Eddard Stark

Kings Landing, 299AC

The last time Eddard Stark had entered Kings Landing, he swore he would not set foot in the foul city again. Yet here he was, right back to the place where he first saw the man he considered a great friend for who he really was. How he had been blinded for so long was lost to him, but the past cannot be unwritten. When they were approaching, Sansa's eyes were wide in wonder and Arya was much the same but not as much as her elder sister. At least that was something that would work out, Sansa was always more southern than northern, and she had time to shine whilst she was here. But she would have to learn that life isn't all sunshine and daisies, and she will need to learn that soon.

He expected the whole thing with Lady to be enough to open her eyes to this, but it wasn't. Ever since he had taken the blade to his daughter's wolf on Robert's orders she could barely even look at him, clearly blaming him for what happened alongside Arya. But he had to get her alone to warn her of the dangers of the capital. She cannot go on with these thoughts and idealisations. He thought the capital may have changed since Aerys was killed as he didn't care for the smallfolk at all- taking them and burning them alive for his own amusement often.

So, to say he was shocked that the city seemed worse than then was not a nice thought. They were miles away when the putrid stench of shit reached their nostrils, both girls immediately gagging at it. The gates were better fortified which was to be expected as anyone can enter the city, but it did strike Ned odd that all standing guard were wearing red and gold. Were there no Baratheon men manning the walls? Perhaps they took it in turns every few hours. Once they had reached the Dragon Gate, all bundled out of the wheelhouse and dismounted from their horses to enter the capital.

To think this city didn't even exist only three hundred years prior, it's now larger than Oldtown and Lannisport combined and a population the same as what the North is as a whole. They were escorted through numerous streets, it not escaping his notice they were avoiding Flea Bottom, getting closer to the huge castle. The last time he had been in the Red Keep was when he proclaimed Jon as his bastard and with his sisters bones in a chest, the time before that being when he and Robert fell out over the murders of Aegon, Rhaenys, and Elia. Ned closed his eyes and breathed deeply, remembering Jon's words just before he left.

Don't do anything stupid, you're the only father figure I have.

He knew he would find no allies in these cursed streets. It wasn't unknown that everyone in Kings Landing is a liar and nobody is to be trusted. The further away they got from Flea Bottom, the better the stench got and by the time they had reached the gates surrounding the castle, it was almost completely gone. Sansa and Arya were looking up in wonder at the large turrets and the bright red bricks which made the building stand out against the cream of most other buildings in the capital.

"My Lord, a raven just arrived from Winterfell."

He turned to Jory and held his hand out to take it, deciding to wait until he was in his own chambers before opening it to see its contents. The last one he received was worrying, and it set him on edge. Jon had apparently saw someone in the tower when Bran fell, and Catelyn found a clump of curly blonde hair that wasn't yet dirty- confirming it had not been there for long. Her telling him to be careful as she suspected something was going on. It took him reading it numerous times to get the hidden meaning of the letter, but it only set dread deeper into his mind.

"Father, look how big it is!"

He laughed a little at Arya's words as they made their way to the entrance of the castle. Jon's ancestor built this- an ancestor renowned for his cruelty. But there was no denying the architecture involved was an incredible sight. Already, the sweltering heat of the south was getting to him, and he could tell it was getting to Jeyne too as she was fanning her face with her hands. Something Sansa was scoffing at as it's not exactly ladylike to do so.

They were led inside by a member of the Kingsguard, a couple of Gold Cloaks, alongside a few other guards. The steps in the tower of the Hand seeming to go on forever. Easily a couple of hundred feet tall, and by the time they were at the top, they were struggling to breathe. Sansa immediately claimed the second largest room which was opposite Ned's, and Arya took the one beside his. As soon as the door was closed behind him, he pulled the letter out and broke the direwolf seal. What was happening now? The last letter was worrying enough.

Ned, I am writing to let you know the good news. Bran finally awoke from his coma but unfortunately there was a spinal injury which has rendered him paralysed from the waist down. I've already consulted with Maester Luwin to see if there is a way to cure said injury but he is unaware of one. He is not taking it well and begged someone to kill him as he'd rather be dead than be crippled. However, it has come to my attention the wolves are more protective over the children than they are of them. A cutthroat was hired for Bran that wielded a Valyrian steel dagger. The boy's have taken it upon themselves to try and get to the bottom of this, but Summer tore the man's throat out after I managed to fight him off temporarily. I'm certain it wasn't an accident, but it was clearly not done by someone smart as it was clumsily put together. Alongside this, a letter arrived from Howland Reed requesting to foster the whelp but he was too late as he has already gone to the Wall. Please write back as soon as you receive this so I know you've settled in well.

His eyebrows creased as he read it again, trying to peace it all together. Only one thing was certain, Bran was paralysed. Why did Howland send a raven asking to foster Jon? And why in seven hells had Jon gone to the Wall and swore his life away now that he knew he was the rightful heir and he had two live dragon eggs? That was when a certain word stuck out to him- whelp. Why had Catelyn referred to him as such in the letter? Ever since he had told her, she had come to accept the boy but there was still tension between the pair. Had it blown over when he had left? It seemed unlikely. His wife is someone who sucks in her feelings, and Jon is someone who doesn't act on his thoughts unless he has no choice but to. Clearly, this meant she was making sure the letter wouldn't be intercepted.

Why would she fear interception though? He's missing something, but what? Ned looked around the room before noticing the torch on the wall. He walked over and grabbed one of the candles nearby to create more light. Then he brought it close to the letter, a faint yellow making itself known. He turned the parchment over and hovered the flame underneath so he could see the true message.

Ned, during the assassination attempt on Bran, there was a large fire in the library tower. Robb went to find Jon as his room is in said area to make sure he was okay. When he found him, he said he was clutching the eggs and they were noticeably vibrating. The boy is resistant to fire Ned, he walked into that tower with those eggs and came out unscathed. But it's not the only thing he walked out with. They've hatched, there are two dragons in Winterfell. The situation has become dire now and he suggested writing to Howland to request to stay there under the guise of fostering- but he realised the timing was off. Between us all, we've come to the agreement he cannot stay in Winterfell. His eyes have also changed colour from lilac-grey to bright purple. Howland is on his way to Winterfell right now alongside Jyana, and they are going to take him to the Wall to make it look as though he's taken the black before heading to the Neck via ship from Eastwatch.

As he read this, he felt his knees beginning to buckle and he grabbed one of the bedposts before scanning it again. They had hatched, there were dragons once again in the world. And his eyes? Yes, they were lilac but mostly looked grey due to the dim lighting in Winterfell, but completely changing colour? What was going on with him? How did he find out he's resistant to fire? What possessed him to walk straight into a tower that was alight? Immediately, he knew he couldn't keep this letter in case someone found it. So, he threw it into the fire and watched as it melted away. He remembered the tale that spread throughout the poorer parts of Wintertown, about there being a hidden dragon underneath the castle. A story that had been around for over two hundred years as it was rumoured Queen Alysanne's dragon Silverwing had lay a clutch of eggs and they were kept in the crypts. If there was any truth to it, there was no evidence of such. No eggs were ever found, but the crypts were multiple levels deep and spanned wider than Winterfell and its Godswood.

Now there are two living dragons in the walls. With the time it takes a raven to arrive in the capital, Jon would already be on his way to the Wall. But what would he tell Sansa and Arya? He wanted to tell them what had happened, but could he trust them to keep it a secret? Arya knew the basics of what had happened, but Sansa knew the whole picture. A picture she was either ignoring or refusing to believe. Unfortunately, it's a mindset a lot of people will have when the truth comes out, knowing that the war fought was done over a false claim because someone's ego got bruised.

"My Lord, the first small council meeting shall be held in approximately two hours. I shall come to escort you- "

"I won't need an escort. I have been in the Red Keep before and I remember where the small council chamber is."

The young man opened and closed his mouth a few times before scampering away, his red and gold clothing catching his eye again. Where were the Baratheon men? He thought carefully for a few minutes before deciding he wasn't going to tell them. There's a saying that the walls of the Red Keep have ears, the place crawling with spies and people looking to better themselves. He wasn't going to allow his girls to be in that mess. Sansa was worried enough over the idea that they might hatch when Jon showed what Aemon had gifted him, if she knew they weren't eggs anymore there's no telling what she would do. Then there was Arya, who would undoubtedly run around the castle screaming in excitement. She'd always idolised the female Targaryen's and their dragons- Visenya especially. To her, Jon was practically her reincarnate considering he now had dragons and he wielded her famous sword.

Jaeron Targaryen

The Wall, 299AC

When they had come to the agreement to come to the Wall first, their intention was to remain for approximately five days before heading towards Eastwatch before catching a ship down south. But upon receiving the news of Benjen, this changed massively. Now, two weeks had passed since they had arrived, and it was clear Howland was out of his depth, but he knew Jon didn't want to leave until he had some news of his uncle. The older man had sent a raven to his wife as she would now be back in Greywater Watch if she stuck to the original plan as well to let her know they would be longer than intended.

Things were decidedly different at Castle Black than they were the last time he had been here. First off, it seemed a lot colder than previously, and the feeling of being isolated was much more prominent. And word got around quickly regarding who he was and what he had. Ser Alliser swore on his gods that he didn't say a thing, but he didn't suspect Aemon of doing so either. Which meant someone had been spying on their talks. Jeor had also sworn not to tell a soul the truth. However, it made selling the lie a little easier. A week prior after being asked again if it was true, he had snapped and said it outright which he really shouldn't have done. But he'd done it, and he was just lucky there was no one who was simply escorting new recruits.

They were always sworn to remain neutral and to not meddle with the politics of Westeros, it caused an uneasy truce. Aemon had been delighted about not needing to keep it a secret anymore and a lot of brothers were remarking over how happy he looked now. This only amplified as Lyrax had seemed to attach herself to the elderly man, rarely leaving his lap as he constantly tickled her chin which she loved. It brought a warm feeling to him, but it stung that even if his uncle survived until they had grown to the size to be ridden, he wouldn't be able to due to his frail body. He's one-hundred-and-two name-days, it's a miracle he's lived that long. The only person he knew who was a similar age was Old Nan in Winterfell, and he didn't know for certain just how old she was.

When the truth got out, there seemed to be a collective hush around him as he walked. Those who were Targaryen loyalists who were banished for refusing to bend the knee to Robert practically bowing at his feet, but he'd put his foot down regarding that. He is a Prince, but hardly anyone knows, so he does not want to be treated as such. Everything will be up in the air at some point, and it's difficult to think of the potential outcomes. But there had been some positives. First, they had received a raven that morning from Torghen Hill stating he would catch the next ship from Pentos but he probably wouldn't arrive for a couple of months as he would need to remain on the low considering he was exiled. Second, he'd made a friend.

Well, friend was putting it nicely. In the numerous talks he'd had with his uncle, he'd gotten to know his new steward as well. Samwell Tarly of Horn Hill. When he heard his surname, he had to stop his eyes from bugging out. This boy's father was a staunch supporter of the Targaryen's and only bent the knee to keep the family alive. But he wasn't what he had expected. Tarly's were known to be warriors, but it was clear he was not. Preferring books to swords, and preferring food to war tactics. Not long after word had spread about Jon was what cemented it. He'd gone to the top of the Wall with Rhaegon perched on his shoulder as there was no need to hide them in the castle anymore to be met with the young man struggling to start a fire.

At first, he hadn't noticed Jon, but when he did he had jumped so hard the younger was about to grab him to stop him falling. Luckily, it didn't come to that as he breathed hard before eyeing the small dragon he had. It had now been a month since they had hatched, even though it did not feel like that at all. Carefully, he sat down and raised a hand for Rhaegon to climb onto his palm and lower him to the ground, but the silver dragon had other ideas as he curled into his lap much like Lyrax was doing with Aemon.

"Need help?"

Sam had stuttered a little bit before blushing in embarrassment that he couldn't start the fire himself. A small stream of flame left the small creature and soon they were washed with the gentle heat from the flames. The older immediately began rubbing his hands together to create some heat before seemingly remembering whose company he was in.

"Is it true? What they're saying? That you're Rhaegar Targaryen's son with Lyanna Stark?"

Jon simply looked around him for a few moments, not used to the questions at all.

"Aye, it's true. Didn't even know myself until my sixteenth name-day. No one was more shocked than I was. I thought I was a bastard my whole life, it was a rather large leap."

By now, Rhaegon had gone to sleep which caused him to roll his eyes in annoyance, knowing there was no way he was leaving his lap as the ice they were seated on was too cold for them. He'd found that out when he'd tried to sit Lyrax down only for her to squeal like a child at the temperature. It was times like this that made him forget he was raising two dragons and not two toddlers. They sure acted like it.

"I can't even imagine what that must've been like. Your uncle never told you Lyanna was your mother?"

"He never even spoke of her. Not to me, not to his wife, not to his own children. The only time I heard anyone talking of her it was that my little sister Arya apparently looks a lot like her. Ironic now that I think about it, as I look a lot like her. Minus the eyes that is, purple eyes aren't a trait of the Stark's."

Silence ensued for a few minutes at this, the older looking to him almost in terror. Whether scared of his reaction, scared of him, or scared of Rhaegon was unknown though.

"I suppose it's a good thing you inherited your mothers colouring, it would've been difficult if you were born with silver or gold hair like a lot of Targaryen's were. Although, this was probably because of all the incest. No offense intended, my Prince- "

"There's no need for titles Sam. Aye, I'm a Prince, but it's not out yet. I don't want it to get out until these two are large enough to make a statement. When I say that, I don't mean I'm going to burn cities to the ground or burn people alive. I'm not my grandfather. And no offense taken. My uncle always taught me taking offense to a fact is a sign of someone being disconnected from reality and they need a good smack across the face. Well, he didn't say this explicitly in this format, but it's what he meant by it. I know incest was common in my family. I don't necessarily agree with it, but it did happen."

That was when he felt Ghost nudge his side, only remembering now his wolf had come up with him. He was surprised about that, as Ghost hated heights, but he clearly wanted to be beside his owner currently. He was now almost the size of a regular wolf, growing almost as quick as the dragons were. It was nice to have him there, his snow-white fur giving further warmth to him. Sam was shivering a little and he asked him to sit beside him so he could get some heat off the wolf as well. He did so hesitantly, eyeing the sleeping dragon with trepidation.

"He won't harm you, at most you'll get a playful nip from him."

It didn't help much, but he sat down beside him anyway and let out an audible sigh at feeling the warm fur wrapped between the pair. Jon's hands immediately went to the fire and moved a few logs to keep it going as it was going down, something that caused the other boy's eyes to widen massively.

"Did you just?"

All he could do was nod. Demonstrating by leaving his bare palm inside the flames for a few seconds before showing there were no burn marks.

"I don't know how I can do it if that's what you're asking. I thought it may have been a Targaryen trait, but that didn't make sense considering many members of my family have been burned alive or have suffered serious burns beforehand. Hence why my hair is so short. It used to fall to my shoulders, but when these two hatched, I lost it all in the fire apart from a few patches- "

He was cut off as a loud horn echoed. He bit his lip waiting on another one, but it never came, confirming a rider was approaching. He stood up and walked towards the edge, looking down to try and see. He could barely see anything though, being seven hundred feet high. Rhaegon jumped awake at the noise and gave him a quizzical glance and Ghost's ears were perked up in curiosity.

"Can you see anything?"

Jon shook his head before stepping into the lift, with Sam following close behind. It was a tight fit with a wolf, a dragon, and two people, but they made do. Once they were on the ground, he spotted someone helping Aemon down the stairs as the tunnel was opened. Lyrax immediately flew towards Jon and perched on his other shoulder. Then a horse galloped into the courtyard, but there was no rider. Dread seeped into his stomach as he recognised this horse, he had been there when Eddard gifted him it a few years prior on one of his visits down.

"That's my uncle Benjen's horse."

The words left his mouth before anyone else could say anything, a lot of brothers going into a panic at what this meant. Benjen would never leave his faithful companion. A few people walked over and caught the reins to calm the horse down before leading it to the stables to be brushed through and fed. Howland jogged over to him and placed a hand gently on his shoulder, seeing how terrified he was now. He looked around the courtyard, pretending not to notice the numerous looks he was getting in response as they all knew who he was before they landed on Aemon who was now only a few feet from him.

"What is going on?- "

Jeor was cut off by Samwell.

"Benjen Stark's horse ran in, but he wasn't on it."

The old bear's eyes widened in shock before heading to the stables, Jon following close behind with Ghost at his heels. Those in the way quickly cleared space for them, but it didn't pass Jon's face they were looking to him fearfully. When he found out, he knew this would be a common reaction. It's not uncommon for a son to be like the father, and they obviously thought there was a chance he may be like his grandfather. The horse was rearing and whinnying, indicating it was terrified. But what was it terrified of? Jon walked over to help calm the beast, it calming down just slightly. He noticed that some of his items were still there.

"Don't touch the items. Ghost, can you track the scent boy?"

The wolf's ears perked up at this, it not being known if he understood him. But he went to them and sniffed them before growling in response. This set dread further into his stomach because Ghost never growled at Benjen. Then he was running out of the courtyard towards the tunnel and past the Wall.

"Will he be able to track it?"

"Aye. He's a direwolf, his senses are much sharper than that of a normal wolf."

As he said these words, he realised he wasn't entirely certain of them. It was unknown to him just how vast the area was north of the Wall. Had he just sent his faithful companion to his death by doing what he did? Hopefully not. Somehow, he had a feeling that he would be alright.

The first day wasn't too difficult, him preoccupying himself by teaching the dragons commands and sparring with some of the brothers, even showing them a few tricks whilst he was at it. It was a welcome addition, and it was not lost on anyone that Alliser seemed happy for once. It was a strange thing to see on the man's face considering he always had his lips pulled into a tight line as if everything surrounding him insulted him greatly. He'd still never cracked a smile around them, but maybe one day it would happen. Some brothers were probably betting on it happening sometime soon.

The second day he was taken in by Aemon who tried his best to console him, clearly seeing just how shaken the boy was over what had happened. But no matter how much he tried to get Jon to open to him, he wouldn't speak a word on how he felt. This had caused the elderly man to scowl lightly, him being used to these actions from Rhaegar. He's more like his father than he realises, but he didn't audibly say this. Instead, he decided to distract the boy by telling him stories from his childhood. To running along the beaches with Aegon and Daeron, of Aerion and Daella playing pranks on one another. Jon forgot at times that he had grown up with just as many siblings as he had, and they spoke of the similarities they shared. He didn't have much to say of his youngest sister Rhae though, simply that they weren't overly close but they did love one another.

The third day was much like the first. It now being apparent that those surrounding him were trying to distract him in case he reacted badly or did something he would regret. He hated being treated like this, like everyone was walking on eggshells around him. But having a famed name and having a grandfather as notorious as he had, they had a right to be wary. Especially because he had dragons and a direwolf. Two literal embodiments of each branch of his family. But it was on the third night that something strange happened. He had been on the makeshift bed in Aemon's room, staring around him to take everything in. But then his eyes flashed, and he felt a jarring pain in his lower stomach. He lifted his shirt only to see there was nothing there. Before he knew it, the scenery switched to something else entirely.

He could feel the snow beneath him, could feel more of the stuff falling and landing on his thick white fur. His ears perking around to try and pick up sounds. There wasn't much around him other than white and numerous mountains, alongside the occasional river and stream. A rustling caught his attention and he bounded over towards whatever it was, quickly biting into the rabbit's neck so it died instantly before diving in. It didn't do much in satisfying his hunger, but it was better than nothing. Trotting further into the wilderness proved to be difficult as it was even colder than it was at the Wall. How anyone could live out in these temperatures was just strange.

That was when he caught the scent. It was faint, but it was there. Carefully, he made his way towards it only to come to a large clearing surrounded by trees. The shade creating an ominous feeling in the area. The scent was stronger now. The scent of people, death, food, and blood. He pawed away at the snow and his assumption was proved correct as he spotted red staining the white snow, confirming someone had died here, and it was recent. His sensitive nose picking up on this. He sniffed it a few times and began to follow the trace, approximately ten minutes later he got his answer.

Two bodies on the ground, the scent from their clothing confirming they had been black brothers. He recognised one of them from the last time he had visited, and he'd heard people talk about how he had gone missing alongside Benjen. But there wasn't a third body, confirming the Stark had either gotten away or they had gotten separated. He sniffed them closer, confused that there was no scent of decay or even the scent of death on them, but the blood on the ground confirmed they had been dead for a while as it was beginning to smell rotten.

Jon awoke with a start, his face covered in sweat and his breathing haggard. Once he'd gotten control of his breathing, he noticed Howland, Aemon, and Samwell were giving him quizzical glances. Then the taste of blood and raw meat entered his mouth as he scrambled to rid himself of the taste. Did he just dream he was Ghost? That had never happened before, or not like this. He'd dreamt he was with Ghost hunting before, but never where he was Ghost.

"Jaeron?"

Eventually, the taste began to disappear and he eyed them all oddly. But it was when his eyes connected with Howland that something clicked into place.

"It's nothing- "

"It's not nothing, you were growling. You sounded like your wolf."

Aemon was worried for him, and it was obvious Lyrax was worried too as she flew down from her perch to snuggle into him, Rhaegon following close behind her. He knew he was going to have to tell them. He braced himself for the questions and statements that he was going mad.

"Ever since I got Ghost, I've been having these dreams I suppose you could say. Dreaming of being with him when he's been hunting. But this time- this time I was Ghost. From the scenery it was clearly north of the Wall, he killed a rabbit that he ate, and he found two bodies of the two rangers who went with Benjen. No sight of him though- "

"You're a warg."

Howland's stunned response broke his rambling, confusion setting in. What was a warg? What did that even mean?

"I thought that was a myth."

Now it was Sam who spoke, and Aemon was looking between the pair, trying to take in what they were saying.

"It's incredibly rare. It's assumed there's only a couple thousand of us left. Clearly his bond with Ghost runs a lot deeper than he thought. It's more common in the Neck than elsewhere, a gift that's been passed down thousands of years, something that was in the blood of the First Men. Did you taste the flesh when Ghost killed the rabbit, Jaeron?"

The words were spinning around in his head but he nodded anyway, knowing there was no use in lying to either of them.

"Well, it's an even better thing you're coming with me then. I'm one as well, as is my son Jojen. We can train you to control it. The animal I could do it with is unfortunately dead, but I can still help you with it. If you gain full control of it, you'll be able to enter Ghost's mind whenever you want."

His eyebrows furrowed in the centre of his forehead at these words, the thought not processing for some reason with him. Did this mean all the Stark kids were like this?

"My siblings have also been having said dreams. I'm unsure about Rickon as he's so little but the others do."

Now, Howland's eyes opened massively before asking to borrow some parchment from Aemon so he could write to Ned and Catelyn to let them know of what may be happening. There was no use in using the lemon water trick Jaeron had told him of on their way to Castle Black considering it wasn't wholly sensitive information. Simply stating to keep an eye on the kids in case they have more of these dreams.

"Did he seem far out?"

Jon shook his head.

"I could see the Wall on the horizon, the Haunted Forest looked to be an hour or so away."

"I'll alert Jeor right now to prepare men- "

"Don't Sam. If what I saw is happening, the brothers were dead. Ghost will drag the bodies back. He should be here tomorrow at the latest."

The other boy gulped at this, fear setting in for them at what this meant. Something had happened, and it wasn't anything good. The other horses came back weeks ago but without their riders. Meaning they had run off, possibly meaning Benjen's horse had run back as a warning of some kind. He couldn't say this for certain though considering there was no way to truly know the intelligence of an animal.

"We'll just need to wait on the wolf getting back with the bodies before we do anything else. That's the smartest thing we can do."

All agreed with this, not all agreeing with it but knowing it was the only option they had. The day went on as normal, neither of them saying what had happened other than telling Jeor. The news had rattled him, but he decided to go with what they were saying. They wouldn't be able to prove anything without the wolf. Jon sparred with a few people trying their luck and striking common ground with a boy named Pyper- although everyone called him Pyp for short. A lowborn boy who didn't understand the complexity of politics or what his name meant other than he was a Prince. It was a nice change for him, reminding him that it's not just those with titles he would be taking care of if he succeeds when the time comes.

"Open the tunnel! I can see the wolf!"

Jon's eyes widened at this before sheathing his sword and walking into the courtyard. That knot in his stomach tightened as like he expected, he was dragging two bodies with him. Once the tunnel was sealed, the wolf ran over and jumped up so his front paws were on either shoulder, licking him right across the face. He scratched behind his ear and coaxed him down so they could see who it was. It was them all right, confirming he had seen inside Ghost's mind like he was one with the wolf.

"It's definitely them alright, and they've been dead a while with the frozen fingers."

"Are you sure about that, Lord Commander? There's no smell coming from them. If they'd been dead a while, surely they would be decaying too?"

Jeor bristled a little at the words before realising what Samwell was saying had merit. All bodies begin to decay from the moment the heart stops working, but there was none on them. If it weren't for the ice covering parts of them and the blue tinge to their skin, they could've passed as simply being asleep.

"You may be a coward Tarly, but you're certainly not stupid. Help me get the bodies to one of the spare rooms. It is late, Maester Aemon can examine them in the morning."