Bound by Blood and Oaths

Chapter 55

Driftmark

"I should have you hanged!"

"My Lady Velaryon," Jon said, his voice a whisper as he endured the anger of Alyssa. Her face was full of it—all directed as hot as a dragon's fire at him. Even her eyes seemed to be a purple fire of intense heat. He was cut off by a strong swing of the hand that brought him to a knee—a hit he would take any day.

"My husband has lost an arm!" she screamed with anger dripping from every word. "And here you stand, all limbs intact. I should have an arm taken instead! You black foul man, to what end has it served!? Tell me why my husband lies in his bed in pain without an arm."

Jon was afraid of her. He had seen the wrath of a woman before. Never close, yet it was terrifying to behold. It gripped him the same way as he fought against the dead—to face and kill the Walker that took the arm. Not the fear of death, but the fear of losing those you love and care for.

"The dead... All went well, all went according to the plan we made. But the White Walkers came, my Lady," Jon explained and hoped the words pierced the anger clouding the Lady's mind. "Normal steel is powerless against them. They cut through the metal like it was glass. Your Lord husband was the first to discover that. The Walker's blade shattered his sword and cut the arm clean off."

Alyssa, the lady who ruled the island in her husband's stead, looked at Jon. Her hand balled in a fist. He could see it. She wished to hit him again. More than once, he wagered. But he could not offer more than the truth and his apologies.

"To save a bunch of savages... You feel satisfied? Prideful in having a Lord punished to not help you in that frozen hell pit?" She asked, turning sharply away, her dress flowing strongly as if the anger seeped into them. The lady sat down on the Driftwood throne.

"No, my lady," Jon said solemnly. "I wished for none of this. But I can't state how important it is we fight them. If we fail, we will be killed. An arm is a price I would pay any day if it means the realm of men will see another day. My lady, fulfill your Lord-Husband's wish to send us aid. I beg you."

"You demand, not beg..." Alyssa said bitterly. She knew she could not do more. The Lady would not shed blood and break guest right. Even she would not dare to do such an act. Jon knew, yet he could be punished easily enough in other ways. "Leave my sight before I demand your arm..."

Jon gave a deep bow of respect before retreating back. One knight escorted him toward his chambers. He could not tell what they thought aside from their watchful eyes. Loyal men, he thought. The Lord is well-loved on the island. He saw the men and women, their horror-struck faces as Jacaerys was carried to the castle. Not even his father could have earned those gazes. Ned was loved, yet not to this degree.

The Lord Commander was put in a comfortable room. A soft feather bed was usually all he wished for these days. Now his stay within this castle gave him much more. Yet he only came out of respect and received the anger of the lady-wife of Jacaerys. Eddard would have done the same, so he did as well. It was his idea to bring Jacaerys along.

He moved to the window and opened it to watch the sea. He must return to the Wall. The free folk have settled in peace so far. To keep that peace, he must be there. At the very least, Tormund has taken Jacaerys' advice. A wise decision from his side. It did not take long before the door was opened again. Another knight entered, his armor more splendid. He would have believed it if they said he was a Kingsguard.