Chapter 9: Our Steel is Strong 9

157 A.C.

Rickon Stark P.O.V. 

Moat Cailin

A weight of history and legend laid heavy upon Rickon as he sat amongst the ruins of the once fearsome citadel of Moat Cailin, it was depressing in a way only a Northman would truly understand. Where once a mighty castle and leal family of supporters stood, now only ruins and legends remained like what southrons assumed most of the North was like.

House Cailin was never a wealthy family, having such a massive home to upkeep saw to that reality but their leal service in holding the Andals at bay long enough for the North to assemble behind their castle's walls could not be understated. Sadly the last member of the Cailins died during one of the many invasions launched upon the Moat's walls in turn spawning the downward decent of the second largest castle of the North.

Several Kings of Winter tried to stem the figurative bleeding of the downward spiral to little avail and when the Dragons came his house seemingly gave up on the moat and Rickon now sits within the result. Where once a fearsome sight stood, now only a half wall protecting three dilapidated towers stood in it's place and Rickon found it infuriating.

But this was only a single part of a larger problem, the slow degradation of the North through past rebellions, willful reluctance and lack of funding. At the height of their power house Stark could match the Westerlands easily in strength but with rebellions from within it's strength crumbled. Several loyal houses went extinct during the many rebellions dwindling the noble families number lower.

Houses Ryder and Fisher are losses still felt quite keenly on the western shore of the North. The Fisher's of Stony Shore were a hardy sea-faring family that battled the Ironborn relentlessly upon the waters of the Sunset Sea and unlike many others thrived against the reavers claiming many of the Ironborn's ill-gotten gains as their own. Sadly they were the first casualty of the Frost-Bolton rebellion, the first rebellion ever against Stark rule.

House Ryder were rewarded house Frost's lands for their bravery and leal service during the first northern rebellion. A prudent move for house Stark as it separated the Ryders and Ryswells during their bloody feud for control of the Rills. The house quickly thrived in the fertile fields found between Stony Shore and Sea Dragon Point, using their excellent cavalry units to patrol the western coast. Sadly their neighbors to the south, house Towers, were not as loyal to the Starks and started the Towers-Bolton rebellion some generations later. It was an infamous bloody legend within the North of how house Towers fell upon both the Ryders and Seapoints of Sea Dragon Point in the dead of the night, slaughtering both families in a devastating nighttime assault.

None of the subsequent houses raised after seemed able to hold the Western shores as well and would end up becoming extinct themselves within a hand full of generations. This point had Rickon realize his ancestors were extremely lucky house Manderly was able to take over White Harbor after the Greystark- Bolton rebellion otherwise the North would've fallen further without it's important trade resources.

All the past internal warfare combined with the loss of the New Gift during the rule of King Jaehaerys has tore the North down to it's lowest point in thousands of years. Too rehabilitate his kingdom Rickon needed a plan, a bloody good one at that because of the obstacles impeding every step of his way.

The first and most important need is gold. Gold to raise and repair castles while sponsoring houses onto standing upon their own feet. Life was hard within the North and trying to start from scratch was difficult at best and almost impossible at worst. Food, people to work the land, and competent administration were always in woefully short supply within the kingdom and when a house that proves adept at finding this balance falls it's loss cannot be understated.

The easiest way to acquiring the gold needed for these projects, was also the toughest Rickon could see, the hand of a Targaryen princess in marriage to gain the dowry put aside within the Iron Bank by the Pact of Fire and Ice. Seventy-Five thousand gold dragons is not a small amount of gold and would allow Rickon the ability to start his plans of revitalization.

Princess Daena was a women fully grown at seven and ten and if rumors were true King Daeron had no intention of marrying her himself. With his own wife's passing earlier this winter Rickon had the opportunity of presenting himself as a suitor for her hand. Leading Rickon here to Moat Cailin awaiting an army of volunteers to answer the young king's call for aid against the Dornish.

Before his thoughts could wander further Jon Cassel approached him.

"Lord Rickon men approach from the east bearing Hornwood and Greensmith banners. Their men seemed to be followed by about thirty sleds pulled by hounds." Jon stated somewhat bewildered by what he saw.

Ah the infamous Dog Sleds Alyn was bragging about while in his cups during the fall festival, just one of the many interesting things the man has created. Overall Rickon was pleased, Alyn Greensmith was someone who had the ambition and loyalty to see his house rise far within the Stark's kingdom, now the heir of the North needed to figure out how to best utilize such an asset.

"Well we best welcome them and their aid Jon." Rickon relays to his captain before standing and walking out of the tower room he had been occupying.

As there was not a gate to open four of the head riders simply waded through the men camped outside the courtyard while a fifth was left in charge of settling the men into the camp. The four riders that approached him were easily identified by Rickon, the two in Hornwood colors were lord Horton and Daegon Umber. In green beside them were Ser Alyn and his bastard Torgun Snow. The men and lad quickly dismounted their steeds and knelt before Rickon.

"House Hornwood has answered your call of volunteers my lord, we are ready for you to lead us to victory." Lord Horton spoke for the group.

"You honor me with your support my lord now stand and be welcome amongst my number for we will soon march to bring the North glory." Rickon replied grandly.

"For now you should rest. Food will be prepared for you in the Gatehouse tower and rooms prepared in the Drunkards tower." The heir of the North continued quickly.

"Thank you lord Rickon. the journey went better with Alyn's portable wood stoves but a night off the cold snow is well earned for my old body." Lord Horton accepted courteously but my interest peaked by this new device.

"A portable wood stove you say? Would this be something that your men use to keep their tents warm at night Ser Alyn?" Rickon couldn't help ask.

"Aye lord Stark. I created the first couple for my hunters to use this winter and they have been useful keeping them warm and safe from winter's chill. Even the fishermen have taken to using them with a tent while ice fishing."The master of Hillview Hall answered easily.

"But surely the smoke would kill them would it not?" Ever the skeptic Jon Cassel raised an issue also plaguing Rickon's mind.

"There is a thin pipe that connects in the back master Cassel which combined with a small hole cut open in the roof of the tent allows the smoke to exit the tent safely. The pipe even gets hot enough that snow melts around it before it can even enter the tent through the cut opening." Ser Alyn answered back with a somewhat smug tone.

Fascinating, Ser Alyn impresses again with his unorthodox thinking of a complex problem proving he is definitely someone to keep close in the future. Sadly Rickon will have to put those thoughts to the side for now and focus on this upcoming war.

Lyla Greensmith P.O.V.

Hillview Hall

Lyla was worried. She was worried about this war. She was worried for her adoptive son Torgun. She was worried for her friend Wylla's husband, the newly dubbed Ser Leroy. But worst of all she was worried for her husband, the father of her children, Alyn.

When the summons for volunteers came she knew Alyn would answer but she still had foolishly asked him not too. The tired, and sad smile she got when he answered that he must didn't bring her hope. Neither did the news that her father was too ill to go himself and forbade her brothers leave to go themselves.

Alyn tried to relieve her worries with promises that he would return to her and their children but it made seeing him leave in no way easier. The hundred and fifty men he took along with thirty dog sleds laden with supplies just made the whole experience more surreal for her and she found herself praying to the Old Gods to bring Alyn, Torgun, and Leroy back to them safely. Tormund and Dyanna deserved to know their father and brother and Wylla's new son deserved to have his father as well.

Now that Alyn was gone Lyla needed to portray a strong front to show that her confidence was with her husband and the men who followed him. Even if some days were harder than others she would stand strong for the man who has given her much and hoped yet to still give her more.

Somedays she awoke thinking her life was a dream but then Alyn would press their naked bodies closer together while peppering her with kisses till everything was right again. As a little girl she never would have thought marriage could contain such happiness but Alyn was many things a good husband and lover were just among that number. A deadly warrior was another, men wouldn't start rumors and tall tales of a weak man, Lyla knew for a fact.

It brought Lyla some peace to know that no man would find Alyn an easy kill and with Stonebreaker in hand she liked to think few could stand against her husband's ferociousness.

"Momma, papa is gonna come back right?" Her sweet son Tormund asked her one morning with Dyanna looking sadly along.

"Of course my beautiful children. Your father is a strong man who just needs to prove to the rest of the North that our house is one to be respected." Lyla comforted her babies as best she could.

"But why does papa have to leave to do that?" Came the follow up question from Dyanna who looked to be on the brink of fresh tears.

"Has your father ever told you both how he became known as "The Dancing Bear" or "Ser Stonebreaker"?" Lyla questioned receiving vigorous head shakes from her children.

"Well they are names given to him by people who respect his strength, how about we go into your father's study this morning and I'll tell you both the stories behind them." Lyla offered her children who quickly shifted attitudes at the offer.

The rest of the morning was busy telling the embellished versions of the stories behind Alyn's more popular monikers. Like how Alyn fought through a hundred squires by himself to be crowned the champion of the Manderly's squire melee or how Ser Hugh Stone was a foot taller than their father and a bloody savage in the Arryn's employ that Alyn fought for over an hour to claim victory at house Royce's spring tourney. The children ate up the stories like sweet bread before leaving the study almost assured of their father's invincibility, somehow the stories also had a calming effect on Lyla as well for she worried less for her husband as the days whittled past.

It wasn't till Alyn had been gone for near three months that Lyla had discovered she was pregnant with her and Alyn's third child. Usually a happy revelation that just saddened Lyla as she knew Alyn wouldn't be here to see their child born but maybe the news would drive him to return to her even faster.

Torgun Snow P.O.V.

March to Dorne

Torgun knew he was a bastard. At home within Hillview it was almost easy to forget that fact but as father was want to say "There will always be plenty outside these walls that will want to remind you of your lot in life Torgun but here you are blood and that is stronger than any arsehole's words". On the march Torgun found that out for himself well enough.

Sneers from other noble boys for his status as a bastard and squire were frequent enough but Torgun had little issue with dismissing their words as jealousy. Besides Torgun knew his father embarrassed theirs often enough in the sparring yard to more than make up the few barbs he's has to take. He even got to test his steel against the boys himself when father aloud, dishing out his own small retributions. Leroy ,who himself was mocked for his new title of knighthood, even made a few lords eat their scornful words in spar. Ser Leroy Longreach was quickly becoming a popular name amongst the common levies, who looked up to Leroy for his own humble beginnings.

Father was awfully amused as well as pleased by this news, and explained that the common folk needed such an example to show they too can rise in station for loyal service. Leroy seemingly liked the nickname a lot and was contemplating on whether or not he should take Longreach for his family name.

Lord Horton was a kind man to Torgun and seemed as pleased as a cat who caught a bird with all the attention his vassals were receiving. A lesser lord would be peeved that his house wasn't receiving the attention but lord Horton is an older man now and couldn't match fighters such as father or Leroy any longer but took pride in their loyalty to Hornwood.

The only sore spot of the march was Ser Wyman who led the volunteers from house Manderly. Torgun knew his father had a cooled relationship with Ser Wyman and the son of house Manderly had something to do with it. The man in question looked at father often enough with an anguished expression that made Torgun believe he regretted whatever happened.

It was only when the Northern army of seven thousand strong broke into the Riverlands did Ser Wyman approach father to discuss whatever happened. Torgun snuck close to the back of his father's tent to ease drop on the conversation.

"You can't ignore me forever Alyn." The unfamiliar tone of Ser Wyman broke the strenuous silence of the tent.

"I know but I could ignore the servants you sent to collect me instead of coming yourself like a real man." Torgun's father ground out.

"Alyn I'm sorry alright. I was stupid and followed my father's lead on the matter of your son." The Manderly son stated in a strained tone.

"*sigh* Your apology is accepted Wyman. I know it was your father's idea that Torgun be used to win concessions from the Starks but it would have never worked like he planned." Father explained in a exasperated tone.

"Thank you Alyn and I know that now. Any part of the western shore is forever out of Manderly hands." Ser Wyman confirmed father's words.

"That may not be totally true Wyman, I have some ideas I'd like to discuss with my old friend if you would be open for it."

"Absolutely Alyn your ideas have always been a fresh prospective and I'd love to hear what plays on your mind now." The Manderly son heartily agreed.

For two hours Torgun listened to his father and Ser Wyman discuss different ideas. From ingratiating themselves and the North with house Roxton during the march to try and pry them away from the Reach into Ser Wyman traveling to Myr to see if he could acquire and free a handful of glass making slaves that can ply their trade in the North as freemen. The second idea threw Ser Wyman's sensibilities for a loop but father calmed him down with the fact that they will be free men when they step upon Northern soil but their knowledge along with how important it is would be a huge boon to our kingdom.

When the pragmatic parts of Ser Wyman's mind started turning he understood exactly what father was saying. Even the unsaid part of how well rewarded the person who brought such a resource North would be. The conversation ramped up from there, Torgun was surprised his name came up after a while followed by land, keep, and wife before silence. Ser Wyman excited the tent soon after with a bright grin on his face.

His lot in life will be getting a lot more interesting from now on Torgun knew for a fact.

Ser Leroy P.O.V.

March to Dorne

The Stormlands were vastly different than the North. In winter the snows barely get deeper than the knees here unlike in the North were a man can get buried chest deep in plenty of areas. Dorne supposedly didn't have snow at all which was a mad thought. Alyn had already been buying horses and carts for their supplies to transfer them over from the dog sleds since they won't be able to follow any further.

Not only would the dogs not survive the heat, they would put too big of a drain on our supplies to force such an action. So after enough horses and carts were acquired the dog sleds will be sent home, it was actually very funny how the other Northern lords jealously eyed the sleds when their own horse drawn carts struggled mightily through the snow covered paths of the kingdoms.

One thing though has been nagging on Leroy's mind almost this whole trip. As a knight he could now start a family under it's own name and wear it proudly along with his descendants. Right now he was simply known as Ser Leroy of Hillview Hall and that was perfectly acceptable but then men had started calling him Leroy Longreach and that ignited something deep within his chest, so he did the only thing he could, discussed it with Alyn.

The master of his sworn oath simply encouraged him to take the name if he wanted it, as a symbol of what can be achieved for leal service Alyn proclaimed. Leroy's chest grew uncomfortably warm from that proclamation and begged leave to think on it further. It is what lead him hear to brood on his decision. His thoughts were rudely interrupted when a hock of spit landed on the ground in front of him causing Leroy to look up to a knight with some guards at his back.

"Can I help you Ser?" Leroy asked cautiously.

"Your the Northern knight Ser Leroy of Hillview Hall?" Came a rudely asked return question.

"Aye and you are?" I shot back just as rudely while standing up drawing attention from my own men further away.

"Ser Argilac Brownhill and I've come to test the mighty Leroy Longreach I have heard so much about." The pompous knight basically commanded me while his men tried to form a circle before the men of house Greensmith stopped them from fully encircling us.

Drawing his blade and accepting a circle shield decorated with the Greensmith crest and colors Leroy turned his full attention before answering in his most snooty tone. "That's Ser Leroy Longreach oathsworn knight of Hillview Hall and I'll gladly accept your challenge." setting off cheers from the Greensmith levies.

The arrogant stormlander knight didn't answer with words instead drew his own sword and moving forward to engage Leroy. The first kiss of their steel set off a fresh cheer from both combatant's followers. Swiftly more clashes of steel sounded out as both knights felt out their opponent.

Ser Argilac had a more stout build at five foot ten inches but broad in the shoulders and chest from hours in the yard practicing with his blade. Leroy stood slightly taller at an even six foot with an similar build but with an added bonus of a seven foot wing span which afforded him a longer reach with his blade.

Leroy's preferred way of fighting was to use his longer reach, strength and endurance to keep foes from getting close enough for a body or neck attack. This ultimately led many men he's spared with to tire themselves out before Leroy would launch his own counter-attack to force the yield.

Ser Argilac seemed to have experience with such a style and had developed his shield arm to a point he could force proper openings for his attacks. This pushed Leroy into using his own shield much more often than he was used to. Ser Alyn had been one of the only men he's ever spared with to have developed as good relationship between his shield and preferred weapon.

This combo quickly saw Leroy on the back foot trying to desperately play defense to Argilac's attack. The slickness of the snow covered ground hampered Leroy's mobility enough that he couldn't use the footwork Alyn taught him to move swiftly between positions in the man formed ring. Soon the abuse taken by the wooden shield proved too much and it splintered off Leroy's arm while his opponents shield stayed somewhat intact.

Using his desperation he slapped Argilac's follow up swing with his sword and shoulder checked the man back a few feet to open some breathing room for his next gambit. Taking his sword in both hands along with two long, deep breaths of air Leroy attacked. The horizontal slash aimed to make Argilac block with his own sword, when the blades kissed Leroy snapped his leg out kicking Argilac's shield into his chest which splintered the defensive instrument against the man's center mass.

Since Argilac wore a sturdy breastplate the air hadn't been knocked out of him as other men wearing lighter armor would have but the impact of the kick or chest plate must have hurt enough the man didn't immediately retaliate. Leroy took the chance presented and reengaged this time with a head level strike that his opponent quickly blocked with only one hand holding his sword.

With only one hand holding the attack at bay Arigilac quickly had to readjust too brace his second upon the hilt so that he could try and throw off Leroy's attack. It was a mistake as Leroy snapped out his leg out again hitting his opponent in his forward leg and making him crumple to a knee with both their blades still locked in a stalemate.

"Yield" Leroy demanded.

"Never" Argilac spat back.

With no further words needed Leroy kneed Argilac right in the chest, denting the steel in and sending the knight to his back gasping for air. Seeing his opponent stunned Leroy kicked the man's blade away before placing his above Argilac's neck.

"Yield" Leroy demanded again.

"I yield" Argilac finally wheezed after seeing his blade out of reach.

Leroy turned and cheered with the Greensmith levies for his victory basking in their praises for a moment before a familiar voice barked a command behind him. When he turned to where he heard Alyn's voice he saw Ser Argilac risen to his feet with a dagger in hand looking scared at Alyn's furious expression along with Stonebreaker held upon his friend's shoulder.

"Leave Ser Brownhill before Stonebreaker tastes your broken body." Alyn commanded of the southron knight who could only glare balefully while running away with his tail between his legs.

After the worm and his guards were out of sight Alyn approached Leroy before grasping his wrist and raising it over their heads and shouting "Ser Leroy Longreach" to the awaiting Greensmith levies causing another roar of pride to ripple through the men. Things were going well for Leroy.

Alyn's P.O.V.

Dorne

This entire journey as been an absolute pain in the arse from start to finish. First it was collecting all the supplies necessary to outfit, feed and water an army of men. Chain mail attached to a breastplate along with a helmet and shield painted with the Greensmith sigil took plenty of time to create and added to the hundred woodstoves and eighty tents kept myself, my blacksmiths, and seamstresses busy for six months. Thankfully spears and short swords could be produced fairly quickly for my levies, so they would be adequately armed for the battles we will encounter.

Salted meat or fish soup thickened with grain kept the men fed and content for the most part and the melted snow kept them watered but now that we've moved past the marches separating Dorne from the rest of the kingdoms I'll have to make sure our supplies don't dwindle dangerously low lest I risk mutiny amongst my levies.

At least this trip has had some bright spots such as Leroy pronouncing himself Ser Longreach, a suited name for a leal serviceman. The fight that saw Leroy hand that Stormlander knight his ass will be a story I'll shout to the heavens when we return to the North. I've even repaired my relationship with Wyman somewhat which gladden me deeply as I have missed my old friend.

The plans we developed during the nights of the march gave us both hope of brighter days too come. Wyman's part of the plan was the more dangerous of us both but the third son of lord Torrhen welcomed the challenge. Using his access to White Harbor Wyman will be making multiple trips to Myr under the pretense of being a restless third son looking to explore. In time Wyman and I hope the elder knight will be able to use his name to open the door for a closer relationship with the nobles of the city.

This position will allow Wyman to discover information that will hopefully allow him to find glassmaking slaves wishing to be free and willing to settle within the North. It was a long term plan and will require Wyman to make multiple trips between White Harbor and Myr but we northmen are anything if patient. The north remembers and all that.

My part to play was relatively safer but could take time itself to bare fruit. Next spring and summer Lyla and I will be taking a tour of the southern tourneys. Wyman and I pieced out a travel plan that Lyla and I would take. The first stop would be at Runestone where we would be hopefully dropping Tormund off for squireship to Yohan and finalizing an expansion of my BH business within the Vale. I know Yohan will take on Tormund in a heartbeat but if he doesn't for some unexpected reason I'm sure Wyman would be more than happy to take Tormund on.

Then Gulltown would be next which was mostly just for appearances along with many tourneys in the Riverlands that will eventually takes us into the direction of the Reach. We could take the King's road south to King's landing but I don't want to suffer the stench of that place anymore than I have to but I'm sure Lyla will want to experience the capital at least once in her life, so we might have to stop there and grab a ship for White Harbor when our purpose in the Reach is concluded.

That purpose will be to ingratiate the North further to house Roxton when Lyla and I visit their southern coastal holdings. At that time I hope to have already made lord Roxton's acquaintance in Dorne while also having obtained lord Rickon's blessing for house Roxton to seek succor from the North if the Peakes get so aggressive the Roxtons may have to escape their home in the Reach or be wiped out. It amazes me that King Daeron appoints a Tyrell as his steward in Dorne when that house can't even keep a tighter leash upon their own vassals. No wonder the Dornish rebel so easily and only a double royal marriage entraps them fully into the fold.

But for now it is time for war and politicking. I don't know which one I'm dreading more but I will show why house Greensmith's Steel is stronger than any others.

A/N: Hello all! Thank you for reading my latest chapter and for the ones who have been waiting for this chapter for a minute I'm sorry. Busy season at my job is just coming to a close and for this chapter I had to restart it three different times before I got it where I wanted so that also ate up some time. With this chapter I wanted to show the many in story perspectives of Alyn. The First was Rickon who I wanted show as a lord who wants his house to return to it's past glory but also has the chops to do it...if he survives Dorne. With Lyla it was to show how close the Greensmiths are as a family and how much Alyn cares for them. Torgun was to show he will have a future that his father is setting up for him where that will be you'll have to read and find out. Leroy's was more of a feel good moment that Alyn is playing up to get his levies to fight harder in shit conditions as well as something he feels his friend has earned. Then finally Alyn's perspective of how this whole war business sucks for a small house as theirs. While they may have some gold to their name they are limited by other factors. The whole Roxton experience is just me having some fun with a house that doesn't have much known about it in the books besides that they lost their Valyrian sword to the Peakes.

I will end this by saying thank you to everyone supporting this story and hope your lives are going well! Theajs out-