03 - The consciousness of the heart tree

With the turn of the year, the Seven Kingdoms were engulfed in another war. Eddard Stark was summoned to King's Landing by Robert Baratheon to participate in the war against the Greyjoys due to their rebellion. The atmosphere in Winterfell was filled with tension and concern.

Ned left the castle with several of his most loyal men, leaving Catelyn in charge during his absence. The entire family gathered in the courtyard to bid him farewell and wish him luck.

Ned knelt before his children, his eyes reflecting both worry and love. First, he addressed Robb, his eldest son. "Robb, take care of your mother and siblings while I'm gone. Be the man I know you can be."

Robb, his eyes bright with determination, nodded. "I will, father. I won't let you down."

Then, Ned turned to Sansa and Arya. "Sansa, Arya, behave and listen to your mother. These are difficult times, but I know you will be strong."

Sansa, tears in her eyes, hugged her father. "I'll miss you, father. I promise to be strong."

Arya, with her usual indomitable spirit, nodded seriously. "You'll come back, I know. And when you do, I want to hear all about the battles."

Ned smiled at Arya's determination and then turned to Bran, who looked at him with adoration. "Bran, keep exploring and learning, but be careful. This is a time to be prudent."

Bran nodded vigorously. "I will, father. I'll be careful."

Before saying goodbye to his wife, Ned approached the two bastards. "Ethel and Jon, keep training as you have been, listen to what you're told, and look after each other."

Finally, Ned stood up and looked at Catelyn, the worry evident in his eyes. "Catelyn, I trust you to keep Winterfell in order. I know you can do it."

Catelyn, though worried, nodded firmly. "I will, Ned. Take care and come back to us safely."

With a final look at his family, Ned mounted his horse and joined his men. As he rode away.

After Lord Stark's departure, everyone returned to their duties. Catelyn had to attend to several messengers from other houses in the North, while the children scattered, each to their own activities.

Ethel was in his room, meditating. For many years, this practice not only improved his use of Observation Haki but also provided him with deep calm. Among all the areas of Winterfell, the Godswood resonated strongly in his consciousness. "What is that presence I feel in the heart tree?" he wondered. "I've investigated it many times, but there was nothing physical. Perhaps it's a link between all the heart trees and the old gods. It's certainly curious. Now that Ned is gone, maybe I could explore the surroundings of the castle a bit."

Ethel stood up and walked to the window, looking toward the Godswood. He felt a special connection to that place, a sense of peace and power that constantly drew him. "Perhaps the answer isn't in the physical, but in the spiritual," he thought.

As night fell, Ethel decided it was the right time to act. He prepared quickly, dressing in dark clothes and ensuring his sword was ready at his waist. Using his ability, he easily evaded all the guards, taking advantage of the darkness to move unseen.

Inside the Godswood, he walked to the center, where the majestic heart tree stood. The presence was there, at least in the spiritual plane, as he found nothing tangible in the physical.

After thinking for a while, he raised his hand and touched the face of the tree. As he did so, a great pain began to form in his mind, as if another consciousness were trying to penetrate his own.

The young man screamed in pain. "Damn it! I won't let you into my mind," he said through gritted teeth, but it was too late.

"What are you? Your spirit is very different from the others," a voice resonated in Ethel's head.

Fighting against the migraine, his hands holding his head in great pain, Ethel responded. "Get out of my head, or I swear I'll cut you in half."

"Relax, don't fight. The pain will disappear if you do. I do not intend to harm you, I simply wish to converse, as it has been a long time since I've had the opportunity," said the voice calmly.

Ethel hesitated for a moment but finally decided to relax his mind, ceasing his resistance. Within a few seconds, the pain vanished.

"Who are you?" Ethel asked, now calmer but still alert. "And what do you want from me?"

"I am an ancient spirit that dwells in the heart trees," replied the voice. "I have seen and felt many things over the centuries. Your arrival here, with such a different consciousness, piqued my curiosity."

Ethel took a deep breath, trying to process what was happening. "What do you want from me? Why does it hurt so much when you communicate with me?"

"The pain is a natural reaction of your mind to contact with something it doesn't understand," explained the spirit. "It's not my intention to cause you harm. I only wish to share my knowledge with you and hear your story."

Ethel frowned, still distrustful but intrigued. "Share your knowledge? What could you teach me?"

"Many things," replied the spirit. "I have witnessed the history of Westeros, its great wars, and times of peace. I can teach you about the old gods, the secrets of the North, and the power that resides in the heart trees."

Ethel felt a spark of interest. "And what do you expect in return?"

"Only your company and your story," said the spirit. "It has been a long time since I spoke with someone like you. I would like to know more about you and your world."

Ethel thought about the offer. The opportunity to learn about the old gods and the secrets of the North was tempting. Moreover, he felt a strange connection with the spirit, as if his destiny were linked to this place and this encounter.

"Alright," he said finally. "I accept. But if you try to harm me again, I won't hesitate to defend myself."

"Understood," replied the spirit, with a note of satisfaction in its voice. "Then let's begin. There is much to share and much to learn."