Chapter 132: The conflicts of godly men

Bip sharpened the edge of his axe with a whetstone while keeping an eye on the slumbering streets of Fleabottom. The streets were unlike the shit-stained, smelly streets he remembered. Green shrubs lined the sides of the streets with colourful flowers in between. The lords and knights no longer threw their shit in the streets of Fleabottom. The drain pipes were no longer broken; instead, the drains led straight to the sea.

There was now even a popular saying among the Fleabottom folks; Under Robert, shit flowed freely in the streets, but under Stannis, the shit flowed straight to the Blackwater.

With King Stannis' reign came the blessing of the Old Gods. The streets were destroyed by the great fire and quake that shattered much of the capital, but in the wake of that wave of destruction, new life surged forth under the watchful eyes of the Old Gods.

Bip was one of the lucky few to escape the carnage brought forth by the fire. He and his family managed to survive and escape the capital. They spent months outside the walls of the capital with empty stomachs, and when they were finally allowed back inside, they found nothing but burnt streets and ashes in place of their homes. The blackened lands of Fleabottom were uninhabitable for a long while despite the kings' men saying otherwise. Then the Weirwood trees sprung up on every street corner across the streets, healing the cursed lands. Diseases and misfortune stopped haunting their lives; instead, coin started coming into their hands, making them richer with full bellies and plentiful work in Stannis' reign.

Then, the Green Men, with the blessings of the Queen, brought the healing waters of Dragonstone and shared them with the smallfolk. The people no longer had to pay their hard-earned copper and silver to the greedy septons and septas for their useless prayers. The fat septons could no longer swindle the people as many took to the blessings of the Old Gods.

This was the start of the conflict between those who followed the Seven and the Old Gods.

Since then, the Green Men and the Septons leading the Poor Fellows were busy enforcing their influence across different streets of the city. Now, the situation only worsened with the death of the Hand.

Lord Arryn was the man who kept the peace on the streets when the Septons and the Green Men met on the streets. Now, the Septons accuse the Green Men of poisoning Lord Arryn, while the Green Men accuse the Septons of the deed.

Bip didn't care who was right. All he cared about was the Weirwood tree near his home. The tree only brought good fortune to his family and helped stave off the black curse that claimed many lives in the city. The green flames that burned the city brought with it a curse after it burned down everything. Anyone who tried to make a living where the green flames ravaged fell ill with the skin littered with blackened patches.

'It was the Weirwood trees that kept my folks safe from such fell curse.' Bip mused as he ground the edge of the blade of his axe using the whetstone.

Suddenly, he saw movement in the dark that made him sit up in alert. He stared at the darkened street from his spot above the roof of a house. He and a few like-minded people were standing guard over the Weirwood tree after some Septons tried to have a couple of trees cut in the southern parts of the city.

Bip carefully crept towards the roof's edge and dropped a stone to the bottom of the building. His friends, who were snoring away, awoke with a gasp when the stone fell on them.

"Get ready. Someone is approaching the tree." he whispered.

Bip climbed down from the roof and set himself against the building wall while watching for the movement in the dark. As he predicted, men were sneaking towards the Weirwood tree, hugging close to the shadows of the streets. Some of his friends sneaked around the block and positioned themselves to cut off the escape route of these heretics. He rushed towards the tree with his axe raised high at an unseen signal. The thugs who were trying to desecrate the abode of his gods never saw it coming. His first strike clipped one of the miscreants on the collarbone. The street echoed with the painful howl of his gods' enemies as he and his friends took care of the miscreants.

When the sun rose, they had the heretics strung up from the branches of the Weirwood tree. The inhabitants close to the street were gathered around the Weirwood tree to see the punishment dealt to the captured heretics. Some had already bled to death, with their blood freely flowing into the roots of the tree. The lucky few who were not mortally injured in the fight last night were still alive, but their fates were not any different. Those few lucky survivors were hung upside down from the branches of the Weirwood tree for the judgement of the Green Men.

The crowd parted when the leader of the Green Men came to visit.

Bip had only seen the Antlered One from afar, and it was his first time being so close to their leader. Unlike the previous High Septon, the Antlered One was not a fat pig, nor did he or any of the Green Men ask for coin from the faithful. The Green men also didn't demand children from the families to serve as the Poor Fellows and spend the rest of their lives as glorified beggars on the streets. Bip had a brother who was a Poor Fellow who died an unkind death in the streets as an urchin. It made it difficult for him to strike at the Poor Fellows, but he soldiered on in service for the good of the people and the will of the gods.

He shook those thoughts away and listened closely as the Antlered One spoke to the crowd.

"The gods, in their wisdom, gave me the visions showing the actions of heretics and their fell plans for the peaceful abodes of the Old Gods. These vile ignorant creatures want to destroy the peace and blessed lands the gods have gifted us just like the Andals desecrated the once peaceful lands of Westeros." The Antlered One spoke calmly, but his words reached all corners of the street.

Bip nodded at that as he knew the stories well enough, thanks to the wandering Green Men. The Andals had brought war and ruin to the shores of Westeros from Essos. These were outsiders like the sister fuckers who ruled them before, and they brought their wars into the peaceful lands of Westeros.

He looked earnestly at the Antlered One for more wisdom. The Antlered helmet gleamed under the rising sun, and he saw the green eyes of the Antlered One fall on him, making Bip self-conscious.

"My brothers of the Godsgrove Order have bravely bloodied their hands to protect our way of life and in service to the Old Gods. The gods see all through their abodes and they are ever thankful for your selfless service. Now, step forth, my brothers, so that the Old Gods may provide you with their blessings."

Bip proudly stepped forward and stood before the Antlered One. He felt like the green eyes of the Antlered One glow eerily green. There was a warm gentle breeze in the air, rustling the red leaves of the Weirwood tree. Then, the ground beneath them tore apart as the roots of the Weirwood tree surged out before their wide eyes.

Bip gasped in shock as the roots grew in length before his disbelieving eyes.

The Green Men, wearing the circlet of leaves on their brows, bowed low as they sang in an unfamiliar tongue. He watched with wide eyes as the Antlered One had one of his arms wrapped with a root vine from the tree.

"The Old Gods deem you worthy for your good deeds, my fellow brothers. For the act of protecting their abodes from harm, the gods gift you with weapons made of their divine being." The Antlered One proclaimed loudly.

The roots surged forth and grew into sharp wooden spears.

Bip took the offered spear with awe, and he felt a surge of warmth in his heart as his fingers wrapped around the sturdy weapon.

"In the hands of the righteous souls, no steel can break these weapons. In the hands of the brave, no foe shall best you in battle. The Old Gods have willed it so."

Bip was crying by the end of it, and he saw his family proudly looking at him from the crowd. He kept a tight grip on his emotions as the Antlered One congratulated them all one by one until, finally, it was Bip's turn.

"Brother, you are blessed with strong arms. The gods will call on you in time to fight their enemies. Be strong and be ready when the time comes." The Antlered One said, patting his shoulder in a friendly manner.

The next day, the Green Men came to his street, and he was offered the chance to fight against the heretics on Visenya's hill. He was all too happy to spill the blood of his enemies in the name of his gods.

***** 

Eddard watched Bran and Arya trying desperately to pick up the little wolf pups huddling in the corner of the training yard. Unfortunately for the two, the wolf pups remained close to their mother and refused to leave her side.

He'd have been concerned with the presence of a giant direwolf, but his son already had one docile enough to follow him around like a trained dog. These pups were born from his son's pet direwolf, and like Fenris, the pups seem to have taken a shine on his children. A white direwolf had taken a shine to Jon, and a smoke-grey direwolf was seen following around Robb. Even Sansa had taken a shine to a direwolf with golden eyes and grey fur.

He still had reservations about the mother wolf, a gigantic grey direwolf taking refuge in the woods close to the castle. But now that same wolf had taken up residence within the castle, the wild direwolf had shown itself to behave rather than fall into its wild nature.

The people of Winterfell had whispered the direwolf following around Harrion as a blessing from the Old Gods. He had dismissed it then, but now he was starting to think there was a certain wisdom in Old Nan's stories.

'Maybe my children are blessed by the gods.' Eddard mused.

He couldn't help but chuckle fondly as Arya managed to lure a direwolf pup from its mother's side using a sliver of meat.

"Are you sure letting our children so close to these creatures is a good idea?" Catelyn asked as she walked towards him and stood by his side to watch their children.

"The direwolf is on my banner." Eddard said shortly.

"The trout is House Tully's banner. You don't see me trying to jump into a lake and hold a court of trouts at the lake's bottom." Catelyn said with an unimpressed stare at him.

"I'm sure all the trouts in the North are disappointed they don't have you to lead them." Eddard said with a chuckle, but his wife was not amused.

"I just received a message from my sister."

Eddard raised a curious eyebrow at that.

"Your sister? How did this message arrive?" he asked curiously.

"A rider came last night sent by my sister. She claims the Queen murdered Jon Arryn, and the King has captured Lord Baelish to cover up the murder. She claims the King tried to have her and her son taken hostage, but they managed to escape from King's Landing."

Eddard couldn't help but stare incredulously at his wife.

"Are you certain this was a message sent by your sister?" Eddard asked, heavily suspicious of someone misusing the name of his sister's wife for their own ends.

"No, it's my sister's words. I know it so because Lysa used codes we used as children to convey secret messages."

"And, are these secret codes known by a childhood friend like Petyr Baelish?" Eddard suddenly asked, startling his wife.

"No." Catelyn shook her head negatively, "Why do you ask, Ned?"

Eddard didn't say anything and merely stared thoughtfully into the distance.

He hadn't told his wife about the involvement of Petyr Baelish in the pirate attacks the North was facing on their eastern shores. The problem with the Sistermen and all information related to the pirate problem was kept a secret on his orders and only known to a few trusted lords in the North. He didn't see any reason to share this with his wife even now. The last thing he wanted was for word to spread and a general clamour for war with the Sistermen could be called in the North.

In fact, he only saw this supposed secret message from Lysa Arryn as a ploy by Petyr Baelish. Either Lysa had fallen into a web of lies masterfully spun by Lord Baelish, or his wife's codes were not as secretive as she imagined.

Whatever the case, it'd seem to be a ploy to drive a wedge between House Stark and the Iron Throne. This also made him suspect similar attempts were being made with House Tully and House Arryn.

"What possible reason could your sister have to suspect the Queen would want to murder Jon Arryn? The man has served faithfully as the Hand of the King for years." Eddard asked instead of sharing his suspicions with his wife.

"Lysa writes about the Queen surrounding herself with religious fanatics called the Green Men dedicated to attacking those of the Faith in the capital."

Hearing that, Eddard couldn't help but stare incredulously at his wife, and his eyebrows climbed to his hairline in utter surprise.

"Green Men?" Eddard asked in disbelief.

"Yes. Supposedly, these men are miscreants styling themselves as priests of the Old Gods. They've been regularly getting into fights with the Septons and Poor Fellows in the capital."

"You think the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms is inflaming a religious conflict in the capital right under the nose of all the lords of the Seven Kingdoms?" he asked in disbelief.

"At least, that's what Lysa believes." said Catelyn.

"Your sister is grieving. She is not in a stable state of mind." he shook his head dismissively.

"You know there have been rumours about the Queen abandoning the Faith in favour of the Old Gods. There is some truth to Lysa's accusations." Catelyn argued.

"Your sister accused the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms of being involved in the death of Jon Arryn. I don't think those were the rumours now, is it?" Eddard asked with an unimpressed stare.

"So, you disbelieve my sister's words?" Catelyn asked, looking the least bit happy.

"She is a grieving widow, Cat." Eddard said with a sigh, "Tis only natural for her to blame someone for the tragedy, but let's not jump to accuse the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms over the word of a grieving woman. Perhaps you should write to her and invite her to stay with us for a while. Let her grieve properly in the comfort of family."

"Yes, that should be most comforting for Lysa in these trying times." Catelyn said thoughtfully after a pregnant pause.

"I'm sure the children will be excited to meet their cousin, and little Robert will be most enthused to spend some time with more family." Eddard added.

"Yes! Shall I write to Lysa?" Catelyn looked excited at the prospect of inviting her sister and nephew to the North.

"Do so, Cat." Eddard smiled until his wife happily appreciatively nodded and went in search of the maester.

The smile on Eddard's face melted away and he frowned thoughtfully into the distance.

'Perhaps, Harrion is right. These endless provocations must be answered with a swift campaign to purge the pirates regardless of the consequences.' Eddard mused.

He had so far dithered on taking action against the Sistermen for two reasons. One because of his trust in Jon Arryn to deal with the situation peacefully. Two, he owed his life to the late Lord Borell during the Rebellion. The man had given him refuge and helped him sail into the North safely, defying the orders of Aerys Targaryen.

At the same time, the Borrels were the Keepers of the Night Lamp. They were charged with guiding ships to safety from shoals and reefs surrounding Sweetsister. If pirates were given refuge in Sweetsister it was not without the knowledge of the current Godric Borrell. Now, with Jon Arryn's passing, the ability of the Eyrie to impress upon the Sistermen would only weaken and he feared the temerity of the Sistermen would only increase in the coming days.

****** 

(Lemon scene)

Nymeria whimpered against the pillow as Harry showered the length of her spine with kisses. Her skin burned under the sweet caress of his warm lips, going further up until a giggle escaped her lips when his lips pressed against the side of her neck. She bit her lips and closed her eyes in pleasure as Harry nibbled on her earlobe.

"Ahh!" Nymeria moaned as Harry suddenly slapped her ass.

The resounding clap echoed throughout the room, making her turn her head slightly to look at her lover out of the corner of her eyes.

"You asked for it." Harry muttered against her skin as he continued to shower the side of her neck with kisses.

"I know. More!" Nymeria said huskily.

"I'm going to miss you. Don't you think you can make up some excuse and stay for longer?" Harry whispered in between kisses as he climbed further up and started kissing her lips.

"I wish I could, but I need to return. Arianne is expecting me, as are my sisters." Nymeria whimpered in between intervals when their lips parted from each other.

"Mmm!" Nymeria moaned as Harry caught her hair in a vice grip and jerked back sharply just as his length sheathed itself in her warm folds.

Nymeria closed her eyes as her body burned with pleasure as Harry fully sheathed himself inside her repeatedly. Her body trembled with each push into her warm folds.

She just lay there and enjoyed herself as Harry ploughed her from behind. It was their last day together, and she wanted it to be a memorable experience. Suddenly, Harry stopped ploughing into her, and he snaked a hand into the underside of her breasts.

Nymeria gasped and found herself above Harry with her back against him. She turned around and saw in his eyes what he wanted from her. She happily mounted him and started slamming herself on his cock. She threw her head back and moaned as his cock repeatedly pushed inside deeper making her toes curl in pleasure.

She bit her lips and swallowed a moan as Harry's hands once again captured her breasts and allowed to fill his palms full of her bouncing tits. Her hands covered his, and smiled down at him as she increased the pace. Their combined moans and cries filled the room with the rhythmic creaking of the bed until, finally, their bodies peaked with pleasure.

(Lemon scene end)

Nymeria fell into his grasp with a gasp and nuzzled against his neck as her limbs lost strength when she tipped over. She let out a pleased purr as his arms wrapped around her body. They lay there like this, with Nymeria lying on top of her lover, trying to catch their breath.

Her ears suddenly picked up on a strange sound emanating from the room.

"What is that strange sound?" Nymeria muttered.

"Huh?" Harry muttered as he strained to look around. Nymeria to look at the vibrating mirror on his dressing table. "Ah, it's the mirror. Excuse me for a moment."

"A mirror?" Nymeria whined as she was forced to roll away and allow Harry to walk out of the bed.

She watched him curiously from the bed as he put on a ring from the table and placed it against the surface of the mirror.

"You should cover yourself." said Harry.

Nymeria stared at her lover oddly, as she knew he was not one to be shy with her. Not after all the times they spent tumbling in bed. So, despite the oddness of the request, she covered herself under the sheets. To her surprise, the vibrating mirror stopped shaking and an image of a man appeared on the mirror wearing a strangely shaped dark blue hat.

"Captain Nimpton."

"My apologies for disturbing you, my lord." Captain Nimpton nodded jerkily, "The fleet has positioned ourselves near the targets. What shall be your order?"

"Commence operation Breaksister."

"As you will, Lord Stark." Captain Nimpton said before the image disappeared and Harry's reflection returned to the mirror.

Nymeria couldn't help but gape at her lover as she stared at the mirror and then into Harry's smirking face.

"What was that?" she asked in wonder.

"That is a two-way mirror. It allows me to communicate with anyone who possess a charmed mirror." said Harry as he returned to bed.

"Truly! Do you think you can give me a mirror?" Nymeria asked excitedly as she thought of the advantages of owning such a mirror.

"You're unable to stay long without my presence, huh?" Harry asked with a smirk as he sneaked underneath the sheets and started kissing his way up her legs.

Nymeria moaned as she felt his warm lips tasting her skin all the way from her toes to her belly.

"Don't think yourself to be so high and mighty, Harrion. Consider it a privilege to have the opportunity to see my beauty and attention with those magic mirrors." Nymeria said haughtily with a sultry grin.

She felt like butterflies were flapping their wings in her stomach with every tender touch and kiss that landed on her body.

"Why would I consider it a privilege to talk to you through the mirror when I can do this?" Harry murmured against her lips as he climbed all the way and pecked her lips.

"Again?" Nymeria asked as she stared into her lover's stormy grey eyes, mirroring his passing in her eyes.

Harry's thumb traced the delicate contours of her cheek and smashed his lips against hers. They made love again and spent the last few hours of their time together in bed.

To read ahead of the update schedule; pat(r) eon. C (O) M/Dragonspectre.

For artwork related to the fic:

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