Chapter 70: Return

"Impossible, that land be cursed with ghouls and ghosts, lass!" The old man said back with fear.

"I can assure you it is not. Our people have been on that land for many moons and not one incident has occured, well besides the usual things that occur when many Free Folk gather. You can see for yourself, if you don't like it, none will force you to stay, however I would suggest you stay at least till those creatures are dealt with." Val responded back confidently.

"Do you also live there regularly?" One of the younger men asked, his intention evident on his face as he asked.

"Aye, however I am already claimed, so if I find you near my tent, you will find your manhood seperated from you." Val responded back coldly.

She wanted this man to not get any bright ideas on his journey. The man then turned to Ygritte, they both were rare beauties, so he figured since one was taken the other should be available.

Seeing the man look towards herself, Ygritte quickly responded, "I too have already been claimed. But need not worry, there is plenty unclaimed women within the city we are building, so if you need a wife I'm sure you can easily find one."

The man's face dropped as he looked at Aiden with jealousy as Angela and the two were standing very close to him, signaling to everyone just who they were claimed by. This had gave Aiden a bit of a headache since he could sense the jealousy and hate coming from many of the men.

It wasn't uncommon for Free Folk to have multiple wives, especially if they were strong since life in the true north was harsh and extremely dangerous, even without the undead running around. So many women preferred to be with someone strong so that they and any children they had would be well protected and fed.

"Al just finished off the army of undead, so we will need to get going soon, there are a few other villages in the area that we will need to stop by to get as many out of danger as possible." Aiden stated as he was getting tired of the looks he was getting.

After giving the villagers directions to ensure they all knew exactly where to go in case something happened to the elderly on the way, to the villagers shock Aiden and the three women began to float up into the air and left in a flash.

They repeated this act several times as Spawn took out the undead, each battle improved his proficiency in utilizing his powers. He also noticed that his energy cost was reducing due to the quality of his necroplasm improving and condensing due to absorbing the energy from the wights and White Walkers.

Not only did they inform various settlements, they also located several cave people and mountain clans. Not all of them were willing to move unfortunately, mainly the clans that rarely ever ventured out of their caves. They didn't believe in the undead, thinking they were just myths and stories told to children at night.

They also had the thought that they were safe in their caves, they felt they were easily defensible, which they were, but they had a major flaw. If those defenses were ever broken, they would be trapped with nowhere to go. Even if there were other exits from the caves, they were small natural vents, not ideal for mass evacuations.

As Aiden's group travelled the true north, gathering as many clans so they could limit the undead that was coming from the lands further north from increasing their numbers too much, Catelyn Stark was dealing with troubles of her own.

Word from Kings Landing had reached the Eyrie regarding the attack on the Sept of Baelor, the High Septon had been murdered by the mob along with many of the other Septons and Septas. This had shattered her hope of getting their assistance in rooting out Aiden and the Targaryens from her home any time soon.

As she prayed in the Sept of the Seven that was built in the Eyrie, Petyr Baelish was eyeing her with lust in his eyes. He was brewing a plan of his own, he saw an opportunity in all this chaos to accomplish his goal.

After clearing his thoughts and putting on the mask of a caring friend on his face, hiding his lust for her completely, Petyr approached her from behind and knelt down on the prayer station in front of the statue of the Mother where Catelyn was currently praying.

"I hope I'm not desturbing you Cat, if you have time I may have an idea that can help your situation." Petyr said with a calm and caring tone.

"You aren't disturbing me at all Petyr, I just finished my prayers. I can only hope God hears them and protects my children from those devils." Catelyn replied back emotionally.

She worried for her children greatly, she knew that they were falling for the tricks of Aiden and Lyanna. Especially Sansa, she had the most change out of all her children before she left. Once upon a time, Sansa was the most faithful of her children, she would always join her in prayers and listened to what her mother told her.

But ever since Aiden arrived, everything changed, she had began to sneak off with Arya to go to the city in the sky, preferring to take classes within Kandor rather than learning from her. She had taken over teaching the girls ever since Ned had removed Septa Mordain from Winterfell, which worked for a time, but soon they both preferred to learn from the Children of the Forest and the robots that lived in Aiden's city.

She had to admit that the city was the most beautiful she had ever seen, but that is what made it far more scarier. It was filled with magic, the whole city was a slap to the face to her gods.

Petyr rubbed her back in comfort, enjoying taking advantage of Catelyn's weakened state, "I have heard of a man who calls himself the High Sparrow, he is said to be a devout follower of the Seven. He has been openly preaching about the corruption of the High Septon and how it was his followers who killed the evil that had grown within the Sept of Baelor." Petyr explained what he had heard from his spies.

"That can't be." Catelyn's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Tis true, they have even brought forth plenty of evidence against those within the Sept in Kings Landing. I have heard many things such as the High Septon being involved in prostitution not only personally, but also gifting young believers to nobles in exchange for coin, the King included. It is also said that he is bringing back the Faith Militant to cleanse the land, to bring back pure worship to the Seven." Petyr explained after releasing a sigh.

"That's a good thing Petyr, if that is the case then they can help me get rid of that devil that is corrupting my family." Catelyn responded happily.

Petyr put on a conflicted expression on his face which caused Catelyn to scunch her brows and ask, "What troubles you my friend, tell me, you have given me shelter, its the least I can do." She said as she held his hands in hers.

"Well, I'm not sure if using him is a good idea or not. His little army has been going into brothels and beating the prostitutes, going into taverns and destroying the ale and wine caskets, beating those who they find are drunk. Several of my own establishments in Kings Landing have been raided. So if you do request their help, it may turn out worse than it is already." Petyr said with fake worry in his voice, but really he was hoping that she would follow thru with it.

He knew that if the Faith Militant did go north, that most likely they would kill many of the Stark children, including Lord Eddard Stark himself. The Faith Militant was known for their extremist behavior, it was why they were forcibly disbanded and outlawed by the Targaryens long ago.

But now the Lannisters were weak, they couldn't afford to anger the Faith of the Seven in any way. They were desperate for alliances, as was Stannis and Renly Baratheon, what worried him the most was the North. He knew he wouldn't be able to get Catelyn unless he removed her current family completely.

"What do you mean Petyr? You know those are sinful businesses, you shouldn't be involved in such things anyway, you are a Lord and dealing in brothels is below your station." Catelyn replied back, she had known he owned quite a few brothels and taverns in Kings Landing, which she didn't like, but she had no right to tell him to stop those businesses.

"What I mean is if you involve them, they are known to go above and beyond in their cleansing work, your children and husband could be harmed during their attack, especially if they don't renounce their faith in the Old Gods. The choice is yours in the end, I can pass on your request to this High Sparrow for you." Petyr explained showing a bit of hesitation.

"I trust our God Petyr, he will protect my children, tho I don't hold faith that they would spare Ned, especially after what he had done to the Sept he built in Winterfell. I can only hope he sees the error of his ways and repents. The Seven are merciful to those who show repentance. I shall write the letter tonight, thank you Petyr. You are truly a godsend." Catelyn replied excitedly, then quickly left the Sept to write another letter to be sent to Kings Landing.

As she left Petyr couldn't keep the smile from forming on his face, everything was going according to plan. 'Now all I need to do is weaken the Baratheon brothers, I have sent an assassin to the Stormlands to make an attempt at assassinating one of Renly's advisers and make it look like it was Stannis' doing. That boy is refusing to involve himself in attacks, I would've preferred to put him against the Reach but I hear him and Loras Tyrell are close. Luckily I have an agent still in the City Watch that will release Robert from the dungeons, that will create many problems for not only the Lannisters, but will involve Dorne too, the more chaos the better.' Petyr thought to himself as he watched Catelyn leave.

Meanwhile back at Lannisport, the acting regent Stafford Lannister, was dealing with troubles of his own. Jaime Lannister had showed up out of the blue, when he ordered for his arrest, none of the guards listened to his order.

Not only was it because they knew they stood no chance against Jaime should he resist, but it was widely known that he was Tywins favored son. They knew eventually they could overwhelm him, but the risk of seriously injuring him was just too great should they do so.

If they were to accidentally cripple or kill Jaime, they and their family would suffer fates worse than death by the hands of Tywin himself. So they didn't listen to his orders in the least, they knew Stafford was mearly a stand in for now and had no real power to protect them.

This was a wake up call to Stafford, he now realized that he held no real power within Casterly Rock, he was more of a figurehead for the city than anything. Jaime, upon learning of what his sister, brother, and cousin had done, he quickly left to go to his room to contact Barristan thru the bracelet given to them by Aiden to ensure he was safe. He feared that his fellow brother may have been killed when they retook Kings Landing.

"Ser Barristan, this is Jaime, are you ok?" Jaime called once he had entered his room and locked the door.

Soon the bracelet connected, showing a holographic display of Barristan's upper body, "Aye, it is good to see you my brother, hope all is well with you."

Releasing a sigh of relief, Jaime answered back, "Aye, all is good. I was worried that you had been killed or captured after what happened in Kings Landing."

Seeing the confusion on Barristan's face, Jamie continued, "Are you not in Kings Landing? Where are you?"

"Nay, King Robert sent me to the Vale to check on the status of Littlefinger, I am currently in the Crossroads Inn, what happened in Kings Landing?" Barristan explained with a serious tone and asked curiously.

"Robert is no longer King, I heard my sister and brother, along with or cousin Daven had taken some men and took back the throne. The current Kingsguard led by Ser Boris had betrayed Robert and now serve my nephew and father. I was sent by Lord Commander Gerold to come assist you in destabilizing the throne further. I am currently in Casterly Rock, awaiting my uncle Gerion's return along with Oberyn." Jaime explained.

Barristan's face hardened, although he wasn't loyal to Robert himself, he was loyal to the Targaryens, but hearing that the other Kingsguard had so easily turned on the king they did swear their loyalty too angered him greatly.

"I knew those men were trash the moment I saw them. Oath breakers, the whole lot of them. Is Robert still alive?" Barristan asked with a dissappointed tone.

"I am unsure, but knowing my family I would have to say that if he is, that wouldn't last very long. They wouldn't risk someone in the castle freeing him to then be able to cause them trouble down the road. Most likely they will hold a trial, then poison him so that he dies during his trial by combat that he will definitely request." Jaime responded after some thought.

"Aye, sounds about right. Are you planning to continue on to Kings Landing, or will you remain in Lannisport?" Barristan asked as he thought on what he should do.

"I will rest up for a few days, then continue on to Kings Landing after I help Gerion retake Casterly Rock from my Uncle Stafford, he is nothing but a bumbling fool, my cousin Daven would've been a better choice for my father to put as regent. I wouldn't suggest going into the Vale, from what Aiden said, that Littlefinger is scheming against the whole realm. You may find yourself dead should you go into that mans territory, once you're in the Eyrie, getting back out will be impossible." Jaime suggested.

"Aye, no point now in going. I will make my way towards you then, we will return to Kings Landing together. Should make your return more believable. I can be there in about a week if I take a boat and move thru the river systems." Barristan answered.

He knew now that Robert was no longer in power that going to the Vale would be suicide, Petyr would definitely want to remove one of the best commanders for the crown from the field. Bringing Jaime back would win him favor for Tywin which would allow him to keep his position and privy to Tywin's future plans.

"Sounds good. You should arrive just about when Gerion will, if not a few days later which is perfect. That will give us plenty of time to coordinate our efforts. We will need to play this safe, my father can't know that he has lost Casterly Rock, otherwise getting the other houses in the Westerlands to support Gerion will be much harder. Make sure you keep in touch and let me know if you run into any issues." Jaime responded then closed the communication after receiving confirmation from Barristan.

Exiting the room, Jaime began to gather men he knew could be trusted, he gathered the reports from them on what was happening in Lannisport and easily took control of the city and castle. No guard wanted to go against Jaime, not only due to fear of his father, but also because he was well respected by the people of Lannisport.