(Third-person perspective)
Maester Eddrick, the learned healer of Newkeep, approached Jon Arryn, his aged face etched with a somber expression. His brow furrowed, the maester began to explain the grim situation with deep concern.
" Lord Arryn," Maester Eddrick said earnestly, "I have thoroughly examined the wound, and I regret to inform you that the severity of the injury severely limits our options."
Jon Arryn's face was a mixture of anxiety and determination as he urged the maester to elaborate. "What choices do we have, Maester Eddrick? Tell me."
Maester Edric began with a solemn tone. "The adults are seriously injured; the bones in their legs are shattered beyond repair. Without immediate action, their injuries could be life-threatening."
The scholar sighed, his expression serious. "To ensure their survival, we must amputate their legs. It's a harsh measure, but the only way to prevent further complications and infections."
Jon Arryn nodded firmly in agreement. "Do what you must, Maester Eddrick."
Maester Eddrick looked concerned, hesitating whether or not he should say it. Seeing this, Jon spoke.
"Speak, Bachelor."
The scholar spoke in a hoarse voice.
"My lords, the injuries on both of you don't look like falls; they were caused by being crushed by a tremendous force."
Jon gripped the maester's wrist tightly and said.
"They fell off a cliff. Was I clear enough?"
Jon's eyes were blazing with fury, his anger reaching a boiling point. The wise maester, realizing this and not wanting to become the target of his anger, spoke up.
"Yes, sir. It is perfectly clear that both of you and your guards fell off the cliff due to a landslide."
"Yes... yes, it was caused by a landslide."
Jon was furious, but powerless. He wanted Aermir to pay for those insults, but now he couldn't pursue the matter any further. Twenty people had witnessed everything; this couldn't be hidden for long, but now he needed peace.
How could they be so stupid as to speak ill of his parents in public while he was here? He had expected Belmore to do something so foolish, but Grafton had disappointed him. He said, grinding his teeth.
"I'll make him pay."
Lord Stark was furious, while Aermir continued eating his lunch as if nothing had happened. Lord Stark shouted angrily.
"Can't I leave you alone for even a minute before you start killing?"
Aermir held up one finger, pleading for one minute; he swallowed his food and said...
"I didn't kill them when I left them. They're all still alive. I acted according to the Dark Knight's code: maim, but never kill."
Lord Stark was completely bewildered.
"What are you talking about? Who is this Knight of Darkness?"
Aermir became serious and said,
"It doesn't matter. What should I do? They insulted my deceased parents."
Lord Stark looked at Aermir in surprise and spoke in a reproachful tone.
"You should use your own language; we have come seeking peace!"
Aermir shook his head and said.
"No, you come for peace; I come to get what I want."
His eyes turned cold as he continued.
"If I hadn't achieved something here, I would have killed them for what they said. My actions may seem brutal to you and Jon, but it was self-defense. You both saw when I arrived that I was unarmed and without a sword, while all the knights had their swords sheathed. They attacked me with their weapons, and I had every right to do so."
Lord Stark narrowed his eyes and said.
"You seduced them, you know that."
He said in a low voice.
"If you have an army, they won't have a chance to deal with you."
Aermir shrugged. "Perhaps it is true, but they don't know it. Just because they failed doesn't mean it's not a crime. It's clearly an attempted murder of the guest lord."
"You angered them; you were the first to attack!"
"That might be true, but I know very well I'm going to fight them, and I'll be fighting them unarmed, just as I was unarmed when they attacked with weapons."
He shrugged and continued.
"They escaped easily. Anyway, I'll have plenty of time to kill them later, but for now, I'll wait for them to recover."
After dealing with the two lords, Jon Arryn returned to the feast area at the edge of the woods. He was feasting on various kinds of meat, while the Vale lords glared at him menacingly.
It was clear that Eddard was really uncomfortable. Jon wanted to achieve peace between himself and Aermir, so he tried to use diplomacy, but his patience had reached its limit.
" Lord Drasil," Jon began, his voice measured but stern, "Everyone outside the camp thinks they were injured in the landslide, but we all know the truth. We cannot ignore your forceful methods."
Standing on the high ground, Aermir met Jon's gaze, her eyes filled with power and contempt. " Lord Arryn, I acted in self-defense. Your men are not innocent bystanders; they are part of the armed force attacking me."
Mediator Eddard Stark stepped in to try and de-escalate the escalating tensions. "Let's not dwell on the past, but focus on finding a way forward. Enough blood has been shed on this land."
Jon knew this too; he just wanted to find the smallest scrap of information, the slightest hint of sarcasm, but Aermir disagreed. Ned urged him again.
" Lord Arryn, Aermir has proven that his actions were out of necessity, not malice. We are here to build peace, not to tear apart the fragile bonds that hold us together."
Aermir wanted to flee Vale of Arryn, and Jon didn't even want to pay the war reparations. Aermir leaned close to Eddard, wanting to whisper something in his ear, but just then, an arrow shot out from the woods and struck Aermir in the right shoulder.
In that instant, he shifted, avoiding a potentially fatal blow to the chest. This sudden attack shattered the previously calm atmosphere between the negotiating parties.
The ever-vigilant Ser Harrick erupted in a shout, accusing the Vale of plotting to assassinate their lord. Chaos ensued, and Aermir's men reacted swiftly. The hundred men who had come with him to the banquet area formed a protective line to safeguard their wounded leader. The forest was filled with chaos and panic.
As Aermir's men shielded their wounded lord and began their retreat, Jon Arryn vehemently denied any involvement in the attack. His voice echoed across the clearing, attempting to break through the escalating chaos.
"It wasn't us! We didn't try to assassinate him!"
Jon's words echoed in his ears, an attempt to quell the growing hostility. But it was too late; Aermir and his men, along with Eddard, were mounting their horses, while a small contingent was on their way to the Citadel to fetch the rest.
A multitude of thoughts flashed through Jon's mind. He then summoned a messenger and ordered him to go to Citadel Citadel and ensure that Aermir's men could enter smoothly. He had to convince them that they were not the ones who had orchestrated the assassination.