The smell of shit and piss attacked Jon's nose harder than anything else that the boy had ever encountered. For a place that was supposed to be the capital of The Seven Kingdoms, the city plan was shit. Jon would not blame Robert for this though. Kings Landing wasn't planned to get as big as it had, and the result of it was whatever that was now the capital. Aegon the Conqueror had made no plans before establishing this place, the blame was on him.

"The city needs an overhaul" Jon declared under his breath, loud enough for the man riding beside him to hear.

"Aye, it does" Brynden answered, reigning his horse in when the group had stopped. The new Hand of The King was welcomed by a guard, who informed him that a meeting had been called and that his presence was requested. The Hand instructed Jory Cassell, the captain of his guards, to settle Sansa in and to tell them that he would join them for supper. He then turned to Jon.

"I suppose you should come with me. Now's a good time as any to meet your new master" the man said, looking none too pleased. It was no secret from those around him that Ned Stark was not happy about the whole squiring that The King had bestowed on Jon as a boon for saving his life. But nobody knew exactly why. Many saw it as a good thing for a bastard who can't make much of himself otherwise. A lot saw it as Ned Stark finally showing that Jon Snow was a disgrace to his name and having him in the capital was shameful for House Stark. Lady Catelyn for sure thought of that. But only Jon and Brynden knew the real reason.

Jon nodded his head and followed behind his 'father' as he was led to the council room by the guard. The trio was led through the Great Hall, where they found Jaime Lannister lingering.

"Thank the gods you're here, Stark" the lion of the Kingsguard stated with his ever-present smirk. "Finally we'll some stern northern leadership."

"Glad to see you're protecting the throne" Ned stated dryly.

"Sturdy old thing. How many kings' asses have polished it, I wonder?" Jaime questioned out loud. "What's the line? The King shits and the Hand wipes."

Jon tuned the two men out, instead choosing to stare at The Iron Throne. Forged from every sword that had surrendered to Aegon the Conqueror, the ugly thing stood proudly, its jagged edges sprouting out in various directions. The only thing remotely smooth about it was where the King would seat. But even that did not look comfortable.

Jon was not an overly ambitious man. To anyone that knew him, they only knew the humble bastard of Winterfell who knew his place in the world. But the reality was that Jon had more ambition than that, that he wanted to stretch out and grasp the birthright that had been taken from him and pull it down to his feet. Brynden had been the one to foster that in him, plant the seed and have it grow into something powerful. And it had, but the reasons for it were not fully what Brynden knew. Jon did want to take back what is rightfully his, but the reason for it is not because he wants the power for himself. If the memories taught him anything, it was that his family was doomed if things were left in the hands of the others. As King, he would have the power to protect them all. As King, he would have the ability to crush their enemies to dust. As King, he'd be able to bring the kind of safety he wanted his family to have. In the end, he was doing all of it for his family.

Or maybe Brynden did realize it and he was fostering him still, empowering him because their end goal was the same, for Jon to take The Throne. Brynden wanted his blood on The Throne while Jon wanted himself there for his family. Two different reasons towards the same goal.

"Jon!" Ned's shout broke Jon out of his thoughts. Looking at the man he saw the worry in Ned's eyes and amusement in Jaime's. "Are you okay lad?"

"Aye," Jon nodded, "sorry I'm just a little tired."

'Understandable. The journey was a long one" Jaime moved around Ned, and patted Jon on the shoulder before moving away. Jon watched him go before his 'father' called on him and he followed.

"The thing is ugly" Jon muttered.

"Aye, it is" Ned answered.

Council Chamber

When Ned Stark entered the room, the occupants all stood to greet him and they shared their respective small stories and greetings. Jon did a headcount to see who exactly was there. His blood boiled at the sight of Petyr Baelish, who was very high on his list of kills for the right time. The closest to him on the list was the Grand Maester. Renly Baratheon was a boy playing at a man's game and Varys was someone who put the realm over The King. Which was odd, considering he wasn't even from Westeros. But Jon knew that his loyalties were still with The Targaryen, and Jon could use him as an ally in times to come.

"My Lord, this meeting is for private ears only" Grand Maester Pycelle spoke, his eyes moving to Jon. The boy saw the disgust in the old man's eyes and felt like spitting on his face.

"I was hoping to find Ser Barristan here" Ned stated smoothly.

"Ah yes, The Lord Commander's new squire" Varys smiled behind his sleeve. Jon wasn't surprised the man already knew about it. "He hasn't sat with us for a while now, my Lord. I'm sure you'll meet him anyways as the day progresses."

"Besides Grand Maester, you should be thankful to the young man there. He's the one that saved our King while his guards were caught snoozing on the job" Petyr Baelish spoke and Jon had to control the urge to not narrow his eyes at the man.

"Of course, of course" the old master mumbled gently, "I was only referring to that the meeting was for council members only" the man explained.

"I think an exception can be made just for this time, for the saviour of my brother" Renly added his thoughts, "the matter is quite public anyways. And I'm sure a son of Ned Stark isn't prone to gossip with anyone and everyone" the youngest member in the council smiled. The Grand Maester fumbled a bit with his words but in the end, relented. The council members were all seated now, and the meeting began. The Grand Maester passed the pin to Eddard Stark and the man put it on his person. The question about the King not being present was asked and the new hand was informed that the small council was delegated to deal with these matters without him present.

"My brother instructs us to stage a tournament in honour of Lord Stark's appointment as Hand of the King" Renly spoke and Baelish asked for the cost. The Lord Hand read the prizes and found himself gaping at them. These were not small amounts. But what made the man almost stand and roar in outrage was learning that The Crown was in debt.

"Lord Arryn gave wise and prudent advice, but I fear His Grace doesn't always listen" Grand Maester Pycelle argued softly.

"Counting coppers, he calls it" Renly added with an unamused tone. These were not coppers they were dealing with. Jon felt the outrage in him. All the wealth of his father's side of the family was gone, up in the wind because an unfit man sat on The Throne. This was an issue he had to tackle and mitigate once he claimed The Throne.

Ned Stark called for the meeting to be adjourned so he could talk the King out of this folly of his. Jon had no doubt his uncle was about to fail and stew in it more viciously than he was at the moment. He felt bad for the man. The duo walked out of the chambers with The Chamber of The King in mind. Ned was walking briskly, his mood all but ruined at all he learned in the meeting today. Jon was following a little more sedately, but with enough pace to keep up with the man.

The walk to The King's Chamber took little time, and when they reached the place they found three members of The Kingsguard there, standing guard. Jon saw Ser Jaime Lannister there, looking none too pleased to be there. There was another knight of the white cloak there, Ser Preston Greenfield. But it was the third one that had Jon's attention. Ser Barristan Selmy greeted Ned Stark amicably before his eyes went to Jon and the man smiled.