Rickard Karstark

Rickard Karstark awoke in a pool of sweat. Fucking south, it's too bloody warm. He crawled out of his bed and saw the red sun rising from across the Blackwater. He looked over his bed and saw the whore. A simple girl from Rosby. Red hair and small breasts, her body was soft and plain. She had spent the night with Rickard and warmed his bed. She had a plain face but a great body. Rickard had been a serial womaniser, he had fathered a bastard at the tender age of 17 on a whore from White Harbour. The bastard had come to live at Karhold but has since joined a sellsword company. He pulled on breeches and a tunic. Nothing fancy, nothing these southerners would called up to scratch.

He placed 3 coppers on the side table in the brothel and walked out the door into Kings Landing. It was dawn and the gold cloaks were making there rounds. Rickard smiled at two of the men in the party who looked him up and down before carrying on their rounds. He mounted his trusty horse, and rode up to the Red Keep. He hailed a guard and was let in. He gave his horse to a stableboy and saw a maester looking for him. The maester was an old man, tall and powerful but with grey hair and wrinkles on his face. The maester told him "Rickard, you father sent a raven here summoning you to Karhold. Rickard looked worried and said "Very well. I shall leave tomorrow."

Rickard rushed through the Red Keep and into his room. He found a steward and told him to begin boxing up his things. Put my clothes, my arms and my money into chests. I want this room empty. Everything is to come with me. Rickard called for one of his men. He was sent down to the harbor to buy Rickard, his men and his things on a ship. Rickard found one of his guards stood outside his room. He barked to the man "Get the others. Go the barracks and order them to pack up all their things and meet me in the inner bailey at dawn tomorrow." The guard nodded and rushed away.

Lord Arnolf Karstark

Arnolf Karstark was stood on a castle tower. He was looking out to the harbour. It was a modest place, a few fishermen, occasionally a trader from Bravvos or Ib came past. Today he looked for a trading galley called the Blackbird. The ship came from Kings Landing and the captain was bringing Rickard Karstark home. He had been paid off by Rickard and had left two weeks ago. Arnolf spotted the ship on the horizon. It glided into port and the welcoming party met Rickard. Arnolf was feeling unwell and did not risk travelling anywhere. Arnolf spotted the party moving up to the castle. He rushed down the stairs and out to the outer bailey. Everyone was stood waiting for Rickard return. Arnolf stood at the front of a small column, behind him stood Harrion, Torrhen and Tormund.

The party swung through the castle gates. Rickard had not changed in the slightest. Kings Landing had not changed him. He was still of the North. He climbed down from his horse and "Hello, father. Why did you recall me from Kings Landing." Arnolf hugged his son and smiled "My boy. I have big plans for you. Perhaps a marriage with powerful men. But nothing is set in stone." Arnolf moved his hand and told his son "Come with me to the main hall, we have a feast in your honour. Your lady mother will want to see you" With that the two men walked into the great hall of Karhold.