After the Feast at Winterfell

[The Stranger]

"I'm not quite certain as to why you' be speaking to us of these things, your plan being all thought out and the like."

[Ollie]

Olander nodded at the point. "I speak to you of these things because I know you men to be true to the North. Because the words we shared at the feast, of hunters, prey, and strength. Because you want to see the North prosper as much as I. Because I need good men to my cause," he said, all very plainly. With a sudden click of his tongue and a single breathy chuckle, he bared a few white teeth to the Burley's ina grin, "Because you're damned good fighters who've sent me to see the maester twice."

[The Stranger]

"That much is true, so we say again, what role are we to play?"

[Ollie]

"When the time comes, I need the weight of the North, those who wish to have our strength returned to us, those who want wise, firm leadership. You men are at the heart of the realm, her very oldest sons. Your words and wills will carry a heavy worth."

[The Stranger]

"I know the mountain clans will rally to my father's call." said Battle Axe Burley. Flail and Sickle nodded.

"True, but I can not speak to the rest, the city folk, and the others. The Karstarks are willful, and so too the Skagosi."

[Ollie]

"The Skagosi have their own blood on the seat of the North, and their own lady mother as well. She can be swayed easily enough," he said, with a glint of something hungry in his eyes.

"White Harbor could be brought over to our side, with effort, as could several other of the softer Northern lords. The mountain clans along side the crannogmen, combined with the wills of White Harbor, the Skagosi, and the Boltons, if they can be won, will carry a weighty word."

[The Stranger]

"And the Karstarks? The child lord there can draw on the strength of Highgarden if he chooses to interfere."

[Ollie]

Olander gave a tiny, dismissive shake of his head. "Highgarden isn't like to come to war over this. The Karstark can be dealt with just as easily. Leave him to me as well."

[The Stranger]

Burley shrugged. "It seems you do not require us for much Reed."

[Ollie]

"What I require from you is the most important thing of all, Burley," he said quietly. "I need the support of the blood of the north. I need to know that what I mean to claim is for the betterment of our realm."

His eyes flickered in a way eerily similar to the torchlight. "Roose Stark is not a man fit to lead. What I do is not for my gain, but for the North's."

[The Stranger]

Burley watched Olander closely, still apparently unconvinced of the truth of that statement. "Roose is clearly a fool. But does that make you wise? And if wise, does it make you just?" Burley said, pulling on his beard.

"We will support you when the time comes for the Direwolf to be shorn."

[Ollie]

Olander nodded and said nothing more. The Burleys were ushered out of the chamber, and as the door creaked open a gush of wind filled the room, gutting out the burning torch.