Griffith had just fallen asleep when he jolted upright.
The door had been kicked open and his father accompanied by three Stark men burst inside swords drawn.
His eyes then moved to what he previously thought of as a corpse, only to see the woman now back on her feet, jumping through the window.
"NO!" he shouted and tried to slash at her only to remember that he had dropped the dagger on the floor.
He quickly grabbed the window cill and looked over the ledge, but she had already disappeared under the waves.
Feeling a hand on his shoulder, Griffith spun around ready to strike but as he did so his fist was caught by a strong hand.
He looked up and nearly choked, he had nearly stuck his father, Eddard Stark smiled and pulled Griffith into his embrace.
"Are you alright?" he asked carefully.
Griffith didn't answer, he just leant forward and rested his head on his father's chest.
That was all Eddard needed as he looked back at his men, "Go scour the ship there might be more of them."
They nodded and turning around, disappeared round the corner.
Quite some time passed before Griffith spoke and when he did, it was barely a whisper.
"Who was my mother?"
Eddard frowned, "You've never asked before, why the sudden interest?"
"No reason, I would just like to know," Griffith said, still keeping close to his father.
Eddard sighed, "I'll tell you when you're older, for now, sleep, you need your rest."
***
The ship had just docked when Griffith exited onto the deck a dark fur cloak wrapped around his shoulders.
He smiled as he saw his father waiting for him at the top of the ramp leading onto the docks.
Griffith picked up his pace and jogged over to Eddard, the liar slung over his shoulder bouncing up and down.
"It's cold", he remarked as they strode down the ramp.
Eddard chuckled, "That it is boy, we might not be as far north as the wall but the winds turn Bear Island as cold as castle Black."
Griffith shivered, "How the hell do they survive in this cold?"
The ride to Mormont Keep was a long and tedious one, and since Bear Island was hilly and sparsely inhabited, they had had problems acquiring horses.
They were just riding down the hill towards the wooden walls of the keep, the Direwolf of House Stark flying above their heads when the gates opened and a group rode out.
Reaching the other party Eddard reigned in his horse and stared over at the older woman opposite him.
"Lady Maege, where is Jorah Mormont?" His tone was calm but commanding.
The woman scowled, and spat on the ground next to her, "He ran, the coward."
Eddard frowned, "We should talk inside."
Maege nodded solemnly, "Yes, of course, follow me."
***
I hope you enjoyed the chapter and please tell me if you see any mistakes.
I'm so sorry for the short chapter I just hit writer's block.
The main story will start in the next chapter and I wanted to start the main story with a new chapter soooooo yeah.
Sorry again.
Then I hope you have a nice day or night depending on where you are, goodbye ;)