Eddard

           Painisagiftfromthegods,LordEddard,"GrandMaesterPycelletoldhim."Itmeanstheboneisknitting,thefleshhealingitself.Bethankful."

           "Iwillbethankfulwhenmylegstopsthrobbing."

           Pycellesetastopperedflaskonthetablebythebed."Themilkofthepoppy,forwhenthepaingrowstooonerous."

           "Isleeptoomuchalready."

           "Sleepisthegreathealer."

           "Ihadhopedthatwasyou."

           Pycellesmiledwanly."Itisgoodtoseeyouinsuchafiercehumor,mylord."Heleanedcloseandloweredhisvoice."Therewasaraventhismorning,aletterforthequeenfromherlordfather.Ithoughtyouhadbestknow."

           "Darkwings,darkwords,"Nedsaidgrimly."Whatofit?"

           "LordTywinisgreatlywrothaboutthemenyousentafterSerGregorClegane,"themaesterconfided."Ifearedhewouldbe.Youwillrecall,Isaidasmuchincouncil."

           "Lethimbewroth,"Nedsaid.Everytimehislegthrobbed,herememberedJaimeLannister’ssmile,andJorydeadinhisarms."Lethimwritealltheletterstothequeenhelikes.LordBericridesbeneaththeking’sownbanner.IfLordTywinattemptstointerferewiththeking’sjustice,hewillhaveRoberttoanswerto.TheonlythingHisGraceenjoysmorethanhuntingismakingwaronlordswhodefyhim."

           Pycellepulledback,hismaester’schainjangling."Asyousay.Ishallvisitagainonthemorrow."Theoldmanhurriedlygathereduphisthingsandtookhisleave.Nedhadlittledoubtthathewasboundstraightfortheroyalapartments,towhisperatthequeen.