16 Tête de veau Part 2

"Your grace! There is a matter of utmost emergency." He knelt.

Jon frowned. The cheerful atmosphere was ruined, "Go on. What is it?."

Ser Andar lifted his head. His eyes were a little cold and filled with a hint of

embarrassment.

"The Maester has been found dead... murdered." The newly joined guard behind him couldn't hold it any longer and spewed his breakfast out.

The important members who sat at the table including Ned and Robert looked at each other with shock. Lord Jon Arryn was dumbfounded. Astonishment plastering his face, this had seldom happened... ever.

A Maester or anyone 'murdered'... inside the walls of the Eyrie.

Even drunk Robert by the side was surprised, a small smile almost reaching his face, amused while Ned was open-mouthed.

Nestor Royce spoke, curious... in a calm voice but shocked nonetheless.

"By murdered... what do you mean? A person murdered another in front of you or other witnesses?"

Ser Vardis Egen shook his head to deny it.

"No... it is gruesome. It would be better if his grace sees it with his own eyes."

—

Along with Lord Jon, his entire entourage followed to the hallways where the incident took place.

Entering the corridor the servants were escorting the shrieking maids. The Servants blocked the passage when we entered and did not allow anyone else to enter while all guards were under an all-time vigilance. The entire area was off-limits.

Jon released a small gasp as he looked at the scene.

"By the gods.." Robert whispered, looking away while Ned covered the eyes of young squires.

Meanwhile, Jon stared at it deeply, pondering upon something. His gaze was mysterious. All the others following us had similar reactions.

Many had been killed and some had seen real combat and war but this was something none had ever witnessed.

Two heads that looked terrified and in pain, their skin without a drop of blood. The head had begun to smell but there was no sign of blood. Even on the posts on which they were placed.

The bed was filled with some kinda red goop and piss and shit. There was no sign of the rest of their bodies.

"What... happened here?" "Who is that woman?" Jon asked subconsciously in wonder.

Robert recognized the woman and said, "She is a whore for a town near the Gates"

Ned pointed at something from behind and everyone turned to look.

It was a note. A note penned on the wall with a deep red INK. It seemed... similar to blood.

Nestor squinted his eyes as he took the initiative to mutter it loud for everyone.

"The night is dark and full of terror

Enemies of the Heir ….. Beware"

As everyone was pondering on the note. whispering in each other's ears. Ned and Robert looked at me simultaneously. I looked at them and said in an amused and jovial tone " You don't think I decorated their heads do you?." Robert and Ned's eyes widened at my amused smile and jovial tone.

Jon and all the others who noticed this and were shocked. Many people older than me were retching seeing such a scene while I was all happy-go-lucky.

Jon remembered my words yesterday, he tilted his head towards me suspiciously as if to ask a question. I looked him in the eyes as we stared at each other for a moment. Jon cannot believe that a one-year-old can kill someone. Going past all the guards and without anyone noticing.

Shaking his head to disperse useless thoughts, he commanded servants to clean up the scene and guards to wrap the heads of the two and bury them. He looked at the maids and said, " Bring Altair back to the hall for lunch and the rest of us should also go back and eat what is left of our appetite."

I turned around and left with everyone, when servants were about to enter I spoke to the head servant, " Bring all the books and study materiel to my chambers."

Walking alongside Andar and Nestor Royce towards the great hall. I spoke to them

Altair: He was supposed to teach me how to read and write, I think the famous saying he used to say was right.

Andar and Nestor both warriors who have seen blood and death were amused and curious at my words,

Nestor: what saying, young lord?

Everyone was curious about my words and listened in on the conversation.

Altair ( mimicking maester's voice): Love is the death of duty - he used to say.

Altair ( in a joking tone): I didn't understand his words then but now I do. Seeing how he escaped his duty dying alongside a whore.

I burst into a fit of laughter while everyone was silent for a moment. Then suddenly there we three loud laughter alongside me.

I turned around to look at Nestor, Robert and Mord (Eyrie's gaoler) laughing alongside me.

Robert: that was a good one Altair.

Jon: let us be more serious everyone, and finish our lunch quickly.

Altair: Ah lunch is so boring when the castle is filled with so much excitement. I will have my lunch served in my room.

Saying that I left on the corridor leading to my room. Leaving my father to worry about how castle defences were breached. I wasn't worried about what they discussed.

Who would suspect a one-year-old had killed someone?

This incident will be probably blamed on some guard or servant being madly loyal to the house Arryn and killing the maester for angering the young lord or will be seen as some kind of conspiracy.

The note I left behind will work as wonders as rumours and gossip of what happens to maester who angered the heir will be spread. I should start learning as I asked my maid to bring me mountain goat's meat.

Mountain goats of Vale can expertly traverse impossibly steep terrain. Their body's balance and stabilizing features will be very helpful. Pondering on these he walked back to his room.