Legendary Assassin

Lady Catelyn and Maester Luwin could not help exchanging a glance. After a pause, she said, "Ned, will you answer Stannis? I want to know what you intend to do."

After a heavy silence, Lord Eddard slowly spoke. "By the law, he is my rightful king."

Seeing her husband's brow tightly furrowed, Lady Catelyn's lake-blue eyes shifted slightly. "You've guessed his purpose, haven't you?"

Without waiting for Eddard to speak, she continued, "Yes, it's obvious. Stannis has come for the forces of The North, because he is still a rightful king who has yet to sit the Iron Throne."

Lord Eddard frowned. "Catelyn..."

Catelyn sighed. "Forgive me, Ned. I should not speculate maliciously about a king. I know war between Stark and Lannister will break out sooner or later. I only want to remind you that he may command you to send the northern army south tomorrow and seize the Iron Throne for him."

Watching the lord of Winterfell close his eyes in thought, Maester Luwin respectfully said, "Lord Ned, the people of The North have already endured more than a year of war. They need time to recover. This concerns the very survival of The North."

Lord Eddard silently dipped his chin. After a long while, he opened his eyes, his hoarse voice sounding out. "Catelyn, Luwin, do you remember the Night's Watchmen who visited Winterfell three months ago? The two dead Rangers turned into Wights at night. Winter is Coming."

At those words, Catelyn's blue eyes trembled. "Ned, do you mean to say... Stannis has come for those things?"

Eddard turned his gaze toward his wife and nodded. "Stannis may know of it as well. That may be why he suddenly decided to go to The Wall."

Catelyn's lips moved as she said in surprise, "Would men of