Chapter 28 - Troubling Discoveries


Varys contemplated in his private study, reviewing several alarming scrolls, when one of his little birds hastened to his side. They whispered urgent tidings into his ear, and he gave them a reward for their service. The news was troubling yet not entirely unexpected: Littlefinger had made first contact with the stranger. The stranger was not who they were told, which did not surprise the master of spies in the slightest. Furthermore, this same stranger had defended Sansa Stark, which could have major consequences for different people.

The scrolls at his fingertips did not ease much tension either. Stannis Baratheon, brother to the late King Robert and the late King Renly, was working hard to rally troops for his cause. Daenerys Targaryen continued to progress in the east. Adding a new layer of intrigue, Lord Baelish had also been communicating with someone from outside the capital, sharing nearly the exact same information regarding their newest warrior. Varys hadn't the slightest notion as to why. Why would someone want information of an unknown foreigner, unless they held some kind of significance? Ser Rogers was developing quite a reputation for himself. First at Harrenhal, then at King's Landing with Jaime Lannister, and now with Sansa. If anyone should be expecting consequences, good or bad, it was going to be him. But who could possibly be more important to Littlefinger, other than Littlefinger: a foreign fighter, a middle aged man at war for the throne, a dragon girl across the Narrow Sea, or perhaps a Stark girl.

Varys didn't know Ser Rogers well … yet … but surprisingly, he feared for his safety. To his dismay, Varys hadn't heard any songs regarding the fallen man cloaked in metal of gold and red. The Spider silently prayed that Lord Baelish hadn't either.


Meanwhile at Castle Black, Tony Stark remained engrossed in studying a map of Westeros. According to his calculations and the information Sam provided, the distance between Castle Black and King's Landing could be around 1,200 to 1,500 miles. By horse, it could take 150 to 188 days, which he could not afford. His suit was still damaged, with only two thrusters working on the left and right side. The facial recognition still faltered, and the suit still had a hard time charging. On top of that, apparently he could not be seen, according to the boy who disliked his last name. To be honest, if anyone saw him flying around, he would be noticed immediately. At least in New York, it was a cool spectacle. Here, he would be seen as a god or a demon. Nevertheless, if he flew clumsily high enough, he was sure no one would see him, but then he risked his own safety and loss of energy. His concentration broke when he heard one loud horn blast.

"What the hell is that?" he said, looking up from the parchment. Sam went to peer out the window at the gate to the giant ice wall, hoping and praying for Jon's, Pyp's, Mormont's, and even Edd's safe return.

"One blast is for friends, two for foes," he said with a bit of added hesitation.

"And?" asked Tony.

"And three for White Walkers," he finally said.

"White Walkers? You mean Frosty's evil minions?" Tony sneered. Through Sam's studies with Jarvis, scanning as many scrolls on the subject as he could, he learned they were some kind of ancient, fairytale ice men, creating ice zombies wherever they went with obsidian as their kryptonite. Tony had a hard time believing such a thing in this world existed. Then again, he did help defeat an entire alien army pouring from a hole in the sky. Not to mention his teammates consisted of two heavily trained international assassins, a hundred-year-old super soldier, a man with seven Ph.D.s and the strength of an angry green rage monster, and a lightning-wielding figure from outer space whom Tony's people once actually considered to be a god. He really had no right to judge.

Sam eagerly watched through the window as he heard the strong creaking of gears and cracking of ice as the gate lifted.

"What is it, Samwell Tarly?" asked Maester Aemon. Gilly looked in his direction. Brothers of the Night's Watch entered on horse and foot, with a white direwolf alongside them. Sam saw Ghost and an all too familiar face.

"Jon's back!" he said, but his excitement easily dissipated once he saw who was on the horse with him. Jon was supporting a very weak Lord Commander. Sam also noticed fewer men had returned.

"Oh no," he murmured anxiously, grabbed his cloak, and ran down the stairs as fast as he could. Tony's curiosity got the better of him, and he wrapped his borrowed cloak around himself, covering his glowing chest, and followed Samwell. Once they reached the cold outdoors, Tony waited and watched by the door while Sam ran up to Jon, who dismounted. He and Edd helped Mormont down from the horse.

"What happened?" Sam panicked.

"It was shit, wights showed up," said Edd. He and Jon supported Mormont.

"Come on, let's get him inside, we can talk then," said Jon, acting fast.

"I'll tell Maester Aemon," Sam said, trying to help any way he could. Tony stepped aside, watching the four of them come to the Lord Commander's aid. Pyp trailed behind them. Tony stopped him before he entered.

"What's wrong with him?" he asked. Pyp felt a bit reluctant to answer, given their first encounter.

"We were attacked, Lord Commander got stabbed," he responded bluntly before leaving. Tony's face dropped a bit. The old man he had blasted across the room was clearly in critical condition. A twinge of guilt joined the shards of shrapnel trying to crawl their way into his chest. Ghost walked up to his side without his knowledge, panting. His soft fur brushed against Tony's fingers, causing him to pull away. The direwolf that once growled and snarled at him looked up with beady red eyes.

"You're spooky, you know that?" he said, mocking the big predator, "No wonder they call you 'Ghost'," Tony quipped before following the rest of the group inside.