The Young Raven (Open)

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"Make it in time, Adian, make it in time..." Adian said, spurring the horse forward.

She would've stayed at Wolf's Hold if it hadn't been for the damn wildlings constantly pestering her and her staff. Sabine was there now, trying to hold them off on his own. The man may be one of the best Water Dancers, but he couldn't hold off more than two dozen wildlings for long; men tire eventually. That was why she was still in her trousers and tunic, riding like white walkers were behind her. Eventually, she saw the walls of Winterfell swell up in front of her and she urged the horse to go faster. Adian felt bad about how hard she was working the poor mare, but she had no choice. If she didn't hurry, he might die.

As the gates opened, she rushed in and as soon as she got her horse stopped, she dismounted and tied him quickly. She pulled the pelt over her tighter, hoping it covered her enough so that people didn't see how unladylike her attire was. She rushed into the keep and got to the court when she saw Rickard Stark was already attending to someone else. Adian's heart dropped as she saw how many people had to go still. When the current villager had his needs tended to, Adian quite rudely rushed forward and addressed Lord Stark.

"Lord Stark! I am Lady Adian Ravenfell and I am in dire need of some men! Maybe two dozen wildlings are attacking my hold as we speak. I have no soldiers of my own and I cannot fight them off myself." Adian said rushed, trying to catch her breath.

She looked up at Lord Rickard Stark and hoped he still had some men to spare.

[wicked]

Rickard was barely even done with the villager that needed help with keeping order, when suddenly a woman ran forward to plead for men. That was about the 100th this week that needed men for whatever.

"Well, lady Ravenfell, I have literally no man to spare, since my brother has taken almost all able-bodied men south. And the men I do have are occupied with the hundreds of other people that need their help. I'll see what I can do."

Rickard stood up, and the measter announced that it was enough for the day. Then Rickard signaled the woman to follow him. Two dozen of wildlings. He was up for some archery training, and he could take a handful of men with him.

"I and 5 of my men will ride with you. This gives me a good opportunity to train my archery skills, since I haven't been able to do so lately."

He picked the men, and the 6 were just waiting for the woman to lead them to where they needed to be.

[Deleted]

Adian's heart dropped as he said the words she feared he would. No men to spare... 'Damn Robb and damn his war!' Adian almost cursed him aloud when the maester ended court and Lord Rickard motioned for her to follow. At his agreeing to take five men to her hold, she almost cried with relief. Sabin would be alright if he could just hold on.

"Thank you, Lord Stark, for taking the time to help me. Others may not have been so helpful. My mentor insisted that I let him take care of them himself, but he is only one man who's skill lies in... dancing, not archery." Adian said, trying to speak her words carefully.

Adian knew the idea of a woman learning how to fight was often shunned and even reason for death in some places, though she did know the Starks were not that uncivilized. Adian realized that she had left all of her weapons in the hold when she left and she cursed herself for her stupidity. Hopefully, Sabin would be able to get her some sort of weapon from the other side of the wall.