Chapter 8

Today was supposed to be the main event of the year, namely the arrival of the King and the accompanying welcoming feast. However, after the flying machines and all the recent revelations, this day didn't feel that special compared to whatever tomorrow would bring. Jon was standing outside, next to some of the higher placed servants, waiting for the King to arrive. Meanwhile, his brothers and sisters, including a very disgruntled looking Arya in a fancy dress, were standing with Lord Stark and his guest Tyrion Lannister at the entrance of the keep.

When he finally saw the King's party approaching, he couldn't help but be impressed by the size of the approaching party. In the party, he saw some people wearing white cloaks, which should imply that they were the honorable members of the Kingsguard. His brother Bran was very enthusiastic to see those knights, especially Barristan Selmy. Then a fat man on a horse entered the keep, followed by a very impractically looking wheelhouse. Upon closer inspection, he saw that the fat man wore a crown, confirming what Tyrion had told them about the unhealthy lifestyle of their monarch. When the King saw his father, he immediately dismounted and walked up to him. Jon didn't hear what words were said between them, but the king suddenly started laughing out loud. When the king calmed down, he moved down the line of Stark children, speaking a few words with each of them.

Once introductions were finished, Lord Stark started leading the king inside the keep, but the King apparently had other ideas. "Ned, I first want to pay my respects to Lyanna in the crypts."

"Your grace, I understand why you want to do that, but you have just arrived and there is much I have to tell you before the foreigners arrive tomorrow. You will be staying here for a few weeks, so there will surely be some time to visit the crypts during your stay."

"Foreigners, you mean the flying machines people? Why should I care about them? They will come here, discuss a bit of trade and go away right? No Ned, I will be visiting the crypts now, you can tell me about them tomorrow before they arrive."

And the King decisively moved towards the Winterfell crypts, followed by an unhappy Lord Stark. Jon hoped that the King would take the time tomorrow morning to inform himself about the foreigners. It would be a total disaster if the King would disrespect them or threaten them out of ignorance, as the foreigners were way stronger militarily-wise than the Seven Kingdoms.

The feast that followed later was extremely extravagant. The whole dining hall was full of tables with all kinds of food. From his position at the back of the hall, Jon saw the high table where his brothers and sisters were seated. Sansa was looking obviously smitten with the crown prince, who Jon already disliked due to his disdainful comments on Winterfell earlier today. Meanwhile the princess, Myrcella, was making doe eyes at his own brother Robb. What he didn't see were the direwolves, who were not allowed at the high table today. Jon was happy that his own wolf Ghost was here with him under the table, one advantage of sitting at the squires table. The other advantage was the amount of wine he was allowed to drink, as nobody cared how much he was drinking here. His siblings in contrast were only allowed a single glass of wine, which was unfortunate for his brother Robb who could really use some drinks after their revelations of yesterday.

When he looked back at the Kings table, he saw that the King was already halfway through the bottle of so-called whiskey gifted by the foreigners. He would probably regret it though, as the letter had warned them about drinking too much of it. Jon was also disgusted by the table habits of the King, as he was eating every dish he could reach while grabbing the ass of every serving girl who came to close.

A man sat down next to Jon: "So Jon, how much did you drink already"

Jon, realizing it was his uncle Benjen, who arrived earlier today, answered: "More than my siblings are allowed to drink, but less than me and Robb downed yesterday." Jon remembered him and Robb deciding to hit the Wintertown tavern after declining Tyrion's offer, but not much of what happened afterwards. He was not happy when he was forced to get up early this morning to prepare for the King's arrival.

"So, what happened to get you in such a mood yesterday?"

"Uncle Benjen, you have heard about the flying machine people who are supposed to arrive tomorrow right?"

"Yes, I have heard some rumors about them, I have no idea what kind of sorceries they use to get those metal contraptions to fly. But I suppose I'll see those contraptions when they arrive on the morrow."

"Those foreigners have dropped off some books, supposedly to help us understand each other. They tell about both unimaginable horrors and unbelievable wonders, but the worst thing is that I believe most of what they are saying, as all information in the different books complements each other. To be honest, they scare me."

"What was written in those books to make you so scared of them?"

"They could destroy the whole of Westeros without much effort!" Jon exclaimed before he grabbed his cup and drank all the wine within it. "The North is completely at their mercy and I'm afraid that they know it."

Benjen watched his nephew silently, while drinking from his own cup of wine. "The North has fought against other strong enemies before and we managed to beat them all, be they Andals or even the Others themselves. And I have heard that they just want to trade with us, so those foreigners can't be that bad."

"You're probably right, those empires do not seem to be very warlike anymore. They have not fought in any large scale wars in the last few decades and even accepted the independence of their previously conquered territories, or at least that is what their books say."

Jon and Benjen then continued eating without speaking. Somewhat later, Benjen provided a new topic of conversation.

"So Jon, do you already have an idea what you want to do for the rest of your life? If you have no other option, there is always room for someone with your capabilities on the Wall."

"I am unsure, I think I would have accepted your offer for the Wall were it a week ago. However, after all the revelations of last week, I think change will come upon the North soon. I think I will be more useful to my family here in Winterfell, to help them cope with whatever the foreigners bring with them, rather than as another recruit on the Wall. I might still take you up on your offer once everything settles down."

"I understand that lad. To be fair, you would probably be happier here than on the Wall. The Watch has been declining for centuries and the majority of our new recruits are criminals who preferred the Wall over death. "

"But uncle Benjen, wasn't the Watch always an honorable place to serve your life at?"

"It was definitely one in the past, when second and thirds sons took up the black to bring honor to their family. However, most lords have stopped sending their children and even their bastards to the Wall. Now we're left with people who are left without another choice. We did get some capable Targaryen loyalists after Robbert's rebellion, but those were not enough to bring our numbers back to those of a thousand years ago."

Jon was somewhat confused now, as he had always believed that being a member of the Night's Watch was an honorable profession. However, as he was not planning to join right now, he would think about it later.

"Your father was asked earlier today by the King to become his Hand. Eddard told me he tried to decline the offer, as he is needed in the North with the so-called portal appearing in his lands, but King Robert was very insistent that he should think about it and answer him in a few days."

"I agree with my Lord father, he is very much needed here in the North until we come to an arrangement with the foreigners. Even then, if they agree to sell us some of their contraptions, he will be needed here to oversee their implementation. My Lord father already agreed with me and Robb that he would try to acquire one of their printing presses, which are contraptions that produce books way faster than a Maester can write them. I am also hoping that the foreigners would share with us how they grow so much food, and maybe sell us their methods. If we could increase our food production, it may save a lot of the North's smallfolk from starving in winter."

"You are probably right, although it would be nice if the North had something to say in the affairs of the seven kingdoms for once. Going south has never worked out well for a Stark though. Your grandfather, uncle and aunt found that out the hard way."

Benjen went silent after making this statement before he decided to take his leave. Jon sincerely hoped that his father wouldn't be forced to accept the position.

Jon looked towards the head table and saw that the King had passed out, likely from overdosing on the foreigners' drink. The Queen was talking with her brother while giving displeased looks at the state of her husband. He saw his sister Arya sitting at the table, looking bored and uncomfortable in her nice dress. She was seated next to the King's youngest son, which was likely Lady Stark's idea. However, he was way more interested in talking to Bran. Jon thought it was unfortunate that he could not just walk to the table and cheer her up, but that was the life of a bastard.

Jon also noticed Lord Cerwyn sitting at the head table, the first of many Northern Lords his father summoned here to discuss the situation with the foreigners and how to proceed. Most of the Lords would likely arrive after the foreigners already left Winterfell, but his father found it prudent to inform them about the situation in person, no matter what the outcome of the discussion with the foreigners would be.

The women and children started to leave the hall, deciding that the feast was over as the King had already passed out. Most of the man stayed behind though, feasting on the freely provided drinks. Jon, with the memory of how he felt in the morning, decided it was time for him and Ghost to leave to ensure that he was completely clearheaded upon the arrival of the foreigners. He was both excited and scared of what tomorrow would bring.

AN: As always, thanks everyone who left a review, followed or favourited this story!