The Heir of Raventree Hall

CH 4: Winterfell

Brynden Rivers 292 A.C

It had taken both Brynden and Jason a few days to notice the raven following them. The fact that it now either flew above them or perched itself on Brynden's shoulder seemingly proof to his father's claims. Using the book as his guide Brynden had also become much surer in his warg status and despite near constant practice while they travelled, he could still not manage to see through the raven's eyes or speak to it at all. There was simply a vague presence in the back of his mind that Brynden attributed to the raven he had named for his father, Tytos.

Jason was surprisingly unbothered by Brynden's new companion, while he knew it was not natural the boy seemed to have some level of control and that was enough to put his mind at ease. They'd stopped minimally on their journey and had spoken even less. The boy clearly still not over the death of his father and Jason had smiled when he was told the raven's name.

Something they had spoken of however; was the story they were going to have to spin upon arriving in Winterfell. The heir to a Lordly house travelling north with a single guardian not something commonly seen in Westeros. It was here that Brynden had surprised the older man with his wit.

Brynden suggested that the news of his father's death would not have reached Winterfell anytime before they arrived and as such the duo could utilise the power his name afforded them. More than that Ned Stark would still be away fighting in The Iron Islands meaning the true power in Winterfell lay with Catelyn Stark formerly known as Catelyn Tully. The daughter of the Riverland's Lord Paramount. This was something that gave them some room to manoeuvre.

It hadn't been long before they entered the north and the pair had both been enraptured by the white covered valleys and hills that made up the kingdom. They'd purchased some winter coats from a small village they'd passed through in order to combat the weather that was becomingly increasingly bitter. Jason's was a deep brown that allowed him to cover up his armour, something he'd noticed having given him more attention than he'd like. On the other hand, Brynden's was a dark black similar to his hair that now stretched to just above his shoulders.

The bandage over his eye had been removed about halfway through the journey and while the scar across his left eye was visible it had healed well. Brynden was glad of it as it allowed him to join Jason in hunting for food, his archery becoming something he was increasingly proud of.

The journey had lasted a few moons, but finally the duo had arrived. The mighty stone walls being even more imposing in person than they had been during his flight. Two riders came out to meet them and once giving them his name one turned and raced back to the castle presumably to announce their arrival to Lady Stark. Brynden prayed that word of his father's death had not spread so soon.

The pairs hearts pounded as they came through the large gates of Winterfell and their eyes widened at the small crowd that had gathered to greet them. What Brynden assumed was the Stark family stood front and centre ready to greet them, at the head was a tall and slender woman, with long auburn hair and blue eyes, Tully traits from his father's descriptions. Next in line was one of the boys from his flight that he'd attacked. His heart sunk and he whispered to himself. "Of course it had to be the heir of Winterfell."

Carrying on the line was a small girl probably a few years younger than himself with her hair done similarly to her mother's and the eyes of all three matched. The only one who didn't match the Tully description was the youngest girl who couldn't have been older than Edmund back home, a thought which brought a sour feeling to his heart.

Brynden dismounted from his horse with Jason following suit and the pair approached the Starks before bowing. "Lady Stark, it is an honour."

She smiled down at him. "Thankyou. Brynden isn't it?"