21. Teacher?

"That was fast and freaking cool." Rodrick Cassel says, even though he was the one who suffered my attack. "And I see why you saw so many mistakes in the training methods I did here boy.

I'm more used to training soldiers for war, not boys who dream of becoming knights on their white horses. I didn't take offense at your words, and thank you for pointing out the error."

He turns, extending his hand to shake.

"No problem sir." I shake his hand.

"What happened to your sword?" does he look at me curious?

Knowing he's talking about me arriving here without one, I explain briefly. "To be quite honest sir, I abandoned it because of hunger and weariness. It wouldn't do any good to die just to carry a sword."

"You did it well young. Some swords are special, but the ones we little people carry are just cold weapons. Don't get too attached to them. But who knows, maybe one day, they'll come back into your hands?" he teases, slapping my shoulder.

Meanwhile, Eddard Stark approached, having descended from his balcony, accompanied by his two eldest sons.

"Ser Victor, may I ask…" I interrupt Eddard.

"Sir, I'm not a ser, so it doesn't make sense to call me that." I mean it honestly, because Sor is a pretty shitty name.

"Sorry then, Victor, I want to know if you can stay at Winterfell, and train the younger ones to be good soldiers, while Master Rodrick trains them in the art he is best at, war. What do you say?" he looked expectant.

"I have nowhere to go, and nowhere to go back, sir, so this honor you extend to me I will gladly seize. I hope to make you proud with those I train." I respond neutrally.

"We'll start slowly then, with you being able to teach my children in the morning, and tutoring the guard boys in the afternoon." Eddard says.

"We can start now if you're ready." I joke, looking at the boys.

The boys were about to step forward, but Eddard stopped them. "We still need to discuss some things Victor, as well as warn some other houses and the King himself about you.

No big deal, just to let them know that you work directly for me, and that if, by any chance, something goes wrong, at least they'll treat you with dignity. Therefore, kneel." he says drawing his sword.

Realizing I've misunderstood his intention, Rodrick taps my knee, which unbalances me a bit, and using his hand, forces me down. I was going to protest with the old knight, but seeing him laughing and with an excited expression, I stopped.

Eddard drapes his sword over one of my shoulders, and starts talking about a Mother, a Stranger, and a few others I didn't catch right away. With all his calm, he puts his sword away again.

"Arise, Ser Victor, now anointed knight of Winterfell. May my decision not prove wrong in the future. I have high expectations of you." he says, reaching out a hand, helping me to my feet.

"With all due respect, what was that?" I pretend not to know.

"I have just knighted you, ser. It means that wherever you go, you will be respected and treated with dignity. It also entitles you to a home, a place to call home. And that place is Winterfell.

But don't take my action lightly, I saw potential in you, and even if tomorrow, you decide not to stay, at least I know that gratitude will keep you from turning against our house." He replies sincerely.

And ever since, I've lived at Winterfell.

The house Lord Stark provided me wasn't one of the best, but it was cozy enough. He also sent some ravens, reporting me to some of the houses in the North, as well as to the King.

The King would then do the rest, notifying the other houses elsewhere in the realm of a new knight and whom he serves.

The days began to pass, and now, the two 13-year-olds, Robb and Jon, call me Professor. It was a headache at the same time as it was funny. I did some quick math with Eddard, and I from what we found out, was at 20 name days.

Time doesn't stop, it doesn't wait for anyone, and life goes on. One year I was living at Winterfell, and Eddard and I were talking a lot. Ser Rodrick attended sometimes, but only sometimes.

Due to his age, he decided to pass his post as Master of Weapons, since it was proven a few times that I could beat him, even if on some occasions, they were more difficult than others.

With that, I practically became Eddard's right hand, as well as a friend. Despite the great difference in their ages, Eddard was an intelligent man, and he knew how to bring out the best in people.

The one who wasn't very nice to me, unsurprisingly, was Lady Catelyn Stark. Many times, when she was talking to one of the Stark children, she would show up and tell me to do something.

Often, my response was just silence, and a small look of disgust at the woman. Obviously, her hostility towards me was seen and well known throughout Winterfell Castle, and even beyond.

"Professor, why does my mother hate you so much?" Robb asks me, this was one of the rare occasions where it was just me and the kids.

"Your mother believes that I might come to harm one of you one day. Often, maternal instincts go into that state when faced with the unknown. So it doesn't affect me too much.

My issue with her is how she treats Jon. This is so wrong." I say, causing Sansa and Arya to look at me curiously. Jon just flinches, as if he's trying to disappear into his own coat.

"She has a grudge against Jon that I can't understand." Robb says, and his sisters wave like ducks, confirming his words.

"It's called rancor, spite and malice. Him being his father's son with another woman, it's a constant reminder of the betrayal she suffered. How can she not direct her anger at Jon's mother for not knowing who she is, nor at Mister Stark, she targets the one she can wield some power over.

I find this low, vile, but unfortunately, there's nothing I can do. But you can. He is your brother, just as she is your mother. Only you, can appease the spiteful heart she carries, or it will hurt her, and Jon."

I plant the seed, because since she wants to bother me, I'll return it in kind, but where it hurts the most.