Storm of the North

Chapter 18

Q&A

gunnslie: I guess I mostly glanced it over in one of the earlier chapters, but Naruto created his information network during Robert's rebellion. The base originally is built on soldiers of the war and innkeepers of the land. It was expanded from there. The soldiers and innkeepers were the best since the only thing faster than light is rumors. There is also the fact that innkeepers are mostly invisible to those staying and frequently hear the rumors from travelers, whilst in a larger allied army each soldier blends in and after the fighting is done and drinking starts information and rumors spread almost immediately. So, yes, Naruto knows exactly what the Mountain did. But, he prefers not doing him in just yet. He needs to take his time with it and he might be waiting to see what the Targaryens do. If the Targaryens come back, giving them the Mountain might make a great gift, or to at least the Martells will appreciate it since they'll throw in with the Targaryens at the drop of a hat.

Kingslanding, 298 AC

When Naruto returned to their dwellings in Kingslanding, Sansa was there. Now, Naruto might not know a lot about young ladies, but he was quite sure Sansa was scared of him and thought him a brute. Just for carrying three heads with him and being covered in blood as he walked in. The nerve of that girl. Clearly she hadn't read about Theon 'the Hungry Wolf' Stark. Naruto wasn't the one who performed a blood-eagle on a foreign invader and then displayed them on the prow of their ship like figurehead, whilst they sailed against the invaders army. After that little incursion, they spiked the invaders heads along the coast as a warning. Fine, the last one Naruto had done. More than once. To bandits of course, he'd never even imagined doing it to someone he suspected of being a traitor to the North. No matter what the Bolton ass thought.

But, he was only inspired by Theon Stark, at least when asked. Now, the private notes on what Theon Stark had done to the ironborn Ravos the Raper, who invaded the North some would call 'brutish', 'against the laws of men and gods' and 'sick'. Naruto called them impressive and in accordance to the Old Gods. Few could keep another man alive for so long, doing what they did.

Naruto truly hoped Ned found someone gentle for Sansa. The girl didn't have the ice and winter in her. She didn't know the true history of the Starks. Sure, the Starks were 'honorable', as long as you left the North alone from all directions. Their most major concern for the most part was simply to ensure the land was in peace and they had food. However, if someone were to fuck around on those goals, all 'honorable' behavior went out the window. 'Winter Is Coming' is a saying that has been part of the Starks as far back as Naruto had read the histories. The saying could have multiple origins and also multiple connotations. One could be to remind the ruler to never settle down in summer as winter would eventually come and one should be prepare for it. Another explanation is a threat to all other houses in war, in a way saying: 'you've enjoyed your easy summer fights, now comes the cold fury, the death, the famine, the darkness. Now comes the winter.'

But, lately Naruto had been meditating on the words more. The deserter of the Night's Watch, spoke of the Others on the other side of the Wall. The demons of ice and snow, of winter. Most of the history of the North is told around fires from the old generation to their children. The saying 'the North remembers', could be interpreted as saying the North remembers each slight and victory, each threat and alliance. But there are two more differences compared to the south. In the North the Old Gods are still worshipped via the weirwood trees so they remember the old ways and Gods. However, they also always remember the tales of the Others.

Put those two sayings together and you get 'The north remembers winter is coming'. Are those the original words of Starks? The words of Bran the Builder, who made a wall. A wall so excessive to do… what exactly? The people of beyond the wall are of the old blood, same as the Starks. Why would we need to keep them out? And with a wall that big? No, there was something else to this. Why were the people there?

Then there was also the saying within the Stark family 'When the snows fall and the white winds blow, the lone wolf dies but the pack survives.' This could be taken in a multitude of ways.

'When the snows fall and the white wind blows' could indicate winter has come. But is that it? The snow might indicate a bastard line of Starks or maybe even the people beyond the Wall, those in the snow. So, in theory, this could be another line in the warning. The people beyond the wall might have been the first line of defence against the 'white wind' or 'winter'. They are the lone wolf, meant to slow down the advance of whatever the Others are. The rest of the wolves reside in the North, as they have some roots on the Stark family. The pack. And their mission is to band together and prepare for the winter whilst the lone wolf dies. According to this theory the saying might in actuality be: 'The North remembers when the snows fall and the white winds blow, the lone wolf dies but the pack survives. Winter is coming.' Now that sounds like a warning.

It could also be Naruto had been overthinking the whole thing since the dream of the fox and Lord Rickard and coming south to a city that constantly smelled like pig shit and was forced to work with snakes. He was feeling a tad stressed. Also trying to poke Sansa into asking the right questions from Joffrey was a headache of new record. Because as far as Naruto could see, Sansa didn't have a cunning bone in her body. If he wanted to try an expedite the issue, he would have to explain it to Sansa. Sansa, who would either try and buy approval from Cersei by telling her or be horrified that the prince tried to kill her younger brother and would not go near him after that. Naruto came to the realization he'd been spoiled by Lyanna, who had the ice in her, but could fake the role of a lady if absolutely necessary. Arya had the ice and the potential for cunning, but she wouldn't go near Joffrey to bat her eyes and tell him how dashing he looked. In a last resort he could get Arya to argue with Joffrey in order to get him to spill his secrets. The boy wasn't exactly smart, but his mother usually had her wits about her and could keep her boy in leash, for now at least.

That was for later however. Now he had to figure out how to explain the three washed and cleaned heads in boxes he still had waiting in his office for burning. He was quite sure Sansa had spread rumor of him killing three people. And judging by the sound of marching he could hear through the window, the Lannister guards were here. Naruto sort of hoped they tried to get in through the Stark guards. Naruto would have a prime view of watching Lannister blood dying the Red keep even more red. But more conflict wouldn't help. So, he wrapped the boxes for easier carrying, took them with him and went down. The Lannister greenboys were trying to bark orders to unimpressed Stark guards who looked like they were wondering what to have for dinner after shoving the Lannister's spears up their asses.

Naruto stepped out of the doorway as the guards turned to him. He passed the Stark guards with a nod and a greeting of "Yorik, Ben". He then walked over to the Lannisters closest to him and handed over the boxes containing the heads "Here, don't drop those. They're important." The guards were stunned as Naruto shoved boxes into their hands and started walking towards the main keep. After a bark of "Move it you Lannister snails, I don't have all day" from Naruto, the guards scrambled to follow. The Stark guards were left chuckling behind.

Naruto, Cersei, Robert and Ned were in Robert's office to discuss the three heads in Naruto's possession.

"He killed three men!" screeched Cersei. Naruto lifted his hand to clear his ear with his pinkie finger.

"Yes, I killed three men. In self defence" Naruto stated in a bored voice.

"How do we know that?! We have just your word on that! For all we know they were perfectly innocent!" Cersei continued screeching as Naruto mouthed 'Innocent?' in a confused look.

"Innocent you say? Then as you claim I have no proof, can you provide proof of their innocence?" Naruto continued thoughtfully.

Cercei gaped at Naruto's insolence then continued screeching "We are not here to discuss that, we're here to discuss your punishment!"

Ned blinked slowly as he could only imagine how badly Tywin would have seethed about his daughter "Actually, what we're here to discuss is that does Naruto require punishment. He has freely provided the heads of his attackers and told us where and how they attacked him. As far as we know he has not hid the fact of killing assassin's, ever. Robert, I seem to remember Naruto carrying a head around like that once, in the Ironborn rebellion. It was years back, but it was near the end. Remember?"

Both Ned, Naruto and Cersei turned to look at Robert, who was downing a goblet of wine, looking like he wanted to be anywhere except here. After stopping his drinking for a moment Robert spoke "Aye, you killed of them fuckers back then too. These ones had the same eyes. Were these here to kill me as well?"

Naruto shrugged his shoulders "Not sure if you were the main target. The two younger ones just attacked without really speaking and the older one said he wanted to do what the first one in the rebellion couldn't. If you give Varys into my disposal for a while, I'm sure we can get a few clues on what they want."

"You're insane!" was Cersei's only response. Naruto turned to her, gave a wide smile and nodded like an eager puppy, which caused Cersei to take a step back in shock and Robert to start roaring in laughter and Ned give a mix of a scoff and a chuckle.

"Fine. Have Varys help you. While you're at it help him with the Targaryens. If I remember correctly you have connections in the east. And make sure those knights are still under watch!" Robert bellowed.

Naruto bowed slightly "Yes, your grace. Now the heads. May I give them their rites?"

Robert only indicated for Naruto leave with his hand as he continued drinking. Naruto nodded and took the heads back and headed for a quiet place where he could create a pyre for the heads. He wasn't about to bury them in Kingslanding. No assassin deserved that injustice upon their mortal container.

He found some good wood for a small pyre and took them to an empty courtyard. He fetched wine, pouring some onto each box and setting the pyre alight. He then sat in front of the pyre, drinking wine with the dead. He stayed there until there was nothing but ash left, which he took and spread into the wind. They'd find their ways in the afterlife together. Naruto headed back towards their dwellings to eat and drink.

The next morning Naruto met up with Varys for a game of cyvasse, the Spider looking like the cat who ate the canary. Apparently Naruto had gained an amusingly mixed reputation for himself with the severed heads incidents. Some whispered he was a demon that fought three knights at the same time and took their heads, because he didn't find them worthy of living. Some whispered he was Robert's personal assassin and the three were Roberts personal enemies from his youth in the Eyrie. And lastly some whispered Naruto had killed three men because one of them insulted his wife and/or Lord Stark, but Naruto's bloodlust was so great he also killed the other two.

Naruto could only shake his head in exasperation as they continued their game and information exchange about the east. Varys had found that the three men were part of a bigger group that arrived from the east , but had seemingly split off into different directions. The Spider was still trying to find out where they had gone, but apparently at least two had gone northwards. Naruto on his side confirmed that the knights sent to the Great Tree company after Robert's rebellion were still under the watch of the company, but would request a new confirmation as soon as possible. The Targaryens were a pretty interesting subject for both, even more so to Naruto. In fact, Varys seemed to be providing Naruto the exact same information Naruto's source was. Now that was a coincidence.

To be continued…

Reviews always appreciated!

Next weekend is Midsummer and Midsummer's day, also known as 'Juhannus' where I live. So, for that time I will not be writing or posting as I'm going to enjoying that time on a boat, surrounded by water and forests and time with my family.