"Bennard, do you know what that little display of yours just meant?"
Duke Eddard sternly questioned his nephew.
"Wolves that head south never come to a good end. We of House Stark never interfere in the affairs of the south, much less get dragged into disputes within the royal house."
Bennard immediately countered,
"Are you saying you want to oppose His Majesty the King's decision to grant Danyla her title?"
Duke Eddard immediately made his position clear.
"Of course not! Her Highness ended the Long Night and winter. She is a benefactor to the North. Naturally, I would never oppose her."
"Exactly!"
Bennard continued, wearing a look that said his uncle was old and slow-witted.
"If we aren't opposed, then of course we should show our support. Fence-sitters rarely end well. It seems House Hightower's fate still hasn't taught some people to be smarter!"
"Hmph! You Hairless Boy, you're already pretending to be a big bad wolf? Such lofty words, but in the end, don't you just fancy her?"
Duke Eddard felt deeply wounded by the look in his young nephew's eyes. He stopped pulling his punches and declared with absolute certainty,
"I'd say you... haven't got much of a chance!"
Bennard responded with the shameless air of someone who had nothing left to lose.
"If you're willing to part with Moat Cailin and Lonely Mountain so I can give them to her as gifts, I think I could still give it a shot!"
"Uncle! Winter is coming, and a ruthless struggle for power is about to begin. The fate of sheep has already been decided. Only true direwolves can thrive in a harsh environment."
"In the game of thrones, you win or you die. There is no middle ground."
←_←
Borros of the Stormlands angrily complained to his father,