authorsnote: as always enjoy
aiming for monthly updates at the moment and fairly on track
songrecs: The Pointy End -GOT Season 1
'You kill men for the wrongs they have done, not the wrongs that they may do someday'
- Ser Barristan Selmy to Skahaz mo Kandaq
-x-
The next morning showed the duel had far higher consequences than Jon had anticipated.
Jon had hoped to get away with just a frosty look from Loras, a glare from some Tyrell soldiers in the corridors and some unsettling flirtatious looks from some women at dinner that had turned his cheeks red, but no, they were more far reaching than that
When did life become so complicated?
And why did Jon find it easier to slay Wights and charge into battle than deal with court politics?
As he sat down to break his fast the next morning, Robb by his side, their wolves at their feet (a very effective tool for keeping disgruntled Southerners away), Jon was shocked as the King stumbled in, already clutching a mug of beer, laughed, and then turned to the busy hall at large.
"It's time we had some proper fighting around here!" He practically roared, Jon felt just a twinge of sympathy for the man, especially as he looked above his head:
Player!
Robert Baratheon
King of the Seven Kingdoms
Level: 35
HRS: STR
Relationship:
The King is an example that you can lose levels! Be warned…
But felt an equal surge of rage, this man had killed his real Father, it was silly to feel angry, for what could be done about it now? And the King didn't even know, but he did feel it all the same.
But he was not a boy, there was no justice here, they'd met on the battlefield fair and square, even though the circumstances around the war and battle had been confused (not all of them), there was no vengeance to be had.
He could only see a man, heartbroken and falling apart, and it stirred pity as much as anger.
Still he felt a pang for what he'd never had, for a Mother, and a life not marred by being a bastard, but in equal measure he imagined in his different life he would have Robb, or be raised to be a good man by Eddard Stark, and perhaps wouldn't have the means he had now to save Westeros and perhaps the World.
The Kings words jerked him back to the present, "We've got some proper fighters from the North!" Oh no; "And to celebrate their arrival there will be a tourney in one week!"
The King moved over to them, and Jon knew all eyes, even as the King clapped his hand on Robbs shoulder as the guest of honour, that all eyes were on him.
Great.
PERK!
Bullseye
You've made a name for yourself! Add 1 CHA but be cautious it's not always a good thing, time to start shaping your name and reputation…
UNLOCKED: Local Reputation and Notoriety.
Local Reputation as it sounds, determines your reputation in a local area, such as Kings Landing, Winterfell, etc. This reputation is shaped by two areas: the Noble folk, Lords, Ladies etc, and then the common folk. Both are equally important, you must have the support of the common people, but also the nobility, it is a fine line to walk!
Notoriety is how well known you are in a local area, and that will directly effect your Local Reputation, after all, how can you garner a reputation if you are not well known?
You must balance both, in some areas you may wish to remain a mystery, in others you'll need to be a familiar face, everything in life is a balancing act, as is this!
Allyships with local Lords and Ladies, significant events, relationships with locals and more will shape these scores.
Local Reputation is not scored on numbers, but on a scale, there are different possible 'titles' under your reputation, are you a local thug? A beloved King? This reputation may even effect your nickname in a local area!
Notoriety is on a scale of 1-10, the higher the score the more notorious you are. At 1 you are unknown, at 10 almost everyone will recognise your name if not your face. This can go up and down and likely will swing back and forth and remember this is by local area! You may be a 1 in Dorne, and a 10 in Wintertfell or vice versa!
-x-
You must travel to your local area to determine your Local Reputation and Notoriety, but we will give you these two as an example:
Winterfell:
Local Reputation: Loyal Bastard
Notoriety: 9/10, Known by All, Ignored by Some
-x-
Kings Landing:
Local Reputation: Bastard Northerner
Notoriety: 2/10, Virtually Unknown
Remember, these scores can go up and down, it is not always good to be well known but you must balance! Best of luck!
Nicknames will be unlocked at Level 7.
He was thankful that the King was still waffling on about fighting and tourneys, and though people were looking at him, he was able to keep his expression stoic as he read the information the book put in front of him, the silver letters taking up the air in front of his face, and as they vanished (and he knew he'd need to re-read it all later, it had been a lot, with a lot of implications), the King laughed again, clapped Rob's shoulder, and then his (none too lightly), before moving on, though people continued to look at the two Northerners with wolves at their feet.
"Am I fucked?" Jon asked then, to break the tension, but also because it felt true.
"I'd say so" Robb said, with a smirk, but there was a serious hint to his tone, and Jon just nodded, and gave a wry smile.
"Though so"
Yes, fucked.
Later that week he got acquainted with just how fucked he was.
Jon, as well known as he was in Winterfell had still been ignored by a fair few people for his bastard status, he had been able to go as he pleased, able to slink off to the training yard, or to hide in the woods for a few hours when Lady Catelyn was being particularly mean. Here in Kings Landing, especially after his duel with Loras, it felt like he was constantly being watched.
Not by Margaery, she was ignoring him now which he tried not to let bother him, Lady Myrcella had said hello to him twice in the corridors with a grin before her guard had moved her on, and that had cheered him. He and Robb still took Ghost and Greywind hunting in the Kingswood every other morning to talk in private, and get their wolves out and about, and he spoke regularly with the Northern contingent of their guard who were on alert. That was all normal, relatively.
But it was the looks he'd get as he walked through the corridors he didn't like. Ladies' eyes lingered on him, men looked him up and down, he hadn't ran into Prince Joffrey yet (and was glad for it), but dreaded the thought, he could hardly backhand him when he no doubt got cruel.
Not that Jon would allow himself to be mistreated, but he knew he had to be diplomatic, even if he felt the Prince could use a good punch to put his head straight (though perhaps it was already beyond that).
As the week wore on Jon was desperate to get away from everything, he did not like having people looking at him, he almost laughed at himself for that, all his whining about being a bastard, but it had been a very effective shield, here people sneered at him for it, but were more intrigued by him.
He imagined that this would all blow over or hoped it would.
In the meantime, people were busy with the tournament, and Robb was preparing to enter the melee contest, Jon had no intention of doing so, but accompanied Robb to the training yard (which annoyingly seemed to expose him more). They picked out the furthest possible training spot and went through the drills Ser Rodrick would have them do each day, over and over, and over.
In fact, they'd just completed a quest he'd been given as his daily that morning:
Quest Complete!
Bronze Shield
A Shield in front of the face will save a broken nose! Work with Robb on your Shield technique for an hour.
Reward: +5 Combat, Shield, +50XP
Combat, Shield = 40
XP: 500/2500XP
Jon was glad for it, he'd beaten Ser Loras yes, but he needed to get better and better, he may be focusing more on the quests that grew his mind and skills, but he could not neglect his training or fighting.
"My goodness they do lack creativity in the North" Ser Jaime's voice rose as Robb and Jon went over their footwork for the fourth time that morning, Ser Rodrick usually had them do each exercise five times, and as they'd finished with the shield, they'd moved to footwork, drilling over and over. Diligence was the way of the North.
"Ser Jaime" It was Robb who spoke with a nod, "We find in the North repetition ensures success" He said.
"Quite right" Ser Jaime said, but Jon disliked his tone, he always sounded like he was mocking someone or something. "Evidenced by your brother here knocking the Flower of Highgarden on his arse" He paused then, grinned, "Sorry, half-brother"
"Jon is my brother in all ways that matter" Robb said fiercely, and Jon placed a hand on his shoulder, he appreciated the defence, but he knew Ser Jaime was just trying to goad them.
Ser Jaime just grinned at that, and Ser Barristan who had joined them gave them both a respectful nod, some of the small amount of respect they'd received in the South.
Jon automatically glanced above his head, the book if anything was making him a fast reader:
Player!
Ser Barristan Selmy
Lord Commander of the Kingsguard
Level: 65
HRS: Agility
Relationship: -5/100
"Perhaps we should see how good you are Snow?" Ser Jaime said with a grin, placing a hand on his sword, Jon knew he was good, but he knew he wasn't as good as Ser Jaime, nowhere near, not yet at least. "Prepare you for the melee? I'll be jousting myself, but I'd be happy to give you some tips" Mocking always, Jon didn't try to hide his glare.
"I have no intention of entering the melee" Jon said, for he did not, he felt his notoriety in Kings Landing was better kept low, "I am happy to continue training"
"A pity" Ser Jaime said, with a roll of his eyes, "You then Lord Stark" Jaime said with a mocking bow towards Robb, "Since you evidently intend to enter"
There was no wiggling out of that, and Jon shared a grimace with Robb as Jaime hustled him to one of the practice areas, Jon went to follow, in morale support at least, until he realised, as he looked at Ser Barristan, about to leave, and remembered his quest.
Quest Alert!
Test Your Skill
Spar with Ser Barristan in Kings Landing, and learn a thing or two
Reward: +10 Sword, +10 Shield, +10 Bastardsword, (depending on weapon), +200XP.
Failure: -20 Sword, -10 Bravery.
"Ser Barristan" He said quickly as the Knight turned to leave, "Care to spar?"
"I thought you weren't entering the melee?" Ser Barristan asked with a raised eyebrow, "A shame, I heard you held yourself well against Ser Loras"
"I could always use advice from a seasoned warrior" Jon said, not caring it was a slight to Ser Jaime, Ser Barristan saw it though, laughed but nodded. As he fetched himself a blunted sword, Jon went for one of the blunted bastard swords, it was his speciality after all, and he so hoped one day to be reunited with Longclaw, better he not forget this type.
Minutes later (and Jon had glanced quickly at Robb and Ser Jaime and had winced, at the least Robb would learn how to somewhat defend yourself under a barrage of blows), he turned to Ser Barristan on the practice field. He was thankful they were off to one side, and most people were watching Robb and Ser Jaime.
He did glance around though and could see Loras Tyrell stood to one side with Renly, no Margaery this time, but the two men watched him with a glare. He didn't bother acknowledging them, just turned back to Ser Barristan.
He too quickly learned, like Robb, how to try and defend oneself.
Ser Barristans skill was truly a cut above, but unlike Ser Jaime who just seemed to be determined to hack into Robb, whilst laughingly offering advice (good advice but his mocking tone made it hard to swallow), Ser Barristan seemed to change skills with each bout, as though to teach Jon how to defend them.
Jon knew he was good, but nowhere near good enough.
The first few bouts were okay, Jon was beaten twice, and managed to take a point from Ser Barristan with some very quick footwork and a jump over Barristans swinging sword, but after five, with Barristan winning three, one draw and Jon taking one, it seemed the good Knight had been going easy on him.
"Not fast enough" He said, but Jon prided himself on his speed, Ser Barristan was just faster.
"Hold that sword arm up" He chided, and Jon found that did make a difference as he took another point with a series of quick blows, and Ser Barristan complimented him before knocking him on his arse immediately after.
"A sharp stab is as effective as a slash" Ser Barristan said, demonstrating just that, winding Jon by battering down his defence, and thrusting the blunted sword into his belly.
"Watch your back as much as your front" Barristan said again, as he ducked under Jon's blow to smack a sword between his shoulder blades, harsh enough for Jon to sprawl forward.
The next bout Jon steadied himself, breathed deep, he'd barely had time to decipher Barristans fighting style, other than that he was fast, and vastly experienced. Jon knew if he was more experienced himself, it would be a fairer fight, but he could not rely on speed alone here.
For the final bout, Ser Barristan awaited for Jon to attack, and Jon took a second to adjust his feet, he did not charge though, but swung his sword.
This time however he saw Ser Barristan's intention to sweep his feet, dodged that, and then anticipating Ser Barristan would then go for a shoulder shove, managed to sidestep, and then duck a slash, before bringing his shoulder up into Ser Barristans chest, knocking him to the floor, and bringing him to yield.
All in all, he was pouring with sweat and breathing heavy, they had gone ten bouts, Jon had won 3, to Ser Barristans 7, but he was grinning as they shook hands, and the quest lit up in front of him.
Quest Completed!
Test Your Skill
Spar with Ser Barristan in Kings Landing, and learn a thing or two
Reward: +10 Sword, +10 Shield, +10 Bastardsword, (depending on weapon) +200XP.
Bastardsword: 75
XP: 700/2500
A good start to the day, he grinned as Robb walked over to him, he wasn't limping so that had to be something.
"Next time we swap" Robb said, and Jon nodded, but he too was exhausted, they both were, but Jon had been lucky enough to have a better teacher.
"Who do you think is better?" Robb asked him and Jon shrugged.
"Probably Ser Jaime by a hair" He said with a shrug, "Or a touch more even, he's got the natural talent"
"And Ser Barristan the experience" Robb said, and Jon nodded.
Both were key, and Jon knew that, kept it in mind as they went to move on.
But of course, Jon couldn't be that lucky.
Oh gods, not again.
"What a show!" The King, this time without a tankard, and not as drunk, but he was grinning, "The melee is sure to be an even better one!"
"Lord Snow won't be competing your Grace" Ser Jaime piped up, and Jon shot him a glare, only got a lazy grin in return, he had done it on purpose, and Jon did not drop his glare.
What was it with people in this stinking City? Gods, he hated it.
"Of course he will" The King said, clapped his shoulder, and Jon had to nod, stop himself from sighing, people were watching him again, and Lady Margaery had joined her brother and Lord Renly, and was watching him too, she did smile this time, to his wry one, but that was the least of his worries.
"Your Grace, I couldn't possibly…" He went to begin, but the King just laughed.
"Of course, you will! You and your brother need to show us how the North fights" He said with a cheer, and laughed, "Perhaps you can even find a nice Southern girl to give you, your favour, and more!" He laughed again, and moved on, Jon could not protest he knew, and allowed himself a sigh as the King left, especially as …
Gods dammit.
Quest Alert!
Champion of the South
Enter the Melee of the upcoming tournament … and win of course!
Reward: +1 STR, +10 to Hand to Hand, +10 Bravery, +300XP, Unlocks next Quest: LOCKED.
Failure: -10 to ALL weapon skills, -10 Bravery, -200XP, Next quest remains locked.
He winced at that, the rewards were very good, and the failure was very harsh, if he'd had a choice before with the King singling him out, he certainly didn't now.
"Looks like the King has spoken" Robb said cheekily, for he tried to persuade Jon to enter, in response Jon knocked his shoulder into Robb's bruised one, who winced and shoved him back, the two laughed, before trudging inside.
Though they'd be back out after some lunch, he had a melee to win apparently.
For the rest of the week, he and Robb were consumed by training.
All other quests for him were put on hold, he was so exhausted by the time he got to bed he didn't even warg. Instead, he was in the training yard sometimes, going through drills, spars, just he and Robb though, keeping their skills to themselves.
Most of the time though they trained in the Kingswood, taking Ghost and Greywind out for air, their direwolves would run and chase and hunt as they stood in the clearing they'd seen the Whiteheart, running drills, sparring and getting ready.
The day before the tourney they sat in the Kingswood, this time they weren't training, Jon knew it was better to rest the day before, and so instead they'd filled up a sack with food, and ridden out with their wolves to eat, and talk, and relax.
It was just what was needed.
"You know you can win" Robb said with a nod, and Jon grimaced, "You can, you're better than me, better than you were at Winterfell, you've always been more naturally talented, but your skill is even higher now"
"Lots of training" Jon said with a shrug, "You're occupied with being the famed guest, not much more for me to do here or on the road" Robb seemed to accept that, and nodded, Jon hated lying to him, but what else was he supposed to do?
"Good luck tomorrow" Robb said, and Jon nodded.
"You too brother"
The next day was the archery first, which took the morning, and then the first round of jousting, the main event, that would take up the entire first day and the next morning, and Jon was thankful. Robb had been invited to sit by the King, and so Jon sat alone in the stands, not quite a guest of honour, but not with the common people.
Instead, Lady Margaery slipped into the seat next to him as the jousting began.
"Lady Margaery" He said with a nod, she was still as stunning as he remembered, but he'd been disconcerted and then annoyed with her ignoring him, did she drop and pick people up so easily as if they were toys?
"Jon" She said, and she almost teased him admonishingly, "I thought we agreed it was just Margaery"
"I've barely seen you" Jon said, he tried to act unbothered, but he was too green, dammit, "I wasn't sure that still applied" He didn't realise he did sound fairly detached, the opposite of what Lady Margaery wanted.
"Why I could not be seen galivanting around with the man who so easily bashed my brother into the ground" She said, her tone fake scandalised, which did have him crack a smile, "That would not be very loyal, would it now?"
"I suppose not" Jon said with a smile, "Still mean of you though" Gods, was he flirting? He hadn't intended to, he should be annoyed, tried to be, "Even Ghost is mad at you" Ugh, he was far too obvious, as evidenced by Lady Margaerys delighted grin.
"Well, I will simply have to be extra nice to him then" Lady Margaery teased, "To make up for it"
"Aye" Jon said, "I suppose you will"
He met her gaze then, noted her eyes were a deep shade of brown, there was a softness in them he hadn't seen before, and as he looked at her, her lips parted and Jon felt something in his chest, flutter.
Fuck.
"Where is Ghost?" Lady Margaery asked as a crier called for the joust to begin shortly.
"Probably sleeping in my room" Jon said, with a shrug, "I'm afraid he'd scare too many of you Southerners if I brought him here" His tone was teasing.
"Not all of us Southerners are so weak" She scolded, but she was teasing he could tell, why was she suddenly interested in talking to him again? He should have been more stoic, smarter about her attention, but he was not quite at her level of charisma, nowhere near, and so thus, very out of his depth.
"Are you rooting for your brother then?" He asked, as the first round began and they turned to the jousters, Ser Loras was up first as Jon indicated to him, but it was a short bout as he unseated a Crakehall Lord.
"Of course" Lady Margaery said, arranging her skirts as she turned to the bout, she did cheer as Ser Loras won, "And since he hasn't got you to go against, he might win" She teased, and flattered, he rolled his eyes, but he knew his cheeks were pink.
"He'd knock me on the floor in this arena" Jon said, indicating, "I've no talent for jousting"
"I'm afraid I don't quite believe you" Lady Margaery teased, and Jon grinned.
"Truly, I love to ride, but I've not jousted much, it's not very popular in the North, but then we rarely, if ever have tourneys"
Margaery nodded, she no doubt knew this from her studies, but Jon found her easy to talk to, bad or good idea as it was.
"I've heard, I wonder what you all do up in the snow" She asked, she didn't mock the North which he liked, and sounded genuinely curious.
"Stay alive" He joked, "There is plenty of fun, snowball fights, having many siblings allowed for a good time" He said, and he liked that Margaery smiled at that, "We just don't like all the frippery and showmanship" Jon said, the disdain was hard to keep out of his voice.
"And yet you compete tomorrow" Margaery said with a grin as the jousting continued, but they were focused on another, as Minor Lords knocked one another off horses, Ser Jaime easily put a Hightower on the floor, Ser Gregor Clegane was far too aggressive, and Jon despised the man for killing his siblings (he'd never thought of them that way, but he reminded himself the children Ser Gregor had killed, had been), one by one people fell, and people won.
"I do" He said with a nod, "But not at my choice"
"Yes, I heard the King" Margaery said, she didn't roll her eyes but he got the sense she wanted to, and they shared a conspiratorial grin, "I'm sure you'll win it"
"There are many with more skill than me" Jon said with a modest smile, it was true, he could take nothing for granted, though he was glad to see Ser Jaime, and Ser Gregor, as jousters would not be in the melee. He wasn't sure if he could beat Ser Gregor, but equally as worried as he was at being beaten, he was that he might go too far and kill the beast, for what he'd done.
Perhaps one day he would.
He was glad then when the book glowed.
Quest Alert!
Mad Dog
Deal with Ser Gregor and avenge your siblings.
Reward: +1 STR, +1 LUC, +400XP.
Failure: -40 Bravery, -300XP, Your life if you face him and lose.
This is an active quest; active quests are ongoing and do not have to be selected, thus they are hard to fail. Failure will only be determined if the quest becomes impossible to achieve.
With this quest you will fail if someone else deals with Ser Gregor, or you lose to him in combat.
Hmm, the last line made him realise he had to deal with sooner rather than later then, he did not relish that for his life, but did for vengeance, and for justice.
Honour demanded he kill him.
He may not have known his siblings, but they were his blood, and regardless Ser Gregor had murdered innocent children, and probably many more. More to it, he was a Lannister beast, and Jon knew taking away an asset of theirs could only help him. It would have to be done.
Jon just wasn't sure how he would do it, and he would need to figure that out quickly.
The joust continued throughout the day, he and Margaery spoke less as the competition got fiercer, but they commented on fighters, chatted about Highgarden (and Lady Margaery insisted he visit someday, he indulged her with a grin), and the North, before the King called for a feast, and the jousting would finish in the morning, followed by the melee.
Jon stood then, as Robb made his way over to him, his eyes flashing, and Jon knew he was to be teased and rolled his eyes.
"I will see you tomorrow Jon" Margaery said, she grinned then, dipped forward, and whispered quickly in his ear, "And I'll root for you in the melee" She winked then before hurrying away in a dance of skirts, as Robb approached his side.
"Don't" He said, before Robb could speak, but his brother just grinned.
"Wasn't going to say anything" He teased, and Jon scoffed, before the two made their way to the feast, another night of Southern courtesies and Jon trying not to glare at anyone.
And tomorrow, the melee.
thoughts?
and no, I've had a fair few people ask but I won't be revealing the pairing yet
melee next, I almost had it in this chapter, but I've got plans for after it, and it'd be too long, so next chapter coming soon with the melee ... and more
also don't judge jon too harshly with margaery, girl knows what shes doing, thats all I'll say...
do review if you can