004 -- voice;

[northerner]

It seems there are many from my world to be welcomed aboard after this past jump. If those of Westeros inclined to make their presence known, I would speak with all of you.

[ there's a pause. a direwolf's low whine can be heard, and robb exhales slowly. ]

And I'm sure it is already known, but the lady who called herself Aberdeen is no longer aboard.

[ and feed is cut. ]

Comments

[northerner]

I don't seek for people to remain here, when we would all rather be in our homes.

[ and robb returned to his wars, to his battles and bannermen. ]

If that makes me strange, so be it. I have never sought to be like other kings.

[ even if his kingship is all imitation, all remembrances of robert baratheon's swagger and the stories old nan used to tell of aegon the conqueror and the great dragons before they'd fallen to madness and ruin. ]

[20mentholkools]

That what you say on the battlefield? Can't think there's too many men want to be there.

[A pause, and something that might sound like a short, quiet laugh.]

All kings are the same.

[northerner]

[ gosh riddick. ]

I don't mean to be like any king I have ever known.

[20mentholkools]

No king does. All of them want to be better. Bigger.

[northerner]

I would settle for being remembered as fair and just. I've no need to be mightier than those who came before.

[20mentholkools]

Until you need might for your idea of fair and just to stay standing.

[northerner]

Is my idea of fair and just so different from the rest of the Seven Kingdoms?

[20mentholkools]

Only needs to be different to one man.

[All kings started somewhere.]

[northerner]

His ideas can be as different as he likes, so long as he keeps the peace.

[20mentholkools]

And when he doesn't?

[northerner]

[ a beat. ]

Then he faces the king's justice.

[20mentholkools]

Always comes down to might.

[northerner]

Then best to be a fair and just king with a large and loyal army, isn't it?

[ and robb just sounds exhausted at that idea. ruling would be a neverending war as well. he would never put down his sword. ]

[20mentholkools]

Only three things keep an army loyal. Faith, fear, or the next payday. Think you can manage those, King Robb?

[Because it doesn't sound like he can.]

[northerner]

I don't believe that. They swore an oath to my house, they bent the knee and called me king. That binds them all more surely than any other tie.

[20mentholkools]

Faith. Only lasts as long as the man lives up to it. Long, easy way to fall.

[northerner]

But I shan't fall.

[ robb sounds more weary than a boy of eighteen has any right to. ]

[20mentholkools]

Everything falls sometime.

[northerner]

Then I pray it is long after I have accomplished all that need be done.