7.
Jon rolls his eyes as if he’s beyond such juvenile games-- then, without warning, he spurs his horse and gains a good head start. Robb curses and follows. They gallop off down the trail, Robb laughing and hooting, Jon silent.
Bran’s pony can’t compete in that race, so he follows slowly behind, craning his neck to see if he can spot the winner.
NED You understand why I did it?
Bran turns in his saddle, startled. On his great warhorse, Ned looms above him like a giant. Bran nods to his father.
BRAN Jon said he was a deserter. He was in the Night’s Watch and he ran away.
Even when speaking with his son, Ned constantly surveys his surroundings, aware of his men’s positions, the possible sites for an ambush, the angle of the sun.
NED True enough, but do you understand why I had to kill him?
Bran thinks about this for a few seconds, confused.
BRAN King Robert has a headsman.
NED He does. As did the Targaryen kings before him.
Ned reaches out to grab the pommel on Bran’s saddle. He forces the horse and pony to walk very close.
NED Our way is the old way. The man who passes the sentence should swing the sword.
Bran stares at the massive sword sheathed at Ned’s hip.
BRAN Is it true he saw the Others?
Ned stares at his son for a long beat.
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