Chapter 32 Chapter Thirty-Two Caitlin

The place of negotiation was a verdant meadow dotted with gray and white mushrooms and freshly cut tree stumps. "We were the first, ma'am," Harris Moran remarked as they rode between the stumps, isolated from the two armies.The direwolf banner of House Stark fluttered from the tip of his lance.From here, Catelyn could not see the sea, but she could clearly feel its presence.The morning wind is filled with the turbid smell of sea salt, coming continuously from the east. Stannis Baratheon's men felled trees to build siege towers and trebuchets.In a reincarnation of more than ten years, Caitlin couldn't help wondering how tall this forest had grown, and wondered if Ned was also watching here when he went south to break the siege of Storm's End.He won a great victory that day, a bloodless victory.

May the gods bless me with the same success, Caitlin prayed silently.All her men thought she was crazy. "This war is none of our business, ma'am," Wendell Mandler said. "I understand better that His Majesty the King does not want his mother to take risks in person." "We've been taking risks," she told him, perhaps a little bit sharply. "You think I want to come here, ser?" I belonged to a dying father at Riverrun, I belonged to a puny son at Winterfell. "Since Robb sent me to the south to speak for him, then I must actually take on the responsibility of speaking." Caitlin knew that it was almost an impossible task to create peace between the two brothers, but in order to The future of the kingdom, she must try.

Across drizzle-soaked fields and rocky hills, she saw in the distance the mighty Storm's End looming high above the sky, obscuring the sea beyond.Beneath those pale gray boulders, Lord Stannis Baratheon's army looked so small and helpless, like rats with banners. According to legend, Storm's End was built by Du Lun, the first storm king in ancient times. He won the love of the beautiful Yi Ni, who was the crystallization of the love of the sea god and the wind goddess.On their wedding night, Yi Ni dedicated her virginity to a mortal, and since then she has to endure life, old age, sickness and death just like a mortal.Her parents were so outraged by their daughter's decision that they vented their anger on the castle walls of Duron.They attract strong winds and huge waves.His friends, brothers, and wedding guests were all swept away that night, either smashed to death on the city wall or drowned in the ocean, but Yi Ni bravely guarded Duron with her arms, protecting him from harm.At last, when day came and the storm died down, Duron declared war on the gods, and he swore to rebuild the castle.

His castle was rebuilt five times, each time bigger and stronger, but when the howling wind and the monstrous waves roared from Shipbreaker Bay, the walls were smashed one by one.His vassals begged him to move to the interior to build a city; his priest told him to return Yi Ni to the sea in order to appease the anger of the gods; even his subjects begged him to stop fighting.Duron ignored everything.He finally built the seventh castle, the most magnificent castle.Legend has it that the castle was built with the help of the children of the forest, and the boulders are filled with their magic; another theory is that the castle was built from the mouth of a young boy - this child is the future builder Bran ascend.But no matter what the story says, the ending is always the same: Although the angry gods hurled storms to the seventh castle again and again, it still stood tall, and Duran, who was hated by the gods, lived happily with the beautiful Yi Ni. until they turn to dust.

The gods did not forgive him, and the strong wind still blew from the narrow sea from time to time.Storm's End endured storms day after day. Era and centuries passed by in an instant, but the castle remained motionless.Its stalwart outer wall is a hundred feet high, and there are neither arrow holes nor secret doors on it. The inlays between the huge stones are exquisite, and they are round and smooth everywhere, curved and smooth, without corners and seamless, and are impervious to wind and rain.The narrowest part of the outer wall is said to be forty feet thick, while the seaside side is nearly eighty feet thick.Within these mighty walls, neither the kitchen, the stables, nor the courtyard were affected by the slightest storm or wave.As for the tower, the city has only one, a huge bell and drum tower.Its side facing the sea has no windows, and the entire tower contains the barns, barracks, banquet halls and noble residences of Storm's End, which is amazing for its size.Thick battlements surround its top, and from a distance, it looks like countless fingers spread out on a giant arm.

"Ma'am," Hal Moran called.Outside the neat and small camp below the castle, two riders appeared, and they came slowly. "That would be King Stannis." "Not bad." Caitlin looked at them.It must be Stannis, but the banner was not the crest of House Baratheon.It was bright yellow, not the gold of Renly's camp, and especially the pattern on it seemed to be red, and Catelyn couldn't make out its shape. Renly would surely come last.He had told her before she set off that he would not mount until his brother had set off, for the early waited for the late, and he, Renly, would not be the one waiting.It was another game played among kings, she told herself.Good thing she's not a king herself, so she can get away with these games.As for waiting, Caitlin has long been used to it.

It wasn't until he came closer that she saw that Stannis was wearing a crown of red gold, the edges of which had been deliberately shaped into flames.His girdle was studded with garnets and topaz, and a large, boxy ruby ​​was set in the hilt of his sword.The rest of his attire was plain: a cotton jacket over a studded leather waistcoat, well-worn boots, and brown breeches of rough weaver.On his sun-colored banner was drawn a fiery red heart surrounded by a ring of orange flames.The crowned stag's mark is still there, too, still...but greatly reduced and outlined in the Heart of Fire.What was even more strange was that the flag bearer he had chosen was not only a woman, but also dressed in fiery red, with an unknown face hidden in a scarlet hood.It seems to be a red robe priestess from outside the realm, Caitlin thought curiously.This sect has many branches and deep roots, but it has always been active in the free trade city-states and the far east, and has never been involved in the Seven Kingdoms.

"Lady Stark," Stannis greeted with cold courtesy, reining in his mount.He nodded slightly, with less hair than she remembered. "Lord Stannis," she responded. His huge chin tightened under a trim beard, but he didn't throw a tantrum over the title right away.For that she was very grateful. "I didn't expect to meet you in Storm's End." "I didn't expect to be here either." His deep-set eyes looked at her uncomfortably.This is not a well-spoken, personable person. "I am sorry for your husband's death," he said, "though Eddard Stark was no friend of mine."

"He was never your enemy, my lord. When you were trapped in this castle by Lord Tyrell and Redwyne, starving to death, it was Eddard Stark who relieved you." "It was at my brother's command, not out of love for me," Stannis replied. "Lord Stark has done his job, I do not deny that. But have I not done enough? I should have been Robert's Hand." "That's what your brother meant. Ned never wanted glory." "And he took it anyway. And it should be mine. Even so, I assure you that I will bring justice to this murder." These people who want to be kings like to take heads as promises. "Your brother made the same promise to me. But truth be told, all I want is my daughter back, and leave justice and justice to the immortal gods. My Sansa is still in Cersei's hands, and my own I haven't heard a word of Arya since the day Robert died."

"If I find your daughters after I take the capital, I will return them to you immediately." No matter whether he died or died, he didn't say this sentence. "When will it be, Lord Stannis? King's Landing is so close to your Dragonstone Isle, and yet I see that you have come here." "You are very frank, Lady Stark, and it is best that I answer you frankly. To take the capital, I need the strength of those strong southern lords across the field. They are after my brother now, so I must Take it from him." "My lord, the law of the world is that men owe their fealty to their lords. These nobles swear their allegiance to Robert and the Baratheons. If you and your brother will stop the dispute—"

"There is no quarrel between me and Renly, but how he shows his allegiance. I am his brother and his king. I want only what is mine by right. Renly owes me my allegiance and obedience To me. That's all I want. Not only him, of course, but all the other lords." Stannis studied her face. "Ma'am, why are you here? Could it be that the Starks have chained themselves to my brother's carriage, have they?" This man would never compromise, she thought, but she still couldn't give up trying.Too many things are related to this. "Acclaimed by nobles and commoners alike, my son has been crowned King in the North. He will submit to no one, but will extend the hand of friendship to all." "A king has no friends," said Stannis gruffly, "only subjects and enemies." "There are still brothers," a cheerful voice came from behind her.Catelyn looked back to see Renly's handsome mare picking her way leisurely among the stumps.Young Baratheon looked splendid in his green velvet tunic and satin cloak trimmed with squirrel fur.On his head was a crown adorned with roses of gold, and on his forehead was a stag of jasper, under which hung his long black hair.His scabbard was studded with innumerable chunks of finely polished black diamonds, and around his neck hung an emerald and gold necklace. Renly had also chosen a woman to carry his banner, but Brienne, who was wearing heavy armor, concealed her face and figure and could not reveal her gender.On the twelve-foot spear in her hand, a black crowned stag pranced on the bottom of the golden face, and the wind blowing from the sea drew endless ripples. To him, his brother's greeting was equally terse. "Lord Renly." "King Renly. Is this really your banner, Stannis?" Stannis frowned. "Otherwise who else?" Renly shrugged lazily. "I can see it from a distance, but I'm not sure yet. Which company's banner are you playing?" "Mine." The red-robed woman opened her mouth: "The emblem of His Majesty the King is the flaming red heart of the Lord of Light." Renly seemed amused. "I'm all for it. If we fly the same banner, it won't be a surprise if we don't get confused in the fight." Caitlin interjected at the right time: "It's better not to fight the war. The three of us should study how to deal with the common enemy, otherwise it will destroy us all." Stannis inspected her face again, still not smiling. "The Iron Throne is mine by law. Anyone who denies this is my enemy." "The whole country is denying you, old man," said Renly. "Damn old man dying in denial, unborn baby kicking in mother's womb denial. Dornishmen denying you, men on the Wall denying you." .No one wants you to be his king. It's a pity." Stannis clenched his jaw, his face strained. "I swore to have nothing to do with you as long as you wore that treacherous crown. I should have kept my vow." "How ridiculous all this is," Caitlin pointed out sharply. "Duke Tywin led an army of 20,000 in Harrenhal, the remnants of the Kingslayer regrouped in the Golden Tooth City, and under the shadow of Casterly Rock, Lannister was stepping up to form a new army. At the same time, Cersei and her son still held King's Landing and your precious iron chairs. You all call yourselves kings, and now the kingdom is falling apart and bleeding, and will no one but my son draw a sword and defend it?" Renly shrugged. "Your son has won some battles. I will win the whole war. One step at a time, and I will deal with the Lannisters when the time comes." "If you have any suggestion, make it quick," called Stannis abruptly, "or I'll be gone." "Very well," said Renly, "I advise you to dismount immediately, get down on one knee, and swear allegiance." Stannis suppressed his anger. "You'll never get it." "If you can serve Robert, why not me?" "Robert is my elder brother. You are only my younger brother." "Yeah, I'm younger than you, braver, more beautiful..." "...Thief! Usurper!" Renly shrugged again. "The Targaryens also called Robert a usurper, but that accusation has no effect on him. So I don't care." This is not acceptable. "Listen to what you're saying! If you were my sons, I'd bang your heads together and lock you into a bedroom until you knew you were brothers." Stannis frowned at her. "You assume too far, Lady Stark. I am the rightful king, and your son is as much a traitor as my brother. He too has his day." This blatant threat fanned her anger. "My lord, you have the liberty to call others 'traitors' or 'usurpers' as you please, but see what difference you make? You say you are the rightful king, but I haven't forgotten that Robert left two sons. Prince Joffrey is his heir apparent by law anywhere in the Seven Kingdoms, and then Tommen... We are all traitors, for whatever good reasons each may have." Renly laughed and said, "You'll have to forgive Lady Stark, Stannis. She's been on horseback most of the way from Riverrun, and I'm afraid she won't have time to read your little letter." "Joffrey is not of my brother's blood," Stannis said, straight to the point. "Neither is Tommen. They're all bastards, and all three, including the girl, are the offspring of incest." Is Cersei really that crazy?Caitlin was momentarily at a loss for words. "What a story, my lady?" Renly asked, laughing. "Lord Tarly received the letter just as I was camping in Horn Hill. I admit, I was amazed." He smiled at his brother. "I never knew you could be so clever, Stannis. If it is true, you are Robert's rightful heir." "If it's true? Do you suspect that I'm lying?" "Do you have any evidence to support this myth?" Stannis gritted his teeth. Maybe even Robert didn't know, Catelyn thought, or Cersei would have moved her head. "Lord Stannis," she asked, "why have you kept silent when you have learned of the queen's crimes?" "I have not kept silent," Stannis said. "I told Jon Arryn of my suspicions." "Instead of telling my brother?" "My brother expects nothing from me but loyalty," Stannis said. "What's more, from my point of view, such an accusation may only appear selfish and inappropriate. Others will think that my purpose is to put myself at the top of the line of succession. I believe Robert will be more inclined to listen to the opinions of Duke Arryn, Because he loves Lord Arryn." "Aha," said Renly, "so our evidence is in a dead man's mouth." "You think he died by accident, you eyeless fool? Cersei poisoned him! Lest he expose her. Lord Jon has collected solid evidence, and there is no doubt that the evidence—" "—into the coffin with him. You see, what an embarrassment." Caitlin began to understand, and she tried to put the pieces together. "My sister Lysa accused the queen of murdering her husband in a secret letter sent to Winterfell," she admitted, "and then, at the Eyrie, she passed the charge on to the queen's brother Tyrion. body." Stannis snorted. "If you fall into a den of vipers, does it matter which one bites you first?" "The snakes and the incest are all fun, but they don't change anything. After all, your demands are more legitimate, Stannis, but I have a much larger army." Renly put his hands under his cloak.Stannis gripped the hilt of his sword, but before he could draw it, his brother produced... a peach. "Would you like one, brother?" Renly asked with a smile on his face. "From Highgarden, I promise, you've never tasted anything so delicious." He took a bite, and the juice ran from the corner of his mouth. "I didn't come to eat fruit." Stannis raged. "My lords!" Catelyn yelled, "We should work together to forge alliances, not bad words." "One really shouldn't refuse to taste a new peach," Renly commented, throwing away the pit. "Who knows if there will be another chance? Life is too short, Stannis. Know what the Starks say? Winter is coming." He wiped the juice from his mouth with the back of his hand. "I didn't come to listen to your threats." "I didn't threaten you," Renly shot back. "If I did, I'd be right. I never liked you, Stannis, but you're my brother after all, and I don't want to hurt you at all." .So, if you want Storm's End, take it . . . as a gift from brother to brother. As Robert gave it to me, I give it to you now." "It's not your turn to give it. According to the right, it belongs to me." Renly sighed and turned slightly, "What am I going to do with this old man, Brienne? He refused my peaches, my castle, and even my wedding..." "Well, you and I both know that your wedding was a bad farce. A year ago you planned to make that girl another of Robert's whores." "I planned to make that girl Robert's queen a year ago," said Renly, "but what does it matter? The boar took Robert and I took Margaery. She was a virgin when she married me." , you should be happy for me." "In bed with you, she would have chosen Robert's end." "Ah, well, I tell you, I expect a fat boy with her this year. Goodness, how many sons do you have, Stannis? Ah, yes—none." Renly said innocently. laughed. "As for your daughter's matter, I actually quite understand. If my wife is as ugly as yours, then I would rather ask a jester to serve her." "Enough!" growled Stannis. "I will not allow anyone to insult me ​​to my face, do you hear that? I will not!" He drew his sword sharply.Under the pale gaze, the blade of the sword shone with a strange light, red for a while, yellow for a while, and blazing white for a while.Even the surrounding air seemed to sense the heat radiating from the blade, changing and glowing accordingly. Catelyn's steed hissed back a step.Brienne rode between the brothers, sword in hand. "Put the sword down!" she called to Stannis. I'm afraid Cersei will laugh out loud, Catelyn thought feebly. Stannis pointed the shining sword at his brother. "I'm not a stern man," roared the man who was known to be stern all over the world. "Neither do I want to stain the blade of Lightbringer with my brother's blood. For the sake of the mother who fed us, I will give you one last chance to reflect on your mistakes tonight, Renly. Lower the flag of rebellion, Serve me before dawn, and I will make you Lord of Storm's End, keep your seat in the council, and designate you as my successor even before my son is born. If you don't, don't Blame me for being rude." Renly laughed. "Stannis, you have a beautiful sword. I envy you, but I wonder if the light from the thing is affecting your vision. Take a good look at the plain ahead, brother. See Are those flags?" "Do you think a few poles wrapped in wool can make you king?" "Tyrell's sword shall make me king. Rowan, Tarly, and Karen shall make me king, with their axes and maces and hammers. Tarth's bow and Penrose's spear shall make me Kings. House Fossoways, House Cue, House Mullendall, House Ismond, House Selmy, House Hightower, House Oakheart, House Crane, House Caswell, The Brebar family, the Merivale family, the Beesbury family, the Hime family, the Dunn family, the Fudley family...even the Florent family, your wife's natal family, they all support me as king. The knights of the whole south They all come with me, and this is only a small part of my army. My infantry is still behind, a hundred thousand soldiers with swords, guns and spears. You say you want to be rude to me? Why, what? Pray with your mouth? With that messy mob under the city wall? To save you, I would say there are five thousand people at most. What Lord Cod, Onion Knight and wandering mercenaries put together, at least half of the battles will start Run to my side. My scout told me that your cavalry is less than four hundred—besides, you and I both know that freeriders in leather armor are vulnerable to the impact of heavy armored spears. I don’t care what you think How battle-hardened and valiant you are, Stannis, the truth is in sight—my vanguard will strike and all your troops will be ruined." "Let's wait and see, brother." When Stannis sheathed his sword, the world seemed to lose a little of its brilliance. "At dawn, we'll wait and see." "I just hope your new god is merciful, bro." Stannis snorted and walked away, his expression full of contempt.The red-robed woman stayed for a while. "Remember your own sins, Lord Renly," she said as she wheeled her mount. Afterwards, Catelyn followed Renly back to the camp, where Renly's army and Catelyn's small team were waiting for them. "It's a very interesting thing, and might be of some value," he remarked. "Where can I get a sword like that to play with? Yes, Loras will definitely give it as a present once the battle is over." Dedicate it to me. Hey, I am a little sad that the treasure is actually obtained from this." "You're cheerful in the way you mourn," Catelyn said, unable to hide her own distress. "Really?" Renly shrugged. "Probably so. I have to admit, Stannis was never very popular among us brothers. Hey, do you think his story is possible? If Joffrey is regicide of the -" "—Your brother is the legal heir." "If he lives," Renly admitted. "It's such a fool's law, don't you think so? Why take the oldest and not the best? The crown suits me just as it never did for Robert, much less Stannis. I To be a great king, strong and generous, wise, just and industrious, I am loyal to my friends and unforgiving to my enemies, I have a big heart and patience—” "—and humility?" Catelyn added. Renly laughed. "You have to allow the king a few faults, my lady." Caitlin was weary beyond belief.In the end I still got nowhere.The two Baratheon brothers were about to kill each other, and her son was still alone against the Lannisters, and there was nothing she could do to persuade him, nothing to stop him.Time for me to return to Riverrun and close Dad's eyes, she thought. At least I can do this.I may be a bad envoy, but I can be a good mourner, gods bless me. Their camp was carefully constructed on a low, rocky hill running north-south.Although the camp is only about a quarter of the size of the big camp on the Mande River, it is much more orderly.When Renly learned of his brother's raid on Storm's End, he split up the army, just as Robb had done at the Twins.He left a huge army of infantry at Bitterbridge to protect his queen, chariots, baggage, cattle, and cumbersome siege engines, and marched eastward at night with his knights and freeriders. How he acted like his brother Robert, how he acted in the same way... except that Robert had Ned at his side, always carefully tempering his impulses.If it had been Robert and Ned here today, Ned would have insisted on sending the whole army to surround Stannis and lay siege to the besiegers.But Renly dismissed the choice rashly, and hastened to deal with his brother.With complete disregard for supplies, he left food and fodder, and all his wagons, mules, and pack-oxen behind him.Now he either has a quick fight or nothing but starvation. Catelyn told Hal Moran to take care of the horses, and followed Renly back to the royal tent in the middle of the camp.Inside the towering green silk tent, his generals and princes were waiting for news of the negotiations. "My brother is still the same," said their young king, as Brienne unfastened his cloak and lifted the golden and jade crown from his brow. "Castles and manners he ignores, all he wants is blood. Well, I'll be happy to grant his wishes." "Your Majesty, I thought there was no need to fight here," interrupted Lord Matus Rowan. "This castle is impregnable and well-supplied, and Ser Cortnay is a veteran of many battles. What's more, where in the world can a trebuchet be built that can knock down the walls of Storm's End? Lord Stannis wants to besiege He's surrounded, he's got nothing to eat, and we've got King's Landing while he's sitting here doing nothing, hungry and cold." "Want me to be given the reputation of being afraid of Stannis?" "Only ignorant fools would say that," argued Count Matus. Renly looked at the others. "You think so too?" "I think Stannis is a great threat to you," Lord Randyll Tarly declared. "Leaving him here unharmed will only increase his strength, while your strength will gradually weaken in successive battles. The Lannisters cannot be defeated overnight. When you finally defeat them, Perhaps Lord Stannis has become like you...perhaps stronger." Others joined in.The king seemed satisfied. "Then let's go to war." I have failed Robb just as I failed Ned, Catelyn thought. "My lord," she said loudly, "if you will go to war, my mission is done. Allow me to return to Riverrun." "Well, you can't go now." Renly found a folding chair and sat down. She froze. "I came with the desire to make peace, my lord, not to help." Renly shrugged. "I daresay we could win without your twenty-five companions. I don't need you to fight, madam, I just want you to watch." "I was at the battle of the Whispering Wood, my lord. I have seen enough carnage. I came as an envoy—" "You will leave as an envoy too," said Renly, "and wiser than you came. You will see with your own eyes what happens to a traitor, so that your son may hear it from you. Never fear, we Will keep you absolutely safe." He turned around and gave the deployment. "Lord Matus, you command the central force. Bryce, you command the left wing. I personally command the right wing. Lord Esmond, the reserve force will be handed over to you." "Your Majesty, I will not disappoint you," Earl Esmond replied. Count Matus spoke again: "Who commands the striker?" "Your Majesty," cried Ser Jon Fossoway, "I request the honor." "Go ahead and ask," Green Guard Goode said, "According to the usual practice, one of the Seven Guards should take the lead." "A lovely cloak can't break down a long shield wall," Lord Randyll Tarly declared, "I was Lord Mace Tyrell's vanguard when you were breastfeeding, Goode. " Shouts instantly filled the entire camp, and all kinds of people rushed to announce their requests.What a bunch of summer knights, Catelyn thought.Renly held up a hand. "Now, my lords. I would gladly make you all Heralds if I could, but the greatest honor goes to the greatest knight. The vanguard will be led by Loras Ser Tyrell commands." "Your Majesty, I am extremely grateful at this moment." The Knight of Flowers knelt down on one knee in front of the king. "Bless me, my lord, and give me a knight to bear your banner by my side, and let the stag and the rose fight side by side." Renly glanced over. "Brennie." "Your Majesty?" She was still wearing the blue armor, but she had already taken off the helmet.It was quite stuffy in the crowded tent, and her soft yellow hair was curled by sweat, which fell on her broad and plain face. "My duty is to protect you by your side. I am sworn to protect you..." "One of the seven guards," the king reminded her. "Don't worry, your four comrades will accompany me in battle." Brienne dropped to her knees. "Your Majesty, if I really must part with you, please give me the honor of putting on your armor before the battle." Caitlin heard snickers behind her.She loves him, poor thing, she thought sadly, and she plays the squire just so she can touch him, not caring what a ridiculous fool she is in other people's eyes. "I'm sure," Renly said. "Let's disband now, everyone. The king also needs to rest before going to war." "My lord," said Catelyn, "the last village we passed on our way has a little sept. If you won't let me return to Riverrun, let me pray there." "As you wish. Ser Robert, escort Lady Stark safely to the sept . . . and bring her back before dawn." "You should pray, too," Caitlin added. "For victory?" "For reason." Renly laughed. "Stay here, Loras, and pray for me. It's been so long since I've prayed that I'm afraid I've forgotten how to say it. As for the rest of you, I ask you to be ready when the first rays of morning come. Put on your armor, grab your weapons, and mount your horse. Tomorrow will be a morning that Stannis will never forget." By the time Caitlin left the big tent, the sun had already set by half.Ser Robert Royce walked beside her.She has a little understanding of his life experience—one of the sons of Bronze Jorn, who looks pretty good overall, and is a somewhat famous character in various martial arts tournaments.Renly gave him a rainbow cloak and a set of blood-red armor, and named him one of the rainbow guards. "You are far out of the Vale, ser," she told him. "Aren't you far from Winterfell yourself, madam?" "I know why I'm here, but what about you? This isn't your war any more than it is mine." "From the moment I recognized Renly as my king, this has been my war." "The Royce family is the vassals of the Ayrin family." "My lord father owes his service to Lady Lysa, and so does his heir. His second son, however, must seek his honor elsewhere." Ser Robert shrugged. "I'm just tired of tourneys." He was twenty-one or two at most, Catelyn thought, as old as his king ... but her king, her Robb, was only fifteen, and wiser than this young man.At least she prayed so. In Caitlin's little camp, Shad was peeling turnips into jars, Hal Moran was playing dice with three Winterfell soldiers, and Lucas Blackwood sat sharpening a dagger. "Lady Stark," Lucas called when he saw her, "Moran said there was going to be war at dawn?" "Howl's right," she answered.I forgot, he was really a talkative guy. "Should we fight or go?" "We pray, Lucas," she answered him, "we pray."