The journey back from the hunt had been long and leasurely for the most part. Only the sight of a centaur frightened the group sufficiently, and strangely Robert's health seemed a little less than average. He had a suspicion of what it was, but he had no radaways upon him as they were back at the Castle.

The Hunt itself had been exciting and dangerous. Robert chased the beast with his Warhammer while the Royal archers took aim. X6-88 shot down some deer as they escaped to provide some healthy venison. He still didn't trust the synth for being a member of such a shadowy organisation- the one that had taken Shaun. But openly starting hostilities before he had even made contact would be extremely dangerous.

Ultimately, it had been a lucky shot from Hancock that brought the giant boar down, and so he had been honoured greatly by everyone present. The scent of the meal attracted predators like wolves and the odd bear, normal or Yao-Guia, but things were often repealed easily. A deathclaw had came out and frightened everyone. The King's cousin in law and squire soiled himself in fear at the sight of what they called a demon, but Nathan, Hancock and X6-88 knew what they were dealing with. Armour piercing rounds, the odd grenade and some skilled footwork brought the monster down, while Robert walked over in drunken stupor and bashed its head in with his hammer, laughing and roaring as he went on finishing it off. He thought it was cruel to prolong the suffering and dignity of the beast, but it's what had to be done, he supposed. Afterward, wine and wenches came along the victors, except for Ned who of course refused, while he and Robert spoke of the boy Jon. Overall, they got back safe and sound. Such a fine trip it was.

And now this.

The kingslayer's body had clearly been out for a while now by the look of it, as it was now pale and the eyes were starting to sink. It was now clothed on the table to preserve the man's dignity. He heard the others present say their opinions.

"Gods, he was a dishonourable man, murdering his own King and many things I don't know about, but he was a loyal kingsguard to me, and he did finish that monster Aerys, so I have to thank him. Cersei's in hysterics from losing her brother, Tyrion doesn't know yet and I don't want to think of whoever informs Tywin of this." The King certainly had a bitter tone in his voice, yet it was definitely not grief.

"I never thought the big guy could do something like this." Hancock remarked. "Maybe his nature kicked in and he just... snapped?"

Robert looked depressed. "And I thought that thing could be a kingsguard. Our own Gregor Clegane, damn it. Others take it now!"

It was true. He had talked with Robert and Ned regarding a place for Strong in the army. He would have his own suit of armour, a super sledge and a shield, all with modifications from yours truly. He would then have been used to recruit the wastelands supermutants and form an army of kingsguard like even the Targaryens never had- an army of giants personally sworn to the King. Preposterous, but it kept his hopes high at least. Now, those were out of the window.

Hancock again started to comment. "The guy seemed like a pretentious asshole if you ask me, and why was he naked when he fell?"

"The woman says he was taking a bath there for some privacy while Strong took the Stark boy, and that Jaime tried to defend him but was killed. At least that's what she said." Robert seemed doubtful already.

Hancock dismissed this. "I doubt he'd take that much effort to find a bath somewhere that private. He was clearly in some kind of... situation with someone. A handsome guy like that would definitely be able to bed anyone he wanted and get away with it. I thought these Kingsguard were supposed to be celibate or something?"

Robert lamented. "In theory yes, but really most take the words of the vow and face value. 'Have no wife and father no children' are fine with them, but you'd have a hard time finding one who hadn't visited a brothel or fallen in love. It's a farce really."

Nathan seemed suspicious now too. "Who would he have been getting frisky with at this point, especially somewhere so isolated? His brother never was so isolated when he had a whore. Makes you wonder if this wasn't just some fling but something more secret. Where was the queen in all this?"

Robert talked. "However it was, it shouldn't matter. He's dead now, one of my guards and the ideal heir to Casterly Rock. The political implications will be huge. I need a good Hand to handle with this shit, because kingly duties were never to my liking."

Hancock started. "Aren't you going to make Ned in that position, surely it would be-"

Ned walked in now, with a look of stress and unease on his face. He turned angrily to Nathan now.

"I can't find my son anywhere. Strong must have taken him. You said he was under your control! I believed you despite all my instincts, which was stupid on my behalf. Why would he kill one of the Kingsguard and kidnap my son if he's under control?"

Nathan hesitated. He'd taken the boy too? What was he thinking?

"Lord Stark, this is not something I had known about, I think-"

Lady Stark walked in with Maester Luwin in tow. She glared at him.

Smack!

The pain ran raw on his cheek. Natalie had never hit him, nor him her, and he hadn't been hit like this since his days in the bars, only this was much worse in tone.

"How dare you, Green! How dare you turn a blind eye to a monster and let it kill our guests and take my little boy. You know what it's like to lose someone you love, to have them taken from you by beastly men, and yet you've done this to me now?"

Nathan's voice and tone raised at his offence. "Don't you dare bring up Shaun to me, I have tried everything I can to find him and not yet come through with it. I had nothing to do with this. Your son is the one who climbs so much, Strong must have tried playing a game with him."

"And then murdered the kingslayer in cold blood? What kind of game is this?" Ned interceded. "It was your choice to bring it up here. Strong's been nothing but trouble and nuisance since we came here. You heard him say how much he wanted to kill and eat us once he found his milk. This may be his bidding, but it's you who let him off the leash, and you should pay for it!"

He got angry now. "Listen, Stark! This is not something I have planned. I've given your primitive people so many things over this last fortnight and you wanted more in its place. I've lost those I love too, and I've taken my revenge, and I'll do it again. This is not my fucking fault!"

Hancock interceded. "I always knew it was a bad decision to bring him up here, but at the same time you really should keep an eye on that boy you supposedly love and wish to protect."

Cat replied. "I will not have my ability to parent questioned by a leather skinned degenerate like yourself who ruined his own life through substances and debauchery. You have no place in this!"

"Enough!" Roared the King. He soon panted and laid his hand on the desk where Jaime Lannister's body lay.

"It's true that this Strong was bought up here by you Nathan, and you didn't discipline him out of his human hating ways, but it was you Ned who refused to let him go on the hunt away from the children and the Lannisters. You've both lost children, so I suggest..." He groaned as he staggered, and his nose was bleeding, while his skin was pale and . He did not look good.

"... Urgh, that you... work together to find your children for the good of the kingdom. Nathan, I... want you to travel south with us to King's Landing. With these raiders and monsters from the Wasteland seeping in, the gods know we need someone with your experience and wisdom on the small council. All these technologies need to be... spread about the people. Think of how many we could save from those... savages. Ned, I... need you more than ever now. I understand you... want to keep your... people (cough) safe, but..." He fell down. Nathan got to his side and picked him up, with Hancock steadying him from the front.

"Medic! Someone get a stimpak now! Does anyone have Radaway?" Ned came to his other side to help the King up. He was a big and fat man, but he still had some ability to walk even at this point.

"What's all this fuss about, I'm trying to rest after that damned journey."

Shit, the Imp.

The dwarf was preparing to say another witty remark as he had done many times before, but his eyes immediately locked in his brither's body there and then. He dropped his chalice of wine and his malformed skin turned pale. The mismatched eyes open, and as he walked out, Nathan could see tears start to well up. He left before he had to see much more.

"Let him grieve, it's only fair." Nathan said as he carried the bloated Baratheon to the door. They brought the King out of the chamber and into Luwin's personal ones to lay him down. The search began for what was wrong.

"I can't find an injury." Ned said.

"Perhaps it was poisoning. He ate something unsafe?" Cat interceded.

Hancock replied. "Indeed, but not the kind you're used to."

"Then what could it be. This doesn't look like nightshade or Tears of Lys or any I've seen in all my years." The Maester concluded. "Do you know, Wastelanders?"

"Radiation poisoning. He must have eaten some bad things here." Nathan asked Luwin for some equipment.

"None of your medication is directly going to work with rads poisoning. You have to make something new entirely." Panic was racing through his head as he thought of a way to save the big King from certain death or injury. This couldn't just be from eating some small radioactive foods, he thought. Some foul play must be going on. But from who? He would need to find out soon. But the task at hand was more urgent.

"Hancock! Go and fetch me some meds from the bay. You got any rad-X or fixer around?" Nathan wasn't as sure in his Chems, especially without a bay to make them like he did back in Boston. If only he'd brought a bigger team with more caravans and such to transport the goods. But these would have to do.

"Rad-X stops you from getting it in the first place, pal, it doesn't help much once you've got it. There's got to be other ways to deal with this kind of thing. Wait! I have an idea!"

"Be quick!" Lady Stark warned. "This is no time for inventions or games!"

"Some antiseptic which is useful for every wound really, some of that fungus from the caves, some water, some alcohol to kill any bacteria and some of this 'Potassium Iodide' I found in one of the chemical plant ruins that apparently was used to cure it before the War. Maybe another ingredient would be useful to stop this from spreading."

"Just get on with it." Ned was calmer now, though still more agitated than his normal stoic self.

"Those are the ingredients of Radaway, minus the potassium iodide! Great job Hancock. How do we put it in though, there's no syringe."

"Syringe?" The Maester noted.

"A thin tube used to inject or extract things from or into a person, like with the stimpaks that you've seen." Nathan explained. I thought I told these guys through my stay here, he thought. "Now, any ideas?"

Robert spoke up now. "put it in the wine. That'll make me drink, no question."

"But, your grace-" Ned started.

"The Others take your honour and courtesy, Ned, just save me!" The King clearly wanted to live against the odds.

Hancock complied, mixing it well and effectively and pouring it into a pitch of sweetened Arbor Wine. "Here, your Grace." He hesitantly said. Nathan could see he wasn't too confident about the spontaneous mix.

He drank, despite wrenching faces until it was all gone. "Aaaaauuugh! That's going to sting later." He said. He tried to get up now.

Hancock held him down with a hand on the shoulder. "Take it easy big guy, it won't kick in immediately, but I may have just saved your life. Just stick around to be sure."

The King and company walked out of Luwin's office as he took the cup and went to start making tests of it to analyse the new formulas. Nathan shook his hand and they left to walk out. They found X6-88 in their way.

"It's clear the Lannistets are behind this, Lord Stark. Cersei hates you and Robert and always has, and after Strong killed her brother, it's clear she wanted revenge against you by association. You must not take this lightly. I have reason to believe their relationship was more than just sibling like"

Nathan was suspicious. "And how would they get access to radiation exactly? The symptoms started way before the Strong incident. Hell, they were starting to appear when Robert first arrived here. That doesn't add up. And are you seriously suggesting incest?"

X6-88 replied with a snarky element to his normal stoicism. "Of course it's been a long time planning this betrayal. They must have collected some radioactive sources while we were out scouting on the way up. She must have bought or bullied from some locals and sipped it in is drinks and food with help from her cousin Lancel, whom she also has under her belt. That's the best way I can think of that allowed this to happen. The Institute has no part in this- we want to ensure peace and prosperity to all of mankind, Wastelanders and Westerosi alike, and we will continue to help as long as you help us."

Before Nathan could speak, Ned opened his mouth. "This makes sense, though I still see little evidence that Jaime and Cersei were with each other."

"You'll see soon", the synth said. "My masters call me back to report, so I can no longer be present. I will see you when I see you, Survivor." He turned to Nathan, and with a quick blue flash, he was gone.

"Sorcery!" Luwin cried. Even the strongest stories of magic in this world never had anything like teleporting in it. But after killing the other courser to find Sean, Nathan knew they could teleport at will.

"No sorcery here," he said. "this is technology at its greatest. The Instiyte can transport whole armies across, and they're a danger. I have contacts back in the Commonwealth, and I'll do my best to get in contact and find them again, though it could be dangerous."

Ned and Robert were dumbfounded. "There's no evidence for any incest." The King said. "Even that bitch Cersei couldn't be that vile, could she? But it makes sense she wanted to kill me, and now I have the last laugh. This looks like we're on a path to war, and it's not something we can take lightly if and when it does happen. Perhaps what happened to Jon Arryn was related to them, but what could that involve? Regardless, we can't jump to conclusions. X6-88 is our best informant with regards to the wastelands, technologies and the Synths, so we need to trust him with this too. After all, it's our war now too."

"Agreed." The icey Lord of Winterfell replied. Of the Westerosi, only Cat was questioning the information. He turned to Hancock.

Trusting the Institute is going to be one big mistake, he thought.