Varys scanned those present and said, "Oh, my little birds told me that Duke Renly left the city about an hour before dawn… I thought you had given some order."
Fury flashed in Eddard Stark's eyes: "I didn't tell Renly to leave the city."
Duke Eddard was disappointed in Renly. Renly only resembled Robert in appearance, but lacked Robert's character.
Duke Eddard had hoped Renly would support him, but now it seemed he had thought too highly of him… Recalling his conversation with Renly last night, Robert's brother, who usually acted magnanimously, revealed his hidden ambition in his haste.
Duke Eddard sighed inwardly. Renly's departure, though unfavorable to him, was unavoidable.
"Let's begin."
Duke Eddard took out Robert's will: "Last night, King Robert summoned me to his side and commanded me to write down his last wishes. Duke Renly Baratheon and Grand Maester Pycelle were present to witness Robert affix his royal seal. According to law, this will is to be opened by the Small Council after King Robert's death."
Duke Eddard handed the envelope to Barristan: "Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, Barristan, would you mind examining it?"
Ser Barristan solemnly took it, carefully inspected it in front of everyone, and said, "My Lords, I can confirm it is King Robert's seal and has not been opened."
Ser Barristan scanned the room, then opened the will and read aloud: "…Eddard Stark of the Stark shall be Regent and Protector of the Realm, governing the Seven Kingdoms in my stead until my lawful heir comes of age."
Duke Eddard thought to himself, this heir has long since come of age. He only needs to continue the previous game calmly, stabilize the situation in the Red Keep, and wait for Duke Stannis to bring his army into King's Landing.
Duke Eddard's grey eyes shifted, looking at Barristan. He might have already decided Joffrey was the new King and, out of honor, insisted on protecting the boy… Now was not a good time to reveal the truth.
He spoke: "I ask the Lords of the Small Council to confirm my status as Regent, in accordance with Robert's last wishes…"
Knock knock knock, a sudden knock came, and the door was pushed open. Guard Follard entered the study.
"My Lords, please forgive me, the Lord Steward insisted…"
Before Follard could finish, the Lord Steward walked straight in, placing a hand on his chest: "My Lords, the King requests an immediate meeting of the Small Council in the Throne Room."
Duke Eddard frowned, his gaze sharpening. Cersei had made her final choice… The woman had refused his goodwill; she had chosen to resist.
Seeing Duke Eddard remain silent, the Lord Steward said again: "Hand Eddard, His Majesty's command is for an immediate Small Council meeting."
Duke Eddard ignored the Lord Steward. He stood up, picked up his ancestral sword, and lowered his gaze to examine the blade, dark as smoke.
When Duke Eddard raised his eyes, his Direwolf eyes were filled with battle intent… Barristan began to be wary, Varys's fingers twitched, and Pycelle dared not meet his gaze.
"The King is dead, but we will still go with you."
...…
Outside the Prime Minister's Tower.
Stark grey-robed guards, clad in chainmail and steel helmets, formed two columns, totaling twenty-eight men.
Duke Eddard met his guard captain's gaze. He nodded slightly: "Jory, you will escort us."
Duke Eddard walked at the forefront, with Varys, Pycelle, Barristan, and the Lord Steward close behind. The grey cloaks of the Stark guards flapped in the wind.
Though no Lannister red was visible, numerous Gold Cloaks with golden cloaks patrolled the city walls and gate… Commander of the Gold Cloaks Janos had, as ordered, taken control of the Red Keep, which slightly reassured Duke Eddard.
...…
Outside the Throne Room.
Janos Slynt stood at the entrance, waiting to greet them. He wore ornate black and gold armor, with a high-plumed helmet tucked under his arm.
Commander Janos first nodded slightly towards Duke Eddard, then raised a hand.
Creak, creak, creak, the Gold Cloaks together pushed open the twenty-foot-high Throne Room doors.
The Lord Steward led everyone inside, chanting loudly: "Welcome His Majesty Joffrey I of House Baratheon and Lannister, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Ruler of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm."
Still a long way from the other end of the hall, Duke Eddard frowned and looked over. Joffrey was waiting for them, seated high on the Iron Throne.
Duke Ned walked towards the boy who proclaimed himself King, with the others following closely behind.
Duke Eddard remembered the first time he walked here, he was mounted on a fine horse, holding a sharp sword, forcing Jaime Lannister off the Iron Throne… He wondered if Joffrey would also obediently step down from the Iron Throne.
...…
Six Kingsguard, led by Jaime Lannister, formed a crescent around the base of the Iron Throne, fully armed in silver armor and long, snowy white cloaks.
Cersei, wearing a wine-red silk gown and a golden circlet on her head, stood with her two children behind the Kingsguard.
Above them, in the spiky iron chair, sat Joffrey, dressed in a gold-threaded coat and a red satin cloak.
Behind the throne were Sandor Clegane and dozens of Lannister red-robed guards with longswords at their waists.
Duke Eddard glanced left and right. Commander Janos had kept his word; along both walls stood hundreds of Gold Cloaks, holding long spears with black iron tips. Duke Eddard felt somewhat relieved.
Duke Eddard and the others stopped. The twenty-eight Stark grey-robed guards gathered around them.
"I command the Small Council to prepare my coronation at full speed. I hope to complete the coronation within two weeks."
With that, Joffrey stood up from the Iron Throne and continued: "Today I will receive the oath of fealty from the Lords of the Small Council."
Duke Eddard ignored Joffrey. He directly took out Robert's will.
"Varys, please give this to Cersei of the Lannister."
Varys nodded, took the King's will from Duke Eddard's hand, walked over, and respectfully handed it to Queen Cersei with both hands.
Queen Cersei glanced at the letter and said contemptuously, "Protector of the Realm? With a piece of paper?!"
With that, she tore Robert's will in half, then into four pieces, the fragments scattering across the floor.
Ser Barristan exclaimed in horror, "Queen Cersei, that is the King's will!"
Queen Cersei glanced at Ser Barristan and said, "Ser Barristan, we have a new King."
With that, she turned to Duke Eddard, a smile playing on her lips: "Duke Stark, the last time we met, I had to thank you for some advice. Now allow me to return the favor…"
Cersei tilted her chin slightly and said coldly, "As long as you kneel and swear fealty to my son, we will permit you to resign as Hand of the King and allow you to return to that grey wasteland to enjoy your twilight years."
Duke Eddard said coldly, "I wish it were so, but your son has no right to inherit the throne. Stannis Baratheon is King Robert's lawful heir."
Since Cersei insisted on a confrontation here and now, he had no choice. Duke Eddard gestured to his guards.
Joffrey screamed from above, his face red: "You're lying!!"
"Stark, you are seeking your own death…"
Cersei's emerald eyes flickered. She turned to Ser Barristan and said, "Ser Barristan, seize this traitor!"
The Lord Commander of the Kingsguard looked at Duke Eddard, hesitating for a moment, but was surrounded by the Stark grey-robed guards who had drawn their weapons.
Duke Eddard also looked at Ser Barristan, who was being held by his guards.
"Respected Ser Barristan, I am doing all this for Robert, out of honor. Please allow me to explain to you later."
Ser Barristan trusted Duke Eddard's honor. He calmly said, "I demand a reasonable explanation now. My honor does not permit your current actions."
Cersei immediately interjected, "Stark, no matter how eloquently you speak, it doesn't change the fact that you are seizing power!"
Joffrey, on the Iron Throne, screamed at the top of his lungs: "Kill him! Kill them all for me!"
Clank, clank, Jaime stood opposite Duke Eddard, slowly drawing the longsword from his waist: "Duke Direwolf, I suggest you do not refuse Queen Cersei's kindness."
Duke Eddard snorted coldly and said, "Kingslayer, you are not worthy of wearing the white cloak. Your honor is already stained beyond recognition."
Jaime's expression changed. He was about to speak, but Cersei angrily interjected first: "Enough talk! Stark is a traitor! Seize him for me!"
Swish, swish, swish, swish, the Hound, the rest of the Kingsguard, and the Lannister red-robed guards all drew their longswords.
Joffrey screamed again: "Kill them!"
...…
"Cersei, I had hoped to avoid needless bloodshed, but you leave me no choice."
Duke Eddard looked at the Commander of the Gold Cloaks and continued: "Commander Janos, please temporarily detain Cersei and her children, but do not harm them. Send them back to Maegor's Holdfast and assign guards."
Commander Janos put on his high-plumed helmet and shouted, "City Watch!"
Over a hundred Gold Cloaks lowered their spears, but their spear tips pointed in Duke Eddard's direction.
Commander Janos spoke: "Traitor Eddard Stark, the City Watch vows to protect King Joffrey to the death!"
Cersei's voice was full of mockery: "Stark, I also don't want to see needless bloodshed. Tell your men to lay down their weapons and beg the King for forgiveness."
Joffrey's scream was mixed with excitement: "Kill them! Kill them all for me!"
Duke Eddard caught sight of Pycelle and Varys secretly slipping towards Cersei's side: "…"
Green's analysis was very accurate; indeed, there were enemies everywhere.
Duke Eddard now clearly understood that he had been foolishly tricked. The Commander of the Gold Cloaks was actually Cersei's dog, and this place was a trap Cersei had already set.
...…
Commander Janos's face was filled with poorly concealed triumph. He repeatedly said, "Eddard Stark, lay down your weapons, kneel, and surrender!"
...…
Stark took the greatsword Ice handed to him by his attendant. He gripped the hilt with both hands, assuming a combat stance.
Jory, the captain of the guard, turned to look at his lord, saying with a chuckle, "My Lord, they have many spearmen, it's hard to defend against!"
Duke Eddard, a veteran of many battles, felt, just as Robert had said, the hot blood in his veins begin to boil… He missed the days of fighting alongside his old friend.
"Jory, the North is not good at defense to begin with."
"Yes, my Lord…"
Jory swung his arm and shouted, "Prepare for battle!!"
...…
"Roar! Roar! Roar!" The pre-battle roars of the Stark grey-robed guards echoed deafeningly in the Throne Room.
Joffrey, who had been excitedly standing there shouting for battle and slaughter, was startled, stumbled back onto the Iron Throne, and his palm was cut by the spikes on the chair, bleeding profusely.
"Mother, I'm bleeding!"
Cersei did not hear her son's cries, but the Hound did. He strode over, directly grabbed Maester Pycelle, who was hiding behind, and stepped onto the stairs below the Iron Throne.
Jaime raised his sword and took a combat stance: "Duke Direwolf, lay down your weapon!"
The Direwolf's grey eyes were filled with battle intent. He could no longer hear other sounds. His gaze slowly swept over the many enemies… Finally, he locked onto the Commander of the Gold Cloaks.
Duke Eddard slightly relaxed his grip, then tightened it on the sword hilt again.
"Winterfell!"
"Hail! Hail! Hail!"
"Stark!"
"Attack! Attack! Attack!"
Duke Eddard led the grey-robed guards in an attack towards Commander Janos's direction.
...…
Duke Eddard's greatsword Ice first severed three spear tips, then with a horizontal slash, two Gold Cloak heads flew. Eddard stopped fighting, and his guards rushed past him.
Janos shouted, "Hold the line! Thrust!"
The first few grey-robed guards to charge were almost all pierced by spears, including Follard, who was nearly 50 years old.
A spear pierced Follard's abdomen and came out his back, its tip dripping with blood. He couldn't help but cough up a mouthful of blood.
"Long live Winterfell!"
Follard roared at the top of his lungs, directly charging forward along the spear shaft that had pierced his abdomen. With his last breath, he plunged his longsword into the enemy's neck.
The grey-robed guards fell one by one. After eleven men had fallen, the battle turned into a melee.
Each swing of Ice, forged from Valyria steel, severed men and their weapons. Enemies fell one by one before Duke Eddard, while the guards by his side used their swords and bodies to block attacks aimed at Eddard.
After close quarters combat, each grey-robed guard took down at least three Gold Cloaks. The elite fighting strength of Winterfell struck fear into the enemy.
"Janos!"
Duke Eddard roared, and with a diagonal chop of Ice, a long gash appeared on Commander Janos's breastplate, from his left shoulder down to below his right chest.
After a moment's pause, blood sprayed, and Commander Janos fell straight to the ground.
...…
Duke Eddard was breathing heavily, his face covered in blood and grime. His gaze shifted, locking onto Jaime Lannister not far away. The filthy Kingslayer and the Lannister red-robed guards were protecting Cersei.
The Direwolf turned his body, re-assuming his combat stance.
"Stark!"
"Attack! Attack! Attack!"
The remaining twelve Stark grey-robed guards surrounded Duke Eddard, roaring in unison, their morale still high.