Throne Room, Small Council.
Warm sunlight shines on the ground through the narrow high windows. The dragon's head once hung here, but is now covered by tapestries 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 Gold Dragon again..."
"Perhaps we can leave it to Gold Cloaks to clean up..."
"Security is still a problem..."
"High Septon..."
Eddard·Stark was sitting in the position of Hand of the King. He still had a serious face, but his eyes were a little empty.
The Tournament held by Robert for Eddard was unprecedentedly grand, so the complicated affairs were endless. He could no longer listen to what the imperial ministers were discussing.
Why is Jon·Arryn investigating Robert's illegitimate child?
Robert has illegitimate children all over Westeros, but the only one he has ever publicly admitted is an illegitimate child of the same age as Bran (Eddard's second son). That boy's mother is a noble, and is now adopted by Storm's End acting city lord of Lord Renly.
Lord Eddard also remembers Robert's first child, who was the illegitimate daughter Robert had when he was still Vale. The little girl was very cute, young Robert even though he had lost interest in the child's mother long ago, he doted on her very much. During that period, he went to play with her daughter every day... and whether Eddard wanted to or not, Robert always took her to keep her company.
Eddard thought of his sister Lyanna again.
On the night when their father betrothed her to Robert, Lyanna said to him at Winterfell: I heard that he had a child with a girl at Vale.
Eddard had hugged the baby himself, and he couldn't deny what she said, and he didn't want to deceive his sister, so he assured her that no matter what romantic affairs Robert had done before the engagement, it was of no importance, because he was a good man with sincere feelings and would definitely love her wholeheartedly.
Lyanna showed a look 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 the same room.
His memory was still fresh in his mind, and now he thought that Lyanna had long been dissatisfied with the marriage partner arranged by his father.
Lord Eddard sighed secretly. Cersei·Lannister would not be happy about Robert's behavior of leaving seeds everywhere.
After thinking about it, Lord Eddard is still confused. Maybe Gryn can bring some good news after interrogating Hugh.
Lord Eddard felt like his head was swollen. Jon·Arryn wanted to find Robert's illegitimate son. What on earth was worth risking his life for?
The imperial ministers were teasing each other, and Lord 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 current situation now. Maybe Stannis returning to Small Council could make this place more solemn.
When Lord Eddard first joined Small Council, he wanted to call Stannis back as soon as possible to assist him, so he sent a letter to Dragonstone the next day, in which Lord Eddard politely invited Lord Stannis to come back to Small Council, but so far there has been no reply.
He stood up and said, "My lords, that's it for now."
After saying that, Lord Eddard strode away from Throne Room.
When Tower of the Hand was approaching, Lord Eddard found Renly·Baratheon who seemed to be waiting for him.
Lord Eddard did not see Renly in today's Small Council. Petyr half-jokingly told him that Master of Laws was often absent from Small Council. This was the only similarity between the two Baratheon brothers.
Renly is friendly and always smiles. Lord Eddard actually likes Duke Storm's End who looks exactly like Robert.
Lord Eddard hopes that Renly, who is Master of Laws, can devote more attention to the government affairs of the kingdom and help Robert and Eddard govern the kingdom. He plans to have a good chat with Renly after some time.
Renly showed a hearty smile and said, "Ned."
Lord Renly first chatted for a few words, then suddenly said, "Ned, look who she is?"
Lord Renly showed Lord Eddard a finely carved yellow Golden Rose pendant, which contained a vivid portrait of Myr. The person in the painting was a lovely the Maiden with doe-like eyes and soft brown hair.
"She's not..."
Lord Eddard recognized the Maiden in the painting. It was Margaery·Tyrell that he had seen when he was near King's Landing. He was very interested in Margaery is quite impressed. She is a beautiful and smart girl. He hopes... Lord Eddard When he thinks of his little daughter who is obsessed with practicing swordsmanship, it seems difficult to realize... Maybe it would be better if she is older.
Lord Renly's eyes lit up, and his voice was slightly excited. "Did you recognize who it was?"
Lord Eddard slightly tapped his chin. "Yes, isn't she Lord of Highgarden's daughter?"
Lord Renly was stunned for a moment, then said, "Ned, have you seen it?"
After a pause, Lord Eddard said, "I met him once at King's Landing."
Lord Renly's pupils expanded and contracted, he raised his hand and pointed the pendant's portrait towards Lord Eddard, and said, "Ned, does it remind you of someone when you see her?"
Lord Eddard looked at the Maiden in the painting again and shook his head slightly.
There was unconcealable disappointment on Lord Renly's handsome face, and he said again, "Ned, don't you think Margaery looks like your sister?"
"Lyanna?"
Lord Renly stared at Lord Eddard and nodded.
Lord Eddard shook his head and denied. "They are not similar..."
Although Lord Eddard was confused as to why Lord Renly felt that Margaery looked like his sister, he did not reveal anything. He trusted Robert's younger brother.
"You have seen my little daughter, Arya 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, saying, "Renly, in your brother's heart Lyanna has never left, and neither have I."
He added, "But thank you for your kindness."
Tower of the Hand.
When Lord Eddard was about to go upstairs, he saw Arya·Stark standing on Spiral Stair with one foot, waving her hands constantly to maintain balance. The rough stone floor wore her little feet.
Lord Eddard stopped and said helplessly, "Arya, what are you doing?"
His little daughter will always give him "surprises".
Arya glanced at his father, with an excited smile on his face, "Syrio said Water Dancer can stand on one toe for several hours."
As she spoke, she waved her hands in the air desperately to maintain balance.
Lord 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.
Lord Eddard smiled and said helplessly, "Arya, can't you change the place to play? That location is high and steep, and falling down would not be fun."
Arya's two little cheeks bulged and he said angrily, "Father, this is part of the sword skill!"
"And..."
She put down her feet, stood on both legs, and continued, "Syrio said Water Dancer will never fall."
Arya rolled his eyes, tilted his head and said, "Father, if my sword skills are as powerful as Syrio, can I be a knight?"
Before Lord Eddard could answer, Arya said again, "I still want to be a lord."
Lord 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 knights or lords."
Arya's face changed. "No, that's what Sansa does!"
She turned her little face to one side, raised her right foot, and continued to practice balancing on one foot.
Lord Eddard looked at his little daughter who no longer wanted to pay attention to him, sighed secretly, and walked up the stairs.
Near Essos, Qarth City-State.
Daenerys sat on the horse and looked into the distance for a while, and said, "Sir Jorah, can these mercenary groups capture the city of Qarth?"
Jorah·Mormont glanced at Daenerys and said, "Your Royal Highness, although Qarth's defenders are protected by the city wall, as far as I know they don't have many soldiers anymore. If there are no reinforcements, they will be defeated sooner or later."
Daenerys withdrew his gaze, pulled the reins, and asked the horse to turn.
"Let's go back."
Everyone turned the horses' direction one after another.
A gust of wind blew up, kicking up a lot of dust. Daenerys squinted his eyes and pulled up his cloak to cover his mouth and nose.
After riding for a while, Daenerys pulled the reins and slowed down the horse. She said to Jorah, "Sir, the casualties from the siege will be huge."
Sir Jorah nodded and said, "Yes, Your Highness Princess."
Daenerys turned his 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, stroked his chest and said, "Jorah·Mormont, we are at your service at any time."
Daenerys stared at Jorah and said, "I heard that Westeros is full of well-defended castles. Can my brother sweep Seven Kingdoms with ten thousand troops?"
After seeing the brutality of the siege, although Daenerys didn't 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, King Viserys doesn't understand military matters. In my opinion, if you give him ten thousand brooms, he won't 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 didn't show anything strange and continued to ask, "What if it's not Viserys? What if someone else... What if someone with a stronger lead takes the lead? Is 10,000 troops enough to conquer Seven Kingdoms?"
Jorah paused for a long time before replying, "Your Highness, Seven Kingdoms's soldiers will hide behind walls surrounded by shields or fortifications made of sharpened wooden stakes. Ten thousand soldiers and horses cannot attack several castles. Unless..."
Daenerys raised his eyebrows and said, "Unless what?"
Jorah said respectfully, "Unless the winner Robert is stupid enough to choose a head-on battle, if you are lucky, it may be decided in one fight."
Daenerys blinked and said, "Is Robert such a person? I mean, is he stupid?"
Jorah nodded, and he said slowly, "Robert is a brave and skilled man who likes to confront the enemy face to face. If Targaryen's army returns to 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 younger brothers Stannis and Eddard·Stark..."
As he spoke, he spat, his eyes flashing with uncontrollable anger.
Daenerys's purple eyes moved slightly and said, "Sir Jorah, you seem to hate this Stark."
Sir 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 lost."
Jorah's eyes trembled, and he nodded to Daenerys in thanks.
In the evening, Tower of the Hand restaurant.
With a bang, Mutton·Waters placed a pot 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, "Mutton, I don't have such a big appetite... but thank you for the barbecue."
Mutton 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!"
Mutton poured another glass of wine and pushed it to Jon.
Jon sighed, "Mutton, you make me very uncomfortable. Tell me, what is it?"
Perhaps because they were both illegitimate children and had many similar experiences, he and Mutton felt like they could get along with each other from the beginning... Of course, it wasn't just for this reason, he liked the naive Mutton very much.
Mutton is the first friend Jon met after coming to King's Landing. In his heart, the two of them are like brothers. Robb, Bran and Rickon are both his father's children, and he still loves them, but because of Lady Catelyn, Jon knows that he is not one of them after all.
The gray wall 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.
Mutton said in a naive voice, "Jon, Tourney It starts tomorrow. I plan to sign up for group close combat."
Jon asked doubtfully, "Why don't you sign up for the lance competition?"
Mutton shook his head. "I can't ride a lance, I only know a shield and a hammer."
Jon seemed to have just reacted. He looked at Mutton: "Are you trying to drag me to sign up together?"