The group advanced along a small, unnamed road beside the Kingsroad. The odors worsened, the water thickened, and their movements grew slower. The fog grew so dense that the path became nearly impossible to traverse.
"Where are we going? Couldn't we have just stayed on the Kingsroad?" Robb asked, just as they had to fish him out of quicksand for the third time.
"Have I ever told you about the Mist Killers?" Sebastian asked, evading the question as he guided the group through the wild, uncharted marsh.
"Should we care?" Domeric asked. Despite his natural patience, the road was eating away at his nerves faster than expected. Sebastian continued, unbothered.
"They lived in lands shrouded in fog. They trained their ears to track, to hunt, and to kill." Robb, Jon, Jojen, and Meera listened intently.
"Larynx, spine, lungs, liver, jugular, subclavian artery, kidneys, heart, eyes... they liked to recite the names of the organs to unnerve their victims and make the kill easier. They would scream 'Liver!' just to strike at the spine. They were feared and respected in equal measure, for their lands provided the perfect terrain for their way of life."
Sebastian stopped moving completely. Jojen and Meera tensed, adrenaline surging through them like racing horses, their lips a breath away from blowing toxic darts at the intruders.
Hiss. The sound of darts cut through the air toward the entourage's necks. Sebastian flicked a few rocks with casual precision, redirecting the darts into the bark of a nearby tree.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Jojen and Meera Reed, son and daughter of Howland Reed. We are a caravan from House Stark. I believe Lord Stark has already informed you of our visit," Sebastian explained to no one in particular, signaling his group to keep their weapons hidden.
"Jojen, Meera, head back and let everyone know our guests have arrived," a gruff voice commanded to everyone's surprise. The rustle of leaves grew distant as the children left at their father's order.
A man dropped from the trees, standing on the swamp as easily as if it were solid ground. He was short, clad in bronze scales and leathers that shifted color to match the marsh, a silhouette that could easily vanish into the background. His eyes were his most striking feature, a mossy, wise green that belonged more to an elder than a man of his years.
"Lord Howland Reed, Lord of Greywater Watch and Head of House Reed," Sebastian announced.
"Sebastian," Lord Reed offered politely in return.
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Jon pov
Our travels had been wonderful. We had been on the road for quite some time, visiting towns and meeting new people. We met Domeric Bolton who, despite my brother's lingering reservations, I feel we can trust him. We met Lady Dustin, a scary lady I must say, but even if she reminded me of Lady Catelyn, she had a hidden warmth whenever she looked into my eyes, as if remembering someone dear. Or maybe I was wrong. It isn't right for me to expect anything from a Lady. I am a bastard, and a bastard must know his place. To belong... who am I kidding? Family is a luxury that will never be mine. Maybe someday I can join Uncle Benjen at the Wall, take the Black, and be surrounded by brothers fighting for a common cause. Maybe…
*Tuck*. I felt two fingers strike my forehead.
"Pardon?" I asked, still dazed and unaware of my surroundings.
"You are brooding again, Jon," Sebastian said, kneeling beside me. In these past months, Theon, Domeric, and Sebastian had all grown much taller.
Tuck.
"Do I need to do it a third time?" Sebastian asked. I shook my head and followed him into the Great Hall. It was illuminated by glowing rocks rather than candles. They reduced the risk of fire, kept the air dry, and provided better light than any wax could, or so I was told.
"Do you like them?" a voice asked beside me. It was Meera. She was younger than I was but much livelier, reminding me of Arya in a way that suited her perfectly. A boy as tall as I was, though he looked younger, stood protectively beside her.
"Jon Snow."
"Lord Jojen."
We shared a look and nodded. They were quiet folk. I felt a strange familiarity with them because I had grown up much the same way with Arya.
"Jojen, you are being bothersome again," Meera said with more bark than bite. Jojen looked at her as if she were a minor annoyance and took his seat.
"We should go, Jon. Dinner is ready," Meera said, grabbing my hand and leading me to the table.
When we were seated, Lord Howland and his wife gave us formal greetings. "Welcome. I am Howland, and this is my wife, Jyana. These are my children, Jojen and Meera. Tonight we feast for our guests and for ourselves."
Sebastian opened the serving lids, revealing something delicious, a massive roasted pork with fresh bread, vegetables, and juices. My eyes widened at the feast for I had always believed the rumors that Crannogmen ate only frogs.
"Not anymore," Meera whispered beside me.
"Pardon?" I asked, startled.
"Not anymore, Jon. The Crannogmen of old did, but that changed years ago. We only do it now to honor the Old Gods or for survival," she explained. I began to doubt myself, had I spoken my thoughts aloud?
"No, you're just that easy to read" Jojen said from my other side. I looked at the rest of the table; the adults were all watching me while Lady Jyana hid her laughter. My face must have turned as red as a tomato from embarrassment as the hall was filled with the sound of laughter.
'By the old gods'
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Lord Howland and Sebastian stood upside down atop one of the highest towers of the floating castle. They watched the sunrise as the light began to dispel the morning chill.
"Have you been well?" Howland asked. Sebastian nodded and pulled away his mask.
"You don't know how grateful I am for this. I can only last five minutes before the visions and the rage take hold..." Howland placed a hand on Sebastian's shoulder.
"The Old Gods give us their blessings, it is true; but what you did had consequences," Howland explained, his tone understanding rather than reproachful.
"What would you have done in my place? I've seen it, I've lived it, children drowned in his name, people dying for a lost cause. And him," Sebastian said, murder flashing in his eyes. His three tomoe spun rapidly as he recalled a face.
"I don't know what I would have done, truly. Perhaps nothing, for the swamps are my home and those islands are not my concern. Perhaps I would have acted. But—" he paused, retrieving a new mask from behind him to hand to Sebastian. "—Killing a god has consequences. The storms took place in their stead, and that man still lives."
Sebastian took the new mask and tossed the old one into the sky. His eyes spun violently, shifting into mismatched patterns: one with three rapiers spinning toward the center, the other with the blades facing outward.
'All for One: Amaterasu.'
Black flames erupted in midair, devouring the old mask until nothing but ash remained.
"How long will this one last?" Sebastian asked.
"Hard to say. Less than the one before, something is weakening the magic of old" Howland replied.
Sebastian nodded.
"I left something with Lord Stark that can stop me. He is a good man, and he will hesitate. If... if I cannot find another way, I beg you..."
Sebastian smiled brightly towards the man.
"...Please, Kill Me."
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A/N: Yeahhh!!! depresion!So yeah, that's why the mask. I wanted to write the Reeds because I have a huge crush on Howland (sue me). Also, who him is, he is the worst monster in all westeros. Hope you like it, leave comments, throw stones, write reviews, or not, you are in your right. Have a good start of the week!