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The gardens of the Red Keep had always been revered throughout Westeros for it's beauty. Today, that beauty was no less than it had ever been. Flowers bloomed from every patch of dirt they could, and trees hung over the walkways, dangling fruit in front of the faces of the passerby, teasing them. Two particular men in the garden had each picked a fruit from the trees, peaches, to be exact, and they were strolling through the maze of foliage.

[color=purple]"Well my friend, I can't say that I agree with the speed at which you want to enact our plans. The Wards will only be arriving today, maybe it would be best to wait,[/color] one man said, strolling nonchalantly next to a man, clad all in armor, a sword hanging from his hip. The armored man spoke up, his voice gruff. [color=darkgreen]"What you agree with is of no importance to the Lord of the Moon. I've been put in charge of this stage of the plan and you will do as I command.[/color] 

The armored man's companion raised his hand in mock surrender, chuckling. [color=purple]"Oh don't be mistaken. I have no intention of disobeying your commands. Just voicing an opinion. Give me the supplies and your plan will be set into motion,[/color] he said with a grin. The armored man nodded, but was interrupted as a group of handmaidens turned began walking on their path. He looked over at his subordinate and glared. [color=darkgreen]"We will be in touch.[/color] With that, he was off, leaving the other man alone in the garden. [color=purple]"That man clearly does not know how many people have lost their lives to poor planning,"[/color] he said to himself, before shuffling off towards the castle.

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If Reed was being honest, the past two months had been hell. Reed did not like being on horses, yet the heir to the North and the Lordship of Winterfell was expected to ride on a fucking horse. Reed hadn't had much of a choice in this either. What was he going to say? [i][color=deepskyblue]"Please put me in the carriage because I can't balance on a horse I'm really quite terrible."[/color][/i] So he had endured the past two months of endless traveling on a horse, holding on to the reins so tight that he thought his knuckles might burst through his hands.

As they neared their destination, Reed couldn't help but look back on how this had all began. The day his father had come to him in the godswood, and told him he would be sent to King's Landing. Reed hadn't been terribly happy about it. He knew his father was trying to get rid of him, but he didn't have much of a choice. He went, although he demanded that Manasa join him. He wasn't going to endure the next few years without his twin. The next few weeks had been spent preparing and the last day he'd spent with his brother and sister, Lyanna and Benjen. They didn't quite understand what was going on, but they sensed something big was happening. Reed had grown somber, thinking that the next time he saw them that they'd be much older.

Reed blinked himself out of his memories as King's Landing came into view. Winter was plodding along beside him, and he leaned down to scratch her head, mostly just to reassure himself. He realized that Winter would most likely have to be kept outside, in the kennels, which he'd come to terms with, although he doubted his sister had. She had always been much more attached to her pets. 

The Stark procession rode through the gates, and Reed took in the city around him. He hadn't been to King's Landing since he was a child, and he was in awe of everything. The bustle of the market and the shouting. The Red Keep filled him with the most wonder, and he gazed at it, amazed by it's beauty. [i][color=deepskyblue]That's going to be home it seems.[/color][/i] 

Once the procession had made it to the Red Keep, Reed descended from his horse, nearly falling on the way, and moved to greet a young boy who seemed to be waiting just for them. He showed his seal, tapping his fingers against his leg nervously. [color=deepskyblue]"I am Reed Stark, here as uh, the uh, King's ward.[/color] He silently cursed himself for his awkwardness, but the servant seemed to accept his greeting because he led him into the castle. Winter was left outside, led to the kennels by two of his most trusted Stark guards. Manasa he figured would follow Reed into the castle soon, but he made no bid to wait for her. She was a free spirit, who knew what she could be doing as of now.

The servant led him to the west side of the Red Keep, and into a private wing of the castle. He took in the room, his new home. On either side were doors which he figured led to sleeping quarters. The center was dominated by a magnificent ironwood dining table, adorned with bowls of the finest fruits. Chairs with pillows of the finest cloth were scattered throughout the room arranged so that you could hold a conversation with a group. Reed took his seat next to the beautiful stone fireplace and waited for the others. He wished that Winter could be here with him, as he bit his lip nervously.