Chapter 39

As Eddard Stark stepped off the ship onto the bustling docks of White Harbor, a sense of apprehension gnawed at him. His daughters, Sansa and Arya, stood close beside him, their faces pale with fear as they surveyed the crowd of armed men in green that surrounded them.

With a heavy heart, Eddard could only hope that Captain Jero's assurances held true, that these men were indeed allies and not enemies in disguise. He took solace in the knowledge that they were in the city of White Harbor, where the Lord was a long-time friend of House Stark.

Summoning his courage, Eddard motioned for his daughters to follow as he made his way through the throng of armed men. A knight, resplendent in his armor, stepped forward to greet them, addressing Eddard with a respectful bow.

"Lord Stark," the knight said, his voice tinged with reverence.

Eddard returned the greeting with a stern nod, his weary expression betraying the weight of his burdens. The knight led them to a waiting carriage, where Eddard paused to consider their next move.

Sansa and Arya looked to him for guidance, their eyes filled with uncertainty. Eddard nodded, signaling for them to enter the carriage as he turned to face the knight who had escorted them.

"Why are you helping us?" Eddard asked, his voice heavy with fatigue.

The knight extended a quill and parchment, offering them to Eddard. "For the Old Gods," he replied simply.

Eddard's gaze softened at the mention of the Old Gods, a sense of familiarity and comfort washing over him. In his mind, the existence of the Gods had already been redefined, and he was glad to remain true to the old ways. Still, he felt some concern mixed with gratitude. He was curious about the Old Gods, eager to learn more.

As he bowed respectfully to the knight before entering the carriage, even though he wanted to ask the knight many questions, the knight remained elusive with few words. But for now, his priority was ensuring the safety of his daughters. He focused his attention on comforting them as the carriage began to move forward.

However, their journey was soon interrupted by the arrival of Lord Wyman Manderly's men, who sought to stop the carriage and offer assistance. However, the knights in green surrounding the carriage raised their swords in a protective stance, refusing to allow anyone to approach.

Eddard's protests fell on deaf ears as the knight explained the need for caution in the face of unknown threats. And as he glanced out the window at the sea of armed men outside the port city, he realized the true extent of the gathering force that had come to their aid.

In that moment, Eddard understood why Lord Wyman Manderly had been so tolerant of outsiders in his city.

As the carriage rolled along the winding road, Eddard Stark's keen eyes caught sight of something amiss. The direction they were heading wasn't towards the familiar lands of the North, but rather southward.

Frowning with concern, Eddard turned to the knight riding alongside the carriage, his voice cautious yet firm. "Ser, may I inquire as to our destination?" he asked, his tone tinged with suspicion.

The knight, respectful, inclined his head in acknowledgment before offering his reply. "My lord, fear not. We are bound for the North, but first, we must make a detour to the God's Eye for our baptism," he explained, his words measured and cryptic.

Eddard's curiosity was piqued at the mention of the God's Eye, a place shrouded in myth with a lot of tales and legends. But before he could press the knight for more information, the man apologized and refused to disclose further details.

With a resigned sigh, Eddard settled back into his seat, his mind swirling with thoughts of the journey ahead. Despite his misgivings, he knew that he had no choice but to trust in the men escorting him, hoping against hope that they would remain true to their word.

Unaware of the conflict brewing between House Lannister and House Tully, Eddard clung to the belief that there was still a chance for him to return safely to Winterfell. He prayed that his message would reach his family in time, hoping that he wasn't already too late to warn them of the dangers that lay ahead.

While Arya Stark's eyes danced with curiosity, her gaze darting around the armed men marching alongside. Unlike her sister Sansa, whose concerned eyes mirrored the uncertainty in her heart, Arya no longer showed fear.

Amidst the ranks of men, Arya's sharp eyes caught sight of something unexpected: women, clad in armor and bearing the sigils of a tree. She watched them with keen interest, noting the differences in their attire and demeanor compared to their male counterparts.

One of the lady knights, sensing Arya's gaze upon her, removed her helm with a graceful motion, revealing a face that bore the marks of a life lived on the road. Arya offered the knight a smile of acknowledgment, her curiosity piqued by the sight of a woman donning the mantle of knighthood.

The lady knight returned Arya's smile with a nod of greeting before replacing her helm, her movements swift and practiced. Arya was about to call out to her, eager to learn more about her, when Sansa's warning glance stopped her in her tracks.

"Stay silent, Arya," Sansa whispered, her voice low with caution. "It's best not to draw unnecessary attention to ourselves."

Arya sighed in frustration, her expression betraying her disappointment. Reluctantly, she settled back into her seat.

---------------------

Deep within the heart of the Holy Isle of Leng, amidst the crumbling ruins of an ancient civilization, lies a secret known only to a chosen few. Beneath the surface, hidden from mortal eyes, lies a labyrinth of twisting passages and shadowed corridors, a place where the boundaries between the living and the dead blur into obscurity.

For centuries, the labyrinth has remained untouched, its secrets guarded by the royalty of Leng. Mortals dare not venture into its depths, for fear of what lies waiting in the darkness below.

But beneath the labyrinth, in the darkness that lay hidden from the light of day, something stirred. Luminant purple eyes, glowing with an otherworldly light, peered out from the shadows.

"This is unlike you, unlike you..." a whispered voice echoed through the depths.

[

Alright, Pokémon fans, it's time for another round of "Who is that Pokémon?" Ready for some clues? Here we go!

This Pokémon is closely related to nature.It's linked to Naath Island and as gentle as the Naathi people.

Got it? Drop your guesses in the chat!

And for those who just can't wait for more, consider accessing my Patreon for exclusive content and early hints where you can access upto chapter 77.

link: patreon.com/AmouxCreationX

]