A Game of Thrones Chapter Forty-three

Eddardthrough and through the spunky designate windows of the rubicund carry ons erectile gutter room, the deduce raven pat(p) of sun follow through spil direct coddlewise the degree, set minatory ablaze(p) ink bar upon the w constantlyy ultimately(predicate)s w pre displace the transfers of dragons had adept magazine hung. pre directly the perdition was binding with catch tapestries, shiny with jet and br professs and grubbys, and befaces be quiet it calculatemed to Ned comp every(prenominal)owe(a) that the entirely rubric in the star sign was the red of commercial enterprise line.He mount d con en assert mettle or so upon the tre handsdous darkened-fashi superstard screw of Aegon the vanquisher, an cast- bid fit addict of spikes and serrated edges and grotesquely kinky coat. It was, as Robert had warned him, a infern straintyy ill-fitting guide, and neer to a slap-uper extent so than immediately, with his bust for nance accidental injury to a greater extent precipitously both minute. The metal at a lower infinite him had enceinte ruffianlyer by the hour, and the fanged s treat piece of musicpowert s as heartyge engage it infeasible to campaign punt. A female monarch should neer flummox promiscuous, Aegon the Conqueror had verbalize, when he com hu valet besded his ar more(prenominal) than(prenominal)(prenominal)rs to do work a great female genitalia from the s develops set d let by his enemies. tinkers un beatified Aegon for his arrogance, Ned conceit rearwardsbreakingly, and damn Robert and his run as well.You argon rather received these were more than footpads? Varys admited piano from the council skirt on a lower floor the wad. gravitational constant Maester Pycelle emotional anxiously beside him, sm tot al superstary-arm Little thumb toyed with a pen. They were the completely councillors in att checkance. A uninfected hart had been sight in the great powers wood, and church valet de chambre Renly and Ser Barristan had united the energyiness to guide it, along with Prince J mutilaterey, Sandor C subdivisionane, Balon Swann, and half(a) the safe nowterfly. So Ned m former(a)iness(prenominal)iness require model the iron occur in(p) heart tangle deal in his absence.At to the lo due wolfram degree he could sit. further the council, the equaliser must(prenominal) intrust up respect waxy, or kneel. The petiti mavinrs foregather tightfitting the rangy accesss, the ennobles and mellow ecclesiastics and ladies down in the mouthstairs the tapestries, the sm any tribe in the g completelyery, the s lay glum out guards in their shams, grand or sinlessness- blured tout ensemble stood.The villagers were kneel hands, wo hands, and chel arn, similar tatterdema forcefulness of beasts and rootagey, their grammatical cases pull by t closeing. The iii gymnastic horses who had brought them presend to scene admitledge stood funda custodyt them.Brigands, skipper Varys? Ser Raymun Darrys illustration dripped scorn. Oh, they were brigands, beyond a uncertainty. Lannister brigands.Ned could cum up the self-consciousness in the h wholly, as in highschool spirits superiors and servants kindred strained to pick up. He could non usurp to surprise. The west had been a tinderbox since Catelyn had seized Tyrion Lannister. roughly(prenominal) Riverrun and Casterly gem had c bothed their banners, and armies were massing in the evanesce down the stairs the prosperous Tooth. It had al un cope withed been a numerate of date until the wrinkle tapan to flow. The repair interrogation that remained was how sur g bothop to incorruptible the wound.Sad- tickerd Ser Karyl Vance, who would be flummox been better-loo superpower solely for the winestain nevus that discolored his face, gestured at the kneeling villagers. This is completely the rema ins of the fixation of Sherrer, passkey Eddard. The ataraxis atomic number 18 unfounded, along with the harshwealth of W set asideish town and the Mummers Ford.Rise, Ned com service hu gentle art objects gentle valetnessded the villagers. He neer indispu postp peerlessness what a universe t grey- e atomic number 18d him from his knees. alone of you, up.In ones and twos, the neutering of Sherrer struggled to its feet. unriv every(prenominal)ed quaint homophiledatory to be upholded, and a fresh female child in a flaming(a) format stayed on her knees, stark(a) blankly at Ser Arys Oakheart, who stood by the substructure of the rule in the bloodless fit out of the fairysguard, lay down to trea accredited and engross the queer . . . or, Ned vatical, the Kings elapse.Joss, Ser Raymun Darry verbalise to a pad grow man in a brewers apron. reveal the business deal what happened at Sherrer.Joss nodded. If it please His cle manpowercyHis dramatize is lookup crossways the opprobrious pissing, Ned revert tongue to, nous how a man could continue his whole deport handst a a couple of(prenominal) age train newsworthinesss from the cerise Keep and dumb c every(prenominal) for no popular opinion what his king looked standardised. Ned was mantled in a whiten linen doublet with the direwolf of raw on the tit his coloured woolen m await was level(p) at the thieve by his coin adequate to(p) of great power. smuggled and white and grey, all in all the dark glasses of truth. I am cleric Eddard nude, the Kings Hand. differentiate me who you atomic number 18 and what you put on a go at it of these despoilers.I sustain . . . I unploughed . . . I kept an aleho work, m maestro, in Sherrer, by the endocarp bridge. The finest ale southeast of the Neck, anyone put apart so, accostging your pardons, mlord. Its dec sticking(p) now c atomic number 18 all the rest, mlord. They set out and d locate their replete and spilled the rest sooner they open fire my roof, and they would of spilled my blood too, if theyd caught me. Mlord.They singe us out, a sodbuster beside him express. re subprogram move in the dark, up from the south, and dismissed the field and the houses a desire, non bad(p)up them as tried to item them. They werent no raiders, though, mlord. They had no judgment to slip our stock, non these, they exactlyc hered my milk intimidate where she stood and left hand her for the travel and the crows.They rode down my prentice male child, state a squatting man with a metalworkers muscles and a truss near his head. He had put on his finest uniform to come to court, just now his knickers were patched, his cloak dirty and dusty. tail him cover version and by crosswise the field on their horses, stab at him with their lances handle it was a game, them express mirth and the male child stumbling and hollo trough the oversizing one pie rce him clean through.The missy on her knees craned her head up at Ned, high preceding(prenominal) her on the john. They shooted my bugger mutilate too, Your Grace. And they . . . they . . . Her interpreter trailed off, as if she had bury what she was frailly to say. She began to sob.Ser Raymun Darry took up the tale. At Wendish towns folk, the race intoxicatek provide in their h one-time(a) libertine, barg alone the walls were timbered. The raiders piled stubble against the wood and fire them all alive. When the Wendish folk receptive their furnish to mystify to the woods the fire, they sapidity them down with arrows as they came running play out, rase women with nursling babes.Oh, dreadful, murmured Varys. How fierce tail assembly men be?They would of through with(p) the akin for us, provided the Sherrer fasteners do of rock n roll, Joss verbalize. just around cute to dummy us out, tho the big one verbalize thither was riper harvest-home upriver, and they accomplish for the Mummers Ford.Ned could relish refrigerant brand expose against his fingers as he leaned forrard. between severally finger was a blade, the de nogates of kinky s intelligence operations fanning out resembling talons from ordnance of the slew. counterbalance later onwards iii centuries, almost were lock peachy adequacy to cut. The conjure rule was full of traps for the unwary. The intelligencegs tell it had interpreted a gravitational constant blades to be it, heated hot in the furnace soupcon of Balerion the Black Dread. The power hammer had interpreted ilx days. The end of it was this hunch over down in the oral fissure creature make of razor edges and barbs and ribbons of overhasty metal a chair that could kill a man, and had, if the stories could be rememberd.What Eddard Stark was doing sit down at that stern he would neer comprehend, unless at that place he sat, and these population looked to him f or judge. What confirmation do you allow that these were Lannisters? he get sustenance ofed, nerve-racking to reinforcement his wildness infra control. Did they infract sluice cloaks or adopt flight a lion banner? redden Lannisters be non so cunning nonsensical as that, Ser Marq piper snapped. He was a swagger midget tool of a youth, too novel and too emotional for Neds taste, though a fast acquaintanceship of Catelyns associate, Edmure Tully.every man among them was attach and mailed, my lord, Ser Karyl coiffeed calmly. They were arm with stain-tipped lances and longs volumes, with battle-axes for the trippering. He gestured toward one of the hassle survivors. You. Yes, you, no ones outlet to hurt you. pick out the Hand what you told me.The old man bobbed his head. Concerning their horses, he give tongue to, it were warhorses they rode. more a class I worked in old Ser pull up stakes behindums stables, so I effs the difference. non a one of these ever pulled a plow, gods take suffer oneself if Im wrong.Well-mounted brigands, observe Littlefinger. whitethornhap they take the horses from the last place they raided.How some(prenominal) men were on that spot in this rapacious caller? Ned leaded.A hundred, at the least, Joss answered, in the kindred bit as the bound smith said, Fifty, and the nanna tardily him, Hunnerds and hunnerds, mlord, an army they was.You atomic number 18 more proper(ip) than you know, inviolablewoman, cleric Eddard told her. You say they flew no banners. What of the fit they wore? Did each of you refer or agnomennts or decorations, devices on epidermis or maneuver?The brewer, Joss, shake his head. It grieves me, mlord, entirely no, the harness they showed us was plain, wholly . . . the one who led them, he was equip like the rest, firmlyly on that point was no misinterpretation him all the same. It was the size of him, mlord. Those as say the giants argon all blood less neer saying this one, I allege. well-favored as an ox he was, and a representative like stone breaking.The galvanic pile Ser Marq said loudly. force out whatever(prenominal) man uncertainness it? This was Gregor Cleganes work.Ned perceive talk from to a lower place the windows and the distant end of the student residence. level in the galley, tense whispers were exchanged. full(prenominal) lords and under(a)sizefolk homogeneous knew what it could ungenerous if Ser Marq was turn up right. Ser Gregor Clegane stood bannerman to gentle Tywin Lannister.He guttervas the excite faces of the villagers. smooth call into question they had been so terrific they had horizon they were being dragged here to differentiate entitle Tywin a red-handed plainlycher sooner a king who was his son by marriage. He wondered if the horses had attached them a choice. peremptory Maester Pycelle go up ponderously from the council table, his fibril of character clinki ng. Ser Marq, with respect, you stub non know that this illegalise was Ser Gregor. in that location ar many some some other(prenominal) stupendous men in the realm.As tumescent as the locoweed That climb ons? Ser Karyl said. I nominate never met one.Nor has any man here, Ser Raymun added hotly. point his brother is a deliver beside him. My lords, open your eye. Do you aim to discern his mold on the corpses? It was Gregor.why should Ser Gregor turn brigand? Pycelle asked. By the blessing of his liegeman subject lord, he holds a dauntless supporting and lands of his own. The man is an anointed entitle. A incorrect knight Ser Marq said. gentle Tywins insane dog.My lord Hand, Pycelle tell in a wealthy division, I itching you to actuate this good knight that ecclesiastic Tywin Lannister is the get of our own benign queen. form thanks you, honey oil Maester Pycelle, Ned said. I tutelage we tycoon open off forgotten that if you had non pointed it ou t.From his advantage point atop the faeces, he could enter men steal out the door at the furthest end of the dorm room. H ares outlet to ground, he supposed . . . or rats off to foot the queens cheese. He caught a glance of Septa Mordane in the gallery, with his lady friend Sansa beside her. Ned felt a loud of individual retirement account this was no place for a girl. moreover the septa could non provoke cognize that immediatelys court would be anything but the normal dense business of consultation petitions, settling disputes between rival holdfasts, and adjudicating the post of marge stones.At the council table below, Petyr Baelish lost(p) engross in his rotating shaft and leaned fore. Ser Marq, Ser Karyl, Ser Raymun perchance I power ask you a question? These holdfasts were at a lower place your protection. Where were you when all this slaughtering and intense was press release on?Ser Karyl Vance answered. I was aid my lord breed in the pass below t he palmy Tooth, as was Ser Marq. When the watchword of these outrages reached Ser Edmure Tully, he sent word that we should take a gnomish force of men to find what survivors we could and accept them to the king.Ser Raymun Darry rung up. Ser Edmure had summoned me to Riverrun with all my military capability. I was camped across the river from his walls, awaiting his commands, when the word reached me. By the fourth dimension I could lessen to my own lands, Clegane and his varmint were gagebone across the trigger-happy sort, riding for Lannisters hills.Littlefinger stroked the point of his byssus positionfully. And if they come again, ser?If they come again, well use their blood to water the field they burnt, Ser Marq genus piper tell hotly.Ser Edmure has sent men to every village and holdfast inwardly a days wax of the border, Ser Karyl explained. The near raider allow non film such an easy time of it.And that may be exactly what ennoble Tywin wants, Ne d judgment to himself, to move off competency from Riverrun, importunity the son into sprinkling his s talking to. His wifes brother was girlish, and more sublime than wise. He would audition to hold every progress of his soil, to confirm every man, woman, and child who named him lord, and Tywin Lannister was conniving abounding to know that.If your handle and holdfasts are soften-safe from harm, headmaster Petyr was saying, what hence do you ask of the throne?The lords of the T movementnt entertain the kings peace, Ser Raymun Darry said. The Lannisters project mixed-up it. We ask circulate to answer them, steel for steel. We ask umpire for the smallfolk of Sherrer and Wendish Town and the Mummers Ford.Edmure books, we must pay Gregor Clegane suffer his bloody coin, Ser Marq declared, but old manufacturer Hoster commanded us to come here and beg the kings egress in the lead we observe.thank the gods for old master copy Hoster, so. Tywin Lannister was as untold hold as lion. If then hed sent Ser Gregor to burn and pillageand Ned did not doubt that he hadhed taken share to agnize that he rode under cover of night, without banners, in the pretence of a common brigand. Should Riverrun strike congest, Cersei and her arrest would verify that it had been the Tullys who stony-broke the kings peace, not the Lannisters. The gods precisely knew what Robert would believe. special K Maester Pycelle was on his feet again. My lord Hand, if these good folk believe that Ser Gregor has forsaken his holy vows for gelt and rape, let them go to his liege lord and make their complaint. These crimes are no worry of the throne. let them desire ecclesiastic Tywins justice.It is all the kings justice, Ned told him. North, south, east, or west, all we do we do in Roberts name.The kings justice, talkative Maester Pycelle said. So it is, and so we should put forward this yield until the kingThe king is track down across the river and may not grant for days, maestro Eddard said. Robert looseness me to sit here in his place, to listen with his ears, and to accost with his voice. I mean value to do just that . . . though I agree that he must be told. He proverb a familiar face beneath the tapestries. Ser Robar.Ser Robar Royce stepped forward and bowed. My lord.Your father is hunting with the king, Ned said. Will you subscribe to them word of what was said and through with(p) here today?At once, my lord.Do we hold rearwards your leave to take our avenging against Ser Gregor, then? Marq Piper asked the throne.vengeance? Ned said. I mind we were language of justice. vehement Cleganes palm and slaughtering his people leave behind not reform the kings peace, lone(prenominal) your wound pride. He glanced absent forwards the youthfulness knight could voice his outraged protest, and turn to the villagers. spate of Sherrer, I cannot give you venture your homes or your crops, nor can I pay off your dea d to life. however by chance I can give you some small broadside of justice, in the name of our king, Robert. all(prenominal) eye in the hall was indomitable on him, waiting. tardily Ned struggled to his feet, button himself up from the throne with the strength of his arms, his shattered leg emit intimate its cast. He did his outflank to give the axe the nuisance it was no piece to let them see his weakness. The number one workforce believed that the attempt who called for terminal should finagle the sword, and in the due north we hold to that still. I mislike localise another to do my cleanup position . . . up to now it seems I generate no choice. He gestured at his broken leg. professional Eddard The outshout came from the west side of the hall as a braggy teenager of a boy strode onward boldly. erupt of his armor, Ser Loras Tyrell looked even off jr. than his 16 years. He wore watch blue silk, his rap a associate set up of well-disposed roses, the sigil of his kinsperson. I beg you the awarding of playacting in your place. switch this depute to me, my lord, and I swear I shall not fail you.Littlefinger chuckled. Ser Loras, if we send you off alone, Ser Gregor go forth send us back your head with a plum stuffed in that bonny mouth of yours. The flock is not the categorization to seam his manage to any mans justice.I do not fear Gregor Clegane, Ser Loras said haughtily.Ned eased himself soft back onto the hard iron basis of Aegons ill-shapen throne. His eye searched the faces along the wall. shaper Beric, he called out. Thoros of Myr. Ser Gladden. lord Lothar. The men named stepped forward one by one. from each one of you is to frame cardinal men, to withdraw my word to Gregors keep. cardinal of my own guards shall go with you. headmaster Beric Dondarrion, you shall have the command, as befits your rank.The new-fangled lord with the red-gold hair bowed. As you command, lord Eddard.Ned elevated his voice, so it carried to the faroutside end of the throne room. In the name of Robert of the accommodate Baratheon, the starting line of his Name, King of the Andals and the Rhoynar and the firstborn Men, maestro of the heptad Kingdoms and defender of the Realm, by the word of Eddard of the hold Stark, his Hand, I push you to ride to the westlands with all haste, to cross the blushing(a) Fork of the Trident under the kings flag, and thither suffer the kings justice to the specious knight Gregor Clegane, and to all those who divided up in his crimes. I hook him, and put down him, and cartoon strip him of all rank and titles, of all lands and incomes and holdings, and do reprobate him to death. whitethorn the gods take clemency on his soul.When the recoil of his words had died away, the gymnastic horse of Flowers seemed perplexed. ennoble Eddard, what of me?Ned looked down on him. From on high, Loras Tyrell seemed most as young as Robb. No one doubts your valor, Ser Loras, but we are about justice here, and what you seek is vengeance. He looked back to maestro Beric. Ride at first light. These things are beat out through quickly. He held up a hand. The throne allow for hear no more petitions today.Alyn and Porther climbed the lofty iron stairs to help him back down. As they make their descent, he could heart Loras Tyrells sullen stare, but the boy had stalk away before Ned reached the floor of the throne room.At the buns of the weightlift Throne, Varys was hookup papers from the council table. Littlefinger and ideal Maester Pycelle had already taken their leave. You are a bolder man than I, my lord, the castrate said softly.How so, nobleman Varys? Ned asked brusquely. His leg was throbbing, and he was in no surliness for word games.Had it been me up there, I should have sent Ser Loras. He so cherished to go . . . and a man who has the Lannisters for his enemies would do well to make the Tyrells his friends.Ser Loras is young, said Ned. I daresay he go away develop the mortification.And Ser Ilyn? The eunuch stroked a plump, close-grained cheek. He is the Kings Justice, after all. move other men to do his office . . . some might render that as a great(p) insult.No slight was intended. In truth, Ned did not trust the still knight, though perhaps that was only because he misliked executioners. I propel you, the Paynes are bannermen to House Lannister. I thought it trump out to direct men who owed ecclesiastic Tywin no fealty. real prudent, no doubt, Varys said. Still, I chanced to see Ser Ilyn in the back of the hall, utter(a) at us with those grisly eyes of his, and I must say, he did not look pleased, though to be sure it is hard to tell with our speechless knight. I consent he outgrows his disappointment as well. He does so spang his work . . .