Ned came to slowly and groggily and with a wet sand paper rubbing down his nose, ah thats Ironeyes,as he took in his surroundings, he is in his rooms at Storms End. Ned pushed Ironeyes away, it was dawn with grey light seeping through his window. So someone came in search of me, probably Robert, now what to tell him about my fainting, ehh I will just say I fell asleep drunk.
Ned checked his magical reserves, they are only quarter full, that never happened before. Even his earliest attempts at warging only consumed a tenth of his reserves, that too in the beginning, now a days his usage is negligible, of course warging for hours could consume more, but there isnt any true need for it yet, and Ned never warged for more than ten minutes, drawing on Ironeyes for enhanced senses has a cost but most of it is borne by Ironeyes and the direwolf never seemed to indicate any deep exertion from the draw. The spell he created is expensive and it does something, but what? of course my intent for creating the web is so that it will allow me to make partial bonds and read others minds, but does it actually do that? I will have to test it out I suppose. But experimentation needs to wait until his reserves are full.
With that decided Ned went in search of sustenance, and found it in the great hall, along with Robert and Stannis.
" Ned! When did you wake up ? Why the fuck wasn't I informed ? And what the fuck did you do to faint ? ", Robert exclaimed.
" Peace Robert, I just had a bit too much drink and passed out in the Godswood, no need to worry, the hangover is killing me, speak softly, if you please. I just need some food and tea and I will be right as rain", Ned muttered.
" You got drunk and didn't invite me? ", Robert grumbled sourly.
" I just had a lot on my mind Robert and I needed some time alone, anyway, anything I missed ? ", Ned asked after his fib.
" Yes, yes, we received three ravens last night, one from the Citadel stating that autumn will be over in another five or so months and urging for one last planting and harvest before Winter truly sets in, last two are from Sunspear and Hightower, it seems Princess Elia Martell is to be wed in three months, to Lord Baelor Hightower, Heir to Hightower, wedding is at Starry Sept of Old Town as befit a Princess, which is followed by a tourney, I have personal invitations from both Houses and so do you but only from Martells and we are going. Once thats done we are going on our tour of Essos for the duration of Winter ", Robert rambled excitedly.
Ned listened to Robert with half a ear while musing, I have a personal invitation ? Thats concerning. Of course, every major lord and their heirs get invitations for any prominent wedding, and those invited could bring whoever they want in their retinues, with in reason, after all House Starks star is on the raise and Ned himself made his name known with Aerys rescue, however even that fame Ned tried to downplay and to direct it towards House Stark with the talk of Stark men storming Duskendale in the night and Fathers presence, but still to get a personal invitation here at Storms End is concerning, of course Ned being here is not a secret, however, to know that Ned is here, one would have to make inquiry of his whereabouts. And Ned didn't want to be inquired about. Whatever Ned did till now, he always portrayed himself an agent of House Stark, not as an individual, now someone has taken personal notice, and thats concerning. I need to be more careful, perhaps going away to Essos is even more beneficial than previously thought, I can get some crucial work done, enjoy a different culture and get out of public eye, House Stark is already under increased scrutiny after Lyannas betrothal, I don't need the players of so called ' Game of Thrones ' to take undue interest in me, after all if others start to think of me as a 'player' in their precious 'Game' they might start digging into me and drag me into their schemes. Ned figured he would be a shit player, take Stannis for example, if the man hadn't been so blatant with his animosity Ned would have never done anything to address it, Ned would have gone on assuming Stannis is a friend because Robert is his friend. Even Neds fib about passing out drunk had worked with Robert because, Robert always assumes Neds telling the truth and didn't particularly care about the issue.
After getting some food into himself, Ned returned to his office and started composing letters to his family, the first was asking updates about ongoing construction works, if winter is coming in five months to the South then it would be arriving in a month or two for the North. Ned also informed that he will be attending the upcoming wedding of Princess Elia and asked to send something appropriate as a gift from House Stark, informed his finalised plans for Essos tour and finally he inquired about his siblings well-being and their progress in their myriad pursuits, that letter will be sent by a raven. The other letter is sent in code via Northwind asking for dossiers, if there are any, on the three ladies Ned narrowed down as prospective brides for Stannis, those being Janna Tyrell, Mylenda Caron and Donella Manderly. Ned himself did research on all three ladies of course, but he wanted to make sure whether there is any confidential information he should know before making a final decision and suggesting the match to Robert, who will in turn suggest it to Lord Steffon. Ned reckons Stannis won't have any objections if the match came from his Father and all three ladies are known for their wit, shrewd nature and headstrong personalities from what he could gather, and all three will bring useful alliances. Ned sent off the letters, Northwind will carry the reply with her. With that done Ned decided to relax and enjoy his day off.