The Tower of the Hand.
Following Ned's orders, Stark soldiers patrolled without pause, the outer defenses tight and vigilant.
As soon as Ned entered the Tower of the Hand, the steward, Vayon Poole, came forward to greet him.
"My lord, Lord Baelish has arrived and is waiting for you in the reception hall."
Ned nodded, then asked, "How are Arya and Rickon today?"
Vayon Poole smiled. "Ever since you hired a swordsman from Braavos to teach Arya, both she and Rickon finally have an outlet for their energy. They practice swordplay every day."
Ned felt a weight lift from his chest.
Still, for safety's sake, he added, "Don't let either of them go out these next few days. Keep a close watch on them."
"Yes, my lord," Vayon Poole replied respectfully.
After a brief hesitation, he continued, "Our manpower is a bit tight at the moment. Should we reduce the number of patrols?"
Earlier, Ned had approved the villagers' petition and sent Beric and fifty men west to seize the Mountain.
Of the two hundred soldiers he had brought to King's Landing, only a little over a hundred remained. Some also had to be assigned to protect him and the children.
The shortage was expected.
Ned shook his head. "Have the soldiers endure it a few more days. Once Tom returns, it will ease."
Vayon Poole nodded, accepted the order, and withdrew.
After watching the steward leave, Ned headed for the reception hall.
Moments later, he entered the room. Littlefinger, who had long since lost his patience, finally let out a breath and stood up.
"Lord Hand, you're finally back."
Ned gave a slight nod and went straight to the point. "Lord Baelish, how has your investigation into the Gold Cloaks gone?"
Seeing that business was at hand, Littlefinger grew more serious and shook his head. "Only physical evidence. No witnesses."
He tapped the table, where several accusatory documents lay.
Ned picked them up and read carefully as Littlefinger continued.
"Lord Arryn investigated Janos as well back then. He even found two witnesses, but they died mysteriously soon after."
"After that, no one dared testify against Lord Janos again."
Ned shook the documents lightly and looked at Littlefinger. "This alone won't be enough to convict Janos Slynt."
Littlefinger put on a troubled expression and gave a helpless smile, implying he had done all he could.
Ned did not blame him. If he put himself in Littlefinger's place, he doubted he could have uncovered even this much.
He tossed the papers back onto the table and asked seriously, "If I remove Janos by force now, will the Gold Cloaks obey my orders?"
Littlefinger's eyes flickered. He caught the meaning behind the question.
"You're worried that even if Janos is removed, the Gold Cloaks will still follow him and cause trouble at a critical moment?"
Ned nodded. That was exactly his concern.
Janos had been rooted in the City Watch for many years. His influence ran deep.
If Ned removed or arrested him without careful planning, there was no guarantee his subordinates would not stir chaos.
Caution was unavoidable.
Littlefinger pretended to ponder for a moment before speaking. "Lord Hand, forgive my bluntness."
"If you truly need the loyalty of the Gold Cloaks, then you shouldn't remove Janos just yet."
"Without a suitable replacement, the Watch can't be controlled. And at a time like this, a force out of control could cause disaster at any moment."
"At a time like this?" Ned's heart stirred. He stared at Littlefinger's face as if trying to read something from it. "What do you know?"
Littlefinger shrugged exaggeratedly. "My lord, who in the city doesn't know about you and the Lannisters by now?"
"I hear Ser Jaime has already left King's Landing and gone to join his father's army."
Ned froze. A sense of urgency surged through him.
He took a step back. "If I don't remove Janos, can you be sure he'll obey my orders?"
Littlefinger gestured toward the documents on the table. "We have proof of his corruption. He won't dare refuse."
"Of course, if you could promise him a decent reward afterward and not pursue his past crimes, I believe he would swear absolute loyalty to you."
At those words, revulsion filled Ned's face.
"I haven't had him executed only out of respect for the gods, and he still dares to bargain?
Tell him this: once it's over, his only reward will be stepping down from the post of commander of the City Watch."
A flicker passed through Littlefinger's eyes. For an instant, his expression turned cold, but it vanished just as quickly.
Plastering on a polite smile, he said, "Understood. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."
After Ned nodded, Littlefinger turned and left the hall.
A short while later, standing outside the Tower of the Hand, he glanced back at it, mocking Ned's naivety in his heart.
'Offering no benefit at all and still expecting loyalty? Do you really think everyone is as fair and upright as you?'
'Power struggles aren't honorable knightly tournaments.'
With a cold laugh, he turned and left. 'In that case, I'll just have to work with someone else.'
He passed through the gate and walked into the outer courtyard.
After a short walk, as he passed Maegor's Holdfast, a hurried maid brushed past him and whispered a few words.
Littlefinger nodded slightly without slowing, then turned into the nearest garden.
He followed the stone steps deep into the garden, pushed open a hidden door at the end, glanced around to be sure no one was watching, and calmly entered the passage, closing it behind him.
In the dim tunnel, he walked until torchlight appeared ahead.
A graceful woman was already waiting.
By the firelight, Littlefinger saw her clearly. It was the queen, Cersei Lannister.
Hearing his footsteps, Cersei turned. "Lord Baelish, how did your meeting with our Hand go?"
Littlefinger shook his head helplessly and complained theatrically. "The Hand is far too stingy."
Cersei's eyes glimmered as she mocked, "A man from the North. They're used to poverty there. Of course he pinches pennies."
"But House Lannister is different. I imagine you've heard the saying."
Littlefinger smiled. "A Lannister always pays his debts."
He said no more, simply looking at her.
Cersei caught the subtle anticipation flashing through his eyes and, smiling, pushed all her chips onto the table.
"Lord Baelish, if you help me, you will not only remain a key minister under my son's rule…"
"I've also heard that you and Lady Lysa were childhood sweethearts... Perhaps I could help bring your relationship a step further."
Littlefinger's body stiffened. His heart leapt.
He cared little about being a minister under her son. What truly struck him was the queen's promise.
His title was too low. Even if Lysa loved him, without sufficient power he could never marry the widow of the former Hand.
With the queen's support, that obstacle could vanish.
If he married Lysa, the Vale would fall into his hands. That was something Ned Stark would never give him.
Suppressing his excitement, Littlefinger smiled sincerely. "My queen, what would you have me do?"
Cersei smiled, alluring and triumphant.
As she laughed softly, the torches on the wall flickered and danced.
In the shadows, two clever minds began to discuss the details.
While Littlefinger and the queen reached their agreement, the unaware Ned was still handling affairs, receiving Yoren of the Night's Watch.
From him, Ned learned what had happened at the inn by the Trident.
"My lord, that's exactly how it happened," Yoren said. "After Lady Catelyn declared she would take Tyrion to Winterfell for judgment, she left in the night. I don't know where she went."
Yoren sighed.
Earlier, the Wall had sent word that the wildlings beyond were growing more active.
He had been ordered to reach King's Landing quickly to explain the urgency and secure aid for the Wall.
On his way south, he met the Imp traveling the same road.
From Tyrion's own mouth, he learned that the dwarf had just come from the Wall and was returning to King's Landing, so they traveled together.
That was how he witnessed the entire incident of Catelyn seizing Tyrion.
After hearing it all, Ned's brow tightened.
He paced the room for a while before turning back to Yoren.
"Stay at the Great Sept of Baelor for a few days. I'll arrange a group of criminals and supplies for you. Take them back to the Wall first."
"As for what's still lacking, once the king returns from the hunt, I'll urge him to gather more as quickly as possible."
Yoren nodded gratefully and took his leave.
After he was gone, Ned looked out the window at the deepening night and murmured, "We must end the conflict with the Lannisters quickly and send supplies to the Wall."
"If the wildlings truly attack, the Watch won't be able to hold."
He sighed deeply.
Thinking of Catelyn, he could not help but worry.
"I wonder if she's already crossed the Neck and returned to Winterfell... I hope she doesn't act rashly. May everything end safely…"
What Ned did not know was that his wife had not returned to Winterfell at all.
Avoiding the crowds, she was riding through the night straight toward the Vale.
While he confronted the queen, Catelyn had already taken Tyrion to the Eyrie.
And what he knew even less was that a single act of kindness would greatly alter the fate that once saw the king gored to death by a boar.
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