Lord Mace strode toward the hall in a fury. Yet when he caught sight of Direwolf's imposing figure, his breath caught involuntarily.
The Duke of Winterfell's ice-gray eyes turned toward him, and he gave a slight nod. "Good day, Hand Tyrell."
Lord Mace paused expressionlessly, then stiffly nodded as well. "Lord Stark, welcome."
Before long, his anger gained the upper hand again, and he could not help saying sarcastically, "Your luck is certainly excellent. Where is Stannis's head?"
After a brief pause, Lord Eddard frowned and asked in return, "Stannis's head?"
At those words, Lord Mace's cheeks puffed up sharply, and he nearly stamped his feet on the spot. "Lord Stark, don't think you can deceive me! You stole the military merit that should have been mine! Stark, I will personally denounce your treacherous conduct to the King and Queen!"
Direwolf's sharp gaze suddenly shot toward him, making Lord Mace's breath catch once more...
Then he became even angrier. "Stark, this isn't over!"
Lord Eddard's brow knotted. "Lord of Highgarden, please calm down. I never encountered Stannis. There is no reason for me to deceive you."
Direwolf's tall, powerful figure stepped closer, and Lord Mace barely managed to suppress the urge to retreat.
Lord Eddard passed straight by Lord Mace and headed to the other side, where... a rudimentary map of The North hung.
Standing before the map, Lord Eddard's gaze slowly swept across it before finally settling on Castle Black. "Where could he have gone?"
After a pause, Lord Mace said blankly, "You really didn't capture Stannis?"
By the end, a trace of excitement had crept into his voice. He suddenly realized—Stark's character was still worth trusting, at least a little.
Lord Eddard merely glanced at him from the side without answering, which thoroughly improved Lord Mace's mood.
He