The arrival of the royal procession brought a storm of noise and dust to the Red Keep. Hundreds of horses and wagons crowded the outer ward while the bells of the Great Sept began to toll in a frantic greeting. The city was screaming its welcome but to Link the sound felt like a funeral dirge.
Link stood near the entrance to the Tower of the Hand. He watched as Ned Stark dismounted. Ned looked as if he had aged ten years on the road. The weight of the Hand's badge seemed to pull at his shoulders and his eyes were hollow with the exhaustion of a man who had spent weeks arguing with a King and a Queen.
"Link" Ned said while handing his reins to a stable boy. He looked at the young man and for a brief moment a flicker of relief crossed his face. "You made it. I half expected to find you in a dungeon or halfway back to the Wall."
"The city is large My Lord" Link replied while bowing. "It is easy to get lost if you don't want to be found."
Ned grunted and looked up at the towering walls of the keep. "I feel lost already. The King has gone to his council and the Queen has gone to her chambers. We are expected at a feast tonight. A celebration of my arrival."
"A feast is a dangerous place for a man with enemies" Link said in a low voice.
Ned looked at him sharply. "You have been here a week. What have you seen?"
Link stepped closer so the Gold Cloaks nearby could not overhear. "The walls have ears and the shadows have eyes My Lord. I have met the Spider and the Master of Coin. They are already measuring you for a coffin. Do not eat anything you haven't seen someone else taste first. And do not go anywhere without a guard."
Ned sighed while rubbing his face. "I am the Hand of the King Link. Not a prisoner."
"In this city there is no difference" Link said.
Behind them Arya and Sansa were being ushered toward their new quarters. Sansa looked enchanted by the silk banners and the knightly armor but Arya looked like a caged animal. She caught Link's eye and gave him a small nod. She was still carrying her wooden sword and the small blade Jon Snow had given her.
As the Stark household began to unpack Link felt a sudden spike in his interface.
[Status Alert]
[Danger Imminent: The Banquet Trap]
Link scanned the courtyard. He saw Jaime Lannister standing on a balcony above looking down at the Starks. The Kingslayer was smiling but his hand was resting on the pommel of his golden sword. Beside him stood Joffrey who was whispering something into his uncle's ear.
Link knew the history. In the original timeline the feast was the beginning of the end. It was where the first seeds of the conspiracy were sown and where the Lannisters began to test Ned's resolve.
"I will be at the door tonight My Lord" Link said.
"The King said you were to stay away from the royal party" Ned reminded him.
"The King said I was not to be on the road" Link corrected. "I am already at the destination. And a guard in the shadows is worth ten in the light."
Ned looked at the empty place on Link's belt. "You have no sword."
Link reached back and slightly shifted his cloak to show the blackened hilt of the short sword he had bought. "I have what I need."
Ned nodded slowly. "Very well. Stay in the shadows Link. I have a feeling I am going to need someone who can see in the dark."
...
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:
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!