Seagard

[Horas]

Eddard nods, then turns to leave. "Is there aught else you would have of me, Your Grace?"

[Lord Rhaegar Targaryen]

"Raise your men to defend your keeps, and stay alive, Eddard," Gariss said, favouring the man a faint smile.

[Horas]

Eddard returns Gariss' earlier promise, a resigned look on his face. "I'll do my best."

He leaves.

[westerosi]

/ / / / /

Karlon knocks on the door to the King's Private Room.

[Lord Rhaegar Targaryen]

He is admitted. Gariss looks up as he walks in.

"Karlon? Have you readied my horse? We leave soon."

[westerosi]

"Yes, King Gariss. He is fed and saddled, ready for you in the stables. Where are we going?"

[Lord Rhaegar Targaryen]

"South," he replies solemnly. "Though our path is unclear. I have many letters to write."

[westerosi]

"Yes, my king. Do you want me to do something in the meantime"

[Lord Rhaegar Targaryen]

"Fetch me a paper and a quill," Gariss says wearily.

As Karlon moves to do it, he quietly adds, "And a wineskin."

[westerosi]

He goes and gets the quil and paper from a cup, and then headed to the kitchens and retrieved the wine-skin. As he walked into the room again, he could see how tired the King looked.

"Are you alright, my King?"

[Lord Rhaegar Targaryen]

"Well enough, Karlon," Gariss said, sitting up. He hadn't had much sleep, though these were the responsibilities of a king.

He took the wineskin and took a long swig from it, before pulling it away and wiping his mouth. He holding it out to Karlon. "Go on," he said, urgingly.

[westerosi]

Karlon looked at the wineskin, a bit unsure, he had not tasted the drink more than once before, and his father did very rarely drink alchohol, as it dulled the mind, but this was the King telling him. So he put the skin to his lips and took a large gulp of it. He felt the wine rush to his head and he tried his best not to let it show toward the King.

"Tastes fine, my King."

[Lord Rhaegar Targaryen]

"Ah, wine is wine," Gariss said, waving away the comment. He sat there for a long moment; his eyes focusing on nothing in particular. The flame of the brazer in the corner of the room lit half of Gariss face. New lines and creases could be seen on his face, giving him a harder look.

"In the future," Gariss began. "If it is the Old God's will that I should fall..." he began. "I would have you go back north. I have arranged a unit of men, and they will see you in safe company back up to Moat Cailin and beyond."

[westerosi]

Karlon looked at the King with large eyes, shocked what he was hearing. His father had told him before they left that he should protect the King with all his might, and if it ever came to it, that he should sacrifice himself so that the King could escape.

"But the Old Gods have deemed me to stay by your side, my king. Have I done anything wrong, to make you don't want me to fight by your side, King Gariss?"

[Lord Rhaegar Targaryen]

"Karlon," Gariss said just above a whisper, "If I were to fall, then you would no longer be fighting by my side, and you would have nothing left to protect."