Bringing the Dawn

XXXIII.

Jaeron Targaryen

The Northern Camp near Riverrun, 300AC

Shock.

That was the only word running through his mind.

Robb leaned down to grasp the back of the mans arms, him noticing he had tied ropes very tightly around his wrists so that he couldn't move. This combined with the gag in his mouth confirmed that they had succeeded. Anger swelling up in him that he had blatantly lied to his face about what he was doing with the troops. As much as he wanted to yell at him, that was something he couldn't do as of yet. Once it is out, then he would be able to. But whilst he was still the bastard of Eddard Stark, he definitely couldn't contend with the Lord of Winterfell.

"Before he knew what was happening, it had already happened. The siege has been lifted, and we have collateral."

Jaime rolled his eyes in annoyance at this but his expression was overcome with a look of absolute boredom not long after, clearly not wanting it known he had been bested by someone aged seventeen. Someone came over to take their horses whilst the remainder of the army began to disperse around the camp, excited chatter echoing around like hundreds of bees.

"Uncle, see that accommodation is set up for our guest."

Jaeron turned a little to the side to see Brynden's eyebrows were raised ever so slightly, clearly impressed by what Robb had done. Him walking over to take the Kingslayer and promptly march him to the furthest end of the camp beside the forest. A tiny smirk formed on him at this before heading back to his cousins tent. It was only once they were inside that he turned to him in fury;

"What in seven hells Robb?! Why did you tell me you sent those men as a garrison and not what you were really using them for?!"

The older winced slightly at his furious cousin. Despite not looking, he knew Catelyn was looking back and forth between the pair, deciding whether to intervene or not. It was deathly silent as these words left his mouth, the older simply beginning to undo his armour to change into something comfier. The scent that was coming from him was disgusting, the scent of war. Death, blood, sweat, dirt, a scent he was going to need to get used to.

"I didn't tell you because I wanted to prove myself to the Lord's. You've saw the Greatjon's hand after Grey Wind attacked him. I'm not stupid, I know they still see me as a stupid green boy. Also, we did need something to use against the Lannister's, especially with your reluctance of using Rhaegon and Lyrax unless you absolutely must. Speaking of which, can I see them? They were barely the size of cats when I last did."

The words were circling in his mind and despite wanting to remain angry, Robb had made a decent point there. They did need something they could use against the Lannister's. And as much as he wanted to deny it, the move was a stroke of genius. Hold off Tywin so there would be no reinforcements coming.

"Follow me, and how did you know where Tywin's camp was?"

"A spy was caught the morning you, Arthur, and the crannogmen arrived. I simply gave him misleading information and had someone keep a track of his whereabouts to find out where Tywin's camp was."

He winced a little at this, that was a dangerous move to make. Whilst it had worked in their favour as they now have Jaime Lannister as a hostage, there was no telling that it would've worked out. They have a lot of men behind them, but in comparison to other Kingdom's armies, it was minuscule. The Reach was said to have an army boasting sixty thousand and the Westerland's were said to have one nearing forty thousand. They will need to play the war impeccably for it to work in their favour. A few of their men were looking at Robb pridefully but it didn't miss his now observant gaze they were giving him odd looks, probably wondering why he was here. Typically bastards don't support their family members when it came to war. It was going to be interesting when the truth finally does come out. By now, they were on the outskirts of the forest and he could feel through the bond that they were nearby. They would've been far in due to his own mounts scales, being way too noticeable in amongst the trees otherwise. They were only a few minutes in before the trees opened up. Whilst it wasn't a clearing, it was wide enough that they could move about freely. Whistling loudly to call for them.