Skyrim System In Westeros

Dorne, though known for its vast deserts, boasts fertile lands and abundant rivers in its eastern regions, dotted with palm trees and lush fields.

The convoy arrived in Plankytown and found an inn to rest for the night. With Ashara Dayne being pregnant and no urgency in their travels, the group preferred a more leisurely pace.

The war's end had brought peace between Dorne and King's Landing, reinforced by the royal betrothal. The guards of House Dayne and Wright's entourage shared a hearty meal in the inn's main hall, laughing and drinking together. Meanwhile, Ashara, her maid, Wright, and Renly shared a quieter table. Though the food lacked the refinement of noble households, there was plenty of bread and meat to go around.

The inn bustled with activity, as its proximity to Sunspear ensured good security. There were no brigands or mercenaries to worry about—only passing merchants and travelers.

As they were eating, a bard entered the hall. He spoke briefly with the innkeeper at the bar, received a cup of wine, and then set up a stool in the middle of the room. Seated comfortably, he began to sing.

Bards, always traveling, would perform songs, recite poetry, or recount tales wherever they went. They were instrumental in spreading the deeds of heroes, often immortalizing them in ballads or epic poems. Among the most well-informed wanderers, they were also invaluable sources of news and lore.

In this world, taverns as distinct establishments didn't exist; places that served food invariably offered drink as well. Innkeepers welcomed bards, knowing that the better the music or stories, the more guests would drink—and the higher the profits. A bard would earn their lodging through their performance, with guests sometimes paying extra for private recitations or stories at their tables.

To signal their willingness to host a bard, innkeepers would offer a cup of wine after a brief introduction. Once accepted, the bard could begin their performance. However, famed bards often required payment upfront.

After finishing his first song, the bard announced his next tale: the story of Eddard Stark and Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning.

Wright immediately ordered his guards to bring the bard to their table. Ashara clutched her maid's hand tightly, her emotions torn. One was the father of her unborn child, and the other was her brother. The guards gathered around, eager for the tale to begin.

"The story of Eddard Stark and Arthur Dayne begins with Prince Rhaegar's participation in the Tourney at Harrenhal," the bard began.

"Just focus on Eddard and Arthur," Wright interrupted.

The bard, unperturbed, took a sip of his drink to moisten his throat. Stories drawn out with additional context often earned more coin, but he'd encountered impatient listeners many times before. This time, he would settle for a smaller reward.

"Very well, I'll start with why they met," he said.

"After Robert Baratheon ascended the throne, he sent Eddard Stark south to relieve the siege of Storm's End. The armies of the Reach and Dorne, having failed to breach the castle after a year, saw the tide turning against them. They negotiated peace with the new king and began their withdrawal.

"From captured soldiers in King's Landing, Robert learned that Prince Rhaegar had ordered the Kingsguard to take Lyanna Stark to the Reach. He dispatched Eddard, who was already in the south, to pursue them. Eventually, Eddard tracked them to the border of Dorne and the Stormlands. The Kingsguard, few in number, took Lyanna to the Tower of Joy.

"Eddard left his army behind and took seven northern lords and knights to demand Lyanna's release. The Kingsguard refused to surrender her, and the two sides clashed."

"Seven against three," the bard continued, "fighting according to the chivalric code. On Eddard's side, Lord William Dustin, Ser Ethan Glover, Ser Martyn Cassel, Ser Theo Wull, and Ser Mark Ryswell fell in battle. Only Howland Reed survived, though gravely injured."

Ashara sighed in relief at the mention of Eddard's survival, but her face remained tense, waiting for news of her brother.

"On the Kingsguard's side, Ser Gerold Hightower, their Lord Commander, and Ser Oswell Whent fell first. In the final duel, Eddard Stark defeated Ser Arthur Dayne. All three Kingsguard knights refused to yield, choosing death to protect their honor.

"After Arthur's death, Eddard personally delivered the Dawn sword to House Dayne, returning it to his family."

The bard concluded his tale, but the weight of his words left Ashara devastated. Betrayed by the father of her child, who had also slain her brother, she wept inconsolably.

Wright, uncertain how to console her, handed the bard a silver moon coin and sent him away.

At dawn, the convoy resumed their journey. Ashara refused to eat and spent her days crying.

A day's travel from Godsgrace, Ashara began to experience abdominal pain. Her maid suspected she was going into labor prematurely. Wright immediately dispatched two guards ahead to secure an inn and summon a physician, while the remaining party quickened their pace.

The convoy had not yet reached Godsgrace when Ashara's maid screamed that her water had broken and she was bleeding heavily. Her condition was critical. Wright immediately ordered the convoy to halt. Despite being in the middle of nowhere in the dead of night, with no village or inn in sight, they could not continue. The carriages, with no suspension and traveling over uneven terrain, were far too jarring.

Renly, too young to grasp the gravity of the situation, only knew that everyone around him was on edge. Wright directed the other carriages to circle Ashara's, with guards stationed at the perimeter. Mounted men rode outward, ensuring that no wild beasts drawn by the scent of blood approached.

Inside the convoy, there were only two women: Ashara and her maid. Wright and Renly, both just five years old, were the only other non-guards. The rest of the men were soldiers. Wright, recalling fragments of instructional materials he'd seen in his previous life, and possessing healing magic, steeled himself to assist despite the breach of decorum. The maid, young and inexperienced in childbirth, was panicking. Seeing Wright as just a child, she reluctantly agreed to let him try.

Entering the carriage, Wright was met with the sight of Ashara's lower body soaked in blood. He quickly instructed the guards outside to fetch water and start a fire, while sending the maid to gather soft cloths to staunch the bleeding. As the maid rushed off, the glow of Wright's Healing Hands magic filled the carriage, staunching the blood flow.

Yet Ashara, having not eaten for days and overcome by grief, seemed to have resigned herself to death. For a woman with a will to die, even the strongest magic could only do so much.

The maid returned with cloths, and Wright stood at the head of the carriage, directing her through the limited knowledge he had about childbirth.

Before long, the cries of a newborn filled the night. Ashara, weak and barely conscious, held the baby girl for a brief moment before her arms went limp.

The maid, cradling the child, turned to Wright and asked what name should be given. In this world, a child's name was chosen at birth, the day serving as both their naming day and birthday. Only the wildlings beyond the Wall waited until a child was two to name them.

Among the group, Wright and Renly held the highest rank as the younger brothers of the King of the Seven Kingdoms. Renly, however, remained utterly bewildered. The maid, having spent six months as Wright's neighbor in Sunspear, knew him to be wise beyond his years.

As Ashara and Eddard were never married, the girl would take Sand as her surname, in line with Dornish customs for bastards.

"Let her be called Ashara Sand, after her mother," Wright said, gently closing Ashara's eyes.

The convoy finally arrived at Godsgrace. Ashara had passed away, leaving the Dayne guards without direction. Wright instructed them to stay at the inn for the time being. The maid, with a guard's help, was sent to find a wet nurse and then dispatch a messenger to Starfall to inform House Dayne. The remaining guards were to stay behind and protect the child.

Wright decided to stay in Godsgrace for a few days as well. Ashara had been more than an acquaintance to him, and he couldn't bring himself to leave without ensuring the situation was handled properly.