Strange feeling

Jason's dreams were vivid and confusing. He saw visions of Light, yelling out in pain a swirling storm of Stormfather roared around him. He'd see a vast wasteland rapidly shifting from day to night. A large hall with an empty spiked throne of melted iron. The flashes of the dream became more intense, making his heart race yet suddenly a hand shook him.

"Jason! Jason! Wake up!"

The Surgebinder gasped, almost using stormlight in surprise before realizing it was Graffin. "Gods man, you were muttering and shaking in your sleep." The soldier muttered.

"Nothing. Just a bad dream. The stress I guess." Jason answered back calmly, sitting up and rubbing his head as a small migraine coursed through.

"Alright…" Still, the soldier had a concerned look even as Jason got up, stretching a bit before refitting his fine leather and chain armour.

Soon the camp was packed up and the small group continued their way south down the main road. The weather was brisk yet comforting, being warmer than Jason had expected. Garffin had said that Westeros had prolonged seasons, which would explain the summer-like conditions. By now they had travelled south far enough as all traces of snow were gone.

"Ah, here we are!" Graffin pointed out, having the Surgebinder's attention shift south-west

The woodland cleared away to a wide view of hills and valleys that stretched out as far as the eye could see. Lush fields, thick forests and distant snowcapped peaks were spread across the landscape in a quite breathtaking scene. Down the short hill was a town, a quiet well-kept one when compared to the war-torn homes he was used to seeing. The villagers were out and about, doing chores or busy out in the nearby farms set close by. It was a quite comforting sight, a normal and peaceful scene.

As the group rode into town, a few villagers gathered up to greet them. "Greetings soldiers. Roads safe and clear today?" One of the older men asked quite politely. It was obvious the people had good respect for Stark soldiers.

"For now. We had discovered a group of bandits a day north from here. Close to the King's Road even." Graffin answered back.

The villager seemed nervous hearing that news. "Were they chased or killed off?"

"Aye, by this fellow here." The soldier chuckled, patting Jason quite roughly on the shoulder although Jason didn't budge even slightly. "This he is Jason Black. He's ummm…a wanderer from the far northeastern region of the north." Jason was surprised at Graffin cover a story about him, yet thankful for it. The villager eyed the Surgebinder, a surprised look showing across his face when he noticed strange eyes.

"He has a northerner look about him. Although …what's with his eyes? Plus never seen a man with hair and skin that ghostly." The villager questioned.

"Long story." Jason quickly remarked back. "Right now these men are escorting me to Winterfell to report what happened. From my understanding, these bandits aren't meant to be this far south, much less a dozen of them."

The villager nodded, seeming more focused on the matter relating to the bandits. "Indeed. They shouldn't even be alive. Does this mean the patrolling soldiers are faulting on their watch?"

"That will be a matter that Lord Stark will deal with. Right now we need a good horse for Jason here and are willing to pay for it being loaned to us. I'll make sure it's returned and that patrols are increased on the road." Graffin offered up, getting out silver from a pouch.

Soon the soldier and villager where busy haggling as they went to the nearby stables, while the other two guards decided to take a moment to rest.

Jason took a moment to be by himself as he checked around the village notice board, sort of a force of habit. Quickly he saw there were no unique requests, just local news offers for labour work and the like. "No disappearances, odd sighting or monsters…" He muttered. It was odd thinking about it, a world where people didn't have to fear the storms. Yet where did that leave him? He was a Surgebinder in a world without Stormlight, while there was something special about him. His soul had the power to generate spotlight and he could store it in his heart. However, he remembered that wasn't important. Right now, it was contacting Light is what he needed to do.

"Jason. Got a horse saddled up and ready."

Again Graffin snapped Jason out of his thoughts as the soldier had a dark brown horse guided over to him, handing the reins over to Jason. "Thank you," Jason muttered before pulling himself onto the saddle. Turning the horseback towards the road, he'd wait for the soldiers to gather up, yet when Graffin neared, he'd suddenly tug the sword off his saddle and offering them back to Jason.

"Trusting me with my sword?" Jason questioned as he grasped his weapon, strapping it across his back.

"Consider this a sign of trust with me. You've behaved well enough and you never know, may need you the blade if we run into trouble." Graffin explained with a small chuckle.

"Glad I made such a good impression," Jason remarked back with a small nod.

"Heh, anyway…let's get moving. I want to get to Winterfell within two days, so no lagging far behind."

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

The group of four rode hard down the King's Road, slowing only when their mounts became tired or stopping when nightfall came. Jason took more time to ask about Westeros, questioning more about the topics mentioned earlier. He'd learn more about the folklore of the North ranging from the legends of the First Men and Children of the Forest, The Wall, Night's Watch and the Wildlings. Again, it was a lot to take in yet he took the time to learn as much as possible.

Once morning came, the group resumed their quick pace until Graffin slowed everyone down. "Damn, must be a new record getting here that fast." Jason looked off to the west, seeing across the green plains a large castle set in the distance. Even from here, he could tell it was an old structure yet despite the worn look it seemed maintained and sturdy in design.

"There it is. Winterfell, the crowning jewel of the North. Tales say the hold has stood for 8,000 years…quite grand age and sure looks the part."

Jason just nodded as he and the others rode more casually off the main road, taking another major route towards the keep. He'd see more soldiers patrolling the fields, a horn being blown in the distance to alert the group's approach. "Heh, seems their rolling the welcoming mat for us." Graffin chuckled as the group quickened their pace. Soon the tall walls and sturdy gate of the castle was before them, guards quickly coming to inspect them, yet letting them by after a few hushed words with Graffin.

As the gate opened, Jason could sense something about the castle…or perhaps someone within in. As the rode into the courtyard he felt a familiar feeling against his neck. For the first time since he arrived on this world, it trembled, a sign of some powerful energy about.

Yet what…he wasn't certain yet as he scanned the courtyard, pausing only when he saw a young boy standing by an archery range. The boy nocked the arrow yet paused in drawing it back as he glanced at the Surgebinder. His head tilted slightly in curiosity as Jason rode by before focusing back on the archery. Already Jason had a strange feeling about the boy…one that troubled him.