Snippet #1500458

Jamie smiled, a true smile pale and ghostly as it may be as Nuala came to sit down beside him. Upon her request to try the so called moonshine his golden chalice had been refilled with the Winsler nobleman sent for another cup that was in the wildling's hands. Sipping from the potent brew, now that he knew it's strong nature, the Dragon only listened to Nuala's words in grateful silence. Sparse though they might be the were high praise indeed, did she truly know what he felt about her. That was one question he longed to ask but now did not seem the time. Now was a time to let his army enjoy the fruits of his victory today, for one could only use words so long. All the proud speeches and chest thumping meant little to Knights who soiled their honor as raiders, it did not win the service of sellswords, nor convince mountain clans to side with him. Actions and not words were what won the hearts and minds of people no matter their beliefs.


We can not know what tomorrow brings, but at least tonight we can live and enjoy ourselves. Jamie thought with a melancholic joy that went down to his very bones. He knew all too well what tomorrow would bring, battle and more bloodshed. More burnt crops and refugees streaming towards King's Landing.

But the stewing in his own thoughts seemed like such an ill omened past time, given the presence of one of the few people truly loyal to him and not his deeds or name. She may have been brash to others but to Jamie her indomitable will and gentle chiding were exactly the thing he needed to keep himself from mulling in the disgrace forced upon him by both his actions and military necessity. Besides the conversation between Nuala and what could only be another of the sellswords under his employ was quite the sight. Made only the more entertaining by said sellsword ending up with a broken nose.

"I must say my entrancing Nuala that you were rather hard on him. Sellswords don't grow like apples to be plucked when one is hungry." He spoke with a laugh and a sip of the potent clear liquor in his chalice. It really was quite strong and already he could feel the intoxication of it affecting his thoughts. Did I just call Nuala entrancing. He worried for a second then decided it did not matter. Throwing back the golden chalice he drained the thing for the second time. " By the Warrior you lot make a fine brew." He said with a bow to his newest allies, the Sons of the Mist clapped his draining of two chalices of their victory drink.

Alright he really was drunk, Jamie knew there was no denying it and his thoughts were becoming increasingly muddled. But maybe the bottom of a bottle was the way to stop thinking about the thrice accursed disgrace of raiding. He briefly considered having the golden chalice filled a third time then decided his wit was already suffering enough. Instead he sat back down, this time a little closer to Nuala then he was before.

" Now who is the one drinking on the job." Eilis said with a laugh as he sipped from his own cup of moonshine.

Jamie smiled a little, suddenly not feeling so tired after all. Even the bloody arm had stopped bothering him, though he was still vaguely aware of the discomfort of moving it." I must say Nuala that if you ever get the urge to hit me, please warn me. I'd like a chance to hide." He added laughing as he watched the sellsword who despite his bleeding nose was joining in on the laughing even as Aron who had scurried over attended to him.

There really was no deny it now, the potent drink he had so carelessly chugged back was going straight to his head. Then again Jamie while appreciating a fine wine had never been one to indulge in drinking all that often. " Fetch mine harp." Jamie ordered to no one in particular as he stared at the empty bottom of his golden chalice tempted to ordered it refilled.

Eilis himself fetched Jamie's harp from Warrior's saddlebags and presented to the somewhat intoxicated nobleman. Gently holding the instrument in the crook of his arm Jamie played upon it's strings. His fingers despite his muddled head moved deftly amongst it's strings as. The notes rang out clear and sweetly as he began to sing. His voice holding a fine tenor tone which surprised Eilis as he did not know Jamie could sing. Then again neither did Jamie, this was the first time he had tired such things. Perhaps it was the moonshine talking or just his pent up feelings but it was a love song he sung, one well known to the Knights amongst them.



" Well played blondie." Mycenae replied after the last notes had rung in the air. " A bard king to lead us into battle, what a song that would make." She added with a laugh as she sipped back a deep red wine, not caring for the moonshine brewed by the Sons of the Mist.

" Indeed, he who conquered through song and verse and songmakers curse. A man who flowed through his enemies like the notes of a harp through the air." Eilis replied to Mycenae's jest with a smile and a laugh.

It was such an odd scene to the Winsler nobleman. Despite his drunk frame of mind Jamie could not but help to think of the three people who he had killed today. The feel of their flesh giving way beneath the keen edge of Memory. He laid a hand upon that valyrian blade belted upon his hips. Memory was a blade that had served him well in all the years he had worn it. It had never failed him and had saved his life many time by sheer fact of it's valyrian steel nature. Jamie then considered the fact his hands were not the first to wield this blade in battle. It had likely known a thousand wielders before Jamie and would likely know countless others after his corpse was buried and his memory forgotten. Long after this war was committed to the history books Memory would live on in another's hands. Jamie tired to picture the sheer number of people who had this fine sword before him. Images of Knights atop dragonback flashed in his mind, warriors defending their homes, less scrupulous men using it's keen edge to dispose of rivals. No doubt this blade had seen a lot, it's history a blood stained one, just as Jamie's life was becoming blood stained. He also wondered at the various names the blade had borne in it's long history.

" Nuala the dawn comes soon, when we must face it's light and be judged on our deeds. I wonder how the gods will Judge me when my time finally comes." Jamie wondered aloud to the object of his feelings. No doubt she thought his words the result of the drink flowing in his veins. But Jamie did truly wonder how he would be judged. He knew his enemy nothing more the craven dogs deserving their fate. But a lot of innocent people were being hurt by his revenge." My enemies hide behind their men so that I needs slaughter them. I must make widows and orphans to satisfy my lust for Damian blood. But no closer am I to my goal despite the blood that flows around my feet. How many more must fall before my blade so that they are brought within it's range. How many more must I kill before I can rest."

Once more that half-sad smile lit his features as those around him went about their feasting and drinking. At times like these he was glad for Nuala's presence. Her pragmatism kept him balanced and centered even as the demons of his thoughts tired their best to drive him mad. Jamie wondered briefly if this was the same thing his father was suffering through. And if so why had he been so harsh on the old man. " Such sad thoughts for a victory feast but I can not help it Nuala, the wine and food turns to ashes in my mouth. I suppose I should sleep for the dawn will come all too quickly. Perhaps in it's light I can face it's judgement. At least with you by my side life does not seem so bad."