Chapter 12

A/N Game of thrones does not belong to me! It belongs to George R.R. Martin and the producers of the show.

Jon was quickly walked down the hallway, following the girl who had introduced herself as Anna, whom was walking rather quickly, Ghost right at his heels.

"The soldiers chambers are at this side of the castle, the servants chambers are nearby and tomorrow you will be shown the mess hall and will be directed as to where you are and are not allowed to sit. The soldiers chambers are separate from the guards chambers as you both have separate duties, the soldiers mainly consist of the men Lady Everra returned with her from Essos, the guards are mostly the men she left behind from when she first went to Essos, she only took a few hundred with her, none of them except one came back."

They past by two soldiers standing near the entrance of the corridor that had numerous closed doors, sounds that Jon could not identify, a language that he could not understand was being spoken and loudly. Jon noticed that the two men had tattoos on their left cheeks. They were rather small and Jon vaguely remembered someone telling him, Robb and Theon about how slaves in Volantis had tattoos on their cheeks, he just couldn't remember which side. If they were slaves however, what were they doing here?

Noticing Jon's startled expression, Anna added quietly, "Don't worry about them, they won't touch you unless Lady Everra commands them too, which chances are she will not."

Jon swallowed nervously as his eyes widened slightly at this remark and he had paused for a moment, the shock of leaving home finally getting to him.

Anna stooped walking when she realised he was no longer behind her and turn back to look at him standing there, his eyes widened and realised what her comment must have sounded like.

She took a few hesitant steps towards him but not close enough for him to reach out and touch her and said, her voice small but firm, "I am sure you will do fine Jon, she will not hurt you."

Jon nodded and then they continued on in silence, the air heavy. When they finally reached the door that led to Jon's new room Anna turned to face him and said, " This is the room for the new….. apprentices. Since you are the first, the room shall be rather empty and bare. Lady Everra wished for me to tell you if you had any questions for her for you to make sure it is of the utmost importance."

Jon had a slight feeling that there was more to what she had to say and looked down at Ghost, suddenly feeling desperate and panicked. They could not take Ghost from him, he would not let them.

Anna smiled softly, but it was weak and did not have its desired affect on Jon, "Since you are the first and only person to stay in these chambers your… pet, will be allowed to stay with you. But Lady Everra has told me to warn you that chances are that will not be for very long."

Jon had to bury down the impulse down the impulse to step protectively infant of Ghost and settled for nodding in false agreement, better to have the appearance of acceptance then panic.

"Thank you Anna," he said, not bothering to return her hesitant smile.

Anna nodded and bit her lower lip, looking up at him nervously, "I wish you the best of luck Jon." Then she hurried away from him, her small frame slowly disappearing from his sight until he was left alone.

Jon pushed the large wooden door open and was greeted to the sight of several empty wooden beds lined up on either side of the room, with wooden chests placed at the bottom of each bed, presumably for clothing and equipment. Ghost rushed forward excitedly and leaped on top of one of the beds, settling down comfortably.

Jon sighed softly and hurried in, shutting the door behind him. There was only one lone bed which was made and it so happened that there was only one candle lit up in the whole room and suddenly Jon missed Winterfell so much he could hardly even breathe.

What had he done? He thought to himself. I left my home, my brothers and sisters, Bran, for a woman he did not even care for. Maybe he could return to Winterfell soon but then everyone would think of him as a coward.

Jon walked over to his bed and sunk down on it, the fight leaving him. All he wished to do now was rest and hopefully all of this madness would leave him by first light.

Everra stared down at the small piece of paper in her hand, satisfied. Reports had come from Kings Landing, all the men had settled suitably in their respective households, just as she had hoped for.

Everra stood up from her chair and made her way to the front of the fire and tossed the paper into it, she could not risk anyone finding it. The gods knew Maester Liwin and Lord Edwin were suspicious of her already, she could not risk having them fining out what she was up too.

She paced up and down the room, Andromache observing her from her position near the fire. It was late into the night and most of the castle was dead except from the lone light coming from her study. When she had returned from her chambers after she had left the study well later in the day, Daavos had left, returned presumably to his chambers.

She sighed loudly at the thought of the days earlier events, she did not like her past, for obvious reasons but one of the reasons she did not like to speak of it because it held no importance to her anymore. She had experienced monstrous things both from her father and mother but she hardly remembered most of her childhood, the vague things she remembered she witnessed happening everyday. That violence and hatred was embedded into her now, it was a part of her and trying to deny that was weak. If there was one thing Everra hated it was being weak.

Everra poured herself a glass of wine and finished it in a matter of seconds. Lord Edwin had made a valid point to her though, perhaps bringing Starks bastard had been a large miscalculation. It was too late though now, she had brought him here and he did play a vital part in her future plans.

She sat back down in her chair and gazed at the various maps she had pulled out, which were covered in landmarks. She bit her lip and frowned at the sight, still slightly unsure of the plan.

The men from the blood mountains had also reported back to her before she had left for Winterfell, they said that Stormer had told them they still had high food and water supply that would last them for the next few months but Everra was still wary. A lot could happen in a few months, but she had prepared for months on end for this war and for the time leading up to it.

Everra leaned forward slightly and dragged one of the landmarks from one side of the map to another and let out a small dark chuckle at the random thought of how many people had to die for her- for them- to win this war. Assuming they did win of course. She just had to make sure that Robb did not play the honourable fool as he did the previous time, her winning the war relied solely on his cooperation and Everra knew fully well of his methods and tactics. While Everra did acknowledge that the young wolf had exceptional and surprising skill in terms of the battlefield, he was an honourable and self righteous fool when it came to politics, it was after all, what mad him lose the war the first time around. That and love of course.

Love, Everra mused as she gazed down at the maps, what a troubling and foreign idea. The only person Everra ever loved in her life was her mother and her mother was dead. In Everra's mind love was a nuisance, she saw no particular value to it, she loved her mother and that was enough. Love got you killed and Everra had not plans of dying anytime soon, it was a simple deduction that even the most simple minded of people could figure out.

Everra shook her head slightly, and started to gently slide the maps back into their empty chests, deciding that she had had enough for one night. When she was finished she poured herself another glass of wine but this time took her time finishing it, she was not that eager to rest.

Her dreams and thoughts were plagued with the riddle the woman had sent her. She hated riddles, they frustrated her immensely and this one proved to be the worst. Who was the person who made the falcon fall from the sky?

Everra did not know, but she planned to find out. Sooner rather than later.

Jon awoke to the feeling of cold water splashing against his face and he sat up quickly with a large yell.

"What-!" Through his teary eyed Jon noticed something large and white leap onto the male infant of him and he yelled, "Ghost! Stop!"

Ghost immediately leap off the male and sat next to Jon, still alert and aggressive towards the male whom was now rubbing his forearm. Jon rubbed at his eyes and glared up at the man, intimidated and slightly frightened.

The male was tall and slim but with large muscles with a large scar on is left arm, reaching from his shoulder till his elbow. He had short black hair and a clean smooth face, which was looked solemn but firm. Jon immediately had the sense that this man knew what he was doing, whatever that was.

"I am YoungBird. You must be Snow. Get dressed."

Jon nodded, still startled at the sudden wakening. He hurried up out of the bed and tugged his tunic over his head, reaching for a new one. When he was finished, YoungBird assessed him briefly and then exited the room, motioning for Jon to follow.

Jon followed him hesitantly, shutting the door behind him. YoungBird had stopped mid through the hallway and Jon noticed how silent the corridors were and his cheeks warmed as he realised that he may have overslept.

"Slacking will not be tolerated, Snow. The Lady Everra will not tolerate it, neither will I. I will take you to eat, a beginner training on an empty stomach is no good."

Jon had the urge to tell him that he was indeed not a beginner and who did he think he was telling him that when he realised that he was not at winter fell anymore. He no longer had any position that needed any form of respect, despite him being a bastard he was always addressed with respect by the household but not here.

Jon nodded obediently and followed him, eager to discover more about his new home.

Everra shifted in the bath, enjoying the feeling of the warm water against her skin. Anna was removing the sheets from her bed, humming quietly. Everra would never admit it aloud, but she admired the girls ability to be cheerful, even though it was a quality Everra never wished to have.

"What do you have planned today my lady, if you don't mind me asking?" Anna asked, her back turned.

Everra paused for a moment and then said, "I have several thing planned today Anna, it would seem that my duties have finally caught up to me." Everra knew that there was more she wished to ask and waited patiently until Anna finally asked.

Anna let out a weak chuckle and then she turned around, her arms full with Everra's bedsheets and she carefully walked towards the large empty bucket which she placed on the floor and carefully placed the sheets in them.

"May I ask what you plan to do with Jon?" Anna said, her voice filled with worry. She turned to face Everra and Everra was slightly amused at the poorly concealed worry and panic on the young girls face.

"I do not see how it is your concern Anna," Everra replied, her voice cold.

Anna flushed slightly and then said, "My apologies my lady, he just seemed like a nice man, I do not wish him ill."

Everra's mouth opened slightly as she observed the girl standing a small distance away from her and her voice sounded cold but something akin to amused as she said, "Anna do you fancy him?"

Anna's cheeks turned a bright red as she vehemently denied it, exclaiming, "My lady no I do not, I just… he seemed like a nice men and I know there aren't that many nice men around these parts my lady. He was kind to me."

Everra's eyes were cool and emotionless as she observed the girl and she quickly said, "This is not one of those love stories Anna that your mother may have told you when you were young. Those nice men do not exist and if they do, they die before their first child leaves their mothers womb."

Anna nodded, her eyes sad as she turned away from her, a tear streaming down her cheek but Everra did not feel bad for speaking as she did. What she said was the truth, regardless of whether or not Anna or anyone else liked it.

Jon walked quickly behind YoungBird, though he couldn't help taking in the brilliant structure of the castle, with its startling colour. The castle was filled with various types of characters, several of which Lady Everra had brought with her to Winterfell and some similar to the men he had seen the previous night.

YoungBird had given a brief detailing of the castle and where to and not to go, all the feast halls and mess halls were on the ground floor, same as the guards chambers, the soldiers chambers, the households chambers and various other chambers of which he had not even remembered.

His stomach was growling furiously, making Jon eager to finally eat. It seemed agonisingly long to make their way to the mess hall. When they finally arrived, the hall was partially empty, with only a few random people scattered around along with a man standing in the middle of the hall conversing with Maester Liwin. Jon had not met him yesterday and was curious as to whom the man was.

YoungBird had stopped briefly at the sight of them before continuing on down the hall towards a spot were a cold plate of food was awaiting but before they could sit down a voice called out to Jon, "So you must be Ned Starks son," the man said, his voice cold and disdainful and he said the word son as though it were something vile.

Jon turned to face the man and noticed that both YoungBird and Maester Liwin seemed slightly surprised at the mans hostility.

"Yes I am, my lord, it is a pleasure to meet you," Jon replied as politely as he could and then man in turn nodded stiffly.

"Jon how are you finding RedRun so far?" Master Liwin asked in an attempt to sooth the hostile air.

"Everything has been perfectly well, Maester, thank you for your concern."

They all stood there rather awkwardly and Jon met the mans cold and hateful glare with a rather confused glance, he had no clue as to what he had done to this man, he did not even know whom this man was.

Just as the man opened his mouth to speak once more an authoritative voice cut him off, "Lord Edwin, Maester Liwin I am sure the both of you most excuse Jon, it appears he is late for his training."

They all turned around at the sight of Lady Everra standing a small distance away from them, her panther at her side and her hands clasped behind her back. She took a few steps towards them and Jon noticed her threatening gaze at Lord Edwin, whom was standing there uncomfortably, his eyes hateful.

"As you wish my lady," Lord Edwin said mockingly and he strode away from them without another word and they all glanced warily at Lady Everra, wary to see her reaction. She was standing there, jaw tightened and eyes cold and said, "Excuse Lord Edwin, it would seem he is rather ill and not himself. He usually does not act like a child."

Jon noticed YoungBirds mouth curling upwards slightly and how even Maester Liwin seemed rather surprised at her reaction.

"Now if you will all excuse me, I have important matters to attend too."

Then she turned swiftly and stalked out of the hall, her panther right at her heels.

Everra stood in front of the door for a few moments, her arm raised hesitantly. There is no need for hesitance she snapped at her herself and proceeded to push the door open and was met with the sight of a hungover Daavos sitting on the edge of his bed, his face snapped upwards, startled.

She calmly stepped into the room and shut the door, her eyes cool and observant. Daavos stared at her silently, not quite knowing what to say.

Everra clasped her hands together as she observed him and surpassingly felt close to relived at the sight of him.

"I thought you left," she admitted and even though her voice was cold there was a tiny amount of vulnerability in her words.

"Never," he replied, his grey eyes honest and warm but tired too.

"I'm… glad that you did not."

Daavos replied, his voice filled with amusement, "I knew from when I first met you that I would be loyal to you until my last day on this earth. I do not intend to stop now."

"I was ten and three when you met me," she said, her eyebrows raised.

Daavos chuckled slightly and said, "You have done things which disgust me, my lady, but we live in a world were we have to do disgusting things to survive-"

"Do not do that Daavos," she snapped, her vulnerability gone.

"Do what?" he questioned, his voice confused.

"Do not try to justify my actions, what I did, what I have done and what I will continue to do is inexcusable and monstrous. I know that perfectly well Daavos, trying to myself or others otherwise would be putting of the inevitable realisation that most of the things you do to 'survive' are not actually for survival, you did the things you did because you wanted too. I killed my father because I wanted him to pay, I wanted to see the life leave his eye and watch as the blood drained out from his body. I wanted him to suffer.I wanted to avenge my mother, like my house words; blood must have yes while my father may have been a monster, he was a good warrior and an intelligent man. He was a drunk towards the end of his life but he did teach me something though, never apologise for the monster you become because no one will ever apologise for making you that way."

Her green eyes narrowed Daavos as she said, "A few days ago you were yelling at me because I was willing to let any innocent die if it served my purpose but now you are trying to excuse me murdering my father because he was a horrible man, because you see me as a victim. I am not a victim Daavos, my past is something I do not discuss because I see no value in discussing something that does not affect or bother me anymore. Not because it is a cry for help."

She meant it too, she was not a victim of anything, being a victim meant weakness and a Legrath is not weak. They are never weak. They followed one simple rule; Blood must have blood.

A/N Hello people! I for some bizarre reason really enjoyed writing this chapter, I hope you guys enjoy it, if you have any complaints or suggestions just let me know. Thanks so much for the response to last chapter, it means SO MUCH! :)

You guys are the coolest people ever! I hope you all liked the development of Everra, I kind of wanted to show the more complex side to her, Jon is hard to write though, but he is vital to the rest of the book. I know the pace is rather slow at the moment, but the story should kick off quite soon, I know how I want to end it and the more major events its just getting there thats the problem. Anyway, tell me your thoughts! Reviews are my motivators! (and are very much appreciated)!