Arya

The silken sling that bound her left arm did little to comfort the youngest Stark daughter as she watched the end of the Tourney. Many had insisted on congratulating her on her performance during the Squire's Melee as she had managed to best a dozen aspiring squires and had even faced off against the eventual winner Radd Lannister. Unfortunately the former Stormrider had easily prevailed, besting all of the remaining participants handily.

Seated beside Sansa and her father, she had an excellent view of the tourney, though all that she remembered of it were the multitude of bets that the nobles about her placed.

"I never favored the lance," a gruff but handsome man beside her stated. "Willas and Loras preferred it, but me, I prefer a sword in my hand."

The young girl perked up at his admission.

"I saw you the other day," he added. "You handled your blade well, even against older boys. I'm surprised they gave you the room to use your footwork once your formation was broken. I doubt that that Lannister boy would fare as well in tomorrow's Melee though. It's one thing to go up against squires but an altogether different thing to go up against experienced knights."

"But he is experienced," Arya found herself saying. "He may only be a squire but he was one of the Stormrider's senior men." She wasn't exactly sure how the Stormriders or actually any groups broke down their hierarchies, but she knew enough of the Stormriders to know that he had been one of the few that the other Stormriders had turned to for council.

"They rode out against bandits and wildlings," the blonde-haired man scoffed. "How much of a challenge could that be?"

"They've fought dragons," she stated, affronted by his casual dismissal of not only Radd but of the founding members of the Stormriders.

"Bah, they brought back some skulls," the man's features were harder and more defined where as his brother was softer in both physical resemblance and the way that he carried himself and spoke. Loras was an eloquent and, well, flowery while this man was gruffer and rougher. "The only ones that impressed my brother were Ramza and the girl Temperance. He said that the Stormrider's commander and sub-commander were bested by Lord Renly and the Beauty of Tarth."

That hadn't actually been true, though it was close.

"I like Renly well enough, but I know he's not as skilled with a sword as I am," the man added. For the life of her she could not recall his name though Sansa had probably introduced him to her when they had sat down. "And Loras is better with a lance than a sword, so I'm sure that I would have beaten Ramza if it had been me on the pitch."

"Then will you be marking him on the morrow?" Lord Littlefinger interjected. The slow pace of the day's riding provided the ever inquisitive man an opportunity to join their conversation. Still, Arya was glad for it even if she found him repulsive. "Will Garlan the Galant seek out the Stormrider's best sword during the Melee?"

For once Arya wished she had her sister's memory, or at least her strange ability to remember the names of various knights (most of whom had won some Tourney or Melee), as she sought to place the name. Had this man won one of the previous competitions? And if he was that good, why hadn't he participated in the Hand's Melee?

"If the opportunity presents itself, perhaps," Garlan stated as he stroked the dark brown hairs of his well-groomed beard. "I hear that the Mountain has a score to settle with him – from the Hand's Tourney, not because of what he did to his lord's eldest son."

"So you will not seek to avenge your brother's defeat at the last Melee?" the sly Master of Coin asked.

"Hardly," the knight sat back so as to not bump into those seated behind him. Even as an honored guest he did not have a proper seat – those were reserved for the King and future Queen. "I mean to win the Melee, but to do so I would have to keep an eye out for any prospective obstacles. Ramza Snowstorm and the rest of the Stormriders are truly formidable, and they will likely fight as a pack tomorrow as they did the last time. I doubt I could find anyone of note to ally with and given my own notoriety I assume that many will make me just as they have him."

"Why did you not bring some men at arms to fight beside you?" Lord Baelish asked.

"Why should I have to rely on my men to prove my worth?" Garlan replied. "It is nearly as bad as relying on poison.

"Still, Loras speaks highly of Ramza. It is clear that Ramza is skilled and I would not mind testing him should we happen to cross blades in the Melee."

Reis

The fleeting warmth of the distant sun as it peeked through the clouds felt nice on her bare arms. Of all the Stormriders Reis was least affected by the weather as her time as a dragon had given her a higher tolerance of heat and cold. As a dragonkin she had the highest tolerance for heat and cold of all the Stormriders to the point that even the frigid air north of the Wall did not bother her. The others managed with assistance from the runes that they had inscribed on their armor that made them immune to the biting cold though they still felt chilled.

"It is the Spring Equinox," Jojen stated as he looked up at the sun through the hazy of the clouds. "And we are three days beyond any of our previous expeditions."

The strange youth was rarely so focused except when he was trying to urge her and Bran north. "Why is it that you wish us to travel this far? We've not seen any sign of the Others or of what caused the damage in the glade"

"You feel it, do you not?" Jojen interjected.

Her sensitivity to the magical energies had grown after being cursed and having the curse reversed, but it this world's untapped mana seemed to make anything related to magic all the more obvious. As a result she couldn't get ignore the pull of the magic as it seemed to lead her and the others further north, though she did caution the others.

As the group had ventured further north Jon and Samwell along with Lady Alma and the grumpkins Midnight and Shadow had returned to Icemark, leaving Reis, Meera, Jojen, and Bran with Summer and Comet. They had encountered little more than evidence of a few skirmishes and the remains of a few of the White Walkers. Whatever the undead had fought had the power to burn them, leaving Reis with a few ideas though it was hard to pinpoint anything as this world had so much more for the Stormriders to discover.

She was no hunter and lacked training as a tracker, but she knew that the scorch marks were not the work of a mage or spell craft. It was not likely to be a dragon as the fearsome beasts would have melted away more of the snow with a blast of their fiery breath.

Comet's growl was all the warning she needed to know that they had encountered trouble. The red behemoth was still small, but he was twice the size of her horse. Like any of the other Stormriders Comet had seen a good amount of battle over the past few months and with the help of Bran and Alma the behemoths had been trained to fight alongside them.

It was Comet who sensed the undead creatures, giving the Stormrider and the youths in her charge time to prepare themselves. Though young, Comet was formidable, and with the war armor that Gendry had fashioned for the behemoth the three youths on his back were able to focus on their magic and use their ranged weapons.

Meera's arrows did little to the undead, but Bran and Jojen's fire spells burned a dozen of the reanimated corpses. Comet merely swatted aside the handful of undead that survived the unnatural blaze. Reis' fira spell dispatched the rest of the undead, leaving nothing but ashes and smoldering remains, burning away even the glowing blue lights that shone where their eyes were supposed to be.

"We camp here," she stated once she was sure that the undead were properly dispatched. "Find a perch in the trees and secure yourself. Make sure you keep your pack and weapons with you."

Though the effects of their spells were impressive the spells also took a greater toll on the Stormriders. Their rudimentary understanding of the magical energies in this world had not translated to their being able to control the flow of mana or improve their personal stores of mana. The runes stitched into their clothes were meant to absorb mana from the atmosphere but they were far slower and the further south the troupe traveled. North of the Wall though the runes were significantly faster suggesting that the north had more ambient mana than the rest of the continent. The other original Stormriders had shown the effects of using too much mana despite the steady supply while at the Wall leaving only the Dragonkin unaffected. It was interesting to note that even the native inhabitants of Westeros were feeling the effects of drawing in too much mana as Bran and Jojen were cautious in their use of combat magic. The powerful displays were effective in eliminating the undead threats but casting more than three spells in an hour was akin to going days without sleep.

Like Rapha and Marach, the boys were able to use their special abilities without needing to draw on mana, though skinwalking was taxing psychologically as they would often begin to take on the traits and characteristics of the direwolf or grumpkin if their consciousness stayed within the creatures too long. With Jojen controlling Comet the crimson beast was able to climb up a sturdy pine while carrying Summer.

She knew that she was the best Stormrider for this quest. Not only was she able to hear the voice clearly, she knew that it was not a threat to her or the others. Ramza did not trust voices for he fought against the Lucavi's voices and their honeyed promises. To him the unseen voices were most likely Lucavi or at least inhuman in origin and because of that he did not trust them.

Having spent time as something other than a human Reis knew that she had a different perspective on what it meant to be human and non-human. It also helped that she could sense and differentiate between most of the various mystical and magical energies. Ramza was correct in realizing that the Holy Stones were tools of the Lucavi, but they could also be tools for other beings as well. Marach had been resurrected by a mysterious being who had used the Holy Stone and he was no possessed by a Lucavi.

It was because of that incident that Ramza allowed Alma, Reis, and Rapha to study the stones. Even in this world the stones radiated power, though it was more along the lines of the power that had brought Marach back than the energies of the Lucavi. Was this world the origin of those other beings?

There were some similarities between this world and their own world, but there were several differences as well, just as there had been differences between their world and Cloud's world.

Reis did not regret leaving Ivalice, none of the Stormriders did. Most of them had left friends and in some cases family behind, yet they all understood that they were no longer needed there nor did they belong there. The secrets that they carried with them would simply endanger those that they cared about. The lure of exploring a new world had been enough for them to follow Ramza through the portal.

Here in Westeros she felt a thrill she had not felt since she and Beowulf had first begun courting each other. Freed from the restrictions of the institution that had replaced the Church she was able to explore the changes that had resulted from her transformations. Like Brann and Jojen she enjoyed the flow of this world's magical and mystical energies. This trip beyond the Wall allowed her to enjoy her fate as a Dragonkin as she had never before.

With the boys safely perched in the trees overhead she glanced at Meera. The young girl nodded, sure that they were out of sight of the boys. They were young, not even 10 years old, but over the past few days it was clear that they were slowly beginning to notice the differences between men and women. Brann in particular had begun to take an interest in Meera, while Jojen was merely curious about the changes that Reis was undergoing. Perhaps it was her own upbringing that prompted her to wait for the boys to be out of sight before she stripped off her clothes and hand them to the young girl.

The cold of the North did not bother her, though it was not the most enjoyable sensation. She was not sure if the changes were quicker because she had become more accustomed to them or because there was more power in the North, but where there had once been a beautiful naked woman stood a massive, powerful iridescent dragon. In this form she was three times the size of Comet. Her wings were powerful enough to bear the grumpkin's weight if need be.

Everything about this form screamed out to her of the power at her disposal. Her for-legs alone were longer than Comet's entire body, her neck and tail could easily wrap around the grumpkin and crush him if need be.

A single bound was all she needed to clear the tree tops, giving her the space needed to spread her massive wings to catch the cold air. A few beats brought her into the clouds, the freezing air doing little more than frosting her thick scales. For now she would be able to enjoy her dragon form and use it to her advantage.

Eddard

The early spring was far warmer than Eddard preferred though he knew that he would face even warmer weather once summer arrived in the Crownlands. In the north he did not need to have his milk or wine chilled as there was always ice and snow around even in the summers, but here ice was a luxury that was necessary to keep a few essential foods preserved. For anyone else the chill of the early spring would have necessitated the use of many logs of wood and a blazing fire in the fireplace. The only flames in his room belonged to the candles that stood along the table and desk.

With the Queen's Tourney over nearly all of the nobles and their knights had left the city, leaving only the local nobles and members of the small council behind. With the crowning of a new queen and the anointment of a new heir for the Lannisters the other nobles were now quickly regrouping and taking into account their positions. The Lannisters were consolidating their power backing their new heir while pledging their loyalty to the king when they announced that the newly knighted Ladd Lannister (formerly of the Stormriders) was engaged to Janei Lannister.

"Your lady wife's sister plans to marry," the dark skinned assassin's voice stated. Word of Lysa's engagement to Lord Baelish had been overshadowed by the Lannister wedding, though there were a multitude of other marriages announced and even more proposed while the nobles had gathered in King's Landing. "Lord Baelish intends to send Little Robert to foster with Lord Bolton."

"What?" he hissed in astonishment. He had yet to confront the Master of Coin for misleading him and Catelyn about the attempt on Bran's life, but now he feared that he had given the man too much time to set up other plans and ploys. Clearly he was trying to build alliances for when he fled the capital. "How did you discover this?"

"I cannot divulge my sources," Malach stated.

Fighting the urge to turn back and glance at the young man, Eddard continued glancing at the men training below. A score of the young prospects whom wanted to join the Stormriders were training with his own men under the supervision of Wilfrid and Jory. The threat of war may have diminished but it had not been removed completely. Word from the sailors and merchant ships that had crossed the sea was that the young princess had taken in the Imp and the Kingslayer's inbred bastard children, and was amassing an army.

"I trust that you can deal with Lord Baelish," the Stormrider's secret keeper suggested.

Eddard nodded once, "What of the exiled princess?"

"Ramza rides to Dorn."

"With less than a score of your brothers and sisters, most of them raw recruits – what can they do?"

"I have learned to trust Ramza, you should too."

By the time that he turned around the Stormrider was gone with no trace of him having ever been in the Red Keep. Scowling, Eddard made his way down the tower. Though Malach had vowed that the keep's many secret passages had been sealed off, the Stormrider was still able to breech the walls as though he were little more than a shadow himself. Anyone else would have been unnerved yet Eddard had grown to trust the Stormriders despite the fact that they were not as forthright as he desired. He had not choice really as one of his sons was now amongst their number and one of his daughters wished to join their ranks as well. If he did not trust the troop he would not have allowed either to even entertain the thought, Bran's legs be damned.

Today marked the first time since the Royal Wedding that Robert had begun training with the full complement of Kingsguard and tonight the first time he dined with any members of the Small Council and would likely be the ideal opportunity for Petyr and Lysa to announce their pending nuptials and plans for Robert's care.

As he strode through the yard several of his men fell into step behind him. Most had been training rigorously with the Stormrider trainees but they knew that their duty was to the Hand of the King – they would no longer allow him to walk out of the Red Keep unaccompanied. "Where to my lord?"

"The Palace," he replied. With but a nod in reply Jory set the men into motion. The stable boys had their mounts ready before he and his escort were within sight of the building. "How goes the training?"

"The Stormriders and the Night's Watch got the best, but boys we got aren't too far behind," Jory stated. "They're a bit soft when it comes to the cold, but they'll learn quick enough."

Eddard smiled. With war averted the many young men who had come to the capital had little left to do but sign up with a noble house. The two Melees and the Tourney provided them with ample opportunity to prove themselves, though few managed to do that more than the Stormriders. Nearly a quarter of the three hundred who had participated in the Squire's Melee had taken the black and a score had taken the gray, leaving half the field looking for a house to serve. He counted himself fortunate to have acquired the dozen that he had, sending them back north with Sir Rodrick and taking an equal number of the youths that had ridden south with the Stormriders to attend the Royal wedding. The youths had marveled at the size of Winterfell and White Harbor but were now enthralled by King's Landing. He could only hope that they got over things soon.

"Stay and watch over the boys," he ordered Jory. "Tom and the others should be able to accompany me to Palace."

Though it was hours before dusk there were long shadows as the walls and towers blocked out the sun, forcing those within the city to rely on torches. Eddard was used to the torchlight as Winterfell saw less light than the southern cities and fires were common even on the brightest of days as the men and women sought warmth while dealing with the cold.

Judging by the color of the sky above it was nearly sunset when he arrived at the palace.

"Ned!" his friend called out to him as he crossed the courtyard. Despite the late hour Robert was still training with his brother-in-law Lorace. It was a surprise to see that Renly and Eric had both joined in on the sparring and training their dark bangs were plastered to their heads.

Eddard smirked. In the months since the failed assassination attempt his friend had gone from a fat and lazy king to something more, yet noticeably less. This was not the same man whose squires had been unable strap on his gorget and armor – no this was more akin to the man who had fought fiercely on the Trident against the mad prince. Layers of fat had been trimmed almost as expertly as any butcher might trim the fat and lard off of an over-fed pig. Robert and Renly looked nearly identical save for the coloration of their armor and the weapons that they brandished. Clearly Robert's training was paying off.

"Renly, I did not know that you had a son!"

The gathered men laughed though Eric seemed lost at the jest.

"It's me, dammit!" Robert snarled playfully as he embraced Eddard. Strong but tired arms nearly crushed the breath out of the northerner. "Come to work up an appetite?"

"Come to take you to your bath," he replied as he pulled away from the man. It was clear that there were several dents in the armor from the practice weapons but there were a good number on each of the participants and especially on Eric. "It is good to see you training hard again."

"I can't let these whelps show me up all the time," the King replied. "I hope to actually win the next tourney and prove to everyone that I am still the mightiest warrior in the land."

Turning to the gathered knights Robert offered them a gracious bow before leaving them behind in favor of Eddard's company.

"You look to be half the man you were compared to the man who asked me to be his Hand," Eddard stated.

"Aye," Robert flashed a grin, "that man needed a hand for everything. Now I've got softer, prettier hands to look forward to each night. Though I'll still need you as my Hand when I'm enjoying my new Queen."

Despite it all Robert was still a man consumed by his carnal desires. At least this Queen seemed to keep that part of him in check. "Loras seems to enjoy beating some sense into you whenever your eyes stray."

"That he does," his friend sighed. "It's tricky enough with Gendry and Eric around, but the Tyrells seem intent on making an honest man of me."

"Is that a bad thing?"

The mighty man beside him paused a moment then sighed, "I suppose not. I feel more alive now, especially when I'm sparring against Loras and the others, and the sex"

"I don't want to know," Eddard proclaimed as he held up his hand. "I'm sure it's good, but I don't want to know."

"Are you sure?" Robert teased. "With one son in the Knight's Watch, another in the Stormriders, and a daughter interesting in taking the gray, why not beget another child? Catelyn is still young… Besides, when our children marry I'd rather that it be one of Margery's than one of the others. If Arya takes the gray that leaves only Sansa and she's nearly Margery's age. I can't have my son marry a woman that much older than him."

It was Eddard's turn to pause, nearly missing his step as the two ascended the stairs. "The Queen's with child?"

Robert gave him a sly smirk, "We believe so, but we are not certain yet."

"It is welcome news," Eddard said as he congratulated his friend.

They spent the rest of the walk up to the King's chambers reminiscing about their time fostering under John Aryn and how neither one of them could have imagined then the lives and role they were currently living now. "It does worry me though," he finally said as they reached the top of the stairs.

"What worries you?" Robert asked as he took note of the change in Eddard's tone.

Lord Stark shook his head somberly, "To see how John's son has been become such a sickly thing. I know that the new Grand Maester has examined the boy but Lysa is content with her own Maester tending to little Robert."

"Aye," Robert replied gruffly. "I offered to have him fostered before they fled King's Landing following John's death but your wife's sister rebuffed me."

Eddard nodded, "She was concerned about the Lannisters, and rightly so. Their gold bought many, even a Grand Maester and several of the King's Guard. But now that Tywin has sworn himself to you things have improved. I hear that Lysa has been spending many evenings dining with our Master of Coin, though she has had many other suitors as well. She is still young, and though she was not able to conceive another child with John, it might be possible for her to have more children should she decide to wed again."

"You think that she'll marry again?"

Eddard nodded, "It is likely. While you appointed John's closest of kin to oversee the Vale until young Robert is old enough to take up his father' mantle, there are many in the Vale and elsewhere who might see this as an opportunity to make their own claims on the Vale as well. Lysa is still grieving from the loss of her lord husband, and though I am loathed to admit it, Robert is a sickly boy."

While many might claim that Robert was not a clever man, he was not one to miss the crumbs that Eddard had lain out for him. "If she marries I will see to it that Robert is put under your care. You are the boy's uncle and you were raised by his father too."

Eddard bowed his head, accepting the King's decision. Left unsaid was the fact that Robert knew that his friend had led him to this conclusion. Neither man was much for scheming and plotting, but with the events of the past few months it was clear that they were starting to see and accept that there were others out there who were making moves from the shadows.

A/N

I think I'll leave things here for now.

Dreamingfox