Tracking

Jason slept in, waking up late morning as he heard the sound of horses being readied. Getting out of bed and changing clothes, he'd head outside to see Robert along with the Ned, Robb and Theon all on horseback. Eddard saw the Surgebinder, waving him over to him.

"Rest well?" He asked, making Jason nod and sigh.

"Yah…hope my sudden disappearance wasn't an issue." He muttered back.

"Heh, Robert seemed frustrated with you after your discussion. Rambled on a good while about you mistrusting his generosity." Ned added in a hushed voice.

"Your friend tried to bribe me with a knighthood in exchange for my services." Jason quickly informed Ned, making him blink in surprise.

"Wait…he seriously did that?" The Northern Lord muttered while Jason shrugged slightly. "He mentioned that in the crypts yet I thought he was bloody joking."

"You sound unamused," Jason questioned back.

"In a way yes. Then again I should have expected Robert to do such a thing." Sighing, he'd look to the King who was nearing the group. "I'll talk to him again. Try to reason with him and clear things up."

"My answer is going to be no." The Surgebinder calmly stated.

"I guessed that. Just don't want him debating on throwing you in a jail cell for insulting his generosity." Shaking his head, Ned look back at Jason. "Just try to stay out of trouble today alright? I heard about the Hound and I'd rather not see a grudge match happen while I'm off hunting."

"Tell that to Joffrey. The royal prince set that up." Jason argued back.

"Ugh…another matter to discuss with the King," Ned grumbled under his breath. "Again just try to have a normal day. No sparring lessons with anyone." He'd shift his mount about, moving slightly towards Robert who was busy talking to Robb. "Although Jason…thank you for getting Jon to come to the fest. I know Catelyn is critical about him…"

"If anything you should apologize to him. You're his father after all yet you didn't try to have him take part." Jason calmly spoke back, yet the words had Eddard grip his reins tightly.

"I know Jason. Reminding me doesn't make that shame any less easy for me." Ned muttered, before riding off to the group. He and the King began to talk on some important matter before heading out. Eddard would pause though to wave to Bran who watched the hunting party leave. Once the group had left, Bran hurried over to Jason, his young dire wolf following close behind.

"Wish father could have let me come along. I'm old enough to ride after all." The young boy muttered.

"Boar hunting is a dangerous thing to do. Besides doubt, you could hold a long spear properly with your height." Jason remarked back, making Bran frown before seeing the Surgebinder's toying smirk.

"Yet I have a dead eyeshot with the crossbow! Can we shoot a bit at least…or maybe more sword lessons?" Bran quickly asked.

"Sadly can't. Your father doesn't want me drawing attention after yesterday." He said, making Bran give a disappointed look. "Maybe tomorrow or a few days later once things have settled down."

"Fine. I guess I'll go for a walk around the keep…" Bran muttered, before petting his dire wolf's head.

"Plan to go climbing again?" Jason questioned, making Bran gulp nervously. "Don't worry, not going to tell your mother. Focus on low climbing spots and safe handholds. Besides, that stay safe." Brushing up Bran's hair, the boy chuckled and nodded, hurrying off out of the castle gates and for the outer grounds of the Hold.

Not long after, a familiar voice spoke up from across the yard. "Jason! Why did you run off like that last night?"

Looking back it was Jon, who looked a bit ruffled up as if having just woken up, no doubt woozy after drink. From what the Surgebinder remembered, Graffin and Tyrion had the group on a drinking contest, one which Jon didn't last long in.

"Had a small disagreement with the King. Decided it is better to retire early before letting tempers flare." He quickly explained to the young man.

"Wait…you ARGUED with King Robert?" Jon remarked, open shock hinted in his voice.

"Not the first King I've bothered nor the last." The Surgebinder casually remarked much to Jon's surprise.

"Ughh…I'll pretend I didn't hear that and just…blame the headache for mishearing." The Stark muttered as he rubs the sides of his head while Jason smirked in amusement.

"So what about Tyrion? Lost count on how many mugs he had downed. Sure, can handle his drinks for such a small man." Jason asked once Jon had recovered from his short headache.

"Well… can't remember where he went afterwards. Saw him going along the yard with the last bottle we had." Jon muttered after thinking for a moment.

"Right then…so we should start at the Great Hall yard gate. Come along then."

"Wait what…why?" Jon questioned, confused at what Jason was doing. "I'm sure Tyrion is fine. Maybe he stumbled back to his room in the end or…something."

"Maybe. Still, rather not have him passed out naked in some corner of the yard. Be embarrassing for the rest of our guests if he's found that way." The Surgebinder explained to Jon as they'd move across the yard and to the wall that separated the main courtyard to the Great Hall yard.

"Alright fair point…yet how are you going to find one man's trail among…" Jon paused as he'd realize the mess of footprints in the soft dirt and light mud. "…among all this. Must be dozens of people who passed through here last night."

Jason kept that casual demeanour as he'd pace around the mess of footprints. "Trick is finding the one that stands out. Lucky our query is one of a kind among everyone." He'd focus his sharp senses as he'd crouch low, yellow eyes quickly scanning each footprint as he judged their size, shape and the distance of each step. Next, he traced their direction as he began to thin out the number of paths.

"You're right on that, yet it will take hours to trace one small set of feet among so many," Jon remarked, making Jason look up at him.

"Do you always get this whiney when hungover?" Jason joked, making Jon give an annoyed look before smirking. "Anyway, sword lessons may be over. The time I show you how to track. So get over here."

Jon was hesitant yet he'd move beside the Surgebinder and he'd crouch beside the white-haired man, pausing to look over the mess of footprints. "Alright…so…what now?"

"Well for the one you don't have my eyes." He'd tap the side of his head to remind Jon of his cat-like eyes. "These aren't just for show. My sight is far beyond that of a normal man's and even see in low light. However, even someone like you can see what I see if they look correct." Pausing, he'd look back at the prints. "So then…looking for a man with half shoe sizes, short step and smooth sole print. Use those details to your advantage."