Movement part-4

The Riverlands - Near the King's Road at the Green Fork

"Do you hear something…strange out there?" Ogatto muttered, the Dothraki pausing from cleaning his Arakh, his one dull white eye glancing up at the alchemist across from him. The two had made camp earlier that night, having found a small yet suitable cave to settle in, just before the storm had suddenly arrived.

For a moment, the dark-skinned warrior would examine his exotic weapon in the light of the campfire. For one it was made of finer steel, showing it was custom foraged, which explained the intricate designs on the blade's sickle depicting rearing horse on one side and script of words in Dothraki on the other. The weapon also was longer in size to be nearly the length of a long sword and added more reach to the curved blade. The fine leather grip was bigger too, making it easier to hold with both ends. However, instead of a simple pommel, there was a blunted spike at the end which extended out by half a foot.

"Just the wind," Zarin muttered, keeping his attention set on the portable alchemy kit as he worked on some simple concoctions for his work. "Not scared of a little thunder, are you?"

"Heh…if you could have seen the storms that ravish the Dothraki Sea and Red Wastes. Rain is rare in those parts, yet when it came it brought down quite the fury." He'd pause a more thunder rumbled in the distance. "But this storm isn't right…feels unnatural…" One hand moved to brush his long black hair back nervously. He lacked a braid normally worn by his people, a sign of some dishonour happening to him for having it removed.

"That is just your superstition speaking." The alchemist dismissed with a wave of one hand.

The Dothraki shrugged as he'd polish the blade of his weapon a bit more. "You still haven't told me about what you have planned for us in the Riverlands." He'd ask. "I have noticed how you've been writing up letters and dropping them off at every town and inn we've passed by to messengers. Trying to contact the others?"

Zarin gave a short nod as he'd carefully stir around a small vial of deep green fluid. "Indeed. They should all be within the region. Will be only a matter of time before they get one of my messages or news from the capital will reach them. They'll know where to go."

"Do you think one of the other Grims did it, killed Robert for us?"

"Doubtful. Not enough time to contact one of them. I also doubt the Shadow or Snake were in King's Landing at the time." He'd cap the vial he had stirred before shaking it, the mixture during a deep red now.

"So, who do you think did it? I doubt it was Lord Stark or the Surgebinder as the rumours said."

"No. It was someone in court…maybe Cersei did it or someone else. Plenty of individuals have something to gain from the fat bastard's death." Setting the vial aside, he'd sigh as he'd pull his alchemist cap back to scratch his short black hair. "Overall though this is the right time for us. North and the South will war, giving us ample space to follow up on…well…MY plans."

"You are called the Grim of Schemes, after all, I'd be surprised if you didn't have something set up." Ogatto chuckled out. "One of your plans wouldn't involve our newest member?"

"You'll know once we get to the meeting place." Zarin simply remarked before he'd pull the stopper off his new potion before drinking it down. The old man shivered and gave a small grunt as the mixture seemed to taste foul, yet after a moment his body relaxed. "Yes…the formula seems good by now." He'd flex one of his hands and nod.

"You rely on your elixirs too much friend."

"When you get to my age, you'll understand." The alchemist chuckled as he'd get up from where he sat and stand before the fire. His step seemed stronger and he stood more straight instead of his usual hunch posture. His blue eyes stared into the flames, a smug grin crossing his face. "This is the right time. It's time we break the cycle of these so-called Lords and Kings, bring a new change to the Seven Kingdoms."

"That is if that White-haired man doesn't complicate things again." The Dothraki warned.

The older man shrugged. "A fair point. He is an…unexpected variable, yet one that can further my life's work." He'd pause as he'd pace about the campfire. "He will have his uses for what is to come. Beyond that we will prepare…learn all of his strengths and weakness before dealing with him. There will be no mistakes like before." He'd chuckle as he felt such a thrill at the thought, eager to see the mutant at his mercy. "Then we, the Grims, will be truly unstoppable!"

*************

The North - Winterfell

Robb stared down at the letters laid out on top of the desk, the young man's brow narrowed as he compared them both. He was in his father's office, having just received shocking news from raven from the capital.

"It's not true…" He muttered, glancing up at Luwin who stood by attentively. The old Maester had a grim look on his face, knowing well the conflicting thoughts the eldest son of Eddard felt.

"I don't believe as well." The old man remarked back. "Lord Eddard murdering the King…his friend." He'd shake his head.

"His trial was today if the letter is true." Robb paused for a long moment. "We won't know for a week at least."

"He will most likely be stripped of his titles and exiled to The Wall."

"'Most likely'. There is still a chance of otherwise." The young man calmly pointed out. "Even so the letter claims my sisters are under the Lannister's protection…but there is one detail missing."

Luwin had a curious look as Robb offered the letter to him, the old man rereading it quickly. "There is no mention of the Witcher. He isn't stated to be dead or captured."

"Indeed. Either they overlooked that detail or…"

"He's still active." The Maester thought for a moment. "There is much uncertainty right now. Information is limited by others and distance. We have to be careful."

"Yet I can't be silent. The other Lords of the North will get this news, they will demand action."

"Whatever the case…you are the Warden of the North now no matter what happens to your father."

Robb bowed his head low, silent in thought. Right now, he wished he had others to advise him. "Send ravens out to all of the Lords of the North. Tell them to come to Winterfell for the council within a week. By then we will get word of my father's fate…and if the outcome is the worse feared…" He'd pause as he'd clench his fists tightly. "…then we march for war."

Luwin nodded, a solemn look on his face as he'd gather up paper, ink and quill to begin writing out the many messages. The old man wished Robb didn't have to make such a difficult choice. He had seen too much conflict in his long life and wished the young Stark wouldn't have to see the horrors of war.

…

The North – The Wall – Castle Black

Jon read over the letter Jason had sent once more, having received it days before the news of his father's arrest had arrived at the isolated fortress. Already there was talk going on throughout the fort, with Allister Thorne being the first to taunt him of being the son of a traitor. It took much effort to stop himself from lashing out, yet he stuck to Jason's advise.

The Surgebinder had followed his promise to get aid for Castle Black as supplies for new weapons, building materials, food and new light siege weaponry were being delivered. Even a few Northern builders and soldiers had come to help with duties around the fort. From what the men discussed, between Robert's order and the growing Wildling sighting, the Northern Lords had enough reason to send such aid. However, with the news of Eddard being arrested, there was talk that most of these men would leave for the possibility of conflict in the South.

Indeed, the last few months had been busy for him. He had built up a good following with most of the recruits as he took an active role in training, having been given a role as an assistant instructor during sparring lessons. Thorne loathed it, yet the Lord Commander didn't deny the results that were showing among the newcomers.

After Jon and the other recruits had been inducted as members of the Night's Watch, they had discovered bodies of Uncle Benjin's ranger party who had left months back. They had taken the corpses back, something which had worried Jon to no end after what happened with the last few bodies brought in. Secretly he and his closest friends kept an eye on the medical room on their free time, until one night the corpses had suddenly disappeared. It had been a close call in protecting Mormont from one of the creatures, yet now the Lord Commander couldn't deny something unnatural was afoot.

For a moment, Jon moved one hand down to the sword at his hip, Longclaw with a new wolf-headed pommel to it. When Mormont had gifted the Valyrian blade to him, he felt conflicted yet understood why he was given the sword. It was like what Jason had said, Mormont saw his potential and gratitude for his actions against the second deadly attack.

Yet now the group was preparing for an expedition beyond the wall within a few weeks to find clues about his uncle and the growing movements of the Wildlings. However, Jon felt there was more to Mormont's plans, perhaps seeking clues on whatever was causing the dead to rise again as well.

"White Walkers…can a myth truly be doing this?"

Yet muttering the man-made the wind picks up, making him shiver even with his thick cloak and clothes on. He'd glance out into the blackness of harsh lands beyond The Wall. Slowly he moved closer to the edge of grand structure, eyes narrowing as he tried to see what was out in the vast darkness.

"Just the darkness staring back at me." He sighed, relaxing as he'd move away after a moment.

"Jon! Jon!"

Snow turned to look down the icy passage to see Sam hurrying over to him. His larger friend had lost a bit of weight because of the base food and constant work around the castle, yet he was still quite chubby much to Jon's surprise.

"You alright? I mean…I understand you must feel bad about your father…yet that doesn't mean you have to stand off on your own."

Jon folded Jason's letter into one of his pockets before giving a small smile back to his friend. "Just have a lot of my mind. So much has happened in these last few months, it's a bit hard to take in."

Sam nodded as he'd move closer to stand beside him. "I get that. Between your uncle disappearing and the…claims against your father…be hard not to feel worried for them."

"Aye." Jon paused in thought. "Part of me wants to leave. Go back to Winterfell and help my brother with the coming crisis."

"Yet you trust in everyone else to face those challenges?"

The insightful remark had Jon glance over and nod. "Jason I know will do everything he can for my father and sisters while Robb will step up to be a strong leader in Winterfell. For me, I'm best suited here for whatever we face beyond The Wall.'

There was a long moment of silence as both stared out into the dark lands in the distance.

"I'm scared you know, having to go out there."

"Why is that? You have your brothers to watch over you and you've gotten a bit handier with a sword."

"Heh… I prefer the crossbow." Sam chuckled. "Its just the fact we'll be walking out into the unknown. Of course, the Wildlings are fearsome but…after seeing one of the wights and…the growing storms…there is just something wrong out there. Unnatural."

"It is our job to face the unknown isn't it?" Jon answered back. "Wildlings…the walking dead…have to keep it all back for the good of the Kingdoms."

"I know that but…can we?"

The question was a haunting one, something that made Jon silent as he'd grip the pommel of Longclaw. In truth, he had no answers and he doubts anyone else in the world did either.