Chapter 24

Ser Hyle Hunt

That night he found little sleep, the revelations revealed to them by Ser Richard were too much for him, the fact that the knight was still alive was a miracle to itself. His cousin Alyn was not as taken back as him, he was initially but after a long talk they had in his tent Alyn decided to put it off for tomorrow, saying that what occurred in the past does not matter now, that they need to focus at the task at hand, but Hyle could not let it go that easily.

If what was said is true then the bastard of Winterfell would in actuality be the rightful heir to the throne but Hyle still wasn't completely sure about it, the recent events in the realm casting doubts on Hyles mind. They already had one king that was said to have no claim to the throne and to be a bastard, this could easily be a similar situation. The lords all confirmed that the man that walked into the tent was prince Rhaegars former squire and he believed them as much but he wasn't so trusting of the resurrected knight.

What the man says could be true, but then why didn't lord Eddard keep him close, safe, tell the boy who he is, who his mother was, he was the boy's uncle after all but instead he raised the boy as his own bastard, and when the time came he sent him away. If lord Eddard had some kind of a plan to restore his nephew to power then he could have easily told the Tyrells and sent the boy to be fostered there to gain their support but he only did one of those things and not even fully.

Then there was the plan Ser Richard mentioned, the one lord Eddard foiled, what was their plan and could Eddard have known about it somehow. Sending the boy to the Baratheons would be too risky and the Lannisters were out of the question but the Tyrells were just close enough to them but far enough as well for there not to be any immediate danger for him. Could lord Eddard really have chosen Robert Baratheon over his own keen, raised his sisters and prince Rhaegars son as a bastard only so that his childhood friend could keep the throne, could the most honorable man alive turned out to be the greatest mummer in the seven kingdoms?

There were too many questions plaguing Hyle's mind and most weren't even about finding the lad, let alone the future. The lords seemed determent to do through with this, most had little love for the Tyrells and lord Tarly almost hates lord Mace with a passion. His cousin and he had said that they will follow whatever lord Tarly commands, they were his bannermen after all but Hyle was still uncertain. He wasn't an ambitious man, he did want a good wife and heirs but he knew that he would never get a lordship, Alyn is the heir of their family, he will receive the lordship of their family's lands once his father passes away, even if something is to happen to his cousin the next one in line would be Harlon Alyns brother who is on some ship only gods know where.

After hours of contemplation, Hyle started feeling the effects of tiredness, and after a cup of wine, he went to sleep. He was woken up what could only be two hours at most later by his cousin.

"Wake up cous, lord Tarly wishes to see us," Alyn said as Hyle opened his eyes and rose from his bed slowly.

"What time is it?" Hyle asked as he rubbed his eyes, he could feel the effect of little sleep on him.

"It's early hour of the eel, get dressed lord Tarly and the others are waiting for us," Alyn said and Hyle nodded. After quickly washing his face in a bowl of water and dressing Hyle followed Alyn to the commander's tent.

"Any news?" Hyle asked.

"Nothing major, only that some of our men say that they saw a rider leaving our camp in the night, going north."

"Ours?" Hyle asked.

"No, the men say that he had no sigil on him and that he came from where our new friend and his little company were staying." North from here were the Riverlands and up there were the northmen and the Stark boy but there were also a good amount of Lannisters there. If Richard had sent a messenger then he would most likely head for Riverrun. This was not something they had discussed doing, there was mention of who they could get on their side but it seemed that the knight of skulls and kisses was playing his own game at his pace.

Once the two of them reached the tent they entered to find everyone already there waiting for them, Ser Richard was sitting to lord Tarlys left, as he was taking his seat he met the knight's gaze.

"Now that everyone is here we can continue where we left off," Lord Tarly said. Hyle looked at the others present, both lord Tarly and lord Oldflowers looked like they had not slept at all during the night, Simon Ashford looked a bit better while his cousin and Bulwer both looked well-rested.

"Good, there are few things that interest me which I would like explained further," said lord Oldflowers as he looked at Richard.

"I will try to answer your questions as best as I can," ser Richard said, although Hyle could see that he was a bit reluctant.

"How did Tywin Lannister orchestrate the rebellion, getting that many lords and kingdoms to unite could not have been easy."

"It wasn't that hard actually, I don't think that what he got was exactly how he planned originally it but the rebellion happened never the less and he was the one who fueled its fires. He knew about the bond that Robert and Eddard had, they were raised together after all and Jon Arryn was the one who raised them. Robert was the heir to the Stormlands, lord Jon was already the ruler of the Vale, and Eddard was the son of the ruler of the North, if anything was to happen to him his father would have called his banners to aid his son."

"We know that," Ashford said calmly.

"I believe that Tywin originally intended to have a bigger role in the rebellion, he wanted to gain the support of the Martells by marriage between Ser Jaime and Elia but changed his mind due to the fact that the Dornish army would have to first break through the Reach to get anywhere near the rest of the future rebels and also Tywin was never known for his love of the Dornish unlike his wife, so he opted for the Riverlands. Ser Jaime was sent to Riverrun to meet with his potential bride to be, lady Lysa and also to deliver the letter to Lord Hoster."

"A letter?" asked Alyn.

"Yes, but I know not what was in it, I can only guess what lord Tywin wrote."

"So he would have four kingdoms beside his own, the plan still seems the same to me," said Bulwer.

"Six kingdoms actually," Richard said.

"Six?" Hyle, Alyn, Simon, and Lord Jon asked.

"Yes, Tywin also negotiated an alliance between himself and Quellon Greyjoy to gain the support of the iron fleet. If the Reach is too busy protecting themselves from an invasion they would not be able to send as many troops to aid the loyalists."

"But that didn't happen," lord Tarly said.

"Yes, the plan took a turn it seems when king Aerys named Ser Jaime to the kingsguard, with him at the king's side as a hostage, lord Tywin could not do anything directly, he would have to stay out of the rebellion at least until he could see the outcome. Lord Quellon mast have picked up on that and so he too stayed out of the war for its majority."

"That still doesn't explain how he has gotten the war to start in the first place," lord Jon said. "He did intercept letters sent by prince Rhaegar and lady Lyanna but how did he spark the fire."

"You all remember lord Brandon Stark, Lord Eddard's older brother," Richard said and everyone nodded.

"He was killed by the king when he came to the capital to demand the prince's head and the release of his sister," Bulwer said.

"That is true. Lord Brandon was the spark that was supposed to ignite the rebellion. He was on the Kingsroad chasing after Petyr Baelish when one of Lord Tywin's agents informed him of his sister's kidnapping by the prince."

"Baelish, what does this have to do with Baelish?" Hyle asked.

"At the time word at Riverrun and the surrounding area was that lord Baelish deflowered both of lord Tullys daughters, the senior one being his future wife and Brandon being who he was, he took that as an insult and rode after the man.

"So Brendon was supposed to inform his father that his sister had been kidnaped by the prince and that would have sparked a war but instead of doing that he rode straight to Kings Landing and got both himself and his father killed," Lord Jon said.

"That is correct," ser Richard said "but that only worked in Tywin's favor, without Brandon or their father, Eddard was now the lord of the North and Aerys was demanding his head. This assured that the North, Vale and the Stormlands would join together."

"And Hoster went through the plan but instead of Brandon and Jaime it was now Eddard Stark and Jon Arryn he married his daughters to," Tarly said and Richard only nodded.

"There is something else I wanted to ask," lord Jon said as he looked at Ser Richard with a careful gaze.

"Forgive me my lord but time is at the essence, I would gladly answer your questions if our king was here with us but he is not, we must find him and ensure his safety," Richard said but somehow Hyle doubted that the man would have given them more answers even if the king was here.

"Ser Richard is right, the king must be found. As I said yesterday Alyn, Hyle and Ser Richard with another fifty men would go south."

"Would that large of a band attract attention?" asked Simon.

"I have already sent smaller parties to look for the king under the pretense of looking for Ser Loras if anyone asks I will say that that's what you are doing and you will do the same. If you meet up with any of my men that are still looking you are free to take them with you," Lord Tarly said.

"As you wish my lord," Alyn said.

"Alyn, I'm putting you in charge of those men, they are some of my own guards, they can be trusted."

"Thank you, my lord."

"You are free to go, dismissed," Lord Tarly said but while everyone left the tent, even ser Richard, he stayed inside. Looked Tarly watched him with an inquisitive look in his eyes. "What is it Hyle?"

"Forgive me my lord but I'm having doubts about Ser Richard and the legitimacy of his claims. This all sounds too much, farfetched even. A single man to orchestrate the downfall of a dynasty, that is..."

"I have seen the boy, he is Rhaegars son, I'm sure of that and you can trust me with that. When it comes to what Ser Richard is saying, I'm inclined to believe him. Tywin Lannister is a dangerous man with plenty of resources and is not afraid to stoop to any low to get what he desires. He has gained his reputation for a reason."

"I know but Alyn says that a rider was seen leaving the camp last night, one of Ser Richards men."

"I'm aware of that, that is why I want you to watch over him during your journey. We might be allies but it seems we still don't fully trust each other," Tarly said and Hyle just gave him a nod and exited the tent, going to join Alyn and the rest of the riders.

Kings Landing

Petyr Baelish

They say that a small man can cast a very large shadow and in his case that was true. So far everything that worked according to his plan, the Starks and the Lannisters are at each other throats, he brought the Tyrells to the Lannisters to ensure that Stannis doesn't win and that Robb Stark doesn't attack the city with full force. The young king was both cruel and stupid, his mother not much better, all of that working in his favor. By whispering into the king's ear, he made sure that Eddard Stark would die ashamed and humiliated. The man who took Cat away from him doesn't deserve anything less. When he first found out that the woman he loved was promised to Brandon Stark he was devastated, when he learned of the fool's death by the mad king's hands he was overjoyed but once he heard that Eddard Stark had taken his brothers place his anger fumed. Although there was still a place in his heart for Cat, she is his first love, there was now someone better he set his sights on, someone younger and more beautiful.

There was nothing he could do about what happened in the past so he waited, bided his time and slowly he rose up the ladder while no one paid him much attention. Making sure that he was useful to everyone made his place at court secure. When the stupid king Robert wanted a tourney he made the funds for it appear even if lord Jon protested. Lord Jon even saw him as an ally, as a friend, the old fool.

Now he was going the same with the new king and the rest of his family, although Tywin was not Jon Arryn, he would have to approach this more carefully. Olenna Tyrell also posed interesting new development, the queen of thorns was not afraid to make moves in the open and cared little about what other people thought and said. Now according to what his spies tell him the old rose is digging her thorns into Sansa. At first, Sansa was refusing to be near the Tyrells but something changed, not she was spending more and more time with Margaery Tyrell and had had a meeting with both lady Olenna and lady Alerie. He didn't know what was exactly discussed, his spies not being able to get near enough but he could make an estimated guess. His agents had already spread the word of the king's behavior to the Tyrells what ever Sansa said could only benefit him in the long run.

Now as he was doing the final count of the crown's debts he could not help but feel pleased with himself, everything was going smoothly, just like he planed. The Stormlands are out of commission, soon the Riverlands and the North will be as well once the Lannisters deal with them and after that, he would have to deal with the leaders of the remaining families. Dorne was the only kingdom he could not influence but that didn't matter, they will stay where they are as they always have been and not interfere in his plans. The Vale will be the only kingdom left untouched and ready.

As he continued to think about his future prospects and possibilities his mind turned once more to the Tyrells. An interesting thing was that Ser Loras had gone missing after their little talk at Bitterbridge but some time after a rumor was heard that he lead a charge against Stannis's forces leading a host loyal to Renly, but after that, all traces of him vanish. Wherever he was going he was not helping his family and even if he did there was nothing he could do to interfere with his plans. The fact that Robar Royce had also got missing and that he was supposedly following Ser Loras did however did pick his interest. Ser Robar was the son of the second most powerful house in the Vale but he too was going away from here it seems so that did not bother him much.

Petyr closed the large leger book just as Ser Osney, the youngest of the Kattleblack brothers entered his solar in his brothel. Baelish poured them both a cup of wine and leaned back into his chair.

"My lord," Osney said, bowing his head slightly.

"What word do you bring me, my friend?" Petyr asked. Osney approached and took the wine glass and took a sip from it.

"The queen has given me the task of spying on lady Margaery, she is becoming more distrustful by the day."

"Good, anything else?"

"She wants to persuade her father to punish Ser Jacelyn Bywater for following lord Tyrion's orders by taking prince Tommen from lord Gyles Rosby and ser Boros Blunt and imprisoning them in the process," Petyr chuckled, Cersei was ready to remove anyone who even remotely disagreed with her but doing something like following her little brother's orders was almost a death sentence. Jacelyn is the former captain of the city watch, now its current lord commander. A man that he could never buy, Janos hated him, too rigid he said. Jacelyn is a man who was knighted by Robert after the siege of Pyke, a man to carried himself high and held to his honor like it was a shield. A man too much like Ned Stark. He was injured while fighting Stannis's forces, he did however managed to hold his men together successfully.

"And what about your brothers?"

"Besides fucking the queen," Osney said with a small smirk, "Osmund is currently on duty watching the king with Ser Meryn and Osfryd is trying to get some information from the Tyrells servants."

"And the imp?"

"So far nothing too important, he is only been talking with Bronn and Varys and Lord Tywin on several occasions."

"Interesting," Petyr said "Anything on the Tyrells?"

"Osmund and I had little contact with them apart from Osmund guarding the king and lady Margaery but Osfryd is working his way into their servants, gaining their trust."

"Gaining the trust of maids and serving girls you mean," Petyr said with a sly smirk.

"Yes," Osney replied.

"Tell him to make sure to succeed in his task, I will reward him handsomely to find out what the Tyrells are planning for Sansa Stark. Anything else that would of interest?"

"That is all that has happened from the last time I reported to you."

"Good," Petyr said as he stood up and walked towards the knight. "You are free to use my establishment, my friend, I'm grateful for your help," With that Petyr walked out of the solar, Osney following close behind, for several moments they walked together until the knight took one of his whores and entered an empty room. He continued to walk towards the other side of the brothel, once there he found the madam that he put in charge of his brothel. "How is our little student doing?"

"She is learning, she is more cooperative than before," she said as he looked through the window to see Jaine Poole laying on the bed.

Blackhaven

Loras

Blackhaven was a pleasant place and Ser Tristan a good host, he had given them food and shelter just before the rains started and thank the gods for the warm reception for if they weren't staying here they would have been soaked. He always hated rain, much preferring the normal sunny days they had in the Reach. The dinner to celebrate their arrival was small not like the feast the Hastys had arranged but then again that was also a celebration of a victory in battle.

From what he could gather about the Coles they were indeed loyal to Beric. Loras knew some of the family's history, one of them being the one who caused the Dance and supposedly there could also be some of them in the Golden company due to a Cole siding with Daemon Blackfyre during his rebellion if what Robar says is true. Ser Tristan was a decent enough man, quick to laugh but also sharp of mind, his son at first glance seemed to be a different story.

Philip was a serious sort, he barely spoke during the meal, only speaking when he absolutely had to, letting his father do most of the talking. Everyone time Loras looked at him, he had the same serious and a bit grim expression on his face, the same one he had when they first met on the road. The son looked to be the polar opposite of the father, the only thing they had in common it seems were their looks.

That night after they retired for the evening he was preparing to go to bed when his thoughts turned towards Jon. His friend has not completely been himself for some time now. When they left the Hasties Jon seemed like his normal cheery self but as days went on he became solemn, he barely slept and always seemed to be with his thoughts. Loras understood what Jons was going through, this war has not gone easy on anyone but Jon took the worst of it.

Loras opened the doors of his chamber and stepped out into the hall, he then made his way to the room which Jon was given. Opening the door he found his friend sitting on a chair looking through a window. Jon heard the sound of the door opening and turned his head around looking at Loras.

"Loras," Jon said a bit surprised, "Is everything alright?"

"I could ask you the same thing," Loras said as he closed the door.

"I fine," Jon said turning his head back to the window, a solemn look on his face.

"You forget you can't trick me that easily, I know when something is wrong with you remember. If it's about your father, sisters, or my sister you can tell me, you already did before."

"There is no reason for you to worry about it, I'm just still coping with everything that happened."

Loras watched Jon carefully, not speaking for a moment. "There is more to that, isn't there?"

After a moment of silence, Jon sighed, "Yes."

"Then what is it?" Loras said as he walked closer to Jon.

"The dreams, the nightmares are worsening, I can't close my eyes without seeing someone I care about suffer and die. I have seen my father, Sansa, Arya, Margaery, and even you die," Jon said as he put his head into his hands.

Loras put his hand on Jon's shoulder. "Those are just bad dreams, Jon. You have been under a lot of stress for a while now. It's understandable that you would feel worried and stressed out, who wouldn't be in this situation," Loras sighed, "This will all pass once we reach your brother."

"I don't know if it will," Jon said and Loras looked at him confused.

"What do you mean?"

"You are going to think me crazy if I tell you," Jon said.

"You can tell me, Jon, I won't think you crazy," Loras said, "At least not any crazier than you already are."

A single laugh escaped Jon's mouth. Jon lifted his head to look at Loras. "After we came to Summerhall, I had something, I don't know if it was a dream, or another nightmare or something else but it scared me, I started to think that I was losing my mind."

"What did you see?"

"I think I saw Winterfell, there were also some cities I never saw before, animals, and, and..."

"And what?" Loras asked impatiently.

"I could have sworn I heard a voice."

"Voices are heard in dreams all the time," Loras said.

"Aye but this one sounded different in some way, it… it told me to find Arthur Dayne."

"Ser Arthur is dead, your father killed him," Loras said.

"I know, I also saw Summerhall ablaze, people burning in the flames, screaming, begging for help. I could feel the heat of the fire like it was right next to me."

"It was just a dream Jon," Loras said trying to reassure his friend that he was not going mad.

"I want to believe that, but everything seemed so real like it was happening right in front of me." Loras looked at Jon with sympathy. When they heard him screaming loud enough to wake the dead, they tried to wake him with no success, It was about five minutes later that he finally woke. "You must think me mad."

"Listen I don't know what it was you seen or what that could be but know that I'm here for you, whatever it is we will get through it together. If you have trouble sleeping I can go to the maester and ask him for some dreamwine, that should be able to help you sleep better."

"That would be kind of you," Jon said.

"Alright, I'm going to fetch it for you," Loras said as he turned around and started walking towards the door.

"Loras," Jon said and Loras looked back at Jon, "Just don't tell the others about this, at least not yet, I don't want them to..."

"Yes I know, don't worry I won't, you have my word," Loras said and exited the room, going to find the measters quarters.

Jon

The dreamwine that Loras brought from the measter helped him have a good night of sleep for the first time in days, it was late in the morning when he finally woke up. He put his clothes on and started walking towards the door, opening it he found Philip standing there ready to enter.

"My father sent me to see if you are alright, the maetser told us about ser Loras's request," Philip said bluntly.

"I'm alright, nothing to worry about," Jon said.

"Good, now that you are up and about, you can have a meal in the hall, my father is there also," Jon didn't say anything to that, he just nodded his head and proceeded to walk to the great hall, Philip serving as his escort.

"Have Loras, Grenn and Robar woken already?" Jon asked.

Philip nodded, "They have, Ser Loras and Grenn and in the training yard and Ser Robar is somewhere in the castle, I'm not fully sure where."

"Good, thank you," Jon said to the serious man.

"We had a small incident involving your pets this morning," Philip said.

"My pets, you mean the direwolves?"

"Yes, they arrived at the main gates this morning, the archers almost shot them full of arrows but Ser Robar stopped them. He told us that they belong to you."

"That they do, one at least, the other one belongs to my sister."

"It doesn't matter to me whose they are as long as you keep them on a leash, there is a place for them in the kennels." Jon felt offended by the man's words, direwolves were not normal dogs, they were not supposed to be trapped in a cage, once was enough.

"I will not put them in a cage, they didn't cause any harm to you or to your men, they don't attack unless provoked."

"A beast like that should not be walking around freely."

"I let them go hunting sometime before we met on the road, I let them do so before and they always return. They don't attack people unless attacked first or I tell them to."

Philip grunted "Just keep your beasts in check while you are here," for the rest of the way to the hall they did not say a word to each other, walking quietly in silence and Jon preferred it, better silence than arguing. Once they came to the hall Philip left him and Jon proceeded to sit at the table where Ser Tristan was sitting with two more men. Tristan looked at him, then back to his men, he nodded and they left.

"Something wrong?" Jon asked.

"Nothing is wrong, just some of the guards that were on duty this morning. They are a bit scared by your wolves," the steward said with a playful smile.

"And you are not?" Jon asked.

"Of course I'm, those wolves are the size of horses, I'm not getting anywhere near them, no sir," Tristan said shaking his head.

Jon sat opposite of the steward. "Don't worry they won't bite, much," Jon said with a small smirk.

"My son has told you of what happened?"

"He has, he seemed pretty angry about it for some reason. Are you sure no one got hurt?"

"No one got hurt, Ser Robar stopped it just in time. We did hear a rumor that there were strange wolves with you and Renly, we heard that lord Robb has one as well. We thought it nonsense until this morning."

"They are not dangerous, at least not while they think that they are not in danger."

"I have told the castle guards and staff to stay away from them just in case," Tristan said.

"As you wish, probably better anyway," Jon said.

"I would ask you not to hold it against my son if he said anything, he is just a serious person who takes his duty very seriously and he cares for the safety of others in the castle."

"Don't worry, I won't, as I said, I understand the uneasiness seeing something like Ghost and Lady for the first time. Your son cared about the people, you must be proud of him."

"I'm, he is a good lad, braver than me that's for sure, "Tristan chuckled. "Puzzles and mind games have always been my favorite past time, while Philips is swinging a sword. I know how to wield a blade but no as good as him."

"Not everyone is born to be a fighter," Jon said.

"That's true. Not everyone is born to be like you or Lord Beric. Never the less we all must do our duty, big or small."

"Wise words Ser Tristan," The two made some more small talk until Jon's meal was brought to him. After the meal, Jon went to the training yard to find Loras and Grenn. The two were sparring, being Loras's turn to teach Grenn. They weren't the only ones, on the other side of the yard, Jon could see Philip with some of the castle guards practicing. Jon watched the two for a while, Grenn was getting better but Loras had much more experience and talent on his side and soon he disarmed Grenn.

"Not bad," Jon said while looking at Grenn, "You are getting better."

"Thank you," Grenn said while he was catching his breath.

"Tired already, we have another round left," Loras said with a smirk.

"Give me a moment, and I will kick you flowery ass to the dirt," Grenn said.

"Here drink this," Jon said as he handed both of them some water from a nearby table.

"Have you two seen Robar?" Jon asked.

"I think he is in his room, he broke his fast with us but returned there afterward," Loras said and Jon nodded. Jon let his two friends get back to their spar. Loras deflected the incoming blow with little effort, while fighting, he gave Grenn some pointers and corrected his movements. Loras much like himself preferred to use speed to strength but that was not the case with Grenn, who always seemed to rely on his brut strength in a fight. Looking back at the castle guards he could see that now Philip was watching them, a cold look in his eyes. He has seen that look before, mostly at tourneys and usually directed at him. It was the look of jealousy and disgust, for him that normally involved beating some highborn ass that did not know how to take losing well, but this was different, there was no clear reason for this man to feel like that towards him or them. There was something here that Jon wasn't aware of.

Jon could not hear the sound of swords clashing behind him anymore so he turned to look at his companions to see that they too were looking in the direction of the steward's son. An uncomfortable silence filled the ear while the four men looked at each other. Loras was the one to break the silence.

"Care for a spar?"

After a moment Philip responded "Indeed."

Cole moved his way towards Loras his sword in hand. Jon gripped Loras by the shoulder, Loras instantly moving his head to look at Jon. "I don't think this is a good idea Loras."

"Relax, it's just a spar," Loras said shrugging. Jon looked at his friend and then to the future opponent, for some reason he did no have a good feeling about this.

"Ready?" Cole asked.

"I was born ready my friend," Loras said with a smile and the spar began. Jon watched the fight carefully, it was Loras who made the first move and Cole blocked it. Soon blows were being exchanged quicker and quicker. Philip's footwork was sound as was his skill with a sword. Loras tried to attack from the right but his blow was parried. The two started circling around each other.

"Is that the best you got?" Loras asked with a smirk. Loras liked to provoke his opponents, to make them angry so they found fight harder and make a mistake, a tactic that didn't help him much in their last tourney but against the right opponent, it certainly will. "Come on show me what you got."

This seemed to work somewhat and Philip started fighting harder, with more ferocity. This was what Loras wanted but it almost got too much when Coles blade passed right in front of his face. Jon watched as Lorass expression changed from a smirk to one of seriousness.

"You got what you asked for Tyrell," Cole said.

"Good, it means that I don't have to hold back anymore."

Jon knew that as soon as Loras had said that that the fight was over, Cole was good but he knew what Loras is capable of when not messing around and he was right. The fight was over when Loras parried Cole's attack and then swept his feet from under him, putting the tip of his sword to the man's chest. Loras offered his hand to help Cole up but he only slapped it and rose to his feet on his own, all the while having an angry look in his eyes. He started walking away from Jon, Loras at the rest.

"If you are going to be such a sore loser then might I suggest you ask your mother and father to hire a better teacher, I would happily go for a rematch," Loras said. Cole stopped dead in his tracks while Loras started walking to where the sparing swords were kept. Before anyone realized it Philip was charging towards Loras, blade raized in the air. Loras had just enough time to look behind him and avoid the attack. Coles viciously attacked Loras as if he was trying to kill him, anger was plastered all over the man's face. As the blades continued to clash, Jon and some others went to intervene but were stopped by a voice coming from the entrance to the keep.

"Enough!" a loud voice was heard shouting, everyone stopped, including Philip and Loras, and looked at Ser Tristan. The steward was glaring at his son. Jon looked at the younger Cole whose look of anger was now being replaced by one of shame. "Inside lad, now!" Tristan ordered and Philip did as told, not looking at anyone, not even his father as he went past him. Tristan looked at his son with shame and after he entered the keep, the older Cole walked over to Loras and Jon, who was now standing next to his friend.

"Forgive me Ser Loras, I don't know what came over him."

"You should not have provoked him as much," Jon said to Loras.

"I might have said too much but how was I supposed to know that he would go into a fit of blind rage."

"What did you say to him?" Tristan asked, there was a hint of both worry and anger in his voice.

"Just some taunts to make him fight better until the end where I told him he should ask his parents for a better teacher."

Tristan sighed, Jon could see the sadness in his eyes. "My wife... Philip's mother died some eight years ago, my son has never come to terms with her death. It was hard for both of us, especially for a small boy like him."

"I'm sorry Ser Tristan I didn't know," Loras said.

Tristan shook his head, "Of course you didn't, there was no way for you to know."

"I'm sorry, truly, I will go to apologize to your son immediately."

"I don't think that now is the right time, I suggest you let him cool down a bit and then do so," Tristan said and Loras nodded.

AN: Response to the reviews for the previous chapter:

Supermus85: I'm glad you like the idea, technically Tywin is not evil, he is just the man who whats to keep his family on top.

Force smuggler: I was choosing between Richard and one other character but in the end, Richard seemed like a better choice. The letter and Tywins plot will be expanded upon in the future chapter even from his own perspective. The Dorne plot will have two parts, the one they are doing now and a later Martell part.

BioHazard82: Thanks, glad you like it.

hateme101: Honestly it was kinda logical if Robb loses the Tyrells stay in power.

Prince Loki Stark: I'm happy you found it and like it.

Guest: Your opinion is your own, I know the story is not perfect but is what it is. I'm glad you like the rest of it.

denolodn: The updates should be more frequent now, I got more free time on my hands.

Lyra: That is to be seen in the future chapters.