Chapter 2

Jasper Lane

Jasper made his way to the end of the path and turned his horse around to face his first foe, It was a large man with a beard as big as his chest, there was no sigil on his shield or armor but his helm obviously belonged to a knight of house Baratheon, but Jasper did not know if he was given that helmet, found it, or killed for it. Jasper hoped that he had found it. The man shouts at him in a condescending tone. "Are you ready milord?!?!"

"Of course." Jasper lied

The knight kicked his horse and charged at Jasper lowering his lance, Jasper did the same, aiming directly for his chest, the distance rapidly growing with the pounding of the horses hooves, from yards, to feet, to inches and as they approached, time seemed to slow down for Jasper. His aim was on point but the man's shield was prepared for the blow and when the lance connected he twisted his shield in a way where the lance just glanced off rather then smash against it. The opponent's lance struck Jasper's shield and Jasper received the full brunt of the power. The lance smashed to bits as Jasper's upper body flew back at the impact, he was able to clutch his legs in time to keep him from flying off. The horses slowed down at the end of the track turned, The bearded knight had a large grin on his face, and Jasper couldn't blame him for wanting to kick this young boys ass to the dirt, he did do his best Lannister impression to aggravate the man.

"We can stop now if you don't want to get hurt boy."

Jasper coolly inclined his head, trying to keep his pounding heart from echoing in his voice: "Thank you for your concern but I'll see this to the end, I won't let some no name knight beat a Lord." And he deliberately curled his lip slightly.

Ulfric: "I am Ulfric, and I have a lot more skill in my left ball then you do in your entire body, little Lord." He leaned heavily on the pommel of his saddle and spat to the side of his horse.

That remark annoyed Jasper more then it probably should. Ulfric received a new lance and the joust began again. Jasper aimed for the chest again but this time Ulfric had already raised his shield to defend the area, and Jasper took advantage of it. Before they clashed Jasper leaned to his left, almost falling of his horse but he clenched his legs as tight as he could, and with his new angle he was able to aim for the unprotected gut of his competitor. His Lance clashed into Ulfric's armor and the large Knight went sprawling off his horse, not expecting the hit. When Jasper made it to the end of the track he turned to see Ulfric already standing up.

Ulfric horse had quickly returned to his knight and Ulfric reached up to reassure him "Not bad little Lord, I didn't see that coming, but I will when the preliminaries start next week."

Jasper grinned and leaned forward: "I hope so, It would be disappointing if you were to underestimate me again." He concentrated on deepening his voice.

Ulfric: "Aye, I won't be making that mistake again."

To Jasper's surprise Ulfric had a grin on his face rather than a scowl, Jasper was relieved at this since Ulfric stood about a foot taller and his shoulders were about a foot thicker as well.

Ulfric: "You better not lose to anyone until I get my rematch, I want to be the one to knock you on your ass."

Jasper laughed: "I wouldn't have it any other way, but you may be disappointed about the results."

Jasper and Ulfric continued to go back and forth until they both ran out of insults, Jasper jousted against several other contenders unhorsing most but there were a couple who got the better of him. After several hours he made his way to the Inn, he walked into the room to see his father already asleep. Jasper decided to turn in as well after all, tomorrow he would get to meet the hand of the king.

The sun rose and peered through the window, flashing in Jasper's eyes waking him. He forced himself out of bed groaning as the lessons learned yesterday at practice made their presence known. He dressed in a green and blue tunic, with a black cloak fastened to his shoulder and smiled at the idea that the color of his clothing matched the freshly blossoming bruises of his skin. When he made his way downstairs he saw his father already starting breakfast.

"Ah you're up, I was about to get you."

Jasperraised an eyebrow at his father's overloaded plate, "Before or after you ate all the food?"

"After obviously, but the Gods are cruel, you never woke up a minute beforenoonin the past and now that I wanted you to sleep in you get up early."

Jasper: "I'm sorry to disappoint you, but even I will get out of bed when I'm to meet the Hand of the king."

Dale: "You remember what I told you about Eddard Stark right?"

Jasper: "Yes, Eddard Stark is Warden of the North and the king's childhood friend, he has two daughters and... a few sons."

Dale shakes his head.

Dale: "Four sons, but one of them is a bastard."

Jasper: "Like it matters, It's not like I'm going to seduce his sons."

Dale: "Nor his daughters, Sansa the eldest is promised to Prince Joffery, try to court her and you likely to lose your head. Both of them.… and Arya is too young for you."

Jasper: "I know dad it was just a jest."

Dale: "It doesn't matter weather it was a jest or not, either one will get you killed."

Jasper: "Ok, dad ok. I will be on my best behavior, I promise not to make a single joke no matter how funny it may be."

Dale narrowed his eyes, "Maybe it was a mistake to bring you."

Jasper returned the glare before finally smirking. "Don't worry, I promise I will do my best."

Dale held his gaze "I know, but others may not."

Jasper and Dale finish their food before riding up to the Red Keep, the guards allow them to pass as they put their horses in the stables and walked toward the Tower of the Hand. A long faced child, with serious grey eyes, and brown hair rounded the corner, startling the two men. He saw them, turned quickly, and ran the other way, athletically leaping over small puddles, not disturbing the tiny cat hidden companionably inside his vest. .

"Who was the boy?"

Dale turned to watch the slender child skitter around another corner and shrugged. "No idea."

They continue the walk to the tower of the hand, they passed several Stark men before making it to the entrance.

Dale: "Now remember-"

Jasper: "My best behavior."

Dale nodded, a smile on his face, before knocking, a voice from inside inquired, "Who is it?" Dale identified himself and the occupant bade him to enter.

Dale and Jasper opened the door and walked in. Eddard was like how he always pictured. He looked to be in his mid-thirties. He has a long face, dark hair and grey eyes. His closely-trimmed beard is beginning to grey, making him look older than his years. Dale inclined his head, "I hope we are not interrupting you work my lord."

Eddard pushed away from his desk

"You are but I need a distraction, besides with Robbert as King, I don't think I will ever be done with my work." Jasper thought about the old saying- the King shits and the Hand wipes- but he thought best to keep that to himself.

Eddard: "I'm glad that you were able to make it to the tourney Lord Lane."

Dale: "We almost didn't, I had heard lots of rumors about how it was cancelled."

Eddard frowned thoughtfully: "Indeed...' His eyes critically examined Jasper then he returned his gaze to the older man. "Do you plan to joust Lord Lane?"

Dale: "HA! No my lord, my glory days have long past, it's time I let the next generation find their glory." Dale motions to Jasper. Eddard's grey eyes lock onto him. A small smile lifts the corner of his mouth.

"This is Jasper correct? Your youngest one is currently being squired by my in Law Brynden correct?

Dale: "Yes my lord, it has been a couple months since his last visit."

The two lords went on and on talking and on talking, it felt like it had been going on for hours. After five minutes of waiting.

Jasper: "I must excuse myself, Nature calls."

Both Dale and Eddard give him permission to leave. As Jasper exits he begins to explore the Red Keep. looking at the Baratheon banners that hang in the halls, the guards constantly patrolling underneath. He soon came across a group of girls, giggling and chatting as they walked. Jasper stepped to the side to let them pass, but one of them caught his eye. A young girl with high cheekbones, vivid blue eyes and thick auburn hair. She looked to be perhaps 16 give or take a few years. Some of the girls glance at him and whispered to each other, giggling. He didn't know if he should feel insulted or happy. When they walked a bit further he overheard one of them.

Mystery Girl 1: "What do you think of that one? He seemed kind of cute."

Auburn Hair Girl: "Oh come on he is not nearly as cute as Joffery, plus he is kind of on the short side, you are more then welcome to him Jeyne."

Jeyne: "I think I will wait a little. Jamie is still available."

The girls moved further down the corridor continuing to gossip and laugh. Jasper walked on, a little annoyed at their comments. As he turned the corner a grey shadow shot between his legs and then he hit the ground with a thud and studied the missile that had landed on top of him. It was the grey eyed child he had seen earlier with the cat.

Jasper: "What the Hell?!? What are you doing?"

The boy did not reply, he ,looked back, hopped up and dashed into an open room. Three Lannister guards came around the corner.

Guard 1: "Did you see a young boy?"

Jasper: "I did, he went down that hall." Jasper directed them toward a corner behind him.

The guards dash off in the direction, After a few minutes passed Jasper knocked on the door.

Jasper: "It's ok, they are gone."

The child emerged cautiously. Now that Jasper was able to get a closer look at him, he realized he had been mistaken. This wasn't a young boy, it was a young girl.

Jasper leaned against the stone wall and crossed his arms "Want to tell me why the guards were chasing you?" he fixed his gaze on the tapestry opposite.

Girl: "They thought I was just some random serving boy who wasn't working."

Jasper: "Can't say I blame them for thinking that."

The girl smacked his arm.

Jasper: "You have some big balls for a girl, not only did you just hit the guy who saved you, but you struck a lord."

She shrugged "Like I care, I once attacked that jerk, Joffery and my head is still attached, what can you do?" her pert nose wrinkled.

Jasper clocked the back of her head quickly and lightly.

Girl: "Ow!"

He raised a sardonic eyebrow, "You asked for it."

The girl put on a face to try and look intimidating but she couldn't quite pull it off.

Jasper: "Tell me, if you're not a serving boy then what are you? you can't be a cat catching girl can you?"

Girl: "I'm Arya."

Jasper felt he should recognized the name, and stared off into space before it finally clicked. "YOUR EDDARDS DAUGHTER!!!!."

Arya lifted her chin, "I am."

It felt as if sweat had started to stream down his head, as he realized how he just hit the second most powerful man in Westerose's daughter. "Ummmm could you please not tell your dad that I hit you?"

Arya cut her eyes at him with an evil smirk. "Why shouldn't I?"

Jasper was beginning to worry until he got his own idea. "What do you think your father would say if I told him how I found you being chased by guards?"

Her smirk fell from her face. "I would kill you if you did." Jasper saw that he was now in control. "It would still be worth it." Arya glared at Jasper before she let out a seigh. "Fine, I won't say anything if you don't." Jasper let out a relieved sigh. "Well you know who I am. What's your name?"

Jasper: "Jasper Lane, Heir to Steel Lake, home of the strongest knights in the riverlands, possibly all of Westerose."

Arya: "So?"

Jasper: "So? what do you mean so?"

Arya: "Who cares if your house has the strongest Knights, it's not because of you, it's because of your father and his ancestors."

A smile slowly crept onto his face, maybe his time in King's Landing wouldn't be as boring as he thought.