Chapter 111 – Warning

[300 AC – Westerlands]

As Talisa entered the main tent where her husband, Robb Stark, was currently brooding over battleplans with a deep frown on his face, her heart inexplicably felt a painful sting.

In his pursuit to get back his sisters and get justice for his father, her love carried such a heavy burden and duty, and she just wished that there was something she could do to alleviate some of this burden.

Not for the first time, she wished herself to be a High Priestess of the Red Temple and not just a wandering priestess of the healing branch of said temple, as that would make her a worthy wife for the King of the North and give her the ability to truly support her love. Alas, Talisa was not, as such was simply not her gift.

Setting down the food that she had brought before him, knowing that he had most likely not eaten anything since waking up, Talisa addressed him caringly: "Here eat this, my love. There is no use brooding over plans with an empty stomach."

Sighing audibly, Robb looked up at her with heavy eyes, as he stated: "You were right about the Karstarks. Their men have left this morning, along with a few other minor Lords. With the amount of men we have now, there is no use even staying in the South any longer, as we cannot fight the Lannisters with these numbers."

Shocked, but not too surprised, Talisa sighed as she stepped behind her husband and guided him with gentle hands to lean on her for a bit, while she thought about what words she could speak that might help in this seemingly hopeless situation.

It was just two days ago that Rickard Karstark, Lord of House Karstark, killed Jaime Lannister, while the latter had been captured in a previous battle and had been held hostage by Robb. It had been an act of revenge, as Jaime Lannister had killed two of Rickard's sons during the battle.

Robb had followed his father's teachings about honor and responsibilities, and executed the man for treason, which she had advised against. along with the newly ascended Lord of the Riverlands, Edmund Tully, Robb's uncle on his mother's side.

Talisa knew though that this was not the only problem, as Edmund Tully had disliked her from the moment they had met, simply because she was a priestess of the Red Temple, which led to continuous discord between him and Robb.

Weren't it for the fact that Edmund simply had no other choice but to side with Robb against the Lannisters due to his older sister's actions, Talisa guessed that the Lord of Riverrun would have already abandoned Robb and retracted his support for him as the King in the North and his goal to take back his sisters, as well as gain justice for his father.

And Edmund Tully was not alone in his views, as not only his bannermen, even many of the other Northern Lords despised her, the Karstarks especially so.

At this point Talisa felt incredibly downtrodden, realizing that she had only added to Robb's burden instead of alleviating it as was her duty as his wife.

She did not know what she could do to be his guiding light in this rather bleak situation, though she prayed earnestly that her Lord would send his help for the sake of herself, her husband, and their unborn child.

…

[300 AC – Dragonstone]

Walking silently into Rhaella's bedchamber after having just returned from Dorne, as Arianne had been staying there for a few months with Obara to spend some time with her family, especially her cousins, Phenex saw Kinvara sitting on a soft rug with Allyria playing with some wooden toys before her.

His beloved priestess smiled and laughed innocently with his daughter, unburdened by the experiences of her long and rather dark life. At this moment she wasn't the High Priestess or Red Queen, neither was she the Flame of Truth or the Light of Wisdom.

She was just Kinvara.

Phenex had seen this part of her only in a few rare moments he had been with her and every one of them had been a precious memory.

Seeing her this carefree, her melodious laughter ringing in his ears while Allyria giggled adorably while discovering the world around her with a curiosity only a child could have, was something hauntingly beautiful.

Having noticed his arrival, Kinvara looked up at him with bright eyes and a light-hearted smile, the affection and desire shining in them being reflected by his own as he approached her and crouched beside her.

Leaning in and stealing himself a short kiss, Phenex addressed her quietly: "I'm back."

"Mhm.", his priestess hummed in agreement

"Rhaella?", he asked while Allyria cried out in joy at his presence, having taken note of him and trying to crawl towards him excitedly.

"Jade seemed a bit moody and jealous of this little dragon here.", Kinvara explained with a soft smile as she watched the little girl crawl into her father's lap, "So Rhaella took her for a short flight across the Narrow Sea to Pentos. She should be back in a few hours."

Nodding in understanding, Phenex' focus rested on the little bundle of joy happily playing with his fingers and hands as he relaxed for the moment and pushed aside other more troubling matters, simply savoring this peaceful and innocent moment.

…

It was a few hours later, after Rhaella had returned from her little adventure with Jade and Allyria had already gone to bed when Phenex found himself resting in a wide armchair with Kinvara sitting in between his legs and leaning back against his chest, their feet resting on a little padded stool.

"Jaime Lannister died at Rickard Karstark's hands.", Phenex told her calmly, knowing this to be the turning point of the conflict in the Young Wolf's war.

"Then Arya and Sansa Stark are at risk of being killed.", she replied quietly, gazing up at him with clear eyes.

"It's not just that. Robb Stark executed Rickard Karstark for treason, which caused the Karstarks to take their men back North, abandoning the Young Wolf and his cause.", Phenex explained.

"The old lion?", she asked, inquiring about troop movements under Tywin Lannister's control.

"He is leading his men back to King's Landing to take care of Renly.", Phenex answered.

"He is?", Kinvara was surprised for a moment, before she frowned lightly and inquired, "There are others who are going to take care of Robb Stark and his men?"

Hearing her question, Phenex once again marveled at the incredibly sharp mind that Kinvara possessed, having already understood that Tywin Lannister was not a simple man. She knew that he would never spare the Young Wolf after his son had been killed by Robb's men, so it wasn't likely that he would just avoid confrontation with him at this point to ride South towards King's Landing.

At least he wouldn't do something like this without a plan or something like that, to cause trouble or even take care of the King in the North.

"The Freys and the Boltons. Tywin Lannister promised to make them Lord Paramount of the Trident and the Warden of the North respectively.", Phenex told her directly.

"Then it's time for us to interfere, is it not?", Kinvara asked with a sigh.

Closing his eyes for the moment, Phenex leaned back in his seat, as he replied: "It is."