The morning sun broke over Winterfell but the light brought no warmth. The courtyard was a hive of activity as the royal pavilion began to dismantle. The assassination attempt had soured the air and turned the festive visit into a cold standoff.
Link stood at the entrance to the solar. His new status as a personal guard to House Stark was clearly marked by the superior quality of his grey cloak and the heavy steel at his hip. He had not slept. His mind was still buzzing from the mental strain of the night loops but his eyes remained sharp.
Inside the solar the tension was high. King Robert Baratheon was pacing the room with his face flushed from a mixture of wine and irritation. Ned Stark stood by the window while his gaze was fixed on the broken tower in the distance.
"I will not hear it Ned" Robert roared while slamming a fist onto the table. "A thief with a few gold coins does not mean the Queen is trying to murder your family. Cersei is a nightmare but she is not a fool."
"A thief does not carry an assassin blade Robert" Ned said in a voice that was dangerously calm. "And he does not target a seven year old boy. My son saw something and someone wanted him silenced."
Robert waved a hand dismissively. "The boy is fine. Your guard Link stopped the man. It is over. I am the King and I am telling you to leave this gloom in the snow. I need you in King's Landing. Jon Arryn is dead and the court is full of flattery and lies. I need the only honest man I know to stand beside me."
Link watched from the doorway. He knew this was the moment that would seal the fate of the North. If Ned stayed the war might be delayed but the King would eventually fall to the Lannister schemes alone. If Ned went he was walking into a nest of vipers.
[Status: Alert]
[Observation: The King is desperate and Ned Stark is torn]
Ned turned away from the window. His eyes met Link's for a brief second. In that look Link saw a man who knew he was being led to the slaughter but felt his honor left him no choice.
"I will go" Ned said quietly. "But Bran stays here. And Link goes with me. I want the man who saved my son at my back in the capital."
Robert let out a booming laugh and the tension broke instantly. "Good. Bring a dozen guards if it makes you feel better. Just bring yourself. We leave at noon."
As the King marched out of the room he spared a glance at Link. "You are the one who caught the lad and killed the shadow. You have quick hands. Try to keep Lord Stark's head on his shoulders. He has always been too stiff for his own good."
Link bowed as the King passed. Once the footsteps faded Ned Stark walked over to Link.
"You heard the King" Ned said. "We go south. It is a place of silk and poison. Not like the North. Here a man's word is his bond. There a man's word is a trap."
"I am ready My Lord" Link replied.
"I hope so" Ned said with a weary expression. "I am taking my daughters with me. Sansa and Arya. You will be responsible for their safety on the road. The Lannisters will not forget what happened last night. They will be watching us for a single moment of weakness."
Link felt a chill that had nothing to do with the winter wind. He knew the road south was where the first major tragedy would occur. Lady the direwolf would be executed. Nymeria would be chased away. And the rift between the Starks and the Lannisters would become an unbridgeable chasm.
I have to save the wolves Link thought. If I can change the outcome at the Trident I can keep Arya and Sansa from becoming enemies with the crown so soon.
[ New Anchor Point Established: Departure from Winterfell ]
He stepped out into the yard. The Stark girls were already being ushered toward the carriages. Sansa looked excited while dreaming of knights and lemon cakes. Arya looked miserable while clutching her wooden practice sword.
Link gripped the hilt of his sword. He was not just a guard anymore. He was the only person in this massive caravan who knew that every mile they traveled brought them closer to the end of the world.
.….
Author Note
Hi guys! Thank you for reading my fanfiction.
I wanted to let you know that I'll be releasing bonus chapters for Power Stones. Here are the goals:
15 Power Stones: 1 Bonus Chapters
30 Power Stones: 1 Bonus Chapters
50 Power Stones: 1 Bonus Chapters
75 Power Stones: 2 Bonus Chapters
100 Power Stones: 2 Bonus Chapters
Thanks for the support!