You accomplish most of your journey without encountering anything or anyone else. That gives you time to marvel at your surroundings. You note how fertile, green, and lush the land is. Evidently, the rumors of the Reach's beauty were not embellished.
When you are less than a day's ride from Bitterbridge, you finally happen across another party. This one is quite large. There are at least thirty men, all of whom are gathered protectively around one woman.
"Who goes there?" one of them calls out to you, placing a hand on the hilt of his sword. He does not draw it, but you do not doubt he will if he deems it necessary. Most of his companions seem to be of a like mind.
Hoping to avoid a hostile confrontation, you calmly call out "No one of importance, I assure you, good ser. I am but a humble traveler, roaming the land and searching for work wherever I can."
You sound believable enough. At least you hope you do; that IS the truth, after all. Thankfully, the mounted men seem a little less wary of you.
"What is your name?" the woman asks.
"Brynden, milady," you inform her. You note her auburn hair, her eyes, and her complexion. You ask "Forgive me my impertinence, but would you happen to be Lady Catelyn Stark?"
The woman's eyes widen a little in surprise, but she lightly nods her head. One of her soldiers asks suspiciously "How do you know that?"
"Although I have been all over the Seven Kingdoms, I am originally from the Riverlands," you reply, bowing your head respectfully, "I can easily recognize one with the coloring of the Tullys of Riverrun."
Lady Catelyn lightly grins at that. "I see. May I ask what you are doing out here all on your own?"
"As I said before, milady, I am looking for work," you inform her, "With the war going on, my options have expanded greatly. I concluded that my best prospects might lie with King Renly, so I am on my way to Bitterbridge to visit his camp. No offense meant to your son or those that follow him."
"No offense was taken, my boy," she assures you, "Since you are no one's sworn vassal, you are free to align with whomever you please. However, might I ask how old you are?"
"Six and ten," you inform her.
Lady Catelyn is surprised. "Then you're younger than my eldest son," she remarks.
That amazes you. You are younger than King Robb? The auburn-haired lady says "You are not even a man grown, yet you are traveling all by yourself?"
"That's correct, milady," you confirm, "Please, do not let it trouble you. I've lived this way for the past eight years, and I've gotten by just fine."
"That may be," says Catelyn, "But the realm was not at war for the last eight years. Now, it is dangerous for grown MEN to be wandering the land alone. For a growing lad such as yourself to do the same..."
You simply shrug at that. You've always been good at avoiding dangerous encounters. The only ones you ever got involved in were the ones where you had an excellent chance of emerging triumphant. Still, Lady Catelyn seems genuinely concerned, and only a scoundrel would put a lady in such distress. You say "Might I ask what you believe I should do instead?"
"We are on our way to Bitterbridge, as well," Lady Catelyn informs you, "If you wish, you may join my company until we get there. Then you can decide where you'd like to go from there."
You are astonished by her kind offer, but you do not accept it straightaway. You wonder; would it really be alright to accept her hospitality, even if only for a day? After all, you had not really done anything to earn it. Then again, it is not as though you would be imposing on anyone.
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