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

[Widowmaker]

"If I remember right you were the one chasing the aurochs, not I." Brandon says starching his head. "No, all the women caught my eye." He says winking.

"Its time that I got up. So what are you up to today. I take your visit to me has a point." Brandon says with a questioning look.

 

[Starman]

"My purpose now is to forget for a few minutes what my real purpose is." Karrwin picks up a small rock and rolls it in his hand before tossing it away. "I don't know, Brandon. I didn't think things would be easy. I guess I just didn't expect it to be so hard. And it hasn't even really started!" He half shouts the last sentence.

The Stark youth shakes his head and kicks at the dirt. "You're one of my best friends, Brandon, and I know I can trust you to be honest with me. Do you really think I can do this?"

 

[Widowmaker]

Brandon stops looks over his shoulder and drops his head. He then looks up at the others in the room. "Leave us. Now!" He then gets some wine and then hands you a cup. He then sits across from you. You can tell that his normal cheerful, happy mood has gone. He get a serious look on his face.

"Listen, I know things are tough. But you are 'Lord Stark'. Some of us are born to do things and be what others of us cannot do. I was born to the Manderly's we have always had ties to King's Landing even though we are Northern's. I was taken to Winterfell to ensure my father was loyal to yours. Do I hold you or your family any guilt for this? No. I look at your father and see him as a stepfather to me. I know you are not my brother, but I love you like one."

"Your father would not send you here to do this mission if he did not trust you. I was raised with you, I know what you are capable of, and this is one thing you are capable of doing. Even though Artos is older and the heir, you are the one that your father has turned to when there have been troubles. Your father trusts you. Look I know what Eon has told me and even your father's advisors trust you. If anyone in the North could do it's you!"

"What you thought this would be easy. Come one no one ever said life was easy."

"Come on, we will go over and meet the Lannister's. You need to have some fun and relax. Let things play out. You can only affect somethings in life. Let me get dressed ." Brandon walks aroung the corner and starts getting dressed.

"Wasn't there a girl you were interested in? Tanya Redwyne wasn't it. Let's go find out what we can. I met a few of the Lannister women last night. Lets go do some snooping. And if you say no, I am going to have Eon beat you to a bloody pulp in sword practice. You have basically said the politics is too much right now, so lets go have some fun."

Brandon returns looking quite handsome in his Manderly colors. His light brown hair and green eyes make him standout from the rest of the Northmen. Brandon has always been somewhat of a ladies man. Though he is not the best swordsman, horseman, or leader. He has always been there for you.

 

[Starman]

As Brandon talks, Karrwin quickly downs his wine and pours himself another cup. A small smile breaks out on his face. "Thank you, Brandon. I've been a fool and you always know just what I need to hear." He grabs him in a fierce hug. "You may not be my blood brother, but we are brothers."

After Brandon gets dressed, Karrwin nods his approval. "You look like you are ready to steal many a heart, my friend. Let's go."

As they step out of the tent and into the sunlight, the Stark boy grins. "I suppose if we do run into Tanya, I could stop and talk to her. With my luck, she'll get all moon-eyed over you, though, and she won't even see me."

 

[Widowmaker]

You and Brandon walk out the tent. The air seems to have changed and things look brighter. Branson walks with you "Come on we will go over to the Lannister tent. I will introduce you to them. They are not as bad as one hears."

You slowly make your way over to the Lannister area. Two of your guards follow behind, along with Tyler. One of the guards gets a grin on his face as you near the Lannister area. You cannot hear everything that is said but do catch "Maybe another fair haired Lannister will make your day!" The other guard blushes and grins.

As you near the Lannister tent you see flags with heralds that you have never seen. The Lannister are not known as a powerful house. And many of the bannerhouses are even weaker.

The Lannisters have four large pavalian tents set up. In the center is a large common area. A knight dressed in black armor and wearing the red and gold lannister colors is sparring with other knights. The black knight is taking on three other men. He appears to be winning.

Brandon speaks up "Ahh the Black Lion. We will meet him in a couple minutes. Lets go meet the women." Brandon points to a group of women sitting in the side watching. All appear to be from House Lannister or bannerhouses.

Brandon speaks to one woman after another, finally stopping at one long enough to introduce you. "My Lady, may introduce Lord Karrwin Stark. My Lord the Lady Lydda Marbrand." A young beautiful women sits before. She has a blond-brown hair mix and bright green eyes. She is wearing a low cut green dress, that shows off all the right areas. She appears to be nearing her late teens. She bows "Lord Stark, they say you are a wolf in sheeps clothing!"

 

[Starman]

Karrwin looks around at the Lannister encampment. They may not be the most powerful of the southron houses, but they are just as ostentatious, he thinks. It is beautiful, but a waste.

As Brandon talks to the ladies, Karrwin smiles slightly and shakes his head. Brandon is in his element. When Brandon introduces him to the Lady Marbrand, he forgets what to say for a brief moment. He recovers quickly and bows. "My lady. If you consider that I am wearing wool, I suppose it is accurate to say that I am a wolf in sheep's clothing."

 

[Widowmaker]

As you look at Lydda you notice she wears a pin in her hair that is orange with a tree on it, the Marbrand sigil. She looks stunned for a minute then smiles. "You are a wolf in sheeps clothing, you are witty and clever. I like that." She grins at you. "You are more dangerous than they say, I can see that already."

As Lydda talks, you notice the Black Lion approaching. He appears well built and strong. He takes off his helmet and you notice a handsome male with short cropped hair, quite unusual. He has deep blue eyes. The one thing that stands out is a long scar that runs from just above the left eye to the chin. He appears to nearing his later twenties. He smiles as he approaches Brandon.

Brandon turns and nods. "Ser Devan you have the grace of a Lion."

"You have never seen a lion, so I know you are lying. But I thank you for the compliment." Ser Devan states and then eyes you.

Brandon states "Ser Devan may I introduce Karrwin Stark."

Ser Devan looks at you for a moment and then speaks. "It appears we have one thing in common, we are both second born sons to Lords. And neither of us appears to going anywhere quickly. Brandon says you wish to visit some of the other camps. Give me a few minutes and I will ready." Brandon looks up at the mention of the last bit, he has the look of as he forgot to tell you something.

Ser Devan walks off starting to strip the armor from his body. A squire and a some servants attend to Ser Devan.

Brandon chimes in "Sorry I forgot to tell you."

 

[Starman]

Karrwin raises an eyebrow at Lydda, unsure of what to say. Witty and dangerous? I doubt it, he thinks. Thankfully, Ser Devan's approach saves him from having to come up with a reply. The youth nods at the knight's words masking his surprise.

He looks at Brandon. "I guess you did forget to tell me." Pausing, he adds, "That's all right. I need to learn to expect surprises, especially in the south."

 

[Widowmaker]

"As I said before, I got really drunk last night. I do remember talking to Ser Devan. I just don't remember everything I said." Brandon states to you as he pulls you off to the side. "Lets get something to eat and drink while we wait."

Brandon leads you over to a group men selling some roast and wine. You and Brandon make some small talk. About 20-30 minutes later Ser Devan arrives. He is wearing a red shirt and pants. They have some gold accents. But the thing that stands out most is his lone flowing black cape. The sigil on his shirt is that of the Lannister lion only black.

Ser Devan walks over to the two of you and sits. "We should have some time before things start happening. Let us finish here and then go look over the Tyrells. Seeing as they are the host they should have some interesting things going on."

Ser Devan gets a goblet of wine while you two finish. "You know Karrwin your house and mine are very much alike. Neither commands enough men to win a war, but at the sametime no one can attack us either without losing many a man."

Tyler finishes his meal and waits for you to finish, he is unusually quiet. As the three of you make your way to the Tyrell camp you notice the wealth and waste on beauty. There are carpets on the ground, horses have their own tents, men and women alike are dressed beyond words.

"Come we will ignore the tents of the Lords, we will go over to where the real men sit." Ser Devan states to you. He leads you over to a tent with its walls raised, many tables and benches are set up and there you see sitted groups of men that have the look of seeing real battle. Not many are dressed in finery, instead they are dressed for utility.

Ser Devan sits at a table where three men are seated. He plops down rather rudely and the three stare at him with glares that would kill some. The four of them then start laughing rather loudly.

After a few moments Ser Devan notices the two of you are not seated. "Come sit, they will not bite. I cannot say the same for you though. Ser Arey Oakheart this is the wolf, Karrwin Stark and his man, Brandon Manderly."

Ser Arey face turns to stone he stands and then looks at you. "Sit you are welcome at my table anytime."

Ser Devan looks at you for a moment. "You do not know him, but he owes your family for his life. Your uncle Quentyn saved his father not far from Moat Caitlin. Ser Arey would not have been born otherwise. While Ser Arey is of House Oakheart, he serves his cousin who is married to my brother Ser Tybolt. Now sit you are in good hands."

 

[Starman]

This could be a chance to build some allies. Or at least find out where they stand. I must watch what I say. Gods, politics are a mess. What was it I heard it called one time? Ah, yes, the game of thrones. This all does seem a game to these southroners. Well, if I must play, then I will play to win.

Karrwin nods to Devan and Arey. "Thank you, Sers." He sits down and listens to Devan's tale.

"I'm sure my uncle told me the story, but I fear I do not remember it. I do remember him speaking highly of the Oakhearts, though. 'As strong as their name,' I believe he said. Tell me, how do you think you will fare in the tourney?"