(Osric Stark POV)
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Osric was saddling his horse, as were the rest of the boys. Plus two welcome suprises and one unwelcome one.
Father had acquiesced to him visiting Northern lands and the Riverlands houses. But not Runestone.
Unfortunate.
But not unmissable just yet. The Silverite while important could afford to wait. What couldn't wait was Bear Island, Last Hearth, Karhold, the Rills and Barrowlands, and Skagos. He didn't know what he'd done to deserve rebirth, but if it came with the perks of knowing where to find ores for metals that really shouldn't exist in Game of Thrones and an unnatural talent in Smithing? Then fuck it, he'd make use of it, but again the question was whether or not he would kill Cersei and Joffrey before father died or afterwards.
It might seem like a simple decision, but it was anything but. Letting father die put him on the path to becoming a King, but as much clarity he gained, he also lacked it. Honestly there was some benefit to killing Joffrey and Cersei before. Enough for him not to easily dismiss it.
If the little shit stain died, then Robert would likely arrange for Tommen to marry Sansa. Which could work in his favour, but the issue was whether or not he would be able to benefit from it. Father alive or dead would leak the word of the true parentage.
But...
One way or another...
Littlefinger had to die.
If he married Margaery Tyrell, which he would be able to do expediently since he was a man grown and she a woman flowered. That gave him a decisive edge against everyone and cut more than half of the support Renly had away. He'd be open to negotiate for Robb to marry Arianne Martell once Viserys was dead, securing the support of the Reach and Dorne both, and the Riverlands would automatically fall in line. If he got Sansa and Arya back, that gave him the option to arrange marriages to the Vale. Aunt Lysa was a lost cause one way or another. Harry Hardyng to Sansa perhaps?
Arya...
God's he wasn't really sure.
Maybe Andar Royce, there was an age gap....
But...
Not lifting a finger was tantamount to kinslaying.
Which means that one way or another, Joffrey and Cersei needed to die. Which means that he needed to ensure Prince Tommen took a shine to him and that he needed to marry Margaery Tyrell quickly. Preferably.
But first things first.
The Rills.
Well, the Barrowlands technically, he wasn't fond of Lady Dustin any more than she was fond of him or House Stark. But the Cortosis to found in the Barrowlands couldn't be ignored. It was needed. As for the Rills, the Doonium was another important part. It would help maximise the durability of Basilica and any blades he produced.
He actually liked House Ryswell, they were pricks to be sure, but he got on well enough with Artos Ryswell the Heir to the Heir of House Ryswell. Artos wasn't part of his circle, but he was a nice enough lad. Still he would not be able to avoid Barbrey Dustin. The woman was a total bitch, but she'd remained Lady of the Barrowlands even after Joran came of age.
You had to respect her.
''Alright let's mount up! We ride for the Barrowlands lads let's aim to get there before nightfall, but let's not kill our horses in the process. Standard protective formation. Let's ride.'' Osric called out after checking that his horse was properly sadled and ready to ride. As one his boys got into position. Ser Waymar as always was to his right, while Smalljon Umber was to his left.
These men would form the heart of any future council or command structure. It wouldn't just be them, but it would be the core group.
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(POV Shift: Lord Tywin Lannister, Lord Paramount of the Westerlands)
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It was an odd feeling being so far North. He'd never actually gone further north than the Twins before now. He'd gone to the Iron Islands with Steel and fire, been to the Twins for his sisters wedding, even briefly visited the Bloody Gate in the Vale of Arryn.
But he'd never actually entered the North proper. Not until today. He'd taken a ship from Lannisport, to Seagard and from there had ridden as far as Moat Cailin before camping for the night. He was perhaps a days ride from Winterfell now, maybe two. With any luck, he'd be able to get a first hand look at the skills of the Stark Boy. Some claimed he was as good as Qohorik smoths who could rework Valyrian Steel. He was determined to see if it was true. If he was as good, then he'd commission a new sword for House Lannister.
Have something to pass on to Jaime when he finally died and Jaime became Lord of Casterly Rock.
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(POV Shift: Catelyn Stark)
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She watched her two boys leave the castle with mixed emotions. Once they were inseparable, did everything together, but now ever since the Old God's had chosen Osric, things had changed.
Os surrounded himself with young Lordlings from the North, the Riverlands, and the Vale and spent so much time in a forge built to his exact specifications. He knew where to find things and now went in search of new materials to support his endeavours. As far as sh was concerned, the only highlight of his trip would be stopping at Riverrun where he'd promised to hand deliver letters to her father and brother.
Ahe missed Riverrun and her father and Brother terribly. Uncle Brynden and Lysa too. Even Petyr. She missed the normalcy of living in the South.
But she wouldn't abandon her children or her husband for anything or any one person.
Family. Duty. Honor.
The Word's of House Tully of Riverrun.
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(Author's Note:)
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Shorter chapter than usual because I want to speedrun through The Barrowlands and Rills to Bear Island in the Next Chapter. From there we'll have a bit more content in before we see the mc take a ship heading into the Bay of Ice through the New Gift before heading to Last Hearth, then Karhold, then to White Harbor, from there Gulltown and Runestone before back to Gulltown and heading up the Trident to the Crossroads to Raventree Hall and Stone Hedge before taking the River Road back to the Kingsroad and probably linking up with King Robert's Party, maybe not. Overall I plan to mostly flesh out Bear Island, Last Hearth, Karhold, White Harbor, Runestone, Raventree Hall and Stone Hedge. We'll cover rhe Rills and Barrowlands in different POV's as a substitute.
I just don't have the patience, time, or energy for it right now. See uou guys next chapter.
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