The hall's atmosphere was murderous, chilling to the bone.
Jaime's sudden attempt on a man's life had caught everyone present off guard.
Everyone except Garon.
The instant Jaime drew his sword, Garon realized that he meant to kill.
But Garon didn't step in to stop him. He chose to watch in silence.
At another time, things might have been different.
If Garon hadn't been betrothed to Sansa, he would have flipped the table without hesitation and let Theon expose Jaime and Cersei's affair, ruining the royal match with the North.
But now that he had successfully become betrothed to Sansa, flipping the table would work against his interests.
Garon's targets had changed, too. Now he was after Theon, not Jaime and Cersei.
He would use this accident to get rid of Theon once and for all!
Garon had deliberately played along with Tyrion, intending to pin the blame for Bran's attempted murder squarely on Theon.
"Although I don't know why Jaime let Theon live after he caught him in the act..."
"But if Theon's exposed, I refuse to believe you'll be able to sit still, Jaime!"
"Unless you want Robert to have your whole family killed."
Sure enough, using someone else to kill for him had gone even more smoothly than Garon had imagined.
He hadn't expected Theon's nerves to be so frail that a few words from him would drive Theon to blurt out a confession.
He'd been wondering how to plant seeds of suspicion in Ned and Robert's minds if Theon refused to admit it.
But now, there was no need.
Theon's confession had made everything much simpler.
Jaime had only one way out—
Kill Theon before he could say anything!
Now that Garon had achieved his goal, the corners of his mouth lifted in a small, satisfied smile.
"Theon is dead. Next, the king will judge the lion."
"So what will you do, Jaime?"
Garon wondered with interest.
Just as he'd expected,
Robert came to his senses and glared furiously at Jaime. "Kingslayer, I told you to take him alive, not kill him!"
Ned, standing to Robert's right, was just as furious.
Even if Theon had tried to murder Bran, he should only be punished after a trial confirmed his guilt.
Now Jaime had killed Theon without a trial. What would people think? What would Balon of the Iron Islands think?
They would only think Theon's death was suspicious, that something was amiss!
"Garon!" Ned roared. "Arrest the Kingslayer!"
"Yes, Lord Ned!" Garon replied readily, done watching the show. He drew his sword and stepped forward. "Ser Jaime, you defied the king's orders and killed Theon without permission. Surrender!"
Jaime turned and gave Garon a long look, a flicker of wariness in his eyes.
"Giant Bear Slayer..."
He silently repeated Garon's title. Without the slightest hesitation, he tossed his sword beside Theon's corpse.
"Your Grace, Theon resisted. I simply killed him by accident."
"Besides, his attempt on the son of the Warden of the North has been confirmed!"
"I killed him early to avenge Lord Ned. The Hand should be thanking me!"
A proud smile played on his face, as if he wasn't worried about the situation at all.
"By accident? To avenge me?" Ned laughed in sheer anger. "Theon was unarmed. Do you expect me to believe you killed him by accident? I think you meant to kill him!"
Cersei had been worried that Theon would reveal their secret, but when she saw Jaime kill him swiftly, her heart settled back into her chest.
She shifted her feet slightly and said scornfully, "Theon was going to be executed sooner or later. Jaime merely killed him early. What's the fuss?"
"Would you rather Jaime let the man who tried to kill your son go free?"
"But, Your Grace," Ned said, raising his voice, "he had an accomplice!"
"Who was he sleeping with? What were they plotting? Why did he call the Kingslayer's name before he died?"
"Now, thanks to the Kingslayer, we'll never know!"
Cersei raised an eyebrow and demanded, "Lord Ned, are you accusing the king's Kingsguard? Or the Lannisters?"
A flash of anger crossed Robert's face. He turned and snapped, "Be quiet!"
But Cersei gave a cold laugh and ignored him, continuing, "Lord Ned, don't think becoming Hand of the King gives you the right to slander the Lannisters!"
"You should be glad I'm a woman. If I were a man, I'd meet you on the battlefield without hesitation!"
Ned hadn't yet replied when Robert could no longer contain his fury.
He turned toward Cersei and suddenly slapped her.
Smack—
The sharp crack sent Cersei's head to the side, her hair coming loose. Jaime, furious, started forward, but Garon blocked him with his sword.
Cersei turned her head and held her cheek. She took two deep breaths before slowly raising her head and taunting Robert.
"I'll wear this as a badge of honor!"
Robert didn't care about her mocking tone. He said coldly, "Then wear it quietly and keep your mouth shut, or I'll make you even more honored!"
"Now! Take your brother and get out!"
Cersei shot Ned a dangerous look, then turned and left without hesitation.
"Jaime!"
As she passed him, she called his name.
Jaime shrugged, bent to pick up his sword, then took a couple of steps back and followed Cersei out.
Tyrion watched his troublesome siblings leave, his face full of dismay.
He wanted to explain a few things, but seeing the atmosphere in the hall, he knew there was no place for him to speak. So he hurried after them on his short legs.
After the Lannisters had left, Ned walked to Theon's corpse, his expression troubled. He stood there for a long time without a word.
Robert turned and poured himself a cup of wine, then drained it in one gulp.
When he'd finished, he looked at Garon and ordered, "Giant Bear Slayer, take Theon's body outside."
"And the rest of you, leave too."
"I have something to discuss with Ned in private!"
"Yes, Your Grace!" Garon slid his sword back into its sheath, passed Ned, hoisted Theon's corpse onto his shoulder, and strode out of the hall.
Robb and Jon followed close behind.
"Robb, where should we dump Theon's body?"
Garon stood beside a statue in the hall and asked Robb.
Robb looked disgusted and spat, "Throw him to the dogs!"
Jon cursed, too. "He tried to murder Bran. I'd love to tear him limb from limb!"
Just then, Ser Rodrik, who had been inspecting Winterfell in the distance, heard them and strode over. "What are you doing?"
"Ser, we caught the man who tried to murder Bran!"
"What?"
Ser Rodrik was startled. "Who?"
"Theon Greyjoy!" Garon shifted the corpse on his shoulder, then added, "He admitted it himself!"
Ser Rodrik was briefly at a loss.
He never would have imagined Theon would try to murder Bran.
"Could there have been some mistake?"
Ser Rodrik still refused to believe it.
But Garon replied, "The evidence is overwhelming, and he confessed himself. There's no mistake!"
Robb and Jon, standing nearby, nodded in agreement, their faces full of hatred.
Ser Rodrik was left speechless.
"Ser, do you know where we should put the body?"
In the end, Ser Rodrik could only hastily point Garon in a direction.
Before you continue