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Chapter 3 - The Three Eyed Raven
🕑 Added 2023-04-07 07:16:16 +0000 UTCDisclaimer: I don’t own the characters or the world appearing in this story, they are creations and property of the fantastic George R. R. Martin. I’m not sure if I can claim my OCs as my own, so I’ll play it safe and dedicate them to GRRM.
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[Year - 293 AC]
Harold Stark, or Harry, as his family fondly called him, could usually be found in between the dusty shelves of the library at Winterfell. But only if he was free of his duties. If there was one thing Harry was known for – it was that he never failed to keep his promises or fail his duties. However, for all the ostentatious talk about promises and duties, as a ten-year-old, Harry didn’t really have a lot of duties to speak of.
At present, like most days, Harry was predictably at the library.
He had spent the morning attending his uncle’s court, fulfilling his duty as the heir. He’d pulled Robb to the court along with him, much to Robb’s chagrin. When the court had adjourned, he’d moved on to sword practice with Ser Rodrick. Due to his skill with the sword, he’d made it a habit of finishing up before his cousins could begin their lessons. However, once the practice was done with, Harry had dropped all pretence of being the perfect heir and locked himself up in the library. The library had been his place of respite for nearly as long as he’d been at Winterfell.
And he’d been at Winterfell for nearly nine years.
The quest he’d received for reading books had been completed a long time ago. He’d only been of four namedays when he’d read his hundredth book. Harry had wondered if he should hoard up the extra point he’d gotten as reward for later use – however, accounting for his abysmal state of affairs and the poor point economy he expected from the system in the future, he’d taken a risk and used the point to increase his endurance. He’d believed that it would help him in growing healthy and strong; which it indeed had. Harry was taller than all his cousins. Not oddly so, but taller by a good amount nonetheless.
Even after the quest had ended, Harry had made it a habit of studying books. Westeros was truly a wondrous place, and even if only a rare little of it was documented, he felt it a waste to not learn of its history when he could. He’d read several hundred books in the years since, and his intelligence point had already reached the average value of ‘one’. All his stats had, actually, except for wisdom – wisdom was the only statistic to still not have reached the value of ‘one’.
Lately, Harry had had the feeling that his intelligence was right at the cusp of getting an extra point, so he’d buckled down on his studying. Maybe it would bring wisdom to the average level along with it when it increased. He was really intent on getting this extra point – if he was getting one – before his trip to the Citadel.
“Harry!” he heard someone call out.
Harry stood up with a sigh. The Crone hadn’t seen it fit to give him the extra point today, it seems. His studies for the day would have to be shelved – for Robb had just entered the library.
‘Tomorrow might be the day…’ he thought longingly.
“Harry – Harry! Where are – oh! There you are!” Robb exclaimed as he made his way navigating in between the shelves. “It’s time for supper,” he announced with a wide grin.
Robb’s grin could never be this wide for something as mundane as supper. Especially when it meant being under the heavy scrutiny of his mother. ‘Something is wrong,’ felt Harry.
Extending his mind, Harry took a look at Robb’s thoughts. Jon was waiting outside with a packet of flour to upend on him.
Harry returned the same wide smile. “Thanks, dear cousin,” he drawled, “I was starting to feel a little peckish. Lead the way.”
Robb’s smile slipped for a second, suspicious at Harry’s cheer. He quickly took a glance at the door, before making up his mind. “You first, Harry,” Robb said, scuttling behind and pushing him forward. “I’ll be right behind you.”
Harry shrugged and began walking, with Robb following behind; all the while maintaining a little distance in between. He could practically feel the mirth radiating off of Robb – his body was visibly quivering in excitement. Harry almost felt bad for ruining his fun.
“I’m leaving for the day, Maester Luwin,” Harry shouted as he neared the door. “I’ll see you on the morrow.”
“Yes, Harry, good night,” the maester smiled as he called out. It wasn’t a secret that Harry was the maester’s favourite. It made sense since he was the only one to actually spend time studying from amongst the merry band of unruly kids at the castle.
He waved at the maester as he made his way to the door and Robb turned to wave at the maester as well. Seizing Robb’s shirt from behind, Harry threw him out the door. The packet was promptly emptied on him.
“Ye– what!?” Jon’s face brightened before falling, he seemed to have difficulty figuring out whether to be happy or embarrassed. “I – I’m sorry R– Robb, I thought it was him!” he stammered.
Not wanting to give them even a moment to gather themselves, Harry grabbed Jon and pushed him at Robb. They collided even before Robb had gotten the chance to properly gather himself, and before long they were both on the floor, covered in flour.
Harry sniggered. "By the gods!” he laughed, “I can already imagine the scowl on Aunt Cat's face as she beholds your sorry state at supper."
Righting himself, Jon tried to pull Harry, trying to smear the flour on him. While Robb – who had the most flour on him – tried to lunge at him.
However, Harry didn’t have one whole point in dexterity in vain.
Sliding under Jon’s hands, he extended one hand to reach behind and pushed Robb in the same direction he’d lunged at. Falling forward, Robb collided with Jon – again – but ended up on top this time. Before either of them could start the dance again, Harry took off in a full sprint towards the hall. He was laughing the entire way, not being able to control his happiness at the perfect manoeuvre.
Reaching the hall, he saw Theon moping about outside. ‘Aunt Cat must’ve already situated herself at the table,’ he thought to himself.
Theon curiously regarded his good mood.
“I – I just – pranked Robb and Jon,” Harry confessed as he chuckled.
“I could have helped!” Theon complained.
“Ehh… they were the ones to prepare it,” Harry said as he walked into the hall. “I just turned it on them.”
As he’d guessed, Aunt Cat was already sitting at the table. Sansa, Arya and Bran had also already begun their meal.
“Good evening, Aunt Cat,” Harry said as he took his usual seat. Sansa was seated to her mother’s right – as was normal. “Lady Sansa,” Harry greeted with a bow, his tone a little mocking. Sansa looked pleased, not understanding the meaning behind it.
Robb and Jon chose that exact moment to barge into the hall. Theon snorted with a full mouth; spraying some food on the table and earning a glare from Sansa.
“What is that on you!?” Aunt Cat hissed at Robb.
Muttering an excuse he walked away to clean up, all the while glaring at Harry.
Dinner was otherwise uneventful, with Robb and Jon joining halfway through the meal. Robb kicked him under the table as he situated himself at the table, and Harry, not being one to shy away from a challenge, kicked him back. The resulting kicking game only ended with all of them getting glared at by Aunt Cat.
As the supper came to an end, Harry suddenly noticed some quick movement outside the window. ‘The raven,’ Alice informed him.
“I’m done,” Harry exclaimed as he quickly stood from his seat. “Thank you,” he threw to the maid before rushing towards his room.
“Wait – Harry!” he heard Robb shout from behind.
“Not today, Robb,” he shouted back, slightly slowing down.
Catching up to him, Robb scowled. “You’ll leave within a week!” he said, “God knows when we’ll meet again…”
“We have the rest of the week, Robb. Just sleep in your own room today,” Harry said as he reached his room.
“Mother would never let us!” Robb said bitterly. “Every single day counts.”
Jon and Theon, who’d caught up to them, looked on as they argued. Jon looked sad, while Theon looked angry.
Harry sighed. “I know, Robb – I know,” he said soothingly, “But I really do have something–”
Noticing Robb getting ready for another verbal bout, Harry stopped his tirade.
“Alright,” he conceded, “I’ll come get you after a while… just give me some time.”
Robb brightened immediately. Not wanting to push his luck, he agreed in an instant. “Okay!” he yelled. Pulling Jon and Theon with him, he retreated back into the corridor. “We’ll be in my room.”
Harry walked into his chamber with a small smile. The raven on his desk looked at him curiously.
“Don’t judge me,” Harry said as he threw a blanket on top of his mattress. “My cousins can be very persuasive.”
The three-eyed raven placed a letter on his table as he situated himself on the bed. It then flew towards him and took a perch on his leg.
“Please tell me there are better beds out there, I might as well just end it here if I have to sleep on this my entire life…” Harry complained.
The raven looked at him with the same curious look in two of its three eyes. It might as well be a resting expression at this point. “There are,” he heard a voice in his head. “And your cousins aren’t that persuasive.”
Harry rolled his eyes. “Compared to what you grew up with, I bet nothing is as persuasive.”
The raven did not answer, but Harry took it as grudging acceptance.
“Then… let’s… begin, shall we?” Harry asked hesitantly, putting an end to the small talk. “How has she been?”
Harry felt that if it could, the raven would have sighed.
“She’s frightened– most of the days,” the raven said. “Viserys hits her when his anger gets ahead of him, but he still soothes her after, when he gets ahold of himself.”
Harry felt a little sad, he could see how confused the girl must be.
“I think he’s nearing the point of giving up the queen’s crown,” The raven continued. “He has started keeping an eye out for buyers.”
“Hmmm…” Harry hummed, “His madness is starting to fester – give him a few years and he might mirror his father,” Harry said, as he thought over the new knowledge. “The Targaryen blood must be especially strong in this one.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of – and that is why I must ask you, Harry,” The raven began in his usual inflection-less voice, “is it really wise to not do anything? I’m afraid one of these days he might not hold back.”
“No, Brynden,” Harry said, shaking his head. “You know it already, I have things to do in Westeros before I can even think of the free cities.”
“The girl is too important, you can’t afford to lose her,” Brynden said in a chiding tone, “You’d have no legitimacy.”
“Legitimacy is nothing in front of overwhelming strength,” Harry stated hotly, “I thought you Targaryens of all should know about it.”
Leaning back into the bed, he tried to calm himself.
“And never expect me to not have other plans,” he bit back, “because putting all your eggs in one basket is how you ended up in a fucking tree of all places…”
“Don’t act as if you don’t care for the girl,” Brynden said plainly, seemingly not affected by his censure, “you forget– I have a thousand eyes and one, and Winterfell has weirwood trees in droves. I’ve seen your letters.”
“She’s just a girl – and I’m not a heartless monster, of course, I care!” Harry exclaimed, seemingly offended. “But I also know when to shear off something useless,” he said with finality, “I have priorities, and my family always comes first.”
A moment of silence followed his declaration. Harry waited for Brynden to say something but got nothing in return.
“Is she keeping the money hidden? I hope Viserys hasn’t sniffed it out,” Harry said finally, interrupting the silence.
“No, she’s surprisingly resourceful in finding hiding places,” Bryden replied, “She gives him the money in small amounts, passing it off for alms. It should be starting to run low, however.”
“Right, I advised her to do so… in my last letter that is,” Harry said as he got off the bed. “Let me read this one and write out a response.”
Plopping himself down on a chair, he quickly glanced over the letter.
“Hmmm… says she got to play with some children. Are they in Lys currently?” Harry asked.
“They’ve been in Lys for the past couple of months,” Brynden confirmed, “Viserys has taken to whoring since. That’s where all the coin is ending up.”
“Even I’ve heard of the whores in Lys – Jory can be quite vocal about these things when he’s drunk,” Harry said as he chuckled, “Well… as long as the prince is keeping busy I suppose.”
Picking out a parchment, Harry started penning down his response. Brynden sat silently – just watching him think and write.
“She thinks of you as her friend, Harry,” Brynden said after some time, hopping onto his shoulder. “She reads your letters often – whenever she’s feeling down.”
“I know… I really do,” Harry said, his expression downcast, “but she has to go through this. And there is precious little I can do to help her from a continent away.”
His expression turned expectant as he continued. “And have I not told you, Brynden? Of what I’ve seen in my dreams?” Harry said in an excited tone. “The dragons, their magnificence. She will bring them back into the world and magic will come alive once again!”
“I know Harry, I know,” the raven said in resignation, as he dropped down from his shoulder to the newly sealed letter. “I just hope your visions come true.”
Harry opened his drawer to pull out a pouch and filled it with coin.
“Take this as well, I hope it lasts a while… I can only make so much money off of gold – people will start asking questions,” Harry said, throwing the pouch to the raven. “Dany’s keeping quiet about the letters I hope.”
“She’s never taken out the letters in his presence and I only ever give it to her when she’s alone,” Brynden said, “There is no reason for anyone to suspect anything. She’s smarter than you give her credit for, Harry – she’s never even uttered your name out in front of anyone.”
“I’m sure she’s being careful, but she’s still naive, Brynden,” Harry said with a wry smile, “the fact that she trusted me so easily is enough to attest to it. The moment a kind face shows up, she might spill everything – even if only unintentionally.”
Folding his arms to his chest, he continued. “The moment my name gets associated with her – it will spell my end,” Harry said, a small shiver escaping him from just thinking of the prospect. “The king hates Targaryens with a passion. Even my uncle might not be able to salvage the situation.”
“I’ll see to it,” Brynden said simply, trying to reassure him. “Before I leave – I’ve picked up trail for Connington, he’s in Pentos.”
Harry shot out of his chair in elation. “That’s wonderful news! Why didn’t you lead with that?” he asked in a complaining tone, although his face held a huge grin.”
“It… slipped my mind,” Brynden said a little evasively.
Harry looked at him with a little scepticism. “Sure – I hope you aren’t having second thoughts,” Harry asked, “since this is unavoidable, Bryden. I hope you’ve made your peace with it.”
“Harry,” Brynden said in a stern tone, a tone Harry had never heard him use before. “I might have been a Targaryen loyalist then, but I’m much more now, I’m the last greenseer,” he said with conviction. “That day when you beckoned me to talk – I placed my hopes and the responsibility of the realm on you. And I’ll see it to the end.”
Harry read the raven’s mind. Brynden was finding it hard to believe how clear Harry’s dreams of the future were; when his own were cryptic and needed heavy interpretation. Otherwise, he was more or less accepting of his plans.
“Right…” Harry said, “It’s best if we both are of one mind – our road together will be long and hard as is.”
“Yes,” Brynden affirmed.
“I should be at the Citadel by the time you’re done with these tasks,” Harry said as he thought over their conversation, trying to see if he’d missed anything. “Right, I’d nearly forgotten – what’s the progress with the white raven I’d asked for?”
“I’m tracking a nest beyond the wall,” Brynden supplied, “the mother has only just laid her eggs. I’ll bring along a bird when it's hatched – the next time I visit.”
He looked at Harry as if waiting for permission, and Harry nodded. Picking up the letter, the raven flew out the window. Harry kept an eye on it until it disappeared into the darkness.
He took a moment to reflect on the conversation with Brynden. While his plans for outside Westeros were on track for the moment, he’ll have to start focusing on the ones within in the upcoming years. There was a lot to do, and subtlety would be key in ensuring that the flow of events doesn’t change. At least until he’s amassed power of his own.
Clearing his mind – for the moment – Harry headed out to Robb’s room.
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“Mmhm…!” Harry felt exhilarated beyond measure as a feeling of contentment washed over him. He had to clamp down on his mouth to prevent moaning by accident.
“Did you say something, Harry?” Maester Luwin asked from his seat at the front of the library.
“It’s nothing Maester,” Harry quickly answered to appease him, “I accidentally stubbed my toe.”
“You didn’t break your nail, did you?” Maester Luwin asked in concern.
“No, I’m alright. Even the pain’s passed already,” Harry supplied to the maester, before quickly hunching back down to admire the result of years of studying.
“Alright, Let’s see it,” Harry spoke in his mind, excitedly.
“Here you are,” Alice said before pulling up the status.
[ Status
Name: Harold Stark
LVL: 2
STR: 1
END: 2
DEX: 1
CHA: 1
INT: 2
WIS: 1
Points: 1
Perks
Gamer’s Mind
Gamer’s Body
Skill
Mind Reading
Observe
Warging (Self-Learnt) ]
“What!” Harry exclaimed, his excitement pushing through his clamped mouth.
“What’s the matter, Harry?” Maester Luwin asked as he vacated his chair.
“No, no – it’s nothing Maester,” Harry said quickly as he internally admonished himself. “I was reading through a book on the various keeps and – uhh – Moat Cailin is just really impressive!”
He cursed himself for losing composure. If Lord Tywin could kill off entire houses without displaying any emotion, then this was the least he should be able to do.
‘But maybe this slip could be forgiven?’ Harry thought to himself. After all, this was the first time he’d levelled up and gotten a free point.
“Yes,” the maester agreed, “one of the most impressive castles to have ever existed. I’ve seen it. It’s little more than a ruin these days, but its former glory cannot be erased merely by the flow of time.”
“I hope to make a visit during my journey to the Citadel,” Harry replied, “I hope its splendour has remained untouched.”
Bringing close to the conversation, Harry turned to Alice for answers.
“Your actions in the world have culminated to push you to the next level, Harry,” Alice replied, already aware of what he was going to ask for.
“Are there any conscious actions I can take to speed it up?” Harry asked – though he doubted it. Hell would freeze over before the system makes it easy for him.
“No,” Alice answered curtly in confirmation.
“I thought so,” Harry thought wryly.
Even this disappointment couldn’t keep him down for long, however. He had earned a point for his intelligence – all on his own – and had also gotten an extra point through the level-up. Two in a day!
‘Two points in a single day, will there ever be a repeat of it in the future… what are the odds,’ Harry wondered.
Adding to the excitement, his wisdom had finally reached the average value as well.
Harry’s sixth sense had told him – a long time ago – that some of these statistics depended on each other. Like strength to endurance and wisdom to intelligence. Thus he had taken a leap in faith that wisdom would increase with intelligence; which had paid off wonderfully.
Looking at the extra point he’d gotten, Harry wondered where he should use it. Last time he had used it on his endurance which had helped him grow stronger and healthier as a result. Currently, while he could always do with more strength, that’s not where his priorities were. For the first time in his life, he was about to leave the safety of the North for the unfavourable lands of the South. He might not just have to worry about physical harm, but political as well. Maybe he could do with a little extra charisma?
Making up his mind, Harry used the point on his charisma. His endurance and intelligence were already above average, and he had a feeling that his dexterity would improve in a year or two at most. Strength and wisdom, he could always improve slowly through hard work. But charisma… that he didn’t know how to improve.
Looking at his accomplishment, Harry couldn’t help but feel a little happy. He now had three stats that were twice as much as an average person. Most people he observed had an average of ‘one’ across their status. Only a handful of people who excelled at something in particular, had any extra points at all – while people with two extra stats were even rarer.
His uncle had an extra point in his endurance and strength while Maester Luwin had an extra point in wisdom and intelligence. He’d also seen some of the smallfolk with extra points in endurance, probably from living in the harsh North.
So, Harry was especially pleased with having extra points in three statistics – it was truly special.
As Harry was getting down from his high, he heard someone call for him.
“Harry!”
Robb made his way towards him with Jon and Theon following close behind.
“Father’s calling for you,” he said with his ever-present excitement.
“Do you know why?” Harry inquired as he closed the book.
“Something to do with your trip to the Citadel,” Robb replied as he snatched the book from his hands, to take a look.
Harry already had an idea of what this summons was for.
Uncle Ned had not been very inclined to send Harry South to the Citadel. He distrusted the South with a passion. However, Maester Luwin had promised to ask his old friends to look after him at the Citadel and managed to appease Uncle Ned somewhat. If only they knew of the other things Harry was planning to do.
Nonetheless, his uncle had asked him to take an escort with him, to keep safe on the roads. Harry had agreed wholeheartedly – he definitely was not looking for an early grave. However, the lack of knights and sworn swords at Winterfell had been a thorn in their side, and they’d not had much luck in gathering swords for Harry’s retinue. So, his uncle had had to call in some favours.
And now this escort must have arrived. Harry was extremely excited to see who it was.
