Chapter 2

Eddard Stark. Winterfell.

I sat at the desk in my study and stared sternly at Cat standing in front of me.

- Cat, please tell me honestly what happened to Jon," I asked her in a cold tone.

Jon is missing. And unfortunately, my first thought as it happened was Cat's actions behind my back.

I love her. I really do. Cat is a good mother and wife, and also, has given me five children that she and I truly love. But her faith and her upbringing in the South are too ingrained in her mind to realize that she is now in the North. And, influenced by these factors, she sometimes fails to realize that every word she says against me jeopardizes my credibility with the lords of the North.

The North is a harsh place. Raiding Wildlings who somehow manage to get over the Wall are quite common in these lands, as are long winters. The lands of the North are poor, and basic food supplies are purchased. As a consequence, there is a tendency to die of cold and starvation.

In terms of faith, however, the people of the North are descended from the First Men, not the Andals like the Southerners. The faith of the Old Gods dominates here, not the Seven Gods that Cat professes.

Again, I genuinely love her, but I don't particularly agree with several of her decisions. Take Arya, for example. I could see her passion for the sword over crafting. She preferred spending time with Robb and Jon, swinging the same sword and wearing pants rather than learning the etiquette of noble ladies and wearing dresses.

When I heard this from Arya herself, a sense of nostalgia ran through me. She reminded me of Lyanna, just as exuberant, spirited, and defying conventions with her rebellious temperament. But Cat threw a tantrum at the same moment: "That's no way for a lady to behave," "You mustn't act like a boy," and so on. Also, she was eagerly supported by Septa Mordein.

What about me? Even considering that I am the Lord and Ruler of the North, I couldn't directly forbid them from doing so, but only make hints or requests. If I didn't limit myself to that, I could provoke the adherents of the Seven Faith. The Lords of the North would support me, but not the South. Any pressure from them, covert or not, could create problems with disruptions in the North's food supply, and more deaths, or even the ground for war to break out. As ruler, I can't allow that to happen, and I can only accept the present circumstances.

Now, Jon is missing. And I the only person capable of pulling this off so quietly in my castle was Cat. She sees him as a threat to Robb and the others. She fears Jon wants to take our children's place and become Lord of Winterfell by getting rid of them. Every chance she gets, Cat bluntly tells me he's the enemy and I should deal with the matter accordingly.

But he isn't. I know Jon. He grew up before my eyes, and I can tell you that he genuinely loves and cares for his siblings. All he wants is to prove himself worthy of the Stark blood. Worthy of love and family.

Maybe... Just maybe... If I told Cat everything, she would take the boy in, and maybe become the mother he never knew he had.

But I can't. I made a promise to Lyanna that I would take that secret with me to my grave. But the biggest reason I didn't tell it was because Robert would kill Jon with his own hands. Robert was taking his sister's death very hard, and even harder the fact that she hadn't chosen him.

He loved her, there's no doubt about that. But too much. I'd even say he was obsessed with her. Lyanna was the only one who outright refused his advances, and the one who defied him with her actions. And if Robert finds out that Jon is the son of Lyanna and Rhaegar Targaryen, he will simply go mad with rage and jealousy. I can't let that happen. Not under any circumstances. He's my friend, though he's not what he used to be. And Lyanna is my sister, to whom I made a promise to keep her son safe. Just thinking about it makes my heart ache.

- I don't know what you mean, Ned," she said as if she knew nothing. - Maybe he finally realized he wasn't causing trouble for all of us and left.

- Stop lying to me! I know you did this! The people you sent to 'escort' Jon on 'my' orders have already told me everything," I stood up abruptly and slapped the table so hard that Cat flinched. - Why did you do that? Answer me, Cat!

- You want my answer! - She threw up her hands and a look of pure anger and resentment appeared on her face. - He is a bastard, Ned! Your bastard! You betrayed me! You betrayed your family! The Gods to whom we swore allegiance together! You made him with some whore and now you're rubbing it in my face! Do you have any idea how much pain I feel when I look at him?! When I see YOUR eyes staring out of his eye sockets?! Is that the answer you wanted to hear?!

- Shut your mouth! She's not a whore! She's my-" I shouted as my emotions got the best of me. But I quickly realized I'd said too much and stopped talking.

- Who is she?! Your what?! Who t-

Before she could finish, one of the castle guards burst into my office. For which I am very grateful. I cannot let the secret of Jon's birth be revealed.

- My Lord! I apologize for the interruption, but Jon Snow has returned," he said.

- How dare you interrupt--

- Great! - I interrupted Cat. I don't even want to imagine what point her displeasure had reached. I grabbed my cloak and sword and headed for the guard. - Take me to him.

- Yes, my lord," he bowed slightly, and led me to Jon.

When we reached the gates of Winterfell, I could hear people talking passionately about something. I managed to catch the rather repetitive words, "Man" and "strange."

- Jon was alone? And what was your name? - I decided to ask.

- No, my lord. I apologize for not mentioning it. Lady Stark's gaze took it out of my head. And my name is Harold," he apologized as he continued to lead me.

- It's all right. Just answer the question, Harold.

- Jon Snow was brought in by a man. A very strange man.

- Strange?

- He was barefoot, Lord Stark. And his clothes certainly didn't fit the North. But he didn't seem the least bit disconcerted by the weather. And now it's the middle of Winter," he began to explain. - And there's something else. Don't call me crazy, but when I saw him, I wanted to bow. His figure inspired... how shall I put it?

- Fear?

- No, my lord. Not fear, but awe. Yes, that's the word. It was as if I were looking at a king from the legends. It was a very strange feeling. You'll know what I mean when you see it for yourself.

Awe? A king from legend? That's right. This guard looked quite young, about 25 years old, I'd say. And at that age, the people of the North have usually seen a lot of different things, and for some person to be able to make one feel this particular thing is pretty doubtful. I'll draw conclusions once I see the man, though.

- We're here," Harold said, pointing to the large crowd. - Disperse! Lord Stark has arrived.

The crowd began to part slowly, and as I took a few steps, I saw Jon holding a man's hand. And as soon as my gaze met his, my breath caught. I realized what Harold had told me a moment ago. I felt an invisible pressure come over me, along with a gaze the color of pure gold, from this man. It was as if he was...judging me. Judging on behalf of the Gods themselves.

All my senses screamed and my mind tried to force me to kneel before this man. My legs squinted and trembled under the pressure, but I fought without breaking eye contact with him. And when my legs had the last shreds of strength left in them to keep me upright, the pressure disappeared as if it had never been there. I started breathing deeply, trying to come to my senses. And as I did so, words came into my head:

- Very impressive, Lord Stark. You are a great man indeed.

I looked around for the source, and after quickly making some conclusions, I looked at the unknown man who had brought Jon in. And on his face I saw a soft smile.

- It is a pleasure to meet you, Lord Stark. My name is Solomon," he said in the voice I heard in my head. - And I am a Magician.

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