"The Wolf, the Stag and the Snake" book 1

Chapter 24

CASSANDRA

Cassandra Baratheon stood still with her head up and strong gaze as she was lined up with the other Keepers of Light in the Sept, to assist at the cerimony for the new recruits of the Night's Watch.

Her eyes tryied to stay as focused as possible, trying not to think at the words she had recieved that very morning. Only her sister had the decency to send words about what had happened. No one else.

She shouldn't feel anger towards her mother's behavior, but she did. She felt so much rage inside of her. The King was Cassie's father, she was a Keeper of Light, but she was a Baratheon, she had the right to know if something bad had happened to him.

Cassandra cursed herself as she observed the Sept and the light that entered from the great window that faced the South. She wondered if her father was still alive, if he was suffering. She wondered what would have happened after his passing, would the High Sept shine that brightly the day of his funeral? Would have been a clear day? Or a day full of storm as a reminder of the late King's birth lands.

As they were getting ready, Cassandra noticed Jon's gaze on her, wearing that worried look still.

"Maybe you should go South" he had proposed as she had gained back her self control. She still remembered the looks among the Night's Watchers and the Keepers on her in the yard.

"I cannot." she said.

"But he is your father, Cassie" Jon insisted trying to look in her eyes but she shook her head.

"I'm a Keeper before anything else" she answered "This is my duty."

Even because she knew that she would have never make it back in time to King's Landing. There was no reason. Her father would have mocked her for that behavior. She was Cassandra Baratheon, the blood of the fighter of the Storm's Lands ran through her veins. She could mourn, but with time. She had duties to fulfill.

"I've heard what happened" Rose muttered from next to her, but Cassie didn't turn.

She didn't want to hear other words of compassion. That would have not changed anything. Still her father was lying in bad, injured douring hunt.

But that thought made Cassie frown for a moment. Her father was a skilled huter. It was his favorite pass time that he had. She still remembered the first time he had brought her with him. The only lesson he has ever gave to her.

"You want to be focused" he said to her when she had been just a girl of five "It wouldn't be amusing otherwise" he laughed out.

How the Gods kept mocking all of them; her father getting killed by the only thing that gave him some sort of joy.

"You came to us as outlaws" the voice of Ser Mormont brought her back to reality. The Old Bear was standing high before the altar "poachers, rapers, debtors, killers and thieves. You came to us children. You came to us alone, in chains, with neither friends or honor. You came to us rich, and you cam to us poor. Some holds the names of proud houses. Or others only bastards' name" Cassie's eyes moved to Jon who was observing the Lord Commander "Or not names at all. It makes no matter. That is the past. At the Wall, we are all one house.

"At evenfall you'll all take your vows. From that moment, you will be Sworn Brothers of the Night's Watch. Forget about the past. Here you begin anew."

A man of the Night's Watch lived only for the realm; no loyalty, no wife or children. They had a past, but that didn't matter anymore, they could only face ahead with only the well being of the realm as their concerne. And that was what Lord Mormont reminded the new recruits.

"You already know your vows. Think wisely before spoke them. Once you do it, there is not turning back. The penalty for desertion is death."

Cassie let out a breath, she wasn't awear of holding, but she quickly tried to get her control back. She knew. She knew and they knew. Jon knew. A life to serve a duty, not different from hers, on that. A life of death. A life she was facing for so long. She could not run away for what she was. They could not run away for what they swore. How long would have they lasted? How long could Jon last? How long did Aesteria lasted?