Shadows clung to castle walls while Link slipped through secret paths. He reached the Tower of the Hand before the gold-cloaked guards could seal every entrance. Inside the solar Ned Stark stood alone near a cold hearth. His hands gripped the table edge so hard his knuckles showed white.
[Status Alert: Tension Critical]
[Status: Mental Fatigue Moderate]
"Link" Ned breathed while turning. "Everyone claims a ghost attacked the feast. Chaos reigns in the Great Hall. Robert demands blood."
Link stepped into the light. He pulled the small black crossbow from his belt and laid it upon the oak table. Beside it he placed a single silver coin he had pried from the dead man's grip. The metal bore a sigil not of Westeros but of Braavos.
"An assassin died in the rafters My Lord" Link stated. "He drank poison rather than speak. He used this weapon to target you and the King."
Ned picked up the silver coin. His eyes narrowed. "A Faceless Man? Or someone playing at being one? This is a mummer's trick meant to spark war between the crown and the Free Cities."
"Or a distraction" Link suggested. "The wine was poisoned too. Lancel Lannister was seen near the flagons. The Queen wants you gone but she wants the King dead most of all."
Ned slammed the coin down. "Accusations without proof are just whispers Link. I cannot go to Robert with a foreign coin and a dead man. Cersei would call it a Northern plot to sow discord."
[Quest Updated: Find the Source]
[Status: Under Suspicion]
"Then look at the wine" Link urged. "The servant I caught is in the dungeons. If he lives he can speak. If he dies while under the care of Janos Slynt we know the City Watch is compromised."
Ned looked at the heavy door. "I have already sent Jory to fetch the man. But the King is surrounded by Lannisters. Robert is blind to the danger because he loves the wine more than his life."
A sharp knock echoed through the room. Link faded into the dark corner near the tapestry.
Varys entered with a silent glide. The Spider looked at the crossbow on the table and then at Ned Stark. He did not acknowledge Link but his eyes flickered toward the corner.
"Lord Hand" Varys whispered. "The servant you seek has found a sudden end. A tragic accident involving a fall down the stairs while in custody."
Ned's face went pale. "Slynt's men?"
"Men serve those who pay them Lord Stark" Varys replied while smoothing his silks. "The Lion has a very long reach. And your brave guard has made himself a very bright target."
Link felt the weight of the city pressing in. He had saved Ned from the poison but the conspiracy was already closing the holes he had poked in their plan.
"I need to see the King" Ned said while grabbing his cloak.
"The King is currently being comforted by the Queen" Varys warned. "She is telling him that the Northmen brought this violence to his hall. She is telling him that your guard Link is the one who fired the bolts."
Link gripped his short sword. The game was moving faster than the loops could fix.
.….
Author Note
Hi guys! Thank you for reading my fanfiction. I'll be realising 4 Chapters a day.
Also I'll be still 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!