It had taken Jon just less than two days to garner the support of every Lord of the North present at the Dreadfort. And that not only for his cause but also to help the Night's Watch and the Free Folk. Benjen shook his head. His nephew had amazed everyone with his speech tonight. Even Benjen had not known beforehand what Jon had intended. Jon had reassured him afterwards that his Uncle Ned and Davos Seaworth knew of his plans for the North and it was not something he had agreed to on the spur of the moment.
It had been a busy day at the Dreadfort. Everyone who had taken up arms against them had been locked up, all the male servants at the Dreadfort as well for safety purposes. They didn't protest however. Jon gathered that they were treated better now that they were prisoners than when they were forced to serve their cruel Lords. Jon had reassured them personally that the dragons would not harm them and they would be treated decently and be given proper food and sufficient liquids the entire time they were being kept confined. Lord Stark would decide their fate. That statement, more than anything else, had put their minds at ease.
Lady Brienne had come up to Jon and asked him to become his sworn sword once more. Jon had taken her request seriously and responded that he needed more than a sworn sword. He needed a loyal member for his Kingsguard to replace Sandor Clegane and would she be willing to take on that position.
"My Lord, I am not a knight. I am a woman. I only have my sword to offer." She had stammered.
"I have seen you fight when we travelled together in the Riverlands, my Lady. Ser Arthur was very impressed and I was as well. Let me repeat my offer a bit more clearly then. Are you willing to be knighted and become a permanent member of my Kingsguard? I will be making several reforms as soon as I have the authority. One of them will be the appointment of people to certain positions because of their worth and abilities, no longer based upon their gender, the name of their house or their wealth."
He had touched her shoulder. "Now my Lady, what shall it be?" Jon had not been in doubt of her answer. Robb and Edric had written him of her struggles and ambitions.
"I would be honoured, my Prince." She had kneeled before him. "I vow I will be your most loyal subject."
"I have the highest regard for your honour, my Lady and am grateful that you find me and my cause worthy enough to lend it your sword. I vow that you shall always have a place by my hearth and meat and mead at my table, and pledge to ask no service of you that might bring you into dishonour. I swear it by the Old Gods and the New." Jon had looked at her and had noticed that she had been moved beyond words.
"I solemnly promise that knighting you will be one of my first acts when I am instated as the King of the Seven Kingdoms. If that takes longer than expected, I'll ask Ser Gerold, Ser Arthur, Ser Barristan or Ser Oswell to do the honours. The first one that is available can perform the task."
"Oh no, my Prince, I would be honoured if you were the one to do it. I can wait for the title. The duties on the other hand I will assume as soon as Lord Stark releases me from my duties to his household." She stood back up, her eyes shining with devotion and pride.
"I intend to join you all at Winterfell. We can straighten the matter out then and there. For the time being, can you help us organise things here?"
After having given her a few instructions, Jon had left to find writing equipment and someone to send the ravens to Dragonstone and King's Landing. They would all be anxious to hear that Robb was saved and everyone was all right. He had known the Lords had already dispatched a message to Lady Catelyn by raven and sent a messenger as well to bring her more details.
Jon would be glad to be at Winterfell soon. He would be more at ease there and could write a longer message to Dragonstone then. Now he had just written a few short sentences so he could get on with business. He would be more than happy to leave this dreary castle. If he was Domeric Bolton, he'd tear the whole thing down, build a new stronghold and change the sigil while he was at it.
In the end, everyone had worked together and come evening, the great hall had been filled with bannermen of House Stark. Loras Tyrell had escorted a few servants to the village and had come back with a wagonload of food. The female servants had done their best to put a decent meal on the table. Some had cried with relief when they had heard Ramsay Snow was dead.
Nobody who would have entered the Dreadfort that evening for the first time and stepped into the well-lit great hall buzzing with happy excited voices could have guessed the horrors that had taken place here less than a day ago.
Robb sat at the high table, his left arm still heavily bandaged but some colour had already returned to his cheeks. Jon sat to his right and Benjen Stark sat to Jon's right. Despite Jon's protests that they not overextend themselves, both had wanted to be there when Jon confronted the Lords of the North. Benjen Stark knew better than his nephews how stubborn and proud the Lords could be. Several had visited him that afternoon supposedly to wish him well but everyone had wanted to hear about the Prince. Where did the Targaryen come from? Why did he have such a close bond with Robb? Was Lord Stark really on board with all this? Did Benjen Stark really trust him? Where were the dragons hiding out now? Benjen had told them just enough to stall them till tonight.
When most of the food had been consumed, Jon stood up to raise a toast. The scraping of his chair made everyone aware something was up and the room fell silent when they saw the young dragonrider ready to make a toast.
"To House Stark!" He raised his cup. "To House Stark that has reigned the North for thousands of years and will for thousands more."
"To House Stark!" They echoed but it was not wholeheartedly. It was not what they had been waiting to hear from the unexpected saviour of Robb Stark.
"My Lords of the North, loyal bannermen to House Stark and everyone present here tonight who helped free my cousin, Robb Stark, I know you all have questions. I know you only met me today, but I trust you have all witnessed my devotion to House Stark and the love I have for my cousin who is as a brother to me and for whom I have flown almost non-stop across half of Westeros. I am speaking the truth when I tell you that I consider Benjen Stark to be more of a father to me than an uncle."
Both men shared a fond look that went a long way to convince his more reticent listeners.
"Lord Eddard Stark is a dear uncle and a most trusted ally. I consider myself part of House Stark, a part of the North, the blood of the Kings of Winter flows through my veins."
He paused trying to gauge their reaction but couldn't read much off their blank faces.
"Your Liege Lord, Eddard Stark has sheltered me and given me an education fit for a King. Your Warden of the North has been preparing for a Targaryen restoration from the moment I was born."
Murmurs started and a Lord tried to ask him a question. Jon raised his voice to rise above the commotion.
"Please let me speak, my Lords. I will give you a chance to voice your opinion as soon as I have finished."
He needed to wait a few moments more before he judged he had their full attention again.
"Lord Stark and several allies all over the Seven Kingdoms have been working tirelessly for more than seventeen years. We have the Vale on our side, the Riverlands, House Lannister, or whatever remains of it has agreed to do whatever my uncle orders them to. Soon Dorne will be on our side and we have a large part of the Crownlands that supports us."
"Thanks to the North and the Riverlands, we also have a large fleet at our disposal and two fire breathing dragons. It won't be long before I can claim back the throne that was taken away from my family when lies about my father and mother were falsely spread by Petyr Baelish. He was the culprit that prevented Lyanna Stark's letter with the necessary explanations to reach her father and brothers. I will retake the throne for house Targaryen and will do so with minimal bloodshed. I promise you that."
"Please my Lords. I am almost finished." Jon once more needed to raise his voice to be heard over the whispers and exclamations.
"I fully realise I owe most of my assets and my current strength and support to the North, more specifically to Lord Eddard Stark. I will reward him the moment I take the throne."
He paused dramatically, now that he had once more gained their attention.
"Just as the North does, I will 'remember' and I will reward the Warden of the North and the entire North will benefit from this reward."
Another pause. Jon made sure he had everyone's attention. Like an actor knowing his most important lines of the play were at hand he stood a bit straighter and made his voice even more persuasive.
"My first order of business will be to declare that the Northern most Kingdom will become a Principality effective as soon as I am formally instated as King and have the authority to do so. All male members of House Stark will carry the title of Princes of the North. Henceforth, all female members will be addressed as Princesses of the North. But perhaps more important to you all, the North will be exempt from taxes for twenty years, a period that will start on the first day of my reign to recompense the North for financing my cause for these past seventeen years."
"Please hear me out my Lords." Once again Jon needed to raise his voice and appeal to them to let him continue.
"The only taxes the North will be obliged to pay during these years are those due to the Night's Watch. I will grant the North full autonomy on economic matters. The North will stay a part of the Seven Kingdoms. However this alliance will be predominantly military. I will protect the North as the North will stand by the rest of the Kingdoms."
Jon paused and looked around ready to hear their reactions. This time there were none.
"Well my Lord, I have finished, now it is your turn."
"Does my brother know?" Benjen Stark was the first to react, clearly as surprised by Jon's plans as the rest of his audience.
"Lord Eddard Stark knows of my plans and supports me." Jon took a scroll out of his pocket and showed the seal to them. This scroll was written by uncle Eddard's hand. I will read a small part out loud. You don't need to trust my word. You can read your Liege Lord's words yourself. I will pass it to you afterwards.
Honourable Lords of the North and trusted bannermen of House Stark,
If you read this scroll, my nephew, Lyanna's son will be standing before you. I need neither introduce him nor describe his worth. I am convinced that a small time in his presence will convince you all that he is a true son of the North, has a noble heart and has our best interests in mind. I have pledged myself to his cause and will help him reclaim his rightful throne. If he has not already convinced you, I trust my word will be enough for you all to follow my lead.
"I'll let you read the rest yourselves. I can only add that this is a unique opportunity for the North. For the first time in the history of the Seven Kingdoms you can have a ruler with Stark blood on the Iron Throne, raised by House Stark. I have been taught the northern values. I worship the Old Gods. I have my own direwolf, just as the five Stark siblings. I am as much a Stark as I am a Targaryen."
"When do you intend to take the throne? Would you have told us before you did it if your cousin hadn't needed rescuing?" A voice at the lower end of the table shouted.
Jon looked to see who had spoken these words. He only hesitated slightly to recall the name of the House that belonged to the sigil of a brown bullmoose with black antlers on orange.
"Lord Hornwood I presume?"
The man nodded in acknowledgement.
"The exact timing is not yet fixed. It will happen sooner rather than later but we are waiting on news from the Night's Watch. I hope all of you have read the reports from your Liege Lord concerning the situation beyond the Wall. If an enemy attack is imminent, it will take precedence and I will have to delay going South to take back my family's throne."
Jon looked around as if to check who had taken notice of the reports of the Warden of the North. Several Lords avoided eye contact. Jon turned his attention back to Lord Hornwood.
"I will now answer the other part of your question." His voice took on a slightly patronizing tone.
"I would have told every Lord who had come to the Wall to assist us there who I am. My dragons and I have been helping beyond the Wall for a while now. I have faced the army of the dead and have helped the people who live there. I will face that enemy again if it threatens to attack once more."
He refrained from adding 'will you?' It would not do to alienate them now that they were listening. Besides he didn't know the exact content of Lord Stark's message to his bannermen. Perhaps his words had been too strong already. He had silenced them apparently. Lord Hornwood had taken his seat again and stared at his plate.
"House Umber has sent a healer to Castle Black and a Blacksmith to Eastwatch to assist." The Greatjon defended their House.
"House Karstark was preparing a delegation to negotiate with the Lord Commander. We have sent a message more than a sennight ago but have not heard back." The Lord of Karhold was quick to join in.
A few other similar remarks could be heard. Several Lords began talking amongst themselves once more.
"My Lords," Jon tried but couldn't get them to stop talking amongst themselves. "My Lords," he tried again, this time louder.
He looked at Robb apologetically before turning his eyes to Greywind. The large wolf sprang upon a table amidst the Lords that were creating most of the disturbance and growled showing his big sharp teeth.
"Thank you Greywind," Jon said when everyone had stopped what they were saying and stared in shock at the intimidating stance of the large direwolf. Although they all felt threatened by the large wolf, nobody drew a weapon not daring to harm the animal of Robb Stark.
"My Lords, please hear me out. I am not aware of the exact state of communications between Lord Stark and you all. I can inform you that Lord Commander Mormont has died and has been replace by Cotter Pyke. Perhaps communications have been muddled. For the moment there is no imminent threat. Scouts are monitoring the situation. The enemy has regrouped in the far north for the time being. Just be prepared if a call for help should come. As far as I can tell, at the moment it is not as much fighting men we lack but logistics: wagons, arms, food, warm clothing and perhaps, but I hope it won't come to that, shelter for refugees, mostly women and children."
Greywind had jumped down from the table and trotted back to Robb while the Lords listened to Jon's words.
"Wildlings?!" Lord Karstark voice betrayed he didn't believe his ears.
"Free Folk," Jon corrected gently. "Is a child any less precious because it was born on the other side of the Wall?"
"Lord Stark," Greatjon Umber asked Benjen Stark. "What have you to say about all this?"
"Without my nephew and his dragons I wouldn't be sitting here." Benjen remarked calmly. Everyone kept silent to hear what Benjen Stark had to say. They needed to strain their ears to understand his words, since the injured Lord did not raise his voice.
"I saw with my own eyes how his dragons burned hundreds of wights, I mean walking dead men, the enemy." He clarified.
"I saw with my own two eyes how my nephew killed a White Walker on the ground in single combat and how that act made hundreds of wights drop dead for good. This young man was the first one to kill a White Walker in thousands of years. He has faced the enemy beyond the Wall several times already and is willing to put his life in danger again to help us. If ever he needs my help, hells I'll give it to him before he can even ask. That is what I have to say about this." He turned his head slowly to look all of them in the eyes one by one.
"And if you need to hear my opinion about the Free Folk, I have met them personally. I was their guest at one of their settlements. They are people like you and me. They just do not have the benefit of our culture, our education. However, wildling fathers love their children, wildling husbands love their wives. They defend their weak just as we do. I fought beside them when we faced an enemy too numerous to defeat on our own. They were fierce and courageous in the sight of certain death before my nephew and his dragons swooped in to change our odds."
"The fact is, we need to band together to survive. If we do not, and the Free Folk on their own can't stop the dead from breaking through the Wall, this dangerous mystical enemy is coming for us all, more numerous than ever since it will have added a hundred thousand of these so-called Wildlings to its ranks."
"My father pledged fealty to him and I as well." Everybody shifted their attention to see Robb Stark try to stand up with some difficulty.
Edric Dayne immediately made a move to support him. Loras Tyrell stood at the ready at his other side should he need extra support.
"My cousin may count only seventeen namedays, my Lords but he has done more for the North than most anyone present here. He has saved the people at the Stony Shore from the largest Ironborn attack ever to come to our Shores. Euron Greyjoy wanted to cement his new reign over Pyke with a large raid and came to our shores with twenty seven ships armed to the teeth. " Robb cleared his throat a few times.
"My cousin and his two dragons send them back with less than half their men and ships. Not a single northerner was injured. He saved my uncle's life beyond the Wall facing a dangerous enemy that outnumbered him and had him cornered." Now it was Robb that used a dramatic pause to let the Lords ponder his words.
"He is instrumental in making the Free Folk and the Night Watch work together for the first time in …" He looked sheepishly at Jon, "well I can't even recall in how long but that should say enough. He provided logistic support to the Free Folk. But more importantly, the moment he found out that the enemy had a weakness and could be killed by obsidian, volcanic glass, he made it his mission to find more of this material and has brought it north for us."
Robb's voice had gotten hoarser and Edric handed him a cup of water. Robb took it with a grateful nod and took a few sips before putting it back on the table. The proud Lords made not a single remark. They all waited for the heir to Winterfell to finish what he had to say. Robb resumed his appeal.
"He saved me today even though he was sick and very far away when the call for help arrived. He is willing to delay his own cause to fight for the North, to fight the enemy beyond the Wall. And after he saves are sorry arses what does he promise us? He promises us a King of the Seven Kingdoms that has the best interest of the North in mind. He is a wolf of the North even if he is a dragon as well. He will give the North more autonomy, exempt it from taxes and only asks for a military alliance."
Robb's voice had once more cracked and he reached for his cup to take a few more sips.
"Here is our chance to support a King who was raised with northern values and worships the Old Gods. My honourable father vouches for him and has pledged himself to him. My Lords, what more do you want?" Robb looked around seeing several Lords nod. He raised his cup slowly, careful not to lose his balance.
"He may carry the name of House Targaryen, but he looks and acts like a Stark. I say, let's toast to the Dragonwolf. Long may he reign!"
Robb sat down glad he had been able to finish what he had to say. Jon's eyes were moist when he raised his cup toward Robb his entire demeanour conveying a silent but heart-felt thanks. Benjen touched Robb's right arm to signal his appreciation.
At the same time the Lords of the North responded to Robb's toast. The assembled men in the tent erupted in cheers. "To the Dragonwolf! Long may he reign!" One by one the Northern Lords came up to Jon to thank him and pledge him their support.
Later that evening after Jon had retired, Benjen overheard several men talking about his nephew. The words that had pleased him most were, 'clearly Lyanna's son', 'courage', 'dragonwolf', but he had chuckled when they called him an alpha, leader of wolves and talked about how he controlled dragons and wolves as if it were small pets. When they asked Benjen about it he delighted in describing Ghost to them. Everybody wanted to see the young Prince and his 'white wolf'.
***
Jon sat on the bed of the room he had been assigned. He was exhausted. He would spend one night in this dreary castle for Benjen and Robb's sake but intended to depart for Winterfell immediately after breaking their fast. Lord Karstark had promised to let his eldest son stay behind with a few men and manage affairs at the Dreadfort. Lord Umber would coordinate the support between the Northern Lords and the Lord Commander at the Wall. Jon had advised him to ask for Sandor Clegane who could help him coordinate with the Free Folk as well.
He had hardly pulled off one boot when Edric and Loras came into the room. "Come on, Jon. We are all headed for Robb's room. Let's enjoy the fact that we are all together again."
Jon relented knowing that when Edric had something in mind, he would not give up until he got his way. "All right, all right, but only for a short while. I am tired you know."
All in all, the time in Robb's room had relaxed him and had lifted Robb's spirit visibly. Jon chastised himself for not realising Robb would have trouble sleeping here. The three boys did not leave the room before Robb was sound asleep. They left it to Greywind to keep watch over his human.
***
Ghost was the one to wake Jon. The guards at the gate had heard all about the exotic looking white direwolf with red eyes and let the enormous beast enter the moment they saw him. Ghost had needed no directions and had stormed to Jon's room, wasting no time in jumping on Jon's bed.
It had been almost a moon since they had last been together. Jon awoke because his face was being besieged by Ghost's tongue. He didn't push the wolf away but hugged him tightly. He would savour the days they could be together in the North. Who knows when he needed to fly back south?
His grumbling stomach made him jump into action. He pushed Ghost of him, hurried through his morning ablutions and went in search for some food. The sooner he ate, the sooner they could leave. When he entered the hall with Ghost by his side, he found Uncle Benjen sitting at the main table talking to a few Stark guards standing close to him. Seeing only a few men about, it became clear to him that Ghost had woken him up rather early.
"Good morning Uncle. I trust you slept well?" Jon nodded a silent greeting at the guards who took up their duty near the table again.
"Not as well as I liked. I woke up each time I moved. The Maester pulled the bandage rather tight around my waist. I am not looking forward to being hustled about on a wagon for days." Benjen petted Ghost who had come over to say hello.
"I'm not leaving you behind, Uncle. We'll try to make you as comfortable as possible. Besides you will have Robb to keep you company."
"Perhaps you can help me keep my mind distracted with more pleasant thoughts. We did not have time to talk yesterday. Tell me, how is it living on Dragonstone with your beautiful Targaryen Princess?" His uncle motioned him to take a seat next to him.
Jon cursed the colour that rose in his cheeks. He had been trying so hard to stave off any thoughts of Dany and focus on the task at hand. He quickly took the offered seat and tried to keep his face even when he replied. "She is happy to be home and has settled in nicely. She is even attending our meetings and helping Sam with the messages and such."
"And such, mmmh. Have you made up your mind yet?" The edges of his uncle's mouth curved slightly upwards.
"Stop teasing, Uncle."
"What? I can read the signs as well as the rest of your advisers, my boy. Did you know I forbade them from starting a betting pool?" Benjen Stark no longer tried to suppress his smile.
"Betting on me and Dany? Ser Gerold? Davos?" Jon's eyes were big as saucers.
"I always said you were a bright boy. Yes on all counts. Dany uh? Tell me, would I have won? Are you betrothed yet?" His uncle's eyes twinkled with mischief.
"I am not betrothed to anyone yet, Uncle. Perhaps we could talk about this some other time? I mean when we can talk more privately?" Jon pleaded not ready to discuss this now.
Realising at once by Jon's dejected demeanour that the subject was more delicate than he had originally surmised, Benjen asked. "Have you written to Dragonstone yet?"
"I have and to Uncle Ned through Varys in King's Landing as well. Just short messages mind you. I intend to dispatch longer letters to everyone when I am at Winterfell."
"Maester Luwin will be glad to see you. You have given him a lot of work over these last few years."
"I was rather looking forward to see Arya, Rickon and uh Sansa again." Jon looked a bit self-conscious.
Benjen looked at his nephew curiously, noticing the hesitation on Sansa's name but decided to let Jon tell him at his own pace. He would keep his eyes open though.
"This trip was a resounding success, Jon. Not only do we have Robb back, you also have garnered the support of the Lords of the North. They are even willing to assist at the Wall. Did you see me getting interrogated by some of the Lords yesterday?"
"I noticed Uncle. You had the tougher audience." Jon was relieved at the change in subject.
"Well, perhaps you didn't notice I had some assistance. The Greatjon most valiantly came to your support. He did warn me that he would ask for an explanation from my brother though. He now sees the events of their trip south after the Rebellion in a new light and wants to hear a firsthand account of what exactly happened over there."
Jon could well understand Lord Umber. He had heard the tale from uncle Ned , more specifically how Lord Stark and Howland Reed had stolen away as thieves in the night only to return the next morning to lead their party to a small house near the Tower of Joy where local farmers loyal to House Dayne had prepared Lyanna Stark's body for travel. He forced those morbid thoughts of his mother from his mind and remembered what he had wanted to ask his uncle before entering the room.
"Have you sent word to the other bannermen that their assistance is no longer needed, Uncle? I saw the Cerwyn sigil in the courtyard. I reckon that party has just arrived?"
"They arrived last night after you retired, Jon. Be prepared for an audience later. After reading my brother's letter and hearing about the lifting of the taxes, I reckon it will go rather well though. Robb and I will of course be there to support you. To answer your first question, I did send ravens out to the other houses yesterday, but everyone who heeded our call and has not reached us yet will be somewhere on the road. That can't be helped, Jon."
They were distracted by Ghost running to the door to greet Greywind. Edric entered the room with Robb by his side, Loras close behind.
"You look a lot better, Robb. How are you doing?" His uncle was the first to greet Robb.
Robb took the empty seat at the other side of his uncle. "Much better, Uncle Benjen. I slept well which is somewhat of a miracle between these walls."
He stopped speaking when he felt Greywind settle his head in his lap after the wolf had wormed his big body under the table. Ghost somehow had been able to find enough room to do the same and the white head nestled itself on Robb's other thigh. He welcomed both direwolves by petting their heads, his eyes turning moist when he saw the unconditional love and readiness to protect him in two pairs of loyal eyes. He swallowed, lifted his head and greeted Jon with a nod and a watery smile.
Turning his attention back to his uncle, he asked, "How soon can we leave, Uncle? I long for Winterfell."
"As soon as everyone has broken their fast. Everything is organised and ready. The wagons are loaded. I hope you do not mind sharing a wagon with me?"
"I can't wait to leave this place and I am not able to travel on horseback yet so I take it gladly." He sighed while he looked at his plate filled with food. "I never thought a person could weaken so fast by withholding liquids and food. I thought people died from hunger but I am sure I would have died from thirst first."
"Liquids are vital to one's survival, Robb. The reason you do not hear about people dying of thirst is because liquids are usually available for free and food needs to be bought. Here in the North you just need to melt some snow and you can drink all you want." His uncle explained seriously.
"Except when you are being contained and tortured." Robb retorted bitterly.
Uncle Benjen put his hand over Robb's. "I am sorry, Robb. I should have sent someone with you. I should never have trusted Greyjoy."
"You are not to blame, Uncle. I left without telling anyone where I went and with whom. I only have myself to blame. Everyone warned me about Theon. I should have known better. Well, I will never ever forget it. I will carry the reminders on my arm for the rest of my life." Robb winced when he tried to lift his bandaged arm.
"What exactly did he do to your arm, Robb." Jon asked taking his eye off both wolves were lying under the table between him and his cousin.
"He peeled the skin off, what else?" Robb shrugged his shoulders slightly annoyed with the question. "One piece every time he came in. He said I would look like a monster when he was done and that he looked forward to the moment that I would be begging him to kill me."
"Women love scars, Robb. You have been through hell and survived. Wear those scars as badges of honour. You will look all the stronger for them." His uncle tried to comfort him.
"That is easy to say Uncle, but so much harder to do." Robb objected.
"Let's talk about it again when your wounds are not hurting as much and we can speak in private."
Uncle Benjen looked over to see Edric and Loras with their heads close together, apparently deep in conversation. He turned back to Robb and encouraged him to eat.
Lady Brienne entered the room and made a beeline for Jon. "My Prince, we found Theon Greyjoy!"
"You did? Is he alive?" Jon jumped from his chair.
"Well the Maester is tending to him." She motioned Jon to join her in a corner of the room so they could speak in private.
"I don't want to alarm Robb Stark." She whispered. "One of the female servants came forward and showed us a dungeon were we found Greyjoy tied to … well you know their sigil. Only fortunately for him, he was not tied to it upside down. He is missing several fingers and also his uh, his member, uh." Lady Brienne's cheeks were flushed when she stammered her last words.
"I get your meaning, Lady Brienne. Has he been skinned as well? Is he lucid?" Jon ignored her embarrassment.
"His left arm has hardly any skin left, my Prince. He is conscious but not sane. He keeps repeating 'Reek is sorry, Reek is sorry', over and over again." The Maester has given him milk of the poppy. We did not imprison him but I have asked the Maester not to let him leave the room and posted a guard at the door."
"You handled that well, Lady Brienne. If he is fit to be transported, we will take him with us to Winterfell. We will need a second wagon though. I do not want him anywhere near Robb."
"We were intending to take two wagons anyway. Theon Greyjoy can be put on the wagon carrying most of the food supplies and materials we need to take along."
"Excellent. Keep both vehicles as far apart as you can. I want to spare Robb from meeting Theon for a few days or at least until he wants to of course." He looked over and saw Robb playing listlessly with his food. He looked back at Brienne who now also studied Robb. The concern was evident on her face.
"Lady Brienne, can you summon Lord Domeric? He will miss breakfast if he doesn't show himself soon." Jon avoided to mention the name Bolton now. He wondered if Domeric felt ashamed to carry that name and whether he was as reluctant to hear it being used to address him as Jon was to speak it out loud.
"I will, my Prince." Brienne bowed and left the room.
Jon went back to the table, only now he took a seat across from Robb. Seeing his cousin's sour mood he tried another approach. "Hey Robb, how do you reckon they succeeded in keeping Arya at home this time?"
***
The caravan left the Dreadfort a bit later than planned but still long before the sun reached its highest point. The parley with Lord Cerwyn had caused an extra delay. After hearing them out, the Lord had asked for some time to make his decision. He had decided to travel with them to Winterfell so he could take Jon's measure before committing himself. He had also asked to see the dragons with his own eyes. Jon had obliged him and had connected with Rhaegal and Viserion immediately.
The four of them had moved outside to the courtyard where the caravan stood ready to depart. Soon enough screeches were heard and the dragons flew in. They were only too eager to show off a bit and had performed a real dance of dragons above the courtyard, staying high enough in the air not to frighten the tiny humans too much. Cheering and even applause had marked the end of the show and the caravan had started to move, leaving the Dreadfort behind.
It would take four days to travel to Winterfell. Ghost and Greywind led the way often straying from the path to reappear once more. They clearly were enjoying each other's company. A few Lords of the North had decided to accompany the heir back to Winterfell. Lord Umber rode up front with his men, followed by the wagon carrying the wounded Robb and Benjen Stark. Jon, Loras, Edric and Lady Brienne kept an eye on the wagon and its passengers. The houseguards of House Stark, Domeric Bolton and more bannermen made up the rear and saw to it that the wagon carrying the provisions and the Greyjoy prisoner did not lag behind. Even though nobody was on foot they still progressed rather slowly.
Jon had had ample time to think about what was next. He wondered what he should write to Yara Greyjoy. Best wait to see if a message from her had arrived at Winterfell. He had asked Sam to warn all their allies that they could contact their Prince at Winterfell. Perhaps Dany had written some of the messages in her fine hand.
Now that the Lords of the North were on board, he itched to deal with Pyke before he returned to Dragonstone. He would have to decide what to do about Theon Greyjoy first. He needed to speak to Robb and Uncle Benjen about that. They were allowed a say in the matter. For some reason he felt sorry for the Kraken. Whatever he might have done, no man deserved to be tortured like that. Ramsay Snow really knew how to break a man. He tortured his victims physically as well as mentally.
Theon Greyjoy either didn't remember his own name or was too afraid to speak it out loud. He made himself as small as he could the moment he perceived movement and feared that someone might approach him. He ate his food without using his hands and drank like a dog, lapping the liquid up out of a bowl using only his tongue. Jon would not have believed it if he hadn't seen it with his own eyes. Thinking about Greyjoy made him uneasy so he pushed these thoughts away. Perhaps thinking of Pyke was too premature also. He could well be flying to Eastwatch any day now.
Reminding himself of his promise to travel alongside Robb, he manoeuvred his horse closer to the wagon and started a conversation with his cousin about his siblings. He tried to listen patiently to Robb's description of life at Winterfell and hid his impatience at the slow pace of their journey. Traveling by conventional means really got old soon if you were used to the vast distances you could cover in no time on the back of a dragon.
***
Lady Brienne pulled her horse up next to Jon's. "Riders approaching, my Prince." Jon straightened himself revived by the thought that Winterfell was less than half a day's ride away.
"I bet it is a welcoming party and Arya will be amongst them." Jon replied with a smile.
"Warn Robb and Uncle Benjen and ask Robb if he wants to be on horseback when they approach."
Jon looked towards the wagon were his uncle and cousin were trying to play a game of cards.
Robb was gaining strength quickly now that he had access to proper food and drink. Besides not being able to use his left arm that was covered in thick bandages and had been tied against his body to keep it immobilised during the journey, his remaining ailments were more mental than physical. The second day on the road he had even switched places with Jon when the latter, still recovering from his on bout of sickness, welcomed a few hours of rest and had asked Robb whether he felt well enough and fancied to ride a few miles. They had been trading placing keeping their Uncle Benjen occupied.
He watched Brienne lead a spare horse toward the wagon. She stopped to inform Loras and Edric who were riding side by side. Prince Doran and Lady Olenna could learn something from these two. The Dornish Lord and the younger son of the Lord Paramount of the Reach had been keeping each other company for the better part of the four days they had been travelling.
"Let us all stop here for a moment." Jon called out. "I need to heed the call of nature." It was not the absolute truth, his more important motivation being that that way Robb could mount the horse at his leisure. It was not easy to do with his arm incapacitated. Also after the excesses of last night, several men in his party would welcome the unscheduled moment of respite.
"Had too much ale yesterday evening, my Lord?" The jape came from Lord Umber who rode next to him. It was accompanied by a slap of his large hand on Jon's his shoulders.
Jon had asked the men to address him as 'Lord' instead of 'Prince' for the time being. It would make things easier for everyone for now and would give him a chance to inform the necessary parties at Winterfell gradually on his own terms and at a time of his own choosing. The Lords feeling all the more important that they were in on the secret when others weren't yet had all promised him they would adhere to his wishes.
His dragons stayed hidden during the day and after dark flew the short distance the humans had covered that day easily enough. Jon had been able to visit them in the woods every night but knew that would probably become more difficult when they reached their destination. They would have to stay hidden at first.
He didn't react to the forceful thump Lord Umber had just given him. He had only himself to blame if they treated him in this familiar fashion. He had encouraged it last night when they all sat around the campfire and he had volunteered to tell them a story. He had told the story of Uncle Benjen's rescue beyond the Wall in the way he had learned to do it amongst the Free Folk to capture the imagination of his audience, with slightly exaggerated wording and broad gestures.
Uncle Benjen had chimed in several times what had only increased the overall hilarity. Add to that the fact that everyone had enjoyed his share of the barrel of ale they had bought at the inn they passed earlier that day and it hadn't taken long for Jon to be treated as one of them, all titles and formalities forgotten in the cordial, cheerful atmosphere around the campfire. Only Uncle Benjen had complained afterwards that Jon had been cruel to make him laugh so much.
Jon liked most of the Northern Lords that had lived close enough to answer the call of House Stark for assistance. Lord Karstark perhaps was the more difficult one to please but he had made the effort to enquire after the Lord's offspring and their marriage prospects which had gone a long way to easing the man's reluctance and skepticism.
"I didn't drink even half as much as you." Jon replied to Lord Umber's question. "I bet you the largest pint you can find that Arya Stark is a part of that dust cloud racing toward us." Jon's eyes were trained on the party that was fast approaching.
"No northern man present will take you up on that bet. We all know the wild wolf girl and are proud of her. Lady Catelyn hasn't been able to make a southern Lady of her as she has of her eldest daughter." Umber looked back and manoeuvred his horse to the left to make place for Robb Stark.
"You make a fine figure on horseback again, my boy. How much are you willing to bet against my statement that Arya is riding toward us to greet you?" Umber immediately addressed the heir of Winterfell.
"Perhaps I should take that bet, Lord Umber. But I will amend it slightly. How much are you willing to bet that her first greeting will be for my cousin, her best friend that she knows as Lord Celtigar?" A significant look was directed at the Greatjon when he stressed Jon's alias, "And not to her dearest brother who has narrowly escaped untold dangers?"
"Glad to see you can make fun of it, my Lord." Lord Umber replied, though he was more careful when he touched the young Lord's shoulder then had been with the Targaryen Prince. "I'll bet you the largest pint of ale you can find." He said this to Robb but winked at Jon when he repeated the Prince's words.
"Deal," Robb accepted the bet, straightened himself in the saddle. "We will know soon enough. I am impatient to reach Winterfell though. We will not stop long."
Jon nodded and noticed Ghost drawing closer. "Go on boy, go find Nymeria. Tell her hello from me." The direwolf was off in a flash. Greywind looked first at Jon then at Robb and ran after his sibling.
***
Robb won his bet easily. Although Lord Umber later protested that Robb had still gotten the first hug. Arya had indeed been very vocal when she saw Jon ride up front of the caravan that was bringing her brother home. Now the three cousins were riding side by side, Arya in the middle proud to be flanked by her brother and adopted brother.
***
A lot of people had come out to the courtyard to greet the heir and current master now that his father was absent although it was not a formal greeting line. Lady Catelyn was in tears and hugged her son carefully as soon as he had managed to dismount assisted by Jon. Sansa and Rickon followed her example but had to be reminded not to touch Robb's left arm in their initial enthusiasm.
Then Lady Catelyn bowed before Jon in her formal manner. She sounded sincere though when she expressed her thanks.
"You are most welcome at Winterfell, my Lord Celtigar. I cannot begin to express my thanks for coming all this way to rescue my eldest son. You have saved a mother's heart unimaginable grief."
"Well met once more, my Lady. But please, do not attribute all the credit to me. It was a joint effort. All your bannermen that lived close enough heeded the call of House Stark. We all played our part. House Stark is lucky to count on the support of so many loyal men." Jon kept his tone formal as well not really sure how to act around his uncle's lady wife.
Lady Catelyn acknowledged his words with a small smile and a nod of her head and turned away to greet the rest of the party. Rickon used this opportunity to come up to Jon and asked him if he had brought more presents. Jon ruffled the locks of his youngest cousin affectionately and told him he had not, at least not at this very moment but his friend, the very best blacksmith in Westeros would make something for him as soon as he had mastered the basic moves of swordplay.
"Perhaps Lady Brienne and I will see you tomorrow morning at the training yard?" He addressed Rickon as well as Arya who had not left his side the moment he had stepped of his horse.
Both Arya and Rickon nodded fervently but kept their reactions in check so as not to alert their mother. They had both learned well enough that what their mother didn't know, she could not forbid.
A shriek from their lady mother however diverted their attention. It was a sight to be seen. Five direwolves were greeting one another with little regard to their environment. Jon could not fault them though. Ghost had neither seen Lady nor Shaggydog again since they had been found in the woods near the Wall. It was only unfortunate that they had bumped into Lady Catelyn who was staring daggers at them.
"Someone take these beast to the kennels," she commanded clearly dismayed.
"My Lady, please allow me." Jon was immediately by her side and took her arm so she would not lose her balance.
"Ghost is not to be confined at any time." He warned her, his voice leaving no doubt there would be repercussions if disobeyed. His message delivered he softened his tone. "My Lady, please let me handle this. They will not bother anyone again. Just remember how glad you were to see Robb after less than two sennights. These direwolves are siblings. They have not seen each other for more than five years. That should excuse their behaviour somewhat."
He touched Ghost and looked into his eyes. The wolf whined but turned toward his siblings. After a few barks in response to Ghost's calm gesturing, the five wolves left sedately in the direction of the Godswood.
Lady Catelyn still looking somewhat disgruntled once more took a formal posture. "Follow me, my Lord." She said stiffly. She made him release her arm and led the way to the Great Hall.
Still smiling from ear to ear at the prospect of sparring with Jon the next morning, the two youngest Stark siblings took Jon by the hand and led him to where everyone was gathering to partake of some refreshments.
***
A bit later, Jon, Robb, and Edric were talking quietly together when Sansa approached hesitantly.
"Will you be staying long, my Lord?" She addressed Jon and avoided looking at Edric.
Jon figured the two of them had not yet found a way to deal with their current predicament. He once more made the mental note to address this with Uncle Ned at the first opportunity.
"I hope to spend a sennight here, my Lady. But I must warn you that there is a chance an urgent message may call me away earlier."
"Then I hope for my siblings' sake that no message containing such summons will arrive. Please, my Lord, call me Sansa. You call all my siblings by name."
"I'll be glad to do that, Sansa, but only if you address me as Jon." Jon smiled at her wondering why they had never reached that stage in the past. But before he could find something else to say, Sansa spoke again.
"If you will excuse me, Jon?" Sansa made a slight bow and went over to her mother to help host the newly arrived party and to check that the servants had plenty of food and drinks for everyone. Edric looked after her a forlorn expression on his face.
Robb looked at Jon a question in his eyes. Jon shrugged his shoulders and proposed they all take a seat to discuss how to fill their next few days.
Benjen looked at the three young men and felt torn. He was Robb's uncle as well as Jon's and loved both boys dearly. But he couldn't help feeling closer to Jon. Perhaps it was because the boy was fatherless and Robb still had both his parents. He couldn't deny that from the first moments he had laid eyes on baby Aegon, that the boy had become the son he had never had. He always felt like missing a limb when events separated them.
He would be devastated not to witness the first days of Jon's reign, perhaps even the coronation ceremony if they held one. But he had a duty to Robb as well. His brother should have made better arrangements before he left. Robb was still too young to manage the entire North. Managing Winterfell would have been challenging enough but to become temporary Warden of the North at such a tender age without a proper support system was shear madness.
Benjen would talk to Maester Luwin to find the most suitable candidates to put together some form of small council for Robb. It would also be a convenient way of curbing Lady Catelyn's influence on the boy. Benjen had never been a great fan of his good sister. Her southern ambitions popped up when you least expected it and her strict adherence to the Seven Pointed Star did not endear her to him either.
Well at least Rodrik Cassel had stayed behind and only his son Jory had accompanied Ned. That man was an excellent candidate. If Lord Manderly could spare a son who was well versed in trade matters then this Lord could help with the problems Cassel was less familiar with. The Manderlys were close to the Starks so it would not be strange to have them visit Winterfell for an extended period of time, even though Manderly's sons were all at least ten years older than Robb.
He looked back at the table to see Arya and Rickon had joined the three men while Sansa stayed close to her mother. His eldest niece had not been herself lately. Perhaps a talk with Sansa was in order as well. Then he could write to his brother about her predicament. He'd better make good use of his time at Winterfell. The better he managed things here, the sooner he could leave.
***
Loras and Lady Brienne were helping the stable boys with the horses when Willas approached Loras. The brothers greeted each other with a warm embrace. 'I am glad you are back safe and sound so I am not obliged to inform mother of your latest folly." Willas was the first one to speak.
"I am sure Robb is happy to be safely home. He would have done the same for me." Loras retorted not liking the reference to his rescue mission as a folly.
"However did you manage it though? Lady Catelyn lamented that a siege to the Dreadfort could last moons and Robb would surely have no skin left by the time you were able to save him. Imagine my surprise that a raven arrived heralding your success. You must have rescued him two or three days after your arrival?"
"Two days to be exactly. I am sorry, brother. I cannot tell you the details until you agree to swear your vow, remember? Perhaps you should rethink your decision. Mother would be pleased with such a powerful ally that can conquer a mighty stronghold in one day." Loras winked at Brienne who tried to keep her face blank.
"For the love of the Seven Gods!" Willas exclaimed. "What is it with you and secret alliances in the North. It is high time we returned to Highgarden. I am all set to leave as soon as you are packed and have said your goodbyes. Let's say the day after next? That should give you ample time."
"I am afraid it is you then that I will be saying my goodbyes to. I am staying, Willas. I am going to be the one who can take all the credit when our house is still deemed worthy to join the right side." Loras for once was dead serious and didn't waver under his brother's scrutiny.
Willas was the one to look startled at his brother. He had never expected such an outright refusal. There was no room to negotiate by the looks of his brother's determined face and convincing words. For the first time since arriving at Winterfell, Willas' conviction started waver. Perhaps he was wrong about refusing to consider his brother's words. It would be the first time though that Loras' impetuous decisions yielded a better result than all his older brother's careful deliberations.
"Whatever will you do here in the North? You will outstay your welcome." Willas made a feeble attempt to convince his brother to reconsider.
"I am not planning to stay at Winterfell. I am considering swearing my sword to Lord Celtigar. Lady Brienne has already entered his services."
"Was that the Lord that Lady Catelyn thanked first and foremost? He seemed awfully young. I wager he is of an age with Robb. Why swear his sword to him? Celtigar? I am sure I have heard his name mentioned somewhere."
"His name isn't important." Lady Brienne bristled. "It is who he is and what he stands for."
"I gather he is the one that saved Robb then?" Willas was trying to make sense of it all. He had just recalled where he had heard the name Celtigar before. Arya Stark had once named him as the friend that had gifted her that beautiful sword and Rickon's book. He was almost sure it was the name of a small house in the Crownlands or the Riverlands. He would have to look it up again. Perhaps it was a rich house then?
"He played his part, as did the others. If you were present in the courtyard, you must have heard him proclaim it was a joint effort. Willas, do me a favour and be nice to him. He is a good friend to have and that is all I am going to say on the subject. I can only tell you more if you are prepared to swear an unconditional vow to keep all you hear and see a secret until further notice."
Willas' lips had formed a thin line during his brother's last attempt to persuade him. Realising his brother would not give in, he sighed.
"Let me sleep on it, Loras. Just know, whether you are coming are not, I am leaving. I am out of excuses. Grandmother needs me in Highgarden now that Father is back in the capital."
Willas bowed to Lady Brienne who had been a silent witness to their conversation and went back inside. Perhaps a visit to the library was in order. He needed to learn more about House Celtigar and find out if they shared blood with House Stark. That young lord had the Stark look, perhaps even more so than the Stark heir.
Interlude26: Preparations
"Why did we have to draw the short straw?" Lorimas Mudd muttered for the umpteenth time.
"It is not such a bad job." Rolly Duckfield answered his Serjeant. "We will face no grave danger. We have plenty of food and have camped in worse environments than these.
"But not amongst godsforsaken Ironborn." His superior answered. "I hate fucking Ironborn. And if there is one thing that I hate even more than that, these two are oathbreakers. I know we are sellswords but we have our own code of honour. When we take a contract we honour it."
"And are prepared to face certain death if that is what it takes." The young apprentice chimed in. "You are repeating yourself."
"It is the most important lesson you need to learn. No, need to live or you will never rise in our ranks, Duckfield. I hope those two do not hurry back."
They were seated around a campfire and were keeping watch. After a sennight on this small island observing the clumsy preparations of the Ironborn, he had volunteered for watch duty out of sheer boredom. Little did he know when he signed up that he would be partnered with two Krakens. Yara Greyjoy apparently didn't trust her new allies. He once more cursed the fact that he had drawn the short straw.
When Strickland, the current captain-general of the Golden Company had explained their new assignment and had asked for volunteers, nobody except a few younger men had signed up but not a single Serjeant had been amongst them. Strickland had called ten Serjeants and had let fate decide. And fate had had it in for him. Strickland had told him it would be a short assignment. The battle would only last half a day at the most and they would not need to engage themselves, just be present and visible. Their task was to make sure everyone knew the victory was due to the Golden Company and its dragons.
At first everyone had thought it had been a joke but Strickland had explained that he was dead serious. He had forged an alliance with the dragonrider. It was due to this alliance that he had been able to raise their earnings. He had used the argument that he had heard nobody complain when they all had benefited when he had been able to raise their share substantially a few moons ago. This assignment was to lend credit to the rumours that they indeed had a dragon amongst their ranks.
So that is how he and ten other recruits had been shipped off to this tiny island Blacktyde. They had brought several sails, banners and armour with them. They would join the attack and the kraken ships on the front lines would carry the banners of the Golden Company along with some strategically placed Ironborn soldiers that would wear their golden coloured armour for all to see.
When Lorimas Mudd had asked why Strickland didn't send a real delegation, his capitain-general had told him bluntly that they were not getting paid for this job. It was actually the dragonrider that was doing them a favour by allowing them to set the stage so the Golden Company could take credit for a battle the dragonrider and allied Ironborn rebels would wage. He would not send a full delegation for an undefined amount of time without getting a decent fee. Lorimas had cursed his bad luck grasping that it would be a job without extra bonuses or other advantages. And on top of that he would have to mingle with Ironborn for an unknown number of days.
"Why did they break their oaths to their King, Euron Greyjoy, Serjeant Mudd?" His apprentice asked.
"I haven't taken the trouble to ask." Mudd replied gruffly. "Damn, I think they are coming back."
Now Rolly also discerned rustling in the bushes and soon enough he could hear one of the Ironborn talk to the other.
"Found several tasty rabbits. We can roast them and you can join in". The elder of the two Ironborn announced when they came into view
"Thanks," Rolly answered with a smile.
"We're good. Thanks anyway." His superior overruled him.
The elder Kraken just shrugged his shoulders and both men joined them at the fire and started stripping the rabbits.
"Have you been stationed long on this Island." Rolly asked the older man. He hesitated to address the younger one since he hadn't heard him speak once, not even when they had been introduced. The man had only offered a nod and a toothless smile.
"Less than a moon, ever since we joined ranks with Yara Greyjoy." The man replied.
"Why did you join her ranks? Weren't you sworn to her uncle, Euron Greyjoy?" Rolly wanted to know.
The older man looked uneasy. "More like we were forced to follow him when he murdered Balon Greyjoy. That was Yara Greyjoy's father." His face had darkened.
"Not willing to fight for a girl. I can understand that." Mudd joined the conversation. "What I can't understand is switching allegiances once more." He looked pertinently at the younger of the two Krakens.
Both Ironborn exchanged glances. "Have you ever spoken up against your commanding officer?" Once more it was the elder of the two who led the conversation.
"We are trained to obey commands." Rolly offered as reply.
"I do not mean question a command. I meant offer advice, or make a remark about the weather, the state of the crew, signal a problem with the equipment."
"Of course, we have. What kind of question is that?" Mudd was losing his patience.
"Well it is an important lesson for anyone who wants to enter Euron Greyjoy's services but we had no forewarning. See Harren here," he pointed at the younger man who gave them a close mouthed smile.
"He had his tongue removed when he reported two men had fallen ill below deck and could not perform their duties. And because Euron Greyjoy was in a particularly bad mood that day, he not only cut out his tongue, he had Harren's teeth pulled out one by one."
Rolly watched with big eyes as Harren opened his mouth only to close it moments later.
"Euron Greyjoy's lead ship has a crew entirely composed of mutes. Can you imagine eating without a tongue? You can't taste anything nor prevent the food from falling into your stomach when you still want to chew it some more. Harren here, he can't even chew."
"I'm sorry." Rolly offered his sincere apologies. "We didn't know. Yara Greyjoy is different I hope?"
"She is. She is one lady with balls, if you will take my word for it. Besides, why would I not want to side with her when she has befriended the dragonrider. I was on one of those ships that his dragons set on fire at the Stony Shore. The only reason I survived was because he had the decency to leave some of our ships intact to allow me and some other lucky comrades to be picked up by one of the remaining vessels. I still wonder why he showed mercy. He could have sunk each and every last ship in a matter of moments."
"Perhaps he wanted word to get out so he would be feared throughout Westeros." Mudd offered.
"No, here you are wrong. The first thing Yara Greyjoy ordered all of the men that had witnessed the attack and joined her ranks to do, is keep silent and not tell stories of the dragonrider. Only if we can't deny it and need to tell something, we are ordered to tone it down and attribute the attack to one single small dragon and a rider that belongs to the Golden Company. We must emphasise that the dragonrider fights predominantly in Essos. They do not want the capital to know about the dragonrider being a Westerosi."
"How curious. Why do you think that is?" Mudd was getting fascinated and forgot his reluctance to bond with the two men.
"The only reason I see is that he wants to take Westeros by surprise. I am glad we are on his side though. Pyke will surrender before you can count to one hundred and Yara Greyjoy will rule the Iron Island and has promised us a better life than under her father or her uncle. So call me," he looked at Harren, "call us oathbreakers. We do not care. We are survivors. We are the smart ones." His defiant look was not needed however.
Mudd nodded his head and readjusted some of his prejudices. "Any idea when the dragonrider will deign to show himself?"
"Yara Greyjoy has summoned a meeting for later this morning. We can join it as soon as our watch is over. The entire encampment is excited. It won't be long now. She is sure to set the date for the attack."
The rest of their watch was spent in an almost congenial atmosphere. Mudd had even let Rolly taste some of the rabbit.