The courtyard rang to the song of swords. The thin silk tunic stuck to Griffith's chest as he pressed the attack. Jaime raised his blade and parried the attack leaving Griffith wide open. Grinning he lunged forward but missed by only an inch as Griffith twisted. Jaime's smile vanished and he quickly retreated, ready for the boy's next attack.
Straight as an arrow, Griffith stood there staring down the Kingslayer, his tourney sword pointing at the man's chest. The courtyard fell silent, and Griffith clenched his jaw, he could feel his heart beating like a drum. It deafened him to his surroundings, all he could see was the Kingslayer and his blade. A drop of sweat entered Jaime's eye and he blinked.
Fast as lightning Griffith struck the tip of his blade slamming into the Kingslayer's chest sending him to his knees gasping for air. Smiling, Griffith extended his hand and helped the still heaving Jaime off the floor. "My lord, I think we should end our sparing for today." The Kingslayer clenched his jaw, and nodded, before turning and slowly walking towards the white sword tower. Griffith chuckled, and proceeded towards the barracks of the gold cloaks.
As he neared them, he quickly spotted a door hidden from sight. He hadn't been detected yet so with barely a sound he entered the deserted corridor beyond. It was barren except for empty suits of armour standing sentinel along the walls. They were relics of his family, black steel with dragon scales cresting their helms, now dusty and forgotten.
At the end of the corridor, a long winding staircase descended into the bowels of the red keep. As he reached the bottom of the stairs he found a thick oak door and behind it a rocky bluff overlooking the river.
His breath shuddered, if he slipped now his death was assured. Crouching down, he slowly began lowering himself down the rockface, careful not to miss the handholds.
It took him some time to reach the bottom but when he did he found a young boy waiting for him. "Farl, what's wrong?" he asked. The boy, still out of breath grinned, "Dorin asked me to get you, he found someone you might be interested in." Griffith ruffled the boy's hair, "Good job finding me so quickly. Now take me to him"
Over the last week or so Griffith had spent most of his time in flea-bottom searching for young men and women who would serve under him. To his surprise, numerous young men had agreed and were now being trained by Dorin and Malrik. He had also given them the order to report any suspicious-looking people to him, especially those of noble birth.
Straight past the masses of people bathing in the river and through the mud gate they went. They soon reached a ramshackle building, from within which, loud boisterous laughter was coming. Outside the door stood Malrik, his chin-length black hair styled in a ponytail. He quickly spotted them and raised his hand, "You arrive… good, Dorin inside." He then opened the door and as Griffith passed, stopped Farl from following, "We wait."
Griffith smiled and turned his attention to the brothel's patrons. It was mostly filled with your typical peasant trash, but through the throng, he could see three of his men guarding the stairs. He slowly made his way over to them, pushing some of the rabble into their nightly delights. Moving up to Jevan and Colton, he nodded to them and smiling they let him pass. Reaching the top of the stairs, he immediately knew which room it was since the door was wide open and Dorin was standing on the threshold, two other men by his side.
Moving up to them, Griffith placed a hand on the blond's shoulder and moved him out of the way. He froze as he saw who was sitting on the bed opposite him. "Leave!" he ordered sternly, and only when his subordinates had left the room did he bow his head, "Lady Stark, what a surprise." The auburn-haired woman's jaw knotted but then relaxed, "What is the meaning of this." Griffith smiled, "My Lady please calm yourself, the walls have ears, and I do not believe you wish to be discovered." Catelyn clenched her jaw and then shook her head.
Turning to the other man in the room he inclined his head, "Sir Rodrik, I'm glad that it is you travelling with the Lady Stark." The old knight smiled, " I wouldn't trust any other with such a task."
"Lady Catelyn," Griffith said, dropping to one knee, "I see that you are distressed. Are you worried for the well-being of Sansa and Arya?" Her eyes softened, "And what of it." Griffith sighed and reaching out took his aunt's hand in his, "My Lady, I swear upon the old gods and the new that I will do my best to protect Sansa and Arya."
***
I hope you enjoyed the chapter and please tell me if you see any mistakes.
Here it is, way to late.
Then I hope you have a nice day or night depending on where you are, goodbye ;)