Apologies, this was supposed to be out last year, but I got carried away with several important things (such as university, I'm afraid my exams start again soon, but this time it shouldn't affect my writing schedule any further) and made barely any progress on the part for a few days around New Year's Eve. But new year, new part! Enjoy this one, I look forward for what this new year will bring to the story
Garthon
The godswood of Raventree Hall was a solemn, quiet place. Though close to the great hall of the ancient castle, with the weirdwood's pale branches nearly touching the roof of the building, it was also remarkably secluded. For Garthon, it was not the first time seeing one of these strange trees. His days alongside Torvin, raiding the northern coast, has often led him into these groves. Things happened there, some by his hand, some by his inaction, that he wasn't proud of.
He sighed, but not just because he had to think of his brother. Though he had never felt at ease during a raid, not like Torvin or Kyra, he had considered them his glory days, back when he had his brother, his freedom and the problems of the world hadn't concerned him yet. He was not sure when it all changed, but he was no longer proud of that time. Perhaps he had never been. Right now, all he could think of was that old saying, that the weirwood trees saw all that happened within a godswood. Thinking back, that genuinely gnawed at him.
“Are you sure it's a good idea to meet here?”, he spoke as he looked around the empty grove. Though it wasn't even noon, only a few rays of light managed to break through the thick red leaves, dousing the entire ground in crimson twilight. Maurice shrugged. “Why shouldn't it be?”, he asked in return. “Nobody's ever coming here, trust me. Lord Petyr is the only man who still follows the old gods and even with him, it's just out of respect for his ancestors. You'll rather find him in the sept than out here in the open”
“Walder always liked it here”, Ethan mumbled, as he touched the white bark of the massive tree. There were carvings in there, not just the strange, solemn face, but cruder lines, more recently carved. “I think he worshipped them, in his own way. Like father does, perhaps even more...” He smirked as his hand touched one of the fresher lines. “If you ask me, this is just an old tree that has outlived its purpose”, he stated, before he turned around. His smirk faded as he looked at Garthon, then Maurice, then slowly at Garthon's companions. Though Maurice had declared this to be a matter of utmost secrecy, even he had to admit that Hjalgar, Christian and Gavin the Tall could be trusted. None of them was the spy, none of them was affiliated with him.
“Like my grandfather, if what you're saying is the truth”, the young Blackwood added. His tone was callous, but his expression betrayed conflict. “You seem awfully fine with accusing your grandfather of treason”, Gavin mumbled, his arms crossed, as he leant against one side of the tree. “Maybe that is why you highborn sods haven't gotten anything done in this land for the last century. Always too busy with being at each other's throat” He shook his head. “That is your grandfather we're talking about. Why should he betray his daughter's family?”
Ethan clenched his fists and briefly, the look of conflict on his face was replaced by the anger of a boy barely grown. “When Walder got himself banished from this land, I had to fill some pretty large shoes. You know how I did that?”, he hissed, before he glanced at Maurice. “When my advisers speak, I listen” Maurice in return smiled, quite pleased with these words. “It's why you're going to be a better lord than your brother could have ever been”, he proclaimed, before he looked at Gavin. “I don't think a commoner such as you could understand this, much less a common bandit”
“We call ourselves freedom fighters”, Gavin replied dryly, merely raising an eyebrow at Maurice's hostile tone. “So what about you? You wanna fight for our freedom, or are you two just plotting to get some geezer thrown into a prison cell?” He tensed up as Hjalgar placed a hand on his shoulder. “Easy, Gav...”, he mumbled. “We want the same”
“Do we now?”, Christian interjected. “I'm sorry, but... why am I here exactly?” He glanced at Garthon. “Ser Maron paid me a decent amount of coin to get you back to Harrenhal. I promised you, I'm not going to do that, but frankly, if I am supposed to take actual sides now, I need something better. Uncovering an agent of Harren Hoare, saving House Blackwood... sure that'll come with some reward, aye? Something better than coin”
Ethan narrowed his eyes. “You'd ask for a reward to help us against the tyrant?”, he hissed and this time, Gavin gave him an approving nod. Maurice however took a step forward and between them. “On the contrary, I appreciate your honesty”, he replied. “I always found it easier to trust those who are straightforward about their intentions, especially the kind that won't just take coin for their service. Any common thug can pay in coin, but only a man of proper birth can give a proper reward” He smirked as he approached Christian. “You recognize such an opportunity when it presents itself, right?”
“Your cause seems just as well”, Christian confirmed. “It's an added bonus. Truth be told, I liked old Lord Raylan. He's been a good man and he let me do as I pleased in his woods. That Mullendore is nothing like him. Don't need to be a learned man to realize something is really off here. First we fight the Ironborn, then I am to escort them back to Harrenhal, with a missive for the king? I got no love for their kind, present company excluded, and I don't appreciate being dragged into their schemes” He shook his head. “If you offer me something better than serving Maron Mullendore for the rest of my life, then I will be your man”
Ethan thought about this for a moment. “There hasn't been a ranger in our woods in a while. Used to be Walder's duty and after he had to leave, father didn't have it in him to appoint a successor. That being said... if I were to vow for someone, he would certainly reconsider”, he explained. “The position comes with a humble lodge near the forest borders, the right to hunt in our woods and a modest income each month. What do you say?”
Christian thought about this for a moment, before a confident smile formed on his face. “I say you got yourselves a ranger, good sers!”, he proclaimed, as he and Ethan shook hands. Their conversation, seemingly trivial as it has been, actually helped Garthon with calming down. He still felt uncomfortable in this grove, but at the very least he no longer felt watched. At least not by a living soul...
“Now that this is settled, may we continue?”, Maurice spoke up and Garthon gave him a nod. “The sooner we're getting this over with, the better”, he mumbled. “If the traitor informs Harren of my stay here, we're all going to be in grave danger” Maurice raised an eyebrow, which increased the twitching of his eye, as he shot him a crooked grin. “Made it personal with the Black One, aye?”, he remarked. “Heard the story. Honestly, it's a surprise you got away with just a scar. He's the petty sort, or so I've heard”
“You heard correctly...”, Garthon mumbled. “That's why he sent Bullister to kill me and Torvin, should either of us survive the raid. If not for Vessels, I wouldn't stand here” This time, Maurice's smile faded. “Vessels... Rell Vessels?”, he asked. “One of Prince Harmund's companions, if I am not mistaken... Breaker, anyone ever told you you got a talent for gaining odd allies?”
Garthon smiled. “It came to mind, Maurice”, he replied. “So then, you mentioned evidence” Maurice gave him a nod. “Indeed! Ser Torvin...”, he spoke and his eye twitched as Garthon winced at the name. “Ser Torvin has served House Blackwood for decades. There's not a door in this castle that is locked to him. Until recently, he has never abused this power”
“And what changed?”, Garthon asked. He was, to be clear, not convinced that the knight had done anything wrong. Petyr Blackwood's father-in-law, a traitor? He knew of bad blood between families, but the Blackwood family hardly gave him such an impression. If anything, from what little he had seen of them together so far, they all cared for each other. But he had been wrong about people before.
“He's been entering the ravenry more frequently as of late, always at night”, Maurice explained. “Such visits have to be written down by the maester, but I find nothing in his notes. So, Torvin is sneaking into the ravenry. Worse, my spies in Harrenhal tell me that a week after he sends his messages, Prince Harrick receives his intel from Raventree Hall. That's roughly as long as a raven needs to the tyrant's seat”
“That alone doesn't make him a traitor”, Hjalgar brought up and Maurice shrugged. “I have my eyes on the ravenry, all the time”, he claimed. “All the other visits have been properly accounted for, I've checked and confirmed most of them. Call it a hunch, but something is off about Torvin's visits. He's hiding something dangerous and I won't let some misguided pity on an old fool ruin the house I serve and love”
“Nor will I”, Ethan proclaimed. “I like my grandfather, but if he conspires against my family, then I will see him beheaded” He paused again. “But only if he confesses” Maurice raised an eyebrow. “I doubt he will”, he spoke. “I know traitors. Been hunting them all my life. They rarely confess, because they cling to the slim hope that a soft-hearted man will spare them the hangman's noose. Your father is not a soft-hearted fool, but he has a weak spot for his family. That inaction ruined your older brother. Don't let it ruin you”
“And yet, he is family”, Garthon brought up. “Killing someone should never be easy, especially not when he's of your blood. You cannot afford to act too rashly either” To his surprise, it was Maurice who nodded in agreement, while Ethan's expression was more neutral, as if they didn't speak of his own grandfather and a charge of treason. “I agree”, Maurice confirmed. “Which is why I want you to speak to him. Watch out for anything that seems odd, any contradictions in his statements”
“And why can't you do that yourself?”, Hjalgar interjected and Maurice's smile was thin and slightly forced, as he shot the young man a glare. “Because he doesn't trust me, that's why”, he admitted. “Torvin's a sly hound for his age. He knows I'm looking into him. Besides, I am already convinced he's guilty. Time for you to make a decision”
“And what about us?”, Gavin growled. “You wanted us here, so I bet you're having some really special scheme cooked up” Maurice gave him an impatient nod. “Of course I have, big guy”, he spoke. “See... I won't put all of my faith in Torvin not realizing what Garthon is trying to do during their talk. He might flee if we fail to apprehend him here” With this, he looked at Garthon's companions. “You will lay in ambush should he try to flee. There's only one road that leads to Harrenhal from here and it leads through a rather nasty ravine. Perfect for a little ambush, don't you think?”
“You want us to kill him?”, Gavin asked, his tone implying that, reluctant as he was to accuse the knight, he would not protest too much when it came to killing the man. Garthon was more reluctant and he felt relief as Maurice shook his head. “A dead traitor is of no use to anyone”, he declared. “Torvin needs to be taken alive. I want to know just how much he told the tyrant” He shrugged. “Just shoot his horse or something. Make sure he is alive and well, should you come to bring him in”, he explained. “Besides, the final verdict will be up to Lord Petyr. Traitor or not, this is still his father-in-law and I won't send assassins after the man behind my liege's back”
“Father will execute him, should your suspicions prove true”, Ethan stated and he clenched his fists as he spoke. “There's little mercy left in him, none of it for traitors to kin” He shook his head. “Just... make sure he's actually guilty. Much as I'm willing to behead him myself if he betrayed us, I wouldn't want to kill an innocent man”
Maurice nodded swiftly. “That'll be your task, Garthon”, he explained. “Speak to Torvin. Get under his skin, find out what he is hiding and, best of it all, do so without him getting a hint of what you're truly up to. Best case, convince yourself of what I already know” Garthon raised an eyebrow. “And just how am I supposed to do that?”, he asked, his tone sharper than he intended it to be. In return, Maurice merely shrugged. “Eh, you're a talker”, he stated. “You know how to get people to do what you want with just a few nice words. The meeting between Petyr and the Pipers, you had my lord do what you wanted him to do. I've served that man for decades and I know how stubborn he can be” He shook his head. “You got a real gift right there and I don't say that lightly”
His compliment caught Garthon by surprise, as he realized it was genuine. “Thank you, Maurice”, he replied. “What are you going to do in the meantime?” The man glanced to the sides. “I've got a few of the guards on my payroll”, he replied openly and Ethan briefly narrowed his eyes. Maurice chuckled at the young man's expression. “Most of the guards, they're loyal to your grandfather, boy”, he explained. “If I were to seize him in broad daylight, they could intervene on his behalf, give him time to escape”
He glanced at Gavin, Hjalgar and Christian. “You three are the final trap I will lay for that traitor, but I'd prefer if you don't have to get involved at all, if we prevent Torvin from fleeing the castle in the first place”, he growled. “And fleeing he will if he gets even a hint of what we are truly planning. So, I will lay in wait and if you, Garthon, get the impression that Torvin tries to escape, give me the signal and we'll strike. Means I have to explain a thing or two to Petyr, but eh, he'll get over it”
“And where would I find him?”, Garthon asked. It was Ethan who replied in Maurice's stead. “Right now, he should be at the sept, watching over Mother and Marian as they do their afternoon prayers”, he spoke, before he sighed. “Grandfather has always served our house well. But the evidence speaks against him. I trust that you and Maurice will get to the bottom of this”
As Garthon saluted in front of the young man, Ethan grabbed him by the forearm. “My mother and my sister don't need to know about this”, he hissed. “Grandfather... Torvin, he's all she has left from her old life in the Stormlands. If he's not guilty, by any chance, then don't worry her for no reason. If you plan on locking him up today, do it when Mother is not around, or Seven help me, you will regret it”
His tone was icy cold and Garthon could only nod. “I'll speak to him in private”, he promised. “Should I notice anything odd, I'll give the signal for Maurice to strike” He sighed. “Though truth be told, I hope I won't have to do it. Hope he's innocent, I mean” Maurice raised an eyebrow. “You have pity on an old man. Or maybe you don't want to arrest someone with the same name as your late brother”, he deduced, to which Garthon narrowed his eyes. “Careful”, he hissed.
“Or what?”, Maurice replied calmly. “Pray that I am right in my suspicions, or else we'll have to start all over again. And frankly... at this point it has to be Torvin. I looked into so many of them. If he's innocent, despite all the evidence and my own gut feeling... gotta admit, I'm at my wit's end by then” He shook his head. “That would be a disaster for this house”, he growled. “The traitor needs to be found”
“Understood”, Garthon replied, before he turned to his companions. “And you have your task as well. Can you do this?” He knew he could count on Hjalgar, who nodded at once, but to his relief, neither Gavin nor Christian protested against their assigned duties. It was a foul task, but even Garthon could see how it was necessary. His brother, however, he wouldn't have liked Maurice one bit.
The group went their separate ways as they left the godswood. As soon as he stepped into the sunliny courtyard, he took a relieved breath. It was hard for him to put into words, but the air within the godswood... it felt oppressive, ancient and like something not entirely meant for him. He was by no means a man of religion, but how the First Men could ever worship these trees, he had no idea.
“Sept's over there”, Maurice mumbled, quite unnecessarily, as he pointed at the building. “Listen, Breaker... you made the right call” This caused Garthon to pause. “With trusting you?”, he asked and Maurice shot him a crooked grin. “With getting Ethan involved. He's a good lad, a worthy heir to Lord Petyr and he'll be a great help for our cause”, he clarified. “The Piper bitch, she would have stuck her nose where it doesn't belong, would have blown this whole thing up” He sighed. “Listen, I know you don't like me and I know I probably deserve it, but I appreciate you working with me on this”
“My brother would have done the same”, Garthon replied and Maurice's smile grew a bit wider. “I heard a lot of good things about your brother”, the man stated. “A shame I'll never get to meet him” His sudden kindness surprised Garthon, who forced himself to remain silent about the fact that Torvin would have hated this man. He would have worked with him, yes, but he would have hated him. That's what Garthon sought to do as well, a difficult alliance for the greater good.
“When you fear that Torvin tries to flee, raise a closed fist”, Maurice continued, as Garthon turned to him once again, just before heading to the sept. “I'll have someone keep an eye on you. Give the signal and I'll send my men to strike” He raised a finger. “Do it only if you sense something suspicious. We have but a single chance, so don't blow it unless you are certain”
“Understood”, Garthon mumbled, before he approached the sept. It was a modest building, smaller than the godswood and he wasn't even sure if the weirwood tree would fit into it at all. At the same time, he already knew that it was way more frequented by the Blackwood family and their household. Like the great sept at Harrenhal, ten times as large, it was seven-pointed, with a shrine to one of the gods in each corner. Candles burned brightly and despite the autumn chill that had the whole courtyard in its grip, he immediately felt the heat. Curiously, someone had even lit a candle in the corner reserved for the Stranger, a single light in the darkness.
As Ethan had foretold, Torvin Hale stood there, arms crossed behind his back, watching his daughter and granddaughter as they prayed in front of the Mother's shrine. There were rumours that Lady Evelyne used blood magic to preserve her beauty and as she sat there, in the light of the candles, he could actually believe it. Though Ser Torvin's daughter, she could easily pass as his granddaughter, albeit that was also due to Torvin looking even older than usual. His grey hair was in a disarray, not as well-trimmed as usual and Garthon spotted streaks of white in it. It took him a moment to recognize Garthon, but as he saw him approaching, a kind, grandfatherly smile formed on his face.
“Ah, Ser...”, he began, which alerted Lady Evelyne and Marian Blackwood to his presence. The Lady of Raventree Hall slowly rose from the ground and gave him the briefest of nods. “Garthon”, she whispered and Torvin nodded. “Yes, of course”, he stated, while the young Marian did a polite curtsy in front of the Ironborn. “How may I help you?”, Evelyne asked and her smile, though usually warm and kind, was currently rather icy.
“I... uh...”, Garthon began. “I was hoping I could talk to Ser Torvin. Alone” This caused Evelyne to narrow her eyes. “Anything concerning my father concerns me just as well”, she spoke firmly, as she glanced at the knight. Torvin raised an eyebrow, before Marian Blackwood broke the silence. “Is grandpa in trouble?”, she asked and immediately, Evelyne shook her head. “Not at all”, she whispered, carefully glaring at Garthon out of her calm, grey eyes.
Before he could say anything, she came closer. “I know you've been talking to Maurice a lot lately”, she whispered, her voice so quiet that it didn't even echo from the stony walls. “And I want to believe that you are better than him” She shook her head. “But that man is pure poison. If he'd have it his way, our house would stand alone against the rest of the world, a worthless crown on my husband's head. Make sure not to get dragged into his schemes”
“What is this about, Ser Garthon?”, Torvin asked, not with his daughter's sharpness, but with genuine curiosity. “If I can help in any way...?” He paused and blinked and in this moment, he seemed perfectly harmless, despite being clad in light armour and armed with a longsword. “It's a safety concern”, he spoke, trying to calm Lady Evelyne down. “And it'll only take a minute”
The woman raised an eyebrow. “Fine”, she spoke. “But you can tell Maurice, I don't appreciate him dragging my father into this” Briefly, she touched Torvin's upper arm and the old man gave her a warm smile. “It's alright, Evie”, he spoke. “I never had the opportunity to talk to Ser Garthon, I think. Now is as good a time as any”
This time, Evelyne sighed. “So be it”, she mumbled. “I was done here either way. See you later” She gave Garthon another look and it was clear she did not trust him. He sighed as she left the sept, leaving him alone with this man whom Maurice suspected to be a traitor. Garthon couldn't see it. With a kind, if slightly confused smile, Torvin Hale sat down on one of the benches, looking as far away from a traitor as possible. Then again, Arrec Mallister had been unassuming just as well.
“So, what is this about?”, the knight asked, before he took a deep breath. “I mean... sorry, let me try again. I'm glad we finally get the chance to talk. My son-in-law is speaking highly of you. It's a pleasure to finally meet you. In private I mean” He blinked and briefly glanced around, while Garthon crossed his arms behind his back. He had a plan when it came to this conversation.
“Maurice sent me”, he stated firmly and Torvin gave him a nod. “Yes, you two have been seen together”, he replied. “Such an odd man. My daughter doesn't like him, but there has to be something Petyr sees in him. So, what does he want this time?” Garthon glanced towards one of the windows, right below the shrine of the Father. Unsurprisingly, it was the most splendid of the seven windows of this sept.
“He believes there is a traitor in this castle”, Garthon stated. If anything, the truth would be likely to get a reaction from him. And indeed, Torvin's eyes widened. “That is a serious accusation”, he spoke and though he still seemed slightly absent of mind, his smile faded, replaced by a stern expression. “Why are you telling me this?”
“Because you are in charge of the castle guard”, Garthon replied. “Maurice wants us to work together. To exchange information” Torvin gave him a nod. “Sly, that one”, he growled. “And... does he have any leads so far? Maybe even a name for me?” Garthon shrugged. “It's just a suspicion so far, but... do you know Marie Redloon?” He felt a sting of guilt, implicating the servant, but if all went right, she would never even find out.
Torvin nodded again, before his smile showed genuine confusion. “Ah... yes, of course...”, he replied. “Who is that again?” Garthon sighed. “She's one of the servants here in the castle”, he explained. “Her brother-in-law is Velmont Redloon, a Riverlander turncoat who works as one of Prince Harrick's spies. And through his own spies, Maurice knows that someone is sending ravens to Harrenhal. By now, the king might know about my stay here, about Petyr's meeting with Elmont Piper and, in time, he might even learn about our next steps”
By now, Torvin's smile had faded entirely. “That mustn't happen...”, he mumbled. “It is a very serious matter you bring here. Thank you for not discussing this in front of my daughter. She is worried enough for her family as it is. A spy in our midst is the last thing we need” With this, he shook his head. “Alas, I have no leads for you”, he admitted. “This is the first I ever hear of this. Perhaps if Maurice had sent for me earlier, I could have been of greater help. I know many of my guards don't like him any more than my daughter does, but they would have talked to me”
“He's trying to fix that mistake”, Garthon spoke, still unsure if this man was genuinely oblivious, or just good at hiding something. “The spy needs to have access to the ravenry. Do you know all who can enter as they please?” Torvin thought about this for a moment. “There would be Lord Petyr and his family, of course”, he replied. “Maurice himself, the maester...” His eyes widened. “And me of course!”, he exclaimed. “But a proper spy could have stolen a key. Mine goes missing from time to time. Evie tells me I'm just misplacing it, that I'm slowly growing forgetful, but if it's actually a spy, stealing my keys...” His smile returned. “That'd mean I'm still sharp as Valyrian steel”
Garthon chuckled. “I have no doubt about it”, he replied. “The Redloon girl is Maurice's best bet, but she hasn't done anything suspicious so far. Maybe you have seen her around?” Torvin shook his head. “Honestly, I don't even know who that is”, he admitted. “So many faces, so many new ones at that. Forgive an old man for not remembering every single servant in this castle. I'm sure she's a lovely woman”
“If she's not a traitor, that is”, Garthon replied. “If she took your key to the ravenry... there's gotta be some way to prove it, right?” Torvin's expression darkened, as he glanced at the floor. “Hmmh”, he mumbled. “Proving my innocence, you mean?” The sudden clarity in his voice caught Garthon off guard. Was there a chance he just faked his earlier confusion? There was more to this old man, that much was clear to see.
“I mean, it's certainly not Petyr and his family, Maurice has proven his loyalty beyond doubt and Maester Trebor is from Deepwood Motte, he has lost family to Harren's Ironborn. Doubt any of them got a motive to spy”, Torvin mumbled and Garthon raised an eyebrow. “Maester Willem”, he corrected the old knight, having spoken to the maester just a few days ago. “He's from Lannisport, I think”
Torvin blinked for a moment, then narrowed his eyes. “Maester Willem, of course...”, he mumbled. “Trebor's been dead for half a decade. Sometimes it feels just like yesterday” He shook his head. “I cannot prove that anyone takes my key to enter the ravenry, but...” His eyes widened again and his smile returned. “Of course! Ser Garthon, grant me a few hours. I have to make some preparations and if I am right, we, meaning you and me and Maurice, might be able to lay a trap for the real traitor”
Garthon paused and carefully mustered the old knight from head to toe. Torvin seemed innocent enough, to be honest. Not quite a harmless old man, but neither the shrewd master spy Maurice painted him as. Could it be that he was wrong? That Torvin was actually innocent? It was a comforting thought, but at the same time, it would mean that his search for the spy was not yet at its end.
“Actually, this might just work”, Torvin mumbled. “Where is Maurice right now? I need to speak to him about this, perhaps later today. He really should have gotten me involved earlier” Garthon narrowed his eyes. It was not as if could tell him that Maurice had am ambush prepared. “I don't know where he is right now”, he spoke. “Maybe we can go and look for him together?” It was the best chance he had, keeping the man talking while figuring out if his gut instinct was right about this one. Perhaps he just wanted him to be innocent.
“I don't think that will be a good idea”, Torvin replied. “I won't search for Maurice like some common supplicant. Once, you know, I was a lord in my own right” He shook his head. “Those days are... long gone, but I won't lower myself and run around the castle, trying to find Maurice. He wanted me involved now, but he didn't even have the guts to come and find me himself” His tone had grown weary and his smile was now very obviously forced. “Go and tell him that. I look forward for working with him, but I will not be summoned”
He took a deep breath. “I'll make some preparations. If Maurice truly wishes to work with me, he can come to me”, he replied, as he gave Garthon a fatherly pat onto the shoulder. “You're a good lad, helping out my son-in-law like that” Now, his smile grew a bit more genuine again. “We should talk again some time. Maybe you could join me and Maurice this evening?”
With this, he tried to move past Garthon, who knew that now he had to make a decision. Torvin was strangely eager to get away from him all of a sudden. Was it just genuine excitement over his new task? Or maybe he was trying to win some time to flee, or to destroy evidence tying him to the spy. Garthon clenched his fist, ready to raise it, but unsure if he should do it. After all, he only had this one chance...
[Give the signal] [Let Torvin go]