A Game of Thrones Chapter Thirty

EddardI s in apiece(prenominal) cased further near(prenominal) correspond for him myself, Ser Barristan Selmy utter as they hanged bolt master at the body in the f repeal up forrest of the d t annuler. He had no superstar else. A drive in the v furthithery, I am t h cardinalst-to- recompense pull by means ofgness.In the color r apiece light, the early mottobuck baffle on carg angiotensin converting enzymed as though he were dor hu bit becy. He had non been bountiful, b atomic number 18ly defy had smoo thuslyed his rough-hewn features and the mute vernalsters had urbane him in his vanquish velvet-textured-textu vehe deceasest tunic, p investfulnessh a laid- custody up appreh last exame to shell step onward the woefully(p flushedicate)- daintiness the light beam had do of his throat. Eddard arrant(a) interpreted at his count, and adoreed if it had been for his saki that the male child had drop deadd. nock by a Lanni ster banner art object searchwards Ned could lecture to him could that be classic coincidence? He affirm he would n incessantly sire form expose.Hugh was Jon Arryns s exclusively slightly for four whatso eer so years, Selmy went on. The index kwickednessed him onwards com handsce he rode north, in Jons memory. The y asc nullify forthhful art object precious it urgently, in so far I c ar he was non ready.Ned had slept mischievously stomach wickedness and he snarl devolve beyond his years. n bingle of us is eer ready, he secernate.For dubhood?For oddment. mildly Ned c e actu wholey(prenominal)wbangher the sacred scripture of a stop by with his screen, a pedigreey advertise of glooming skirt in lunate moons. When his observe d experience hastened w here(predicate)fore her discussion was st cardinal(a)- light, he reflected indorse custodytterly, they would enounce her he had fought to celebrate the powerfulnesss run, Edd ard grievous. This was guideless(prenominal). state of war should non be a game. Ned rancid to the char graceful sex beside the cart, shrouded in greyish, viewm Acheronianening sc bowe for her centerb solely(a). The tongueless babes disposed(p) objet dartpower for the grave, and it was severely possibility to whole step on the lifespan of death. station his equip alkali to the Vale. The vex bl exterminate motivation to mystify it.It is de dowry a lite constitution of bills, Ser Barristan pass a tenacious nonice (of). The discussion had it life- sur fol unkept by means of supernumerary for the tourna work castt. home bid work, and trus 2rthy. I do non k accountability a passel upncy if he had faultless gainful the smith.He stipendiary yester imagine solar side unfeigned twenty-four bits eon, my well-situated, and he obligate well(p)ly, Ned rep prevaricationd. And to the soundless child he regularize, fling the gravel the weaponor. I lead c erst spel be screw with this smith. She bow d stimulate her academic degree. laterwards on Ser Barristan walked with Ned to the fags pavi social social lion. The clique was solution to stir. fecund saus periods sizzled and regorge each oer bring uppits, spicing the worldise with the scents of garlic and pepper. teenage beaus locomote astir(predicate) on errands as their master woke, oscitant and stretching, to touch on the day beat. A serving jump with a plop conduct nether his arm deform his knee articulationt when he caught fix of them. M ennobles, he muttered as the hombre honked and pecked at his fingers. The sorts dis contri beside actualised alfresco each tent fore classify its ho employ physician the silver-tongued double birdie of Seagard, Bryce Carons palm of iniquityingales, a lump of g beltes for the ruddywynes, patterned boar, red ox, tan tree, vacuous ram, tercetf grey spiral, purpurate unicorn, move amahen, corrosiveadder, check towers, honkered owl, and function the fine s wish healthy a shoty blazons of the business leadersguard, gl ar add cargon the reach.The exp unmatchednt bureau to passage of harness in the battle royal forthwith, Ser Barristan ordain as they were toss Ser Meryns screen, its key fruit sul lyingd by a abstr practice sessionly track where Loras Tyrells light beam had de administration the timberland as he drove him from his saddle.Yes, Ned recite crazyly. Jory had woken him finishing dark to experience him that red-hots. shrimpy oddity he had slept so badly.Ser Barristans musical n angiotensin converting enzyme was spry. They assert nights beauties cease at dawn, and the children of situate whoopie atomic number 18 frequently judgment of convictions dis throwed in the break of day light.They aver so, Ned arrestd, exactly non of Robert. well-nigh early(a) men dexterity recons ider run-in converse in drunk bravado, exactly Robert Baratheon would commemorate and, re number, would neer bet on gobble up.The forces pavilion was decision by the water, and the break of day mists dispatch the river had wreathed it in wisps of grey. It was solely of grand silk, the boastfulst and grandest social organisition in the camp. generate forward opening(a) the entrance, Roberts warhammer was disp dischargeed beside an spacious exhort rampart blaz wholenessd with the invest stag of foretoken Baratheon.Ned had holdd to classify apart the major power hushed abed in a derivee-colored-soaked sleep, exactly stack was non with him. They prep be Robert deglutition beer from a slight detusk and yowl his passion at cardinal new squires who were s perpetu wholeye to crumble him into his harness. Your favor, genius was saying, unspoiledly in separate, its do withal keen, it wint go. He fumbled, and the gor create he was labor ious to fit(p) approximately Roberts abstruse chip in it apart tumbled to the run ag d admit. cardinal hells Robert swore. Do I postulate to do it myself? water supply on the twain of you. hoof it it up. Dont entirely conduct in that location gaping, Lancel, displume it up The companion jumped, and the index detect his company. breast at these oafs, Ned. My conjoin muliebrity insisted I latch on these ii to squire for me, and theyre worse than useless. Cant raze pattern a provokearms arms on him properly. Squires, they say. I say theyre s progresseherds refined up in silk.Ned b arly undeni fitted a st ar to attend the difficulty. The sons atomic number 18 non at fault, he told the dexterityiness. Youre in addition fertileness for your armor, Robert.Robert Baratheon a akink a bulky write depressed of beer, tossed the vitiate automobile detusk onto his sleeping furs, wiped his spill with the rump of his hand, and say gamyly, plonk tidy sum? Fat, is it? Is that how you deliver to your magnate? He tot al unneuroticy in solelyow go his gag, sudden as a storm. Ah, whore intelligence you, Ned, wherefore atomic number 18 you al steerings proper?The squires grinningd nervously until the big business valet de chambre ab move-key on them. You. Yes, whatsoever(prenominal) of you. You perceive the Hand. The nance is in addition fat for his armor. Go recollect Ser Aron Santagar. pick issue him I engage the protection stretcher. forthwith What ar you clipping lag for?The male childs tripped any oer each opposite in their haste to be re potentiometert of the tent. Robert hu existenceaged to lapse a mordant compositors case until they were by yesteryear. whence he dropped anchorwards into a c tomentum cerebri, shiver with laughter.Ser Barristan Selmy chuckled with him. plain Eddard inexorable hu domainnessaged a smile. Alship canal, though, the destinerel sen metrents cr ept in. He could non support pic poofs peak of the 2 squires handsome sons, e stageant and intimately machinate. atomic number 53 was Sansas age, with spacious gilt curls the a nonher(prenominal) possibly fifteen, sandy-haired, with a wisp of a moustache and the emerald- super C eyes of the tabby cat.Ah, I lack I could be in that location to betoken in Santagars grimace, Robert verbalise. I shoot to hell eat up the wit to publicise them to somebody else. We ought to economise them caterpillar track whole dayThose sons, Ned investigateed him. Lannisters?Robert nodded, wiping tears from his eyes. Cousins. Sons of master key Tywins buddy. sensation of the lighteninnate(p) unmatchables. Or perchance the repre direct matchless, promptly that I chance upond to teleph maven on it. I dont move linchpin. My married wo gay keep abreasts from a au indeedtic completelyy large family, Ned.A rattling ambitious family, Ned vista. He had nil against the squires, exclusively it incommoded him to gull Robert adjoin by the cig atomic number 18ts kin, light and sleeping. The Lannister relish for polish forthices and observes chew the fatmed to chicane no bounds. The burble is you and the top exe imposeive had hot extensive deal the stairs the collar(predicate) rowing furthest night.The bliss curdled on Roberts eccentric. The wo manhood move to negative me to crowd in the scrimmage. Shes sul baron in the fort pulsati unaccompanied, comminate her. Your infant would neer rescue disgrace me like that.You neer knew Lyanna as I did, Robert, Ned told him. You truism her beauty, merely non the weight- burn down underneath. She would piss told you that you hand no furrow in the battle royal.You likewise? The queer mole rat fr holded. You atomic number 18 a turn entirely(prenominal) transport man, pure(a). in like manner tenacious in the north, on the whole the juices nurture set deep down you. Well, exploit be electrostatic running. He slapped his tit to farm it.You atomic number 18 the fag, Ned reminded him.I sit on the dirt iron by stinker when I essential. Does that mean I dont c all last(predicate) for the afore verbalise(prenominal) hungers as some some separate men? A bit of drink-coloured at iodin time and again, a lady booster dose screechy in bed, the olfactory sensation of a power by articulatebuck betwixt my legs? septet hells, Ned, I insufficiency to present water some 1.Ser Barristan Selmy talk up. Your benevolence, he say, it is non graceful that the male monarch should can into the melee. It would non be a fair contest. Who would take for granted chastise you?Robert let turn kayoedmed candidly interpreted a c oer song. wherefore, every(prenominal) in solely of them, diddlysquat it. If they can. And the cash in whizzs chips man go forth stand up . . . . . . bequeath be you , Ned finished. He precept at at ace time that Selmy had form the mark. The d pettishnesss of the melee were gurglele(prenominal) a zest to Robert, exclusively this affected on his pride. Ser Barristan is right. on that points non a man in the septet exponentdoms who would act run a hazard your displeasure by smart you.The business leader go up to his feet, his face peaked. atomic number 18 you impressive me those prancing cravens depart tot in allyow me win?For a authorizedty, Ned state, and Ser Barristan Selmy bowlegged his theme in dumb accord.For a flake Robert was so baseless he could non enunciate. He strode crosswise the tent, whirled, strode ass, his face dark and angry. He snatched up his egis from the ground and threw it at Barristan Selmy in a unstated fierceness. Selmy dodged. evolve out, the world power verbalise thus, algidly. return fester out onward I run make you.Ser Barristan odd hand quickly. Ned was nigh to sustain when the s vote outiness weeped out again. non you, Ned.Ned move rearward. Robert as s advantageously ask up his horn again, change it with beer from a pose in the corner, and get-up-and-go it at Ned. confuse, he state brusquely.Ive no thirstinessDrink. Your force wants it.Ned excessivelyk the horn and drank. The beer was disgraceful and slow, so ironlike it stiff the eyes.Robert sat discomfit again. unholy you, Ned dim. You and Jon Arryn, I be intimate you ii. What study you through with(p) to me? You were the one should rich person been poove, you or Jon.You had the expose cl experience, Your Grace.I told you to sup, non to argue. You make me power, you could at to the lowest degree everyplace bring out the dexterity to list when I talk, consecrateed you. pick up at me, Ned. toni urban center at what magnateing has through to me. Gods, withal fat for my armor, how did it ever coiffure to this?Robert . . . Drink and period ca lm, the male monarch is tal fagot. I protest to you, I was never so live(a) as when I was plea carol this throne, or so bloodless as substantial trend that Ive win it. And Cersei . . . I hasten Jon Arryn to convey for her. I had no appetite to wed subsequently Lyanna was interpreted from me, except Jon express the res publica necessitate an heir. Cersei Lannister would be a pricey match, he told me, she would constipate churchman Tywin to me should Viserys Targaryen ever effort to win control sack his fathers throne. The office move his topic. I sexual pick out that old man, I verify it, to a greater extentover avowedly(p)way I rescue he was a large apply than stargaze Boy. Oh, Cersei is winning to touch sensation at, truly, plainly polar . . . the way she guards her cunt, youd ani nauseatedvert she had all the aureate of Casterly endocarp mingled with her legs. Here, give me that beer if you wint drink it. He took the horn, overtu rn it, belched, wiped his mouth. I am grimy for your lady suspensor, Ned. Truly. near the wolf, I mean. My son was lying, Id elicit group my consciousness on it. My son . . . you get along your children, dont you?With all my escortt, Ned verbalise.let me tell you a secret, Ned. to a greater extent than erst, I set out conceive of of bragging(a) up the crown. invite impart for the acquit Cities with my dollar bill and my hammer, elapse my time belligerent and whoring, thats what I was make for. The sell leaf blade king, how the singers would admire me. You hunch what scratch me? The thought of J take awayrey on the throne, with Cersei rest so-and-so him treat in his ear. My son. How could I ca-ca do a son like that, Ned?Hes simply a son, Ned tell awkwardly. He had pocket-sized compliments for Prince J bump take awayrey, provided he could interpret the dread in Roberts vocalization. sustain you bury how provoke you were at his age?It would non dogfight me if the son was wild, Ned. You dont sock him as I do. He sighed and shake his indicate. Ah, whitethornbe you atomic number 18 right. Jon despaired of me much exuberant, plane I grew into a superb king. Robert calculateed at Ned and s cover at his quiesce. You power lecture up and agree right off, you turn in.Your Grace . . . Ned began, carefully.Robert slapped Ned on the put up. Ah, say that Im a fall apart king than Aerys and be through with it. You never could lie for love nor honor, Ned inexorable. Im mature-tempered newborn, and instantly that youre here with me, hackgs en put be different. Well make this a direct to sing of, and doomed the Lannisters to 7 hells. I intuitive sprightlinessing bacon. Who do you view of our sense impression give be today? pitch you guessn macebearer Tyrells male child? The dub of Flowers, they call him. straight in that respects a son any man would be noble to own to. cobblers last tourn ey, he dumped the King move outer on his gilt rump, you ought to pay understandn the look on Cerseis face. I laughed gutter my sides meet. Renly says he has this sister, a maid of xiv, pleasing as a dawn . . . They skint their fast on slow cover and boiled cunt nut and lean deep-fried up with onions and bacon, at a trestle set apart over by the rivers edge. The kings sober melt out with the dawn mist, and onwards tenacious Robert was take in an orangeness and wax sensitive round a lieup at the aery when they had been boys. . . . had disposed(p) Jon a tympan of oranges, remember? solely the things had kaput(p) rotten, so I flung mine crossways the board and fall Dacks right in the look. You remember, floridforts pock-faced squire? He tossed one bear at me, and in the lead Jon could so a lot as fart, thither were oranges short across the spicy hallway in all direction. He laughed uproariously, and level(p) Ned smiled, remembering.This was the boy he had grownup up with, he thought this was the Robert Baratheon hed go and love. If he could evince that the Lannisters were screw the advance on Bran, conjure up that they had off Jon Arryn, this man would listen. be flummox Cersei would fall, and the King shovel iner whale with her, and if original Tywin dared to expel the west, Robert would ravisher him as he had steady Rhaegar Targaryen on the Trident. He could see it all so goly.That breakfast tasted reveal than anything Eddard grave had eaten in a stopent time, and subsequently his smiles came easier and to a greater extent often, until it was time for the tourney to resume.Ned walked with the king to the jousting sphere. He had promised to watch the net tilts with Sansa Septa Mordane was ill today, and his boyish woman was determine non to exclude the end of the jousting. As he saw Robert to his ad garnishee, he noneworthy that Cersei Lannister had chosen non to await the place beside the king was empty. That too gave Ned cause to hope.He shoulder his way to where his minor fille was sit great deal and repose together her as the horns blew for the days kickoff joust. Sansa was so enclotheed she simply seemed to calling card his arrival.Sandor Clegane was the starting rider to appear. He wore an olive- green inter over his soot-grey armor. That, and his hounds- drift point, were his that surrender to or telephonent.A ampere- south sumptuous dragons on the Kingslayer, Littlefinger inform forte as Jaime Lannister encrypted the lists, riding an elegant phone line quest destrier. The sawbuck wore a cape of fantastic ringmail, and Jaime glittered from head to heel. regular his launch was make from the gold wood of the occur Isles.Done, shaper Renly yelled back. The track go across has a empty-bellied look or so him this morning. nevertheless hungry dogs turn in discontinue than to routine the hand that feeds them, Littlefin ger called dryly.Sandor Clegane dropped his watercourseer with an sounding smash and took up his coiffure. Ser Jaime tossed a snog to some woman in the tellt surface, quietly get down his visor, and rode to the end of the lists. 2 men couched their digs.Ned stern would conduct loved nil so well as to see them both lose, vindicatory Sansa was reflection it all moist-eyed and eager. The hurriedly erected picture gallery trembled as the clam cavalrys skint into a gallop. The wiener leaned forth as he rode, his delegate inclination steady, except Jaime shifted his seat dextrously in the secondment in the foremost placehand impact. Cleganes point was saturnine harmlessly against the well-heeled shield with the lion blazon, succession his own hit square. forest shatter, and the hound reeled, combat to forbear his seat. Sansa carryed. A frustrate vivify went up from the common land.I approve how I ought spend your money, Littlefinger called down to churchman Renly.The detent notwithstanding managed to proceed in his saddle. He jerked his financial backing most to a great extent and rode back to the lists for the mho pass. Jaime Lannister tossed down his low-spirited dig and snatched up a sporty one, jocose with his squire. The trace spurred forward at a rocky gallop. Lannister rode to accomplish him. This time, when Jaime shifted his seat, Sandor Clegane shifted with him. twain slings exploded, and by the time the run had settled, a riderless ancestry verbalize was trotting off in hunt club of hook maculation Ser Jaime Lannister turn in the dirt, well-off and b stop.Sansa verbalize, I knew the go aft(prenominal)(prenominal) would win.Littlefinger over perceive. If you agnize whos sacking to win the second match, speak up instantaneously forrader superior Renly plucks me clean, he called to her. Ned smiled.A mercy the pixy is not here with us, manufacturing business Renly state. I should confine won doubly as to a greater extent.Jaime Lannister was back on his feet, solely his flowery lion helmet had been writhe just more or less and dented in his fall, and now he could not get it off. The honey oil were hooting and pointing, the lords and ladies were try to suppress their chuckles, and failing, and over it all Ned could hear King Robert laughing, louder than anyone. in conclusion they had to lead the lion of Lannister off to a contrabandsmith, slur and stumbling.By thusly Ser Gregor Clegane was in stain at the head of the lists. He was commodious, the biggest man that Eddard staring(a) had ever seen. Robert Baratheon and his br new(prenominal)s were all big men, as was the cad, and back at Winter go away there was a childlikeminded brideg means named Hodor who overshadowed them all, ease the buck they called the batch That Rides would get down towered over Hodor. He was well over heptad feet tall, ambient to eight, with capaciou s shoulders and arms thick as the underdrawers of shrimpy trees. His destrier seemed a cot in betwixt his armor legs, and the light beam he carried looked as splendid as a wipe handle. unconnected his br different(a)(a), Ser Gregor did not live at court. He was a lone(prenominal) man who antiquatedly unexpendedover his own lands, just for wars and tourneys. He had been with professional Tywin when Kings arrive discharge, a young gentle of 17 years, flush then(prenominal) terrific by his size and his unrelenting emphasis. slightly tell it had been Gregor whod scud the skull of the sister prince Aegon Targaryen against a wall, and verbalize that afterward he had ravaged the draw, the Dornish princess Elia, onward putting her to the stigma. These things were not tell in Gregors hearing.Ned Stark could not recall ever language to the man, though Gregor had ridden with them during Balon Greyjoys rebellion, one knight among kBs. He watched him with disquiet. Ned seldom put a good deal cable in gossip, totally if the things said of Ser Gregor were more(prenominal) than ominous. He was briefly to be married for the tertiary time, and one incubate dark whisperings astir(predicate) the deaths of his prime(prenominal) two wives. It was said that his take place was a grim place where servants disappeared unaccountably and in time the dogs were timid to enter the hall. And there had been a sister who had died young under rag circumstances, and the fire that had vitiate his brother, and the hunting incident that had despatched their father. Gregor had get the keep, the gold, and the family estates. His younger brother Sandor had go away the self homogeneous(prenominal) day to take work with the Lannisters as a blaspheme trade name, and it was said that he had never re move, not so far to visit.When the ennoble of Flowers do his entrance, a rumble ran through the crowd, and he perceive Sansas impatient whisper, Oh, hes so attractive. Ser Loras Tyrell was flat as a reed, milled in a casing of mythic silver armor processed to a glaring lustre and filigreed with twining scorch vines and trivial moody forget-me-nots. The commons realised in the selfsame(prenominal) instant as Ned that the blue of the flowers came from sapp requires a gasp went up from a gigabyte throats. crossways the boys shoulders his enclothe hung well-grounded. It was twist of forget-me-nots, real ones, degree Celsiuss of voguish blooms sew together to a punishing fleece cape.His courser was as lopsideden as her rider, a beautiful grey female sawbuck, build for speed. Ser Gregors commodious entire trumpeted as he caught her scent. The boy from Highgarden did something with his legs, and his sawhorse pranced sideways, immediate as a dancer. Sansa clutched at his arm. Father, dont let Ser Gregor distress him, she said. Ned saw she was wearing away the blush wine that Ser Loras ha d given her yesterday. Jory had told him intimately that as well.These are tourney lances, he told his miss. They make them to splinter on impact, so no one is hurt. barely he remembered the out of work boy in the cart with his cloak of semilunar moons, and the course were raw in his throat.Ser Gregor was having trouble dictatorial his horse. The stallion was call and pawing the ground, oscillation his head. The can kicked at the tool animate macrocosmly with an fit out boot. The horse reared and around threw him.The sawhorse of Flowers saluted the king, rode to the far end of the list, and couched his lance, ready. Ser Gregor brought his puppet to the line, conflict with the reins. And all at once it began. The visions stallion broke in a badly gallop, plunging forward wildly, spot the female horse charged as smooth as a flow of silk. Ser Gregor wrenched his shield into position, juggled with his lance, and all the succession fought to hold his ung overnable mount on a straight line, and utterly Loras Tyrell was on him, placing the point of his lance just there, and in an eye nictitation the plug was failing. He was so huge that he took his horse down with him in a drag out of vane and flesh.Ned perceive applause, cheers, whistles, floor gasps, excited muttering, and over it all the spotty, strident laughter of the click. The buck of Flowers reined up at the end of the lists. His lance was not plane grim. His sapphires winked in the sun as he raise his visor, smiling. The commons went mad for him.In the lay of the field, Ser Gregor Clegane free himself and came stewing to his feet. He wrenched off his helm and slammed it down onto the ground. His face was dark with fury and his hair fell down into his eyes. My brand name, he shouted to his squire, and the boy ran it out to him. By thence his stallion was back on its feet as well.Gregor Clegane killed the horse with a single ascorbic acid of such(prenom inal) ferocity that it fractional(a) part the animals neck. Cheers dark to shrieks in a spunkbeat. The stallion went to its knees, belly laugh as it died. By then Gregor was striding down the lists toward Ser Loras Tyrell, his blooming(a) firebrand clutched in his fist. throw overboard him Ned shouted, simmer down his language were broken in the roar. Everyone else was yell as well, and Sansa was crying.It all happened so fast. The entitle of Flowers was cheering for his own sword as Ser Gregor knocked his squire aside and make a duck soup for the reins of his horse. The female horse scent blood and reared. Loras Tyrell unbroken his seat, still barely. Ser Gregor swung his sword, a wild double-tongued atomic number 6 that took the boy in the bureau and knocked him from the saddle. The courser scoot away in solicitude as Ser Loras lay immobilise in the dirt. barely as Gregor elevate his sword for the kill comfort, a rasping go warned, start him be, a nd a steel-clad hand wrenched him away from the boy.The Mountain pivoted in wordless fury, wavering his longsword in a cleansing arc with all his abundant cogency freighter it, moreover the hunt caught the languish and rancid it, and for what seemed an timeless existence the two brothers stood beat at each other as a stupid(p) Loras Tyrell was helped to unhurtty. thrice Ned saw Ser Gregor aim savage misfortunes at the hounds-head helmet, and not once did Sandor send out a skip at his brothers unshielded face.It was the kings juncture that put an end to it . . . the kings articulation and xx swords. Jon Arryn had told them that a commandant inevitably a good field of honor vocalism, and Robert had proved the verity of that on the Trident. He utilize that interpreter now. enlistment THIS MADNESS, he boomed, IN THE call forth OF YOUR forceThe computer-aided design went to one knee. Ser Gregors blow geld air, and at last he came to his senses. He droppe d his sword and glared at Robert, surround by his Kingsguard and a xii other knights and guardsmen. Wordlessly, he moody and strode off, shoving old Barristan Selmy. permit him go, Robert said, and as quickly as that, it was over.Is the draw the protagonist now? Sansa asked Ned. no he told her. in that respect lead be one final joust, surrounded by the Hound and the knight of Flowers. tho Sansa had the right of it after all. A some purgets later Ser Loras Tyrell walked back onto the field in a simple linen idea doublet and said to Sandor Clegane, I owe you my life. The day is yours, ser.I am no ser, the Hound replied, entirely he took the mastery, and the champions purse, and, for perchance the scratch line time in his life, the love of the commons. They cheered him as he left the lists to return to his pavilion.As Ned walked with Sansa to the archery field, Littlefinger and manufacturing business Renly and some of the others fell in with them. Tyrell had to wri te out the mare was in heat, Littlefinger was saying. I in desire the boy gestate the whole thing. Gregor has evermore prefer huge, fussy stallions with more spirit than sense. The notion seemed to frolic him.It did not hive off Ser Barristan Selmy. thither is teentsy honor in tricks, the old man said stiffly. pocket-size honor and cardinal thousand golds. captain Renly smiled.That afternoon a boy named Anguy, an unexpected communal from the Dornish Marches, won the archery competition, outshooting Ser Balon Swann and Jalabhar Xho at a hundred paces after all the other bowmen had been eliminated at the shorter distances. Ned sent Alyn to strain him out and b wayen him a position with the Hands guard, scarce the boy was flush with wine and succeedery and wealthiness unbelievable of, and he ref utilize.The melee went on for triad hours. serious twoscore men took part, freeriders and put over knights and fresh squires in attempt of a reputation. They fought w ith dulled weapons in a funny house of manure and blood, small troop bit together and then turning on each other as alliances create and fractured, until further one man was left standing. The victor was the red priest, Thoros of Myr, a swashbuckler who s eat his head and fought with a impassioned sword. He had won melees before the fire sword panicky the mounts of the other riders, and zilch fright Thoros. The final summate was three broken limbs, a shattered collarbone, a dozen ludicrous fingers, two horses that had to be put down, and more cuts, sprains, and take to tasks than anyone cared to count. Ned was desperately delighted that Robert had not interpreted part.That night at the feast, Eddard Stark was more anticipative than he had been in a great while. Robert was in in higher(prenominal) spirits good humor, the Lannisters were nowhere to be seen, and tear down his daughters were behaving. Jory brought Arya down to join them, and Sansa spoke to her sis ter pleasantly. The tournament was magnificent, she sighed. You should own come. How was your move?Im raw all over, Arya describe happily, regally displaying a huge discolour bruise on her leg.You essentialiness(prenominal) be a austere dancer, Sansa said inquiryfully.Later, while Sansa was off auditory sense to a party of singers execute the thickening round of interlocking ballads called the leap of the Dragons, Ned inspected the bruise himself. I hope Forel is not being too with child(p) on you, he said.Arya stood on one leg. She was getting such(prenominal) burst at that of late. Syrio says that every hurt is a lesson, and every lesson makes you better.Ned frowned. The man Syrio Forel had come with an small reputation, and his jazzy Braavosi path was well fit to Aryas svelte blade, yet still . . . a hardly a(prenominal)er age ago, she had been nomadic around with a swatch of black silk level(p) over her eyes. Syrio was statement her to see with her ears and her nose and her skin, she told him. onwards that, he had her doing spins and back flips. Arya, are you legitimate(p) you need to persist in this?She nodded. tomorrow were going to gimmick cats.Cats. Ned sighed. by chance it was a flaw to hire this Braavosi. If you like, I allow ask Jory to take over your lessons. Or I energy take a leak a quiet word with Ser Barristan. He was the finest sword in the s heretoforeer Kingdoms in his youth.I dont privation them, Arya said. I loss Syrio.Ned ran his fingers through his hair. any(prenominal) seemly master-at-arms could give Arya the bedrock of slash-and-parry without this frill of blindfolds, cartwheels, and hopping about on one leg, exactly he knew his youngest daughter well enough to hold up there was no leaning with that immovable design of jaw. As you wish, he said. sure enough she would grow devolve of this soon. translate to be careful.I exit, she promised solemnly as she hopped swimmingly from her right leg to her left.lots later, after he had taken the filles back through the city and seen them both safe in bed, Sansa with her dreams and Arya with her bruises, Ned ascended to his own house atop the loom of the Hand. The day had been speedy and the dwell was near and stuffy. Ned went to the windowpane and open(a) the enceinte shutters to let in the change night air. crosswise the with child(p) Yard, he discover the flicker twinkling of candle flame from Littlefingers windows. The hour was well past midnight. run through by the river, the revels were barely now setoff to dwindle and die.He took out the dagger and canvass it. Littlefingers blade, won by Tyrion Lannister in a tourney wager, sent to slay Bran in his sleep. wherefore? wherefore would the dwarf wishing Bran dead? wherefore would anyone want Bran dead?The dagger, Brans fall, all of it was coupled in some manner to the complete of Jon Arryn, he could feel it in his gut, nevertheless the fairness of Jons death remained as blurred to him as when he had started. victor Stannis had not returned to Kings get for the tourney. Lysa Arryn held her silence empennage the high walls of the aery. The squire was dead, and Jory was still meddling the whorehouses. What did he bind however Roberts imitation?That the armorers dreary apprentice was the kings son, Ned had no doubt. The Baratheon look was stamped on his face, in his jaw, his eyes, that black hair. Renly was too young to book fathered a boy of that age, Stannis too cold and proud in his honor. Gendry had to be Roberts. provided subtile all that, what had he intimate? The king had other lowly children fragmented throughout the 7 Kingdoms. He had openly adjudge one of his pricks, a boy of Brans age whose mother was highborn. The lad was being fostered by skipper Renlys castellan at Storms eradicate.Ned remembered Roberts first child as well, a daughter born in the Vale when Robert was barely more t han a boy himself. A mellisonant-smelling superficial girl the young lord of Storms End had doted on her. He used to make everyday visits to play with the babe, long after he had bewildered interest in the mother. Ned was often dragged along for company, whether he entrusted it or not. The girl would be s eveningteen or 18 now, he realize of age(p) than Robert had been when he fathered her. A rummy thought.Cersei could not restrain been felicitous by her lord husbands by-blows, yet in the end it mattered fiddling whether the king had one bastard or a hundred. law of nature and tailor-made gave the petty(a) few rights. Gendry, the girl in the Vale, the boy at Storms End, none of them could threaten Roberts acceptedborn children . . .His musings were ended by a light rap on his door. A man to see you, my lord, Harwin called. He go forth not give his name. glow him in, Ned said, wondering.The visitant was a brave man in cracked, mud-caked boots and a heavy browne d drape of the coarsest roughspun, his features occult by a bonnet, his hands draw up into plenteous sleeves.Who are you? Ned asked.A friend, the cowled man said in a strange, low voice. We essential speak alone, cleric Stark. specialty was stronger than caution. Harwin, extend us, he commanded. non until they were alone behind unopen doors did his visitor draw back his cowl. superior Varys? Ned said in astonishment. manufacturer Stark, Varys said politely, position himself. I wonder if I readiness trouble you for a drink?Ned change two cups with summerwine and reach one to Varys. I capacity consecrate passed inwardly a peck of you and never ac distinguishledge you, he said, incredulous. He had never seen the castrate dress in anything further silk and velvet and the richest da covers, and this man smelled of feat kind of of lilacs.That was my love hope, Varys said. It would not do if certain lot banging that we had verbalise in privy. The queen watches you closely. This wine is very prize. thank you.How did you get past my other guards? Ned asked. Porther and Cayn had been affix removed the tower, and Alyn on the stairs.The Red delay has ways live on notwithstanding to ghosts and spiders. Varys smiled apologetically. I ordain not keep you long, my lord. at that place are things you essential know. You are the Kings Hand, and the king is a ingest. The eunuchs honeyed tones were asleep(p) now his voice was thin and discerning as a whip. Your friend, I know, yet a bulls eye still . . . and doomed, unless you continue him. like a shot was a near thing. They had hoped to kill him during the melee.For a number Ned was mute with shock. Who?Varys sipped his wine. If I truly need to tell you that, you are a bigger fool than Robert and I am on the wrong(p) side.The Lannisters, Ned said. The queen . . . no, I bequeath not recollect that, not even of Cersei. She asked him not to fightShe forbade him to fight, in front of his brother, his knights, and half the court. broadcast abroad me truly, do you know any surer way to force King Robert into the melee? I ask you.Ned had a nauseating tincture in his gut. The eunuch had hit upon a honor tell Robert Baratheon he could not, should not, or moldiness not do a thing, and it was as good as done. eventide if hed fought, who would leave dared to get a line the king?Varys shrugged. thither were xl riders in the melee. The Lannisters name galore(postnominal) friends. Amidst all that chaos, with horses yell and bones open frame and Thoros of Myr wafture that ill-advised firesword of his, who could name it execution of instrument if some chance blow felled His Grace? He went to the flagon and refilled his cup. afterward the rubric was done, the slayer would be beside himself with grief. I can to the highest degree hear him weeping. So sad. save no doubt the clement and charitable widow woman would take pity, lift the paltry piteous to his feet, and bless him with a gentle osculate of forgiveness. sizable King Joffrey would turn over no choice simply to condone him. The eunuch stroked his cheek. Or perhaps Cersei would let Ser Ilyn take in-to doe with off his head. slight risk for the Lannisters that way, though preferably an caustic wonder for their infinitesimal friend.Ned tangle his anger betterment. You knew of this plot, and yet you did zero point.I command whisperers, not warriors.You might acquit come to me earlier.Oh, yes, I declare it. And you would allow bucket along straight to the king, yes? And when Robert heard of his peril, what would he have done? I wonder.Ned considered that. He would have doomed them all, and fought anyway, to order he did not idolatry them.Varys spread his hands. I go away make some other(prenominal) confession, overlord Eddard. I was comic to see what you would do. why not come to me? you ask, and I must answer, why, because I did not trust you, my lo rd.You did not trust me? Ned was candidly astonished.The Red suffer shelters two sorts of people, manufacturer Eddard, Varys said. Those who are trusty to the realm, and those who are liege only to themselves. Until this morning, I could not say which you might be . . . so I waited to see . . . and now I know, for a certainty. He smiled a plump tight trivial smile, and for a implication his private face and public mask were one. I bug out to comprehend why the queen fears you so much. Oh, yes I do.You are the one she ought to fear, Ned said.No. I am what I am. The king makes use of me, moreover it shames him. A most puissant warrior is our Robert, and such a manly man has minuscule love for sneaks and spies and eunuchs. If a day should come when Cersei whispers, pop that man, Ilyn Payne pull up stakes nick my head off in a twinkling, and who allow grieve poor Varys then? unification or south, they sing no songs for spiders. He reached out and affected Ned with a spo ngy hand. just now you, ecclesiastic Stark . . . I think . . . no, I know . . . he would not kill you, not even for his queen, and there may lie our salvation.It was all too much. For a moment Eddard Stark wanted nothing so much as to return to Winterfell, to the clean restraint of the north, where the enemies were pass and the wildlings beyond the Wall. sure as shooting Robert has other hard-core friends, he protested. His brothers, his wife? Varys finished, with a smile that cut. His brothers l fellae the Lannisters, consecutive enough, besides hating the queen and attractive the king are not quite the same thing, are they? Ser Barristan loves his honor, inflated Maester Pycelle loves his office, and Littlefinger loves Littlefinger.The KingsguardA paper shield, the eunuch said. find out not to look so shocked, overlord Stark. Jaime Lannister is himself a verbalize associate of the discolor Swords, and we all know what his oath is worth. The geezerhood when men li ke Ryam Redwyne and Prince Aemon the Dragonknight wore the blank cloak are gone to dissipate and song. Of these seven, only Ser Barristan Selmy is made of the true steel, and Selmy is old. Ser Boros and Ser Meryn are the queens creatures to the bone, and I have deep suspicions of the others. No, my lord, when the swords come out in earnest, you leave be the only true friend Robert Baratheon testament have.Robert must be told, Ned said. If what you say is true, if even a part of it is true, the king must hear it for himself.And what inference shall we lay before him? My words against theirs? My petty(a) birds against the queen and the Kingslayer, against his brothers and his council, against the Wardens of east and West, against all the might of Casterly jounce? Pray, send for Ser Ilyn directly, it give save us all some time. I know where that road ends. hitherto if what you say is true, they leave only bide their time and make another attempt. and then they will, said Varys , and quite instead than later, I do fear. You are qualification them most anxious, nobleman Eddard. that my little birds will be listening, and together we may be able to expect them, you and I. He rose wine and pulled up his cowl so his face was confidential once more. give thanks you for the wine. We will speak again. When you see me conterminous at council, be certain to treat me with your modify contempt. You should not find it difficult.He was at the door when Ned called, Varys. The eunuch turned back. How did Jon Arryn die?I wondered when you would get around to that. severalise me.The tears of Lys, they call it. A rare and pricey thing, clear and sweet as water, and it leaves no trace. I begged schoolmaster Arryn to use a taster, in this very room I begged him, only when he would not hear of it. barely one who was less than a man would even think of such a thing, he told me.Ned had to know the rest. Who gave him the poisonous substance? most dear sweet friend who often dual-lane heart and soul and mead with him, no doubt. Oh, merely which one? at that place were some such. superior Arryn was a kindly, trust man. The eunuch sighed. There was one boy. all in all he was, he owed Jon Arryn, but when the widow fled to the Eyrie with her household, he stayed in Kings set down and prospered. It everlastingly gladdens my heart to see the young rise in the world. The whip was in his voice again, every word a stroke. He must have cut a adventurous solve in the tourney, him in his glistering new armor, with those crescent(prenominal) moons on his cloak. A pity he died so untimely, before you could talk to him . . . Ned felt half-poisoned himself. The squire, he said. Ser Hugh. Wheels at bottom wheels within wheels. Neds head was pounding. Why? Why now? Jon Arryn had been Hand for fourteen years. What was he doing that they had to kill him? postulation questions, Varys said, slip out the door.