Robert pursued it eagerly, with Renly and Ser Barristan Selmy close behind. As he passed through a dense stand of trees, the boar suddenly burst out of the undergrowth and charged straight at him.
The sight of the charging boar only excited Robert. He grabbed his spear and met it head-on.
Unfortunately, disaster struck too quickly.
Robert's once-unerring spear thrust went wide, merely grazing the boar's scalp.
The boar seized that opening to close in, its tusks piercing his abdomen. Robert did not give up. He drove his spear into the boar beneath him, stabbing it again and again before finally killing it.
Ser Barristan Selmy and the others caught up then and saw what had happened. But the damage was already done. Robert's entrails had spilled out, and his blood soaked the earth.
All they could do was get the king back to the Red Keep as quickly as possible.
Along the way, Robert drifted in and out of consciousness. Whenever he woke, he cursed the boar, the wine, and his own luck without pause.
After they returned to King's Landing, Grand Maester Pycelle worked over him for hours. In the end, however, he said the wound was too deep and the infection had already spread. There was nothing more he could do. They could only hope Robert's own strength would pull him through.
Eddard kept vigil beside the bed, watching his once-powerful friend lie there so weak and frail. Grief and guilt filled his heart. If only he had gone with him, or managed to talk him out of it.
Three days later, Robert briefly regained consciousness. He immediately summoned Eddard.
Eddard entered the king's bedchamber. Robert lay on the bed, his face ashen and his breathing faint. At the sight of Eddard, he forced a smile.
"Ned,