Chapter Fourteen | Brienne

                                    

                                          
BRIENNE
                          
After sending out the raven to Winterfell from Acorn Hall, Brienne and Podrick made the journey northeast into The Vale. It was once ruled by Sansa Stark's aunt, Lysa Arryn, but is now under command of her young son, Robin. They were granted passage through the Bloody Gates where a raven was waiting for them from Sansa herself this time.
                          
It read:
                          
Brienne,
                          
My brother has received more men from the Westerlands. It seems as though Saga is doing quite well on her own. 
                          
In the meantime, I have other news. Northern houses that once pledged to the Bolton's have begun to question our authority in the North. House Whitehill has been continuing to cause trouble. Queen Cersei has rallied other houses in the Riverlands beside the Frey, and houses in the Westerlands against us. An assassin paid by the Lannister's made an attempt on Jon's life last week. 
                          
I do not want you to worry, I am well guarded in Winterfell. Continue to do your duty for the long night. Winter is here and we will need all the men we can find.
                          
If all else fails I may need you to return north to fight. But that will only be as a last resort. Please stay within range of a raven, let me know of your movements, and there is a second letter along with this one. Your authority should not be questioned anywhere in The Vale. Recruit as many as you can.
                          
Sincerely,
                          
Lady Sansa Stark of Winterfell
                          
Sansa's letter did give her some concern but she knew better than to disobey orders. She hoped Winterfell was as safe as she claimed. In the meantime, she and Podrick would travel The Vale, looking for volunteers until there were none left to find. They traveled to the Eyrie, to thank the new Lord Arryn for his hospitality while they traveled his land. They stayed the night and then immediately rode to the south, to Saltpan, starting with their largest town, Wickendon.
                          
The Vale had a large army, an army which saved Jon Snow and the Stark family from becoming embarrassments in the north when they battled the Bolton's for Winterfell. Brienne could only assume that meant they had a hearty population as well. They searched throughout Saltpan for over two weeks, keeping in correspondence with Sansa either at the Eyrie or in Wickendon. Tensions were rising, they were getting word of rebellion, of new enemies trying to do the new Queen's bidding to get on her good side. In the short time since Cersei had taken the throne, she had been ruthless. Word spread throughout the lands that she even blew up the sept in the capitol with wildfire.
                          
Now houses were rallying behind her. Brienne could sense another war coming; not just between men and döda män av is, but between two great powers, two great houses. It the last few weeks, it had taken a slot in the concerns in the forefront of her mind-right next to her concern for Saga and her concern for Lady Sansa. The more letters she received from Sansa, the less she slept at night. 
                          
The only part she looked forward to in her letters would be the sentence or two that Sansa would include in the beginning of each one regarding Saga. She had yet to return to Winterfell or Castle Black. She was instead heading more and more south in the Westerlands. At least, that's what the recruits would relay to Jon Snow when he questioned them, and he would relay that to Sansa. 
                          
Brienne was as content as she could possibly be, given the circumstances. If she couldn't have Saga with her, she was always happy to receive updates that she was still alive and well. It was the only thing that kept Brienne from worrying about the alarming rate at which the kingdoms were progressing toward all-out war against one another.
                          
But the most alarming letter Brienne received from her Lady was while she and Podrick were recruiting in the Fingers. They had barely made it out of the Vale of Arryn, where they had previously been recruiting, when a rider came for her. There weren't any great towns or castles in the Fingers, so Brienne decided to ride as far east as she could and then make their way back toward the Eyrie. But two riders, one of which bore the Vale's distinct banner, found them in a fishing village. It was a short exchange. One rider explained the urgency of the letter, handed it to Brienne, and was off without another word. She opened it warily.