Winterfell

[melon]

"My vows were simple. I stood kneeling before no Septon but Lord Waymer Mullendore covered in blood and gore. He looked at me and said "You have proven yourself to be wise and caring Nathan.Continue this as long as you live. Now rise Ser Nathan Beesbury." Nathan smiles at the memory and the boy, "The North is not part of South you do not care for what happens you should sit in your Gods Woods and care for your people not throw there lives away."

[Percy Rivers]

Behind Ser Nathan one of the lord's muttered under his breath. "Craven....."

Roose put his hand on the heart tree. "I do care for what happens in the south. The realm is a whole, it's laws are errevocable."

He studied the face of the heart tree. "The lord of a castle dies, leaving two men. The first one agrees to take charge of the new lord, who is too young to rule. The other goes back to the lands that the old lord alloted him."

Looking at Nathan he continued. "Over the years the first man's focus becomes more about holding onto power, rather than teaching the new lord what it is to be just. He threatens, kills and burns to accomplish his ends. He even goes so far as to sanction things the old lord decreed to be forbidden."

"If you were the second lord, and you saw what was happening to your people. What would you do?"

[melon]

"I like the tale but you have given no evidence of the first man doing what you say. From what I see Piers has been good to the King. While you merely a boy says he has not that doesn't sound right does it."

Nathan pauses, "How many realms committed men so you could be Lord. You would now march against them. You would even march against Edmure own father to achieve something you see as the right and many would seem as the wrong."

Hanging is head and speaking with great sorrow, "War is never the right thing to do. I plead with you Roose Stark do not go to War it would achieve nothing."

[Percy Rivers]

Roose ignores Nathan's talking. "I order you to answer the question ser."

[melon]

"But I can not answer such a question for at first it would seem simple but it is far more complicated."

[Percy Rivers]

"Then you are a simple man, and simple men can't afford to be advisors to lords!" His voice was stern, "Answer me, or you will removed from your position as advisor to Lord Karstark."

"The old lord was a friend. Now his allie's lands are being pillaged, the almshouses the held the beggers torched, its occupants slaughtered. What. Do. You. Do?"

[melon]

"Who is doing the those things." Thinking for a second Nathan begins to speak again, "Do you not find it funny you speak of Piers Bettley and about his ill deeds with power yet you stand here now Lord and you threaten a Knight. Is that not Ironic you are doing the very thing that you would march to War against."

Looking at the boy defiantly, "And you answer your question I would fight for the one who is in the right."

[Percy Rivers]

"You can hardly compare me relieving you of an advisory position to what's happening in the south."

"The Ironborn were ordered to attack Dorne. There, they did what the Ironmen do best. Sunspear itself was burned, septons drowned and septas raped. Smallfolk put to the sword. The law is clear, whoever commits these deeds is guilty of a crime paramount to treason."

"In King's Landing, several almshouses and hospitals were burned down because the leader of your faith refused to involve himself in the war."

[melon]

"So you march to War... You seek to combat death and suffering with more death and suffering. Do you not see what will happen if you do march. What would happen if you fail and the army of the North beaten. What do you think the King will do this time to make sure the North never rises again. He will make what happened to the Reach look like he was being kind. I wouldn't be surprised if every keep was given new lords and Gods woods burnt."

[Percy Rivers]

"For a man who earned his knighthood on the battlefield 'covered in blood and gore' you sure seem to shy away from war."

[melon]

Nathan laughs, "For a was like you all filled of battle lust." Lowering his head and looking at Roose in the eye, "But listen boy I have seen what War really is. There is no valour there is no glory. War is a young boy calling for his mother as his guts hanging out of his stomach."

[Percy Rivers]

"Don't pretend like you turds smell like lemon cakes ser," He looked to one of the lords. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but did Ser Nathan not smile as he told us of how he won his spurs?"

The northern lord nodded gravely. Roose nodded. "Well then, if that's what war is really like then you must thoroughly enjoy it."

[melon]

"I smiled as it is a fond memory as from that day on I served M'Lord with all my heart." Stepping back, "But you still have not informed me to why you march South. Will you dispose Piers and take the Regentship for yourself. Why should you do it your a boy. Plus do you really think King Rickon would not claim you a traitor then who would you fight for yourself?"

[Percy Rivers]

"That boy is your lord," another man growled.

"Indeed, I believe Piers Bettley will brand me as a traitor. And I have informed you of why I march south repeatedly. And perhaps we should concentrate on winning the war first before I think on anything past that."

All of the sudden Roose suffered a shock that emenated from the heart tree he had his hand on. He saw this man fighting in the snow against the cold, surrounded by enemies. For the first time he gave Nathan a smile. "If you do not wish to march south because it would mean fighting your former compatriot Tallahar Tyrell then perhaps I can arrange for the three thousand Karhold men to undertake a different mission. One farther north, at the Wall."

[melon]

Nathan thinks for a bit then nods, "That would be better."