(Third-person perspective)
"Aermir said angrily."
"Is this how peace talks are conducted in the Vale? You just attacked someone in your own home who provides you with bread and salt?" Aermir gripped Lord Hersy's throat tightly, making it difficult for him to breathe. Lord Grafton was barely able to control himself, but Jon Arryn raised his hand, seemingly to signal him to step back.
Aermir looked into Jon's eyes, his seasoned gaze flashing with anger, and said.
"Please forgive Lord Hersy's rudeness. Don't you think it's a bit much to call a halt to the oath of bread and salt? Please try to understand. You provided weapons to the enemies on our land, which is clearly an act of aggression, and you did it before the Three Sisters attacked your land, didn't you?"
Aermir released Lord Hersy, shoved him toward his chair, and then smiled at Jon.
"Yes, I did."
Lord Grafton clenched his fists and asked angrily.
"Can we know why you did this?"
Aermir looked disgusted.
"The audacity of the Vale people has never stopped astonishing me. You two-faced hypocrites."
Jon Arryn interrupted him, and now even his eyes were filled with anger.
" Aermir, there's no reason to insult people. Please be polite."
This is the second time Jon has mentioned Aermir's name without using honorifics; and if he wanted to, Aermir wouldn't hold back either. It seems most people wouldn't say anything to him when he speaks like he's talking to his own child, but Aermir no longer wants peace, so he just wants to express his demands.
"You are not my father, old man. If you want respect, you must first show it yourself. That's why I always tell Lord Stark that you and your kind are hypocrites. I don't mean it as an insult. It's a fact, and your every action proves it."
As Aermir's gaze swept over them one by one, a clear contempt flashed in his eyes. "When you insult me without using honorifics, it's merely a mistake, or you're trying to claim your fatherly rights, or when Lord Grafton is here selling weapons to the Ironborn, it's neither an insult nor hypocrisy..."
He slammed his hand on the table and continued, "... For decades, the Ironborn have been attacking our coastline with brand-new weapons—it's just a commercial act. But when we do it, it's disrespectful, rude, and aggressive."
Jon was momentarily speechless, because, as Aermir had said, because he was Jon Arryn, he was allowed to speak to everyone without honorifics, except for a select few. He had never imagined that this superior would challenge him, and he was right about them selling weapons to the Ironborn, but he couldn't just accept it without protesting.
"How can you compare the noble families of Iron Islands to the savages of the mountains?"
Aermir interrupted him.
"To you, they are barbarians; to us North, the Mountain Clans are akin to noble families. We have many Mountain Clans, and each tribe has many respected people. Do you know why? We did not seize their lands and claim them for ourselves, nor did we ever despise them because of their rudeness. We treated them with courtesy, and they treated us with courtesy. The Vale is now reaping the seeds you have sown over thousands of years."
Aermir glared at the three Vale lords and continued.
"Don't misunderstand. We're not here because you're here to help me. You're here today because you've been utterly defeated and have no choice but to surrender. Let me make this clear: I'm here to accept your surrender. If it hurts your pride, then call it peace, but between us, we must make things clear."
Jon Arryn, unable to contain himself any longer, slammed his fist on the table and stood up.
" Lord Drasil, you've gone too far! Please don't overstep your bounds and remember your place!"
At this moment, Aermir stood up angrily and said in an angry voice.
"No, you've gone too far, you've crossed the line. If you're just trying to attract attention, then I have nothing more to say. Let's meet on the battlefield."
As Aermir spoke, Lord Grafton reached for the sword at his waist, momentarily at a loss for what to do. He wondered if he could finish the battle by sacrificing his honor to attack a guest, but when he saw those cold eyes staring back at him, all his strength left his body. Those weren't human eyes; they were the eyes of a beast. Aermir said in a chilling voice.
"Come on. I will kill you all before you can utter a single word to the knights outside this room. The moment a second sound of battle emanates from this room, the holy warriors will slaughter everyone outside."
Aermir turned his gaze to Jon and continued.
"I told you before. Don't underestimate my sword saints; they're enough to let me kill all the lords in this Citadel before you can summon your five thousand. Yes, you have more people, and maybe you can melt us, but once my men are all dead, none of you lords will live to see it."
Jon grabbed Lord Grafton's arm, signaling him to stop. He didn't want to accept it, but it was true; from what he had read about Lord Drasil's elite knights, they fought like demons, and they were one of the main reasons he had been able to crush his enemies so quickly. Among Jon's enemies, Lord Drasil wasn't even the most dangerous.
If they ambush and kill him in this Citadel, they will lose all their honor. He wouldn't care if he could kill the Druid with this attack, but Undeserving for this lord.
Acting rashly now could bring annihilation to the Vale. He might turn the entire North into an enemy, but if he can remain calm, he might be able to keep Eddard and the North out of this war.
For a fleeting moment, a smile crossed Jon's face. He thought, "Look at this little guy, he's brimming with youthful impetuosity."
Lord Drasil is a powerful warrior and a lord, but in this game, he is not yet on equal footing; his army numbers only five thousand, and he has acted too arrogantly. Yes, as a self-proclaimed lord, he is powerful, and one of the most influential nobles in the North, but he lacks in the power struggles between kingdoms. In Jon's view, Lord Drasil seems to be controlled by the allure of power, like most young lords, controlled by power rather than in control of it.
But that didn't mean he could underestimate or ignore him; even if he was reckless, he was still a beast. For Jon, he hadn't lost to the young man, but to his master, the Druid, Jon didn't want to deal with when facing the Mountain Tribes. He said this with a heavy heart.
" Lord Drasil, I apologize for offending you; as you can see, I am an old man, and as you said, most lords allow me to speak to them humbly, as a sign of my age and our long-standing respect; I meant no offense, it is merely a matter of habit, please accept my apology."
He gestured with both hands toward the table in a welcoming gesture and continued speaking.
"Let's all calm down and talk things out peacefully; everyone here is a noble and reasonable person. I believe we can definitely reach a peaceful solution."