Markas
Sitting in my solar looking down at the bloodstained cloth gripped in my hand I could not help but be filled with dread.
Standing up I throw the cloth into the burning hearth and walked over to the window looking out onto the courtyard.
Looking out onto the courtyard I see my sons Darren and Aden practicing their sword play while Ethan and Jaremy are practicing with their archery under the guidance of the master-at-arms Ser Jaran Spyre and young Rolan sitting on a bench watching his brothers in awe and excitement.
I look up and across the courtyard into the window and see my wife Elayne in her own solar teaching our daughters Ellisha, Alyssa, and Ilyana to sow.
A smile tugs on my lips as I stare at my wife and the children we brought into this world.
A coughing fit takes me suddenly and when I remove my hand when it subsides it is covered in blood and the dread sets back in.
After cleaning the blood from my hand I sit down at my desk and contemplate the future of my children.
Darren, my heir, will inherit Ashwood Motte and the title of Lord Ashwood.
Aden has expressed dreams of becoming a knight of the Kingsguard so perhaps King Robert Baratheon will allow him to squire for a member of the Kingsguard to get some experience and see if this is truly the path he wishes to take.
Rolan, my youngest, will be betrothed to Lyanna Mormont and become Lord of Bear Island.
As for my other children I have plans for them but first I will have to discuss those plans with my liege lord the honorable Lord Eddard Stark to ensure their future is secure.
A knock at the door stirred me from my musings and I looked up.
"Enter." I say.
The door opens and an aging old man that is Maester Lucas walks in.
"Pardon me my lord, but this could not wait. A raven from King's Landing just arrived bringing grave news my lord." Maester Lucas said to me.
"Let me see it." I said to Maester Lucas.
Maester Lucas pulls a scroll from his sleeve and hands it to me and I read what was on it.
"This is grave news. The Hand of the King Jon Arryn is dead and the King himself is riding to Winterfell with his party." I said to Maester Lucas.
"Grave news indeed my lord. How shall you respond?" Maester Lucas asked me.
"Send a raven to Winterfell telling Lord Stark that my family and I will be coming to Winterfell to greet the King on his arrival. Tell him that there is much for us to discuss about the future of our two houses. Also tell him that I grieve over Jon Arryn's death just the same as him. Send another raven to King's Landing telling the King that I shall meet him at Winterfell and grieve for Jon Arryn as he does." I said to Maester Lucas.
"Very good my lord. I remember that you, Lord Stark, and King Robert were fostered by Jon Arryn at the Eyrie as boys. He was like a second father to you all. It would do you all some good to come together and grieve over your loss." Maester Lucas said to me.
"Thank you, Maester Lucas. That will be all." I said to Maester Lucas.
"Of course my lord. I'll take my leave." Maester Lucas said to me.
Maester Lucas walks out of my solar and once the door closed behind him I stared into the hearth reminiscing of days long gone.