Chapter 141: A King Answers Only to Family
The doors of the Hall of Governance opened with enough force to silence every conversation within.
A communications officer hurried across the polished stone floor, snow still clinging to the shoulders of his black uniform. He stopped before the great circular table and lowered himself to one knee.
"Your Grace, a priority message has arrived from Winterfell."
Jon Snow raised his eyes from the military reports spread before him.
Around the table sat the ten pillars upon whom much of Winter's Heaven rested.
Tormund Giantsbane, Head of the Military, occupied the seat to Jon's right. Val, Head of Administration, sat with several documents arranged neatly before her. Alex represented Finance, Max controlled Food and Agriculture, and Tom the Builder directed Infrastructure. James oversaw Health, Allysa led Knowledge and Research, Mario controlled Records and Intelligence, Samuel maintained Law and Order, while Noah governed Wildlife and Territory.
Commander Harl stood behind Tormund, having been summoned to report on the frontier's defences. Erik waited near the entrance with the other palace officials.
The meeting had begun before sunrise. Jon had spent the previous hour studying casualty numbers, damaged watch stations and reports of movements among the dead.
None of those matters had prepared him for a message from Winterfell.
"From whom?" Jon asked.
"Lord Eddard Stark, Your Grace."
Jon's expression changed.
"Where is the letter?"
"The raven carrying it reached Frost Station several hours ago. A mounted relay carried it to the nearest railway. The letter arrived in the capital moments ago."
The officer removed a sealed parchment from inside his coat and held it out with both hands.
Erik collected it and carried it to Jon.
The grey direwolf of House Stark had been pressed into the dark wax.
Jon recognised the seal.
For the briefest moment, he was no longer the King of Winter's Heaven. He was the six-year-old boy who had looked back at Winterfell one final time before flying into the unknown.
Then the moment passed.
Jon broke the seal.
"Continue reviewing the eastern station reports," he ordered.
Tormund leaned back in his chair.
"Not one of us will hear a word while you're reading that."
A few of the pillars exchanged looks, but none contradicted him.
Jon unfolded the parchment.
The first line was simple.
Jon,
Only his name.
No title. No formal greeting between rulers. No carefully measured words from one lord to another.
His father had written to his son.
Jon continued reading.
King Robert had arrived at Winterfell. Robert had offered Ned the position of Hand and proposed a marriage between Sansa and Prince Joffrey.
Jon's fingers tightened slightly around the parchment.
Ned had not yet accepted.
That was good.
There was still time.
Then Jon reached the part concerning Robert's public invitation. The king wished to meet him. He wanted to see Jon's giants, his soldiers and the ruler who had built a kingdom beyond the Wall.
Ned had written that Jon was free to accept or refuse.
Jon felt no anger at Robert's curiosity. In his previous life, Robert Baratheon had been a character within a story. In this life, he was a living man—powerful, loud, careless and capable of changing the fate of Jon's family with a single drunken decision.
Robert's invitation alone would not have brought Jon south.
Then he read the warning.
There is another matter that cannot safely be written in full. We have received reason to doubt that Lord Jon Arryn's death was natural.
The temperature inside the great hall dropped.
Ice spread silently across the edge of the stone table beneath Jon's hand.
The officers near the walls stiffened.
Tormund's humour disappeared.
Jon continued reading.
The accusation concerned a powerful family presently residing within Winterfell. Ned possessed no proof. He warned Jon against acting recklessly.
At the bottom of the letter waited the words that confirmed whom Ned suspected.
Trust no lion merely because it smiles.
Jon closed his eyes.
Memories rose inside him.
Not his memories from this life, but scenes he had watched in another world.
Bran falling from the tower.
Ned travelling south.
Robert dying.
Ned kneeling before the Great Sept of Baelor as a sword descended upon his neck.
Sansa trapped among enemies.
Arya fleeing through the streets.
Robb marching south to avenge their father.
The Red Wedding.
Catelyn's scream.
Winterfell burning.
Rickon falling upon a battlefield.
A family destroyed one death at a time.
Jon had once watched those events as a story.
Now the people in them were his father, his brothers and his sisters.
The stone beneath his palm cracked.
A deep sound travelled through the table, and a piece of its edge collapsed onto the floor.
No one spoke.
Jon opened his eyes.
The calm within them frightened the council more than rage would have.
Tormund leaned forward.
"What happened?"
Jon placed the letter upon the table.
"King Robert has asked Father to become his Hand."
Tormund frowned.
"The last Hand died."
"Yes."
"And now your father has been asked to take his place?"
"Yes."
"That sounds like a poor reward for friendship."
"Jon Arryn may have been murdered," Jon continued. "The warning points towards House Lannister."
Mario's gaze sharpened.
"Does Lord Stark possess evidence?"
"No."
"Then whoever made the accusation may be mistaken—or deliberately misleading him."
Jon looked at his Head of Intelligence.
Mario did not know how accurate his suspicion was.
Lysa Arryn had poisoned her own husband under the direction of Petyr Baelish. She had then accused the Lannisters, pushing the wolves and lions towards war while Littlefinger remained hidden behind both.
But Jon Arryn had discovered the truth about Cersei's children.
That secret had placed him in danger, regardless of whose hand administered the poison.
This time, events would not be permitted to follow the same road.
"I want the truth," Jon said. "Not the easiest answer. Not the answer that confirms Lord Stark's suspicions. The truth."
Mario inclined his head.
"I will activate every agent we possess in King's Landing."
"Investigate Jon Arryn's final months. Learn what he studied, where he travelled and whom he questioned. Find everyone who prepared his food, poured his wine, treated his illness or entered his chambers."
Mario reached for a blank page.
"House Lannister?"
"Investigate them, but do not limit yourself to lions. I want reports on Grand Maester Pycelle, Lord Varys, Petyr Baelish and Lysa Arryn."
Several people looked surprised by the final name.
Mario did not.
"Lady Arryn accused the Lannisters?"
"According to Father's wording, the warning came from someone close enough to be believed."
"And you suspect the accuser?"
"I suspect everyone."
Jon's voice hardened.
"Pay particular attention to Petyr Baelish. Examine his messengers, servants, financial dealings and every person he has contacted since Jon Arryn became ill. Do not approach him. Do not allow him to learn that we are watching."
"It will be done."
"I want preliminary information before I reach Winterfell."
Mario hesitated.
"That will give us little time."
"Then use more men."
Jon looked around the table.
"I will be leaving for Winterfell."
There was no debate in his words. The decision had already been made.
Tormund studied him.
"When?"
"The Titan departs as soon as it is prepared."
Tom immediately straightened.
"The ship can leave within two days if we halt the maintenance work in the lower western section. Most of the stores were replaced after the northern trade voyage."
"You have until tomorrow."
Tom's eyebrows rose.
"Tomorrow?"
"Is that impossible?"
The builder considered the question before slowly shaking his head.
"No. Difficult, but not impossible. I will need every available engineer and three shifts of workers."
"You have them."
Alex looked down at the reports before him.
"How large will the operation be? Preparing the entire Titan will affect our coastal shipments."
"Suspend any shipment that interferes with our departure."
Alex nodded once.
"I'll release the emergency funds immediately."
Val spoke from her administrative seat.
"Your orders must pass through more than twenty departments if the Titan is to sail tomorrow."
"Then they will pass through them."
"They will," Val replied. "Every department will receive its instructions before the hour ends."
"See that they do."
Jon turned towards Max.
"Load provisions for the voyage and twenty-five days of overland travel."
"We could purchase food in White Harbor," Max observed.
"We could. We will still carry our own."
"How many people?"
"One thousand elite soldiers. One hundred engineers and radio operators. Fifty healers. The diplomatic and administrative staff will be selected before noon."
Tormund grinned faintly.
"And the giants?"
"Robert announced that he wished to see them."
"Then we should show him."
"Ten giants," Jon decided. "All wearing black armour. Enough to satisfy his curiosity without making the column resemble an invading army."
Harl stepped forward.
"Your Grace, allow me to command the escort."
"No."
The answer came immediately.
Harl's jaw tightened, though he bowed his head.
"I failed to prevent the losses at the frontier stations. I would restore—"
"You have nothing to restore."
Jon's voice silenced him.
"The stations survived because you and the other commanders prepared them. Men died because the dead attacked in numbers we did not expect, not because you abandoned your duty."
Harl raised his eyes.
"You are remaining here because I trust you," Jon continued. "You will assist Tormund in commanding the frontier while I am away."
Tormund scratched his beard.
"So I am not coming?"
"No."
"I would enjoy meeting this fat southern king."
"You will enjoy keeping my kingdom alive more."
"That sounds considerably less entertaining."
"It was not a request."
Tormund's amusement disappeared. He struck one fist against his chest.
"Then Winter's Heaven will still be standing when you return."
Jon knew the seriousness behind the promise.
He turned to the others.
"Alex, keep the treasury and trade network functioning. Max, ensure the cities possess sufficient grain before diverting supplies to the Titan. James, prepare medicines, surgeons and antidotes."
"Antidotes?" James asked.
"I am going among people who may have murdered the previous Hand. Prepare for poison."
James nodded grimly.
"All food and drink served to you will be tested."
"Prepare enough equipment to test what is offered to my entire escort."
Jon looked towards Allysa.
"Supply portable radios to every senior officer. I want constant communication between the Titan, White Harbor, the travelling column and Winter's Heaven."
"The newer radios can reach farther," Allysa said. "But the mountains and weather may interfere once you travel inland."
"Create relay teams along the road."
"I will."
"Samuel, maintain order during my absence. No rumour concerning the dead or my departure will be allowed to create panic."
Samuel placed a hand over his chest.
"The law will hold."
"Noah, the eagles and the remaining bonded creatures will be under your care. Increase patrols near the forests. If the dead approach our territory again, I want every direwolf pack warned before the first station is attacked."
Noah bowed.
"As you command."
Jon looked across the assembled pillars.
"I am leaving because my father asked for my counsel. I am taking the Titan because Robert Baratheon publicly expressed his wish to see my giants."
Tormund's mouth twisted.
"You could reach Winterfell sooner upon an eagle."
"I could reach it within days."
"Then why spend twenty-five days travelling?"
"Because arriving alone upon an eagle would save time but accomplish nothing else. I need soldiers in the North. I need communications, healers and the power to remove my family immediately if the situation changes."
The entire room became still.
Jon was not merely planning to visit Winterfell.
He was preparing to extract House Stark if necessary.
Mario put down his quill.
"You believe the danger is that great?"
"I know what ambition does to honourable men."
Jon's gaze moved towards the map of Westeros hanging behind the council table.
"I did not spend ten years becoming powerful merely to stand aside while my loved ones are destroyed."
No one understood the full meaning of those words.
They nevertheless understood the promise within them.
"If anyone harms my father, my brothers or my sisters, I will not ask what crown they wear or which castle protects them."
The air grew colder.
"If the Iron Throne stands between me and my family, I will tear it apart. If the Westerlands protect their enemies, I will break every fortress from the Golden Tooth to Casterly Rock."
A thin layer of frost crept over the map.
"If the North betrays House Stark, northern castles will burn beside southern ones."
Not one person interrupted him.
"I will slaughter every kingdom that stands between me and my family."
Jon allowed the silence to endure.
Then his power withdrew.
The frost stopped spreading.
"Begin preparations."
All ten pillars rose.
Fists struck chests around the circular table.
"As you command, Your Grace."
Within minutes, the Hall of Governance emptied.
Messengers ran through the royal district. Radios awakened across the capital. At the distant back dock, warning bells announced the Titan's coming departure.
Engineers abandoned their ordinary duties and hurried towards the railway stations. Warehouses opened their guarded doors. Crates of medicine, preserved food, weapons and communication equipment were placed aboard heavy freight trains.
Winter's Heaven began to move.
Jon remained in the hall with only Erik.
"Bring me parchment."
Erik placed writing materials before him.
Jon sat at the damaged table and looked again at Ned's letter.
His father had asked for counsel.
Jon intended to give him something far stronger.
He dipped the quill into the ink.
Father,
Your letter has reached me.
Jon paused.
He could not tell Ned everything. He could not write that Jon Arryn had discovered Cersei's children were born of incest. He could not accuse Lysa or Littlefinger without evidence.
But he could stop Ned from leaving.
Tell King Robert that I accept his invitation to meet—not because he is king, and not because he announced his desire before his court.
Had the invitation come from Robert Baratheon alone, I would have rejected it.
A faint smile appeared upon Jon's face.
Robert might not appreciate those words.
That did not concern him.
I am coming because you asked me to come.
You are my father. Your request carries greater weight with me than the command of any king south of the Wall.
Jon continued.
I could reach Winterfell much sooner upon the back of one of my eagles, as I did during my previous visit. However, Robert has expressed a desire to see my giants. Therefore, I will bring them.
Winter's Titan will carry us to White Harbor in approximately three days. From White Harbor, the journey to Winterfell will require another twenty-two days.
Expect me within twenty-five days.
Then Jon's expression hardened.
Until I arrive, do not accept the position of Hand.
Do not leave Winterfell.
Do not send Sansa or Arya south, and promise Sansa to no prince.
You asked for my counsel as a son. My counsel is that the south has already swallowed one honourable Hand. I will not permit it to swallow another.
Jon almost stopped there.
Almost.
Instead, he added:
Do not accuse the Lannisters yet. The lion may be dangerous, but the person pointing towards it may be hiding another beast. I have ordered my people to investigate Jon Arryn's death.
Watch the mockingbird.
Ask what Jon Arryn studied before he died.
Trust no one simply because they appear weak, frightened or loyal.
Tell Robert that if he truly wishes to meet me, he will wait.
Jon Snow,
King of Winter's Heaven.
Jon read the message twice before pressing his crowned direwolf seal into black wax.
"Summon Noah."
By the time Jon reached the great field beyond the royal district, word of his journey had already travelled across the capital.
Trains thundered along distant tracks. Soldiers assembled outside their barracks. Freight wagons rolled towards the warehouses, while engineers filled the platforms leading towards the Titan's concealed dock.
Noah waited near the centre of the field.
Hundreds of soldiers stood along its outer boundary.
They were not there to guard Jon.
They were there because no ordinary enclosure could contain the creatures descending from the mountains.
A shadow passed over the field.
Men looked upwards.
One of Jon's two giant eagles circled high above Winter's Heaven.
When Jon had previously visited Winterfell, both eagles had already been larger than horses. Jon had carried Arya, Sansa, Bran and Rickon through the sky upon their backs, giving his siblings an experience none of them had ever forgotten.
Since then, the creatures had continued growing.
Now the eagle's body was comparable to a two-storey building.
Its wings stretched so far that it darkened a large portion of the field whenever it passed overhead. Its feathers were black near the body and silver-grey along the ends, gleaming beneath the cold sunlight.
It no longer resembled an ordinary eagle.
It resembled a dragon wearing feathers.
The creature descended.
Its first wingbeat sent snow exploding across the field. Soldiers raised their arms to protect their faces. Several men were forced backwards, their boots sliding across the frozen ground.
The second wingbeat shook the trees.
Then the eagle landed.
Its talons sank into the earth.
Each curved claw was larger than a grown man.
The enormous head lowered until one golden eye faced Jon. Its beak alone could have torn a horse in half.
Jon placed his hand against the feathers beneath its eye.
"Winterfell," he said.
The eagle released a low cry.
The sound rolled over the capital like distant thunder.
Jon carried reinforced straps towards one of its legs. The leg was so large that three men could not have encircled it with their arms.
He secured the protected letter himself.
"Take this to Winterfell."
The eagle watched him attentively.
"Give it only to my father."
Jon touched the sealed letter.
"Find Lord Eddard Stark."
The great eagle lowered its head once.
Jon stepped back.
"Go."
The creature opened its wings.
The force drove snow, loose stones and equipment across the field. Noah braced himself while several soldiers dropped to one knee.
With a single leap, the eagle rose from the ground.
Its massive wings beat once.
Twice.
Then it climbed above the towers of Winter's Heaven and turned south.
Jon watched until it became a dark shape against the distant sky.
"Your answer will reach Winterfell long before you do," Noah said.
"That is the purpose."
"And if King Robert refuses to wait?"
Jon looked towards the southern horizon.
"Then he never truly wished to meet me."
Far to the south, Winterfell remained unaware that Winter's Heaven had begun moving.
The morning sun hung above the castle when the first scream came from the eastern wall.
"Dragon!"
The cry spread through the courtyard.
"Dragon in the sky!"
Bells rang.
Lannister guards rushed from their quarters with swords and crossbows. Northern soldiers climbed the battlements. Horses neighed and pulled against their restraints as an enormous shadow moved across the snow.
Robert Baratheon emerged from the Great Keep wearing a heavy fur cloak, one hand resting upon the warhammer a servant struggled to carry behind him.
"What in seven hells is happening?"
Cersei followed with Jaime and Joffrey.
Tyrion stepped out last, holding a cup of wine despite the early hour.
Another cry shook the air.
Everyone looked upwards.
The eagle descended through the clouds.
For several heartbeats, no one moved.
Its wings appeared large enough to cover one of Winterfell's towers. Sunlight gleamed along its silver feathers. The air screamed around its colossal body as it circled the castle.
Joffrey's face lost all colour.
"Kill it!"
A crossbowman raised his weapon.
"Lower that crossbow!" Ned's voice thundered across the courtyard.
The man hesitated.
"I said lower it!"
Arya ran into the courtyard with Bran following close behind her. Robb, Sansa and Rickon emerged moments later with Catelyn and Maester Luwin.
Arya looked into the sky.
Her fear vanished instantly.
"I know that eagle!"
Bran's eyes widened with recognition.
"It's one of Jon's!"
Sansa stared upwards, shocked by how much the creature had grown.
"It cannot be. They were not nearly that large."
"It is!" Arya insisted. "Look at the silver feathers!"
Rickon pulled free of Catelyn and ran closer, waving both arms excitedly.
"Jon's eagle! Jon's eagle came back!"
Catelyn caught him before he could run into the open courtyard.
"Rickon, stay here."
"But I flew on it!"
The southern visitors turned towards the Stark children.
Robert stared at Bran.
"You flew upon that thing?"
Bran nodded eagerly.
"All four of us did. Jon carried us on the backs of his two eagles when he visited Winterfell."
Arya grinned despite the chaos.
"We flew above the castle. It was better than riding any horse."
Sansa attempted to retain her dignity before the queen, but wonder shone clearly in her eyes.
"They were already larger than horses then. But now…"
She could not finish.
The eagle circled again, and its shadow passed over the entire courtyard.
Jaime placed one hand upon his sword.
"You truly recognise that creature?"
Arya looked at him as though the question were foolish.
"Of course we do. We have flown upon its back."
Ned watched the enormous eagle begin its descent.
"It belongs to Jon."
Robert slowly turned towards him.
"That is an eagle?"
"It was smaller the last time I saw it."
Tyrion examined the contents of his cup.
"I may have started drinking too early."
The eagle folded its wings and descended.
Its landing shook the courtyard.
Snow burst around its talons. Horses screamed inside the stables. Several southern soldiers fell, while others fled beneath the surrounding arches.
The creature towered above them like a living building.
Robert stared upwards, speechless for perhaps the first time since entering Winterfell.
The eagle ignored him.
It ignored Cersei, Jaime, Joffrey and the royal guards surrounding them.
Its vast golden eyes moved past the armoured men until they settled upon Ned.
The creature did not speak.
It merely looked at him.
Recognition shone in its intelligent golden eyes.
Ned slowly stepped forward.
The eagle lowered its enormous head, allowing him to approach. Its gaze remained fixed upon Ned as though ensuring it had found the correct man.
Then it extended one leg.
Reinforced straps had been fastened around it. Bound between them was a protected parchment bearing the crowned direwolf of Winter's Heaven.
"My son has answered," Ned said.
He approached the enormous leg and began loosening the straps.
Arya moved forward as well.
The eagle turned one golden eye towards her.
Arya stopped.
For a moment, girl and eagle simply stared at each other.
Then its head moved slightly closer.
Arya smiled.
"It remembers me."
"Of course it remembers you," Bran said. "Jon said his eagles never forget a friend."
Sansa approached more cautiously.
The eagle looked at her next, followed by Bran and little Rickon.
It recognised each of them.
Rickon struggled excitedly in Catelyn's arms.
"Let me touch it!"
"No," Catelyn said immediately.
"But it knows me!"
"It also has a beak larger than you."
Arya laughed.
"It will not hurt him."
Catelyn gave her a severe look.
"That does not mean he may climb beneath its claws."
The eagle returned its attention to Ned.
Ned removed the letter.
The massive leg withdrew, but the creature did not leave. It remained crouched within the courtyard, watching every person who stood near Jon's family.
Robert recovered first.
"Well?" he demanded. "What does the boy say?"
"He is no longer a boy," Cersei murmured.
For once, Robert did not argue with her.
Ned broke the black seal.
Catelyn, Robb and the younger Stark children gathered behind him. Robert stood close enough to read over Ned's shoulder.
Ned's eyes moved across the first lines.
His expression became increasingly troubled.
"What does it say?" Joffrey asked impatiently.
Robert reached forward and took the parchment from Ned before anyone could stop him.
His eyes passed over the letter.
Then he reached the second paragraph.
Had the invitation come from Robert Baratheon alone, I would have rejected it.
Robert's expression froze.
Around him, the courtyard became completely silent.
The eagle continued watching from above, its golden eyes fixed upon Ned rather than the king who had summoned its master.
Robert continued reading.
I am coming because you asked me to come.
You are my father. Your request carries greater weight with me than the command of any king south of the Wall.
Cersei's face tightened.
Jaime's hand remained upon his sword, though the weapon appeared very small beneath the eagle's shadow.
Joffrey's cheeks reddened.
"He cannot speak to the king like that."
Arya turned on him immediately.
"He is a king."
"Of savages beyond the Wall."
A low sound emerged from the eagle's chest.
It was not a cry.
It was a warning.
The stones beneath their feet seemed to tremble.
Joffrey stepped backwards and almost collided with his mother.
Arya grinned.
"I do not think it liked that."
"Enough," Ned commanded.
Robert raised one hand, silencing everyone, and continued reading.
When he reached Jon's command that Ned should not accept the Handship, his amusement disappeared entirely.
Ned watched his old friend carefully.
Robert read the warning concerning Sansa and Joffrey.
The prince attempted to look over his shoulder.
"What does it say about me?"
Robert did not answer.
He reached the final line.
Tell Robert that if he truly wishes to meet me, he will wait.
For several heartbeats, no one dared speak.
Then Robert slowly lowered the letter.
Ned looked at his old friend.
"Will you wait?"
Robert raised his eyes towards the colossal eagle towering over Winterfell.
Arya, Sansa, Bran and Rickon stood without fear because they remembered flying through the sky upon its back. The southern soldiers, meanwhile, remained frozen beneath its shadow, afraid even to touch their weapons.
Somewhere beyond the Wall, a ship four kilometres long was awakening.
Giants were donning black armour.
Soldiers were boarding trains.
A king who recognised no southern authority was preparing to march towards Winterfell.
Robert began to grin.
"Twenty-five days?"
"Twenty-five days," Ned confirmed.
The king looked once more at the eagle.
"Then we wait."
Jon Snow was coming to Winterfell.
Not as a bastard answering the summons of his king.
Not as a frightened boy returning to his childhood home.
But as the King of Winter's Heaven answering the request of his father.
End of Chapter 141
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Author's Note
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