12 Journey to the South [1/2]

298 AC, Winterfell…

The knighthood came unexpected to Rody as he never imagined himself as nothing more than a guard. However, the biggest shock was none other than the papers given to him by Lord Stark after his knighthood.

Rody did not know how to read so he asked Ser Rodrik to read it for him. According to what the papers said, Lord Stark was literally making him a noble for his services to House Stark and offering the lordship, if that can be said, of a small village just near the Wolfswood.

Living in a house in Wintertown that belonged to his family during his childhood meant that they had wealth more than many other families in the North. However, he would have never imagined owning an entire village was possible for someone like him.

Although his title was just in name as he had no castle, he was still a noble of the North, now. He had the same privileges as Ser Rodrik and he had something he could leave for his descendants, which he never thought of until now.

A House and a name that was going to be his and his descendants until death... Although Lord Stark gave him some time to think about his House's name and banner, Rody already had something in his mind.

Greyguard, a name derived from his duty as the captain of the greycloaks. His biggest accomplishment in his life was becoming the captain of the greycloaks so he also intended to use it as a symbol for his house's origin.

Of course, a House without a banner was nothing and Rody knew why he was awarded with a nobility. That is why he has created a banner with hidden meanings behind it. A running wolf, surrounded by six bloody swords pointing outwards on a gray field.

And the words of his House was "Prove With Sword". Something he wished his descendants would never forget as it was his skill and faith in House Stark that saw him rewarded with this.

Nevertheless, he was happy with his new status and he had a small celebration by drinking with his men. Lord Stark even let him join the King's hunting party before the day of their departure.

…

However, everything aside, rushing back to Winterfell from the hunt with the king and Lord Stark and finding the castle in chaos was something Rody expected. Hearing about the fate of the little lordling, Rody did not hesitate to follow Lord Stark and rush to the little Brandon's side.

Lord Stark's steps were harder than galloping horses. As they closed on, they began hearing the crying voices of women. Whole family was gathered there and the maester was checking on young Brandon who was unconscious on the bed.

Lady Stark rushed to the arms of her husband and began wailing more. Rody pulled Jon out of the room and asked him how it had happened.

"I don't know either, Benny said he heard a scream from the Broken Tower and when he ran there, he found Bran laying there motionless." Jon's face was as pale as the milk of a goat. "Everyone says he lost his grip and fell but you know him as much as I do. He climbed that tower at least a hundred times. He would never fall."

Rody did not comment openly but as Jon said, he knew Brandon would not even fall on a rainy day. He watched him grip and climb every stone in the castle so he was sure there was something amiss here.

"When did he fall?" Rody asked.

Jon creased his brows and thought hard, "At least two hours later after the king left with the hunting party."

"Did anyone search the tower?" Rody asked.

"Of course, Ser Rodrik sent three men and even the queen sent some to help the effort." Jon said.

"I will go check out the tower myself," Rody sighed.

"Let me know if you find anything…" Jon turned around and went back inside the room.

Rody trekked down the stairs and went into the yard. The cheery sounds in the castle were gone and it was replaced by the mourning silence and howling wolves.

Rody did not enter the tower immediately. He stood below its broken side and looked up. He remembered watching Brandon climb this tower vividly. He knew every stone he gripped and every stone he put his feet on.

Every one of them was still in its place and there wasn't any sign of the stones falling down. After looking over the wall, he climbed the stairs and reached the upper floor of the tower.

The door was wide open and there was nothing inside except for a few piles of rubble. Rody looked over the room for more than half an hour but, in the end, he gave up. Just as he was leaving the tower, a sharp scent of lemon invaded his nostrils. He sneezed but the scent was gone as soon as he smelled it. It was just like one of the lemon cakes of Lady Sansa, both of them were horrible things.

Rody realized that the only clue he had was this scent but the scent of lemon was common in Winterfell due to the food preference of Lady Stark and Lady Catelyn so he knew the only clue he had was something that was worth nothing.

Rody left the tower and returned to the castle with nothing on his hand. He found Lord Stark in his solar, drinking away his pain. He informed him of how he only had a scent as a clue.

"Luwin said he will not walk ever again," Lord Stark took a sip from his wine as he muttered, "Maybe it was just a bad fall…"

Rody did not say anything as he excused himself and left his lord to his own devices. They were to leave by tomorrow morning and the road was a long one so he needed to have a good rest. However, sleep did not come easy that night as his mind was still occupied with young Brandon.

By the time it was morning and they were ready to leave the castle, the noisy atmosphere of the castle was back to its own.

"I trust you to handle it, Lenny…" Rody said to the man before him.

While he was gone, Lenny was going to take his place and become the temporary captain of the greycloaks.

They were taking twenty greycloaks with them and Rody, Benny and Jon were amongst them. Thus, Rody had to let one of his men take the command and Lenny was the best candidate considering he was leading men even in his younger years as a gang leader.

"Don't worry, captain. You can trust me, I will not let the boys idle away." Lenny smiled wickedly. Rody knew he always took joy for ordering around the others and that was why he had chosen him. After all, Lenny was definitely going to force them to work day and night.

Rody watched Lenny leave and head towards the barracks. Just beside him, Lord Stark was saying goodbye to his sons. Lady Stark was nowhere to be seen as she was probably beside his son.

Rody mounted his horse and his men followed his lead. He trekked his horse beside Jon. The queen was already in her wheelhouse and waiting for the royal progress to move forward.

At last, after ten minutes of waiting, the royal progress moved. It was surely going to be a long journey…

The roads of the North were not as good as of the South. That is why their journey took longer than expected as the queen's carriage broke down several times.

In the end, the king ordered the queen to ride in a smaller carriage and several royal guards rode out to White Harbour's to bring a carriage for the queen.

Meanwhile, the king and his entourage waited for them in Moat Cailin. The castle was in ruins but still held strong despite its state. Also, it was this place the commander of the Greycloaks, Jon Snow, was going to have a talk with his father.

Rody escorted his commander to the castle's study room. Rody saw the nervousness in Jon's eyes but did not voice it out. He remembered Lord Stark telling him that he had a condition for Jon if he was to come with them.

Although nothing was told about this condition until now. Rody was imagining that it was going to be something like staying by his sister's side to guard him. After all, Lady Sansa was going to be the next queen and he needed protection.

He still remembered Ser Rodrik asking him that question when they were talking about the betrothalment of Lady Sans and the crown prince.

'When is a gift not a gift?' The question was still nagging his mind as Ser Rodrik informed him of the things heard by the guards from the mouth of the crown prince. On the outside, he was a noble and handsome boy but inside, he was hiding a deep disdain towards everyone and everything.

However, his thoughts came to naught as he saw his commander running out of the room. He turned his head and looked inside, there he saw Lord Stark and a short man with brown hair. He creased his brows as he did not see this man enter inside.

Lord Stark looked behind Jon but did not go after him at the behest of the short man standing beside him. He just sighed and closed the door. Rody went after Jon. He looked all around but did not see him. In the end, he found him inside the Godswood brooding over a letter he held in his hands.

"Jon!" Rody yelled from afar, "What happened? Why did you run out like that?"

Jon hid the letter in his hands in haste and turned to Rody while wiping away the tears that threatened to break out of his eyes.

"Lord Stark told me about my mother…" Jon whispered in a low voice.

"Really?" Rody's brows rose up to his hairline, "So who is it? A Dornish like I said?"

"Doesn't matter anymore because she is dead." Jon said with sadness in his eyes, "She died soon after I was born."

Rody sighed and sat beside Jon, "You know, we are similar in that regard. My mother died giving birth to me. However, you are lucky to have Lord Stark as a father. He is paving you a road."

Jon shook his head, "I am a bastard no matter what, I will be shunned no matter what I achieve. At least you are respected by everyone in Winterfell."

Rody laughed bitterly, "You were born as a great noble's bastard, Jon, while I was born as a peasant. I did not gain their respect over the night."

"Do you see these?" Rody showed Jon the scars on his arms. "I have lost everything after I was thrown out onto the streets of Wintertown. A boy alone without anywhere to go."

"But did you see me yield to my fate? No, I did not. I rose to my feet each time I fell." Rody looked at Jon with a hard look in his eyes and grabbed him on his shoulder, "No matter your birth, you are the person who you want to be. People with a pitch of brain will first look at what you did and then to your birth."

"Aye you are right," Jon smiled, "No matter whose bastard I am, Lord Stark is the one who raised me and he is my father. I will prove them wrong by helping my family and rising higher."

"Hahaha, that is the Jon I know," Rody rose to his feet, "Let's go and drink some ale, I've got thirsty while searching for you."

Jon nodded in approval and rose to his feet to follow Rody.

Rody threw his arm around Jon's shoulder and said, "So was she Dornish?"

…

AN: I realized there is only one review so far. Anyone still reading it or did the plot get boring?