67DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN GAME OF THRONES OR ANY ASSOCIATED CHARACTERS
Hello everyone. I've been wanting to write a Game of Thrones story for a while now, but I couldn't seem to come up with any ideas that hadn't already been covered. I settled on this one, as House Dayne is my favorite house in the entirety of A Song of Ice and Fire. Enjoy! More chapters to come shortly!
Chapter 1
283 AC
Austin woke to the sounds of swords clanging in the courtyard below his window. Slowly rising and rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he rose. Moving over to the mirror, he paused to study his reflection. Austin was tall, for his age. His piercing deep purple eyes gave stark contrast to his shoulder length white hair, a signature of House Dayne.
Austin had been lonely for most of his days, as his father, Arthur, had left to join the Kingsguard when Austin was only two, and his mother had died giving birth to him. His only form of entertainment coming in his cousin, Edric, who was three years younger, so Austin couldn't spar with him. Austin was eleven now, and wished he had his father around him every single day. He'd met the man only once, at the tournament in Harrenhal, where he witnessed his father being beaten by Rhaegar Targaryen. That was two years ago.
Currently, Robert's Rebellion was winding down, with news of the sack of King's Landing by the Lannister forces reaching Starfall only two weeks ago. Sighing, Austin began to dress for the day, donning a simple black tunic and trousers before slipping into his boots. He slipped out of his room and proceeded down the winding staircases of Starfall, emerging in the courtyard.
The few men of House Dayne that remained in the castle were sparring and going through basic soldier drills to keep up their form should they be called on. That was unlikely, however, as there were only thirty of them, a skeleton garrison left only to protect the women and children of House Dayne. The rest of the men had followed Austin's father, Arthur, into war. The Sword of the Morning, as he was known, was by far the most skilled and most deadly of the Mad King's Kingsguard. His reputation and great feats were told across the entirety of the continent. At least until three of the Kingdoms and the Riverlands rose up against the crown after the executions of Brandon and Rickard Stark.
Austin leaned against a stone post and watched the men train. He desperately wanted to fight, but his father wasn't here, and no one his age was around. The Master of Arms never liked Austin, so there wasn't going to be much help there either.
Austin was jerked out of his thoughts by a man above the gate shouting. "Riders approaching!"
Who would be riding here? Maybe it's father! Austin wondered, suddenly becoming very excited.
Excitement was replaced by confusion when two Northmen rode into the castle. They were both fairly young, and clearly battle-hardened. The one in the lead carried a bundle in his arms, and had a longsword strapped to his horse. The second was clutching his abdomen as if he was injured, and sure enough, when he dismounted, Austin could see blood.
"Austin, who is it?" asked a voice behind him. Turning, Austin was presented with his beautiful aunt, Ashara Dayne.
Austin shrugged. "Two Northmen, don't know their names."
Ashara motioned for Austin to follow. As she approached the men, Austin heard the breath catch in his aunt's mouth. "Lord Eddard…" she whispered.
Collecting herself, Ashara strode the last few steps to greet the men. "Lord Eddard Stark, we had not thought to see you so far in the South," Ashara began.
The Northern Lord looked up apologetically. "I'm sorry about this, but my Lord Howland Reed here is gravely injured, can I trouble you for some assistance?"
Ashara nodded firmly. "Of course, I'll have the maester tend to him right away."
She snapped to two men, who escorted the wounded Northman into the castle before turning back to Lord Eddard. "However, you didn't answer the question. What are you doing in Dorne, my lord?"
Two years. Two years since Lord Stark had brought news of his father's death. The circumstances surrounding the deaths seemed to have bound the Stark and Dayne families for a long time to come. The thing Austin was most grateful for, however, was the return of Dawn, the Dayne ancestral family sword, given only to those knights who were worthy. It was unique in that respect, as most family swords were passed from lord to his heir, but not Dawn. The famed star-forged sword could be given to any man of the Dayne family, so long as he prove himself worthy of it.
In these past years, Austin had often found himself praying in the Palestone Sword, the highest tower in all of Starfall, named for its pristine color. Austin would stare at the pedestal where Dawn rested, vowing to one day claim it and become just like his father.
Oddly enough, Austin didn't blame Lord Stark or Lord Reed for the death of his father. The circumstances had called for one of the two sides to emerge victorious, and fate had willed it to be the side of the Northmen. Lord Stark was only trying to reach his sister, who had died of an unknown cause before Eddard reached her. It was odd, though, that the honorable Lord Stark had sired a bastard son during the Rebellion, he didn't seem the type.
All these thoughts ran through his head as he silently contemplated the world in his solitude. Rattling him out of his trance were the alarm bells. Sprinting to the balcony of the Palestone Sword, Austin looked out and saw several hundred riders amassing in the hills across the river from Starfall. Turning, he rushed out of the chamber and descended the stairs three at a time. Emerging into the main hall of Starfall, Austin spotted his aunt Ashara barking orders to the occupants of the castle, telling them to ready the defences.
"Aunt! Who are they?" Austin asked as he approached.
Ashara whipped her head around to look at him, murderous intent set in her eyes. "Men from High Hermitage, it seems your older cousin Gerold has decided to overthrow the main house."
"Can we defeat them?" Austin inquired, fear lacing itself into his voice.
"No," Ashara said, slowly shaking her head. "They outnumber us, I suspect Gerold has enlisted the help of House Yronwood."
"So what do we do?" Austin asked.
Ashara gave a small smile before bending down to place a hand on Austin's shoulder. "You must leave here. Take your cousin Edric, two horses, and flee this place."
Austin opened his mouth to protest before Ashara continued. "Do not argue with me boy, we will be fine here. Take your cousin, he is the heir. Protect him. He is the future of the house, as well as you."
Austin's head fell in defeat. "Where will we go?" he asked quietly.
"Go North. To Winterfell. To the Starks. Lord Eddard will look after you. Gerold wouldn't dare try anything with the whole North behind the Starks," Ashara explained, lifting Austin's chin to look him in the eyes.
"Just the two of us? I'm so young…" Austin trailed off, clearly doubting himself.
Ashara gripped him by both shoulders. "Look at me. You are a Dayne of Starfall. You are the son of the Sword of the Morning. It's time for you to grow up, and fast."
Austin sniffed. He did not wish to leave his childhood home. Nevertheless, he nodded to his aunt, accepting his task. "Good, now run and find Edric."
Austin spun on his heel and sprinted from the hall, headed for his cousin's chambers. Throwing open the doors, he rushed over to Edric, who was sitting on the bed, knees to his chest, rocking back and forth, clearly afraid. Austin sat and put an arm around him.
"Edric, I know you're scared, but we need to leave, now," Austin pleaded.
Edric looked at him with wet eyes before slowly nodding and allowing Austin to lead him from the room. The two of them hastily descended to the stables, where Austin began saddling the nearest two horses. When he finished, he turned to help Edric into the saddle, before hopping on his own.
"Follow me," Austin said, looking behind him. Young Edric simply nodded.
Austin clicked the reins and trotted across the courtyard, headed for the postern gate on one side of the castle. He waited for the sounds of battle to begin before riding out of the gate, headed for the hills. Looking back, he heard the screams of dying men, and the clanging of metal. But above all, what horrified him the most was the sight of his aunt Ashara throwing herself from the Palestone Sword.
"Austin, I'm tired," Edric said from behind.
Austin sighed. "I know, Edric, me too. We'll soon be deep into the hills, there we can find shelter."
In truth, a million things were flying through Austin's head right now. The thought of his father's death, and how it had left them open for attack. How his aunt had decided to kill herself rather than come with them. How his traitorous cousin had held so much jealousy towards the main branch. Austin had met Gerold on several occasions, during feasts, and he seemed a good man. But actions speak louder than words.
The two of them ceased their travel just the sky fell out, and a torrential force of rain buffeted them from all sides. Fortunately, Austin had found a cave, and the two quickly took refuge inside. Austin made a fire, one of the skills he'd learned from the men in Starfall, who were all most likely dead now.
There was no time to weep for them, however, as Austin was tasked with the care of the Lord of Starfall. Edric's father had died in the Rebellion, at the Trident, while his mother had died of an illness several years ago. Edric was the Lord, making Austin the heir. And yet here they were, two lords of House Dayne, huddled in a cave in the wilderness, seeking out the Starks of Winterfell. The situation may be funny under different circumstances, but Austin was forever scarred by the sight of his aunt's falling form.
Edric was clearly still scared, and rightfully so. They were on the opposite side of Westeros from where they needed to be. Regardless, the two of them were exhausted, and Austin waited until Edric had fallen asleep before he allowed it to take him as well.
Drop a review if you think they should travel North by land, going through the entirety of Westeros, or heading to Oldtown and stowing away aboard a ship. More chapters to come!
