Hurt his pride
"This thing can measure time and can with me anywhere I go?" Ned asked as he took it upon his hand. He could see the three hands of it rotating. One with a ticking sound while the other two being ever slow. It was really fascinating and he had never seen something like that.
Maestar Luwin too now was asking questions on how it worked and how could it measure time accurately. Rickon who was busying with his scribbling soon became interested and was looking at the mechanical thing placed in front of him.
"Yes, my Lord." John replied.
"How long can it last?" Ned asked as he could vaguely guess that it could not go on forever.
"You need to key the handwatch few times for it to work once in a while." John said as he showed how one needed to key the watch. John had thought a lot and at the end decided to use old types of hand watches that could be keyed by rotating a few times once in a while and not the typical battery watches.
The reason John didn't go for battery watches was because he wanted people here to buy from him at the moment and if possible their own curiosity would allow them to dismantle it later and maybe learn how to make a watch themselves using their own brains.
It was a far shot by John but he had hopes that the people living in this world would walk towards innovation and not just wars.
"As a gift to the Warden of the North, I present the Lord 10 watches." John said as he placed 10 watches in a small box and presented in front of Ned. Ned's eyes shone but he was a man of principles. He said.
"You don't have to present me. I will pay you the fair price."
"No, my Lord. With these 10 watches we hope to establish a stable business and hope we can further the business for more years to come." John said in a humble tone. Ned was adamant and said.
"No, you have come a long way in search of a place that can give you security and a sense of loyalty. As long as you don't betray or deceive us, everything will be fair." Ned again declined. Arya who was nearby could only sigh at his father.
It was this honesty and loyalty that got him killed. She nudged at John to indicate what he needed to do. John getting the cue got into thinking a bit and said.
"We understand Lord Stark. Since you want a fair trade, how about you allow us to have a secluded conversation with you and us, while nobody being present around." Jon said very slowly emphasizing each word clearly. But the moment he finished his words, there was a growl from the side.
"You dare ask such blatant demands from Lord Stark. I think you have forgotten your place. You don't deserve to trade at Winterfell or anywhere in the North." The one who spoke was Ser Rodrik Cassel, the master-at-arms of Winterfell. He had been with Lord Stark since before Robert's rebellion and was a knight.
Ned too didn't like what this man just asked for but he wanted to see how he would defend. The guards around were ready to pounce the moment he spoke out of line or disrespected Lord Stark one more time.
"I apologize Lord Stark. We didn't mean any disrespect. We are just humble traders and you can already see that we have no weapons. Lord Stark here already has his sword which he can use to behead us in one swift swing. We don't need any money from Lord Stark, we just need a secluded time with him while he can have the sword at his hand. After we have our talk, if Lord Stark thinks of beheading us we will be happy to lay our lives." John said. Aoto hearing his words couldn't help but sigh. John had struck the pride of Ned and knew that Ned wouldn't cower down now.
"You imbecile. You have come such a long way not to do trade but to talk with Lord Stark and plan to assassinate him. I think we should behead you right now." Ser Cassel had now gotten more angry. But Ned Stark looked at John and Arya.
Except for Aoto who was standing back and didn't seem to be interested of anything the other two couple seemed to really want to talk to him private. He could see that the whole notion of doing business was just a ploy in order to talk to him or maybe assassinate him. He could also see that this man here was just trying to hurt his pride.
But for some reason he could feel that these three who had come to him didn't come to assassinate him. It was just his guts. Ned looked deeply at the couple and declared.
"Ser Cassel, Maester Luwin please take Rickon and vacate the hall."
"What? Lord Stark, they are Southerners and they are here to assassinate you. They.." Ser Cassel instantly started declining and giving him reasons how it will be dangerous. The guards around had already pointed their spears at the trio and were waiting for a signal to kill these unarmed three 'traders'.
"I know what they are Lord Cassel and I have my sword in my hand. If they can really assassinate me even after them being unarmed, then it's their skill. I know what I am doing." Ned said.
"But Lord..." Ser Cassel wanted to convince Ned but seeing the eyes he knew that he had already made a decision. He turned and looked at the trio with nothing but hatred in his eyes. He wanted to kill them here but doing so would be a dishonor.
Ser Cassel looked around and thus asked everyone to vacate the hall including the maids who were actively cleaning the hall for the arrival of King Robert. The guards were confused as they too were agreement with Ser Cassel.
"Lord Stark, I will be at the door and if you feel like they are crossing the line, you can holler." Ser Cassel said before leaving.
"Thank you for that Ser Cassel." Ned said.
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