon needed to check if he was dreaming as the wolf leaned its snout into his father's hand.

" By the gods old and new, " Robb breathed as they watched their father do the impossible as he gently caressed the head of the wolf.

" Easy, girl, " he could hear his father mumble lowly as his other hand came up to join the first on the wolf's head. " Let's take away that pain of yours. "

Feeling a rush of the Force, Jon blinked as the wolf jumped back from his father, suddenly on guard again. But as the wolf made to snarl, it stopped. Then turned its head towards the several blood spots that covered its fur and gave each a tentative lick as if trying to figure out just why its wounds no longer hurt or bled. Rising from his knee, Lord Stark kept close eye contact with the wolf as he slowly took a few steps back from the carcass of the stag. " It's all yours, girl, " he said loudly and clearly. " Stay safe. "

Turning his back on the wolf, Lord Stark started trudging back through the stream making his way towards them. Just as he crossed the stream, a low howl from the wolf brought him back around. The direwolf, now having all of their attention once more, went over to the hindquarters of the stag and, with one powerful twist of its head, ripped off one of the beast's legs and threw it across the stream towards Lord Stark. It then grabbed what was left of the stag and dragged it into the woods away from the stream and disappearing.

" Fucking hells, " Robb breathed as their father bent down and picked up the full leg of the stag. " Have you ever seen anything like that before? "

" Seen? " Jon mumbled, still not fully believing just what he'd seen. " I've never even heard of anything like that. "

" I have, " Lord Nox commented, his sightless eyes focused across the bank where the wolf had disappeared to. " Just hadn't expected to see it here, and with one untrained with animal bonding through the Force. You Starks… Every time I think I have you lot figured out, you just keep finding more and more ways of surprising me. "

Drumming his fingers against the small table that had been set out in the large tent that'd been assembled for Lord Stark's use. Nox sat with Ned, Wyman, Robb, Jon, and the heirs or spares that'd gone with them to Valyria and were now accompanying them back to Winterfell where they would meet up with their families once more. The main topic of discussion of course was revolving around the Wildling attack, their subsequent finding of the Wildlings' camp, and the saving of only prisoner left alive. Osha, the former Wildling woman who was now in service to House Stark. On their trek back to the main column, she had told Ned and everyone else everything she knew about Mance Rayder and why there had been such a dramatic increase in Wildling activity south of the Wall as of late.

There was unrest North of the Wall, unrest far greater than anything the Lord Commander of the Night's Watch had reported, or perhaps even knew about. Entire clans going missing without any warning. Their settlements seemingly completely abandoned with nary a body to be found. Unnatural cold killing people by the dozens. Her reasoning for what was going on, as well as for how and why Mance Rayder had managed to become King-Beyond-the-Wall, had shook many to their core.

" —She's a Wildling, my lord! " Jon Umber was near shouting as he stood before Ned, his face one of deep anger. " We cannot trust anything she says! We should just kill her and be done with it! "

" We Mormonts have more reason than any to hate the Wildlings, Small Jon, " Dacey chimed in, her voice set with a noticeable edge. " And normally I would agree with you on this. But this woman, Osha, she was a prisoner and the next meal for those cannibal fuckers. Plus, she swore an oath of fealty to Lord Stark under the Old Gods. The Wildlings are many things, but they take the gods very, very seriously. She will not break such an oath easily. "

Umber was clearly not pleased with her response, as he no doubt expected Dacey to support his view given her home of Bear Island being a frequent target of Wildling raids. But before he could press the matter, Wyman changed the direction away from Osha and rather to the bit of information she was willing to provide to prove herself sincere. " Lord Stark has taken the woman into his Household, and I for one will abide by his decision. But I am far more concerned with the reasons she gave for the increase in Wildling raids we've seen as of late. "

The shift in conversation brought about an abrupt shift within the tent as everyone present began to awkwardly shift themselves around. " The Others, wights and white walkers, " Eddard Karstark shivered just saying the names. " They're legends from a time long since passed, nothing more. "

" All legends have to come from somewhere, " Robb said, drawing attention to himself. " We all know the Children are real, despite no one having seen them for centuries. We know the Old Gods are real. Lord Nox has brought his magic to the North and shown that there those who can use the same magic as he. With these things that we know, is it really that much of a stretch to believe that the Others might too exist? "

" And if the Others did not truly exist, they why did Bran the Builder construct the Wall in the first place? " Jon asked rather pointedly. " We of the North do not squander our resources like the soft Lords of the South. " That got more than a few grunts of affirmation and chuckles. " And such a sentiment must have been even more relevant back in the Age of Heroes. If all Bran the Builder was trying to do was keep out the Wildlings, who didn't even exist at the time, then he wouldn't have made the Wall as large as he did. No, he constructed the Wall with the aid of the First Men, the Children of the Forest, and giants because they were trying to keep something out. Something terrible. Something they managed to drive to the Far North but not defeat. What other enemy could it possibly be other than the White Walkers and their Wights? "

Feeling Ned's attention on him, Nox got up from his seat and took his turn addressing those assembled. " When I first came to this land, I will admit I had not intended to stay, " Nox admitted, drawing surprised looks from everyone save for Ned who knew where Nox was heading. " The children of House Stark were a drawing point I will admit as I had never encountered an entire family of Force sensitives like them before. But even that wouldn't have been enough to keep me here. No, what kept me in the North was because of something that happened on my first night within the walls of Winterfell. "

Pausing to make sure he had everyone's undivided attention, he pressed on with his tale. " Before dawn, I felt a pull coming from the godswood. I made my way through the godswood to the weirwood, and when I stood before the ancient tree, I was granted a Force Vision unlike any I had ever experienced in my entire life. The vision was of the future, but not just one future. But of dozens, perhaps hundreds, of possible futures each one different than the last. Even years later, I still do not fully understand what I saw or even specific details. But there was one aspect of the future that occurred in every iteration of the future I saw. And that was that a darkness would come from the far north and spread across the land. First, the North would fall. Then the rest of Westeros would fall. And then the rest of the world would fall as other different dark entities from around the world added to its strength. I spent weeks searching for anything that might match the darkness that I saw. In the end, I came to only one possible conclusion for what we will be facing in the future. "

" The Others, " Robb stated.

" Aye, " Nox nodded. " It was the only logical conclusion I could come up with. "

" If…If you've known the Others were coming for us, then why the fuck haven't you said anything for years? " Umber growled, taking a menacing step towards him.

Not backing down, Nox let his aura flare slightly. The effect was immediately apparent everyone in the tent, save for Ned, Robb and Jon, all shivered and the Small Jon even seemed to shrink in on himself as he backed down. " I had a theory and a vision, not proof. Without proof, my conjectures were meaningless. Even if I had presented my thoughts to the other Northern Lords or even the King, do you think the reaction would've been any different than yours just a moment ago? " Nox let that sink in before pressing onwards. " Do not think for a moment that I have been just sitting on my ass doing nothing for years, Umber. I saw in my vision that the best chance we have of surviving what is coming is for there to be a strong North. And that has been my sole purpose for years: to strengthen the North to the point where it could, at the very least, stall what is coming in time to get help from the other Kingdoms. "

" And Nox has not been acting alone in this, " Ned spoke up, coming to his defense. " While Nox has not given voice to his visions in the past, he has spoken about them to me along with his theories. And he has had my full support these past seven years. And as Nox has always been honest with me and has given me no reason to doubt his word, I will continue to give him my full support. As will all of you. "

The ultimatum, for that was exactly what it was, was met with silence.

" I do not doubt what you believe you saw in this…vision of yours, Sorcerer. " Wyman started slowly as if he were carefully choosing each word before saying them. " You have done nothing but better the North since you arrived. I dare say you have done more for the North since the Starks unified it as a single kingdom. If for some reason this vision of yours does not come to pass, then the North will be in a far better place than it was in. And if, gods forbid, your dark vision does come to pass, then I will give thanks to the gods old and new that you have done all that you have and that you are on our side. And you and your children and your children's children will always have a place of honor in White Harbor for your actions. "

" Well, I can't speak for my unc – I mean, my mother, " Dacey added, catching herself as a spike of anger coursed through her. " But Bear Island will only follow the Starks. And if Lord Stark says to keep trusting you, then that is exactly what we'll do. "

" Same with House Karstark, " Eddard added.

All eyes turned to Small Jon, who was not looking pleased at being the last one to speak. " I still think this is all horse shit, " Small Jon muttered. " But I suppose you've earned your place and the benefit of the doubt, sorcerer. My father respects you, and that isn't something that many can say, sorcerer. Just don't expect me to sit down and share a horn of ale with those Wildling cunts. "

" Your words and actions are appreciated, " Ned said as Umber took his seat once more. " At the end of the Fair, after my son Robb's name-day celebration, I will bring up this topic once more to your fathers and mothers. And our course will be set from there. For now, get some rest, but Lord Manderly, Lord Nox. I would like you two to stay behind. I would have more words with the both of you. "

Having been dismissed, all the occupants of the tent save for Wyman and Nox quickly moved to leave. Though Robb and Jon both tried to stay, they were both quickly dismissed and fled the tent after but a single look from Ned. Now alone, Ned let out the heavy sigh that he'd obviously been holding in and sank down into a stool as the events of the day finally caught up with him.

" This was a good start, " Nox began, retaking his own stool and pushing a cup of ale towards Ned and Wyman. " But this was the easy part. "

" Aye, " Ned nodded, taking the cup and draining it. " You were right, Nox. The Others…By the gods, I can't even wrap my mind around it. "

" Neither can I, Lord Stark. " Wyman added, holding his own cup but not drinking it. " And I doubt that anyone south of the Neck will even give the thought the time of day either. 'Grumpkins and snarks, ' they'll say. 'A problem for the Far North, ' they'll say. If they even admit that they exist in the first place. "

" We'll need proof, " Ned sighed.

" Proof that will not be easy to come by, " Nox added. " For thousands of years, these creatures have bided their time, waiting until they have faded into obscurity and the minds of men have long since dismissed their threat. Unless we can unite the realm behind the idea that they are a problem, they will overrun the North. And once they have turned every man, woman, child and beast into one of their drones they will work their way through the South. And once they do, there will be no stopping them. And providing proof to the South isn't the only thing we have to worry about. The Wildlings have to be kept in mind as well. "

" Aye, " Wyman nodded. " If the King-Beyond-the-Wall manages to breach the Wall, then it could provide a means for the Others to cross through. "

" That is one concern, " Nox acquiesced. " But I was thinking more along the lines of them all being turned into wights, thralls for the Others. That is something that we cannot allow to have happen. "

Wyman caught on quickly enough as his head went back and forth between Ned and Nox. " You – You mean to have the Wildlings cross the Wall? My Lord, this... You know that I will always stand behind House Stark. But—But you're asking for the North to test their loyalty to you and your House against their hatred for the Wildlings. "

" This is not a decision that I am making lightly, Wyman. " Ned countered. " And it is not something that will happen immediately. Not without proof. Even then, it will only occur when we are left with no other choice. But Nox is right, as he usually is. I would much rather have a hundred thousand battle-hardened Wildlings fighting on our side rather than on the side of the Others should they ever show themselves again. And you are right, Wyman. I am asking our Lords to test their loyalty to House Stark against their hatred for our longtime enemy. And I will need your help and support in this endeavor. "

Wyman didn't even hesitate before he got up from his chair and went down to one knee. It was impressive just how spry the nearly morbidly obese man was. " House Stark saved my House long ago, Lord Stark. Your ancestors gave mine a home when we had nowhere to turn. You have my loyalty, my Lord. From now until the end of time. "

It was dramatic, but Nox had grown used to dramatic oaths of fealty during his time as a Dark Council member. Of course, the difference between then and now was that Wyman meant his oath. In the Empire, such an oath would last only for as long as the one who swore the oath was weak. The moment they gained even the slightest advantage, they would forsake their oath and take power for themselves. It was a rather refreshing change of pace if he was to be honest. Though he wasn't naive enough to believe that all the Lords of the North would be as quick to accept Ned's reasoning as Wyman had been. After all, hate is a difficult obstacle to overcome.

" We may have to place this discussion on hold for a time, Ned, Wyman, " Nox said as he felt two very familiar presences coming back towards them with a third in tow. " It appears Talisa has something she wishes to speak to us about and has convinced Robb and Jon to accompany her. "

Waving his hand, Nox parted the curtains of the tent with the Force just as Robb was leaning forwards to announce their arrival. " Boys, Lady Talisa, " Ned greeted the three, motioning for them to come inside, which they immediately did before Nox let the heavy canvas fall closed.

" Father, " Jon and Robb chorused with Talisa adding. " Lord Stark. "

Talisa had certainly made her mark on Ned and Wyman, as Nox knew that she would. The moment the battle had concluded, she had set to work seeing to any and all that were injured during the fight without even needing to be asked to do so. According to Wyman, her actions had ensured that at least a few could keep their limbs that'd been wounded and even saved the life of another two. Her quickness to act and her dedication, not to mention her bluntness, had earned her respect in the eyes of both Lord Stark and Lord Manderly.

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