44 Chapter 43
All noble houses of the Iron Islands were wiped out. The children were either sent to the wall or to become silent sisters.
Allan was absolutely remorseless while dealing with the Ironborn. The castles were left barren of any kind of wealth.
The Iron Islands were made property of the crown. All the iron mines and the timber forests were seized and braught under the control of the crown, effectively squashing any possible Ironborn uprising in the future.
The name of Curran was once again the talk of Westeros. The Stranger's sword had struck again and reaped another house. There was a sense of urgency spreading amongst the rest of the Noble houses.
Who next? Which house will the Currans decide to exterminate?
Some houses decided to restrain their thoughts of independence, while others scoffed and continued with their schemes. House Frey, House Bolton, and House Tyrell were some of the houses that simply scoffed at the supposed power of Currans.
Over the next few years, skirmishes between Curran and Frey men was raising tensions in the 'Neck'. The latter charged exorbitant taxes to cross their bridge. To counter them, it was decided that another bridge would be built for the easement of the common folk.
I was the biggest proponent of that endeavor. I raised concern numerous times over the raised taxes against people of Moat Cailin. But, as always, Ned Stark was too passive in his replies, and nothing could be expected from Hoster Tully.
Then came a time when patience began to run thin between the two houses.
I mobilized a group of builders and armed men to build a new bridge over the Green Fork. The Freys knew if a new bridge was built over the river, their only source of income would be snatched away.
Suffice to say, they sent a number of Frey men to attack the caravan.
We lost five builders and ten Curran men to their ambush. The others were captured and taken as prisoners.
The war between the Currans and the Freys was official.
(ACJTF)
290 AC.
It was a chaotic year. Although not as big as Robert's rebellion or the Ironborn rebellion, the was between the Currans and the Frey was making waves in Westeros.
The Starks were visibly displeased with Allan Curran for antagonizing the Frey. Their alliance with the Tully had taken a hit. Trade through land was severely affected as the crossing of the Green Fork was the only way to the Riverlands.
The North was suffering.
Pressure was mounting on the Currans to end the war, and end it they did.
At the dawn of the day, the Freys could see a dense shadow marching towards them. Even a Frey could tell what was coming for them. The ground trembled from the unified marching of the Curran army. The drums of war were beaten by swords as the men sand to the tune:
Crushing all you worthless goals
I define control
Your pain's my fucking ecstasy
So putrid is my world of tyranny
To accentuate your desperation
Flesh from bone I'll rip and tear
I hate the fact that we breath the same air
Helpless as I dominate
I won't celebrate
Until you've all been crucified
I can not rest till everyone has died
I can't stand the victim in you
Infecting everything that I do
I will eradicate
Obliterate depopulate
Divine atrocious suffering
Cleansation of the weak
Flesh from bone I'll rip and tear
Flesh from bone I'll rip and tear!
Rip and tear!
Rip and tear!
RIP AND TEAR!!
RIP AND TEAR!!
RIP AND TEAR!!
RIP AND TEAR!!
RIP AND TEAR!!
The roars of eight thousand men rattled the walls of the castle at the Crossing. Frey men trembled where they stood. Their minds were screaming at them to run, but their bodies were stuck at a place.
Every Curran man had his armor painted red like blood. The banners flew high with the words of house Curran, 'Never Forgive, Never Forget', sending a chill down the spines of all the Freys huddled up in their castle.
I roared along with the men of my house. It was a surreal feeling. I could feel the fear oozing from the Frey castle.
'Why am I even grinding till now?'
I looked at the determined face of my son, who rode his horse beside me. It was going to be his first major battle. He had been part of skirmishes with bandits, but the war was something he would be facing a battle for real.
With my halberd in hand, I gazed ahead at the prey that were spilling out of their hidey-holes. An ecstatic grin was etched on my face as I watched them make a rudimentary formation.
'I guess... It's because I simply love the grind.'
(ACJTF)
"He's out of line!!"
Ned was at Moat Cailin visiting his sister when he learned that Allan had marched towards the crossing with his army. He was livid.
"Waging a war against another house?! Without my consent?! He thinks of himself as the king!!"
Lyanna was cooing at her youngest child, Harold, when Ned had barged into her room and began shouting. Harold was startled by the noise and was about to cry when Edith arrived from behind Ned and gently took her brother from Lyanna.
"Let's go, Harold. It seems like our uncle doesn't care about you. But, you don't have to worry! Mama will show this crazy uncle his place! Let's go! You can sleep in my room." Edith shot Ned a savagely cruel look and walked away while consoling the sobbing Harold.
Ned sighed and rubbed his forehead before sighing and saying, "I... I must apologize, Lya. Allan's recent actions have put me on the edge. This war has affected the trade of the North. I'm having lords clammoring at Winterfell's doors to end this feud. I came here to talk to Allan, but it seems like I am too late."
Lyanna looked at Ned like she was expecting something. Confused, he asked, "What?"
"You said you must apologize. I'm still waiting for that apology."
Ned nearly groaned as Lyanna smirked.
"Lya! I'm serious!"
"And I still didn't hear that apology."
Ned sighed in defeat and said, "Fine. I apologize for startling your son..."
"He has a name!"
".. Harold. I apologize for startling Harold."
"And?"
"... And for barging into your living chambers."
"And?"
Ned frowned and said, "There's nothing else I have to apologize for."
Lyanna got up and smacked the man over his head. "For not supporting my lord-husband in doing what's right."
"Wha..!"
"He! Is doing this because the Freys were charging a 20% tax to all the Curran men and the people of Moat Cailin. We pay 5% to you for the yearly tax to the kingdom. They were robbing our men of their hard earned food. Allan tried to solve this without conflict. But Walder Frey is a weasle. His men harrassed our farmers, burned down three inns, and ambushed our trade caravans. Allan went to war for me. Do you think he will stay quiet and let those filth bully us?! You knew of it. Allan and I both have written letters to you explaining the situation. But neither you nor the king took any steps to deter Walder Frey. Now that we are pushed to wage the war, you come here to lecture my huband?!"
Ned took a step back from Lyanna. He knew the situation was bad, but he never imagined to what extent.
"Yes, Allan isn't the king. And that is by choice! He chose not to be the king! If he wants, he can have Robert's crown, still placed on Robert's severed head! But, he won't. I know he won't. He knows that to be the king, he will have to kill Robert, and you will fight for that man to death. He will not make a move on the throne because in doing so, he knows that he will have to kill my brother, and he can not bring himself to be the one who hurts me! Allan is not a warmongering manwhore like Robert. Trust him. Trust me."
Ned was having a hard time dealing with the facts. He knew it was all true.
The only reason that was stopping Allan from destroying every noble house in Westeros was Lyanna. The only reason Allan settled for a life as the lord of Moat Cailin was Lyanna. The olny reason he chose to endure the scorn of all the lords was Lyanna. The only reason Ned was alive was Lyanna.
Power was never a motive for Allan.
It was all for love.
(ACJTF)
All it took was a little more than an hour to storm the castle at the Crossing. Many of the Frey men had run away from the battle. But Walder Frey and his children were locked inside the castle.
Despite the old man trying everything in his power to protect himself, not a single house of the Riverlands had come to his defense. The door gave away under my kicks, and I brought my shield up to block the arrows that I knew were going to be shot.
"Kill the able bodied men, and do not touch the women and children!"
Walder Frey tried to talk his way out. But I wasn't too keen on letting a man like him live any longer.
"You know, Walder? Sometimes, you have to seek out the pests to prevent an infestation."
Walder's eyes widened with anger, but he couldn't say another word as I beheaded him with my halberd. It was the end of the house, Frey.
And just like that, another one bit the dust.
(ACJTF)
A/N: Internship is in full boom. And I have to study for the residency exam. Sooo, these kind of updates are the best you'll get from me. Thanks for reading. Imma go study.
