Rob and i walked to the door and as i leave Rob, he tells the guards to call the other Lords for another meeting in an hour.

I briefly wonder if it is better for me to attend the meeting, but i think it will be more efficient for me to miss it. If i showed up then some would comment on my absence from the last meeting, others would bring up my punishment and some may disagree or even outright reject the plan if they find out it came from me.

Better to let Rob act like it was his plan and that i tell them my punishment without me there. That will make it seem like an internal matter and they shouldn’t comment on it. Besides the main task for this plan is gathering the peasants which requires manpower, of which i have none.

The only thing to discuss is the logistics which they are more informed about. Though i could help if i knew the specifics, but i am still new to the war camp and don’t even know the exact numbers each Lord has under them. No i would be better off staying out of the way and finding Brutus. Maybe later i will find Theon and discuss with him how to carry out the scouting operations later.

After descending the stairs i arrive at the main hall. Grabbing a maid i ask her if she’s seen a giant dog anywhere. She told me she hadn’t, but one of the kitchen hands was complaining that there was a beast in the back courtyard. Because he was too scared he couldn’t get to the storehouse where they kept the flour and he was shouted at by the cook.

Well the only animals that could scare someone like that are Brutus and Grey Wind, Rob’s direwolf, and i would bet my beast is more intimidating. Making my way after getting directions, i suddenly feel something.

Now that i am closer to Brutus i can feel some emotions in his qi, this particular one being pleasure. As i cross through another hallway and out the back door i find myself greeted with a sight out of a fairy tale.

A giant beast, lying down on the floor with his eyes closed in contentment, and beside him is a young woman dressed in furs, stroking the beast behind the ears. The beast in this situation is clearly Brutus, but the lady is an unknown. I don’t interrupt for the moment and try to get a better look.

The woman is rather tall; i can tell that even from her kneeling position. Beneath her fur cloak is a dark green short dress that leads to a pair of brown trousers. Peeking out from her cloak is a pair of sturdy boots. Her hair is shoulder length, straight and black like a raven’s. While her hands appear rough and strong, her face was smooth with light freckles on her cheeks.

Though i am almost certain that i haven’t met her before, i can’t help but feel that she is familiar. As i am pondering her identity however, i hear someone call me.

“Lord Baskerville!” I turn my head to see a group of 3 men armed in fine clothes and sword at their sides. “I hope you are finally here to take care of your nuisance of a beast. We have already received several complaints about your hound, how it has scared the ladies and servants, causing activities to cease in the kitchen. You realise that this means you are stalling the rest of the Lords and knights from eating and thus distracting them from their vital duties.”

The middle of the gentlemen, who i suspect to be knights or highborn sons, as they definitely aren’t Lords, speaks out to me in a scolding tone. He looks familiar as well, but unlike the woman, who i am not sure about, i am almost certain i have met him before. He is wearing a green shirt, but of a lighter colour than the woman, thick trousers and a short beard upon his face. He wears no sleeves, showing his crossed and trained arms.

“If it wasn’t for the words of Lady Mormont i would have already dispatched your beast and sent the meat to the kitchen so it could better serve the army and to make up for the disruptions it has caused.” The man continues, bringing a frown to my face and my fingers start to feel a knife.

I have no doubt the man is bluffing. There isn’t anyone in either Twin that doesn’t know who Brutus is and what he can do. The idea that this man of average stature could kill him is laughable. Even I would have trouble dealing with Brutus unless i used a bow, and while this bearded man likely knows the sword, he is no master.

But that begs the question why he is clearly provoking me. I sense animosity from him, but also a lack of focus, like he is thinking of something else. Course that doesn’t mean i will just let him continue to insult me and Brutus.

“Brutus has been trained to never attack unprovoked, and was trusted by the late Ned Stark himself to escort his children unattended on several occasions. The staff’s, as well as others who i will not name, lack of courage is not his concern.” I reply, putting particular emphasis on “others”, as i stare at him.

The message was clear as his face changes slightly, from mocking to annoyed. It is as i am wondering if he will make the next move that i hear the woman speak from the side.

“Enough Harken. Brutus is a comrade who fought beside the army when capturing this castle. Your attempt to liken him to a common beast to be butchered is insulting to both him and the men who died beside us.” She rises from the floor, to Brutus’s displeasure at the lack of scratches, and turns to face us. It is at this point that i see the morning star attached to her hip and feel a picture completed.

Dacey Mormont, the Fae of Bear Island. House Mormont has always been a good talking point in the pubs and inns of western North. It’s unique position as the only House on Bear Island, as well it being a constant point of conflict between the North and our long-time foes, the Iron Born, makes for a many good stories.

Recent years in particular have focused around the women of House Mormont. After the previous head fled the North, from punishment or something, his sister Mage “the Mace” Mormont took over.

The greatest talking point about Mage isn’t her fighting skills, apparently something to be expected of someone who lives in a territory constantly raided, but how she has 4 children but no one knows who the father is. Instead Mage claims that her children have no father per say, but rather when a Mormont woman wants children she will go out into the woods and consort with beasts. A rather unbelievable rumour, but one that has yet to be disproved, especially since one of Mage’s daughters has 2 children of her own and they likewise don’t have any father to speak of.

Just as i was thinking about the past, i found Dacey turning from Harken to face me. “And you. Your confidence in your companion’s behaviour has no relation to the thoughts ofothers. Expecting servants who have never seen a predator larger than a dog to be comfortable around Brutus is laughable. While Harken was wrong to dismiss Brutus’s efforts, you were likewise at the wrong for disregarding the feelings of those that serve you.” She glares at me, height matching my own, with her hand placed on her morning star.

Surprised at her words i take a step back as she steps forward.

I consider explaining that i was joking about the servants courage, and was trying to insinuate Harken was the coward, but i quickly realise how childish that sounds. Without a quick response coming to mind i debate using sarcasm or humour to try and deflect for a moment, but her eyes seem to deny it.

Deep green, like a forest full of fir trees, it reminded me of why she was called the Fae of Bear Island. As the heir to House Mormont with no male siblings to contend, many of the knights and second sons of the West coast regard the eldest daughter as the ideal marriage partner. Her looks that seemed to defy her mother’s heritage, were one of the many topics that were discussed in the pubs and inns. They say her father had to of been a spirit to counter Mage’s poor complexion.

Though she is by no means the fairest of maidens, skin and hair worn by the elements, it seems only add to her charm. As i watch the slight changes in her expression i find myself unable to reply to her accusation, caught like a fish on a hook.

After a few seconds she frowns again and turns to the other group. “C’mon Harken, mother wanted to see me after the meeting to convey Lord Stark’s decision, i imagine Lord Crastac would want to do the same with you.” She says to them before leaving, her entourage quickly following, Harken looking to engage her in conversation.

I suddenly remember where Harken seemed familiar from, the name “Crastac” shining a light on my mind. Several years ago, before i was a knight, i participated in a tourney hosted by House Crastac for the Lord’s first daughter’s birthday. I succeeded in getting past the preliminaries, not without injuries, and reached the semi-finals.

There was no archery contest as it wasn’t to the Lord’s preference, so i did my best in the fights, though i lost in the semis. My opponent was the second son to Lord Crastac, Harken, and i narrowly lost due to my injuries affecting my balance. But as a result of my harsh struggling i landed 2 solid blows to Harken’s knee, which led to serious swelling after the fight.

Unable to continue despite being the victor of the semi, he was forced to forfeit the final and concede victory to another. This was considered a rather embarrassing situation for House Crastac, since a knight from a rival House was the champion, and Harken surrendering gave the impression he was afraid.

Though Lord Crastac never bothered me about it, Harken was heard afterwards complaining that i was spiteful with my strikes, trying to injure him so that his opponent would win the tourney. Obviously nonsense, i was trying to beat win the tourney myself, and only concentrated on his knee because he had the habit of over extending his front foot when he lunged. Eventually he wised up to it and fought conservatively for the rest of our match and beat me in the end, but the damage was done.

I watch them walk away, my thoughts distracted, until i feel something rubbing against my hand. I look to see my primary objective, Brutus rubbing his snout on my hand apparently missing Dacey’s attention.

“Come on you big baby, breaks over. Now the time to hunt has arrived.” I tell my companion with a smile, thoughts cleared with thoughts on what we need to do.

Brutus understands my intentions and his lips curl into a smile as well. If the servants were to see the 2 of us then they would likely piss themselves in fear, the pair of us like 2 devils chuckling at the suffering to come.