Victory Comes at a Cost

Sansa

The Tully Army marched in formation going over a hill where the combined armies of Ryswell and Dustin gathered and appeared to be waiting for them, she scanned their numbers, little more than three thousand, maybe more but they brought ten thousand Tully warriors with them to bring these traitor Houses to heel for their acts against her family.

Her uncle called for a parlay to see if they would surrender, in response they sent back a Stark banner coated in wolves blood. Now a battle will take place.

"What's to be done?" She asked her uncle Brynden who cleared his throat before answering her.

"We let them make the first move, I will give us the first victory." She nodded to what was said and he gave the command, waiting to see it all play out.

The Dustin heavy infantry began to slowly move, shields ready to halt incoming arrows which were loosed at the orders of her uncle. Ryswell cavalry moved to the left after a thousand shield men marched out, this gave her uncle the opportunity and called for 3,000 horse to began riding hard on the right flank. The Dustin heavies stopped and formed in a square formation, to better fight the incoming cavalry.

That wasn't their intention as the 3,000 horse went right for the enemy right and all of their archers, stomping hundred and causing more to flee as they were attacked. Finally the Tully heavy infantry began moving in on the Dustin forces, constant volleys of arrows to keep them off from putting up a fight, she was amazed at the strategic moves being played from her horse.

Brienne and Podrick insisted she remain at camp, she told them no and that if the leader does not lead then why should she be Queen. They backed down and Arya and her uncle seemed genuinely impressed at how she spoke with such authority, the authority of a monarch. She looked to Brienne who looked back at her and she smiled widely.

"I want to learn." She told her and Brienne was confused, "I want to learn to fight, so I am not the only one." She finished and Brienne was shocked, surprised to hear such a thing from her.

She turned left and saw the 1,000 soldiers holding off the enemy horse and soon enough, upon seeing the battle for them was lost they fled the field. They went northeast towards Winterfell, her home. Cowards! She thought and turned back to the other battle going on, the Dustin line broke and some surrendered, some fled, and a lot died in the fighting.

800 Dustin men and Lady Dustin surrendered when they marched on their hold and the hold of House Ryswell, Lord Ryswell didn't surrender so she had him executed, some would say it was foolish move but she isn't so patient now and wants to get the traitors away from her kingdom.

She wasn't without her own losses, 300 horsemen and infantry were lost in breaking the enemy archers and holding of Ryswell cavalry, but she could deal with those minimal losses at least.

She was resting in her room and was visited by her sister, and Nymeria. Her sister was dressed in her traveling garb, meaning she was departing from here.

"You're leaving?" She asked her little sister who nodded and stood straight.

"We will ride for Torrhen's Square, House Tallhart died during the War of the Five Kings and I will hold it for you." She nodded, with Lord Leobald being killed by the Ironborn and Benfred falling on the Stony Shore. "When we meet again, your grace." Arya said and left the room. She turned her head back to the blooded banner of Stark.

She gave thought to how her father lost his head, he trusted too easily and lost to those wearing false smiles. Robb was too lenient and relied on his emotion and didn't think things too thoroughly, something she should have done when dealing with Lord Ryswell, who was relative to Lady Dustin, a father to her and she ordered his execution without a thought.

She has to think with her head, has to be better than Robb and be harsh and tactical, has to be smarter than her father and keep people at a distance. She just has to be better.

The next morning they moved onwards, to Winterfell through the Torrhen Square way, resupply and move on to home.

Waymar

"The numbers are small but don't underestimate them."

"I know."

"And for the love of the Seven don't be a hero."

"I get it, father."

Waymar Royce said to his father, of whom was worried for him in the coming siege of Castle Cerwyn. Yet it didn't cease his fathers worry over him, and for good reason.

Both of his brothers are gone, it's only him, his father and sister. It's his duty to keep the Royce bloodline going, he is the future of his House when it should be his other brothers. His fathers sword is his sword, his brothers armor is his armor and his duty is his Houses duty. His father looked worse for wear, letting a big white beard to grow.

"Be safe, keep an eye on yourself and fight hard. Just, stay alive." His father said with a nod, and he allowed a tear to leave him before turned and commanding the siege to begin.

1,500 men stand between them and the road to Winterfell. House Manderly offered them 500 more men adding to the already large force, victory is assured unless the Boltons and remaining Freys decided to fight them as well but there is a double edged blade being pointed at Roose's chest and back. The loyal Stark forces are camped just off the borders of Winterfell, close to five or 6,000 men gathered since they marched up here and ready to strike once the Boltons move out. The battles are won here, that is truth.

He rode to the front and unsheathed his family sword, raising it high and with loud cry.

The battle was bloody and every Cerwyn man fought for their lives, every bit of it. He was cutting down another man before he pointed his sword at Young Lord Cerwyn himself, but the young lad threw down his sword and held up his hands.

"I had no choice! They have my father and mother, I had to." He lowered his sword at that, maybe that's what all of Roose's allies are dealing with. He steeled himself and sheathed his fathers sword, extending his hand to Lord Cerwyn.

"Pledge your remaining forces to us and Queen Sansa, and I swear we will free your family, all kin to those being oppressed by House Bolton!" He forces cried in victory and peace, Lord Cerwyn was hesitant for many moments but shook his hand either way, House Cerwyn was bent low and will rise again by the side of House Stark and Arryn.

A hour would pass before a raven came to them by way of the Barrowlands, Sansa and Brynden won against their enemies and the Ryswells and Dustins were bent. They are on a roll with victories which had him and everyone laughing and toasting but the smiles would turn to frowns when another raven came from Ironrath. House Whitehill and Ramsey defeated the Forrester's and Glovers, the Kingswood belongs to the Boltons meaning the Tully forces will have to divert and move to stop them from interfering on the battle of Winterfell.

"What do we do?" he asked, they needed the Glovers and Forresters to fully surround the Boltons at Winterfell. His father gave a deep thought and looked southeast.

"We have hope that Rodrik will keep pace, and save us all... "

Roose

He looked over the map of the north, looking at all the enemies at his new doorstep. Umbers, Starks, Arryns, Royces, Karstarks and Wildlings if rumors say... Many enemies.

The raven came from Ironrath that Ramsey brought House Forrester to heel with their lieges, the Glovers. Now he has reinforcements when the need is dire enough, but he has a rebuilt Winterfell and 7,000 men to defend it, its just a waiting game with heavy snows coming in and as a old friend once said, 'Southerners don't do well in snow.'

The rattling chains were heard and he looked up, Maester Wolkan was smiling and bowed to him.

"Lady Walda has given birth, to a healthy baby boy. Congratulations my Lord." He smiled icily and suddenly found new strength to fight.

His legacy is rising, and he will see his enemies fall even if the Lannisters will not help him.

The Dreadfort

Patrolling guardsmen walked about the castle, bored and aching for some action.

Lord Bolton could have emptied the castle instead of keeping people here, the man moved everything to Winterfell and now they are servants of empty halls and bed chambers.

"Do you hear that?" One guard said to another, that other guard looked out to the open hills and after a moment saw hundreds of riders coming for him bearing a sigil.

A falcon sigil.

The guards tried to ready defenses but before they could do anything a monstrous roar sounded out, and before they knew they turned and saw a mighty winged creature fly over the fort and level itself. One of the guards looked and saw a man saddling the beast, "What in the seven... "

"Now!"

All was silent but the fierce roar and flames covering the walls, halls, and gates. Melting stone, armor and steel, the cries of men and even women and children were heard as the entire castle was enveloped in flames and through the eyes of the one controlling it, he could only think of what this creatures destructive capabilities were and was afraid.

Yet he was also excited, the scene of being powerful filled his chest with pride and he wished he had this winged creature at the battle of the Blackwater, of the victory he could have had. It took a few hours before nothing really remained of the Dreadfort, just empty ruins and bones and fading smoke, the after affects of a dragons fire and power.

And it was powerful, indeed.