Eddard

           HewaswalkingthroughthecryptsbeneathWinterfell,ashehehadwalkedathousandtimesbefore.TheKingsofWinterwatchedhimpasswitheyesofice,andthedirewolvesattheirfeetturnedtheirgreatstoneheadsandsnarled.Lastofall,hecametothetombwherehisfatherslept,withBrandonandLyannabesidehim."Promiseme,Ned,"Lyanna’sstatuewhispered.Sheworeagarlandofpaleblueroses,andhereyesweptblood.

           EddardStarkjerkedupright,hisheartracing,theblanketstangledaroundhim.Theroomwasblackaspitch,andsomeonewashammeringonthedoor."LordEddard,"avoicecalledloudly.

           "Amoment."Groggyandnaked,hestumbledhiswayacrossthedarkenedchamber.Whenheopenedthedoor,hefoundTomardwithanupraisedfist,andCaynwithataperinhand.Betweenthemstoodtheking’sownsteward.

           Theman’sfacemighthavebeencarvedofstone,solittlediditshow."MylordHand,"heintoned."HisGracetheKingcommandsyourpresence.Atonce."

           SoRoberthadreturnedfromhishunt.Itwaslongpasttime."Ishallneedafewmomentstodress."Nedleftthemanwaitingwithout.Caynhelpedhimwithhisclothes;whitelinentunicandgreycloak,trouserscutopendownhisplaster-sheathedleg,hisbadgeofoffice,andlastofallabeltofheavysilverlinks.HesheathedtheValyriandaggerathiswaist.

           TheRedKeepwasdarkandstillasCaynandTomardescortedhimacrosstheinnerbailey.Themoonhunglowoverthewalls,ripeningtowardfull.Ontheramparts,aguardsmaninagoldcloakwalkedhisrounds.