Chapter 16

We pushed on through the day to reach our destination. Close to nightfall we arrived at the edge of Wintertown. Rows and rows of timber and stone dwellings laid out before us. Since it's currently winter, every house had smoke rising from their chimneys and light could be seen lining the edges of windows. Snow covered the place and gave the place a somber atmosphere.

"We have arrived, let's go to the local inn. We can seek an audience with Lord Stark tomorrow." I said and began walking.

"An inn, thank the gods. I can't wait to sleep in an actual bed." Ivar bemoned.

"Yes, you've been reminding us of that from the moment we started our journey." Aela replied.

"Forget beds, I want a proper meal!" Gentle yelled while rubbing his belly.

"I'm sure they have both, just a little farther now." I said as we walked down the path.

"How are you doing Maralynn?" Brant asked.

"I'm fine daddy, Sceolang's fur is really warm and I'm not that tired." she replied from Sceolang's back.

"We'll get out of this cold shortly," he replied.

As we entered the town, we caught a few weary glances. Half our group are quite tall and stand out. We paid them no mind however and continued on. The closer we got to the end of the path, after passing many homes, the smell of cooked food caught my attention. Accompanying the smell, sounds of laughter drew my attention to a two story building. Lights lined its windows and door. A man appearing drunk sat just outside the door staring off into the distance.

Just beyond the inn, further down the path, stood the outer wall of Winterfell. A gate stood shut at the end of the path. The size of the thing was amazing. Even greater still was the inner wall. From this distance I couldn't see the top.

Making our way towards the inn, the man outside eyed us warily. He didn't impede our progress and I stood before the door. The sounds of laughter and chatter grew louder with my nearness. So too did the smell of food and I couldn't wait to eat a real meal. Pushing the doors open I walked through the doors, though I did have to duck my head, and instantly, the laughter died and the inn was silent. The others followed in behind me and all eyes were on us.

Looking around there were a good amount of people in the place. Tables filled the place and most were occupied. The tables were on either side, leaving a path down the middle to the bar. Many candles lit the place nicely and the warm atmosphere was well appreciated. A fireplace filled with wood kept the place pleasantly warm and I could hear the wood cracking.

Ignoring the stares, I made my way to the bar where a man stood behind the counter. Eyes tracked us as we passed, once I made it to the counter I looked down at the man behind it. He looked up at me and my group.

"Good evening, I would like lodging at this fine establishment." I said and the man eyed my group once more.

"I got only two rooms left." he replied, eyeing me wearily.

"That'll be fine, I'd also like a meal for me and my group." I said and at this point the other occupants seemed to lose interest and went back to their own affairs. Laughter and conversation filled the air once more.

"Thats fine, those things will have to stay outside though. Can't have animals running around. Other than that, it'll be ten stars for the room and meal. Pick a table and someone will be with you in a moment." the man said.

"I understand, Brant." I replied and indicated for Brant to pay the man as I turned to my beasts.

"Alright you two, you'll have to wait outside. Stay close to the inn and don't kill anyone. If something happens just howl." I said to the two and they nodded and turned to leave. Maralynn had to climb off Sceolang's back and she looked sad to see him leave.

As they left I looked around and found a table at the wall that had a good view of the door. Making my way over with the others following behind I realized the tabel only had four chairs. Luckily, there was a table close by and we simply moved the tables together.

"Nice place." I said.

"I've seen better," Gentle replied.

"It's better than sleeping under the stars," Ivar added.

"The light of the moon shining down on you as you sleep. Nothing beats that," Aela said.

"What do you think Brant?" I asked the older man.

"Warm, clean, no whores pestering us, a decent place my Lord." he replied.

"As you say, I just can't wait for the food," I said.

Speaking of, a young girl made her way to our table. She couldn't have been older than eighteen, she looked tired as she approached. When she arrived at our table however, she smiled as if receiving one of the inn's regulars.

"Hello, what can I get you?" She asked.

"What do you have to drink?" I asked.

"We have water, ale and wine. I recommend the ale, it was made recently and is a common drink."

"Okay, a mug for each of us and two pitchers. Now, what's on the menu?" I asked.

"We have beef stew," she answered.

"One for each of us please." I said and she went off to get our orders.

"Beef stew huh, it'll do." Gentle said.

"I would have preferred something a little more extravagant, oh well" Ivar added with a shake of his head

Our food was delivered and we ate silently. After our meal we decided to call it a night and headed to sleep. Brant shared a room with his children while the others and I shared a room. Waking into our room, there was only one bed.

"As Aela is the only female, I'll allow her to sleep with me tonight." Ivar said as if he was doing some generous act.

"Or you could sleep outside," Aela replied.

"You make things too complicated, Ivar." Gentle said as he and Gunnar found spots on the floor and laid down.

"I agree, so I'll be taking the bed while you two can sleep together on the floor." I said and made my way to the bed. Dropping my gear beside the bed I plopped myself down. It wasn't very comfortable, but it was better than the floor.

"Bed, floor, it makes no difference to me sweetheart." Ivar said as he lay on his side while stretching his arm out for Aela to rest her head on.

"I'd rather sleep under the moon." Aela said as she went to the other side of the room and laid down.

I awoke the next day before the others. Not wanting to wake them yet, I sneaked out of the room. I had planned to go outside and get some fresh air but as I opened the door I saw Brant standing off to the side watching the snowfall.

"My lord," he said as he greeted me. I nodded in greeting as I stood beside him and looked out at the early morning sky.

"Get any sleep?" I asked.

"Not much, haven't slept well since, since then." He replied.

"The kids?" I asked.

"The boys fell asleep the moment they laid down."

"Maralynn?" I asked.

"Sigh, she has it worse than me. Not that the boys aren't having any trouble. They just hide it better. But Maralynn, she hardly sleeps. And if there's even the slightest sound she immediately wakes." As he spoke he seemed to age significantly.

"I'm surprised she managed to even come with us. I mean, you may have given me your oath, but we're still strangers to her. That girl is strong." I said.

"Just like her mother. She was a strong woman, my Giya."

"I never did get her name." I said.

"Yeah, we haven't really spoken about her much. The boys and I just can't bear to bring her up. I think about her all the time. I still remember how she cursed me out when I brought up the idea of fighting in the rebellion. That woman knew what to say to stop you in your tracks."

"I take it then you didn't join?" I asked.

"Naw, King Robert would have been fine without the help of some old hedge knight. And besides, I had a family to look after. Lotta good that did."

"I didn't get the pleasure to properly meet your wife, but I think she would have been proud that you were able to get out with your kids." I said while placing a hand on his shoulder.

"You know, the last thing she said to me was to save our kids. That's what I tell them anyway."

"What did she really say?" I asked as I removed my hand.

"She said that it was all my fault. That if I let her kids die, if I didn't save Maralynn, she'd come back to life just to kill me."

"Damn." I said, unable to find other words.

"My boys were too busy crying so they didn't hear her. But she was right, it was my fault. I was supposed to protect them, I failed. But she gave me her final task, save them, and I did. I saved them." When he finished, he dropped his head low and his shoulders shook.

I placed my hand on his shoulder and we just stood there silently. I watched the sun rise while he had his head lowered with his eyes firmly shut. And like that time flew by until we could hear the others making their way out.