Chapter 26: Whispers in the Red Keep

The sun cast long shadows over King's Landing, spilling golden light through the arched windows of the Tower of the Hand. Inside the Small Council chamber, voices murmured like distant thunder as the councillors assembled.

Eddard Stark stood beside the table, a sealed parchment bearing the sigil of House Manderly in hand. He looked older than he had yesterday. Wearier. The parchment crackled as he broke the seal.

King Robert Baratheon slouched at the head of the table, goblet of wine in hand, fingers drumming on the wood with dull impatience. "Let's get on with it then, Ned. What madness has the North sent us today?"

Ned cleared his throat. "This is no jest, Robert. Lord Wylis Manderly and Lord Commander Jeor Mormont have sent word from Castle Black. They claim the dead walk beyond the Wall. Not stories—truth. They've captured one of them. They're sending it here."

A silence fell. Then Renly Baratheon leaned back in his chair with a snort. "What's next? Giants riding mammoths down the King's Road? Perhaps the Children of the Forest will join them in a dance?"

Ned didn't smile. "Mock it if you will, but I've known Wylis Manderly since he was a boy. He's not prone to fantasy. If he says the dead walk, then the dead walk."

Grand Maester Pycelle gave a slow, wheezing sigh. "The North is… full of old tales. Tales best left to the snow. Cold can do strange things to a man's mind."

Littlefinger gave a short laugh, fingers steepled beneath his chin. "And yet, always when funding is needed, it's the monsters that rise. Dragons, dead men, demons in the mist—it all ends with parchment requesting gold."

Varys tilted his head slightly, eyes half-lidded. "I've heard…rumors. Whispers from the East, and further still beyond the lands of shadow. Something stirs. There are truths hidden in even the oldest lies."

Robert let out a grunt and drained his goblet in one long pull. He set it down harder than he needed to. "A man rides back from the ends of the world screaming about dead things in the snow. You know what that sounds like, Ned?"

"Like someone who's seen the truth," Ned answered calmly. "Wylis and Jeor Mormont wouldn't send such a letter unless it were real. They're sending a creature here, Robert. You'll have your proof."

Robert rubbed at his face, weary already. "Then let's wait for it. Until I see it with my own eyes, I won't call a single bannerman or spend one copper."

Later — In the Gardens of the Red Keep

The sun dipped behind the walls as Renly Baratheon walked the gravel paths beside Ser Loras Tyrell. The blooms in the royal garden glowed orange in the fading light.

Loras spoke first. "You looked troubled in council. Not like you."

Renly shrugged. "Because I'm not sure if I should laugh or shiver. Dead men walking? If it's true, it changes everything."

"And if it's not?" Loras asked.

"Then we've been handed the perfect distraction," Renly replied, brushing a petal from his sleeve. "While the North frets about ice wraiths, the rest of us can keep our eyes on the only throne that matters."

Loras smiled faintly. "And who should sit it?"

Renly stopped walking. "Someone who understands what power really means."

Meanwhile — In the Queen's Chambers

Cersei Lannister swirled her wine, eyes fixed on the fire as her brother lounged on the couch beside her.

"Have you heard what they're saying in the halls?" she said, voice tinged with amusement. "Walking corpses, Ned Stark's grim little bedtime stories come to life."

Jaime smirked. "The North always did love their ghost stories. Perhaps Wylis Manderly took one too many knocks to the head."

Cersei's face hardened. "Don't dismiss it so easily. If the court starts believing this tale, it could shift loyalties. Fear makes fools and heroes both."

Jaime stretched his legs. "Let them believe what they want. I've seen no dead men walking, only schemers crawling."

Cersei set her goblet down with a soft clink. "Let's hope it stays that way. I won't have the court turn toward Winterfell for salvation."

Elsewhere — The Tower Above

Varys stood alone atop a high tower of the Red Keep, watching the flickering lights of King's Landing. His hands folded neatly in his sleeves, his gaze distant.

"The smallfolk know nothing yet," he whispered to the wind. "But they will. Fear spreads faster than wildfire. If this creature arrives… the game will shift."

He closed his eyes. "So much death on the horizon. Yet perhaps… perhaps it is the beginning of what must come."

And Deeper Still — Petyr Baelish's Chambers

Petyr Baelish sat behind his desk, a decanter of Arbor red at his side. The candlelight flickered in his eyes as he toyed with a coin.

"Dead men," he said softly, "are rather more useful than living ones. They don't talk. They don't betray. But they do terrify."

He took a slow sip of wine, smiling to himself. "Let them bring this creature. Let it dance in chains before the court. While they stare at the monster… I'll be at their purse strings."

That Evening — Robert and Ned in the Godswood Garden

Later that night, Robert and Ned walked the quiet paths of the godswood, far from prying ears. The air was cooler here, the trees older.

Robert's voice was low and sober. "You truly believe this, don't you?"

"I do," Ned said. "Too many things align. The Wall stirred. Wylis returned with a message soaked in blood."

Robert shook his head slowly. "I've fought wars, Ned. Real wars. Men with steel and anger, not shadows and snow. What am I supposed to do with this?"

"You wait. See the truth for yourself. Then decide."

Robert stopped walking. "You better be right, old friend. Because if this turns out to be snow-madness from your northern boys, the court will laugh you back to Winterfell—and I might let them."

Ned didn't answer. He simply stared out at the sky.

The Red Keep was restless.

Whispers flitted through halls like crows. The queen and her brother sharpened their doubts. The councillors plotted their advantages. And in the North, a cart rolled slowly toward the capital, carrying something that would change the realm.

Whether they believed it or not…

Winter was coming.