War for the North

Chapter Twenty-One: Preparations and Mistakes

Sanira winched as she watched Robin parry, he was being beaten badly but he was slowly improving from what she had witness during her time in the Vale.

The boy had never held a sword before now really, Lysa having banned such a thing in fear that her only boy would be hurt during his training and she refused to allow him from her sight.

"Sword up! Attack, my lord! Attack! Don't cross your feet!" the Master of Arms called at Robin in an attempt to instruct him with his training under the watchful eyes on Yohn Royce.

It was clear that no matter how much he trained that he was not destined to be a great leader in battle, Gods willing that he would never have to lead his men into such.

"My sons have had swords in their hands from the time they could walk. This one..." Lord Royce stated mournfully with a shake of his head, Lysa had been given too much freedom to control the young Lord Arryn.

Her behaviour having proven detrimental to the training of the future Lord of the Vale, he was not destined to be a great warrior but if his training persisted then he'd at least be able to defend himself.

"I am sure that Lord Arryn will improve in time, he's suffered a great loss but under your tutorship he shall improve," Sanira noted watching the scene before her, it made her think of her own son that she greatly missed.

It had been so long since she'd seen Karlon, she feared he would not remember her at all while she was away and she received reports daily from Catelyn on his progress.

There was no one that she entrusted more with her son, he was well protected in Bereton with her grandmother; no one would go looking for him there and if they did then they'd deal with the Blackfish.

"He swings a sword like a girl with palsy," Lord Royce scoffed with a shake of his head, he knew that the boy would be a great disappointment if he could not lead his men into battle like any of the other great lords.

Sanira pursed her lips, perhaps he was right but she was sure that in time Robin would come into her own; she stood from her seat having watched enough and knowing that there was much to be done.

An agreement had been made with the Vale, the Lords having sworn their allegiance to King Robb during their many discussions on the matter; it united three northern kingdoms together under one rule now.

Lord Royce followed after the young Queen, a woman that had gained his respect in the short time that she had been in the Vale; she had taken great interest in the welfare of Lord Arryn.

Aiding in his own promotion to Regent of the Vale during the boy's minority, he would be in good hands as far as Sanira was concerned and she was eager to ensure that he was well taught for his future role.

It seemed that Lysa had given no real thought to her own son's education as the future Lord of the Vale, seeming happy to hold onto her own power for as long as needed.

There was much that Robin would need to learn, his lessons begun now and in time perhaps he would prove a great asset to the future of his realm.

"Goodbye Lord Royce, and thank you for all you've done for me," Sansa Stark said nodding to the man that had provided her greatest protection since her arrival here.

Now that Baelish was gone, she knew that it would not be long before she was returned fully with her own family. Catelyn had written of her desire to have Sansa join her in Bereton with Rickon and Karlon, however she had declined in favour of staying with Sanira.

"I have done nothing more than my duty, my lady," Lord Royce replied calmly, he knew that her time with Baelish had been far from easy and he was still suspicious of what Baelish might have filled her head with.