"Lord William Mooton of Maidenpool in the Riverlands, and his sons." The obese Earl Mooton carried his bulging belly into the court, his sons following him.
"Lord Roose Bolton of the Dreadfort in the North, adviser to the Small Council, clearer of the Kingsroad." Roose straightened his appearance.
Roose saw that Ser Boggs of Crackclaw Point was still in the courtyard. The commander of the King's Landing City Watch was seasoned and experienced in battle.
"Lord Randyll Tarly of Horn Hill in the Reach and his young son Dickon, adviser to the Small Council, commander of the Hall of Heroes at the Dragonpit." Earl Randyll brought his heir Dickon with him, intending to find his son a place among the squires.
"Ser Donnel Swann of Stonehelm in the Stormlands." Ser Donnel entered.
"Deputy envoy of the Sealord of Braavos, Lady Bellegere Othor Lys, the Black Pearl." Black Pearl gave the attendant an alluring smile. Her beauty captivated Braavos, and it was indeed distinctive.
"Envoy of the Prince of Pentos and the Torello Council, Torello Odoro."
The guests who had arrived stood behind the long tables. As the herald announced the names and titles of the entering lords and ladies one by one, cupbearers in golden royal livery escorted them across the broad central aisle.
The gallery was filled with musicians: drummers, pipers, and fiddlers, along with others playing horns, harps, and skin bagpipes.
Everyone had dressed in their finest to make a stunning entrance. But they all understood that tonight's attention belonged to the king and queen.
Beautiful young ladies such as Sansa Stark and Margaery Tyrell drew everyone's gaze, as did Arianne with her exotic Dornish charm. They were, moreover, daughters of great lords. Yet few approached them to strike up a conversation; the gap in status was simply