Lyanna Stark

Jason wasn't hard for Jason to find a servant who'd direct him to the guest quarters of the Red Keep. The palace was vast, often having open walkways that had breathtaking views of the Narrow Sea and the vast city below. Arriving at his room, it was by far the most lavish one he had stayed in since coming to Westeros, having a large four-poster bed, finely carved furniture along with a counter of fine crystal bottles with liquor. His packs were set aside orderly for him which he'd check first, making sure now of her supplies were touched.

"I hope the accommodations are in order, sir." The servant said, standing dutifully at the doorway.

"They are," Jason muttered politely.

"Will you wish to have dinner brought up to you later? Also any special requests?"

He'd think for a moment before nodding. "I'll have dinner here. Also inviting Lord Tyrion if he has the time to visit. Besides that, I'd also like the best map you have for the city since I plan to do some sightseeing."

"Of course sir." The servant bowed before hurrying out, closing the door behind him.

Now alone, Jason sighed as he'd move towards the balcony that his room had, giving him a lovely view of city and sea. "Wish Illya was here. She'd know who to handle this political mess." He muttered as he'd lean against the archway. He'd think over his conversation, trying to figure out what was with Jaime. From what he could guess, the knight's boasting and smugness was a cover to a degree. Whatever the reason, it didn't matter in the end so long as Jaime didn't pressure a rivalry between them. He had enough problems as it were. For now, he'd take the time to sort out his packed supplies, guessing he may as well organize them since he felt he'd be staying here at the Keep for a long while.

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By sunset, dinner had arrived along with Tyrion who was quick to chatter on about the recent news going on. The dwarf had been quick to visit his favourite brothel when they arrived, mainly to relax and catch up on rumours going around the city. Overall there was nothing too interesting or gossip that Jason had heard already such as Daenerys reappearance and marriage. At the least, the friendly chatter and fine drink helped the Surgebinder relax after the stressful meeting from earlier.

"So then, we need to focus on the tournament Jason. We have only a few weeks left to prepare after all. Already knights and famous warriors are crowding to King's Landing, yet you need to be the one that stands the most. In fact, there is already chatter among the common folk." Tyrion remarked after refilling his glass with wine.

"Now? Haven't exactly done much since arriving here." Jason remarked curiously.

"Put some sense in the prince's skull." The dwarf's tone was thematic, trying to over-exaggerate the tale.

"News spread fast around here."

"Fair point…well…guess it can't hurt having some budding reputation among the masses. At the least, they don't seem to be planning for torches and pitchforks like back home."

"I'll never understand the backwards nature your land has." The dwarf sighed as he'd sip from his glass.

Jason shrugged, gulping down his glass before setting it aside. "So many other details about the tournament?"

"Mainly just the events. There is the joust, Melee and archery."

"Sounds normal…although I don't think I'll be able to do the joust or archery. I can ride and fight mounted, yet don't know a thing about using a lance. Archery would matter on the rules, yet I doubt they'd allow a crossbow. Which leaves the Melee…so how will that one go?"

"A forty-one man free for all from what I understand. Overall the rules allow for the combatants to fight with any weapons and armour allowed for the event along with being mounted. The event will be split between teams of twenty for the first round then two teams of ten for the second. The last ten remaining then begin a free for all."

"Quite a big brawl. Hadn't fought against that many for a while…" Jason muttered, a small smirk crossing his face. "That should be interesting."

"Twenty thousand gold dragons for the victor. A sizable prize overall…yet the real rewards will be on the bets. I can say I'm betting heavily that you will win the melee."

"You're that confident in my skills?"

Tyrion chuckled. "I believe myself a good judge of character. Besides, I think you want the prize money to support whatever plans you have or haul away back home once the matter about your friend is settled."

Jason was silent for the moment as the dwarf spoke, still wondering what he would do about Light and the true lurking threat beyond the Wall. Money could get him far, yet he doubted all the gold in the world could stop the Damnation or bend space and time. Part of him felt it be better to return North and to Castle Black, try to work with the Night's Watch however much he could and hope whatever aid the Kingdoms may send would be enough. However, he'd snap out of his thoughts when there was a knock at the door, making Jason glance up.

"I'll get it." Tyrion quickly answered, hopping off his seat and hurrying to the door before Jason to stop him. Standing behind the door was Eddard, who seemed to have cleaned himself up and changed into a fine set of dark grey clothes with the Hand of the Kingpin set on his vest. "Ah! Lord Stark, good to see you."

"Greets Lord Tyrion," Ned answered back politely before looking over at Jason still sitting at the nearby table. "I hope I'm not interrupting."

"Nonsense! Please come in!" Tyrion invited, moving aside and returning to the table, getting an extra glass filled for the Stark.

Jason sighed as Tyrion seemed to be deciding who got to visit him, although if anything he was pleased to see Eddard. The Northern Lord moved to an empty seat with a sigh, taking a sip from his glass as he tried to relax. "Really bothered Robert this time." He muttered.

"He shouldn't have made that offer then," Jason grumbled as he'd take a deep drink to empty his glass.

"I know that. Early on the journey south, he told me the news about Daenerys and the marriage she had, I was strongly against trying to assassinate her. The idea to have you do it made it even worse in my eyes."

"I'm curious why you're against it. If anything the Targaryens has done the most harm to your family personally by killing your father, brother and sister."

Ned didn't answer at first, fingers lightly tapping the table in thought. "You are right…Aerys Targaryen burned my father alive and had my brother strangled trying to save him. I hate him for that, not his daughter who wasn't even born yet." He muttered in a low serious manner.

"And your sister?"

"That is different."

"Considering what I read and the rumours I've heard…I can understand that."

Ned glanced up at Jason curiously. "The whole story of her kidnapping? Heh…Robert was the one who believed that she was kidnapped, yet many others felt otherwise."

"Indeed." Tyrion sighed, suddenly stepping into the conversation. The two men had almost forgotten about the dwarf. "Rhaegar, grandest knight and perfect heir to the throne. He was the shining knight every maiden longed for. To think that he'd break such chivalry to do the things the King yammers about…it was against all reason."

"Tyrion, I think the drink is making you say things." Jason chuckled.

"Let me finish! I know the story of how Rhaegar during the last tourney he was in favoured the fair Lyanna Stark. How the tales go…romance and scandal it was. In the end, many felt the two were love-struck and in secret hurried away one-"

"Lord Tyrion." Ned's voice was low and cold. "I would ask you stop…and that you retire for the night." The look Eddard had seemed to snap the dwarf to his senses, having not seen the Stark look so intense before.

"My…apologies Lord Stark. Seems the wine did loosen my tongue. I meant no disrespect." Tyrion muttered. "Rest do us all well I think. Months on the road after all." Snatching the half-empty wine bottle and his glass, he'd hurry for the door out. "Until next time gentlemen!" And he was gone, kicking the door behind him as he left the room.

Eddard relaxed once the Lannister was gone, sighing as he'd sip from his glass again. "He is right though. I remember the look she and the prince had back then. Love at first sight." He'd smirk a bit. "Robert was fuming. I never understood why drove him to feel such affection for my sister…"

"Love affects people in strange ways. I know the feeling well enough." Jason remarked.

Ned nodded in agreement. "Yet Robert didn't understand my sister. He was too lost in her beauty to know who she was. Under her fair looks, she had an iron will like a wolf, fierce independence like Arya." He'd sigh. "I wonder if she would have set Robert straight, chain up his urges and hone him into a decent man. Maybe he'd simply slip back into habit…" Eddard finished his cup, sliding it aside.

"So what killed her then?"

Ned glanced up at Jason, dead silent.

"Every story varies. Most of them don't detail what happened…yet I know you were the one to find her in the end."

"That is a private matter, Jason. I trust you and have shared much about my sister…more than most."

"Then I won't press further." The Surgebinder finished his glass as well, sighing as he set it aside. "All I can say is I'm sorry for you…and your family. No doubt you're heard that a hundred times over the years…yet I feel it's worth saying."

Eddard nodded, glancing out at the open balcony and to the clear night sky. "Thank you then, Jason." For a long moment neither spoke, giving them both time to clear their thoughts on the touchy matter.

"Now then. What happens now? Your wife could be arriving any day now and she'll be quick to draw attention."

"I know. I've already notified the guards to watch the gates and docks." Ned muttered. "Hopefully I can speak some reason to her, plea with her to return home and care for Brann now that he has awakened."

"A good idea. Yet what about the investigation about Bran's assassin?"

"As you said the dagger is the key to linking this all together. Once we have the weapon we will need track down its history and ownership."

"Right…which will be my job. Be kind of hard for you to focus on your duties as Hand and discretely investigate. Know any good weapon smiths or historians who can help us." At this point, he'd pull up the map of King's Landing while Ned thought for a moment.

"I have some ideas." Pulling the map closer, he'd study it before pointing out some key streets and locations. "The Street of Steel is one of the oldest and most renowned section of the crafter's district. Look for a man named Tobho Mott, he's a master smith who is said to be one of the few men among the Kingdoms to know the smiting of Valyrian steel." His attention then shifted to the docks. "Blackwater gets plenty of traffic from traders and merchants. Someone may know of the weapon or perhaps about the assassin himself if he travelled by ship somehow."

"Anywhere else?"

"There…is the Street of Silks. Brothels and luxury houses fill that part, yet many exotic deals are made around there. Lord Baelish has a…side business running one of the more lavish brothels."

"Heh, so the Master of Coin spends his wealth on a colourful industry. You're not saying we should ask for his help are you?"

"We have few allies around and I know Littlefinger does care for Cat…even if his interest is bothersome."

"Wait…did you just call him Littlefinger?" Jason chuckled.

"It was a nickname he received over the years considering he is a minor lord of such an unremarkable region. Think of it as more of a…street name in public circles."

"Right." Looking over the map, his attention fell to the slums. "What about Flea Bottom?"

"The slums? That is an odd choice to good looking for leads." Ned questioned. "Nothing but the poor and criminal live in those cramped streets."

"You'd be surprised what such circles can know. I'll admit I've dealt with criminal groups before and they often have connections that are well spread out. Besides that, the common folk can be a useful ally in the end."

"If you think that is best. I'll trust your experience on the matter."

Jason took the map back and rolled it up once more. "So what else was decided during the meeting after I left?"

"Well…Robert is set on having the tournament in honor of me. I tried to argue the matter yet he wouldn't let it be, claimed the people needed some festivities to up their moods and to introduce me to the masses."

"And what about Daenerys?"

"Currently I'm against taking any action against her right now. Unless there is a showing sign of an invasion, I won't condone the assassination of a banished girl. Yet I feel Varys already has made plans."

"Nothing we can do on that. Let's just hope it doesn't become any more complicated."

Nodding, Ned shifted to stand up with a sigh. "Anyway, I'd taken enough of your time tonight Jason. I recommend that you rest in for a while and decide on what to do over the coming weeks." Moving for the door out, he'd stop to continue speaking. "Just watch yourself. Everything we do in the Keep will be noted…and try to avoid angering Robert any further."

"I'll try to avoid that. Rest well Lord Stark."

The Northern Lord left the room, leaving Jason to himself at last. Getting out of his seat, he'd move over to the large bed and flop down with a tired groan. "Guh…feels like the war all over again." He muttered. "Question is…who will end up dying in the end?" It was a grim thought, yet deep down his gut feeling told him this investigation wasn't going to end well. He put the negative feelings behind as he'd pull up the silken sheets, slipping off to sleep.