Eddard Stark. The Kingsroad.
It has been two days since I left Winterfell. It was early morning as the soldiers built fires to warm themselves and prepare food for themselves and the higher ranks. I, on the other hand, was in my tent with my daughters and thinking about the journey.
So far, everything was going quite smoothly. There was no bandit or wildling who dared to attack the royal procession, which made it rather... boring.
My usual routine of waking up and occupying my office, sorting through papers, was broken. No reports from spies, orders for castle servants, sorting out problems or prioritizing cases. And because of this, I just didn't know what to do to keep myself busy.
Thoughts of Robb and the piling on of my responsibilities sometimes came to mind, but they were quickly dispelled as he is being helped by Kat and Lady Kinvara.
Next, I thought of Jon traveling to the North. Even though no letter had come from him, something told me he was well. His path lies beyond the Wall, which will cause him to have to go through the Night's Watch. I warned him about the current state of the once honorable Order of Protectors, and I don't know how it will go. After all, either the Watch Rangers or those they want to get rid of are allowed beyond the Wall.
He'll probably stay there for a while. The Night's Watch will send a raven to Winterfell to make sure his passage is coordinated with me. Even if he's a bastard in their eyes, but he's "my" bastard. They will want to validate the point that I won't come over their heads for his passage into the wildling lands.
That leaves Solomon, who I have not heard from yet. Last time I contacted Halon of their Pentos, he was on his way to Braavos to get to know the Faceless Ones better. I'm guessing something about magic or something similar.
He also mentioned Solomon's actions regarding the surviving Targaryen princess. According to Halon, she was able to impress him, which is rather... unexpected. I doubt her training was any different from the other training meant for noble ladies. The same Kat's, to be more specific. So it is indeed unexpected.
Solomon gave her two men he brought her out of nowhere to do her training. What kind of training I don't know, but I don't think it's anything trivial. He doesn't want to bring her to Westeros, does he? Aside from that, she had a brother. Really, where he is now, no one knows.
I shifted my gaze to Arya and Sansa, who were doing something together, and walked over to them. They were rummaging through one of the bags, laughing quietly and sticking their hands in it. Lady and Nymeria, their she-wolves, were lying quietly beside them and still sniffling.
- What are you doing? - I asked, getting behind their backs.
- Nothing! - Jumping up on the spot, they said quickly and in unison, quickly taking their hand out of the bag and closing it. Of course, I didn't believe it.
- And what are you hiding, young ladies? - I decided to ask, smiling slightly - It seems to be something fun?
- Well... - Arya hesitated, glancing cautiously in Sansa's direction.
- It's... - the latter did the same.
Seeing this sight, I couldn't help but smile. It's great to see the manifestation of their childhood when you know they've grown up. Sansa, who is starting to comprehend the Game, in particular. She has, to some extent, begun to parody Cat and Lady Kinvara, hiding her real intentions and wearing a perpetual fake smile. Somehow Sansa realizes what awaits her at Red Castle.
And Arya...still Arya. She hasn't really changed much in the same direction as Sansa, quite the opposite. Solomon's stories allowed her to open up, completely abandoning her "lady" demeanor and becoming herself.
Just like Lyanna...
The next moment, the bag behind their backs stirred. Another moment later, long fluffy ears, just like a rabbit's, came out. Behind them came out and a tiny head covered in white fur, with violet beady eyes, which made me clearly realize who it was.
- Fou, fou, kyu! - Making an indignant face, the White Eater declared and scratched his ear with his paw.
- Hm? - I was surprised - You brought Fou with you? I don't think he belongs in Red Castle. It would have been safer to leave him in Winterfell. After all, he is Solomon's pet, girls.
- No," Arya shook her head and took him out of her bag and hugged him with her arms, "He climbed into my bag on his own before I saw him. We only found him today when we saw him running away with the food.
- Uh-huh. Besides, I don't think he's in any danger. You know as well as I do that if he doesn't want to be found, he won't be found. - Sansa nodded, and then began stroking Fou's head affectionately.
- Huh..." I sighed tiredly, glancing at the three of them, "I'm worried that missing food is going to become a new problem, not only for Red Castle, but for all of King's Landing. And my desk as Hand of the King will have even more to do.
And that is indeed the case. If I think back to the amount of food he devoured at Winterfell, I wouldn't be surprised if Foe outdid even Robert on his hungriest day.
- Fou, kyu! - Fou squealed and broke free from Arya's embrace. Then he stood on my shoulder and started tapping his paw on my cheek as if to express his displeasure.
- Yeah, yeah, you're not that voracious," I grinned and scratched him behind his ear before handing him back to Arya. "Anyway, it's advisable not to show him to the public, especially not to the prince. Considering what happened back home, I don't think he's going to give it up.
Arya nodded, and Sansa hesitated.
- That may be true, but it's also possible that we can use it. - She muttered.
- What do you mean by that? - I asked.
- Lady Kinvara said something about that. If the prince tries to take or, God forbid, kill Foe, we'll have leverage against the Lannisters or the royal family. She said rumors and gossip are powerful, and how will the vassals react when they hear something like, "The prince has a habit of taking things by force"? And not from anyone, but from us Starks? It's not just our own subordinate lords who will be alarmed, but the other lords of the Seven Kingdoms as well. It's almost a direct insult, after all. Perhaps it's just a pet, but who knows what will come after it.
- Ouch? - Arya snidely interjected into the conversation - As if you'd give Lord Solomon's pet offense.
- Shush. - Sansa hissed, to which she received a giggle from her younger sister and a smirk from me. But it quickly faded as I considered her words.
- Sansa, His Majesty is my friend. And I know he supports far from all of his son's wishes. He has eyes, though not always," I said, rubbing my temples, "But about the Lannisters... I don't know the relationship between the prince and Tywin, so I can't say. He's the head of the family, after all, and he's smart and cunning. We'll find out when we've scouted the situation.
-Good. - She nodded, and I sighed tiredly.
Where is my sweet and gentle Sansa? I think I'm getting old.
After a while, while I, my daughters, and Fou spent time together, a soldier dressed in a golden cloak entered the tent.
- Lord Stark. - he saluted and bowed.
- What is it?
- His Majesty calls you to share breakfast with him," he said, "I am here to escort you.
Foe had already tucked himself back into Arya's bag, and Arya herself was chatting with Sansa about something, completely ignoring what was going on.
Well, it really wasn't any of their business.
- Okay," I said after a moment's thought and stood up, heading towards him, "Lead the way.
-0-
The golden cloak led me to a small clearing where a small table was set up. Robert was already sitting at it, and when he saw me, he smiled and greeted me as the soldiers departed, leaving only us in the immediate vicinity.
A little farther away, subordinates were spreading food, packing up tents and packing on horses and carriages, preparing to continue on their way. I didn't see any Lannisters. Apparently they were still in their tent, for it was still standing.
- How did my Hand sleep, Ned? - Robert grinned, calling for a seat at the table.
- Unaccustomed, Your Majesty. Too much free time, I'd say. - I waved him off.
- To be expected. A trade contract with Pentos is a lucrative business, after all. I'd even borrow money from you if I didn't know the needs of your lands. And address me by my first name, at least for now. I'm the bloody king, and I authorize it.
So he knows? I'm not surprised. But Robert's right about the profits. There have been quite a few ravens arriving at Winterfell from knights or descendants of noble families who wanted to publish their memoirs. The most obvious indicator of wealth, I'd say. Well, and not a bad way to become famous and establish yourself as a suitable partner for noble ladies.
Though the service is expensive, it's not so expensive that the number of requests doesn't exceed a dozen. In addition, Pentos gets its share of fame, which has increased the turnover of money. According to Halon, at least.
- Is that a problem? - I asked.
- No. Pentos is just one free city. It has no interest in the Seven Kingdoms, unless it's for fame or money. Besides, it's far away. I've heard about the new Master of the city. Quite a clever fellow. Varys says he's very capable, since he runs the city essentially single-handedly. If he were here in Westeros, I'd recruit him," Robert dismissed him, then looked at me intently, "Tell me, what is your 'magician' planning to do there? His actions make me a little nervous.
Nothing was reflected on my face, but a certain event popped into my mind.
Is he referring to the Targaryen survivors? Did the master over the whisperers get to them? But they, or rather she, are far away, on the other side of the world. She has no support, no army, no gold. At least not official gold.
However, his pathological hatred for this family explains everything. After all, a member of that family "stole" Lyanna from him. But I'll have to pretend I don't know anything. I don't want any trouble before it starts.
- What do you mean? - I asked, looking confused. All I know is that he helped the current magician. But you said yourself that there's nothing wrong with that.
- So you don't know? - He was surprised, and I nodded in the affirmative, "Then it's okay. Then you're not involved.
- But I'd like to hear the details," I insisted, "What is it, Robert? You didn't talk about Solomon like that at Winterfell.
- He's consorting with bloody dragons," he practically hissed, "and I don't like it. I plan to rid this world of these pests, and your 'magician' seems to support them. There were two of them present in Pentos: the girl and her brother, the last children of the Mad King. The brother had been gotten rid of, but not her yet. The whore sold her body to a Dothraki, a savage who can only rape and kill. And apparently, she wants his army to take revenge on us.
- But they're still children, essentially. You want to be known as a baby killer?
- If that's the way this bloody family is going to go, so be it," Robert said emphatically, "You must understand me, Ned. This family has done no good. How many people would have died in vain if it hadn't been for the Kingslayer and us? There would be nothing left of the Seven Kingdoms.
- I'm still against infanticide," I shook my head, "If she raises a sword against us, so be it, but not otherwise.
- Hmm? Will you go against your king, Eddard Stark? - he asked defiantly.
- No," I answered confidently, "I will do your bidding, even if I don't like it. But will we still be friends afterward? I'm not sure about that.
- Then I hope it doesn't happen. I can trust very few people, especially now that John's dead. You're the only one I can rely on without fear of being stabbed in the back. That's why you're the new Hand. The whole damn Seven Kingdoms thinks I can only drink and shit, but I can't. I can smell the foul odor of intrigue in my castle, and I don't know when it will turn against me," Robert said, then looked at me. "Will you help me, Ned?
- Yes, Your Majesty.
- In that case, let's eat! The food is already cold," he said, raising his glass of wine. I did the same and sipped, thinking about the events at the same time.
So, we'll have to prepare. I don't want me and my daughters to be eaten by snakes almost as soon as we arrive.
-0-
Solomon. Braavos.
On the morning of the appointed day, I left the Black and White House and went to the same bakery where I had met Velano. The bread there is indeed lush and delicious, bringing back fond memories of my days.
When I reached the stall, I was greeted by the same saleswoman as last time. Still with the same satisfied smile and ruddy face.
- Oh, sir, you're back?
- Good morning, my lady, - I bowed and put three coins on the counter - I'll have the same as last time.
- Of course! - She smiled and handed me the bread.
But when I took it and turned towards the Red Temple, I suddenly felt that I was being watched. And from the third floor of the same bakery where I had just made the purchase.
The gaze was filled with nothing but interest, so there wasn't much point in worrying. But I was still intrigued by where it was coming from, and the reason for it.
Who owned this bakery? And what had interested its owner in me? Perhaps I would get answers at the banquet or later, but for now....
I took a bite of the bread and savored it well as I slowly walked to the Red Temple.
It was really good.
-0-
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