-Chapter 150-
-24th day of the 4th moon of the year 121 AC-
-POV Bennard Stark-
''This is no longer possible,'' I said as I opened a bottle of Dornish wine and poured myself a large cup, which I downed in one gulp before pouring another and saying in a nervous tone:
''This has to stop now!''
''I have already explained to you many times what will happen if we expose our hand too quickly,'' said Maester Raymund.
'But if I keep ignoring the Crown's summons, my head will soon be the one on a spike,' I thought, growing more nervous, because with my brother's untimely death, I had been forced to improvise.
'I couldn't let that Glover whore keep putting obstacles in my way,' I thought, feeling no regret for my actions.
''Yes, I know, that filthy Aemon Targaryen will come on his damn giant monster to burn Winterfell to the ground,'' I grumbled, slightly irritated at having to hear the same nonsense every time.
''Remember that we must stand united so that our message is heard by the Crown. Once the people and nobles of the Seven Kingdoms rise in protest, the dragon, no matter how strong, will be forced to listen to us,'' said Maester Raymund, finally finding the words to calm me somewhat.
''Hmm,'' I murmured before adding:
''I know very well that this is when we will make our demands heard.''
''Not our demands, Bennard,'' Maester Raymund corrected, looking me straight in the eyes before finishing his sentence:
''What we will present to the Crown are our terms.''
'The wheel of fortune will turn, and we will be the ones in a position of power,' I thought as I observed the man who was practically like a second father to me.
'The man who had taught me everything,' I thought.
''Do not forget that House Hightower, and by extension the Faith as well as the Citadel, are fully involved in this conflict. You are not fighting alone,'' added Maester Raymund.
I closed my eyes and let out a long sigh before saying:
''In any case, I can no longer turn back.''
''We can no longer turn back,'' he added, placing a hand on my shoulder.
ROAR OF URRAX
I nodded, fully aware of all this, but said nothing.
As he removed his hand from my shoulder and was about to leave my solar, the walls of the castle trembled, followed by a deep roar and the screams of soldiers.
'No… not now,' I thought, feeling my heart race in my chest as I recalled the imposing size of his dragon.
---
-POV Aemon Targaryen-
I smiled as I observed the fear I instilled in the hearts of the Northern warriors, then leaped from Urrax's neck, landing gracefully on the ground despite the height from which I had jumped.
I removed my gloves as I saw Cregan emerge quickly, accompanied by his grandfather.
Without expression, I waited for them to arrive. They did not take long before standing before me and kneeling as they declared:
"We present our respects to Your Highness, the Hand."
"You've grown quite well," I said, observing the young man, who was much taller and more imposing than Aegon, despite them being nearly the same age.
"Thank you, my Prince," he replied in a simple tone.
'My Prince,' I thought with a hint of irony, as that was how he addressed me when he served under my command in the Vale.
"Do you think your father would regret his actions if he could see the consequences of his deeds?" I asked Cregan, tacitly reminding him that I had not forgotten who was responsible for our current situation.
Cregan remained silent, his head bowed, his eyes fixed on the ground.
I sighed, walking past him and patting his shoulder as I did so:
"I'm not asking you to speak ill of your father. After all, even he would have recognized his mistakes if he had seen what became of your mother."
"Your Highness, had I known you were coming from so far, I would have prepared quarters for you," Bennard declared as he arrived, a hypocritical smile on his lips.
"I won't stay. Thanks to Urrax, I have the privilege of covering long distances in minimal time," I said, drawing my sword and planting its tip into the ground, resting both hands on the hilt.
'I don't like you, and I won't pretend to, you wretched snake,' I thought, restraining myself from sending his head flying with Lady Forlorn.
"Your Highness, I do not understand what…"
"I'll be straightforward," I interrupted before adding:
"You have been summoned by His Majesty in my name to answer for the crimes that have reached both our ears and those of the King."
"I was not aware of such a…"
"You are being informed right now, Regent," I cut him off coldly, putting an end to any excuses he might have used to claim he had not received my message.
I observed him for a few seconds before asking:
"Will you submit to His Majesty's judgment?"
"Your…" Bennard began, but his maester cut him off, speaking with determination without even consulting his lord:
"Allow me to intervene, and forgive me if I offend you, but Bennard Stark is not a mere commoner. He is of House Stark and is the Regent and Warden of the North until our young Lord Cregan comes of age to take his rightful seat as Lord."
I responded in a firm yet calm tone:
"He has been implicated in my investigation of Otto Hightower as a potential traitor to the realm, alongside Larys Fort, Otto Hightower, and Harlon Greyjoy."
"Implicated based on what? Written proof bearing his seal?" he asked, fully aware that such evidence did not exist.
"Testimonies," I replied.
"Anyone can say whatever they wish. That does not necessarily mean it is the truth. You yourself have been the target of numerous slanders as of late," the maester countered, wearing a small, hypocritical smile.
'He knows I am being slandered in the South, yet he didn't receive my damn message…' I thought, admiring his skillful double-faced act, honed over years of practice.
"I am not here to judge him, only to ask whether he will present himself," I said, bringing the discussion to a close.
The maester turned to Bennard Stark, and the two exchanged a brief look, a silent conversation lasting only a fraction of a second before Bennard Stark bent the knee and declared:
"I am a loyal servant of the Crown, and I have never failed in my duty to the King. I am ready to prove it."
"Before a committee of impartial judges, of course," the maester added, looking me straight in the eye.
I smiled subtly as I locked eyes with the agent sent by the Citadel to keep their little dog on a tight leash, then said:
"I have already envisioned how this trial will unfold, and I have decided that each great House ruling a region will send an emissary to serve as a judge."
"That is a wonderful initiative," the old man said, stroking his long beard.
"My wife, Jeyne Arryn, will serve as the judge for the Vale, and Prince Daemon will be the Chief Judge, holding the authority to cast the deciding vote in case of a tie," I added.
I noticed his smile widen slightly.
Seeing that we were all in agreement, I sheathed my sword while declaring:
"To ensure that you honor your word, you will have no objection to your nephew accompanying me. That way, I can be assured that you will keep your promise, correct?"
Bennard frowned, but a simple glance from the maester was enough to make him nod before he said:
"I will arrive on time."
I gestured for Cregan to prepare himself, then turned my attention to Bennard's family, who had arrived in the meantime to stand at his side.
In a firm tone, I said:
"You had better do so… for yourself, but above all, for them."
'Otherwise, I will return.' I concluded silently.