WELL FLAYED [Game Of Thrones: The Boltons]

12. The Loud House

HORSEMEN RODE TOWARD THE Dreadfort with banners displaying four chains linked by a central ring on a dark red field. By the sight of it meant one thing: the Umbers had arrived.

Lord Noxus was at the front, together with his nephew, Mighar. They entered the gates and into the inner courtyard where they were greeted by the Lord of the Dreadfort, Roose Bolton, and his son, Ramsay Snow.

The visitors dismounted their rides with high and proud stance. Though, none of them moved forward until their Umber Lord took the first step toward the Boltons. Roose's expression was as usual: stiff and unforgiving, with pale eyes having his well-known fixed glare. He was dressed in all black leather jerkins with thick wolf pelts that hung around his shoulders. His presence was grim and militant, yet he still tried to welcome willingly the Umber Lord. "Old blessings to you, Lord Noxus Umber of the Last Hearth."

Lord Noxus nodded in regard. "Old blessings to you too, Lord Roose Bolton of the Dreadfort."

Although he was only visiting Dreadfort to discuss the engagement of their children, Lord Noxus wore a layer of coat of mail. It was not a heavy piece of armour, but it was enough to give out a subtle message of his pessimism toward the people under the banner of the Flayed Man.

"I'm glad that you came here in short notice." Roose spoke, but him being glad was contradicted by his glum tone.

His attitude was matched by Noxus. "Of course. I have to know my daughter's whereabouts." He scanned the courtyard with his fierce green eyes. "Where is she by the way?"

"I believe Lady Nisha is still trying to get ready in her chamber, my Lord." Ramsay answered, a polite smile was drawn on his face.

"I believe you are..." Noxus paused to think, but it was only to mess with him. "Rodney?"

"Ramsay, my lord." He corrected; his slight annoyance made his jaw clenched.

"Ah yes, Ramsay Snow, son of Lord Roose."

Lord Noxus studied the bastard boy cautiously. He had midnight hair, matching his Lord Father's, as well as the pale shade of his gray eyes. He also had a taste with wolf pelts around his black garments; he wore them proudly like a badge from his love of hunting. All in all he looked quite a lot like Roose, even appeared like he copied him. However, the only distinct feature that Noxus noticed was the boy's smile. His father was tight-lipped, he for sure would die first before he was seen smiling. But his son, Ramsay, was a grinning menace. Lord Noxus couldn't put a finger if his smile was genuine or a mask that he proudly wore just like his wolf pelts.

"Shall we go inside, Lord Noxus?" Roose ushered. "I'm certain you cannot wait to discuss about our children's preposition."

Lord Noxus nodded, then followed them into the great hall with his nephew and guardsmen.

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AFTER DRESSING WITH THE PRETTIEST gown that Ramsay had customly made for her, Lady Nisha excitedly ran through the corridors to meet her family in the great hall. Her loose long sleeve and flowy overskirt were flapping through the air with her hurried motion. Once she reached her destination, her eyes immediately landed on two familiar faces standing near Lord Roose.

Her happiness burst out, it made her shout suddenly. "Father! Mighar!"

Lord Noxus caught his daughter when she jumped at him for a big embrace. He then lifted her up and swung her around. "My little Nissy!"

It had been two years since they last saw each other. Lord Noxus was delivering her to the Eyrie after he took her from Dorne, and then after that, the only connection that they had was through a raven. Time was rough on him as her father had grown more wrinkles on his face, and his long beard that once was black had hints of gray now, but his kind green eyes were still the same.