Riverrun

[Lord Connor Tully]

Simon smiled and thanked them. "It seems you need it more than we do. We have dinner waiting for us down at our camp."

"I can assure you that we will do no harm to any of you. Who were these others that attacked you? I'm surprised anyone would come near this place after what was done to it and those who lived here."

[swedishchameleon]

The man gave Connor a glance, like he was unsure what to do.

"If our guests doesn't want our offering, that is their choice, Will."

Connor then turned to look at Ser Simon.

"Bandits and rival villagers, I'd reckon. The years after you traveled north was hard on the small-folk, with both the Cult and remaining noblemen that was like mice on a table while the cat is gone."

[Lord Connor Tully]

"I mean you no offense...Will is it? Thank you for the offer though."

Simon turns to Connor. "I can imagine what it must have been like. Even now we deal with these 'mice'. You have done well to hold your own here. Lord Oswell will be pleased I am sure. Will you and your villagers stay here when he arrives?"

[swedishchameleon]

The man named Will just gave Ser Simon a nod as response, and then began handing out the little rabbit-meat there was.

"This is our home, but I guess that is your liege's choice. There is not much I can do if he decides to throw me out of from his lands. I am only a bastard and even if I have tried to keep the Tully name alive at Riverrun, it doesn't matter anymore."

[Lord Connor Tully]

Simon smiled, "I can assure you Master Connor, you will be welcome here. Oswell is not one to turn down a helping hand. And by rights, you are of the same blood. You may be baseborn, but that does not mean much to my lord, not after what we have been through."

[swedishchameleon]

"Then your liege lord is much different from the other lords and ladies we have encountered the last few years, Ser Simon. I think the rest of the villagers here will be satisfied staying here, and there are a few that might be able to help rebuilding the castle as well."

[Lord Connor Tully]

Simon laughed, the sound echoing through the ruinous halls. "You are right in saying so Connor. Oswell is unlike any other. Many think bastards to be lowly and cowardly, Lord Tully knows the greatness that men like you can possess, hell he was saved by men like you on a number of occasions."

"You will be most welcome in rebuilding Riverrun, as it happens that is exactly what I am here to begin. I have few enough men with me but more will be on their way to join us. In fact, being the Master of Riverrun I am sure you would know the weakest points in the keep, where it would be best to tear down rather than simply repair. I would appreciate it if you would walk around and point them out if you could. But we can leave that for tomorrow, for now it's best to wait for morning."

[swedishchameleon]

Connor gave Simon a weak smile as the man laughed. He looked like he did not understand what he had said that was so funny.

"Most of the castle is in no position to hold against any heavy battles if there should come one upon us. This tower is basicly the part that still stands, but the power of Riverrun lies in the ground and the rivers around it, so from the little I know, I would much rather just tear the whole thing down and rebuild from scratch."

[Lord Connor Tully]

"Those are my thoughts as well. I have little knowledge of building or engineering, but from what I see it would be best to do as you say and tear it all down. In the morning bring your villagers together, I want to know who will be of use in getting to work. I want to hve some work done when Lord Tully arrives."

[swedishchameleon]

"I could do that, Ser Simon, but what about pay for our labor" Connor said and looked at the men beside them.

"Most of the villagers are in no shape to do hard work, it's us and a few more and I am not willing to risk their lives so Riverrun can be rebuilt."

[Lord Connor Tully]

"I can not promise you any specific pay but Lord Tully has assured me that any who aid him in the rebuilding will be given food and shelter. Wages will be given out when they have been secured, but none will be forced to work or turned away simply because they refuse to work. Your people will be provided for, assure you."

[swedishchameleon]

Connor nodded.

"I will tell them what you have told us, I will let them decided fort themselves what they want to do, though I am pretty sure that everyone of them will work for food and shelter, Ser Simon. If there is nothing else, I would ask you to return to your camp until the morning and find some rest. We can meet here then."

[Lord Connor Tully]

Simon nods and rises, gesturing for his men to move back to the camp. "I am glad we found you here Master Connor, I look forward to working with you more in the morning."

[Lord Connor Tully]

////////////////

Lord Oswell rides into the small camp set up along the western wall of Riverrun to see men already at work on the walls, mostly tearing down stone and piling up and reusable pieces. On the way he had been filled in by James on what the Queen had said. He was no surprised at what he had heard, though he did not relish the thought of working with Aegon.

Oswell sought out Simon Smallwood, who was working on the southern wall beside a a man Oswell did not know and a few other ragtag men and women. "Simon, it is good to see you. It seems you found some of them men you needed. I brought my hundred and fifty, plus five hundred from our Lord Frey. Aegon Targaryen is supposed to be following with another three hundred. How are you doing so far?"

Simon smiled at the sight of his liege. "Aye, it is good to see you my lord. I managed to scrounge two hundred up before I got here. I have had them working on tearing down the south and west walls, they are the worst off though I fear it will all have to come down before we can make any headway. we have some log shacks up for shelter in the meantime."

Oswell nodded, "I think you are right." He looked up at the keep. "It will have to be destroyed to be rebuilt, quite the irony and hard work. you are doing a fine job so far, keep it up. Have your men rest, mine will take it up from here."

Simn smiles, "Before we rest I think there is someone you should meet...calls himself the Master of Riverrun." Simon led Oswell to the young man he had seen before. "I give you Connor Rivers, Master of Riverrun."

[swedishchameleon]

Connor wiped his brow with the sleeve of his tunic, and looked at his only "family" still alive. He bowed his head slightly, standing proud before Oswell.

"Welcome to Riverrun, Lord Tully."