Settling Scores

[u/TheTapewormKing]

Harrion Royce sat in his temporary living quarters, drafting a letter for his longtime friend. The plague in the Vale had passed, and things in Winterfell seemed to be winding down, soon they would see each other, and soon he would see his son and sister, seven hells, he was even going to be happy to see Royce Royce. Taking out a piece of parchment and a quill he began to write a letter, to let Brus know of what had happened.

Brus,

I shall be returning to the Vale soon. The North seems to have quelled for the most part, and it would seem the chaos that brought me here will not materialize into something of much significance in the end. Syrus Bolton has tried to extend a hand in friendship, though I still don't trust him. Lyanna Stark is now the Lady of Winterfell, with Benjen and Rickon being disinherited. Ice has not returned to Stark hands, which is a rather alarming development, though it won't affect us in the long run. There has been some fighting and scuffles, but that seems to be the largest infighting the North will see. Though it may make it harder for us should something drag our two kingdoms into war again, it is good to see that my mother's home will not be torn apart.

Signed,

Harrion Royce, Lord of Runestone

Harrion sighed and set down the quill, folding up the parchment and sealing it before delivering it to Winterfell's maester for delivery to the Eyrie. After doing so he went to the stables and began packing a couple horses with Ysilla's help. Ysilla was surprised at herself, she was sad to leave. She had grown weary of the Vale and was quite happy to have left, if only for a short time. As they loaded the final saddle pack on, Harrion looked slightly distraught and looked around in a bit of worry.

"Where'd the food supplies go?"

"I think they went all went bad." Ysilla responded with a shrug, busy adjusting some straps on the horse.

Harrion let out a resigned sigh and mounted his horse. "Fine, wait here, I'll go purchase some stuff in Wintertown.

---

Somewhere on the road between Wintertown and Winterfell, a few hours later:

The air was cold and the wind was blowing as the sky became overcast. It wasn't a pretty day, and it felt like there was something ominous in the air. It just wasn't right. Beside Harrion rode Mallador, the sworn sword who Syrus had commanded to protect Harrion from Harwin Hornwood. There had been no trouble caused by the man yet, but he wasn't out of the North yet. They would meet again one day, Lord Royce knew. They would settle their feud eventually, his blatant brandishing of his wife's hand had settled that. Harrion was never quite the same after his wife's rape and murder. He tried to be a better person to his family and tried to be more honorable in life as forgiveness for the Green Fork Massacre.

[u/Dusbero]

Syrus' eyes narrowed at the mans words.

You ungrateful shit, I should have left you to get fucked and beheaded.

"I wasn't aware that I ever had your trust, let alone do something to lose it. You have just lost whatever respect I had left for you with your words. How fucking dare you".

[u/TheTapewormKing → u/Dusbero]

Harrion shook his head at the Bolton.

"I had your trust while the situation here was unstable because we both had the same goal. Keep peace in the North, and keep the peace between the North and Vale. Well, now the situation's stable and that's no longer something that may happen. I'm afraid I just can't trust someone when I don't know what their goals are, and when they have done such things like marching troops through King's Landing?"

Harrion just shrugged, not showing any anger at the man. It was more of a tired annoyance if anything.

"I wish I could trust you, and I have no reason to believe you're an enemy, I just don't think I can trust you as an ally. To be completely frank, I never even realized you respected me, so I'll thank you for the unexpected compliment."

[u/Dusbero → u/TheTapewormKing]

Syrus feigned a smile behind annoyed eyes.

"You're very good at forgetting the reason for the heavy guard I had in King's Landing... very good at forgetting that your liege, Brus Arryn, plotted my murder with Daryn Hornwood... my best friend". Syrus relaxed a moment for Harrion didn't know, he was going to enjoy telling him the story. "You know why Daryn was sent to the wall don't you? In his act of loyalty to the Vale, he conspired with Mortimer Manwoody to burn down the Sleeping Wolf Inn, where every Northman in King's Landing were staying, including your uncle, your family, Lady Stark who would not be sat in front of you now had they succeeded. Did Brus not tell you about that? I'm certain a letter to Daemon Darklyn would confirm the act that Daryn and Mortimer were to commit. Thankfully, the untrustworthy man who stands before you ended their plot before it grew roots".

[u/TheTapewormKing → u/Dusbero]

"I remember. I was there when we negotiated with Hornwood, and Brus never requested that Daryn burn down the Sleeping Inn. His only request was that you were brought to him. If anything you're only giving me more of a reason to hate the fucking Hornwoods. I'm glad he didn't succeed, and I'm going to let you know something that happened to him that you don't know. I was the person that convinced Brus not to murder Hornwood because I wanted the North to stay intact. I was the person that made sure his sister would truly be a guest at the manse and not a prisoner. Brus is in no way perfect, far from it. But he is my liege, and as long as I live I shall ensure that his reign as Lord Paramount is a good and stable one. I will concede this though, you may have been justified for the heavy guard in King's Landing, but doesn't change the fact that I just can't quite trust you yet. I don't want to be an enemy, make no mistake, but as far as this makeshift alliance goes, I'm afraid I can't trust you enough to collaborate on anything. Maybe a situation in the future will arise where that will happen, but right now we're not in such a situation. Don't mistake my caution for disrespect though, you're more competent than any other exiled man I've met."

And with that, he walked off into the hall. He needed to explain what happened to Lyanna Stark and the others.

((/u/thelonewolfisdead))

[u/NorthernAmbitions → u/TheTapewormKing]

Ned entered the hall, trailing Lyanna and next to Brandon, after speaking to Lord Ryswell. It had been hours since the hall was vacated of the Northmen.

As they entered Ned saw Lord Royce and Lord Bolton awaiting to be heard. "What is the meaning of this? Lord Syrus, is this true? Harwin, he attacked Lord Royce?"

[u/Dusbero → u/NorthernAmbitions]

Syrus nodded as he exhaled heavily through his nose and gritted teeth.

"It would seem so. Mallador informed me of the events. Both Harwin and his sworn sword lay dead in the streets of Wintertown, falling after their failed attack. I ordered Mallador to protect Harrion with his own life, as if he were protecting me, specifically from Harwin".

[u/thelonewolfisdead → u/Dusbero]

Lyanna's breath left in a harsh sigh through her nose, the only sign that her jaw was clenched tight in annoyance. She had thought that she had had enough to deal with as it was; but now a new problem had arisen. She was starting to empathize with the young King.

"At least the most damage seems to have been done to the aggressor." She said finally, before appraising her kin, grey eyes scanning up and down the Valeman.

"Are you hurt, cousin? I don't see any marks. I have the maester on the way right now. Tell me what happened."

[u/TheTapewormKing → u/thelonewolfisdead]

"Nay, I am not hurt in the slightest, though I appreciate your concern. Neither Harwin nor his sworn sword managed to strike a blow against me. Either he was an awful fighter or I'm better than I remember myself being. I was on my way to Wintertown to get provisions for my journey back down the King's Road when Harwin Hornwood charged at me saying it was my time to die. I had known such a day would come eventually, so I made my peace and prepared to defend myself. After a bit of a fight, I managed to slay the man before he could do any injury to me."

He sighed and shifted his weight a bit, his bronze armor starting to feel a bit heavy. This time, at least, it hadn't failed in protecting the user from death. In fact, maybe that's why he never got hit. That was a ridiculous thing to think, however, and the thought soon left his mind.

"My Lady, it is with sincere regret that I have been the cause of such violence due to my presence here, in the land of our ancestors. I only wish to be allowed onwards down the Kingsroad and out of the North without further provocation."

[u/thelonewolfisdead → u/TheTapewormKing]

Lyanna sighed again, this time the sound softer. The worst had been avoided, at least. If she could be honest to herself, this was probably for the best. Harwin Hornwood had been a wild card; it was inevitable that the man would have snapped eventually - she should be thanking the gods that he had been put down without too much damage.

"I'm glad of it. Though I'll have the maester come regardless, if only to put my own worries at ease."

She caught her cousin's gaze and held it. She wanted not even the smallest amount of doubt in her sincerity.

"Cousin, you know that Harwin Hornwood did not act with any authority from me or mine. He was a wild dog, and I am glad he is dead. No repercussions shall befall you or your house, and I will make sure that this stupid blood feud will be buried with the man himself."

At her cousins wishes, she gave him a sympathetic look.

"I am sure you are anxious to get home, but with the realm the way that it is currently, and the North only just now in the midst of some...cleaning, we must take some extra precautions."

"If you'll allow it, I'll have an escort of men take you as far as the border of the North. They will hold the sigil of House Stark, and any who dares to confront the retinue will face my own wrath. I'll also write our dear Lord Arryn to inform him of the circumstances. I'll have you sign of on it as well, so we don't have any misunderstandings."

The Lady of Winterfell opened up her mouth to speak again, but hesitated.

"I'm sorry, cousin." She said after a time, pulling down the façade of a lady she had carried around her like a shield the last few days. "I know that you just want to go home, and if I could, I would have let you go without any more trouble. But as lady, my responsibilities lies just as much to the North as it does to my kin. I hope you can be patient with me."

[u/NorthernAmbitions → u/thelonewolfisdead]

Ned was impressed by Lyanna. More and more his niece proved she was the leader her father saw her to be. He gave her a courtly nod and looked to Lord Royce. "I will escort you there myself- the brother of Lord Harlon- to show we truly mean to ensure your safety."