A War Council

Eventually, the cheerful crowds went back to finishing their tasks of setting up their tents for the night. And that was when the Starks sent word to the ones they wanted on their meeting. Before long, their biggest tent was packed with the advisors and leaders Sansa had been traveling with on top of the leaders of the forces from the North Grove that arrived to reinforce them. Once everyone gathered around the table, and Jon was certain the introductions got taken care of before he arrived, he started to address them all.

"Thank you for coming, everyone," He said. "As I told you earlier, there are some vital news I need to share with you but first, we have to discuss our next course of events."

They remained silent when he paused for a moment, which he took as his cue to continue.

"As I already told Josera, and Elsera Snow, as well as their close allies from the North Grove, part of the deal to get them to join our forces together, was to come to the aid of the besieged House of their late father, Lord Gregor Forrester," He explained. "I intend to keep that promise and not just because I am honor-bound to fulfill it, but because I believe that saving House Forrester while crushing the treacherous Whitehills would accomplish many tactical advantages for our cause."

"For starters," He continued, "If they have managed to withstand the siege for this long them all the surviving soldiers on Ironrath are truly battle-hardened veterans; exactly the kind we need right now. Moreover, saving them and ensuring they join our cause, as a result, would probably have the added benefit of ensuring House Glenmore would pledge their support as well since the two Houses are joined by marriage. Then, by pacifying the Wolfswood region from the chaos House Whitehill has put it through, our show of strength would probably **** Lord Glover to back us up instead of remaining neutral or else risk looking too weak by his vassal Houses. And finally, our victory would show the rest of the North that we are willing to stand up to House Bolton and their allies."

There was a moment of silence as they analyzed his words but most nodded in agreement at the logic. Suddenly, Lady Lyanna removed a letter from her pocket and opened it, as if wanting to verify some information before speaking. Before long, she addressed the former Lord Commander.

"According to my most recent reports, House Whitehill's forces have dropped from around 500 swords at the beginning of the siege to around 430." She informed. "With today's reinforcements, our troops number a little over 2800 warriors. We should certainly be able to rout out these disloyal bannermen easily, especially with their lines more exposed now that they are focusing mainly on their starvation tactic towards the people of Ironrath. They are not the ones inside a fortress after all. And that's not even counting the panicked damage your dragon could cause these traitors," She added with a smirk.

"Or the giants," Magash Char said in a thick accent through the Common Tongue as she pounded her bone-armored chest. "We will...aid Starks."

Jon nodded in respect towards the tallest being in the room, so tall she had to lower her head so as to not hit the roof of the tent. "I am glad to hear that. However, there is something else you should know. Tomorrow, I am going to have to ride on my dragon towards Riverrun so that I can get there in time before our window of opportunity closes."

Sansa's eyes widened at the mention of her mother's first home. "Why? What happened?"

Jon took a deep breath before continuing. "When I used my...new magical abilities to connect to the network of Weirwood trees across Westeros, I also tapped into the line of sight of the Weirwood tree of the Godswood at Riverrun and other nearby. It seems the Lannisters have sent their army to reinforce those damned Freys in their attempt to retake the castle."

After more than a few curses were uttered across the tent towards both of these hated Houses, Jon continued.

"From what I could tell, Riverrun is actually well manned and supplied," Jon admitted. "They could probably last a while even with the Lannisters backing the Freys. But I don't want to risk the last veterans pledged to the Blackfish, one of the most experienced military commanders left in Westeros, dying pointlessly when we could be rallying our forces together instead. So, here is what I was thinking: tomorrow we will march the short distance it will take to get to Ironrath. When we are within striking distance of House Whitehill's forces, I will climb atop my Ice Dragon and fire up as much frost-flame as we can on the way south to punch through their lines and lower the numbers of their disoriented forces in the process. Then, before they can recover, our army would go all out towards the enemy and win a quick, decisive victory. After which, I would be counting on you," He said, staring at the half-siblings of the current Lord of Ironrath,"And on Sansa to convince House Forrester to join our cause. Any objections?"

There was a prolonged pause as they considered his plan. Eventually, Princess Val spoke up.

"It would have been spectacular to watch you crush those traitors with your Ice Dragon alone, I am sure, but the plan sounds good to me," The blonde Spearwife said. "Besides, we can't have things becoming too easy, right Tormund?"

Jon's friend from the Free Folk chuckled at that. "True that, Val. It's bad for digestion," He joked around.

At least, Jon thought it was a joke. But then, his redheaded sister coughed for a moment.

"I do have something to add," She said. "I was contacted by Peter Baelish with an...interesting offer."

The new god raised an eyebrow at that but motioned for her to continue.

"Essentially, he told me that he has enough command of the Eyrie as Lady Lysa Arryn widower to send the Knights of the Vale to our aid if I ask with enough anticipation for him to prepare and to arrive with his army in time," She explained.

Eyes widened across the tent at that piece of information. "Hmph, Stannis told me before the Battle of Blackwater Bay that Littlefinger was high on his list of members of the Small Council he intended to replace," Ser Davos chimed in. "Based on what I have heard of the man, I can't say that I blamed him. What exactly did he ask in return?"

"Honestly?" Sansa said with a shrug. "He didn't ask for anything in return. He just told me he sorely regrets arranging my marriage to Ramsey as a way of sending me home to Winterfell now that he actually knows how sadistic he was. So, he claims he wants to make it up to me."

Jon scratched his chin, considering. "And you trust him?"

His beloved sister took a deep breath and looked him in the eye. "I trust him to want to stay alive, playing the game of thrones in his own way. But while I wouldn't trust him for most things anymore, I do believe his offer to help this time is genuine. I am sure he would try to argue later on that his help would warrant a special favor at some point, however."

"Hmm," Jon grunted in a ponderous tone. "I won't deny that the aid of the Knights of the Vale would be very helpful. But I think that, for now, it would be better to concentrate on regaining the support of our banners from the North and the Riverlands," He told his Stark-Tully sibling. "It may take a bit longer but it is important to consolidate our position in the North before seeking the aid of other Kingdoms. For instance, so long as I am traveling south, I was thinking of stopping by White Harbor on the way back try to persuade the powerful House Manderly to join our cause. That would certainly be seen as a big deal by the rest of the Northern Houses after all," He explained. "If you want, however, I suggest you send him a raven once we save Ironrath and tell him to prepare to come to our aid but not march until we give him our say so."

Sansa nodded at that. "Sounds like a plan. Now, what is the second piece of news you wanted to tell us?"

Before Jon could respond a soldier from Bear Island interrupted them as he entered the tent.

"My Lords," He said with a rushed bow. "There are about 25 Ironborn ships approaching our exact point of the coastline...and they are carrying the flag of truce."

The new god chuckled at that while everyone seemed shocked. "Impeccable timing," He said as he lifted his bag and retrieved one of the large chests full of gold from the loan of the Iron Bank of Braavos and a smaller item encased in a piece of cloth. "That's the surprise. Now, follow me, it's time we met our new allies."

A/N: Not expecting that development at the end, eh? Regardless, the next chapter will have important ramifications for the plotline; the seeds of which were first planted in the 15th Chapter titled "On the Seastone Chair". But more on that later. For now, I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and if you did, please leave a comment. Until next time.