Sansa Stark. The Kingsroad.
Following Golden cloak, I reached the royal tent, with two more men standing guard at the entrance. They nodded briefly to my escort and let me pass, and then I was inside.
The tent was lavishly furnished, yet kept spacious and comfortable so that the royal couple would not be inconvenienced. A small amount of furniture made up of a bed, a few chairs, a table, and chests of belongings created a sort of room, apparently for the queen, as this tent was intended solely for her.
The only person here was herself, who was waiting for me, sitting on one of the chairs and holding a glass in her hand. She looked rather tired and a little irritated, as I understand, because of the length of the journey. Apparently she is not a fan of such outings, and prefers a familiar castle.
- Your Majesty," I bowed, adding a little excitement to my tone as I caught her eye, "you called for me?
- Yes, Sansa, come in, make yourself comfortable," she nodded and, smiling kindly, pointed to the chair across from me, "Are you hungry? I can have the cooks prepare something for you if you want.
Hearing her, I frowned inwardly.
Too much familiarity and courtesy. It wasn't exactly what I expected from someone who treated my entire family with absolute indifference. However, I have a clear reason to believe what her current behavior is about.
- Thank you, Your Majesty, I've had enough," I shook my head gently, taking the seat indicated by the queen, "Um... Don't take it as impertinence, but... may I ask....
- Well, don't be nervous, dear, I don't bite," she laughed, covering the lower part of her face with her hand, "I called you just to talk. It's hard to find a nice person to talk to these days, and you, beautiful young lady, fit all the criteria.
-What about the king? Can't he keep you company? - I asked, deliberately mentioning the one she was looking at with displeasure and some contempt. At this, the queen frowned, but then quickly returned a smile to her face as if the moment had never happened.
- He's busy, my dear, and I can't distract him with such trivialities," she waved him away, "I suggest we just chat lady to lady, okay?
- Of course, Your Majesty," I mumbled uncertainly and dropped my gaze to my knees, "Um... What would you like to chat about?
- Something simple, my dear. How are you finding life in Winterfell? The North is cold, and I prefer much warmer places. I find it hard to imagine life in these lands being as comfortable as it is in the South.
Is he probing? Or just trying to make conversation? It's worth speaking partly openly, but naively.
- Well..." I hesitated and hid my eyes, "That may be true, but I was born here, and I'm used to the cold. Snow and blizzards don't scare me, and my family is always there for me. So I can't say I understand you. And... it's my first time traveling outside the North, I don't know what to expect and what to prepare for. It's a whole other world for me, which is honestly a little scary. My parents told me about knights and balls and ladies in beautiful dresses, but also things that seemed scary to me.
- Oh, that's totally normal. When I was a little girl, I experienced the same things you did on your way to King's Landing. But now I am a queen and I remember that time with a certain amount of humor," the queen smiled, "And what exactly scares you, my dear?
She has now reminded me of my status and the similarities between us. Basically, she's trying to get me to favor her. Expectedly.
- Father- Lord Stark spoke of some snakes in the capital, as well as rats. Do they have them at Castle Red? - I said something the Queen found amusing.
- It depends on which way you look at it. - she answered calmly.
- How do you deal with them? Do the soldiers catch them and then take them outside the capital and release them?
- No, no. They're killed.
- Killed?!
- They're pests, my dear, and you can't be soft on them. You don't want any of them hurting your loved ones, do you? To prevent that from happening, they must be killed. - said the queen in an instructive and confident tone.
- But isn't that cruel? Can't they just not come back? - I asked cautiously.
- They can, just like what I said. There may be all sorts of reasons, but that doesn't change the fact that your loved ones will be in danger. Do you understand, Sansa?
- I think I do.
- It's all right. You're too young to realize what I'm saying," the Queen concluded and looked at me kindly, "If you need help, you can always come to me. I feel a certain closeness between us, and so I feel it is my duty to support you.
That's it. She wants to bind me to her, make me dependent so that I listen to her every word. She wants a puppet that can act as both an unconscious spy and a useful tool. And I'll have to play along to create the illusion that she's succeeding.
The queen knows that my father will be busy with the affairs of the kingdom, interrupted only for sleep or meals, and will not be able to give me enough time. The same goes for Arya, as she is too young to help handle matters in the capital, at least from the Queen's perspective. The men my father took with him from Winterfell won't be able to protect me all the time. And, in the end, I will be forced to come to her specifically.
She knows about my conversation with Lord Tyrion. But exactly as much as there were drops of wine left in the Queen's younger brother's empty bottle that night. He has no interest in setting me up, at least not until it hurts him. And since the queen thinks I'm a naive young girl, as everyone except those close to our family knows, she won't question him.
- I see... Thank you, Your Majesty....
- You're welcome, my dear," she smiled contentedly, "Now let's change the subject a little. What do you think of my children?
- Oh, them? - Unfortunately, I don't get to spend much time with them because of the capital, and Arya keeps them mostly company. But I can say that they are good people. Prince Tommen is helpful and attentive, and Princess Myrcella is cheerful and lively.
- And Joffrey? What can you say about him?
- He's strong and independent. He makes me feel protected and, if I may say so, important.
- That is true," the queen nodded, "I am glad you have found a common language with my children. In the capital it is difficult for them to find worthwhile company because of their status, and as a mother I feel happy when I see their smiles. Thank you, Sansa.
- N-Not at all, Your Majesty.
- Yes, dear," she said, "Thank you for the conversation. I've missed it.
- Of course. Glad to be of help," I said excitedly, and stood up.
- You too, my dear.
At these words I bowed and left her a little hastily, which the queen found amusing. At the same pace, once I reached the Starks' tent and was in relative safety, I breathed a sigh of relief and then smiled contentedly.
This conversation had given me a lot. Really a lot, since I'd gotten exactly the Queen's attention I'd hoped for. Now she will feed me true information to make me closer. And from that, I will be able to help my father and Arya when the time is right.
Suddenly I heard Arya's voice in a tent I hadn't noticed.
- Sansa? What's that strange smile on your face? Have you been dreaming of Lord Solomon again?
- Arya? How long have you been here?
- Long enough to not miss your smile," she shrugged, "So what happened?
- Let's just say something good. - I said fairly, to which my little sister tilted her head to the side in confusion.
- Well, whatever. - Arya dropped the matter and went to her bed, wrapping her arms around Nymeria.
I did the same, but instead of the Lady, I hugged Foe, who was comfortably perched on my pillow. Of course, he sneezed unhappily, but then he quickly relented and snuggled into my chest, falling asleep rather quickly.
I had achieved my goal, and so the only thing left to do was to wait for my arrival in the capital. That means I have a chance to relax and gather my strength before the storm.
I wonder what Lord Solomon is doing right now?
-0-
Jon Snow. Near the Wall.
As I followed my brother of the Night's Watch to the cave, I turned recent events over in my head.
As expected, the Night's Watch did not take kindly to outsiders. As I followed Ser Denys into his office, very disgruntled looks flickered down my back, as if urging me to leave the Twilight Tower as quickly as possible. The news that I, a resident of the Seven Kingdoms, was traveling with wildlings spread quickly through the castle, stoking the fires of contempt for me.
Ser Denys himself kept his word and watched me in silence while I wrote a letter to Robb. Then, before my eyes, the maester attached the letter to the raven and released it, after which Ser Denys had me escorted to the cave.
After a while, in complete silence, we reached our destination. Two brothers of the Night's Watch were standing outside the cave, apparently they were the ones who were supposed to watch over us, and they were following orders with disgruntled faces. My escort, however, gave me a loud cluck, pointing to the entrance, and then turned and left without even saying goodbye.
I shook my head and stepped inside.
Adding to the unpleasant reputation, of course, was the fact that no one spoke to me except Ser Denys. It was as if the brothers of the Night's Watch thought it beneath them to talk to someone who consorted with wildlings. I can't say I don't understand them, since that's what everyone in the Seven Kingdoms says, but it doesn't make it any easier.
The cave was deep enough that I had to walk for about a minute before I reached the large part of it that was also the end of the cave. It was lit by one large fire, around which Mara, Cid, and what the loose woman called "Quoren Halfhand" were seated.
What was interesting was that they were having a fairly normal conversation. Not really talking, because the only one who was talking was Mara, while Ghost lay at her feet, Cid silently examining his bow, and Quoren listening and nodding from time to time.
- 'It's very unexpected that you're holding a conversation with a brother of the Night's Watch,' I said as I took a seat next to them, 'I'm impressed that you're capable of that, Mara.
- Oh? - She looked up at me and sighed in surprise - When did you get here? I thought you were already dead, as idiots are supposed to be. Have you solved your questions?
- Yes. Now all we have to do is wait and hope the crow flies fast," I answered, ignoring her taunt, and then turned my gaze to Quoren, "What were we talking about?
- The half-armed man just didn't expect to see our clan and wondered why we were so close to the Wall.
- Oh? So it's unusual for you to have traveled this far? - I'm interested now.
- Of course, didn't I mention that? - Mara asked, looking at me as if I were an idiot.
- Actually, no. - I denied it with a twitch of an eyebrow and reached for the dried meat. When the food was in my hand, Ghost jumped up and took it, as if it were meant for him. Mara grinned, Cid ignored everything but his bow, Quoren smiled weakly and faintly, and I sighed tiredly and took another bite.
- The Moon Arrow clan is located on the eastern part of the Frost Fangs, where they meet the northern part of the Enchanted Forest. They are not interested in pillaging unless it is in retaliation. This applies to the wildlings as well as the people of the Seven Kingdoms. - Quoren, who had been silent until then, suddenly joined in.
- I see. So this was a special outing, then? - I asked Mara.
- Do you remember how I reacted to the mage you told me about?
- I think so.
- Grandmother organized this sortie to find someone who knew about the mage and bring him in. So basically, you would have gotten beyond the Wall anyway, even if you hadn't asked for it.
They wanted Lord Solomon? Why? And as I recall, Mara's grandmother is a clan elder, but I'm still not clear on the details.
- But how did she know when and where to send people? - I wondered, expressing my thoughts.
- Grandmother can dream Green Dreams," Mara said proudly, and both Quoren and I were wide-eyed. "In her last dream, she dreamed of the Wolf Forest. That's where we met, actually. And in that forest, as she described it to us, she saw a silhouette with long white hair, dark skin color, and golden eyes shining with magic. However, the face was hidden, and so when you confirmed those features, I immediately quickened my pace.
I was immersed in thought, not paying attention to anything around me.
"Green dreams are a form of divination that is similar to the 'Clairvoyance' that Lord Solomon told me about. They are sure to come true, though not necessarily in the form in which they were dreamed. They are also closely related to the Old Gods, as they could be seen by tree-witches and werewolves, who are, to some extent, their mediums.
It turns out that the Old Gods are interested in Lord Solomon, as Mara's grandmother definitely described him specifically, and I have no idea why. In any case, the only thing left to do is to meet this old woman and ask around for myself.
Hopefully, I can get to the bottom of this. What Lord Solomon was after and what it has to do with me. I do hope so.
-0-
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