Just a short chapter to get things going. Enjoy!

Cregan

The Tower of the Hand was bustling with activity. While the rest of the Red Keep was in mourning, Cregan's men worked to prepare for his journey back to Winterfell. Clothes and other household items were packed into chests and placed upon carts for transport to the docks. There they will board a ship to White Harbor and be transported to Winterfell. Cregan and his guards would take the land route along the Kingsroad and follow the supply train into Winterfell.

Yet even when his household had finished packing Cregan still found himself facing the mess he had called home these past two years. Papers were scattered everywhere and books stacked on top of each other. He had been so busy with the marriage between Princess Daenerys Targaryen and Prince Maron Martell that he had forgotten to clean up. Normally there were servants that do this but Cregan had sent them away. Now he had to figure out what to pack and what not to.

As Cregan filed through his papers, he heard a knock on his door. Thinking it was probably a servant or the head of his guard, he beckoned the person to enter. Instead he found Brynden Rivers standing at the door.

"Lord Brynden, what an unexpected pleasure," Cregan said, surprised to see Bloodraven here. He was wearing his usual black cloak and hood but his red eyes gave him away.

"Leaving already Lord Stark?" Brynden, or Bloodraven, smiled as he looked around the room. "Surely you're staying for the King's coronation."

"That's an honor I can do without. I have the King's express permission to leave," Cregan replied, getting back to his work. He lifted up a huge stack of parchments and placed them inside a wooden chest. "I'm actually surprised to see you're still lingering around. Daemon and Bittersteel seems to have left in a hurry."

"Oh Lord Stark, when will you ever learn that I am not those two?" Brynden laughed. "Jest aside I do need your help on something."

"Indeed? Has the sun risen from the west? What could I possibly know that the spymaster Bloodraven does not?"

Brynden did not laugh this time. His gaze suddenly turned more serious. "Have you heard that Daemon has chosen to take up the name Blackfyre? I have just only heard this."

"Aegon gave him the right to choose whatever name he wishes," Cregan replied. "Why should we care?"

"The King is worried Lord Stark," Brynden said. "You know this just as well as I do. Unarmed Daemon Blackfyre isn't a threat but with the Sword of Kings who knows what he is capable of?"

So Daeron had told Blackraven about his thoughts on Daemon. But what else did he tell Blackraven? He must be here on the King's orders. "And how does this concern me?"

"Don't play stupid Lord Stark. You served as Hand for two years and you know all the reports about unsatifised lords and angry knights. You and I both know they will flock to the most charismatic person they can meet. In terms of strength and charisma Daemon outshines the King in both."

Cregan sighed. "Lord Brynden I would let you know that I am an honorable man. I will not engage in a petty scheme to bring down a man who is so far innocent of any crimes you may suspect him of committing."

Bloodraven smiled. "Of course not Lord Stark, that was never my intention. I am only trying to uncover the truth."

"What truth?"

"Surely you know the rumor of King Daeron's birth?"

"Of course I do. There are those who say that the King's father was really Aemon the Dragonknight. Those are only rumors. Any sane man would not believe it."

Brynden laughed a cruel laugh. "You are naïve my Lord Stark. As if the Seven Kingdoms is full of sane men. Rumors are like diseases; if they catch on they will spread. People fall for rumors Lord Stark. But that is where people like us come in isn't it? We contain the disease and prevent it from spreading."

"We? Since when was it we?" Cregan asked angrily, he felt insulted that Bloodraven had already included him in his scheme.

Bloodraven however pretended not to hear him. "I'm going across the Narrow Sea tonight to end this rumor once and for all."

"You're not staying for the King's coronation?"

He smiled. "I have the King's express permission to leave."

Cregan frowned. Bloodraven was playing him but what for? Surely he does not want him to come to Essos to deal with a mere rumor? Cregan decided to get more serious. "Lord Brynden I don't know what game you're playing at but you can leave me out of it. The only thing I'm looking forward to tonight is a nice warm bed on my way back to Winterfell."

"Is that so Lord Stark? Are you so ready to abandon your King in a time of need?" Bloodraven asked angrily.

"I have served the king for the past twenty years," Cregan replied harshly. "I have a son and a daughter I have not seen for two years since I became Hand. I have done what I could for the realm and now it is time for me to retire. And now I think you should too."

Brynden stormed out of the room angrily without a word and slammed the door behind him. Cregan sighed as he collapsed onto his chair, going over what Brynden had said. Bloodraven seems to be obsessed with a rumor. No – not Bloodraven – the King. No doubt King Daeron had ordered this mission to Essos. Was I supposed to go as well? Cregan thought. But if King Daeron wanted me to go by not just ask me directly? Why send Bloodraven here to play games?

There was another knock on the door and for a moment Cregan feared it was Bloodraven again. But it was only one of his servants. "My lord a man who called himself Bloodraven asked me to deliver this," the man said, handing Cregan a letter.

Cregan broke the seal and unfolded the letter after the servant left. "What now," he murmured as he began reading. The letter read:

Lord Stark,

There is a man living in Pentos who knows the truth about Aemon the Dragonknight and Queen Naerys. I intend to seek this man out and uncover that truth. I will be at the East Dock this evening.

Yours Truly,

Bloodraven

Cregan crumbled up the letter and tossed it away. "What am I going to do," he asked himself. He wanted to go back to Winterfell, to his home. He wanted to see his wife and children. Yet the allure of Bloodraven's quest was strong. He too had heard about the romance of Aemon and Naerys. But could Daeron really be their bastard son? Cregan suddenly felt like it was his duty. Perhaps I should go...

"My lord," another servant called from outside. "Do you want to inspect the luggage before it departs?"

There was a long pause. "No," Cregan finally said after some thought. "On the contrary I will not be going north for the time being. Tell my wife that the King has some unfinished business he needs taken cared of. I will return to Winterfell after everything is set."

"Of course my lord." The servant retreated and Cregan sighed. What have I gotten myself into? he thought to himself.