Kapitel 16: Winterfell
Third person pov:
As the caravan nears Winterfell, a collective hush falls over those within.
The sight of the castle, grand and enduring, instills a sense of awe that runs deep within the hearts of all who journeyed from distant lands. Whispers pass among the travelers, sharing tales of the castle's storied history — of Starks and direwolves, of battles and alliances, of a fortress that has stood resolute through the ages.
The anticipation grows palpable, a tangible energy that pulses through the air.
Nobles point with excitement, their faces pressed against windows to catch a glimpse of Winterfell's towering spires.
Even the seasoned warriors find themselves stirred by the sight, their eyes lingering on the battlements that have withstood countless challenges.
The faces of those in the caravan mirror a mix of emotions — excitement, reverence, and a hint of trepidation.
For within Winterfell's walls, destinies intertwine, alliances form, and the echoes of ancient tales become a living reality.
As they cross the threshold, the caravan's members become part of a new narrative, a story that unfolds within the walls of the castle that stands as a beacon of Northern strength and unity.
King Robert's spirits lift as he nears Winterfell, relishing the prospect of feasting and revelry. The familiarity of the North's stark beauty rekindles fond memories of his youth, and he eagerly anticipates the warmth of the great hall.
A sense of detachment tinges Queen Cersei's excitement, as the North's rugged landscape stands in stark contrast to her preferred luxuries. Yet, beneath her regal facade, a shrewd curiosity flickers — a recognition of the political currents at play.
Tommen's eyes shine with wonder as he gazes at the imposing Winterfell. The stories he's heard and the history he's learned converge, and a deep respect for the ancient fortress blooms in his innocent heart.
Myrcella's feelings are a blend of curiosity and trepidation. The North's aura of mystery appeals to her sense of adventure, but the unfamiliarity of the realm's customs makes her apprehensive.
Jaime's gaze lingers on Winterfell's walls with a mix of unease and detachment. Memories of his previous visit, coupled with his own internal turmoil, create a complex tapestry of emotions that he struggles to untangle.
And prince Joffrey...slept in his carriage , uncaring that their destination was in sight...
And nobody payed attention to a small raven that slowly circled the caravan...
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Negary Pov :
As I floated above the royal carriage in which my flesh golem was resting , I only had one thought in my mind...
,"The ,,plot,, is starting."
Time to see if there is such a thing as fate in this world.
Logic dictates that no , there shouldn't be , since I've been here for five weeks and haven't felt any pushback at all .
And I'm sure I made quite a few ripples.
But that's all I did , ripples.
How would the world react to some waves?
And...how would the Three Eyed Raven?
I was basically in his home turf , and even though his strength wasn't immense, nobody who can alter the past even minutely should be taken lightly.
On the bright side of things, I could finally make sparks!
Yeah baby , magic!
They were pitful for sure , barely enough to light up a fire from dry wood , but they represented PROGRESS.
And that's all I cared about, really.
To keep on progressing no matter the situation at hand...
I already started dropping hints to nobles here and there , talking about how tales of magic have sparked my interest while in their earshot.
I also told my mom I wanted to meet a real witch with the same randomness one would expect from a mentally ill person.
It was telling for both Cersei and her dead son that she didn't even blink , just halfheartedly asked why and said she'll look into it.
And when I told my father that the king's court could use a meister with a valyrian steel link in his slave collar, he genuinely seemed to consider the ideea, even if only because it implied that something created by his sworn enemies would ,,serve,, him in some way.
Maybe.
I couldn't read minds... without destroying the person's soul at least...
But that's just rambling.
I would learn this world's brand of magic.
It's not a matter of chance , just a matter of time.
Because even though I was playing as prince Joffrey because of the influence and connections this role could provide , it was by no means something I was bound to.
I could turn tail and leave my flesh golem behind at any given moment.
It was no more valuable to me than an expensive piece of clothing, and I wasn't materialistic.
Sure , I would have to take a freshly killed body because still living ones had a kind of protection I only managed to bypass because my insane velocity at the time , but that's neither here nor there.
What WAS here , though, was my ,,father,, who opened the carriage door and yelled at me.
*Sigh* , 'it's hard to be an actor , but hey , it's good practice' I thought as I entered my flesh golem.
.
.
King Robert's voice boomed with a mix of annoyance and exasperation as the royal carriage neared Winterfell. "Joffrey! By the gods, boy, are you still sleeping in that carriage?"
No , in fact , I was training my magic...
Prince Joffrey's head snapped up, his features a mixture of surprise and sheepishness. "Father, I... I was just resting."
Yeah, sure. I'll rest enough when I'm dead , but trying to convince my father that his eyes were wrong would be more trouble than it's worth...
"Resting?" King Robert's voice dripped with incredulity. "Resting when we're moments away from Winterfell? Gods be good, Joffrey, you're no babe in swaddling clothes. Get the hell on your horse!"
Yeah yeah , whatever, old man.
Joffrey's eyes widened at the intensity of his father's outburst. "But I'm tired, Father. It's a long journey."
"A long journey?" Robert's tone was laced with disbelief. "You think ruling a kingdom is all feasting and lounging? You're to be a king one day, boy, and kings ride on horseback, they don't snooze in carriages like a pampered fool!"
All in all , this guy has a good mindset , huh? Too bad he settled with such ,,low,, achievements , but to each his own.
I manually dilated the blood vessels in my cheeks , to make them look flushed, a mixture of embarrassment and defensiveness. "I... I didn't mean..."
"Didn't mean to disgrace yourself and your lineage?" Robert's voice thundered, his frustration palpable.
"Winterfell's not just a castle, it's a symbol of the North's strength. You're a Baratheon, damn it, and you'll show them the respect they deserve!"
Hahaha , I'm sorry old man , no Baratheon blood runs through my veins unfortunately.
Joffrey's shoulders slumped, ,,chastened,, by his father's words. "Yes, Father. I understand."
"Good. Now get out of that carriage, and remember who you are." Robert's gaze held a mixture of sternness and paternal concern.
"Lead by example, Joffrey, for you'll be wearing the crown one day, and that crown comes with responsibilities you can't afford to sleep through."
You... should listen more to your own advice, you know?
Didn't you let Jon Arryn run the realm while you were "eating and drinking your way to an early grave" ?
Thick the hypocrisy in this one is , as a certain green alien might say.
As I climbed out of the carriage, King Robert's expression softened slightly.
"We're not just guests at Winterfell, boy. We're guests among our own people, and that means showing them the strength and vigor of House Baratheon. Now ride, Joffrey. Ride with your head held high, and earn the respect of those who'll call you king."
That's quite a good advice.
'Posture is always important' , I thought as I mounted a random horse with Baratheon banners hanging from its saddle.
The whole royal family was riding on their horses now , as we reached the front gate of Winterfell
The castle was imposing , sure , but I had more important things on my mind.
How should I play this game?
What would benefit me the most?
How do I convince the Three Eyed Raven I meant no harm if left unprovoked?
And how would the Godswood react to my presence?
As I was thinking about these questions, I couldn't help but get a little excited.
Where there's a will there's a way , and If it's not , I'll pave it with my bare hands...
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A.N :
"The focus is based on our will and what we want to achieve. It can be a conscious decision and a subconscious decision guided by external influences.
Focusing is the purposeful and deliberate alignment to a specific goal.
Focused people are not only enormously persistent and tenacious, but they are also hardly distracted or discouraged.
If we know our goal, it is easier to align our focus accordingly.
This, in turn, makes us much more efficient, and we get closer to our goal much faster and do not let ourselves be distracted by external influences."
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein