Game of Thrones: King of Magic

Solomon. King's Landing.

I stood at the window of one of the rooms of the Red Castle and watched as the tournament of the Hand was almost at an end, or rather, half of it. Due to the onset of dusk, and the sun was already setting over the horizon, the remainder had been postponed until the next day.

It included knights' duels and the second part of the general fight with some differences, that is, if today the fights were fought in the saddle and in teams, tomorrow - every man for himself and without horses. As I heard, the king is an ardent fan of this kind of competition, and so the organization obediently adjusted to his orders.

However, it wasn't the tournament that was the reason for my visit, even if it seemed rather ordinary and not particularly interesting to me, but a few people I wanted to talk to. This included only six people, which was quite a lot, and one of which was Oberyn.

He made good on his promise, choosing the highly unlikely but only way to preserve his life and exact revenge at the same time. The bond between the Starks and the Martells formed by Oberyn's move will play a deterrent role for him, and he will need one, for he will be tempted, very tempted. And if he remembers and accepts my words, all will be well, but if not... Well... So be it.

The next moment the door to the room opened. I didn't have to turn around to recognize the man, for his aura said more than words.

- Good evening, Ned," I said with a smile on my face as I turned and looked at my guest. - You look very tired.

- Solomon? What are you doing here? - Ned said in a clearly tired but surprised tone, as if he couldn't believe I was here, and then he locked the door and walked inside. - How did you get into the Hand's office?

Ned Stark looked exhausted, not physically, but mentally, as if he had been through a very hard and long battle. The movement of his body was slow and sluggish, the black circles under his eyes looked like abysses, absent-mindedness and loss of concentration were evident, and his gaze hovered somewhere else. But there was concern in it, and I could just about make out what it was about.

- You're not happy to see me? - I let out a chuckle and opened my arms for a hug.

- Sorry about that, too much to do at the new place," Ned smiled, and then we shared a brief friendly hug. Then he sat down at his desk and poured himself some water from a pitcher in the room. - A lot has happened since you left, and there's so much I want to tell you, but I realize you're here for a reason.

- Don't bother. Kinvara told me most of it, but you're right. I'm here for a little while and for business," I said calmly and looked out at the streets bustling with life. - I'd like to hear about your current affairs in the capital, though.

- I thought you knew about everything because of your magic.

- Partially, but still, please," I insisted. - And you can talk freely. Nothing will leave your office during our conversation.

- Well... If that's the case," Ned sighed, taking a couple of sips, catching exactly what I was asking. - There are only two things bothering me at the moment, and neither of them is better than the other. Both are very confusing, secretive, and require a massive investigation that will definitely not be good for the safety of my daughters and people.

- But still, you're doing it, because you can't do it otherwise, I suppose?

- Yes," Ned nodded assuredly. - Jon's murder and the queen's children. Both of these cases affect the whole kingdom, and as Hand, it is my duty to find answers and punish those responsible. It is my duty.

I nodded briefly.

Ned realized that sooner or later he would come to the truth, but there would be consequences. If the previous Hand was killed, he might be killed as well, and there was extremely obvious leverage in the capital as his daughters. That was about the assassination, but what about the queen's children and her treason against the king? Here things were much more complicated.

Even with proof, Ned would have a very hard time, given his friendship with the king. After all, it was questioning the honor and loyalty of the queen and the royal family. And what exactly is the evidence that would give him assurance in this era? There's no medical expertise, no DNA test, and the judiciary was based only on the words spoken and the weight of those who spoke them.

And that's why he needs allies. Strong allies who can back up his words. I don't know if Ned did it consciously, but still the first step was passed - Oberyn, albeit with a little help from me. The Martells are a strong house with connections in Essos. And if Ned could get the support of three more houses, the case could be considered won automatically. He would have to get to that stage himself, though.

I was glad, however, that Ned was not as gullible and obsessed with rightness and honor as he might have been. He was aware of the danger, the risks, and the possible casualties, and so he acted as carefully as he could. That's what the red men here, both in the capital and in the castle, told me. But Ned was still not too careful in choosing possible allies.

- So the choice is made," I broke the silence and looked at him. - But are you ready for the consequences, Ned?

- Probably not, but I have to be.

- I understand," I nodded. "I shouldn't normally allow myself this kind of thing, but I'll say it. Things will change in three months. The world will retire, giving way to its twin brother.

- Three months? - Ned wondered, and then his eyes opened wide. - Isn't that...?

- I take it you're familiar with that time frame?

- Yes. When Robert wanted to send assassins to the Targaryen survivors, Lord Varys named that exact time frame for the assassination attempt," he answered. - Could your words and the Targaryen girl be connected? Will she still want to return the throne to the dragons?

- That is no longer important, my friend. The process has been set in motion, and the rest of us will have no choice but to obey it. Those who do not want to be a part of it will be the first to be hurt, no matter what happens.

At these words, Ned's brow furrowed. He folded his hands in front of him and began to think hard, as if looking for a way out, but unfortunately there was none, even with my help.

- Solomon, - he began after a few moments of tense silence.

- Yes?

- If- - Ned clenched his hands and lowered his eyes. - If there's a war, you'll...

- I'll help you, but...

- No, that's not what I was going to say," Ned interrupted me, missing one important point. - Will you give me your word that you'll take care of my family?

I raised an eyebrow.

- Given your tone, things will turn out unexpectedly, and there's no guarantee I'll be able to return to my wife and children. King's Landing is a treacherous place. A tangle of slippery, dangerous snakes of all sizes and shapes with no end in sight. I, on the other hand, am a man of honor. Simple, stubborn and stupid.

Ned paused and grinned ironically.

- The capital has never suited me as well as I have suited her. We are as incompatible as fire and ice. It is unacceptable for me to turn my back on my duty and my oaths, and may all those who care for me forgive me. And if this one may lead me to my grave, so be it. However, the North... my wife and children... They are all my family. And they must not suffer for my decisions.

He stood right in front of me and looked me in the eye.

- Do I have your word? Your word, Solomon, the Wise King of Israel?

My gaze met his. Ned was beginning to prepare for the worst and clearly understood where his choice was leading. He trusted me and my words, there was no doubt in him that things would happen as I said. And looking into his eyes, his pure but stupid eyes, I began to realize something.

He had chosen to trust me with the most precious thing he had. Not because it was the right thing to do. Not because under my wing his family would be guaranteed to survive. And not because I and my powers were to his advantage. No...

He wanted to do it.

A banal human desire based on trust and... love. Irrational. Real. Human.

But even so, I can't give him my word. The word "take care of" has a very wide range. From training to lifelong guardianship. And even with my Wisdom, I can't figure out exactly what Ned wanted me to do, which meant I couldn't make a promise either.

I never lie, it's my nature and essence. I can't give up on myself. I just can't.

On top of that, I've already allowed myself too much by talking about future events. And even though the future tends to change the moment you learn about it, the key events are constant. That is, what happens three months from now.

Strong interference in the history or structure of the world leads to its death, slowly or not. The singularities created by Goetia are a prime example of this. It's a law of the universe beyond even my power. And yet.

- …you have my word.

- Thank you," said Eddard Stark, Lord of the North and a man of honor, with a smile of satisfaction.

...and yet I WANTED to make him a promise. To give him hope that all will be well, no matter what happens next. To give the light that would open the dark clouds and chase away the monsters lurking in the dark....

A slight but sincere smile unknowingly appeared on my face. Soft like velvet, and bright like the sun.

Even with the Psychic, I didn't know where my promise to the person in front of me would lead, but I WANTED to fulfill it.

And that was fine...

Suddenly there was a knock on the door, interrupting the flow of feelings, and then from the other side came a male voice that I remembered from my days at Winterfell. His name was "Harold," I think. The closed field, however, was dispelled at my will.

- Lord Stark. The King wishes to see you at a feast in honor of the end of the first day of the tournament.

- Good," Ned replied and headed for the door, but stopped just before it and looked at me. - Thank you. I really appreciate it. Friend.

At those words he walked out, and I nodded briefly, rolling that word around in my head.

"Friend, huh? I guess the first one... the real one....

-0-

After a while, I found the next person I wanted to talk to. It was one of the gardens of the Red Castle, almost covered in darkness, illuminated by the light of the rising moon. It was quiet and peaceful, as if life had a place of its own in this place. And that place was the gazebo at the end of the garden, where the candlelight burned.

It was there that I found the man I needed, the passage to which was guarded by two tall and sturdy men in armor, whose gaze was instantly directed in my direction and did not leave me for a moment.

Slowly, measuredly and almost silently I approached the gazebo with my bare but clean feet, feeling the coolness of the paved path and passing the green bushes with blooming flowers and the crowns of small trees swaying in the breeze.

I stopped a few meters away from the guards and pointed at the man inside the gazebo, indicating that I was waiting for his permission to enter. It was a doll-like, miniature old woman whose body was almost dried out by the onslaught of time. The candlelight revealed to me her gray hair tied in a braid down her back, long thin fingers covered with brown stains, and sunken lips indicating the absence of teeth in her mouth, and beside her lay a dainty-looking cane.

She was alone in a green robe with gold trim, under which an emerald silk dress could be seen. On her hands were several rings, disproportionate to her fingers, and around her neck was a pendant, apparently sewn into the dress itself.

As I studied the older woman, she slowly raised her head and looked at me with interest, removed her glasses, then waved her hand. Seeing this gesture, her guards parted, opening the way for me.

- Good evening, my lady," I began, stepping into the gazebo and kissing the back of her hand. She didn't show it, but I could clearly sense some approval, even a faint stunned expression. - May I keep you company?

- It's been a long time since I've seen men so handsome, and so delicate and refined. If my chickens had seen you, even a deaf man would have heard them squealing," she said softly enough and grinned. - Have a seat. Your company is certainly better than this stifling silence, much less a feast of shouting and idle talk. Since you've come to me, you know me, but not me you. Introduce yourself now that you've come.

- Solomon, Lady Olenna. Just "Solomon," I said politely, and sat down across from her, and Lady Olenna's gaze became genuinely intrigued.

- Oh, I've heard of you. The sorcerer who lived with the Starks, supposedly wielding great magic. Is your beauty a consequence of that, too?

- I was born that way. Thank you for the compliment," I replied, raising my hand. - May I?

- Of course," she said.

- And you're not afraid of what I might do? - I asked, tilting my head to the side.

- What would become of an old woman like me," Lady Olenna grinned. - But I'm very interested in your next move.

There was a faint snap of fingers in the gazebo, but my companion didn't notice any visible change, as evidenced by her incomprehensible stare.

- Was something supposed to happen? Because I didn't see anything.

- Try calling your bodyguards. You'll see the difference," I asked her. Without a second's hesitation, she looked toward the entrance.

- Right. Left," she called in a casual but interested voice, but they didn't respond. Lady Olenna tried two more times, but there was no change, it was as if we didn't exist for them, and then she turned her gaze to me, smiling her toothless smile.

- You have captured my interest, Lord Solomon," she said, and took the wine glass in her hand. - Whatever you come to me for, I listen to you intently…

-0-

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