Maester Luwin
First Post
Session 4 part 2.
Lord Artos stood in the doorway of the prisoner’s cell & watched Maester Pelion at work. The prisoner appeared pale, his breath shallow, & his clothes stained with sweat. Maester Pelion removed the man’s tunic & inspected the man’s wound. Artos was aware that though there was some blood on the bandage the wound itself remained closed & clean, at least to his untrained eye. Artos could hear Ser Benton Cassel, Master-at-Arms at Winterfell questioning the guards posted at the door.
“Well speak for yourselves!” snapped Ser Benton.
The first guard seemed quite embarrassed & quiet but the other spoke with deference in his voice “By the Old Gods & the New we never left our post. And no one but the scullery maid who brought the prisoner’s food has entered that cell. The prisoner was indeed fine this morn when he broke his fast but by midday became quiet & when his supper was brought we found him like that! So deep in sleep we couldn’t wake him.”
Ser Benton’s stern gaze made both guards lower their eyes as the old warrior approached Lord Artos. He said “I know these men to be true Lord Artos. They’ve no cause to lie. No one save the girl could have gotten to him Milord.”
Artos nodded in agreement & asked the maester “Is his wound corrupt or does he suffer from some other sickness?”
Maester Pelion shook his head “Nay the wound is clean. Nor has it reopened. Though the damp cell is not conducive to good health, nor is it the breeding ground of illness. Though I can not say, without some doubt, it would be my opinion the man suffers from no disease. I know yet he sweats, his breathing is shallow, & his heart barely beats.”
Ser Benton stated what Artos was thinking & the Maester already implied “Poison then!”
Maester Pelion said matter of fact “It would appear so.”
A woman’s voice from behind the men made them turn around at once to see Mistress Helga standing there with Lorrick Poole-Artos had sent for her for just this reason.
“I would have a look at him Lord Artos!” Helga said
Maester Pelion had a look of disdain upon his wrinkled face but said nothing as Artos & Ser Benton stepped aside to let the wildling in. Helga was wise in the ways of nature & plant lore. She knew of many herbs that could be used for just such a purpose. Magda may your wisdom be with me now she thought.
The body of the man was sweaty but cold to the touch. Pale skin & eyes rolled back in his head. He barely breathed as his chest rose up & down slowly. She had no doubt as the wound looked good enough. There was only one hope for one such as he. If the Wolfswood was like her native forest beyond the Wall it might hold the answer!
“Lord Artos I will need my garron saddled & made ready. I will take Mull & Varly with me as well!”
Artos said “it is late Helga. Can’t it wait until the morrow?”
“It can but he can not!” Helga said.
Artos with concern in his voice stated “At least take Donnel. I’ll send for him.”
Helga shook her head “No milord. I want my own men. Karstark men.” Helga looked toward the Maester & said “Men I trust!”
Artos was a stubborn man but he knew his match with Helga. He could order Donnel to go with her but there was no need. “Very well. Lorrick see that the Master of horse knows of Helga’s needs & summon the Karstark guardsmen at once!”
Lorrick Poole, quite pale himself, stammered “Yes Milord.” Then he was gone.
Helga followed quickly at his heels. Artos shouted “Have care Helga!”
“I’m probably safer in the woods than you are within these walls” she shouted back!
Maester Pelion cleared his voice to let Artos know he was still there.
“Yes Maester?” Artos asked without looking at the man.
“I may yet be of service Milord. I have an elixir that will not cure the man within but might slow the poison enough to give the… wildling time. And with your permission would like to question the kitchen staff myself to see what may be seen.”
Ser Benton quiet all this time puffed out his chest & stood a little taller “That would be my job Maester Pelion. If it please you Milord I could get some answers & quickly!”
Maester Pelion said with quiet determination “This may be true Lord Artos but I would draw less attention. The staff may be more open & at ease with an old man such as I.”
Artos without further thought said as he made his way up the dungeon steps “See to it Maester & Ser Benton no one is to go into that man’s cell but me, you, the Maester & Helga upon her return!”
Ser Benton snapped to attention & said “YES MILORD!” However, Artos ever the implacable was already gone!
Thanks Maester Luwin
Lord Artos stood in the doorway of the prisoner’s cell & watched Maester Pelion at work. The prisoner appeared pale, his breath shallow, & his clothes stained with sweat. Maester Pelion removed the man’s tunic & inspected the man’s wound. Artos was aware that though there was some blood on the bandage the wound itself remained closed & clean, at least to his untrained eye. Artos could hear Ser Benton Cassel, Master-at-Arms at Winterfell questioning the guards posted at the door.
“Well speak for yourselves!” snapped Ser Benton.
The first guard seemed quite embarrassed & quiet but the other spoke with deference in his voice “By the Old Gods & the New we never left our post. And no one but the scullery maid who brought the prisoner’s food has entered that cell. The prisoner was indeed fine this morn when he broke his fast but by midday became quiet & when his supper was brought we found him like that! So deep in sleep we couldn’t wake him.”
Ser Benton’s stern gaze made both guards lower their eyes as the old warrior approached Lord Artos. He said “I know these men to be true Lord Artos. They’ve no cause to lie. No one save the girl could have gotten to him Milord.”
Artos nodded in agreement & asked the maester “Is his wound corrupt or does he suffer from some other sickness?”
Maester Pelion shook his head “Nay the wound is clean. Nor has it reopened. Though the damp cell is not conducive to good health, nor is it the breeding ground of illness. Though I can not say, without some doubt, it would be my opinion the man suffers from no disease. I know yet he sweats, his breathing is shallow, & his heart barely beats.”
Ser Benton stated what Artos was thinking & the Maester already implied “Poison then!”
Maester Pelion said matter of fact “It would appear so.”
A woman’s voice from behind the men made them turn around at once to see Mistress Helga standing there with Lorrick Poole-Artos had sent for her for just this reason.
“I would have a look at him Lord Artos!” Helga said
Maester Pelion had a look of disdain upon his wrinkled face but said nothing as Artos & Ser Benton stepped aside to let the wildling in. Helga was wise in the ways of nature & plant lore. She knew of many herbs that could be used for just such a purpose. Magda may your wisdom be with me now she thought.
The body of the man was sweaty but cold to the touch. Pale skin & eyes rolled back in his head. He barely breathed as his chest rose up & down slowly. She had no doubt as the wound looked good enough. There was only one hope for one such as he. If the Wolfswood was like her native forest beyond the Wall it might hold the answer!
“Lord Artos I will need my garron saddled & made ready. I will take Mull & Varly with me as well!”
Artos said “it is late Helga. Can’t it wait until the morrow?”
“It can but he can not!” Helga said.
Artos with concern in his voice stated “At least take Donnel. I’ll send for him.”
Helga shook her head “No milord. I want my own men. Karstark men.” Helga looked toward the Maester & said “Men I trust!”
Artos was a stubborn man but he knew his match with Helga. He could order Donnel to go with her but there was no need. “Very well. Lorrick see that the Master of horse knows of Helga’s needs & summon the Karstark guardsmen at once!”
Lorrick Poole, quite pale himself, stammered “Yes Milord.” Then he was gone.
Helga followed quickly at his heels. Artos shouted “Have care Helga!”
“I’m probably safer in the woods than you are within these walls” she shouted back!
Maester Pelion cleared his voice to let Artos know he was still there.
“Yes Maester?” Artos asked without looking at the man.
“I may yet be of service Milord. I have an elixir that will not cure the man within but might slow the poison enough to give the… wildling time. And with your permission would like to question the kitchen staff myself to see what may be seen.”
Ser Benton quiet all this time puffed out his chest & stood a little taller “That would be my job Maester Pelion. If it please you Milord I could get some answers & quickly!”
Maester Pelion said with quiet determination “This may be true Lord Artos but I would draw less attention. The staff may be more open & at ease with an old man such as I.”
Artos without further thought said as he made his way up the dungeon steps “See to it Maester & Ser Benton no one is to go into that man’s cell but me, you, the Maester & Helga upon her return!”
Ser Benton snapped to attention & said “YES MILORD!” However, Artos ever the implacable was already gone!
Thanks Maester Luwin