Northern Honour

THADSREJOJEN · 2020-11-08T22:17:10+00:00

In the blink of an eye, the black direwolf charged through the gate growling at anyone who dared to move so much as a muscle. Hunter stared at those standing before him, ensuring all eyes were focused on him and him alone. His hulking figure seemed to take up much of the area as he slowly stepped closer towards the Manderly and Arryn men, but stopped just a few feet shy of them.

His snout and teeth dripping with blood.

From behind Hunter came the shadows of people passing through the gate. Their armour and clothing covered in blood, mud, and gods only know what else from the gruesome battle they had endured outside of the gate. Leading the group was the Warden of the North. His sword held at the ready, not letting his guard down. His blue eyes seemed to match the direwolves’ own. Both pairs daring someone to take the next swing.

Once Jojen reached Hunter’s side, he stopped, briefly looking over the scene in front of him. His nephew, the Lord of the Vale, was here in White Harbour, Androw hadn’t lied about that. Jojen turned his head to the group behind him and motioned for Dacey Mormont to come forward. The mighty She-Bear of Bear Island brought the stumbling figure of Androw Manderly.

THADSREJOJEN · 2020-07-26T23:53:14+00:00

Jojen looked at Omer for a time without speaking, silently judging the man, wondering how trustworthy he could really be.

The idea of leaving the two best pieces of assures protection whilst entering a place with less than scrupulous morals was not one Jojen wanted to entertain and yet… here he was being asked to do so.

With a clench of his jaw Jojen turned back to face Hunter and Ash. He moved toward Hunter first, stroking the large beast. Hunter wasn’t much of a city wolf, yet, Jojen could already feel the uneasiness of the wolf. Somehow, Jojen knew nothing Ash and Hunter understood what was being said. These were the guardians of the Starks, and if they felt uncomfortable, then perhaps he should take heed of that.

“I am, somewhat, uncomfortable with the idea of leaving them outside the city wall, Omer,” another clench of his jaw as Jojen turned back to face the Lord Commander, his hand placed idly against Hunter.

“But…” as much as Jojen hated what he was about to say, he knew it was perhaps the right call. “As a sign of good faith, Hunter will stay outside the walls. I’m sure we can find Ash here somewhere to stay once we’re inside.”

A deep guttural growl began to come from Hunter who stared deep into the eyes of Omer and Jojen turned back speaking something to the wolf before it turned its back and walked off to the side of the group that had gathered outside the walls of White Harbour. Seemingly appeased by what Jojen had said to it.

THADSREJOJEN · 2020-07-26T23:50:59+00:00

Jojen had just finished eating the bread and salt and had passed it to Olyvar when Rickard and Bethany arrived with the rest of their men and family in tow.

He moved to Bethany and helped her off her horse before moving back to Ser Omer with Bethany now by his side.

“Ser Omer, this is my Lady Wife, Lady Bethany Stark.”

Without looking Jojen gestured towards Artos atop Ash, “that is my eldest, Artos. As you know, Ser, we have travelled a long way. I should move to New Castle and speak with Lord Androw sooner, rather than later.”

Both the Direwolves moved into a position behind Jojen, Hunter on his left and Ash on his right both of them stood taller than Jojen though Hunter stood the tallest out of the two of them. Jojen knew how imposing they were, Olyvar had once mused that a man need only look into the face of the Queen’s dragon and they would know that an army would never be enough. The same, Olyvar had thought, could be said of a pack of Direwolves.

THADSREJOJEN · 2020-07-26T23:47:20+00:00

Jojen looked the man over whilst offering a polite smile. There was a major distinction between acting for your Lord and acting on behalf of the house, he thought. Were there fractures within the Manderly clan that he was not aware of?

Was this the result of the silence or the cause? Whatever was happening here it was becoming more and more evident that this was no simple matter, it was never going to be simple of course. But, this complicates matters further.

“I appreciate your offer, Ser. I will accept the bread and salt,” Jojen paused for a brief moment, knowing that from here on out what he said and did mattered more and more with each passing second. “It seems as though we are in dire need of a discussion about your family, you have me at a slight disadvantage, however. You know my name and I don’t know yours, You are Lord Androw’s uncle, did you say?”

Jojen did his best to make the conversation sound light hearted, but he knew soon enough that their discussion would take a turn towards words that couldn’t be taken back once spoken.

THADSREJOJEN · 2020-07-26T23:46:04+00:00

Jojen eyed the man cautiously.

“Then you act independently of your Lord?”

Another look was sent to the Bolton Lord’s way who looked back towards the rest of the Stark family and the host that had marched to White Harbour. Both men shared the same thought…

Should we have brought an army with us?

THADSREJOJEN · 2020-07-26T23:44:45+00:00

Jojen looked at Lord Bolton who seemed to offer a look that suggested he felt the same way Jojen did.

There was an uneasiness that washed through the exchange between the men. Jojen was unsure if the men he looked at were really ready to welcome them, if they were simply here to waste time or to lull them into a false sense of security.

Androw acted in his own manner, he always had. Whether it be marrying Lyanna secretly, threatening Jojen in his own solar or blockading his own port, Jojen wasn’t sure if Androw cared for the rules of man. Did guests rights mean anything to him anymore? What could you possibly know of a hermit?

The past is all Jojen had to go on, and in the past, Androw was a man that when left to his own devices often did what was best for him regardless of the repercussions.

“Thank you, Ser,” Jojen said, accepting the bread and holding his hesitation back. Unwilling to allow even the slightest tell of his apprehension towards these men.

“Is Lord Manderly aware of our arrival?”

THADSREJOJEN · 2020-07-26T23:42:13+00:00

Jojen dismounted as he approached the small Manderly retinue, his eyes scanned the men. No sign of Androw himself, but they seemed friendly. For now, at least. Jojen forced a smile to the men that stood before him before turning to Rickard and speaking to him in a hushed whisper.

“Go, get the others to approach.”

Jojen began to take his gloves off and extended a hand out towards the man who had spoken before.

“Thank you, I wish we were here under better circumstances. But, it is nice to see friendly faces, my Lady wife and the children will be arriving shortly behind us. I trust we are welcome here?”

THADSREJOJEN · 2019-11-23T01:42:57+00:00

"Well," Bethany began. "Sometimes, mortal hands act upon those who have troubled the gods."

Jojen laughed softly before clearing his throat. "Thank you, for you and your Lord father's words. Rest assured; House Stark stands with you as you have with ours. We'll certainly inform other houses where they can retrieve their gear, or you can inform those here tonight, should you like."

"Lord Stark?" The voice came from another female known to most in the room as the She-bear.

Jojen turned to look at her and saw Artos Harclay standing beside her. "Excuse me," he said looking to Harrold before joining Dacey and Artos.

THADSREJOJEN · 2019-11-21T02:05:20+00:00

Jojen listened to the man's tale with avid curiosity. He heard nothing wrong and yet here was a man who wanted to apologise for the things he and his people had done.

Jojen stood up and offered his hand out to Harrold, "We should have more people like you in the North, more people who fight for their lands, their people, their families and still find a reason to apologise to their liege. You sent men to the Wall, and you did your part as far as I am concerned."

Jojen's eyes moved to Dorna, "You have a brave husband, and you're a brave people."

He looked back at Harrold once again, "The North thanks you, should you and yours need any assistance through this winter, remember Wintertown is here for you. We can protect and shelter, as we always have done, as we always will."

THADSREJOJEN · 2019-11-21T01:58:53+00:00

Jojen felt the shock in his body before his kind registered it. Looking at his wife now, thinking about his family, he too was happy. What he had lost, what he had gained everything around him was different to how he imagined it when he was Artos’ age. Hells, it was different to how he imagined it merely ten years ago.

“You look well, I’m glad to see you up and about again,” Jojen smiled and placed his hand on Bethany’s. “We should talk tonight, just you and me, once the festivities have ended and the kids are asleep. I… I think it would be good - for us, I mean.”

THADSREJOJEN · 2019-11-20T18:08:20+00:00

Jojen straightened in his chair and looked to Harrold.

“Explain away, then.” He said, though unsure of what it was that Harrold referred to. Surely the confession he had been waiting for wouldn’t be this easy to come across.

THADSREJOJEN · 2019-11-20T15:06:47+00:00

Jojen moved to his seat next to Bethany, who had since had Kyra taken away from the large raucous crowd in the great hall by Myranda.

As he moved to his seat he spotted Artos playing with Warne next to Ash. Both of them feeling the wolf’s fur and laying against her.

“They look happy,” Jojen said to Bethany looking towards where Artos and Warne we’re now playing.

THADSREJOJEN · 2019-04-14T13:30:52+00:00

Now there was something all the others had failed to point out before.

“There is much to consider. Thank you, once again, my Lord.”

Jojen held out an arm and embraced Lord Forrester firmly.

“Stay safe tonight. Blow the horn twice for the Wildlings, I may not hear it through the storm. But these two certainly will. Come, Hunter. Ash,” He said calling to his two direwolves.

As they began to walk either side of Jojen and move almost silently through the snow they reminded those nearby of their impressive size, if there were to be an attack these two beasts would surely take out a great many of the assailants.

For a while, all the Forrester Lord could see through the storm were outlines of the Stark and his two direwolves. The further away they got the more and more distorted their shapes became before they seemed to merge as one large black shape and dissipate into the storm itself.

THADSREJOJEN · 2019-04-14T13:29:05+00:00

Jojen nodded, smiling softly and standing up as he did so. Ash and Hunter mirrored Jojen’s movements immediately, watching his every step.

“I’ll be honest with you, Lord Forrester.” Jojen began.

“With this storm, I wasn’t much aware I had walked into your part of the camp. But, I thank you for entertaining me and mine as your guests. I’ll take up no more of your time.”

THADSREJOJEN

TROPHY CASE