King's Game

Joffrey's King's Game began.

Robb Stark and Theon Greyjoy played two opposing "lords";

Bran Stark, Jon Snow, Rodrik Cassel, and four others played "knights," each sworn to one of the two "lords";

Another seventy-seven spectators were pressed into service as "soldiers," serving under the seven "knights";

And everyone was sworn to the "king."

The "king" spoke.

"What petitions do you bring before me?"

Every player grew serious. After hearing the Crown Prince explain the rules, no one mistook this for a simple diversion.

Robb spoke first.

"Your Majesty, your vassal Stark requests a ruling on a land dispute."

Four knights were sworn to him, and they were in Winterfell, home of House Stark. He had a clear advantage over Theon.

"Greyjoy has seized one of Stark's knightly holdings. Stark demands its return."

Each "lord" could issue three challenges. The challenged party could counter once without using up a challenge.

Robb issued the first challenge to Theon.

If Robb won, one of Theon's knights and eleven soldiers would become his;

If he lost, he would receive no reward, and the king would impose a random punishment.

Theon had no intention of yielding outright.

He stepped forward to petition as well. "Your Majesty, Stark's accusation is a slander! Greyjoy demands a Trial by Combat."

Joffrey nodded.

"Trial by Combat is granted. Stark and Greyjoy, name your champions."

Robb named Ser Rodrik, the Master-at-Arms.

Theon looked toward Jon, with whom he had never gotten along. "Jon, you're not going to lose on purpose, are you?"

Jon gave an irritated snort.

"I do have honor, my 'esteemed' lord."

Jon kept his word.

He fought with everything he had. The swordsmanship and strength he had built through hard training since childhood were his greatest assets, and he defeated the seasoned Ser Rodrik.

Robb's challenge failed. Joffrey imposed no punishment.

Theon chose to counter. "Your Majesty, Stark has seized two of Greyjoy's knightly holdings. Greyjoy demands their return."

Theon had raised the stakes.

Most of those present were from Winterfell, after all. Even some of the people under Theon's command were growing displeased.

Robb did not request a Trial by Combat. He knew how skilled Jon was and saw no chance of winning that way. A vote was his only option.

"Your Majesty, Stark is innocent. I request a Great Council!"

Joffrey agreed.

A "Great Council" was another way to settle disputes in King's Game: the seventy-seven soldiers present would vote on the question.

Each knight now had eleven soldiers. If seven or more of them voted the same way, their knight had to follow their decision. Otherwise, the knight could vote for, against, or abstain.

The seven knights' votes would decide the outcome.

Before voting began, the two lords could speak to win the soldiers' support.

"The lords may speak."

Robb was supremely confident. He said only, "Please support me."

Of course he was. This was Winterfell.

Theon understood that all too well. It seemed he was about to taste defeat and mockery again.

This game isn't fair!

But where in the world was there any fairness? Wasn't Winterfell itself just like this game?

Anguish gripped him.

I am heir to the Iron Islands, Son of the Kraken, a tenacious Ironborn...

Am I?

My father is King Balon of the Iron Islands, but his face has long since blurred in my memory. Lord Eddard's face and words have taken his place;

My house words are "We Do Not Sow," but now I live in the North, where "Winter Is Coming";

My god is the cruel Drowned God. "What Is Dead May Never Die. But Rises Again Harder and Stronger." Yet now I pray to the Gods of the Green Lands;

I belong to the sea and the longships, but I've forgotten the salty tang of the sea.

Who am I, really?

Would the Starks ever accept me?

Theon tasted blood and bitterness in his mouth.

He felt his soul sinking, deeper and deeper, toward an abyss of darkness and madness. It was neither Winterfell nor Pyke of the Iron Islands, but a place of unfeeling oblivion...

Joffrey poured the vast force of his mind into his gaze. Even his words carried Magic Power.

All he said was, "Greyjoy, speak."

Theon could not help looking up. The Crown Prince's eyes drew his gaze.

Gods, what manner of monster dwells in there?

Beneath the calm warmth lay a storm that could sweep across the world. Those eyes were unpredictable yet unwavering, inspiring awe and fear, love and hatred. Once seen, they could never be forgotten.

They were the eyes of a king above all others.

A king.

Yes. A king!!

Fervor swept over Theon's face. Hope and despair mingled in his eyes.

Theon prostrated himself as though on a pilgrimage.

"Your supreme Majesty, Theon Greyjoy pledges you his undying loyalty! My sword, my body, mind, and soul—everything I am belongs to you!!"

Everyone stared, dumbfounded!

A reckless grin curved Joffrey's lips.

He drew Dragonflame and pressed its tip firmly against Theon's shoulder.

"I accept your fealty."

"In the name of the Seven, I, Joffrey Baratheon, name you, Theon of the Greyjoy family, a knight in the king's service. Remember: you must never retreat from battle."

"Rise, Ser Theon Greyjoy."

It was a knighting ceremony stripped to its barest essentials, even somewhat improper, but no one dared treat it as a joke.

They could only stare.

Joffrey withdrew Dragonflame, resting one hand on his hip and the other on the sword's hilt.

"Begin the vote."

Most of Robb's confidence had vanished.

The seventy-seven soldiers began to stir. They glanced at one another, then silently chose to obey the highest Liege Lord to whom they all owed allegiance.

Robb closed his eyes.

All seven knights lost the right to choose. The soldiers under them voted overwhelmingly for the same side.

At the Great Council, Greyjoy won!

Robb lost two of his knights and half his strength. The balance tipped toward Theon.

Theon pressed his attack.

"Your Majesty! Stark has seized two of Greyjoy's knightly holdings. Greyjoy demands their return!"

One more victory, and Robb would be defeated outright.

Robb now faced a difficult choice. Jon stood on the other side of a Trial by Combat, while a Great Council no longer looked promising either.

Do I have to swear fealty to win, too?

Robb's feelings were tangled. He thought he understood the Crown Prince's purpose now. King's Game truly was a game for kings.

Jon was struggling with the same question.

Perceptive as he was, he had long since realized this game was no simple amusement. At the very least, the Crown Prince seemed intent on making him choose now.

King's Landing? The Night's Watch?

It seemed he had to choose.

Jon looked at the Crown Prince. Their eyes met, and a strange force seemed to pass between them.

A rush of heat went to Jon's head. He dropped to one knee at once.

"Your Majesty, Jon Snow offers you his eternal loyalty and requests Lordship Conferment."

The crowd was stunned again.

There was another rule to the game: a knight could request Lordship Conferment if he secured the sworn allegiance of another knight and seven soldiers.

Joffrey was very pleased with how the game had turned out.