chapter 5

We had finally arrived in Winterfell. Mother had been a bit more cross than usual and I suspected she did not like having to travel so much. She was also likely worried as the Hand was dead, the King was on the road and she wasn't there to ensure nothing went haywire in Kings Landing. How many carefully planned plots were now off track due to the unexpected travel?

Deciding that discretion was the better part of valor I left poor Tommen in the wheelhouse with her and travelled on Flyta. Tyrion proved good company on the journey. I learned a bit about the improvements he had made at Casterly Rock and we chatted about how better urban planning could reduce the problems in Kings Landing. After calculating the cost, we came to the realization it wasn't financially feasible currently even if we had the pull to convince the Small Council to listen to us.

We also discussed various books and far off places like the Great Grass Sea where the Dothraki roamed and the Jade Sea. I also questioned him about what he knew of Northern politics but he knew little of the lay of the land today. Tyrion was big on the finer things of life and the rural and sparsely populated North was not a place he had gone to. Since he was here already though he did plan on travelling to the Wall and seeing it in person.

Our conversations even steered into theories on why the dragons died out. By far Tyrion Lannister was my favorite uncle to converse with. Such a pity that he did not do anything useful his prodigious intellect.

It had been two years since my stare down with Joffrey and since then he had avoided me. As part of the royal family there was no way to not be around me but he did his best not to interact with me. I checked with Tommen to make sure nothing untoward was happening with him and he told me Joffrey was insulting but had not laid a hand on him or any living thing that belong to Tommen. This was good. I'm not sure if it was due to my intimidation or from mother taking him to the task but all's well that end's well.

We were met by some of the Stark household guards on the road who guided us the rest of the way to impressive fortifications that were Winterfell. You would need overwhelming force or a traitor within the walls to take this place. When we rode through the gate the Starks were arrayed before us and I looked over them appraisingly.

Eddard was the clear patriarch though most of his children had more of his wife's features. The heir, Robb Stark had the Tully coloring. Oddly enough the one who looked most like him was the younger daughter, Arya. Both girls were taller than me which was annoying. It didn't make any sense, Robert and Cersei were both tall and I had more than adequate nutrition! Joffrey was tall and Tommen was younger and already vertically equal to me.

Father greeted his long-time friend more heartedly than he did his own brothers. He went down the line and greeted Catelyn Stark, Lord Hoster Tully's eldest daughter. From there he went down the line of the children. Then Lord Stark knelt and kissed mother's ring and we were introduced. I smiled confidently at the Starks and we made basic introductions before heading in and being seen to our rooms. We would be given a chance to freshen up from the journey and then the formal welcoming feast would begin.

My father wanted to pay his respects to Eddard's sister, his once betrothed. Mother objected and I again saw her astute play. Of course, father would not be denied but in one stroke she further highlighted to the Starks that Robert loved their departed kinswoman so much he would gainsay his own wife. On the surface it looked like the Queen had lost standing but it was all a ploy to assist the rekindling of the friendship that had been dormant since the Greyjoy rebellion. Pure brilliance.

***

I was escorted by Robb Stark to the feast, Joffrey escorted Sansa and Tommen escorted Arya. Robb Stark was a likeable fellow, hardly the barbarian. He was no Uncle Tyrion, but he had had been educated well and made no faux pas during the feast.

"Is it true that your father personally executes all the criminals in the north?" I asked, partially wondering if the new Hand was some sort of sadist who took delight in killing.

"Not every criminal, he couldn't ride all across the North and still run Winterfell!"

I let out a polite laugh. "But the one's here?"

"He does. He taught us that the one passes the sentences should be the one who swings the sword."

Hmm was that a convenient excuse to hide his bloodlust or was it true? If the latter than I found the distinction a bit silly. If you swung the blade or told someone else to, dead was dead. I had no qualms about getting my hands dirty but I wouldn't go out of my way to do it.

"Do you get many criminals in the North?"

"Not many, and most take the Black. Though we do have other issues, just a bit over a moon ago father executed a deserter from the Night's Watch."

"Is the Wall really 700 feet high?"

"Aye it is, my uncle serves as one of the Night's Watch. It is a noble calling and they protect all the realms of men."

"What about the realms of women?" I teased.

He looked at me confused. "Princess, realms of men doesn't just mean men it means…"

"Just a harmless jape Robb, I understood your meaning."

"Ah." An awkward pause of the conversation and I inwardly winced. Time to change the subject.

I switched to asking him about what goes into training to fight. He talked about practicing in the yard with Ser Rodrik the master-at-arms in Winterfell. Learning how to ride and even learning things like archery. I made sure to ask probing following up question to show interest. Nothing really stood out but he sounded very dutiful, and more disciplined than Joffrey. My brother was taught the sword, and how to ride. However, setbacks quickly frustrated him. He would never be as skilled as Uncle Jaime, or any of the Kingsguard.

Robb also talked about his recent acquisition of a direwolf puppy. They were supposed to eventually get to be the size of horse, something that sounded a bit exaggerated to me. My father made a loud toast to Eddard and the North and spilled wine across the table and floor in the process. I could tell from the glances toward him that Robb was disappointed and embarrassed with the behavior of the King. The Lord and Lady of Winterfell were also discomfited. Little did they know that father was behaving himself, at least comparatively to his usual antics at a feast. He hadn't even groped a serving wench yet.

I questioned Robb more about the North, about what they exported and how they handled the harsh winters. It was snowing in parts of the North even in the height of summer. Just how did they handle years of bitter winter? I learned about the glass gardens in Winterfell, about how they stored food in preparation for the long winters and learned that even with all that they were dependent on trade with the south. He didn't have the answers to all my questions but he was knowledgeable and it was a point in favor of our new likely Hand that his son had taken to his lessons well.

***

The Starks had arranged for me to take lessons with Sansa and Arya from Septa Mordane. Basic sewing and stitching something I had long mastered. Sansa was a gracious host and Mordane dripped flattery and compliments on my handiwork. Glancing around the room I saw Arya struggling with hers. The Septa saw it too and complained about the quality of her stiches and how she would have to start over. The other young girls were laughing and I could tell the youngest Stark daughter grow distressed.

The poor girl was embarrassed, being the youngest here and least skilled probably took its toll. And now I, literal royalty, had been invited and she was getting badgered by the Septa while her peers were mocking her. No wonder she ran out. While a slight blow to my prestige as an elegant and poised princess I decided to chase after her. If I could help her when she was in emotional distress, I'm certain we would form a strong bond that will get in the good graces of the new Hand.

"Thank you for the instruction, Septa Mordane, but I fear my presence is what troubled her and I will go make amends."

The surprised Septa tried to protest but I was already out the door. After exiting she likely went to the left. I had to hike up my dress and move quickly. I heard steps down the stairs and followed. From the top of the stairs, I saw her open and enter one of the guard rooms.

By the time I got there she had just finished undoing the rope tying her pet direwolf.

"Arya," I called out and she turned and gave a small yelp of surprise. The wolf let out a low growl and moved between me and its owner. I didn't know how tame the creatures were, so best to be safe than sorry. I let my mana flow and used the formula to enhance my reflexes in case it tried to bite me. Despite being clearly young, it was already of similar in length to a mid-sized dog.

"No Nymeria," Arya ordered but then the low growl turned into an angry snarl and it rushed me.

With my enhanced reflexes I backpedaled and then dodged to the side. I got away cleanly except the flowing hem of my dress was caught. The wolf pulled and the dress tore. Thanks to the formula I was able to keep my feet and continued to back away. The wolf rushed at me again and Arya screamed.

"NYMERIA STOP!" The young Stark actually tried to tackle her wolf, meeting with partial success as they rolled onto the ground. I was concerned the direwolf might injure Arya but she did not snap at her. Instead, she shook her off and rushed toward me again.

Shit this wasn't good, I didn't want to draw my hidden dagger and kill the girl's pet. That would ruin my plans to ingratiate myself with her father. Didn't want to get bit either and I couldn't keep up my reflex boosting formula for long without becoming weary. Hmm maybe due to the adrenaline I wasn't feeling fatigued yet. The beast lunged at me and I gracefully stepped back only to realize the clever bitch had feinted and was again coming right at me.

I tumbled to the right while applying a mild push of force in the same direction to avoid her snapping fangs. The formula worked; however, it worked too well and even with my reflexive enchantments I hit the ground hard and slid into the wall. I heard boots on stone as the commotion must have alarmed nearby guardsmen. Arya rushed to Nymeria screaming and crying for her to stop. The she-wolf dodged her owner and once more sought me. Wincing at my bruise I didn't let a little pain stop me from getting to my feet.

This time I was the one who feinted in one direction and the wolf fell for it as I dodged aside and in the direction of the door. Two Stark guardsman came into the room to see two disheveled noble daughters and an angry wolf.

"Arya, Princess, get behind us."

I had no problem with that command, Nymeria growled at the two guardsmen now between me and her and I let out a breath of relief and let my reflex enhancing formulas fall. Nymeria looked at me and then back at Arya and ceased growling.

Wait. Could the wolf sense my magic? Was that why it had gone all Cujo on me? There was a connection here, there had to be. I was a bit fatigued but not nearly as much as I would have expected and my directional formula had worked more powerfully than normal. Was it because of where I was located? Or was it because of Arya's pet?

Arya was still in a frenzy. "No don't hurt Nymeria! Please stop I'll calm her down."

The guards had spears and they were at the ready and they again told her to get away, one started moving forward and Arya panicked and hugged Nymeria.

The guards didn't know what to do the wolf wasn't attacking her but had just been on the rampage.

"I suggest you let young Lady Stark re-leash the creature and then take her to Lord Stark. My dress is disheveled and I need to change."

One of the guards looked back. "My Lady are you sure you are well? Let me escort you to the Maester."

"No need, look after your liege lord's daughter." And before they could gainsay me, I left. I needed to be away from the wolf incase it still wanted to maul me. Under no circumstances did I want the Starks to put the pet down. Not only because it would ruin my chances to form a positive relationship that I could use a stepping stone to the new Hand but because I needed to figure out if these direwolves the Stark children had could empower my magic. This could be a huge game changer. I had a massive grin on my face as I moved quickly to go get changed.