Kapitel 18: Back again to the place reborn

White Harbor, the tenth day of the third moon, 282 AC.

"Well met, Lord Manderly." Ned greeted.

"Well met, Lord Stark." Ned winced at the mention of his new title, in which Lord Manderly continued, "My condolences to the late Lord Stark, and your brother, Brandon. All the North mourns at the death of their liege lord, Lord Stark."

Ned just nodded to that, sadness could not be kept from his cold face of brooding, an act famous to the Stark without wolf's blood.

Torrhen thought, Ned, is wise not saying 'thank you' to condolences, as it is better to keep quiet, nod your acknowledgment of the condolences.

As Lord Manderly offered bread and salt, Torrhen leaned to Ned, saying, "I should go, Ned. It will be a week of riding if I'm traveling alone."

"Safe travels, Torrhen," Ned said.

"Heh, I'm a knight, Ned. I could teach these Northern fools how to behave in front of me." Torrhen smirked.

"...Torrhen, thank you." Ned's gratitude is sincere, anyone would know it. "If it wasn't for you, I would have found a boatman from the fingers. For better or for worse, the man might die carrying me to the bite."

Torrhen smirked, "Those pirates will not be missed, Ned. Even that is considered honorable. Stealing their ship, which likely stole from others, was our chance to go home, and I took it."

"Safe travels, Torrhen."

"Aye, meet you at Moat Cailin."

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Karhold, the seventeenth day of the third moon, 282 AC.

Torrhen rode the streets of the small town. Hardly anyone knew their young lord, has come home. They can't be blamed, of course. Torrhen wore a hood and fur-cloak in his body. Gone was his greatsword and great shield. No armor or any kind of protection in place.

He looked ahead, we're the Holdfast of Karhold, sits beside the Grey Cliff. Not as great as the Eyrie, but this Holdfast will be hard to siege, as it is sitting on high point defense.

The horse stopped, and the family guards of the Karstark perked up from the unknown person, "State your name and your purpose."

Torrhen lifted his hood, showing his Karstark features of long face but squared jaw, his grey-blue eyes of sunburst winter shone, he said, "Ser Torrhen of House Karstark, brother of Lord Rickard Karstark."

The soldiers were baffled, should they believe this person? But one of them said, "He... looks like our late Lord Karlon. Perhaps, we should inform Lord Karstark?" One of them nodded and left to send a message. "Ser? Please stay here for a moment, while we confirm if what you say is who you are."

"Should I sit right here?" Torrhen smiled.

Before they could speak, the guards were interrupted by the roar, "It has been a long time, boy. Have you grown some balls to know if you still have a family?"

Torrhen smiled, which were not reciprocated by his brother, saying, "Not a bot anymore, brother. I'm a knight now. Surely, there's some boy have grown up as a man, by gaining this title?"

"Knights don't matter where in the North. It's a title that profane the Old gods and our very own warrior. Do not speak as if it is important, boy." Rickard growled. "Why are you here? Lord Stark has already called the banners. I was expecting to berate you at Cailin. Why have you come now?''

Torrhen was silent, his previous smile became an angry one, "You've always known, brother. Just admit, I've always been apart from the family, I've known it as a kid." He took the long sword gave by his brother, unsheathing it, "This was the only love you've given me. Our Lord father always gave his focus in teaching his heir, you. And mother, oh mother is precious, a loving mother and wife, but she's always occupied with her good-cousin."

Rickard growled, "And you're going to cry? Blood of the First Men flows in our veins, boy. We don't give on sentiments."

"Looks like I'm not welcomed. Good day, Lord Karstark." Torrhen scoffed, fixed his hood over his head. Mounting the horse, he threw the long sword of Rickard to the ground, "Teach my nephews how to fight with that sword."

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Kingsroad Inn, the twenty-first day of the third moon, 282 AC.

"Some hash and stew." Torrhen said to the serving wench, "And ale. Give me some ale." As he said that, four guardsmen entered the Inn.

The wench nodded, rushing to the kitchens. But before she could enter, with a yelp, she was thrown on the lap of tallest of the guard. This guard has the sigil of House Cerwyn's double blade axe, obviously, a guard from Castle Cerwyn. The girl was reluctant, clearly not liking being touched on her breast and crotch. She was struggling to free herself from his hands.

The guard smiled perversely, "Don't be in hurry getting orders. Let me eat you first." He chuckled, in a creepy way. He slaps the small bum of the girl, getting a pained shout.

The girl said, struggling to free from his wandering hands, touching every bit of part on the lithe girl. "No, please, M'lord."

The guard and his companions barked in laughter, "'Mi'lord', she says. Oh, I would want you shouting that when I stab your c*nt." His hands are touching rapidly by the girl's crotch.

The girl was terrified, and Torrhen can't let this go. Northman will always be proud, much better than those Southron people, but this completely ruins the pride of the North. He slammed the table, gaining the attention of the guard. "Let the girl go." His eyes contorted in anger, "Let her go before chop your hands and geld your c*ck."

The guards were stopped, looking at the large man on the corner of the Inn, before barking in laughter, "This fool wants a piece of this c*nt." Then, the tallest stood up, throwing the little girl from his lap. "We're Cerwyn guards, idiot. You've got yourself a beating."

Torrhen stood up, surpassing the guard in height, thanks to the gods for Karstark genes. "Oh, perhaps later, after I chop you hand and c*cks, I'll behead all of you in front of Lord Cerwyn." He took off his cloak, showing his plated armor, covered with leather. "I suggest you behead yourselves before I take charge of it."

The tallest was clearly agitated, turning to his companions, "Get him!" The three guards stood up, rushing to their blades and spears. Torrhen grunted and punched the tallest by the opening in his armor. This causes the tallest to choke blood, Torrhen squashed his inside, he'll never live with his inside bleeding.

Torrhen then threw the man to the three guards, and gave a mental command, bringing out his dagger from his storage ring to his sleeves, in case anyone suspect any sorcery. The three guards stumbled, but only one gained his footing and proceeds to lunged on Torrhen.

Torrhen gritted his teeth, a disgusting feeling in his stomach. His dagger met with the sword, ringing metal clang on the Inn. He saw another come to his side, and he dodged it while letting his dagger rose from the first stalemate on the first guy. While dodging, he moved his body in a roundhouse kick to the first guy, then throwing his dagger on the second guy, reaching his stomach.

He smashed the face of the first guard with his foot, destroying his head entirely. The girl was horrified and screamed. Torrhen shook his head, dragging one the wooden chair, and saw the third guy get up, putting his spear tip on the girl's neck. The chair in his hands clutch with anger, Torrhen broke the chair on the head of the second guy with Torrhen's dagger in his stomach, killing him in the process, before saying, "Let the girl go. You're disgracing the honor of Cerwyn guards."

The third guy shook his head, "If you want to save the girl, get out of the Inn and never come back."

Torrhen also shook his head, taking his dagger out of the second guy, blood leaking out of his stomach. "Let the girl go, and you'll have a clean death."

The third guy gulped, in his arms is a shaking girl, fearing for her life. "No... no, you have to give me a chance to take the Black."

Torrhen cleaned his dagger with cloth, saying, "You'll never get the chance to take the Black.'' In a swift motion, he threw the dagger, stabbing him straight to the eye. He fell with the girl in his arms, almost poetic, but the girl quickly freed herself from the clutching hand on her shoulder, turning to Torrhen, "Tha-thank you, M'lord."

Torrhen nodded, "At least, you've got that right. Now get my hash and stew. I'm going to clean the bodies." The girl nodded, hurrying to the kitchens. Torrhen shouted from afar, "And some ale, also!"