Chapter 10

Eddard Stark. Winterfell.

I, Solomon, Lady Kinvara, and the entire Stark family stood in the castle courtyard and looked out over the small arena where Robb and Jon were. They looked at each other, standing up and pointing their weapons towards their opponent, and their eyes burned with eagerness, and a slight smile was present on their faces as if to greet their eternal rival.

It would have been a normal sparring session, like any other day, if not for one important detail.

- Solomon, are you sure about this? - I asked with a troubled heart - Do they really need real swords for normal sparring?

 - They could kill each other! Or become crippled! - Cat added furiously with her hands trembling with excitement, directing a strong glare at Solomon.

The children, on the other hand, just stared and said nothing. But I could feel their confidence in their brothers and... in Solomon. As if he couldn't be wrong at all. It's... depressing.

- I'm sure. And rest assured, Lady Stark, they will do neither. - Solomon said in a measured tone.

- How can you be so sure?! - Cat shrieked.

- They are brothers, even if you don't want to admit it," he answered, and she froze. And so am I - Jon and Robb will fight anything they can. Not to kill or maim, but to prove themselves to us, and to each other. It's a rivalry born of love for family. A desire to show how much they're willing to give of themselves to protect it.

- But... why do you need real swords? - I asked, still not understanding the reason for Solomon's decision.

- Ned, what do you think is the greatest sign of trust in another person? - He asked without turning his head.

The greatest sign of trust? The answer is obvious.

- Life," I answered confidently, "Both my own and my family's. But what...

Then I fell silent as realization flooded my mind. Understanding why Solomon had insisted on real swords. Both Jon and Robb trust each other enough to be willing to put their lives on the line by pointing an instrument of death at an enemy.

- And they know that neither of them wants to kill," Solomon finished, as if reading my thoughts, "They've grown up, Ned. They've chosen their path. And most importantly, both Robb and Jon realize that the paths they've chosen are different. Robb will be Lord of Winterfell and stay here, and Jon will leave it, like your brother Benjen. And the decision has already been made by both of them, which they honor.

With a movement of his head, he pointed to the arena.

- And this sparring is the final test. And also, a promise that wherever they are, they will help each other. Plus, I'll be able to heal their wounds with magic.

My body stiffened at Solomon's words, and my eyes widened. And Cat's gaze moved between him and the arena.

- B-but... They're only sixteen..." she muttered.

- 'Circumstances, Lady Stark,' he said and stroked the head of Arya standing beside him, 'Hard times are coming. Very hard times. For the Stark family and for everyone else. And it's better to be prepared than to regret it, isn't it?

What's he talking about?

- What do you mean? - Sansa asked cautiously.

- I... can see the future, within certain limits, of course. Events will change rapidly, and it's almost impossible to adjust to them.

- Then-" I tried to ask about that, but he interrupted me at once.

- I'm sorry, Ned. I can't share this.

- I understand," I sighed tiredly, "Can you at least give me a hint of what to expect?

- Stay as close to the North as you can, and when the South Wind calls to you and you can't refuse, look twice before you take a step," he explained blurrily, then pointed to the arena, where Jon and Robb were looking in my direction, "I think it's time to give the signal, my friend.

I will remember his words.

Solomon has never been wrong yet, and if he says hard times are coming, then so be it. And I hope my family survives them.

- Good," I nodded and waved my hand, "Get started!

-0-

Robb Stark. Winterfell.

As soon as my father gave the signal, I instantly lunged toward Jon, swinging my sword wide and aiming it at the hand that held the weapon. Jon quickly thrust his blade in front of him with the hilt up, causing my sword to slide along his downward, parrying the blow and opening me up to attack.

But Jon didn't turn his sword blade toward me to strike, he did so with the hilt, hitting me in the jaw, causing me to take a step back.

- Robb! - I heard my mother shout, but I ignored it, focusing on Jon, who sent me a victorious grin.

- First strike for me, eh?

- You're just lucky," I grumbled, gripping the hilt of my sword and aiming it at Jon. "And how did you come up with the idea to strike like that, anyway?

- Lord Solomon told me to seize every opportunity in battle.

And as soon as he finished speaking, he began to move swiftly towards me.

Since I had chosen a two-handed sword and Jon a long sword, the initiative was on his side. He struck fast and multiple blows, forcing me into a deep defense. I managed to block them, but I missed some of them, causing small cuts on my clothes. It was good that they were the only cuts, because I was able to change their trajectory a little.

But Jon couldn't keep up that pace for long, and I waited for my opportunity. After about ten seconds, his onslaught lessened, and when my sword fought back, knocking Jon off balance, I swung with all my might and struck. Jon's eyes widened, and realizing he wouldn't have time to dodge, he put up a block.

I grinned, because I knew he couldn't block a punch like that.

Victory is mine!

And when our blades met... his long sword cut through my two-handed sword, leaving only its hilt in my hands.

I froze, my gaze running between the stump of my sword and the hilt. And as I did so, my hearing caught the voice of Lord Solomon watching us from the balcony.

- God, Jon. Wasn't this duel supposed to show your skills in the art of swordsmanship alone?

What?

- Excuse me! - Jon quickly shrieked and bowed - I-I... panicked and instinctively used 'Reinforcement'.

What!!!

- Apologize to your brother, not me, Jon," Lord Solomon said in a calm tone, "And yes, Robb won, of course. If you had taken this blow without the Reinforcements, you would have lost.

- You're a fraud, Jon! Using magic is dishonest! - I shrieked, pointing a finger at him - And I won, dammit!

- I'm sorry!

- Ah, yes, Robb," I turned to Lord Solomon, "Indeed, it was unfair now. But in a real battle, there is no such thing as unfair or unjust. You either survive or you die. Remember that.

- Even if I don't want to admit it, Solomon is right, Robb," Father added and sighed, "Opponents won't always be as fair as you are.

- I... understand. Thank you for the advice.

I took a deep breath and turned my head toward Jon, who walked over to me and extended his hand for a handshake.

- Congratulations on your victory, Robb," he said with a guilty smile, "I'll win next time.

- I'll be looking forward to it, Jon. - But next time, please don't use magic," I said, shaking his hand.

He nodded, and breaking the handshake, we headed towards the castle, where we were greeted by the smiles of the rest of the family.

-0-

Kinvara. Wolf Forest.

Stepping over another branch, I followed my king into the depths of the Wolf Forest.

One moment he was sitting by the fireplace reading a book, and the next, he left the castle and headed in some direction without turning or stopping. He moved in a measured manner, and his gaze never once left what seemed to be his intended route.

- What do you want to find among the trees and snow, my king?

He didn't answer or slow down, and all I could do was follow him in silence.

After a while, my king stopped at a small clearing where a small pack of direwolves had settled.

- This. - my king pointed to the clearing.

I saw a small squirrel-like animal with snow-white fur and big ears on the head of a particularly large direwolf, and on its neck there was something tiny like a cloak.

My king moved toward the pack with measured steps, and when the direwolves noticed him, they didn't growl and bared their fangs as I'd expected, but walked slowly toward him, ears and tail raised as if to greet an old friend. One step ahead of them was the one with the animal on his head.

- What are you doing here, Primate Murder? - my king asked, looking at him.

Primate Murder? Is that the name of the beast, or the name of the species? But why is the word "Murder" in there? It doesn't conjure up any associations with that word.

- Fou, kyu! - broached the beast and jumped over to my lord's shoulder and put his paw on his cheek, as if to lean on him.

- I did not ask "Why are you among these big wolves?" but "Why are you in this world?" my king grabbed the beast by the scruff of its neck and brought it up to his face.

My lord... understands him?

- Fou!

- Merlin? - Lord Solomon raised an eyebrow - His 'Clairvoyance' cannot penetrate here, as this world does not fall under Akasha's jurisdiction. Unless... he gained access when I activated the Magic.

- Fou.

- Why do I have to take you with me?

- Fou, fou, kyu.

- Feeding you is not an argument. And you're not a Goetia for me to take care of," my king said, then rubbed his chin, "Though if you're useful, we can negotiate terms.

- Fou?

- Food isn't free, Primate Murder.

The brute remained silent and frowned, which made him even more attractive, and then crossed his front paws over his chest.

- That's good. - My king smiled and put it on his shoulder and stroked it. The beast turned away and pouted, but did not wave away my lord's hand.

After a few seconds, Lord Solomon turned around and headed back to the castle.

- My king, what is this beast? - I asked and followed him.

- What do you think, Kinvara, is the foundation of any society? Especially humans. - My king casually asked in response to my question.

Society presupposes more than one person, right? It turns out...

- Uh... On interaction with each other? - I answered cautiously.

- Indeed," he nodded, to which I sighed in relief, "But at the heart of any society is Comparison. First of all, it is created out of the need of one person in another person who has skills or knowledge in the field in which the first is not strong. That is, comparing oneself to another.

- I don't understand what you're saying.

- What is R'Glor?

- Light. - I answered confidently, without hesitation.

- I mean, R'Glor is the Light. It's the same with this little beast, he's Comparison.

- B-but how? It's too complicated.

- On my world, the Age of Man is underway. And the people there have reached unimaginable heights for it, traveling to the stars, for example. Seven billion people inhabiting the earth and remaking it to suit their needs, trying to improve their lives, making it as comfortable as possible.

My king paused for a moment and then continued.

- Of course, all of this was not without a "but". With the coming of this age, seven entities called the Evil of Mankind were born. Entities that embody the seven sins of mankind. These "sins" come from the attributes that humans embody in being, as actual human beings with wisdom. And they cannot disappear as long as humans continue to exist. And right now, one of those "sins" is sitting on my shoulder.

My foot stopped, never completing a step, causing me to nearly fall into the snow. My gaze slowly rose and traveled toward the seemingly harmless animal.

He is the embodiment of humanity's "sin"! What a frightening creature. And if my lord's words are to be believed, the Great Other seems like a small thing compared to him.

- Y-you mean to say that--

- Don't worry. Although he is the "Evil of Mankind", capable of destroying people, that only applies to my world, not this one.

- B-but if it's like you just said, there could be these creatures in this world too, right?

- I would sense them if that were the case. Perhaps their time of birth hasn't come yet, but right now, they're gone.

I let out a sigh of relief. After all, if what my king said was true, then even the Lord of Light couldn't do anything to them... unless they eradicate all humans.

- Don't worry about it, Kinvara," my lord said in a soothing tone, "Besides, the Primate Murder is very easy to tame. Just feed it and pet it from time to time.

- Fou, kyu! - chirped and started tapping his paw on Lord Solomon's cheek.

- Well, and let him sleep most of the day.

By the way...

- Why do you call this... beast... 'Primate Murder'?

- He is the most efficient human killer. - answered my king as simply as if he were talking about the weather.

- A H-human killer? - I asked in a trembling voice - W-are you sure he won't kill all of us?

The beast gave me a look that made my body tense and shiver with fear. And then, leapt toward me, and I squeezed my eyes shut.

Is he going to kill me? Just like that?

But after a few seconds, nothing happened, and I was still alive. Opening my eyes, and not finding the creature, I felt soft fur pleasantly tickling my cheek. And turning toward the sensation, my gaze caught the animal caressing against my face and standing on my shoulder.

- Fou, kyu!

- He says not to worry. He loves people, and doesn't want to kill them. - With a smile on his face my king said- Take him in your arms and pet him. His fur is very soft and pleasant to the touch. And by the way, you can call him "Fou."

I carefully took the creature off my shoulder and with a trembling hand began to stroke it. And... it felt... nice. His fur was so soft that even the most expensive and magnificent silks in all of Volantis couldn't compare to it. And a strange sense of calm began to creep into my mind, bringing it to a state of peacefulness.

How... strange. "The Evil of Humanity" calms a person down... Very strange....

Without realizing it, I kept stroking the creature all the way to the gates of Winterfell, because I didn't want that pleasant feeling of peace to leave my mind.

-0-

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