WARS TO COME, game of thrones

𝐈𝐈𝐈. bells

𝟐𝟖𝟑 𝐀𝐂

Robert had wanted to meet them after the defeat in Ashford, but when he rested with his troops in Stoney Sept to tend to his wounds, Jon Connington's men had taken the town. Word had reached the Stark and Tully army that Connington's troops were searching for Rob and had captured his soldiers. They had immediately assembled their camp and set out.

Anrir still rode at the head of the army with Ned and Hoster Tully. His father had also joined them, his army having met theirs a few days ago. Now Anrir also wore armor of House Arryn, which his father had brought him and which he wore with pride as his heir, even if he still carried the Riverfall cloak and beast.

Soon they caught sight of the walls of Stoney Sept, but the guards on the walls seemed to catch sight of them as well, for after only a few moments the bells of the city rang out, warning the people of the town of their attack. "Winter is coming to Stoney Sept," Ned muttered beside Anrir, then roared his fighters to attack. Anrir's father and Lord Tully joined in and their horses charged.

The wind tugged at Anrir's hair and he pulled Beast, whose black metal seemed to swallow all light. His heart was beating fast, but his mind was determined. He was fighting for Lyanna, for his home and the future of the realm.

The army stormed the city and met Jon Connington's forces.

A spear pierced the torso of Anrir's horse and he had to throw himself off the animal to avoid being buried under it. He landed on the dusty ground and briefly feared being overrun by the mass of fighting men. But he managed to pick himself up and struck at one of Connington's soldiers with Beast. The fighter cried out as blood spurted and he fell to the ground. But immediately another man took his place and metal clanged on metal as they clashed in a duel.

Anrir severed the top of the man's skull and split his head open, sending him to the ground. He felt the dying man's blood splash into his face and was overcome by a feeling he had never experienced before. Not in a tournament, not in a practice fight. Bloodlust.

The blood rushed in his ears and his muscles tingled with anticipation. It was as if his body was acting on its own, on animal instinct, as he killed another enemy soldier blow by blow. Everyone around Anrir seemed to sink into a swirl of red blood and gray metal. He fought in the streets and alleys of Stoney Sept, soon the corpses piled up at his feet and he walked over their bodies fighting more nameless warriors.

Eventually the last soldier fell and Anrir almost gasped in disappointment when no one followed. The soles of his shoes were slippery with blood and he almost tripped, bracing himself against the wall of a house and walked stiff-legged down the alley until he came to a larger street. He gradually realized how tightly he had gripped Beast. Anrir put the sword back in its sheath and moved his cramped hand carefully.

Stoney Sept was a battlefield and the first inhabitants ventured out of their houses through the silence that had fallen. They stared at Anrir in fear as he walked through the bloody streets. The bells had stopped ringing, but in his bloodlust he had hardly noticed. Only now did he notice the silence.

"Seven hells, Anrir. Is this your blood?" a deep voice caught his attention as he approached the stone steps of the great sept, where all the other fighters of the Stormlands, Riverlands and the Vale were gradually gathering. Ned's Northmen were also present in growing numbers. But it was Robert who had called to him and recognized him. He wore his helmet with the huge stag's antlers and a bloodstained yellow doublet over his armor. The Baratheon stag was proudly emblazoned on it. "No," Anrir said, even though he wasn't entirely sure. His sword arm ached and his muscles were hard to relax.

His friend hugged him and Anrir smiled haggardly. "Good to see you," Anrir said and Rob patted Anrir's shoulder. "Yes... but you should go to the sept and wash up there. You look like a monster." Anrir raised his head to look at Rob's face and noticed his furrowed brow. Rob moved his head and Anrir's gaze followed. He only now realized that he was being stared at from all sides. He nodded to Rob before climbing the steps to the side with heavy steps, the cloak on his shoulders trailing a trail of blood behind him.

In the sept lay the wounded and Anrir made his way through frantic healers. A squire he knew from the eyrie approached him with wide eyes and led him into a room where someone had brought a tub of water. The squire helped him out of his armor and took it away. As the wooden door closed behind him, Anrir peeled off the rest of his clothes. He slipped into the tub and dived under after taking a deep breath.

When he resurfaced, the water was a reddish color and Ned was standing at the foot of the tub. "Did you lock the door?" Anrir asked when he had caught his breath. Ned nodded before undressing and slipping into the water with Anrir, which became redder around them. Anrir put his arms around Ned and they were simply silent for a while.

"You fought well, I heard," Ned said softly and Anrir smiled wryly. "Thank you," he replied and stroked Ned's damp hair. "I'm glad we both made it," Ned whispered after a long pause and when his peer turned his head towards him, they kissed tenderly. "Me too," whispered Anrir and rested his head on Ned's shoulder. Suddenly he was so tired that he would have preferred to fall asleep on the spot, in the calming company of his lover.

But he stayed awake and enjoyed Ned's pleasant closeness, letting him wash his hair. At some point the water got cold and they climbed out of the bath, Anrir slipped into the clean clothes the squire had left him. He put on his sword belt and cleaned Beast blade with cloth before sliding his sword back into its sheath. Ned left the room before him after they had kissed long and hard one last time.

Anrir tied his black hair out of his face and stroked his lips, where Ned's warmth still rested. To avoid attracting attention, he had to wait a while before he could leave the room. He took the time it took for his lips to feel cold again. Only then did he follow Eddard.