Entry Eighteen

Date: 299 After Landing, Summer

It wasn't long after we set off from Harrenhal that I realized I couldn't arrive in the Westerlands dressed in, what I affectionately call, Medieval America armor. To hold the peace with Stannis, they can't know that the North's "Mountainbreaker" is taking down Ironborn. So we stopped at Riverrun to have something made. I should be able to pick it up tomorrow, it is mostly traditional gear any skilled swordsman would wear, but I am also having a special case made to put over my shield and make it look traditional for this place. Since shields carry sigils of their owners house, I have picked a red and white eagle on a blue field. People know me for my star, not eagles.

Edmure Tully was glad to see me, but I couldn't have picked a worst time to arrive. Lord Hoster Tully, his father, had passed just a few days before and the entire castle was in mourning. His passing wasn't unexpected, he had been growing weaker for a long time, but it was obviously a major loss for Edmure. In addition, he will now feel the pressure to marry and doesn't seem to be looking forward to the prospect. Can't really blame him.

To honor the memory of Hoster, Edmure invited many of the Kingdom's Lords to the funeral next week. I would like to stay and see King Eddard, should he come, but I'm needed elsewhere. Oddly, I do feel rather sad about missing the funeral. I met with Hoster after I liberated the castle from the Lannisters last year, and for an old man he was very active. And intelligent. We spoke for several days, where I entertained him with stories of growing up in Brooklyn, and he shared stories of his children with me. It was like I really had a father, even if only for a short time.

Since I got here, I think it was experiences like that one which pushed me into the Stark's camp. Eddard was fatherly and took an interest in who I was, not what I could do for him. Robert liked me, but only because I could outdrink and outfight him. The Lannisters and everyone else only took an interest after I won the Tourney. Who I was, where I came from, didn't matter to anyone except the Starks. Before I come to this land there was only one other person who actually looked out for me…

I miss Bucky.

Anyway, I should get some sleep and get ready to head out in the morning.