Chapter 64 - On the Way to Winterfell

124 AC

The Second day of the Twelfth moon

Torrhen Pov

I watched in silence as the small ship that would carry us across the White Knife was loaded with supplies. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that my father would send me to Winterfell. Unlike my brother, who was hailed as one of the North's finest knights, I was never considered a skilled warrior.

I couldn't help but acknowledge the cold truth – I was the spare, not the heir. It made sense, a voice inside my head reasoned.

As our departure time approached, my father joined me. "You will make me proud, my son," he said, his hand resting on my shoulder.

"May the Seven watch over you, brother," Medrick offered, and I nodded in response. With that, I boarded the vessel, accompanied by twenty of White Harbour's most skilled knights alongside the White Knight and his group.

The weight of my perceived inadequacy and self-pity weighed heavily on my mind as we set sail for Winterfell, leaving behind the comforts of home and the shadow of my illustrious brother.

I could hardly believe that I was embarking on this journey alongside the White Knight himself. His presence was striking, with his youthful appearance, white hair, and pale lilac eyes that could easily make any maiden blush.

The tales of his heroic deeds had reached even the distant shores of White Harbour. The man had achieved remarkable feats in his lifetime. Beginning as a squire for the Rogue Prince, he had risen to become the youngest knight in the history of Westeros. But it was his legendary battle where he singlehandedly defeated more than a thousand men of the Moon to save the Maiden of the Vale that had earned my deepest respect.

The White Knight's reputation preceded him, and I couldn't help but feel a mixture of awe and humility as I stood in his presence. His journey was filled with valor and accomplishments, a stark contrast to my own doubts and insecurities.

"Ser Medrick, could we discuss our plan to reach Winterfell?" The White Knight's inquiry prompted me to rise from my seat and lead him to the small cabin of the ship.

Inside the cabin, the White Knight and his companions gathered around as I unfurled a map of the North before them. With a pointed finger, I indicated our current location along the river, just south of Winterfell. "Here we are," I began, "in the river, south of Winterfell. A tributary of the White Knife originates in the southeastern part of the Wolfswood, flowing southeast to meet the White Knife west of the Sheepshead Hills. Castle Cerwyn is situated along this tributary. Further south, the White Knife continues until it meets the Bite at a firth near White Harbor."

I continued to explain, "To navigate the swift currents and rocky chutes of the White Knife, we are using river runner – a long, slender boat designed for such treacherous waters, much like the one we are on now. However, sailing ships can only navigate the White Knife up to its rapids. Beyond that point, travelers headed to Winterfell must proceed overland."

At this point, I began detailing our plan in earnest. "Our course will take us as far up the White Knife as we can by ship, navigating carefully until we reach the rapids. From there, we will disembark and continue our journey on foot. We shall follow the path through the Wolfswood, passing near Castle Cerwyn on our way to Winterfell. The terrain may be challenging, but this is the most direct route to our destination."

"What are your thoughts?" I asked, directing my question to everyone but with a hopeful glance towards the White Knight, eager for any advice he might offer.

There was a prolonged silence, and I could see the gears turning in his mind. "Gods, have I missed something crucial?" I wondered to myself. But then, to my surprise, he abruptly covered his mouth and bolted outside.

I stood there, dumbfounded, trying to make sense of the unexpected turn of events. "Is my plan really that bad?" I muttered aloud, my confusion apparent.

Hearing my question, his companions burst into laughter. "Ser Medrick, it's not your plan," the dwarf said, still chuckling uncontrollably. "It's just that the Great White Knight cannot seem to control himself when he's on a boat. He gets seasick, or rather, should we say, riversick."

The absurdity of the situation hit me, and I couldn't help but join in the laughter, realizing that even the mightiest warriors had their vulnerabilities, and in this case, it was the White Knight's inability to handle a boat.

A week had passed since we set sail, and finally, we reached the point where we were supposed to disembark. As we stepped off the ship, the White Knight couldn't resist praising the Seven for our safe arrival. We, his companions, couldn't help but exchange amused glances, suppressing our laughter as we looked on.

Our journey to reach Winterfell was officially underway as we delved into the depths of the Wolfswood. The forest was a dense thicket of ancient trees, their towering canopies casting a shadowy embrace over the winding path. The air was crisp and fragrant, filled with the earthy scents of moss and fallen leaves. The only sounds were the occasional chirping of birds and the soft rustle of leaves underfoot.

Guiding us through this intricate labyrinth of nature was one of the knights who had a deep knowledge of the maps. His expertise proved invaluable as he led our group with confidence through the dense forest, ensuring we stayed on the right path.

To keep our spirits warm during the long journey, Mushroom regaled us with a variety of tales. His stories ranged from heroic epics to whimsical folklore, providing moments of respite from the rigors of our trek through the Wolfswood. His animated storytelling often had us in stitches, despite the challenges of our journey.

After what felt like an eternity, the silhouette of Winterfell finally came into view on the horizon. We gazed upon the imposing structure, its ancient walls and towering battlements standing as a testament to the history and power of House Stark. As we contemplated the daunting task ahead – infiltrating Winterfell – a mixture of excitement and trepidation washed over us. The true adventure was about to begin, and the fate of our mission rested on our ability to navigate the complexities of this ancient fortress.