The Road South

[elaena]

"It may not be perfect, but I don't see any of us with anything better."

[melon]

Ser Nathan rode in front if the relief force. The letter hadn't been a good sign.

Dear Nathan.

Nathan you know I trust you above all other's and for this reason I ask you to go and protect my Son. Those savages killed the last guard of Edmure. Though I can't take revenge on them I must still protect my son. Nathan take 200 Reach Knigths and protect my Son.

Signed
Tallahar.

Nathan placed the letter once more into his saddle bags and ordered the men forward. They will be at Dreadfort on the morrow.

[barker520]

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The letter was short, but no less confusing.

Lewys,

A large force has been sighted southwest, moving to the north. They fly the white badger of Deep Den. Our own device. Meet me in the van.

Jon

Lewys stared blankly at the letter, rereading it several times. Dumbfounded, he crumbled up the letter and sent it flying. He turned to his squire. "Tell me, boy. Is this some jape of my brother's? I do not have time for such nonsense. Why would there be an army of Lyddens here in the north?" he said angrily. The boy's eyes were wide and he was silent. Disgusted, Lewys barked some orders before heading wide around the column towards the front.

He found Jon waiting on him under a large tree, with a grim face. Beside him was a strong man with long, black hair, sitting in the snow, head lowered. As Lewys dismounted, the man raised his head.

"Mors?" Lewys gasped, retreating a step. Mors just smiled that innocent grin of his in response.

Lewys ordered the column to halt. The talk between Jon, Lewys, and Mors went on without end until near sunset that day. Lewys rode out into the nearby forest, and was gone for quite some time. As the sky became dark, he returned, motioning for Mors and Jon to join him.

"I have decided what must be done," he began solemnly. "This plan was folly, Mors. You would have done much better remaining in the west, as I commanded. To bring all of our house's strength north with our homelands on the brink of war...," Lewys rubbed his temples and sighed in frustration before resuming. "But that is over. It cannot be changed. Mors, you may be a stupid commander, but you are still my brother. And you have promise yet. I will take command of the 1,500 men you have brought north and the Manderly men accompanying you. They will join my 5,000 knights," John hesitated before he continued, "and we will continue north with your plan, Mors. That is all. Give the orders out, Jon," Lewys finished with an air of finality. His brothers remained silent during this time, as did the other lords and leaders of the two hosts who had crept up in the background to listen to the confrontation.

"What about me?" asked Mors timidly. "Your not sending me home?"

"No," Jon said, shaking his head with affection at his brother, slapping his shoulder. "Your to come with me. All the wenches of the north will go lonely this winter if I were to send you home, brother," he said, smiling.

The next morning the host of 6,500 continued north through falling snow.

[barker520]

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6,300 westermen, in good spirits to be rid of their long encampment in the north, march back south.