This is still just a practice thing really so please read and review. I know that some parts are different from the book but you just have to go with it, but please report any serious errors or problems.
Skylar was sitting on top of one of the many towers in Winterfell Castle and was watching the sun slowly move across the sky when he heard a rustling just below him. He peeked over the edge and came face to face with Bran Stark. "Oh hello" Skylar stammered out.
"Hi" Bran said, "what are you doing up here?" he looked rather puzzled.
"It helps me to think, being up here. And after today there's been rather a lot to think about and take in." Skylar smiled at the boy and he smiled back.
"I know, it's rather lot to deal with, but we're not that bad you know" Bran grinned at the older boy and Bran felt some of the tension leave his muscles.
"Are there any good swordsmen round these parts then? I feel like a bit of a workout." Bran considered this for a moment and then said,
"You could always ask Robb or Theon, they are always trying to impress everyone with their sword skills." Bran leaned in closer and whispered, "But I don't think they're that good anyway." He leaned back giggling and Skylar laughed as well. "Come on, I'll take you too them." And with that Bran disappeared down the side of the wall and Skylar scuttled after him.
Skylar followed Bran into the courtyard where he could hear the sound of wood clashing on wood and knew that there were boys practicing. Skylar suddenly remembered something from earlier; "Bran" Skylar asked "Who was that boy standing behind Ned when we arrived?" Bran didn't stop walking as he answered,
"Oh him. That's our bastard half-brother Jon. He's not bad with a sword either. Do you have your own sword or do you want to borrow one?" Bran asked as they neared the courtyard.
"I don't have mine at the moment, can I borrow one?"
"Of course" Bran replied, and ran off to fetch one. Skylar wandered over to the courtyard where two boys were fighting each other. They both looked about his own age, and Skylar couldn't help but judge every move they made. The boy on the right had a good stance but wasn't quick enough with his jabs, the boy on the left was more agile on his feet but often left big gaps open which the other boy was taking full advantage of. As Skylar watched the quick footed boy lunged forward, leaving his chest wide open, and the slower boy burst forward, the tip of his sword at the other boy's throat, and the match was done.
They both took off their helmets and Skylar saw that the sure footed boy was his cousin Robb, and the other boy was the bastard Jon. They congratulated each other and Bran came running up to them both, probably telling them that I was interested in a duel with them. They both glanced at me and smiled, indicating for me to enter the duelling area.
"So" Robb said looking at Skylar "You want a duel with me?" Skylar looked at blankly.
"I'll duel with whoever will duel with me, I just need the exercise" Jon smiled at that, and Skylar got the feeling he was going to like this boy.
"Why don't you duel with Theon then?" Robb suggested. As much as Robb liked Theon, he was so arrogant it was unbelievable, and Robb would love to see the look on his face if he were beaten by a mere boy of 14 when he was a man grown at 19. As the son of the infamous kingslayer the boy's reputation preceded him, and people said that he was almost as good as his father. His lean muscled body and arms also seemed to suggest that he practiced a lot and worked hard. If the stories were true he would beat Theon easily, although Theon did have a habit of fighting dirty if the situation called for it. Robb had often found himself nursing a cut arm or bruised body after a practice duel with Theon.
"So how about it?" Robb asked again. Skylar shrugged his shoulders and nodded his head. "Excellent" Robb exclaimed, and sent Bran off to find Theon. Robb and Jon took Skylar to find some armour for him and a sword that Bran had failed to give him. Soon Skylar was ready, but the armour was slightly too big and the chain mail was clinking together in an annoying way and it restricted his movement to an extent that he could not move properly when he practiced sparring with Robb.
"Stop! Stop!" Skylar cried as Robb lunged towards him. "This chain mail is too big. Isn't there anything smaller?" Robb looked around and then shook his head
"Sorry cousin, this is your lot, unless you fight without it, but you could get seriously hurt." Skylar considered this option carefully, fighting in boiled leather alone would allow him to move more freely than if he had armour on, but if Theon attacked him and he didn't move quickly enough then he could be badly injured.
Skylar tried to move around again, but the armour clanged around and Skylar decided that he would have to rely on his speed to dodge attacks, and not leave any gaps for Theon to attack in. Robb's face as Skylar began to take his armour was one that could not replicated.
"What? What are you doing? You can't fight with any armour; I was joking when I said that!"
"And I'm being serious. I can't fight in armour that doesn't fit, it restricts my movement and I'd rather fight without it than lose because of it." Skylar heard Theon approaching and threw his armour down, picked up his sword and marched outside.
