Conflict

Jason was shocked at such a number. "Damn…not even all the cavalry between the North and south could match that number."

"Thing is, King Robert, worries the Targaryens are working on an invasion. That kind of army could ravage the Seven Kingdoms if it was let loose."

Jason shrugged. "Think that is hard to believe. Numbers never ensure victory."

Bronn chuckled and nodded. "Damn right. I know a Dothraki blood rider may be tough, but doubt they could beat armoured pikemen or take a fortified keep. Savages hardly know how to properly siege."

"Besides, wonder how they'd get so many across the sea. Bet they never sailed on the boat."

Tyrion sighed at this point. "Fine, you two make good points. If anything I think Robert is just eager for a new war along with wiping out the Targaryens. Those seem to be the only two real passions besides his usual vices."

"Tales I know of the man, he was a legend on the field. Great commander and unmatched in personal combat, although the years haven't been kind to him ever since." Bronn remarked. "What I can tell, the big warriors of today pale to him…like that Hound fellow."

"What about him?" Jason questioned.

"Eh, the man may be big and strong, yet a bit short on the wit. Besides he's a pushover deep down with the way that Joffrey boy was talking to him. Kid insult me like that I'd smack him over the head."

At this point, Jason started to realize something bad was happening. "Any idea what it was about?"

"I don't know."

**************************************

Jason arrived back at the inn and caravan camp, noting how the servants were busy packing up supplies and other belongings. From what he heard they planned to continue onto King's Landing which would take another week with the slow caravan. Considering the last stretch, he could get there in just a few days. Still, it gives him time to discuss matters about the Wall and of Bran with Lord Eddard. He made sure to collect the lists that Lord Commander had given him along with the wrapped up Thenn axe to show to Ned. He'd be directed to the carriage that the new Hand of the King was staying at, finding the door to it open when he arrived. He'd knock at the door before stepping in, finding Ned was busy reading over reports, mostly related to the upcoming tournament and its costs.

"Morning Lord Stark."

Eddard didn't look away from the papers or answer back for a long moment, yet spoke up in the end. "Ah…morning Jason." As the Surgebinder walked around the table, he could see hints of dark rings under the man's eyes.

"Everything alright? Look like you're going to pass out." Jason asked.

Ned sighed deeply. "I'm fine. Last night was just…difficult." Shaking his head though, he'd look up at the Surgebinder. "Yet I take you didn't come here to just check up on me. I take you to want to report how things are at the Wall and Castle Black."

"Indeed." Setting down the Lord Commander's report, Ned started to read over the different pages. He'd mutter a few words every so often yet soon he'd shift the papers aside and look up at Jason. "The Lord Commander has quite large demands."

"Most of which I agree with. The Wall is undermanned, supplied and Castle Black is barely being held together. He's not asking for you to rebuilt and staff the many other keeps, just get Castle Black defences up."

"The reports do speak of increased Wildling movements before beyond and pass the Wall…"

At the point, Jason hefted the covered axe onto the table which creaked under the large weapon's weight. "That is also correct. Thing is we had another run-in with them when heading north." He'd tug the cloth off the weapon revealing the ornate yet deadly axe. The look on Ned's face showed that he knew what this was, making him glance back at the door and quickly close it before anyone outside noticed.

"How many?"

"Eight, with the Thenn leading them."

Eddard rubbed over his bearded chin, a serious look showing across his face. "Makes twenty raiders then. With the far north under-watched, it will be easy for such parties to build up in strength and fortify while more slip over the south."

"In turn, they'll have Castle Black cut off and may even take the castle from the southern side. If they do that there will be nothing stopping them letting the whole Wildling Horde loose."

"What are you estimate then?"

"With what the Watch has now, it would take only a small force to do so, maybe a hundred. If they have the element of surprise and proper equipment, their chances are higher."

Ned nodded after a while thinking over what was shared. "Then this is a matter Robert can't ignore. If he does then I'll seriously question him on his reasoning, yet I fear the costs and effort may be hard to match up."

"I do know the Kingship is low on funds. Talk about increasing debts and mismanagement has been among the rumours."

"More of truths." Ned slid over some of the papers he had been reading earlier. "Look at the costs. This tournament is already a fortune in such setup and supply, yet the prize money for the different events…well they could fund a small army of a long while."

"Ninety thousand crowns in total!" Jason was baffled at that amounting. "Didn't realize it was that much. Makes sense why Tyrion wants to fund me for the tournament as well."

"Wait…Lord Tyrion wants to sponsor you? I'll admit I had nearly forgotten you were invited to join the event with all my other duties distracting me." Thinking for a moment, a realization came to Eddard. "What of your investigation about what happened to Bran? Did you get any insight from Tyrion?"

"I know that he wasn't involved. After that Wildling attack, he promised to help me in part of being indebted having saved his life. So far he can say his sister was missing around the time of Bran's fall, so Queen Cersei most likely was at the tower at the time." Pausing, he'd continue to speak through. "There is some good news as well. When I visited Winterfell Bran woke up."

Eddard gave a surprised look, the tired hint on his face instantly gone. "Gods…That…that is good to know. I'll be sure to send a raven to him when I can."

"However there are issues to discuss which complicates Bran as well."

He'd spend the next hour detailing the assassination attempt on Bran along with Catelyn learning the truth of the boy's fall, leading to her leaving Winterfell and hurrying in secret to King's Landing. The overall news has an angered look show on Ned's face.

"So…a conspiracy grows around what my son saw and my wife rushes blindly into it." He'd grip his hands tightly into fists, frustrated at his lack of control over these events. "When we reach the capital, I will have the guards on the watch for Cat. Be it ship or road, we'll know when she'll arrive. Hopefully, we'll stop her from doing anything rash."

Jason nodded in agreement. "I feel we should shift our attention from Bran's fall to learning who hired the assassin. The tower fall is a dead end for now, yet the assassin leaves a key clue which your wife has."

"Yes…the Valyrian steel dagger. Such a weapon is one of a kind and it can easily be traced with the right sources." Ned thought for a moment. "I have some ideas on who can help us trace the weapon, yet that will have to wait."

"I do have some suspects…nothing official yet possibilities."

"I'd rather not jump to any conclusion too hastily Jason."

"I know that and I'm not implying any are guilty, only that they are individuals who would gain from Bran's death."

Ned sighed, before giving a small nod. "Very well. Share your thoughts."

"We know for certain the Lannisters are involved. You can count Tyrion out because he wasn't at the tower and has no reason to seek harm to Bran. We can confirm Cersei was in the tower, yet if she caused Bran's fall or simply witness it we cannot be sure. However, I doubt she'd hire an assassin, much less arm one with such a unique weapon."

"Care to explain?"

"I don't know Cersei that well, yet she's far more cunning then she acts. She wouldn't give someone a weapon like that if it had even the slightest chance to be connected to her in any way. I know she may seem spiteful as well, yet the assassin approach also has more faults to it, much less hiring a drifter to do the deed."

"So then who else could be involved?"