144 Witches

Catelyn Stark – The Riverlands – Riverrun

Never in all her life had Catelyn faced as much anxiety as she had in just the last few months. Between the crippling fall for Bran, watching half of her family leave home and then hearing the shocking news coming from King's Landing. She had been travelling slowly since leaving the capital, not wishing to exhaust herself like she did when coming south. When news came on the road of her husband being arrested for treason, she had been quick to change her route to Riverrun to seek aid from rest of House Tully.

When she arrived, she learned of the troubling news of her father suffering under a terrible illness, something he had kept secret to only a select few, leaving her brother Edmure in charge of his duties. She wanted nothing more than her family to gather their men and march south in defence of her husband yet knew such a rash move would only worsen the situation.

"Only worsen…" She muttered to herself, bowing her head slightly. Glancing down at the desk she was sitting at, she'd read over the fourth letter she had been writing, this one to her sister in the Eyrie. She wishes she could do more than write pleading letters, but for now, that was all she had to rely on. Before she could continue writing, there be a knock at the door and the voice of a servant speaking through it.

"Lady Stark…Lord Edmure and Ser Brynden are requested you to come to The Great Hall for a special meeting."

Curious, she'd get up and grab her cloak before opening the door to gaze at the shy servant girl. "At this hour? What is the reason for this?"

"I…it seems a strange trio of women has come to pay respects to your brother my lady. They claim to have news about your husband and children."

The part mentioning her family drew a surprised look show on Catelyn's face as she'd quickly hurry to pass the servant and heading through the winding halls to the main hall. She knew she shouldn't be so excited by this, since she knew nothing of these visitors. But right now she had to know what happened to her family after the harrowing escape from King's Landing a week ago. Reaching the Great Hall speedily involved crossing the lush Godswood, following a clear trail from the main keep to the Hall itself. Arriving, she'd find her uncle and brother already seated at the head table, Edmure at his place in the high seat.

Edmure was a dashing clean-shaven man with a broad strong jaw, short cut auburn hair and sharp deep blue eyes. He had a lean muscular build, expect of him considering he was next in line to lead House Tully since it's Lord to be capable for battle. She just hoped his hot-headed nature and a near-blind desire for women didn't get the better of him.

Her uncle Brynden or better known as the Blackfish was an example of what Edmure may look like in his later years. His hair was now a deep grey and face wind-burnt, though his own blue eyes had not lost their fierce lustre. Despite his age he was quite fit, having kept to his strict training even during peaceful times. Being a veteran of over fifty battles was no small feat and he was planned to increase that number with the next conflict.

"I have a bad feeling about these guests, Edmure. It's improper that you let strangers in so late, much less the type claiming to be 'seers'." The Blackfish muttered. He and his nephew often argued though Brynden did it out of stern advice.

"They claim to have information about Lord Eddard and his daughters. Rumours and guessing will only get us so far, so can't hurt to see what these three sisters have to offer."

"From what the guards say they are an odd bunch, foreign though not seeming to be from Essos." At this point Brynden would see Catelyn, giving a short nod to her as she'd take her seat close by. "Could you convince your brother to reconsider this meeting? For all, we know this could be a ruse of some fortune-tellers."

"Uncle…I know this may seem informal, but we're desperate for any information. If they demand payment, then we will refuse them and send them away. Surely that is a good compromise." She calmly answered back.

"Waste of time this is…" The Blackfish muttered. before the main doors into the hall were pushed open.

Four guards filed in followed by three women dressed in quite common clothes fitting of peasants, though crafted out of fine materials. Their garb was a mix of work dresses and aprons, though each one had a few extra accessories such as one wearing a red cone hat, another vialed headdress and the other carrying wicker basket full of bottles drinks and brew at her hip. One thing they all shared was the fact they were all breathtakingly beautiful, having full curvy figures and soft comely faces. One thing for sure was that Edmure had an appealed gleam in his eyes, much to his uncle's annoyance.

The trio approached the high table before stopping to give low respectful bows to the gathered Tullys.

"Lord Edmure…"

"…Ser Brynden…"

"…and Lady Stark…"

"We are honoured for this sudden audience." All three said at once as they again gave a low bow. Their voices did have an odd tone to it, very unlike the accents common to the Riverlands or the neighbouring Kingdoms.

The three Tullys gave curious looks between the visitors and then themselves, finding this greeting to be quite…different. "Wonder how long they rehearsed that," Brynden whispered to Catelyn with a low chuckle.

"They are a bit eccentric that is sure." She muttered in agreement as the three women stood up from their bow. "I wonder how they knew my name though. I've only been home for little more than a month and in secret."

Her uncle glanced back at the women with a questioning look, rubbing across the scruff of his chin in thought. His nephew though was quick to greet back their odd guests.

"Thank you for such a kindly greeting. It seems you already know us, though we cannot say the same for you." He answered back formally.

"Our names are quite…unique, good Lord. My name would be Whispess, eldest and leader of our group." Said the woman with the hooded vale. She'd then gesture to her sisters, first to the one with the cone hat. "This would be Weavess…" Then to the one with the basket of bottles. "and Brewers. The three of us are Seers who have taken home at a place you call Highheart."

Again the Tullys leaned in to speak to themselves. "Odd names indeed. Those surely can't be their real names." Catelyn whispered. "Highheart, that is a barren hill just to the southeast of here. Nothing there but Weirwood stumps."

"They are foreign. I know Highheart has been abandoned since the time of the Andels, at least in legend. I question though if they have the right to take ownership of it. Besides, we have gotten reports of disappearances around those woods."

"Then perhaps we should ask them about that," Edmure muttered before speaking up towards the three sisters. "I can tell you three aren't from Westeros. May I ask what brought you to that ancient hill in the first place?"

Weavess would step forward to answer. "Because of prophecy. The hill is sacred despite being uncared for generations and we seek to restore it to its former glory."

"Already life blooms under our care. Our rites and elixirs do such wonders." Brewess added.

"Another question, would you happen to know of the odd disappearances throughout the woods there?" Edmure asked.

"Odd stirring is about that is for sure. We cannot say good lord, for we've kept to the hill and surroundings woods ever since finding it." Whispess formally answered. "But surely you wish us to answer more concerning questions. Our gift of sight shows us many things, such as the fate of the dear Lady's husbands and children."

"Forgive me if I'm doubtful on such claims. I've heard plenty of promises from soothsayers and fortunetellers, more than enough to know they are fakes." The Blackfish sternly questioned.

A faint smirk was just seen under the seer's vale, seeming amused by the knight's remarks. "Harsh words Blackfish. Always the outsider within your family, striving to impress. Why else would you have thrown yourself battle after battle, facing greater odds?" However, she'd stop when she saw the man's scowl, hinting that she was right with her prediction.

"Do not trouble the man trouble the man with the truth sister, we are here to aid the worried mother," Weavess added, giving a short bow to the Tullys and looking to Catelyn. "Do you wish to hear what our sight has shown, even if it brings pain to you?"

There was a tense silence as Catelyn looked to her uncle and brother. Brynden had a sharp glare in his eyes, showing the seer's words about him had struck a nerve. Edmure though seemed quite curious over what he had heard so far. In the end, she'd nod to the three sisters in agreement. "Tell me then…the worse parts first."

"Brave of you to ask of that. A strong woman as the signs say." Brewess cooed.

"The Warden of the North, Old Wolf of the House of Stark, is crippled." Weavess calmly stated.

"Felled by the cruel arrow of a living shadow." Whispess finished.

Catelyn trembled hearing what the seers said. Their words while vague had deep meaning to them and the way the three looked at her showed no lies from what she could tell. "Tell me more. Everything…how he was captured…what happened to my daughters…all of it."

"A fraud trial he was condemned, having learned a truth taboo and vile."

"Torn between love and honour, he chose family before all else."

"Yet the false boy-king forgo reason for selfish malice, wanting death instead of mock justice."

"That loyal , priest of red, fencer and slayer of monsters intervened…"

"…hurrying a dying Lord and mourning daughters to the isle of black stone."

"Black stone? The only place could be Dragonstone." Edmure muttered to his sister. "Eddard mentioned that Stannis was the true heir to the Iron Throne in his letter. It makes sense they'd flee there."

"And it explains why we got no direct messages from them as well. They must assume you are still returning to Winterfell." Brynden muttered, giving a sideward glance to the seers. "These women must have some far-reaching ties to know this…are masters of guessing…or…"

"Magic?" Edmure chuckled.

"Bloody fantasy that is." The Blackfish lowly growled. "Hate how they talk in turn and have to be so vague on every sentence! I prefer straight answers, not damn riddles!"

"When you think over every word, it makes sense." Catelyn calmly pointed out. "What matters is my daughters are safe at Dragonstone and Jason is watching them."

"A no more capable man considering. Ignoring the false claims the Lannisters have. He'll get them to the North safely."

"If you will excuse us interrupting your graces, we do have more to say. There is nothing else we can share about Lady Stark's daughters, but we can offer other services to you."

"Such as?' Edmure curiously questioned.

"Potent brews and cures, advice, mystic knowledge and of our sight," Weavess stated.

"We seek only the stability of the Lords and people in the Riverlands. With civil war threatening your lands, we'd be a valuable ally." Brewess added.

"All we ask is that we have official ownership High Heart and the boundary woods. We seek to make it a…haven for those needing aid and comfort. Many people will be displaced by the conflict. We have great experience tending to the orphaned young as well." Whispress finished.

"I don't trust them," Brynden muttered. "We know too little of them and who knows what they haven't told us."

"Worried about three charming women living on an empty hill uncle? We'll keep a close eye on them, see if there is anything odd about them. However, they could prove useful if they are willing to help for little to nothing."

"Which is what worries me. Everything has a price, no matter how freely offered."

Edmure paused in thought, looking between uncle and sister before glancing at the three sisters. His gaze drifted over their alluring bodies and soft charming faces. They seemed to notice his glancing interest, giving sly smiles and glares to him. "This…is a matter I will have to think over. Still, I will allow you to stay at High Heart and will send a messenger once I've decided."

"As you see fit Lord Edmure," Whispress replied before she and her sisters gave a short bow. "Then we will take out leave but be weary in the coming weeks."

"For the woods will be thick with the dead…" Weavess followed up.

"…and the rivers thick red with blood," Brewess added.

With that the three turned to leave, sandaled feet patting across the ground. Low chuckles and giggles escaped from them, which was chilling as it seemed to become a more witchy cackle as the door behind them closed shut. Catelyn felt shaken after that grim warning and knew that things were about to get much worse for her whole family.

"Robb…Bran…Rickon…Sansa and Arya…by Old Gods and New please be safe…" She whispered to herself while her uncle and brother gave worried looks to her as she'd silently hold back tears.

…

"Quite a good first impression yes?" Whispess chuckled

"Edmure was nearly love struck. Did you see how he eyed me?" Brewess giggled.

"Such a lustful man. He will be easy to toy with once we get our claws on him." Weavess gleefully remarked.

"We have plenty of choices if he proves too difficult. These Lannisters to the south could be a useful tool…and when the young Robb marches from the North he could be controlled."

"The minor Houses should be our next focus. So much old hates and ambitions, easy to warp to our needs."

The three Crones looked over Riverrun from the cover of the thick woods, all of them now in their monstrous true forms. They had been getting stronger in the last few weeks, the growing magic and fresh meat of humans having restored their power quickly.

"We must play to our guise sister. If we reveal too much our true nature, we will have to take more…forceful steps to build our army." Whispress glanced to Brewess. "How have your experiments been going with the Pit? We need more than the ghouls if we wish to strike out."

"Oh, I have something better for cooking. Been hunting all the beasts needed to create a chort for us, perhaps a fiend if the pit's power is a strong as we believe."

"Then focus all your attention and power to it. Weavess and I will see to dealing with Raventree Hall and the troublesome boy. The Blackwoods may be a minor House, they're influence could prove dangerous if left unchecked." The crone gave a grin under her veil. "Winter is coming sisters…we must be strong for the 'sake' of all of Westeros."