Jon shook his head: "Nay. Rumors said he was poisoned , but most believed it was of old age. He was King Robert's Hand at the time of his death, and Father was asked to succeed him. It was how my sisters found themselves in King's Landing, while I was sent to the Wall."

Because there was no place for bastards at court, and he could not stay in Winterfell with Lady Stark. Beside, Jon had wanted to follow in his uncle's footsteps, knowing that at the Wall, deeds were rewarded, not blood. For a moment, he wondered what Benjen Stark would be thinking of his election.