Hi again everyone. once again here with a new updated chapter for my most popular story of the GOT series.

I hope you all enjoy it.

Age of Terror Reign Of The Night Ch 8

Battle of Champions.

A week had gone by and still the populous current and coming into the westerland were excited especially when word quickly spread about the up and coming honour duel between the champions of the Hand Jon Arryn and the legendary hero and lord Victor Von Carstien.

Naturally said name of Victor's champion prompted the very man's father to ride so hard to casterly rock that he damn near killed his horse by riding all day and night.

It was only natural that the patriarch of the house was relieved and over joyed that his son wasn't dead as he was lead to believe. But that moment of fatherly love was quickly wipe away as honour and loyalty to his liege lord made him demand that his own son step down as champion.

-Flashback. one week ago-

"Why can't you understand! Its not just my honour on the line but the honour of the man whom I owe my life to!" Young Creighton Redfort was standing up to his father who commanded that his honour duel cease in their sworn loyalty to their house's high lord.

Honour and the old traditions of oaths and fealty were the main traidtions that isolated kingdoms like the North vauled above all others. The vale was a region of large impassible mountains that make traveling through the region nearly impossible except through the only possible road in and out of the Vale of Arryn which led to the bloody gate, the only entrance on the great eastern road that led to the Eyrie, the ancestral seat and home for House Arryn.

The arryns have govern the vale for centuries after their legendary ancestor the winged knight slew the griffon king of the first men, securing the vale for the andels and taking oaths of fealty from the ancestors of many of the noble houses of the vale.

Houses such as Redfort have taken their oaths and vows to their grave in servitude to the Arryns for generations, so for one to go against and challenge their liege lord such as Jon Arryn, A man who has both the loyalty and respect of the men and women of his vassel house's goes against such honours they hold to him. As well as undermine and question their true loyalty amongst the other lords.

Lord Horton Redfort may question his lord's decision and judgement on keeping his son's captivity a secret but he could not pass judgement out of blind love and obedience to the man. But little did he know that the raven sent to him was the first and only one sent to the vale before another followed to summon his champion.

It was cunning ploy to force the young champion of victor to back down from his place but warrior pride and honour kept him defient to his father's wishes who was becoming red with rage at his son's continuing refusal.

From the shadows watching the two as their argued was Victor, Leering from his place as he watched the relationship between father and son fracture over self pride. His calculated repercussion was the first act in his grand threater of the prideful father pushing his son away out of fear of appearing disloyal to the man whom he holds in a grand light worthy of admiration and worship.

"Crieghtion! I will not ask again. You will stand down from this tournament and apologise to the lord hand." his father demanded, his patience running thin from the stubborn defience his son was giving him

"Or what!?" crieghtion snapped back, anger at his own father's stubbornness and blindness to see the true enemy pitting them against eachvother "What will you do if I don't?"

Lord horton looked ready to explode but managed to calm down and assume an cold and indifferent composer as he spoke in a chilling calm voice "…If you don't… I will disinherit you from the house. And brand you a bastard." Creighton pale upon hearing that.

Would his father really go to such lengths to preserve his image of undaunted loyalty to a man who lied to him.

From out of the shadows watching, Victor stepped out "That's going a bit too far for an honour duel my lord." Victor stepped in, exposing his presence as he walked into the courtyard, taking his place between them with a polictal smile.

Lord Horton turned his ire to the man he blamed this all on "stay out of this! It's because of you that my son is being dragged into duel against the hand." He glared at victor, accusing him of putting his own son into this position that he refuses to leave.

But what lord Horton might imagen from the one sided letter to be true was in fact false, Victor may have named Creighton to be his champion but by the laws of the realm said that champion could leave his service at anytime without dishonouring himself "Your son is his own man my lord. he can leave my service any time he chooses, I am not holding him into this."

"My son. Is not properly thinking, he does not grasp the conscept that his actions are damning not only himself but his house as well." Lord Horton explained, trying to get his son to realise that his actions are endangering the lives of his brothers and of their household with his position against the hand.

"So. You would have him forsake his own honour and be risked called a coward for the presivation of your house." Lord horton wasn't just demanding Creighton to leave Victor's service, he was also demanding that the boy apologises to man he is fighting against would shame him as a coward. "That doesn't excuse your reaction as most father's would be supportive of their child's valour and honour of defending his rights and his family's integrity."

"You know not what you speak Foreigner! You don't know what being both a father and a lord is like." Lord horton soon regretted those words as Victor face went into a chilling expression as his red eye's bore into the man's own.

"Acturally… I do. I know the joys and hardships of father hood. I myself fathered three children from a… previous marriage." The immortal being still remembered and held a great grief over the golden age of his life when he was both father and husband to family he deeply cherished. "Two sons and a daughter. Much like you I too was in the exact same position when my eldest took my armour and sword, bearing it with pride as he earned the champion's title. And even then I supported him to his death."

Lord horton saw the honesty on his face and felt the grief carried words that made him see the man in the same light as him as he was with the safety and concern with his own child "I… I apologise for my rude remark. But… this is my son. My second born whom I thought I lost, I will not risk losing him in this honour fight between you and the lord hand." The man said in softer tone.

Victor place a hand upon his shoulder as a sign of reasurence and understand and he replied In the same tone "I understand your woe's but this is not my decision to make. It is his." He said bringing it back to Creighton who watch the exchange unfold, learning a bit more about the man in under a minute then his time fighting along side him these past days.

His father looked back at him with pleading eyes upon his mournful face that aged him "Would you risk losing your son then have him admit to his untruthful wrongs?" victor cooed to the man, his words seemed to spark something within him.

Lord Horton looked at war with himself, his bare fists clinching and shaking against his sides as his head dip down to the ground so both men couldn't see his face. And when he raised back up, he no longer looked at Creighton as his son but as a lord upon his subject "…Yes!" he said in a dead tone.

Victor turned back to Creighton with a sigh "Creightion. As I stated before and I'm saying now. I do not hold you to what oaths and debts you have to me, you can back down whenever you want. It changes nothing." Victor said, giving him the out he needed to leave without damaging his relation's to his father.

"Lord carstien." Creighton breathed out, humbled and thankful for the offer that no longer tied to him to what debts he may or may not have had to the man.

But…

He looked to his father, seeing his head nod silently at him, telling him to take it and leave but Creighton looked back at victor seeing the same from him with a warm smile upon his lips.

Creighton didn't know what to do.

On one hand he could accept the offer and leave without disgracing himself but admit to being wrong to the hand soon after and being ridiculed for his moment of disloyalty and cowardice.

But on the hand if he chose to stay and fight, he would lose his rights and connections to his family, he'd never his mother or brothers again, and he may die fighting in the tourney as many others do.

It was a hard choice, one he found himself at battle with his conscious and soul, the morals and values he was taught in a struggle with is passions and emotions till finally after some time of silence and looking between the two men he found his answer.

"I… still wish to fight in your name if you'll have me." With those words Creighton sealed his fate.

"No! I won't have it!" his father roared out in defeince against his son's words.

"And what are you going to Lord Redfort? Do remember that you cannot jepodise this duel or else risk further dishonour upon your house for whatever action you take against your own son." Victor reminded the man of his place in this crucal time, warning him of any attempts to hinder or sabotage his son's time till the tourney would cast a dark and suffocating shadow of dishonour upon him and his family.

Lord Horton knowing he could do nothing and say nothing now that Creighton had made his choice left in a huff but just as he was he about to leave the ear and eye shot of the two men he turned back "Creighton." He called out as he looked to his son with hard face "Remember what I said. if you go through with this, then I have no choice but to disinherit you from the house. You have until the tourney to change your mind and know where you true alliegence's lie." And with that he left.

Now that it was just the two of them, Crieghton was the first to speak as he broke the slience "I'm sorry you had to see that My lord." he apologised for the shameful display his father put out.

"No. it is I who should be sorry for involving you in this. I can understand your father in one way but his selfish pride over your own honour makes him unworthy to bear the name lord and father. Because from where I stand, you have the integrity and courage that many houses and kingdoms would be proud to have you bear them." Victor's generous and inspiring words were earest to the man who took them to heart till said young man remembered something said between his father and Lord Victor.

"Forgive me for asking this my lord, but… I wasn't aware you had a son." He was naturally unaware as pretty much everyone was to the new and mysterious couple from uncharted lands.

He assumed that he and his wife had yet to bare any children yet.

Victor had a far off look as he spoke in a distant tone "It was a long time ago. He'd be about your age when he first competed and won with great honours and valour in combat…but he was unfortunately murdered in the most dishonourable manner there was. The man whom he defeated to be named champion showed his cowardice and vile nature by stabbing him through the heart before the entire spectors after falling to my son in single combat." He told his tale that got him sympathy from the young champion.

"I'm- sorry for your loss."

"it is heartening to hear such kind words. Let me part to you some wisdom young creghtion. Do not let self doubt or others hold you back from achieving greatness." The immortal lord gave his advise before pulling crieghton with him as they walk away "Now come, we must begin your training."

-Now present-

A week went by in a flash for the two immortals.

Victor spent most of his time with creightion redfort, giving him an excuse to keep away from the queen who tried to make up the night she attempted to bed him but luck and Ellyn made it impossible for her.

Speaking of his dear Ellyn.

The resuraected lady was certainly enjoying herself if he had to say so himself.

Ever there was a smile that made her look like the cat that swallowed the pigeon and the reason for such an ever present grin was that she was wining her own battle in court. Using her old skills and tactics to beat cersei in the game of rumours and allies, a battlefield was grafted out of the entire castle and city filled with the nobility that had to choose where they align with.

And it honestly was hard at times for the mortal men and women who tried to befriend the carstiens in hopes of a powerful ally to support them and vice virsa or the great backing of the crown and the Lannisters who were the most wealthiest family in the kingdom.

With each day Cersei looked less serene and graceful and more furious and haggard with her hair developing split that appeared unnoticed to the untrained eye but to both Ellyn and Victor they saw the number of split frizzes gradually developing by singles in her hair. A frown and thin lips married her features, servants and kin alike steered clear of her whenever she walked the halls with that look that meant trouble .

-Flashback. A few days ago-

It was like any other day in the Rock, Ellyn stayed inside the halls that she was familiar with, knowing every room that the castle held what they contained. She had just entered the grand hall which had been reorganised into a large dining room where tables were aligned and filled with food that many of the vistiting nobles sat and ate at with their household and allies.

Each table was aligned in a way that rank each house that sat at them, from lesser and vassal lords to liege lords all the way to the crown and prominent figures in the kingdom. The top of the hall was filled naturally with the lannisters, Baratheons and members of the royal court such as the hand and the king himself, but for their heroism Victor, Ellyn and Creighton were given the honour of sitting with them.

The two undead played their part, dining with the people around them. Victor ate his food with more table manners then anyone in the entire hall, holding dignified well mannered face as he used his utensils expertly to cut and pick up his food unlike some people who boasted with wine and food in his mouth.

Ellyn copied him in his way, taking in small pieces at a time but try as she might she tried to maintain her own expressionless visage that threatened to break out in grimace and disgust as the food entered her mouth. The once tasteful and excuisite foods in her life were now bland or foul in this one, she bit back her tongue to stop herself from spitting it out and when it entered her stomach she fought to keep herself from vomiting the entire contents of her stomach.

The only saving grace was the meat. She had it Raw, the venison contained the blood of the animal it was cut off, the life liquid that while less grand the human blood helped to down the food threatening to comeback out the way they went in.

It was a seemingly quiet breakfast until "Lady Carmilla." The caller of her name was surprisingly the Queen who looked at her with an all too suspicious smile that she bore towards her. "Might I… inquire as to why you always wear your mask everywhere?" she asked about Ellyn's ever present appearance with her masquerade mask.

With all eye's of the table on her including Victor who glanced at her from the corner of her eye, she couldn't rely on him to cover her again but she memorised her backstory should she ever find herself in this position again.

Swallowing her food and cleaning what traces of food she had on face with a dab of her napkin and clearing her throat to speak in her accent "It is tradition for women where I'm from to only show their faces to their husbands and children. Your Grace." She answered with her excuse to keep her face concealed from all too familiar eyes.

But she knew that this was only the beginning of Cersei's scheme to assault her with words as the blonde royalty wore a peeked smile that hid her true vile intent and nature behind the innocent inquiry. "How odd. I assume that if commanded you would remove it?" she asked both out of curiousity to see if such a command was plausible and to gain a weapon against her with either answer.

"Unforutnately not. High ladys of birth from my country are strict about the old traditions, No one but a lady's husband may remove the mask." She denying the prospect that many of this men around her, namely the king could see her face.

But cersei saw an opportunity to insult her "hmmm how peculiar. It's rather an odd thing about your former homeland and it's customs but around here, woman freely expose their faces to show their beauty even at a royal command."

Tywin tried not to sigh heavily as his brat of a daughter was once again at it. Undermining his carefully laid plans with her antics of trying to slander the wife of the man who was about to give to him and his family a valyrian steel sword.

The last time cersei tried this trick, she lost and tywin was paying for the repercussions of it with fantiful lies spewing about his children's abomible acts in private that make's his youngest and degraceful son Tyrion less vile then he is.

Like always, Cersei never learns. She may say she is the wisest and smartest of the lannister's second only to him but in reality she's blinded by her own arrogance and vanity that made her more enemies then allies but she had little in the gain of allies then she did in enemies as half if not all within the kingdom was an enemy that she made by crossing them.

But Tywin could not interrupt, even if he could. Cersei started this and so she will finish it even if she must taste bitter defeat again.

His children will have to learn that he won't be around forever. That when the day he dies, his sons and daughter will have to fend for themselves against everyone that will come for them.

Ellyn was already onto Cersei's scheme's, having prepared for them as her mental abilities progressed she began to see the surface thoughts of others that bounced freely from their unprotected minds. And the queen's proclaimed louder then anyones about her intent, both on her and for Victor "I'm sure they do. The women here often expose themselves with and without a royal decree as I'm sure your well aware of." She was obviously referring to how women, both high born and low undress themselves and use their bodies to get what they want. And she aimed it at the queen, subtly accusing her of being a whore.

Cersei continued to put on a smile dispite the urge to leap over the table and throatle the woman "Yes… they do. We can't all help it if our beauty attracts the right kind of attention."

Elly continued to bear that sly smile as she broke down cersei's defences "or the wrong kind. I've been reading about your kingdoms history and have come across a rather… unique occurrence that seems to happen quite a lot. It appears that men take many apart from their wives and it makes me wonder if it's because they can't quite satisfy them enough."

A clear jab to her conpaintcy to give her husband satisfying sex, people choked on their food and wine at the insult to Cersei's ability satify her husband. The wordplay now had the full attention of the table and nearby tables that were close and listened to the two ladies tear at eachother with vocal hidden daggers to the throat.

Ellyn pressed on before Cersei had a chance to retaliate with a burning insult to her directly "Your husband appears to spend more time with other ladies then yourself. Though I can see that he might be giving you a bit of space to recover after blessing him with an heir." Ellyn gave herself an excuse from the direct insult she delievered to the queen who looked ready to murder but held herself back as Ellyn's theory that her husband and king did not want to touch her already weakened body that is still recovering from birthing the Kingdoms Heir.

Cersei snort as Carmilla gave the act that men from where she's supposedly from are faithful to a fault "oh. And I suppose that men from where you're from are faithful and devoate to their oaths."

Ellyn querked an eyebrown behind her mask "aren't yours?" she asked milthfully earning a look from many of the women at the table that there were such men who keep to their vows "I thought that beautiful women such as yourself are meant to entice and hold onto their men with their looks and skills. Or is it because you lack something that causing them to seek comfort in another's arms."

Cersei gritted her teeth as she was being called unsatisfying to cull her king's lust, it didn't help that many around her, namely ladies and female servent's bore smirks hidden behind napkins and hands as they looked at her with sadistic satisfaction that she for once was on the receiving end of slanderous remarks.

Acting on anger with her patience thin she resorted to a less then subtle insult "You know. I presumed that under that mask, you're looks are less then average." A pathetic attempt as she called Ellyn ugly.

Ellyn however did not raise to the pathetic bait cersei desperately tried goad out of her in the childish insult. She continued to maintain that ever irksome grin that continued to infuriate the queen "You may presume. But never have the knowledge to know otherwise, for my beauty is only accessible to my husband." She added by pushing herself up against victor with her head resting against his frame while her arms hooked around his.

Victor seeing himself brought into the war of words was forced to play along, her cupped her chin with his finger and lifted it so that his lips were met with hers, expressing their deep love to all that saw before parting.

It was a romatic sight that many wished to possess with their own spouses, eye's looked on with envy at the tight relationship the two had with the other.

But she wasn't finished as Ellyn pulled out her trump that she's been eagerly awaiting to use "By the way, I heard sounds coming from your room last night."

At that mention only two people on the table quickly turned white while other's were confused or curious to where this went..

Jamie looked to his sister who quickly glanced in his direction, a silent message sent between them before the daughter of tywin recovered and settled in a neutral expression dispite the number of eye's looking at her.

"how odd. I'll be sure to look into it, obviously someone been using it without my knowledge." She lied almost expertly but Ellyn wasn't going to let her slip out of this one.

Clicking her tounge behind her teeth she looked at the queen with a half lid stare behind her mask "Clearly. Though, I was concerned when I saw his grace leaving his room this morning while you left your own." She feigned concern as she watched as the entire table turned on cersei with suspicious looks and glares of disgust as silent acusations were thrown at the woman who was cornered.

"I mean- I would not accuse your grace of sharing your room with someone else. Clearly the king retired to his own room and left you to recover within the safety of your old room but someone might get the wrong idea." She defended the queen, not out of pity but so that the woman would suffer slower rather then quicker as no doubt more rumours and lies would be born of this fact later rather then an inquiry being launched into her abhorred act.

*Thud!* the slamming of a golden goblet silenced cersei as she turned to see her own father, sending her a scathing glare from the corner of his eye that commanded her to shut up before she dug her self too deep to get out of.

Cersei bit her tongue to hold herself from lashing out and knew that this battle that she had started was over in favour of Carmilla, she thought she would have the upper hand within her own home but underestimated the resourcefulness and sly word play of her opponent that smirked manically from the safety next her or husband.

She accepted the bitter defeat and consequences to come that might've been far worse had she pursued Carmilla in this battle of slander.

Later after that Victor and Creighton stood within the small training yard granted to them by Tywin Lannister who gave it to further sweeten relations between him and the Lord carstien.

The two men stood opposite eachother, wearing nothing but trousers as per Victor's instruction while they wielded sparing swords.

Victor was preparing Creighton on his big fight, teaching him skills, techniques and strengthening his body against what the hand might send against them.

Creighton was honestly tired but deterimined to learn and train hard to fight to his fullest for the man he's indebted to. While the doubt and fear that his father would keep his word which wasn't helpful from the constint reminders he gets everytime they meet, he pushed those concerns away with strong belief and resolve to fight for his honour.

He'll admit that victor's training methods were unothidox and harsher then what he's been taught with the trainers and master's at arms his father had ordered for him when he was younger.

But they were working as he felt himself getting quicker in his reflexes to dodge, block and parry the quick and powerful strikes of the man teaching him.

As they trained they were being spectated by two people.

The first was Ellyn who spied from her little dark corner, shelted under the shadows and from the sun's rays as she sat on a table watching as her master taught the young man who he had a keen eye on in this short amount of time, she didn't know why but she suspects that Victor aims to turn him into one of them.

It was an interesting thought. Every lord needed a knight. Every king a right hand and that was what Victor was.

A king of Darkness and Young Creighton RedFort was to be his knight.

Ellyn watched with interest as she followed the human man keeping up with victor at half if not barely using his true strength, She'll be honest that the young soon to be knight in their service was convicted to this and pushing his hardest to achive victory.

From the corner of her eye, far across the courtyard she spotted the ever irritating pest in her life.

Queen cersei hid behind the pilliar, spying on the two men training shirtlessly in the yard. But her main focus was on the one man was the source of her obsession.

Her green Lannister eye's shamelessly oogled and devoured his naked torso that gleemed in the low light percing through the thin layer of clouds this day. Ellyn sent a narrowed cold glare as she felt the beast within growl possessively over this woman's blanent approuch to her Victor, she felt the strong urge to kill but she didn't want the queen to die so easily but to suffer as Victor had stated.

So with a strong force of Will she pushed back the animal within and focused back on the spar ahead.

Her calculating mind at work with ways to manipulate her way to power and to utualise her lord's Newest asset for her own plots and schemes in the game of thrones.

Even as she tainted their drinks with a portion of her blood, all at the command of her lord to hasten the training and strengthening of their champion.

-Day of the Tourney-

Today was the day.

The tourney in honour of the victory of Greyjoy's rebellion.

The lannister's spared no expsence in creating and readying the overally lavished and grand tournament of champions that was a splendour to see, Toppling any tourney held by the crown before.

Foods filled to a banquet to feed 7 kingdoms for weeks in whole with wine imported from everywhere from the realm and beyond the narrow sea.

Stages built high for the specators to watch from the safety off the ground to view the combantants below in the large ring styled arena that stretched to fill a small village within as the wooden fences stretched high to block out the sun.

And the starting event to kick off the tourney was the honour duel between Victor Von Carstein and The Hand of the King Jon Arryn.

Their champions stood opposite each other, surrounded by cheering specators watching over them.

Young Creighton Redfort was garmoured in Dark red armour similar in style to Victor's own black Valyrian armour however it was not made from the same metal but from the traditional metals used all around the world. Steel refined to a masterful piece and molded to a clear bulk scalled plating that fitted and moved right with his body, not restricting it at all.

It bore a fearsome look with the blood red colouring on the armour and gilded steel highlights on the sharp ridged edges it bore. The helmet matched in ancient valyrian style helmet in the beginning years of their conquest and expansion. It was smooth rounded top that descended down in all area's around the head to protect the most important part of the body that wasn't shilded by the armour, down the middle between the eye's a piece descended down to shield the nose leaving only mouth and eye's exposed.

Creighton was naturally thankful to victor for the armour but when he heard that the lord himself made it personally, it was

The young warrior was nervous as he stood before many eye's that bore into him, watching him fight for the honour of his lord. It was fear strickening how many people looked at him, from those who watched for pure entertainment to those who gave him hostile glares from his kin in the vale who came along with his father who bared him no respect or pride… only disappointment.

His foe to fight him was Ser William of Ironoak. A renowned knight in sercive to Jon Arryn. Creightion had heard the stories of the man's prowess and skills with a sword, the only other person who stood equal if not higher then him is Ser Barristan the Bold.

"His grace! The King!" the announcer called out and both creightion and ser William looked up before to the royal box standing over them were the king himself walked out to look down at them.

Creighton imagined that his royal grace, King Robert would give some inspiring speech to help motivate them in their fight for honour and Glory.

"Enough with the dalay! Stop pissing about and start the damned fight already!"

Creighton grimanced as this was not what he had imagined his first tourney deul to start off like this, or that the rumours of his grace's ever blunt and uncivilised attitude would be true. Still he bowed to the man before turning to face his opponent who bared no compassion or reconigition to him, on a cold hearted glare that spoke of his intent to kill as he put on his helm.

With his hand on his sword he unsheathed it and raised it high in the air "For the Honour of the Lord Hand!" Ser William proclaimed inciting the masses to cheer with him.

Creightion did the same as he took a defencive stance before the kight "For Honour!" he gave his own cry. Neither declaring his favour for either himself, the crown, his family or the lord who he fought for.

He wasn't fighting for either of them but the integrity of honour itself that was a dying virtue in this back stabbing world.

Creightion stood with a steel longsword that was slightly narrower then traditional long sword held with two hands before himself, pointing to his foe who bared the Arryns crest on his pointed shield with one hand while the other held his sword.

The match began after they made their proclamations.

The two incircled eachother within their ringed caged, slowly striding sideways as they shifted their bodies along with their weapons posed for different stances that they took depending on the other's position.

Crieghtion was the first to attack, he lunged forward with his sword thrusted towards the head of the knight who sidestepped pasted it only to have to duck as Creighton redirected the swing of his sword to slice over his head.

Ser William took the exposed opportunity to end it by thrusting his sword at creighton's exposed chest but the young warrior's training kicked in and he twisted his body and let the thrust pass him, never once touching the skin of his amour. He grabbed the main hand of the knight's sword hand and shoved William past him with the force causing the knight to stumble and lose his blance on the muddy ground that upheaved on his skidding steel boots.

Ser William spun around just in time for creighton's sword to clash against his and thus the battle truly begun, steel screaming out as it beat and grinded against steel, wood and iron chipping away as Creighton's sword bashed against William's shield that he raised to block attacks from his foe.

Creighton appeared to have the upper hand as he assaulted Ser William with powerful blows that had the knight staggering and on the defensive.

Victor and Ellyn watched with gleeful satisfaction and studying looks at their chosen champion fairing better then his opponent, the two sharing a glance as their smiles spoke of their silent satisfaction with the results of their experiment.

Ellyn blood that Creighton unknowningly ingested has enchanced his overall physical skills and abilities. He was quicker and stronger then his opponent, moving gracefully within his constricting armour that would've slowed his movement and reflexes down with it's confining ristrants that protected him.

They're eye's drafted back to the match and watched as Creighton did a powerful skyward down slash that William raised his sword to block but was overpowered by the enchanced strength of his foe who looked less human as the fight went on with his teeth bared and eye's full of savage hate. Ser William took the blow, his sword forced to the ground before Creighton reversed his slash upwards knocking the sword out of his opponents hand that staggered back before Creighton matched forward and gave a powerful kick to his chest so powerful that to everyones amazement William was sent flying into the mud a few feet away with his shield slipping out of his hand.

Creighton stood where his opponent's sword laid, clairity returning as he stared at his defenceless foe with a strong look under his helm.

The rush of battle was an invigorating and euphoric feeling as the adrenaline pumping through his body was like a drug to the young warrior now standing victorious but… this was not the victory Creighton wanted. He won by disarming his foe but it wasn't the victory that he aimed for, he wanted a triumph for all to see, he wasn't fighting for one man like his opponent was. He wasn't fighting for the crown, for the lord who named him, for his father and family, nor for himself.

He was fighting for the sake of honour itself.

To show that even in the most callow and vile places of the south filled with sicophants and treasonious worms that honour still lives and means something.

Some may call him foolish and idolistic for doing what he did but he earned the respect of others including his opponent as he kicked his fallen sword over to him.

Ser William, kneeling to the ground stared down at the weapon kicked to his feet. He looked back up with new found respect and kinship towards the man who offered for him to continuing fighting as the warrior he is.

He nodded to him in thanks as he slowly stood up, keeping his guard up as he got into his stance all the while Creighton didn't even make a move to charge at him like most others would, instead he pointed his sword at him with one hand and returned the nod back as he waited for ser William to be ready.

Both combatents stood opposite eachother, swords held in hand as the murmuring and cheering spectators demanded more violence and blood.

Creighton charge first, his bladed helded with both hands as he slashed with an underside upwards strike, forcing ser Williams sword to the side as he spun with the momentium, ducking his head to avoid the relatitory wide swipe as he came around with his own which had William pulling his head back to avoid his neck being cut.

The two came to blows as William was forced back, parrying and blocking creighton's quick thrusts and swipes that nearly had him time and time again, he tried to retaliate as best as he could only to end up losing more ground as he was nearly forced into the arena wall.

Specators there lean out of their seats and over the railing to see the action under them as Creighton went for a low cut, his sword penetrating into the armoured leggings and cutting into the thigh forcing William to drop his guard his guard as the painwas too overwhelming that he didn't have the resolve to keep a tight hold on his sword handle as it was knocked into the air.

He fell to his knees clutching onto the bleeding wound on his leg while Creighton stood over him, catching the air borne sword in his hand as he held them both at his neck in a cross position.

It was a superb victory as the crowds cheered in awe and delight of creighton's victory over the hands champion.

But…. It was not over yet as the announcer did not nor could call out the winner name dispite his standing.

This was an honour duel between the offended house's of Carstein and Arryn.

They had the final say in how this should conclude in the defeated side's discussion.

All eye's turned to the royal box where the Hand of the king sat including the men fighting below him, his own champion looking to him with equal part's defeat and shame but also a plea to spare his life.

Not a sound was heard as Jon continued to stare down with a hardened expression, before long someone broke that silence "spare him!" like an explosive reaction other's soon joined in crying out their voices of mercy "Please spare him!/ Mercy Please Ser!/ Mercy! Please we beg you." the cries went up till the whole arena was shouting it.

But Arryn could not speak no matter how much he tried to. It was as if some other force was preventing him from speaking or moving from his seat.

No matter how hard he tried, even as his knuckles turned white and his fingers clinched hard onto his seat, he remained rooted and immobile like stone with as he continued to bear that hard frown.

He could only watch as the people continued to chant the words he so desperately tried to say, He watched as his chosen now loosing faith in him with every second now looked at him no longer with respect but in desperate pleas of mercy.

His eye's drafted towards his challenger only to widen as his eye's met them.

From his view he saw as they looked at him with smiles, but not smiles of triumphant over their win but knowing insidious smirks that spoke of their knowledge of his imprisonment within his own body.

Carmilla sent him wide smile behind the cover of her fan, exposing her fangs that gleamed in the day's low light to him.

Her male companion however simply bore into him with his glowing red eye's. and It wasn't just the lighting or his mind playing tricks on him but Victor's blood red eye's were actually glowing as they stared unblinking and focused solely on him as small smirk grew on his lips.

Jon Arryn wasn't man who believed in demons or gods, like Tywin he puts his faith in reality rather then fantasied tales of devils in the shadows preying upon mortals or gods granting salvation but at that moment… he became a believer.

He could only watch as the crowd and all the people who originally supported him started to curse at him and look at him in a new light.

With silence as his response, the only person who now had judgement over ser William's fate was Creighton who had william's at the end of his blades.

All attention was directed at him since the lord hand's vile admission of silence for his defeat meant he neither cared weather ser william's lived or not. So now he had to make the call.

He won, he showed that with honour he still won…so why did it feel like he needed to kill his foe.

Creightion felt an overwhelming urge to cut his head off but he struggled and fought against this foreign feeling of murder that wasn't him. It was like that was a battle waging within him as this foreign presence whispered and pushed for him to commit this unneeded act when he didn't need to, he fought and pushed back with all of his self will.

He felt his heart ache as his opponent looked at him for salvation, his hands shook and his teeth clinched before with all his might….

*Thud!* all was silent as they saw his judgement.

William… cracked open an eye and saw an armoured hand presented to his face, he no longer saw his neck held in between two reflective steel blades that now laid dead in the mud as Creighton Redfort spared him and offered him a hand to stand up.

Words could not describe the gratitude and relief that he would not be meeting the stranger.

Taking his hand he was helped up and upon standing did the sky rain with rose's and thunder with applauding claps and cheers of the spectators that roared the name of his victor and saviour just like the caller who ended the honour duel.

…but not all shared in the joyious celebration.

Ellyn's face scrunched up in irriation at not just the headache she now has but at her failed attempt to mind control their champion to slay his opponent at his feet. She thought she had him, she thought he would be easy to manipulate like everyone she tested her powers on but he proved surprisingly strong willed to resist her influence and forcible control.

Something that amused her companion "quite strong isn't he?" victor's voice mused out as he looked down upon the arena where the two fighters slowly moved to leave. His eye's quickly looked to her as he sat with his arms folded "do not fret my dear~. there is more then one way to achieve our ends." His eye's snapped back to the arena before they flashed.

Back in the arena, Creighton and ser William slowly started to exit, the defeated knight limping behind his victor before he stopped, his eye's glassing over as Victor took complete control of his mind.

Ser William moved his hand to his sheathed sword and without warning moved to strike at Creighton's "CREIGHTON WATCH OUT!" Carmilla's voice cried out and immediately the young warrior threw himself to the ground, avoiding being cut down.

He got back up, all sense of restraint and mercy gone as pure rage took over.

Creighton could not believe that ser William would do this disgusting act before everyone. Attacking him after the announcer ended it, any form of respect he had was gone along with any restraint he had against killing the man.

His hand flew to his sword, pulling it out from it's sheath with hatred in his heart as he now aimed to kill the dishonourable knight.

Ser William was slow, his injuried leg worsened his movements, he couldn't raise his sword to block the charging thrust that knocked his sword aside as it continued on and penetrated in and out through the back of his armour.

Ser William fell limp against Creighton who pushed the now dead knight off of him, letting his body fall unceremoniously to the ground with nothing but disgust and anger upon his face as he stared down at the dead body.

Creighton didn't bother to look up at the audience who spat and jeered at the dead corpse as he stomped his way out of the arena, not once looking up to see the relieved but otherwise sadden expression on his father's face or the smiles of the Von Carstien's watching him as he exited.

"And that my dear… is how one may use other's to achieve the result." The plan was simple, during or at the decisive choice, Creighton was meant to kill ser William thus severing his ties to the Vale and his family.

However his impressive strong will threw Ellyn's influence back, giving the vampiress a headache as a backlash from her failed attempt but also made him spare his defeated foe, an unlikely outcome but in the eye's of everyone now, Creighton would be seen not as monster or pharia but as hero.

A man worthy of the title of Knight for he embodied the princebles of knighthood. Honour, valour, duty, mercy, justice, strength and skill.

Victor couldn't help but remember as his puppet charged at Creighton's defenceless rear that memories of years long since pass at the early years of the united kingdom when his own son was victorious and unaware of his opponent's dishonourable act that took away his son from him.

In many ways… Creighton reminded him of his first born. Fighting with honour when it still had meaning during the golden age of civilization.

Now with their plot successful, Creighton would be seen as a champion for honour while his foe would be disgraced to his death along with his retainer who will bare the burden of shame for his silence and the unruly conduct his warrior demonstrated. Victor knew the hand was now more then suspicious of their true nature, but what can the old fool do now with his reputation and influence now in shambles.

He was just one man. The hand of the king but unable to truly do anything about them no matter what authority and power he had, no lord would back him up in what claims he has plus victor knew that other's will flock to him now to bask in the

As the servents dragged the corpse of Ser William away, Victor and Ellyn couldn't help but muse over the results of their experiment with their blood.

It had enchance not just Creightons physical qualities, pushing them to point beyond normal human standards but also amplified his aggression which he displayed as he assaulted his foe with unrelenting attacks but Victor was impressed of how the young warrior contined to maintain some level of control.

He suppose it's why he chose him.

Why he's investing so much into the man who will soon be destined to take up arms for him in his crusade to conquer this world in darkness.

His eye's drafted to the one obstacle in his way 'But first…' he thought as he followed after the man leaving his seat to chase after the champion of the tourney.

-Creighton Tent, Afterward-

Creighton huff and panted, he deeply breathed to calm the anxity and rush of emotions blowing up within him after the near close shave with death. His sword laying unceremoniously on the ground behind him as he leaned against the table for support as his fingers clawed against the wooden frame of the table and unbeknownst to him leaving deep marks as they clinched into fists.

Creighton didn't know why William did that.

Tried to kill him after he mercifully spared his life, there was no reason for him to attempt that dishonourable act before the royal family and their fellow lords and knights. Ser William was a respected knight amongst their people, he racked his brain for reasons as to why the man would try and kill him but nothing came close to making sense other than… the Hand.

The name and face of the man who he was fighting against gave birth to a suspicious thought that the Hand himself conspired to have him killed in the tourney. This frightening idea gave rise to the paranoia that had he been in ser william's place then he might not have received the same courtesy he gave to the now dead man.

He was so preoccupied with his dreaded thoughts that he failed to hear the flaps of his tent opening and the person behind him calling his name out until a hand came upon his shoulder. Creighton was brought back to reality that he wasn't alone, turning around he saw before him was Lord Carstien "Congradulations are In order young man or should I say Ser Creighton Redfort. In reconition for your service in the war and your honour within the duel, the king has granted you knight hood and will name you before everyone when you return." Victor said as he bore a warm smile to the young and triumphant warrior who won in his name.

Creighton just registered the words he heard…knighthood! A title and rank bestowed upon the most recognised warrior's within the kingdom, granted by lords to men who prove their skills and valour but to be granted it by the crown meant he was the most distinguished man in the seven kingdoms.

He was at a lost for words to describe his surprise and joy at receiving such a prestigious boon "I am… truly honoured." Was all he could say as he stood frozen in his place.

But he quickly went back to thinking about the tourney, something that victor noticed as he saw the troubled and hard thinking look on Creighton's face.

"Is there something on your mind. You look troubled?"

"I… I'm trying to figure out why ser William would do that?" he started, as he explained his worry's and confusion about what happened at that moment "Why try to kill me when it would only doom him to a life of ridicule and exile."

Victor was perhaps the greatest actor there was as he put on a tired and sympatric expression "The traitorous and scheming ways of the south care's nothing for honour and integrity. Only self gain and the promises of wealth and power are what rule these poisonous lands." He told the young man who now saw first hand how the world works in this age of corruption, power struggles and influence that rules the kingdom where conscious and integrity only get people so far and left unrewarded in their selfless endeavours where as their dishonourable foe's reap the rewards they steal. It was the cruel reality that the only law that exists is self-preservation by any means and no matter the cost.

Victor laid his hand upon his should, grasping it in a supporting manner as his words helped to sooth creighton's troubled conscious "it comes to no surprise that someone as highly regarded as ser William would sell their souls for some form of gain. The Hand no doubt planned to humiliate and make an example of you, but through your determination and training you proved your strength and worth as you for not for yourself or others but for honour. You also shown the world the callowness and craven nature of the so called Honourable Lord Hand who refused to call for the salvation of his champion." Lies but not necessarily untrue as Jon Arryn was using appeasement to hold the realm together as he gave into the whims of his king and the lannisters, allowing them to do what they want as he struggles to hold the realm together not through strong authority or ruthless cunning as his predecessors did before but through gentle handling and acceptance that was slowly bankrupting the realm, and shifting the scales of power to one family in all of the land.

The once recognised great man was a shell of his former self, barely the ember's of what he might've been in younger days of his rule and tutelage of two boys who were like son's under him.

He is a weak and pitiful old fool who is ruled by fear.

Something that many people know and take advantage of as the aging Hand tries to keep stability within the realm.

The hand on his shoulder tightened as Victor continued on "Personally when you won and moved to exit, I was… reminded of a day that will forever be remembered. But I would like to say that if you were my son, I would be proud of your triumph."

Creighton's heart was hit hard by the compassionate heart wrenching words that made him feeling great yet at the same time had him feeling worse as his own father refused to support his fight for honour, and threatened with disownment if he didn't back down and admit to defeat.

The thought of facing his father and the fear of him following through on his promise was heart clinching but somewhere in his heart he believed that the man who raised and trained him to be who he is. He believed that the scene he watched like every lord present would open his eye's to the reality that the noble lord arryns wasn't as noble as he appeared to be.

"your words are kind my lord. and don't know what to say other then I grateful for your trust and for saving my life."

"there is no need to be so humble. Bask in the praise and admiration for this is the day of your triumph. Now come, we must see to your award." Victor led Creighton out of his tent where outside waiting for them was Lord Horton.

"Father?" Creighton said as he saw his father waiting for him with a honest look of concern on his aged face.

There was a faltering moment of hope that Creighton believed that his father would finally see and understand, now the treachery of the man who wrong them both… but that small spark only deceived him.

"Creighton… I am… glad to see you unharmed." Horton answer as he stared at his son with a sense of both pride and relief that soon twisted into pain "…it pains me to have to do this. But I must keep to my word…Creighton Redfort, for refusing a command from your lord you have left me no choice but disinherit you from the family. You will no longer bear my name nor be welcomed within my home… you are no longer my son!" he declared, his face hardened to hide the tundra of emotions that he saw explode on his son's face.

For intents and purposes Creighton was naturally heartbroken to hear this.

His own father keeping to his promise despite what had just happen had now disowned him.

It was only natural for the young champion of the tourney to look on the verge of breaking down in tears but held it together the best that he could. But not everyone seemed okay with this unjust and harsh judgement "You've got a lot of nerve to decide that!" Creighton was surprised to find Victor standing up for him as the disguised vampire lord glared at the elder redfort with a look that would've had Tywin frightened as his red eyed bared into him "As a father you should be delighted that your son survived the dishonourable attempt on his life and won with Honour. And as a lord you should be proud that such a man exists and bares your name."

"My discion is final. Creighton has showed that our house may be a threat to the Arryn's and exposed us to other's who will attempt to use this to their advantage!" he reasoned on his harsh discion.

Victor looked absolutely livid as he conforted the young man who looked stricken with greif "Good! I hope to the gods that someone has the decency to wipe out your pathetic line if this is how you treat your hero's. where I'm from, we treat such men who show bravery and honour as the heroes that they are. Regardless of what they are or who they've come from." He spat out at the man who stood with stone face expression.

Victor then turned to Creighton, his face shifted from anger to sympathy as he wore a small smile "Creighton. You have presented yourself a dutiful man full of valour and skill." What he did next shocked the two men as the hero of the war bent his knee to Creighton with his head dipped low to him as though he was the greater man "It would be my house's honour if you joined us as our knight."

Creighton was speechless before man who was kneeling to him "My lord… i… please get up. It should be I who is kneeling not you." he extended his hand and helped victor up before he dropped to his knees before the man who offers him much in his dire time of need "I… thank you and accept your offer as a knight to your house."

"Wonderful. You shall be granted a holdfast within my city where you shall create your own bloodline to carry on your name."

"What!? But-! But he can't-!" his father sputtered out incomplete sentances over this shocking development that he didn't see coming. He lost his son only to give him to someone else who was all too happy to take him in.

Lord Horton believed that no house would sponser him, a now no named knight who was disinherited from a prestigious family as well as challenging the hand of the king. Anyone who did take him would be declaring themselves as enemies to the hand whose power and authority was second to the king himself, he wasn't going to completely disinherit him. Let him try and live as dishonoured hedge knight till he accept responsibility and humility of his actions that jepodise their entire family.

But now those plans were destroyed as he didn't count on the vile lord carstain taking his son into his household.

"You no longer have any say. You've made it perfectly clear that he is no longer your son." Lord Horton didn't have any say, if he tried to stop this he'd be contradicting his own order proving that he cares more about his own family then honour and loyalty to his high lord.

He could only watch as his son walked away with his new lord "Come, let us prepare your things." Victor said as he led them both away but neither both father and son knew that lurking behind the scenes with red eye's and a predatory smile was the puppeteer that took delight in creating the spectical she orchestrated.

She disppaeared from sight as quick as a flash before anyone realised it, leaving the man to wollow in his mistake.

Because Today… he truly did lose his son.

-A while later, back at the tourney-

Now alone after bringing Creighton back to the arena where he watched him being knighted, Victor stood within the shadows watching with a glamour of pride, neither looking away nor turning as he spoke to the presence behind him "Wonderfully done. You are getting better with practice."

From the shadows behind him, Ellyn walked out and hooked herself against him as she watched the knighting unfold. "I have a really good teacher. Now that we have our knight, when do you plan to turn him?" she asked after working behind in the shadows, manipulating the events that has brought them their knight.

Ellyn was anxious to know how he turned her as he had yet to reveal the secret of turning anyone into what they are.

Such an ability would be spendious to know, with it they would hold the key to immortality that every man, woman, lord and lady would kill to have. Lords and kings would sale their lands for a taste in order to stave off death and divulge into an enterity of pleasure while Ladies and Queen's would kill for the chance to retain their beauty that time eats away, to keep their youthful looks and glourious beautiful figures that would only sag and wither as age debilitates them.

"Soon… he needs time to adjust, and we have plenty of time to sow the seeds of trust within our young warrior to take up our arms. For now, we shall focus on you. I have something special planned to jumpstart your growth." he mused out as he

-omake. The Downfall of the Kingdom Part 4-

The disheritarting of Creighton RedFort was a mistake that the lord at the time made out of blindness that lost him a son.

But none could foresee the terrible events that would soon follow after that fateful discion.

No one would be able to undo the damage wrought by foolish pride that split a family apart, of how a father condemned his son's soul and the souls of his future sons and grandsons for an eternity as damned vessels of evil.

A great shame that is carried on through the Redfort bloodline as the knowledge that their sister line, The RedBlades are the tainted spawn of the dishonoured son who swore his eternal alliegnce and fealty to the one being who would bring darkness and despair to these lands.

The monster in human flesh who would be known as the King of Darkness.

A demon of the night with unparralled control over a vast army of death with legions of skelletons and corpses at his command, and power over nightmarish monstrosities that leave the scars of horror in the souls of mortal men.

Many wish to go back and prevent the events that would forever haunt this kingdom.

But the magic's of this world is that simple to cast as the limitations of magician's and soccerors cannot muster the unitied concentration to harness the great powers ever since the Reawakening that revived the forces of magic back into the world.

Lord Jason Redfort- great grandson of Holton Redfort