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Lord Patrek Mallister: The Reign of the Ill-Ruler (317 AL - 344 AL) Part 2“Little known to the rest of Westeros, the most important war of all the wars in the Seven Kingdoms is being fought at the Wall. The Others marches south and the only ones who is trying to stop them are the Night’s Watch. In the year 303 AL, the Night’s Watch was decimated and the War for the Dawn was lost. But, the dead held still, not crossing the border beyond the New Gift, they remained within the territory once held by the Night’s Watch. From there, the Others would keep an eye on the realms of man to the south, waiting patiently as they kill each other in their petty wars. That was the start of the Age of Winter, when ice and snow reigned over the lands.” (Taken from Archmaester Eddard’s “The Age of Winter.”)“The weather is indeed abnormal but, I’m not quick to associate such things with the supernatural. There are books that mention a long winter happening in the past before, perhaps it is the case now. Which makes it a natural phenomenon and not a supernatural one. Here in the Citadel, we rely on evidence based on fact, not old legends. ” (An excerpt from Archmaester Ormond’s speech after replacing Archmaester Eddard.)Snow and ice enveloped Westeros from the North and all the way down to Dorne. This winter has lasted for twenty-three years and an entire generation of people have been born and raised not knowing the warm touch of summer. All around, as the wars between great houses subsided, small uprisings occurred. The smallfolk, starving and dying from the cold, would gather up to assault their lords’ castles to steal food or die to spare their families another mouth to feed. Often, their contribution to their families would be the latter. The more honest folk would rely on hunting and fishing for food. In Seagard, Lord Patrek would prove to be a skilled merchant as he is a lord by providing food for his people through trade. Fish from the Iron Islands, recently subdued and ruled over by House Rykker of Duskendale, and grain from the warmer south. Seagard would be at peace until 329 AL and during this time Lord Patrek would spend his time with his growing family.In 326 AL, seven months after the installment of Lady Arwyn as Lady of the Trident, Lord Patrek’s first grandson was born, he is named Lymond Mallister. A year later, in 327 AL, Lady Lysa Mallister, the youngest sister of Silvia Mallister, knelt before Lord Patrek and rose as Ser Lysa Mallister, an honored knight of Seagard despite being a woman at the age of six and ten. Her knighting ceremony caused much fanfare as she has been admired by the smallfolk in and around Seagard. She is a skilled commander, preferring to lead heavy infantry, but, people like her most because of her elaborately designed suit of armor. It is an enameled purple armor with gold lining, silver feather patterns, and silver wings that jut out from the shoulders. It is paired with an enameled silver winged helm adorned with a red horsehair plume. Her personal sigil, two silver wings on a purple field, is meant to honor the house of her father. Though not as pretty as Masha or as lady-like as Silvia, Ser Lysa’s athletic physique, the result of her dedication, has caused just as many men to look her way in social gatherings. The fanfare of Ser Lysa’s knighthood was only matched, in 328 AL, by the birth of Florian Mallister, the second grandson of Lord Patrek. With a son and two grandsons, the future of House Mallister was secured. However, the days of happiness won’t last long.We know now that the enemies Denys Mallister faced are the Others but, back then, no one knew they existed. Had the lords and kings of that time knew the real threat, perhaps they may have been more considerate of the Night’s Watch plea for help. Had Jon Stark the Imperious Wolf, Lord Paramount of the North, not abandon his oath and joined up with the self-proclaimed king of the Seven Kingdoms, Stannis Baratheon, his house could have been spared its tragic fate. However, coming up with alternate scenarios is not a job for a historian, or an aspiring one. All we know, is that Jon Stark knew about the Others and the dangers that came with them. He knew the cause of the Age of Winter and knew just what to do to stop it. By 328 AL, he gathered up his men and alone he declared a second War for the Dawn which would end with a Mallister dead and his house in ruins.‘“Eddard Stark, son and heir of Lord Jon Stark, was left behind as the Stark in Winterfell. Along with him is his brother, Medger Stark, and his wife, Masha Mallister. Lord Jon has taken the entire Northerner army to war but refused to bring any of his sons. The decision made Eddard disappointed for he desires to show his skills in battle like his famed uncle, the Young Wolf. Medger, on the other hand, was delighted to know that he will be safe within the walls of the castle. Masha was just happy that her beloved husband will not die in the field and leave their newly born son, Jeor Stark, fatherless. Little did they know that walls are not built to hold the winter.One night, Eddard was woken by the sound of bells warning the castle of an impending attack from the Kingsroad beyond Wintertown. An excitement surge into his body and quickly went to the armory to arm himself. Medger was not there, he was hiding inside the Great Keep with Masha and her babe along with a dozen household guards. However, his wife, Taena Hightower, stood beside Eddard armed and ready. They opened the gates to let the smallfolk from Wintertown enter the castle. Eddard commanded his men to arm those who are able to fight and send the rest to the godswood. Within the hour, Winterfell has assembled a force of one thousand men to its defence. They are armed with fire and steel to better combat their foes. But, as the enemy forces became visible, Eddard’s excitement dwindled and then vanished. Thousands or more wights are slowly marching towards them with a White Walker leading the way. When his men started to show signs of wavering, Eddard drew his sword and yelled, “Winter has come! And, in a few moments, we'll feel their wrath and I know that it is terrifying! But, believe me, if we waver now, we’re dead! If we lose, we’re dead along with everyone we love! Our only hope now is to fight!” Then the crowd cheered, “For Winterfell! For Stark! For the Dawn!”Volleys of burning arrows rained down on the risen dead once they are within range. The wights were lit on fire by the hundreds but, there seem to be no end to them. The dead started to sprint and, wave after wave, the archers fire. However, the dead eventually reached the walls of Winterfell and began slamming and piling on top of each other creating a mound so high that it gave the dead an easy way up. At this point, Eddard has commanded his men to carry torches along with their swords to burn and slash through the foes in front of them. Then the East gate suddenly burst into icy splinters and the dead poured inside. Seeing no other choice and suffering from a wounded shoulder, Eddard ordered his men to retreat into the inner walls. Once on top, Eddard witnessed Taena Hightower swing her sword ruthlessly atop a battlement. Then, a group of wights leapt on top of her and tore her apart. She has only been a member of House Stark for about a year but she has already treated them as her family and, as such, gave her life to protect them.Eddard rallied his men, now significantly reduced than it is before. “Fight! Fight to live!” He cried at them. Then, an inner gate burst and the walls overrun. Eddard was escorted by his personal guard into the Great Keep. Their numbers reduced to a mere thirty men. The screams of dying men and women pollute the air. In an instant, the doors of the Great Keep turned to ice and shattered. A White Walker walked inside carrying an ice blade sword. Eddard’s guards attacked the intruder only for their weapons to shatter and, one by one, they are killed. Afterwards, the White Walker turned to Eddard and walked slowly towards him. Eddard raised his sword to defend himself but, just like the others, it shattered. Then, the White Walker’s ice blade pierced through Eddard’s steel chestplate to his heart as if he was wearing nothing at all.Subsequently, the White Walker went up the stairs onto where Masha Mallister and her baby, along with Medger Stark, are being kept. On the way, the White Walker slew the dozen household guards stationed there as easily as the ones before. Medger barred the door leading to their chamber but it was a wasted effort. The White Walker simply froze it and it shattered. A swing of its ice blade beheaded Medger, who was trying slip out of the room, immediately once it entered. Then, it gazed on Masha with it bright blue eyes. “No! No!” She repeatedly cried while the baby boy wept on her arms. The White Walker opened its mouth and let out a loud icy shriek before killing the mother and her son.Lord Jon Stark would later return to his castle, along with the remnants of his army, to find it sacked and all of its denizens dead. He lost his war and, worst of all, he lost his family. The Age of Winter would continue on and the Imperious Wolf will howl not in mourning but in anger against the Seven Kingdoms that refused to help him. “If only the rest of the Seven Kingdoms joined him in this fight, the second War for the Dawn would’ve been won. It is Queen Myrcella’s fault, a Lannister shan't sit on the Iron Throne” he cursed. For the next twelve years, Lord Jon’s rage would eventually lead to his war for independence and crowning himself as the King in the North.” (Taken from Maester Merrett’s “The Last Starks.”)Lord Patrek told his maester not to mention any White Walkers, grumpkins, and snarks when talking about Masha’s death. She was killed by a hungry mob while she was handing out food for the smallfolk, is what people knew back then. No one exactly know why he lied about the Others. Was it his paranoia kicking in? Does he think the Imperious Wolf is mocking him? Or was it for some grander plan? According to some accounts, Lord Patrek decided to keep such news from spreading as a way to keep Seagard united. If the people knew that the Others existed, the smallfolk might panic and cause troubles in an already troublesome time. Lysa might mount her horse and ride to the North with her beautiful armor to attack her sister’s killers. Judging by Lord Patrek’s action that same year, he would need that passion and anger directed towards someone else. Someone like Willem Frey the Lord of the Riverlands.In 329 AL, Lord Willem Frey, among many other lords, declared a war to depose Queen Myrcella from the Iron Throne. Lord Willem mustered around nine thousand men to his cause and marched them east to siege Harrenhal. The Mad Mouse of Harrenhal died just last year due to a sudden illness and a boy now rules over the great ruined castle. Lord Willem must have thought this to be an easy campaign. A number of lords from the Westerlands joined him and many lords from the Reach. The North and the Vale remained neutral so, he has no need to worry about attacks on that side of his domain. But, he didn’t took into account one of his vassals, Lord Patrek Mallister. While besieging Harrenhal, Lord Willem received a message, it read; “Surrender your right as Lord Paramount of the Riverlands to Lady Jayne Bracken, the rightful ruler of the Riverlands, or there will be war. Signed, Lord Patrek Mallister.” Lord Willem was furious after reading the letter but, what can he do? He’s at war with the Crownlands and his allies are busy fighting loyalists from the west. Besides, Lord Patrek doesn’t have enough men to fight for him. So, he stayed to siege Harrenhal confident that his rebellious vassal could dealt with later.In Seagard, Lord Patrek raised a little over two thousand men which is not enough to siege Riverrun, if memory serves. Nevertheless, Lord Patrek has one advantage against his liege lord and that is gold. Sell swords, hedge knights, and a mercenary company from Essos called the Maiden’s Men gathered up in Seagard to answer his call. Now, Lord Patrek has a force of over six thousand men. Still less than Lord Willem’s nine thousand but enough to siege Riverrun.By early 330 AL, Seagard’s forces are besieging Riverrun with Ser Willamen Rivers, Ser Lysa Mallister, and Lord Patrek Mallister as battle commanders. Scouts are sent out to monitor the movements of Lord Willem’s forces. If he as so much hinted to march back to his castle, the scouts are ordered to inform the commanders so that they may move to a more defensible position. Though, Lord Willem remained at Harrenhal and the siege was uneventful at best. Ser Lysa Mallister is of course disappointed, she was expecting big battles with knights in formation clashing steel upon steel. Instead, all she does is sit outside a castle wall, more akin to a glorified picnic than a war. She will get her wish eventually when a group of a hundred or so would be raiders attacked her camp. It was on the dead of night and the attackers slew her men as they slept, Ser Lysa rallied her men to her side to fend them off. The ensuing battle was small but fierce. At one point, Ser Lysa was pulled away from her men and was surrounded. Before any harm can be done to her, she was rescued by Ser Willamen when he came to assist her with a contingent hedge knights.‘“Ser Lysa Mallister walked along the eastern shore of Ironman’s Bay, listening to the waves as they crash upon the beach. It was cold that day but, she has never known anything but the cold. Besides, her thick purple coat shields her from the worst of it and a little hardship would keep her mind off the future. She was to be wed to a boosted up hedge knight. A high born lady, and a knight herself, wed to a knight of low birth. What was her mother thinking, she thought. Her sister was murdered in the North and she gets to pay for her inability to defend herself. She worked hard to be a knight but, in the end she was still just a lady trapped to do what a lady’s duty.Someone shouted, “There you are!” The voice was familiar and, when Lysa turned around, she saw her brother-in-law, Ser Karyl Mallister, walking out of the carriage with the help of a coachman. He was smiling, his maimed leg forced him to require a cane to steady himself, but he was happy anyway, Lysa thought. She doesn’t know why but, it made her jealous. “What’s with the pouty face?” He asked her once she’s standing beside him.“What do you think?” She snapped sarcastically. “In a few days, I’m supposed to marry a man twice my age who lives in an island from the far south!” She felt her cheeks turn red.“Sister, don’t forget, this man is also filthy rich,” Karyl replied, his smile irritated his young sister-in-law and he knows it. “He’s the richest man in the Reach, right now, and I heard he rules the Arbor without swearing fealty to the Iron Throne. So, he’s pretty much a king, you know.”“Well, it would be nice to be a queen,” she said solemnly. “But…” Her voice won’t come out for some reason.“But, it’s not what you’ve wanted,” Karyl said the words for her. “You want to be knight. Legendary like Nymeria and fierce like Visenya, am I right, sister?”Lysa lightly punched her brother-in-law on the shoulder and he snickered. “You know me so well, brother,” she told him as she shook her head seemingly disappointed at his answer. “My father, my sister, and especially my mother, know me less than you. Brother, you know me more than anyone in the world, I bet,” she added with a hint of sarcasm. Her deep green eyes looked into his bright blue eyes longingly. “I would’ve married you without hesitation,” she said as if accidentally. She slowly stepped closer and gently ran her fingers down his cheek.“No,” he told her sternly and backed off. His smile faded and his face turned away. “Lysa, you know we can’t...”Lysa turned red once she realized what she was about to do. “Of course, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to, you know…” She paused for a moment to regain her composure. “My sister is lucky to have you, brother.”She remembered the day when Lord Patrek disregarded the marriage pact made by his father to Lord Piper. Instead, Lord Patrek decided to wed his son to a fellow Mallister. There are four Mallister girls suitable to marry Karyl; Silvia, Masha, herself, and her cousin, Freya. Lysa remember how she prayed to the mother and to the maid to be the one chosen as his bride. She also remembers her mother teaching Silvia how to make a man fall in love with her, which she hated. In the end, it went as expected. Silvia, her oldest sister, married Karyl. She still recalls the wedding and how heart broken she felt when she saw them seal their marriage with a kiss. She was only six years old back then but, she remembers it all as if it happened yesterday.When did she fell in love with her sister’s husband, she asked herself on the carriage ride back to the castle. She took a look at Karyl, who is sitting on the seat in front of her. Karyl nodded and smiled when he noticed her. She turned red and looked away. I was young and foolish back then, just a little girl, she thought. Then a memory flashed in her mind. It was a memory of Karyl back when he fell off his horse during a training exercise with his grandfather, who is also her granduncle. His leg was crushed as a result of the fall. The maester had to give him the milk of the poppy just so he can bare the pain. It took a month before his injuries subsided and it took another week for him to get used to walking with a cane. Once he can move, he immediately went to his grandfather as if the injury never took place. “I am your squire,” he said to him when he asked why he’s there. His grandfather laughed but, he let him continue to be his squire until he died fighting against the Mad Mouse’s army. Since he can’t walk properly, he trained himself to fight on horse back. Once he turned ten and six, his father recognized his hard work and awarded him with a knighthood. He was then given the honor to be his father’s sworn shield. Karyl was by his father’s side every time his father goes to war. With his leg strapped to his saddle, he fought just like any mounted knight. She can still recall how excited she was back when he told her of his time during the bloody march to the Blue Fork when his mother was installed as the Lady of the Trident. Ever since his injury, he’s been a shy man but not to her. He always found the energy to talk to her. He worked so hard only to be broken, why are the gods so cruel, she wonder.Lysa stepped out of the carriage and looked up at the castle in front of her, Seagard, the legendary seat of House Mallister. It looked so serene with the snow all around it, the thought of leaving makes her mood melancholy. After realizing that she will have to confront her mother inside, she sighed. Then, she turned around to help Karyl get out of the carriage when she heard him struggle. “Thank you,” he told her as he held her hand to stabilize himself. Somehow, feeling his hand made her forget about the cold. “You are the finest example of chivalry,” he added with a kind smile. Lysa pouted in annoyance which made Karyl chuckle as he successfully got out of the carriage. “Keep pushing your lips like that and your husband would mistake you for a duck,” he japed. This earned him another punch on the shoulder.“At least make it a swan, ducks are dirty creatures,” she replied, still miffed. “So, what made you escort me all the way back here?”“Isn’t it obvious? Your mother, Sharp Falcon, and my wife are looking for you. They said your wedding dress was finished and they need you try it on so adjustments can be made before Lord Newbridge comes about.” Karyl smiled gleefully for a moment. “I figured you’d be at the beach, you always liked to listen to the sound of waves whenever we rode out. So, I just went there and saw you.”“Is that all,” she muttered silently as she walk to enter the castle. “I should go see my mother then,” she said, her voice sounded sullen.“Lysa…” Karyl noticed her glum mood. “You know, I’ll always be here for you if you need me.”His words felt more painful than reassuring. “I know, you were always there for me. Cheering me on even when everyone doubted my dreams of becoming a knight. When the Sharp Falcon told me that women shouldn’t use swords, you told me to keep at it.When my mother told me that I might scare off possible suitors, you told me to not mind them. When Masha…” The thought of her being butchered forced her to pause for a moment. “When Masha told me that I’m ugly because I’m brawny, you told me…” Her eyes began to water. “You told me that I’m the most beautiful girl in all of the Seven Kingdoms.” Tears started flowing down her cheeks. “I became a knight because of you.”A sudden pull caught her off guard then she found herself wrapped in the arms of Karyl. She rested her head onto his chest and felt his heart beat fast. “Don’t cry, sister. I’ll always be here for you. Always,” he told her with a soothing voice. “I…” He was cut off when Silvia, his wife, bursted out of the castle. The two separated almost immediately.“What do we have here?” Silvia eyed them suspiciously.“He was just helping me calm down. I think I getting cold feet,” Lysa replied then forced a laugh.“Mhmm, is that so?” Silvia looked at her husband, he’s smiling awkwardly, then back to Lysa. “Well, cold feet or not, it doesn’t matter now. The documents have been signed and Lord Newbridge will be here any day now.” Silvia pulled her sister’s hand to guide her inside. “Come now, you need to try out your dress before the wedding.”A few days later, Lord Addam Newbridge of the Arbor landed in Seagard and the preparation for the wedding feast started. He was an old man, nine and forty, who has eyes that show wisdom and scars to prove a lifetime of war. He was a hedge knight and this he couldn’t hide. Despite having the Arbor’s wealth at his disposal, Lord Addam prefers to wear a plain yellow tunic with purple lining without any jewelry or anything that could indicate his high status. When he approached his bride’s family, he gave them ample gifts, including bottles of Arbor Gold and various cloths and jewelry. Lord Addam gave Lysa a courteous greeting, a gentle smile, and a silver eagle necklace adorned with sapphire bits, when they were introduced to each other.The men were drunk and making bawdy jokes as they pull off Lysa’s clothing bit by bit. By the time she made it to the bed, she is naked save for one stocking on her right leg. She was soon followed by her new husband. The men behind them made a few more jokes before closing the doors so that husband and wife can consummate their marriage. Lysa laid there red faced and clueface. She looked at her husband, his body is battle hardened and his scars are scattered throughout. He must have fought in many battles, she thought. Even at his age he still appeared handsome once she got to look at him closer. Lysa found herself feeling more nervous when he laid beside her. She closed her eyes and prayed to the gods. “If it would help, you can think of someone else,” he told her. “Or, if you wish, we can do this when you’re ready or never. If that’s what you want.” He sat up, poured wine into a cup and took one giant gulp.Lysa sat up as well and covered herself with a sheet. “I’m sorry,” she replied. She watched his back as he indulged himself with another cup of wine.“No need to apologize.” He placed the cup and wine bottle back down. “You’re not in love with me, that much is obvious. You’re in love with that kinsman of yours, judging by the way you look at him.” He lets out a laugh. “You’re only in bed with me because you were told to do so.” Lysa nodded silently, her face flushed. “That’s something we both have in common, at least.” The statement caught her by surprise.“You were also forced to marry me?” She asked with a hint of disbelief.He smiled at her slyly. “There was a woman back home that I wanted to marry. She was lowborn and therefore it is ill advised to marry her. My advisors, instead, told me to marry you in order to give my name some high born credibility when your mother made the offer. Since House Newbridge is a house founded by a mere hedge knight, my claim to rule the Arbor is being challenge. ‘How can a low born man like me have the right to rule over Redwyne lands?’ Ser Luthor Goldwyne questioned when I was chosen to rule the Arbor before he boasted about his lineage and relation to the Redwynes.”“You were… chosen to rule the Arbor? Chosen by who?”A smile crept up his face. “His name is Ser Anslem Tackerton, also known as the Burner of the Arbor after he burned down Arbor Castle.”“He sounds like a violent man, the Redwynes are his liege lords.” Lysa’s curiosity took away her nervousness.“You say that because you’ve never met him, the Redwynes have refused to hand out food to the smallfolk and kept their gates closed as their people starve to death. We returned to the Arbor after our service to the Queen and found it at a horrible state. We saw our fellow people suffering and we had to do something about it. So, Ser Anslem called on to the people and pointed to where the food is being kept. He lead them, armed with sticks, knives, or whatever they can use to pommel a man to death, and assaulted the castle. Many died, sure, but dying in battle is far quicker and more honorable than dying of hunger. In the end, the castle burned, the people are given provisions, and the Redwynes are exiled. The smallfolk chose him, Ser Anslem of House Tackerton, to be the new Lord of the Arbor.”The thought of the smallfolk choosing their own rulers somehow made Lysa feel uncomfortable. “You seem very fond of this man.” Still curious.He proudly replied, “He was a friend and a fellow hedge knight, five years younger than me. We fought together in the War of the Five Kings on the side of Renly Baratheon. After he died, we sought employment with his brother, Stannis, and travelled all the way to the Wall. We served under him until he was slain by Lord Bron Blackwater. Afterwards, we joined the Queen’s forces to fight off the Mummer’s Dragon.” Lord Addam paused for a moment, his face turned gloomy. “He died of a chill just a decade ago with no sons to inherit his titles. So, he appointed me as his successor said I’m his only true friend in the world.”“Wow,” Lysa said in amazement and with a hint of jealousy. “You’ve lived a full life, Lord Addam. So many battles and so many adventures. Meanwhile, I can’t even leave Seagard or fight a war. My armor, as beautiful as it is, isn’t even scratched before I was sent back home.”“You are young still,” he told her cheerfully. “Who knows what kind of adventures you’ll have tomorrow or once you’re living in the Arbor. I know I could use a good knight by my side, Ser Luthor is not the only problem I have. The Redwynes are somewhere in the Reach and they have many powerful friends.”The sentiment made Lysa smile. “Who knows, maybe I want to have a little adventure now.” She pulled the old knight to her and kissed him. Lord Addam looked at her confused. Then she said, “A marriage must be consummated at the night of the wedding, is it not?” Before kissing him again.”’ (An excerpt from a romanticized retelling of Lysa Mallister’s life written by Ser Jon the Green in his series of books called “The Knight of Silver Wings.”)The Knight of Silver Wings books became popular among noble ladies in Westeros and in the Free Cities but, it shouldn’t be considered accurate because Ser Jon the Green wrote them many years after the death of Lysa Mallister. However, it is true that Ser Lysa’s marriage did get consummated the night of her wedding to Lord Addam because she gave birth to a daughter named Mychella Newbridge before year’s end. What is not true, or at least proven, is her relationship with Ser Karyl Mallister. The two did get along very well whilst in Seagard and Ser Lysa did spoke highly of Ser Karyl at his funeral. But, based on the accounts of their contemporaries, it could not be proven if the two are ever romantically involved. This being said, any accusations of Mychella being a bastard of Ser Karyl should be dismissed due to lack of proof. Ser Lysa’s story does not end with her marriage but, it is closely tied to House Newbridge’s history and therefore should be discussed in a book that focuses on the history of that house. An interesting side note; a decade and two sons later, Lord Addam would fall in love with his wife so much that he eventually changed his house sigil to a silver eagle with a bloody beak and talons upon a field of yellow to honor her. Lord Addam’s love for his wife is also reflected by House Newbridge’s words, “On Silver Wings, We Soar!”