The Fall Part 2

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298 AC, King's Landing…

Ned went back to his solar after the meeting as he was tired of all these games. He did not like tricky methods like the one Rickard offered but still, he had merit. They could do the deed legally as "honourable" as possible. Robert even invited him and Rickard to a small hunt so they could celebrate it but Ned refused as he still had many things to do. Rickard was also not going with him as he needed to go to Essos to arrange the death of the Targaryens.

His musing did not last long as the evening came and with it the dinner. His girls were on the table but the mood was as cold as the winters of the North. Arya and Sansa were exactly opposite to each other. Arya was like his deceased sister, Lyanna; always escaping from her duties and the norms of the society. On the other hand, Sansa was the perfect example of a southern lady and a bit too naive.

Maybe it was his fault that Sansa was this naive but nevertheless, he wanted to protect his children. However, this was becoming difficult each passing day while they were in this venomous place.

He thought about bringing some extra men from Winterfell due to the recent events but he did not want to attract too much attention. Though he wished things would never come to war, he already sent orders to Winterfell to prepare secretly.

Before things got ugly, he needed to cleanse the city of its corruption and the first thing he was going to do was visit the City Watch as he was already hearing reports about them regarding their misconduct and abuse of position.

After the dinner, he sent the girls to Septa Mordane for they had needleworks to do. Arya was a bit unwilling but under Ned's stern look, she obeyed. Meanwhile, just as Ned was going to retreat to his solar, a guard came with news of Lord Baelish wanting to meet him.

Ned told him to bring Littlefinger inside albeit halfheartedly. Littlefinger was the last man he wanted to talk to right now as his words were full of mockery and venom.

Littlefinger entered the room with a big smile on his face. "Lord Stark looks like you were not expecting me."

"Speak, Lord Baelish, for I am weary today," Ned said.

"You made good friends, my lord. From what I understand, Bishop Rickard had been helpful for you in many ways." Littlefinger's smirk was full of venom as he poured a cup of wine for himself. "Honestly, I was not expecting for you to survive for too long but with the friends you have made, you may live yet."

Ned rubbed his temples. "Cut your words short, Lord Baelish. Speak what you wish then go," he said.

"I was wondering something." Littlefinger took a sip from his wine. "You know what the queen and her brother do but you still did not do anything. Are you planning to let it slide like the others?"

Ned was silent for a while. He looked at Littlefinger's eyes and tried to understand his motives. "If you knew it yourself, why didn't you go to the king?"

"Go to the king, then what?" Littlefinger raised an eyebrow, "Let a war erupt?"

"A war, why would a war erupt? Though Robert could become rash sometimes, if you have talked about this with Jon then he and Lord Tywin would have handled it silently." Ned said.

"Of course, I have mentioned my worries to Lord Arryn but the things he has found about this matter was not something to ignore."

Ned searched his eyes for an answer but the only thing he found was a sly look. "What did he find?"

"Black hair and blue eyes since the conquest…" Littlefinger let the words sink into Ned's mind. "From bastards to trueborn, every one of them is same."

"You don't mean…" Ned frowned, this was a dangerous proposition.

"Yes, my lord. The children do not have his blood and you, probably, can guess whose blood they carry…"

Ned tapped his fingers on the table as he visualized each detail the children's' faces had. Indeed, their faces were not of a Baratheon and also their hair and eyes were Lannister colours like their mother and uncle. However, Ned smelled something fishy in Littlefinger's words as he was not a man that would do something without benefit.

"All these accusations… You are not a man of duty, Lord Baelish. What is your gain?"

Littlefinger wryly laughed, "My lord, your words sadden me. You do not need to insult me because of my merchant origins. A war would not be good for anyone, least for me."

"Alright, I will talk with Robert regarding this." Ned was still sceptical about Littlefinger' reasons but the things he said were not to be ignored as they were of great importance and could change the fate of many men.

"Then I will take my leave, my lord." Littlefinger stood up and took one last sip from his wine. He bowed with his head and left the room with small steps.

…

Next day…

By the time Ned went out of the tower, Robert was already out to hunt with Rickard and some other men. Ned was on his route to the headquarters of City Watch to inspect it with ten house guards. After that, he was going to talk with the queen regarding recent events so when Robert came this evening, nothing ugly could happen as the queen and her children would be out of the capital.

The street going to the headquarters were deserted and dark but wide enough for two carts to pass. However, the silence was a bit disturbing and there was no sign of guards before the gates of the headquarters.

Ned stopped before the building and his guard, Jory went to open the gate but the door didn't budge as it was locked. Jory turned around to ask his liege to what they were going to do. However, the sight that greeted was not what he was expecting.

Fifteen men and a horseman were standing behind them. Ringmail over leather, gauntlets and greaves, steel helms with golden lions on the crests. Their cloaks were dyed red like blood. They were in a line and blocking the street.

Ned turned around when he saw Jory's eyes widening like a child and saw the Lannister guards and the Kingslayer waiting behind them with a wide smirk on his face.

"Lord Stark, I'm looking for my brother, fair-haired, mismatched eyes, sharp tongue. A short man."

Hearing the question Ned knew what was coming and the reason behind it. However, he had to play along as the number of his men were lower than his. "I remember him well,"

The smirk on the Kingslayer's face was gone and there was only a blank look on his face. "It would seem he has met some trouble on the road. I am sure you won't know who might have wished my brother ill, would you?"

"You came the wrong way, Kingslayer. You should have escaped." Ned knew there was no escape from this situation, even the doors of the City Watch were locked. "What you did to my son with your brother shall be answered in the king's justice. I advise you to surrender or the consequences will be dire for you." Ned drew his Valyrian sword and his men followed him.

A surprise came upon the Kingslayer's face as he frowned. "My brother had nothing to do with this." He ripped his longsword out of its sheath and urged his stallion forward.

Many people were watching from the holes in their behind their closed windows but none was going to intervene. Though very slim, they still had a chance to win.

Just as the two groups advanced upon each other, five black-masked men approached the red cloaks from behind. Their feet were drawing no sound and hands were swifter than a beggar. They swiftly caught five red cloaks from behind and cut their throat.

Before the five dead red cloaks hit the ground, black-masked men advanced upon another five and swiftly cut their throat. By then the first five dead red-cloaked was fallen to the ground and both Stark men and Lannister men were stopped in their advance.

Stark men were looking with confusion while the Lannister men had a fearful and confused look on their faces. However, this did not last long as Stark men came to their wits and attacked the remaining Lannisters.

As the remaining Lannister men were slain one by one, Ned advanced upon the only one that remained, Kingslayer. Fear was obvious in his eyes as he did not know where did these black-masked men come from.

Ned swung his great Valyrian sword and the front legs of Kingslayer's horse were cut and the Kingslayer was thrown to the ground. Ned put his sword on his neck and looked at him with irritation. "Your justice will be served when the king comes, Kingslayer."

Ned turned to his guards and saw that they were still on guard against the black-masked men but those men were already sheathing their daggers.

"Jory, tie his hands, put a sack on his head and take him to the castle. Bring ten men with you and make sure no one else sees him."

"But, my lord…" Jory wanted to stay as he did not trust these black-masked men.

However, Ned cut his words short. "Enough, you can go."

As Jory and some other men left with Kingslayer, one of the black-masked men approached Ned and gave an extravagant bow. "Lord Stark, you should be careful on the streets, especially in King's Landing."

Ned sheathed his sword and frowned, "Who are you?"

"Who I am is not important, what is important is we, Northerners should look after each other," he said.

Ned's frown became more obvious and he looked more closely to men's eyes. Both of them had a different colour as one of them was black while the other one was brown. This was a very discernable feature for a man so he was sure that he never met this man before.

"I don't know your reasons but still, I am thankful for your help," Ned said.

"Then we will take our leave, my lord." The man with mismatched eyes bowed extravagantly, again and took his leave with his men.

Ned watched them leave then turned back to his men and told one of them to call City Watch to carry the corpses. Then, he returned to the Red Keep with his other men.

As soon as he returned to his tower the first thing he did was to send his men to collect his daughters and bring them here, immediately. They were to be sent back to Winterfell as things were getting escalating too quickly.

Soon they arrived and Ned told them that they were leaving for Winterfell because it would be safer for them. Arya was okay as long as Syrio went with her but Sansa was wholly another matter as she raged and cried out herself.

According to Sansa, nowhere was safe as much as the prince's side and she was going to marry him. That statement was what caught Ned off guard as he did not know when she became obsessed with him this much. Ned quickly told him that he was not to marry Joffrey anymore.

However, Ned spoke with a stern voice and Sansa stayed quiet and said nothing, just watched the ground. He told them to pack their things as they were leaving by the evening.

Arya asked whether she could take her last lesson with Syrio as they promised to meet by noon and Ned agreed to it. Sansa immediately asked if she could say goodbye to Joffrey but Ned did not allow it.

Sansa ran away crying and Septa Mordane proceeded to follow her but Ned told her to leave her alone. He called some of his men and told them to go to the River's Gate and as soon as they saw the king, come and report to him.

He also sent some men to call the men he sent to the City Watch as he may need every sword in the coming hours. Kingslayer was still lying in the tower because he did not trust the men in the dungeons. They would have sent word to the queen immediately and she would have released him.

Ned looked outside his windows and saw the training yard in which red cloaks were sparring with each other. However, soon the Hound arrived at the yard and talked with some red cloaks. In an instant, all the yard was left with nothing but blowing sand as the red cloaks poured outside. Ned did not know where they were going but this was absolutely not a piece of good news.

A few hours later, when the sun was beginning to descend behind the sun, Ned's men came back with panic in their eyes. "My lord, the king… the king, he…"

Ned frowned, "Take a deep breath and tell me what's happened."

The guard took a deep breath and spoke in haste. "Ser Barristan said the king was attacked. There was blood all over his clothes."

Ned rose to his feet, immediately. "Where are they?"

"They were carrying him to his room." the guard said.

Ned did not know how or when he arrived at the king's chamber but the smell of medicine was heavy in the air and he was able to smell it even from the door. He saw the king on the bed and the others standing by his bed and the king was arguing about the milk of poppy with the Grand Maester when he stepped inside.

"Ned, finally, I thought I was going to die without seeing you." Robert looked at the other in the room. "Leave, I want to stay alone with my Hand."

"But, my love, he…" Cersei tried to intervene but Robert shut him up with a glare.

"Do I have to listen to your nagging, even in death?!" Robert asked. "Now, leave before I order them to make you."

Everyone left swiftly but Cersei snorted while she was passing by Ned.

Ned sat beside Robert and asked how he got wounded so much.

"I hunted a big boar but don't be mistaken, it was as big as me" Robot coughed into his hand and blood came out. He quickly wiped it to his bed. "While taking it back to the camp, fifty men ambushed us. The bastard killed the guards waiting in the camp and disguised as them. If not for Barristan we would all have died there. He saw blood on one of the men's armours so decided to check before me going there. One of them tried to attack him from behind but Renly got him down with an arrow right at his head."

Robert's eyes shone with pride as he talked about Renly. "Then all hell broke loose. I don't know when but by the time I came to myself, there were many dead men around me and an arrow pierced through my belly. If those had been normal bandits then I wouldn't even have bruised but those were absolutely trained men. I knew it from their stances."

Ned frowned upon hearing it and remembered the red cloaks leaving the training yard.

"At first, there was nothing wrong but later… The wound began to grow cold. Pycelle says it is because of poison from the far east and saw it only once in his life and there is no cure found."

"Then…" Ned's words were choked upon his throat as he wasn't able to utter anything.

"Yes… I knew my death was close after all that drinking and eating… but I always thought I would die by a blade… not poison." There was a strange sadness in Robert's eyes. "You know… I was looking forward to you staying here."

"What about… what about those priests, maybe they can help?" Ned asked, hurriedly.

"Aye, I already sent some men to call them to the castle but there were only two left with those healing tricks in the city after Rickard left and those men I sent found them dead in their temple. Their throats were cut open." Robert coughed a few times and again, blood came out. "I already accepted it, Ned. Now, let's talk about you. I heard you and your wife were a bit busy."

"Robert, I…" Ned attempted to explain, but Robert shook his head, slowly.

"Your wife shouldn't have done that, Ned but that Kingslayer surely is lucky. If something happened to you, I would have smashed his head open."

"Robert, there is something I must talk about…" Ned finally decided to talk about the deed but Robert was still unwilling to listen.

"Ned, I am already beginning to tire so let me speak first," Robert said. "You need to release Jaime, I need you to rule until Joffrey grows up to be a proper king and I can't have you do that while you are surrounded by enemies."

Robert lifted his hand. "Paper and ink. There, on the table. Write what I tell you."

Ned smoothed the paper out across his knee and took up the quill. "I'm listening."

"This is the will and word of Robert of House Baratheon, the First of his Name, King of the Andals and all the rest, you fill the damn titles. I do hereby command Eddard of House Stark, Lord of Winterfell and Hand of the King, to serve as Lord Regent and Protector of the Realm upon my… upon my death… to rule in my stead, until my son Joffrey does come of age… Fill the rest as you wish…" Robert sneezed suddenly then shivered. "Why is it so cold? Servants! Bring blankets and add fuckin' wood to the fire!"

The servants rushed inside as Ned filled the scroll with 'right' words and wrapped it with a slim rope. He dripped a few drops of a candle on it and Robert sealed it with his crown sigil.

"A whore would have been good…" Robert said sleepily as he took the milk of poppy beside the bed and drank it. His eyes closed, slowly as he uttered his last words before going to sleep. "Lyanna…"

Ned left the room while the Grand Maester went in to stand beside the king. Ser Barristan was guarding the doors of the chambers but there was no sight of the queen. There was a deep cut on Ser Barristan's arm. Though it was not bleeding anymore, it wasn't good for it to stay like that.

"Ser Barristan, you should let the Grand Maester see that wound," Ned said.

His eyes seemed beyond his years while looking from the door to the king lying on his bed. "I have failed my sacred trust," he muttered.

"Even the truest knight can't protect a man from 50 assassins," Ned said. "Even if you have Robert run away. He would have come back rushing in to fight those men." Ned let himself give a small smile as he imagined it.

"Aye, Robert would have definitely done that," Renly said with a small smile.

"Were you able to learn anything, Lord Varys?" Ned asked.

"Sadly my lord, my little birds don't roam the woods," Varys said. "However, I was reported that fifty men left the slums at noon, just after you visited the headquarters of the City Watch."

"Lord Eddard," Renly said, "May I accompany you to your tower?"

Ned raised an eyebrow but still accepted it. "Sure," he said.

When they were passing across the bridge, Lord Renly stopped him and said, "This is a good place to talk, my lord. And alone would be better."

Ned turned his head and nodded toward his guards. The guards bowed their heads and backed away respectfully.

"Is that the letter for regency?" Renly leaned close and asked. "My lord, I have thirty men in my personal guard, and other friends beside, knights and lords. Give me an hour, and I can put a hundred swords in your hand."

"And what should I do with a hundred swords, my lord?"

"Strike! Now, while the castle goes to sleep." Renly looked to his behind and dropped his voice to an urgent whisper. "With Joffrey and the other children in your care, Cersei will not dare oppose us. The council will confirm you as Lord Protector and make Joffrey your ward."

"Talk no more, my lord. Your brother's heart still beats but you are talking about things you shouldn't. If you are insistent on your support, I would just advise you to stand by my side tomorrow on the council matters."

"While you wait for tomorrow, Lannisters won't wait, my lord." Renly turned around and went back to his brother's side without saying anything else.

By the time he returned to his chambers, Ned felt weary and tired. However, there was no sleep tonight, at least not yet. There were at least a hundred swords under Cersei's orders and even with Renly's men, it was not enough.

"I want Littlefinger," he told his guard. "If he's not in his chambers, take as many men as you need and search every wine sink and whorehouse in King's Landing until you find him. Bring him to me before the break of day. Also, send men to each council member, I want a meeting to be held come by the morning."

As soon as the guard nodded his head and left the room, another came in running. "My lord, Kingslayer… he escaped!"

"Escaped?" Ned frowned, "How, there were two men standing guard by him and the door was locked?"

"The guards' bodies were ice-cold, my lord. Looks like he escaped at least four hours ago."

Ned slammed his fist onto the table and the silence took hold of the room for a while.

"Go and call Jory Cassel and Vayon Poole," Ned said.

Ned wrote a letter quickly and put it onto the table. After a while, Jory and Vayon came to the room and greeted their lord. Ned seized them up, both of them looked tired but were standing upright.

"Vayon, you were the one who booked the passage from Wind Witch. Go wake up the captain and tell him to be ready to sail. If he doesn't want to say it is on the orders of the Hand and give him 100 gold dragons." Ned turned to Jory, "Jory, you wake up the girls and pick twenty men with you to go."

Ned tapped his finger onto the table, "I remember you saying that you found a tunnel that opens to the docks so use it and be discreet. Both of you will be escorting them to Winterfell. When you reach Dragonstone, hail my flag and give this letter to Lord Stannis. However, don't stall too long and deliver the girls to Winterfell."

Ned took the letter from the table and extended it towards Jory but seeing their confused looks, he clapped his hands, "What are you waiting for, go!" Jory took the letter and they both nodded their heads and left the room.

A few minutes later, Littlefinger came with his usual smile on his face. "Congratulations are in order, my lord. I heard you were named Regent."

Ned's eyes flickered to the king's letter but the seal was unbroken. "And how is it you know that, my lord?"

"Varys hinted but you just confirmed it."

Ned's mouth twisted in anger. "Damn him and his little birds."

"So what is that called me here, my lord? Is it wisdom that you require?"

"I doubt you can give any, what I need is your connections."

Littlefinger did not give any reaction to the unveiled insult and played along. "Honestly, I don't like you Stark but sweet Cat would be sad if something happens to you and the promise I gave to her still lingers in my ears. Whatever you need, I will try to do with my utmost attention."

Ned nodded his head. "Even with Renly's men, the queen has more so I need you to convince gold cloaks to see the will of the king be enforced."

"When the Hand and the queen declare different kings which will the City Watch choose…" Littlefinger mused to himself with a smirk on his face. "Of course, corruption has its own use as they will be with us as long as we are the one who gives more money. And you're lucky, my lord. There would be no other man than me to pay the most suitable price to win."

"I will take my leave, my lord. Least the queen's men convince Janos Slynt before me." Littlefinger rose from his seat and left the room without waiting for a reply.

…

By the morning, Ned woke up to the bell rings. They were announcing the king's death and the beginning of the chaos.

Ned shut his eyes and wished that all of these were just a nightmare. The death of his friend, the queen and her bastards, the possible uprising and many more things. However, he had to open his eyes as there was a meeting he had to be.

Ned quickly washed his face and had his fast before going to his chambers to take the king's scroll. As soon as he took it, a knock was sounded from the door and a voice was heard from the other side of it.

"My lord, the small council has already gathered and is waiting for you."

Ned opened the door and saw the guard bowing his head and waiting. "Are all the men ready?"

The guard nodded his head. "Yes, my lord."

Things were about to get ugly and Ned needed to be prepared for it. However, the only good thing today was his daughters being on their back to Winterfell on a ship.

He arrived at the small council chamber with the king's scroll on his hand and went to sit on his seat. Everyone was present in the chamber but there was no sight of Renly. He wanted to ask Varys about it. However, before he was able to do that, the royal steward came in and bowed. "Esteemed lords, the king demands the immediate presence of his small council in the throne room."

Ned had expected Cersei to strike quickly but the summons came earlier then he expected. "The king is dead," he said and turned to council members. "but we shall go with you nonetheless. I hope you won't mind, my men, escorting us, my lords."

As they proceeded to the throne room, Ned asked the whereabouts of Renly but the answer he got was a shock to him. Apparently, Renly left the city a few hours ago with all of his men. Ned was counting on the man's support but still, with the City Watch, their numbers were higher and there was nothing to be bothered about.

There was no Lannister crimson to be seen on the way, but Ned was reassured by the number of gold cloaks at the gates. Janos Slynt met them at the door and escorted them to the room while the royal steward announced them.

The boy who called himself was on the throne, sitting smugly while five knights of the Kingsguard, except Ser Jaime and Ser Barristan, were arrayed behind the throne. Twenty Lannister guardsmen were waiting behind the Kingsguards and the queen with her other two children was standing at feet beside the throne.

Joffrey stood with a cape rising with him. "I command the council to make all the necessary arrangements for my coronation," the boy proclaimed. "I wish to be crowned within the fortnight. Today I shall accept oaths of fealty from my loyal councillors."

Ned took out the king's letter and turned to the Lord Commander. "Ser Barristan, you are one of the most honourable men in the realm, can you please confirm the validity of this scroll and read it to the respected nobles and the crown prince."

His use of words did not miss the ears of many as murmurings rose between people and Joffrey looked at his mother with confusion.

Ser Barristan took the scroll. "King's seal, unbroken,��� he said and proceeded to break the seal and read the scroll.

"This is the will and word of Robert of House Baratheon, King of the Andals and the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm. I do hereby command Eddard of House Stark, Lord of Winterfell and Hand of the King, to serve as Lord Regent and Protector of the Realm upon death to rule in my stead, until my heir does come of age…"

With each word, murmurs grew and the queen's face got ugly. She descended from the stairs with quick steps and took the letter from Ser Barristan's hands. "Give it to me," she said.

She looked at the scroll and then to Ned. "Is this meant to be your shield, my lord? A piece of paper?" She ripped the letter in half and let the pieces flutter to the floor.

"Those were the king's words, "Ser Barristan said, shocked.

"We have a new king now," Cersei replied. "Lord Eddard, despite all your crimes, you were a friend to the late king so our new king shall be merciful as long as you bend the knee and retire as Hand, or else you and your wife shall be arrested and be tried for the unlawful arrest of Jaime Lannister and Tyrion Lannister."

Cersei backed away to his son's side. "I don't know how you conduct justice in your wasteland by this is the capital and we do not allow injustice to happen, here."

Ned had to admit, the woman knew her words and they were, indeed, harmful to him as much as possible. However, he still had a card up his sleeve. Would that I could," he said. "However, only a true born can sit on the throne. Your son has no claim to the throne he sits on. Lord Stannis is Robert's true heir."

"Liar!!" Joffrey cried out and voices increased in the crowd.

"Ser Barristan, will you allow this traitor to speak freely?!" Cersei asked but seeing the steel already bared by the Stark men, she yelled. "Guards, seize them!"

However, the boy king's orders were different from her. "Kill them!" he ordered.

Swords were drawn in an instant but the surprise was yet to come. "Men of the Watch!" Janos Slynt shouted.

"I want no bloodshed," Ned told the queen but even before his words ended, gold cloaks speared his men. Ned watched with wide eyes as his men were butchered and he felt a coldness on his throat.

"I told you, my lord. There would be no other man than me to pay the most suitable price to win." This was the last voice Ned heard before he was taken to the dungeons.

…

The next few days were hectic, in the King's Landing as many things happened. Ser Barristan was released from his position and letters were sent to Winterfell, accusing the Stark Lord of treason and demanding his heir to come to King's Landing. Of course, the most shocking news was the war declarations. Both Baratheon brothers, Stannis Baratheon and Renly Baratheon declared himself the king so a civil war was already bound to happen.

Many did visit Lord Stark and he was going to stand in the trial, tomorrow. Each person offered something but none was his friend. He still remembered the betrayal he suffered in the throne room. Nearly thirty of his men died there and gave his life for his stupidity.

His last night at the dungeons was a bit different as unknown to him, blood flowed on the floor and all the sound was gone. It was like the stillness of the water and it was beginning to disturb Ned. However, two other visitors came to him. Though this time, they weren't the person he was expecting to see.

"My lord, it saddens me to see you here." the man said. "I came as soon as I got the news."

Ned rose to his feet. "Bishop Rickard, I thought you were meant to be in Essos?"

"Aye, we made a stop at Dragonstone but thanks to my brother." He pointed to the man standing by his side. "I heard the news about your clash with Ser Jaime, I knew things were getting ugly so I took a boat back to the city while my men continued the journey."

Only then did Ned recognize the other man, even in the dark his mismatched eyes were glittering and there was a smirk on his face but scars going from his mouth to ears was sore to the eye.

"You have my thanks, sir…" Ned did not know the man's name.

"You can call me Beren, my lord." the man with mismatched eyes said.

"You have my thanks, Beren," Ned said. "However, I wonder why did you come to visit me at this hour?"

"Why? Of course, to free you, my lord." Rickard said.

"Ned shook his head, calmly. He knew the strict guards put to the doors of the dungeons and he was sure that it was something impossible to free him.

"Unlike the Spider, we knew even the deepest corners of the tunnels, my lord. So spiriting you away would be as easy as eating a potato." Rickard said with a wide smile on his face.

"Tunnels?" Ned asked. "There are tunnels even here?"

"Of course, my lord. There is even one in the king's privy," he said as he took out a big keyring and rummaged through it. "Now, which one was it?"

Ned was dumbstruck as the man searched for a key. These tunnels absolutely needed to be destroyed, he thought.

"Ah, here it is." Rickard held a key and used it to open the lock. With a *click* sound, the iron door of his cell was opened. Then, he turned around and pulled out some barrel from the corner. He cleaned the heavy dust on the ground and suddenly, a small door became visible on the corner.

He opened it and went inside with his brother. A few seconds later, his head came out. "What are you waiting for, my lord? The others would realize the death of the guards, soon. We have to be quick."

They hid him in a barrel and put him on a ship. Just like that, Ned Stark was spirited away from the King's Landing in just a night.

…

The winds were against them so only five days later, the ship closed on a harbour and Ned heard foreign voices coming from the outside. The lid of his barrel opened and he saw Rickard's smiling face.

"Lord Stark, welcome to the Pentos," he said.

Ned came out of the barrel, every part of his body was sore and there were even some places that were aching with heavy pain. He wished no such fate as being stuck in a barrel to any man. However, soon Rickard's words got into his mind.

"Pentos? I thought we were going North," he said.

Rickard shook his head. "Westerosi waters will be searched to find you, my lord. Staying a week or so in Pentos would be good for you."

"You are right," Ned said.

Rickard left the ship with Beren and Ned and went towards the Magister's palace. The streets of Pentos were deserted compared to Lys and Myr as the city was recently liberated so there were some conversion efforts on its people.

"Do you see that house, my lord? That's the house Beren and I sold as slaves. It does not have good memories for us but the Prophet rewarded it for our services." Rickard said.

"Slaves?" Ned frowned. "I thought you were Northerners."

"Aye, we are. We were born on Lord Glover's lands. Our father was a shipwright but our mother died giving birth to Beren…. Rickard shut his eyes for a while then opened them, again. "Father was hired by the Mormonts to make some ships so moved to Bear Island. However, he died during Robert's Rebellion and we were thrown out onto the streets. We survived by begging for a few months but when the winter came, even people who offered us food became strangers. I still remember my first time… first time I stole bread. It was wrong but I had to do or else we were going to starve." He looked at Ned to see his reaction and wryly laughed. "Do you see us as lowly peasants, Lord Stark? Sometimes men can do worst things just to survive…"

Ned shook his head and indicated for him to continue.

"After the Greyjoy's Rebellion, things got worse as the work was decreasing each day and prices were going higher so during the three months winter, I again had to steal some food but don't be mistaken, though I was stealing them, I was also paying their prices at later dates. Anyway, this time Lord Mormont caught us at home and gave us two choices; going to the Wall or one of our hands were going to be cut. Of course, we have chosen the Wall. However, instead of Watchmen coming to take us to the Wall, what came was slavers. Apparently, we were the first victims of Lord Mormont's greed."

"He was the one who sold you?" Ned frowned.

"Aye, we were sold to a Pentoshi slaver. Lucky for us, we attended some meetings held between the slaves. It was in one of them, we met believers and escaped from the cruel fate of slavery. We worked for them, of course, only for money but as time passed, we advanced in their ranks and rose high enough to meet the Prophet. At that time, we both decided to convert. I know you won't believe me but he is the one who can bring eternal peace to this world and I'm sure when you meet him, you will see that too."

The rest of the walk went on in silence as Ned was ashamed to talk. It was his fault to some degree for them to be sold as a slave as he did not realize Jorah's deeds earlier.

Soon, they arrived at Magister's place. The new Magister of the city who was appointed by His Holiness greeted them at the gates of the palace.

"His Holiness was awaiting your arrival, Lord Stark. You must be hungry, there is a feast organized for you." said the Magister.

Ned thanked the man and followed him inside with Rickard and Beren. They came upon a long hall with a long table full of various food Ned had never seen before. Essos was truly a wonder in regards to cuisine.

A lone young man was sitting at the head of the table drinking spirit from his cup but not touching any food. Beren and Rickard quickly went to the young man's side and knelt before him. They kissed his ring and the young man touched their heads. "Leave." the young man said.

Beren and Rickard left swiftly while Ned was left on his own.

"Lord Stark, please sit. You must be hungry after your journey." said the young man.

Ned did not know how to address the man so he looked at him with a confused look but there was one thing he realized, the young man had no accent in his common tongue.

The Prophet looked at Ned and seeing his confused look, he understood what was going on in his mind. "You can call me Gerold and yes, I am a Westerosi, Reachman to be exact. And don't be shy, come sit nearby me. All of these were prepared for just you."

"Then I won't stand on ceremony." Ned was already liking this young man as his casual attitude was of a Northern man. He sat beside Gerold and the spoon and the fork to his hands. However, he saw Gerold eyeing him while sipping his spirit so he got a bit uncomfortable. "Are you not going to eat?" he asked.

Gerold smiled. "I already ate. Don't pay attention to me, you just eat," he said.

All the meals were looking amazing and Gerold did not know where to start. While looking at the meals, one of them caught his eyes as a local taste from the North so he picked it and put it onto his plate.

"Hmm, stern but open to friends. It would take at least three months." Ned heard Gerold murmuring something while he was eating. Then, he heard him clap his hands and two burly men came in.

"You ate enough Lord Stark. It is time for you to sleep…"

"What?" Ned swallowed the food in his mouth and asked. When he saw that two burly men were coming towards him, he rose to his feet, but he lost his balance, and he felt dizzy as he fell to the ground.

****

AHAHAH caught you! Did you think this was a Stark-wank?

A BIG NO! This is a Gerold-wank!!

And leave a god-damn comment/review!