Game of Dragonborn. [BOOK 1/2]

Chapter 198 - Settling in Moat Cailin.

[Chapter Size: 2300 Words.]

Third Person POV.

Winterfell.

...

...

The army of Daemon Targaryen raised the banners of the house of the dragon, with the red three-headed dragon on a black field, fluttering in the wind as the men carried the standards, just like all the other flags heading south with the king.

It took about two weeks to reach Moat Cailin, with the army marching during the day and setting camp at night, but moving an entire host to the point of leaving the front of Winterfell deserted.

Daemon's horse halted when Moat Cailin finally appeared before him, and the entire army followed his example, men shouting to stop along the long line of soldiers.

A group of riders approached shortly after, men bearing the banner of the Stormlands.

"This is Ser Simon Massey." Lord Stark murmured quietly to Daemon, who nodded in silence as he waited for them to approach, even though he appreciated the information — since he wasn't aware of every detail of the minor houses of the realms nor the appearance of each lord.

The group finally stopped as their scout rode forward. "Your Majesty, this is Ser Simon Massey. He insisted on coming to greet you in Lord Stannis's name," the scout said.

"Thank you, soldier. Now let's see what Ser Simon Massey has to say." Daemon said calmly, his gaze turning back to the man, who nodded and bowed his head more than necessary, trying to show some respect.

"Your Majesty, I am here in the name of... Lord Stannis..." Ser Simon Massey began. He seemed to have trained hard not to call him king again. "...He asks for sincere apologies for the incident with the witch. Though most did not like her, some still supported her and helped her escape justice, and Lord Stannis made sure that all who helped her were hanged," he said.

Daemon looked at him with a different tone. "Well, I must say the witch tested my patience with that little trick. But if she had tried to kill anyone else close to me... well, it is very likely we would not be having this conversation right now." He spoke with a harsh tone, making the messenger flinch.

There was power and threat in his voice. If that summoned shadow had been directed toward his wife or someone important to Daemon... well, all those twenty-one storm men camped at Moat Cailin would feel his wrath.

As everyone quickly felt the tense atmosphere rising, Daemon opened a more amicable smile. "However, it was directed at me, and no harm was done. So tell Stannis that I am more inclined to talk about this. But that does not justify his mistake entirely." Daemon said the last words with a hint of threat.

The man nodded quickly. "I will inform Lord Stannis of your demands, Your Majesty. I will speak to him now. Some of my men would like to accompany you and guide you to the meeting inside Moat Cailin." After that, the man turned his horse and left swiftly.

Daemon nodded and raised his hand for everyone to follow him, still keeping a slow pace.

And so they went, riding for a few more minutes until they passed by Stannis's army camped in the few areas of firm ground there, since the terrain was terrible to walk or ride on, as the natural defense it was.

Daemon rode at the front beside Val. Lafy, Lucis's brother and now Daemon's squire, also accompanied the king, always trying to maintain the composure that all southerners tried to show when near the king. Ygritte wasn't far behind. Robb Stark and Lord Stark also rode close, as well as Lord Tallhart, Lord Glover, Lord Manderly, Lord Reed and his son, Lord Lorene Hornwood, some leaders of the mountain clans and the Magnar of Skagos, who were still adult fighters. The Umber men and Karstark men couldn't bring their young heirs for being too young, but that didn't stop trusted men from leading their soldiers of the great houses, just as the Dustin men did.