After a short rest in the safety of House Tully, I and Stark left the girls in the care of the household servants. Then, without delay, we made our way toward Lord Hoster Tully's solar to speak with him.
I personally didn't think that I'd be needed there. If anything, I was expecting that now they were in safety, Ned Stark would want to keep his distance from me, especially his daughters. You know, bringing down lightning and all. Even in modern times, something like that would be seen as superpowers being real, aliens among us, a secret science project gone wrong, or worse—we're living in the Matrix.
Here though, there was only one notion that those faith fanatics spread around: Demon Spawn. The devil himself came down on earth, and of course, people have only one path to salvation. The Septa, of course.
So yeah, I had not expected to be invited to the meeting, but Ned had insisted. "You are as much responsible for me and my daughter being alive here today as I am for letting the situation develop to the point that my daughters had to run away from the capital with their lives. You're coming," Ned had said.
At least the man was seeing reason now. Perhaps a few days down in the dungeons gave his rock-solid honor a little flexibility. I could only hope that was the case.
However, it was one thing for him to honor me by dining and strategising with him and Lord Tully—at least in his mind. It was completely different in terms of whether I was interested in doing this or not. And spoiler alert, I wasn't.
I can't do shit about this war and any other things going on in this world. My only objective is to beat that bloody Winter King and get my arse off this planet.
However, I can't do it without Stark—not just in a strategic sense but also in a literal sense. If that damn system had given me all of Thor's power, then I bloody wouldn't even have to do all this quest nonsense. I would've just flown to him and brought down the biggest lightning bolt in the history of lightning bolts Westeros has ever seen to burn his icy arse down. But no...
You need power? Then work for it. Stuck babysitting Stark here... Sigh.
Though saying I completely didn't care would be a lie. I did care a little bit about both Sansa and Arya. The little one especially, has grown on me. Letting them die just like that would feel wrong.
Not to mention my recent mood after seeing what this world is really like. If what I saw happening with Mina was any indication, then that should be quite common here.
Again, sometimes having power but not using it puts greater pressure on someone than being weak. It's the difference between a resolute statement of "I can't do anything, I'm weak," which could give you a very good excuse to blind yourself from your surroundings like others, and none shall judge you—to "I can, but should I? It's not my fight after all." Now that statement is very grey in nature.
There comes morality into play and no less degree of guilt when one sees the consequences. Sigh...
The guards opened the large wooden doors to the solar, and inside sat Hoster Tully, old and tired but with sharp eyes that still held command. He was wrapped in thick furs, his breathing slightly labored. He turned his gaze to the two men entering the room.
"Eddard," he greeted in a rough but warm voice. "You look alive, which is more than what the rumors said."
Ned offered a small smile. "I am alive, thanks to help I didn't expect."
He gestured toward me. "This is Thor, the man who saved my life and helped me escape the madness in King's Landing."
Hoster Tully gave me a long look. "So, you are the man the songs are already whispering about. Hammer Lord, Bear's Bane, Mountain Slayer..."
I gave a small bow. "I assure you, there are many more less impressive titles I have gotten which might paint a completely different picture, Lord Tully."
"Huh... Humble, this one. Not quite how I imagined it. Hardly see this trait in youngsters anymore..." Tully muttered before patting my arm and returning back to Ned.
After a bit more polite exchange, the mood turned serious.
Ned stepped forward. "My lord, I must speak openly. What I tell you must remain among us until the time is right."
Hoster nodded, leaning back in his chair.
Ned began. "The Queen's children are all bastards. They are bastards, born of her brother, Jaime."
Hoster's eyes widened. "Gods be good... Ned, you understand what you're saying, right?" he whispered.
"It is true," Ned continued. "When I confronted her, she acted quickly. I was imprisoned and sentenced to die. Joffrey ordered my execution in front of the people. If not for Thor, I would not be standing here now."
"Do you have any proof of your claim?"
"Jon Arryn knew and he died too. However, I couldn't gain any significant proof to declare Joffrey Waters' claim to the throne null."
Hoster shook his head in disbelief. "I have met many men in my life, however, none as honorable as Jon Arryn. You have inherited his honor and virtues, part of the reason I gave my daughter to you, Stark. I believe you. However, it won't be easy to prove this fact. If the Queen and her children are false... then the throne has no true heir. War is already brewing, Ned.
Renly, Stannis are already gathering their armies and that old lion was quick to respond. And Seven only knows why in the bloody hell the Vale is entering this bloody mess."
'Ah... so Hugh did his job.' A slight smirk appeared on my face, which only lingered for seconds before I again schooled my features. At least a few things were going my way.
"War is coming. The Lannisters will not sit quietly. We must be ready."
No, you're not, you idiot. That's their fight—let them hack each other to death. Why do you care who's sitting in that darn chair, putting more holes in their butt? I really wanted to say those things but remained silent during much of the talk, listening, observing.
If there's one thing I have learned, it's that these people here care way too much about their face and authority. Going against Stark or Tully could cause them to not listen to my advice just on sight. You know, that highborn pride they have.
Nope, I know better than to argue with them on this topic at the start of the talks. Not happening. Let them exhaust themselves before I put my proposal onto the table.
So the talks continued until Hoster let out a long breath. "I will call my banners. The Riverlands will stand with the North. But we must move wisely. Who do you wish to support your allegiance to?"
"Stannis is the rightful heir to Robert's throne. We will march together with him," Ned said. "But first, we must send ravens to Robb and gather our strength. The other lords won't stand still when war starts."
"And what of you?" Hoster asked me. "Where do your loyalties lie?"
"With my people, with my land, and with my nation. Unfortunately, none are here," I said with stern look, making sure both looked at me.
"And before asking my loyalties, ask the same to yourself, Stark... where do your loyalties lie?" I asked with no emotion on my face.
"Stannis is the..." he was saying, but of course, I interjected in between.
"Fuck Stannis..." I said, finally getting both of their attention in reality.
"What about the North? Have you forgotten what's behind those walls?"
Ned paused. It's not like he had forgotten but...
"Why are you putting your leg in a way which has nothing to do with you, Stark?" I asked, with a little anger mixed in. This was my genuine anger because the fool just won't see things until I put the entire picture in front of him.
"What are you saying? You want me to do nothing when my king's throne is being usurped by that bastard..." Ned asked with equal heat in his tone, though there was no anger in his voice.
"Yes, yes I do.
The entire fucking North does.
Because let me tell you, when winter comes—and it will—the North will be on its own. You flow the northern blood in southern shores expecting nothing, and you'll see the North isolated when the Long Night comes.
Your loyalties should lie with the North and your people, Stark. Your land and your family. Don't involve yourself in someone else's fight when your own house is under threat...."
Needless to say, the conversation took quite a drastic turn from there. Good I waited until last—less shouting and more reason when people don't have much energy left.
xxx
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