The next morning refreshed by his long rest, Ned woke early, today he would investigate the Prince and the King. Berek was very insistent magic can only be awakened either by threat of death or by visiting and/or staying in a place over abundant with magic, and only place as such below the Wall in Westeros is the God's Eye. Ned didn't recall any Targaryen visiting Isle of Faces since Aegon the Unlikelys time. Could it be they visited in secret? That didn't seem entirely possible, the days of Targaryens freely roaming Westeros with sizable escorts have died with their dragons. The Prince Rhaegar's visits to the brunt and broken Summerhall were remarked upon even in the North. This isn't a productive line of questioning. What do I know of Valyrian magic?
Valyrians tamed dragons, used blood and sacrificial magic like Fleshsmithing in small to horrifically large scales. They have prophetic dreams that were called dragon dreams. They were known for using fire magic and using magic in constructing architectural wonders by shaping stone seamlessly. And their secret of making Valyrian Steel.They were also known for using glass candles to communicate despite long distances and to watch distant events. Glass Candles, Ned should look more into them, they sound very very useful, but not right now.
What else? What else do I know of Valyrian magic? Berek theorised something about their first sources of power, like Weirwoods were for Children of the Forest and First Men later, ah hah, The Fourteen Flames of Valyria, the volcanoes in which dragons were discovered and around whom entire Valyria developed, Berek theorised that they were natural fonts of magic like Weirwoods. Dragonstone was built below a active Volcano. So, that is probably it, Dragonstone is a place of abundant power like the Isle of Faces and probably how Targaryens were still able to hatch and tame their dragons after coming to Westeros and how some Targaryens said to have dragon dreams. So either the King or the Prince had enough magic dormant and that magic woke when they visited Dragonstone.
That's one probable answer to that mystery, enough for Ned. Now he has to determine who has magic between the King and the Prince. And what to do about it. Berek was very clear, untrained magic is dangerous, to the one who possessed it and ones who are around the magic user. If it was some smallfolk who had magic that is one thing, impact that person would have is minimal, but if the Prince or the King had magic and they couldn't control it and went mad because of it, that would impact all of Seven Kingdoms, which included the North, Fuck, whoever has magic, they need to be taught how to control it, Targaryens don't have a very good track record with madness. Ned will have to write to his Father, Berek won't do, he already has other things to do in the North, like teaching his family and other potential Wargs for Brandon's spy ring. Another instructor needs to be found, but whatever instructor found will be versed in First Men magic, not the Valyrians, while dragon dreams and dragon taming sound close enough to Greendreams and Warging, Ned has a feeling that there are differences. Enough of this first I need to determine who has it, then I can make plans.
So Ned, broke his fast and stepped out of the door to investigate, only to spy Kingsguard at the gate just entering the compound, the Kingsguard is without the helm so Ned could see that the man has light blond hair and very dark blue, almost purple eyes, it could only be Ser Arthur Dayne, the Legendary Sword of The Morning, for a bit Ned was awestruck and kept staring.
" Lord Eddard, I was just coming for you, the Crown Prince has requested your presence and invited you to join him in a walk around the grounds before the tourney starts", Ser Arthur said in smooth voice with a Dornish lilt.
Ned snapped his mouth shut, which has fallen open without him noticing before replying, " Of course, Ser Arthur, I was just going for a walk myself, It would an honor to join the Prince, lead the way, Ser"
So, Ned will have his question answered, if the Prince doesn't have it, the King must. Ned hoped it would be the Prince, it would be easier if it was the Prince who had magic, getting a instructor for Prince is lot easier than the King and since there is a tentative relationship with the Prince, trust could be gained before broaching the subject of magic and the King has already ordered the Prince to work with House Stark about the Wall, a instructor could be found and slipped as House Starks trusted man who would work under the Prince to answer any questions regarding the North and the Wall, into Princes retinue without provoking much remark from the Court. Good, that was a good plan, after confirmation details could be ironed out, Ned told himself and calmed his racing mind. Ned hadn't gotten so good with meditation that he could always remain in semi meditative state that Berek talked about, but he can drop into it in a few moments and keep hold of it continuously for about an hour before having to let it go. So he entered that sate just as the Prince is coming into the view. Its the Prince, he is the one with magic, hmmm, he has more than Berek only a little less than Ned. Good, this makes everything so much easier.
After approaching the Prince, Ned bowed and said, " Your Grace, good morrow"
" Likewise, Lord Eddard, join me for a walk, we have much to talk about, let me start with asking did you research and write the report you have submitted to the King?", the Prince asked in a placid tone.
Falling in a step beside the Prince and with Ser Arthur following a pace behind them, Ned replied in a solemn tone, " I had help of Maester Aemon, of course, but yes, I had a significant hand in its creation, Your Grace."
" Then I have to congratulate you, my lord. It was well researched and written, I specifically liked your idea of stating your reference books at the end, I have checked those books, after ordering them brought from the Rock and they have backed up your report. It seems my lord, you have a talent for research and if your ideas for strengthening the Nights Watch are anything to go by, for administrative planning too." , the Prince said with a small smile on his lips
After being momentarily stunned at the praise, Ned mastered himself and replied, " Thank you, your highness, for your kind words"
" I was not being kind, my lord, just honest, I hope you realise that. Perhaps you do, and are just being modest. But that was not the point of this walk. Your ideas of strengthening the Watch have merit, I specifically like your idea of giving small tax cuts to the Houses whose trueborn sons or legitamized bastards volunteered for the Wall, some may be pressured by their families for to take the Black but I believe many a family will welcome the opportunity it presents. But before implementation of any of these ideas, you are right that the castles along the Wall needs to be repaired first. On that note I have good news, the Crown will fund reconstruction of two more castles along the Wall to match House Starks efforts in next two years, I will personally write to Lord Rickard and Lord Commander of Nights Watch stating as such once I return to Kingslanding."
" Thank you, Your Grace, this prompt aid will not be forgotten, The North Remembers", Ned replied with obvious gratitude in his voice.
" It is only duty of the Crown, Lord Eddard", after surreptitiously looking to confirm they are out of earshot of any but the Kingsguard, the Prince lowered his voice and said, " Now, I want to ask about something out of personal interest, in letters from my uncle Aemon, he indicated that you are a believer in magic, is this true? "
Ned couldn't believe his luck, the Prince was broaching the subject Ned didn't know how to open and So Ned replied in low excited tones, " Yes, Your Grace, to believe one need only see the Wall and think. Do you know, except for a thin layer at the top, the water doesn't freeze solid at the Wall, there is running water in a few miles of vicinity of the Wall both below and beyond it. If its only cold that is keeping the Wall together, it would melt in a summer, but it isn't, there is magic in the World, whatever else the Maesters may say, this I believe to be absolute truth. Why, just observe a Valyrian Steel Blade, if magic is gone from the World how haven't they turned to normal steel yet? I can say with absolute confidence Magic Exists in this day and age".
At that there was only silence for a while as they continued to walk in silence, then the Prince asked another question, " Then what do you think of Prophecy?"
There was an odd emphasis on the word ' Prophecy ' , but Ned pushed that thought aside to examine it later and replied honestly, " It is a surprise that you asked, Your Grace, I have read some on it and know someone who lectured me a lot about it. While one book by a Maester, whose name I couldn't rightly recall, made some very unsavory remarks about it, likening prophecy to a malicious whore, the man who lectured about it has something different to say. These are his words and I believe this man implicitly: 'There are two types of Prophecy, the first kind, the kind we hear in stories, it is absolute, unavoidable and it is pointless to try and make it happen or stop it from happening. It will happen disregarding all human effort, if we are smart, we will ignore it and go on with our lives as we will them, with no thought of Prophecy. Because by trying to make it happen we, as humans who are prone to bungling things may bring disaster upon ourselves. By trying to stop it from happening we will most certainly bring doom upon ourselves and all those around us. Prophecies of this kind are mostly very vague and resist deciphering, as they are made so that they will endure millennia disregarding language barriers, only after it was fulfilled will we be able to look upon it and say, oh that was how it's fulfilled. So don't ever, ever, meddle with these kinds of prophecies, they will only bring sorrow to all involved and sometimes uninvolved too. The second kind is the most common kind, these are usually prophetic visions had as Greendreams of Seers of First Men to Dragon dreams of Valyrians, with every other self proclaimed prophets somewhere in between. They are usually visions of possible futures, of events yet to come ranging from just the day after the vision to about some fifty years in the future. These prophecies can be meddled with, but only after very very careful consideration, even if some disaster is avoided by meddling with it, sometimes there are unintended consequences. So be very very careful before, during and after said meddling.' There you have it, Your Highness, what I was told and believe, word for word."
For awhile the Prince remained silent, they have almost walked a full circuit around the tourney grounds and the revellers are starting to congregate. Ned wanted to finish this talk before it became a crowd and anyone can listen in, just as he was about to open his mouth, the Prince beat him to it, turning to fully face Ned, he started asking, " Where have you met this man? When did you meet him? Where can he be found now? ", as the Prince asked these questions in rapid fire, there is a strange feverish light in his eyes that Ned couldn't place. Seeing the usually composed Prince so distraught, Ned decided to take a gamble.
" I will answer all of these questions truthfully, Your Grace, but I believe, this is neither the place nor the time for those answers. Tomorrow, very early, I will be going for a ride through the woods with five trusted guards and my direwolf to investigate something that has caught my interest, join me on this endeavour with guards you trust absolutely we can talk with some privacy then, if that's not something possible for you, find a place and time that you are absolutely sure is secure and summon me, I will come and answer. But this is neither the place nor the time, Your Grace." , Ned replied in a serious and sincere tone.
The Prince turned forward and continued walking in silence, Ned followed, after completing the circuit around the grounds, the Prince nodded, " You are right, Lord Eddard, I will join you in the morrow, early as you said, at the break of false dawn, my man will fetch you and your escort, we will go out on this ride, I will be discreet about it, so the word of it doesn't spread until we return. Thank you for your company, but now I have duties to attend"
Taking the dismissal for what it is Ned bowed low, replied, " It was my honor, my Prince, have a good day" and left.
Ned hoped to Old Gods that his gamble will pay off. But he has other matters to deal with. Spend some time with Robert, Ned felt he neglected his friend since the beginning of tourney, it isn't like Robert is complaining, he is very busy enjoying himself, but Ned would still spend some time with Robert. Then he needs to find out whether anyone knows anything about the presence in the woods. It is going to be a long day and it has only just begun.