Post by Xavier Cross on Oct 16, 2013 15:51:08 GMT
It took less than a few days to gather the North. Under the banner of Cross, five hundred thousand trained men stood in line, another twenty thousand guards, and roughly fifty thousand sell swords lined up for battle. 570,000 men to enter the march, while Lord Diamond and his forces rode South, bypassing the Kane forces in the East, down to the Three Towers, the same place where Princess Fox was being held. It was now Ser Awesome’s land.
However, a crow carrying a message came early in the morning. As Diamond was prepared to leave for his quest, he met with Lord Cross in the Northern Throne Room.
“They caught him...Joseph Everyman…”
“What? What the hell could that fool be up to now?”
“Said he was trying to rally the people in our former King’s cause. Verona wasn’t having any of it. His execution will be public within the next fortnight.”
“That changes things….you’ll head by sea Lord Diamond, through the Iron Isles down the coast line. It’ll make for faster travel. Leave your wisest man there, and try to negociate with the Ironborns. We’ll need their ships. I will take the Northern forces and move South. I will send word to The Reckless One, and see which side he will follow, his brother, or his former squire…”
“You’ll have to travel through the Twins…”
“I know….I know...that bastard De Monte…”
“How will you convince him to let you pass?”
“I need not to only pass Rob, I need to make him an alley. If I can control the Twins, I control the main waterways. I can begin cutting off trade lines to King’s Landing….”
“You know that rat bastard will want to marry into the family. He has more daughters than I’ve had wives.”
The two share a chuckle, as Xavier steps towards the window.
“This will be a greater battle than Adam’s...three powers. Verona controlling the gold. Spike has amassed a large army...but none of them have the mind I do…”
Rob crosses, leaning against the wall.
“Rumors say that Adam has taken over the riders of the Free Cities...the men that can fire arrows from horse back, in any direction…”
“But in hand to hand? On the battlefield? Though it makes an interesting tactic...Adam will want his throne…”
Xavier puts his head down.
“No one expected you to enter the fray. Spike hoped Blade would end your life, sending the North into chaos. More than likely send Blade’s head back to Zelda, and make a rough shot alliance…”
“Then he has underestimated me once, his downfall will come if he tries that again…”
Cross eyes Diamond for a moment.
“Your boy...how old was he?”
“Just sixteen. My eldest...my heir...killed in his sleep…”
“Then they have underestimated you. They took your blood, you will have his head.”
“Every last one of those bastards…”
“And Verona? He hasn’t made a move. Amassing forces. He has his plans...hiding behind those gates has made him weak.”
“Weak? Do you dare to underestimate him? He has hundreds of thousands trained forces, the king’s guard, and the best alchemist guild in the Realm…”
“You believe he plans to use Wildfire?”
“I believe he plans to squash this rebellion and show his strength. This time the Iron Bank does not support, only watches. Though the Verona’s have their hands on every single gold piece in the Realm.”
“I fear a real dragon, as opposed to a golden one.”
The two share another laugh, before the door bursts open. Maester Doug, breathing heavily.
“Mountain Tribes! United under the Kane banner have moved from the Blood Gates to Greywater Watch!”
Cross turns, still calm.
“Ah, he makes his first move. Hiring the tribesmen to slow us down...I will show him he Force of the North. The snow will melt with the blood of savages…”
Diamond raises his brow.
“We make our moves now. Take your forces down the coastline. Offer Ser Awesome all the gold he wants, whatever men he needs. Get him the fastest ship, send him my seal to Adam. The time for war is now.”
Diamond nods, taking the seal from Cross, before exiting. Maester Doug looks up at him.
“M’lord…”
“Maester. Send for my son, Landon, he will ride with me. While I am gone, tell Ja-Qon to keep Lady Zelda under close guard. The North will not be safe if something happens to her...and I doubt my enemies would want to enrage me more than I am already. Alas, I cannot take any chances. When you summon Landon, talk to Ser Machado. Tell him to assemble our forces. We move to Greywater soon.”
Ser Michael Machado of Dorne, the largest man in the realm, as dangerous as he was funny. They say over the howls of battle, you can hear his laughter. A strange man, but a strong ally.
Cross turns, picking up his greatsword, Phoenix attaching it to his belt. His calm look stretches through the window, to the South.
War was coming.
“We’ll march lines of twenty by six. Twenty in the front, six to back, have our archers in the back lines. We’ll amass ten rows, and march down towards the Watch. Once the tribesmen are in firing distance, let loose our arrows and block out the sun.”
Cross stands solemnly, his eldest son of 17, Landon stands close behind him. We see the Mountain Mike Machado leaned against a wall, the commanders of their units standing amongst them.
“I assume as we get to the heaviest of wooded areas they will start ambushing. If this occurs, we’ll ride rush our Cavalry down. Engage them, rush them. We will sandwich their ambushes between shields and swords…”
Cross slams his fist against the table.
“Lord Kane has sent these savages to test us! He thinks so lowly of the north, of you and your families, to send savages to slaughter us….However, he’s done us a favor. The Tribesmen plague our cousins to the east, we shall slaughter them and gain an ally. Tell your men, the snow will run red with blood. That I do not want a single casualty on our side in this march. We our soldiers, knights, and lords of these lands. This is our home. We shall not let out blood flow against such a lowly foe.”
Cross folds his arms.
“Ser Machado will lead the front lines. I will the center, keeping everyone organized. My son Landon will take the rear guard, and be in charge of sending men forward on my command. Ser Alex Jones will take the right flank, Ser Burns will be in command of the left. We make our march in a few moments, go. Prepare your troops.”
“Kill! Then Rape!”
Cross looks over at Machado, his heavily armored arm raised in the air, his battle cry chanted.
“You are a mad son of a bitch, I’m glad you’re on our side…”
Cross laughs a bit, as his leaders exit, turning to his son.
“When we reach the twins, you will come with me. More than likely, I will find you a wife, and ourselves an alliance. You are the heir to the North my boy. This is time you learn the other side of diplomacy…”
“Political Marriages?”
“Sadly. I married your mother not out of love, but to affirm my alliance to your Uncle Adam. Though I grew to love her, it was just how the fates held. The tides of this war, and the future of the North depend on you son. I hope you understand.”
“I do father. I do…”
Landon bows his head before heading out. Cross stands there for a moment, heavily armored in most parts of his chest, his cloak of black fur, greatsword laid to the side. Even though the cold steel wrapped around his chest, her could feel her fingers.
“Zelda…”
He smiled, turning to her.
“It has been a while since you were in charge. The North is under your command until my return…”
She reaches up, brushing his face.
“End this war soon my love. Bring my brother home…”
Cross smiles, leaning down to her warm lips.
“I will my lady. I will return to you the crown, and we shall rule the realm as King and Queen…”
She smiles a bit, the Knite pride shining through her. Though she had learned the Cross toughness. Xavier holds her face in his bare hand one last time, before exiting the Keep, looking at his vast army, before removing his sword, holding it high in the air.
The soldiers let out howls of wolves, as Cross mounts his horse, a large black wolf lumbering beside him.
“Ah, Herschel...I was afraid winter had taken you…”
The wolf looks up at him, titing his head.
“Stay here...protect our family, our home…”
The wolf howls, acknowledging his master’s request, running to the steps, where Zelda and his children, minus Landon who was marching with the forces, they stood there, calm as ever. Except the baby, Adam, who was sobbing into his mother’s leg. A smile came across Xavier’s face as he spurred his horse forward.
War had begun.
However, a crow carrying a message came early in the morning. As Diamond was prepared to leave for his quest, he met with Lord Cross in the Northern Throne Room.
“They caught him...Joseph Everyman…”
“What? What the hell could that fool be up to now?”
“Said he was trying to rally the people in our former King’s cause. Verona wasn’t having any of it. His execution will be public within the next fortnight.”
“That changes things….you’ll head by sea Lord Diamond, through the Iron Isles down the coast line. It’ll make for faster travel. Leave your wisest man there, and try to negociate with the Ironborns. We’ll need their ships. I will take the Northern forces and move South. I will send word to The Reckless One, and see which side he will follow, his brother, or his former squire…”
“You’ll have to travel through the Twins…”
“I know….I know...that bastard De Monte…”
“How will you convince him to let you pass?”
“I need not to only pass Rob, I need to make him an alley. If I can control the Twins, I control the main waterways. I can begin cutting off trade lines to King’s Landing….”
“You know that rat bastard will want to marry into the family. He has more daughters than I’ve had wives.”
The two share a chuckle, as Xavier steps towards the window.
“This will be a greater battle than Adam’s...three powers. Verona controlling the gold. Spike has amassed a large army...but none of them have the mind I do…”
Rob crosses, leaning against the wall.
“Rumors say that Adam has taken over the riders of the Free Cities...the men that can fire arrows from horse back, in any direction…”
“But in hand to hand? On the battlefield? Though it makes an interesting tactic...Adam will want his throne…”
Xavier puts his head down.
“No one expected you to enter the fray. Spike hoped Blade would end your life, sending the North into chaos. More than likely send Blade’s head back to Zelda, and make a rough shot alliance…”
“Then he has underestimated me once, his downfall will come if he tries that again…”
Cross eyes Diamond for a moment.
“Your boy...how old was he?”
“Just sixteen. My eldest...my heir...killed in his sleep…”
“Then they have underestimated you. They took your blood, you will have his head.”
“Every last one of those bastards…”
“And Verona? He hasn’t made a move. Amassing forces. He has his plans...hiding behind those gates has made him weak.”
“Weak? Do you dare to underestimate him? He has hundreds of thousands trained forces, the king’s guard, and the best alchemist guild in the Realm…”
“You believe he plans to use Wildfire?”
“I believe he plans to squash this rebellion and show his strength. This time the Iron Bank does not support, only watches. Though the Verona’s have their hands on every single gold piece in the Realm.”
“I fear a real dragon, as opposed to a golden one.”
The two share another laugh, before the door bursts open. Maester Doug, breathing heavily.
“Mountain Tribes! United under the Kane banner have moved from the Blood Gates to Greywater Watch!”
Cross turns, still calm.
“Ah, he makes his first move. Hiring the tribesmen to slow us down...I will show him he Force of the North. The snow will melt with the blood of savages…”
Diamond raises his brow.
“We make our moves now. Take your forces down the coastline. Offer Ser Awesome all the gold he wants, whatever men he needs. Get him the fastest ship, send him my seal to Adam. The time for war is now.”
Diamond nods, taking the seal from Cross, before exiting. Maester Doug looks up at him.
“M’lord…”
“Maester. Send for my son, Landon, he will ride with me. While I am gone, tell Ja-Qon to keep Lady Zelda under close guard. The North will not be safe if something happens to her...and I doubt my enemies would want to enrage me more than I am already. Alas, I cannot take any chances. When you summon Landon, talk to Ser Machado. Tell him to assemble our forces. We move to Greywater soon.”
Ser Michael Machado of Dorne, the largest man in the realm, as dangerous as he was funny. They say over the howls of battle, you can hear his laughter. A strange man, but a strong ally.
Cross turns, picking up his greatsword, Phoenix attaching it to his belt. His calm look stretches through the window, to the South.
War was coming.
******
I found myself in an interesting position. I can become the first man to hold two singles titles at the same time in IWF history. I can make a tremendous push towards my inevitable Hall of Fame ballot. There are many things that can come from defeating Ryan Blade.
Awards.
Money.
Pride.
Alas, I do not want any of those Ryan.
I gave you everything. I trusted you. I took you under my wing, I wanted to show you the road, knowing where I fell off, I could keep you on track. But you could not see it. You’re blinded by ambition, by pride. What do you plan to do now? Align yourself with Spike and the Empire? Perhaps your greatest challenge thus far comes against me. But where are your plans later? Will Spike remain champion? If you go under his watch...you become a coward.
When I took you as my apprentice, I never wanted to hand you anything. Only be a whisper in your ear, a friend when times got too tough, a partner to never leave your side, or stop watching your back. I gave you my trust. I gave you my friendship. You turned your back on me, you spit on the hand I outstretched.
I knew you were never happy with the decisions, you were forced into this. You became too big for your britches. Most kids at your age would have staggered through the success and fame. Go out, and blow money like it was a simple tumbleweed. But you are different Blade. You’ve had to struggle your entire life. You’ve had the weight of the world on your shoulders since you could barely stand. But you’ve overcame it all, and you stand here, one of the most successful rookies in the history of this business.
I wanted to help you with that burden Ryan. I wanted to make it a little easier.
You would never fall into the pitfalls anyone else was, you were different Ryan…
YOU WERE THE CHOSEN ONE! You were going to change this business...but I cannot allow you to continue down this path. I cannot allow you to get away with what you’ve done.
One of the greatest mistakes I made in my career was turning my back on my friends. I am lucky to still count some of them still with me. You’ve made the first real mistake of your career Ryan, not in the ring, but outside. But you’re your own man, you are capable of making your own mistakes, but you also have to bear the weight of the consequences. I will take everything from you.
******
“We’ll march lines of twenty by six. Twenty in the front, six to back, have our archers in the back lines. We’ll amass ten rows, and march down towards the Watch. Once the tribesmen are in firing distance, let loose our arrows and block out the sun.”
Cross stands solemnly, his eldest son of 17, Landon stands close behind him. We see the Mountain Mike Machado leaned against a wall, the commanders of their units standing amongst them.
“I assume as we get to the heaviest of wooded areas they will start ambushing. If this occurs, we’ll ride rush our Cavalry down. Engage them, rush them. We will sandwich their ambushes between shields and swords…”
Cross slams his fist against the table.
“Lord Kane has sent these savages to test us! He thinks so lowly of the north, of you and your families, to send savages to slaughter us….However, he’s done us a favor. The Tribesmen plague our cousins to the east, we shall slaughter them and gain an ally. Tell your men, the snow will run red with blood. That I do not want a single casualty on our side in this march. We our soldiers, knights, and lords of these lands. This is our home. We shall not let out blood flow against such a lowly foe.”
Cross folds his arms.
“Ser Machado will lead the front lines. I will the center, keeping everyone organized. My son Landon will take the rear guard, and be in charge of sending men forward on my command. Ser Alex Jones will take the right flank, Ser Burns will be in command of the left. We make our march in a few moments, go. Prepare your troops.”
“Kill! Then Rape!”
Cross looks over at Machado, his heavily armored arm raised in the air, his battle cry chanted.
“You are a mad son of a bitch, I’m glad you’re on our side…”
Cross laughs a bit, as his leaders exit, turning to his son.
“When we reach the twins, you will come with me. More than likely, I will find you a wife, and ourselves an alliance. You are the heir to the North my boy. This is time you learn the other side of diplomacy…”
“Political Marriages?”
“Sadly. I married your mother not out of love, but to affirm my alliance to your Uncle Adam. Though I grew to love her, it was just how the fates held. The tides of this war, and the future of the North depend on you son. I hope you understand.”
“I do father. I do…”
Landon bows his head before heading out. Cross stands there for a moment, heavily armored in most parts of his chest, his cloak of black fur, greatsword laid to the side. Even though the cold steel wrapped around his chest, her could feel her fingers.
“Zelda…”
He smiled, turning to her.
“It has been a while since you were in charge. The North is under your command until my return…”
She reaches up, brushing his face.
“End this war soon my love. Bring my brother home…”
Cross smiles, leaning down to her warm lips.
“I will my lady. I will return to you the crown, and we shall rule the realm as King and Queen…”
She smiles a bit, the Knite pride shining through her. Though she had learned the Cross toughness. Xavier holds her face in his bare hand one last time, before exiting the Keep, looking at his vast army, before removing his sword, holding it high in the air.
“We march! To glory. To victory. To the Death of those who oppose of. Let them taste our cold steel, and show them, that a Wolf is nothing to be taunted, the North is nothing to be underestimated. That you are men of the north, the blood of the first men run through us. That we are the true rulers of this realm! Ride for your families, for your jobs, for your home! For your pride! For yourself! For your Lord Cross! I will ride beside you all. I will stand at your back, clutching my sword, as we watch our enemies fall to our feet. We march!”
The soldiers let out howls of wolves, as Cross mounts his horse, a large black wolf lumbering beside him.
“Ah, Herschel...I was afraid winter had taken you…”
The wolf looks up at him, titing his head.
“Stay here...protect our family, our home…”
The wolf howls, acknowledging his master’s request, running to the steps, where Zelda and his children, minus Landon who was marching with the forces, they stood there, calm as ever. Except the baby, Adam, who was sobbing into his mother’s leg. A smile came across Xavier’s face as he spurred his horse forward.
War had begun.
Well howdy there pardner.