AGOT - Winter is Coming - Solo - Chapter 1 & 2

[Starman]

Karrwin sits down and pours himself a cup of wine."Yes, Father wants me to travel to King's Landing to see what I could uncover about the attack on our family. I'm not sure if there is anything else I need to find out, since we know for sure that the King was behind the attacks. I am hoping to get a letter back from him shortly telling me how things fare up there. If it is bad, I may return home."

 

[Widowmaker]

Brandon looks over at you and nods. "Karrwin the first bird was sent day before yesterday. At best it will not arrive for another two to three days. Even if a reply came it would still be another four days after that. That means it will be a week. Do you plan to sit around until then?"

 

[Starman]

"No, I'm not going to wait. I just wish I knew. I suppose we will have to head to King's Landing. If Father changes his mind, we can always head back." Karrwin says, feeling irritated and afraid of what is coming at the same time.

 

[Widowmaker]

A few hours later, well after dark Tyler returns. "Excuse my absence, it took longer than expected. I spoke with Lord Thommas, he has received word that the meeting will be delayed. Things are going very poorly in the Tyrell House. Families are talking and things do not look well."

"It is a few days ride to Highgarden. The King and Small Council are going along to pay respects to Lord Leo. The King I am sure will be playing politics while he is in Highgarden." Tyler states "Because the Small Council is attending your meeting has been put off until later."

"Lord Thommas rides for King's Landing when he returns. He told me the meeting would take place there, I assume." Tyler finishes.

The night is relatively uneventful. Sleep comes after another glass of wine. Early the next morning the work of taking down the tents begins. By mid-day most of the tents are packed and by mid-afternoon most of the lords are headed home.

Ser Devan and Ser Arey Oakheart walk over to the Stark encampment. Ser Devan looks at you "It was a pleasure meeting you Karrwin. I look forward to the next time." He stick out his arm.

Ser Arey says "The ale is on me the next time we meet."

Ser Devan states "I must be going. My brother wishes to ride before dark." He departs a short time later.

A little while later Tyler walks over with your horse. "The King, Tyrells, and bannerhouses left this morning. Tanya left with her family. She asked for a bird from Jeremiah. I am sure she will write you soon. It was my honor serving you." Tyler reaches up to shake your hand.

Later on the Stark encampment makes its way towards King's Landing.

End of Chapter 1

 

[Widowmaker]

Chapter 2

It took nearly ten days to reach King's Landing. Moving with the train was quite slow. After nearly fortnight on a ship from White Harbor and another fortnight on horse to the tournament, you had three days of no riding. You arse is quite sore and you are ready to be off a horse for sometime.

As King's Landing looms in front of you, you cannot forget the tournament with Viserys just over a year ago. It brings a smile to your face to remember the arrogant on the ground yielding to you.

The Roseroad finally leads to one of the seven gates to enter the city proper. However before you can enter you are stopped at the gate by the Gold Cloaks. The captain of the gate does not recognize you, but after a few moments he lets you pass.

As the train finally makes it way into the city you wonder where you are to go now. Your father mentioned he was sending someone to take care of things for you. As you sit pondering a man rides up. He wears a black cloak with the hood up. For a moment you could swear the man was a member of Night's Watch.

It takes a minute for your eyes to adjust but finally you recognize the man as Ser Durendal, your father childhood friend and protector. Many call him aloof and strange. But you know better, the man is one of the finest swordsman in Westros. But he is a loner and rarely talks to others.

"Welcome Karrwin to King's Landing. Follow me and I will take you to your residence." Ser Durendal turns and takes the train towards Visenya Hill and the Great Sept of Baelor. Not far below the Great Sept you find a walled manor house. The banner of House Stark hangs from the roof on the gatehouse. The gate is made of black iron and the doors of sturdy oak. The manor looks quite defensible and well protected.

You pass through the gate and into the courtyard. The entire manor is walled. The train settles in and is soon unpacking from the long journey. You see your father has sent another 200 men with Ser Durendal. You are led into the manor house proper and brought to the second floor, oddly the manor is located at the back of the courtyard. From the window you command a good view of the city and the rest of the manor.

Ser Durendal meets you, having taken off his black cloak. "I have three letters here for you. One from you father, one from Prince Daemon Blackfyre, and one from Tanya Redwyne. I will be back later, a bath has been drawn. We will then discuss things."

The letter from Tanya reads:

Karrwin,

I hope this letter reaches you. I hope you are in good spirits. I write this letter from Highgarden, things are not going well. While direct fighting has not happened, things between the Bannerhouses of Highgarden are tense.

My father and the King stand vigil, I believe they are plotting to start a war. They are continually talking of the upcoming fighting.

Tyler was so kind to inform me that you plan to stay in King's Landing. I have convinced my father to let me travel to King's Landing with the King. My father will travel on to the Arbor to take care of things and then sail to King's Landing.

When I arrive in King's Landing I will send you word. I believe then will be the time that we can talk. Please forgive me for being brief but I must go.

Your Love, Tanya

The letter from your father reads:

Karrwin,

Son it good to hear from you, I have recieved both your letters. We all miss you very dearly. Your mother wishes you her best. She says to take care and to send more letters.

On to business. If you are reading this you have met Ser Durendal. You have done an excellent job. Do not feel upset or nervous, the decisions you have made are well thought.

If what you say is true then the North is in peril. With the King controlling the sea it makes our position even more stretched. I have sent all available men to Moat Caitlin, White Harbor, and Flint's Finger. I have also sent 2,500 men with Ser Durendal. These men are yours Karrwin. Do not waste them, they trust in you to return home.

As to the Mallister forces. I have spoke with Jacen, he agrees it would be wise to have the men in the south, but he still intends to attack the Greyjoys. He has raised an army of almost 6,000 sellswords and freeriders. He has dispatched 1,000 men for you.

It is good you have met Lord Thommas. He and I are old friends. Listen carefully to his advice, he is of the South and knows there ways. Prince Daemon and I have written each other as well. He is impressed by your character, I believe he favors you.

On to politics. House Arryn is a staunch supporter of the King. They will march and attack on the word of the King. House Tully will be split. While I have Lord Edric's grandson and heir as hostage, he is still Warden of the West. I fear he will not commit, but that his bannerhouses will split.

The Frey's continue to tell me they support us, but there family is so large I don't know where there loyaly lies.

I have heard the bad news of Lord Leo Tyrell. I fear that the bannerhouses of Highgarden will be quite bloody.

I have no idea about the Lannisters. And the Baratheon's have always supported the King. We know where the Greyjoys stand.

I have also heard rumors of you and Tanya Redwyne. If I remember correct wasn't she the reason you fought with Prince Viserys. She is beautiful if I remember correct and Maester Garth says she is quite educated. Just remember you are protect the North, not to fight a war over a woman. That being said your mother asks that you betroth her.

Winter is Coming
Lord Edward Stark

The letter from Prince Daemon states:

Karrwin,

I have received word that your father and uncle have sent troops to support us. I am impressed by your work.

I have also sent 1,000 men of mine to serve under you.

I have also been informed that you have a friendship with Ser Devan Lannister. The Lannisters control the only ships not under the King's hand. I would ask that you press Ser Devan onto our side.

While I do not wish to sound adamant or arrogant. We need these ships. If we wish to hamper the Greyjoys it will only be possible with Lannister ships.

As a member of the small council I am privy to much of the politics of Westros. Word has reached me that the King has arrainged a marriage with the Martell's. My sister, Visenyra will marry the eldest son of Lord Martell. The game continues.

When I return to King's Landing we shall meet as I planned.

Daemon

Ser Durendal meets you after your bath. "Refreshed? Very well I assume you have read the letters. And have figured out that there are not 4,500 men in the courtyard. Once I realized things were getting out of hand I arrainged for the men to be hidden nearby."

"Lord Jared Rykker of Duskendale currently is housing the men. He is a supporter of Prince Daemon. Although the man is a mercenary he is charging us a arm and a leg to feed and house the men." He continues. "In a few days time I have arraigned for you to visit the men."

A few days later you ride north to Duskendale to see the men. The small town of Duskendale is overflowing with soldiers. Lord Rykker is pleased to see you, but only talks of the money and food he is spending to house the all the men. A few days later you ride back to King's Landing.

It is nearly a month before word reaches you about the return of the King. During the month Ser Durendal re-educates you on the art of sword play. There is not a day that goes by that you do not go to bed without a new bruise. You are also invited to many a noble's house for dinner. Talk is of the rebellion and your future, especially who you intend to be betroth. Many a father tries to seduce you with his daughter.

Finally the King, Prince Daemon, and Tanya return. Tayna sends you a message saying she will be in contact soon.

 

[Starman]

Between all of the training and the playing of politics, Karrwin has little time to contemplate the larger issues at hand. The distractions do not bother him, though. The tournament took more out of him than he thought and the chance to recoup mentally was welcomed. He pushes himself hard with Ser Durendal knowing that it might be the only thing to keep him alive in the coming trials. At night when he went to bed, Tanya's face was the last thing he saw before drifting off to sleep.

Finally, though, Karrwin realized that he needed to start focusing on what was going on and what he was going to do about it. He had forty-five hundred men under his command. Forty-five hundred! If the King found out...

After lunch, Karrwin tracked Ser Durendal down. "I'm concerned, Ser, about all of the men at Duskendale. Can we really expect the King to not have discovered that many men marching down here and if it is a secret, how long can it remain?"

 

[Widowmaker]

Ser Durendal looks at you "I have been thinking the same thing. Honestly I don't know. From what Lord Edward stated I thought things would have started by now. But I venture to say the events at Highgarden delayed things."

Ser Durendal puts his hand to his chin and thinks before speaking. "Now that the King is back, I would say we have a turn of the moon at most before the troops are discovered. The one advantange to Duskendale is that it is remote and you have to be going there. I would say you should start planning on moving the men, no later than a turn of the moon." he says in a rather quiet thoughtful voice.

Later that afternoon the bells in one of the towers at the Great Sept rings loud and clear. A little later a guard tells you the King has announced the marriage of his sister to the Martell heir. The wedding will be in King's Landing in a month.

 

[Starman]

Karrwin calls a meeting of his advisors, Eon, Brandon, Jeremiah, and Ser Durendal. "I have been thinking about what to do with all of the men we have. What about moving them to the Kingswood? That is more out of the way making them less likely to be stumbled upon by the wrong person."

 

[Widowmaker]

Ser Durendal looks at you and then speaks up "I think that would be a mistake. We don't have the logistics for the men. We don't have enough tents, food, or other supplies. Trying to forage for four thousand men is impossible."

Jeremiah then speaks "Hunting in the Kingswood is illegal. Poaching is a capital offense. If the King were to discover these men were hunting, you could be tried for treason."

Eon looks at Ser Durendal and then to you "As much as I agree the men need to leave Duskendale, Ser Durendal is correct. The men have food and shelter where they are located at the moment."

Brandon just nods and agrees "From my experience, especially in White Harbor. The only people that go to Duskendale are destined for there."

 

[Starman]

Karrwin forces himself not to roll his eyes at Jeremiah's comment. "I don't think our men getting caught poaching in the King's Forest is our biggest concern when we have been talking about rebellion.

"The King's Forest was just an idea, anyway. Do you all really belive that Duskendale is the best place for the soldiers now? I can't believe that no one has wondered why there are an extra 4500 men there. If you all believe that they are safe there, then I will leave them there. I just want to make sure that there might not be a better option that we haven't considered."