One Month Later:
Early Morning:
New Keep Lord's Solar:
'I'll advance my spearman to take his light horse and prevent the wall it has with the second, opening the path again.' As he thought that, Jon moved his jade cyvasse piece to take Lord Manderly's ivory light horse, drawing a click of the tongue from the lord in question.
Pleased with his strategy, he looked from the cyvasse board to Lord Manderly, who looked to be in thought as the man's eyes scanned the board.
They had gone for a simple mountain range on both sides at the very centre of the 12 by 12 checker-patterned board, a singular central path leading from one side to the other.
Its ivory-and-jade pattern was quite fascinating to look at as were the ivory-white and jade-green pieces they were using for battle.
'I still have one elephant, another light horse and one trebuchet to be used.' Glancing over at Lord Manderly's side, the dragon, catapult and heavy horse hovering near the king made him pause before the man made his move.
"Crap," he whispered under his breath as Lord Manderly moved forward one of his crossbowmen to take the very same spearman he just advanced
That left him with his two rabble, one crossbowman, one light horse, both heavy horses, an elephant, a trebuchet and a king.
On the other hand, Lord Manderly still had his dragon, both crossbowman, one heavy horse, both light horses, one catapult and all four of his spearman protecting his king.
"Too eager into the pass there, Jon," Lord Wyman chuckled, leaning back in his reinforced ironwood chair. "A good commander assumes that the pass is never safe until the enemy first uses it."
"Understood," Jon nodded, folding his hands and keeping his expression neutral.
'This is a lot more complex than chess, though. It's almost like Shogi.' On the inside, though, his mind was working overtime to help him as he scanned the battlefield.
Normally, he would just use Flowing Red Scale to accelerate the speed at which his brain can comprehend every angle, but he didn't want to overuse it.
Also, it was a simple match between himself and Lord Manderly, not a battle to the death he needed to fear for.
'Still, there is only one path of victory here for me. I have to protect my trebuchet and have it lie in waiting.' The moment Lord Manderly decided to go on the offence with his dragon, he would be able to launch one attack and take it out.
Until then, he'd have to protect it to the last man.
Moving one of his two rabble by one space back to his side of the battlefield, he sat silently and smirked when Lord Manderly gave him an amused smile.
"Baiting the skies, are we?"
"Perhaps, I've realised that fighting a defensive battle would be more advantageous than attempting to attack you with all forces."
"Perhaps." His tone told Jon he did not believe a single word, but the young Snow just held his smirk as the man moved his king forward by a space.
"Tell me, Jon. What do you believe is the most important thing during a war?" The question stumped him for a moment as he moved the second of his rabble down the path.
"In what sense, Lord Manderly?" He asked, watching as the lord immediately blocked off the path with a spearman.
"In general," the lord responded, to which Jon paused as his hand hovered over his light horse at the entrance.
"Well, the number of soldiers would be a good response, but you would not ask such a thing if that were to be the case," Jon murmured, moving his piece as the lord waited patiently. "You would also not ask if it was something just as simple such as money.
Thus, I can only think of one thing: the terrains or the battlefields upon which you would be waging said wars."
"You had the answer," was his response as Wyman began moving his pieces down the path, doing so as Jon retreated with every move.
"So, it's soldiers?"
"Yes, and no. The most important thing is indeed money, wealth and influence." Raising an eyebrow, Jon waited patiently as the man moved his dragon and king in tandem. "You see, what man cannot be bought with coin or castle to switch sides?"
There went his rabble to Lord Manderly's spearman.
"What ally would not become enemy if the tantalising offer of more influence is dangled in their sights?"
There goes his light horse and both heavy horses in exchange for the lord's catapult, crossbowman and a heavy horse.
"Wealth, dear Jon," the lord murmured, sacrificing his two light horses to take his elephant as Jon's trebuchet took his dragon down. "Wealth is what oils the gears of war, Jon. Why do you think the lords of Westeros loves having his Grace King Baratheon on the throne?
It is not because of his singing voice nor his joyous personality, but the wealth and power of the Great Houses behind him. If not for that, then any man and lord would be able to call themselves king."
As Jon lost his trebuchet to the king piece itself, he tipped over his own that was caught between the two light horses and the four spearmen.
"What if someone is truly loyal, my lord?"
"That is why us Northerns are such a threat to the southern lords. To us, there will always be one king to be replaced by another, but our liege lord was, is and will always be the Wolf Kings of Winter for the North Remembers who will be there to aid us when Winter is Coming."
'...Wow.' For the first time since he left Winterfell, Jon was stumped at the smile on Wyman's face as he leaned back. The sheer loyalty the lord, and most likely every other lord, had for House Stark was something he knew of, yes.
However, to see it in person was...astonishing.
"That is why I have such high hopes for you," Jon blinked as the man's words snapped him from his thoughts. "When you have risen to a station that most would have considered to be beyond you and when you are finally legitimised, I wish to see if you can become a Stark that the North remembers."
"You truly believe I would be able to do so?"
"On your own? Most definitely not, but the same could not be said if I throw my support behind you."
"What of the other lords?"
"Oh, they will think me a fool for choosing the bastard instead of one of the other three sons, but then again, I have always been a gambling man. Hahahaha!" Jon couldn't help his soft smile at Lord Manderly's laughter, which infected him and made him laugh as well.
This...this was comforting and he finally relaxed in the man's presence just as a knock came from the door.
"Lord Manderly, Lady Wynafryd and Lady Wylla are here to see you," A guard announced as he opened the door, Jon rising from his seat and walking around to stand beside the lord in question as Wyman smiled.
"Let them in," he spoke, to which the guard stepped in while fully opening the door.
"Lord Grandfather."
"Grandfather," Wylla replied after Wynafryd's formal greeting, Jon hiding his confusion at the way she greeted the man.
"Wyna, I've told you many a time. Just grandfather is enough. There is no need for the lord."
"It would be unbecoming of me to do such a thing, grandfather," she replied, making the lord groan as Jon hid his smirk. He had come to learn over the course of the month that the two sisters were just like Arya and Sansa.
The older, responsible sister that enjoyed the frivolities and luxury of being a lady while the younger sister enjoyed the bloody and rough side of life. Of course, unlike Arya, Wylla also enjoyed being a lady just as much, especially when she could make squires spar against each other for her entertainment.
"Hello, Jon."
"Lady Wylla. Lady Wynafryd," Jon bowed his head in greeting, drawing a giggle from Wylla as Wyna simply nodded slightly.
"Snow. Are you lightening the load of work my lord grandfather needs to endure?"
"If only I could have gotten Jon at a young age. Ah, I can see the nights of paperwork passing by like nothing."
'That sounds weird if taken out of context,' Jon thought, though he did not voice his opinion nor did he show his amusement at the man's words.
"Now, enough of bothering my squire. What brings my dearest granddaughters to bother me?"
"Actually, we've come to capture your squire, grandfather. Mother wishes to speak to him."
"Lady Leona?" Jon asked with a confused tilt of his head, his expression becoming even more confused as Wyna and Wylla nodded.
What would their mother want from him? In the months that he's been here, he's barely said a word to her nor interacted with her other than greeting her as she passed by him.
'Did I do something wrong?'
"Did you do something?" Lord Manderly asked the question out loud as Jon thought it, to which he shook his head.
"I cannot say that I did anything that would warrant an audience with Lady Leona, my lord," he replied, his stoic facade replacing his confusion and wariness.
"Well, if my good-daughter wishes to see you, it's best not to keep her waiting. We'll finish our lesson on 'finance' later."
"As you command, my lord. Please, lead the way, my ladies." Wylla giggled again as she linked arms with Jon, pulling him along as Wynafryd turned and walked out the office.
"Oh, I'm simply tired from walking on my feet all day, young Snow. Allow yourself to be my guide," Wylla spoke at Jon's raised eyebrow and he paused before giving a nod.
"I am at your command, my lady."
"Wylla, please."
"Wylla, act as befitting your station."
"What is wrong with me merely allowing the young squire Snow to escort me to my mother?" Wylla asked in return and Jon decided to remain silent when he saw Wynafryd staring her sister down.
"...Very well, but if Mother finds issue with this..."
"I will not put you in trouble, sister," Wylla spoke with a roll of her eyes, to which Wynafryd just huffed as she continued walking. "So, Jon?"
"Yes, Lady Wylla?"
"When you left Winterfell, was there a milady Snow that you had to say goodbye to?" He blinked at the abruptity of the question, staring at the waiting smile on Wylla's face.
"Um, unfortunately not, my lady. There are not many women that would line up to be known being affiliated to a bastard."
"Then those women are fools," Wylla replied with a toss of her head, making Jon raise an eyebrow. "If the stories are true, you caught a crossbow bolt out of the air. Imagine how you caught have tossed them around."
"Wylla!" Wynafryd hissed from in front of them, turning her head to glare at her sister. "Mind your manners."
"Fine, fine. I forget how prudish you are," Wylla spoke with a roll of her eyes and Jon hid his amusement as Wynafryd sighed and continued walking.
For the rest of the trip, they moved in silence, walking through the hallways of New Keep. Jon didn't miss the stares of the people at Wylla holding his arm, but none dared to speak as she levelled a piercing stare at any that looked.
"And here we are," Wylla spoke with a grin as she reached the heavy, iron-studded doors of the family wing. She let go of his arm and stood beside Wynafryd, whom nodded at the two guards in front of the door.
Both spearmen saluted before they opened the heavy doors, Jon noting the smell of dried lavender and sweet almond oil that wafted through.
'There she is.' His gaze moved to Leona Manderly's seated form as he entered, standing a few paces away from the door while Wylla and Wynafryd walked up to their mother.
The woman's stern gaze didn't move from him as he stood waiting, able to listen to her daughters while also moving a silver needle precisely through a piece of fine embroidery.
"Mother, we have brought the young Snow as you requested."
"Thank you, daughters dearest. Now, if you would allow the Snow and I to be alone." Wynafryd nodded while Wylla looked disappointed, but neither talked back as they turned and left the room.
The guards paused for a moment before they bowed their heads and closed the doors at Leona's gaze, which she turned back to the Snow as he bowed his head.
"Lady Manderly."
"That is Lord Manderly's late wife. I am still Lady Leona," she replied, to which he paused before nodding.
"Understood. My apologies, my lady." Rising from her seat as he lifted his head, Jon watched her step closer and observe him from head to toe.
"I will be direct with you, Snow. I do not care for what little games my goodfather is playing, but I have two daughters whose futures will dictate the security of White Harbour. Tell me, when you look at my girls, what do you see?"
"The blood of House Manderly, my lady," Jon replied immediately. "Ladies of a noble house that wished to give me an opportunity to rise in stature where others looked the other way. A house that I would be willing to lay my life down for the gifts and honours they have granted me."
For a long while, silence hung in the air as the woman stared, but Jon did not baulk from her stare and stood firm. This was a test for him, to see if he had what it took to survive the political warfare of this world without needing his Alluring Eye.
He expected a curt dismissal and perhaps a warning for him to be wary. What he did not expect was the way her gaze lightened before she nodded.
"A smooth tongue, you have," she murmured. "The Lord Stark's honour was always a rigid thing and it seems to have passed on to you, but you also seem to understand the subtleties of the life you wish to take on."
She then turned back towards her high-backed velvet chair, sitting down and staring at him with a hum. "My goodfather has always been a gambling man. If you truly mean to play as a shield for House Manderly, I will not stand in your path. However, if you wish to use my daughters as a ladder to wash away your bastard birth, know that there is nowhere in the world to hide from me."
"A warning I shall take to heart, my lady," Jon spoke before he blinked as the woman nodded.
"Good. Now, begone. I'm sure my goodfather misses having his loyal squire at his side."
"At your leave, my lady," he replied with a bow and knocked on the door, taking one final glance at Lady Leona returning to her embroidery work before exiting the room.
'That...was weird,' he thought, shaking his head and making his way back to Lord Manderly's office. After all, there was still a lesson to be learned.
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Later that day, Evening:
The sweet taste of blood stained his lips and satiated his thirst, his maw biting flesh free from the neck of the beast he had slain. Ever since his master allowed him to eat his blood, it was as though his world had grown.
He could think now, no longer driven by his instincts and emotions. His mind was now sharper as was his body, growing stronger and stronger over the course of the days with every prey that he devoured.
His master called it Aether or something along those lines and while he didn't know what it was, it was a wonder to feel himself growing stronger with every bite.
Swallowing the flesh with a low growl, he left the half-eaten corpse and continued walking, keeping low to the ground as the green and brown made his white fur stand out.
Red eyes gazed from the forest onto the camp in front of him, catching the flickering of torchlights and armoured guards patrolling the borders of the camp.
'They should be close,' With the swiftness that his four feet allowed, he rushed through the forests surrounding the camp, his sharp sense of smell easily helping him find his siblings and the family of his master.
Coming to a slow trot at the northern area of the camp, his eyes narrowed as he saw Master's father approaching, watching as the man hesitated for a moment before pulling his dagger out and kneeling beside Lady's form.
With a snarl, he shot from the bushes and charged forward, making the man's eyes widen as he leapt at him and pushed him away.
At the same time, he bit onto the chain holding his sister and shattered it, letting out a sharp yip before he took off into the forest.
Lady was right behind him, though with a low howl of mourning as she had to leave her master behind. He understood that it was the hardest thing to do, but he could not allow her to die.
No matter what, as the protector of his family just like his master, they were never going to die on his watch.
A deep whiff of the air let him catch another scent, one he immediately rushed towards with Lady on his heels. Stopping in a forest clearing with his sister beside him, he let out a loud howl, one that resonated through the air and silenced the forest.
Moments later, a howl answered and he stopped, feeling relieved as his second sister stepped out from the foliage and moved towards them.
Pushing his snout into Nymeria's neck, Ghost felt Lady doing the same to him as the three basked in the warmth of each other's presence.
As the two let out low mewls and growls of gratitude, Ghost's red eyes were locked onto a tree branch, meeting the gaze of a three-eyed raven that stared back.
No matter what, as long as he and Master was around, none would harm the pack.
A/N: A Ghost POV? Who woulda thunk it? Anyway, Jon talks with Lady Leona, who somewhat tolerates him while still holding him at arm's length, and Ghost alters the timeline.
What will that lead to? Who knows?
Next chapter: A story I did not know.
As always, read, enjoy, review and until the next one...
Ba-Bye~!!