Liu Qian did not even look at him. Sitting at ease on his throne, he lifted a cup of pear brandy and took a sip.
"Jorah," standing beside him, barked at Jaime, "Lannister, shut your mouth, or I'll leave you begging for mercy on the floor."
He stepped forward, moving as swiftly as a phantom. With a metallic hiss, the Valyrian steel sword at his waist, its blade rippling with dark patterns, slid free of its scabbard. Its cold point aimed straight at Jaime's throat.
Jaime's pupils contracted slightly at the lightning-fast draw. Then he recognized "Jorah" and sneered, "Ser Jorah, I almost forgot that you, a homeless dog from the North, had found yourself a new master. Remember that tourney in Lannisport a few years ago?
"You beat me. This time, do you dare face me with swords, man to man?"
"Jorah" turned toward Liu Qian, who nodded to him.
Jaime likewise drew an ornate longsword forged from fine steel and faced "Jorah" inside the Palace.
The two took their stances in the center of the Palace, and an icy killing intent instantly spread around them.
At that moment, Davos, the Onion Knight standing beside Stannis, furrowed his brow and lowered his voice. "My lord, should we stop Ser Jaime?"
Stannis remained expressionless. His thin lips parted, his voice cold and hard as iron. "Since he demanded a duel, and the King of Tyrosh has sent out his champion, let them fight."
Ser Davos nodded.
Lord Eddard also looked toward Stannis. Seeing that Stannis had not intervened, he said nothing more.
Their duel was open and fair. There was no reason to stop it.
Besides, his relationship with Jaime Lannister was poor. He was happy to see a Lannister humiliated.
Just then, "Jorah" charged at Jaime.
There was no