Throne Room, Small Council.
Warm sunlight poured through the narrow, high windows, bathing the floor.
Dragon heads once hung high here, now covered by tapestries depicting hunting scenes.
"Should we arrange for some people to clean up all the dung on the streets…?"
"Ha, I don't have the ability to conjure Gold Dragons anymore…"
"Perhaps the Gold Cloaks could clean it up…"
"Public order is still a problem…"
"Archbishop…"
...
Eddard Stark sat in the King's Hand's seat, his expression still serious, but his gaze somewhat vacant.
The tourney Robert held for Eddard was unprecedented in its grandeur, and thus the endless, complicated affairs were overwhelming; he could no longer focus on the discussions of the Master of Coin.
Why did Jon Arryn investigate Robert's bastards?
Robert's bastards were scattered throughout Westeros, but he had only publicly acknowledged one bastard, a boy about the same age as Bran (Eddard's second son), whose mother was a noblewoman and who was now fostered by Duke Renly's acting castellan of Storm's End.
Duke Eddard also remembered Robert's first child, a bastard daughter he had while still in the Vale.
The little girl was very cute; even though the young Robert had long lost interest in the child's mother, he doted on her immensely, going to play with his daughter every day during that period… and whether Eddard wanted to or not, Robert always dragged him along as company.
Eddard thought of his sister Lyanna again.
The night their father betrothed her to Robert, Lyanna told him in Winterfell: I heard he had a child with a girl in the Vale.
Eddard himself had held that infant, and could not deny her words; moreover, he did not want to deceive his sister, so he assured her that whatever romantic escapades Robert had before their betrothal were insignificant, because he was a good man with genuine emotions and would surely love her wholeheartedly.
Lyanna showed an expression Eddard could not understand; she said: My dearest Ned, love is precious indeed, but it can never change a person's nature… Robert will never be content with just one room.
He still remembered it vividly, and now, it seemed Lyanna had long been dissatisfied with the marriage arranged by her father.
Duke Eddard sighed inwardly; Cersei Lannister surely wouldn't be pleased with Robert's habit of siring children everywhere.
After much thought, Duke Eddard was still at a loss; perhaps Greene could bring some good news after interrogating Hugh.
Duke Eddard felt his head swelling.
What did Jon Arryn want with Robert's bastards?
What was worth him losing his life over?
The Master of Coin were teasing each other, and Duke Eddard couldn't help but frown slightly.
Duke Eddard listened for a while, and sure enough… he didn't have the extra energy to change the current situation right now; perhaps Stannis's return to the Small Council would make things more solemn here.
The first time Duke Eddard attended the Small Council, he thought of calling Stannis back to assist him as soon as possible, so the very next day he sent a raven to Dragonstone.
In the letter, Duke Eddard politely invited Duke Stannis to return to the Small Council, but there had been no reply to this day.
He stood up and said, "My Lords, that will be all."
After speaking, Duke Eddard strode out of the Throne Room.
...
As he approached the Prime Minister's Tower, Duke Eddard saw Renly Baratheon, who seemed to be waiting for him.
Duke Eddard had not seen Renly at today's Small Council; Petyr had jokingly told him that the Master of Laws often missed Small Council meetings, which was the only similarity between the two Baratheon brothers.
Renly was friendly and always smiling; Duke Eddard actually liked the Duke of Storm's End, who strongly resembled Robert.
Duke Eddard hoped that Renly, as Master of Laws, would devote more effort to kingdom affairs and help Robert and Eddard govern the kingdom; he planned to have a good talk with Renly sometime soon.
Renly showed a hearty smile and said, "Ned."
Duke Renly first chatted for a few moments, then suddenly said, "Ned, look who this is?"
Duke Renly showed Duke Eddard an exquisitely carved Golden Rose pendant, which contained a vivid portrait in the style of Myr, depicting a lovely young girl with doe-like eyes and soft brown hair.
"Isn't she…"
Duke Eddard recognized the girl in the painting; it was Margaery Tyrell, whom he had met when approaching King's Landing.
He had a rather deep impression of Margaery; she was a beautiful and intelligent girl, and he hoped… Duke Eddard thought of his younger daughter, who was obsessed with practicing swordplay, and it seemed very difficult to achieve… perhaps it would be better when she was older.
Duke Renly's eyes lit up, and his voice carried a hint of excitement: "Did you recognize who it is?"
Duke Eddard nodded slightly: "Yes, isn't she the Duke of Highgarden's daughter?"
Duke Renly paused for a moment before saying, "Ned, you've met?"
After a pause, Duke Eddard said, "I met her once in King's Landing."
Duke Renly's pupils contracted, and he raised his hand, turning the pendant's portrait towards Duke Eddard, saying, "Ned, when you saw her, did she remind you of someone?"
Duke Eddard glanced at the girl in the painting again, and shook his head slightly.
A barely concealed disappointment appeared on Duke Renly's handsome face; he then said, "Ned, don't you think Margaery looks like your sister?"
"Lyanna?"
Duke Renly stared at Duke Eddard and nodded.
Duke Eddard shook his head in denial: "They don't resemble each other…"
Although Duke Eddard was puzzled why Duke Renly would think Margaery looked like his sister, he showed nothing; he trusted Robert's brother very much.
"You've seen my younger daughter, Arya looks a lot like Lyanna."
When Duke Renly saw Arya at the time, he didn't pay much attention to the little girl, only remembering her as a tomboy.
Duke Eddard's character was trustworthy; Duke Renly had already confirmed the answer, his intelligence was incorrect.
Duke Renly shrugged and said, "It seems I was mistaken; I thought I could surprise Robert and you."
Duke Eddard reached out and patted Renly's arm, saying, "Renly, in your brother's heart, Lyanna has never left, and neither has she in mine."
He added, "However, thank you for your kind intentions."
...
Prime Minister's Tower.
As Duke Eddard was about to go upstairs, he saw Arya Stark standing on one leg on the spiral staircase, constantly waving her hands to maintain balance, her small feet chafed by the rough stone floor.
Duke Eddard stopped, his voice somewhat helpless as he said, "Arya, what are you doing?"
His little daughter always kept giving him "surprises."
Arya glanced at her father, an excited smile appearing on her small face: "Syrio said a Water Dancer can stand on one toe for hours!"
As she spoke, she frantically waved her hands in the air to maintain balance.
Duke Eddard couldn't help but laugh; he teased his daughter, "Which toe?"
Arya replied indignantly, "Any one!"
After speaking, she hopped from her right foot to her left, swaying precariously back and forth before finally regaining her balance.
Duke Eddard smiled, then said helplessly, "Arya, can't you play somewhere else? That spot is high and steep, falling down wouldn't be fun."
Arya's two small cheeks puffed out, and she said angrily, "Father, this is part of swordplay!"
"And…"
She put her foot down, stood on both legs, and then continued, "Syrio says a Water Dancer never falls."
Arya's eyes darted, and she tilted her head, saying, "Father, if my swordplay is as good as Syrio's, can I be a knight?"
Before Duke Eddard could answer, Arya added, "I also want to be a Lord."
Duke Eddard walked forward, his large hand gently patting his daughter's head, and said, "Arya… my daughter, you will marry a Lord, manage his castle, and your sons will become knights or Lords."
Arya's expression changed: "No, Sansa will do that!"
She turned her small face away, raised her right foot, and continued practicing her one-legged balance.
Duke Eddard looked at his little daughter, who no longer wanted to pay attention to him, sighed inwardly, and ascended the stairs.
...
...
Essos, near the city-state of Qarth.
Daenerys rode on horseback, gazing for a while, then said, "Ser Jorah, can these Sellsword companies take Qarth?"
Jorah Mormont glanced at Daenerys and said, "Princess, although Qarth's defenders are protected by their city walls, from what I know, they don't have many soldiers left.
If there are no reinforcements, they will be breached sooner or later."
Daenerys withdrew her gaze, tugged the reins, and turned her horse.
"Let's go back."
Everyone turned their horses around.
A gust of wind blew, raising a large amount of dust.
Daenerys squinted her eyes and pulled up her cloak to cover her mouth and nose.
After riding for a while, Daenerys pulled the reins, slowing her horse.
She turned to Jorah and said, "Ser, sieges incur heavy casualties."
Ser Jorah nodded and said, "Yes, Princess."
Daenerys turned her head to look at Jorah, and said seriously, "Ser Jorah, I am very grateful that you brought me to witness the siege…"
After a pause, she continued, "I have a question for you, and I hope you can answer truthfully."
Jorah looked at Daenerys, lowered his eyes slightly, and placed a hand on his chest, saying, "Jorah Mormont, at your service, always."
Daenerys stared at Jorah and said, "I hear Westeros is full of strongly fortified castles.
Can my brother sweep through the Seven Kingdoms with ten thousand men?"
Having witnessed the brutality of the siege, although Daenerys knew nothing of military matters, she vaguely worried about Viserys's safety; this feeling came suddenly.
Jorah hesitated for a moment, then said, "Princess Daenerys, forgive my frankness, but King Viserys knows nothing of military matters.
In my opinion, if you gave him ten thousand brooms, he couldn't even clean out a stable."
Daenerys agreed with this point; her brother had indeed not received any instruction in this area.
The longsword he wore at his hip every day was merely an ornament to display a king's majesty.
Daenerys showed no unusual reaction and continued to ask, "What if it's not Viserys then? What if it's someone else… someone stronger leading the army?
Are ten thousand men enough to conquer the Seven Kingdoms?"
Jorah paused for a long time before answering, "Princess, the soldiers of the Seven Kingdoms will hide behind walls of shields or fortifications made of sharpened stakes.
Ten thousand men cannot take many castles.
Unless…"
Daenerys raised an eyebrow and said, "Unless what?"
Jorah said respectfully, "Unless the Usurper Robert is foolish enough to choose a direct confrontation; with good luck, it might be decided in one battle."
Daenerys blinked and said, "Is Robert that kind of person? I mean, is he foolish?"
Jorah nodded, and slowly said, "Robert is a valiant warrior who likes to confront his enemies directly.
If the Targaryen army returns to the Seven Kingdoms, according to his personality, it is indeed very likely that he would actively lead his army out for a decisive battle."
After thinking for a moment, he added, "But Robert has many people around him; ha, these people are like accompanying pipers, and they would never act in such a way, for example, his brother Stannis and Eddard Stark…"
As he spoke, he spat, his eyes gleaming with an uncontrollable rage.
Daenerys's purple eyes flickered, and she said, "Ser Jorah, you seem to dislike this Stark very much."
Ser Jorah's face was bitter: "Stark took away everything I cherished, all for the sake of a few poaching scoundrels and his precious honor."
From Jorah's words, Daenerys could feel that the memories still tormented him.
She comforted him, "Ser Jorah, what you have lost, the Targaryen will help you reclaim."
Jorah's eyes trembled, and he nodded in thanks to Daenerys.
...
...
Evening, Prime Minister's Tower dining room.
With a thud, Monton Wei Shui placed a basin of meat in front of Jon Snow.
He said gruffly, "Jon, I roasted it, eat more."
Jon looked at the full basin of meat, and smiled helplessly, "Mondon, I don't have such a big appetite… but thank you for the roasted meat."
Mondon chuckled, and said eagerly, "Try it."
Jon smiled, grabbed a piece of roasted meat and put it in his mouth to chew, praising, "Your cooking is excellent!"
Mondon poured another glass of wine and pushed it to Jon.
Jon sighed, "Mondon, you're making me uncomfortable, tell me, what is it?"
Perhaps because both of them were bastards, sharing many similar experiences, he and Mondon felt they got along well from the start… Of course, it wasn't just that reason; he really liked the simple-minded Mondon.
Mondon was the first friend Jon made after coming to King's Landing; in his heart, they were like brothers.
Robb, Bran, and Rickon were all his father's children, and he still loved them, but because of Lady Catelyn, Jon knew he was ultimately not one of them.
The grey walls of Winterfell might still haunt Jon's dreams, but he knew he had left that most familiar place forever.
Jon Snow had followed his father to King's Landing, and he would begin a new life in this unfamiliar place.
...
Mondon said gruffly, "Jon, the tourney starts tomorrow, I plan to sign up for the melee team."
Jon asked confusedly, "Why aren't you signing up for the joust?"
Mondon shook his big head: "I can't joust, I only know how to use a shield and hammer."
Jon seemed to just realize, and he looked at Mondon: "Are you trying to drag me into signing up with you?"