章 139: The Monstrous Titan
POV: A Concerned Mother
A few dozen feet from a heated diatribe.
A second after a Queen heartily appealed to a Hero...
Catelyn, unbeknownst to those present, had also witnessed the whole affair.
It had been two days since the Lady of Winterfell had been keeping an eye on Dacey Mormont, the key to the North.
The woman knew she had sinned in superficiality by thinking that she had been one of the few who had deduced that Jorah's cousin was the future winning horse to tap into all the riches and power of the Barrowlands and the Bay of Ice, but she certainly did not believe that half the noble scions of Westeros and Essos would be feuding over the honour of a single dance with young Dacey...
Catelyn rejoiced when 'last night' her son Robb behaved like a true gallant gentleman by dancing first with the maiden.
During the dance, she approached Lady Maege, trying to subtly test the waters...
Lady Maege seemed honoured by the chivalry of her young future Lord Protector, but, after several chats and praises with a lady not precisely of the same temperament as the southern ladies, Catelyn tried to ask about a possible future union between Dacey and Robb, and her mother hesitated, remaining as vague as possible...
In all likelihood, someone had managed to anticipate a marriage proposal...
The mother's duty as the future Lord Protector of the North was to find out 'Who'. Therefore Catelyn tried to keep Dacey's every possible candidate well in sight.
Humfrey Hightower and the two scions of Tyrosh and Lys seemed the most palpable candidates so far...
When Bloody Snow showed up at Barrow Hall, all her worst fears came to pass...
During the wedding ceremony, the couple seemed never to take their eyes off each other.
Catelyn knew that look. The same look that Brandon returned to her eight years ago at their first meeting.
An engagement between Duncan Tallhart and Dacey Mormont would have been the undoing of House Stark. Nothing could have stopped the rise of Torrhen's Square any longer...
Starks, Boltons, Karstarks, the Clans of the Mountains, Reeds, and Manderlys would not have been enough to prevent the birth of a rebellion.
Perhaps a tiny chance to prevent the tragedy still existed... If her Arya had married Benfred Tallhart; the bloodshed could still have been avoided.
Catelyn fulfilled her duty as Lady of Winterfell by responding with kindness and honest conversational openness toward Lady Myra Tallhart and, surprisingly, found her to be a pleasant and good-hearted person.
A mother who, like her, adored her children and would not hesitate for a second to fight at the risk of her own life to protect them.
A principle of friendship that filled their respective husbands with serenity and satisfaction. Ser Helman Tallhart was also a good man, honest, fair, honourable and open to everyone.
Catelyn even went so far as to seek unexpected advice from Myra... They both lived in the company of another woman's son, but she did not dare to suppose that they might also come together by harbouring a bastard...
["I could not give you advice, milady. The day I arrived at Torrhen's Square, I noticed a child in desperate need of a mother, and I chose to shoulder that burden by giving him some love. To this day, that child has always repaid me tenfold for that bit of love he was able to provide him with...
Duncan was the brightest child I had ever known. He was always well aware that we were not united by the bond of blood, and yet, never once in nine years did I hear him utter the word 'stepmother,' let alone call Benfred and Eddara half-brother or half-sister.
... He is not my blood, but he is still my son."]
Myra's instinctive gesture of going against the Queen's wishes and the murderous fury that shone in her eyes the instant Braavosian publicly offended the family bond with Duncan Tallhart, lent credence to two certainties:
1) Myra Tallhart truly loved Bloody Snow as if he were her son.
2) Ned and Ser Helman moved strings and influences to ensure that Myra never learned of the Winterfell Incident...
Catelyn felt a sense of shame... She knew... She knew that the Braavosian had voluntarily chosen to provoke Duncan Tallhart, and she had not come forward.
Her duty as Lady of Winterfell and her honour as Tully had failed. Both are silenced by the Family's valour...
The Queen, the Braavosian, her husband, Ser Helman, Myra, and all the hundreds of onlookers...none of them knew that 'Bloody Snow,' the real demon hidden inside that Loving and honourable boy, was anything but in trouble.
Catelyn recognized that look, that confidence, that damned impassivity to the world catching fire around him.
Duncan Tallhart had the situation in hand, and very soon, he would make his move trapping all his enemies in his steel grip.
Gelledo Antaryon already had his steps counted.
Bloody Snow longed for that duel; his demonic eyes craved blood.
He was only waiting for the most opportune moment to inflict tremendous blows.
Catelyn had survived a similar experience, and every pore of her skin screamed 'Danger.'
Futile to hope that Bloody Snow would lose that duel. Cersei and the Sealord's son had no idea who they were dealing with...
A Monster... simply a Demon in human flesh.
And now that Demon would sing his devilish ballad...
"My Queen, my Lord Protector, and you, milord Gelledo Antaryon, so far I have chosen silence to try to understand all three of your points of view to the best of my ability, and I can say that I have concluded that all arguments have points of extreme value and truth...
My answer is yes, Your Grace...
For the sake of the North and the Seven Kingdoms, I will accept this challenge." The Queen seemed to glow like morning dew in the sun, Ned frowned, and Gelledo nodded with determination.
"However... Yes, this duel will have to be held here and now, but in the right way..." The Queen and Gelledo peered distrustfully at the monster.
"What do you mean by 'the right way,' milord?"
"Just a moment, Your Grace." The Demon brazenly ignored the question by turning to the duelist.
"Noble Gelledo Antaryon, I beg your pardon. I was sincere when I told you that my statements were not meant to offend the Sealord, but I admit my faults... I have offended your city, your people, and the noble history and tradition upon which the foundation of the Titan is built.
Tell me, milord, is it your intention to duel with said weapon and garb?
Will you choose to follow the noble path of the Water Dance by giving up armour?" Gelledo was taken aback for a moment by this sudden outburst of gallantry and show of respect.
"It is, Lord Duncan... A true Braavosi does not need chain mail, leather, or iron plates. A true Water Dancer proves his worth with nothing but good steel in his hand." So replied the duelist with pride and bravado.
"Well ... then, milord, as a gesture of good faith and respect for your honourable city, I too will opt to duel on the same terms. And I will wield not Red Rain but a real Water Dancer's sword." A roar of surprise and shock flooded almost the entire hill.
"Is this a trick to denigrate the Water Dancers, Bloody Snow? I warn you, you will have no hope of matching me without your Steel of Valyria and your armour!" Gelledo.
"Far from denigrating, Lord Gelledo. I have such respect for the noble art of the Water Dance that even I wished to learn a few lessons from a true Braavosi master a few years ago... I assure you that, though, at a disadvantage, I still have my fair chance to hold my own against your outstanding and promising swordsmanship." The Demon.
"Lord Gelledo, our estimated Hero of the North, is offering a sincere show of respect for your city and culture. Abandon your moods of distrust and welcome Lord Duncan's offer." The Braavosian hesitated but then nodded as he bowed to the Queen.
'I know what you think, your grace ... but it will not do. It will not be enough to deprive him of his steel and armour.
He has prepared the battleground and his rules, and you are giving the enemy what he wants...'
["My first rule of war, Cat... never give the enemy his wish."] Her uncle was right...
However haughty and arrogant, Catelyn understood the Queen's choice to force the Hero of the North into legitimate danger.
She, too, like Cat, understood that Bloody Snow was gaining too much influence across the continent.
All that power in the hands of one individual was dangerous.
What if House Tallhart chose one day to side with the Targaryens instead of the Baratheons?
What could House Stark and the Crown have done to prevent a devastating civil war that would have broken the Seven Kingdoms?
Very soon, Catelyn Stark and Cersei Lannister would be joined by a common monstrous enemy... the question was:
{Would they be able to warn their husbands of the danger in time before it was too late?}
Catelyn had to wait... wait for the right moment. But, then, the Queen had to taste the same bitter poison before being considered a 'possible ally'...
Catelyn sensed that Bloody Snow's 'However' was still missing from the roll call.
"However... I will agree to duel in the true Braavosi style only if you also show respect for the traditions of the North." Cersei seethed, and the indignant opposing swordsman replied:
"Then, for this reason, you have shown false esteem to the Water Dance! To try to deceive Braavos with a cheap trick!" Many Northern nobles did not seem to appreciate the bold statement, now intent on prevaricating the front ranks to get closer to the stranger who continued to mock their Hero and their land...
The Braavosi looked around for a moment, wisely pondering his following words, and then, with more politeness and a modicum of common sense, asked:
"... How can this man show respect to the honourable people of the North?" The Demon smiled and replied:
"By honouring the ancient custom of the North and all of Westeros of 'Trial by Combat'..." Even Catelyn was interjected by Bloody Snow's choice.
Why a Trial by Combat? Neither of them was on trial, no laws had been broken or crimes perpetrated, plus they had already established a Last Blood Duel...
'No... It is not for the trial, but...' Catelyn began to get to the point, but the Queen did not.
"Lord Duncan, no crime has been perpetrated in the eyes of gods and men, so why propose to our guest at Trial by Combat?"
"For many reasons, Your Grace. You just now expressed the King's wishes not to seek war with the noble friendly city of Braavos.
A Last Blood Duel may end with only the opponent's death. A Trial by Combat, on the other hand, holds the possibility before the eyes of the gods to end even with an official surrender by uttering the word 'I renounce.'
Certain death will create an inevitable resentment between the Noble Sealord of Braavos and House Tallhart, which sooner or later will spread throughout the North, and since the Crown would 'never' leave its loyal vassals alone in this possible conflict, offering a possible way out of this circle of hatred would be the wisest choice.
... Do you not agree with me, my Queen?"
A thousand pairs of eyes turned to a dishevelled and slightly annoyed Cersei Lannister, who recomposed herself in the blink of an eye to reply:
"Of course... The Crown does not wish to see unnecessary bloodshed and will always primarily promote peace and prosperity with our honourable Free Cities of Essos friends. However, milord, the gods stand above Kings and Men.
The Creed is an essential pillar of the Seven Kingdoms, and to insult the Gods with the such sacred custom of Westeros, used solely to safeguard the law and justice of Men, would be too great an affront... Unfortunately, the duel is the only way forward." Cersei had taken the bait...
Now the fisherman would pull her out of the pond, rudely strip her of all her scales, eviscerate her, slow-cook her, and ultimately devour her.
Even the impassive and ever-proud Tywin Lannister slightly squinted his eyes in shame...
"Your grace is sure you do not wish to delegate this arbitration to Lord Eddard Stark or to choose another representative you indicate?
I would suggest her honourable father, former Hand of The King and current Protector of the West, Tywin Lannister, perhaps..." The tremendous slap was accompanied by little laughter and murmurs.
The Queen could no longer keep her false smile plastered on, her eyes brimming with hatred and murderous intent, and she looked ready to explode at any moment.
The Old Lion stepped forward, and before the furious Lioness roared, the wiser Lion roared back:
"Lord Stark, Lord Duncan, Lord Antaryon, the Queen has faced a heavy day.
The last words must result from fatigue from the festivities and the commitment to the newborn... I will be glad to bear that burden momentarily until the King joins us."
"Lord Father! Don't-" Cersei stopped the hysteria at the mere first glance of those icy eyes accompanied by a face more hardened than leather. Unfortunately, Bloody Snow granted the Queen no respite...
"Understandable, Lord Tywin. All of us here have enjoyed the sumptuous and sometimes 'boozy' delicacies that Lady and Lord Mormont have graciously offered." GreatJon Umber's fat laugh rose above the many others.
"Otherwise, Her Grace the Queen would surely remember that the 'Trial-By-Combat' is a sacred custom much older than the coming Andalas, and that any nobleman of Westeros can call upon the favour of the gods to settle disputes and diatribes of all kinds, should the Kings or Men fail to resolve the conflict...
An ancient law of the First Men that the Andals annexed into their culture.
Fortunately for us, our current true King Robert Baratheon, First in His Name and Lord Protector of the Seven Kingdoms, has wisely chosen to preserve the Great Code of Jaehaerys the Conciliator...
But surely now, His Grace remembers that the Laws of the Crown enshrine Trial By Combat as the inalienable right of all noble Andals, Rhoynar, and First Men to appeal to the Gods in whom they believe should both opposing sides judge any diatribe of a political, commercial, family, cultural, matrimonial, legal, ludic, contractual, and honour nature to be beyond the capacity of man's judgment." The Demon was right...
Catelyn certainly did not know the law in question in such detail, but she was sure that the bard had not missed a single note.
Countless hostilities in the Riverlands between 'the eternal rivals' House Bracken and House Blackwood came and continued to be resolved through a Trial By Combat. Many bloody battles were avoided over the centuries through this custom.
Cersei had been defeated and humiliated before the entire nobility of Westeros and Essos.
The Queen had only one way out to safeguard the little remaining honour of the Royal Family...
"... 'Yes-My-Lord' ... now I remember. 'I thank you' for your helpful note." Spat Cersei with extreme reluctance.
"My 'Honor' and my 'Duty,' my Queen." Bloody Snow shamelessly replied, bowing.
The Queen's joined hands began to change colour from pink to purple...then she addressed the crowd.
"My lords, my ladies, you must forgive me. The hour has grown late, and weariness hangs over a mother of two energetic Princes...
As Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, I sanction here and now that Lord Tywin Lannister represent the 'Voice and Will of the Crown' until the King returns."
And so the first opponent, blatantly torn to pieces, exited the scene...
"So... Lord Tywin, Lord Stark, the Crown and the Protector of the North support House Tallhart's proposal?" The Queen's father tried to stem the massive breach in the ship's hull.
"The Crown supports this solution to the dispute." Tywin.
"Winterfell supports the resolution for Trial by Combat." Ned.
"What about you, noble Gelledo Antaryon?
Do you accept the traditions of Westeros?
Will you let the Old Gods and the Many-Faced Gods decide who will be right or wrong in this dispute of honour?" Hundreds of glances turned toward the Braavosian.
"Why should I grant you the chance to surrender without paying the price of blood due, milord?
Are the Heroes of the North afraid of death? Or is it by any chance the North itself that is afraid of Braavos?
The Titan has no reason to accept!" Roars of anger and dissent pervaded the arena, but Bloody Snow waved his hands to appease the tempers...and after the beginning of a massacre was averted, the Demon replied:
"You ask me Why, milord?
Well, because my Lord Protector Eddard is right; Braavos has its God, Laws, and Traditions... but this..." So Bloody Snow picked up a small handful of dirt and blades of grass and turned to her husband's bannermen.
"This is the North!" Roared the charismatic Demon, showing his fistful of earth.
"Aye!" A dozen lords and ladies replied in chorus...
Bloody Snow opened his hand, dropping the wet soil, then wielded a small dagger and slashed the same palm open, clutched the dagger tightly dripping with dirty blood and thundered proudly:
"The land inhabited by our Ancestors! Watered by the blood of the First Men!!!"
"Aye!!!" The dozen became three times more numerous...
"Here, we worship The-Our-Gods! The Old Gods!!!" The Puppeteer.
"Ayee!!!" that number increased again...
Bloody Snow clapped his bloody hand twice on his chest, covered with silver and white leather farsetto.
*Stump!*"We too have 'our' Laws!"
"Ayee!!!"
*Stump!* "Our Traditions!!!"
"Ayeee!!!", "Right!!!", "This is The North!!!", "Yeeess!!!"
Bolton, Tallhart, Glover, Reed, Manderly, Cerwyn, Ashwood, Bole, Hornwood, Karstark, Lake, Forrester, Umber, Flint, Ryswell, Woods, Knott, Magnar, Mormont, a variety of other major and minor lineages loyal to House Stark, and even Blackwood and Royce... the whole North and several believers in the Old Gods were answering Bloody Snow's call.
Gelledo paled at the wave of approval and support from the Hero of the North.
All the ladies and lord first witnessing and supporting the Queen's welcome guest slipped silently into the crowd to avoid a possible 'wild chase toward Braavos sympathizers.'
Duncan Tallhart raised a hand, and the clamour subsided until silence reigned ... the boy took in the air again, and as he inhaled deeply while closing his eyes, his bloody hand smoothed his white hair back.
Duncan Tallhart's snow-colored hair became stained with blood ... and ... concluded his stage ritual, 'Bloody Snow' sang the last verse of the war hymn.
"Therefore, Gelledo son of Ferredo Antaryon, if you want the North to show respect to Braavos...
Braavos, 'in turn', will have to show respect to the North!!!" The audience exploded...
"AYEEE!!!!", "UAAARGHH!!!", "RESPECT TO THE NORTH!!!", "YEESS!!!" all that was missing was the blaring of horns and the roll of drums to start the battle 400 angry Westerosi vs 1 Braavosian...
Dozens of Northmen sprinkled the sky with showers of ale and wine as they brandished cups and jugs upward as if wielding swords...
Greatjon Umber incited a chorus thundering at the top of his voice:
"Bloody Snow! Bloo-dy-Snow!!!" and hundreds, including men, women, young men and maidens, answered:
"BLOO-DY-SNOW!", "BLOO-DY-SNOW!", "BLOO-DY-SNOW!" hundreds more, including late nobles, guards, and servants of Barrowton, joined all around them until they became thousands...
"BLOO-DY-SNOW!!!", "BLOO-DY-SNOW!!!", "BLOO-DY-SNOW!!!" the wave seemed unstoppable. The walls of Barrowton were less than a thousand feet away. Torches and flashlights could be seen rising and falling to the rhythm of the anthem. And then ... the wave spread to the lively city.
Catelyn tried to sharpen her ear to hear the crescendo of thousands more voices far away from there ... tens of thousands ...
"Bloo-dy-Snow!", "Bloo-dy-SnOW!!!", "Bloo-dY-SNOW!!!", "BLOO-DY-SNOW!!!" the streets of the city were chanting the Hero of the North...
A year ago, Catelyn listened to Old Nan tell stories to Robb about the Mighty Titan of Braavos.
According to the old nanny of Winterfell, the Titan was a giant as tall as a mountain and whenever the city was in danger, he woke up with fire in his eyes, and his roar was able to awaken a thousand sleeping deities by summoning them from the heavens to come down upon all the enemies of the Braavosians.
Asking Maester Luwin if there was even a sliver of truth in Nan's story, the maester explained to her that yes, a Titan existed, but it was not a divine entity but rather a gargantuan Statue, a masterpiece of master carpenters and stonemasons.
A granite and bronze fortress in the shape of a Titan garnished with hundreds of armed men, ready to throw stone, pitch, fire and arrows toward any enemy ship attempting to enter the lagoon city of a hundred islands.
The colossal Statue-Fortress emitted a shrill roar audible for miles, not to summon the gods but to warn the Braavos Arsenal that a ship had entered the city.
To Gelledo Antaryon and the few Braavosi delegates nearby, at that moment, here in the vast and wild North, the Colossal Titan Protector must have seemed to them so distant, artificial and insignificant.
The True Titan...
The monstrosity to which Old Nan referred...
The entity capable of awakening the ardour of Cities, Men, and Gods...
It was right there.
*****
End Chapter.
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