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They were about to depart, when the rider came. He wore green clock, the hood of which has covered half of his face, but Ned knew the face even before looking at him.
A small squeaky thing, he was. He dropped the hood to his back and Ned saw that time had a little effect on Howland Reed. Only some grey hairs, here and there on the head and some new twitches across the eye muscles, whenever he smiles. And he was smiling now to see his old friend. Ned tried to smile back but he couldn't. For he has a promise to keep and a son to seek in the jungle.
Lord Reed bent the knee and said his words to pledge the forever loyalty. Afterwards, Ned ordered Ser Rodrik to go alone to bring Jon back. He directed Reed to his council chambers and ordered hot wine for him.
"Your raven came late My Lord." Howland Reed suggested when they were confined in the council chambers alone.
"Apparently she had written to all the lords of the Seven Kingdoms. I started my ride as soon as I read it." He said with the calm voice sharing the fear that perhaps Ned would have thought that it was he who betrayed him.
"No Reed! I cannot think even for one damned minute that it were you. You have my word on it." Ned assured him after listening.
"My lord is kind to me. I will die before breaking your trust." He said the words again.
" What should I do now? Tell me my friend. For you are the only one to whom I can share my fears. I haven't told my wife about it. Not have mentioned it to my little brother on the wall. To keep it secret even from me. But somehow a girl across the narrow sea had found the truth of it. How can she know it Reed? And what should I do now?" He asked.
"Tell me more about the boy My Lord?" Reed asked and Ned could not understand what he wanted to know about Jon.
The confusion on Ned's face persuaded Reed to elaborate. "Can this boy be involved in the claim?" This time the question was direct and more hurtful.
"What?" Ned asked again in confusion.
"May be this boy knows about it and somehow has been conspiring under your nose." He suggested. Ned couldn't blame him. He has never known Jon. He just shook his head.
"Jon is my innocent boy Reed. He will never do such thing. You have to be certain about it if you're my Bannermen. I would stake my life on his innocence." Ned said and Reed nodded.
"Then maybe!" He stopped whatever he was thinking aloud.
"Say it." Ned commanded him.
"Then maybe it is time to tell him." Reed said and Ned knew what he meant.
"He should have it from you my lord or otherwise he will think whatever the talker would plant in his mind. He is just a boy of seven and ten. Boys at this age can be provoked." Reed was right.
"But what if this Queen Regent is talking about some other lad named Jon. It can be, Right?" Ned hoped aloud.
"The chances are rare my lord. Nobody would have seen such coincidence. And if you say about the boy is true, then you do not have to fear about anything. The lad will know the truth and all. He will be obedient to you. Make certain he does not tell anyone about it." Reed has always been thoughtful and wise, so Ned nodded.
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