"𝑊𝑜𝑙𝑓'𝑠 𝐵𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑑," their father always called it. Could make a man or woman wild in a sense, unpredictable, and powerful. And when a violet-eyed twin born to the Lord Eddard Stark, all knew that the boy would have it. And he did.
Beside his...
Ser Rodrik said as he and his brothers all stood around the table, all standing around a map.
"Taking what is yours."
Theon said with a grin, to which the master-at-arms of Winterfell only shook his head.
"The Greyjoy way of war, perhaps. But you shan't listen to their ways, boys, as the last time I recall, the Greyjoys failed their war, and the war before that they waited on the Iron Islands when your father and the King won the war already."
Robb smiled at that, but Theon didn't find it funny. It was only his second year as ward to his Lord Father, and he sure wasn't making any fast friends. Ben sat off towards the side, an amused smile gracing his lips as his eyes were closed in relaxation as he sat in his chair with his feet up and crossed.
"But to answer the question I have asked."
Ser Rodrik started.
"War at its heart is about offense and defense. To attack an enemy gives the enemy just as much reason to attack you. They have just as much a right to destroy you as you them. The point being, in war, there are those who live, and those who die."
"Father always told us how the men who retain their honor in combat recieve glory as a reward for it."
It was then Robb saw the look cross Ben's face, but his oldest brother did not say anything, nor did Ser Rodrik for a long moment before he looked at Robb with a saddened smile.
"That's the truth of things. Your father is the best man I know, young Robb."
Ser Rodrik's smile was sad and quiet, and he nodded but for a moment, motioning to the door of the room in the Great Keep.
"Run along, now. Jory will meet you in the yard for swordplay."
The others do just that, but Robb hung back as he stared at the map of Westeros. His eyes first landed on the North, the kingdom of his father. Then the Crownlands, the kingdom of his father's best friend. The Riverlands, the kingdom of his mother. The Vale, the Westerlands, Reach, Stormlands, Dorne, Dragostone, so many kingdoms, so many people. And the thought that at nearly any time, those kingdoms and people can go to war for their own reasons.
