The North Remembers

did you see that picture on the network? you and your friend might want to stay low for a little while, Maker only knows what might happen to you both now that someone's out murdering people. plenty of someones, actually.

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Aye, I have.

But I will not lay low. It might be better to work on the castle's defenses for when the smallfolk come. They should not be able to take us unawares if we do this right.

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I do have some plans in mind. how do you feel about patrols? two to three people each group, preferably. someone also mentioned vats of oil, so we'll need plenty of oil and cauldrons to hold them in.

tell your friend to lay low, then.

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Patrols? In front of the castle or atop? It would not be wise to step out of it if they plan to put the castle under siege. Strengthen the walls and the gate. I can handle a bow if necessary.

Are you planning to throw boiling oil down the walls?

I shall. She is not fit to fight.

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both. not everyone has sharp eyesight, though ideally there'd be a boundary. besides, it's easy enough to get lost in the woods.

no, I'm planning to cook my dinner while people who want me dead are climbing up the walls.

[Twenty seconds after she sends the message:] bad joke. but yes, I'm planning on that unpleasant surprise.

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Mayhaps a map can be of help. Are there maps? If we know how the paths are laid out it might be more easier to be able to determine their attacks. Even though I do not see smallfolk putting a castle under siege. They talk bold but lack the experience.

If you do, save me a plate.

[Joke detected.]

I do not think these people would do well climbing the walls of the castle.

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of Lager Woods? doubtful. I did try, but the few I found were a bit more outdated than I'd like.

they may lack experience, but there is a lot of them, and they're all very pissed off. I wouldn't underestimate them too much. [Smallfolk. Dear Maker. Smallfolk can do a lot of things, when they're pissed off.]

bacon or chicken?

they can try.

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I will try to make some new ones.

[Robb is absolutely no cartographer or good with pen and ink. Yet, he does like maps and he does like to find roads that remain hidden to others. It would be a good distraction.]

Our walls are high. We may not have a lot of men, yet I do think we are able to stand a chance.

Aye, I know it is not wise to underestimate our enemy. But we have the advantage here.

Bacon.

I am most sure they will, lady Hawke. They seem a persistent lot.

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soft_focus

There is someone named Phantom Kid who is going to try to get to my room to test the castle defenses. He said he needed something hard to get into and I said that you and Hawke are trying to make the castle really safe so I thought that if he did that he could tell everyone how to make it more safe.

I was supposed to tell you though. He told me to tell you because he doesn't want to get killed.

[...What a grand, grand way to give someone a heart attack. ~~also since when did the kid even type that much~~]

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Boy, are you truly sure now is the time for games like this?

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soft_focus

It is a test not a game. You said you wanted to make sure everything here was safe, so he's going to help.

I think Hawke said it was okay too. I don't know when he's coming, but it probably isn't right now, or tomorrow. He has to get ready, I think.

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If Lady Hawke deems it right, I have no problems with it.

Apologies, boy, I have other things on my mind.

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soft_focus

Okay, that's good.

Are they bad things though? You sound grumpy still.

Or was it because you didn't know if the castle would be safe any more?

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That matters not.

I hope the castle is safe enough. I am curious about the outcome, Reira.

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soft_focus

Okay.

I'll tell you what happens!

[Spoilers, Robb--the thief succeeded.]

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Aye. My thanks.

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that wasnt me you were speaking to yesterday

the second i see greyjoy again i may strangle him

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what? did he get into your body?

[It is no surprise. Jon would never behave like he had done back then.]

are you well? will he do it again?

[Gods be good, Greyjoy is a dead man.]

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he did

well enough now that he isnt using me as a puppet

if he knows any better he wont

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he does not know better, jon.

i am sorry you got dragged into this situation. theon wants me to forgive him and i cannot. he should not have used you for that. he should not have done this to you at all.

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if he possesses me again and tries to talk to you you can punch him in the face

that might help

ive suffered worse than a broken nose anyway

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[Normally Robb would not mind to punch his brother. He had done that in the past at least twice. But here, in this place it seems like some sort of line he should not cross.]

he will not possess you again. i will make sure of that.

[Robb is seething with anger.]

and if everything fails i will punch your nose instead. theon is a craven but i do not think he is foolish enough to do this again. not if he values the friendship we once had.

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ill avoid him in the meantime

should be much harder to possess someone if theyre keeping away from you

i doubt it robb

[A pause, then another message comes in:] you couldve told me earlier about what he told you though

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[The message comes way later.]

theon has said some odd words to me. that he would stay close to me. as if he were a shadow. i think he is mad. mayhaps it is wise to leave me be for a moment. until i am sure he is not following me.

[Robb huffs in front of his laptop, frowning while feeling guilty all over.]

i wanted to tell you and i should have. i am sorry jon.
i believe theon's words. i want to ask if will you look for Bran and Rickon when you return to the wall?

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if its necessary then fine [Liar, liar, pants on fire.]

it wouldve been better had i heard it from you instead of greyjoy

why didnt you

if i return to the wall and if they dont decide to take my head off for deserting ill look for them

theyll have brought their wolves with them i remember seeing summer at queenscrown

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