Bastard // Ned Stark

38. Brave or stupid

'Does ser hugh Have any family in the capital'

'No.' Ser Barriston said as ser hugh was sewn back together after a joust went through his neck at the tournament 'I gave a vigil to him last night he had no one else.'

'He never wore this helmet before.' Ned noted

'Bad luck for him going against the Mountain.'

'Who determines the draw?' Ned questioned

'All the knights draw straws.' Barriston told him.

'Who holds the straws? You've done good work sisters,' ned said as they cleaned up the dead knight.

'Life is strange not so many years ago we fought as enemies at the trident.' Barriston remarked.

'I'm glad we never met on the field Ser barriston.' Ned remarked.

'You are too modest I've seen you cut down a dozen red knights.' Barriston informed him.

'My father once told me you were the best he's ever seen. I never knew the man to be wrong about matters of combat.' Ned told him

'He was a fine man, your father... bad business with the mad king though it was a terrible crime.'

'That knight was a squire up until a few months ago... how can you afford a suit of armor?' Ned questioned as they walked.

'Perhaps his Lord had left him some money? I heard that the king wants to joust today.' Barriston remarked.

'That will never happen.' Ned remarked

'The king tends to do what he wants.'

''If the king got what he wanted all the time we would still be fighting a rebellion.' Ned told him

+

'Hello sandor.' Everly said softly. He glanced back at her.

"what do you want?" he questioned swatting away one of the nuns fixing the cut on his face.

'Allow me.' Everly said softly sitting down across from sandor. 'you were very brave today.' Everly told him as she gently cleaned his cut. He watched her curiously. 'Brave of stupid. I'm not sure, but I'm going to say brave.' Everly told him. 'Your brother seems... like an interesting man.' Everly told him.

'Interesting.' He scoffed. Everly smiled kindly at him as she patched up the cut on his cheek. 'I heard what you said to little finger.' Sandor remarked softly.

'Yes well I don't like bullies and men like him are.' Everly told him.

'He is a cunt. Thank you.' Sandor told her and everly's hands dropped to her sides. 'I don't know if it was brave or stupid,' he mimicked her words. 'going up against little finger.' Everly smiled as she stood up.

'all done.' She told him.

'Everly.' Sandor said as she started to leave, she turned back to him. 'why are you being nice to me?' sandor pondered.

'Everything thinks you the villain,' Everly told him. 'I see a hero waiting for someone to save.' Everly told him offering him a small smile before heading out.

+

'You find arya?' Ned questioned and Everly shook her head.

"I looked and looked.' Everly told him.

'Me as well.'

'I don't know where she could have wandered off to.' Everly exclaimed.

'We will find her.' Ned assured when arya came running into his office.

'ARYA!" Everly exclaimed dropping down in front of her.

'Seven hells! What happened to you?" Ned bent down next to arya as he looked her over. Dirt covered her body, while her eyes held concern and worry. "You know I had half my guard out searching for you?" Ned questioned. "You had me and Everly in a panic.' Everly nodded as she brushed the hair from arya's eyes. 'Arya, you promised this would stop." Ned sighed.

"They said they were going to kill you." Arya proclaimed clinging to Everly but looking to Ned.

"Who did?' ned questioned confused as he stood up.

"I don't know. I didn't see them. But I think one was fat."

"Oh, Arya." Ned said shaking his head.

"I'm not lying. They said you found the bastard. And the wolves are fighting the lions and the savage. Something about a savage." Arya didn't know what any of it meant. Ned knew. Everly looked to him confused.

"Where did you hear this?" Ned questioned.

"In the dungeons. Near the dragon skulls." she said it as if it was the most obvious thing location for her to be wandering.

"What were you doing in the dungeons?" Ned gave her a scolding look.

"Chasing cats." Arya said it so calmly like it was the most obvious thing in the world. She had told him she would be chasing cats, now that ned thought about it.

'Arya, we were so worried about you.' Everly told her hugging her tight.

"I almost caught a cat.' Arya added softly.

'You scared us to death, to death.' Everly told her.

'I'm sorry Everly.' Arya whispered hugging her tighter as the door swung open again

'Pardon me my Lord,' Jory said coming into Neds office. 'there's a night watchman here saying it's urgent,' Ned nodded as Everly pulled Arya back allowing the man into the room. Arya leaned against Everly, her arms wrapped around Arya's chest keeping her put.

'What's your name friend?' Ned questioned

'Yoren, if you please. This must be your wife and this must be your son he's got your looks.'

'I'm a girl!' Arya exclaimed Everly however remained quiet, Ned looked over at her and a smile tugged at his lips.

'Did Wende send you?' Ned questioned pulling his gaze away from everly.

'No one sent me my Lord, I am here to find men for the wall see if there's any scum in the dungeons that could be used for the service,' He informed ned

'We will find recruits for you.' Ned assured.

'Thank you my Lord that is not why I disturbed you. You're brother Benjen's blood runs black that makes him my brother as much as yours it is for his sake I rode here so fast and damn near killed my horse there are others riding to, the whole city will know by tomorrow.'

'Know what?' ned questioned cautiously.

'Best said in private my Lord.' he looked at arya, kissing the top of his daughters head Ned sent her off.

'Go on we'll talk later. Everly take her safely to her room.'

'Come on sweetie lets get you cleaned up.' Everly said leading her out.

'Well?' Ned questioned.

'That wasn't your wife was it?'

'No,' Ned admitted.

'Good because that would have been awkward for what I need to tell you.'

'Spit it out.' Ned urged.

'It's about your wife my Lord, she has taken the imp.'