Winter's Promise

1st Month of 299 A.C. Riverrun

Lord Brandon Stark

He felt cheated, he felt scared, he felt terrified of failing. Brandon Stark had never thought that he would be a lord, growing up he had always wanted to serve in the Kingsguard, to be a knight from one of the songs he and his family had loved so much. But as with many other things, the war had taken that from him. Just as it had taken Arya from him, from them, well that was more the King's fault, but Bran knew he could not voice that out loud. His uncle had died because of some misunderstanding with Tywin Lannister, and now Bran was Lord of Riverrun, mother had seceded her rights to him, and gods he was scared, so very scared. It was all so new to him, he had spent some small amount of time listening to father, but it felt like it was not enough, gods he was so very scared, he did not know what to do, or what to say. The Riverlands was a chaotic place at the best of times, but with war raging on, it was frantic.

Bran takes a deep breath, Summer at his side, he would laugh at the irony of the name of his direwolf, a boy chose that name, and now the boy has become a man, or at least something similar to man and summer is dying, giving way to a long winter, he sees it in his dreams, gods the dreams terrify him as well. But that is for another time, now he has to listen and give judgement over a variety of issues. Maester Vyman, Riverrun's maester is there before him, and for a fleeting moment Bran wonders why his grandfather cannot deal with these issues, but then he remembers, his grandfather is dead, or as good as dead as can be. He swallows nervously and then speaks. "What issues are there for my attention today Maester Vyman?"

Vyman reminds Bran a little of Luwin, in that they both have so many chains, it is wonder that they can walk straight at all, and that he has the appearance of a kindly old man, similar to Luwin. The man's voice is deeper than Luwin's though. "There are several pressing issues my lord. Foremost amongst them is the issue of the border with the Westerlands, and the people who are crossing into the Riverlands looking for shelter."

Bran feels something close to fear grip him then, he has heard the stories of hundreds, perhaps even thousands of people trying to get into the Riverlands, he had seen their corpses clogging up the Tumblestone for many a mile. There was one boy who was his age in that river. He swallows nervously and asks. "What has Lord Vypren been ordering his men to do about them?"

Vyman hesitates then, and in that moment of hesitation, Bran thinks he knows what has been done, and a mixture of anger and sadness overcomes him. "He has ordered his men to prevent them from coming into his lands my lord. He claims that they would overflow and that the numbers who are coming into the Riverlands are not manageable."

Bran thinks on this a moment, and then asks. "And how many exactly are trying to come through?"

Vyman looks as if he is dreading the answer he must give, and still he says it. "I am not sure exactly, none has tried to count every single man, woman and child, but I would say at least four thousand are trying to come from the Westerlands."

"Four thousand?" Bran asks stunned, it seems like there is an army coming into the Westerlands, he can understand why Vypren is somewhat wary of allowing them into his lands.

Before he can formulate a proper response, Ser Desmond Grell speaks. "From what I have seen, they are mainly women and children my lord. It seems they have been sent on by the men, as the men fight to preserve something."

"That is still far too many people. We must think of our own, and besides, there is no telling whether these women and children are coming here genuinely, or as spies for the enemy." Ser Edmyn Rivers, a bastard cousin cautions.

"You think Tywin Lannister is smart enough to think of using fleeing women and children as spies, when he is having to keep his men in line?" Grell asks something akin to disgust in his voice.

"Most definitely." Rivers responds. "This is the man who aged twenty planned the Rains of Castamere. Do not forget my lord, Tywin Lannister is not above using any means no matter how foul to achieve his ends."

Bran can see the sense in what his cousin is saying, and yet there is a part of him that does not want to believe that these people could potentially be spies, he really wants to believe that they are innocents fleeing something far beyond their control. "What would you suggest be done then?" he asks, finally finding his voice.

The silence that follows his question is deafening, it seems none know just what to do about this. Eventually, Vyman speaks. "I think it might be best to keep men on the border, my lord. To ensure that the Riverlands are safe. As Ser Edmyn says, we do not know whether these are genuine innocents or spies."

"They will find other ways to get in." Ser Desmond barks. "These are desperate people, and when people are desperate, they do desperate things." the man turns to look at him then his voice pleading, and it is only then that Bran remembers that the man's own daughter lived in the Westerlands. "Please my lord, at least allow some of them in. Allow some in and see what happens when they settle."

Ser Edmyn snorts. "You would have them settle? Ser, these are people who could be harbouring dangerous intentions toward not only Lord Brandon, but the entire Riverlands. I do not think this would be a wise thing to do my lord."

Bran feels the fear return stronger than ever then, he does not want to do the wrong thing, but he does not know what would be the right thing, and what would be the wrong thing, this, this is bigger than anything else he had ever thought he'd face, there are people's lives at stake here. He runs a hand through his hair, and he feels Summer come up to him and rest his head reassuringly in his lap, Bran can feel his heart hammering within his chest, as he tries desperately to find a way to reach a middle ground, but none seems apparent just now. As the silence lengthens, he sees the three men in the solar all waiting for his response, they expect a decision now, he realises and that thought terrifies him. Mother, what would you do? Father, what would you do? Bran finds himself thinking, an image he has been trying to suppress for some time comes to the forefront of his mind then, bodies clogging rivers which run red, white eyes and blue coloured men and women riding on pale horses, and one thing is clear. I will not let them suffer, gods help me, but I cannot. His mind made up, Bran takes a breath and then says. "Ser Desmond you shall lead a party of men to the border, and allow three hundred of these people into the Riverlands, settle them near the castle, as for the rest, tell them they shall have to wait."

"That will cause a riot my lord. The others will not be so willing to have their chance at safety snatched from them." Ser Edmyn says.

Bran looks at the man, fear coursing through him, he has not forgotten what he was told of Ser Edmyn, a fierce fighter, and a man who could be at turns cruel as well as kind, he does not want to disappoint the man, for he has come to look upon him as a sort of hero, but still, he must make his authority known. "I will not endanger the people of the Riverlands. I must know what these people want from us, and whether they will be willing to settle peacefully or not. And with an army on their back, they would not dare defy my commands."

He thinks that is a reasonable argument and when he sees Ser Desmond nod his head in approval, he feels a flush of pride, however, it appears that Ser Edmyn is not yet done. "My lord, you do not understand. The very fact that there is an army at their back, will make these people regardless of how many of them there are, all the more determined to cross into the Riverlands. We cannot afford to have soldiers prowling all the borders, not with the threat from King's Landing."

Bran has a sneaking feeling that the man is right, and yet his dream comes back to him then, and he knows that he has to put his foot down, no matter how much doing so scares him. "I have made my mind up Ser." He pauses, and then looks at Ser Desmond. "Three hundred no more, no less Ser Desmond. Take five hundred men with you, and make sure you count them."

The knight bows. "Yes my lord. When do you wish for me to go?"

Bran thinks for a moment and then says. "Now."

The Knight bows, turns and then leaves the room, leaving Bran alone with Maester Vyman as well as Ser Edmyn. Silence is only present for a moment before Ser Edmyn speaks once more. "There has been word from the southern Riverlands my lord."

"And what word is that?" Bran asks warily, all of this is starting to take its toll on him, and he wonders just how father, Robb and the King manage to do these things.

"It seems that the scouts that Lord Darry sent out had found lions prowling round their southern lands. Lions who were foraging and pillaging for an army that is coming." Ser Edmyn says.

Bran feels his stomach flip then, an army? "How… how big?" he finds himself asking.

"I am not sure, but it seems the pretender on the throne is amassing a sizeable host. At least that is what the word is from Darry." Ser Edmyn says.

Bran feels his palms begin to get sweaty, he thinks back to what he knows about the pretender- it feels strange to say that about Joffrey, and the Baratheons as a whole- "Is that really something they would do? After all, isn't the pretender's own bastard brother claiming the throne as well? Isn't he marching up to King's Landing with an army?"

Ser Edmyn snorts. "Yes, but Lannisters and Baratheons have never shown anything akin to common sense. I would not be surprised if the pretender had decided to march from King's Landing out of some foolish notion of defending his throne."

Bran feels as if he has been hit in the gut, this is all coming much too soon, much too soon, he wants to run and hide, but he knows he will not, and that he cannot, so instead he eases his breathing and says. "Send word to Harrenhal and Darry, I want them patrolling the borders near the crownlands, and furthermore, I want word sent to Bracken and Blackwood, their men should be prepared to march out as soon as possible."

"Of course my lord. Though I would suggest asking Bracken and Blackwood to bring their men here to Riverrun. After all, we must ensure that the castle is securely defended." Ser Edmyn says.

Bran blushes furiously then, for he knows that Ser Edmyn's words are subtle jibe towards his own actions early on. Still he manages to keep his voice calm. "Yes of course, send the ravens Maester Vyman and have it done. Ser Edmyn, I will want the men prepared for whatever action will be deemed necessary." After that, both men bow and leave, leaving Bran alone in the solar, to think of whether or not he is a success or a failure.