Ned rode south with Robert, Catelyn, Sansa, and Arya beside him. Robb stayed behind as acting Lord of Winterfell. Bran and Rickon remained with him. Jon had volunteered for the Night's Watch the mont he heard the plan. It was an old Stark tradition, and he wanted it.
Robert sent Jai and Tyrion north to the Wall to see the situation for themselves. Tony went with them. One party headed south into spring. The other rode straight into the teeth of winter. The contrast was brutal.
"Seven hells, this weather is insane," Tyrion muttered, buried under layers of fur and leather. "I thought Winterfell was cold. Every mile north it gets worse."
Jai rode beside him, smiling through the wind. "That's why no southerner ever conquered the North. They can't stand the cold. And that's also why the North is as big as the other six kingdoms put together."
A gust of freezing wind slapped wet leaves into Jai's mouth. He coughed hard, spitting them out while Tyrion laughed.
"You're enjoying this too much," Jai said.
Benjen and Tony caught up from checking the wildfire barrels and the secret cargo. Everything was secure.
"You haven't seen real winter yet," Benjen told the Lannisters. "Wait until you're north of the Wall."
He gave them both a mocking look. Benjen had never liked the lions, not with how Ned felt about them.
"Enough," Tony cut in. "We're not here to settle old family grudges. The king gave us a job."
Benjen grunted and rode ahead to join Jon. Tony fell in beside Tyrion.
"Your family made enemies in mine," Tony said. "Doesn't an I have to carry it."
Tyrion grinned and tried to clap him on the shoulder, but couldn't reach. "I like you, Stark. You actually see straight."
The royal party stopped at Riverrun. Renly Baratheon and Ser Barristan Selmy rode in from King's Landing to pay their respects to the king and queen.
By the river, Sansa and Myrcella walked together while sunlight danced on the water like golden fish.
Myrcella glanced sideways. "Do you like Tony? Because I think he likes you."
Before Sansa could answer, the sound of wooden swords clacking echoed from farther down the bank. Arya was sparring with so stable boy, swinging hard and fast.
"Arya, stop that right now or I'm telling Father and Mother," Sansa called. "They'll lock you in your room."
"I don't need your permission to do anything," Arya snapped. The mory of Tony kissing Sansa in the hall still burned. "Tony's not here to stop , so what are you going to do about it?"
She tossed Sansa a practice sword. "Co on then, Three Silly. Let's see if you can actually fight."
Sansa backed up, clutching Myrcella's arm. Both girls looked nervous.
Lady started barking, trying to get between them. Arya shoved the direwolf aside. "Move, Lady!"
Nyria exploded out of nowhere and slamd into Lady. The two direwolves rolled across the grass, teeth flashing, snarling as they fought.
On the Dothraki sea, Daenerys was now Khaleesi. Traders and minor lords brought tribute — gold, jewels, strange animals, fine food. Viserys watched it all with hungry eyes.
"When do I get my forty thousand screars?" he demanded of Illyrio.
"Patience, Your Grace," the fat man said smoothly. "The Dothraki have their own ways. What is ant to be yours will co."
Viserys felt sothing cold in his gut. For the first ti he wondered if the dream had ever really been his.
Jorah Mormont stepped forward and offered three books. "Khaleesi. These are from Westeros. I thought you might enjoy them."
Daenerys took them eagerly. She set The Lion King and The Wolf's Dream aside without a second glance and opened How to Train Your Dragon. A real smile spread across her face as she read.
Drogo watched her. He turned to Jorah. "Andal. Choose any horse you like. You made my moon smile."
Tony's group finally reached the Wall.
Even from a distance it stole their breath. Seven hundred feet of ice, black and ancient, stretching from horizon to horizon like the end of the world. n, giants, and the Children of the Forest had built it together. Brandon the Builder had led the Stark side of that work. That was why Starks still sent sons to the Watch.
Lord Commander Mormont ca out with a handful of brothers to et them. Benjen dismounted and hugged every man he knew.
"Seven hells, you're back," one brother laughed. "I figured you'd gotten soft in Winterfell's hot springs."
"Never," Benjen said. "This is where I belong."
Mormont pulled Benjen aside. "Did you bring it?"
"Tony brought the wildfire," Benjen answered quietly. "And more."
Mormont nodded and raised his voice. "Welco to Castle Black. Try not to freeze your balls off. And stay the hell on this side of the Wall."
The brothers laughed.
Jon was sent straight to the recruits for training. Jai and Tyrion were led inside to thaw out by the fire. Tony and Benjen went to find Maester Aemon.
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