#corpselord

Although her brother smiles, it does little to ease the worry. They are outnumbered and weakened. Their pride can only get them so far. Sure, she stood up to the would-be Lord, landing her in the dirt. But here she can be vulnerable now. Here it is safe. Rodrik has always protected her and always will. She takes his invitation, sliding up against him to relax in his embrace. Thank the Gods he has one good arm. The Starks were gone, all slaughtered in one way or another. The only one left with the Stark’s blood pledged his life to the Night’s Watch. There’s nothing he can do now. Roose Bolton has the most powerful army in the North, and with House Whitehill pledging their allegiance to them, there is no Great House to turn to for help.

“We lost Father and Ethan. Who knows what they’re doing to Ryon?” She wishes to lay her head upon his shoulder, but she hesitates in fear of harming him further. “I thought I lost you too. When word had come that you are father were among the dead...” Her voice fades into a raspy whimper, unable to complete the sentence.