Chapter 2
Eddard Stark couldn't believe that this was happening. He knew that his wife's actions would have consequences but he never expected to be accosted so soon and by the Kingslayer no less. Ned moved to take point with his Bannerman when a white arrow whizzed through the air and struck Ser Jaime in the shoulder. The disgraced knight yelped in pain and ripped out the arrow.
“The next one won't miss your heart, Kingslayer,” A voice growled out from behind them. The Kingslayer looked up and across towards the brothel but Ned almost smiled. He recognized that voice, having raised the one who used it.
“Jon?” Jory Cassel said in bewilderment, chancing a glance behind him. Several of the Lannister men were attacked from behind with their attackers stepping over the bodies and joining Ned and his men. Each one wore a specific set of armor with a specific color. Red, Grey, Black, and finally Bronze.
“Ser Harren,” Ned intoned to the warrior in bronze. “I believe I asked you to retrieve Tyrion Lannister from my wife's company.”
Smiling Emerald eyes met his, “I sent someone ahead to do as you commanded, we doubled back to give you assistance my lord.” Harren of house Whent, Lord of Harrenhal, replied. The young man glanced to Jaime. “And I say that we made the right choice.”
“Ah the cursed lord who fancies himself a knight,” Jaime almost gave a mocking bow as he made a gesture to his men. The Lannister guard adjusted their grips on their weapons and started to advance.
“Is there no way to convince you of ending this folly, Ser Jaime?” Harren asked politely, holding his sword in a defensive position.
“As long as my brother is with the Tully bitch as a hostage, no.”
“Then so be it. Sharra,” Ser Harren said coldly as his only female companion let out a roar and launched herself at her opponent. One of her axes buried itself into the mans head and the other was in his stomach before he could blink. She was already on the move as the knight in Grey retrieved two wicked looking short swords from his back and charged, lopping off a leg and arm along the way.
The knight in Red twirled his short staff with a golden spear tip that reminded Ned of a snakes tongue before he plunged it into the face of a Lannister guard.
Considering who his father is, his actions are not exactly surprising, Ned thought as he swung his sword across the belly of a Lannister guard, cutting him open. He had never seen or spoken to Prince Lewyn Martell outside of that blasted Tourney but he had heard good things. He most likely would have been proud of his son Norryn.
Ned's thoughts were interrupted as he heard a loud clang and felt the wind brush past him. Ser Harren and Ser Jaime had locked swords, neither one yielding to the other. After a moment, Harren gripped Jaime's wounded shoulder, shoving his thumb into the wound. Ser Jaime hissed and was forced to withdraw.
Ned almost missed what happened next because he was nearly speared. Two arrows struck the Lannister man, one after the other. One in the leg and one in the throat. Ned decided that watching one of the boys he raised fight a man he despised was probably not best for now.
“Tell me boy,” Jaime began, sword raised. “What is that blade made out of? It is strong and I am trying to decide if I should have it mounted to a wall or use it as my new weapon. I'll have to change that hideous bat design of course.”
“If you really want to know good Ser, then come a little closer. I wouldn't mind letting you get acquainted with it.”
Parry.
Thrust.
Lunge.
Block.
Both knights were not letting the other gain ground. Jaime wouldn't admit it out loud but he was impressed so far. The boy was smarter than most and wasn't rushing to try and kill him like most fools would. Even if he felt a small amount of admiration, he was going to end this soon.
Jaime thought he might have had a chance when Harren was distracted by one of his men sneaking up behind him. However, Sharra had tackled that man to the ground and opened his throat. Jaime lunged all the same.
Harren deflected the strike with an upward swing before he slashed his sword from left to right, cutting Ser Jaime's sword in half. Jaime jumped back in surprise as sparks hit his face. He snarled, drawing a dagger, before looking around. His men were getting slaughtered by a Dornishmen, a savage whore from the Deadlands, a Northern bastard, and a Frey if he was correct.
We had the better numbers, how in the Seven Hells have we lost this, He thought furiously. He eyed Harren angrily before he made to flee. He needed to get out of the city and to his father. There was nothing that he could do here.
He bit back a scream as something pierced his thigh. He looked down to see a white arrow. Ripping it out he glared at Ned Starks bastard son and he had to shake his head. Those purple eyes had narrowed at him and he was eerily reminded of the boys uncle Arthur and strangely enough, Prince Rhaegar. The look on the boys face told him that he wouldn't be leaving here unless a miracle happened.
Knowing that no such thing was possible for him, he eyed Ned Starks unprotected back and threw both blades in his hands. It was suicide, but at least he wouldn't die alone. Both blades were shot out of the air just as he felt something cut into the back of his neck.
Harren eyed the head on the ground with some distaste before turning to the survivors among the Lannister men. There were three in total.
“Run away,” He hissed at them. “To your Queen or your liege it matters not to me. You will deliver a message, however.” Here his eyes glowed briefly. “The North already knows this but House Whent and all in its household pledge their fealty to house Stark and its Allies. Anyone that seeks to harm them will die. Now leave.”
All three moved as if possessed, turning around quickly and running away. Sharra snarled and hurled her axes forward, striking two in the back. It made the last man run faster.
“Only one should take your message, not three,” She explained when Harren raised his eyebrows at her. Her words were stilted, her accent thick. Andalai was not her mother tongue but she could hold a conversation well enough when she bothered to do so.
Harren rolled his eyes as she went to retrieve her weapons. He gave Lord Stark a shrug as if to say 'what's done is done'.
“Shall we make way for the castle my lord,” Jory asked his liege.
“Aye,” Ned rumbled. “The King must know what has happened. Given the situation, pray that luck is on our side.” He gave Harren a significant look.
'It is lord Stark,' Harren said into the other mans mind while giving him a nod. 'You have my word.' Ned gave him a nod in return.