Jon Snow. Winterfell.
Six months later.
Robb and I were practicing our swords in the courtyard of Winterfell, until at one point we were summoned by my father, who looked... displeased. We silently followed him into the dining hall, where the rest of the Stark family had already gathered, along with Maester Luwin, Lady Kinvara, and Sir Rodrik.
When everyone was seated, Father gave Lady Kinvara a brief nod. She rose from her seat and walked to the center of the hall, holding a small crystal in her hand. Then, squeezed it in her hand.
- If the crystal is activated, then everyone is already gathered. - I heard Lord Solomon's voice, and I looked around for him like everyone else.
- You don't have to look for me, because this is just a pre-recorded message," the voice continued, "And it means I've already left Winterfell.
I froze, and my hands clenched into fists.
He's... left Winterfell? Left us? Did we do something wrong? Did I do something wrong?
- It's no one's fault," the voice said in a soothing tone, "Unfortunately, I need to travel, and I couldn't stay with you. I hope Ned will not hold a grudge for my sudden departure.
Father's face twisted unhappily.
- But I couldn't do otherwise. The North is ready to look to the future, unlike other lands. And times are changing, and I need to prepare the ground for that, for what is sure to happen will require all the strength this land can provide.
Lady Kinvara's face took on a serious look.
- To appease your displeasure I have left gifts for you that await in your private rooms. And I do not bid you farewell, for we shall meet again. Perhaps in a year. Perhaps in ten. But the meeting will happen. And I sincerely hope to see you all alive and well.
I lowered my gaze so as not to show my face to the others. Lord Solomon is never wrong, and I don't think he'll be wrong this time.
- So keep a clear mind and look twice," the voice said in a reassuring tone, "And remember, Winter is coming.
At these words, the crystal in Lady Kinvara's hand disappeared, and no one in the hall said anything.
A sense of loss flashed through my mind. Lord Solomon had become a mentor, a friend, and most importantly, a father to me. Even more than Lord Stark himself. His soothing stroking of my head gave me peace and the promise that everything would be all right. I gave everything I had to prove myself worthy of this bond. And now...he was gone. Even though I knew it wasn't anyone's fault, the feeling of sadness and abandonment overwhelmed me.
I... felt an emptiness in my heart. But a tiny flame of hope and faith in Lord Solomon burned brightly deep within it. And when we meet again, I will be something he will be proud of.
I swear it. To all. To the gods.
With a shake of my head and a glance at the others present, my Origin activated. Which allowed some insight into their emotions and thoughts.
Father had a disgruntled look on his face, as if Lord Solomon had burned Winterfell, and the latter just looked at him and shrugged. In addition to displeasure, the father felt indignation and trust.
Lady Stark did not know how to react. Her mind was in turmoil, deciding exactly how to feel about this. She felt only uncertainty and confusion.
Maester Luwin sighed tiredly, regretting not having time to learn more about Lord Solomon's lands. His mind had only humility and a slight sense of discontent.
Sir Rodrik rubbed his chin thoughtfully, pondering what exactly had caused Lord Solomon to leave the castle. He sensed puzzlement and interest.
Robb nodded. He felt only understanding, firmly convinced and inevitable about the situation. And Rickon didn't quite understand what was going on and just shook his head.
Sansa was very upset. Her head was down and her hands were clutching her dress, but... she shed no tears. She felt resentment, abandonment, and regret.
Arya wept quietly, as did Bran. Their feelings of despondency and dejection overrode any other.
This depressing atmosphere was interrupted by my father's thump on the table. We all turned in his direction, turning our attention back to him.
- Good. Since he has promised to meet us again and has given us no reason to distrust him, I suggest we take a look at the gifts he left behind," he said in a confident tone, "And if he doesn't keep his promise, I will find him myself.
Everyone nodded briefly and headed for their rooms. Including me.
As I entered the room, my eyes caught sight of a decent-sized bundle lying on the table. With slow steps, I walked over to it and carefully unwrapped it.
The gift turned out to be a long sword in a scabbard the color of dried grass. My hands carefully pulled the sword out of the sheath. It turned out to be a double-edged blade that was covered in small spots of something. Although it looked rather ordinary in appearance, I could feel a tremendous magical power emanating from it.
Bringing my finger to the blade and running my finger along it, a small cut appeared on my skin, which I was surprised to see, and a drop of my blood slowly dripped down it until there was a tiny flash of light. The blood on the blade disappeared, and at the same time I felt a connection established between me and this sword. My Origin activated, and the name of this blade resounded in my mind... Durandal: The Peerless Sword.
I stared at it mesmerized, studying every millimeter of it. It was beautiful, even without looking at the stains covering its blade. In my eyes, it shone like a beacon in the darkest night. And holding it in my hands, I felt that with it I was capable of a miracle. Great and impossible.
Putting the blade back into its scabbard, I pressed it to my chest and felt the warmth emanating from the sword. It was as if it welcomed me like an old friend, and I instinctively began to stroke its hilt.
- Thank you..." I whispered, remembering Lord Solomon's smile, the smile he'd given me in times of need, and the words he'd spoken a week ago.
- Hundreds of roads are open to you, young mage. All you have to do is choose the one your heart leads you down. Let it guide you, for it is in the right place, young Jon. And once chosen, do not hesitate or resist. For every path is unique.
I understand now, Lord Solomon.
And with these thoughts I went to bed without taking my sword from my chest. And a slight smile appeared on my face.
Now... I am ready to choose... father.
-0-
Eddard Stark. Winterfell.
The snow settled softly on my cloak, and the wind faintly swayed the scarlet-blooded leaves of the Weirwood tree before which I stood rubbing my temples.
Instead of returning to my study to see the gift Solomon had left behind, I visited the Godswood to think.
After a conversation six months ago and help from Solomon and Lady Kinvara, I had managed to create a network of informants that covered half of the North and continued to slowly grow further South.
I carefully selected people for the role, and eventually I had about thirty suitable people who could negotiate, blend in, and understand finances. And that's where it all started. True, I had to part with a substantial sum of money to give them a starting point. Bribery, buying out the necessary places for bases and falsifying documents cost a lot.
Not only that. The adherents of the Red Faith provide me with information from Essos through Lady Kinvara. I don't know how, but it doesn't really matter, as she is loyal to Solomon to the point of worship, something I haven't seen from any of the followers of the Seven. And I don't doubt him, not after his two years in Winterfell.
I sighed tiredly.
Now, after a time, I realize the complete power of money and information. With enough gold, you can buy almost anything, and information is knowing exactly what to buy and how to use it.
But it surprised me how true Solomon's words were... Brothels, markets and taverns. After receiving the first reports a month ago, I was stunned. Every rumor, every conversation, every coin. Information about all of it had fallen into my hands, and now there was almost nothing I didn't know about the North.
I was brought out of my musings by a yapping that came from the branches of the Weirwood.
- Fou?
Looking up, I saw the beast Solomon had brought with him. White as snow fur, violet beady eyes, big ears and a tiny cloak... and the demeanor of a very lazy cat.
Fou jumped down from the Weirwood branch onto my shoulder and began to paw at my face, which made me smile weakly and pet him.
In the six months of his presence, he had become a family favorite. And he looked harmless and adorable, which even I can't deny. Arya quickly became attached to him, and as soon as she saw him, she immediately ran to pick him up and pet him.
Despite his distinguished appearance, Fou was quite elusive, and it was almost impossible to find him unless he wanted to. And he eats as if he were not a small animal, but an adult lute wolf.
- What are you doing here, Fou? - I asked, glancing at him-I think my children need your support more than I do at the moment.
- Fou, kyu! - He barked and patted my face with his paw.
- I'm sorry, but I don't understand you," I grinned, "Only Solomon could do that.
- Fou. - He yapped and... shrugged?
Another detail about him. He understands human speech and expresses emotion as such. Which is amazing. What an intelligent beast...
Suddenly his head turned toward the entrance to the Godswood, which made me do the same and see Sir Rodrik walking toward me.
- 'My lord,' he approached me and made a small bow, 'One of them has arrived.
О? Today is the day, eh?
I nodded briefly and headed for my office, while Fou jumped off my shoulder and ran somewhere.
Well, time to get to work.
-0-
Solomon. Essos.
In a small flash of light, my figure appeared on the beach near Pentos, the city that would host the Azor Ahai candidate.
Taking a deep breath of the scent of salt water, my eyes surveyed the landscape before me. An incomprehensible feeling of freedom ran through my mind, and my hand ran through my hair.
What a wonderful feeling.
Freedom from invisible shackles, from imposed rules, from prejudice. I... love that feeling.
In a rush of emotion, I sat down on the sand and just stared at the horizon.
I'm alive... For real.
I don't know why, but at this moment I felt like the most alive person I've ever been, and as I raised my hands to the sky and closed my eyes, I felt the sand and water droplets brought by the wind gently settle on my skin.
So... calm...
- What are you doing, handsome sir? - I suddenly heard a young girl's voice.
Opening my eyes and lowering my hands, I turned towards the voice and saw a little girl of about six standing alone, looking at me with innocently blinking eyes.
- I don't know," I answered and smiled softly.
- You don't? - she asked and tilted her head to the side - Are you a stupid person?
- I don't know. Anything can be," I repeated my answer and walked over to her, "What are you doing out here all alone?
- Collecting shells! - She shrieked happily and pointed to the coast.
- Оh? May I ask why, young lady?
- Daddy sells them in town, and I'm helping him!
- I see," I nodded, "My name is Solomon, and yours?
- Iona! - she answered and smiled.
- Nice to meet you, Iona - I stroked her head - Is your daddy okay with what you're doing?
She lowered her head and remained silent.
What a pure child.
- Why aren't you afraid I'm some kind of thug?
- You are not like that, handsome sir - she shook her head and a smile shone on her face again - You are like a sunshine. So bright and warm. I can see that.
I froze and raised an eyebrow.
A gift? How interesting.
Looking into her eyes, I noticed they were the color of the sky... Eyes of purity... Well, or their counterpart of this world. Really interesting.
- Let's take you home. Your parents must be worried about you," I held out my hand to her, "You should apologize to them. They love you, and it's not good to upset them.
- Okay. - She nodded sadly and grabbed my hand and led me to her house.
The picture on the way to Iona's house was different compared to the North, but familiar and nostalgic at the same time. The sparse people dressed in thin clothes or no clothes at all, the hot air blowing around my cloak, and the blazing sun high in the sky created an extremely familiar atmosphere. Not for me, but for Solomon.
I had not visited such parts of the world in my past life, but had only seen them through a TV screen or a photograph. But my very being felt nostalgic. And as my feet measuredly took another step, that feeling intensified.
I wonder who I am more? Solomon or myself?
The strange thing is that it is not disturbing, but intriguing and interesting. What a strange feeling...
About fifteen minutes later we arrived at a small hut standing alone near the hills. At its entrance stood a middle-aged man and woman who looked very worried. And as soon as they saw me and Iona, the woman immediately rushed towards her and, catching up, hugged her tightly.
- Iona! We told you not to go out alone! I was so worried! - She mumbled with tears in her eyes.
- I'm sorry, Mom. - Iona hugged her back, resting her head on her mother's shoulder.
At the same time, a man walked up to us, keeping his eyes on me, and stopped in front of me.
Well, I could tell he was not a peasant or a slave. His gait and demeanor are too different from either.
- Thank you for bringing Iona back, sir," he said and bowed, "I hope she didn't cause you any trouble.
- It's all right. You have a beautiful daughter," I shook my head and made a small bow, "Solomon, a pleasure to meet you.
- Halon, likewise," he bowed back, then pointed to the woman, "And this is my wife, Rizza.
No last name? I suppose either a bastard or his house has fallen. But definitely of noble blood. Halon, at least.
Meanwhile, Rizza stood up, holding Iona's hand, and made a grateful bow.
- 'We thank you sincerely, master Solomon,' she said, 'Let us go inside. I would like to thank you at least with food for helping our daughter. Do you mind, Halon?
- Of course. - He nodded - Come on, master Solomon. Rizza is a very good cook.
I nodded briefly, and we headed for their hut.
I guess a stop wouldn't hurt.
-0-
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