Coming of the Red Anchor
A King Comes North
298 AC
Winterfell
The North had grown much over the last decade or so. Most of the changes could be laid squarely at the feet of House Britanican. New roads had been lain down and old ones repaired therefore uniting much of the North by linking castles and towns to Winterfell and to the Kings Road thus allowing goods to move about quicker and armies to march faster. The population of the North, for so long hovering around a million had now grown to almost 1.6 million. Winter Town was now settled in large enough numbers to be permanently settled all year round and a small town watch set up, in part filled by some of the Winterfell guard. It was all so much for Ned to keep up with but he was proud of how his northern brethren had done. Food supplies were more consistent with larger and more numerous glass houses, as every keep had one, allowing for supplements in case of draught or poor yields. Trade as well brought in additional amounts so the people of the North grew with more food to supply them and store for winter.
As Ned stood looking down on his second son, Bran, he wondered where things would lead in the future. Already mining was being conducted up in the mountains of the Mountain Clans after land surveys were conducted at his request by House Britanican. They had found sources of Iron on their own lands so he had wondered if they could find stuff in the mountains and other areas. Indeed they had. Gems and silver had been found under much of the Northern Mountains which brought work and riches to the North. The people of the North had not lost their frugality and much of the money was saved or invested in the infrastructure and repairs they were conducting. Already Moat Cailin was close to completion and the roads were finished and many northern keeps were being repaired. Indeed the Mormonts had had the debt, made by their former lord Jorah, cleared at the behest of Ned and James Warrington thanks to the money brought in from the mines. He still fumed over the loss of the former lord and his dishonour in selling poachers to slavery but he had slipped past Britanican naval patrols simply due to the slowness of ravens. He had gone past the Iron Islands before they knew to look for him. Now however a five soldiers of House Britanican were stationed here at Winterfell to relay information either way using those rado things, no, radio, whatever that was. He shook his head at the marvels the not so newcomers had.
His sighed as Bran missed another shot and his sons and Asha laughed at the failed attempt. "And which of you was a marksman at ten" he called out and ended the sniggering, though the smirks remained. "Keep practising Bran." After a few comments of support and instruction Bran tried again but just as he was about to release the arrow another shot out from no where and hit the target shocking the boys. He smirked when he guessed just who had fired it and he watch Bran drop the bow and chase after the culprit. Catelyn just shook her head with a sad smile, clearly guessing who was to blame as well. 'Like Lyanna reborn she is' he though sadly on his youngest daughter.
"Lord Stark" came a voice and they turned to see the grey haired and stout Master-at-Arms Ser Rodrik Cassel approaching them. "My lady. A guardsman just came in from the hills, they captured a deserter from the Nights Watch" he said gruffly.
"Get the lads to saddle their horses" Ned answered after a moments pause.
"Do you have to?" Catelyn complained.
"He swore an oath Cat" Ned replied firmly.
"Law is the law my lady" Rodrik said simply.
"Tell Bran he's coming too."
"Ned, Bran is too young to see such things" she argued.
"He won't be young forever, Winter is Coming" Ned said in his deep voice and walked off to prepare himself to execute another deserter from the Watch, the third of this year.
Jon sat on his horse riding back to Winterfell after his father executed the Watchman. If he needed yet another reason to not go that was it. The third of this year so far, clearly The Watch was not a place he would enjoy if even its members were risking death instead of staying. Plus it was even colder up there than in Winterfell which benefited from hot springs whose water was pumped through pipes within the ancient walls of the castle. He rode up front alongside Asha who enjoyed the few moments of freedom riding out to watch these executions and the like allowed her. He enjoyed her company somewhat though found her to be a bit crass on occasion. She was mindful enough to tone it down around the younger children and seemed to enjoy moments with them as well, particularly Arya which Jon could relate too. Arya and he shared the Stark look, grey eyes, long face and dark hair. He couldn't say he was attracted to Asha, she was pretty enough he guessed, but he enjoyed her company. She even helped keep Robb in check by being decent with a sword too and making a good sparing partner. As they rode back through the outer part of the Wolfswood they spotted the corpse of a dead stag on the other side of a bridge. On approach they saw maggots crawling out of a large wound on its flank and that it was missing part of an antler. "What did it?" Jon asked in concern and began looking about worriedly.
"Mountain lion?" suggested Asha as Lord Stark approached them on horse back.
"Not in these woods Asha" Ned said confidently though he too was cautious and drew his sword. With their swords out, they began to search the area around the bridge and the riverbank. Soon enough they find the dead body of a large wolf with an antler lodged through her throat, lying at the base of a tall tree. Her five pups were whimpering on the ground around her. Asha gasped. "By the drowned God, what is it?"
"It's a direwolf" Ned answered with surprise on his usually grim face. He exchanged a concerned glance with Jorry Cassel who kept a watchful eye on their surroundings. "Tough old beast" he commented in amazement as he pulled out the antler.
"But there are no direwolves south of the Wall?" Robb half asked half stated. It was true, none had been seen for thousands of years south of The Wall.
"Now there are five" Jon said with a smirk as he picked up a pup and offered it to Bran who happily held on to it.
"Where will they go? Their mother's dead, can we keep them?" Bran asked innocently while looking at the large direwolf.
"They don't belong down here" Jorry replied while looking around nervously. Ned nodded in agreement.
"Better a quick death. They won't last long without their mother."
"Yes my lord, the pack must be long gone if they haven't returned for them. Come on Bran, give it here" Asha said gently while pulling out a knife from her belt. She always had two knives on her along with a short sword. Jorry relaxed slightly after the comment about the pack being long gone.
"NO!" Bran cried, he was enjoying having one of these wolves to stroke, its fur was soft and it could be fun to have it as a pet.
Robb turned to Asha and said sternly "Put away your blade Ash."
"Look Robb I take orders from your father, not you."
"Please, father!" Bran begged as he turned to his father while still holding the pup close to his chest.
"Lord Stark?" Jon spoke up after watching it unfold, he too felt drawn to the pups like Robb and Bran and he did not want his younger sibling upset either. "There are five pups. One for each of the Stark children. The direwolf is the sigil of your House. They were meant to have them." Everyone turned to look at Ned and Bran looked on with great hope. Ned seemed to consider it for a moment and he noticed how Jon excluded himself from the count of children to make the numbers work. He sighed.
"Fine, but you will train them yourselves. You will feed them yourselves. And if they die, you will bury them yourselves" he answers sternly though inside he was glad he could make his children happy, it did seem an omen that the pups were here to be found. Plus, they could be useful companions. Bran cradles his pup closely with a huge smile on his face while Jon hands the other pups over to Robb and Asha for them to carry back to Winterfell. Bran turned to Jon as they began to walk back past the trees to the bridge where their horse were. "What about you?" he asks quietly.
"I'm not a Stark Bran" Jon says sadly, it was his dream to be come a Stark but given Lady Catelyn he knew it was unlikely. "Go on, saddle up." Seeing his brother begin to move Jon follows but soon pauses on hearing something, he then hears another whimper.
"What is it?" Robb asks at seeing Jon stop and turn around. Jon walks around a tree and there by the roots shivering on the floor was a white wolf pup with blood red eyes.
"Huh, must have wondered off. Guess that one's yours, Snow. Matches your name too" Asha japed and even Robb had a small smirk while Jon look down on the wolf pup which kept silently snarling at him as he held it by the scruff of its neck.
Stoneyport
It was a cloudy day with rain in the air and still James sparred against two men, his son and wife watching from the side. He parried a strike and then did a quick riposte while he slammed his shield into the second man. It wasn't perfect, training like this since he owned a longsword, but it was good to vary things and mix it up. As he hurried through forms, catching a blade and pushing it away before then spinning around and hitting the other man in the back, he then kicked him away into the ground. With both opponents in the dirt he gave them a nod and ended the spar. His son clapped and his wife gave a cheer which he appreciated. James pulled to two men up off the ground and sent them on their way with his thanks. As he was taking the training gear off he was approached by one of his people. "My lord."
"Hmm? Oh, Baker, what is it?"
"News from the capital my lord. Jon Arryn is dead. He died during the night."
"What? Oh, wow, he must have been what? Sixty-something? Good man he was, even if he had a hard job. Good age too, for this time period. How did it happen?" he asked, surprise on his face as he took off some of the armour.
"An illness, burned right through him in space of a day or two" Baker reported.
"No one else caught it?"
"None my lord" Baker replied.
"How odd, you're sure it was a disease? An illness?"
"That's what everyone says. The cameras from inside the Red Keep still function and caught people saying it was an illness."
"Seems odd that no one else caught anything though. Could there have been something malicious maybe? Or was he suffering from something like cancer?" he suggested as he pulled the gambeson off and placed it over a fence.
"I do not know for sure. I can tell you though that the Lannisters did not do anything. From the recordings we have, the Queen and Ser Jaime were just as surprised as others that he died, though not displeased. It seems that Jon Arryn was looking into her children and Lord Stannis was helping him. It would seem the secret of her adultery is about to be public." Another man quickly approached the two, bowed, then handed a note to Baker before leaving.
"Rob?" James asked curiously.
"It seems Lord Stannis has just fled Kings Landing and taken the bulk of the royal fleet with him."
"Can't blame him if he thinks the Lannisters did it" James commented sympathetically.
"Indeed though we know they did not."
"Though taking the fleet...perhaps he fears war? Or is planning one. He'd be the heir given the circumstances. So the question is...who and why? Who had the most to gain?"
"Yes my lord though we both know of a better claimant to the throne. Anyway, one person who benefits is Lord Stark. He will most likely become Hand now" suggested Baker, playing devil's advocate.
"Yeah but we know he wouldn't do it since Arryn was like a father to him and it's not honourable, hell I doubt he even wants the job" James countered with a chuckle. "Keep watch in the capital; see who acts differently, check past footage to see if anything pops. When do they leave?"
"They'll probably leave in a few days after sending word then it'll take about three weeks if they ride well otherwise... a month maybe?" Baker said with a shrug.
"Hmm, keep me posted."
"My lord" Baker said with a nod and left leaving Warrington to brood silently in the armoury of the barracks before returning to the mansion that had become the permanent home for the head of House Britanican. It seems a visit to Winterfell might be due.
Winterfell
A raven flew in to the ancient fortress landing near the rookery where the old Maester took the note off its leg. He checked the rolled parchment for a seal and spotted the anchor sigil. He took the letter and hurried off to find his lord. Walking through the ancient castle he walked down the slightly warm corridors and passageways till he came to the Lord's Solar. The guard on duty nodded and then knocked on the door. A deep voice came through quietly and Maester Luwin entered Eddard Stark's solar. He saw him sitting at his desk looking over notes and other documents, likely taxes and records to do with the North. "Maester Luwin, what do you have for me? I hope no additional tax documents, I grow weary of them today" he said with a small smile.
"Fear not my Lord, a raven came from Stoney Shore. A message for you."
"And it did not come from their representative here?"
"Perhaps he wished to follow protocol or it was not urgent?" Luwin suggested with a shrug. It was annoying that they bypassed him to deliver urgent messages quickly and directly to Lord Stark. He did appreciate the speed it provided though. Lord Stark hummed thoughtfully before tearing open the letter and reading through it. He gasped and seem to age suddenly and grow much sadder.
"My Lord?"
"Jon Arryn has died" Ned stumbled out. "Warrington reports the King is looking to come North. Confirmation should come later of Robert's destination. He asks permission to come and brief me if it's confirmed as well as to see the king for himself."
"My condolences Lord Stark, he was a good man in a bad location. If the King is coming here there is only one thing he will want."
"Indeed. Me, as Hand of the King" Ned replied with a sad tired sigh.
A few days later a raven arrived with the formal news of Jon's death and that the King was coming to Winterfell with part of his court. With the sad news confirmed, Ned sent a raven to Stoney Shore to ask Lord Warrington to come to Winterfell to give him an update on the capital, if he was to become Hand he needed to know the lay of the land and who he could trust in that snake pit. He got a reply a few days after informing him Warrington would arrive a couple of days before the King.
Riding through the cold, mostly barren landscape of the North, James and his accompanying guards travelled quickly along the new roads. They passed many people travelling between Winterfell and other parts of the western coast, bring with them carts filled with goods for trade or their own belongings as they moved to gain new employment. After three days of good riding they soon came across the cold grey stone walls of Winterfell. The ancient fortress was an intimidating sight, larger than most and included a three acre godswoods around which the castle had been built. Approaching the main gate they were hailed by a soldier in Stark livery with a shield on their back. "Who goes there? What's your business here?" the man asked/demanded.
"Lord James Warrington, I have business to discuss with Lord Stark."
"O-of course my lord, welcome to Winterfell" came the startled reply. James nodded to the soldier and guided his horse, with the others following, deeper into the castle until he reached the courtyard of the Great Keep where not too far away he spotted two boys, men really, sparring while a young woman watched on and Ser Rodrik supervised.
"Come on Robb, beat him!" Asha shouted.
"Good lad, that's it keep moving. No to your left, not right" came the gruff voice of the Ser Rodrik. James dismounted and handed the reins to a giant of a man who approached him. "Thanks."
"Hodor" the man said with a smile and a nod. Pausing briefly from the odd response he shook his head and wondered off to watch the boys spar. Jon was quicker from what he could see, dodging strikes from his brother. Jon it seemed favoured a bastard sword, ironic James thought. Robb meanwhile went for a sword and shield combo which while providing greater protection and allowed power to be put into his strikes slowed him down somewhat thus meaning Jon could prod and needle Robb while dancing around him.
"Lord Warrington, you arrived safely I see" came a deep voice behind him. Warrington turned to see Lord Stark walking towards him from the keep. He was wearing a fur cloak over his gambeson and northern leathers.
"Lord Stark, a pleasure to see you again. And yes it was a relatively easy and pleasant journey. The roads helped."
"Indeed they have proven far more fruitful than I thought possible. Even the Dustins, Boltons and Glovers enjoy the use of them" came Ned's rumbling northern voice.
"You must be proud of them, both good swordsmen" James said, nodding towards the two sparring lads. Ned smiled proudly.
"Aye they have done me proud, though I believe Jon is slightly better with the sword. He beats Robb more often than not."
"Can't have it every way" James replied with a chuckle. "I'm sure Robb is better with other things."
"Indeed, Robb does better with battle tactics and leadership and while Jon can lead he is more of a fighter. In that sense Robb is like my older brother Brandon while Jon is myself. Brandon could lead and inspire men while he was also being groomed for Lordship. I was left to fight and maybe have a small holdfast or keep to myself somewhere. Still they work well together and will have each others backs. That is all I could ask." James hummed in agreement at Lord Stark's words. "Shall we go to my solar and talk further?" Ned suggested while indicating the keep behind them.
"Of course." The two men walked inside the Great Keep, going along corridors and up passages until they reached a solid ironwood door with two guards outside. Ned opened the door and led Warrington inside before sitting at his desk and asking one of the guards to fetch some drinks. The two spoke of their families some more until a servant came with the requested drinks before they then turned to business.
"What can you tell me of Jon Arryn?" Ned asked bluntly, his grey eyes staring intently at Warrington.
"Straight to it then, very well" James answered with a small smile and a sigh. "As far as we can tell he was perfectly fine and then he suddenly fell ill. No one else caught anything and no one appears to have seen it coming. My spies in Kings Landing were unable to get a blood sample before he was sent off back to the Eyrie for burial so we can't check for poisoning or anything. Based on the circumstances however, we do fear he was poisoned. And if one Hand can be killed…" James trailed off and Ned followed the implication. He could be next assuming Robert asked him, which was likely.
"I see, that is troubling. Could Robert be in any danger then? Why kill Jon after all this time?"
"My lord, to answer your first question; why kill the Hand if you can kill the King instead? It is unlikely to be someone after the king, more likely is that Jon made an enemy somehow or threaten someone who struck back" Ned nodded at the valid point, indeed why go for the number two if you get the head.
"Jon is not one to make enemies easily, he is hard to anger and quiet patient. I know since he had to raise Robert and myself" he added with a sad chuckle. "Do you have any suspects? I must have something to investigate if I am indeed dragged down there." He saw Warrington shake his head before speaking.
"No one as yet. We can eliminate a few people, for example the Lannisters. We have proof they did not know what happened to Jon Arryn."
"I see, they were my most likely suspects. They are a greedy, power hungry family who I can imagine having done it, especially after Castamere and the Targaryen children" Ned replied grimly, he still hated the senseless killing of the two children and Elia. If only they had moved faster, even a day sooner, and he could have saved them.
"Don't be surprised if someone tries to say it is them my lord. After all why blame some random person when you can blame an already hated family that many will quite readily believe could have done it?" Ned saw the truth of it. If someone told him the Boltons were readying to betray him he would believe it given their history, plus Roose was a quiet, softly spoken man with a look of cunning and coldness in his eyes, not exactly the most trustworthy of looks. Yes, blaming the Lannisters would be a good way to hide the culprit.
"But why?" Ned suddenly realised he spoke that aloud. He glanced at Warrington and saw a small grin on his face. Clearly the man was already thinking on that.
"For murder you need three things usually Lord Stark; means, motive and opportunity. Means we'll assume is poison, opportunity could be sneaking it into the food or drink Jon Arryn has but motive, that is trickier. Kings Landing is a cesspit of schemes and plots which makes things hard to track" the man explained. "As I say, he could have simply wronged someone in some manner and they sort retribution. Equally he found something someone wanted silenced or mayhap someone wants chaos" Warrington shrugged helplessly. Ned rubbed his head feeling a dull ache come on. He had a sip of the watered wine hoping to clear it.
"That does not help me my lord" Ned complained. His vassal then had the gall to grin at him for that.
"Apologies but I'm afraid there is little my people have been able to find. A motive could be to cause chaos. Blame the Lannisters and you get the North, the Vale and the Stormlands fighting the West. Equally a full scale civil war is possible if everyone turns on Kings Landing because no one wants Joffery as their king. Can't say I blame them, the boy is...difficult is the politest way to describe him."
"And a more straightforward answer?" Ned asked tiredly, he hated the double speak the south used. Warrington smirked at the request before answering. "Arrogant and cruel. Aerys come again some might say" he answered simply.
"Aye, that would drive a wedge between the kingdoms and cause chaos. But who would want all death and destruction? It's pointless" Ned complained.
"Chaos is a ladder for some Lord Stark. The more there is the more they can climb to the pinnacle of power. But beware the," he paused as if searching for the right term. "The Game of Thrones you could call it. In that 'game' you win or you die, if you are lucky, smart, perhaps a bit cruel and can work the system, you may get out alive while being able to stand in the middle ground."
"Southern games" Ned spat distastefully. He really hoped Robert was just coming to mourn and get away from the capital but he feared it was to ask him to be his Hand. Starks do not fare well in the south he thought with a heavy sigh.
"A game you will need to play if you are to survive in the south Ned. Blunt northern justice goes only so far, take real care if you do go south. For now I will leave you to your thoughts, I trust preparations for the King's arrival are going well?"
"Yes my wife Catelyn is overseeing everything along with Maester Luwin. We should be finished tomorrow and ready for Robert's arrival the day after." James nodded and began to stand.
"Well then Lord Stark, I'll leave you to it. I'll be around if you need me. It's alright if I stay for the King?"
"Of course, rooms have been prepared for you and your men. I am surprised other Lords have not come in all honesty, though Lord Cerwyn might as they are not too far from here."
"Lord Stark" James said in goodbye and left Ned alone with the troubles and games of the south.
After a busy day of preparation the King's entourage and caravan was spotted crossing the river which leads to the White Knife the following morning. Warrington and his people had mostly kept out of the way while lending a helping hand when asked. Mainly that was moving things about and organising the household guard. James also spoke with Lord Stark again on the latest news of the kingdoms which he himself had been informed of before leaving for Winterfell.
Soon enough everyone was gathered in the main courtyard before the Great Keep. The Stark family stood in a line with Asha and Jon standing behind Rob and Sansa while Maester Luwin and Ser Rodrick stood behind Lord and Lady Stark. Lord Warrington stood off to one side, though near the front as he was a lord, in his best leathers and heavy fur cloak. Before long the trotting and dull thuds of horses approaching could be heard. James noted that Lady Stark seemed to be looking about for someone instead of relaxing in the final moments of peace.
"Where's Arya? Sansa, where's your sister?" Catelyn asked her eldest daughter who just shrugged apathetically. The sounds of horses were louder now and then a small brown blob with a speck of grey shot past the Starks to get in the receiving line. Ned was briefly startled before grabbing the interloper and soon saw that it was his wolf blooded daughter.
"Hey, hey, hey. What are you doing with that on?" he asked while hiding a small smile before grabbing the helm off her head and passing it back to Ser Rodrick. James smirks a bit and can see from his position that both Asha and Jon are smiling, as is Robb. Catelyn just seemed disappointed but also relieved while Sansa acted all annoyed.
"Move!" Arya said to Bran as she pushes her way into her spot given that she is older by a year.
Barely a minute later a group of horses came trotting in led by a slim golden haired boy with green eyes which held a malicious glint in and a large man with a snarling dog's head for a helmet in almost black armour. Behind them were two guards dressed in Baratheon colours followed by another two in Lannister red. Quickly identifying the golden haired boy as Joffery, Warrington saw the boy give Sansa an arrogant, 'charming' smirk and her respond with a small smile and slight blush. Robb seemed to notice and shot a stern look at the boy for how he looked at his sister. The Hound, for who else could the black armoured man be, pulled up his helm revealing his scarred, bearded face, one side of which was badly burnt. The royal coach lumbered in after the riders and was then quickly followed by King Robert himself, along with his Kings Guard and additional soldiers in Baratheon and Lannister colours. With his arrival, Lord Stark led everyone to kneel and soon all were knelt before their king. Robert heaved himself off his horse with the aid of steps and two servants much to Ned's dismay where he saw how large the man had grown since the Ironborn Rebellion. James saw that he had a straggly beard, which hid a second or possibly third chin, and dark brown hair. He was also red faced with a large waist line from his feasting and drinking and had a long sword at his hip. Robert marched up to Ned who still knelt before then giving the signal for all to rise.
"Your Grace" Ned says respectfully once standing.
"You've gotten fat" Robert replies bluntly, much to the surprise and shock of those watching. The silence from those watching was deafening. From his position James could not see what occurred next but soon enough both men burst out laughing and gave each other hugs and slaps on the back. Those watching noticeably relaxed.
"Cat!" shouts Robert as he gives Lady Stark a hug and a kiss like he was meeting an old friend.
"Your Grace" she replies politely. Robert lets her go and turns to face Ned again.
"Nine years. Why haven't I seen you? Where the hell have you been?" he demanded in a friendly manner.
"Guarding the North for you, Your Grace. Winterfell is yours" Ned answered dutifully. There was a noise behind them and James turned to see a tall golden haired woman, dressed richly who, even after three children, could still be called a beauty, step out of the carriage and look around the yard in distaste. Clearly she did not like where she was. Behind her came two children, a boy and a girl who almost mirrored her mother. Both golden haired too. 'So that's the last two children' James thought, careful to keep his face blank and keep his eyes moving so as to not give away his inspection. 'There's definitely something up if all three look like her than the King.'
"Where's the Imp?" spoke a small quiet voice from the Stark family line, James couldn't see who.
"Will you shut up?" came an annoyed hissed out response. The king then began to walk down the line of the Stark children, inspecting them and greeting them.
"Who have we here? You must be Robb." The pair shook hands and Robb nodded respectfully. Robert turned to Sansa afterwards. "My, you're a pretty one." he complemented and Sansa blushed again under the praise. Next he turned to the last Stark girl. "Your name is?"
"Arya" she replied simply. He nodded and then turned to the boy next to her "Ooh. Show us your muscles." Bran obliged and posed for the king who grinned. "You'll be a soldier." One of the Kings Guard removed their helmet to reveal and youngish looking man with golden hair and green eyes, not unlike the queen.
"That's Jaime Lannister. The Queen's twin brother" Arya commented on seeing the man. 'Ooh could that be who she's been sleeping with? Urgh, I really hope she hasn't been at with her brother of all people' James thought in disgust though had to be careful to keep his face clear of any emotion, failing that he turned away to cough quietly behind his hand.
"Would you please shut up" Sansa hissed again as the Queen then approached Lord and Lady Stark.
"My Queen" Ned said softly in his gruff northern voice before taking the offered hand and kissing it gently.
"My Queen" Catelyn added with a curtsey. As the king turned around to face Ned again he caught sight of Warrington who had until then, while not being hidden, had stayed quiet (apart from the cough) and out of the way.
"And who is this?" he asked as he moved to look the man over. James bowed before replying.
"Lord James Warrington Your Grace. Lord of House Britanican and Shield of the Western coast." Robert grinned before laughing happily.
"Ah so you're the fucker that leads that new northern house and whose navy defeated those Ironborn bastards. You must be proud of your people for that."
"Indeed Your Grace, they did exemplary work" James responded with pride.
"Aye they gave those squids a right thrashing alright" Robert commented with a laugh. "The girl still here Ned?"
"Yes Your Grace, Asha is still in Winterfell, did you want to see her?" Ned replied slowly having followed behind his friend.
"Good, and no it can wait. Either of your sons taken with her at all?"
"I do not believe so. They are friends but nothing more I believe."
"Hmm. Right then, take me to your crypt. I want to pay my respects."
"We've been riding for a month, my love. Surely the dead can wait" Cersei complained, tired from the journey but also angry at the insult of her husband seeking his former love's tomb while she was still around.
"Ned" Robert said gruffly before walking off. Ned gave the Queen an apologetic look before hurrying after his friend. Cersei, having nothing else to do, came over to see Warrington having heard of him from those at court and her father.
"So you're the one who leads the new civilised northern house?" she said, obviously dismissive of most of the North.
"Yes Your Grace, the North has a certain charm to it and a simplicity that is much appreciated by my people. The climate could be warmer though" he added with a chuckle and the Queen smiled politely at the common joke.
"Indeed it is cold here. You should have gone to my father, you would have been well rewarded and looked after instead of up here in this...barren land."
"Aye it did occur to us but there was more space for expansion up here plus there was a need of our capabilities. At the time your father had a fleet, a small but capable one. He did not need a people like mine to the same extent Lord Stark did." She nodded at the reasoning though annoyed her family had missed out on a wealthy, advanced people who could have secured Lannister power.
"Where's the Imp?" came the sudden question from Arya who was looking around in search of the one in question. Cersei glanced at the young girl with an odd look on her face before quietly walking back to where Jaime stood next to his horse, silently fuming and feeling humiliated for her family and herself.
"Where is our brother? Go find the little beast" she spat angrily before calming her face and going over to Lady Stark to be led to her quarters. In all James found it to be a rather interesting experience meeting the royal family, he looked forward to the feast to see how things progressed.
Later that day Ned went to find Warrington to discuss his friend's offer, both of them. He did not know what to do, he did not want to go south but the king may be in danger, plus the offer of marriage to a prince was not one that could be refused lightly. He found James watching the Kings Guard spar, entertainment for many it seemed given the numbers watching. "Anything of interest Lord Warrington?" he asked.
"Ser Barristan of course, Ser Jaime wiped the floor with most of his household guard. He was quite good. Something you wanted to ask Lord Stark?" Warrington asked as he watched two guardsmen, this time a Stark guard and a Baratheon, stepped up to begin to spar under supervision of Ser Rodrick.
"The feast starts in an hour so you should get ready, but no, the matter is that you were right. He offered me the position as Hand. And a marriage."
"Interesting, we knew the job of Hand was likely, what marriage?" Warrington asked curiously.
"Sansa and Joffery."
"Huh, good luck with that. Tell her to be careful of the prince, that is all I can suggest, the rest is up to you as her father. A better idea would have been Robb and Mycella, she's a nice enough girl I'm told."
"Aye but not as powerful as offering Sansa the Crown Prince. Still I will consider my options, I have much to think on it seems" Ned said with a tired sigh. "I'll see you at the feast." He turned to leave, the weight of all his problems clearly beginning to weigh down him.
The feast was in full swing, the Starks sat up at the high table with the royal family though Robert had by now moved down amongst the crowd, drinking and eating while grabbing hold of a serving wench and kissing her, much to the disapproval of Lady Catelyn and the shame of the Queen. Ned sighed at his friend's antics, Robert had been like this when they were younger but surely he should have grown out of it while under the guidance of Jon Arryn. He looked about the hall and saw Lord Warrington sitting with Ser Rodrik and Asha Greyjoy, as the only other lord present he was seated nearest to the Starks with their retainers like Rodrik, his nephew Jorry or Maester Luwin. He noticed too, as he looked around, that there was no sign of Jon who had been there earlier but had disappeared. He sighed again, it was going to be a long week.
James enjoyed the feast, the company wasn't too bad and Ser Rodrik had some good tales to tell from when he was younger. In fact both Cassells had tales to tell and even Asha indulged him in telling a few stories from the Iron Islands that she remembered. He didn't drink too much as he never liked getting too drunk, the headache and hangover he'd seen others suffer was enough to put a sense of moderation into him but the food was excellent as befitting a royal visit and being the capital of the North. He got up to take a walk and clear his head outside and away from the booze. He waved down his three guards, one of whom had began to rise, signalling for them to enjoy themselves. Outside on the wooden walkway he felt the cold air quickly cool him and his breath appear in a fog before him. He looked about and saw two people speaking and approached them to say hello when he caught the tail-end of a conversation between who he soon saw was Jon and a small dwarf man. "All dwarves are bastards in their father's eyes" came the witty, sad comment from the shorter man.
The dwarf walked away from Jon, taking a sip from his wineskin and approached the doors into the Great Hall when he almost walked into Warrington. "Oh excuse me, I didn't see you there."
"No worries, Lord Tyrion Lannister I presume?"
"You presume correctly. I am he, Tyrion Lannister, brother to the Kingslayer and the Queen, son of the great Tywin. And who might you be?"
"James Warrington, Lord of House Britanican."
"Ah the new lord who has changed the economic landscape of the kingdoms. Quite the topic of discussion at Casterly Rock and Kings Landing. You know my father wished you'd come to him when you first appeared. He'd have funded your port and made you richer and better protected than anywhere else. It also would have helped us against the Ironborn when they rebelled."
"Well I didn't know we were spoken of in such high places of power" James said in fake surprise. He really did know thanks to his spy network but it always paid to play dumb. "As I explained to your sister, Lord Stark had ample space and an entire coastline needing protection. Protection my people could provide. The weather is the only bad thing I can say against it."
"Yes you won't be the first, nor the last, to say the weather is bad up here. As cold here as Dorne is hot. Casterly Rock though has a lovely climate and good whores too" he replied with a grin, James smiled slightly at the joke. "Well I must greet our hosts, and my dear sister. Lord Warrington."
"Lord Tyrion" he spoke in farewell. He watched as the dwarf waddled into the hall, the sounds from within heard outside. Yes it was going to be an interesting week or so.