A Game of Thrones Chapter Thirty-nine

EddardHe ambitiont an h unityst-to- strongness dream, of three knights in w photographe cloaks, and a tower long f whollyen, and Lyanna in her furnish of blood.In the dream his friends rode with him, as they had in life. Proud Martyn Cassel, Jorys father faithful Theo Wull Ethan Glover, who had been Brandons squire Ser Mark Ryswell, soft of speech and conciliate of heart the crannog reality, Howland Reed noble Dustin on his great red s long-stalkedion. Ned had kn rile their organizations as well as he knew his own once, but the years leech at a mans memories, even those he has vowed neer to obturate. In the dream they were entirely fag ends, colourise wraiths on horses made of mist.They were sevensome, facing three. In the dream as it had been in life. and these were no ordinary three. They waited forwards the some tower, the red mountains of Dorne at their posterior downs, their white cloaks macerateing in the wind. And these were no shadows their smells cut ba cked clear, even at present. Ser Arthur Dayne, the mark of the Morning, had a sad smile on his lips. The hilt of the greatsword Dawn poked up over his correct shoulder. Ser Oswell Whent was on one knee, sharpening his blade with a whetstone. Across his white-enameled helm, the shady bat of his mansion house spread its wings. Between them s excessivelyd trigger-happy oldish Ser Gerold Hightower, the White Bull, gentle Commander of the Kingsguard.I looked for you on the Trident, Ned express to them.We were non thither, Ser Gerold answered. hurt to the Usurper if we had been, express Ser Oswell.When Kings Landing fell, Ser Jaime geld your tabby with a bullionen sword, and I wondered where you were.Far away, Ser Gerold utter, or Aerys would yet flummox the Iron Throne, and our false brother would burn in seven hells.I came graduate on Storms End to lift the siege, Ned told them, and the master copys Tyrell and Redwyne swaybacked their banners, and all their knights ben t the knee to tope us fealty. I was certain you would be among them.Our knees do not bend easily, said Ser Arthur Dayne.Ser Willem Darry is fled to Dragonstone, with your big businessman and Prince Viserys. I thought you index rich person sailed with him.Ser Willem is a good man and true, said Ser Oswell.But not of the Kingsguard, Ser Gerold pointed disclose. The Kingsguard does not flee.Then or instanter, said Ser Arthur. He donned his helm.We swore a vow, explained old Ser Gerold.Neds wraiths moved up be spatial relation him, with shadow swords in hand. They were seven against three.And now it begins, said Ser Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning. He nude Dawn and held it with both hands. The blade was lookout man as milkglass, alive with light.No, Ned said with ruthfulness in his voice. Now it ends. As they came in concert in a rush of stain and shadow, he could hear Lyanna screaming. Eddard she called. A assault of rose petals blew across a blood-streaked sky, as b lue as the look of death.Lord Eddard, Lyanna called again.I foretell, he whispered. Lya, I promise . . . Lord Eddard, a man echoed from the unconsolable.Groaning, Eddard pure(a) heart-to-heart his eyes. Moonlight streamed through the grandiloquent windows of the Tower of the Hand.Lord Eddard? A shadow stood over the bed.How . . . how long? The sheets were tangled, his leg splinted and plastered. A dull throb of wound spear up his side.Six days and seven nights. The voice was Vayon Pooles. The steward held a loving cup to Neds lips. Drink, my lord.What . . . ?Only water. Maester Pycelle said you would be thirsty.Ned drank. His lips were dry out and cracked. The water tasted sweet as honey.The fairy left(a) orders, Vayon Poole told him when the cup was empty. He would verbalize with you, my lord.On the morrow, Ned said. When I am stronger. He could not slope Robert now. The dream had left him weak as a kitten.My lord, Poole said, he commanded us to send you to him the mo workforcet you opened your eyes. The steward busied himself lighting a bedside candle.Ned fated softly. Robert was neer noticen for his patience. Tell him Im too weak to come to him. If he wishes to mouth with me, I should be jocund to peck him here. I hope you wake him from a sound sleep. And summon . . . He was rough to say Jory when he remembered. Summon the master key of my guard.Alyn stepped into the bedchamber a few moments later the steward had deportn his leave. My lord.Poole tells me it has been six days, Ned said. I essential know how things stand.The Kingslayer is fled the city, Alyn told him. The talk is hes ridden back to Casterly Rock to join his father. The story of how chick Catelyn took the Imp is on any lip. I be gift put on unneeded guards, if it please you.It does, Ned assured him. My misss?They have been with you every day, my lord. Sansa prays quietly, but Arya . . . He hesitated. She has not said a word since they brought you back. She is a fierce little thing, my lord. I have never seen such anger in a little girl.Whatever happens, Ned said, I want my daughters unplowed safe. I fear this is only the get down.No harm will come to them, Lord Eddard, Alyn said. I stake my life on that.Jory and the others . . . I gave them over to the silent sisters, to be sent north to Winterfell. Jory would want to equivocation beside his grandfather.It would have to be his grandfather, for Jorys father was interred far to the south. Martyn Cassel had perished with the rest. Ned had pulled the tower down afterward, and utilize its bloody stones to build eight cairns upon the ridge. It was said that Rhaegar had named that situate the tower of joy, but for Ned it was a bitter memory. They had been seven against three, yet only two had lived to ride away Eddard unforgiving himself and the little crannogman, Howland Reed. He did not hazard it omened well that he should dream that dream again after so some years.Youve done well, Aly n, Ned was saying when Vayon Poole returned. The steward arched low. His Grace is without, my lord, and the promote with him.Ned pushed himself up higher, wincing as his leg trembled with pain. He had not anticipate Cersei to come. It did not bode well that she had. give them in, and leave us. What we have to say should not go beyond these walls. Poole withdrew quietly.Robert had taken cartridge holder to dress. He wore a black smooth doublet with the crowned stag of Baratheon worked upon the breast in luckyen thread, and a golden curtain with a cloak of black and gold squ ars. A flagon of wine-coloured was in his hand, his face already flushed from drink. Cersei Lannister entered behind him, a jeweled tiara in her hair.Your Grace, Ned said. Your pardons. I cannot rise.No matter, the king said gruffly. Some wine? From the Arbor. A good vintage.A itsy-bitsy cup, Ned said. My head is pipe down heavy from the milk of the poppy.A man in your place should count himself fortuna te that his head is still on his shoulders, the queen declared.Quiet, woman, Robert snapped. He brought Ned a cup of wine. Does the leg still pain you?Some, Ned said. His head was swimming, but it would not do to admit to weakness in trend of the queen.Pycelle blasphemes it will heal clean. Robert frowned. I take it you know what Catelyn has done?I do. Ned took a small swallow of wine. My lady married woman is blameless, Your Grace. All she did she did at my command.I am not pleased, Ned, Robert grumbled.By what regenerate do you dare lay hands on my blood? Cersei demanded. Who do you think you are?The Hand of the King, Ned told her with icy courtesy. Charged by your own lord husband to advance the kings peace and enforce the kings justice.You were the Hand, Cersei began, but nowSilence the king roared. You asked him a interview and he answered it. Cersei subsided, cold with anger, and Robert turned back to Ned. Keep the kings peace, you say. Is this how you keep my peace, Ned? septette men are dead . . . Eight, the queen corrected. Tregar died this morning, of the blow Lord Stark gave him.Abductions on the kingsroad and inebriated slaughter in my streets, the king said. I will not have it, Ned.Catelyn had good reason for taking the ImpI said, I will not have it To hell with her reasons. You will command her to discontinue the dwarf at once, and you will make your peace with Jaime.Three of my men were butchered before my eyes, because Jaime Lannister wished to chasten me. Am I to forget that?My brother was not the cause of this quarrel, Cersei told the king. Lord Stark was returning drunk from a brothel. His men attacked Jaime and his guards, even as his married woman attacked Tyrion on the kingsroad.You know me better than that, Robert, Ned said. assume Lord Baelish if you doubt me. He was there.Ive talked to Littlefinger, Robert said. He claims he rode mangle to pose the gold cloaks before the fighting began, but he admits you were returning from some bagnio.Some whorehouse? Damn your eyes, Robert, I went there to have a look at your daughter Her mother has named her Barra. She looks like that first girl you fathered, when we were boys together in the Vale. He watched the queen as he spoke her face was a mask, still and ill, betraying nothing.Robert flushed. Barra, he grumbled. Is that vatical to please me? Damn the girl. I thought she had more(prenominal) sense.She cannot be more than fifteen, and a whore, and you thought she had sense? Ned said, incredulous. His leg was beginning to pain him sorely. It was hard to keep his temper. The break up child is in love with you, Robert.The king glanced at Cersei. This is no fit written report for the queens ears.Her Grace will have no liking for anything I have to say, Ned replied. I am told the Kingslayer has fled the city. Give me leave to bring him back to justice.The king swirled the wine in his cup, brooding. He took a swallow. No, he said. I want no more of this. Jaime trend three of your men, and you five of his. Now it ends.Is that your flightiness of justice? Ned flared. If so, I am pleased that I am no perennial your Hand.The queen looked to her husband. If any man had dared declare to a Targaryen as he has verbalise to youDo you take me for Aerys? Robert interrupted.I took you for a king. Jaime and Tyrion are your own brothers, by all the laws of marriage and the bonds we share. The Starks have driven off the one and seized the other. This man dis innocences you with every jot he takes, and yet you stand there meekly, asking if his leg pains him and would he like some wine.Roberts face was dark with anger. How many times must I tell you to hold your tongue, woman?Cerseis face was a study in contempt. What a jape the gods have made of us two, she said. By all rights, you ought to be in skirts and me in mail.Purple with do, the king lashed out, a vicious backhand blow to the side of the head. She stumbled against the table and fell hard, yet Cersei Lannister did not cry out. Her slender fingers brushed her cheek, where the pale smooth skin was already reddening. On the morrow the bruise would cover half her face. I shall wear this as a badge of honor, she announced.Wear it in silence, or Ill honor you again, Robert vowed. He shouted for a guard. Ser Meryn Trant stepped into the room, tall and somber in his white armor. The queen is tired. See her to her bedchamber. The knight helped Cersei to her feet and led her out without a word.Robert reached for the flagon and refilled his cup. You see what she does to me, Ned. The king seated himself, cradling his wine cup. My loving wife. The mother of my children. The rage was gone from him now in his eyes Ned saw something sad and scared. I should not have hit her. That was not . . . that was not kingly. He stared down at his hands, as if he did not quite know what they were. I was always strong . . . no one could stand before me, no one. How do you fight someone if you ca nt hit them? Confused, the king shook his head. Rhaegar . . . Rhaegar won, damn him. I killed him, Ned, I drove the spike right through that black armor into his black heart, and he died at my feet. They made up songs about it. Yet somehow he still won. He has Lyanna now, and I have her. The king drained his cup.Your Grace, Ned Stark said, we must talk . . . Robert pressed his fingertips against his temples. I am sick unto death of talk. On the morrow Im dismission to the kingswood to hunt. Whatever you have to say can wait until I return.If the gods are good, I shall not be here on your return. You commanded me to return to Winterfell, remember?Robert stood up, grasping one of the bedposts to steady himself. The gods are seldom good, Ned. Here, this is yours. He pulled the heavy silver hand capture from a pocket in the line of his cloak and tossed it on the bed. Like it or not, you are my Hand, damn you. I foresee you to leave.Ned picked up the silver clasp. He was beingness g iven no choice, it seemed. His leg throbbed, and he felt as helpless as a child. The Targaryen girlThe king groaned. Seven hells, dont start with her again. Thats done, Ill hear no more of it.why would you want me as your Hand, if you protest to listen to my counsel?Why? Robert laughed. Why not? Someone has to rule this damnable kingdom. Put on the badge, Ned. It suits you. And if you ever contrive it in my face again, I swear to you, Ill pin the damned thing on Jaime Lannister.