Spring of Year 281 AC

In the morning light of Bogwater Town, Levi is busy finalizing plans when Lysa finds him by the blackboard. She's breathless with a sealed parchment in hand.

"News from merchants," she says, "The Great Tourney is convened, a big event, famous houses, sellswords, even the king's banners, all on the move."

Levi's pulse quickens. "Good," he replies, "We'll take our biggest caravan yet: fifty wagons and two hundred guards. Kell, Arl, and Munty lead the guard. Jory and Lyle will watch over the town and our current trade. Lysa, you ride as Lead Merchant. Wren stays to handle the merchant union here."

He glances at the wagons: spices in leather sacks, rice jars sealed with wax, thirty wooden clocks of his own design. This is the largest venture since the last… incident.

As they prepare, a Stark noble arrives: Lord Brandon Stark, heir of Winterfell. First time Levi has ever seen him.

Trained soldiers flank him, cloaks bearing the grey direwolf. Levi steps forward and greets him. "Greetings, Lord Brandon Stark. Welcome to Bogwater Town. Forgive our modest hospitality, news of the Tourney in Harrenhal sent my merchants on the road already."

Brandon surveys the town, frowning at the guards and wagons. "I've heard of this settlement, but seeing so many armed men and wagons… I doubt how a merchant could manage this."

Levi explains, "My lord, this place was built for the people of the Neck and for the North."

Brandon Stark is not satisfied. "So you say it is yours?"

Levi shakes his head. "No, my lord. It's the people's."

Before he can speak further, one of Brandon's men sneers, "Maybe he wants to claim these lands for himself."

Arl, Levi's loudmouth brother, roars back, "It's for the people, you damn mutt, can't you understand?"

Brandon, quick to anger, raises his voice: "You dare speak to my men like that?" He draws his sword and points it at Arl. Brandon's men draw their steel, and so do Arl and Levi's guards, blades flashing.

Levi rushes forward, heart pounding. "Sheathe those swords, brothers, Arl, you as well." He draws his own blade, kneels before Brandon, and offers it to him. "My lord, forgive me and my brothers. We mean no offense. We've lived in peace, but we struggle to prosper. If you wish, you may take my head, but please, forgive my brothers. They care for this home as fiercely as anyone for their own."

Brandon studies him. Then he sheaths his sword. "You are brave, Levi of Bogwater. I admire your courage and your loyalty to your people." He turns to his guards and waves them down. "Enough of this drivel. I see you plan to go to the Tourney. I am riding to Riverrun first, to meet my betrothed Catelyn Tully. Since you journey south as well, travel with me."

Levi rises and bows. "It honors me, Lord Brandon, to accompany you on this journey to the South."

Levi issues last orders: Lysa distributes passes and toll agreements, Wren keeps the town's merchants organized. Then they bid farewell. Wagons creak, guards step in formation, and they set off, Brandon Stark and Levi, side by side.

Fifteen days later, they arrive near the Twins, following the Kingsroad. Along the way, even Lord Brandon grows fond of Arl's loud jokes, forgetting the earlier clash.

As they near the tollbridge, Brandon turns to Levi. "Have you ever been to the Riverlands?"

Levi shakes his head. "No, I've always stayed in the North and traded there."

Brandon nods. "The Tourney won't begin until mid-spring. You'll arrive early. Join me at Riverrun, see House Tully and the Riverlands while we wait."

Levi thinks it over. He's studied those lords, but never known them. Finally, he agrees and brings ten guards with him. He passes command of the main guard to Kell. He tells Lysa to watch for any gambling games, she knows his fondness for spotting opportunities to make a fortune.

As the caravan leaves, Levi watches them go. Brandon says, "Come now. The Lord of the Twins, a petty Frey lord, charges a hefty toll. We should cross and leave quickly."

Levi nods. "As you will, Lord Brandon."

After crossing the bridge, Levi asks lowly, "How much was paid?"

Brandon answers, "One hundred dragon gold coins."

Levi winces. "Such a price?"

Brandon smiles wryly. "If your caravan had crossed, it would've cost far more."

They ride on toward Riverrun. With horses, it takes them nine days.

At Riverrun's gate, rumors swirl: Petyr Baelish has deflowered Lady Catelyn Tully. Lord Brandon's anger flares; he almost spurs forward to the castle.

Levi tries to calm him. "Rumors, my lord, people love gossip."

Brandon says nothing more, jaw clenched.

Inside the castle, they're welcomed, but Brandon insists on meeting Lord Hoster Tully to confirm the rumors. He leaves his guards and Levi's behind; Levi accompanies him to ease his anger. "House Tully's motto is Family, Duty, Honor," he reminds him. "It's unthinkable someone would dishonor Lady Catelyn without her father's word."

Still, Brandon says nothing. Levi feels his anger simmer.

Servants lead them through the garden, waiting outside the halls of Riverrun. Suddenly, a boy appears.

"I, Petyr Baelish, challenge you, Brandon Stark, to a duel for the hand of Lady Catelyn," he declares.

Levi stares in disbelief at the boy, slender, barely out of boyhood. He doesn't stand a chance against Brandon.

Levi shouts, "Are you mad? You're barely trained, yet you challenge Lord Brandon?"

Baelish snaps, "Shut up, this is none of your concern. What say you, Lord Brandon? Afraid someone like me could beat you?"

Brandon replies coldly, "Come, then, but don't blame me if I kill you." He draws steel, eyes burning.

Levi flinches but doesn't interfere. The tension is too thick to cut through. He watches as they square off beneath the yews.

Brandon doesn't hesitate. He strikes fast and hard, knocking Baelish off balance. The boy stumbles, and in moments, he's on the ground, Brandon's sword aimed straight at his throat.

Then, just when Levi thinks it's over, a voice breaks the air.

"Stop, spare him!" a lady cries out. She runs between them, arms outstretched. "He's just a boy and knows nothing!"

Brandon's hand wavers. Levi takes a breath, grateful. He steps closer, just in case things turn again.

Brandon's voice softens, but it's tight. "Is it true?" he asks her.

She hesitates, caught between fury and sorrow. "What do you mean?"

Levi wants to speak, to ease the storm, but before he can, the servants return. "The Lord of the castle awaits you, my lord."

Brandon glances toward Levi but says nothing. Then he turns to her, and they walk off together.

Levi stays back. His boots crunch softly in the garden path as he approaches Baelish, still kneeling. His hands shake, blood dripping from a shallow cut.

Levi crouches beside him. "You nearly died for a lady who's already promised. Was that pride, or madness?"

Baelish doesn't look at him. "What does it matter?"

Levi looks at him with doubt.

Baelish staggers to his feet and walks away, limping toward the castle doors.

Levi stands there, alone beneath the yew trees, wondering how the hell he ended up in the middle of this madness.