AN: Thanks to everyone who has reviewed! There were several thoughtful reviews regarding the events that led the Starks to being involved in Robert's Rebellion. I tweaked the explanation to better fit the canon events. Reminder, though we have loosely followed the canon story and many of the canon events will play out similarly, this is an AU story. It's been years since I read the books or watched the show, so I may make some mistakes that have nothing to do with the universe that we're creating and are the result of how long its been since I've reviewed the source material. If/when this happens, feel free to let me know. If the difference was intended then I may be able to shed some light on the reason (without spoiling expected plotlines, of course) or I will be able to address the discrepancy to improve the story. Special thanks to ZairHelios who has agreed to be my beta reader. Feel free to blame him for any mistakes, moving forward. I kid, don't do that. We're both doing this for free and it takes time to write, review and edit these chapters. Without further ado, please enjoy the newest chapter.
Quest Alert! Fire and Blood
Main Objective: Reclaim the Iron Throne in the Name of House Targaryen. Unite the kingdoms of Westeros under the banner of your father's house and usher in a new era of prosperity for the Seven Kingdoms.
Rewards for Completion: 10,000,000 Experience, ?, ?, ?.
Penalty for Failure: The subjects are Westeros are at the whims of the one who sits the Iron Throne. While there are no explicit consequences for failure, you and those you care about may find yourself at the mercy of those that would sit the throne in your stead regardless of their affiliated House.
Jon's mind was reeling and he barely noticed the quest alert when it appeard. Lord Eddard Stark shared the suspicions regarding a certain member of House Lannister and would be taking action accordingly, based on those suspicions.
The Lord of Winterfell, his recently revealed-to-be not-father, had presented a plan that would hopefully mitigate the potential dangers associated with closer interactions with members of House Lannister and their allies. However, it was the private discussion that he had while alone with the Lord of Winterfell that had resulted in Jon leaving the castle and roaming the castle grounds.
It's almost unbelievable, the words echoed through Jon's mind as he struggled to put his thoughts in order. To think that the stories that have been told since Robert's Rebellion ended were lies. Aunt Lyanna, mother, had been taken by Rhaegar Targaryen, his father, but it was not abduction. The she-wolf of Winterfell fell in love with the Targaryen prince and had even gotten married to him during the wars. I'm not a bastard.
Despite not having a destination, Jon's feet inadvertently followed a familiar path and he found himself among the Free Folk camp and observed his surroundings, It's crazy to think that they would have packed all of this up to search for me and, yet, they've been able to make it look as if they never left, so easily. I know that I earned Mance's appreciation when I saved Ygritte but his decision to rally the Free Folk and have them pack their bags and set off to search for me, rather than maximizing the amount of coin they could earn by staying and pedaling their wares, cannot be ignored.
Jon waved at the woman who had served him soup the day morning after he met Arachne. She was once again serving hungry patrons that were eager to taste the stew that she had cooked up. The Free Folk are nothing like the Wildlings that I heard stories of when I was younger. Mance seems to genuinely care about the Free Folk and was willing to extend that compassion to a relative stranger. The Cave People showed that, just as it is south of the Wall, there are good and bad people to be found north of the Wall.
Lord Stark had his honor questioned because he was willing to keep my secret. He fought alongside Robert Baratheon and they, along with their allies, succeeded in their gambit to take the throne. Despite supporting Robert during the Rebellion, he voiced that he would be willing to support me if I wished to press my claim to the throne. The thoughts caused Jon to stop abruptly before he turned his head to look upon Winterfell. After a few moments he resumed his walk and his contemplation. I would have vengeance for Bran but I don't really need more than that, at this time.
The Targaryen line, if it was still around, would probably want me to press my claim. They united Westeros by bringing the Seven Kingdoms together and it was Fire and Blood that forged the Iron Throne that a usurper now claims as his own. Jon passed Mance's tent and did not hear any of the liveliness that would suggest that the man was inside. But is that what I really want? Pressing the claim would mean war against at least three of the six southern kingdoms. Maybe some would support the claim but how many lives would it take? Even with what I have learned since father gave me the ring, I can't fight a whole kingdom... Not as I am now, at least not yet.
Jon's trek through the camp had brought him to the rock where he had saved Ygritte from the Cave Bear. At this point, I could beat most men in combat. Hell, I was able to best multiple seasoned men of the Night's Watch in a single battle when caught off guard. Magic can level the playing field for me against superior opponents or superior numbers but we already have one other magic user and he has proved himself to be hostile. Would I be able to hold my own in a battle against multiple opponents who also have access to magic?
Jon climbed the rock and took a seat, staring pensively into the distance. Knowing more than one school of magic is an advantage that I can't ignore. I also can't ignore the possibility that some people may figure out a way to branch out from the School of Destruction now that more people will have access to magic. I wonder if the Ring somehow knew that this could happen and accounted for it when setting leveling magic as an objective for the Return to Winterfell quest.
What sort of pretty boy would take to posing on rock? Ygritte asked herself, causing her to smile briefly though that smile quickly gave way to a resolute expression. If he was man enough, he would have stolen me already. What does he see in these girls that he keeps bringing back to camp? They may be pleasing to the eye but what do they have to offer him beyond that?
"Oi, quit your brooding, you pretty bastard," Ygritte announced her presence. "Don't think that bringing me back to this rock will make it any easier to steal me."
Jon looked to her and the curls on his brow bounced on his forehead when he turned his head to look at her. "Ygritte, I didn't expect anyone to find me here. I just needed a place to be alone with my thoughts and this one seemed as good as any."
"What would a little lordling like you need to be concerned with? We brought you back to your fancy castle. You found two more girls that want you to steal them," Ygritte jested before blushing at the inadvertent admission that she wanted Jon Snow to steal her. Despite the slip of the tongue, she continued, "If I was a betting lass, I'd bet that you'll have the easier side of things. What we'll face when we leave here is, from what Mance has told me, going to be much tougher than wearing pretty clothes in fancy castles with snooty lords and ladies."
"I wasn't thinking about you girls until you showed up and brought up the subject," Jon appeared conflicted. "I just want the best for all of you. I'm out here because of something I learned from the Lord of Winterfell that changed everything"
What could he have learned that would have changed everything? Ygritte was skeptical that southern trivialities would compare to the challenges that lay ahead for the Free Folk. Not wanting to completely disregard the sentiment of Jon's words but still doubtful that what he learned could have truly been that ground-shattering, Ygritte maintained her joking tone as she questioned Jon, "Oh, did you find out that you were actually supposed to rule from a different fancy castle and now have to decide between this fancy castle and that one?"
Jon's eyes widened briefly before his face broke into a smile that gave way to full belly laughs that made Ygritte feel warm and fuzzy inside in a way that she was not accustomed to feeling. Eventually he regained his composure before replying, "That is more accurate than I would care to admit. You somehow continue to impress me with those sharp eyes of yours."
I can't let him think that a few pretty words could affect me so much, Ygritte's cheeks colored with a slight blush and she had to suppress the desire to steal the young man to have him as her own, then and there. "So you are trying to decide which lass to steal away to your fancy new castle?"
Jon shook his head with a slight smile. "Nay, there will be none of that for now. The fancy new castle may come at some point but that's far off in the future, if ever. Despite what some may say, I don't think that the time is right to make any moves that could put me in that castle right now."
He's not interested in taking a new castle. Maybe he wants to travel more. If that is the case, then he should join the Free Folk. We'll be going back to the North when we leave Winterfell but he has already proven that he can handle himself beyond the Wall and having him along for the journey could only bode well for us if he was willing to leave his fancy castle. Maybe the thoughts of stealing Jon were not so far from the forefront of her mind as she tried to tell herself. "If you don't want to sit around in a castle, maybe you should travel with us when we leave Winterfell. If its sights that you want to see, you'll see plenty. If it's lasses you want to steal, you've proven able to find them along the way. Hopefully, you aren't thinking of stealing a lad; that would be a waste."
Jon chuckled at her words, it was much different from the full belly laughs from earlier but not unwelcome to Ygritte's ears. "I'm not looking to steal anyone, at this time. Though, if I was, it would surely be a lass."
"Oh, aye, Jon Snow. I'm sure there's a maiden fair with hair that's been kissed by fire, that's caught your eye." Ygritte tried to hint that she should be the one for him. "Those other lasses, with their dark or purple hair, they wouldn't know what to do with you."
Jon was keeping up with the flirting but couldn't help but blush at the implication of Ysolda or Arachne 'handling' him. "I can't say what the future holds for me, Ygritte. Lord Eddard Stark wants me to travel with him to King's Landing. If I made that journey, I don't know how often I would be able to see any of you. Maybe Ysolda could make the journey, since her brother has found the king's favor but I cannot say what King's Landing would be like for you or Arachne. Despite what I've come to know of you and the Free Folk, I don't think they'd be welcome in King's Landing."
Ygritte did her best to stop her disappointment from showing on her face. No wonder he doesn't want to steal me. "So that's your plan? Move to a fancy southern castle and steal a southern lass that would be too worried about getting her pretty dress dirty in the woods than being able to shoot a bow or hunt for food?"
The southern lordling looked at her with a new intensity after her bold speculation. "Ygritte, I have no idea what the future has in store for me. That 'fancy castle' that you speak of has other people in it that would be willing to fight and die to keep it under their banners. It may be possible to take it from them but it would cost many lives; lives that I don't know would be well spent at this time. I don't know what my future will bring. Maybe, someday, I take that 'fancy castle' that you mentioned but that day won't be today and, most likely, won't be anytime soon."
Ygritte's heart soared because of Jon's words. I can compete with the two wenches that he brought back to camp and win his affection before he even thinks to settle down with some southern lady. "So it's settled then, you will travel from Winterfell with the Free Folk?" Ygritte asked optimistically, hoping to steer his actions.
"Ygritte, it may not be that simple. Lord Stark has expressed his desire for me to go South with him when he takes his position as Hand of the King. It may not be the same as taking the 'fancy castle' for my own but it would, most likely, have a similar affect when it comes to those that would be able to travel with me."
"So don't go," Ygritte would never be described as a person who didn't go for what she wanted. "You came for me when most others would have left me for the bear. You came for the others when you didn't have to. What was all that for if you just leave us, now that we've made it back to your fancy castle? 'Lord Stark' will be able to kneel just as well with or without you. You have a chance to be truly free."
Speech +800
"I hope that you don't think that you could leave me, Jon," Arachne interrupted the conversation that was taking place between Jon and Ygritte. "I would be most displeased and would have to consider drastic actions if it turned out that you weren't willing to 'stick' around."
Arachne smiled in a way that would have been innocent, if not for the sharp teeth glistening menacingly through the gap in her lips, and was pleased to see Ygritte flinch slightly at the sight while Jon looked at her intently, as if he was considering her words. I spent years as a spider and it would do Jon well to remember that in that time none of those that were caught in my web were able to escape.
"Hi Arachne," Jon greeted her with a tentative smile. "It isn't a matter of me not wanting to stick around. Lord Stark personally invited me to escort him to King's Landing. It's a great honor to be trusted by the Lord of Winterfell but Ygritte was making it clear that it was not the only option available to me at this time. I think it could be difficult to secure places for you and Ygritte at the court and she offered us spots with the Free Folk as an alternative."
Ygritte bristled. "The offer I made was for you, Jon Snow…" Jon's stern expression resulted in Ygritte changing her tone. "But Jon is right, Arachne, the Free Folk wouldn't turn you away. Though, I should warn you that, it could be safer for you to stay in the South."
"It would be safer for whom, Ygritte?" Arachne asked in a tone that emphasized that she would not be staying away from Jon for the sake of the other girl. "From my perspective, I don't think there could be any place safer than at Jon's side. After all, he was so brave when he saved me from a fate worse than death."
"If you think that a traitorous member of the Night's Watch would be a fate worse than death then you will have much to learn when traveling with the Free Folk," Ygritte was clearly unimpressed by her assumption of the meaning behind Arachne's words. "North of the Wall, there are terrors unlike anything that you southerners could imagine. Imagine giants with hands as big as your body that could squeeze the life out of you as easy as they draw breath. Or mighty bears with dagger-like claws that could open pretty, purple-haired girls as easily as a knife cuts through warmed butter."
"What do you know of the lands north of the Wall?" An arrogant voice questioned causing Jon, Arachne and Ysolda to turn and see Theon Greyjoy with a harsh look in his eyes. "The only people that go north of the Wall are those poor sods that give up the pleasures of a woman's touch when they take the black as members of the Night's Watch and those wretched Wildlings. Are you telling me that a band of Wildlings somehow managed to trick their way into Winterfell right under the nose of the honorable Lord Stark?"
Jon moved to stand between the girls and Theon while waving his arm in a sweeping gesture, as if that would sweep away Theon's words. "Now Theon, I don't know what you think that you heard but what have you seen of the Free Folk that would make you think that they are the Wildlings that we heard of in stories of the past?"
"Ah, ah, ah, bastard." Theon's face was contorted in an ugly snarl. "It all makes sense. No woman that understands the way of the realm would prefer the company of a bastard to the pleasure that would be had with the Heir of Pike. The whore of yours doesn't understand the realm because she is not of the realm. She's as much a beast as you are."
Ygritte apparently took offense as she darted forward and punched the Greyjoy squarely on the nose. "I'll show you how much of a beast I am. Your ma should have swallowed you."
"Big mistake, you Wildling slut." Theon spat before wiping the blood that had run from his nose over the whiskers that he was so proud of to his upper lip. "That was a VERY bad idea. I would have still given you the honor of becoming a salt wife to warm my bed when my lady wife was unavailable but, now, that won't do. Nay, I think it would be very interesting to see what the king thinks about Wildlings invading the North. I think he would be extremely interested in seeing heads roll. Mayhap, bastard, the honorable Lord Stark would give you the honor of taking your whores' heads."
With Theon's and Ygritte's attention on Jon, Arachne took advantage of the situation and spat a blob of webbing that settled on the brash individual, which caused him to stumble and fall on the ground before the webbing hardened, trapping him in his current position. As she walked over to the downed boy, she spat another small glob of webbing into her hand before stretching it and applying it over the boy's mouth to silence him, taking care to ensure his nostrils were free as his eyes were open so wide that it looked like they were attempting to escape his head.
Her actions drew the attention of Jon and Ygritte. "We need to get the Free Folk out of here. I don't know how long that webbing will hold him and I don't want anyone hurt because this petty boy heard something that he shouldn't."
Jon nodded and started to move back towards the castle but Ygritte was looking at her as if she had grown a second head. "What the hell was that, Arachne?!"
"It's a long story that I don't feel like sharing at this point in time," Arachne answered shortly. "We need to alert the others. Let's go."
Though it was clear from her expression that the explanation was not sufficient for her, Ygritte nodded and hurried with Arachne to catch up with Jon.
Jon turned his head to face the girls before speaking, "You two need to tell the Free Folk that we have to leave. I have some business at the castle that I need to take care of but I will be back down as soon as possible. If Theon manages to get free there's no telling what he will do. The Free Folk should leave as soon as possible even if it means leaving me behind. I'll catch up eventually, if you leave before my business is finished."
Jon did not wait for a response before breaking into a sprint towards the castle, moving as quickly as his body would allow and leaving the two girls to warn the Free Folk.
Speech +300
I need to tell Lord Stark what Theon is planning, Jon thought as he raced through the corridors of Winterfell. Theon has always been a dick but there was a chance that he was merely bluffing. At least there was a chance before Ygritte punched him. Any chance of his words being empty was lost to us then.
When Jon arrived at the Lord's solar, he knocked on the door and waited for several moments but there was no answer and no sound to indicate that the room was occupied. Where could he be, Jon asked himself as he hurriedly made his way to the chamber where Bran was resting after the magical ordeal that he had been through earlier that day. He knocked on the door and found Maester Luwin sitting next to the boy but the Lord of Winterfell was not present.
"Jon, it's good to have you back," the maester greeted amicably. "I'm not sure how you were able to do it but Bran is resting peacefully. He should wake soon and I know that he will be relieved to have you back at Winterfell. It is curious that you were able to help the boy when everything that I tried had failed. Did anything happen to you in your time away? There was that flash of light and then no one could find you. Though recently I met a boy with the most curious ability to summon and control ice. Could it be that you have a similar ability?"
"It is good to see you too, Maester Luwin." Jon didn't want to be rude and put off speaking with the maester that had done much to advance his scholarship but time was of the essence. "Perhaps we could discuss what happened after the magical flash at a later time? I have to find Lord Stark; it is of the utmost importance."
The maester gave his occasional pupil an appraising look. "The magical flash, you say? Yes, I would very much like to discuss this with you when you are not so rushed. At this time, I would expect Lord Stark to be dining with the King and the others in the Great Hall. They should be finishing up shortly, if you wish to speak with him that is where I recommend that you go."
"Thank you, Maester Luwin."
Jon quickly excused himself and raced to the Great Hall. Though time was of the essence, he stopped before entering the Great Hall to catch his breath and try to regain his composure. I don't want to draw any more attention than is necessary. Rushing in red faced and out of breath would certainly draw more attention than I want on me right now.
After a minute or two and several deep breaths, Jon entered the Great Hall and sought out the man who he still respected as a father despite the recent revelations. As it was to be expected, the Lord of Winterfell was seated at the head of the table on the raised dais where the true members of House Stark and their honored guests broke their fast. Staying close to the walls of the room, Jon maneuvered himself into a position where he could possibly make eye contact with the Lord of Winterfell. Hopefully, if he sees me trying to get his attention, he will excuse himself to give us the opportunity to talk. I don't want to accomplish Theon's goal of outing the Free Folk for him be relaying the message in front of the King and the other guests.
Minutes passed by but the Lord of Winterfell seemed to be in deep discussion with the King and Jon's plan was slowly unraveling. He was considering other actions when a voice spoke out, over the clamor of the dinner conversation, "Lord Stark, isn't that your bastard skulking about over there by the wall?" The man who spoke had shoulder length blonde hair, a chiseled jaw, a superior expression and resplendent armor. "It never fails to surprise me, seeing someone of his status at your meals. Such a thing would be unimaginable in King's Landing."
Jon stepped forward as the very thing he had hoped to avoid, him becoming the center of attention happened. That must be Ser Jaime Lannister. The king slayer is the man that killed Aery's Targaryen, the father of my blood father. He is said to be the finest swordsman in Westeros since the Sword of Morning was slain. Jon thought as he stepped forward. "I don't mean to interrupt, Lord Stark, but Maester Luwin asked that I fetch you to discuss Bran's recovery." Jon was fairly proud of the lie that he had come with on the spot. "He is still resting but the Maester thought it prudent to have the discussion sooner rather than later."
The worry that had spread across Lord Stark's face when Jon announced that the Maester had sent Jon in relation to Bran eased significantly when Jon clarified that Bran was still resting. "Thank you for informing me, Jon. Everyone, please continue with your meal. I will return shortly."
The Lord of Winterfell stood from his position and made his way to the entrance of the dining room where he joined with Jon and the two made their way to Bran's room to keep the pretense that Jon had established. When they entered the room, Maester Luwin was clearly surprised to see Jon again so soon after the boy's quick departure and with Lord Stark, no less.
"Lord Stark, Jon, how unexpected it is to see you both. I especially did not anticipate that I would see you again so soon, Jon, after you rushed out earlier," if the Maester had any suspicions, he did not voice them. "I hope that you weren't worried about Bran. The boy has been resting peacefully since Jon was able to help him."
"That is very intriguing given your words in the Great Hall, Jon, would you care to explain?" The Lord of Winterfell did not appear to be angry but there was a slight frown on his face. "You had me leave our guests with the claim that Maester Luwin had sent you."
"I must ask for forgiveness. I needed to talk with you but couldn't reveal the true reason in front of so many people." Jon explained quickly. "You know that I was taken north of the Wall by that flash of light. When I was there, I met Wildlings that would have been amongst kindred spirits with the Wildlings in the stories that Old Nan would tell me and the others as children. However, I also met Wildlings that proved that they could be just as civil as any person south of the Wall; maybe even more civilized than some. You've met these Wildlings too and even sent them to help retrieve me."
The maester looked ready to interject but Lord Stark raised a hand and gestured for Jon to continue.
"The Free Folk are men just like you and me. They deserve peace and an opportunity to live their lives in the way that they choose, so long as they are not causing harm to others," Jon hoped that he was doing a good job providing context to help his father understand the position that the Free Folk could be in if Theon carried out his threat. "After our discussion, I needed to clear my mind and walked the grounds until I was met by one of the Free Folk, Ygritte. Eventually we were joined by another companion that decided to travel with us and Ygritte accidentally slipped that she had been north of the Wall. We didn't know it but Theon Greyjoy had been listening to our conversation. He threatened to reveal the Free Folk as Wildlings in the hope that it would be a death sentence for the all of them."
The Lord was silent for several moments, it was unclear if he was waiting for Jon to continue or if he was considering Jon's words. After a time, the lord spoke, "I am glad that you have brought this to my attention, Jon. While I do not approve of people entering Winterfell under false pretenses, or the lie that you told to have this conversation, I cannot disagree that the Free Folk have composed themselves with dignity during their stay here and proved their worth both by volunteering to help search for you and by successfully bringing you home to Winterfell."
"If I may," Maester Luwin interjected. "Even if Theon was to name the Free Folk as Wildlings, it would be his voice alone against those that would name his words false. Claims can be ignored if they are not backed by proof. Does young Greyjoy have any proof besides the words that he heard?"
"The maester raises a fair point," Lord Stark acknowledged. "Though would they have enough knowledge of this side of the Wall for their story to hold under scrutiny? They claim to be traveling minstrels. It would be expected that they would be able to speak of other northern villages and castles. While our southern guests are not likely to be able to spot any flaws in their descriptions, there are also northerners that could possibly see through the deception if it is brought to their attention. If enough voices come together, they may receive the treatment that has been reserved for Wildlings that invade the North regardless of the quality of their character compared to others that would be branded with the same name."
"You speak true, Lord Stark," Maester Luwin agreed. "It would be best if they made themselves scarce before any inquiries could begin."
"Jon, am I mistaken in thinking that you didn't merely wish to have this conversation to tell me that the Free Folk would be leaving?" Lord Stark asked with a deep sigh. "Are you considering leaving Winterfell so soon after you returned? Bran was looking forward to seeing you before his fall. If you leave now, I doubt that you will be here when he wakes up."
"I need some time to think about the subject of our earlier conversation," Jon admitted truthfully. "As much as I want to be here for you, Bran and the others, I think that traveling will help me gain perspective on how I should act on the new information. I was truly honored that you would consider having me go with you to King's Landing as a member of your guard but I don't think that I am ready for King's Landing, at least not just yet."
"While it is not the decision that I was hoping for, I understand your position," Lord Stark took a step towards Jon and put a hand on his shoulder reassuringly. "Take the time that you need and remember that the gates will always be open to you so long as there is a Stark in Winterfell, when you choose to return. Will you tell the others before you leave or should I inform them?"
"Ygritte and Arachne went to warn the Free Folk when I came to the castle to seek you out. They should be leaving very soon and I intend to go with them," Jon answered while averting his gaze. "Please tell the others that I love them and consider them to be true brothers and sisters. I will always try to be there for them if they need me but I need to do this, for me, now."
"I'll see it done. No matter where you go, Jon, and what you do, you will always be a Stark where it matters." Lord Stark promised solemnly while moving his hand from his shoulder to tap a finger on Jon's heart. "Stay safe, son."
"Thank you, father," Jon's emotions caused his voice to crack. "Maester Luwin, I know that I promised to tell you what happened with the flash. Making the long story short, the flash of light was magical. After I was exposed to it, I found that I was able to summon magic like Yohan Darklyn and do even more than what Yohan demonstrated with his abilities. Bran was somehow under the effects of a mysterious type of magic that I was able to battle and defeat which healed him. Thank you for everything that you've done for me. I'll see you both when the future brings us back together again."
"Thank you for the explanation, Jon," the maester's appreciation was visible upon his face. "You're a good lad and have a bright future. Be safe in your travels. I look forward to hearing the tales of your journeys when you return."
After bidding his farewells to the two older men, Jon left. He moved through the corridors at a quick pace though a touch slower than when he originally sought to find Lord Stark. Eventually he made it to the entrance and took a breath before opening the doors to the castle grounds with the knowledge that it would be some time before he returned to the ancestral home of House Stark.
As he traveled to the section of the castle grounds where the Free Folk had set up their camp, Jon was met with a sight that was far from welcome. Theon Greyjoy had somehow managed to capture Ygritte and tie her up. The hostile Greyjoy was dragging her towards the castle followed by Yohan and Ysolda who appeared to be arguing.
Speech +900
When their gazes met, Theon couldn't help the vindictive smile that spread across his face. "Well, if it isn't just the bastard that I hoped to see. That wasn't very nice, what that purple-haired slut did to me. Even though she got away with the rest of the rabble, this one made an easy target with her red hair; she called it kissed by fire, more like kissed by arrows. It's too bad that arrow is the only wood that I'll have the opportunity to put inside her."
The bastard's anger was evident as he responded, "Let her go, Theon. You don't have to do this. There is still the option to just forget about everything and let her go on her way."
Theon sneered at the predictably weak response from the bastard, "You'd like that, wouldn't you, bastard? Nay, I think I'll bring her to Lord Stark or maybe even the king. Even if it comes down to my words against yours, it doesn't look good that the rest of her group left and I was able to capture her when she was fleeing."
"Is a slight against your honor really all that important to you?" The bastard asked in a sincere tone.
"Of course a bastard like you wouldn't understand about honor," Theon was unsurprised that a bastard, who was the lone slight on his father's honor, would have no understanding of the concept. "Even Lord Stark couldn't make a bastard honorable. No, I think that I'll do what I said. It should be interesting to see what the King would do to a Wildling trespassing on one of his kingdoms. Or maybe your father will do it? After all didn't your father tell us that the one who gives the order should swing the sword?"
It seemed that Theon's words had struck a nerve had been within the bastard as his eyes narrowed before he responded, "Let me rephrase myself in a way that even you should be able to understand, Theon. Let her go or I'll make you."
Theon gritted his teeth but it was Yohan that spoke, "If you know what she is and you allowed her into Winterfell, after what her kind did to my village, then you are the worst kind of trash. If you try to take her then you would have to go through me, as well."
"She's not like the ones that attacked our village," Ysolda grabbed her brother and attempted to make him see sense. "She saved me when the brothers of the Night's Watch turned traitor threated to take me with him to use for their perverted pleasures."
"Oh, she saved you?" Yohan's anger was palpable. "No she just made it so that bastard could take advantage of you and you would willingly fall into his trap. You know what they say about bastards; they always covet what they have no rights to and they will do anything to make it theirs. Can't you see this is exactly what happened?"
"Ysolda, you know that's not the reason that we saved you or let you travel with us," the bastard tried to confuse Yohan's sister. "I don't wish violence against your brother but I will not allow him and Theon to take Ygritte. I hope that you can forgive me."
Despite not having a sword or shield the moment before, a sword appeared in one of the bastard's hands and a shield in the other.
"What bastard magic is this," Theon asked as he released his hold on the rope that he had used to drag Ygritte from the place that he had captured her. "It's not like it's going to matter. A man with a shield will fall to a man with a bow and your little magic trick has nothing on what Yohan can do with his powers."
Theon shrugged his bow from off his shoulder and drew an arrow, letting it fly at the bastard. The bastard was able to get his shield up but the arrow punched through the shield but the grimace on the bastard's face told him that the arrow had grazed him, at the very least. If an arrow were to pierce the bastard's arm then he would drop his shield arm and it would be all too easy to take the bastard out of the fight, though it would not do for a ward of the honorable Lord Eddard Stark to kill the lord's bastard, a maiming could be explained easily enough. Hell, Lady Stark would likely praise me if I was able to put the bastard in his proper place.
Quest Alert! A Kraken with Ice
Main Objective: Overcome Theon and Yohan to rescue Ygritte.
Secondary Objective: Do not allow the Theon to land a clean hit on you during the battle.
Tertiary Objective: Prove yourself to be the superior wielder of destructive ice magic by neutralizing any Ice attacks thrown by Yohan.
Rewards for Main Objective Completion: 100,000 Magic Manipulation Experience.
Rewards for Secondary Objective Completion: 1 Agility, Increased reputation with Ygritte.
Rewards for Tertiary Objective Completion: 50,000 Frost Experience,lose Ysolda as a traveling companion for the foreseeable future.
Penalty for Failure: Lose Ygritte as a traveling companion. You will be shunned by the Free Folk.
The notice popped for Jon when Yohan announced that could not be ignored. He had already accepted a quest to restore Arachne and she was with the Free Folk. While he didn't want to lose Ysolda about a traveling companion, he had made a commitment to Arachne and he would not go back on his promise to her. If Ysolda can't understand why I have to stand with Ygritte here and with Arachne then maybe it is best for us to go our separate ways now.
Theon's first arrow flew true but fortunately it was merely a flesh wound across the forearm of his shield arm. I have to be on guard against two different types of projectiles. I hope that the arrow going through my shield doesn't constitute a clean hit but I have bigger problems to deal with, Jon thought as he concentrated his Magical Manipulation to form a sort of vortex with his Frost magic to dissipate an ice spear that was thrown by Yohan. It's amazing to think that he was able to come so far with Frost magic in such a short time. I can't even throw ice spears despite having access to Frost magic for probably a longer amount of time, if only just. Fortunately, it appears that I can use my Frost magic to intercept the advanced Frost magic that is being thrown at me.
Jon was forced to rethink his decision to equip a sword and shield against two ranged attackers as another of Theon's arrow punctured through his shield, fortunately, this one did not manage to scratch, or worse, impale his arm. After nullifying another attack from Yohan, Jon focused his magical manipulation on the string of Theon's bow and was able to weaken the string enough to cause it to snap on Theon's next draw. The snapped string lashed against the eye that Theon used to aim his shots and caused him to fall to the ground clutching the wound. Though it was impossible to properly guage the damage that had been dealt, Jon could see a trickle of blood seem from between his fingers.
"You've took my eye out, bastard." Theon shouted through evident pain. "I'll never forgive you!"
I would never seek forgiveness for this situation that you've created by your action, Theon, Jon was not in a sympathetic mood. With Theon down, he was able to focus most of his attention on Yohan, though he kept Theon in his peripheral and saw that Ygritte was doing her best to get free of her bindings now that the attention was on him. If Ygritte can get free then she would likely want to get revenge on Theon, both for his words and his actions, I need to end this soon if I want to prevent this from becoming an even bigger shit show.
Jon returned the sword and shield to his inventory so that he would be able to use both hands for magic against his fellow magic user. Icicle spears came at him rapidly with Theon out of commission. By channeling his own magic into his palms Jon was able to essentially create vortexes that pulled in magic of the same Destructive school into his palms rather than causing him harm. The absorption of the magic did not rejuvenate his MP reserves but it provide a margin for error as the absorption radius seemed a bit larger than the span of his physical hands.
After fourteen icicle spears, Yohan was breathing heavily and his hands had fallen to his waist. Though it appeared that he did not have the ability to fire off any more ice magic, he was still able to fire off from the mouth, "You think that you've won, bastard? Ysolda, is this really the 'savior' that you thought him to be? He would fight against a person that he was raised with in support of Wildling rather than support those that would fight against those that had raided our village since we were children. Is this really the man that you wish to follow?"
Jon looked to Ysolda and was disappointed to see that she had apparently taken Yohan's words to heart before responding, "Jon, I will always appreciate what you did for me when I was all alone but Yohan makes a very good point. I can't travel with Wildlings after what they did to my village, even if you say that they are good people."
By this time, Ygritte had freed herself from her bonds and risen to her feet. Since Ysolda was facing Jon, she didn't see Ygritte moving closer to her. Ygritte tapped Ysolda on the shoulder which caused her to turn around only for her face to whip to the side as Ygritte's slap connected with her cheek before speaking, "You don't know the first thing about the Free Folk. Trying to use the word Wildling to describe all the people that were born on the wrong side of the Wall shows how little that you truly know. Jon Snow is going to be a great man. Good riddance to you."
Speech +300
Blocking +200
Destruction: Frost +1,600
Destruction: Magic Manipulation +100
Quest Alert! A Kraken with Ice
Main Objective Complete: Overcome Theon and Yohan to rescue Ygritte.
Rewards for Main Objective Completion: 100,000 Magic Manipulation Experience.
Secondary Objective Complete: Do not allow the Theon to land a clean hit on you during the battle.
Rewards for Secondary Objective Completion: 1 Agility, Increased reputation with Ygritte.
Tertiary Objective Complete: Prove yourself to be the superior wielder of destructive ice magic by neutralizing any Ice attacks thrown by Yohan.
Rewards for Tertiary Objective Completion: 50,000 Frost Experience,lose Ysolda as a traveling companion for the foreseeable future.