A/N: This chapter will kickstart the plot, and I hope I am showing the intricacies of the YiTish culture well (which I borrow from other Asian cultures in real life).

Enjoy!

Jon's arms and legs shook as he was forced on his hands and feet while making keeping his body off the ground. Only problem was… Hoon Ti had him do so by his fingertips and the tips of his toes. He had done this exercise with Ser Rodrik, but his hands and feet were usually pressed against the dirt. Emphasis during combat training was placed on the limbs, but never the fingers and toes. To Hoon Ti, everything could make the difference between life and death. How much longer do I have to hold this?

With Benjen serving as one of Joon's officers charged with restoring his brigade to full battle readiness and Sam occupied with the Quartermaster-General, Jon was left to Hoon Ti, the captain of the Kushiro guard. The first time that he met Hoon Ti, Jon found him peeling an orange.

"So, we have the bastard son of a Westerosi barbarian gracing me with his presence," Hoon Ti remarked while speaking the common tongue perfectly and keeping his eyes on the wooden floor.

Jon's first thought was that Hoon Ti did not look because of he thought so lowly of him, but he noticed something else, something he had seen with Aemon. "You're blind," Jon realized.

"I see more than you can, boy," Hoon Ti said before throwing his orange into the air, drawing his sword, and slicing through it twice before sheathing it and letting the orange fall to the floor. Four perfectly cut pieces were spread out, the juices oozing out of the each of them. But Hoon Ti surprised Jon by spinning around and swiping his left leg through Jon's, making him fall on the hard wooden floor.

"No roots," Hoon observed. "I sense spirit in you, white devil. Of the Maiden-Made-Of-Light and of the Lion of Night, I sense an abundance of force from the latter. But without the force from the Maiden, the Lion dies on the battlefield. I can see why Lord Joon would take you, your uncle, and your companion into this house. But I can feel you have many questions."

"Just one. Are we guests, or prisoners here?" Jon inquired. "It didn't seem like we had a choice in the matter in regards to the tasks we were assigned to, despite Lord Joon's kindness in allowing us under his roof."

"We are all prisoners here," Hoon replied. "Those who enjoy privilege here, or those who are not here by choice, we are all one and the same. If you are unable to adapt to these lands and protect yourself, not only will you, your uncle, or your friend dies, Lord Joon and eventually myself… will follow. Do you understand?" Hoon came so close to Jon that their noses nearly touched, but Jon could see that despite the unseeing stares, being blind did nothing to blunt the sharpness of Hoon's mind.

Jon nodded, which Hoon felt. "Good," he continued. "We shall begin with roots," before Hoon swiped Jon's legs and made him fall to the floor again. "And you shall address me as shifu, understand?"

Jon got up and prepared himself before nodding.

For the past three moons, Hoon Ti subjected him to various physical routines, from stances that worked parts of the body that Jon didn't know were there to having him run through the lush grasslands that surrounded Kushiro. Hoon Ti handled a blade with such fluidity and grace that Jon momentarily forgot he was blind, but such displays hid the power that came with each of his strikes. But the training swords that Hoon Ti made him use, different than the ones at Winterfell, took a long while before he got used to them.

Each morning after they broke their fast was occupied with a tutor teaching them how the three main tongues of Yi-Ti. Guanhua was the common tongue of the Golden Empire, as it was used at the imperial court and in official communications. Goryeomal was the tongue most used in the eastern parts of the empire, but because the east was the second-most populous region, it was important for all to be able to speak it. Nihongo was the language used by the army and the fleet, as the Golden Empire adopted the military traditions of the Nihonjin people after seeing their effectiveness.

Jon, Sam, and Benjen all struggled with writing in all three tongues, as the rules for each were very different than the common tongue or even High Valyrian, which Joon Kitara surprisingly spoke also. There was a certain pattern to each stroke of the brush that had to be followed and anytime they got it incorrectly, their tutor would make them repeat one hundred times. Jon lost count of how many times his hands strained from the many mistakes he made.

Just as difficult as learning how to write was learning how speak all three of them. Benjen had someone who spoke the common tongue well, but if he wished to successfully command his troops, he had to learn how to speak without difficulty. Sam had to speak both nihongo and goryeomal with Quartermaster-General Kang Shin, as he was a native of the eastern provinces and mostly used the latter tongue for everyday conversations.

For Jon, he had to learn how to speak all of them, as he was confined to the castle and while Joon made the servants speak only guanhua, he also made Jon accompany him whenever he visited his headquarters or visited any of his officers posted to the borderlands of his province, particularly those near the northern steppes. He also had Jon make visits to the markets, ostensibly to purchase goods for Kushiro but in reality to force him to learn each language quickly. Jon remembered the first time he attempted to buy some silk from a stall.

"I… buy… silk…" Jon attempted in guanhua, prompting laughter from the merchant, who then derided him to the sellers next to his stall. The only words he could understand were "white devil," which apparently was a common phrase for those that had managed to venture to Yi-Ti from the west. However, Ghost went wherever he went and when he saw that merchant daring to mock his companion, he bared his teeth and let out a fierce growl. The merchant's face turned pale white and he just threw Jon the silk for no charge before scurrying to the back of the stall.

As promised, Joon Kitara began paying Jon, Benjen, and Sam their promised stipends, but in bundles of silver instead of gold. Joon explained that the main currencies of the empire were the silver tael and the golden yunbao, with the former more commonly used. Each of them received two hundred silver taels each moon, which they could spend however they wished. Jon was about to question on whether Joon could afford to pay them each that much, only for Sam to tell him that the estates owned by the Kitara family brought in a total of fifty thousand silver taels annually after going through his financial records.

That was another thing that stumped Jon. Fifty thousand of anything was a lot of money anywhere, but besides the large castle resided by Joon Kitara, there were no rich decorations or other luxuries that characterized a lord of his standing. Instead, Jon found that Joon was a soldier through and through, as there were only wooden drawers, tables, and enough furniture for a castle as large as Kushiro. He also found many swords, bows, and other weapons that adorned a few of the rooms, which was understandable given that Joon was not the first soldier in his family.

However, he did find that Joon had a penchant for collecting cheongja, which referred to various pieces of pottery with a green glaze. The Lord of Kushiro said that even a small piece of cheongja was enough to purchase five thousand acres and only those licensed by the emperor could produce them, as any unauthorized manufacturing was punishable by death due to how valuable the pottery was along with their special production techniques. So Lord Joon does have some fondness for the material after all, Jon thought as Joon took the three of them to show off his collection of cheongjae that was spread out over the main keep.

Still, that was about as far as it went regarding Joon's taste for substance. As the days went by, Jon saw much of Ned Stark in the Lord of Kushiro, as he never used his position to show off his power and status and only did so whenever one of his subordinates was acting out of line. During one of the their travels to one of the outposts next to the northern steppes, Joon found that one of the chiefs of the Goi people, a client of the Golden Empire who provided expert horsemen for military service in exchange for autonomy, was expecting an increase in the pay for his tribesmen. In normal circumstances, Joon would have been inclined to consider his request, as the Goi were among the best cavalrymen that the Northwest Imperial Army commanded. However, the chief overstepped his bounds and began talking to Joon as if he needed him. Jon didn't understand everything that was said, but he could tell that the chief was unwisely trying to threaten the Lord of Kushiro.

Normally, such behavior would have prompted Joon to arrest that chief on the spot for insubordination. However, Joon merely took out his journal, wrote down a few notes, and spoke to the assistant quartermaster of the Northwest Army, who accompanied him, in goryeomal, a language that the chief did not understand. Jon also didn't understand, but when Joon returned to that chief, he brought with him the imperial army commissioner, as every army had a commissioner appointed to monitor the commanders on behalf of the emperor, and told the chief that the commissioner would conduct an audit of his tribe. The chief's face turned white and after more words from Joon, the chief was silenced and he caused no more problems.

Joon explained to Jon that having a representative of the emperor conduct an audit was a headache for people like himself, but for people like the Goi, being audited was practically a death sentence. The Golden Empire had to maintain a regular and consistent taxation policy to maintain its roads, the army, the fleet, and of course the imperial family among other things. People like Joon Kitara and the merchants were able to pay their taxes and avoid punishment because they provided the paper and certifications that confirmed that they did. But for smallfolk and client tribes like the Goi, they could not provide the paper because they didn't proficiently speak any of the tongues spoken by the Empire. If they couldn't provide the papers, they had to pay an enormous fine, either in gold or in land. If they had neither, they had to sell their children or their women. If they didn't even have that, they would be forced to the ground, their limbs and head tied to robes with small cuts to the flesh, the ropes fastened to a horse each, and each horse would be caned until the head and limbs were ripped off.

Jon shuddered at even the mention of that punishment, which he felt was too vindictive and extreme for those that couldn't pay their taxes, only for Joon to remind him that things worked differently in the Golden Empire compared to Westeros. The Emperor of Yi-Ti was considered divine, and not paying taxes to the empire was considered treason, as it meant that the person in question was refusing to do his or duty. If the empire went soft on one who proved negligent, it would set a dangerous precedent and more negligence would follow, all of which could ruin the empire.

While Jon could appreciate the Golden Empire's commitment to making their people fulfill their obligations, which he thought would've worked well regarding Joffrey, he also began to question on whether they were justified in acting the way they did. Granted, they were correct in instilling discipline and strong examples of duty among the people, but Jon wondered how long before it became too much. A thought for another time.

For now, Jon strained as his fingers and toes began to buckle under his body's weight, something that they did not hold up before. However, he had a feeling that Hoon Ti was trying to teach him something about "roots," which he said Jon lacked because of how easily he fell to the ground. So, Jon gritted his teach and remained on his fingers and toes despite how painful it became with each passing second, and with each drop of sweat that fell from his brow.

"Up," Hoon ordered, which Jon followed but slowly as he stood back up, only for him to swipe underneath his legs. "Still no roots," Hoon observed as Jon tumbled over and stood up again.

Only a moon ago, Hoon began training Jon to fight using only his arms and legs. He learned how to block, strike, kick, and twist, but that wasn't enough as he was going up against one who had trained from childhood to perfect his skills. He had also killed countless men before and blindness did little to blunt the sharpness of his mind and abilities.

Jon was to on the floor after Hoon flipped him over. "Get up," Hoon ordered. But before Jon could stand up again, Hoon kicked underneath Jon and made him fall again. "Get up," Hoon repeated.

"We've been going at this for hours, can't we rest?" That made Hoon stride quickly to Jon and slapping him hard on the face before stepping back, making Jon grab his face but also more frustrated.

"I did not ask to train you, you white devil," Hoon spoke bluntly while rubbing his hands and walking around. "There is no honor in this for me." As Jon struck, Hoon quickly avoided it and spun before pushing him away and making Jon almost trip. "Nor did the gods consult me when they saw fit to have you and your companions shipwrecked so far from home before throwing you in my lap."

"I had to leave home," Jon replied.

"So you say," Hoon said. "However, I know that you're not telling me everything, just as Lord Joon knows."

"I've said all I can," Jon lied.

"All you can?" Hoon asked disbelievingly. "Don't you know that it is a great insult to lie to a blind man, especially one who can easily snap your neck?"

"I don't know you," Jon replied with the same honesty. "How could I know to trust you to tell the truth?"

"There it is," Hoon smiled. "And you're right not to trust me. After all, it was my own foolish naivety that cost me my sight in the first place."

"What?" This was the first time Hoon opened up to Jon.

"Surprised?" Hoon asked sharply. "Out of all the things in this world, it was a rock thrown against the back of my head and hitting the right place that took away my eyes. And all because I wanted to help a child."

Jon was shocked. "How did a child do this to you?"

"We're not born free, Jon Snow, and that child was an example of that," Hoon said cryptically. "I thought I could help her, but I underestimated how hate can overcome kindness and I knew from then on that there are some things in this world that cannot be changed by people trying to do good. All of us were tainted… when our ancestors gave in to their basest instincts and started killing each other over food, which they still do now. We kill each other because we're hungry, for money, power, respect, and even our own shortcomings."

"How can we be hungry for our own shortcomings?" Jon became very confused.

"You're a bastard, Jon Snow. You might think that knowing who your mother was might make everything better, but the years being subjected to the irrational mistreatment of those that seek to put you down will make such a discovery hollow. And even if you don't wish to be a bastard, will you let that go?"

"Of course I want to let it go," Jon played along with his bastard pretense.

"But your entire existence was based on your parents not being married, and therefore your meaning was derived from it. People pity you, but they give you attention. Everyone in this world fears loneliness above all else and if they wish to use a bastardy stain to get attention, they would do it."

While Jon was trying very hard to say to Hoon that he was wrong, many of his words were incredibly unnerving. While he stopped caring about getting attention from Catelyn Tully after her outburst when he was a child, he felt joy whenever Robb, Arya, Bran, and Rickon treated him like their brother. But he began to wonder if that would've still occurred even if was another man's bastard or a trueborn brother.

Hoon surprised Jon by striking at his face, which Jon blocked and avoided. However, he failed to consider that he would merely reverse his strike, as he backhanded him, grabbed his waist, pulled him off the floor and spun him. He hit the ground with a loud thud, with Jon clutching his bruised ribs and shoulders.

"Get up," Hoon ordered again. Jon struggled to do it that time, as his previous words began to seriously mess with his mind. "If you wish to survive in this place and find some meaning, get up at once."

With some effort, Jon finally stood back up and straightened out his robes. However, a thought struck him. "Those words about being a bastard, were they to just mess with my head?"

Hoon chortled amusingly. "Now you're learning, Jon Snow. You never allow your opponents to distract you with talk, as that it is the easiest way for them to enter your mind and kill you when all other options have failed. But don't assume it was a tactical move on my part. I am training you, so I am merely giving more lessons."

"I've made with my peace with being a bastard," Jon kept up the charade. "It's all in the past now."

"Words from a boy," Hoon assessed. "There is no escape from the stain of bastardy, no matter where you go or who you try to be. Unless…" Hoon narrowed his eyes in thought.

"Unless what, shifu?" Jon asked.

Hoon shook his head. "Never mind."

"How do you know the common tongue?" Jon had to know.

"Hmmm," Hoon simply said. "You might not believe this, but I was in Westeros many years ago, Sunspear if I remember correctly?"

That was something that Jon didn't know. "You were in Dorne?"

"At the time, I was a foolish man trying to explore much of the world as I could before I settled in my prearranged station in the empire," Hoon explained. "I was gone from home for nearly four years, but I was there nineteen years ago, during the string of events you people called 'Robert's Rebellion.'"

Jon widened his eyes. "You were there during the Rebellion?"

"I didn't do any of the fighting, mind you," Hoon answered. "But as I had learned, Dorne was the only place where I could stay safe as a foreigner, as anyone who didn't look like a white devil were being killed on the spot by the followers of the stag king."

"But the Targaryens had white skin," Jon pointed out.

"But were they of Westeros?" Hoon asked, surprising Jon even more. "To the rest of that continent, they would always be seen as foreigners due to their silver hair, their violet eyes, their strange practices, and the fact that they created a throne from nothing. Don't you find it strange that even with one Targaryen's compromises, the lords and smallfolk of that land found one excuse after another to hate the Targaryens?"

"Doesn't that describe politics?" Jon might not have known much about how lords engaged in politicking, but he knew enough from what he had seen in Volantis, when he heard about the many sessions held by the triarchs from ther merchants there.

"We're getting off track," Hoon avoided the question and Jon knew it was intentional. "I was a guest in the court of Doran Martell, Prince of Dorne, and I heard tell of a person they call the Mountain raping and murdering his sister and killing their two children. Child slaying is a crime anywhere, with penalties in the Golden Empire going up to killing your family if you had one and castration so that you wouldn't pass on your 'child slaying instincts.' That was as far west as I went before returning home, although I did enjoy the pleasures provided by Dornish women."

Jon sighed, not wanting to know the details.

"But that's how I learned the common tongue, because I was in Westeros, at least a part of it. And that's when I came to my first major realization."

"And what would that be?"

"That all rulers, be it kings or emperors, are illegitimate. The family of the current emperor, the azure line, came from a general who rebelled against the previous dynasty whose name is a mere footnote in their history. We had two other rulers declare themselves emperors, one declaring that he belonged to orange line and another claiming that he descended from the yellow line, before they were put down and executed. The Valyrians destroyed the Ghiscari and then the Rhoynish simply because they could. We had your King Robert claim your iron chair because of madness of the ruling king and his heir kidnapping his betrothed, but such excuses would have made him a laughing stock in these lands, as we know that such claims are based on perspective. In addition, we have magistrates and courts to arbitrate any misunderstandings between noble families because we don't resort to the sword as our first resort. Legitimacy is based on stability, which unfortunately relies on the moods of the masses. Kings and emperors rise and fall all the time."

Jon became more surprised at how wise Hoon Ti was. It was still hard to stomach that the Mad King was his grandfather, but he never questioned the role of kingship. And here was a man who would openly say such words to him and speak of this emperor in such a way. Either he's really brave and wise, or really stupid and foolhardy.

At the same time, Jon knew that not everything Hoon Ti said was true. As he said himself, it was all based on perspective and Hoon didn't have everything, not even the truth that could've prevented the Rebellion from occurring, or did little even if it came to light. Will the truth matter now?

"I'm surprised you would risk speaking of your emperor in such ways as to imply that he is illegitimate," Jon stated.

Hoon smiled. "Powerful men will always rule this world, but I am not stubborn as to believe that my views will always be correct. Even the oldest people in the world can find themselves… outmatched by the young."

Jon wanted to know, but he had to be careful of what he said next. "What if… there were rulers who genuinely cared about the smallfolk, who don't care about power, and only wish that their people could be safe from the dangers that would consume them?"

"And which rulers would you be referring to?" Hoon asked.

"Jaehaerys Targaryen," Jon spoke.

"Ah, the Old King as they called him," Hoon recognized. "As much good as he did, he failed to maintain the legitimacy of Targaryens for the following decades. He's not a good example."

"What if the rulers genuinely loved their people?" Jon remembered Aemon's words on love.

"Love can be useful," Hoon admitted. "But it has no place in ruling. There are the ruled and the rulers, and the latter must be cold and willing to kill if they want to survive."

"But they'll get killed themselves with that kind of attitude, if they everyone as enemies," Jon responded.

"You don't know the world, boy," Hoon asserted. "Do you know why I have no friends?" Jon didn't answer. "It is because my family is dead, and hate them or love, they would be there. Friends, not so much. Usually, the killers who come in the night were those that you would consider your friends."

"But wouldn't that make you lonely?" Jon couldn't imagine Sam coming to kill him, even if he did have an inclination to violence.

"As I said, everyone is trying not to be lonely and our attempts to not be alone could lead to good or ill for us. But strength can be found when you only rely on yourself. Your uncle won't be here forever and so will your friend, so there is only yourself to look after."

"Words of a selfish man," Jon declared.

Hoon grinned before stepping towards him, pinning his leg behind Jon's, and pushing him to the floor, with their noses almost touching. "You have much to learn, boy. But I think that's enough for today and here is the final lesson. You want to love others and give your all for them? You do that, but too much of it makes it meaningless. If you give coin to all those that begged, would you have any left?"

Hoon exited the training room and Jon was left to pick himself up.

Jon stewed over Hoon essentially making all of the years he trained under Ser Rodrick meaningless, as he just pushed him around and made him fall to the floor constantly. He certainly wasn't prepared for the intense learning that Joon subjected him to in regards to Yi-Ti's customs and tongues. He heard that Benjen and Sam were having a better time at it, the former because his uncle had to learn to converse with his troops and the latter because Sam was just… smart.

As Jon leaned over the walls of Kushiro, he felt something lick his hand, or someone. Turning to his right, he smiled as he saw Ghost sitting and nudging against his side. "Good boy," Jon rubbed his head. "Long day, huh?" He heard Ghost whine. "I know, boy. It's hard and I don't know why, but we'll make it through."


Jon accompanied Lord Joon back to Tiqui, the first he had been to the town in three moons. While he had oversee tax collection and brought Sam with him, he got word that the magistrate was conducting a trial involving some Chogo woman, bitter enemies to the Goi in that the former accused the latter of being collaborators. Jon didn't think much of it and merely tagged along.

After the taxes were collected in the marketplace, Jon and Sam followed Joon to the magistrate's mansion, which consisted of low walls and a few pavilions. When they met the magistrate, Jon saw a fat and bald man with a double chin wearing green robes while smoking something on a pipe. However, Jon could tell that he was too comfortable in his station and took much pleasure in the opulence he enjoyed, from the many golden plates and decorations that adorned his walls.

"My lord," the magistrate addressed Joon in guanhua, who he hid his disdain well.

"Magistrate," Joon replied. "I hear you're about to conduct a trial regarding some Chogo woman. Do you mind if I witness the proceedings?"

"You may," the magistrate nodded while taking another smoke. "However, who are these white devils that accompany you?"

"This is Jon Snow and Samwell Tarly," Joon gestured to the two. "They are guests in my house and are assisting in various matters. I thought it would be a good time to show them how justice is carried out in the empire."

"Very good, my lord. Foreigners should know their place here," the magistrate set down his pipe and adjusted his robes. "Follow me, my lord."

Jon sat beside Joon and Sam, all of them sitting on the left side of the magistrate. In the courtyard stood a crowd that had gathered out of curiosity to see the trial, including some who Jon assumed were from the Goi people.

"People of Tiqui!" the magistrate spoke to the crowd in guanhua. "Today, you shall bear witness to how those appointed by the emperor carry out justice. Any man or woman who dare to commit misdeeds against shall be dealt with swiftly and with full prejudice. Let this be a lesson to those that seek to undermine the rule of law in the empire." The magistrate nodded to his factor as he opened a scroll.

"The trial shall now begin," the factor said. "Bring out the prisoner."

Two guards brought out a woman in chains and forced her on her knees, while the guards kept their hands on their swords. She was dirtied, breathing heavily, and her clothes worn out.

But, Jon saw past her filthiness and looked at her waving black hair, the penetrating gaze from her brown eyes, her white skin, and how resolute she looked. Her shabby garments did little to hide her well-defined features, her thin waist and core, and the firmness of her neck. He knew strength when he saw it, and this woman had much of it.

"State your name for the record," the factor ordered the woman. When she didn't respond, one of the guards pulled out a bamboo stick and struck her in the back, causing her to yelp. Jon fought the urge to go up and stop them. This is not how you treat a woman.

"My name is Chanhee," the woman replied in guanhua, briefly surprising the factor, the magistrate, and Joon.

"How are old are you?"

"Ten and seven."

"You have been accused of assaulting an officer in this army's cavalry," the factor stated. "How do you plead?"

Chanhee scoffed. "I am not going to get justice here. That officer was a Goi bastard who struck one of my people and I had enough of their—" The guard struck her again, causing another yelp.

"I asked how you plead, Chogo," the magistrate said.

"I am not going to give you the satisfaction," Chanhee declared defiantly. Jon had to admire the spunk that this woman, Chanhee, displayed.

"So, guilty then?" the magistrate asked.

"Looks that way," Chanhee shrugged.

"Very well. As the accused pled guilty, by the authority invested in my by the Divine Emperor, I sentence her to death," the magistrate nonchalantly stated.

Jon observed this with shock. The magistrate was saying this as if he was consuming a dish and he was quick to condemn a woman to die, something that would not stand in Westeros. This is a sham! I have to stop this!

Before he realized what he was doing, Jon stood up, walked to the middle of the courtyard, and stood next to Chanhee, who looked at him with surprise as well as the guards, the people in courtyard, and the magistrate. Sam wasn't surprised that Jon would try to defend this woman, but Joon looked livid.

"Sit back down, Lord Snow," Joon ordered him in the common tongue.

"You're going to stand for this, my lord?" Jon asked angrily.

"This is how the laws work in these lands, Jon," Joon answered. "You'd be wise as to not interfere."

"Do you think that this woman would commit a crime without good reason?" Jon gestured to Chanhee, who was confused as to what they were saying, as was the others.

"I don't like the situation either, but I'm captain-general of the Northwest Army. If the charges are true, it is my duty to ensure that no one can walk away from striking an officer."

"This is a mockery!" Jon spat back. "Murder if you can't find a different word."

"You're just a boy, Lord Snow. You don't know how the world works!"

"You're the second person to call me that, and it is true. I may be young, but I know this is wrong and I have to stop this. Otherwise, it would be on my conscience forever."

"What are you two talking about?" the magistrate turned to Joon while speaking guanhua.

"He thinks that you're not giving this Chogo woman a proper trial," Joon replied to the magistrate.

The magistrate scoffed. "What does this white devil know about how our laws work? Guards, take him away."

Joon held up his hand, which stopped them. "As foolish as he might, he is my guest, so no one should touch him."

The magistrate gulped. "As you wish, my lord. However, she pled guilty and the punishment for striking an officer in the emperor's service is death."

Jon understood the word guanhua word for death and shouted to Joon, "She doesn't deserve to die!"

"That's not for you to decide," Joon said while going to the common tongue.

"Not true," Jon shook his head. "Please translate this to the magistrate. 'Where I come from, the one who passes the sentence should swing the sword. If he's truly a man committed to the law, he should come down here and do it himself, if he's so convinced that this woman is guilty. Otherwise, he should consider that this woman would not have done what others say she had done without fair reasons.'"

Joon was conflicted as to following Jon's request, but relented after remembering his own disdain for the magistrate. He spoke clearly to the magistrate, with the guards and the other people shocked at Jon's defiance.

"He says that he admires your gall, but that you should step aside before you say something you'll regret," Joon translated.

"What else did he say?" Jon noticed that Joon was leaving something out.

Joon sighed. "He called you a gwailo, which means 'white devil.'"

Jon groaned. "How boring. Well, does he want to see something else that's white?"

Joon widened his eyes. "Surely, you don't mean to—"

"Don't worry, my lord. I won't kill him, but I have to show some strength." Jon whistled and through the main door of the courtyard came Ghost, causing many to jump and the guards to back away. Ghost came in front of Jon, got into a pouncing stance, and growled at the magistrate, who turned pale white at the sight of the large direwolf. "Now, you want to call me a gwailo again?" Joon translated to the magistrate, who remained silent. "Release this woman, but I will show you exactly what a white devil can do."

The magistrate scoffed one last time before saying something to Joon and walking from the courtyard. The factor yelled to the guards to release Chanhee, who unlocked her chains and stood her back up, while the courtyard emptied.

But before Jon could ask if she was all right, Chanhee punched him hard. Ghost was about to jump on her, but Jon held up his hand stopped him. Rubbing his face, he asked in broken guanhua, "What that for?"

"I need no help," Chanhee replied, also not speaking good guanhua. "I need no white devil help me."

Jon shook his head. "They kill you if not me."

"What you care?"

"Could not let fake slide."

"What you know, white boy?" Chanhee asked mockingly.

"Jon," Joon came up to both of them while speaking in the common tongue. "Never pull off something like this again."

"I had to do something, my lord," Jon answered.

"You embarrassed the magistrate in front of the people of this town," Joon laid it out. "He's not going to forget this and you best be sure to not go after your ideals."

"Is preventing an a fake trial an ideal, my lord?" Jon was shocked at how Joon was talking.

"You're young and you have many preconceived ideas on what the world is, but you put your nose in where it didn't belong and now the magistrate will come after you."

"I don't care about that fool," Jon said.

Joon sighed. "Looks like you still have a long way to go. No matter, it can be rectified later."

"My lord, what about Chanhee?" Jon asked.

"What about her?"

"We can't just leave her here."

Joon shook his head. "No, I will not extend my hospitality to a steppe barbarian."

"Then why did you allow us into your home, my lord?"

Joon didn't answer, but Jon could see that he was becoming increasingly irritated. "I've fought many years against these people and lost friends because of them. Why should I allow her to come into my home?"

"Would you rather have her be harassed by her rival people or those who are not as restrained in their hatred?" Jon pointedly asked.

Joon rubbed his temples in frustration before looking back at Jon. "All right, Lord Snow. I'll let your woman friend stay with us, but you owe me now."

Jon smiled. "Fair enough."

"Use a part of your stipend to buy a horse for her. We'll leave soon."


There wasn't much that Jon could say to Chanhee. She didn't speak guanhua very well, which meant that he couldn't talk to her. However, she was in deep conversation with Joon, who spoke in another tongue, one that Jon didn't recognize. And Jon didn't miss the contemptuous glances that she sent his way. I saved her life and this is the thanks I get?

At the same time, Jon could sense that there was something about this woman, Chanhee. Whoever she was, she had a strength that Jon didn't see in many people, man or woman, and call it a divine event, but like their arrival in Yi-Ti, Jon felt that this woman had a part to play as dictated by the gods. But what?

"May I ask what you two were talking about, my lord?" Jon moved his horse up to the Lord of Kushiro's mount.

"I spoke to her in her people's language, which all officers stationed on the frontier have to know. The Chogo and the Goi have been at war for thousands of years, but both of them are the last normal people before those plains of the Jogos Nhai."

Jon heard tell of the Jogos Nhai. They were described as squat, bowlegged, and swarthy, with large heads, small faces, and sallow-colored skin. Men and women both have pointed skulls, a result of the custom of binding the heads of their newborn during the first two years of life. Unlike the Dothraki, they do not make war upon one another, as their gods forbid them to shed the blood of their own people. Young men do ride out to steal goats, zorses, and dogs from other bands, while girls go forth to abduct husbands, but these are rituals are sanctioned by the gods, during which no blood may be shed. However, the Jogos Nhai do live in a perpetual state of warfare against all their neighboring peoples, and the Goi and Chogo were among them.

"I'm going to have to explain to my cavalry general as to why I am hosting a Chogo woman in my house."

"Allow me to accept the burden of her upbringing," Jon offered.

"You'll do no such thing," Joon glared at him. "You can barely take care of yourself, so now, I have to clean up your mess. Also, as consequence of your rashness, I will deduct twenty five taels from your next stipend."

Jon sighed before nodding. "I accept your punishment."

"Good. And let me remind you that while you are a guest, you will follow my rules. Fail to do that, and I shall remove you, your friend, and your uncle from my home. See how long you'll last in these lands without me. Understood?"

"Yes, my lord."

"You better. However, my wife is the more magnanimous sort and she might overlook your moment of indiscipline while treating your Chogo companion with common decency. But make no mistake and don't push my kindness too far."

Jon looked at Joon and quickly saw another side to their host, one that he knew was there but had never seen till now. It was a look possessed by those who would stop at nothing to protect those that they loved and he saw Jon's actions as jeopardizing that. He had no doubt that Joon was capable of killing them, but why wouldn't he? He wants to know what I'm hiding.

Later that night, Jon came to the dining room in his robes and found Sam and Benjen already there. Sam was dressed in green robes and Benjen in his grey ones, and Benjen looked just as exhausted as he was. Jon also noticed that Joon's daughters were still fidgeting nervously around him. Although they were terrified of Ghost, that didn't stop them from following him around.

Also, Jon noticed Chanhee dressed in red and blue robes, was much cleaner, and her hair tied in a bun, all of which enhanced her lovely features that must've been characteristic of the natural beauty of the steppes. Jon sat awkwardly next to her, and he noticed that she was stealing a few glances here and there at him, guessing that he wasn't the only one appreciating a fine specimen. That got some glares from Joon's daughters. This'll get interesting.

But on the table was a wooden boat filled with ice and adorned with raw fish slices.

"I hope you like fish, Lord Snow," Joon said to Jon.

"If it is cooked," Jon admitted.

"This is sashimi and this is a luxury that not everyone can afford, and not due to coin. It's impossible to have fresh fish transported so far from the coast and still be good to eat. Consider this a true and proper welcome to the Golden Empire." Joon clapped his hands and thanked his wife for the meal, with everyone repeating the gesture.

Jon still struggled with the hashi despite getting more comfortable with them, so he stabbed the first fish, a tuna piece, and placed it in his mouth. However, like Sam and Benjen, his friend by now becoming good with the hashi, he felt a weird sensation from the raw tuna that his teeth were trying to make into smaller bits. He never really tasted the ocean, but the scent was strong and spread throughout his mouth, causing Jon to swallow quickly but uncomfortably.

Joon chuckled, as did Seong, Komo, and Karasa upon seeing Jon's stifling his coughs. "It takes some getting used to, my lords. But, this is fresh fish and only few can consume them. Also, my wife prepared this meal, so don't show any visible rudeness."

Jon nodded at Joon's warning, but it didn't make the task of actually swallowing the tuna easier. He endured more pieces of raw fish and fought the urge to excuse himself, as that would be rude since Myung Kitara would know why he would stand up and exit the room.

Jon saw that Chanhee was struggling as much as he was in swallowing the sashimi, but her pain was more obvious. From what Lord Joon said, Chanhee was to remain confined to Kushiro until he says so, but Lady Myung merely clothed her, cleaned her, and made her look like a proper lady. He could see that Chanhee was struggling with the new circumstances and shifted uncomfortably in the robes and skirts she had to wear, reminding him of Arya in that way. I hope she's okay in King's Landing.

"Oh, my lords. I apologize, but I recently received news from Westeros. Something I fear would interest you all," Joon remembered.

"What do you mean you fear it will interest us?" Benjen was curious.

"The Lord of Winterfell, was his name Ned Stark?"

That caught Jon's attention. Even though he wasn't his father, he took him in when others would have killed him. "That's his name. What's going on?"

"He was appointed as Hand to the King to Robert Baratheon, correct?"

"Yes, my lord. What's wrong?" Benjen wanted news on his brother.

Joon rubbed the back of his neck and pursed his lips, preparing for their reactions. "I've heard news that came from Asabhad, which told of something that would concern you both. Ned Stark is dead."

Jon dropped his hashi, as did Benjen. Sam widened his eyes, knowing how important Ned Stark was to them.

"What did you say?" Jon couldn't believe it.

"They say that he was attempting to seize power in King's Landing and that he confessed his crimes before he was beheaded on the orders of Robert's son, Joffrey Baratheon."

Jon clenched his fist while his eyes watered, which Benjen also did. That shit killed my uncle?

"When did this happen?" Benjen asked firmly.

"I only heard the news today. I didn't think much of it until I realized that Ned Stark was your brother and Jon's father. I am sorry, my lords," Joon offered. "And there's more. His son, Robb Stark, rose his father's banners in response and declared himself King in the North, while two other contenders are going for Joffrey's throne. A civil war is occurring in Westeros."

Jon stood up, unable to listen without his mind getting overwhelmed. "May I be excused?"

Joon nodded. "You may."

Jon walked to the courtyard, his tears finally streaming as he fell on his knees and mourned the man who raised him like a son. He knew Joffrey was bad news, but he never thought that it would be him who would have the gall to take his life. And he worried about Robb, who might have known how to fight and rule as Lord of Winterfell, but he was entering territory unfamiliar to him and he was only the same age as Jon. He feared about Robb handling the Boltons or other lords who would think him a green boy and would scheme against him.

Jon then thought about Sansa and Arya. Are they still alive? Did they get out of King's Landing? He might not have liked Sansa very much, but she was still family. And Arya… Jon wouldn't know what to do if she was dead.

Jon felt two presences come near him. He looked up and saw Ghost to his left and Benjen placing his hand on his right shoulder. He brought Jon into a tearful hug, both of them mourning the loss of Ned Stark and worrying about the safety of Sansa and Arya while Ghost tried to provide them with as much comfort as he could. Sam eventually came and placed his hands on both of them in a vain attempt to ease their pain.

But while Jon wept, he saw Chanhee watching them. Instead of being curious, he saw that Chanhee was looking at him with sympathy despite not knowing exactly why he was sad and not speaking the same tongue as he did. For a brief moment, Jon saw the Chogo woman in a new light, as she must've suffered her own losses just as Jon did now.

We must come back. We must come back, Jon promised himself. I will come back with an army and avenge Uncle Ned before I fight the White Walkers.

A/N: The actor that I use for Hoon Ti is Tom Wu and for Chanhee, Claudia Kim. Both of them appeared in MARCO POLO, which was a good show that depicted Kublai's Mongol Empire (even though there were many artistic licenses with history), and I will use elements of that show for this story, along with others based around Asian history and culture.

Chanhee will play a major role in Jon's growth in YiTi and once they learn to speak with each other, Jon will learn much about himself because of her. And now, Jon has made an enemy, the first of many he'll make in the Golden Empire. Same thing with Hoon Ti.

Jon, Sam, and Benjen are slowly getting adjusted, but much more has to happen. And Joon and Hoon are suspicious of Jon, but they're waiting. Be wary of them, Jon, despite their kindness.

And that ending with them knowing about Ned's death... now Jon has more reason to go back with help.