- Mattias -
The next day, The Stark and Tully army plundered the treasury of the Frey taking everything they could.
Mattias had read some of Sun Tzu, Art of war and The Prince by Machiavelli. Despite the memory surrounding the former was actually an insightful knowledge in war even though it is a basic concept.
He finds it funny since Sun Tzu wrote it because people forget the most important aspect in war like food and raising the morale of their soldiers as well their equipment being worn down.
With that said, Mattias made sure to count all what they had plundered then properly distribute them without wasting anything.
Weapons are an easy fix because of his new magic but food is another thing.
He provides the minimum and what they have then allowed them to rest while those who can endure to guard then would do a rotation switching to keep everyone in top shape.
Mattias was already a one man army but if he wishes to maintain control then he needs to use the people and show he is a capable individual.
Not to mention, it would be far too boring.
He asked Stark and Tully to list those who are proficient in the bow, sword, spear and other weapons to properly divide them.
Their enemies outnumbered them but Mattias understood his enemies more than anyone.
Tywin can be reasoned with since he is a man whose ambition is to keep his family legacy going.
Unfortunately, the Stark and Tully won't let him live after all they have done.
Mattias stood over the map spread across the rough-hewn table, his sharp eyes tracing every hill, river, and road.
The air inside the earthen bunker he had shaped through bending was cool and still, the faint scent of soil clinging to the walls.
He studied the terrain in silence, his mind already turning over potential strategies and anticipating his enemies' moves.
Mattias decided it was time to summon his familiar and quickly brought Swain and Darius.
The familiar are loyal to him and would not harm him. However, they could deny his command if they see that his decision isn't a good idea.
This was a good thing considering he doesn't need someone who simply kisses his ass every passing moment.
He looked at an open space and out of nothing emerged two individuals.
One is a fair skinned man with long, white hair. He wears black armor, black pants, and a black coat. His left arm glows a shade of red. He was around 5'11. His posture was imposing, radiating a sense of authority.
Another was a large, bulky man with a serious, intense face and middle-aged features. He has fair skin and swept-back black hair with a white streak. His red eyes and a long, straight scar over his left eye.
He wore heavy full plate armor that left only his head and his upper arms exposed. It is dark gray, intricately crafted, and accentuated with spikes around the shoulders and thighs. It also features a long cape and loin cloth, both blood red.
In his hand was a massive two-handed ax, viciously curved and forged with a symbol of a skull where the blade meets the handle. He stood around 6'5 tall.
"Welcome, Grand General Swain. General Commander Darius."
Mattias greeted them with a calm smile as the two familiars took form before him. Swain regarded him silently, his crimson eye gleaming with quiet calculation. Though Mattias was young, he stood tall—taller than Swain, though still shorter than the towering Darius beside him.
Swain's voice broke the silence first.
"We can exchange pleasantries later. For now, speak of why you've summoned us."
Mattias gave a small nod, his grin sharpening slightly.
"Direct and straightforward. I like that."
He gestured toward the map spread before him.
"Before I begin, I'd like to hear your assessment of the situation."
Swain's gaze didn't waver.
"There is little to assess. We are here to serve your purpose—whatever that may be."
Mattias noted the certainty in Swain's tone. Whatever power bound them here had rewritten their logic; to them, service to him was absolute, almost instinctive. It was strange—and yet, useful.
He turned to Darius. "And you, General Commander?"
Darius huffed, his voice a gravelly rumble.
"I need no explanations. Give me my orders, and I'll see them done."
Mattias chuckled softly, clapping his hands once.
"Birds of a feather flock together huh. A fine soldier indeed."
His expression grew more serious as he leaned over the map.
"Very well then. Let's focus on what I want."
Mattias gives them a brief summary and information about their enemy and the world they were in.
Swain showed his prowess in war and Darius listened, waiting for his command giving his own thoughts and suggestions to accomplish their goals.
"How typical, no progress after so many years? This is why indulgence fools who only see narrow vision could never hope to rise higher than they see."
Swain commented on hearing brief history of Westeros.
"It is quite pathetic. They have might but don't have the strength to maintain it."
Darius added it was almost laughable to him to hear how many rebellion and conflict a single continent had found itself in.
"Indeed, that is why my, no, our empire shall show these fools how sitting on the throne doesn't make them a ruler."
Mattias said and Swain catched on and nodded.
"It only means they have an arse. Well said. I must ask if this empire of yours has a name?" Swain asked and Mattias nodded.
"As a respect for you serving me, I shall name it Noxus and keep the structure of it to maintain our future expansion. Though, I hope you don't mind me being it emperor."
Mattias asked and Swain was happy to hear his words.
"I am grateful. And an emperor who has the same vision as us is worth serving."
Swain had conspired and overthrew the former Noxian emperor creating a structure of Trifarix.
Mattias nodded, then turned to Darius and commanded him to head to the north and handle the Bolton who were in Winterfell.
He warned him about the winter king and told him about its weakness of Dragonglass and Valyrian steel.
"It is not my first time battling an ice user. Hope it's worth my time."
"Good, however, before that should head to the river run to resupply and gather their support while also helping keep the people from any spies that it may have. It also gives you time to understand our troops."
Mattias said and Darius nodded seeing there was no point in rushing. Information about what happened would be delayed for a week or two since everyone had been killed.
He has stationed Stark and Tully soldiers in the twin to capture any who tries to cross it.
The Twins represents the only crossing point over the Green Fork for hundreds of miles in either direction. It is a major barrier to travelers and merchants traveling from the North to the western Riverlands.
It lies directly on the main route from Winterfell to Riverrun. Moving from one castle to the other while avoiding the Twins requires a lengthy detour hundreds of miles to the south or hazardously traversing the bogs and swamps of the Neck to the north.
Travelers heading south who cannot pass southwest over the Twins must pass southeast along the Kingsroad.
He summoned a knight from Tully and Stark commanding them to let Swain and Darius to lead them.
They were confused seeing unfamiliar faces but simply thought it was part of his power and accepted it since Mattias had done nothing but help them and this is the least they could do to repay him.
Once their council concluded, Mattias sent for Lady Catelyn to brief her on their next course of action.
When she entered the command tent, he found her transformed. Gone was the bloodstained gown of battle; instead, she now wore a clean dress of deep river-blue, the color of her house. It brought out the calm grace that had long been buried beneath grief and fury.
Her posture remained proud despite her recent losses, the bearing of a woman born to rule, not to bow. The fabric of her dress was modest yet fine, its folds tracing the natural curve of her form without indulgence, hinting at elegance rather than flaunting it.
Mattias's gaze lingered only briefly before he composed himself. She looked every inch the lady she once was.
Meanwhile, Catelyn saw him wearing a simple white tunic that showed off parts of his manly body. Her heart was pounding wondering how she should approach her savior and future king.
She was no fool and understood how things would end when battling such decimating power.
Within only a day, the entire Frey had fallen. Catelyn had to admit that the young man was better at commanding his soldier than her son. There were hardly any losses during the conflict and his actions were swift.
It was as if he knew exactly how everything would play out and was within his control.
"Greetings, My lord. I hope your night has been well."
She greeted her with grace and Mattias smiled at her demeanor.
"It's been well. However, I would like you to be less formal when it's only us." Mattias said.
"A-Are you certain? Now that I am sober minded, I must apologize for what I did last night."
Catelyn's hunger for vengeance had calmed down especially when she reunited with Arya.
"As I said before, I do not mind it. How are things with your daughter?"
Mattias asked and Catelyn composed herself before answering.
"Wonderful, though, I feel ashamed to let my daughter experience these tragedies and change into why she is now."
Catelyn saw how much her daughter lost all her innocence and was like her in a way. A maiden who had stained her blood was difficult to cleanse.
"Change also means growth. It is inevitable for her to not become who she is and what best to do is to embrace it."
Mattias said as he started to plan on how she should handle Arya since she won't inherit Winterfell and considered letting Darius train her to become someone capable of becoming a knight. Though, women cannot be a knight doesn't mean he can't establish a different order.
"...I see, you are right. We lost everything because we refused to change." Catelyn knew how Westeros are at an endless cycle of war because none of them wish to change and grow.
"That aside, I called you for a reason." Mattias caught her attention once again and began to explain his intention.
"We will head to the riverrun to resupply and gain more support while also giving you time with your daughter."
"Would Winterfell be alright? Should we not head there?"
Catelyn knew that the Bolton would likely have hold of castle black and the whole Winterfell meaning her son Rickon would be in danger or worse already been killed.
"How things are now, we won't be able to win without losing if we set course to Winterfell."
Mattias explained to her seeing how people of Bolton would be well rested and fed waiting for them while they would be hungry and exhausted if they head straight to Winterfell even if they're morale were high and would lose by their aching body.
Catelyn thought for a moment from his words seeing it was right since they might have gotten some supply from the Frey would not be enough.
"These men who wish to be my people will return home with their family if not then I have failed as leader and ruler."
Mattias understood loss is inevitable in war but he would not let his men to die because he was careless. Even if they were to die, their family would be rewarded handsomely.
Catelyn was astonished that Mattias was this kind of man. These were rare qualities in a place like Westeros.
"Then we will abide by your command, lord Reis." Catelyn said fully supporting a man who put his men beneath him first.