[Chapter Size: 3200 Words.]

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Third Person POV

Beyond the Wall, 298 AC.

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Jon headed to Ártica along with his uncle and half of his men, while the other half ended up staying behind, with those who could also enter the kingdom.

Since there were many people, especially Craster’s wives, daughters, and granddaughters, who had nowhere else to go, the families of the soldiers involved in the fight felt a certain remorse. Jon ended up not allowing most of them to come with them.

He also saw that he couldn’t bring them all on basilisks along with their families, and took the opportunity to bring their cattle as well, which wouldn’t be a problem thanks to the fact that all the soldiers there were skinchangers.

He had to split the group into two parts. While Jon would advance with the general, his uncle, and other men — since their presence was more important in Ártica — the others ended up guiding the women and the small families.

While Jon advanced directly to Ártica, the mood at the Wall seemed a bit tense.

Alliser Thorne walked out of the hallway with a bloodstained cloth over his nose, after leaving the castle’s maester’s room, and headed toward the main hall of Castle Black.

He opened the door with a loud bang as he entered the room, drawing everyone’s attention.

“Lord Commander! I heard you made a deal with those savages!” he said in a loud voice, clearly angry.

“We have no other choice, Ser Alliser. And don’t blame us for you getting beaten. None of us could do anything. Besides, it was you who provoked that king. I would recommend not doing that again. You know very well what happens when he attacks someone. So it’s better to wait for him to return our men than try to create a conflict between us, when we are the weaker side.” Jorah Mormont spoke sternly.

“And do you really expect Benjen Stark to bring us information from that kingdom? And that madness he’s been talking about, fighting the dead and White Walkers?” he said, while people gossiped around.

“I don’t know what he’s talking about, but I didn’t send Benjen to extract information. I know him very well, and I’m sure he won’t give anything away. As long as Ártica doesn’t make us its enemy…” Jorah Mormont spoke in a severe tone.

“I hope you’re right, Lord Commander,” Alliser muttered, dissatisfied.

“Alliser, if you’re so dissatisfied, grab a sword and go face them!” someone shouted in the middle of the hall, making the master-at-arms look around for who had said that as a few others encouraged him.

“I’d never face that army! Did you see those creatures they use?” another person exclaimed from the middle of the hall.

“COWARD!” Alliser spat on the ground.

“You talk like anyone actually has a chance of fighting them, Alliser,” a third person said. “You couldn’t even say that in front of him after insulting him. So don’t call others cowards. You know very well the stories circulating about that king. The chaos he caused in Westeros, the wars he crossed in Essos… I certainly don’t want to face that guy in valyrian steel armor, even if it’s worth an entire castle. They say Jon Arctic is unstoppable walking a battlefield with those creatures… and that monstrous wolf.”

“Calm down!” Jorah Mormont tried to keep order among his men, who were already getting out of control.

Alice just left the place still holding her broken nose, while the blood kept pouring. But she was consumed by rage — she had come there to confront someone.

In the end, the Wall was left only with its gossip, while to the south, a Stark camp along with all the banners of the North was positioned in front of the castle Raging Sun, of House Dustin.

Lord Stark advanced toward her, meeting the only lady responsible for the place: Lady Barbrey Dustin, wife of the late Lord Willam Dustin, who died at the Tower of Joy almost eighteen years ago.

“Lady Dustin.” Lord Stark greeted her as he reached her with everyone behind him in the castle courtyard. This was the last place he would visit before heading to Winterfell, since they had already left Lord Reed’s swamps.

Lord Stark hadn’t included Lady Dustin’s territory in his travels initially, since he knew that woman hated him more than anything — as did her family.

So, he was surprised to receive an invitation directly from her. And since he couldn’t refuse, he went along with the other lords, finally arriving at her lands.

“Lord Stark, I’m flattered you accepted my invitation. I heard you’re single now?” she asked.

Obviously, Lord Stark knew she was lying, and even more, mocking his marital status, which according to the Faith of the Seven, he was still married.

“She doesn’t like us.” A small feminine voice came from behind Lord Stark, speaking to Brandon, making him look stunned at his sister, since she had certainly spoken loudly enough for everyone to hear.

“What?” Arya spoke again as she smiled, while Mearin stood close by Arya as her lady-in-waiting — being closer than any other noble lady of the North.

And, along with her guards, who never left her side the entire time. Even though this journey had lasted longer than expected, as six moons had passed since they left Winterfell, it had been quite peaceful.

There was no real danger, except for some drunk noble who believed he could win the heart of Princess Arya Stark, but they couldn’t even get close, with the royal guards stopping them.

No lord could do anything against those royal guards, belonging to a kingdom as powerful as Ártica — more powerful than any house there.

“Arya…” Rob tried to call attention, a bit stunned by his sister’s boldness.

Lord Stark also turned his gaze to her, narrowing his eyes, clearly not approving, while Lady Dustin looked and forced a smile as she stretched her neck to look at the girl behind Lord Stark.

“There’s the new wolf of the North?” she mocked, referring to the old one. “I admit, when I heard you disappeared almost ten years ago, I thought it was your end. Who would have thought you’d come back, turning the North upside down for you, Lady Stark?” she said, analyzing Arya without caring about Lord Stark anymore.

“What can I say, Lady Dustin? The education in Ártica is superior to anywhere else in the world if that’s what you’re referring to. Even a farmer in Ártica can be smarter than a lady running a castle with such an education, so you shouldn’t be too impressed.”

Arya spoke, giving her a small ironic smile in response.

“Arya!” Lord Stark asked her to stop immediately.

“Why are you doing this?” Bran murmured quietly beside her, since Arya had always been quite polite with everyone, except for Lord Bolton and about a dozen other nobles, but she had never provoked someone so openly.

Lady Dustin couldn’t help but laugh, though she frowned upon hearing that, since Arya had practically said that a common man could be better than her, a noblewoman from a great house.

“Well, it seems Lady Stark has learned to have a sharp tongue as well. I wonder if she’s still a wolf, despite having that Direwolf outside my walls.” She left the question hanging and continued speaking.

“I personally really wanted to see you… and truly, you are more surprising than I imagined, Lady Stark.” She said, clearly not liking Arya one bit.

But Arya couldn’t stand that woman either. She probably called her just to provoke, and she would return the favor in kind.

“You certainly are just like I’ve heard so much about…” Arya said, flashing a small smile, trying to seem friendly, though it clearly wasn’t the case.

Lady Dustin nodded and looked at her waist, where Arya wore a dress and, at the same time, shoulder guards and a sword at her hip — none other than Darksister.

“And to think that the Valyrian sword would also be used by a woman after almost three hundred years…” She couldn’t help but point out.

“I wonder who would win. Me or Visenya Targaryen?” Arya said, while the other nobles behind the Stark family exchanged glances, listening to the entire conversation. Even the people of House Dustin’s castle could feel the tension in the air.

“Not if she had a dragon…” Lady Dustin replied.

“I can face a dragon better than you think, Lady Dustin. At least I would fight, which is better than hiding behind a castle screaming for help or asking men to die for me.” Arya narrowed her eyes.

“That’s enough.” Lord Stark intervened before they started trading more barbs and quickly spoke to conclude the introduction.

“Lady Dustin, meet my children. Robb, my heir. Bran, my second son. And, as you can see, my youngest daughter, Arya. Sansa couldn’t come on the journey, and Rickon is still just a baby. So I ask that you understand that I cannot bring my entire family.” He said.

Lady Dustin nodded, ignoring Arya, and greeted the other lords after the Stark family, who waited until the castellan came to take them to their rooms, where they would spend a few days, with Lady Dustin offering a great feast that night.

“I’ve never seen you dislike a woman like this, princess.” Jill commented, accompanying Arya, alongside Buri.

“Didn’t you hear her calling our princess ‘Lady’? All the lords call her princess. That woman clearly doesn’t respect Arya either.” Buri added.

“She invited us here to provoke. She wants to see how the current Stark family is doing and try to diminish us in front of the others…” Arya said, adjusting the bed after entering the room, with her men checking for any danger — even any crack in the wall, as there could always be a spy.

“The whole place is clear.” Jill said, and Buri nodded.

“Alright. I’ll leave some dresses over there.” Arya sighed, and the door opened at that moment, with Mearin walking in.

“What do you plan to do, Arya?” She asked, looking at Arya relaxing on the bed.

“We’re going to play her game. Father surely won’t be happy… but that’s what she wants.” Arya said, while everyone nodded.

A knock came at the door at that moment, and Jory appeared outside.

“Princess Arya, your father summons you to his room, along with your brothers.” He said, and Arya, already expecting this, left the room with only Jill and went to the place.

While Jory and more guards, along with Jill, stayed outside, she entered, finding her father, Robb, and Bran.

“What was that?” her father asked, with a not very pleased look, but Arya was not intimidated.

“You didn’t see the disrespect she’s showing us? She mocks you in front of all your vassals!” Arya said in a serious tone.

“And she’s probably going to speak about Robb and try to shame him in front of everyone. Is that what you want?” she asked, as Robb raised an eyebrow.

“I knew we shouldn’t have come. But I also couldn’t refuse an ally. That could be seen in a bad light.” Her father sighed in the end, softening his gaze toward Arya.

“I’m not saying you shouldn’t have accepted her invitation. But we also shouldn’t remain too civil. Show everyone she’s not being a good hostess, right in front of all the lords accompanying us, Father. And when she starts to attack, strike back the same way, in front of everyone.”

“When the opinion of the nobility sees that you’re only defending yourself, I’m sure things won’t end well for Lady Dustin. Her position in the North will weaken greatly.” Arya explained.

Bran was a little lost. He didn’t understand anything about politics. And not even his father or Robb were truly clever and strategic when it came to politics. They focused too much on honor.

But Arya saw points that needed to be addressed in the family, and not even her mother, who should have done so, ever did. After all, it was no wonder they were trying to strengthen their position in the North as the house responsible for the whole kingdom — mainly fixing the messes that Catelyn Tully had caused in the realm.

“So you think we should attack her in her own home?” Lord Stark murmured, not finding that very appropriate, but admitted his daughter had a point.

“Don’t worry. I’ll handle her the way I can, at tonight’s feast.” Arya said, flashing a mischievous smile, while her father and Robb raised their eyebrows.

Bran still looked lost and remained silent.

“Anyway, want to go for a walk, Bran?” she asked her younger brother, who finally smiled and nodded. Robb and Ned just watched the two leave, while the royal guards accompanied them.

They headed to the training yard, where they saw some nobles already practicing with the castle’s master-at-arms just as they were settling into the castle — which was practically a tradition, as they passed through castles and houses, training with each of them, proving their skills and trying to impress some lady or even their friends.

“Lady Arya, would you like to train a bit?” The young man from House Tallhart, Benfred Tallhart, stopped when he saw her walking with her brother. He was, unsurprisingly, someone infatuated with Arya throughout the entire journey, though his efforts had never even gotten Lady Arya to accept a dance or conversation.

She lifted her oiled cloak to Buri, to keep him from shouting.

“She’s not in the mood for that, brat.” Buri actually shouted, exclaiming with rather crude words, making the man and everyone there surprised, but they said nothing more afterward.

They knew very well that Buri was not someone to joke with during training — especially not for those who tried to push too far.

Drunks who tried to get close to Arya at feasts usually ended up getting beaten with a wooden sword on the training ground the next day, when Buri would challenge them with the excuse that they needed to train a bit.

Arya stood there for a while with Bran, Mearin, and her two royal guards, watching the nobles train and try to show off. While other ladies from various houses grouped together and approached her as soon as they saw her.

Starting to gossip with Arya. She sighed upon seeing that crowd of ladies surrounding her, as always, while they asked frantic questions — usually trying to pull her into any conversation, always referring to her as “Princess of Ártica,” as all of the North did. And how they wanted to ask things about Jon, whether it was possible with them, asking all kinds of questions about him over the past six moons.

At the feast that night, Arya was with her family at the main table, while bards played and some people danced with their partners.

“So, I heard about your brother… the king of Ártica faced Dothraki all the way to Vaes Dothrak and defeated them all. Why would he be interested in going to the capital of the horse savages?” Lady Dustin suddenly asked, looking at Arya, seeming to want to continue the conversation started during the presentation in the castle courtyard.

Arya looked at her even with two people between them.

“Jon had to deal with Khal Drogo. He threatened Jon with attacks, specifically in the cities where Jon was trading. So Jon simply took an Artican army and wiped them all out. It’s a shame I didn’t get to participate.” Arya spoke with a bored tone, sitting just after her father and older brother.

“I see… I hope he’s not becoming more savage. Imagine, a desert savage more savage than the North. Your brother certainly seems very committed to dealing with such extreme groups.” She spoke provocatively.

“Watch your tongue, woman.” Lady Dustin turned as she heard Jill, who looked at her threateningly. The lady was a bit surprised to be threatened at her own table, not realizing Arya’s royal guards were quite proactive in protecting their princess.

“I wouldn’t say they’re savages. After all, Jon has an army, wealth, and power. If they’re savages, tell me: what are we then, Lady Dustin?” Arya replied with a calm smile.

“After all, after Jon was recognized for attacking the Citadel, facing a Lannister fleet, the Redwyne fleet, the royal fleet, invading Dorne, participating in the War of Yi-Ti, attacking Slaver’s Bay and conquering the 3 slaver cities, as well as destroying the greatest khalasaars of the Dothraki in Essos — all in less than five years — do you really think we can be superior to him, Lady Dustin?” Arya asked with a stern tone, while even the lords stopped talking upon hearing that.

Jon having been in the Dothraki desert was a subject that, in recent weeks, had spread quickly. And during her company through the North, there had been no other topic since they left Lord Reed’s territory.

“Lady Dustin, I believe you are drinking too much. If not, it would be foolish to offend the Kingdom of Ártica. I doubt you can stand by your words, and House Stark will not support you if you start a war on your own.” Lord Stark suddenly spoke, interrupting Lady Dustin, who was about to respond to Arya, leaving her speechless. But Lord Stark hadn’t finished.

“And I’m sure no lord here would be willing to go to war when your side was the one who started it.” He said, while everyone watched, agreeing with Lord Stark, leaving Lady Dustin silent.

Arya gave a small smile at her father’s words, cornering the woman. Everyone could see she wouldn’t receive any support from the other houses.

“Looks like it’s going to be a fun night.” Arya murmured with a smile as, just when Lady Dustin would start speaking again, she was ready to strike.

At the same time, that same night, Jojen Reed woke up startled and sweaty, breathing heavily. He quickly got out of bed and walked through the hallway, surprising some guards who were on duty at that hour.

“Young Reed?” they asked when they saw him.

“Not now. I need to see my father.” he said, knocking quickly on his parents’ door.

Soon he saw them waking up and getting out of bed. His mother opened the door while his father tried to grab the cane to stand up.

“Something wrong, son?” his mother asked, worried.

“I need to talk to father. I had a dream.” he said, entering the room as she closed the door, still a bit concerned.

“What did you see, Jojen?” his father asked.

“I saw a danger… someone in the shadows who will appear in Winterfell and try to commit a murder.” he said and continued.

“I need to go North, father. Find the Stark family before they reach Winterfell.” he said urgently, while Lord Reed nodded slowly, still trying to digest those words.

Meanwhile, in White Harbor, a merchant ship arrived at the port of the city of Braavos. A person mysteriously descended from the ship, unnoticed, wearing a hood and hiding their face, moving through the city to gather information before proceeding with their plan.

————-Nexts Chapters —————-

Chapter 265 – The Game of Thrones is About to Begin.

Chapter 270 – Revelations.

Chapter 280 – The Winterfell Banquet 01.

Chapter 289 – Cannibal.

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