Whisperings of the North

A unwilling king, a half-king, sits on his throne, grumbling through a day of court.  Even in the frigid, practical north, he grows weary of the pageantry.  He longs for the days before.  He silently mourns a loved one.  As the day draws to a close, the nobles and the pesterers file out, finally leaving the good King Jon to his lonesome.  Aside from his guards, of course.  His ever-present guards.  But- nearby, just outside the White Keep's walls, conspiracy swirls into place.  A plan to remove the bastard king from his throne is made.  And just slightly further, on the edge of the city, a messenger arrives, bearing news of grave importance.  Whole villages, deep in the Arcanni mountains to the north, slaughtered.  By horrible, undead creatures.  Wights.