Trials and Tribulations of the Oathkeeper

Chapter 104: The Queen of Winter Takes Charge

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―At King's Landing―

Red Keep ― Small Council chambers...

Back within the Small Council chambers, Daveth invited Sansa and his mother-in-law Catelyn to take part in today's sessions. Earlier, both the King and Queen had a back-and-forth spat that took place not long after he woke up from the realm of the dead; to say that Sansa quite upset at Daveth throwing himself back into the fray so soon would be an understatement.

"So, you believe this bastard son of Roose Bolton is up to something?" inquired Trystane, the new Master of Laws.

"Don't you think it would be best to recommend a committee to ascertain whether the charges might be true or false, Your Grace?" advised Pycelle.

Daveth was having none of it. "The more time we waste here, the more trouble will start brewing. Unnecessary trouble, I might add. Hasn't the assassination attempt on my life in Dorne provided enough of a lead to follow? Is it not worth investigating?"

"What other options do we have if this council doesn't follow up on it?" inquired Catelyn. "If we act too rashly, we risk stirring a hornet's nest. If we act too late, whoever this Ramsay Snow fellow is up to, then the North faces the risk of internal insurrection."

"Let's not forget that the capital is also facing problems of its own, Lady Stark," Randyll reminded his colleagues. "These fanatics calling themselves Sparrows have already started making their move. If we divert resources to aid the North, then we risk leaving our rear flank exposed and vulnerable to attack."

"Then that means while someone handles the problems with the North, the other will have to tangle with the Sparrows," Tyrion theorized.

Sansa furrowed her eyebrows looking downwards with her thumb and index finger resting on her chin. "All while finding who we're looking for in the east, I agree," she said. "I'll go investigate the northern anomaly, whilst the rest of the council checks eastward."

In a near simultaneous fashion, almost everyone in attendance looked at the Queen with such astonishment at the unexpected announcement; normally no one would have cared if someone else was dispatched to the North as a royal envoy, but the way Sansa demonstrated such bold yet determined affirmative action showed how she developed nerves of iron—showing more signs of courage and bravery. But even so, Sansa remained a benevolent, popular Queen. And there were some who knew she wanted to help her immediate family members, but there remained older, conservative elements standing firm in their opinion to keep her in the capital.

"Sansa!" her mother exclaimed.

"A bold statement, Your Grace, but I'm afraid that we must disagree," Mace interjected. "What if something were to happen to you up there? Who knows what kind of horrors await up there—"

"Your concerns are appreciative, my lords, but I'm afraid I must disagree," she cut him off, "This isn't just a matter of political intrigue or subterfuge, it's a personal one. I was born in the North and it will always be a part of me no matter where I am. If my sister is indeed in the North, if she is in danger from this Ramsay Snow, then honor demands I do everything in my power to protect my family from any who would harm them – regardless of my own wants."