The year is 286 AC. King Jaehaerys II has just passed, leaving the throne without a rightful ruler. While his three children fight for the crown, Winter creeps closer, and unimaginable darkness looms.
Not all alliances will be so typical this time. In fact, many people have a crucial effect on the way this story is told. As for the ending, we only hope there are enough people left alive to tell it after its passed.
Events
Join us for our first event, the wake of recently deceased King Jaehaerys II.
Updates
AUG. 19: So we are now officially open to the public. We have a mini-event flashback thread going on, and our main event just began. Feel free to make a second canon if you can keep both of them active enough.
Don't hesitate in pestering staff with questions; it's what we're here for! Let's raise a glass and make a cheer toward a successful launch of Winds of Winter.
“Lady reliable,” moon-kissed eyes distanced themselves from Ashe’s back and leveled on the massive wolf to their side. Her reception was forthcoming as narrow orbs lessened in intensity and a softy curl of lips forged the features of Scarlett’s face. Normally stoic and protective --- akin to any mother – moment’s clarity and admiration often took the creature from her natural habit of rigidity, revealing a more jovial aura.
Patting the direwolf with his off-hand as the beast stood as tall as the horses themselves, Jeren remained in secondary sight. The more his sister talked of terrors from their parents, the more her brother smiled in understanding. “Father rarely allowed me to venture this far beyond Winterfell with an escort at your age,” nuzzling the palm of his hands, Scar merely listened as her body moved with her sires. “I can only imagine the repercussions he’d implement if he found his only daughter so vulnerable in the open north,” His charming tone and casual words betrayed the alert his mind’s eyes took. An enemy could linger behind any tree, hide within the veil of snow or stalk from above. Safety was an illusion the further anyone moved from Winterfell.
Scarlett was the only direwolf that dwelled north and her love for humans wasn’t shared. While the Wall safeguarded the realm from the bulk of wildlings, nothing was absolute as a few traveled south on occasion by unknown means. Raiders – akin to the ironborn – were wolves in sheep clothing, attacking all trhey deemed weak. The allure of snow and ice was but a single side; many tried to neglect the rigid cold of the human heart that inversed such divine beauty.
“Luckily I’m here – I’ll be your knight, my lady” an idiom he often frequented during their youth. Ashe would always be his queen, and he – her knight.
Last Edit: Sept 21, 2017 12:49:10 GMT by JEREN STARK
Pouted lips were her response, unsure if the title was meant to be a compliment or a jest. The wood grew closer, the first of the many trees greeting their approach. Trusted steeds took both wolves down a well worn path, beneath the outstretched fingers of young evergreens.
"He wouldn't even allow me past the gates." She complained revealing more about the nature of her temporary escapades. "It's dangerous. It's chilly. You have to study. It was often one or the other." Though the truth of it lay more in her lack of timing, often finding herself well and healthy when their father would either be away, dealing with politics her dear brother was too young to face at the time. "Though... he did take me out on a ride once. I think it was the first time I saw the wolfswood up close." A fairly distant memory, on intact for it's uniqueness.
Snow had painted the landscape white and sky painted gray. Life moved slowly on that day, coming to a crawl as people chose to rest within the warmth of their hearths. It had granted the lord reprieve from his work, enough to spend time with his youngest pup. How the day had gone was a blur to her, but the highlight of it stayed as clear as it had been many years ago. Mounted upon her father's horse and sharing the warmth of his coat. He'd taken her past the walls for a quick ride. As they reached a peak which over looked the wood and the keep, snow began to fall, and a wide eyed pup was drawn to the beauty of the dancing crystals, which would later etch the memory in her heart. It was simple moments like that that had endeared her to her sire. And why it pained her to be so distant with him.
"I made sure to be careful while I was out.. They didn't really last long. I did get caught a number of times in my first attempts to sneak out... I think it was the first time I'd seen mother so angry..." She shuddered. Once or twice, a young Ashe had tried to venture past the wall. Once on Scarlet's back. Another on a pony who scared far too easily. It was the latter that had earned her a stern sermon from her mother. Things had gone well that day. Men had gone hunting leaving the stables almost empty. It made it easier for Ashe to sneak out with an unbroken pony. It had stayed calm for the longest time, until it reared it's hooves into the air, throwing the young Stark off it's back, startled by the arrival of the dire wolf who had run ahead of the hunting party, drawn to what she had thought was easy prey. She'd been prohibited to come near a horse for many moons after that.
Ashe reached to scratch behind the wolf's ear, granting it the attention of two of it's charge. She loved the beast, and owed her for her safety over the years. Ashe used to sneak out all on her own, away from the wolf's knowing, often failing and getting caught. It was only when she'd welcomed her guardian's presence that she'd been able to sneak away more successfully, counting upon the beast to warn her of any danger, always the first to nip at the heels of Ashe's mount to guide the girl back to safety when she sensed the slightest danger. It was also thanks to her that Ashe did not get lost when she dared to venture into the wood all on her own for the first and the last time.
"Very well Ser Jeren. I shall count on you and your sword to keep me safe." With little more than a grin, Ashe kicked the sides of her horse and had her galloping ahead, prompting Scarlet to follow after the girl, easily running ahead and breaking away from the path and beneath the shade of the trees. Branches broke and leaves crackled beneath the horse's feet as she followed Scar deeper still, the noise of her gait easily scaring off any would be predator- or alerting any ill-hearted man who'd chance upon them. With luck and blessing however, the trees broke away, and her mare came to a halt. Before her were twin creeks crossing before the roots of a weirwood tree. One of the many which grew scattered in the forest. Ashe dismounted and led the horse to drink , before turning to her brother with a happy smile. "I'd like to think it's my own special place, but this is only the second time I've been here."
Approaching the silver haired wolf, Scar nudged the girl, as though asking to be credited for the discovery- to which Ashe did, as she wrapped her arms around the wolf's head, stroking it's muzzle with a soft chuckle. "And of course, I wouldn't have been able to find this place if Scar hadn't led the way."
Last Edit: Sept 21, 2017 16:41:47 GMT by Ashe Tully
No sooner had she knighted her brother, Ashe vanished into the distant greenery.
“Ha!” clicking the sides of his boots against the thick body of the horse, Jeren braced himself for the Godspeed to follow. A single burst echoed as the animal erupted into full sprint, penetrating the thickness of the north’s forest behind his sister, and well beyond the sight of Scarlett who darted ahead.
Loud thuds and cracked branches caroled the song of their adventurous race as the three wolves raced towards Ashe’s paradiso. Ahead foretold unknown tales and Jeren, being the inquisitive mind that he was, visited such curiosity in his mind. His sister normally spent her days locked away in the infirmaries or her room. Unaware of when her ailment would break. She was more often sick than not so escapades as a family were as fragmented as shattered glass. In truth, the boy knew little of how she spent her time when she was bedridden. It went without saying any location one sought refuge in reflected their soul. Jeren was intrigued to view his sister’s soul upon their arrival.
As the hores settled in pace and Scarlett reviewed herself, Jeren smiled softly. “This place is beautiful,” dismounting, the elder Stark guided his steed behind the guidance of Ashe, mirroring her actions as golden eyes continued to inspect their new terrain.
“Rare to see such beauty so far North,” While the two of them knew the uniqueness that their motherland held, there was something about this place that echoed more beauteous sentiments.
Last Edit: Sept 27, 2017 12:58:17 GMT by JEREN STARK
Pallid fingers danced upon the dire wolf's muzzle with gentle strokes, her touch urging the wolf to stay her advances. With Scarlet taking her place by the horses and enjoying the cool waters flowing before the wood above, the young wolf was free to return to her brother's side, her lips curled into a playful smile.
"While one rests in the heart of Winterfell, I strangely find this place much more magical. Though I think it's only because there's some thrill in rising into the unknown rather than tip toeing into your very own backyard." She chuckled, thinking of the godswood found within the walls of their home, admittedly larger and more spacious than the little haven they had found themselves in, but it's familiarity had rubbed off some of it's charm.
"I would have loved for Ayden to come with us and fish until the moon rises." She paused and turned to Jeren with soft eyes, mirroring the warmth she felt with his presence in her soul. "A time for just the three of us. Much like the old times." A simple wish. The greatest parting gift she could ask from her beloved siblings.
“Ayden would be scared of the fish,” a soft laughter complimented the polished truth that slipped through once pursed lips.
As if bred from worrisome cloth, Ayden exemplified the polar opposition of his elder brother. Many memories came to mind when adventuring deeper into their past as the three spent many moons together in harmony. Nonetheless, siphoning threw those same memories to find moments of bravery in the middle child was scarcer than dragon’s glass. A production of his upbringing, Ayden was asked to be Ashe’s nurturer whereas Jeren was deemed her protector. He reflected sentiments of their mother when it came to the youngest’s wellbeing, but the gene of a true lioness was lost on him. Ayden simply didn’t possess the same aggression any of the Stark’s had. Jeren would have been surprised if the middle cub could produce even a purr. Still, he a decent soul and lived only for the longevity of his people and possessed a heart more suited for leading as his compassion was unrivaled. An underlining fact woven into this reality remained, nonetheless:
Jeren lived without fear. Ashe, without hate. And Ayden, he lived without courage.
“Ayden is probably tending to the people of your parties anyways,” he exclaimed as Ashe moved to his side. Without hesitation, the boy’s hand reached to take ahold of his sister’s, hoping to interlock fingers as his smile remained dominant.
“I hope the company of Scarlett and myself would suffice, at least for now,”
Last Edit: Sept 27, 2017 13:45:36 GMT by JEREN STARK
There was truth in his words, albeit exaggerated... Was it?
Gentler than even the youngest. Compassionate, loving and the purest among the three. Ayden was far too precious where even his sister had a callous heart. But it was due to him that she'd grown with kindness. Her frost dwarfed by the tenderness in his heart. Where Jeren taught her bravery. It was Ayden who taught her compassion. And his constant presence by her side only solidified the virtue within. The gods had most definitely blessed her with good brothers. She could only hope she'd been a good sister in return over the years they'd spent together.
"I feel awful to think we'd leave him to that task all on his own." Fingers twining with his, a gentle but firm grip was her sole affirmation to her gratefulness for his presence. "But I'm sure he'll be fine. It is Ayden after all."
Casting a glance at Jeren and at Scarlett, the surrounding wood seemed to gain a brilliance not present in prior visits, nor in the north in general. "It is more than I could ask for Jeren. Thank you brother." Long snowkissed lashes fell over ruby pools as Ashe rested her head once more against her brother's shoulder, content.
“He’s the heartbeat to most parties,” Jeren concluded.
Where his charisma inspired certain sentiments in the souls of many women, his somewhat inflated personality didn’t sit well with those of his same gender. Ashe was a warm homebody who truly could move the entire mood of a room with her smile. Still, the confidence she found so scarce at time prevented many from seeing her true self. Nonetheless, Ayden held both of their strongest qualities and few of their flaws. He was an arbitrator unlike any the North had seen in quite some time, as if a mirror reflection of their parents in a more youthful vessel. His patience with Ashe had taught him to exercise such tolerance with others, which allowed him to thrive in such environs.
They’d walk forward, head to shoulder as the youngest cub rested her snow-kissed locks upon the cloak that warmed the heir. These moments of silence and total peace were far and few in-between; coupled with her departure in the coming moons, Jeren would hold on to such elements as long as he could.
“What are you most excited about when you leave for Riverrun?” It wouldn’t take much to assume what she wouldn’t enjoy, nonetheless, the shadows were only known as such when compared to the light. Jeren was confident there was something she was looking forward to. Him personally, the thought of their food was the foremost thought.
Last Edit: Oct 2, 2017 14:24:03 GMT by JEREN STARK
It almost felt like a dream sharing her favorite spot with even just one of her brothers. Even Ayden whom she'd spent the most time with was slowly taken away from her by his own set of responsibilities. So to find herself with even one of them, most especially Jeren felt far too much like a fragile dream that could fade away at the slightest disturbance.
Oh how she wished she wouldn't wake from it.
And then there it was. Riverrun. Roused from her peace against his shoulder, her long lashes parted to cast her soft gaze against the clear water. Riverrun... A land of rivers and marsh. Greener than the plains that stretched from north to south beyond the walls of Winterfell and far warmer than their current climate. "The blue sky. The rocky riverbed. A field of roses perhaps?" She added in jest as she sought for anything that could excite.
A long pause followed after before she'd speak again. "A chance." She would finally add.
A chance to prove herself? A chance to grow beyond the watchful eye of her kin. A chance to become a person far better than who she was now, timid, scared. She was skilled in hiding behind appearances, but was quick to fall back upon her true nature once out of sight. She was impulsive, and far too quick to act when her emotions ran too high. Though it had changed over the years, she was still prone to small acts spurred on my guilt or anger. Maybe it was a chance for her to grow out of it.
"A chance to ride across the surrounding land, and maybe... hmmm... maybe people will be a little more used to someone with white hair there." Alluding to her similarities to the ruling house. "Have you ever met Lord Tully? I asked mother but..." She paused and found herself chuckling, albeit a little concerned for her mothers words. She wasn't about to tell Jeren that the good Lady Stark had instructed her only daughter to kill the lord of Riverrun if he'd done anything untoward to the little pup.
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