Chapter 49 Chapter 48: Ed

He walked through the crypts at the bottom of Winterfell as he had done thousands of times before.The king of the cold winter kingdom watched him pass by with icy eyes, and the direwolf at his feet twisted its stone wolf head and howled at him.Finally, he came to his father's resting place, with Brandon and Lyanna by his side. "Promise me, Ned," whispered the statue of Lyanna.She wore a garland of blue roses on her head, and her eyes wept blood. Eddard Stark sat up, heart beating wildly, blankets tangled.The room was dark, and there was a loud knock on the door. "Lord Ed." Someone shouted.

"Wait a minute." Frail and naked, he stumbled across the dark room.Opening the door, he saw Tomard knocking on the door with his fist raised, and Kane holding a candlestick.Between them was the king's steward. The man's face was expressionless, almost like a statue of stone. "My lord Prime Minister," he said flatly, "His Majesty the King declares that you will have an audience immediately." So Robert had returned from hunting, and it was about time. "Give me a few minutes to change." Ned asked the steward to wait outside the door.Kane helped him change, and he put on a white linen tunic and a gray cape, the trousers cut short for his broken leg in a cast.He buckled the Prime Minister's badge, and a belt of heavy silver chains, before fastening the Valyrian dagger around his waist.

The Red Keep was dark and silent.The waning moon was already hanging low over the high walls as Kane and Tomard escorted him through the inner city.On the barrier, a guard with a golden cloak was patrolling back and forth. The royal residence was in Maegor's House, a huge square stronghold hidden deep in the heart of the Red Keep, surrounded by walls twelve feet thick and dry but spiked with moats.This is a city within a city.Ser Boros Braun stood guard at the other end of the drawbridge, his white steel armor chilling in the moonlight.Once inside, Ned passed two more of the Kingsguard, Ser Preston Greenfield standing on the landing, and Barristan.Ser Selmy stood guard at the king's chamber door.Three knights in snow-white cloaks, he recalled the past, and a strange chill hit his heart.Ser Barristan's face was as pale as his armor.Ned had only to look at him to know something was wrong.The steward opened the door. "Lord Eddard Stark, Hand of the King," he announced loudly.

"Bring him in," cried Robert, his voice strangely muffled. Fires blazing in symmetrically positioned fireplaces filled the room with a sombre red light.The heat in the room was suffocating, and Robert lay in the canopied bed, accompanied by Grand Master Pycelle, and Lord Renly paced anxiously before the closed window.Servants came and went, adding wood to the fire, or boiling mulled wine.Cersei Lannister sat on the edge of the bed, next to her husband.Her hair was disheveled and she seemed to have just woken up from sleep, but there was no sleep in her eyes.Those eyes were fixed on Ned as Tomard and Kane helped Ned across the room.He moved very slowly, as if in a dream.

Robert's feet were sticking out of the blankets and in his boots, and Ned could see mud and hay all over the leather.A green coat was thrown on the ground, with traces of being cut and discarded, and maroon dirt.The room was filled with smoke and blood, as well as the breath of death. "Ned," the king whispered when he saw his face.His face was as pale as milk. "Come... closer." Ned's bodyguard helped him forward.With one hand on the bedpost, he steadied himself.He had only to look down at Robert to see how bad it was. "What is it...?" He wanted to ask, but his throat seemed to be clamped by pliers.

"It's a boar." Lord Renly was still in his green hunting suit, and his cloak was covered in blood. "A damned demon," hissed the king. "My own mistake. Too much drink and a miss. I deserve hell." "What are you all doing?" Ned asked Lord Renly. "Where are Ser Barristan and the Kingsguard?" Renly curled his lips. "My brother ordered us to stand aside so he could deal with the boar alone." Eddard Stark lifted the blanket. They've tried their best to sew him up, but the effect is still not obvious.The boar must have been a terrible thing, for it tore the king from the groin to the chest with two tusks.The wine-soaked gauze used by Grand Master Pycelle was already stained with blood, and the smell was even more terrifying.Ned's stomach churns.He let go of the blanket.

"It stinks," Robert said. "It's the stench of death. Don't think I can't smell it. I've been fucked this time, haven't I? But I... I didn't make it easy, Ned." ’” The king’s smile was as startling as his wound, and his teeth were blood-red. "I stabbed its eye out with a knife. You ask them if it's true...ask!" "Yes," murmured Lord Renly, "we brought the body, as my brother ordered." "Bring them back for the dinner," said Robert softly. "Let us be alone for a while. Stand back, all of you. I want to speak to Ned."

"Robert, dear..." Cersei began. "As I said, stand down." Robert insisted with some of his old fortitude. "Which word do you not understand, stinky woman?" Cersei gathered her skirts and pride, and led the way to the door.Lord Renly and the others followed.Grand Maester Pycelle stayed behind, handing the King a cup of thick white liquid with trembling hands. "Your Majesty, this is the milk of the poppy," he said, "please drink it, and it will relieve your pain." Robert swung the cup away with the back of his hand. "Get out, old man, I will not wake up soon. Get out."

Grand Master Pycelle gave Ned a hurt look, and shuffled away. "Damn you, Robert," Ned said when they were alone.His legs hurt so badly that he could barely keep his eyes open.Or maybe grief had clouded his vision.He sat down on the edge of the bed, beside his friend. "Do you have to be so reckless?" "Ah, fuck you, Ned," the king grumbled, "I killed the bastard anyway, didn't I?" A lock of dusty black hair fell over his eyes, and he stared up at Ned. "I should have killed you too. I wouldn't even hunt in peace. Ser Robert found me. Said to cut off Gregor's head. It's uncomfortable to think about. I didn't tell the Hound. .Let Cersei scare him." He was halfway through laughing, when suddenly a sharp pain hit him, and he turned to a muffled grunt. "Gods have mercy," he murmured, panting in pain. "The girl. Daenerys. She's just a child, you're right... that's why, the girl... the gods sent this wild boar... to punish me..." The king coughed up a puddle blood. "Wrong, I was wrong, I... she was just a girl... Varys, Littlefinger, even my brother... trash... Ned, no one but you can say no to me... Only you..." He weakly raised his hand in extreme pain. "Bring a pen and paper. Over there on the table. Write down what I say."

Ned spread the paper across his knees and picked up the quill. "Your Majesty, please give me instructions." "Here is the will of Robert I of House Baratheon, the Andals and others - put all the goddam titles in there, you know which ones. I hereby appoint the Duke of Winterfell , Hand of the King, Eddard of House Stark, Lord Regent and Warden of the Realm...since I die...in my place...in my place...once my son Joffrey comes of age..." "Robert..." Joffrey is not your son, he wanted to say, but couldn't.The pain Robert had endured was clearly written on his face, and he couldn't bear to inflict more pain on him.So Ned bowed his head and wrote quickly, only changing "my son Joffrey" to "my legal heir".The deception made him feel degraded.This is a lie we tell for love, he thought, and may the gods forgive me. "What do you want me to write?"

"Write... whatever you want to write. Obey, protect, old and new gods, you know these long-winded words. I will sign after I finish writing. When I die, I will hand this over to the Imperial Council." "Robert," Ned said sadly, "don't do this, don't leave me. The country needs you." Robert took his hand tightly and squeezed hard. "Ned Stark, you...cannot lie," he said bitterly. "This country... this country knows... what a fool I am, a fool like Aerys. Gods forgive me .” "No," Ned told his dying friend, "you are not like Aerys, Your Grace. You are far better than he." Robert forced a smile, the blood on his mouth. "At least, people will say...the last thing I do in my life...is not wrong. You will not let me down. The country is yours. You will hate governance more than I do...but you Will do well. Have you written it?" "There, Your Majesty." Ned handed the paper to the king.The king signed it indiscriminately, leaving a pool of blood between the lines. "Someone needs to witness the seal." "Remember to make that wild boar the main course of my funeral," hissed Robert, "with an apple in your mouth, the skin baked to a nice crisp, and eat that bastard. I don't care if you'll die .Promise me, Ned." "I promise you," Ned said.Promise me, Ned, Lyanna is answering. "The girl," said the king, "Daenerys, let her live. If you can, if... if there is time... order them... Varys, Littlefinger... don't let them kill her. And , help my son, Ned. Make him...better than me." He frowned in pain. "Gods have mercy on me." "They will, my friend," said Ned, "they will." The king closed his eyes and seemed to relax a little. "It ended up being killed by a wild boar," he murmured to himself. "If it didn't hurt so much, I should have laughed." Ned didn't smile. "Should I just call them in?" Robert nodded weakly. "Alright. God, why is it so cold here?" The servants rushed in and hurried to add wood to the fire.The queen was gone, at least that was a little consolation.If Cersei had any sense, Ned thought, she should have taken the baby and fled before dawn.She has procrastinated for too long. King Robert didn't miss her, either.He had his brother Renly and Grand Master Pycelle testify, then took the Great Seal and stamped it over the hot yellow wax Ned had dripped on the paper. "Give me something to kill the pain now, and let me die." Grand Master Pycelle hastily concocted another cup of poppy milk.This time the king drank cleanly and threw the cup, his black beard covered with thick white drops. "Am I dreaming?" Ned gave him the answer. "Your Majesty, you will." "That's good," he smiled. "Ned, I'll say hello to Lyanna for you. Help me take good care of my baby." Those words turned like a knife in Ned's stomach.For a moment he didn't know what to do, because he couldn't bring himself to tell a lie, but then he thought of the bastards, of Bara in her mother's arms, of Mia in the Vale of Arryn, of Gendry at the fireside... "I would... ...to love your child as if it were my own," he said slowly. Robert nodded and closed his eyes.Ned watched the milk of the poppy wash the pain from his old friend's face as he sank limply into the pillows and fell asleep. The heavy chains creaked softly, and Grand Maester Pycelle came toward Ned. "My lord, I will try my best, but the wound is gangrenous. It took them two days to bring him back, and it was too late for me to see the wound. I can relieve His Majesty's wounds, but I can save him now." Only the gods of heaven are left." "How much longer?" Ned asked. "It stands to reason that he is dead now. I have never seen a person with such a strong will to live." "My brother was always strong," said Lord Renly, "perhaps not the brightest, but strong for sure." It was stuffy in the bedroom, and his brow was beaded with sweat, and he looked like Robert's. A replica, young, dark and handsome. "He killed the pig. He killed the wild boar even though his internal organs came out of his stomach." His voice was full of surprise. "Robert will never leave the field as long as the enemy stands," Ned told him. Outside, Ser Barristan Selmy still guarded the tower stairs. "High Maester Pycelle has given Robert the milk of the poppy," Ned told him. "No one shall disturb his rest without my consent." "Yes, my lord." Ser Barristan looked older than he was. "I failed my sacred duty." "No knight can keep a king from hurting himself," said Ned. "Robert loved boar hunting, and I see him kill a thousand." He always stood his ground without flinching. On the spot, with a spear in his hand, he often cursed loudly when the wild boar was charging, and only waited for the last moment, when the wild boar was about to pounce on him, he stabbed it to death accurately and neatly. "Who knew he would be killed by this pig?" "Master Ed, you are too kind." "Even the king himself said so. He said it was the wine." The gray-haired knight nodded weakly. "When we drove the wild boar out of its den, His Majesty couldn't even sit on his horse, but he ordered us to stand aside." "I am curious, Ser Barristan," Varys asked softly. "Who brought this wine to the king?" Ned didn't hear the eunuch approach at all, but when he turned his head, there he was, in floor-sweeping black velvet robes, with a freshly powdered face. "The king drinks from his wineskin," Ser Barristan said. "Just one bag? It's easy to get thirsty while hunting." "I didn't count, but His Majesty must have drunk more than one bag. As long as he asks, his attendant will bring him a new bag." "What a good boy who is devoted to his duties," Varys said, "Your Majesty, he will never worry about having a drink." A bitter taste came from Ned's mouth.He recalled the two fair-haired boys whom Robert had driven to get the pincers for the breastplate.At the dinner that day, the king told everyone about the incident and couldn't help laughing. "Which servant?" "The older one," said Ser Barristan, "Lancell." "I know the boy quite well," said Varys. "A strong boy, Ser Kevan Lannister's son, Lord Tywin's nephew, and the Queen's cousin. I hope the good boy doesn't blame himself too much. Children are always vulnerable in their innocent teenage years, and I know that very well." Of course Varys had his youth, but Ned wondered if he had ever been innocent. "I heard you talk about the child. Robert has changed his mind about Daenerys Targaryen. Whatever you have arranged, I want you to take it back at once." "Alas," said Varys, "I'm afraid it's too late for 'now'. The bird is already in the air. But my lord, I will do my best. Retire." He bowed and disappeared down the stairs.When going downstairs, the soft-heeled slippers rubbed against the surface of the slate, like raving. Cairne and Thomas were helping Ned across the bridge when Lord Renly emerged from Maegor's Tower. "Lord Ed," he called from behind, "if you don't mind, can I take a step to speak?" Ned stopped. "it is good." Renly stepped over to his side. "Please step back your people." They stood in the middle of the bridge, under which was the dry moat.Spikes lined the riverbed, and moonlight silvered the brutal blade. Ned waved.Thomas and Kane nodded, and retreated respectfully.Lord Renly glanced warily at Ser Boros across the bridge, and at Ser Preston on the stairs behind him. "The letter," he leaned forward. "Can it be related to the regent? Did my brother appoint you as the guardian of the whole realm?" He didn't wait for the other party to answer. "My lord, I have thirty personal guards, and other knights and noble friends. Give me an hour, and I can give you a hundred." "My lord, what do I want these hundred people to do?" "Pre-strike, of course! Do it now, while we're all asleep." Renly looked back at Ser Boros, and whispered eagerly, "We've got to take Joffrey from his mother as a bargaining chip. It doesn't matter if it's a guardian or not, whoever holds the king can command the country. Myrcella and Tommen will also be arrested. Once we have Cersei's child, she will not dare to act rashly. At that time, the imperial council will recognize you as regent King, and make you Joffrey's guardian." Ned eyed him coldly. "Robert is not dead yet. Maybe the gods will spare his life. If not, I will call a council at once, publish the will, and discuss the succession. I will not kill him in the last hour of his life." Bleeding, guilty of forcibly pulling panicked children from their sleep." Lord Renly took a step back, his whole body tensed like a bowstring. "Every second you delay gives Cersei a second to prepare. By the time Robert is dead, it will be too late...for both of you." "Then let's just hope Robert doesn't die." "I don't think so." "Sometimes the gods in the sky also have a compassionate heart." "Not a Lannister." Renly turned and walked across the moat toward the tower where his dying brother was. By the time Ned returned to his bedroom, he was exhausted, but he knew he didn't need to sleep tonight.In the Game of Thrones, you're either a winner or a dead end, Cersei Lannister told him that day in the Godswood.He couldn't help thinking: Is it wise to reject Lord Renly's proposal?He has no interest in power struggles, and using children as a bargaining chip is even more contemptible to him, but... If Cersei decides to rebel instead of going into exile, then he will need more than a hundred guards from Renly, Far from enough. "Get Littlefinger," he told Caine. "If he's not in the bedroom, search every tavern and whorehouse in King's Landing, no matter how many people you have with you. You must find him. Bring him before daylight." Me." Kane bowed and left, and Ned turned to Tomard again, "The Whisper of the Wind will set sail at high tide tomorrow night, have you selected the escort?" "Ten people, led by Poser." "Twenty, and you lead the charge yourself," Ned said.Poser, brave as he was, found it reckless.He wanted the person who cared for his daughter to be more reliable and judge. "Yes, sir," said Tom. "I won't be sorry to be away, after all. I miss my wife very much." "You will be near Dragonstone on your way north, and I need you to deliver a letter for me." Tom looked troubled. "My lord, go to Dragonstone?" The island fortress of the Targaryen family was known for its treacherous terrain. "Tell Captain Coase to hoist my flag as soon as you come within sight of the islands. I'm afraid they won't welcome uninvited visitors. If he won't go, give him whatever he wants. I give you this You must deliver this letter to Lord Stannis Baratheon to his face, and never to anyone else. Whether it is his steward, or the captain of the guard, or his wife, it must be delivered to Lord Stannis himself." "Yes, my lord." After Thomas left, Eddard Stark sat gazing at the flame of the candle on the bedside table, and for some time was utterly overwhelmed by grief.All he wanted was to go to the godswood, kneel under the heart tree, and pray that Robert Baratheon, with whom he had once loved brotherly love, would live.It will be said in the future that Eddard Stark has betrayed the King's friendship and taken away his heir's claim to succession.He only hoped that the gods in the sky would understand his plight, and that Robert would know the truth if he knew after death. Ned retrieved the king's last will.It was just a fragile white scroll covered with a yellow wax seal, with a few words written on it, but a pool of blood left behind.Victory or defeat, life and death, is really just a thin line. He took out a blank sheet of paper, took out a pen and dipped it in ink.To His Majesty King Stannis of House Baratheon, he wrote, When you receive this letter, brother Robert, our Lord for the past fifteen years, has died.He was wounded by a wild boar while hunting in the royal forest... The words seemed to be twisted and twisted on the paper, and he had to stop writing to think.Lord Tywin and Ser Jaime would never suffer disgrace, and they would rather fight than flee.Since Jon Arryn was murdered, Lord Stannis must have been quite terrified, but at this moment he must take advantage of the opportunity before the Lannister army is dispatched, and immediately lead his troops to King's Landing. Ned finished writing the letter carefully, and signed at the end "Guardian of the Realm, Hand of the King, Duke of Winterfell, Eddard Stark." Then he blotted the ink, folded it in half twice, and melted the seal in the candle flame wax. His regency will be short, he thought, watching the sealing wax soften.The new king will appoint a new prime minister.Ned would then be able to return home.The thought of returning to Winterfell brought a smile to his lips.He wanted to hear Bran laugh again, he wanted to go hawking with Robb, he wanted to see Rickon play.He wanted to wrap his arms around his lady Catelyn and sleep dreamlessly in his own bed. He was stamping the direwolf seal on the soft pewter when Kane returned, Desmond with him, and Littlefinger walking between them.Ned thanked the guards and sent them away. Lord Petyr wore a blue velvet tunic with loose sleeves, and a silver-trimmed cloak embroidered with mockingbirds. "I guess I should say congratulations," he said, sitting down. Ned frowned. "The king is seriously injured at this moment, and his life is dying." "I know," said Littlefinger, "but I also know he made you Guardian of the Realm." Ned's eyes wandered to the table beside him, where the king's letter was still unopened. "My lord, how do you know?" "Varys hinted," said Littlefinger, "and you have now confirmed it." Ned's mouth twisted in anger. "Fuck his Varys and his little bird. Catelyn is right, the man knows how to bewitch. I don't trust him." "Very well, you're getting better." Littlefinger leaned forward, "But I bet you didn't drag me here in the middle of the night to discuss eunuchs." "No," admitted Ned, "I learned the secrets Jon Arryn kept, and he was killed for it. Robert died with no son of his own to claim the throne. Joffrey and Tommen were Jaime The bastard child of the Lannister and Queen's incest." Littlefinger raised an eyebrow. "Shocking." Yet his tone was clearly not at all surprised. "Girls too? Think so. So after the king's death..." "The throne shall pass to Lord Stannis, Robert's eldest brother." Earl Petyr twitched his pointed beard, thinking about this question carefully. "It seems so. Unless..." "My lord, unless? There is no doubt about it. Stannis is heir to the throne, and nothing can alter that fact." "Stannis cannot take the throne without your help. If you are wise, you should make sure Joffrey is king." Ned gave him a sharp look. "Don't you have any sense of honor?" "Well, of course there is a little bit," replied Littlefinger casually. "Listen to me. Stannis is no friend to you or me. Even his brothers can't stand him. The fellow is made of steel. , has a tough personality and will never compromise. I also know that he will establish a new prime minister and the imperial council at that time. Of course he will thank you for handing over the crown to him, but he will not like you because of it. What's more, once he takes the throne, he must It will lead to war. Think about it, unless Cersei and her bastard are all dead, Stannis will definitely not sit on the throne. Will Lord Tywin sit back and watch his daughter's head hang on the gun? Casterly Rock Will raise troops, and they are far from weak. Robert will pardon those who have served King Aerys if they swear their allegiance to him. Stannis is not so kind. He will never forget Storm's End Lords Tyrell and Lord Redwyne dare not forget the siege of the siege. Anyone who has ever held high the Dragon Banner or raised an army with Balon Greyjoy will be afraid of him. If Stannis is sent to the iron Throne, I assure you, the kingdom will be bloodied." "Let's look at the other side of the coin. Joffrey is only twelve years old now, and, my lord, Robert has chosen you as Regent. You are both Hand and Warden of the Realm. Lord Stark, are you The power is in your hands, all you have to do is reach out. Make peace with the Lannisters, free the Imps, marry Joffrey to your Sansa, marry your youngest daughter to Tommen, and let your heir marry Myrcella, there are still four years before Joffrey grows up, and he will regard you as his reincarnated father, even if he doesn't, well...My lord, four years is not a short time, enough to make Stannis My lord has settled it. If Joffrey is a nuisance afterward, we can expose his little secret and put Lord Renly on the throne." "Us?" Ned repeated. Littlefinger shrugged. "You always need someone else to help you with your heavy responsibilities. I can assure you that my price is the absolute best." "Your price." Ned's voice was cold. "Lord Baelish, what you suggested just now is treason." "Unless we fail." "You forgot," Ned told him, "you forgot Jon Arryn, you forgot Jory Cassel, and you forgot this." He drew the dagger and placed it on the table between them. superior.A short knife of dragonbone and Valyrian steel, sharp as the difference between right and wrong, true and false, life and death. "Lord Baelish, they sent someone to kill my son." Littlefinger sighed. "I'm afraid I did forget, my lord, please forgive me. I forgot that I was speaking to a Stark." He curled his lips. "So it's Stannis and the war?" "We have no choice. Stannis is the heir." "Anyway, I'm not qualified to argue with the Guardians of the Realm. Then, what's your business with me? It must not be for my wisdom." "I will do my best to forget your ... wisdom," Ned said with disgust. "I have come for you because you promised Catelyn would help. These are dangerous times for us all. Robert does Appoint me as guardian, but in the eyes of the world, Joffrey is still his son and heir. The queen has a dozen knights and a hundred guards at her disposal...enough to deal with the guards I keep around. Besides, we As she speaks, her brother Jaime is probably heading towards King's Landing at the head of the Lannister army." "But you don't have an army." Littlefinger played with the dagger on the table, slowly rotating it with one finger. "Lord Renly and the Lannisters have never been fond of each other. Bronze Yohn Royce, Ser Balon Swann, Ser Loras, Lady Tanda, and the Redwyne twins  … They each have a group of knights and guards in the city." "Renly has thirty bodyguards, and fewer others. Even if they were all on my side, it would not be enough. I need the support of the City Watch. There are two thousand of them, and they are sworn to guard the castle and the town. , to keep peace in the name of the king." "Ah, but when the queen installed a king, the prime minister installed another one. May I ask whose name they want to maintain peace?" Earl Petyr stretched out his finger and nudged the dagger to make it spin around in place.The dagger kept spinning, shaking as it turned.Finally, the speed slowed down, and when it finally stopped, the tip of the knife was facing the little finger. "Well, that's the answer," he smiled. "They listen to whoever pays." He leaned back in his chair and looked straight into Ned's face, the gray-green eyes Flashing mockery. "Stark, you put honor on your body like an armor, thinking it will keep you safe, but you end up burdening yourself and making it difficult for you to move. Look at you now: you know why I came here, and you know that What do I do, and I understand that this matter is imperative...but I have no reputation at all, so the words are stuck in my throat and I can't speak." Ned's neck was stiff with tension, and for a while he was too exasperated to speak easily. Littlefinger smiled and said, "I should have forced you to say it yourself, but that would be too cruel...so my dear lord, don't worry. For my love for Caitlin, I'm going to find Genos ·Slynt, make sure the City Guard is on your side. Six thousand golden dragons should be enough. One third is for the commander, one third is for non-commissioned officers, and the remaining third is for soldiers. Originally used Half that might do, but I'd better not risk it." He smiled, and picked up the dagger and handed it to Ned, hilt facing him.