Chapter 6: Our Steel is Strong 6

Flint's Finger 154 A.C.

Ser Rod P.O.V.

The month and a half long trip was finally over with the Finger finally coming into view. Not the most pleasant of trips I have had to endure, what with the sudden shifts in weather when it didn't seem to know whether the sky's should rain or shine. When such patterns persisted into the Neck it made the humid place even more unbearable but we eventually exited the bog and now the first leg of the trip can be put behind us in favor of a warm bed inside the castle of the Flints.

A stout holdfast if there ever was one, the stone drum castle has seen more Ironborn Raiders than any other castle in the North besides the keep of house Mormont. A sad circumstance as well since the coastal weather of Cape Kraken made the soil rich for planting but raiders kept most Smallfolk from straying to far from the protection of the Flints. This has caused a reliance on the fishing vessels found in Blazewater Bay for feeding a major portion of the Flint's populace.

A medium sized port town was located at the bottom of the cliff the Finger got it's name from and accounted for a sizeable portion of the Smallfolk in the Flint's land. A couple dozen or so fishing vessels were in and out of port all day every day , bringing in fresh catch or reporting possible sightings of "Rogue" Ironborn ships, things kept busy in Fingerton.

Herders also became a common sight once my retinue entered house Flint's lands. A valuable group the herders supply most of the meat eaten on Cape Kraken as there are not any forested areas besides the Neck to hunt for other sources. Some brave souls did attempt to hunt Lizard Lions from time to time in the swamps but it is a dangerous task even if the meat is considered a delicacy, I do hope to try some while here.

My thoughts of food kept me occupied until my men and I were trotting past the gate of the Flint's wall, our rations taking a bigger toll on my stomach than I imagined they would. Lord Filius Flint was waiting in the courtyard prepared to greet us upon our entry with what I can only guess is his son based on appearances alone.

"Ser Greensmith, please partake in our bread and salt then be welcomed into Flint's Finger. We received your advanced envoy a few hours ago and have prepared food and beds for you and your men. But before we adjourn into the hall allow me to introduce you to my son and heir, Arnor Flint." spoke lord Flint while offering me the plate of bread and salt.

"Thank you for your hospitality lord Flint, and it is a pleasure to meet you heir Arnor. Food sounds heavenly about now as well, my men and I are famished from our trip mi'lord." I returned with the proper courtesies.

"Then let us not keep standing out here in the wind good ser but fill those wanting bellies with hot food." Lord Flint declared before leading us inside the stone drum castle of his ancestors.

The food was hot and delicious much to my inner joy. Several different fish fillets and cuts were served up as well as lamb chops and beef steaks, it came as a pleasant surprise to find the steak had been cooked with BH, a favorite of lord Flint's apparently as the man nearly inhaled his when it was served up.

I kept busy during in between courses chatting up some of the elder Flints at the table. Lord Filius's wife was lady Leona formerly of house Tallhart before marrying lord Flint some twenty years ago. The couple's eldest I had already met in Arnor, the lad had a curious mind and when he asked about Hillview I couldn't help but spiel about my home. After Arnor came lady Anya the three and ten nameday old daughter of lord and lady Flint. I did not get to speak much with the little lady or her younger sister Tabitha as they were placed down by lady Flint while I was sat between lord Flint and Arnor. After a fill of food, drinks, and stories I was escorted by a servant to my guest chamber where I was out like a candle as soon as my head hit the pillow.

It was the next morning before I would eventually awake. My stomach didn't take long either to demand I break my fast so I hurriedly changed and headed back down to the hall for some food. Lord Filius was already at the table when I arrived and greeted me with the information that our meeting would take place after the morning meal.

Eggs and sausage mixed with a single watered down glass of wine always did take the edge off the mornings for myself. Alyn proffered to wait till lunch before partaking in any alcohol despite having a better tolerance than most, saying his body needed a morning cleanse or some such variation of nonsense. Before I knew it the food was cleared and I was following lord Filius to his solar.

The solar was well decorated with a grizzly bear rug, a large desk and chairs, quite a few trophies taken from fallen enemies, and a hearth that sat beneath a banner of the Flint's of the Finger. As I sat down in one of the chairs in front of lord Filius's desk I couldn't help but ponder on why the Flints of the Finger chose a grey stone hand upon a white inverted pall on paly black and grey as their sigil, it was a very strange sigil but not as strange as their distant relatives at Widow's Watch what with their sigil of blues eyes upon yellow overlooking blue waves .

"Well Ser Rod you requested this meeting, why is it you have come all this way from your home?" Lord Filius asked me unintentionally breaking my train of thought about some house's stranger coat of arms.

"Lord Filius I come to the Finger in hopes of finding you open to possibly selling quarried stone to house Greensmith so that we may replace our outer wooden wall with a stone one." I made my pitch to the man.

"Easily done good Ser. Our Cliffs still hold plenty of stone ready and waiting to be made into pieces of a wall or castle. We would be moving more stone if lord Cregan would pick an heir already and place his other sons as lords of important parts of the North." Lord Flint explained to me. It was actually very interesting truth about the Flint Cliffs as they were in perfect position to supply stone for a rebuild of Moat Cailin and/or a castle on the Stony Shore if lord Cregan stopped fucking his wife as much and governed a bit more. Hells I even heard talk amongst the Smallfolk from along the King's Road that the current lady Stark was pregnant with a fourth child and lord Cregan's tenth overall.

"I've heard rumors myself that lord Rickon is also getting tired of his brothers' antics and would throw them out to their own holdfasts if lord Cregan allowed it." Was my added fuel to the gossip fire.

"Lord Rickon is a wise man and I hope when the time comes he will do what is right for the North." Lord Filius replied ending that line of talk.

After lamenting the down slide of lord Cregan's tenure as head of the North we hashed out prices for the shipments of stone. Towards the end we drank and talked about old man things till I excused myself to get ready for the midday meal. With the trade talks swiftly concluded I was already planning the trip back in my head while eating and making polite small talk.

My men and I would stay for two more days at the Finger allowing a proper rest and resupply before we head back out when day breaks on the fourth to make use of as much sunlight as possible. Lord Filius agreed with my assessment and understood my urge to get home when it is so far away, plus it was never wise to overstay one's welcome.

My five and ten Men at Arms plus myself left the morning I planned after a sendoff given by lord Filius. We traveled back in the same formation we came, five forward riders would trott ahead keeping an eye out for ambushes or other dangers as well as inform travelers of the following one and ten man mounted convoy. This made the ambush that caught us off guard two weeks into our journey while trudging through the Neck all the more surprising. Twenty men came riding out of the swamp trees screaming bloody murder while lowering their spears as my ten men and I abruptly tried to brace for their impact.

When my men presented their shields faster than our enemies hoped the bastards changed tactics and aimed for our unarmored horses. This sent some of the beasts into a panic either bucking the men off or collapsing out from under them. Five of my men were either knocked off their horse or had it killed from under them by the initial charge while the other five blocked the spears and took out a few of the opposition themselves.

The commotion was also enough of a signal for the advanced riders to double back helping even the numbers further. That's when the little bastard showed his face, Dickon Dixon wearing a shite stain of a smirk.

My sword arm started working overtime in cutting down men like a possessed beast after I spotted the heir to house Dixon intent on cutting my way to the cunt. My two and ten guards struggled to fight off the number advantage of the Dixon men even if they were better armed. The two men who survived having their horses cut down from under them were having a difficult time getting close to strike the Dixon men with their swords while my mounted men had no room here in the Neck to charge past the spears of our enemies.

Slowly my men and I were able to whittle down our enemies till I drove my sword threw the last Dixon man who had inturn killed my own sole standing guard leaving only I and the Dixon heir left.

"Well at least you First Men pretenders know how to fight it wouldn't be nearly as fun if you didn't." The arrogant little prick mocked.

"Come at me boy and I'll show you who's pretending to be a warrior." I goaded him back.

"Hells boy you just sat there while your men fought and died for you and your father's own delusions while just sitting there like a craven." I lamented at the boy further as to not allow him a chance to retort.

I must have infuriated the younger man enough because he didn't further bother with words and just charged me with a wordless war cry. I met the charge as best I could but the earlier fight had taken it's toll on my energy and I could already feel my strength weakening after only a couple of strikes.

Somehow in my exhaustion Dickon must have saw an opening and took it to drive his sword into my left bi-cep. It took everything for me to not let the pain overwhelm my senses while Dickon struggled to free his sword from my arm, this left me a minuscule opportunity to cut off his sword hand off in retaliation, and I took it before falling off my horse with the little shit's sword still stuck in my arm. Consciousness stayed with me long enough to watch the Dixon heir ride off with his bloody stump before the darkness took me into it's waiting hands.

I don't know how long I laid there for just fading in and out of consciousness slowly bleeding out from the wound in my arm till I felt something grab me and start dragging me away to Gods know where. I didn't expect to wake up again so sure was I that my body had been dragged to be eaten by a Lizard Lion when I felt myself being drug away and I definitely did not expect to awaken in a warm room somewhere missing my left arm all the way up to my shoulder.

The door opened then admitting a small figured person not any taller than five foot four inches into the room.

"Ah good your awake Ser Rod, you had us worried when you didn't wake up by the end of the first few weeks but it is good to see you up now." The distinctly male voice said to me before offering me a glass of water for my parched mouth.

"Thank you mi'lord for the water and helping me in my time of need but, and I'm sorry if this sounds rude, who are you and where am I?" My questions came spilling out to the man who seemingly helped me after the attack.

"My name is Jonah Reed, Ser Rod and you are currently at Greywater Watch about four weeks after the attack on your person." Answered the now identified heir of house Reed.

"House Greensmith owes a debt to house Reed for your assistance heir Jonah and I will see it paid to your family after I return to mine." I tell the heir to house Reed as I try to stand only to fall back into the bed.

"You will need some time to recover first good ser and do not worry about your family for now, my Father has sent a messenger informing your son of what has happened along with a gift from house Reed." Jonah informed me before my eyes decided to betray me and shut for more sleep.

It was determined the next morning by the healer of house Reed that I would need at least another month to rehabilitate enough to make the trip back to Hillview Hall. I hated feeling like I'm imposing on the Reed's but I had little in terms of options as of now. The time I was stuck here for I made the best of by learning more about the Crannogmen and their culture as they were a very reclusive bunch. Starting with a meeting with the lord of house Reed himself, lord Morgun.

"Ser Rod I'm sure you are curious as to how we found you before death came knocking and I will answer those questions but first I must ask what do you know of Greensight?" questioned lord Reed

"I have heard rumors in my time living amongst the Northern people that Greensight is a blessing to a select few followers of the Old Gods. What Greensight shows those the Gods have chosen to see them I could not say and refuse to believe some of the tall tales about it." Was my stance on the matter since I didn't fully understand the concept and the rumors among the Smallfolk ran wild as rumors often do.

"There are facts and lies within all rumors Ser Rod and Greensight encompasses this idea more than almost anything. From the most horrifying of images to the happiest you could ever hope of bearing witness can be shown to you but the Gods are not always clear on the why they show these things but they always end up correlating in some way to the real world." Came the less than informative explanation from lord Reed.

"Why bring this up lord Reed? Did someone among your people have a Greendream about the attack on myself?" I asked completely lost on where this conversation is heading.

"Yes Ser Rod, as a matter I was the one who dreamed of your attack and knew where to find you." Lord Reed agreed with my assessment as if I hadn't rhetorically asked it from disbelief.

"Then I and house Greensmith are even more in your debt mi'lord and when I return home I will see it repaid." I pledge to lord Reed who just retains his neutral look he has worn this whole time.

"That can be a discussion for another time Ser Rod but for now please stay and recover while my son and yours plan their little schemes." Lord Morgun politely dismissed me from his office to think over our conversation and worry over what Alyn is planning.

While I was still unsure about Greenseers and such esoteric subjects I did find other useful things to keep me busy like learning how Lizard Lion skin is water proof and can be used in makings of important items like boots, vests, and pants while being more durable than regular leather could come in handy. The Neck was also a treasure trove for a wide variety of plants not found almost anywhere else in the world. Medicinal herbs found here were what helped me survive the loss of my arm and did a great job stopping any infections from forming in the healing shoulder wound.

Jonah also made plenty of visits to myself where we spoke of the Neck and it's people. The history of the Crannogmen was fanscinating, from how House Reed was one of the first group of men to strike a peaceful accord with the Children of the Forest and in turn were taught some of their ways and were even allowed to intermarry with them culminating into the Crannogmen of today.

It was also a tall tale among the Crannogmen that it was house Reed's connections with the Children that drove the Stark's to subjugating them first among the many petty kings of the North at the time, finding the Crannogmen the most dangerous over the likes of the Barrow Kings and the Red Kings. These notions were born in the Starks from what I'm learning more about now, Greensight and Warging.

Greensight at the time was thought to allow the Marsh Kings the ability to predict enemy movements or provide warning in case of sneak attacks, not the fleeting and often times useless images it does show. Warging also played a small role in this since most wargs of the Neck had bird partners to help search for resources, these wargs turned to scouting played into the image of the Marsh King knowing anyone and everyone going in or out of the Neck. In the end though these minor advantages wore out their usefulness and the Starks were able to subjugate the Neck, making the Reeds the first major noble house of the North sworn to the Starks.

The sad thing about a rich history though is that it does not lead to a prosperous house of today and house Reed showed this as one of the poorer houses of the North. The Neck itself offered little in terms of easily tradable resources only affording enough to make a living, the likes of which the Crannogmen have carved out for themselves, it took a hardy and adaptable people to be able to conquer such a unique environment as the one the folk of the Neck have.

I was enjoying my time among the Crannogmen so much I hadn't realized how fast time had passed till Jonah had to remind me it was time for us to leave, but instead of heading straight to Hillview we are to head to castle Hornwood in support of Alyn's pursuit of satisfaction against house Dixon. All Jonah had told me about this Alyn concocted plan was that my eldest son was going to present the case before lord Hornwood as if I was dead to keep master Dixon feeling cocky for his supposed win over house Greensmith. Jonah and I would show up in the middle of the hearing to bring my personal testimony against house Dixon.

The only evidence Alyn is supposed to have is the hand recovered by Jonah and the ring that adorned it, a silver signet ring intended only for a house's heir. The ring itself plus his son missing said hand the ring is supposed to sit on will paint a damning argument against house Dixon, my appearance alive will further corroborate the true story of how my men and I were attacked by Dickon and his twenty Dixon Men at Arms. Alyn had already approached lord Hornwood about my survival before hand from what Jonah says so at least he won't be taken aback by my appearance at the hearing.

Jonah, I, and an entourage of twenty crannogmen warriors rode out the next morning to make it to Hornwood just after the Dixons and Alyn. It took a few days of riding to get used to being astride a horse with only one hand slowing our pace just a bit so I wouldn't fall off. My early troubles actually worked out in our retinues favor as it slowed us down enough to show up a half a day after Alyn and the Dixons.

As we neared the hall voices could be heard arguing within. One I could distinctly make out was Alyn's deep, scratchy, anger laced voice. Jonah pushed the doors open himself with a bang to make an entrance and quiet down the argument.

"Lord Hornwood I'm dearly sorry to interrupt but you seem to have lost a knight in my swamps and as honor demands I've come to see him back home." Jonah announced our presence to the dead quiet room.

"I see that heir Reed, thank you for your assistance but I think this is now house Hornwood's business to take care of." came lord Hornwood's severe reply to Jonah's cheeky entry.

"Of course lord Hornwood, may my men and I impose on your hospitality for a few days to recover before we return to the Neck?" Jonah asked of lord Hornwood.

"House Hornwood would be honored heir Reed, master Littlehorn will see you all settled." Lord Hornwood commanded before Jonah left following the steward of the Hornwoods.

"Now that heir Reed is gone, Rickon is there anything you have to say for yourself in the matter of ordering your heir to kill the head of house of another family?" Was the demand that came from lord Hornwood who looked pissed at the head of house Dixon.

"We did nothing wrong mi'lord those First Men pretenders are nothing but poison and shouldn't have been ennobled in the North!" was the uppity retort from master Dixon. It was the wrong thing to say.

"That is not for you to decide Master Rickon! My father landed Ser Rod and house Greensmith has done nothing but improve upon their and house Hornwood's standing in the North while house Dixon has done nothing but try and tear us apart from the inside out and I will no longer stand for it! As of today house Dixon is stripped of all lands and titles they hold claim too and Ser Alyn is in the right to seek satisfaction against both you and your son." Came the heated proclamation from the head of house Hornwood.

"You can't do this! House Dixon has been nothing but loyal to house Hornwood for generations. Are you really going to throw that away for these pretenders?!" was the frantic denial from the former master of house Dixon.

"I can and I have Rickon! And loyal? don't make me laugh your house's petty feud with house Donnar over the years was more trouble than it was worth but my ancestors kept yours around for some reason but now that leniency is over with this generation of your house paying for it." Came the enraged retort from our lord.

"I demand a trial by combat then for one last chance to prove my house's innocence." Rickon was really grasping at strings now.

"I find it humorous you are trying to invoke an Andal loophole at this time Rickon" Alyn piped in with a sarcastic jab at the already low man.

"You would know about Andal loopholes wouldn't you, you pretender scum." Rickon tried to fire back at Alyn.

"Enough! Fine Rickon I'll give you your trial and Alyn you want your pound of flesh so bad you will fight as my champion" came the decision from lord Hornwood.

"With pleasure mi'lord." Alyn easily agreed.

"Fine to the death then." Rickon shot back.

"Done." Alyn replied before leaving the hall without dismissal.

"Well I guess it is decided Rickon, you will fight Alyn tomorrow morning in the yard but tonight you and your son will stay in heavily guarded rooms for safety of course." Lord Hornwood took back control of the conversation.

"Fine." Rickon huffed before he and his son were led out of the hall by a servant and a dozen Hornwood guards.

"I truly am sorry for what happened to you Rod, my attention has strayed too much lately from my duties as head of house Hornwood. Your son has the right to be angry but do remind him I will not tolerate anymore insolence from my vassals." Lord Hornwood requested of me before departing the hall himself.

My feet took me walking after lord Hornwood left to the only spot I knew Alyn would be now since we weren't at home, denying my son his other favorite stress relief activity, the Godswood. Ever since Diane passed years ago Alyn became a regular visitor to our Godswood when he needed to calm down from something.

I find my two and twenty nameday old son kneeling in front of the Hornwood's Heartree, head bowed in prayer. While Alyn finished his prayer I observed my grown son who has never stopped making me proud. Ever since he was a little boy of two and ten bringing me his first circle harness, Alyn never stopped trying to help our house prosper. Whether it be working the forge, making connections to other noble houses, or protecting our lands and people Alyn has continuously proven himself more than worthy to carry on the legacy of house Greensmith.

Minutes of reminiscing was eventually broken by Alyn rising and turning to face me after finishing his prayer.

"Father it relieves me greatly to finally see you again after what has happened." Alyn started our conversation while wrapping me in a hug that was reciprocated.

"Me as well son. Is the family doing alright? I haven't even had a chance to seek out Asher with how hectic and secretive our arrival was. How are Lyla, Torgun, and Tormund doing?" I asked Alyn, worried how the attack on myself has impacted the family.

"They worried greatly Father when you didn't return home when you were supposed to. Thankfully house Reed has proved a true friend to house Greensmith with their messenger and gifts." Alyn explained to me.

"Are you prepared for tomorrow son?" I asked knowing in my gut already what his answer will be.

"To defend house Greensmith's name and honor? Always father for when the moon is high but the forge is still spry..." Alyn started

"The Greensmith's hammer is nigh and we do not leave our enemies alive." I completed Alyn's personal saying he made up during his beginner days using the war hammer.

We left the seriousness with the Godswood in favor of finding Asher and spending sometime together as a family. It was during these moments together Alyn explained what all he has been doing these past three months since my attack.

Alyn P.O.V. a month after attack

Things had calmed down some what since my Father has been gone from Hillview. Bandits have been thoroughly disabused of the notion that anything could be gained from trampling upon house Greensmith's lands. The Smallfolk have personally been spreading a story far and wide of the Hungry Dancing Bear that guards the land, why couldn't they have used Ser Hammerstone?

Green Town has also made a speedy recovery and is starting to resume their fishing of the Bite. The Grain mill has also saw plenty of use in town and made farmers more willing in their attempts of traveling to the growing settlement. Adding the palisade came with an added consequence in itself when the neighboring village of Green Town, still bearing the scars of the Dixon backed attacks, petitioned to conjoin with Green Town and live within the wooden crescent wall.

I had actually expected this to happen in like five years or so but the attacks have sped things up and I could hardly blame people who only wanted to live in a safer settlement. The only worry I had with this move is one I've had already, causing discontent within the further villages for what could be perceived as favoritism. Eventually I approved the move adding a third ship and some two hundred and fifty-ish people to Green Town. The Smallfolk's houses will be taken down and reconstructed within the large wall while the dock will be subjugated to the same treatment. Overall Green Town's population grew to about six hundred people and three fishing boats, making it well and true the largest settlement on house Greensmith's lands and I wasn't done with it yet.

The happenings in my hall were far more ridiculous than dealing with the people of my lands. Dealing with a pregnant wife and a child able to warg with a rambunctious familiar almost made me yearn for the relief I got while actually attending the duties required of the head of house Greensmith. My darling little Tormund was the only person within Hillview not making constant trouble for me. Lyla, my sweet loving wife, is only about four months along now but still helping run the show after making me want to tear my hair out from her food cravings and sexual demands.

And yes I actually mean sexual demands because come on there is only so many times in a day I can be disturbed from my work to fuck my wife because she thought of me shirtless wielding my war hammer. I had to put a stop to it after one particular day Lyla decided she needed to visit me five times before dinner. I understand how she feels though since I do retire at night exhausted beyond belief from anxiety and stressful work making me sometimes unwilling to please her. Thankfully our marriage was very open and we could discuss these things between each other in the effort to try and reach compromises as best as possible.

Torgun was a little different now in a way I guess you could only attribute to Fang. My son has grown more...Wild I guess is the best way to put it. No longer the somewhat shy boy he was but a active lad with a bit of a vicious streak. I am worried about the animalistic traits seemingly infusing with my son if I hadn't established myself as the alpha when Torgun threw a particularly bad tantrum. I love my son but he only gets one free hit in like everyone else before I lay down the law, this I had to achieve by holding him down and sitting on him while he struggled, eventually tiring himself out enough for me to give him a good smack on the behind and grounding him in his room for a week while Fang was locked up in the kennel.

Balto ,the good old boy he is, kept Fang under guard personally while the wolverine was on lock down. Alerting the kennel master if Fang tried to burrow or body blocking the little beast if the wolverine made it past his gate somehow. I like to think Fang chose to keep it civil and not draw blood on purpose since Balto, while still my best and fiercest dog, was getting older now at eight years making a fight with a young wolverine unwinnable even with help from the other dogs. Wolverines have been known to solo body packs of wolves for their food after all and the smell they emit is truly horrendous.

My youngest son Tormund was doing very well crawling everywhere but recently my heir has started to stand with help from furniture and such so I know it will only be a matter of time before he starts walking. I had hoped my Father would arrive in time to see it but we haven't seen him since Hillview received a forwarded Raven message about his departure from house Flint of the Finger via lord Hornwood about a month and a half ago.

It was the day after Tormund took his first steps when she showed up at Hillview Hall. Let me tell you it was a pretty interesting scene when Wylla Fenn sat herself down in my study with an infant son in one arm and a snowy owl perched on the other.

"Lady Wylla be welcomed into my home but excuse my abruptness when I ask what you are doing here?" I asked the crannog woman.

"My story is a long one I will be happy to tell you Ser Alyn if you find what is in my Lord's letter agreeable." The small woman answered me back while handing over the letter, owl still on said arm and all.

Ser Alyn

I write this letter to inform you your father, Ser Rod, was saved from a attack that left him mortally wounded and dying by my men. Our healer says he is in a coma as of now and we have no idea when he will awake but we will send word when he does. In the meantime Wylla here is an able healer and Warg and is willing to stay with your family if you meet her demands. She also has a bag containing another gift you will find useful. While I ask for nothing now for these tokens of goodwill I do ask you keep the Neck close in mind if you find anything useful to the Crannogmen.

Lord Morgun Reed

Head of house Reed

Master of Greywater Watch

Well I'll be damned. What was in the bag though.

"Mi'lady the letter says you have a bag for me as well?" I ask of Wylla.

"I have it right here good Ser" she quickly answered before handing me the bag like she did the letter.

My mistake was dumping the contents of the bag straight on my desk allowing me the pleasure of being greeted by a bloody, decaying, and gods awful smelling hand adorned with a ring. I choked down the bile to pluck the ring off the hand before stuffing said hand into the bag from which it came. After clearing my mind of the smell I took to studying the silver ring now in my possesion. Oh I do so love when enemies fuck up severely. This should be enough proof with lord Reed's letter to at least get lord Horwood investigating.

But first I had to figure out how to best utilize lady Wylla. " The letter said you would consider staying at Hillview mi'lady but I must ask what has brought you here?" I question the Fenn woman.

"I guess I should start at the beginning Ser Alyn. From an early age I have taken an interest in the healing ways of my people and became good enough at it that I was enlisted as an assist to the healer from the Neck requested by lord Cregan to oversee lady Stark's previous childbirth. It was at Winterfell that I met and fell in love with Brandon Stark, the youngest son of lord Cregan and my junior by four namedays. Eventually we were found out by lord Cregan and I was swiftly kicked out of Winterfell while not yet knowing I was pregnant with my son. It was on my journey back to the Neck where I found out about both my pregnancy and my warging capabilities. I was welcomed back home after my ordeal with open arms and have been practicing my abilities in healing and warging since, till lord Reed charged me and Ortha , my owl companion, to be the messengers between you and house Reed." Wylla explained her role in all this.

"What are your requests to see yourself settled upon house Greensmith's lands?" I asked figuring I ought to know what she wanted in all this.

"I want a nice home within your walls and my son to have a well taken care of position where ever he chooses." She replied, dead calm.

"Easy enough Wylla, Hillview will be delighted to have yourself and Lonnel stay with us. Now if you will please excuse me a guard will show you to some rooms till other accomendations can be arranged." I dismissed Wylla cordially so I could plan out my next steps upon what this conversation has brought to my attention.

Within days of Wylla's arrival a hawk appeared bearing a message of my Father's awakening from his coma. It also spurred me on to speak with lord Hornwood about the mummer's act we will have to portray till my father is healthy enough that traveling to castle Hornwood would be feasable. Which will take around two months if the letter holds true, a month for my father's recovery and a month to travel from the more southern part of the Neck to castle Hornwood. After writing a reply for the Reeds containing my plan, I sent a group of five riders on their way to castle Hornwood as a forward party for warning lord Hornwood of my arrival. A group of thirty mounted guards will accompany myself in leaving tomorrow morning for our own journey to Hornwood.

The rest of the day was spent in preparation for my abrupt departure. Lyla and Ser Ben would watch over things while I was away while the remaining guards set to stay were placed on high alert to avoid any funny business from happening. I made sure to ask Wylla to keep an eye on Torgun while I was away and requested she begin teaching him about warging. The lady of house Fenn agreed but asked that her house be expidited upon my return, which I quickly agreed upon.

Soon enough thirty guards and myself were on the week long trek to the Hornwood. The sizeable retinue of guards and myself were more than enough in a show of strength to ward off any potential threats. The Hornwood was a welcomed sight from our tense trip from Hillview, as unwilling as I was to let my guard down now since a wounded animal such as the Dixon's can become the most dangerous. Lord Horton personally greeted my sizeable entourage and enscorted me to his solar when I expressed the need of it for our conversation.

"Alright Alyn out with it, what has you arriving at my castle with a retinue worthy of a proper fight?" Lord Hornwood demanded of me, as is his right.

"MI'lord an explanation is in order. I'm sure you figured out from the raven you received my Father has made a trip to visit lord Flint of the Finger in pursuit of purchasing stone so we may replace our outer wooden wall that was set on fire a few moons past now." I led into the back story to give lord Horton the full picture.

"Yes I ordered our Maester personally to see the message forwarded to Hillview Alyn but what does that have to do with your appearance here?" Lord Hornwood questioned me again getting a little fustrated with my long windedness.

"Allow me to finish my explanation mi'lord and you will understand." After getting a nod of agreement I soldiered on.

"What you may not know about my tracking down of the bandits that set Hillview's wall alight was that I found a curious ring among the dead men. The sigil it held was scratched out slightly but still legible." I spoke before putting the bronze ring of the dead Dixon man who lead the bandits on their decrepit attacks.

"That was what lead my father and I to remaking our outer wall into stone, a threat of another attempt by the Dixon's to set Hillview alight. But the Dixon's somehow caught wind of our intentions and plotted their own attack. An attack on my Father carried out in the Neck by the heir of house Dixon, Dickon Dixon, and as proof of my accusations the hand of Dickon still adorned with his heir ring." I explained fully while dropping the semi rotted hand on lord Hornwood's desk.

"By the Gods Alyn take the ring off that thing and put it back in it's bag or the smell with linger in my solar." Lord Hornwood somewhat comically reacted to my theatrics but I did as he bid settling the silver ring next to the bronze one infront of my lord.

"Now do you understand mi'lord why I have brought so many men with me. I hope you will not let this attack on house Greensmith by house Dixon go unpunished." I stated getting to the meat of the conversation. Lord Hornwood paused at that, hesitating how he should handle this dispute and for a second my stomach churned by ideas of him wanting my house to be brought down a few pegs.

This thought had been slowly hanging further over my head as BH became more and more popular and with that increasing house Greensmith's wealth. I worried if we were growing so wealthy as to threaten our overlords in a way I had not intended or wanted. When this mess is over I will have to think of something to enrich the Hornwood's further to keep house Greensmith in good standing even if we keep acquiring wealth and power over time. Charcoal kilns or Paper Mills paired with a Longboat like one of our own should open some possibilities into lord Hornwood's good graces. The wild anxious thoughts were put to rest when lord Hornwood spoke again after his internal deliberations.

"This is a serious accusation Alyn but with the evidence you have provided I am leaning towards believing you. But I also find myself curious of the fact you have not mentioned your father has not died from these attacks so if he is alive and can personally corroborate your story I will see house Dixon punished personally for their folly." Lord Hornwood explained to me his stance on the matter.

" He is alive mi'lord but he will not be ready fit for travel for another moon turn or so." I informed lord Hornwood.

"Then we will reconvene here when your father is healthy enough for it and I have summoned the Dixons." Lord Horton decided then before excusing myself from his solar.

After spending a day with Asher I left the Hornwood to wait out the rest of the time before the Dixon's downfall at Hillview. Things were quiet at home and even Gerold's messages from Dixon lands were filled with nothing of substance since master Rickon was focused on his son who had been touch and go after his return from the attack on my father but had finally stabilized. Good I wanted that little shit alive to witness his family's downfall.

Wylla got her house she wanted and was content helping teach Torgun about warging and assisting with any injuries she could. Overall thanks to her abilities she quickly became a vital person within our walls. Leroy also seemed to be getting injured far more often lately, I will have to keep an eye on that.

Before I could really believe it Hillview received word that heir Jonah and my father were on the move towards castle Hornwood. The days seemed to slow to a crawl as I tried to best time out my own journey towards castle Hornwood but eventually I arrived just a few hours behind the Dixons. I was welcomed by my uncle master Nestor Littlehorn, steward of the Hornwoods, who showed me to a room where I waited till lord Hornwood summoned me to begin the trial against the Dixons.

It was only about two hours before I was summoned to the main hall of the castle where lord Hornwood and the Dixons awaited me. The bickering started then and lasted till my Father and Jonah Reed barged into the main hall kicking off the main trial. Things played out how I hoped even if my exit was a little belligerent but I was thoroughly riled up and had to rid myself of Rickon Dixon's presence.

That was how my Father found me in the Godswood of the Hornwoods' where we finally caught up after his ordeal in the Neck. This lead us to spending the rest of the night with Asher as a family for the first time in a long time. After a night of laughs and happiness with my Father and brother it was time for the bloody business to resume.

Fully armored in my battle regalia of dark grey plate I marched out to the training yard of the castle with the intentions of ending this feud with the Dixons by blood or by yield. Rickon Dixon didn't take much time to present himself in what I could only guess is the best armour he could outfit himself with. Mismatched pieces of plate were what the man wore likely thrown together from the best pieces in the Hornwood's armory at the time.

When we were ready the guards brought by lord Hornwood surrounded us leaving no room for escape before the fight was commenced. Rickon wasted little time coming at me with an over head strike. I depthly sidestepped the move before giving him a love tap on his back with Stonebreaker that nearly sent the man face first into the dirt. Luckily for Rickon he landed on one knee with shield arm braced against the ground. I didn't press my attack when Rickon was down as I was hoping to humiliate the man while beating him bloody.

Rickon seeing my defenses decided to tempt fate and readied up for another row in his own defensive stance. I just let loose a bellowing laugh as Stonebreaker came down on Rickon shield with a mighty thud. The teeth of my hammer made mince out of the wood and Iron studs after four powerful blows from my weapon of choice. I even bludgeoned a hole in Rickon's thigh from the pointed end of my hammer.

It became apparent after our first five minutes of exchanging blows that Rickon is not a martially inclined man and gathering from his earlier actions I guess he could be considered a gutless craven but all men desperate enough can find an inner strength to fight on even in the most dire of straits. This is what was unleashed upon me when I finally knocked Rickon to the ground after shattering his shield into little wooden and metal pieces.

Two hands upon his longsword and with nothing left but desperation Rickon launched what would be his final gambit attack. Strike after strike attempted to circumvent my guard as fast as Rickon was able. Small nicks and cuts soon followed on myself before I tired enough that Rickon was able to slice in between the plates of my right thigh. The pain was enough to momentarily drop me to one knee while Rickon geared up for another attack.

I watched as the attack came at me, it was a over head one handed strike probably meant to take my head off but I wasn't worried for some reason instead all I fault was a super natural calm. It was almost like an out of body experience when I watched my left hand drop my shield and just reach up and grab the hand the meant to strike me down. Then control seemingly returned to myself and I took advantage of my stunned opponent to bodily tackle him to the ground. While sitting on top of my enemy punches just started raining down, for how long they continued I don't know but when I did stop Rickon's helm was mangled and bloody. In my abating blood-lust I ripped off the downed man's helm to show the courtyard the dead eyes and magled face of Rickon DIxon.

There was a unnatural quiet in the courtyard that was only disturb after lord Hornwood approached Rickon's body and subsequently pronounced him dead. Dickon broke out into a murderous tirade at that but was easily subdued by the Hornwood guards before being led to the dungeons till he could be transported to the Wall.

I was aloud to return to my guest rooms so that I maybe looked over by the Maester. Besides the one solid thigh wound most of my ailments were small cuts and nicks that would need to be cleaned to avoid infection. After being treated by the Hornwood's Maester for a few hours I was bandaged up and escorted to lord Hornwood's solar with my Father.

"Rod and Alyn I'm sorry for disturbing your rest after that fight this morning but there are some things we need to discuss." Lord Hornwood explained to my father and I.

"House Greensmith is in your debt for seeing justice brought to house Dixon lord Horton whatever it is you need of us you shall have." My father answered to lord Hornwood's leading statement.

"House Greensmith has proven to be a fine and true vassal bringing in wealth and prestige to both our houses and I would like to see our families strike a closer bond in these times of inner turmoil within the North. This is why I propose Asher marry my younger daughter Helena and start a new masterly house sworn to house Hornwood. On top of this house Greensmith will also now be recognized fully as a minor masterly house sworn to house Hornwood. The slight change in station is mostly to ensure that if your house falls to only a female member they will be allowed to attain a matrilineal marriage for themselves keeping house Greensmith alive as per the laws of Northern inheritance." Lord Hornwood offered to us with a slight rise in station. Ehh Ser Alyn Greensmith, Master of Hillview Hall does have a nice ring to it. Time to jump into these negotiations with style.

"That would be most agreeable lord Horton and I have an Idea on how to make both house Hornwood and this new house some gold." I spoke for the first time getting both my father's and lord Horton's attention.

"Well Alyn I'm listening, what is it that you propose?"Lord Horton questioned me now seemingly fully onboard with his own idea.

"I have been developing a type of oven for lack of a better word that will make creating charcoal an easier process by protecting the wood from the elements. I will freely give my designs to you if a fair deal is struck. I do not want my brother's new house to be as destitute as the Dixon's were." I explain to lord Hornwood. The design for the copper kiln was easy to figure out after my last visit to the Hornwood had almost given me an anxiety attack from fear of threatening the Hornwoods too much financially. Charcoal was not even my first idea I thought of for this situation since I originally wanted to set up the Hornwood's with a paper mill instead but I have not been able to get anywhere close to a working recipe for a paper making process as of now. Oh well charcoal will bring in plenty of gold for both houses because of it's versatile amount of uses in the North so I should have little worry.

"I am sure we can reach agreement that will leave us all more than pleased." Lord Hornwood stated seemingly amenable to a deal.

"A fifty percent split I think would be most ideal mi'lord. Asher's family will gather and prepare the charcoal then house Hornwood will see it sold and shipped bringing in profits for both famalies. To sweeten the deal house Greensmith will commission a river longboat like one of our own for house Hornwood's use as either a fishing vessel or a trade ship ferrying wool and charcoal down the Broken Branch to market at White Harbor." I finish my offer to the now stunned lord Hornwood.

"You sure know how to make a deal impossible to refuse Alyn, I accept these terms."Lord Hornwood exclaimed probably happy we weren't trying to leverage for more, but I never did like rocking the boat, personally preferring to make friends in this dog eat dog world and who better to have as a friend than the man who holds your direct fealty. Soon enough with better yields from their fields, the wool they sell, and a pending charcoal industry in the making the Hornwoods would stay ahead of house Greensmith financially and possibly erasing any tensions such things could cause.

"If it pleases you mi'lord I would gauge your interest in splitting the cost of refurbishing the Dixon's former keep since it's condition is far from acceptable as it is now." I inquire upon lord Hornwood since I doubt he would want his daughter being the lady of a keep that was likely to topple over with her still inside.

"I am quite interested Alyn, I have been to the former keep of the Dixons several times and I'm still surprised the place has not collapsed yet. But I am willing to pay half the price for ther keep's renovation with a stone wall." Was lord Hornwood's own views of the subject. Clever as well to leverage the fact we are already going to be importing stone for ourselves in order to gain that added layer of protection for his daughter.

I looked to my Father in question only to receive a shallow nod of approval for this deal. "That is acceptable mi'lord shall we announce the betrothal tonight?" I pressed.

"Yes I shall announce the agreement tonight and we will feast in celebration. Now I think it best you both inform Asher while I summon my own family to receive the news." Lord Hornwood lightly dismissed us so we could go and inform Asher before dinner was set to begin in a little while.

We found the wayward Greensmith son in the training yard sparring with lord Horton's second son Dontell. Daegon was amiable enough to allow my Father and I the ability to take Asher somewhere private since his other charge was also summoned away shortly after we interrupted the training session. Asher took the news of his future marriage as well as one could expect from a ten nameday old lad, meaning he threw a bit of a tantrum. He eventually calmed down enough to accept his fate as a good son of our house would and we all proceeded to get cleaned up for the feast thrown in honor of the announcement.

The feast was glorious in such a way I was honestly surprised lord Hornwood could throw such a menu together in as short amount of time as he did. Lady Hornwood quickly disabused me of that notion when I brought it up stating how she worked tirelessly all afternoon to make this occasion as special as it deserved,since it was not everyday after all a vassal and their overlord create a new shared cadet house. The name or sigil of said cadet house has not been decided as of yet because my father, lord Horton, and myself agreed Asher and Helena should choose such things for themselves when they are older.

Soon enough the merriment of the feast died off and everyone turned in for the night for a peaceful sleep. Myself chief among them since as soon as my head hit the pillow I was dreaming of Hillview and planning the arrival of My and Lyla's second babe.

"Ser Alyn Wake Up! Ser it's an emergency!" A voice I know to be Leroy's called out to me while simultaneously banging on the door.

"I'm up Leroy what is it!" I called out while wiping the sleep from my eye only to have Leroy barge into the room.

"Ser your father he's been attacked!" Leroy hurriedly said to me while throwing me my pant's and shirt from last night.

"What! Lead the way Leroy we must hurry!" I respond half dressed and barefooted as we take off down the hall to my father's room.

I found an absolute quagmire waiting to greet me next to my father's dead body. Dickon Dixon restrained on his knees covered in blood gave me my first clue of what happened here but it wasn't till lord Horton started speaking did everything come to light. I will never know how the guards had missed the small dagger Dickon had hidden on himself since they paid for their folly with their lives exactly like my Father and his guard that was stationed outside the door. Leroy was the man who had caught Dickon after he had just finished stabbing my father and alerted the castle upon the matter while trying to restrain Dickon from escaping.

Anger, pain, and sadness were the emotions that came to me unbridled as my brain caught up to the conscious world. I was torn in that moment as on one hand I wanted to beat Dickon to death for his murder of my father on the other hand I wanted to sit by my father's body and cry. Lord Hornwood made the decision for me though, commanding his men to see Dickon brought back to the dungeons naked so as to avoid anymore disasters. After ten minutes of shuffling I was left alone in the room with my father's body and Leroy. Leroy the good man he was apologized profusely for what happened like it was his fault and begged for my forgiveness.

I just turned to him before I moved to stand directly in front of the man with a hand on his shoulder. "Leroy you have nothing to be sorry for about tonight. Dickon Dixon did this in his madness and he may have killed more if you had not found and put a stop to him. When we get back to Hillview and I have put my father to rest next to my mother you and I will have a much more in depth discussion of things." I mysteriously tell Leroy before dismissing him to guard the door so I may start to grieve properly.

I sat next to the bed after the door closed and just let the tears fall. It must've been hours as I just sat there crying and thinking of all the good times I have had with my father. Only when the sun started to rise did the acolytes of the Maester show up to take my father's body away so that preparations for it's transport back to Hillview maybe handled. It was only after the body left the room did I rise from my chair in an effort to return to my own room so that I may wash and change my clothes for the day. I had Leroy send for a servant to bring Asher to my room so I could inform my brother of what has happened.

Asher broke down crying when the news finally settled in his head and all I could do was hold my little brother tight as the grief took it's course. Hours we sat there till a Leroy intruded upon us to relay that lunch was ready if we were willing to partake. Asher didn't want to but I was able to convince him something in his belly was better than nothing. Lord Horton looked as pained as I felt when he spotted Asher and I coming into the hall for lunch more than likely looking more disheveled than what was normally acceptable.

The meal was a relatively quiet affair with the only thing of note was lord Horton whispering to me that he plans to execute Dickon in the yard this afternoon and he would appreciate it if I was there. I gave my consent mostly just to see the bastard dead than promote whatever show of unity lord Horton wished to give. Before I could even begin to fully process how things have drastically changed in the matter of hours after lunch, a guard came to inform me of the prisoner's execution in the yard.

It was a sickening feeling I developed when stepping out into the yard where just the day before I had felt so accomplished in the fact I had put this bloody feud with house Dixon behind me before that notion got shit upon by life. A short period of standing and waiting accompanied my arrival before Dickon Dixon was carried into the yard by two guards followed by a fully armored lord Horton carrying the sword I had forged for him a few years ago.

A block was quickly placed in the center of the body circle that had formed around the bound Dickon and lord Horton, who nodded at a guard to hold Dickon upon the block. The last rights were spoke and Dickon's last words of "You shall rue the day my house was brought low!" were heard before the satisfying sound of metal hitting wood echoed throughout the silent courtyard which was then followed by the thump of Dickon's severed head hitting the ground. Lord Horton wasted little time after the beheading, having the body and head gathered and disposed of before everyone was dismissed from the vigil.

Dinner was a subdued affair with more than a few silences dragging on till lady Hornwood could stand it no longer and reluctantly tried to break them only for the conversation to die out into another silence. Asher and I only attended so we could show a united front while I sought lord Horton's permission for Asher to return to Hillview for a time so he may grieve with our family. Lord Horton probably feeling pretty remorseful of the whole situation agreed easily and wished us well in our healing. Asher, I, and our retinue of guards left after lunch on our procession to lay the founder of house Greensmith's body to rest in the hall he saw built.

The news hit Hillview like a ton of bricks from nearly loosing Ser Rod to an ambush in the Neck only for him to be killed by a knife in the dark rattled many of the household. Torgun and Asher handled it the worse but what could one expect from young boys who don't have the emotional maturity to deal with it in healthy ways yet like me for example when I cried myself to sleep in Lyla's arms the first few nights I was home. Fang feeling the distress of Torgun tried running amuck in the kennels only for Balto to somehow wrestle him down, I don't know how Balto did it since Fang weighs more now than my good ole boy does. From what the kennel master told me Fang was being fairly rebellious to Balto's initial attempts at placating him but then after a few tumbles the wolverine just seemed to collapse into submission in front of the snow dog. Their was an inkling in my mind that it may have been Torgun doing something but I wasn't in the mood to press my eldest about it.

After the viewing was held we were finally able to lay my father to rest by the Godswood, right next to my mother as he would have wanted. I was going to etch a remembrance into another stone as I did with my mother but I with held when I caught Asher doing one himself. It filled my chest with great warmth when I stumbled upon that scene and when Asher looked to me for approval after the grave had been filled, I gave him a tearful but proud nod of ascent.

News of my father's passing as well as my ascension to head of house Greensmith spread quickly and brought with it the many messages of condolences from friends and allies alike. Yohan had even heard of the tragedy and sent a heartfelt letter containing his condolences along with a barrel of fine vintage Arbour Gold.

Even the Gods seemed to have taken offense of my father's death as now the weather has been turning colder and snow clouds were starting to compile in the sky meaning that winter was well on it it's way. It took two days after I noticed a dip in the temperature for a raven to come from Hornwood with the news, the Citadel has sent out the White Ravens and predicted one more harvest before winter fully started settling in.

This information did not startle me overtly much since I have felt that summer would be coming to end sooner than later and have begun stockpiling grain and foodstuffs for the past two harvest cycles. I would also have to make a trip to Ramsgate to negotiate a deal with lord Manson for leasing my longboats during winter. This would also have to coincide with the Northern Fall Harvest Festival which would surely take place sometime within the next three to four moons before snow made areas impossible for horses or people to travel threw.

So many things to do when house Stark's words ring true.

A/N: Hello Readers and thank you for reading the newest chapter! I'm sorry it took a while to write and get out to you all but I hope the length makes up for it. I am going to try and keep my chapters broken up to about 5-7000 words from now on so I can hopefully keep writing them faster but this one I wanted to show different P.O.V.s to try and work on them for later in the story but overall i am pleased with this chapter and think it sets up things nicely for more stuff later down the line. Anyway thank you again for reading and supporting my story next chapter meeting Lord Manson.

"Tell me Lord Greensmith what do you know of house Redsmith?" Unknown