Ned took a step back after completing his sentence. There was no sense of fulfilled duty this time, which he could hide behind to avoid feeling like he had just killed a man.
He knew he had killed an innocent, albeit broken man. That thought reverberated through the back of his mind even as he sat in his personal study.
His older sons and Ra and Aaric, were in the study with him. His attention snapped back to reality when he heard a thud in front of him.
It was the voice of Ra kneeling in front of Aaric. "Allow me to investigate this matter beyond the Wall, my prince." Ra petitioned the prince.
Aaric placed a hand on his chin in thought. He took a breath when he seemed to have made his decision. "Go forth then. I grant you leave and wish you a safe return." The prince tapped the custodian's shoulders one after the other.
Ra got up and gave his prince a bow before turning to Ned.
"I shall grant you a Letter of Commission with the seal of House Stark to give you my authority at the Watch." Ned Stark nodded and got to writing a letter.
"Father, allow me to accompany Ser Ra." Jon stepped forward, interrupting Ned.
"Me as well, Father." Robb followed suit.
Ned could feel a headache coming on if he did not accept at least one of the boys joining Ra. In his mind, Jon was the better choice.
Robb was a good leader, but not the best at following commands if they were not coming directly from him. Jon respected Ra, and Ned knew the boy considered the custodian somewhat of a father figure.
"Jon, accompany Ser Ra on the journey. I need you here, Robb." Ned said simply.
His eldest son was sensible enough not to protest any further, while Jon nodded with an eager smile. "I will not disappoint you, Father." The boy said.
Ned knew he would not, so he nodded.
...
Aaric watched Ra, Jon, Aegon, and some Stark men leave for the Wall in the afternoon. He could have investigated himself, and even eliminated the threat beyond the Wall with a wave of his hand.
However, the events about to take place were important for Luxarion, who in turn would start an essential chain of events that would help save countless lives.
Aaric and the girls teleported back to Nightshade after having explored the North over the past week, finding Draco and Astoria in the castle study reading some books on magic.
"You both are in a new world. Go explore. Why are you both sitting here with your best Hermione impressions?" Aaric asked the two teasingly.
"Good one." Draco snorted before snapping his book shut. "And we did explore this world..." He added in a low voice and placed a hand on Aaric's shoulder. "I really don't think I should have brought Astoria here." He concluded in a whisper.
Aaric nodded as the boys started walking down the castle's corridors. "Yeah, this world would be too cruel for her. But there are some reformed parts. You can go to Old Valyria. Lady Rhaella has made a prosperous civilization there." He recommended.
"I've been there. It's stunning. Did you know there is a full castle on that island, carved into a volcano?" Draco asked in excitement.
"I... did not know that. Though I look forward to seeing it when I visit."
"We still want to visit other worlds. Is there a way for us to do that?" Draco asked with a tilt of his head.
"Yeah, though it can be dangerous if you guys are in other worlds alone." Aaric said thoughtfully, with a hand on his chin.
"Come on. With Astoria's Bakunawa, everything should be fine." Draco urged.
"Yeah, that serpent is the next best thing to a god." Aaric agreed in a whisper. Astoria's Bakunawa was more than a demigod; it was a divine beast that was something between a demigod and a god.
With Astoria herself slowly learning to control the serpent's vast divinity, it was enough protection when it came to most worlds.
"Here." Aaric formed a deck of cards in his hand and gave them to Draco. "You know fictional universes like those from different media? Most of them are real, and with these you can go to those worlds." He explained.
"Wait, what? How?"
"I don't really know the exact specifics myself, but it seems universes and stories have echoes in the multiverse that sometimes enter people's minds through thoughts or dreams, inspiring the stories that people write." Aaric explained noncommittally.
"You mean to say my story could be a novel in some universe?" Draco asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Yeah, maybe. Don't check the bestseller list, though." Aaric quipped and got a punch to the shoulder for his cheek.
Draco pocketed the deck of cards when the two returned to where their girls were. The blonde Malfoy and Astoria excused themselves to go explore Nightshade, while Aaric took a seat on the couch as the girls snuggled up to him.
"Does anyone want to see a volcano that was turned into a castle?" Aaric asked.
| King's Landing |
Cersei Lannister paced around in her room-turned-prison as she cursed her luck and stupidity. Her oaf of a husband had gone on a hunt and managed to get himself injured.
Meanwhile, she, in her infinite wisdom, had decided to make her son the king, assuming her husband was all but dead.
She didn't want the man to be dead. At least, she had not wished death upon him in years, ever since he had proved he had changed.
It was moons before the Greyjoy Rebellion. He had mentioned his wish to bring Mya Stone to court, and she had naturally implied a painful death awaited the girl if she were to step a foot in her city.
That night, when she had entered her chambers, she saw her husband's large frame in a seat beside her bed. What caused her fear, however, was the knife in his hand.
She did not show her fear on her face, of course, and instead gave him her mastered scowl. "And here I thought you could not fall any lower." She had practically hissed at him.
Robert just chuckled through his nose. "I presume you know of the Rule of Six?" He asked conversationally.
A breath stuck in Cersei's throat at that. The Rule of Six was a law made by Queen Rhaenys Targaryen during the first decade of Targaryen rule over the Seven Kingdoms.
It allowed for an adulterous wife to be struck six times by her husband. The law's mention made her think Robert had found out about her and her brother.
Robert took her silence as just a show of anger and continued. "There is no rule for when a man commits adultery, is there?" He asked and still got no response.
"My lady, I am in your chambers tonight to grant you justice. I have committed adultery and caused you pain." He said and got up before walking over to her.
"The Rule of Six allows for six strikes, because the seventh is for the Stranger. Have your six strikes at me, and if it still does not soothe your heart, I shall even accept the seventh." Robert held the blade of the knife in his fist and turned the handle toward her.
Cersei took a step back in shock, her hands clenching into fists. She looked at her husband as if looking upon him for the first time.
Still, she was the daughter of Tywin Lannister, and it was not long before the knife was in her hand. "You think I will fall for this?" She sneered.
Even if his offer was real and he let himself be stabbed six times, he would have to go to the maester. She considered how the king would even explain how he had gotten the wounds to the maester.
Robert did not answer her question, though. He just took off his tunic and raised his arms to shoulder height, leaving himself completely vulnerable.