Snippet #1498650

The ancients forests were still and quiet, broken here and there by the gentle call of song birds. The loam they walked through was deep and black, rich with the compost of countless leaf falls. No paths marred the image of a forest no man walked through. But even Jamie knew these woods were alive with the rebellious mountain clans that had made every single noble house to rule in the Vale miserable. From the first moment Jamie could wield a sword he had cut his teeth on the hunting of the more troublesome bands.

And Jamie held no illusions that the Sons of the Mist had forgotten the part he had played. His was a face that simply refused to blend in with the other knights. Standing a head taller then most men and with a build that saw him one of the physically strongest of his Lord Father's sons and indeed stronger then most in Westeros. His blonde hair and green eyes, a combination uncommon to Westeros only helped those who saw him remember him. Sometimes the Dragon questioned his relationship with his brothers and indeed his father. For while Kervall and Teralo bore blonde hair like him only he bore green eyes. Then there was the fact he was taller then both his father and his brothers. Only the fact Teralo bore some likeness to him silenced such thoughts.

Perhaps she had green eyes and hair the color of gold. Jamie thought, trying to remember his mother's face. But she had been taken away from him at such a young age. And so many years had passed since that fateful days that the Winsler nobleman could no longer dredge up a clear image of the mother, whose memory had driven him to where he was today. All his searching came back with was a feeling of joy and comfort and the pure bliss her presence had been.

" She was indeed quite the woman." Eilis spoke divining what his charge was thinking." She could light up the darkest room with a single smile and had a wit sharper then valyrian steel."

" I am ashamed to say I can not remember Eilis." Jamie admitted with a sad tone to his voice.

"You were little more then a babe Jamie when she was killed." Eilis replied in a soothing tone for he remembered the day all too well. The scent of spilled blood, the grief of Lord Winsler, and the mute sadness of children not fully understanding what had happened. It had been hard thing to tell her sons that the wonderful woman that was their mother would longer grace the Eyrie with her radiant presence. That she had went to a better place and that one day they would see her.

Jamie did not respond, for such thoughts were not for a warrior about to enter the life and death struggle of single combat. A sudden absence of the quiet bird song perked his interest for it could only mean one thing. Animals could sense ill intent and often went into hiding at it's scent. Normally people paid such scant attention to things this fact flew over their heads. But Jamie had cut his teeth hunting in these woods for the remnants of the First men that an intense awareness of the environment around him was the norm.

"They are here." Wora said simply before carefully lowering the bow he held, for he was no muscle bound blonde giant. Even Nuala held a higher view of the world. But the Stone Crow was quick and agile, so skilled with a bow that he could launch three arrows at time and have each hit their target. Next came the tossing of his quiver to the ground.

Mycenae followed suit laying the twin short swords she favored, being both tall and well muscled for her gender the Black Ear had settled on a life of swordplay. She could move like the wind and hit with enough force to make men twice her size regret attacking her. Even Eilis unbuckled the rapier he preferred and laid it still attached to his belt to the ground.

Only Jamie clad in his scratched golden plate and girt with Memory did not lay his weapons aside. For he had come here with the clear intent to fight. And so it was in silence he watched the Sons of the Mist appear as if by magic from between the wide trunks of the ancient trees. They were a barbaric looking lot, clad in leather breeches and with only cloaks of various animals thrown over their shoulders, even the women amongst them did not cover their torso with more then a forward sweep of their cloaks. Tattoos of mythical creatures and battles adorned their bodies, shimmering with whatever ink they used. Both men and women wore their hair long, braided with golden rings amongst the older ones and silver amongst the younger ones.

" You are the one they call the Dragon, a raider of some renown." A silver haired man spoke up, clearly their leader from the respect the other Sons of the Mist showed him. Though of obvious age the man's back was as straight as spear and he carried himself with a warrior's grace. He was of equal height to Jamie and of equal build, upon his back rested a massive double headed axe nearly as long as he was tall, indicating great strength within his body. His body was heavily tattooed, every inch of his body save his face bore scenes of battle and death.

" They are the mark of a warrior. Each battle a warrior fights is inked onto the skin so that all may know his worth. It is a painful process getting them done. Even I have had to bite my lips to prevent myself from crying out in pain." The silver haired one spoke out after seeing Jamie gaze upon the tattoos. " But even I need no mark to know your story Dragon, you hunted us and the other clans in these woods since you were tall enough to hold a man's weapon. And since then you have earned a raider's glory."

If there was any accusation or disgust in his mind concerning Jamie's actions the silver haired one did not show it in his voice or posture.

" Your first fight will be with Mathias, my third cousin." The silver haired one added waving forward a man who shared his build and height. Though this Mathias was armed with a pike set upon a dragonbone staff." You already know the rules of this fight. It is to the death and your only chance to back out and leave with your life is now...." The leader spoke giving Jamie time to consider his options.

Wora,Mycenae, and Eilis looked at Jamie awaiting a response. Jamie did not speak with words but by drawing his valyrian steel sword, the blade dubbed Memory. When the dark gray steel with it's rippling patterns was revealed a collective gasp went up from amongst the Sons of the Mist, even their leader looked with avid interest. For the worth of valyrian steel was known to all.Next came the unlimbering of his shield and all at once Jamie stood ready for battle.

" A most excellent courage Dragon." The silver haired leader said as he motioned for Mathias to begin the fight.

They circled around each other, Mathias using the reach of his pike to keep Jamie at bay with feinting thrusts. Whipping the heavy weapon laterally he also kept the equally long legged blonde Andal from outflanking him. Once or twice Jamie was forced to swipe his sword to parry the thrusts of the barbaric piker. The shallow gashes he left in the head were very telling and suddenly Mathias realized Jamie was merely playing for time. The Dragon was waiting for the moment when he could commit to full on swing of his sword to lop the head of the pike off it's dragonbone staff. For valyrian steel cut through everything expect valyrian steel.

Still they circled, Mathias trying his utmost to prevent his weapon from coming into contact with Memory and Jamie doing is utmost to make that a reality. Their weapons clashed off each other despite the piker's best efforts and even more pieces of the weapon were shaved off. It clearly was only a matter of time before Jamie would win, for very soon Matias would be weaponless.

Deciding that at least a rush might rid them of the Andal if not grant him victory Mathias brought the pike into a heavy thrust while at the same time charging forward with all the strength in his body. Jamie did not dance sideways as expected but rather dropped to his knees, catching the pike's head upon his shield and lashing out laterally with Memory. Mathias committed to his charge could not stop his forward momentum soon enough. Feeling his legs cut from underneath him the barbaric piker fell to ground. About a foot away his legs from roughly the knee down lay in a pool of blood as did the rest of him come to that. Jamie stood over him, Memory in hand, awaiting Mathias to say his prayers to the old gods. Such respect from an Andal was unheard of and Mathias did not bother with trying to pick up his weapon and thrust it into the blonde's body. Not that he could mind you, Jamie was keeping his foot firmly on the hand near the fallen pike.

"Do it Andal." Mathias said after a few moments of silent prayer. Jamie nodding his understanding brought the valyrian blade clean through his heart. A soldier's death and not the slashed throat of a brigand's death.

"Well done Dragon." The silver haired leader spoke with a neural tone as he motioned another of his clan mates forward. A lean and long legged woman who had tossed aside her shadowcat cloak. She looked to be about the same age as Jamie but with black hair and blue eyes that bespoke the blood of the First Men in her veins. She looked unashamed of the fact she was clad in little more then a short pair of leather breeches." My youngest daughter Rowena."

Rowena was armed with a trident crafted of castle forged steel that shone even in the verdant light underneath the tree boughs. Saluting her Jamie fell into a slightly angled stance, his shield held slightly towards the woman. She for her part danced graceful as a deer around him, lashing out here and there with the trident, each blow ringing off Jamie's shield. She was obviously much stronger then her lean frame would suggest. And though his honor chafed at fighting a woman, the seriousness of the situation compelled the Dragon to action.

Like Mathias the woman, Rowena, had the advantage of reach. And unlike Mathias she was far quicker on her feet, handily able to keep out of the way of Jamie's attempts to trap her weapon upon the keen edge of his valyrian blade. And for the first time in quite awhile Jamie was beginning to question his wearing of full plate.

And so their dance of death went on. Rowena unable to penetrate the skilled defense of Jamie, and Jamie unable to launch an effective attack fast enough to keep up with the keen speed of Rowena. But furthermore the sleepless night Jamie had spent was beginning to tell and he could fell the exhaustion of two days hitting him. And so it was that Rowena launched a series of attacks, only his full plate preventing Jamie from ending up dead.

Realizing this the Dragon then had a idea. If he couldn't keep up with her then he would lure Rowena in. Letting his motions become even more sluggish Jamie let a series of hits go unanswered, adding more wear and tear to his armor but getting the desired results. Rowena thinking Jamie done for danced ever more closer in her thrusts till Jamie judging the distance sufficient exploded into motion. Dropping Memory to the ground the blonde grasped the shaft of the trident as it came towards him. Rowena realizing her mistake tried to pull back but even with only one hand Jamie was far stronger then her. So it was he yanked the trident out of Rowena's hands, spun it around smoothly and thrust it into her body.

Rowena stared dumbly at the shaft of her own weapon sprouting from her torso. Smiling a swift smile at Jamie she hit the ground dead, blood already pooling around her corpse. Now with two dead at his feet the Sons of the Mist seemed uneasy. Mathias and Rowena had been the finest fighters in the clan next to their silver haired leader.

" The stories they speak of you are true Dragon." The silver haired leader spoke in admiration as he unlimbered the long battle axe with it's dual heads from his back. Wora and Mycenae having seen this when Jamie had come to their clans knew what was coming up. Now was the time for two leaders to battle, to determine their very fates." My name is Foluna, and it is a honor to battle you..."

" Jamie Winsler, son of Benjamin Winsler." Jamie spoke introducing himself for the first time.

" Well then Jamie let the gods decide who is truly worthy of leading the Sons of the Mists."

Foluna and Jamie then began their deadly duel, the battle for leadership was well and truly one. Foluna was as skilled as Mathias and as fast as Rowena and so it was with little surprise Jamie was the anvil to his hammer. After the first few blocks Jamie realized his shield nor perhaps his arm would hold up against the blows of that heavy dual headed axe.And so it was also with little surprise Jamie felt his shield shatter, dancing backwards Jamie narrowly avoided having his head parted as well. Dodging underneath the swings of the axe Jamie managed to put some ground between him and Foluna. Gratefully Foluna did not chase after him, content with planning his next moves. Jamie using this brief pause tossed aside the remains of his shattered shield. His arm was numb but still responded to his commands, no doubt afterwards it would hurt like hell. If there was an afterwards, Foluna was the same size,same height,and same strength it seemed as Jamie. Combined with his skill and speed it seemed Jamie might have very well bitten off more then he could chew. And Jamie's exhaustion was starting to truly bother him, two days of battle,riding,and hiking this morning were simply too much.

Jamie, his breathing becoming harsh as Foluna capitalized on this advantage only drove the point home to the onlookers. Eilis kept looking at were he had tossed aside his rapier, his fingers itching to pick it up and save Jamie. Wora and Mycenae looked amazed, never had they seen Jamie this close to defeat before.

But for the two locked in mortal combat it was all background noise. Foluna kept on pressing the attacks and Jamie was reduced to dodging them and trying to make contact with them using Memory. For valyrian steel was his only hope, without the dual axe heads the shaft would much easier to deal with. But Foluna was a crafty old fox and kept his weapon far away from Memory, divining Jamie's plan.

Knowing he could not keep this dance of death up for much longer Jamie came up with a plan. A stupid and foolhardy plan that would likely get him killed but so then would this fight if it lasted much longer. Hitting the ground as if in exhaustion Jamie let the hand holding Memory hit the ground, he knelled over. His breathing harsh and uncontrolled, even letting his very body shake with exhaustion Jamie appeared every image the defeated warrior. Foluna didn't buy it for a second, not that Jamie had expected him to. The same trick doesn't work twice in a row after all. But it gave him time to catch his third wind as it were. Which really was the point of this.

Foluna realized this and brought the axe towards Jamie in a angled swing on the other side of the hand holding Memory. Jamie launched himself then towards Foluna, just getting clipped with the shaft of the axe. In his hand he held Memory on a shortened grip. Swinging it Jamie brought the valyrian blade bitting deeply into Foluna's right flank, destroying the ribs and lung. Smiling that same swift smile as his daughter as bloody froth stained his lips the silver haired leader of the Sons of the Mist died still clutching his weapon before hitting the ground.

" The duty has been passed onto you Jamie Winsler." A husky yet feminine voice said from his right. Turning to face the speaker Jamie was greeted with the sight of a woman clad in the same leather breeches as everyone else but with a direwolf cloak much like his own around her shoulders. The Dragon estimated her age at roughly twice his own though her body seemed trapped in timeless youth. " I am Gabrielle, wife to Foluna." She spoke in answer to his questioning stare." The Sons of the Mist are now yours to command as you see fit Dragon."

"Well then get your gear and meet us at the base of the mountains." Jamie replied as he walked away, determined to be seen striding back to camp as the conquering hero and not the hammered shit he felt like.

"It shall be done as you command Dragon."


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The hike back to the camp had been hell on earth for Jamie's battered and bruised body. The arm had indeed starting hurting like a she-demon bitch soon after Foluna had fallen to his blade. Though he could move it quite well the amount of pain involved in such things made him not want to. The Sons of the Mist had very little gear it seemed and had met them halfway down the trail and so it was at the head of them he was seen marching into camp.

His men cheered as they saw the conquering hero and the additions to their sparse forces. They only saw the ever confident Dragon smiling as tales of his exploits were spread by Wora and Mycenae. Aron on the other hand shook his head in disgust before beckoning the conquering hero to his tent. Waving his men away Jamie strolled to the dour maester's tent. Where ointments, bandages, and stern words about the foolishness of such things were administered.

Deciding a glass of wine was really in order Jamie ordered the cook fires lit and sat himself before one scanning the crowd for Nuala. For her presence had always done wonders to his mind and body after these duels. Eilis handed him a golden chalice filled with a clear liquor, Jamie drank the potent brew to the last dregs in a single swallow.

"By the Warrior what is this." Jamie said spluttering as the full effect of the potent brew hit him and made his head slightly dizzy.

" Compliments of the Sons of the Mist, apparently it's the traditional way to celebrate a great victory." Eilis said with a gleeful smile on his face. " It's called moonshine in the rest of Westeros and should not be drunk so fast. I was going to tell you that but you chugged the stuff before I could say a word."

" One of these days I am going to have your head mounted on a pike as a warning to all my other personal guard." Jamie said with slightly dark tone betrayed by the smile on his face. He was feeling alive at this very moment, the joy of surviving such things was then spoiled by the memory of how it all happened.

" To Mathias,Rowena,and Foluna." Jamie added, tipping the last drops in the golden chalice onto the ground.

"Well spoken Dragon."Gabrielle spoke coming up from behind them accompanied by Wora and Mycenae who lugged a boar between them. " Were in the name of the Warrior did you get that." Jamie asked with a clear amazement on his face.

"The Sons of the Mist brought it with them." Wora answered as he and Mycenae set up a spit and got the heavy animal over the cooking fire. " It is our gift to you brave Jamie, a symbol of the devotion we will show you." Gabrielle answered with a solemn smile. " After all I think it only right that we celebrate your great victory today."

Jamie was somewhat shocked, familiar as he was with the ways of the mountain clans he could never truly understand them. He had slain her husband and daughter, not mention a clans mate. All to add their numbers to his forces and here she was overseeing the preparation his victory feast. He then simply accepted as the norm. Life was harsh enough without wallowing in the misery of fate's fickleness. Although he had been doing just that quite a bit.