The feast was an affair, with multiple courses of meats, vegetables, and soups; basically as many different dishes as the kitchen could make. Drinks seemed to flow without end, alcoholic and otherwise, as around me people drank to their heart's content; including the king it seemed, who at my last count was on his sixth glass of wine at least, while near him his wife looked on with a glare as he pinched the ass of the one of the serving girls.
Cersei wasn't the only one in a bit of a mood it seemed, as I noticed Jon standing up and making his way from the hall with his wolf Ghost at his heels, after getting in an argument with someone; who I was able to figure out was Eddard's brother Benjen, a member of the Night's Watch. I wanted to speak to Benjen, but I decided to do it later as I kept track of Jon, as to make sure nothing happened between him and Tyrion Lannister, who for some reason was perched above the door to the great hall. I moved enough bugs closer to them to hear the conversation between the two, and the advice Tyrion gave to Jon. When Tyrion moved to come back in the Great Hall, I stood to follow after Jon, who was making his way to the practice yard.
I excused myself from the table, and exited the hall through the front door after Tyrion had come back in. The sounds of metal hitting wood greeted my ears when I reached the practice yard, and I watched as Jon went at a training dummy with a practice sword. Against the wall Ghost rested, and he watched me as entered the yard. Reaching behind my back, into the fold of my dress I had made into a pocket, I pulled my knife from its sheath and picked my own target. I choose where I hit as carefully as I could, aiming at where I had been taught the major vulnerable spots were. Letting Jon come to me, I focused on increasing my speed as I worked up a sweat, and the noise fell into whacking and heavy thwoks of metal on wood.
"Why did you follow me?" Jon spoke up, breaking the sound around us.
"See if you were alright." I answered, letting my arm rest. "You left in a bit of a hurry."
"I'm fine."
"Really? Is that why you're trying to see the guts of that dummy?" Jon just glared at me in reply, and I decided enough was enough. "So what did your uncle say to you?"
Jon threw his blade to the ground, as he cried. "He refused to let me join the Watch. He said I was too young, that I didn't know what I was giving up!."
"Not proving him wrong, are you?" I told him coldly, before he could get into a rant. I had read about the Night's Watch, so I knew a bit about them, including their code. "No wife, no children, no land, no glory. That's what you want, right?"
"I already have all that, and I'll never get it here. I'm a bastard, remember?" Jon spat at me. I just waved it off.
"So? Go somewhere else then."
"Like where? Anywhere I go I'll still be bastard."
"Grow up and be your person. You're not the first bastard in the world, so don't act you're unique. And you're right, you'll always be a bastard, just as I'll always be missing an arm, so don't let it define who you are, or hold you back."
"Lord Lannister said the same thing."
"Smart man. I can't tell you what to do, and you're drunk so you'll probably wont remember this, but you are young, a kid still even. I'm betting you haven't felt love yet, so don't decide to go the wall yet, it's something that will change you." Jon never said anything as he turned away, but he did pick the practice sword from the ground and place it back in its rack. I watched him walk away, and felt sorry for the kid as I called behind me. "You can come out, Maester Luwin."
"I apologize for listening Lady Taylor; i just wished to see that Jon was well."
"It's fine Maester." I told him. I had felt his approach, noticing him stopping just around the corner of the practice yard. "I did as well. I feel sorry for him, his circumstances, and he doesn't know what he would be giving up."
"You do, Lady Taylor?"
"I had a love once." I thought of Brian, and I hoped he was well. "It changes you."
"I agree. But Jon speaks truth in his own way. He is baseborn, and everyone knows that baseborn must grow up faster. He has his own pride, and it would be wounded of he stayed at the suffrage of Lord Stark and eventual his brother. In time his pride would be hurt, and people may try to use him against his family. At least if he went to join the Watch, he would have his own place in the world, and he what he gained, it would be on his own merits."
"I see." I thought own Luwin's words, and could see why Jon might think the way he did. "Doesn't mean I have to like it."
"No, it doesn't. But at least understand it."
"Thank you Maester Luwin." Sense he was here I decided to go for broke. "I thinking of moving to King's Landing to sell my silk, instead of staying here. Would Lord Stark have any issues with that?"
"No, no issues. You are free to travel as you like, but Lord Stark would be worried for you. There has been no trace of those that attacked you." Luwin looked pensive for a moment. "If I may, why now? Why not in a few months?"
"I am worried for winter," I told, one of the excuses I had thought of over the day. "I have only my silk, which I won't really be able to sell once the snow's come. I also do not want to be a burden, I only have one arm after all. As for who attacked me, I doubt they are still around."
"I see, and I do understand." Luwin tugged on his chain, while thinking. "I am sure my lord would understand. If you wish, you could speak to him on the morrow?"
"That would be great, thank you Maester."
"You are welcome, Lady Hebert."
I went to my rooms after that, I would have to finish up any projects I had left over the next few days if I wanted to travel with Eddard south, while Luwin went back to the festivities. It wasn't until two days after the feast I was able to get in to see Eddard, which I spent mostly on finishing the projects I had. Before leaving, I needed to deliver the clothes to those who had ordered them, so I would need to borrow or buy what I needed to get them out.
Before I had my meeting with Eddard, I watched the confrontation between Jon, Robb, and the prince, Joffrey. What I gathered from it was Joffrey was a brat, who needed a spanking. It took only a few moments to get my revenge, and for the rest of the day, Joffrey was plagued by insect bites, mainly black flies. The next day, Poole informed me that Eddard could see me after midday, so I spent a bit of time getting ready for the meeting. It took place in his Solar, with Luwin nearby.
With Eddard, my meeting ran much the same as it had with Luwin, as I outlined why I planned to go south. He asked about the orders I had, which I informed him I was almost finished, and we made a deal for me to borrow a few of WInterfell's guards and a wagon to accompany me, as I delivered the orders. The lords who had order from me were all within a day's or two ride of Winterfell, and I knew I could deliver to all those who had ordered. When Eddard asked how I would travel south, I told him I would sell my silk to pay my way, he got a look upon his face.
"Lady Hebert, it is a long journey to King's Landing then you may think, and it is not safe for a woman to travel by herself."
"I know, but I'll be safe. I can defend myself, as you know."
"I am aware you have some skill with a blade, but what if there is more than one? I am afraid I cannot allow you to travel south by yourself."
"You cannot allow me?" I allowed a bit of anger that I felt to slip out in my voice, and continued to stare at Eddard. I knew he meant well, and he just wanted to protect me, but even after my eight months in Westeros, I did not enjoy being told what to do. "I was unaware that I was a prisoner; I thought anyone, including the smallfolk, had freedom of movement in Westeros."
"You are allowed to come and go as you please, but you are a guest under my roof. I have fed you, clothed you, and helped you; as your host, it would go against everything I believe, to allow you to die after leaving when I could prevent it."
"And I said I would be fine."
"However," Eddard rolled over my objection, and I allowed him to speak. "Members of my household and I will be travelling south with the king's party when they leave. I invite you to travel with us when we go in a fortnight."
"Thank you for your offer, Lord Stark." I said, giving him a small smile. "But I don't want to be any inconvenience."
"You wouldn't be," Eddard said, nodding his head at me. "I planned to ask you to come south with me anyway, you just made it easier."
"Oh, really? May I ask why?" I was surprised, I hadn't noticed Eddard discussing that with anyone, but it made sense, a lot of what people said was background noise unless I knew to focus on it.
"You may. I go south, to be Hand of the King, and Bran, Sansa, and Arya will be going with me. I would ask you to come with me, to watch over my children and teach them their lessons while they travel; Maester Luwin has spoke of your knowledge, and you would be more than up for the task. Both Bran and Arya enjoy your company, and Arya listens to you more than Septa Mordane."
"I see. I have never taught before, but I will try my best." It felt nice to be trusted; I guessed that Eddard would also want me to protect his kids, so I resolved to do that as well. I was also cautious, so I moved in some more bugs under the door so I could listen in after I left. "I was unaware that you thought so highly of me, Maester."
"I do," Luwin spoke up for the first time after I addressed him. "You may not know much about Westeros, but I have noticed you studying it; and you have more than an adequate knowledge of math, and information of your own homeland."
"Thank you, Maester."
"You are most welcome, Lady Hebert."
"It is as I said. I ask you teach my children, at least while we journey south." Eddard replied, his stony face not showing any sign of satisfaction. It was times like this why I could see why some guards spoke about Eddard having ice in his veins; but if they had witnessed Eddard around his kids like I had, they would know they were wrong. "In return, when we reach King's Landing, I will help you find a shop for your work."
"That seems fair." Thinking about it, it did seem fair. I wouldn't have to pay my way south, and all I would have to do is probably tell stories to Arya and Bran. "I could use Maester Luwin's help for a bit, preparing a lesson plan for each of your children."
"Maester Luwin, are you free to help?"
"I am, Lord Stark." Luwin said, after he thought for a moment. "Would after midday work for you, Lady Hebert?"
"That works." I told him, before I focused back on Eddard, and asked something that had been bothering me. "Lord Stark, will Jon be coming south as well? Would you like if I made a lesson plan for him as well?"
"No, there is no need." Eddard said coldly. "Jon goes north, to join the watch."
"I see." I don't know why my bringing up Jon had bothered Eddard. "Would you like me to prepare a cloak for him, like you brothers?"
"Yes, that would be fine." It seemed that was all I would be getting from Eddard. The meeting was soon finished, and I left to choose the supplies and guards I would need to help deliver the finished projects. I would need about a week's and half supplies to be safe, as we traveled from home to home, and hopefully getting back in time for the king's leaving feast, and the party south.
I would also have to pack anything I wanted to take south before I left as well, so that I would not be in a rush when I got back. The party going south wouldn't wait for me, so if I missed it, we would have to catch up with them on the king's road. While I left to start gathered my resources, I payed attention to Eddard's solar and what he and Luwin had to say.
It took two days to get the supplies together, as well as a chest that I had had specially made, with a series of small holes near the top to allow my insects in and out, and area in the bottom for my coins; the only way to reach the coins would be to reach your hand through a layer of insects.
As the guardsmen and I rode out of the gates, I looked back at the castle that had almost been a home to me.
