James: Chapter 21

The night air was cool, it felt good on James' skin after working in the warm keep all day. He had been sifting through lists of men to potentially join his ranks, and the task had taken him from sun rise to well into the night. James had found nearly eight hundred of the twelve hundred he could take on. They were to be notified within the next week, and training was to begin a week from tonight. Bullock was to oversee the training. He was a hard man and would surely whip them into shape.

In the distance he could hear the sound of drunken men singing, wheels rolling across the stone street, a dog barking. James could see and hear much from up on the keep's foremost turret overlooking its entrance. The building was oddly shaped, a square save for the front most walls coming to a triangular point. Turrets rose up from the roof at the front, and two rear corners of the building. There was usually one man posted in the front turret where James was standing, but he had taken his place for the night and sent the guard off with a glass of ale. James wanted, needed to be alone for this.

He stood in wait for nearly an hour before they finally came. First he heard the chink of the steel bolt head embedding itself into the turret's wall. Then he heard the faint patting of footsteps on the stone as they made their way up. James smirked and drank from his bottle of brew as he watched Batman and the newly crowned Robin make their ways over the ledge and onto the turret's flat floor. "You must be losing your touch, I heard you coming this time," James said with a smirk as he leaned against one of the three upraised walls around the turret's perimeter.

Batman looked as stone and stoic as always, giving no reaction to James' taunt. The boy however was curious looking. He wore a red vest with pale green sleeves and leggings all made of boiled leather. He wore a black mask tied off at the back of his head in a knot, to hide his identity. His arms and legs were adorned with green boots and gloves, and a yellow cape lay against his back. The boy's hair was black and straight, brushed back with a few loose strands curling about his forehead. The top of his head only came up to the bottom of Batman's chest.

James took notice of the golden R emblem upon his chest. "So you're this Robin I've heard so much about. You two were rather quiet for a while there, but I've heard you have since stirred these last few nights." James turned to address Batman, "How did you find him? Seems rather contrary to the dark, menacing look you've been striving for."

The boy smiled, appreciating James' jape. Batman stood solemn as ever. "I recieved your message," James said as he took the bat-shaped throwing knife from his pocket. A torn piece of parchment with the word roof was stabbed through the middle by one of the bladed wing tips. He tossed it to Robin, who caught it with a wry grin. James continued, "So a man dressed as a bat, and a boy…I'm sorry son, what are you supposed to be again?"

"I'm not supposed to be anything. I'm Robin," the boy declared, forgoing his smirk to try and take up his partner's stoicism. A bat and a robin…well the boy does appear to have the same height and hair color as the Grayson boy. James nodded and turned to look at Batman, "Ah, of course. So what did you have to tell me then?"

"We believe Nigma was involved in Arya Stark's kidnapping. The whole scene didn't reek of Joker's work. Joker acts brutally and makes himself shown, he loves the light shining on him. He wouldn't hire men to take the girl and run away with her into a back alley. He'd do it himself and let the entire city see. This was a ploy to try and capture me. Those men that Strange is holding must know the truth of it, or too much for them to walk free or stay in your own jails. I fear Strange may be in bed with this conspiracy as well. Should that be the case, then Tywin still has a grip on our city," the pointed helmed man responded.

Well that's a frightening thought. It painted a much clearer picture then Joker kidnapping the girl certainly, but still… "If your words are true, then you, and this city, aren't safe. If they get their hands on you, either of you…"

"They won't."

The boy nodded his head in agreement. They can't be so sure. Nigma may be irritating but his mind seems unparalleled. And this Hugo Strange…he operates from the shadows far too much for my liking. Their schemes could unravel everything. "Nigma has been gone more, as of late. We know not where, he says he can't busy himself with sparing words to men of such low intellect. I may not be the wisest dog in the pack, but I can sure stand my ground against a stick of a man such as him. What do we do now?"

"I will sneak into Arkham, and see if I can't discover Hugo's secrets or what those men know. You continue hunting me," Batman replied.

"Us," the boy added.

James nodded once more. "Right, well I'll get to it then. You two best disappear. Sarah said she was going to come up to refill my cup within the hour."

"Evening, Gordon," Batman finished before vaulting over the ledge. The boy leapt and did a back flip through the air, landing perfectly on the flattened ledge. "Don't spend too long up here, the men might begin to talk, Ser Gordon," the boy teased. Before James could rebuke, he had done another back flip and disappeared out of sight. James took a final swig from the bottle, emptying it, as he looked up at the stars above his head. He remembered lying with his father in the grass on clear summer nights such as this in his youth. Dark and brooding, and youthful and brazen, what a pair those two will make.

Harvey: Chapter 2

"So the Stark boy's awoke? Quite the miracle it would seem." Jaime shifted in his seat, something the Kingslayer only did when something troubled his mind, which was rarely.

"It would seem so. His Northern gods must have some shred of cruel sympathy for crippling the boy only to let him live out the rest of his years. He's but half of his former self," Jaime Lannister replied coolly.

Harvey smirked and swirled his wine about in his glass. "I would rather live as a half of myself than not at all." Now Jaime chuckled, "I suppose for most, it would depend on the half."

They sat at a table overlooking the city from a balcony of the Red Keep. It was a bright, clear day and the sounds of shouting and bustling smallfolk could be heard echoing up from the streets below. The two of them often drank here when they could find time away from their duties. They were drinking an Arbor red today, the last three times had been gold. Those were all during Eddard Stark's month long departure from the city.

The Lord Hand had returned yesterday, his two daughters safely in tow. The King was outraged at the news of Arya's kidnapping, even after Lord Eddard tried quelling the fire. "Your Grace, the Batman saved her, she is unharmed. There is no need to send an army to Gotham's gates."

"Damnit all Ned, you know as well as I do that that city is a volcano just waiting to blow and spew shit over the rest of the kingdom. When that thing goes off, who knows how far that storm will reach! I want the city under control and Lord Wayne to get off his ass and do a damned thing to help it!" King Robert shouted so fiercely spittle flew from his mouth. Even Queen Cersei flinched at the unexpected roaring.

"Your Grace, Gotham is a delicate city. The balance there is one that any change could overthrow it, a lesson Lord Tywin learned at a dear cost." The Queen's eyes narrowed. Harvey knew there was little love between the Lannisters and Starks, and with Eddard seemingly defending the masked vigilante and the Lannisters wanting his head on a stake, tensions were at a boiling point. He wasn't sure for how much longer this inevitable clash between lions and wolves could be held off, but he felt it would come to a head sooner rather than later.

Cersei rose from her seat and seethed at Eddard, "Lord Eddard, my lordfather's men were brutally killed at the hands of that, that freak. He deserves to be compensated for his losses, and should have the right to seize Gotham should he wish it."

Eddard smirked, "Your Grace, I was there, I saw the way the city twists and turns. Even if your father were to take the city, he would not remain long, but of course, he is welcome to try. With the Joker still on the loose, who knows what he could be concocting, should Lord Tywin try to take Gotham once more."

Cersei's face contorted in pure hate before the King rose and silenced his wife with a glare. He turned back to face Lord Stark. "Ned, I'll need to do something about that damned pit eventually. I know the Bat-whatever saved your girl, but with him and Joker running about free without answering to anything it's just pure chaos. I can't stand for that Ned, not in my kingdom."

"But it poses no harm to us, Your Grace. Joker merely was defending what he marked as his territory. Lord Tywin would have done the same, or I if it were Winterfell, or you if it were this city. Batman will stop him, just as he saved my daughter."

The King sighed and rubbed his eyes. "Do you trust him Ned? With all of that?" The Lord Hand nodded. "Very well, I won't intervene for the time being, but so help me if I hear another peep of some new mad killer or another masked hero from that damned city I'll burn it to the ground myself!"

And that had been the end of it. Cersei had tried to argue, but a roar from her husband and she was quieted within the next breath. The next day a raven flew in from Winterfell saying his young son Bran had awoken from his sleeping after his fall. A curious thing the boy's fall was. For how Lord Eddard had explained, the boy had never fallen before. Jaime said the day was clear, with no rain for a few days. So how did the boy fall, it is too queer to form a shred of sense.

As Harvey sat drinking with his friend now, he couldn't help but have an odd feeling creep down his spine. He had known Jaime for quite a few years, and he could tell when he was lying or hiding something. Whenever anyone spoke of that day, Jaime grew rigid and only ever stared forward. Harvey had only noticed one other topic that made the golden haired Kingslayer behave as such, his sister. Harvey had his suspicions, but dared not dive too far into matters that did not warrant attention. His duty was to the realm, and to insure that every person that came before the king was heard.

Harvey finished his drink as they heard footsteps hurrying up the stone stairwell inside the castle. A few moments later, Lord Stark's personal guardsman Jory Cassel stepped into the sunlight, gasping for breath. Harvey offered him a drink of water to calm himself.

"O-officer Dent, Lord Stark wishes to see you in his chambers, immediately," he blurted out once he had downed the drink. Harvey smiled. "And who am I to refuse our weary and well-traveled Lord Hand. Until the next we meet, my friend." Jaime rose and gave Harvey a pat on the shoulder and a smile before leaving up the stairs. Harvey followed Jory down. They crossed through corridors and down stairs then up until they arrived at Eddard's solar in the Tower of the Hand. Eddard met them at the door and dismissed Jory before letting Harvey in and closing the door behind him.

As he sat, Lord Stark sighed and spoke. "Tell me what you know of Gotham."

Harvey blinked in surprise. "Well my lord, it was a dreary place and not somewhere overly open to unwelcomed guests it would seem."

Eddard shook his head. "I am well aware of that ser, I wish to know what you know of the crime. The breed of criminals there and whether they truly can be stopped."

Harvey raised a finger to his lips as he thought over the northern Lord's question. "Gotham has its fair share of thieves, pickpockets, whores, thugs, rapers, same as any city. But then there are the select few…the breed of criminals that other cities, even King's Landing, would fear. Men such as this Joker, they are but the manifestation of this breed. They epitomize not only the worst aspects of a criminal, but the worst of man. Men that love killing so much that they dedicate their life to it, if for nothing more than the mere sight of bloodshed."

"That sounds rather similar to your friend Jaime Lannister, wouldn't you agree?"

Harvey's words caught in his throat. He had no way to return Lord Stark's words. It was true, Jaime did love killing, and was truly a master at it. Damn you Jaime, without your rock of gold and father's iron guidance, would you have been nothing more than another Joker?

Eddard noted Harvey's silence and took the opportunity to give his proposition. "I need you to return to Gotham. I cannot afford any more time from the city or my duties."

No, do not make me return to that bottomless pit of depravity and corruption. "What for my lord?"

"I need you to speak with Ser James Gordon of the City Watch. Before I left, Lord Wayne had given him enough gold for another thousand or so men. See if he is putting them to good use or has need of more. The rest, I need your word to keep between the two of us."

A secret? This city is too full of damned secrets. "Very well, my lord."

"I need you to see if you can speak with Batman. Lord Tywin has a small band of soldiers there, along with two figures who are rather questionable in their motives. He is the only one I trust for honest words of their actions. I know how weary you are to return to your home city, but this task is of the utmost important. There are too many spiders crawling around the shadows and corners of that city. You are the man to shed some light, I believe," Lord Eddard finished.

"You have the right of it my lord, that place is the last place that I wish to travel to in this life. Is this an order? When would you have me go if I were to accept?"

Eddard shook his head. "A fortnight from now, should you go." Harvey smirked, "Then I don't truly have to go, but in the interest of fairness. I shall see what fate decides."

Harvey reached into the pocket on his waistcoat and withdrew a small piece of metal in hand. It was originally golden, but now was so faded that it appeared silvery-bronze. It was a Mereenese Honor, a small gold coin no larger than a Westorosi penny. A crown was carved into the upward side in Harvey's palm, but he knew that the head of death lie in wait on the downward face. It was a gift to his father from his grandfather when he returned from his travels to Essos. Harvey's father passed the coin on to him before his death shortly before he left Gotham. He rested the coin on his thumb and index finger, and gave it a flip. As it spun into the air, Harvey watched Lord Stark's eyes follow the small piece of gold up into the air, curious as to what side would land with its face up.

The coin landed in Harvey's palm, and in typical fashion, he slapped the palm onto the back of his opposite hand. When he raised his hand, a pit sank in his stomach at what he saw. Lord Stark tried straining his neck from his seat behind his desk to see the result, but to no avail.

Harvey swallowed and stood. "The head of death."

Eddard looked disappointed. "So which meant you would go and which would have you stay?"

Harvey moved to the door and opened it. He spoke without turning to face the Lord Hand, "My lord, the face of death is Gotham."

Selina: Chapter 17

For the first two days, Traveler had barely said anything. During the hours of the day he was out working for some smith or portsmen, or wandering the about the city for all she knew, and during the night he kept in his room. He supped alone, occasionally letting the cats into his room to sleep with him. Meelo had taken quite affectionately to the bearded stranger. He appeared to have a way with animals, as some nights he would walk about the first floor with Meelo or another cat perched on his broad shoulders. Selina paid no mind, his withdrawn nature made it easier for her to sneak out in the night to maraud and steal.

After he grew adjusted, he came out more frequently. On the fifth day of his stay, she returned from a day of buying food to find him shirtless and hammering away at one of her street level windows. He had been working for hours it seemed, as he was caked in sweat, and the other window looked more newly finished than it should have. The wood was the yellowish hue of newly cut oak, while the surrounding wall was faded, brown pine. She invited him in for a glass of wine, and since that day they had regularly supped and conversed for a few hours at dusk each day. Then he would go into his room for silent solitude while she donned her mask and took to the rooftops as Catwoman.

Three nights ago they had a conversation Selina only found to be inevitable. As Traveler finished his strip of beef and wine he smiled, and politely asked, "So tell me of this local legend of yours."

"Legends," Selina corrected. "There's two of them now, the dynamic duo I heard one say. Unless you were referring to Joker or Catwoman?"

He smiled. "No, no, you had the right of it. Have you seen this Batman?"

In my hours as Selina Kyle, in my nights as Catwoman, in my dreams, and in my nightmares. "Once, I saw him save a poor girl who was about to be raped and butchered, no doubt," Selina chose to reply.

Traveler questioned further. "What was he like?"

"Quick, self-righteous, ridiculously dressed." Terrifying, cold, brooding, but incredible in his own way. Commanding a respect that no mortal man could.

"You are not a fan," he chided with a smirk. Selina's mouth drew flat, "You could say that."

"I could also say that you seem to know more of him than you let on. I see no problem with an ordinary citizen standing for what he believes is right, no matter how many or how powerful those unsupportive of him are."

"I could say the same of yourself. All of the silver you've earned for your daily labor in the city has gone into repairing my home. Not a penny saved for this ship you said you were waiting for. But yes you along with many others would believe in a man such as him. Myself, I think it is but a fool's errand, this city is beyond saving." Selina liked this stranger, but trusted him no farther than she did any other man in her life. Nor did he know this city, or the people within it.

The man playfully scoffed and held a hand to his heart. "Your words cut deep m'lady. I had thought we had found a pleasant, mutual coexistence with one another."

"We have, but as I recall you said your stay would only be temporary. It seems rather closer to long-term in my eyes," she replied coyly. The man nodded and smiled. "If that is what you wish, I shall take my leave in three days' time. Giving me the time to save up some silver for my departure, and finish repairing your roof."

Selina shook her head, "That will not be necessary, ser. Merely tell me what is on that golden necklace of yours that you hold so dearly, and you may stay."

Traveler raised a hand to the thin gold chain around his neck. A finger traced along it down to where it dipped beneath his tunic. Whenever he went topless to work in the heat of the sun, he would remove it. Whatever it was, it was some secret that he wanted no one to see. Perhaps a finger of his first kill, or a rabbit's foot, or…

He shook his head in dissent. "My apologies m'lady, but I cannot show you. Do not fret though, I had only planned to remain in Gotham for but a few weeks, so you have given me just what I needed. You are a most pleasant host."

He would rather take to the road than show what is on the necklace? Selina had been tempted one night to dare enter his room while he slept. After two steps into his room without so much as a creak from the floorboards, she heard his voice speak from the darkness, "Selina, is there something you need assistance with at this late hour?" Selina nearly jumped out of her skin at the unexpected noise. "No, no I was merely seeing if Meelo was in here. He got into a tussle with Tassya and I was going to check for any wounds," she lied. She still did not know how he had heard her.

Today was the day of his departure. She would miss Traveler a small degree. He was a warming character that gave her hope that good men still existed somewhere in this cruel world. He took no horse, no cloak or walking stick, merely the clothes on his back and large bag that he arrived with. Selina stood in her doorway as he looked out down the street for a few moments. He turned and gave her one last smile.

"Listen, I've never been good at farewells so-" Traveler cut her off as he took her up in a great hug. He lifted her a few inches from the street stone and gave her an embrace that made her feel as if her ribs would crack. His beard tickled against her cheek. As he returned her to her feet she looked up and bit her lip. "It's nearly nightfall, where will you stay?"

Traveler smiled that white toothed, sincere smile. "Oh I have a friend or two left to make in this city I'm sure. You were a most gracious host m'lady, you have my sincerest thanks. You have a kind heard despite the walls you build up. I hope someday you let them down, you'd certainly be the happier for it. May our paths cross again one day, Selina Kyle." With that, he turned and walked off down the street from whence he had come. Leaving the same level of stranger to Selina as when he had arrived. She had a great deal to thank him for, fixing her home, caring for her cats, teaching her how naïve some people in this world could still be. He had best leave the city soon. Gotham will eat up and spit out a man such as him out before he can so much as murmur a syllable of a scream.