The wheelhouse of the Queen groaned as it began its slow trek south. Behind it followed a column of hundreds of knights and servants and wagons. Link rode a sturdy grey gelding near the rear of the Stark party. He kept his position close to the carriage carrying Sansa and Arya.
The air of the North was slowly being replaced by the damp chill of the Riverlands. Every mile they traveled took them further from the safety of the walls of Winterfell.
Link scanned the treeline. He was not looking for bandits. He was looking for the prince. Joffrey Baratheon was riding ahead with a few of his favorite guards. The boy was a golden terror with a cruel streak that he barely bothered to hide.
[Status: Alert]
[Observation: The Prince is restless and looking for a target]
"You look like you are expecting an ambush" Arya said while pulling her pony up beside Link. She had her direwolf Nymeria trotting at her heels.
Link looked down at the girl. She was dressed in leather breeches and a dirty tunic. She looked nothing like a lady and she clearly preferred it that way.
"The road is long Arya" Link replied. "And sometimes the most dangerous things are not hiding in the bushes. Sometimes they are riding right in front of us."
Arya narrowed her eyes while she looked toward Joffrey's golden cloak in the distance. "He is a prat. He called Mycah a servant boy and tried to make him cry."
Link tightened his grip on the reins. Mycah was the butcher's son. In the original timeline his death was the spark that led to the execution of Lady.
"Stay away from the Prince Arya" Link said in a low voice. "And keep Nymeria close. If Joffrey tries to provoke you do not fight back. Come and find me instead."
Arya made a face. "I am not a coward Link. And Nymeria is a wolf. She does not take orders from golden boys."
"It is not about being a coward" Link said while leaning over. "It is about the Game. If you bite a Prince the King has to bite back. Do you want to be the reason your father has to choose between his honor and his family?"
Arya went quiet. She looked at Nymeria and then at her father riding far ahead with the King. For the first time she looked a little bit afraid.
Link checked his interface.
[Current Anchor: Departure from Winterfell]
[Mental Fatigue: Moderate]
He knew he was getting close to the location of the incident. He needed to be perfect. If he could stop Joffrey from attacking Mycah he could save the butcher's boy and the wolves.
As the sun began to set the caravan stopped to make camp near a small stream. The tension in the air was palpable. Link saw Joffrey dismount and whisper something to his guard Sandor Clegane. The man they called the Hound let out a rough laugh.
Link dismounted and loosened his sword in its scabbard.
I will not let the butcher boy die Link thought. And I will not let the wolves be the price for a Prince's ego.
…..
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!