Chapter 5-The Game Begins Anew
For nearly 20 years since Robert's Rebellion ended the Targaryen's rule, the Lin Kuei grew under Sub-Zero's guidance as its Grandmaster. All his wisdom, knowledge, skill, and past experience obtained when running the Lin Kuei in Earthrealm helped. It was like the old sayings, "knowing what I know now" or "If I could take what I know now and give it to myself 10 years ago" seemed to fit here. As Sub-Zero did just that with the Lin Kuei here in the Seven Kingdoms and running the clan in this realm.
As a result, the Lin Kuei grew at an incredible pace beyond even his own expectations. In time, his students had become Instructors and Masters in their own right. They were now the ones training others as he had taught them and ensuring they understood loyalty to the clan above all things. Yet, Sub-Zero also made sure everyone in the Lin Kuei understood to never become so ambitious as to take what they shouldn't and not to overreach. How the clan could fall far easier and faster if it did and could be destroyed as such like any House in the Seven Kingdoms.
And for nearly 20 years, Sub-Zero watched his clan grow to become an influential part of the Seven Kingdoms under his direct command. He had spies and agents in every single one of the Seven Kingdoms and was only now starting to slowly branch out into Braavos and Essos for good measure.
Which was good considering what his agents were reporting to him these days.
True to form, Robert had demanded Lyanna be brought to King's Landing upon a raven being sent to him providing a message stating she was alive. When Ned arrived in King's Landing without her, Robert demanded to know why she wasn't with him. Ned had told Robert the "truth" as Sub-Zero and Prince Oberyn had rehearsed with him about the Stark woman. How the Targaryen Prince had raped her, repeated, and how the last one had in fact been so bad it had damaged her womb to the point where children was not possible. Ned also explained how Lyanna had been so mentally traumatized by what Rheagar did to her and the following aftermath of it, and how the woman simply wished to return to the North to recover in peace.
Naturally, the new King had gone into a fit of rage. Cursing Rheagar again and again for doing that to the woman he loved. Ned had unknowingly played his role in lying to King Robert well, as his hesitance, reluctance, and overall manner of speaking had easily been convincing to all around him who heard the story. No one around Ned Stark suspected what he just said was a lie since everyone believed recent events had clearly shaken the young Lord of House Stark.
They never suspected he would have been able to mask the truth with a well crafted lie.
Not even Tywin Lannister had been able to see through the lie or find inconsistency with what Ned Stark told Robert about Lyanna. Not that it mattered to the Warden of the West at this point since Lyanna was taken out of the running to marry Robert on account of her being "damaged" and unable to provide the King with a future heir to his name if they married. Tywin's daughter Cersei was a different matter entirely, as she was currently ready, willing, and able to marry Robert to one day give the King an Heir in the near future.
There was still the issue with Rhaenys Martell, which would no doubt come up in the near future, but Tywin would cross that bridge when he came to it. If necessary, Tywin would call on the King to remove Jamie from the Kingsguard, and setup an arranged marriage between his son and Rhaenys to further cement House Lannister to the royal family. As such, his legacy would be secured in the royal family twice over, and at least one of his children would have offspring capable being ruler of the Seven Kingdoms.
And if Robert refused him, Tywin would remind the King of the debt owed to House Lannister along with a certain song that made the lion feared above all other Houses.
As Ned left King's Landing, he saw Varys giving him a knowing look, and the Lord of House Stark knew that the Spider knew the real truth. Not the lie Ned told Robert and the others. But the real truth that if revealed would rip what was left of the Seven Kingdoms to pieces. Yet, the Master of Whispers kept quiet when Ned told everyone the tale of what happened to Lyanna, not once saying anything to contradict him, or the story itself for that matter.
When the Lord of House Stark returned to Winterfell, he spoke privately with Sub-Zero in office meant for older brother. How he showed concerns about the Spider knowing the truth about Lyanna and Aegon, but saying nothing in order to have it in his robes to use in the near future. Sub-Zero assured him that while the Spider was holding that piece of information to use, if necessary, the Lin Kuei Grandmaster assured him that the Spider would not reveal anything unless there was no other recourse. Besides, Sub-Zero had his own agents in place to silence the Spider should he get any hints of Varys betraying them to the wrong people.
As to young Aegon or Jon Snow, as he would be called by everyone around him, the boy would not receive a warm welcome by the people of the North. Bastards were said to be wrong in the head and acted dishonorably when allowed to run around uncontrollably like wild animals. They were also proof of a married man's unfaithfulness to their wife and could cause a rift to appear between husband and wife as a result.
Which is what Ned had to go through for a time with his wife Catelyn Tully, who was no more a fan of her husband's "bastard" as she was of having Sub-Zero around. Or the fact he was building a new Lin Kuei compound near Winterfell seeing as King's Landing had been out of the question. The new Lady of Winterfell saw the Lin Kuei as a dishonorable clan of spies, assassins, and cutthroats paid by the highest bidder to do horrible things for a sum of coins.
One she felt had no business being near her new home, much less her husband, and her recently born son Robb. Catelyn also made it clear that the Grandmaster was to stay away from any other children she planned to give her husband in the foreseeable future.
But Ned wouldn't hear of it. Stating Sub-Zero had been a valuable ally in retrieving his sister from Dorne and slowly helping Lyanna with her "recovery" from the ordeal. As much as the Tully woman disliked the idea of the Lin Kuei being nearby, her husband's command was law in how the North was run under his rule. She could argue, yell, and even deny him love in their bed until the next Winter came and went. But in the end, Ned Stark was Warden of the North and the Warden of the North would not be denied what he wanted or wished to happen.
Eventually, as time went by, the red haired woman tolerated Sub-Zero's occasional visits, and his advice provided to her husband on occasion. He was polite enough. Civil enough. For an assassin and the leader of a clan of assassins. Still, Catelyn Tully (and now) Stark would always keep him at arms length, and made sure her child or future children were never alone with him. She had heard the story from Ned that Sub-Zero had killed Gregor Clegane to save Elia Martell from being raped in front of her own remaining child. For that, Catelyn would feel some level of respect. However, just because that happened, the Tully woman wouldn't fully trust the Lin Kuei Grandmaster.
As for young Jon, the Lady of House Stark had no love for the boy at all. She saw him as proof of her husband's unfaithfulness. Proof he had been with another woman and sired him a child not of her womb. What was worse, her husband had brought the said bastard home to Winterfell to raise as his own son in all but name. To be taught beside her own son as if they were equals. The nerve! The only difference was the Lin Kuei Grandmaster had agreed to take Jon into the clan when time permitted to be raised as a member. This was fine with Catelyn Stark to a degree, and knew the fewer times she saw the bastard child, the happier she would be when living in Winterfell.
Personally, she was hoping the boy would be sent to the Wall as a member of the Night's Watch, but this alternative was fine with her all the same.
The Tully born woman didn't understand why Lyanna Stark of all women would glare at her when giving Jon a look of distain. When asked about it once, Lyanna just told her that a bastard child should not be punished by others for being born. That the only difference between a bastard child and a legitimate one was a simple marriage between the parents.
Regardless of this, Catelyn Tully Stark refused to like Jon and continued to see him as nothing more than a bastard born from her husband's unfaithful actions.
And so time went by for nearly 20 years. During most of that time, there was peace all throughout the Seven Kingdoms. The only exception was the Greyjoy Rebellion, which happened several years after Robert had been made King. Naturally, it had united all of the other Kingdoms together to form a massive army to crush the Ironborn.
But what no one knew was Sub-Zero and the Lin Kuei had helped speed up the victory by having his personally trained agents infiltrate the Iron Islands. Once there, they had sabotaged the fleet of ships in various places, assassinated various Ironborn Captains, and threw those bodies into the sea to hide them. By the time the Lin Kuei had gotten through with the Ironborn internal structure and fighting strength, they weren't much of a threat to the fleet King Robert led to put down the Rebellion.
As a result, Theon Greyjoy was given to Ned Stark as a hostage to keep close, and to keep Balon Greyjoy in line in case the man decided to try something again. Ned Stark had planned to raise the boy fairly, in the hopes the boy would one day return to the Iron Islands and rule with honor befitting someone of a powerful House. Sub-Zero saw the logic behind it, but wasn't sure the method would produce fruit in the long run given the history of the Ironborn. Such things like honor, duty, and even loyalty would be seen as a weakness to them. The Ironborn motto was "We do not Sow", which to Sub-Zero meant they would steal, pillage, rape, and violate everything in their path. An Ironborn who did none of these things were not Ironborn, but failures that deserved to have their heads put on a pike.
The Grandmaster had already decided the boy would be watched carefully with a silent standing order to kill Theon Greyjoy if he betrayed the Starks for the Father who threw him away from the start.
After the Greyjoy Rebellion was settled, peace came once again to the Seven Kingdoms once more with the King ruling in his own way. Each Warden ruled over their territories, tournaments were held, the rich became richer, the poor became poorer, and life went on all the way to this point in time.
(Winterfell-At the Moment)
A young Brandon Stark was attempting to shoot an arrow at the target. Near him was his older brother Robb and half brother Jon. Behind and above him on a balcony watching his attempt was his Father, Mother, and Aunt Lyanna gauging his progress. So far he had missed twice and was now attempting a third with his hand shaking slightly as his mind tried to focus on hitting the target.
"Focus. Father is watching," said Jon while wearing his Lin Kuei uniform that was black and complete with the mask that covered most of his face.
"Slow your breathing. You can do this," said Robb while watching his brother preparing to fire.
And so Brandon listened to his big brother before firing the arrow. He hit the target, but not the center.
It wasn't bad, but not good either. Hence why Robb chuckled and Jon smirked.
"And which one of you was an expert marksmen at ten?" asked Ned from above with Robb and Jon looking away since they weren't exactly the best with an arrow at that age.
Picking up another arrow, Brandon was going to try again. Only for an arrow fired from his sister Arya beat him to it and the arrow itself hit dead center. Seeing her give a small curtsey made Brandon chase after her while the she-wolf ran away from him. Ned and Lyanna laughed knowing those two would be running around for awhile given Arya's rebelliousness in not doing anything "lady like". Their older daughter Sansa by contrast did all those things very well when learning how to be a lady.
"Your brood grow well Lord Stark," commented Sub-Zero while walking toward the Lord of House Stark.
"Seven Hells! Do you need to approach us with such silence?" asked Catelyn or "Cat" as she was known by her family.
"I was trained to walk like this since I had the ability to walk Lady Stark. Failure to do so would result in strict punishment from my instructors. The punishment for failing was not a pleasant one," said Sub-Zero while the woman looked at him with unease, yet kept her composure around the Grandmaster.
"Why are you here?" asked Ned curiously while Sub-Zero focused on him.
"Some of the Lin Kuei and your own bannermen have intercepted a deserter from the Wall. Your Sergeant at Arms should be here shortly to inform you of it," said Sub-Zero before turning slightly to see an elderly, yet still strong looking man coming toward them with a grim look on his face.
Ser Rodrik Cassel. Winterfell's Master of Arms.
"Lord Stark. My Ladies. Grandmaster. A deserter from the Night's Watch was just caught fleeing South," said Ser Rodrik while Ned looked at Sub-Zero for a second.
"Get the horses ready and tell Brandon he's coming as well," said Ned with Ser Rodrik with the man nodding.
"Brandon? Ned, he is only ten. He's too young to see this," said Cat while Ned grimaced since it would indeed impact the boy in seeing death for the first time.
"It is the law milady," said Rodrik firmly.
"Ned please! Not this time," pleaded Cat, as she didn't want to expose her innocent son to such a horror.
"He won't be a boy forever Cat. And Winter is coming," said Ned firmly before he saw Sub-Zero nod in agreement.
"It has to be done Cat. I know its not a wonderful thing to see and in truth, I never saw the act done. But my older brother saw it happen at a young age just as Ned did. Our Father saw it too and his Father before him when such things happened," added Lyanna with Catelyn frowning.
"The cold hard reality will have to hit them some time Lady Stark. You cannot shelter him forever," said Sub-Zero while Catelyn glared at the Grandmaster.
"I need no advice from you assassin. The only reason my husband tolerates you here in Winterfell or in the North as a whole is due to what you have done for House Stark," said Catelyn angrily at the man, who not only had her husband's respect, but practically that of the entire North despite the fact the Grandmaster was a foreigner from another land.
People in the North always made her feel like an outsider when she came here after her marriage to Ned just before he rode off to war. But when Sub-Zero came to run his clan here, the people never saw him as such, even welcomed him with open arms due to his actions which resulted in Lyanna Stark being rescued from her captivity. Rumor had it, the Grandmaster singlehandedly convinced the Sword of Morning to stand aside to let them take Lyanna Stark back home to Dorne. As such, King Robert on the advice of his Small Council, had decided not to punish the Dornish swordsman, and let him return to his House in Starfall with his honor intact.
"Cat! You are being rude to our guest. Or need I remind you of Master Liang's actions on your Father's Nameday five years ago when someone tried to kill him with a slow acting poison in his drink," countered Lyanna while Cat glared at her husband's sister.
It was true though. Someone had hired an assassin to kill Holster Tully on his Nameday five years ago with a slow acting poison that would cause the man's health to deteriorate over time. Sub-Zero had been invited as a guest per Ned Stark's request and since the Grandmaster had taught Edmure Tully during the young man's life, it would be rude not to invite the man. Catelyn had been against it initially, as she felt that someone like the Grandmaster being invited was like having a bastard sit at the table with the rest of the family.
And while Catelyn Tully Stark did feel gratitude toward the Grandmaster for his action that prevented her Father from being a victim of foul play, she did not care now wish for his company.
"It's all right Lady Lyanna. I learned long ago not let words from others hurt me. Besides, if young Brandon does not see this happen now...when? You can only hold off the boy seeing this event. What if he is called upon to perform the task your husband is planning to do? Young Brandon needs to witness it in order to understand so when the time comes, he can perform his own duty should the need arise," said Sub-Zero while Catelyn could only glare before glancing at the young form of Jon Snow putting away the arrows.
After a moment, the Tully woman glanced at the Grandmaster and Lyanna before she left without a word.
"Tullys. They are a stubborn lot," remarked Lyanna knowing the woman was thinking hate filled thought about Jon/Aegon.
"Be patient with her Lyanna. She doesn't know the truth, remember?" remarked Sub-Zero while Lyanna sighed heavily.
"I told Ned he should tell her in secret. But he won't hear of it," said Lyanna while she was clearly frustrated with her brother on this.
"I know. I have told him as much. The boy is getting stronger with each passing day. The blood of his family is strong in him. On both sides," commented Sub-Zero with Lyanna nodding and smiling.
"We were just fortunate his Stark features are so strong. It is actually surprising when you know who the Father is and would suspect it was the other way around," said Lyanna and saw her son look over at them with a smile hidden behind his masked face.
"You will be able to tell him the truth soon. I promise," said Sub-Zero before giving his student a nod and walked away.
(Winterfell-Sometime Later)
It wasn't everyday that Sub-Zero could be surprised by anything, but he was later on in the day when the family, plus Theon, and Ser Rodrik came back with five dire wolf pups. From what Jon/Aegon had informed him of their origin, the pups were recently born from a female dire wolf that had been killed by a dead stag's antlers to the throat. They had only found out about the dire wolf due to the dead stag on the road and followed the trail of blood, which led them to the dead dire wolf nearby and obtaining the pups soon after. Lord Stark had been against it at first despite Brandon's plea to have one, but Jon/Aegon had quickly reminded his "Father" that the dire wolf was the sigil of House Stark. How each pup was meant to be given to each child of Stark blood to raise as their own.
Sub-Zero also found it amusing that his student found the last one to have for his own despite the fact he couldn't officially call himself a Stark. Not yet.
"You chose a good name for your dire wolf," said Sub-Zero while in his student's room in Winterfell and saw the snow white dire wolf looking at him curiously.
"Theon thought I should just name him Snow. No doubt to mock me for being a bastard," said an unmasked Jon while Sub-Zero mentally sighed knowing the boy should know the truth, but Ned wanted to do it, and the Lord of House Stark had made him promise not to tell Jon until he was ready.
Damn promises and the men sworn to keep them.
"Ghost sounds better. Given how he can move through the snow here in the North nearly unseen, it would be more appropriate. Even more so given how you have been trained in the ways of the Lin Kuei," said Sub-Zero with Jon smiling since the boy thought the same way.
"Lady Stark is terrified of them. She was not exactly thrilled to have such animals around near her children," said Jon, but his smile left him when he recalled the heated glare from the Tully woman for having a dire wolf of his own.
As if it further enforced his position as a bastard of her husband and Jon being a Stark in all but name.
"Regardless of what she thinks, you are a Stark. I know it. Lord Stark knows it. And deep in your heart, you know it too. That is what matters," said Sub-Zero knowing the boy had to understand that regardless of his current position, the title of bastard was just that.
A title. A false one, but one he would have to endure for now until the time came to make him a Stark. The Grandmaster still wasn't sure if the boy could claim the House name of Targaryen given these delicate times, but it didn't mean it wasn't possible. The future was not certain and reports of the Seven Kingdoms current stability allowed Sub-Zero to act accordingly.
The Greyjoy Rebellion being a prime example. When Varys had sent discreet messages about the instability of the Iron Islands, Sub-Zero had discreetly dispatched his own now well trained Lin Kuei agents to Pike to get into position to act when necessary. It was not easy, given how the Iron Islands was a place where everyone knew everyone given the islands was where only the Ironborn lived. But Sub-Zero had trained his agents well and they lived up to the clan name when the order was given to cripple the Greyjoys from the inside while the rest of the Seven Kingdoms prepared to fight them from the outside. The Lannister fleet had been torched by an Ironborn surprise attack, ships at sea were raided, women captured and raped before being taken back as salt wives. Men on these ships had been brutally murdered with pieces of them taken as trophies and proof of conquest.
Several large chests of gold had been dropped off at the Lin Kuei compound a week later with the symbol of the Hand of the King on a parchment requesting his help. A message from the Master of Whispers soon came to him a couple of hours later. In it, Vary had explained how the Spider had convinced the Lord Hand, Jon Arryn, to hire the Lin Kuei for the express purpose cripple the Greyjoy Rebellion before it could do more damage to the realm.
The massive amount of gold aside, Sub-Zero would have taken the contract regardless of the payment. However, the Lin Kuei clan was not a charitable organization and it needed funds to keep itself going while the money obtained was carefully handled. Hence why his clan did various "assignments" for different people throughout the Seven Kingdoms. However, to ensure none of them endangered the Seven Kingdoms or its overall stability, Sub-Zero made sure each one was properly "screened" to help ensure the aftermath of the mission was the correct one.
Meaning he had to consider the repercussions of any assignment being taken regardless if it was completed. He even considered what would happen if one of his agents failed to do the carried out mission. While the Lin Kuei had yet to fail any given assignment, one did not lead a clan and not consider it would happen. There was always a chance a mission could go bad and there would be loses as well as failure.
The Lin Kuei had done business with countless places and powerful Houses like House Martell in Dorne, House Tyrell in the Reach, and even Jon Arryn from time to time. Even his old student Stannis Baratheon and Houses in the North had hired the Lin Kuei to help settle various disputes. At one point, there was an incident between House Karstark and House Bolton over fighting near their lands. Rumors of smallfolk disappearing near the divided line that separated them and whispers of someone from House Bolton who was the one responsible for it. How the people who went missing were butchered in the forest region around their territories. The two Houses had gone to House Stark to appeal to Ned Stark's wisdom and fair sense of justice while presenting the evidence each had collected to help in challenging the other regarding the crime.
Lord Stark had asked for a few days in order to review the evidence presented to him so a proper decision could be made. In truth, he was waiting for the Lin Kuei to bring him the evidence to determine who was in the wrong.
And this case, it was House Bolton who was in the wrong.
Roose Bolton's bastard son, Ramsey Snow, had been brought to the Dredfort shortly after his birth by the woman who brought him screaming into the world. Her conception of the boy was not one made with love for the man who helped in Ramsey's conception, but one of rape by Roose himself. She had brought the bastard boy to his Father to raise and be the man's problem just as the woman knew Ramsey would be when growing up.
And the woman was right. Ramsey was a monster. One who inherited his Father's cruel tendencies and was a Bolton regardless of the title of a bastard clinging to him like a foul stench. Of course, Roose Bolton saw himself in young Ramsey, but cared little for the woman who birthed him, and as such had her killed. As a result, raising Ramsey fell onto Roose himself, which didn't bother him in the slightest since he knew the boy was his son by blood. He merely wished to wait until Ramsey proved himself worthy of being called a Bolton in order to legitimize him and have an heir to his name ad House.
Which wasn't going to be easy given how Ramsey had taken to his family's dark, cruel, and sadistic history like it was literally apart of him. Of his very soul. The boy had been growing up to be a cruel sadistic child. One who loved hurting others. One who loved to hear their screams of torment like they were beautiful songs played by bards who could actually carry a tune when singing. Those he tortured were sometimes given a "chance" to escape the Dredfort by running through the forest back to another House controlled territory.
Only Ramsey made sure they never got that far. Or got that close. The boy had made it his mission to know every square inch of the land his Father commanded before even considering such an idea. Ramsey also had hounds. Hounds that he had personally trained to eat human flesh and devour on command, which was accomplished after starving them for so long before throwing a person or two into the kennels for the dogs to feast on their flesh. He even learned the sacred art of his House on how to flay a man alive and get him, or her in some cases, to reveal all their secrets to him.
Something that Sub-Zero had quickly brought to Ned Stark's attention since flaying had been outlawed in the North by Lord Stark himself. The fact Ramsey Snow was doing it without his Father raising a fuss meant the man either knew, but didn't care. Or Lord Bolton did not know, but at the same time, was unworthy of having his House control so much territory while serving under House Stark due to sheer incompetence.
Sub-Zero had proof it was the former.
Hence why Ned Stark had easily sided with House Karstark on this since it was clear to him, given the overwhelming evidence gathered, that Ramsey Snow had been the overall problem between both of these Houses. When called out on it, Roose had, after seeing the evidence mounted against him, confessed his bastard son had been responsible. The Lord of House Bolton had tried to convince Lord Stark to spare Ramsey's life. Stating he was young, impressionable, and crying out for attention from a Father who had yet to claim him truly as a Bolton.
But Ned was not convinced. He had discussed the nature of Ramsey Snow with Sub-Zero in private with the overall decision on what to do with a sadistic child before he became a man. Imprisonment? No. It would risk House Bolton being resentful and possibly plan to one day overthrow House Stark when a moment of opportunity would arise if the Warden of the North's position was weakened enough to be challenged. The Wall? There were some cruel people in the Seven Kingdoms even the Wall could not fix or break. Besides, Ramsey was known for his lying and cheating ways while keeping an "honest" look on his face. The boy would no doubt slaughter almost everyone at Castle Black while in their beds asleep before sparing those who truly thought similar to himself in exchange for their loyalty. Once they got around the Northern patrols and to a ship, they could sail anywhere in the world beyond the reach of House Stark, and the Seven Kingdoms as a whole.
The only true justice to the crimes this boy committed? Execution. Taking Ramsey's head with a sword to the neck to be more precise.
And that was exactly what Ned Stark ordered while Roose tried to protest. But the Lord of House Stark would not budge and even more so when a servant had come running into the Main Hall to tell something to Warden of the North. Apparently, Ramsey had been trying to get close to Lyanna with his "kind and friendly" facade he created for himself, not even knowing his target was Lyanna Stark. Soon however, the conversation the two were having got out of hand and the bastard of the Dredfort got too forceful in trying to make the Stark woman obey him. It got to the point where the impulsive Ramsey Snow secretly brought out his flaying knife and was about to threaten the woman and force her into submission to be taken somewhere private for him to play with.
Only to be caught by Sub-Zero and was taken away by the Grandmaster, who was going to give him a few "lessons" of his own on how to obtain information through pain.
From what was confessed to Sub-Zero, the plan was to talk Lyanna Stark on a riding and hunting trip to the nearby woods. From there, Ramsey would shoot an arrow right into the back of her right leg, which he would apologize for doing, would get extremely close to the wounded woman, and quickly proceed to butcher her in those woods. He would of course return sometime later, claim they were attacked by Wildlings who made it over the Wall.
With the savagery he would have unleashed on the woman, no one would have suspected it was Ramsey who was responsible for the act.
Naturally, this infuriated Ned Stark further with Roose Bolton having no leg to stand on when protesting since Ramsey's actions were illegal by law of the Warden of North. If Roose tried to defend even one of Ramsey's past misdeeds, it would put House Bolton in a very uncomfortable situation. Hence why Ramsey was eventually brought to the Main Hall of Winterfell in chains, the brat struggling the entire time, glaring at the men around him.
Only Roose was given something along the lines of a pleading look from the boy. As if his Father could save him from this situation and show everyone how much he loved his bastard for a son.
Only for the Lord of House Bolton to stay quiet. His face firm. Cold. He gave nothing away in terms of emotion when seeing his bastard son brought to him in chains and the sentence for his execution being heard by all from Ned Stark's mouth. Roose wanted to save his bastard son. He truly did. But Ramsey had done the one thing that placed it all in jeopardy and put House Bolton in a position Roose didn't want. The one thing Roose had stressed upon his bastard son above all things NOT to do when enjoying himself.
The boy got caught. Not only did he get caught, but the one he was trying to "play with" was Lyanna Stark herself. Ned's sister. Former betrothed to the current King of the Seven Kingdoms. If King Robert found out about this, and Roose had a feeling he would, the King would demand something far worse be done if Lord Stark didn't do something first.
So for the good of his House, Roose Bolton watched while Ramsey Snow, his bastard son, was taken away and executed for his past crimes. The entire time they headed over toward the executioner's block, the boy's pleaded, cursed, and made promises of pain and suffering to all of them. Naturally, all that came out of the boy's mouth were ignored as a dead man without a head wielded no power and the words spoken from such a man were ultimately silenced when the head was severed at the neck.
Roose couldn't even say he resented Lord Stark for performing the task. The man didn't do it out of cruelty, but out of duty as Warden of the North. There was no gloating, no insults, no cruel or cold remarks. Just a swing of the sword, an ending of a life, and the deep penetrating look from Ned Stark to Roose Bolton was all it took for the Lord of the Dredfort to understand that had to watch his step from now on.
Otherwise, the North would destroy House Bolton, and Ned Stark would have his own terrifying song made about how he crushed an unruly House.
"I am more concerned about what was said about the deserter at the Wall. The one caught and executed by Father," said Jon with Sub-Zero nodding.
"There is clearly something happening over the Wall we are not seeing or know too little about when it comes to what goes on there. I will make sure it is investigated, but from what I have determined since my own private inspection, the place is poorly unmanned. There are too few men and too few means of defending it from an invasion should the Wildlings come out of hiding with such a massive army," said Sub-Zero with Jon looking concerned despite it not really being his problem.
"Do you think...it was the White Walkers? That they do exist?" asked Jon with Sub-Zero thinking it over in his mind.
"It is possible. I have seen things myself. Dark horrible things. Beyond even that of the White Walkers. I do not fully believe the man saw the White Walkers, but I cannot deny there is a possible chance they do in fact exist. To determine truth from fiction, it must be investigated regardless to ensure it is a hoax at best and the truth at worst," said Sub-Zero with Jon nodding.
"And if it is the White Walkers?" asked Jon with Sub-Zero turning his head to face the young man.
"We must have a means to fight them at the ready. I will inquire about anything related to the White Walkers and what was said to defeat them at the Citadel. Knowing them, it will be a long time before I hear back with a response, or the documentation I requested. With any luck, the Maesters there will give me what I need," said Sub-Zero since he had some contact with the Maesters there over the years.
He had submitted a means of making pure alcohol, which he detailed could be used as a sterilization agent when applied appropriately to surgical tools for cleaning. As a result, infections from used items would ultimately be reduced significantly. It also helped in the reduction of infections after pouring it on a wound and cauterizing the flesh immediately. The man also submitted carefully detailed ideas and experiments using various herbs to create knew medicines and means to keep someone alive longer.
Needless to say, the Grandmaster was becoming a well known man throughout the Seven Kingdoms for his different skills not related to killing people.
A gentle knock on the door quickly brought them out of their conversation and Maester Luwin opened the door. The man had been a loyal advisor to House Stark since before the time when all of Ned's children were brought into the world. Sub-Zero also knew that a Maester was suppose to be loyal to the Lord who rule the castle regardless of who it was that claimed it. But the Grandmaster knew the man before him was someone who was more loyal to House Stark above all else.
"My apologize for intruding Master Liang. Young Snow. But Lord Stark wishes to speak with you about something important. It is most urgent," said Maester Luwin with Sub-Zero nodding to Jon before leaving the room to follow the elderly man to Lord Stark's room.
"You wished to see me?" asked Sub-Zero while Ned nodded and saw the nervousness of the man's wife Catelyn nearby.
"I just received a raven from King's Landing. It is about Jon Arryn. He's dead," said Ned while Sub-Zero closed his eyes and silently grieved for the loss of a dedicated man.
"How did he die?' asked Sub-Zero curiously.
"A fever took him from what the message stated of his health. It came suddenly. Too fast to be treated by anyone capable of combating the illness," said Ned while Sub-Zero was processing this in his mind and knew his own agents most likely had a similar report on his desk to be read at the clan compound along with several other issues regarding the old man's death.
"I take it there is more?" asked Sub-Zero with Ned nodding.
"The King is coming here to Winterfell," added Ned Stark while Sub-Zero narrowed his eyes.
"We believe the King will come here to make Ned the new Hand and call on him to serve down at King's Landing," continued Catelyn while she had been reluctant to bring the Lin Kuei warrior into the fold.
But Ned said they could trust him. She didn't know how her husband could say that about the assassin, but he always did.
"And your son Robb taking over the duties as Warden of the North in the process," added Sub-Zero with Ned nodding.
"My son Robb is old enough. Responsible enough. The lessons you taught me when I was a younger man were taught to him," said Ned while Sub-Zero nodded in approval.
"Yet I sense your hesitation. I sense your reservations about the idea of going down to King's Landing if your reason for the King coming here is in fact correct. Given your past history and the history the Starks have with King's Landing when called by a King to come down there, I can understand," said Sub-Zero with Ned looking very nervous given what happened to his Father and older brother.
"The last time a King called on any Stark to come down to King's Landing, they were burned alive!" exclaimed Catelyn with worry in her voice.
"It was a different time. A different King sat on the Iron Throne. Robert Baratheon is not King Aerys II. You two were sworn brothers under the guidance of Jon Arryn. He needs someone trustworthy by his side. Who better?" countered Maester Luwin while Catelyn was not pleased by his response.
"We don't even know if Robert is coming here to make Ned the Hand of the King. Maybe he wishes to visit so the two can talk about Jon and mourn his passing together," replied Sub-Zero though he doubted the King would come all the way over here for that.
He would have to check with his agents and any reports from King's Landing related to this situation. Not to mention see if the Spider had been gracious enough to send him any kind of information worth his attention.
"We will know soon enough. For the moment, please inform my sister of this. She will want to know in order to prepare for Robert's arrival," said Ned while Sub-Zero nodded.
"Its been nearly 20 years Ned. Surely, she can cope with dealing with Robert after all this time away here in the North," said Catelyn knowing Lyanna had mixed feelings about the idea of seeing Robert again after all this time.
Oh Robert had tried visiting once during the Greyjoy Rebellion, but Lyanna wouldn't see him. Refused to see him. At the time, many thought it was due to a sense of self loathing she felt for herself after what happened with Rheagar. But now? If she wasn't standing by Ned and the rest of House Stark, it would look awkward, if not insulting for the King to not see her again.
"Knowing Robert is coming in advance will allow her to prepare for his arrival Cat. If she were to suddenly act out in his presence, it would look bad for House Stark. Robert will be bringing everyone with him. It will be weeks before they arrive and give my sister the necessary time to prepare for Robert and his entourage," said Ned since Lyanna would need that time to prepare herself for seeing Robert again.
Though Ned knew his sister would need this time to prepare herself more in terms of the need to control her impulse to grab the nearest blade and thrust it into the man's skull.
(Lin Kuei Compound-Sometime Later)
Sub-Zero had returned to the compound to read over the information provided almost daily through the countless agents he now employed through the clan. Added that Varys was also sending discreet messages also helped since the more information the Lin Kuei had, the better.
While he was looking over his reports, one caught his attention related to Jon Arryn with the handwriting belonging to the Spider himself. Usually, the man did not write anything to him personally unless it was necessary for him to be aware of the seriousness of what he had personally discovered.
The Lord Hand has been killed. The death was not a natural one. Foul play suspected at this time, but cannot yet be proven despite evidence. Murderer still not found. Too many potential suspects. Those close to the Hand and the King are not to be trusted. The Stag is limping and hungry predators lurk in wait to pounce. The wolf protecting him will only make them cautious. Warn him to keep his senses sharp. Many dangers ahead.
The note was not signed. Only a fool would sign something like this and Varys was no fool. But Sub-Zero also knew the man's writing style. It was done in a way only Varys could write it without the parchment being stained by the ink on the writing quill. Even if someone did, no one really knew the man's writing style perfectly that it could fool the Lin Kuei Grandmaster. They often spoke in code. Mixing different words from various languages together to ensure anyone reading them, if intercepted, would need to do a bit of research in decrypting the words to understand what was written.
Searching for more information related to Jon Arryn, several more reports from his Lin Kuei agents found a possible trail and clue into the man's death.
Namely, a poison called the Tears of Lys. A very rare, dangerous, and expensive poison that was said to be tasteless to all who were touched by it. The death would come upon them like a fever, destroying them from the inside out, and the time needed to kill a man was a few hours time.
Given the nature of the poison itself, Sub-Zero had kept it on his "watch list" for poisons one would seek to get in order to make someone's death seem natural. It was those kind of poisons used by assassins who didn't want their actions traced back to them and getting caught. So Sub-Zero had his agents monitoring the suppliers of this deadly and expensive poison with one shipment being made to King's Landing with someone with deep pockets paying for it.
The question now was...who? While there were only a handful of people who could buy this, it was clearly done through agents within agents within multiple agents. The money and the exchange for the poison were done this way on both fronts with the trail going cold to a point where the one who last had the poison and had the money first was soon silenced within a week before Jon Arryn was killed. The same could be said for the one who bought the poison with the money given to him to ensure the trail went cold on both ends.
Whoever did this wanted to make sure it could not be tied to them in any shape or form.
Tears of Lys recently bought. Traced the sale and purchase to King's Landing. Could not track the final holder. Suspected second to final holder found dead. Throat slit with the smell of sex, perfume, and wine in the dead man's bedroom. Suspect could be a woman or one final go between agent to final target.
Looking over more information, he stumbled upon one regarding Jon Arryn's wife that raised his eyebrow considerably.
Wife of late Hand planning to flee the Capital for the Vale with her son. Has not been of sound mind for many years. Loyalty to the Crown and Jon Arryn in question. The King wished to have her son fostered to Tywin Lannister, but Lady Arryn fled to prevent it. Related incident involved late Lord Hand wishing to have his son fostered to Stannis Baratheon in Dragonstone shortly before his death.
A brief message, but no less significant. The agent sending this clearly thought it was of some relevance given what happened to Jon Arryn himself. Everyone knew the arranged marriage between Lysa Tully to Jon Arryn had not been a healthy one. Jon was old and Lysa was silently bitter about how she had to marry someone practically old enough to be her Father. The fact her sister Catelyn had an arranged marriage that worked despite how it happened didn't help Lysa's mood on the subject either. In Lysa's mind, she had been cheated out of having a loving marriage while her sister had a chance at happiness despite the bastard Ned brought home.
Bitterness was its own poison of the soul. Something that Lysa Tully Arryn had within herself and as the message to Sub-Zero stated, she was not of sound mind.
Could she have poisoned her own husband? And if so, who helped her get the poison? It was expensive, which is why it was so rarely used unless the incredibly wealthy wanted to use such a thing. There were too many pieces in this puzzle that didn't fit and there was not enough evidence to go on to accuse anyone right now of the misdeed. All he could do was suspect Lysa while believing a second influential person was involved in the act. For now, all he could do was have his agents report anything about Lysa Arryn that would be a cause for concern or alarm.
"Grandmaster, this just arrived from our agent in Essos," said a Lin Kuei operative, who came in after knocking.
"Thank you," replied Sub-Zero before opening the parchment to read its contents.
Viserys and Daenerys Targaryen are currently in Pentos. Beggar King seeking to wed his sister to the Dothraki Horse Lord Khal Drogo. In exchange, Khal Drogo will march his army on the Seven Kingdoms to conqueror it in the name of the dragon. Meeting will take place in a few weeks. Signs of madness from Viserys. Possibility of being like the Mad King. The mind of Daenerys is still an unknown.
So the last Targaryens aside from Aegon were still alive. While he was happy that was the case given how Stannis had been unable to capture them in part due to a storm, it was concerning to hear how Viserys was showing signs of the madness. If this continued, the boy would be just like the Mad King himself. News such as this would no doubt reach the Master of Whispers, if it didn't already, and soon enough the King would be getting word of it.
And knowing Robert, the man would want both of them dead. Or at least talk about the idea of killing them to prevent a future threat from invading Westeros.
It wouldn't be long before the King arrived in Winterfell. Catelyn already suspected the King would want Ned to becoming the new Hand of the King. Sub-Zero knew she was right in her assumption, but didn't want Ned to think it was an immediate possibility. The title was meant to be given only to the most loyal of subjects by the King himself and the loyalty Ned had to Robert was nearly absolute. Not to mention it was arguably the third highest authority in the land, if you counted the first male born son and Prince when he came of age.
Of course, it was only a great honor depending on who was King at the time, and the Hand of the King being skilled enough to handle the daily chores of running all of the Seven Kingdoms required of them. Jon Arryn had the experience and the skill, but the age factor had been slowly getting to the man, which was why he had tried so hard to keep the peace with so many Houses using his skills in diplomacy. Arranged marriages here. Promises made and kept there. It wasn't easy when the King himself did not attend Small Council meetings and spent most of his days drowning in his vices in order to die a somewhat young age.
Sub-Zero could only hope this situation didn't spiral out of control. He would still make plans to ensure it didn't, but would do everything in his power to prevent anything from happening like it did all those years ago.
(Winterfell-Weeks Later)
Brandon Stark had climbed high to one of his favorite spots in Winterfell to look for the King and his entourage, which was expected to arrive today. The boy was a great climber and loved to do it, much to his Mother's worried displeasure. He had climbed up towers, walls, and other places during all sorts of weather. When it rained, when it was incredibly windy, and even when it was blistering cold. Brandon Stark could climb and could do it all in his sleep.
"Brandon Stark, come down from there this instant!" exclaimed Catelyn while seeing him climb down from the tower he was on.
"I saw him. I saw the King and the entire group with him. They will be here soon!" said Brandon excitedly while he was climbing down from the tower wall.
"I don't care. You could have hurt yourself," said Catelyn with worry only a Mother like herself had for their child.
"But the King had a lot of people with him. Over one hundred I think," said Brandon with his Mother giving him a look that told the boy he was somewhat in trouble.
"How many times have I told you not to climb up those walls? Now promise me no more climbing. Promise!" commanded Catelyn with Brandon looking down at his feet.
"I promise," whispered Brandon before looking up at his Mother, who was now smiling at him.
"Do you know what I have notice? I have noticed that you always lie after looking down at your feet," commented Catelyn while her son smiled back slightly.
"Something he will have to work on in the near future," commented Maester Luwin from behind Catelyn.
"Indeed. Though I honestly don't see any harm in his climbing. Especially when he is so good at it. Though I would recommend some kind of special safety harness to ensure no harm comes to him in the event of a fall," said Sub-Zero now beside the Maester.
"Go get ready and inform your Father of the King's arrival," said Catelyn while her son nodded and ran off to carry out the command.
"Don't be hard on the boy Lady Stark. Brandon is young and agile. There will come a day when he no longer able to climb and miss the days when it was possible," said Sub-Zero since he knew the boy would make a great climber and adventurer if allowed outside of these castle walls.
If his Mother ever let him out beyond these castle walls.
"I do not need advice from you Lin Kuei. What I require is you keeping the boy out of the King's presence while here. I will not have the King insulted by Jon being here nor proof of my husband's infidelity standing beside the rest of my family," stated Catelyn Stark angrily at the Grandmaster.
"That decision is not up to you. It is up to your husband on how he wishes to place Jon when the King and his precession arrive," countered Sub-Zero while ignoring the heated glare the woman was aiming at him.
"I warn you Master Liang. If you do anything to dishonor my husband or House Stark, I will see to it that you regret ever stepping foot into Winterfell all those years ago," said Catelyn before she walked off with Maester Luwin giving him an apologetic look and followed Lady Stark.
"It is a good thing she doesn't know how her daughter Arya has taken a liking to you in terms of wanting to learn how to fight. How she asks for stories of your adventures and what it was like being out there in the world. Not to mention where you are from in the exact sense," commented Lyanna while Sub-Zero looked at her for a second.
"Arya has a lot of your spirit. Your desire to be something beyond what people claim is your station in life. She doesn't wish to be a lady who will spend her days being a loyal and dutiful wife. A lady who will one day give her husband a child or several children. Arya wants to be like you or the warrior women of the world. I'm surprised your brother didn't foster her to House Mormont on Bear Island for just such a thing," said Sub-Zero while Lyanna smirked.
"Are you kidding? Cat would have had a fit if my brother did such a thing. She respects House Mormont for their strength and their loyalty to House Stark. But she also believes fighting in battles and wars are more for a man instead of a lady. You know how Cat's expression changes to an angry scowl when Dorne is ever mentioned or Prince Oberyn's bastard daughters, the Sand Snakes are brought into a conversation," said Lyanna with the memory of one such conversation coming up during a meal with the rest of the family in the Main Hall.
The Sand Snakes had been prince Oberyn's pride and joy. Each one a deadly beauty and each one incredibly skilled in the deadly art of their weapon of choice. Whether it was the sword, spear, or whip it didn't matter. Each one proving they were very much like their Father. When they were old enough, Prince Oberyn had requested Sub-Zero come to Dorne to meet them, and even asked to provide some measure of training to further hone their skills. The boy needed to understand that when it came down to fighting multiple opponents, under no circumstances could you take your eyes off any of them.
One was likely to stab you in the back.
Sub-Zero had complied since he was curious to see how skilled Prince Oberyn's progeny had become and if they could learn from him like their Father did. In addition to the four Sand Snakes, Prince Doran's own son Trystane had also received some training for good measure.
The Sand Snakes had heard a lot about him from their Father and were eager to learn from the man who helped train their sire. Sub-Zero had shown he was impressed with their skills and abilities to use the weapons they employed when fighting. They were a little on the thin side, which was to be expected for those so young. He recommended they perform more physical exercises to increase their muscle mass, but still keep their feminine beauty the Grandmaster knew they would inherit from their Mothers.
"Come on. The King will be here soon. Regardless of what that woman says, I intend to be there to show some measure of respect," said Sub-Zero while Lyanna smirked for a brief second.
(Winterfell Courtyard-Short Time Later)
Within the courtyard of Winterfell, the King rode into the main area, his precession right behind him with the Baratheon banners mixing with the Lannisters. A show of the two Houses acting as one for all to see within the castle walls filled with men, women, and children of the North gathered to greet the man. Behind the King was the Kingsguard, the Hound Ser Sandor Clegane, Jamie Lannister, Joffrey Baratheon, and the royal carriage carrying the Queen and her two remaining children.
When the King got off his horse, it was clear from remembering Robert's form when they saw him last, the man had let himself go. Horribly! Where the man once had muscle had been reduced to fat around his belly. Robert's beard was once well trimmed and kept, but now it was scruffy with strands sticking out in different place. His eyes showed they were slightly red and bloodshot along with his face being flushed from his wine he had earlier in the day.
"Your Grace," said Ned while bowing and his family doing the same and waited for the King to finish giving him a once over.
"You've gotten fat," said Robert with Ned looking at the King, the King's belly, and back up at the King with a "you are on to talk" look on his face.
And the King to laugh since he knew that look and the joke behind before the two hugged each other.
"By the Gods Ned, how long has it been since we saw each other? Nine years? Where the Hell have you been?!" asked Robert after disengaging the hug.
"I have been here defending the North your Grace. Winterfell is yours after all," said Ned with Robert waving his words off.
"Enough of that Ned. I maybe your King, but I'm your friend first. Now, show me what has happened since we last saw each other during the Greyjoy Rebellion," said Robert with Ned smiling and introduced his family to the King starting with his wife and eldest son Robb.
"Your Grace," said Robb with the King smirking at him.
"You're getting big. All of them. Its quite the brood," commented Robert while going over each of them one by one and laughing when Brandon flexed his arm muscles.
It was when Robert got to Lyanna did the large smile slowly left him and looked at the woman he was suppose to marry all those years ago. She smiled gently at him, if only out of politeness.
"Hello Robert," replied Lyanna while the King himself could only nod when looking back.
"Lyanna," said Robert with his voice almost being a whisper and the vocal man he was moments ago had been turned into something far more calm.
"You've not aged well," said Lyanna truthfully since the well muscled warrior from their youth had been reduced to lazy, fat, wine drinking, whoring man with countless bastards under his belt from said whoring.
The Lin Kuei spy network had kept track of Robert's actions over the years and Lyanna had been kept appraised of them per her request to Sub-Zero. She wanted to see just how far Robert would fall after becoming King of the Seven Kingdoms.
"But you have and for the both of us," said Robert since time had not withered away her beauty in his eyes.
It was clear that Robert still loved her, yet knew Lyanna was beyond his reach no matter what he wanted or desired at the moment. One way or another, Rheagar's mark had been left on the both of them, and the scars of the past still ran deep.
"Thank you," replied Lyanna while looking uncomfortable with the way Robert was now staring at her.
Robert must have seen or sensed it too because he quickly focused on the next person beside Lyanna who just so happened to be Sub-Zero.
"King Robert, its been a long time," said Sub-Zero with Robert looking at him with angry eyes, but they mild compared to the anger they had years ago.
"That it has Master Liang. I see you haven't aged a fucking day. Care to reveal the secret behind such a thing?" asked Robert with a small hint of anger, curiosity, and mocking in his tone of voice.
"Those of my bloodline have always aged slowly. Just as we prefer cold weather like the ones the North provides," said Sub-Zero with Robert gruff noise.
"I should have known you would say something like that. Still, you did right by Lyanna all those years ago when I won the Iron Throne. Even after all these years, I imagine your way of doing things has helped her greatly," commented Robert with Sub-Zero nodding.
"Things would have been different without my interference," said Sub-Zero while Robert didn't reply for a moment and it was clear the King was thinking of something beyond his vices.
"Ned, I need to speak with you. In private. You too Master Liang," commanded Robert while motioning both men to follow him to the crypt where they could talk in private.
Where only the dead heard things, yet did not have the power to speak.
"Robert my sweet, we have been riding for a month and since this morning. Surely, this can wait until later," said Cersei while Robert growled and didn't stop.
"Now Ned! Liang!" commanded Robert with Ned grimacing and sending an apologetic look to the Queen.
"Jon, come with me," whispered Sub-Zero with Jon nodding.
"No. Jon stays here. I will not have Ned's bastard be in the King's presence any longer than it has to be," whispered Catelyn harshly while glaring at Jon and Sub-Zero.
"The King commanded I come and by extension Jon will follow. He is my student and a student must learn through life experiences," said Sub-Zero with a slight glare before he motioned for the young Targaryen in hiding in plain sight to follow.
"Insufferable man," commented Catelyn to herself before looking apologetic to Cersei, who simply smiled politely in turn.
Like the Tully, the Lannister woman had no love for bastards...or the Father responsible for fucking the woman who would one day bring them screaming into the world.
"The King was right about one thing. The Grandmaster hasn't changed much since we last saw him," remarked Jamie while Cersei nodded knowing that much was true.
"Where is the Imp?" asked Arya suddenly since she had heard about Tyrion and wanted to see the dwarf in person.
"At a brothel fucking whores no doubt. Fine the little beast," whispered Cersei to Jamie with the man nodding went to find their little brother.
Cersei never liked Tyrion. After what happened with their Mother, she had developed an almost unnatural hatred toward her dwarf of a brother. How she longed to have him killed by her own hands or convince their Father to end Tyrion to avenge the death of Cersei's Mother. For a time, Cersei knew that her Father hated Tyrion too, but she noticed after some time spent with the Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei, the hated weakened. It was still there, but not as strong as it had once been from the start.
One night, she saw her Father in his chair, staring at the fire he made within his personal study, a goblet of wine in hand, and the man deep in thought. When asking about what he was thinking about, her Father said he was thinking about Tyrion. The beast of a boy that was his son and responsible for killing Tywin's wife that was Cersei's Mother. When she prodded further, Tywin confessed he did not hate Tyrion like he once did. Cersei tried to remind her Father that the woman he loved was dead because of the deformed beast was born into the world. Tywin admitted that was indeed true, but upon further research into the issue done by him personally with the aid of the Casterly Rock Maester revealed that women who birth perfectly normal babies have died numerous more times bringing their children into the world.
In truth, Jamie or Cersei could have equally had a chance of killing Tywin's wife during the birthing process. While that did not happen, the Maester had revealed to Tywin that birth both Jamie and Cersei had nearly killed her too if not for his skills.
And while Tyrion was a disappointment for a Lannister in his eyes, it was no longer for the death of his loving wife. Just his drinking and whoring ways that were similar to King Robert's own path with the exception being Tyrion actually enjoyed reading. Even now, between all of Tywin's children, Tyrion was the most well educated of the three despite his physical stature.
It was actually a shame that Tywin had felt scorned by Sub-Zero when King's Landing was sacked and the Grandmaster had killed Gregor Clegane. The Mountain was the lion's mightiest warrior and Tywin was not one to let such a thing slide when it allowed Elia Martell of Dorne and her daughter to survive. Had they been on better terms, Tywin would have let Tyrion go to Sub-Zero to learn new things like the other sons of High Lords did. But the idea the Grandmaster initially proposed to Tywin all those years ago went out the window after Robert's Rebellion.
(Stark Family Crypt)
"You wished to talk to me your Grace?" asked Ned finally when they were deep enough in the family crypt to talk in private.
"Damn it Ned. Stop with the damn politeness. We're Sworn Brothers! Call me Robert like you use to in the old days. Don't make it a command from your King," replied Robert in his usual gruff tone.
"As you wish, Robert. Now, what is it you wish to talk to me about?" asked Ned while he saw Robert went to pay his own respects to his friend's late Father and older brother.
Those men marched to their deaths. No doubt knowing deep in their minds what awaited them in King's Landing.
"I need you down in King's Landing Ned. Not out up here in the North, freezing your ass and balls off. I need someone I can trust to help give me sound advice on how to rule. I can't trust anyone around me. Not with Jon Arryn dead. Not when everyone is plotting and scheming behind my back. Jon was the only one I trusted and with him gone, I have no one else. That being said, I King Robert of House Baratheon name you, Ned Stark, as Hand of the King!" declared Robert with Ned kneeling.
"I am not worthy of the honor," said Ned while Robert laughed and shook his head.
"I'm not trying to honor you Ned. I'm giving you all my responsibilities so I can drink, hunt, and whore myself into an early grave," said Robert before his smile left and became grim once more.
"And what do you need of me?" asked Sub-Zero with Robert looking more angry, but calm all the same.
"I need you in King's Landing for a time too. Or at least someone from your damn clan who Ned can trust to assist him with his duties. With so many schemers in that fucking city, I'm surprised the people don't look like venomous snakes," said Robert while he was clearly hating the idea of needing the Lin Kuei or Sub-Zero to help him.
"Is this in regards to Jon Arryn's death? Or is this something else entirely?" asked Sub-Zero with Robert sighing.
"Both. I'm not an idiot. Jon was an old man, Gods rest his soul, but there is no way in the Seven Hells the man would just roll over and die like the way he did," remarked Robert while closing his eyes and his hands clenched into fists.
"How did Jon die? I know what was written in the message I received, but what truly happened?" asked Ned curiously.
"I don't know. Which is why I feel so fucking angry right now Ned. One moment, he was fine. Same as always. The next...he was on the floor. In pain. He was burning up inside Ned. Some kind of intense fever from what Pycelle told me. I don't know what kind of fever causes such a death, but I know what happened to him wasn't fucking normal. Not in the slightest," said Robert bitterly and the unspoken words were clear to everyone in the crypt.
There was a possibility of foul play.
"You are not wrong to suspect what has not yet been spoken here Robert. I have recently obtained some evidence that implies Jon Arryn's death was not natural," said Sub-Zero while both Ned and Robert looked at him in shock.
"What? When?" asked Ned curiously.
"Shortly after you received a raven informing you of Lord Arryn's death. I was looking over the information my own spies and agents throughout the Seven Kingdoms sent me. One particular piece of information crossed my desk regarding a poison that produces the symptoms Jon Arryn had before his death. The Tears of Lys. It is a tasteless poison. Very rare and an equally expensive one. Only the incredibly wealthy could buy it," said Sub-Zero while Robert looked like he was ready to explode with rage.
"Poison. But who would poison him? Jon was a man of peace. Loved by all," said Ned since attacking someone like Jon Arryn was attacking the peace he tried so hard to keep.
Sub-Zero merely shrugged.
"I do not know. But its clear Jon was looking into something that someone felt no one, not even the Hand of the King, should be trying to discover. What that something is, I do not know. But it was clearly something very big and very damaging to certain people, if the secret were to come to light," answered Sub-Zero with Ned wincing since he had one of his own and the one person who didn't need to know it was beside them.
"Can you prove it was poison?" asked Robert while his eyes were filled with rage.
"One of the things I did when creating my network, was keep an eye on the movement of the most dangerous of poisons used. Not only in the event the Lin Kuei would have to use them, but also to see who else would. As I said, the Tears of Lys are very rare because of the drops needed to kill are two, maybe three when put in one's food or drink. So the very contents in a bottle would be enough for a single moment. No more for a second attempt. At the same time, those few drops in the bottle holding the poison are expensive to say the least. One could even say it would even be cheaper to pay for a small army of sell swords over buying such a poison," said Sub-Zero with Ned and Robert looking at each other.
"And someone from King's Landing bought this poison? Who?!" asked Robert while wishing to find out so he could personally smash the fucker's brain into mush with his war hammer.
"I don't know. My agents followed the trail in terms of who paid and who was receiving the poison. Unfortunately, the last person who had the poison was killed. I suspect the actual buyer arranged for his agent to die so all evidence of involvement would be lost," said Sub-Zero with Robert looking infuriated by this and Ned looked grim.
"Damn it all to the Seven fucking Hells!" exclaimed Robert, but quickly calmed himself down knowing his voice echoed while in the crypt.
No need for anyone to come and investigate.
"Whoever poisoned Jon Arryn will still be in King's Landing. Watching and waiting for the right time to make another move," surmised Ned knowing that killing Jon Arryn had weakened what was left of Robert's position as King.
"Indeed. Jon Arryn's death will be a major blow to Robert. Even with you being made Hand of the King will only delay the schemer for a short time," said Sub-Zero while he was already thinking several steps ahead.
"To see how I act as Hand and my habits," concluded Ned with Sub-Zero nodding.
"It seems my teachings stayed with you over the years. Good. I suggest you use that mind of yours to think about them to help reveal the traitor to the Seven Kingdoms," said Sub-Zero with Robert showing signs of being impatient.
"Surely this traitor will make his move soon enough, but is there anyway to truly know who it is before one is made?" asked Ned with Sub-Zero nodding.
"There are many clues to who will be the traitor. Though nothing truly solid and accusing one or more will not make much headway. Usually, the traitor is someone who comes to you as a friend or at least claiming to be one. They will not be surprised to see you when arriving in King's Landing to not only serve the King, but trying to investigate Jon's death while watching our every move. They will be wealthy, influential, and offer to aid you in your quest to find the murderer when they were the one who did it or know the one who did it secretly in their name," said Sub-Zero with Robert letting out an angry noise.
"That could be anybody in King's Landing or even the rest of the Seven Kingdoms! It could be Varys. Tywin Lannister even if he residing at Casterly Rock. Grand Maester Pycelle. By the Gods, my own brothers Stannis and Renly could be actual suspects in Jon Arryn's death," said Robert while Sub-Zero shook his head.
"While you make a good argument Robert, none of them would be the culprit in this case. For one, your brothers would never do anything to disrupt your rule. Jon Arryn meant the world to you. Just like he does for Ned. Plus, I know those two well enough to know they would never do anything of that nature. Tywin Lannister gains nothing from Jon Arryn's death with the exception of possibly being made Hand of the King in his place. While he could afford it, the timing of Tywin using such a move for that purpose is wrong for that very reason. The man is arguably too old for the job and too busy being the Warden of the West. Besides, Robert would never have Tywin become Hand of the King now due to the dislike both men have for each other," said Sub-Zero with Robert grunting.
"Damn. I would have loved to have a valid excuse to remove House Lannister from their position of power. Not to mention that smug arrogant look on Tywin's face," commented Robert with a sigh.
"What about Varys?" asked Ned since many kept the Spider at arms length despite the man's reach going well beyond it.
"No. Varys gains nothing from Jon Arryn's death. If anything, he loses more from the act since Jon was a man of peace. The Spider wishes to keep the Seven Kingdoms intact and whole. The death of such a reliable Hand of the King, who as you said 'was loved by all' doesn't help him in the slightest," said Sub-Zero with Ned nodding.
"And Pycelle? Surely a Grand Maester such as himself has a way to get it," remarked Robert while Sub-Zero shook his head.
"No. Granted Pycelle could get the poison, he cannot afford to buy it through other means outside of the Citadel. And they would have made a record of it since such a poison is not given out lightly with a reason for acquiring it being mentioned. No exceptions. Though I do suspect the man may know more than what he would willingly admit. Given his title as Grand Maester, I am somewhat surprised he was unable to provide a possible antidote for him since the poison can be treated before death can take effect. Unless of course, he was paid not to provide it," said Sub-Zero while Ned and Robert looking angry since the Grand Maester should have seen the signs and treated Jon right away.
"Who else could it be? Who else has such wealth to buy such a poison?" asked Robert with the man clearly losing what little patience he had left.
He was met by silence from the Grandmaster while thinking over any other possible suspects close to the King or the late Hand.
"Lord Baelish comes to mind," said Sub-Zero while Ned and Robert looked at him in surprise.
"Lord Baelish?" asked Ned while looking at Robert.
"My Master of Coin. He handles the Crown's finances and has helped Jon with handling all of its business dealings over the years," answered Robert since he had only met the man once and already saw the man as a sniveling little cunt.
"He also just so happens to be someone Catelyn Tully and Lysa Tully knew during their childhood at Riverrun. I met him five years ago during Holster Tully's name day," added Sub-Zero with Ned looking worried by this.
"But why poison Jon? There was no reason to go that far?" questioned Ned since it did not make sense for Baelish to go that far.
"I do not fully understand it myself. I have suspicions, but that is all I have right now in regards to his motives. I have nothing else to go on," said Sub-Zero with Robert letting out another angry growl.
"Piss on that! When I get back to King's Landing, the first thing I am doing is putting that cunt Baelish's head on a pike!" exclaimed Robert angrily since he was not about to let Jon Arryn's murder go free for long.
"While Lord Baelish could have provided the actual poison and the means to buy it with the wealth a man of his position has access to as Master of Coin, I doubt he was in fact the one to administer it. He is he head of this conspiracy, but not the one who performed the deed made from it," warned Sub-Zero with Robert glaring at him.
"I'll make him talk. By the time I get done with that cunt, Baelish will tell me everything I want to know," said Robert while Sub-Zero shook his head.
"Unlikely. Chances are, the man has made it his business to gain various 'friends' within the Seven Kingdoms. Both within King's Landing and other parts of the world. If you come back to King's Landing enraged as you are now, it will get back to him, and Lord Baelish will flee elsewhere to escape justice," said Sub-Zero while the King's growl grew louder.
"And what would you have me do? Nothing?! Let that smug cunt sit in his wonderful bed in the morning. A cushy chair at one of his brothels while one or more of the whores he has from his establishments sucks his cock from time to time?!" asked Robert and felt his anger increasing at the image of Baelish living a happy life while Jon Arryn's murder went unpunished.
"No. I am not saying that. But if you storm back, you risk tipping your hand to where the man will flee. To prevent his escape from King's Landing, we must make him assume his actions in this plot are unknown to us. There are still some people in King's Landing who are possibly tied to this plot. We will need to find out who they are before making a move on Lord Baelish and capture them before they are potentially silenced. By obtaining the necessary proof that Baelish conspired to kill Jon Arryn, all his so called 'friends' will abandon him. No one wants to be associated with the man who plotted the Hand of the King's death," explained Sub-Zero with Robert calming down, but still pretty pissed off.
"Fine! But I still want you or someone you trust and believe is ready to come back with us to King's Landing," said Robert with Sub-Zero thinking it over.
"Jon is ready," said Sub-Zero with Jon/Aegon looking at him in surprise while Ned was looking fearful.
"Jon? You means Ned's bastard?" asked Robert with Sub-Zero nodding.
"I saw potential in the boy and trained him in the ways of the Lin Kuei. I believe he is ready to learn more can only be obtained by going out into the world," said Sub-Zero with Robert thinking it over and missing Ned's worried look he was now sending to the Grandmaster.
"You trust the boy Ned?" asked Robert knowing the answer, but felt like saying it all the same.
"Of course. He is of my blood. While Jon may not have my family name, he is no less a Stark," said Ned while swallowing his fear of Robert knowing the truth and giving the Grandmaster "we will talk about this later" glare.
"We'll we can change that. Come here Jon!" commanded Robert, who saw the boy was silently watching everything per Sub-Zero's command.
"Yes your Grace," said Jon while approaching.
"Remove your mask. I want to see your face," said Robert with Jon glancing at Sub-Zero, who nodded and young secret Targaryen removing it.
"I see a lot of Stark features on you Jon. It's clear you have Stark blood running strongly in their veins. I know your wife would have given you grief Ned, but it would have been easy to legitimize him if asked," said Robert while giving Jon a once over while the boy glanced at Sub-Zero, who motioned for him to do nothing.
"I didn't want to upset Cat. She is not as welcoming to Jon as I would have hoped after all these years," said Ned while wincing since he had planned to tell his wife the truth, but it just never seemed the right time.
"Most women wouldn't be so welcoming of their husband's bastard. Unless you are from Dorne," remarked Robert while he continued to look at Jon/Aegon before nodding as if a decision was made.
"So have you decided?" asked Sub-Zero with Robert letting out a snort.
"Of course! Jon Snow, kneel before your King," said Robert with Jon doing so and saw Robert take out his sword.
Ned of course looked a tad fearful while Sub-Zero remained calm since he knew what Robert was going to do.
"I, King Robert of House Baratheon, first of my name, Lord of the...ah you know all the bloody titles that go with it. Anyway, by right as King of the Seven Kingdoms, I hereby declare you Jon as a legitimized member of House Stark. With all the rights, privileges, and titles that go with it. Stand be recognized...Jon Stark!" exclaimed Robert while Jon looked at him in shock before looking over at his "Father" with joy and saw Ned smiling at him.
"Congratulations Jon. This was long overdue," remarked Sub-Zero with Jon smiling and put his mask back on.
"Thank you your Grace for this great honor. I will not squander it," said Jon/Aegon while Robert just laughed.
"You can honor me by helping Ned find all those fuckers in King's Landing seeking to undo my rule as King. I need someone with sharp eyes, a sharp mind, and if necessary a sharp blade to remove my enemies. I know I can count on Ned here. And with his now legitimized son, I feel safer already," said Robert while giving the young man a solid pat on the shoulder.
"Yes your Grace. Though is one minor problem that hasn't been addressed yet," said Jon with Ned and Robert looking at him in confusion.
"Oh? What's that?" asked Robert curiously.
"Who here is going to be courageous enough to tell Lady Stark the wonderful news of my legitimization?" asked Jon with Ned grimacing knowing it would be him and Robert also knew it too.
Which was why he was letting out a belly filled laugh at his Sworn Brother's expense.
Sub-Zero merely smirked behind his mask. The boy would go far indeed. Aegon was still a little rough around the edges, but the Grandmaster knew with time the young Targaryen in hiding would make him proud. The boy held none of the Targaryen madness his family was known to have due to the constant inbreeding. Sub-Zero believed with the diversity from the Stark bloodline nullified that issue in Aegon himself. House Stark had married into so many different Houses in the North to the point where they even branched out to form House Karstark, over inbreeding. As a result, the diversity within their House was immense, and the chance of madness plaguing them was practically zero.
Part of him just hoped the boy was indeed ready for the trials ahead. Sub-Zero had taught the boy much since helping in raising Aegon in the ways of the Lin Kuei. However, the true teacher that surpassed all others was life itself and the experiences that went with it.
And failure during such trials usually meant death.
'Elder Gods, please watch over this boy, and the Lin Kuei during these soon to be trying times,' thought Sub-Zero while Aegon hugged his "Father" one more time and the group walked out of the crypt to reveal the news.
(A/N: YAY! Another long chapter. Hope you enjoyed this. I know some of you think that I am moving things in certain areas to fast, but I am not. Yes, Littlefinger was made the prime suspect in Jon Arryn's murder, but he won't be arrested right away as Sub-Zero has pointed out. Littlefinger has spies everywhere with his network rivaling Varys if push came to shove. Also, Littlefinger has friends in high places. He knows the dirty secrets of various High Lords and influential people (see Season 1 for some examples when he is talking to Varys in the throne room about certain things) all who have questionable vices. They would do everything in their power to keep those secrets from coming out and aid Littlefinger in whatever way he wished. As such, Sub-Zero wants them to act like they don't suspect Littlefinger of the act, and they also have to find out who else he employed to have Jon Arryn killed. As for Cersei and Jamie, you will see how things are handled as things around them progress. Until next time...PEACE!)
