The Dragon & The Wolf

The Hand of The King

Chapter 13 : 'The Rulers of the Red Keep'

Chapter 14 : 'The Queen and the Hand'

Chapter 15 : 'The Shadow of Arthur Stark

Chapter 16 : 'The Nastiest Viper'

Chapter 17 : ' A Game of Pain & Passion'

Chapter 18 : 'A Tale of Waters and Snow'

Chapter 19 : 'The Northern Fist'

Chapter 20: 'Double Dual'

Chapter 21: 'Dragon against Wolf'

Chapter 22: 'The Tournament of Pretenders'

Chapter 23: "The divided Pack"

Chapter 24: "Too far, too late"

Chapter 25: "The Ghosts of Guilt"

are available here =

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Chapter 12 : The Hand of the King

For fourteen years, Otto Hightower had walked alongside the corridors of the Red Keep with pride, wearing his pin as a symbol of greatness and success, the greatest lords in the Seven Kingdoms had bowed to him, had called him 'Lord' and treated him with respect. To Otto, who was but a second son who would inherit nothing, this pin had represented the power that he had accumulated for himself, the success of his mind over greatness of the names of his rivals. On this day, his last walk alongside the corridors of the Red Keep was a walk of shame and disgrace. All the the castle's residents had noticed the missing pin on his chest, and many did not even bother to hide their chuckles and mocking smiles. They rejoiced in Otto's misfortune as the former hand of the King was walking one last time towards his office in order to collect his life's work. The Lords called him 'Ser Otto' as he passed, the last title he could carry despite the fact he had not wielded a sword for almost fifteen years. Despite his disgrace, the former Hand of the King held himself with all the dignity that he had left. He had not lost the Game of Thrones, contrary to what everyone seemed to believe. His daughter was still Queen, his grandchildren still princes and princesses. Perhaps some time away from the capital could give him all the opportunities he needed to strengthen ties with great houses. And to help the lords and knights to see reason regarding King Viserys' blind affection towards his daughter and his guilt towards his late wife.

Yes, Otto had not lost, he had simply suffered a setback, he would come back and the laughters would disappear like a dust bunny.

Once he arrived at his solar's door, he pulled out the key as the Hightower guards nodded to greet him, and pushed the door once it had been unlocked.

He almost dropped the key when he discovered the intruder who was casually sitting in his chair with his feet on his desk, reading one of his account book.

Arthur Stark looked up from his reading as he rose an eyebrow to make his annoyance known, his direwolf, who had been laying lazily on the ground, immediately stood up at the reachman's presence.

"Shadow, down." Arthur commanded, and the direwolf resumed his nap.

Otto winced in displeasure and anger, he might have been stripped of his title, but he would not allow a Northern savage to intimidate him.