(Male protagonist's perspective)
Amidst the lively atmosphere of the dueling, I watched with great interest as Jorah Mormont defeated Jaime Lannister in a series of clashes. The jousting was hilarious, but deep down I knew that it was merely a display of different skills, not a true measure of a warrior's strength.
As the bards often sang, this was a sport, not a real battle. While talent played a role, the skills required for a duel did not always directly reflect a warrior's ability in actual combat. Jorah Mormont's unusual victory made this all the more evident.
Jaime got up, dusted himself off, and retrieved his helmet. Taking advantage of the moment, I rose from my seat behind Lord Stark, gave a shout of approval, and then spoke, my words laced with playful sarcasm. "That's certainly a perfect example of falling from a horse! Like the bards say, Long live the Invincible Knight!"
Jaime's frustration was palpable; he angrily threw his helmet into the mud and stormed out of the arena. Inspired by this spectacular sight, I decided to approach Lord Tywin Lannister. After a respectful bow, I addressed him, my tone both humble and firm.
"My lord, I hold no grudge against your son. However, I will not back down in the face of a challenge. He has provoked me, and he will bear the consequences. I hope this does not offend you."
Lord Tywin Lannister responded, his tone calculating. "My son, though twenty-five, still displays the recklessness of a young knight. This is a matter between two knights; let it be settled."
Amidst the applause of the surrounding lords, I sensed a deception lurking in Lord Tywin's words. Clearly, he wasn't as composed as he appeared. Though he outwardly expressed acceptance, I knew a seed of resentment would be sown in my heart at his son's victory. While Lord Tywin possessed immense wealth, his power in the North was practically nonexistent. Regardless of his influence, I was determined to leave my mark on the North and earn a place among the nobles.
I returned to my position in the arena, my gaze fixed on my next opponent Hosteen Frey. This square-faced, burly man was ready for the match. Although most of the House Frey members had a bad reputation, Hosteen's robust physique and features set him apart.
As he donned the helmet with its twin towers, we charged at each other, the clanging of spears echoing through the air. I quickly devised a strategy, feigning an aim at a higher target, then adjusting the spear's trajectory at the last moment to strike his shield. The move worked, and he escaped with surprising ease.
In the final round, my opponent is Ser Jorah Mormont, who has just been knighted by the king after the war. Given the North ' preference for the Old Gods, his decision to accept the title of Knight of the Seven puzzles me. In any case, his status as a lord of the North adds a layer of significance to our upcoming duel.
When we were ready, Jorah returned to the arena, a handkerchief bearing the coat of arms of House Hightower tied to his spear. Lynise Hightower's favor towards him indicated his intention to procure her as Queen of Love and Beauty. Considering the stark contrast between the North and the Faith of the Seven, I found this choice quite peculiar. Nevertheless, this favor represents a connection between them that I cannot ignore.
Our duel began, and I sensed the frustration beneath Jorah's composed exterior. In the first six charges, I wanted to avoid an immediate victory to maintain the illusion of a fair fight. So, I didn't want to hurt his pride. In the seventh clash, I deftly dismounted him and helped him to his feet. "Well done, Ser Jorah," I praised.
His disappointment was palpable, but he gracefully raised my hand and announced, "Indeed. Our champion, Aermir Ser Drasil."
I did not choose to crown anyone as Queen of Love and Beauty, but instead knelt before the King to receive the award. Since I had no retinue of my own, I entrusted the gold to Lord Stark for safekeeping.
In the days that followed, we continued our feasting and celebrations of our final duel with Jaime. This free-for-all was uniquely designed; our duels were part of a larger event. Therefore, the loser of each duel would be eliminated from the free-for-all. Before facing Jaime, I focused on improving my physical fitness, knowing that Jaime possessed exceptional strength and speed, which were his advantages.
Jaime pressed his advantage, attempting to strike my legs with a diagonal thrust. I countered his attack with agile movements, retreating to dodge his blows. His resolve grew, and he adopted more forceful tactics, including shield ramming. I used my superior reflexes and agility to effectively evade and block his successive attacks.
Although I was on the defensive for most of the duel, I chose not to use my spells fully, saving my true power for later. I only had one chance, and I didn't intend to kill him; if I used too many spells, he would realize something was wrong. At the same time, I wanted to gain more insights from this battle. Jaime was overconfident, underestimating my abilities and thinking I couldn't effectively counter his attacks.
Our clashes continued, my reflexes and agility almost superhuman, my defensive maneuvers baffling Jaime. He began relying on sheer brute force, frantically attempting shield slams and charges. I allowed him to push me back while strategically maintaining my balance. Observing his growing frustration, I knew the timing of my next move was crucial.
During the fight, I seized a brief opportunity. Taking advantage of his momentary lapse in concentration, I swiftly slipped under his sword, simultaneously blocking it with my own, catching him completely off guard. This enraged him. Although the blow struck him, it wasn't enough to defeat him. His talent wasn't superior to mine, but he had the upper hand in terms of stamina. As the duel progressed, Jaime's arrogance and frustration became more apparent, and he mocked me.
"Did you swallow your tongue? Aren't you going to tell us the story of the Invincible Knight of the North?"