Surprises back at Camp

A/N: We are back with a Sansa chapter but before we begin I wanted to explain something I forgot to add to the previous chapter: the answer to the last contest about which in-universe magical ability would Jon absorb next. It was the resistance to cold and ice magic that the Ice Dragons possess. No one guessed that one correctly but honestly, I probably made it too hard even though that is an in-universe possibility. The pile of lore regarding Ice Dragons in the series is not that large, after all. But don't worry, there will be more contests to come. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Sansa Stark was in the middle of a meeting in the largest tent of their army's camp; with Ser Davos, Tormund, and the red priestess Melisandre by her side. In front of them was Lady Lyanna of House Mormont, with Captain Owen, the most experienced naval commander of Bear Island, by her side.

"By now, House Glover must have been made aware of our army's presence so close to their border," The island ruler stated. "Have we received any messengers from their House or their immediate vassals?"

"Not yet, My Lady," Ser Davos replied. "It appears they are waiting for us to make the first move. As for their most powerful vassals, most of them are preoccupied with the Siege of Ironrath, fighting to determine who will have control over the vast Ironwood resources of the northern Wolfwood. According to the information we have gathered from refugees fleeing the conflict, it appears Ramsey Bolton ordered House Glover to let House Forrester and House Whitehill fight it out and let the, and I am quoting him here, "strongest House win."

Lady Lyanna frowned. "The Boltons have been backing House Whitehill immensely since the Red Wedding, ever since their far-flung bannermen decided to keep supporting them over the Starks during their treachery." She remarked. "Why would Ramsey tolerate the open rebellion from the Forresters and allow this siege to drain the strength of his allies the longer it lasts?"

Sansa laughed without humor. "Because carnage delights him," She said darkly. "Besides, their losses incurred during the conflict would ensure the Whitehills don't get delusions of grandeur after rising through the Bolton aligned Houses so quickly and manage to claim a lot of resources by conquest."

The young but fierce Lady stared at her redheaded liege and nodded slowly, bowing to her better understanding of the sadistic Bastard of the Dreadfort. Then she gestured at Captain Owen and he opened the map of the northern region that surrounded their camp he was carrying in his hands.

"We shouldn't keep Lord Glover waiting much longer for an official message," the Lady of Bear Island said. "He commands the largest army in the Wolfswood region and would be instrumental in securing the support of his vassal Houses. However, he ended up recovering Deepwood Motte from the Ironborn with the help of the Boltons so, I am afraid he may be hesitant to answer the call."

"Agreed," Ser Davos said. "We will probably have to give him some incentive to support us."

"Hmm," Sansa hummed in deep thought as she scanned the map. "If he forgets where he placed his oaths, I suppose we could go aid our besieged loyalists of House Forrester. Then, Lord Glover would probably realize that our future reward to the Lord of Ironrath might be...inconvenient for him if he remains neutral."

There was a long pause at the replacement implications before Lady Lyanna gave her a fierce smirk. "That should remind the Houses of the North what happens if they break faith with the Starks, should it come to that. I approve, my Lady."

Sansa returned the smirk, liking the fact she has been getting along with her vassal even better than expected despite Jon not being around this past week. Before she could reply, however, one of the bannermen soldiers of Bear Island entered the tent.

"Excuse the interruption My Ladies," He said as he hurriedly bowed. "But a raven arrived with a message for you."

Melisandre of Asshai blinked rapidly. "We are not camping in a castle at the moment," The Red Priestess remarked with curiosity in her tone. "How exactly would a messenger raven have found us?"

"Well," The man said slowly as he handed over the rough parchment, "One of the wildlings used the word "skinchanger" when looking at the raven's pale white eyes, if that helps."

Tormund's glared at the soldier in discontent at the offensive word being used to describe his people but before he could say anything Sansa's eyes widened in realization. "That must be a message from a warg," She said. "Jon met a few of them beyond the wall. Those people possess the magical ability to temporarily get inside the minds of animals. That must be how the raven found us despite not knowing of any keep in this area."

There was a moment of silence as the people present stared at the message that was delivered to them with magical means before the young Lady of Bear Island gave it to her liege.

"Then this message is probably for you," She said.

Sansa nodded in agreement and opened the sheet of paper before she started to read.

A/N: Just wanted to clarify that I added the location of the seats of House Forrester (Ironrath) and House Whitehill (Highpoint) from the Telltale games to the map at the top since they will be important in the chapters to come. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the chapter and until next time.