Bringing the Dawn

XLI.

Catelyn Tully Stark

On route from the Northern Camp to Bitterbridge, 300AC

It was strange, riding through fields and small towns instead of large towns and following roads. It was something one had to somewhat get accustomed to with living in the North because even if one followed a road, more often than nought, said road was covered in a thick layer of snow. Even in summer, something that baffled many south of the Neck. Some Kingdom's never even experienced snow and even fewer had experience with said terrain.

Which gave Catelyn an advantage. As it meant any other tricky terrain was simple to navigate in comparison. Jaeron had ordered her to ride hard and fast for Bitterbridge because there was a relatively high chance that she would miss the Baratheon brothers. Her nephew confirming he was going to have one of the wargs cause a distraction by dropping off some falsified letters, but time was running out. If she was early it would work in her favour because then she could assess Renly and hopefully catch some gossip from the armies about next moves they could use to their advantage. If she was on time, she'd be able to get a measure of both. But if she was late then it meant she'd need to pick and choose which one to go after.

The one with more military experience and a renowned commander? Or the one with the largest army and the backing of the Tyrell's?

She knew what one she was leaning more towards, but Jaeron was correct in taking in both of them. Suddenly remembering that technically they were cousins. Granted, distantly, but cousins. Stannis' and Renly's grandmother was Jaeron's great grandparents younger sister. Whether the other claimants would see it as such was difficult. Robert didn't care, had even been the one to knock Rhaegar off his horse with his spiked warhammer into the waters of the Trident, scattering rubies everywhere for those who were less fortunate to scavenge for during the chaos that erupted afterwards.

Her mare began panting now, slipping off its back and letting her drink from a nearby stream, looking around to try and figure out where she was. It had been three days since she had left the camp at Oxcross which was slowly working its way further into the Westerland's. Not enough to be near anywhere, but enough that if any armies were sent their way they wouldn't find them straight away. Wondering if Jaeron had been successful in getting House Lefford to at the least remain neutral. Knowing Lord Leo, he was likely trying to wriggle his daughter her nephews way. Humming quietly as she thought on this, that wouldn't be a terrible match actually. If Tywin weren't the Lord Paramount of said Kingdom she might've even suggested it herself. If she had to guess, she was currently southeast of Silverhill. It had been a long time since Catelyn had last visited Bitterbridge, but she was not going for her own good. Remembering the King's words.

"If they are already aware of me, do not deny it. But if they are not, do not reveal it until after they parlay. Then run it by both individually by asking if they would step aside for a Targaryen."

A dangerous game, especially considering her own House had rose up against the Targaryen's. Whilst it had been out of duty and honour to family, it had been done. Many rulers would've stripped a House for such a thing, which set her nephew apart. It would help in getting more allies to his side, because it made him appear merciful and willing to forgive slights against his own House. She didn't stop for long though, mounting her mare again and galloping hard into the Reach. Her thighs screaming at her for doing so and she knew that when she finally did stop for an extended period of time she was going to find bloodied sores in between her thighs alongside a few blisters to burst.

There's no gain without a lot of pain. A saying her father used to say to her when she was little. The first time she had found the truth of this was when she laboured with Robb. She'd been bound to her bed for the last month of her first pregnancy which irritated her massively, not liking remaining stationary. Even now, she had never experienced a pain as such. Not even with the other children. It took another four days before she came to the town she was intended for, not yet getting off her mare and asking where the main camp was as she had come with urgent news for King Renly. Being pointed to the outskirts and heading that way. It wasn't difficult to find out where they were, seeing the numerous sigils of the Reach House's and the massive army. Gulping a little to herself.