Game of Thrones: The Stark Shard

"So, my lady. What do you think of what you've learned today?" I asked Lady Elyse as we walked through the halls of Winterfell.

"I believe the situation has become even more complicated, Lord Robb," she replied, keeping pace with me.

"Please, call me Robb, milady," I said with a smile. "I think we'll spend some time here, so let's spare ourselves the formality."

"Understood, young Robb," Elyse said, smiling back.

"Why don't you tell me about yourself, Lady Elyse?" I asked as I guided her to my small office.

"Well, there's not much to say, Robb. My father is Ser Harroway, a sworn knight under Lord Arryn. I grew up in the Vale with my family," she began.

"Do you have any siblings?" I inquired as I poured her a glass of wine.

"I had one," she said with a sad smile. "My brother Edric passed away in the Battle of Pyke during the last rebellion."

"I'm truly sorry for your loss, Lady Elyse. The Battle of Pyke claimed many valuable lives. I hope you find solace in the honor he showed on the battlefield," I said empathetically.

"It was a sorrowful and tough time for my family. He was a squire to a friend of my father's and unfortunately strayed too far and encountered Rodrik Greyjoy while attacking the towers. He was only sixteen, unable to do anything against that damned man," she said with a choked voice.

"The Greyjoys are a plague on our kingdom," I said, shaking my head. "That rebellion was probably the stupidest decision possible. They couldn't possibly win against the other realms, yet they dared to do so much harm."

"No one has ever accused the Greyjoys of being intelligent, Robb," Elyse said with a slight smile. "Isn't Balon Greyjoy's son, Theon if I recall, here at Winterfell?"

"Yes, Theon is usually here, but right now he is busy surveiling the construction for our new town. His demeanor is different having been raised with Stark values. I hope it won't be a problem if you were to meet him?" I asked.

"Do not worry, Robb. I won't blame a relative for the sins of another. It's practically a requirement in my line of work," she said with an honest smile.

"And tell me, how did you obtain your position in King's Landing? It seems like a very prestigious job for someone as young as you," I asked.

"Haha, you flatter me, Robb. Well, it's simple. My father, noticing my intelligence, simply introduced me to Lord Arryn, and he made this possible. I wouldn't be anyone without his support," Elyse said calmly.

"You hold Lord Arryn in high regard, don't you?" I asked as I settled more comfortably into my chair.

"Without a doubt, Robb. Lord Arryn is a role model, an honorable person who has maintained the realm's balance for many years," she said with admiration towards the old lord.

"My father tells me about when he was raised in the Vale alongside the king. The things Lord Arryn taught him have made him the person he is now," I said with a smile.

"And what can you tell me about life in Winterfell, Robb?"

"Well, thank the gods, my life has been quite peaceful thanks to this long summer," I said calmly. "My days consist of training, training, and more training. I'm not very interesting, to be honest."

"Your name has reached King's Landing, milord. And despite rumors being exaggerated, everyone knows there's at least a grain of truth in them," Lady Elyse giggled.

"Hmm, why don't we play a game, Lady Elyse?" I smiled cheekily.

"Oh, what game would you like to play, milord?" she asked with a quirk on her lips.

"In turns, each of us mentions a rumor we've heard, and the other responds with the truth. How does that sound?" I proposed as I poured her another glass.

"Hmm, alright. Let's play a bit," Lady Elyse agreed.

"Is it true that King's Landing stinks, Lady Elyse?" I asked with a laugh.

"Haha!" she chuckled. "Yes, Robb. I'm thinking of prolonging this investigation just to spend more time away from the capital." she ended up joking.

"I wouldn't blame you, Lady Elyse. The North has its advantages," I deadpanned.

"How true is the rumor about your exploits, Robb? Is it true what they say about your role in the bandit purge?" she asked as she began her third glass of wine.

"Starting strong, milady? I'm not sure what rumors you've heard. Why don't you tell me first, and I'll confirm if it's true?" I asked calmly.

These were things she could discover for herself while in the North, so I had no problem answering her honestly.

"The stories say that you were the one who proposed starting the purge and that you and your group were responsible for more than 50 groups brought to justice," she asked, starting to sound tipsy.

"Haha, how stories fly, my lady. I assure you, that number is exaggerated by singers and merchants," I laughed heartily.

"I thought as much, Robb. No offense, but I find it hard to believe that someone your age could catch more than 50 bandit groups in less than two years," Lady Elyse laughed. "If you don't mind my asking, how many groups were there really? 5? Or 10?"

"There were 42, Lady Elyse," I smiled. "Probably the bards thought that 50 sounded better in their songs."

Lady Elyse stopped the glass halfway to her lips as she understood what I said. Her eyes widened in amazement.

"Really, Lord Robb? You and your group caught more than forty bandit groups?" she asked, her voice trembling.

"I have no reason to lie to you, Lady Elyse. You can ask any resident of the castle about it," I smiled kindly.

Gradually, the game between Lady Elyse and me continued for hours, until she became so intoxicated that her tongue began to let loose. The questions she asked were less serious since she was already drunk and stopped trying to get information about me. In the end, she asked me to call her only by her name. 

Standing up happy to have made a friendship that could serve me a lot in the future without losing much, I offered her my arm to take her to rest in her room. 

Upon opening the door of my office I came across a Tyrion Lannister equally drunk, who had had a good day at the bar. Ser Oakheart accompanied him with an annoyed look, clearly not wanting to be taking care of a drunk.

"Lord Robb!" Tyrion exclaimed upon seeing us. "Thanks for your recommendation. The people here really know how to drink haha" he continued, slurring his words.

Putting his arm on my shoulder with some difficulty, Tyrion laughed as he walked with us. Ser Oakheart coughed in his fist to get attention. "Excuse the inconvenience, Lord Robb. It seems that Tyrion got carried away at the tavern," he said as he separated Tyrion from me.

"Don't worry, Ser," I smiled. "The atmosphere in the northern taverns tends to be exciting, at least that's what I've heard."

"I think it would be best if we take Lord Tyrion and Lady Elyse to their rooms," noted Ser Oakheart. "I wouldn't want people to see them like this."

"Then follow me, Ser," I affirmed calmly. "I know passages that have few people along the way."

Walking towards their rooms and avoiding the rest of the servants was a bit complicated, but with the use of my power, I could tell when it was the right time to pass through each corridor. This moment gave me the opportunity that both leaders of the delegation owed me since it would be embarrassing for them to find themselves that way on their second day of the investigation.

Leaving them to rest in their rooms, Ser Oakheart ordered a couple of guards from the delegation to keep watch outside their rooms.

"I appreciate your help, Lord Robb," he said sincerely. "If there's any way I can repay you, please don't hesitate to tell me."

Taking a moment of silence to think, I took a deep breath before continuing.

"Did you train today, ser?" I innocently asked.

"No, Lord Robb. I had to accompany Lord Tyrion in case there were any problems and lost the whole day on that," the knight admitted.

"Then why don't you pay me with a few spars?" I said calmly. "Kingsguards are famous for being the best fighters in the Seven Kingdoms, and I can't deny I'm curious about how one fights."

"Are you sure, Lord Robb?" the knight asked, raising an eyebrow.

"It's just training, ser. There won't be any trouble with my father. I doubt I can beat you, but I'll give it my best shot," I said seriously.

"Very well, Lord Robb," Ser Oakheart nodded slightly. "We can go to the yard right now if you wish."

"It would be a pleasure, Ser. I hope to exceed your expectations," I said as we walked to the training field.

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