Bran's fall

Jon and Jason rode for a while, going at a slow pace as the two looked across the vast plains. The Surgebinder's sharp eyes glanced around the grassy ground, noticing for any hint of a trail Bran or Summer could have left. Yet after a while, Jon spoke up to get his attention.

"So how did you get so good at tracking?" He questioned.

"Experience and a damn good teacher. Most of the things I hunt can be quite mobile and sneaky. People, however, are a mixed bag, yet there are always clues to follow if you know you who're following." Jason answered back.

"Makes sense…yet what are we even looking for? This isn't the yard after all and we got miles of plains to cover." Jon added.

At this point, Jason slowed his horse to a stop and looked to Jon. "Alright point taken. First off we know Bran can't have gone too far on foot, at least a mile or two to be in the range of Winterfell. Also, think back what did I said to you back when we looked for Tyrion."

"His size, being drunk and other details. Made it easier to figure…" At that point, Jon quickly realized what Jason was meaning and shake his head. "Of course. Bran's trail stand out to anyone else's!" Already the young man shifted on his saddle to look at the distant gate of Winterfell then the surrounding plains. Jon was silent as he'd move his horse slightly about, eyes focused to the ground while Jason hanged back and followed to not get in Jon's way. After a while, Jon would stop and suddenly drop off his saddle, moving over to a more exposed patch of wet soil among the grass.

"Got something." He muttered as Jason joined him, letting him see the small boot prints and canine marks on the ground.

"Sharp eye," Jason remarked yet Jon was focused as he'd look to the northwest, scanning the hilly horizon. There were ruins in the distance, a sizable tower with a collapsing wall next to it. No doubt the two structures had once made a border of Winterfell's territory.

"Knowing Bran, he'd go off there. Lady Catelyn hates how he climbs around the keep, so make sense he'd go practice and explore there." Jon deducted.

"Logical deduction. Let's hope you're right." Jason remarked as the two mounted up and rode off to the distant structure at a casual pace. After a while, though Jon again spoke up.

"So Benjen said I could join the Watch. I talked to him last night and he said father would let me join." Jon suddenly revealed.

Jason looked at him, a questioning look in his yellow eyes. "Didn't we talk about this? Rushing off to join the Watch isn't a smart move. Also, you seem to forget it's not the orderly group it uses to be like in the tales and history books."

"I know…Tyrion jested about it…and then I questioned Benjen about the fact criminals make up most of the Watchers." Jon was silent for a moment. "He told me it was all true, even told me how in a few days he was going to the next convoy from the capital with a new host of 'recruits'." Jon gripped his reins more tightly in frustration. "Thing is I'm not mad about that though, it's the fact that my father never thought to tell me this himself."

Jason was silent for a long moment. "Because no parent wants to crush their children's aspirations. It's the same for those who dream growing up to become a knight or soldier. Often the role isn't what it seemed to be and is often lacking."

"Yet he was misleading me!" Jon snapped back. "And I question why…maybe he wanted me eager to run off to join, just to please Catelyn. Maybe deep down he always resents me and just been that good at hiding it."

However, Jason spoke up after that last remark. "Bullshit." Jon looked at the Surgebinder with a confused look. "I don't agree with your father on every matter. Heck, this morning I questioned him for not personally including at the King's feast. His reaction was frustration and shame for not doing so. He hated the fact he didn't try." Riding closer beside Jon, he'd continue. "Eddard is a good man yet, in the end, he has to follow the expectations others place on him, be it the other nobility or his wife."

Jon was silent yet would speak up in the end. "You are right about it. In the end, he has no little choice because I'm his bastard." He calmly spoke back. "Despite it all…I still feel that Wall is my best choice."

"Yet you can't-" Jason started yet stopped as they neared the tower. His sharp ears heard familiar barking and howls. He'd focus his gaze at the base of the main at a set of rubble below it where he saw the young dire wolf circling. "No." He'd suddenly kick his horse into a full sprint, Jon being surprised by the Surgebinder's reaction before seeing it too.

"Oh, gods…" Jon muttered as he chased after.

Jason slowed his horse, leaping off before hurrying to the rubble where Bran laid dead still. Quickly he had one hand at the boy's neck while leaning his head close to his face. He'd feel a weak heartbeat and hear the shallow breath escape from the boy's lips. "He's alive!" Jason called out to Jon as the young man hurried beside his fallen brother.

"How…what the hell happened?" Jon asked, a hint of panic in his voice.

Jason checked over the boy, noting how blood was pooling only from the back, hinting a major injury there. "Can't be sure without examining the area and his injuries. Right now he's bleeding badly right now…can't imagine in internal injuries." Pausing, he'd look at Jon. "Your cloak. Give it to me. We're going to wrap him up and you're going to take him back to Winterfell."

Jon started to, yet he'd realize Jason was more experienced in this matter. The Surgebinder showed no panic or fear, only focused on the task at hand. Getting his black cloak off, Jon crouched down while Jason carefully lifting Bran. Blood soaked his hand just touching at the boy's back, feeling the mark of the injury started at the lower spine. Getting the cloak around him, he'd carry the boy towards Jon's horse while the young man mounted up.

"Take him. Keep pressure on the wound and hold him close. Ride on the nearest trail and keep the horse steady. When you see any guard you tell them to get Rodrick. You understand?" Jason calmly instructed. Meanwhile, Summer moved up to Jason, whining as she looked between him and his wounded master. "Follow them back boy. Keep an eye on Bran." Jason softly ordered. The dire wolf barked, understand before looking to Jon, pacing around his horse as he was ready to follow along.

"I'll get there as fast as possible. Good luck finding out what happened here, Jason." Jon answered back, composing himself after a moment.

Nodding, Jason watched Jon move his horse ride out at a brisk pace for Winterfell. Watching them for a long moment, his attention shifted to the bloody rubble Bran had been on. "Time to work." He muttered to himself as he'd crouch low to examine the area. "Blood splatter matches for a fall, yet not from tripping." He muttered as he noticed the impact spot being a jutting piece of stone in the centre of the rubble pile. "More fitting for a high fall, explain the focus point too."