The swamps and bogs of Hag’s Mire wasn’t the most pleasant view from the Castle Tower, but Ser Gregor didn’t care, it was his unpleasant view. Down in the barely functional fields he saw serfs toil the land the best they could, Gregor thought to himself Who in the bloody hells would make a castle in a swamp, he slapped his head and realised It was my simple-brained ancestors. He sighed and moved away from the tower window and to his wife Mayra. She sat sewing with their daughter Rysharn who was updating her with all the gossip from the maids and wet nurses. Gregor smiled, he was content with his life, his wife smiled back at him and continued to listen to her daughters gossip. Gregor left the room and headed down the winding staircase to where his sons laughed and told rambunctious stories. His sons got up and gave the older man a hug.

“Boys, where is Steffon?” he asked.

“He’s out in the woods reading again Father.” replied Rickon, the eldest.

“Let’s hope he gets lost out there.” snickered Edmure, the youngest. His snicker stopped quickly after Gregor slapped him on the back of the head.

“Don’t talk about your brother like that boy. Gods forbid something actually happens to him.” Gregor sighed and shook his head. “I’m gonna go find him, have this whole place cleaned by the time I’m back.” he said as he gestured to the various swords and bows that sat on the tables of the hall.

Gregor left the hall and headed to the stables, his horse sat there waiting for him. A beautiful black stallion that he’d been gifted by a hedge knight he’d had saved. He mounted the beast and waved to the gate guard, “Don’t worry Podrick, I’ll be back before you know it, I just have to go collect Steffon.”

“He out in the woods again m’lord?”

“Unfortunately so, when I’m back can you talk to him?”

“Of course m’lord, safe travels.”

Gregor waved and exited the castle, preparing for the ride to the forest just outside of his lands. After an hour or so of riding he reached where his son usually sat and read. “Steffon!” he yelled out. No response. “Boy, come here now!”. Again no response. Gregor heard a crunch of leaves and turned slightly to see where it came from and he was greeted by an arrow to the chest. THUNK the arrow slammed into his chest and knocked him off his horse. As his vision grew dark he saw someone standing over him but he passed out before he could recognise who it was.

Hours later...

The hall doors opened with a slam, the sons of Gregor turned sharply expecting their father but instead stood Steffon, “Fathers been hurt, come!” he urged. The boys all rushed down to the courtyard to see their father laying on a cart while a Maester watched over him, a large arrow was stuck in his chest. He was living, but in great pain.

“Father! How did this happen? asked Rickon.

“What does it look like boy? I’ve got an arrow in my bleeding chest!” he coughed as he spoke, “I was lucky enough that Steffon found me. Boys a hero.”

Steffon stood off to the side, looking away from his brothers. His brothers stared at him but their attention was brought back to their father who was coughing a lung out.

“Boys, while I’m in this... state you’ve got the keep. Work together or I’ll beat you bloody when I’m back!” he begun to laugh before he started coughing up blood. The Maester looked at the boys and said “Maybe you should leave our Lord to get some rest, we’ll move him into his quarters after we remove this arrow.”

The brothers stood together and looked at Steffon with suspicion, how odd their father was shot and only he was there to find him. A dark cloud had come over Hag’s Mire and it would be a long while before that would change.

Characters

Lord and Lady

• Ser Gregor: The current Ser of Hag’s Mire. He is 44 years old and a spry man. He is quite tall but his physical strength had begun to lack due to his heavy alcoholism. As of now he is in his quarters under constant care by the household Maester.

• Lady Mayra nee Darry: The wife of Ser Gregor. She is also 44 and a very kind soul, she’s been the balance for Gregor and the rock for his emotions. Without her Gregor would be an absolute mess.

Sons

• Ser Rickon Nayland: The son and heir of Gregor. He is 26 and a very calm and collected man. He doesn’t show much emotion, but is highly protective of his family. He is around 5’10 and has auburn brown hair.

• Steffon Nayland: Steffon is the middle child of the boys, he is 22. He’s always been an outcast in the family as he’d rather read and write than engage in swordplay. He’s 5’7 and has dark brown hair.

• Edmure Nayland: Edmure is the youngest son of Gregor at age 18. He’s a little firebrand, always starting fights amongst his brothers and relentlessly bullying Steffon. He is 5’11 and has auburn hair.

Daughters

• Rysharn Nayland: Rysharn is the eldest of the two daughters at age 24. She is the quintessential ‘lady’, she loves sewing, singing, and dressing in fineries. She is unmarried. She has rich auburn hair that reaches down to her waist.

• Catelyn Nayland: Catelyn is the younger of the two, at 19 years old. She’s the more beautiful daughter of Gregor and she knows it. She is rather rude to her sister but on the surface you’d think she was the most lovely girl. She has medium length dark curly brown hair that glistens in the sun.