9 Chapter 9 - Apples

The years passed, when Brandon and Ned turned 8 days named, my father sent Brandon to Barrowton to be fostered by Lord Dustin and Ned was sent to the Eyrie to be adopted by Jon Arryn, the lord of the Vale.

It was the year 271, I couldn't stand being arrested here in the castle, I needed to spread my wings, I yearn for freedom.

So here I am, at the door of my father's Solar, organizing in my mind what I would say to him, I knocked three times on the door.

"It's me dad" I spoke.

"Come in, Arth" my father said from inside the room.

Entering the room, I found a cozy place, it had a fireplace, which was lit, heads of deer and bears stuffed on the granite walls, on the floor some rugs made of animal skin, the room was lit by some scattered candles, little the front of the door had a desk with papers around, two chairs in front and a chair in the back, which is where my dad is sitting, standing beside him, was Maester Walys.

"Dad, can I talk to you for a minute?" I asked

"Sure" Rickard replied.

"So, since Brandon and Ned were fostered by Lord Dustin and Lord Arryn, I was wondering if I could too? I'm feeling very trapped here inside Winterfell." I told him.

Finishing his question, my father was surprised by this request, and as he was about to answer Maester Walys interrupted him.

"If I may my lord?" Maester Walys asked my father.

Nodding his head to Maester, Walys began to speak:

"My Lord, I believe it is unwise to adopt young Arthur, the other lords may misunderstand and feel offended" Maester spoke.

Reflecting on Wylas' response, Rickard nodded his head at him.

"Maester Walys is right Arth, I am sorry." Rickard spoke.

"I understand father." I spoke looking at my father.

With my father nodding his head at me, I left the room, outside I thought.

'Enjoy your last hours of life Maester Walys, for, you will not see the sun rise tomorrow'

Heading towards the castle kitchen, I reflected about my next plans.

I have to get out of this castle, I'm wasting a lot of time that would be useful to me.

Arriving at the kitchen I took all the apples I saw and a grinder, going out and arriving at my room, I locked the door and put the apples and the grinder on a table.

Cutting the apples, I removed all the seeds they had, putting into the grinder, when it got to the point of becoming a powder, I stopped.

Putting the powder in a container, I hid it in the room.

.....

The Maester every day after dinner, takes a jug of water and some fruit for his quarters.

Creating a plan, I waited until dinner time arrived.

After eating dinner at the table with my brothers I got up and went to my room to get the flask, I put on an all black outfit with a balaclava that I Sewn myself, a glass and a full jug of water.

Putting into practice the teachings of Hanzo, Danzo and Kotaro, it was easy to sneak towards the Maester's room, even more so containing the help of lighting.

Inside the maester's quarters, I went toward the windows, opened them all, and then hid in a dimly lit corner that I knew would go unnoticed.

After a few minutes of waiting, the door to the room opened, showing Maester holding a pitcher and a tray of fruit.

Placing it on the table near his bed, Maester headed toward the windows.

Seizing the opportunity, I put the entire contents of the jar into the jug, and hid again.

After closing the windows, Maester went to the door and locked it, then he went towards his study desk, arriving there, he opened one of the drawers, and took some items out, but what surprised me the most was when he removed the bottom of the drawer.

'A false bottom' I thought.

After a few minutes of reading the letters, the maester put all the contents back in the drawer and went to the water jug and put some in a glass.

After drinking all the contents of the glass, Maester sat down on his bed and began to read a book, after a few seconds, he began to get desperate trying to breathe, he tried to hold his throat as if somehow this would bring his breathing again.

After 1 minutes of struggling, Maester Walys fell dead on the bed.

'If you weren't such a son of a bitch, you would be useful to me, but a good enemy, is a dead enemy.'

Going towards the body, I checked his wrists, and other tests to make sure he was dead.

After confirming, I grabbed a fruit from the table, put it in his mouth and squeezed it as if I were taking a bite, took the piece of fruit and shoved it as far as I could into his throat.

Picking up the pitcher I brought I poured some Water over the maester.

When they notice his absence and come to see him, they will come across the body, and when they try to understand the cause of death, they will find a piece of apple stuck in his throat, the water and the glass on the bed means that he tried to extricate himself by drinking water, but couldn't and died of suffocation.

Going towards the drawers of Maester's study table, I took out everything that was there until I reached the false bottom.

Opening it, I discovered some letters, all sent from the citadel.

After reading the contents, I was glad that I had killed Maester before he put his plans into action.

I took all the letters and placed them next to the Maester's body as if reading them before choking.

Looking around to see if I had forgotten anything, I went out the door, not forgetting to lock it using some of the lock picks I owned.

Picking up the jar and the poisoned glass, I went towards the kitchen, arriving there I discarded the jar and all the contents and washed them.

Arriving at my room, I hid my clothes and lay down on my bed.

'Tomorrow will be a long day.'