The caravan moved with a sluggish weight the next morning. The encounter on the path had left Joffrey in a foul mood. Even though no blood had been spilled and no wolves had been drawn into a fight the Prince spent the day riding in a dark silence. Link could feel the boy's resentment like a physical heat. Every time the royal party passed the Stark guards Joffrey would stare at Link with a look of pure loathing for being the man who had ordered him back to camp.
Sansa was also quiet. She sat in the carriage and watched the scenery go by with a mournful expression. She was disappointed that her romantic walk had been cut short and she blamed Link for the intrusion.
Link did not care about the girl's hurt feelings. He was too busy watching the shadows.
The Hound was the problem. Sandor Clegane was not like the other knights. He did not care for chivalry or honor. He was a beast of burden for the Lannisters and he saw right through the way Link had positioned himself to block the Prince.
[Status: Alert]
[Observation: Sandor Clegane is tracking your movements]
As the sun began to dip toward the horizon the towers of the Crossroads Inn appeared in the distance. This was a famous landmark where the Kingsroad met the River Road.
"We stop here for the night" the King shouted from the front of the column. "I want a real bed and a gallon of ale!"
The camp was a chaotic mess of horses and men as the royal party settled in. Link helped the Stark girls dismount. Arya was still clutching her wooden sword while Nymeria stayed close to her side. Because of Link's intervention the butcher boy Mycah was safely tending to the carts in the rear unaware of the death he had avoided in the other timeline.
"Stay within the camp tonight Arya" Link warned in a quiet voice.
Arya looked at him with confusion. "Why? We haven't even seen the Prince today since you chased him off the path."
"He is looking for an excuse to strike back" Link replied. "The Prince does not forget a slight. Do not give him an opening."
Link turned to lead his horse to the stables but a massive shadow blocked his path. Sandor Clegane was leaning against the stable door. He was chewing on a piece of dried meat and his yellow eyes were fixed on Link.
"You have the look of a man who knows too much" the Hound rasped. "I saw you on the path yesterday. You were waiting for the Prince. You moved before he even saw you. It was as if you knew exactly where he was going to be."
Link did not back down. He kept his grip on the horse's lead. "I have a sharp ear for trouble."
"I am no Ser" the Hound spat on the ground. "Do not call me a knight. I am a dog. And I know when another dog is guarding a bone. What is the reason Link? You went out of your way to stop a boy from taking a walk. You acted as if his life depended on turning back."
"I did my duty to Lord Stark" Link said.
The Hound let out a dark laugh. "The Prince told the Queen you threatened him. He told her you put your hand on your sword while you told him to turn around. He said you treated the heir to the throne like a common thief."
Link felt a cold spike of alarm. He had prevented the physical fight with the wolves but Joffrey had simply invented a new crime to satisfy his ego. To a Lannister a guard who stood in the way was just as guilty as a guard who drew blood.
"The King will not execute a man for relaying a message" Link said.
"The King will do whatever makes his wife stop screaming" the Hound replied. He stepped closer and the smell of sour wine hit Link's nose. "You think you are clever standing in the way of fate? The Prince wants you dead now. And he usually gets what he wants."
Link looked at the inn. The Queen was standing on the balcony looking down at the courtyard. Her gaze was fixed directly on Link. Beside her stood Jaime Lannister.
Link knew then that the Crossroads Inn would be his greatest challenge yet. He had saved the boy and the wolves but in doing so he had made himself the only target left for the Lion to bite
....
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!