AN: Hello again, this story took an interesting turn towards the end of the chapter. I'm pretty content with how the idea materialized. Let me know what you think of it when you get there, I think it'll be pretty obvious to what I am referring. :-) Anyway, enjoy!

Jon and Ygritte made their way back to the performer's camp without incident. It was very surprising for Jon to see Bran entertaining the group by scaling the side of Winterfell's main gatehouse with impunity and apparent ease. By the time that Bran reached the ground, Jon had made his way to Robb's side and Ygritte had disappeared.

"I'm surprised that you would let him get away with climbing in the open like that, Stark."

"Aye, mother would have a fit if she was here to see him climbing the gatehouse."

"Good thing she's not here now, if that's the case."

"Now Jon, take care with your words when speaking of my Lady Wife."

Jon turned abruptly and saw Lord Eddard Stark walking towards him wearing a cloak embroidered with the Direwolf of House Stark and a serious expression. "Apologies, father. I did not mean to speak ill of the Lady of Winterfell. I was merely stating that if she saw Bran climbing again that she would not be happy."

"Right you are," Eddard acknowledged the conclusion that Jon had reached. "Robb, you let your little brother climb though you know it goes against the wishes of your mother?"

"Apologies, father. You know how Bran gets when he takes to one of the ideas in his head."

"That one shows much more of the wolf's blood than any of my other sons." Ned said with a slight chuckle. "Though, perhaps, Rickon will give him a bit more competition in that regard when he is older. Not to mention my youngest daughter, that one may be more touched than the rest of you put together."

"Father, I have been meaning to talk to you about yesterday," Jon said, trying to keep his desire to discuss the Stargaryan Ring as discreet as possible. "I really don't think we should wait for long."

"What are you going on about, Jon," Robb asked. "What are you waiting for with father?"

"Never you mind, Robb," Eddard advised with a hand coming to rest on Robb's shoulder. "As the Heir to Winterfell, there are many more pressing matters that merit your attention. As a matter of fact, the both of you will be spending more time with our Master-at-Arms. He had very good things to say about your performance in the yard earlier today, Jon. Taking down nine guardsmen is no easy feat, even if they are new recruits."

"Jon put on quite the show. You would have been proud."

"Aye, I am proud. I expect you to be able to match his feat in the near future. That is precisely why I have arranged for the both of you to spend each morning with the guard until directed otherwise. If you expect men to fight for you, then you must show yourself as willing to fight both with and for them."

"We will prove ourselves to the guard," Jon answered the unspoken direction with mixed feelings, pride at the complements Lord Stark bestowed upon him and mild irritation since his question remained unanswered. "I expect that the recruits are itching for rematches after this morning."

"I expect they will be, if what Rodrik told me was true. Be wary Jon, sometimes it is better to keep your full potential disguised. If your enemy knows what you can do then he is already half way to defeating you."

"I will take those words to heart."

"See to it that you do. Otherwise you may not like the results."

Is father still talking about sparring or is he referring to the Stargaryan Ring? "Worry not, father. I will heed your words."

"Right you will. Robb, with me. There are matters of estate that need dealt with and I would like you to accompany me."

"I'm with you, father."

"Jon, see to it that Bran's feet stay firmly on the ground and get him back to the castle before his mother hears that he was climbing again."

Quest Activated:
Bring Bran Back Home: Get Bran to Winterfell before word of his exploits reaches the castle or worse, his mother
Reward for completion: Increased reputation with Bran Stark, Rob Stark and Eddard Stark
Penalty for failure: Increased reputation with Bran Stark, Rob Stark and Eddard Stark and decreased reputation with Catelyn Stark

Accept?

Jon's gaze found Bran apprehensively as he accepted the quest. "I don't think that anything could keep Bran's feet on the ground for long."

Ned chuckled. "Right you are, Jon. Still, do try to make sure that if he is going to continue to defy his mother that he is a shade more discreet about it."

"As you say, father. You mentioned estate business. Bran is well aware of the route back to the castle. Wouldn't you rather have me accompany you and Robb?"

"That won't be necessary. You brought honor to House Stark this morning with your exploits. It is Robb's turn to help build the reputation of House Stark."

"If that is what you wish, father," Jon said, contemplating the meaning of Lord Stark's words. I wonder what the two of them could be doing that would build the reputation of House Stark.

Jon excused himself and made his way over to Bran who was chattering excitedly with some of the children with that had come to Winterfell with the performing troupe. Bran saw Jon approaching and broke off his conversation with the other children.

"Welcome back, Jon. Did father say where he was off to with Robb?"

"Not specifically, he mentioned estate business and Robb building the reputation of House Stark."

"Neither one of those options sounds like they will be much fun. I bet Robb wishes he was so lucky."

"I think he may be the lucky one."

"Well, what would you know?"

"Maybe you're right."

"Of course I am," Bran said with a grin. "They told me that their main performance won't be until later on in the week. They want to get the word out to as many people as possible for the first showing so they can get as big of a crowd as possible."

"That's a good plan. Hopefully they put on a good show. Did you get a chance to talk to Camen after I left to find Ygritte?"

"I did. He tells the wildest tales."

"Did anything seem off about him to you?"

"Um… Not really. He was definitely different than the usual sort that comes to Winterfell. Really everyone from the troupe is different than the usual sort that comes to Winterfell so it's hard to tell."

Jon's eyes scanned the camp for Ygritte's red hair but he was unable to find the girl. "Right, you are, Bran. Right, you are."

"What happened in the wood? Theon can be a little full of himself sometimes but usually girls don't react so badly to him."

"Let's just say that his advances were thoroughly unappreciated. When I found the girl, she had been chased up a rock formation by a bear that was set on making her his lunch. I was able to save her and get her back to the camp."

Bran's eyes went wide at Jon's statement. "You saved her from a bear!"

"Aye, it's lucky that I got there when I did."

"Now don't go on making me out to be one of those castle ladies that can't properly defend herself and is always waiting for someone to come and save her," Ygritte said, moving to stand across from Jon. "Camen wants to give you his thanks the next time he sees you."

Quest Activated!
Mingling with Mance: Seek out Mance Rayder to discuss what happened in the Wolfswood
Reward for completion: ? and increased Reputation with Mance Rayder.
Penalty for failure: Decreased Reputation with Mance Rayder and Ygritte. Probable negative long term consequences.

Accept?

Jon accepted the quest while responding. "What did he have to say about you getting yourself into that position?"

"A great, many things," Ygritte admitted with a crooked smile. "Almost as many things as he had to say about the one who found me in that position."

"Good things, I hope," Jon questioned cautiously.

"Some. The good things he said were mixed in with just as many warnings about broody boys with dark hair and dark eyes that would like nothing more than to steal the hearts of girls who have already been kissed by fire. You wouldn't know who he is warning me about, would you," Ygritte teased. "Surely none of the fancy castle folk would want to mix with the Free Folk."

"I don't know about that," Jon answered sheepishly. "There are many worse words to use to describe a person than 'Free.'"

Skill Level Up: Speech +100

"Is that so, Snow? Maybe you might know a thing or two after all."

"What are you two talking about," Bran asked, looking back and forth between Jon and Ygritte. "Do you like her? Is that what it is?"

"Oh Bran, you don't know what you're talking about."

"Nay, Jon Snow. I changed my mind," Ygritte proclaimed while walking away. "You know nothing."

She flipped her hair, causing it to catch the light and glow like fire. Kissed by fire? It must be a Free Folk thing.

"Alright, Bran. We've done enough exploring for the day. Let's get back to the castle before word of how you climbed the gatehouse gets back to your Lady mother. If you aren't there with your feet safely on the ground then there will be trouble."

"But Jon, we only just got here. There is so much more to see."

"That may be, but the troupe will be here for a while yet and there will be plenty of time for exploring later."

"Alright, Jon. I'll go back. Do you really think that mother will be mad if I stay out a bit longer?"

"Considering your mother does not like you climbing the towers of Winterfell, I suspect that she will be less than pleased to hear of you climbing the towers outside of Winterfell. Besides, father specifically instructed me to get you home and I don't want to disappoint him."

"He's never disappointed in you, Jon. In his eyes, you are just as much his son as Robb or me or Rickon."

"Thank you, little Stark. Let's get you back to the castle."

Jon and Bran waved their goodbyes to the troupe and set off toward Winterfell at a brisk pace.

Bran was first to break the comfortable silence that had fell upon them as they walked. "Were you scared when Ser Rodrik told you that you would have to spar so many recruits?"

"It would have been much more frightening if we were using live steel. The training swords can leave nasty bruises but really aren't anything to fear," Jon answered while stretching his arm across his body. "Besides, when combat starts, in that moment, it's kind of like the rest of the world fades away and all that's left is you and your opponent. At least that's how it works for me."

"Wow, that sounds like something from one of Old Nan's stories. I want to grow up and to be able to face down opponents like you did against the guard. Together we'll become the Wolves of Winterfell and people far and wide will hear of our greatness!"

"You've got big dreams for such a little boy. You're going to have to learn to wield a sword before you can begin carving your way into history."

"Does that mean that you won't be there with me when I do?"

"Of course, I'll be there. Nothing would make me or anyone in the Stark family more proud than to see you achieve such high ambitions."

Bran smiled and ran along the path into the training grounds.

"Didn't get your fill earlier, Jon? Are you back for more sparring," Rodrik asked when Jon followed Bran into the training ground. "The fresh recruits are anxious for rematches against you."

"It seems that they will have plenty of chances. At Lord Stark's instruction, Robb and I are to train with you and the guard every morning until directed otherwise."

"Keep making displays like this morning and I'm sure that you will be 'directed otherwise' sooner than later, lad."

"Maybe so, maybe not. Either way, training with you lot will be a great way to start the day and I, for one, am very much looking forward to it."

"Well said! Be sure to bring that enthusiasm with you tomorrow morning. Now get along, I should be getting back to the drills with the men."

"Come along, Bran," Jon insisted.

Bran turned his head from the drills with a pitiable look. "But Jon, we're back at the castle. Surely spending the rest of the afternoon with Rodrik would be good enough for mother."

"If only it were so. Your father insisted that I get you back to the castle, let us not fail him when we are so close to fulfilling our objective."

"Alright," Bran agreed with a huff walking toward the castle's door and pulling it open. "Then let's get on with it."

Jon followed his younger brother into the castle and pulled the door closed behind him.

Quest Completed!
Bring Bran Back Home: Get Bran to Winterfell before word of his exploits reaches the castle or worse, his mother
Reward for completion: Increased reputation with Bran Stark, Rob Stark and Eddard Stark.

When Jon turned his attention away from the door he caught a glimpse of Bran scampering around a corner and out of sight. Jon hurried to follow and ended up colliding with an old man carrying a load of books which resulted in the books falling to the floor.

"Apologies, Maester Luwin! I was following Bran and did not expect anyone to be coming around the corner. Are you alright? Here, let me help you with those books!"

Quest Activated!
Learning from Luwin: Prove that there is more to you than what you can do on a battlefield and learn from the Maester of Winterfell.
Reward for completion: ? Experience and increased Reputation with Maester Luwin.
Penalty for failure: Decreased Reputation with Maester Luwin. Probable negative long term consequences.

Accept?

"It is forgiven and forgotten. However, I would appreciate your help in getting those books up to my chamber. The task would have been arduous enough without the unexpected fall. It seems that as unlucky as I was in falling that I was equally lucky to find someone able and willing to carry my burden up all of those stairs."

Jon accepted his new quest and collected the fallen books: A Game at Dinner, De Rerum Dirennis, Herbalist's Guide to Westeros, Mannimarco: King of Worms, Song of the Alchemists, Reality & Other Falsehoods, Before the Ages of Man, Proper Lock Design, Withershins, Legend of Krately House and The Buying Game.

"Of course, I'll help you with your books Maester. What are all of these?"

"I've found that those books, beyond all others in my collection provide more clarity about their subject material than almost all others," the Maester stated knowingly while navigating toward the staircase that led to his chambers. "You should read them when we get to my chambers. I'm sure that you will find them to be enlightening."

"Um, I suppose I can do that. Can you tell me what they are about so I'll have a better idea of which I would prefer to read first?"

"Indeed, I can. A Game at Dinner tells the tale of a spy who has made a potion and snuck it into the drink of the other people at the dinner."

"Woah, I didn't think that you would have a book about that. It sounds like it could be very interesting."

"Absolutely. It is both interesting and informative, while having a narrative style that could surely capture your attention. De Rerum Dirennis is a historical account of the brewing of potions and poisons."

"That sounds like it will be good to know in the long run but may not be as interesting as A Game at Dinner."

"Be that as it may, it and Herbalist's Guide to Westeros are a great foundation to start from if one wishes to learn the art of potion making."

"Maybe I could read A Game at Dinner first, that way my introduction to the subject captures my interest. I think that will make De Rerum Dirennis and Herbalist's Guide to Westeros much more approachable."

"If you still struggle to read De Rerum Dirennis and Herbalist's Guide to Westeros after reading A Game at Dinner then I would recommend Mannimarco: King of Worms. It is a fantastic tale wherein Mannimarco concocts a potion that was able to raise his loved one from the dead, thus robbing the worms of their dinner and becoming their king.

"That sounds so strange. Who thinks to write of that?"

"A renowned writer of old named Horicles was the one to tell Mannimarco's tale. Song of the Alchemists is most likely the third book that you will wish to read on the subject of alchemy. It teaches that alchemy and potion making is much more than simply combining ingredients, you have to put your very soul into the mix in order to get the best result."

"That sounds like it will be easier to read than texts like De Rerum Dirennis and Herbalist's Guide to Westeros."

"Perhaps your feelings will change once you have had a chance to read the books."

"What of the others?"

"Reality & Other Falsehoods, Before the Ages of Man, Proper Lock Design, Withershins, Legend of Krately House and The Buying Game? Let us speak of those once you have read the five books that I have just described to you," Maester Luwin deferred with a slight wheeze from their journey up the stairs. "I do enjoy chatting about books, but I'd like to see if you can get through those five before we go off on any of the tangents that you will find within the other six books that you carry."

"That makes sense. It seems that we've reached your chambers. Could you get the door? My hands are a little full."

Maester Luwin moved around Jon and entered his key into the door lock and opened the door. The wall opposite the corner where the door opened could not be seen due to presence of many high shelves filled with books. A bed that was very similar to Jon's was against the wall furthest from the door. Immediately to the right of the door was a table where Jon set the books that he was carrying. There was an unlit fireplace on the other side of the table with two chairs set to allow the occupant to read comfortably when the fire is lit.

"Can I take A Game at Dinner with me?"

"I wouldn't recommend it. It's incredibly easy to get lost in a book like that. How about you take a seat in one of the chairs and see what you can learn from that book?"

Maester Luwin pretty much said the name of the quest. It sounds like I'm going to be spending some time up here. "Thank you, Maester Luwin."

"You are quite welcome. Let me know your thoughts on the book. Reading can be quite the experience."

Jon sat in the chair, opened the book and started to read…

A Game at Dinner

Jon found himself standing in front of a circular table dicing a large blue Deathbell flower with a very sharp knife. Once the Deathbell flower was thoroughly diced, Jon grabbed a jar filled with giant yellow lichen. He opened the jar and a noxious smell filled the air. With the knife, he scraped the diced Deathbell into the jar with the lichen before pulling a ratty skeever tail from the apothecary satchel on the table and dropping it in with the Deathbell and the lichen.

Moving with the jar to the fireplace, Jon ladled a spoonful of boiling water into the jar and followed quickly by another. At that point, the jar was halfway full and the ingredients were breaking down rapidly causing the solution to turn an extremely dark green color that was almost black.

"This will make them rue the day that they dared to betray Lord Stark!"

Jon closed the jar with a maniacal grin on his face. It was time to go to dinner.

Despite his murderous intentions, Jon presented himself as the ideal guest. He smiled at the other people who had chosen to attend the dinner and made small talk while maneuvering himself towards the kitchen. When the other guests were distracted, Jon edged into the kitchen while removing the jar from his pocket.

The cauldron with soup was still simmering though it had been removed from the fire. Taking one last look around, Jon dumped the contents of the jar into the cauldron and gave it a few stirs to spread the liquid as thoroughly as possible. Satisfied with his efforts, Jon stashed the jar with other jars of similar size which looked like they had been used while creating the simmering soup.

Jon did not spare another glance at the now defiled soup as he left the kitchen and reintegrated himself with the other guests. His face fell in disappointment like the other guests when the host called for silence and gestured for the guests to make their way into the dining hall.

"Honored guests, I, Ramsey Bolton, would like to thank you on behalf of House Bolton. We do so enjoy your company and ask that you join us for supper. Let us break bread in celebration of our continued good health and good fortune."

The guests made their way to the dining hall and shortly found themselves being served generous portions of soup with large hunks of buttered bread and hearty portions of ale. Jon smiled as he looked at the soup and grabbed his goblet of ale, taking a hearty drink.

Ramsey also took a deep drink from his ale before addressing his guests again. "Let us enjoy the finest soup that can be found on this side of the Neck in the cold winter months."

Ramsey's invitation was all that his guests needed on that particularly cold night to dig in to the soup ravenously. Unlike the others, Jon continued to take slow drinks from his goblet.

The man to Jon's left slumped onto the table causing a cry of alarm from the person to his right. One by one, the other guests collapsed into their soups until only two people remained upright. Ramsey tried to form words to articulate his rage but found his mouth to be unresponsive to his thoughts. After 30 seconds of fighting against the poisoned soup, Ramsey two slumped onto the table.

"That's what happens to those who would betray their sworn king to his enemies. Robb Stark was a good man and a good king. For you to betray his trust in exchange for promises and Lannister gold, well there is just no forgiving such treachery. You had all been sentenced to death by your actions but were too busy celebrating to recognize the wolf in sheep's clothing that was in your midst. Your names will be forgotten by history but the North will remember what happens to those that wish to betray House Stark."

Alchemy +500
Sneak +500
Speech +500

"Woah," Jon sighed while closing A Game at Dinner. "That was surreal."

"You've finished, have you," Maester Luwin asked. "Was the book every bit as engaging as you expected? Did you learn the lesson from that book? Tell me what happened"

"The spy created a poison to use as a death sentence for those that had dared to turn against their king in exchange for gold and promises."

"Very good. Was that the only lesson that you learned from that book?"

"Nay, it would seem that we must be wary of Boltons and Lannisters and so too must they beware of wolves hiding in their midst."

"Right you are. The North remembers how the Boltons have clashed against and chafed under Stark rule over the years. Sure enough the prospect of gold and the whispered promises of the Lannisters could give the Boltons enough of an incentive to act on their hearts' desires. Surely, if they were to do so, they would do all they could to take House Stark's place as the strongest Northern House."

Quest Completed!
Learning from Luwin
Learn from the Maester of Winterfell.
Reward for completion: 1500 Experience and increased Reputation with Maester Luwin.

"Thank you, Maester Luwin. I don't think that I'm up for another of those books today but, if it would not be terribly inconvenient to you, I would like to come back tomorrow to read Mannimarco: King of Worms."

"It warms my old heart to see a youth taking such an active approach to scholarship. Feel free to return tomorrow. Mannimarco's story is every bit as captivating as that of the spy."

Jon stood from the chair and walked over to the table where he had set the other books and gently set A Game at Dinner on top of the stack. "Thank you again, Maester. If reading is that intense for you every time you read, then it makes much more sense why you have so many books."

"Not all books are quite so well written as A Game at Dinner, Jon. However, there are lessons to be learned from all books if you take the time to discover them."

AN2: How's that for a Skill Book?! I had to figure out a way to incorporate it in a more meaningful way than just gaining one level to the skill since the first book would only be 100 exp to get to level two and I can't really buy into him chancing across one of these books in the future and getting thousands of experience points... Or can I? This bears some thought.

At the moment, I'm saying 500 exp per skill used to complete the Skill Book story line but that is tentative based on whether or not the Skill Books become more elaborate as he finds more for each skill. Please let me know if you liked the concept of the Skill Book subplot and if you think exp gains from Skill Books should remain static at 500 exp per skill or if later skill books should have higher difficulty, lower chance of success and higher exp rewards.

That's all for now. Please review!