Bringing the Dawn

LIV.

Jaeron Targaryen

The River Road, 300AC

As commanded, they had left that very night. Many people were angry at the suddenness of such a decision and even more were angry that they were having to backtrack their steps. Tracing back ones steps in war was a dangerous thing to do, but what other option did they have? The quickest way to get to Riverrun would be by the River Road which travelled through Oxcross and the Golden Tooth. Fear was running deep within at the realisation of what had happened right under his nose, alongside a deep fury. How could he have been so blind as to think simply taking the areas he had in the Westerland's would buy him loyalty? The only way loyalty could be bought was with favours and the last thing he wanted to do was to offer a favour which he was not currently in a position to uphold.

The ride was mostly uneventful, bar a few grumbles and muttered words that were stopped the moment he turned to whoever it was. Thanks to their assurance that they had somewhat succeeded they had lost much of what they had taken for his House and his cause. It was a harsh realisation, one Jaeron wasn't entirely sure how to feel about. This combined with their lost forces left more than a bitter taste. He was at the front of the army as befits his status, with either Kingsguard on opposite sides. Beside Ser Brynden was Robb whom he was still not pleased with concerning his actions against him but hopefully something would be settled soon in that regard. Edmure Tully was beside Robb after this. Next to Arthur were Greatjon Umber and Maege Mormont. Something which had caused an outcry from the Riverlord's but she had simply said something along the lines of 'you are all boys with egos bigger than your cocks'. It had been difficult to hide a snort at that remark, even more so at the sheer insult on those who dared speak up against her being at the fronts faces. Initially he had wanted his aunt there, but she had not been herself since what had occurred. Just knowing Robb had wanted his own mother arrested was unfathomable to him.

Alas, petty squabbles were just that. They would heal from what had occurred. Not much had been said as they rode through the night, only stopping to water the many horses and to check for any potential scouts that would feed information back. Of course, they could just claim what they had seized still, but doing so was painting an even larger target on his back. He was under no illusion, many wanted him dead. Heck, some in his own army probably wished for such for one reason or another. He needed to form a proper Kingsguard but who else could he ask for the position? A Riverlord made sense to further bind them to him. Perhaps a Bracken or a Blackwood, or a Piper or Smallwood. Well- maybe not the first two. They had been bitter rivals for hundreds- some said thousands- of years. There had been many attempts to mend the wounds between the two but they proved too deep to do so. He'd speak to Arthur on it when they finally did stop.

The sun was high in the sky again when they reached a large open clearing on the River Road, deciding then to stop to allow the army a break to stretch their legs, bathe, or whatever else it was they did. A tent hastily being put up for him and stepping inside straight away, loyal companion padding along beside him. Reaching down to bury his fingers in the thick white fur and scratch the back of Ghost's ear which judging by the tongue lapping at the side was enjoying the attention very much. Jaeron wasted no time in opening one of the skins and walking to a stream to fill it with fresh water to douse his face in it. The coolness being incredibly refreshing considering the sheer sticky heat that he had come to know was common in the Riverland's. Many thought the Neck was the same, but the Neck had the addition of being mostly covered by trees which blocked most of the heat. Here though, there wasn't anywhere near as much.

The dream came to mind again, trying to piece it all together. At first, he had thought he was displaying signs of being a Greenseer but Howland had stated it did not sound like such. Yet how real it felt, like he was there. If only one of the voices was one he recognised, then he might've been able to piece it together. Especially the female one asking someone to take her child and run far away. Surely that meant something? It was far too random to not do so. But what could it mean? Shaking his head again to rid himself of the thought but Arthur soon walked inside.