Chapter 1: Ryam
Prince Ryam Baratheon wondered why the North was this cold. Wasn't this the time of summer? He could feel the icy air creep onto his skin and have a certain bite to it. When the wind blew, it felt like small pricks digging into the body and on the worst days, like blades slashing across the body. He wondered what would happen if it got cold.
It was said that Ryam inherited the best traits from both worlds, from his father and mother. Like his father when he was young, Ryam was tall and muscular, "like a maiden's fantasy." He was also very handsome, thanks to his mother's characteristics. Ryam had two mismatched eyes — one bright blue, the other bright green — which was said that the "defect" only enhanced his attraction.
It had been nearly a month since Ryam, his family, and the king's company left King's Landing towards the north, to the home of House Stark, Winterfell. The purpose of their journey was for father to offer the position of the Hand of the King to his old childhood friend, Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell, since the death of the previous Hand of the King, Lord Jon Arryn.
This really upset Ryam's uncle, Lord Stannis Baratheon, Robert's younger brother, that he was not chosen which caused him to set sails from King's Landing to his own seat of Dragonstone.
Ryam knew that Uncle Stannis was a likely choice to be Hand of the King. Also, a likely choice was his grandfather, Lord Tywin Lannister, who had great experience as Hand of the King back when he served under the Mad King. But father wanted Eddard to be his Hand of the King—someone who possesses now skill or experience in royal politics. This is another major error his father made while serving as King of the Seven Kingdoms.
Ryma knew his father had been widely considered the worst king in the realm. This assertion can be backed by several reasons, which include his lack of leadership skills, irresponsibility, and inability to maintain order.
One of the primary reasons for his father's poor reign is his lack of leadership qualities. A King's main responsibility was to lead his kingdom and make decisions that would benefit the realm. However, his father frequently relied on others to make crucial decisions for him.
His father's irresponsibility as a king is another factor that contributed to his poor rule. He was known for his excessive drinking, hunting, and womanizing, which took a significant toll on his health and ability to govern effectively. His addiction to excess led to neglecting his duties as a king, further destabilizing the realm and weakening its defenses.
Another problem was father's inability to maintain order within his kingdom was another significant issue. His lack of leadership and irresponsibility allowed for the rise of corruption, crime, and disorder throughout the Seven Kingdoms. This chaos led to a decline in the quality of life for the citizens and made the kingdom more vulnerable to external threats.
Lastly, father's mismanagement of resources further exacerbated the issues within the kingdom. His excessive spending on lavish parties and indulgence in wine and women drained the kingdom's resources, leaving little for essential needs such as defense and public infrastructure.
"So that's Winterfell? It doesn't look that special!"
At Ryam's side was Ser Duncan Storm, a former Stormlander sellsword-turn-sworn shield. Duncan's father was Ralph Buckler, the Lord of Bronzegate and the head of House Buckler, and a Dornishwoman who was his mistress.
Duncan was a rather independent and fierce boy who would one day, after turning fourteen had manage to garner passage to Essos where he soon joined a mercenary company, the Golden Company, and ran amok with them for several years before coming back Westeros before he reached his twentieth year.
Duncan later participated in one of the many tourneys that king Robert held, winning the melee contest, which resulted in him getting the honor of being asked if he was willing to become the sworn shield of Ryam after his impressive display.
Duncan himself said that he looked more like his mother rather than his father. He had thick black hair that reached his shoulders, and his eyes were amber so full of color they may as well have been gold with clean-shaven features. Ryam had come to know that most women who looked upon him, found him to be fair to look at due to his very comely features.
"Maybe not to outsiders," said Ryam. "But to the Northmen its' special."
"At least we finally get out this cold," Duncan remarked. "I wondered how the women are in bed."
"Do you always think about women?" Ryam questioned his friend.
"Don't you?" Duncan questioned his friend in turn.
"Sure, I think about women…when I'm in the mood!" Ryam stated.
"You when you're in a bad mood when your mother accuses you of begin like your father?" Duncan recalls.
The relationship between Ryam and his mother was well known throughout the Seven Kingdoms. It was said that Cersei deeply disapproved Ryam's appearance because he lacks the blonde hair and green eyes of his older twin brother, Joffery, and younger siblings, Princess Myrcella and Tommen.
The relationship between mother and son grew worse when Cersei began favoring Joffery. Ryam tries everything to earn his mother's attention and favor, such following her example and acting the opposite to his father, whose relationship with mother was not well-loved and respected. However, no matter how hard he tries, Cersei refuses to acknowledge him as she acknowledges Joffery.
One day, his mother went too far. Ryam was beating Joffery for killing and skinning Tommen 's pet kitten. His mother got very angry with Ryam and accused him of acting like his father. Ryam finally faces the truth that he will never earn the love and respect of his mother that she always showers on Joffery.
Still affronted of how much mother favor Joffery, Ryam begin to pay her back by acting like his father as she labels him to be. For example, he begins going to Chataya's brothel, sleeping with many of Chataya's girls, becoming very popular with them. He even begins sleeping with many of the female servants, handmaidens and ladies in Red Keep, earning a wanton reputation to rival his father, enough to infuriate her mother to a boiling point.
Ryam was careful not to impregnate any of them. While a womanizer like his father, he always practices great restraint in not spilling his seed in their womb. Sometimes he was spill his seed in their anus. He never made the mistake of getting any woman pregnant.
However, bedding women from left to right was not the only thing he did. Ryam spent his time participating in tourneys to display his skill in melee, archery, and jousting. Not to mention contributing his winnings to help the poor and homeless in King's Landing. He was very popular with the smallfolk and Nobles alike, earning the nickname "Black Stag". And here was high talk that Ryam was better man and choice to sit on the Iron Throne than his brother, something that made Joffery green with envy and red with fury.
"It's her own fault that she says that to my face," Ryam confirmed. "She always spoiled Joffery too much, now acknowledge, me, Myrcella and Tommen."
"I figure it because you don't have the Lannister looks!" Duncan pointed out.
There was silence between the two until Duncan asked again "So... how would their women be in bed?"
"I had to find that out myself," Ryam replied. "Unless mother did something to provoked."
"Are you looking forward of being provoked?" Duncan asked.
"Are you always this annoying?" Ryam questioned Duncan.
"It's part of my charm!" Duncan replied with a smile.
0o0o0
The king's party rides into Winterfell. Awaits them as the whole household of House Stark.
Ryam and Duncan were riding alongside Joffery and his sworn shield, Sandor Clegane, right behind King Robert Baratheon who rode ahead. Behind them was the royal carriage, carrying Queen Cersei Lannister and her two young children, Myrcella and Tommen.
Ryam watched his father greet the man known as Lord Eddard Stark. This was the first time he saw Eddard Stark in person. The man has a long face and long brown hair. His closely trimmed beard is beginning to grey, making him look older than his thirty-five years. His dark grey eyes reflect his moods, turning soft as fog or hard as stone. Not to mention he was shorter and less handsome.
Plus, the man, has blossomed their family, with five children, three sons, and two daughters. Although, Ryam is interested that most of them have red hair except for two. He watches his mother join his father, while Myrcella and Tommen remain behind. She offered her hand to Lord Stark, who kindly bowed and kissed her knuckles. Meanwhile, Lady Catelyn Stark bows to her.
"Take me to your crypt. I want to pay my respects." Father announced.
"We've been riding for a month, my love." Mother said. "Surely the dead can wait."
Father nodded his head, saying, "Ned." Before walking away.
Ryam knew whose father was going to see Lyanna Stark.
From what he knows, Lyanna Stark was supposed to be a betrothed father when they were young. Yet she was said to had been kidnapped by Prince Rhaegar Targaryen. This event exploded to a calamity conflict known later as Robert's Rebellion.
Although Father defeated Rhaegar Targaryen and won the Iron Throne, Lyanna was already dead before he could marry her. Father was deeply infatuated with Lyanna and remains very much in love with her memory many years after her death to the point of causing major strain in his marriage to Mother.
"Where's the Imp?"
One of the stark children said something that interrupted Ryam's thoughts. She was talking about Uncle Tyrion Lannister. Looking around, Ryam noticed he was nowhere in sight.
Even Mother noticed this and marched over to Uncle Jaime, her twin brother, and the renowned kingslayer, and demanded "Where is our brother? Go and find the little beast."
Duncan whispered, "If I had a good guess, he probably drowning in lots of beautiful Northern women."
Ignoring his friend's remark Ryam turned towards Catelyn Stark, and bowed respectfully as he greeted "Lady Stark, it's an honor to meet you and your family?"
"Of course, my Prince." Said Catelyn, with clean politeness. She turned to the children to introduce them.
"This is my eldest son Robb," Catelyn introduced. "My husband's heir."
"A pleasure, my Prince." Said Robb.
"Just called me Ryam, please," Ryam replied.
"Very well then Ryam." Said Robb, half-smiling. Steffon returned the half-smile, feeling that could become good friends with this man.
"Our elder daughter Sansa," Catelyn also introduced. Ryam would catch Sansa's attention from Joffrey who in turn greeted her with a smile. The smile made him edgy, as he suspected what was in mind of his brother's.
"This is my youngest son, Rickon," She continues. Rickon looked up to Ryam shyly. Steffon, seeing that the lad was clearly out of his depth, gently ruffled his hair, just as his father had done.
"Our younger daughter Arya." Said Catelyn. The one called Arya was different. Unlike her siblings, she inherited her father's looks. And unlike her older sister, she seems to be the type who does not favor female traditions according to society.
"Greetings little Lady?" Ryam greeted her.
" I'm not little. And I am not a Lady." Arya replied.
"She's feisty, this one," Ryam thought. He smiled down at her, while her mother rolled her eyes in anger. Myrcella and Tommen merely giggled.
"And last but not least, my middle son, Brandon." She concludes. "Yet he prefers to be called Bran."
As Ryam made quick introductions of himself to Bran he would see Myrcella's was a bit more drawn out with Robb Stark. He could see her blush when Robb kissed her hand. Looking at the two, maybe Father might betroth Myrcella to Robb...if mother allows it.
As Ryam peered past the Starks, he noticed a person who looked strikingly similar to Ned. He turned to Cat.
"Who is that?" he asked.
"Jon Snow. My husband's bastard son." She responded, somewhat coldly.
"I wish to speak with him."
"My Prince, it would not be appropriate for—" Catelyn tried to protest before Ryam cut her off.
Oh, enough with that nonsense. We're all equal, aren't we?" Said Ryam. Reluctantly, Catelyn motioned for Jon to step forward and shake the Prince's hand.
"My Prince." Said Jon, clearly uncomfortable with Catelyn beside him. The Lady of Winterfell had already made little secret of her disdain for Jon.
"Please, call me Ryam." Ryam said, grabbing and shaking Jon's hand. Noticing another a lean, dark, handsome young man, with black hair, and a lean, dark face at Robb's side, Ryam says "I take it that you're Theon Greyjoy."
"That I am, my Prince," Theon Greyjoy replied.
"Ryam, we thought we'd give you the tour of Winterfell." Said Robb.
"Thank you, Robb. Will Jon be joining us?" Ryam asked.
"I'm just a bastard, my Prince," said Jon, with the same grim look on his face.
Ryam replied "So what? I have no issue with bastards. I judge them from the inside instead of the outside. I kind of wish I brought Edric with me."
"Edric?" Jon repeated.
"My father's bastard and Half-brother," Ryam explained "I wish I could introduce you to him, but he is in King's Landing. He's my Squire whom I am training to be a great knight someday."
Jon was taken slightly aback; he hadn't expected this sort of thinking from a Prince of Westeros, let alone someone related to Joffrey. Jon made to join them, and the three began showing the Prince around Winterfell.