Jon

The first thing Jon became aware of was the sharp burning feeling under his skin. His head felt even worse, all throbbing and as if someone slapped it hard against a stone wall. For a brief moment he wasn't even sure where he was.

Was he back in Winterfell? Or did he die and end up in a different world? Maybe his travel to Essos never happened and it was nothing more than figment of his imagination.

With great effort he pulled himself up and took in his new surroundings.

This isn't my room, he realized and felt like the world around him was swaying. Everything felt burred, distant and strangely lost to him.

Gritting his teeth he put his feet on the ground. They felt week and shivery like pudding. He was not sure if he would be able to stand, but tried it anyway.

Gathering all his strength he stood up and leaned against the wall, forcing himself to make a few hesitant steps forward. He felt like a little foal making his first steps.

Whatever poison tainted his body was very effective.

At least it didn't kill me, he cursed inwardly and leaned his head against the cool stone wall. He was only half through the room and already out of breath.

Closing his eyes he brushed away the world around him and only the creaking of the door brought him back to the present.

Jon opened his again he found one of he servant girl staring back at him.

She had a round face and dark-almond shaped eyes were familiar, but he wasn't able to remember her name.

Not that it mattered, because the girl paced out of the room before he was even able to call after her.

Moments later the girl returned in company of a familiar face.

"Have you lost your wits?" Talisa Maegyr exclaimed and grabbed him by the arm."Running around like this is not advisable in your state. Now back to bed or my brother will complain."

Jon nodded helplessly as the two girl put him back to bed.

Almost ignoring his presence Talisa tasked the servant girl to fetch fresh water and her "work material" as she called it.

Jon wondered for a moment what she meant, but then the girl returned with a bag and a bundle of herbs.

"Good work, Liaa. You brought all the right ones." she complimented the young girl and settled down on a wooden stool. Then she carefully laid out her material. There was a mortar, pestle and all kinds of different herbs.

The young girl beamed and took a bundle of herbs from Talisa's hand, before starting to pick off the small petals.

The both of them appeared so focused on their task that he didn't dare to interrupt, but he needed to know what happened in his absence.

"Forgive me, but how long was I out?" Jon asked.

Talisa stopped her work and lifted her head to look back at him.

She was out of her usual fine garb and her dark hair was brushed up in a tight braid to keep it out of her face. Sitting next to the young girl one might have thought her another servant.

"Several weeks. I didn't think you would wake so soon. The poison was a nasty one," the girl explained and gathered the herbs in her lap, before placing them into the mortar. Then she started squashing the plants with strong thrusts.

"Several weeks," Jon muttered and tried to hide his dislike."It didn't feel like that."

Talisa nodded her head in understanding and gathered the squashed herbs in her hands. Then she put the herbs into a bowl of water offered by the young servant girl.

Satisfied she stood up and handed him the cool bowl of water.

His eyes fell back to the bowl of water and he lifted it to his nose. The smell was musky and not at all pleasant.

"Drink it all and no complaining about the bitter taste. It is the only thing that will help you against the side-effects," she explained and eyed him closely.

Forcing himself he drowned the tea.

His wincing face made the servant girl giggle, but Talisa started to litter him with questions.

Do you feel dizzy? Do you feel sick?

Jon tried to answer her questions as honest as possible, but was relieved when she finally allowed him to speak.

"Why are you asking me all of this?"

She wrinkled her brows and dropped her hands back into her lap. It seems this was not the first time that people asked her this question.

"It helps me to determine the severity of the poison's side-effects. I also need it to determine how many herbs I will need to prepare this tea of yours. You will need to drink that tea for at least another moon turn."

"Are you sure?" he asked skeptically."How do you know that?"

Oddly, his question seemed to amuse her.

"I know it, because I studied it. I admit it is a rather strange occupation for someone like me, but I don't think it is a bad thing to know what kind of poisons can kill you. It is a rather common death here beyond the Black Walls."

"I don't it is strange. I am also thankful for your help," he replied and felt like a fool. While he hardly interacted with the girl, Narsos often remarked that his his sister held a great interest in plants. Naturally, she would have knowledge about poisons.

His words of gratitude seemed to please her.

"You do not need to thank me," she added and helped the servant girl to gather her things."You saved my brother's life. It is only natural for me to return the favor."

"Where is your brother?" Jon asked in return.

"The whole incident displeased our father greatly and he had every servant investigated. He thinks the men who attacked my brother came as servants into our household. He even had Lyrios tortured, because he thought that he smuggled the attackers into the house. Sadly, the Lyrios had nothing to do with it. With all the commotion Narsos has to stay with father until the culprit is found, but I am sure he will come to see you in time."

"Your father's actions seem to displease you," he observed, after a moment of silence.

"My father is an important nobleman of this city, but has a rash temper. Lyrios is a good and loyal servant. He should have shown him trust," Talisa explained before departing in company of the young servant girl.

…

Days turned into nearly a week, but Jon had no time to wreck his time about Narsos. He was more occupied with forcing himself to drink Talisa's disgusting teas and regaining his strength.

Every day he walked around. At first it was quite tedious, but with time he was able to walk around without breaking into a sweat.

Stubborn fool, was the only remark he received from Talisa.

Not that he disliked he girl. It was easy to see that she cared about her servants and liked the work she picked out for herself, but unlike her brother she was no great talker.

She usually worked in silence and didn't speak until Jon prodded her for information.

Not that there was much to tell. Mostly, it was empty gossip about the city, the servants or the investigations her father conducted all over the city.

It was not much, but it helped him bridge the time he needed for his slow recover.

A week after waking Narsos came to see him.

"I see my sister took good care of you," Narsos stated and moved closer. He looked different, more serious than the boy he knew before this incident.

It is to be expected. Jon doubted the boy ever came this close to death. It was an experience that changed people.

"She did," Jon confirmed and smiled wryly.

Narsos nodded his head and turned back to the door where a young servant boy lingered.

"I kept this for you," he added and boy brought him Jon's blade."I thought you wanted it back."

"I thank you," Jon replied and felt incredibly grateful."It is my most precious possession."

Narsos nodded his head, but didn't smile.

"Of course, it is precious. It is made of Valyrian steel. It makes me wonder how a sellsword like you gained such a precious blade."

Jon was stunned by the boy's remark and it took him a moment to give an answer.

"My Uncle is a high lord. He gave it to me," he explained, but Narsos' didn't appear convinced.

In silence Narsos unsheathed the blade and let his fingers dance over the smoky surface.

"Don't treat me like a fool. There are maybe a dozen of such swords to be found in the Sunset Kingdoms and only two known swords belong to Northern Lords. One is called Ice and belongs to the Lord Paramount of the North and the other one to a minor Lord by the name of Mormont. It was not easy to get this information, but the man I spoke with is a smith that hails from Westeros and trades with fine weapons such as these. He also remarked that this sword of yours is to light to be one of those two swords belonging to the Northern lords."

Jon swallowed hard. He didn't know what to say.

Narsos sighed and wrinkled his brows.

"I don't like secrets and when people hide things from me. After speaking to the smith I made further investigations. As your sword didn't fit any of the known swords I investigated about the lost ones. The only one sword that has a similar light grip as yours was…," the boy continued to needle him, but Jon flashed him a warning that left no room for questions.

Narsos' eyes widened in awe.

"So it is true…it is one of the lost ones, isn't it?"

Jon sighed and realized that there was no way to deny it.

"It is one of the lost ones…are you satisfied," confirmed.

"So my suspicions are correct," Narsos remarked and smiled.

"Your suspicions?" Jon asked and felt suddenly sick.

The answer came prompt and without mercy.

"Either you are incredibly lucky or you are of Valyrian blood. How else would you get a sword like this?"

"It is true. Nobody can know about it…nobody," Jon insisted and flashed the boy a warning look.

"So I am right again," He stated and seemed very pleased with himself.

"Don't fret about it. I won't tell anybody about it, but you know how much I like it to be right about something," he added gave Jon a curious glance.

"Just one more question if you allow me?"

Jon nodded his head hesitatingly.

"Who are your parents if you are hailing from the North? I never heard of people with Valyrian blood residing there."

Jon didn't want to tell him, but already admitted half the truth to him. And if the boy was able find out about the sword he doubted it would take him long to connect the rest of he dots.

"My Uncle is a high lord…he is the Lord Paramount of the North. My mother was his sister…Lyanna Stark," he explained in a whispery voice.

The other boy nodded his head left and right.

"Of course…of course," he muttered."The girl that was taken by the Dragon Prince. The betrothed of the Fat King. Even here in the Free Cities we know the songs."

"She wasn't taken…she went freely. I am their son, but nobody knows about me, because my Uncle hid me away. He named me his bastard to protect me from the King's eyes. That is why I am here in the Free Cities…," Jon tried to explain, but Narsos cut him off.

"…to find your relatives," Narsos ended for Jon."That is why you grew so angry with me when I mentioned the Beggar King and his sister."

"That is why," Jon confirmed.

Narsos' smile disappeared in an instantly.

"I don't think you should go to see him. I heard bad things about him. I doubt he would accept competition for his claim, even if your are a bastard. You are still of dragon blood."

"I am no bastard…or so my Uncle told me. My mother apparently wed my father, though I doubt anybody would believe me. Not that it matters…I don't care about that. I only want to meet them," Jon confessed and it felt like a heavy weight was finally dropped from his shoulders.

"I do believe you, but Viserys Targaryen is as mad as his father. He will not welcome you. He might even command one of the Dothraki to cut off your head," Narsos implored him.

Jon dropped his head in acknowledgement.

"I thank you for your advice, but more important is that you keep this a secret. "

Narsos nodded his head in understanding and put his hand on his heart.

"Of course, I swear. I owe you a blood debt."

…