The Golden Tooth

[Deleted]

Cerenna looked surprised by his question, but answered it after a moment's hesitation. "A village near Kayce originally, but my family moved to King's Landing long ago. That's how I lost my accent. Lady Aranya recruited me in King's Landing."

[The Stranger]

"Perhaps you are too young to remember then, the lay of the land, come over here." Lefford gestured towards the map on the table.

"That." he pointed to a Red toy soldier sitting on the map, "Is Deep Den. That" He pointed to a Yellow toy soldier, "is Golden Tooth. All that lies between them are two mountain ranges, and the tens of thousands of these barbarians. How exactly, does Lord Cedric expect me to get to his position? Perhaps the enemy shall simply let me through?"

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Cerenna bent her head over the map, studying it. "I came through this pass," she said, tracing the narrow gap with her finger. "And stopped at Hornvale on the way. If you go the same way, you'll emerge facing the barbarians, but..." she chewed her lip, studying the map and thinking.

"What about if you crossed the Red Fork here and went through this side of the mountains? It would take a little longer, but then you'd emerge safely on Deep Den's east side, and take them by surprise."

[The Stranger]

Lefford, to his credit, studied the map, and the girl's suggestion.

"It's a tough journey that is. There's no guarantee We'd arrive in time, and it would leave Golden Tooth defenseless, and give them access all the way to Riverrun."

[Deleted]

"But Crakehall and the Crag can move north and east to block them, and Sarsfield also blocks the road to Riverrun. They need you," she said stubbornly, apparently forgetting that she was 'just the messenger'.

[The Stranger]

"Men at Crakehall can not help us. They would have to retake Lannisport and Casterly Rock first, and the men from the Crag would never make it in time. Perhaps... if we moved the men from the Crag now... they might arrive before the enemy arrives here, depending on how much time Sarsfield can buy us." He hmmed to himself.

"Although if they were to suspect that the castle was empty, they might rush ahead and seize it before the Westerling's can occupy it. It would be a race, with Westerling's men being off road to boot..." He hmmed again.

[Deleted]

"It's tough," Cerenna scowled at the map. "These foreign bastards are everywhere. I saw them in the distance as I rode here - they are about a week away from Deep Den. There are too many of them," she said in frustration. "And not enough time."

[The Stranger]

Lefford shrugged,

"Let's try it. Boros, Florian, tell the men to prepare to march. No banners, they stay behind. Boros, you'll take a hundred men, and hold this position until relieved by Lord Westerling. Florian, tell the maester to send word for them to march for our position with all due haste." The men grunted acceptance and flew off to accomplish their tasks.

"Well young lady, if we fail, we can only die." he said with a smile.

[Deleted]

"We won't fail," she said with a smirk. "I wonder if those foreign bastards have ever had to contend with this?" The morningstar whirled, heavy and sharp.

[The Stranger]

"If this is their first opportunity to have their life blood sprinkled on the ground by a pretty young thing such as yourself, they are most unfortunate, but we'll see that they don't die virginal, heh." He smiled, still pleasantly, as the men raced around him, packaging everything for the trip.

"Don't take the silverware Rolf, I'm sure they have some at Deep Den." He chastisted the packing servant.

"Is this your first war Lady Cerenna?"

[Deleted]

"You might want to take some of that silverware. Deep Den is crowded full with soldiers and peasants seeking shelter," Cerenna said dryly. "And I'm not a lady. My father was a blacksmith, my mother was a farmer's daughter." She was unconsciously slipping into the old westerland accent. "It's not my first war, but it sure as seven hells won't be my last. I'm not afraid of them," she said fiercely.

[The Stranger]

"If you aren't afraid," Lefford said calmly, "than I know its your first war." He leaned over and carefully rolled up the map.

"We'd best get ready to depart." The Golden General said, as he tucked the scrolls under his arm like a baton.

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"You don't know that it's my first," she said. "I've fought before, but I always win. Nobody ever beat me with this flail," she boasted.

[The Stranger]

"As you say milady." Lefford said softly, as he approached her, "shall we," He gestured towards the door, "We have a long hard ride before us."

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Cerenna's bragging faded a little, but she grinned and walked to the door, holding it open after her for him. "How many forces are here, and from which banners?"