Neither "Ser" Nor "Lord" Required...

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The crypts of Winterfell were dimly lit by the flickering candles carefully placed around the hollowed groves as Robb descended the stairs. He had grown concerned as of late about one particular worrying fact; when he returned to Winterfell with his headless father, would the crypts be an appropriate burial place? As he weaved through the underground passageways, he could hear the slight sniffles and howls of Shaggy, Rickon’s temperamental and often misunderstood dire-wolf. To Robb, he saw the wolf as a guardian of the crypt.

As he entered into the grand opening of the passage, he sat on a long bench awaiting for Ser Barristan Selmy. Sitting in front of the tomb and monument of Lyanna Stark, the younger sister of his father and aunt to himself, Robb was hit by a slight realism of the events that unfolded. His father, Eddard Stark, killed by a petulant child who couldn’t run the kingdom had it not been for the presence of his twisted and heartless mother. As a tear escaped his eye, his hand was greeted by the curious nose of Rickon’s loyal companion.

Ruffling the head of the dire-wolf, Robb sat back, clearing the tears from his eyes. Thinking loudly, he spoke clearly but with a coarse overtone, his voice carrying in an echo through the hollowed home of the dead.

”Forgive me father. Had I not acted on your capture, perhaps this could all have been prevented. Please... forgive me...”[/b]

Robb quickly cleared his throat and wiped his eyes back as he heard footsteps descend into the crypts not too far from where he was seated. Calling out, he hoped to grab the attention of the newly initiated Lord Commander of the Northern King’s Guard, Ser Barristan Selmy.

”Ser, is that you? Ser Barristan, are you there?”[/color]

As he heard the sound echo throughout the crypt, he paused awaiting the response of the new arrival.

[selmy]

"I am, Lord Stark." Ser Barristan replied as he descended into the crypt. He had never been in Winterfell but he had certainly not expected that he would be entering their crypt, but it was a fine crypt. From what he understood of the people of the North this was how they liked to spend their eternal rest and this would be a fine place for it. A fine place.

He stepped into the the crypt proper, he had not been expecting to see the dire wolf. It was a mighty creature. T'was built like a small ox more then a wolf. Could probably tear down a large horse. A scary thought of what it could do to a man.

Adorned in his re-coloured Kingsguard armour, Ser Barristan had re-formed the Kingsguard using the finest Knights of his native House sent by his cousin but he would burden them no more for fear of reprisals by Joffrey who may well be the next Mad King. Ser Barristan would not allow such a threat to torment the land nor would Robb allow it. Ser Barristan would stand as his shield and striking sword against the boy king.

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Robb admired the newly fashioned armour of his Lord Commander of the Northern Kingsguard. He stood from his seated position both as a sign of greeting and of respect. Extending his hand to shake that of Ser Barristan Selmy, he spoke with clarity trying best to fight back the teared voice that ached from his soliloquy~

“Ser Barristan, good that you could meet me here. I invited you to receive advise on how best to march. My father told me that you were one of the best knights he had ever heard of, and was glad that you two never met in combat. At this time, your insight is much appreciated.”[/color]

Robb walked for a moment towards the monument dedicated to his Aunt Lyanna. Kissing the tips of his index and middle finger, he placed them softly on her feet. Turning to the knight, he gave a solemn look before explaining~

“Soon we march and I thought it would be off ill-respect to not visit the crypts. It will be my first time marching, Ser, and although I have trained for this moment all my life and have etched confidence into my banner-men, I detest admitting to you that I do quake with nerves at what the next few days will bring.”[/color]

He felt it would be appropriate to inform his Lord Commander of his concerns. He was to be his sword and shield, a mighty one at that given the words his father spoke of him. He had a great deal of respect for Barristan Selmy, and he hoped for some inspiring words of confidence to Robb so that he could ignite the march, set to move in the coming days.

[selmy]

Barristan entered and accepted the offered hand with a firm shake and a respectful nod of his head. "Yes my liege, of course." Eddard Stark had been a good man. What happened to him was unjust. Barristan knew it. It had been with a heavy heart he arrested him but he was sworn to the crown. The wrong crown as it would happen. "We must proceed with caution. They still have your sisters. I do not think Cersei would execute them...but Joffrey." Impossible to tell. Impossible.

"My six finest Knights and I have formed a new Kingsguard and my brother has sent me three hundred of his finest horsemen. If someone stops us on good plains I pity them...and they can ride through King's Landing to the Iron Throne itself. They are at your service as I am." It would be nigh impossible to make it to King's Landing without passing the Lannisters, Tywin or one of his children. "Your bannermen have mustered well. We have a fighting chance. A real one."

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Robb listened intently as his Lord Commander spoke. It warmed him to hear of the loyalty that Ser Barristan had offered as service to the new King of the North. He was in agreement about taking cautious proceedings. King Jeoffrey was a petulant sadist in his eyes, and if he heard by word or by raven that harm came to Arya or Sansa, then he would pay beyond his death for the crimes and inhumanities that he committed.

“Indeed, we cannot make rash decisions for fear that he will kill them with word. We must be cautious. This I will consider.”[/color]

Robb thought for a moment of the forces required to stay at Winterfell. If they were to play caution to the wind, a reserve would be required to hold the North. It was after all, simple tactics; one does not march their entire army for a just cause only to return to a land taken beneath their noses had it not been for cautious considerations.

Taking a deep breath, he placed his hand on the knight’s shoulder, speaking with a proud tone, his coarse voice echoing through the crypts.

“Then rest well on this night, Ser Barristan. Tomorrow, we muster the final forces, and then... then we march. To King’s Landing. For honour, and for justice.”[/color]

At that, he left with a headstrong mentality; honour and justice. They were to be sought after, and to be rectified.

[selmy]

"With all due respect my liege, if you plan to march tomorrow would it not be best to take council with your bannermen?" This had been all to brief for Ser Barristan, while they would have a plenty to discuss and plan while on the road it was best to have a plan formed before they march so that they might be prepared for unexpectedness on the road. Lannister gold went far and they were the chief opponents. King's Landing itself had no standing army but the goldcloaks and what Lannisters were there. It was on the road they'd be challenged.

"There is much to discuss and be ready for."

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Stopping in his footsteps, Robb realised that there was far more to be done in terms of planning and preparation. Fail to prepare; prepare to fail. Turning to Ser Barristan, he nodded and acknowledged his words. Giving a hand gesture, he smiled and spoke with acceptance and dignity for his eagerness to move on King’s Landing.

“Forgive my hastiness at this time Ser Barristan. You are right indeed, more planning and thoughtful preparation is required of us. I suppose my concern for my sisters have clouded my view of the entirety of our march. I have your logical thinking and wise words to thank. Now come, let us gather the Stark banner-men and plot out a path and strategy should we encounter any difficulty along the way.”[/color]

He knew that he would have trouble with House Lannister; they would not sit back idle and allow a Stark to march on King’s Landing. Luckily with Ser Barristan’s arrival, he would be able to give some realistic insight into proper battle strategies, and not solely being limited to the tomes and leaves that Robb reads in his leisure and years of training.

[selmy]

Barristan gave a nod at the young King. Not so young as Joffrey of course. "Its not a matter of should. Its a when. The army is too large to move without Tywin learning of it. We'll cross him or his son before we reach the capital." It was not something Barristan was looking forward too. Most of the army were farmers with swords. The numbers they'd lose to Lannister Knights was a grim thought.

He led the way out of the crypt, the six other members of the Kings guard waiting at the entrance in the same armour as Ser Barristan. "I believe some are already arguing their merits on who should lead the vanguard. They're eager. I'll give them that." It was a good thing. The Northern Men didn't have as many fresh faced Knights as the southern armies would have, instead they had grizzly old front line commanders. It was there wisdom and experience that Barristan hoped would make for valuable council to the King in the North.