ben_hassrath | for fade

[ Overall, Cole had been an... unnoticed addition to their camp. People saw him, surely, noticed him, sometimes even spoke to him, but no one seemed to have anything much to say about him. Bull was thankful for this, thankful that the boy's arrival had not disrupted the order of things, at least as far as anyone else was concerned. For him, it had changed things a good deal. While during the day he went about his normal business, scouting at the edges of camp, hunting game in the forest to bring back for the villagers, and planning their next move.

It was night when things were different, where things had changed. Each night, Bull would light a fire, and sit with Cole, let the boy speak to it, to him. Each night, he sat with his hands tented at his lips, frowning. Everything was vague and in need of sorting out, very little of it making strong sense, but still he listened intently to every word. Cole's words troubled him, seeped into his dreams in the darkness. Despite this, he's grown fond of the boy, feels protective of him, even if he can't properly sort out every riddle. ]

Cole. [ The sky is darkening, and he finds the boy in one of his usual spots. ] Come.

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[Such was the way of the world. Cole watched the sky outside from the doorway while Bull got the fire started. There was no moon in the sky tonight. He shivered slightly before turning and taking his place next to the fire in time to see it flare to life.

He got more, he found, if he watched the fire start as well. A part of him wondered how it would be to start it himself, but he was afraid. Afraid he'd fail, or worse, he would see something better left unseen. He'd have to look eventually.]

They're hunting tonight. Colors stripped away to look like the colorless in case they're caught. Game trails they've been watching a week now, readying to wipe clean the place their quarry rests.

They're hunting wolves.

[ Every night was some sort of warning, vague or explicit, distant or near; but this was the first time Cole has said something... like this. His blood goes cold in his veins, face grim. Tonight. If he called his men to arms now they might stand a chance, if what Cole spoke was true. Or he could call a retreat, protect their dwindling numbers as best he could. Bull's back is kept to Cole, his greatsword gleaming in the firelight. ]

Who is hunting?

[ Maybe he's making this more sinister in his head than it's meant to be. It could be jumbled, misunderstood- he wants it to be anything else. ]

[Direct questions. On the one hand, he knows what to look for then, knows what Bull wants to hear. On the other hand it's easier to get things if you just let the fire speak and tell you want it wants to tell you. Still, his eyes seem to focus more on the flames as he goes quiet, looks like he's looking past them, through them. He'll be spot-blind when he finally looks away.]

The ones who were cut open, dead in a different way from the Others. Living breathing they leave bloody paths in their wake. But... they have to be quiet. They're not scared of the wolves. They're scared of their leader. Dying better than failing. They're looking for one wolf in particular, he's not here but they don't know that. Trying to catch him before anyone finds out he's not already a skinned pelt on someone's floor. They won't succeed.

[ He can feel his stomach roll, twist. The way Cole speaks make everything seem that much more ominous, troubling. Though if what the boy says is even half true, there's no way to word it that wouldn't be troubling. ]

Will they come here, Cole? [ They might not be the only encampment in the area, though he is almost certain they would be the only one half so brazen about their loyalty to House Stark. Even without their colors or banners, it's his men who still stand proudly, fight fiercely; their demeanor betrays them, if nothing else does. ] Is this where they intend to hunt?

[ He needs answers before he can act, but time is quickly becoming a scarce resource. ]

[Ned Stark's legacy. What does honor truly get a man? A beheading when faced with political games out of their league. But also the only region in all of Westeros who fights with unflinching loyalty to their lord even after he is gone, even in the face of overwhelming odds. There must always be a Stark in Winterfell. The North cannot be held. They have known a good lord, an honorable lord, and woe to anyone who tries to rule and is anything less than that. The North would rather burn everything to the ground than be lorded by someone unworthy, and winter is coming.]

Yes. They have already decided. What they find here doesn't really matter even if they think it does. Either they catch their quarry or they don't - they'll burn the forest so there's one less place for the hunted to hide, or to hide the evidence if they succeed.

[ Bull nods, stiffly, the cogs of his mind turning at rapid speeds. He has to act quickly, act now. He says nothing to Cole as he steps outside, signaling for his lieutenant. His orders are given in a low tone, speaking hastily, but his voice remains steady. Bull is not one to crack under pressure, and neither are his men. When he returns, the look on his face his grim. A commotion begins to stir outside, as men are roused from their drinking and called to arms, as innocents are instructed to gather their things and go, if they value their lives. ]

Cole, [ He crouches beside the boy, still sounding calm. ] You must stay close by me tonight.

[ What these men would do with Cole if he fell into their hands, he can't say for sure, but it's nothing good. The information he can provide them is invaluable, and beyond that, he's grown fond of the boy. ]

Stay out of sight as best you can, but don't lose sight of me. If someone comes at you, tries to take you, you have to run.

[Cole stares into the fire while Bull is gone. He wonders if he should tell Bull where the last wolf in the North is.

No, he probably already knows, right? No point in bringing it up.

He looks over to Bull when the man returns and speaks to him, nodding to show he understands.]

... But what if you get hurt?

I've spent most of my life getting hurt.

[ And no doubt, he'll be hurt tonight, if Cole's prophecies are true. This, despite the circumstances that surround them, makes him laugh, though he can't say why. The myriad of scars across his body are testament to that, and he's proud of every one that he's heard. None have killed him yet, and he intends to keep it that way. ]

Should I fall, I want you to run. You must not let them take.

[ Strong as he is, he can't imagine himself falling in battle, not tonight, though one day some man's sword will take him. Still, he wants Cole to be prepared either way. Even if there's no one to take the boy to safety, it's better he runs than let himself be captured. ]

[It is an impressive array of scars. A life hard-fought, bits and pieces whispered to him from the flames. The past as well as the future, though of the fate of this evening Cole could not see.

There would be blood, one way or another. The question was just who it belonged to, and he wondered with mild curiosity if it was possible to die twice. He doesn't quite understand the Bull's concern for him - Cole has already died once, it isn't like he has anything to be afraid of. Even so, the caring kindles a warm feeling within, and he swears he's felt it before. That maybe he's been cared about in the past. Maybe he had a family, or friends before. Now... this is it. This village, this friendship is all he has.]

... You won't fall.

[The fire didn't tell him this. But if he's going to keep Bull in his sight and keep out of sight, anyone who tries to take the man on his blind side will find a knife across their throat.]

[ Bull doesn't know where that comes from, if it was whispered to Cole from the fire, and he doesn't care to ask. It doesn't matter. He likes to hear it, the reassurance, even if it's from a boy that speaks in riddles. He feels personally responsible for him, and if he has any say in the matter, the two of them will survive the night. Hopefully the same can be said for the rest of the village, for his men. Whatever happens, at least they are prepared for it, in some sense. They won't have their throats slit as they sleep. ]

Come with me.

[ He buckles a sword belt about his waist, in addition to the greatsword that is strapped to his back. A one handed sword will serve him if he needs to fight from horseback, and might provide useful in other situations. He knows Cole has his daggers, and offers him no sword. Outside, people move quickly, some to, others away, a hushed fervor overtaking the village. A horse is brought to Bull, and he mounts it, looking down at Cole. ]

Stick to the shadows, I won't be far.

[ There's commotion in the distance, the sound of shouts. It, whatever it is, is coming. ]

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