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

Chapter 29

CASSANDRA

It had been days since that night, and Cassie had been ordered to stay in the tower of Maester Aemon to be sure that nothing else as strange as what had happened with her powers happened again.

Being in the tower was boring, and being forced to bed was even worse. She needed to take some fresh air and train even just for few hours.

When she had been brought to the Maester, her head felt so heavy and she felt pain even keeping her eyes open. She had no idea of what had happened to her. Cassandra had been using her powers for years, never her head had hurt in that way, never she had seen all that cold and dark.

The Maester was still looking for a cause, with the help of Sam and Kyuna, that for a woman of the Iron Island was born with sharp intelligence, but they still had no answer. Like they had no answer of what happened to Othor.

Rose and Wylly frequently came to take her company and share some words, she knew they were worried and she was sharing the same feeling, but luckily her body was fine, as well as her head.

Sam was the person she was seeing most, but he was a nice companinon to have. He took care of her and read to her sometimes. Very different from when the boys came to the chamber.

The first time that happened, she had been so surprised; Pyp, Grenn, Dareon, all of them had acted so worried for her well being. They asked her how she was feeling, what had happened, if there were side effect after what happened. She had been so overwhelmed that she hadn't been able to answer properly.

And then there was Jon. He had hurt one of his hands badly; the Maester said those burnt would surely leave scars on his skin. He was being very brave, facing pain and he went to her everyday, at the end of their duties. She hoped he was feeling better, even if she knew that what worried him the most was his father.

Knowing that, Cassie had written to her mother, asking for explenations. She demanded to know what evidence they had of Ned's treason, or her uncles'. She asked why the heritage of Joffrey was put under question and she asked what had happened to Sansa and Arya. But nothing...

No one answered. No raven came. Not for her. But for the Maester. That morning arrived a raven from Maester Pycelle announcing that Ser Barristan the Bold had been remouved from the Kingsguard, and his place had been taken by Sandor Clegane.

What in the Seven Hells was going on in King's Landing?

The more ravens arrived, the more grew inside of her chest a strange feeling of uneasiness thinking about Joffrey as a King and her mother behind him.

"You are so quiet, Cassandra" the voice of the Maester made her turn.

"It didn't occure me that we ever spoke that much" she answered simply observing the man.

"What is troubling your mind?" the old man asked with his low voice.

Cassandra took a deep breath "The world is crazy, Maester."

"And what can you do about that?" he asked making her frown "Is that your place to do something?" Cassandra observed him for some moment before answering.

"You're a Targaryen, Maester" she said "You know the feeling of having a family that is making foolish decisions."

"A Baratheon comparing herself to Targaryens" that made Cassandra glare at him.

"A Baratheon, comparing Targaryens to Lannisters" she corrected him "My brother has nothing of Baratheons, he took everything from my mother side. Even the foolishness."

"You are a Keeper of Light, before a Baratheon and I'm a man of the Night's Watch, before a Targaryen." he said "Do not think too much of things you cannot change. You only being a princess, maybe you could have done something, but that is not your position. That is not your place."

Cassie looked down, taking a breath. She never felt more useless in her entire life. That was the truth that she would have never spoken out loud.

"Is your mind bothered by Jon Snow's well being?" at the Maester's question, she looked up with wide eyes.

"I own Eddard Stark and his family many things" she said "I'd like to help." that had nothing to do with Jon Snow.

The old man nodded his head "Such deep bond you share" he said as she frowned.

By the Gods, that man was too old to keep on to his duties. He was starting talking none sense. Cassie took a breath, finally realizing that that was her last day of confinentment in bad and that what she quickly said to the Maester. The man only took a breath, before letting her go, without sharing another word.

As she walked out in the yard, Cassie enjoyed the cool wind of the North against her skin, that moved her black hair. She had missed it.

"Princess!" Pyp's voice made her look down towards the end of the stairs, where Jon's friends and other girls were training.

"Such a good sight for this sore eyes" he said bowing and that stole a chuckle from her.

"The Gods keep mocking me" she said as she walked down "I've missed your nonesenses." Pyp laughed as the boys did.

"It's good to see you standing" Rose said putting an hand on her shoulder "Hydi was very worried." she muttered, gesturing with her head where the little girl was standing.

Cassie took a breath "You can come here little girl."

As she spoke, Hydi started to ran until her arms were around Cassie's waist. She didn't say anything, like her usual, she just clinged at her. Cassie observed the girl for a moment, before giving a squize to her shoulder.

"The Mathriarch was worried" said Wylliana with a serious tone "Nothing of that sort has ever happened." Cassie listen carefully, as Hydi let go of her.

"It was like he had no coscience." Cassie explained what she had already told to the Mathriarch "There was nothing for me to take, but..."

"But?" asked Wylliana.

"It was like something could have taken me."

What happened had worried Cassie, the pain, the feeling of slipping away. She had never expirienced such thing, and she really didn't want to face it again any sooner.

"Look at that!" Grenn laughed loud, looking towards the King's Tower, where Jon Snow was walking out, with a longsword in hand.

"Well, come about, let's have a look." Pyp exclaimed.

"At what?" Jon said.

"The sword," Grenn stated. "We want to see the sword."

Jon seemed surprised by their reaction "You knew."

Cassie frowned as she turned to Rose, that was looking at the boys with fondness in her eyes.

"What is it all about?"

Rose smiled "The Lord Commander had commissioned the carve of the stone of the pommel, and the boys helped."

"That sword belongs to the Mormont by generations" explained Wylly. Cassie observed Jon as he unsheath the sword that shined under the pale sunlight.

"My, my..." Cassie said walking closer to the boys, making Jon look in her direction. An happy light shining in his grey eyes. "Valyrian Steel, Jon Snow. Not a common blade."

"He needed a great reward after having burned down the Lord Commander's Tower." Pyp exclaimed with a grin.

"How are you feeling?" Jon asked as he walked towards Cassie, that shrugged.

"I'm standing" she stated before cocking her head to the side with a smile "You saved my life, Jon Snow. I own you this one."