Morning the next day couldn't come fast enough.

I sat through the night patiently in my room, waiting for the dawn to come. In the cursed lands, time moved in odd ways. The days were so long that it felt like the sun would never part, yet certain lands were plagued in eternal night.

When the light of the sun began to creep out onto the rooftops of Winterfell I went to wander again, hoping to find my way back to the training grounds without error. I was in a new land, and while the Starks had shown me great kindness I was not prepared to let my skill with a sword diminish in even the slightest way.

The yard was empty when I arrived, save for a wandering chicken that pecked at the dirt. I drew Blue Flame from its sheathe first, the enchanted blade glowing as always. The blade was as light as a feather in my hands, and swirled and danced with each swing. I favored using her with an upward slash, the move was fatal to many wearing full plate, allowing me to slip her tip beneath the sheets of metal with ease. After a few minutes to loosen my arm and warm my blood, Blue Flame was sheathed and I pulled Ruler's Sword from my back, letting her cover fall to the dirt as I always did.

Where Blue Flame was skill and speed, Ruler's Sword was power and reach. Each swing was slow, but you could hear the air part from its path when she moved. The Sword was heavy, but I had long learned to move her as if she were my arm. I Swung her from my right to the left twice over, spinning in place to add to her force. To finish I lunged, thrusting forward, only to feel a patch of mud take my balance form beneath me. The tip of Ruler bit into a wall, plunging into the stone a finger's length. At once, Ruler's magic went to work scorching the stone black with her unperceivable flames.

"That was amazing..."

I spun in place, my hand on Blue Flame's grip. I recognized the boy at once. Theon. The one who was not Stark's kin but sat at his table. "Boy, what are you doing here?" I asked.

"I heard the sound of your sword swinging." he said honestly, "I came to investigate. I thought someone could have been in trouble."

I made a noise somewhere disbelief and amusement.

"What? You think I'm lying?" he accused, quickly growing red in the face.

I shook my head, putting away my greatsword. "No..." I cleared my throat. "To be honest you were a bit currish last night. Made me think that you were Lord Stark's Ill-nurtured bastard." Theon's expression looked murderous for an instant. "What is the trouble between the two of you?" I asked, sheathing my blades with care.

"I am Lord Stark's hostage." he spat with some venom, "I was taken from my father's side eight years ago."

I took a seat on a bench and motioned for Theon to sit. He stood. "What was your father's crime?" I asked.

"My Father rebelled against the Iron Throne, trying to bring back the old way."

"Old way?"

"You pay the Iron price for something. You take what you want. That's why the words of House Grayjoy are 'We do not sow'." He stated with glowing pride in his voice.

I snorted, failing to hold back the laugh that came from the idea. "That's a fool's errand if ever I heard one."

Theon scowled at me with wounded pride. "Are you going to tell me a story of how foolish it was to rebel without resources or numbers as well?"

"No, but I will tell you why your father wouldn't have been a King with his old way for long."

"What do you mean?"

"Use what's between your ears boy. If the old way means you take what you will then who's to say someone won't come along to kill your father for his crown?"

"They wouldn't!" he denied. "That's just not how it is done!"

"Why not?" I asked.

"The people are loyal to him! They ruled the Western lands of Westeros for years because of the old way!"

My eyes bore into his. I wanted him to see the truth of what I was saying. "If there is one thing I have learned in this life boy, it's that people are loyal to themselves most of all. It wouldn't be long before someone wanted more in life and killed your father to take it. By his old way, the man who can take the crown from him could keep it."

Theon looked away, upset by the thought. "Boy, raiding and taking isn't a way to live." I added, "There's not a kingdom in the world that can live without producing something to keep its people fed."

"The Iron Islands can make their own way!" he shouted.

"How so? Did you not tell me that the words of your House is 'we do not sow'? If you sow no crops how are you to eat?"

"...We had Thralls to work the lands." he defended weakly.

I looked at him disapprovingly. "You'd build a land of slaves and think that would end well?" I smiled wickedly at him, "and you called me ignorant last night? If you tried to hold a nation of slaves with an army weak from rebelling it wouldn't be a year before your people had another rebellion on their hands. This one made of slaves and survivors from the first. Your father's plan was ill consieved."

Theon took the seat I had offered, but remained quiet.

"Back to our first words, You say your Lord Stark's hostage... How did that come about? A peace talk of some sort?" I asked.

Theon nodded, I could see him still reeling from the prior revelations. "I was given as a ward for House Stark to ensure my father's obedience. I am his last son."

"What other punishments were applied? I would imagine many were more than annoyed at his actions, did they strip him of his titles and lands? Imprison him for a time?"

"No..." Theon said slowly. "He was allowed to keep his position as long as I was held in exchange."

The knowledge filled me with disgust. "Your father is a monster." I told him bluntly. The statement had Theon's eyes upon me at once. "He tried to establish a land of bandits, without care or concern for his people, and then when he loses he gives up his son to keep what little power he had to begin with? The most rotten fruit in the land wouldn't compare to the rot in your father's heart."

Theon looked at the ground, I pretended to not notice the look on his face. There was no point in rubbing salt in his bleeding pride.

"Why do you have such pride in him?"

"He is... was... my father." Theon said, "I've always felt like an outsider here. Always reminded I wasn't one of them."

I took the opportunity to learn more of my host. "Did Lord Stark mistreat you out of some spite from the rebellion?"

"No. That wasn't what happened at all." Theon told me. "He gave me everything I needed, had me taught and trained alongside all his own children."

"Sounds like Lord Stark is more of a father to you than your own blood."

Theon looked pensive, "Perhaps you're right." he said softly, whispering the words.

I stood, grabbing a straight sword from a nearby stand and handing to Theon handle first. "Come, enough of this dreary talk. I need a good sparing partner."

Theon grinned at the offer, glad to have his mind distracted by the thrill of singing steel.

His opening was obvious, a two handed overhead swing. The blow was powerful, but not enough to budge Blue Flame. Theon's blade was fine steel but brittle compared to my own blade. Caught off guard by my block I rolled around him, an unnecessary move but it allowed me to kick out his legs. As Theon dropped I grabbed his chin and yanked it up and pressed my sword on his throat. "First blood is mine, as is this fight." I said calmly as I released him.

"How did you move so quickly?" Theon asked me, bewildered.

"Practice, experience and great skill." I told him. "Your opening blow was quite good, but you were too easily surprised."

Theon stood, rubbing at his neck. "Do you think you can teach me anything?" he asked.

I shrugged, "I can spare a few words of advice, but the best teacher will always be experience."

"Any words you can spare then?" he pressed, insistent and excited.

"Plenty." I told him. "The best lesson would be to go into battle with no expectations."

"No expectations?"

"Aye, if you don't expect something will happen you'll keep your mind clear. Be less likely to fall to surprises."

"How would that work?"

"Say for example you're walking into an old ruin that is said to be cursed. You travel there as a test of courage, to find proof of the spirit said to haunt the grounds. You go there expecting to see a spirit, and every shadow, gust of wind, and odd noise all alarm you. But if you go in expecting nothing, then you will see everything for what it is."

Theon looked at me impressed, "How is one so youthful so wise? I'd expect words like that to come from master Luwin not someone that looks like they're barely a man."

I admit my response was a bit childish. "I'm older than I look."

Theon's surprise swing almost took me by surprise. This time I rolled aside by necessity. I countered with a flat thrust that he slapped aside in a panic. "Clever!" I called, "But not quick enough!"

I charged him as he swung again, and this time I slapped his sword aside with my empty left hand. I held the tip of Blue Flame over his heart. "And second blood is mine." I said simply.

"Why aren't you taking the fight slower?" Theon asked, "Allow it to last a bit longer, I mean."

"It was the way I learned to fight." I explained, "Strike down each enemy as quick as possible, stay moving, and always pay attention to your surroundings."

I started round three with my favorite upwards slash. Theon stumbled back, tripping over the bench I had sat on earlier. He fell to the dirt and I walked over to calmly place my blade at his chest. "That makes three." I stated.

"You don't fight with honor." He complained, groaning and clutching his sore head.

"Honor only matters to the historians and the dead." I told him, "I would much rather live." I offered him a hand.

Theon took the offered hand, but his displeasure was still open on his face. "Who taught you to fight like this?" he questioned as he rose from the dirt. "Every man I know fights by crossing blades or blocking with shields. You use magic, and fight with such power."

I shrugged, sheathing Blue Flame and returning Ruler's Sword to her proper place on my back. "To speak honestly? I cannot recall who first taught me the ways of the blade." I thought back fondly of my friends as I had journeyed Drangleic with... Other remnants of the cursed lands, who looked for a purpose as much as I. "I learned how to wield a spear from a trickster named Pete. I learned how to swing a greatsword at the side of Benhart... Believe it or not, my skills at blind-fighting actually comes from a peaceful merchant named Vengarl."

Theon struck as my guard was dropped, "Fourth blood is mine!" He yelled, smacking me with the flat side of his blade.

I winced at the pain, turning and scowling at him. "On your guard!" I yelled, tackling myself at him in turn. The boy yelped as he was knocked to the ground, with myself and my armor on top of him.

"Mercy!" he yelped, failing to force me off. I punched him in the guts with a great deal of force, driving the wind from him.

I rolled off, and stumbled over to grab my seat again while feeling the throbbing pain upon my head. "I'll say this much for you boy, you're a quick learner." I pulled my hand back to find some blood upon my glove. "Damn, that was a good cut."

"Thank. You." Theon wheezed, still rolling in the dirt.

I pulled two yellow-white stones from a pocket, tossing one to him before crushing the other in my hand. At once I could feel a gentle warmth, like bright sunlight from a clear sky, cover me as my head would knitted together and healed a thousand fold faster than it would have naturally.

Theon looked at the little rock I threw at him curiously, now rubbing his, no-doubt, bruised chest. "What do I do with this?" He asked.

"Crush it in your hand." I instructed. "There is a powerful magic in that, it will mend whatever wound you might have quicker than you'd think."

Theon obeyed, crushing the rock and gasping from surprised. "That felt... wondrous" he remarked, "Where did you get such a thing?"

"They are called lifegems. A rock made of crystallized souls."

Theon looked ill. "Souls? I just used a soul to heal?"

I rolled my eyes at him. "It is not a living thing you're killing." I told him bluntly. "Don't over think it so much. Absorbing actual souls is another matter entirely."

If he looked ill before, he was horrified now. "Absorbing souls? You mean you know how to take souls?"

Looking back, I suppose I could have said less, but I knew that someone would learn about that trait eventually. "Aye. I can. It is part of the magic that makes me so strong. With each death around me I pull souls to me. It's like an unthinking reflex, I cannot control it nor can I stop it."

Theon looked at me with some fear, some disgust, but a healthy dose of curiosity. "So when someone dies around you, you get stronger? Just like that?"

I shook my head, "No... Give me a moment..." I chose my words carefully. "I suppose I could be compared to a heavy pot, one that is made of thick metal and used to carry ore. Every soul I take in is the ore, but can be used to strengthen me."

"But you said you absorbed the souls? And that made you stronger?"

"I didn't say it made me stronger, you guessed that."

"Your not denying it either!" Theon accused.

"Are all of you in Winterfell so serpent tongued?" I asked, "Or is it just those that associate with Lord Stark?" I sighed, and reached into one of the pouches on my belt. Clasped in my fingers was an old feather from a great bird.

Theon looked at me like he had finally realized I was mad. "Is that a feather?"

I knew I was staring at the feather lovingly, as I did every time it was in my sight. "'Tis a feather given to me by my dearest friend. It took me a lifetime to discover how she used its secrets. The magic of the feather can increase the power of one who has absorbed souls." I explained, "The more potent the souls possessed, the more power the feather can grant. It has a limit to how far it can empower a mere human form, but that limit is far beyond other mortal men."

Theon looked at the feather with disbelief. "You lie." he protested and scoffed. "A little feather cannot grant magical strength. The idea is ridiculous."

"Is there a sword in this training yard you cannot lift?" I challenged, "Or a spear that you have difficulty holding one handed, perhaps?"

"You mean to make me stronger?" he balked, squirming at the idea. I could see his greed, but also his fear at the idea of using a soul to improve himself.

"If it would shut you up, then yes." I told him. "I have lived long enough to host a kingdom's worth in souls. The amount needed to make you strong enough to wield a greatsword one handed is a pittance to me." I held out a hand, in my palm a ball of white flame blossomed, floating above my gloved hand like a spirit and glowing softly like moonlight in the night.

Theon swallowed thickly, his eyes drawn to the phantom in my hand. "What is that?"

"The soul of a proud knight. Enough power in to make you a skilled warrior but little else."

His eyes would not be torn from the temptation, he didn't blink as he spoke, "What do I have to do? This surely comes at a cost."

I lowered the soul-fire, forcing him to look into my eyes. "You interest me boy. One day I may leave Winterfell. On that day you will join me, and travel with me. Perhaps when this time comes, you will learn that you are worth more than the name Theon Grayjoy."

Theon's eyes broke away as he thought.

"If you want to be more than a name, than crush the soul in your hand like you did the stone and I shall do the rest."

Theon trembled as he grasped the flame in hand.

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The servant's of Winterfell were apparently informed of my improved status in the service of Lord Stark, as I crossed the threshold back into the castle proper a few hours of wandering later, I was greeted by a maid of some sort who informed me that my lord was waiting for me in the dining hall.

Eddard Stark was giving me a stern look the moment I entered the hall. I was worried that some action I had taken had overstepped my place. "You requested me my Lord?" I asked respectfully.

"I was given three requests today. Would you know anything about them?" he asked.

"I could hazard a guess, but I couldn't say for sure."

"Bran, my youngest, seems to think that you will teach him magic. Master Luwin has heard of your magic and has expressed a keen interest in how you perform your arts. The one that concerns me the most is that my ward, Theon has expressed an interest in learning the sword from you."

I openly frowned, "Not meaning to offend, but I was hoping your boy forgot about that. He entered my room from the window late last night and demanded I show him a spell. Afterwords I lied, saying that I would speak to you later on. As for Theon," I continued, "I sparred with him for a time this morning, he impressed me with his skills and I said that he interested me."

"And what of Maester Luwin's request?"

"I don't see the harm in humoring his request, but a question first if you don't mind."

"What is that?"

I tried to keep a straight face, not wanting to look a fool when I asked, "What is a Maester?"

Lord Stark wiped at his beard to hide his grin. "Maester's are educated men from the Citadel. They aid the lords of the various lands in Westeros. To my knowledge, each Maester has certain fields of study. Luwin is one of the few who has studied what they call the higher mysteries. Magic much like your own."

"I see." I pondered if it would be smarter to reign in my displays of power, but alas I was relaxed. Two days away from Drangleic's nightmares had made me lose my edge. Not in combat, but in wits. Recklessly I agreed, "I will meet him later today if that is convenient."

"What is your intention towards Bran and Theon?" Eddard questioned, looking at me intently.

"I have no intentions towards your youngest. Bran is a skilled climber and a clever boy, but these are not the traits needed to learn magic. His soul isn't strong enough to handle what is needed to learn my methods of magic."

"And what of Theon?" the Lord of Winterfell pressed.

"His soul is broken. He had harbored much resentment towards your family, something I believe I have fractured if not broke from him. Theon held a deep belief that he was worth something to his father, and cradled that hope in his heart to shield him from all the loneliness he felt here."

"What do you mean? He was raised alongside my children, taught with them. He never wanted for anything." Eddard protested.

"But he is not one of yours." I stated, "Some of your household must be keen and quick to remind him of that fact, if the outburst of emotion I was witness to was any sign. It was eating at him from the inside. The way he was a kind word from his father would be enough for him to betray you."

"And you intend to correct this?" Lord Stark asked me, voice full of icy steel.

"I have already begun to correct the issue my lord." I said respectfully. "I pointed out the holes in the stories he told me. If his father's rebellion had succeeded then it would be less than a season before those they had enslaved would turn against them or someone killed his father for the crown. I am still sickened that his father would trade his son to keep power."

Stark's eyes narrowed, "How do you know this? Did Theon know all of that?"

"No my lord. I told you that much of my time in Drangleic was spent searching the kingdoms that came before. In that time I learned how to piece together bits and pieces of a story to learn about the past." I explained, "I took what knowledge Theon possessed and reasoned what was left unsaid."

"Oscar, is there ever a time where you will cease to amaze me?"

"I hope not my lord, the world would be very grim indeed if one of my make failed to amaze you." I was still re-learning humor at the time, so shut up.

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I arrived at Maester Luwin's chambers shortly after the cooks had delivered supper. The man was at work examining another of the Stark children, the one with the wild and bushy hair.

"It seems your foot is still swelling Jon." The old man stated kindly.

"Damn it all! When did Theon learn to swing a blade with that much strength?" Stark's child swore.

I knocked loudly upon the door's frame to announce my arrival. "That may have been my fault. I have been teaching Theon my ways of fighting." I informed them, unashamed.

The one named Jon was on his feat at once, "How could you teach him to wield a greatsword like he did in just one day?"

I shrugged, "For the same reason that I am here now. Magic."

Maester Luwin was cautiously excited, if there was such a thing, "Lord Stark told me that you agreed to be tested...That I can examine your magic?"

I nodded, "I see no trouble with it." I pulled another of the Yellow-white Lifegems from my pocket and politely handed it to Jon. "Here young Stark. Crush it in your hand, and let the Maester see your foot again."

Curiously Jon flinched when I called him stark, but obeyed. Had I known the mistake I was making, I would have made a better choice in words. The rock broke, and like Theon, he gasped from the surprise as the magic swept over him. The wound on his foot, a thick and bruised covered cut, sealed shut and faded away as the magic took hold.

"Amazing!" Jon proclaimed.

Luwin was impressed as well. "The wound healed, as if with great haste. Do you have more of those stones?" he asked.

"I have three kinds of them, the magic within them works at different speeds." I explained, handing him two samples of each, "The weakest can cause three ten-days worth of healing to pass in a moment, the next can cover a seasons worth, the last can cause a years worth of healing. Provided that there is no permanent injury, the magic of a lifegem will heal them."

"This stone heals all wounds?" The Maester wondered, "Could this be used to treat sickness?" Beside him, Jon was looking at one of the rocks with amazement, locked in a state of childish wonder.

"Sadly, no." I stated, "The magic of a lifegem will only heal physical injury. Poison, plagues or other ailments cannot be cured by the magic of a lifegem."

"Can you show me the strongest at work?" The old man asked politely.

I pulled another, brighter, lifegem from my pocket. Holding it in my left hand as I drew Blue Flame with my right. "Do you have a cloth or something for the blood? I would hate to stain your floor till tomorrow." Maester Luwin lay out an old blanket that had seen better years. I carefully pierced my arm with my blade, the sword sliding clear to the back of my arm. Blood flowed freely, dripping down to the blanket and pooling at my feet.

I inhaled sharply, the pain wasn't new, but wasn't the sort of thing one was ever used to. "Watch closely." I instructed. I pulled Blue Flame free, and instantly felt the weakness in my arm as the flow of blood thickened from a trickle to a stream. I crushed the gem with the last of the strength in my arm, and was glad when I felt the magic at work.

Luwin's eyes never blinked as he watched every moment of the healing. In turn, I watched his lips move without speaking, as if he were taking notes and memorizing every detail of my regeneration. "How many of these stones do you possess? Where did they come from?" He asked me, filled with energetic excitement.

I actually took a step back from the rabbit like man. "I'm not sure how many stones I own." I told him, "I use a spell and a bonfire to store my possessions. I collected hundreds of them." The look in the man's eyes scared me.

"Please, let me have more samples. This could be a discovery of the age!" he proclaimed, more excited than could be good for him. "Think of the number of injuries that could be treated with these gems. Battles would have less loss of life! It could forward medicine beyond the imagination!" Luwin sat in a chair, his face made blank by the revelations I had caused. Jon was sitting in the floor, his expression would lead someone to believe that his brain was on fire.

I never considered the reactions a common man would have to the magics of Drangleic, much less what a learned man would make of them. Luwin's reaction was just amusing to me. "I do have some other magics as well. Not physical things, mind you, but I do have a selection of spells that I can cast as well."

Luwin looked at me like I was a living library, filled with all the knowledge he could want. It was very unnerving.

Darkness fell and the moon had risen before Jon and I left the Maester's chamber. At the old man's urging I had cast my spells out the windows and at targets, all while he watched and made notes on his paper. It was odd seeing writings that I could not read. A small annoyance. I suppose I wouldn't speak the same language as him if it weren't for an enchanted ring upon my hand either.

Jon had spent his time watching us, being patient and simply observing the various sorceries. His request came as no surprise to me either, I could sense it building inside him as well. "That magic you used on Theon... Can you use it on me as well?"