Letter to Jon

"Three days…and not a single clue."

Jason stared out over the city from his balcony, hand tapping on top the stone barrier. The city still rang with the sound of bells and he swore he could still hear wailing as the people mourned. They all saw Lord Baratheon as the war hero who ended a tyrannical dynasty and brought peace to all the Kingdoms.

"I should have a drink first for safety reasons. I let my guard down and didn't suspect such an obvious approach."

"You couldn't have known. No one could have suspected Robert's wine was tampered with." Eddard muttered while standing beside him. "If anything, it is a miracle you survived. That was a specialized breed of Wolfsbane that kills in minutes…yet you seemingly recovered in just a day."

"If it wasn't for my mutations, I'd be having my funeral alongside the King." He'd pause in thought for a moment. "It makes me wonder. Whoever poisoned the bottle may have been trying to target you as well. Robert always was able to coerce you to take a drink or two. Kill two birds with one stone.

The thought of being a fellow victim had Ned pale slightly, gaze shifting away from the Surgebinder, no doubt thinking of the sorrow his daughters would have felt. "Aye…that would be a troubling end."

Both were silent, lost in their thoughts over the last few days. Ever since the King's death, Jason had been mostly confined to his room for 'safety' reasons, at the least from what Barristan had claimed. The Surgebinder knew better through as he was under close watch, practically under house arrest. There were always two guards watching his room and whenever he left, they'd follow him about. It made sense considering he had been alone with the King with only the fact that he too had been poison given him some proof of innocence.

"Does anyone else know of the decree?"

"No. I didn't get a chance to gather the Council and reveal it. Everyone is too caught up with what is going on."

"Then let's hope it gives you the authority needed to keep everything in order. Though I wonder…what did you write at the end of it."

"What?" A hint of surprise showed on Ned's face before he remembered just how attentive Jason was. "I wrote down 'rightful heir' instead of Joffrey. It is deceitful I know…but it was the only choice to follow without telling Robert the truth."

"Should have just told him."

"Should have…maybe that would have saved him that day…" Ned muttered in agreement. "Beyond that, I've sent out ravens yesterday to Winterfell, Dragonstone and other major holdings. I've proclaimed Stannis Baratheon to be the rightful heir and Joffrey's being false."

"All of the details."

"All of it."

Jason was silent, now understanding what all those letters were about now. "So, a failsafe then. Inform the other lords of the Kingdoms of the corruption happening in the capital. Guess it will at least draw questions to Joffrey's legitimacy and damage the Lannister's image."

"I take no pride in it. Like I've said, underhanded moves like this are against everything I stand for."

"Desperate times desperate measures." The Surgebinder muttered in agreement. "What else is there?"

"A mix of good and bad news. Which should I tell first?"

"The bad, rather get that over with."

Ned nodded. "Lord Renly has fled the capital with Ser Loras alongside him along with all those loyal to them. After what happened to his brother, he is too fearful to remain at the Red Keep. Any support he can offer is beyond our reach."

"Damn it…that is bad. So, what is the good news?"

"New allies have arrived. Beric Dondarrion, Lord of Blackhaven, a vassal house deeply loyal to the Baratheons. He answered my call for support and came to the Red Keep just yesterday with a sizable group of loyal bannermen. Hopefully, he'll be able to give us an edge of fighting does break out."

"Do the Lannister's suspect?"

"Maybe. Lord Tywin no doubt questions it, but to everyone else, it seems Lord Beric and his men are simply here paying their respects to their liege."

"Still going to be difficult if a conflict breaks out. Between his forces and your own, we still have the Watch, Tywin's soldiers and the King's Guard to possibly deal with. We need to win the support of the Watch or most of the King's Guard to tip the odds in our favour."

"Which I can give you."

The sudden voice had both Jason and Eddard quick turn about to see Lord Baelish sitting at the nearby table, the noble giving his iconic sly grin to the two. The man seemed to have slipped into the room uninvited, something that annoyed the Surgebinder.

"Thought you wanted to play neutral on the matter," Jason remarked back coldly. He still remembered his confrontation with Littlefinger after the tourney, how he had forced the truth out about the man's lie about Tyrion.

"The King's murder has changed my view on the matter. Some feel that Joffrey should take the throne because he's the 'true' heir, while others feel the more experienced hand of Lord Stark is needed for now." He'd glance between the two, keeping his casual friendly demeanour. "Chaos and strife in the court are bad for business in general. You must understand my interests are for the best of all of Westeros."

Ned remained silent, staring tensely at Lord Baelish who acted formally despite the hostility shown.

Jason leaned in to speak quietly with Ned. "We can't trust him. Let me talk to Ser Barristan…"

"The Lord Commander would be helpful, but you forget that the rest of the King's Guard may not follow his lead. Jaime will put his family before all else, especially in his sister's defence." Eddard glanced again at Baelish, open distrust showing towards the Master of Coin. "If anything, I distrust Baelish more than you. If we refuse his aid, he can easily side with the Lannisters just to cover his own back. We don't have other options." He'd pause tensely, seeming hesitant still.

"You don't have to accept this. I wouldn't."

"Aye…yet I'm sadly not you." Ned gave a small warily smile. "This is my choice and whatever the outcome…I'll face it." He moved away from Jason's side and approach Baelish, one hand out to be shaken. "Fine Lord Baelish, I accept your aid."

"Wise of you Lord Stark." Yet when they grasped hands, Ned yanked Littlefinger closer to speak harshly to him.

"But if you betray us…you best do it well. Remember that."

Baelish paled slightly at the threat, haven't only seen Ned this fierce during the moment he had been pinned to the wall outside his brothel. Glancing at Jason, he saw the same sharp look in the Surgebinder's eyes, adding more to Eddard's warning. "Of course…Ned." He muttered back, using nickname snidely. Once his hand was let go, he'd flex his grip before continuing to speak. "I will speak with the Watch captains and Commander Janos Slynt. We'll be prepared within the day if need be."

"Good. Let us just hope we won't have to rely on their aid. You're dismissed Lord Baelish."

Littlefinger gave a low nod before moving to leave the room, seeming composed despite the threats just given to him.

Once the door closed shut, Ned sighed before looking to Jason. "Hopefully that will keep him in line."

"Hopefully," Jason muttered back. "So, what about other precautions? We should have your daughters sent away to someplace safe such as back towards the North or the Vale if need be."

"I agree. It will be difficult explaining it to them and Sansa will no doubt argue." Eddard paced closer to the door. "If all goes well, they should leave by tomorrow and be beyond anyone's grasp."

"Good…then all we do is wait then."

"Yes. Just try to relax Jason, we'll pull through this."

The Surgebinder only nodded back in response before Eddard left the room, leaving Jason by himself. For a moment he'd listen to the bells ringing throughout the city, deep in thought over what to do. Inaction always left him edgy, even more, when the obvious threat just lurked close by. At that point he remembered what was going on in the far north at the Wall, the possible horrors Jon and the Night's Watch faced.

"Haven't written to him since I left." He muttered, glancing to the nearby table with parchment and quill set aside. Moving over to it, he quicken began to write.

'To Jon Snow of the Night's Watch, son of Lord Eddard Stark

I know I've been silent these last few months, yet events at the capital have been tense. King Robert Baratheon is dead, murdered by conspirators vying for control. Your father's actions may very well brand him as a traitor to many, but his loyalty is to the late King and the Kingdoms.

No matter what you hear, know that he has made difficult choices and has only done what he thought was best for all. If all goes well I plan to head North and return to the Wall. I've had my fill of Southern politics. For now, be vigilant and safe.

From, Jason.'

Not a moment after he finished writing, he'd hear the flutter of wings and a cawing sound from the balcony. Glancing over, he'd see Naser hobble into the room before fluttering up onto the back of a nearby chair. "Hello hello." It chattered.

"Odd…how did you…never mind." There was something odd about that bird, though considering his experiences this wasn't the most outlandish case. "I need you to take this to Castle Black and Jon Snow. Understand?"

"Of course." Naser bobbed his head, seeming confident as Jason rolled the letter scroll up before sliding it into a small tube to attach to the raven's leg. Once tied on, Naser hopped off the chair and flew out of the room, flying out over King's Landing and into the northern horizon.

Jason sighed as he'd lean back in his seat, staring out at the city until he lost sight of Naser. "Waiting." Looking to the desk, he'd pick up the last book his was reading, trying to distract his mind for the rest of the day.