Eddard Stark, seated high on the Iron Throne, mused, "Lord Tyrell, I will send someone to investigate thoroughly, and I will give you a satisfactory answer. Before that, I hope you will act cautiously."
Mace Tyrell said nothing. He made a gesture, and soon after, a group of shabbily dressed men, women, and children followed a young knight inside.
They were also covered in blood, their expressions filled with fear and unease.
"Duke Stark, they arrived in King's Landing last night. These villagers are from two neighboring villages, and this is all that survived."
Duke Mace spoke slowly, but everyone present could feel the suppressed anger in his voice.
Inside the Throne Room, gasps of varying intensity rose and fell.
Varys exclaimed, "Oh, how terrible, how cruel!"
Duke Mace continued, "Duke Stark, many more Riverlands people will suffer misfortune. Is this something ordinary bandits can do? Riverlands people are bleeding every day."
"Blood for blood!"
"No end until death!"
… … … …
As Duke Mace's words fell, the Riverlands nobles present stood up one after another, loudly echoing him.
After a moment of silence, Duke Eddard looked at the group of villagers who had just been brought in.
He raised a hand to quiet those present and said, "Tell me, were the bandits you encountered the same group?"
The middle-aged knight first nodded, then turned and spoke with the villagers.
After a while, he replied loudly, "Prime Minister, they were also masked, well-equipped, and riding warhorses."
The young knight said angrily, "It must be Lannister! I tracked them with a few men, and I found that group ran into Lannister's hills. They must be Duke Tywin's lackeys!"
Maester Pycelle said stiffly, "I wish to remind this young Sir Knight that Lord Tywin Lannister is the father of our Queen."
The young knight's face flushed with anger, and at that moment, Duke Mace's voice came through.
"Pycelle, even without your reminder, we know that Tywin is the Queen's father."
… … … …
Green: Duke Mace, the Gods can also feel the sorrow in your heart, but I must remind you that you are the leader of the Riverlands. The border disturbances are a rare opportunity. The noble character of the Direwolf is known throughout the Seven Kingdoms. If you can act legitimately, Casterly Rock will be isolated and helpless.
Green: If things go smoothly, the Golden Rose will become the foremost noble family in the Seven Kingdoms in your hands.
… … … …
Duke Mace stroked his beard, and after speaking, he gazed at Grand Maester Pycelle… The Golden Rose of the Riverlands does not fear the Golden Lion of the Westerlands.
Pycelle glanced at Duke Mace, moved his lips, but said nothing more.
From his high throne, Duke Eddard saw someone "quietly" slip out at the end of the hall. He thought, so the rabbit ran away… No, it should be said, the mouse greedy for the Lannister Queen's cheese.
Duke Eddard had already investigated the murderer of Jon, and he had begun to plan how to clear out the little mice within the Red Keep.
From Duke Eddard's position, he could clearly see the actions below. Everyone was discussing… The current matter also needed to be handled well.
… … … …
"Duke Mace, please give the order! I am willing to raise all the troops in my territory. We will retaliate in kind and let the Westerlands people taste the might of the Riverlands."
"Yes! Let the Westerlands cowards taste the might of the Riverlands!"
"Yes! One Riverlands person can beat five Westerlands cowards!"
"Please…"
"Duke Mace…"
"Silence!" Duke Mace glanced at the Riverlands vassals, and the Riverlands nobles quickly stopped their clamor.
After a pause, Duke Mace's gaze turned to Duke Eddard on the throne: "Lord of the Hand, before obtaining King Robert's permission, the Riverlands people will only apprehend those bandits within the Riverlands territory. I will restrain them."
Duke Eddard's gray eyes trembled slightly. He nodded slightly and said, "Thank you for the wisdom of the Duke of Highgarden."
The Direwolf truly looked at this not-so-famous House Tyrell with new eyes today.
Duke Eddard felt that Tywin Lannister was more of a fox than a Lion. If he had indeed sent the Mountain's former men to kill and burn, he would have specifically instructed them to disguise themselves as ordinary bandits, without banners, and to act cautiously.
If the Riverlands retaliated in the same way, killing and burning in the Westerlands, Cersei and her father could insist that House Tyrell, not Lannister, was breaking the peace… Only the Gods knew which side Robert would believe then.
He thought that the wise Duke Mace had also considered this point, which was why he had the victims appeal to the Iron Throne for justice.
… … … …
Maester Pycelle stood up again and bowed to Duke Eddard, saying, "Prime Minister, if these villagers firmly believe that the masked bandits are the Mountain's former men, please let them go see the lord of the Westerlands and complain to him. The crimes they describe have nothing to do with the King; they should ask Duke Tywin to administer justice."
Duke Eddard said coldly, "Pycelle, these certainly concern the King. North, South, East, or West, we act in the name of Robert I."
Pycelle's cloudy eyes moved, and he said, "It concerns the King… That makes sense. Then we should wait for the King to return before proceeding…"
Duke Eddard interrupted, "The King is hunting at this moment. Waiting will only make things worse. Robert wants me, as Hand of the King, to handle the kingdom's affairs in his stead, to listen with his ears, to speak with his voice, and I shall fulfill my duty."
He paused, then added, "But I agree to report today's events to him, Robar Royce."
Robar Royce stepped forward, bowing: "Prime Minister, what are your commands?"
Duke Eddard said, "Your father (Bronze Yohn) is out hunting with King Robert. Would you please go there and inform them of today's events?"
Robar Royce readily accepted the command: "As you command, Prime Minister, I will depart today."
After Robar Royce withdrew, the young knight from the Riverlands stepped forward and bowed: "Just Prime Minister, can we then directly seek revenge on the Mountain's former men?"
"Revenge?"
After asking, Duke Eddard shook his head and continued, "I thought we were talking about administering justice. Setting fires and killing in the Westerlands will not restore peace within the kingdom; it will only slightly mend your damaged self-esteem."
Before the angry young knight could retort, Duke Eddard turned his gaze to the group of villagers.
"Villagers of the Riverlands, I cannot return your homes and your crops, nor can I bring the dead back to life, but… perhaps I can, in the name of our King, give you a belated justice."
"Since they were masked, even hiding their identities while committing the crimes, there must be a dirty motive hidden behind it."
Duke Eddard said, slowly rising from the Throne.
Every eye in the hall was fixed on Duke Eddard, waiting intently.
"Beric Dondarrion, Ser Gladden Wylde."
Earl Beric and Ser Gladden, whose names were called, stepped forward and stood at the front, looking at Duke Eddard.
"I ask you to lead fifty cavalrymen to the incident site in the Riverlands to investigate. I will also send twenty of Stark's guards to accompany you.
Earl Beric, you will command this mission. You are to apprehend those bandits with Duke Mace's vassals. Remember, help me ascertain their identities."
Red-gold haired Earl Beric bowed: "Hand Eddard, as you command."
Duke Eddard nodded slightly, then his sharp gaze swept over those below, and he announced loudly, "In the name of Robert I of House Baratheon, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Ruler of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm.
I, Duke Eddard of the Stark, in the name of Hand of the King, hereby command you to immediately raise the King's banner and proceed to the northwestern border of the Riverlands to apprehend the bandits who have committed murder, arson, and all manner of evil, whether dead or alive. May the Gods have mercy on their souls."
Duke Eddard sat back on the Throne and said, "Today's petitions are concluded."
… … … …
After Duke Eddard descended the steps, Varys approached with light steps.
"Hand Eddard, you are much bolder than I."
Duke Eddard was not in the mood for word games. His gray eyes moved slightly, and he said, "Varys, speak plainly."
Varys first looked around, then whispered, "Hand Eddard, if it were me sitting up there, I would send Ser Ilyn. After all, he is the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard's Justice, isn't he? Asking others to do his duty… might be interpreted as a malicious insult from you."
Duke Eddard frowned and denied, "I meant no offense."
He paused, then added, "Varys, the Payne family has been Lannister vassals for generations. I think it's more appropriate to choose someone who has not sworn allegiance to Duke Tywin to handle this matter. Don't forget that the Riverlands people almost believe those bandits are the Lannister's Mountain's former men."
Varys nodded slightly: "Hand Eddard, your approach is undoubtedly very cautious, it's just…"
Varys cautiously glanced around again. Seeing his timid behavior, Duke Eddard couldn't help but frown.
"I happened to see Ser Ilyn standing at the back of the hall, his pale eyes staring at us. I must admit, he didn't look very pleased."
As he spoke, Varys couldn't help but shrink his neck.
He continued, "Our Lord Commander of the Kingsguard's Justice has always been taciturn; his inner thoughts are naturally difficult to guess. I also hope he will soon forget today's unpleasantness, and that it won't affect his beloved duty."
… … … …
… … … …
Outside the Throne Room.
"Jon, I heard your leg injury isn't light…"
Green tilted his head. He looked at Jon Snow's left leg, then continued, "But you're not resting well… Do you want to be called the 'Lame Bastard'? It sounds like a good nickname. Your courage is commendable. I wish you an early fulfillment of your wish."
Jon was very angry but held back.
It wasn't because of the difference in status, because First Men descendants, regardless of status, preferred to speak with swords… The main reason was that he really couldn't beat the Earl of similar age in front of him!
Whenever they met at the Prime Minister's Tower training ground, Earl Green would always challenge him to a sword fight… During that period, Earl Green almost became a shadow in the growth of the Northern youth!
Mondon Wei Shui watched Jon's awkward face from the side, chuckling silently.
Jon's face turned red with hold backed-up frustration. He finally couldn't help but retort, "Lord, I am here to guard Lord Stark."
Green raised an eyebrow and said, "Are you going to hobble behind Duke Eddard? Others will surely praise your loyalty behind your back."
"I…" Jon opened his mouth but couldn't say anything else.
By this time, Jon also understood the kindness in Green's words, but… he was still very angry.
"Earl Green." A soft and pleasant voice came from the other side.
Green's eyes moved. He turned and bowed: "Good day, Margaery."
Although Margaery Tyrell wore a sweet smile, her haggard complexion was hard to hide. She was dressed in a light gray, round-neck long dress, with no other jewelry except a Golden Rose emblem.
Margaery's beautiful eyes swept over Jon and Mondon. Her smile did not fade, and she nodded gently.
Jon only glanced, then lowered his eyes and bowed.
Mondon scratched his head and chuckled foolishly again.
"Would you like to walk with me?"
Green turned sideways and extended a hand forward: "It would be an honor, Margaery."
… … … …
During their walk, Margaery remained very quiet. Green could easily feel her sorrow.
He spoke first, "There's an old Clan Soldiers in my territory. He's now in charge of teaching sword skills to some soldiers, making him one of the best instructors in Kleber."
Margaery's moist eyes looked over, showing just the right amount of confusion.
Green continued, "Before I was born, he lost his right arm in a battle, but with his remaining left arm, he still fought for the Kleber Family for over ten years. After recovering the Old Territory, I appointed this nearly fifty-year-old Clan Soldiers as a new recruit instructor."
Margaery paused: "Earl Green, you mean…"
Green nodded slightly: "He is responsible for teaching sword skills to all left-handed soldiers in the Klaeb Territory. Please believe me, he is battle-hardened and excellent in sword skills."
He paused, a smile appearing on his face: "Margaery, if you are willing, at an appropriate time… I can arrange for him to meet Ser Garlan."
Margaery looked at Green for a moment, then lowered her eyes and resumed walking.
After a moment of silence, she said softly, "Thank you, Earl Green."
She added, "After his injury, Garlan has not been well. I've never seen him so depressed. Every time I see him, my heart breaks… Garlan has always been the pride of our family. Everyone calls him Garlan the Valiant…"
Green comforted her, "Warriors are fearless. Give him some time. I believe we will soon see an even more valiant Ser Garlan."
Margaery nodded gently. She looked at Green and smiled: "Earl Green, you are always so thoughtful. Thank you again for your help. I also believe my brother will soon be able to wield a sword and fight again."