iron throne of ice and fire

Chapter 144 Hunter and Prey 5
Throne Room, Royal Council.

Warm sunlight spreads across the ground through the narrow high windows.The dragon's head once hung here, but is now covered by a tapestry depicting hunting scenes.

"Should we assign some people to clean up the feces all over the streets..."

"Haha, I don't have the ability to transform into a golden dragon again..."

"Perhaps we can leave it to Jinpao to clean up..."

"Security is still a problem..."

"The Archbishop..."

…………

Eddard Stark sat in the Hand of the King's position. He still had a serious face, but his eyes were a little empty.

The tourney held by Robert for Eddard was unprecedentedly grand, so the complicated affairs were endless. He could no longer listen to what the royal ministers were discussing.

Why did Jon Arryn investigate Robert's bastard son?
Robert has illegitimate children all over Westeros, but the only one he has publicly acknowledged is an illegitimate child about the same age as Bran (Ed's second son). That boy's mother is a noble and is now in the hands of Lord Renly's Storm's End Castle. Adopted by the acting city lord.

Lord Eddard also remembered Robert's first child, the illegitimate daughter Robert had when he was still in the Vale. The little girl was very cute. Even though the young Robert had long lost interest in the child's mother, he doted on her. On top of that, he went to play with his daughter every day during those days... and whether Ed wanted it or not, Robert would always take her as his companion.

Eddard thought of his sister Lyanna again.

The night their father betrothed her to Robert, Lyanna said to him at Winterfell: I heard he had a child by a girl in the Vale.

Eddard, who had held the baby in his arms, could not deny her words, and since he did not want to deceive his sister, he assured her that whatever Robert had done before their engagement was of no consequence, for he was a good man with sincere feelings. I will definitely love her with all my heart.

Lyanna showed an expression that Eddard couldn't understand, and she said: My dearest Ned, love is indeed valuable, but it cannot change a person's nature after all... Robert will never settle in one room.

The memory was still fresh in his mind, and now he thought that Lyanna had long been dissatisfied with the marriage partner arranged by her father.

Lord Eddard sighed secretly. Cersei Lannister would not be happy about Robert's behavior of leaving seeds everywhere.

After thinking about it, Duke Ed was still confused. Maybe Green could bring some good news after interrogating Xiu Fu.

Lord Eddard felt his head swell. What did Jon Arryn do with Robert's bastard?What on earth was worth risking his life for?

The royal ministers were teasing each other, and Duke Eddard couldn't help but frown slightly.

Lord Eddard listened for a while, and sure enough... he didn't have the extra energy to change the situation now. Maybe Stannis' return to the royal council could make the place more solemn.

When Lord Eddard attended the royal council for the first time, he wanted to call Stannis back as soon as possible to assist him, so he sent a letter to Dragonstone the next day. In the letter, Lord Eddard politely invited Lord Stannis to come back. I went to the imperial meeting, but so far there has been no reply.

He stood up and said, "My lords, that's it for now."

After saying that, Duke Eddard strode out of the throne room.

…………

As he approached the Hand's Tower, Duke Eddard spotted Renly Baratheon who seemed to be waiting for him.

Lord Eddard did not see Renly at the king's council today, and Petyr half-jokingly told him that the Lord Advocate was often absent from the king's council, which was the only similarity between the two Baratheon brothers.

Renly is friendly and always smiles. Lord Eddard actually likes the Lord of Storm's End who looks exactly like Robert.

Duke Eddard hopes that Renly, as the Minister of Justice, can focus more on the government affairs of the kingdom and help Robert and Eddard manage the kingdom. He plans to have a good chat with Renly after some time.

Renly showed a hearty smile and said, "Ned."

Lord Renly chatted for a while, then suddenly said: "Ned, look who she is?

Lord Renly showed Lord Eddard a finely crafted gold rose pendant, which contained a vivid portrait of a lovely girl with doe-like eyes and soft brown hair.

"she is not……"

Duke Eddard recognized the girl in the painting as Margaery Tyrell, whom he had met near King's Landing. He was deeply impressed by Margaery. She was a beautiful and smart girl. He hoped... ... Duke Eddard thought that it would be difficult to fall in love with his little daughter who practiced swordsmanship... Maybe it would be better if she was older.

Lord Renly's eyes lit up, and his voice was slightly excited: "Do you recognize who it is?"

Duke Eddard nodded slightly: "Yes, isn't she the daughter of the Duke of Highgarden?"

Lord Renly was stunned for a moment and then said, "Ned, have you seen him before?"

After a pause, Duke Eddard said, "I met him once in King's Landing."

Duke Renly's pupils expanded and contracted, he raised his hand and turned the portrait on the pendant towards Duke Eddard, and said, "Ned, does she remind you of anyone when you see her?"

Duke Ed looked at the girl in the painting again and shook his head slightly.

Duke Renly's handsome face showed unconcealable disappointment, and he said again: "Ned, don't you think Margaery looks like your sister?"

"Lyanna?"

Lord Renly stared at Lord Eddard and nodded.

Duke Ed shook his head and denied: "The two of them are not similar..."

Although Lord Eddard wondered why Lord Renly thought Margaery looked like his sister, he didn't reveal anything. He trusted Robert's brother very much.

"You have met my little girl, Arya, who looks a lot like Lyanna."

When Lord Renly saw Arya, he didn't pay much attention to the little girl. He only remembered that she looked like a tomboy.

Lord Eddard's character is trustworthy. Lord Renly has confirmed the answer. The information he has is wrong.

Lord Renly shrugged and said, "It seems I was wrong. I thought I could surprise Robert and you."

Lord Eddard reached out and patted Renly's arm and said, "Renly, in your brother's heart Lyanna has never left, and neither have I."

He added: "But thank you for your kindness."

…………

Prime Minister Tower.

When Lord Eddard was about to go upstairs, he saw Arya Stark standing on one foot on the spiral staircase, waving her hands constantly to keep her balance, and the rough stone floor wore her little feet apart.

Duke Eddard stopped and said helplessly: "Arya, what are you doing?"

His little daughter would always give him "surprises".

Arya glanced at her father, an excited smile appeared on her face: "Syrio said that water dancers can stand on one toe for hours."

As she spoke, she waved her hands in the air desperately to maintain balance.

Duke Eddard couldn't help laughing. He and his daughter joked: "Which toe?"

Arya replied angrily, "Any one will do."

After saying that, she jumped from her right foot to her left foot, swaying back and forth tremblingly, before finally finding her balance again.

Duke Eddard smiled and said helplessly: "Arya, can't you play somewhere else? That place is high and steep, and it wouldn't be fun to fall." Arya's two little cheeks bulged and she said angrily. : "Father, this is part of the sword skill!"

"and……"

She put her feet down, stood on her legs, and continued: "Sirion said water dancers never fall."

Arya rolled her eyes, tilted her head and said, "Father, if my sword skills are as powerful as Syrio, can I be a knight?"

Before Lord Eddard could answer, Arya added: "I still want to be a lord."

Duke Eddard stepped forward, patted his daughter's head with his big hand, and said: "Arya...my daughter, you will marry a certain lord and manage his castle, and your sons will Become a knight or a lord."

Arya's expression changed: "No, Sansa would do that!"

She turned her little face to one side, raised her right foot, and continued to practice balancing on one foot.

Duke Ed looked at his little daughter who no longer wanted to pay attention to him, sighed secretly, and walked up the stairs.

…………

…………

Essos, near the city-state of Cantes.

Daenerys sat on her horse and looked into the distance for a while, then said, "Sir Jorah, can these mercenary groups capture Kantus City?"

Jorah Mormont glanced at Daenerys and said: "Your Highness, the defenders of Cantus are protected by the city wall, but as far as I know they don't have many soldiers anymore. If there are no reinforcements, sooner or later they will be defeated." Breached."

Daenerys looked away, pulled the reins, and turned the horse.

"Let's go back."

Everyone turned the horses' direction.

A gust of wind blew up, kicking up a lot of dust. Daenerys squinted her eyes and pulled up her cloak to cover her mouth and nose.

After riding for a while, Daenerys pulled the reins and slowed down the horse. She turned to Jorah and said, "Sir, the casualties of the siege will be great."

Ser Jorah nodded and said, "Yes, Your Highness."

Daenerys turned her head and looked at Jorah, and said seriously: "Sir Jorah, I am very grateful to you for taking me to watch the scene of the siege..."

After a pause, she continued: "I want to ask you a question, and I hope you can answer it honestly."

Jorah glanced at Daenerys, lowered his eyes slightly, caressed his chest and said, "Jorah Mormont is at your service at any time."

Daenerys stared at Jorah and said, "I heard that Westeros is full of fortified castles. Can my brother sweep across the Seven Kingdoms with ten thousand troops?"

After seeing the brutality of the siege, although Daenerys did not understand military matters, she was vaguely worried about Viserys's safety. This feeling came suddenly.

Jorah hesitated for a moment and said: "Princess Daenerys, please forgive me, His Majesty Viserys does not understand military affairs. In my opinion, if you give him ten thousand brooms, he will not be able to clean a stable. "

Daenerys also agrees with this. Her brother has indeed not been taught in this area. The long sword he wears on his waist every day is just an ornament to show the majesty of the king.

Daenerys did not show any signs of surprise and continued to ask: "What if it's not Viserys? What if someone else... someone stronger takes the lead? Is ten thousand soldiers enough to conquer the Seven Kingdoms?"

Jorah paused for a long time before replying: "Your Highness, the soldiers of the Seven Kingdoms will hide behind walls made of shields or fortifications made of sharpened wooden stakes. Ten thousand soldiers and horses cannot attack a few castles. Unless... …”

Daenerys raised her eyebrows and said, "Unless what?"

Jorah said respectfully: "Unless Robert the Reaver is stupid enough to choose a head-on battle, if we are lucky, it may be decided in one battle."

Daenerys blinked and said, "Is Robert such a person? I mean, is he stupid?"

Jorah nodded and said slowly: "Robert is brave and good at fighting. He likes to confront the enemy face to face. If the Targaryen army returns to the Seven Kingdoms, according to his personality, it is indeed very likely that he will take the initiative to lead the army to fight to the death. .”

After thinking for a while, he added: "But there are many people around Robert, ha, these people are like flutists, and they will never act like this, such as his brother Stannis and Eddard Stark... …”

As he spoke, he spat, his eyes flashing with uncontrollable anger.

Daenerys' purple eyes moved slightly and said, "Sir Jorah, you seem to hate this Stark."

Ser Jorah's face was bitter: "Stark took away everything I loved deeply, just for a few poaching scum and his precious honor."

From Jorah's words, Daenerys felt that the memories were still tormenting him.

She comforted: "Sir Jorah, Targaryen will help you find what you have lost."

Jorah's eyes trembled, and he nodded to Daenerys in thanks.

…………

…………

In the evening, Prime Minister Tower Restaurant.

With a bang, Munton Waters placed a basin of meat in front of Jon Snow.

He said innocently: "Jon, I baked it, eat more."

Jon looked at the pot full of meat, and he smiled helplessly: "Monton, I don't have such a big appetite... But, thank you for the barbecue."

Mengton chuckled and said enthusiastically: "Try it."

Jon smiled, grabbed a piece of barbecue, put it in his mouth, chewed it, and praised: "Your craftsmanship is great!"

Monton poured another glass of wine and pushed it to Jon.

Jon sighed: "Monton, you make me very uncomfortable. Tell me, what is it?"

Perhaps because they were both illegitimate children and had many similar experiences, he and Mengton felt they could get along with each other from the beginning... Of course, it wasn't just for this reason, he liked the naive Mengton very much.

Monton was the first friend Jon met after coming to King's Landing. In his heart, the two of them were like brothers.Robb, Bran, and Rickon are all his father's children, and he still loves them, but because of Lady Catelyn's relationship, Jon knows that he is not one of them after all.

The gray walls of Winterfell may still haunt Jon, but he knows that he has left the most familiar place forever.

Jon Snow followed his father to King's Landing, and he will start a new life in this strange place.

…………

Meng Dun said in a naive voice: "Jon, the martial arts competition starts tomorrow. I plan to sign up for group close combat."

Jon asked doubtfully: "Why don't you sign up for the lance competition?"

Mengton shook his head: "I don't know how to ride a lance, I only know a shield and a hammer."

Jon seemed to have just reacted. He looked at Mengton: "Are you trying to drag me to sign up?"

(End of this chapter)