A Game

[Seer]

In the far North, a night's watchman barely survives a run-in with Lord Ravena, the Night's King. He escapes and finds safety in the Wolfswood, but deserting the Night's Watch is punishable by death, and he is discovered by the Warden of the North and Lord of Winterfell, Eddard Stark. Lord Stark executes the man, and on the way back to Winterfell, Andrew, Robb, and Cameron find direwolf pups in the snow, one for each of the Stark siblings.

They arrive home to find that Winterfell itself is abuzz with preparations, as the castle is expecting the arrival of the Royal party soon. King Robert Baratheon has come North following the death of his right-hand man, and wants Lord Stark for the man's replacement. Lord Stark's wife Diana receives a letter from her sister Sharon Arryn, warning her that Queen Helena Baratheon and her brother Maxim Lannister are not to be trusted, after having poisoned the Hand of the King, Jon Arryn. Diana Stark convinces her husband to accept the King's offer, and investigate the death of Sharon's husband.

The next morning, Helena and Maxim find a quiet place to talk. Cass Stark and the Princess Alexia bond over sewing, while Haleigh Stark finds she has more fun training with her brothers. Cameron Stark climbs up the old broken tower for a better view of the courtyard. Andrew Snow, the Stark siblings' half brother, has decided to join the Night's Watch, but first he has a gift for Haleigh.

Across the Narrow sea, a couple of exile Princesses plot to take back their Iron Throne. Bianca, the eldest of the two, has convinced Ava to marry Michael, a legendary warlord, to gain the man's army. Ava is reluctant, but finds herself at her own wedding before she can back out of it. Longing to return home, she decides her sister's plan is her best option.

 

[Black Widow]

Haleigh was trying to be 'good.' The problem was, she was bored to death by needlework. Her sister Cass and the Princess Alexia could both boast fantastic embroidery, but Haleigh didn't have any interest in it. Her wolf pup was anxious too, and apparently didn't like sitting idly indoors anymore than Haleigh herself did. It didn't help that she could hear her brothers laughing out in the courtyard.

"Come on Nymeria, let's sneak out of here."

Haleigh whispered to her puppy, and when the septa wasn't looking they did just that. When she found her brothers, they were all practicing their archery. Now there was something she was good at. Cameron was still struggling with hitting the bullseye, but Haleigh picked up a bow and her arrow found dead center. Haleigh offered a winsome smile.

 

[Titan]

The Courtyard

Andrew was still thinking about the Night's Watchmen his father had executed the day before. He could still hear his father saying, "The man who passes the sentence should swing the sword." He hoped he would have the courage to do the same, if the time came. Not that he would ever be lord of Winterfell like his father: he was a bastard, and that meant he would always come second to his father's trueborn sons. Which was why he had asked his uncle to take him with him when he returned to the Night's Watch. Guarding the wall, keeping the people of the North safe from the wildlings beyond the wall, that was the best he could hope for in life.

But for now he was with his brothers, helping Cameron practice with bow and arrow.

"Take a deep breath, relax your bow arm."

Cameron let the arrow fly, and completely missed the target. He leaned in and whispered to his younger brother.

"Try it again, Cam, Father is watching."

He could see the concentration on Cam's face. He pulled his arm back, and they saw an arrow hit the bullseye. But it wasn't Cam's...

Andrew turned to see his sister Haleigh holding a longbow and grinning. He and his other brother Robb started to laugh, but Cameron was not amused and leapt after Haleigh. Andrew pulled Cam back, pushing him towards Robb so he could take him to cool off. Andrew walked over to Haleigh.

"You really didn't have to show him up in front of everyone Haleigh..."

He winked at her.

"But nice shot."

 

[Black Widow]

Haleigh thought for a minute she'd have to bolt, because Cameron looked furious and almost gave chase, but Andrew interevened.

Andrew: You really didn't have to show him up in front of everyone Haleigh...

"If he'd practice instead of spending his days climbing all over Winterfell, I wouldn't show him up at all."

She replied with a shrug.

Andrew: but nice shot.

She sighed. It was so frustrating, being cooped up indoors with her sister, doing stupid ladylike activities, when she was far better at shooting a bow and sitting a horse than some of her brothers.

"I should probably go pack for King's Landing."

The thought made her sad, because she remembered Andrew wouldn't be coming with them, he was headed to the Wall instead.