Chapter 184: Bloody Battle at King's Landing, Robert Dies

Under the moonlight, Renly, in a blue and green silk robe, arrived at the Wolf King's courtyard on Rhaenys Hill, escorted by Brienne and Loras.

When Renly saw that the dozens of abandoned courtyards around the Dragonpit had been transformed into a brand-new camp for the Winter Wolves, with fully armed Winter Wolves patrolling with direwolves and bears, and giant eagles flying overhead from time to time, he was both shocked and afraid.

Eddard came out to welcome Renly. The youngest, most flamboyant stag, even at the most tense moment in King's Landing, did not know how to keep a low profile and was still dressed in his magnificent attire.

Renly said loudly, "Wolf Prince, I have some urgent matters to discuss with you."

Eddard was speechless, "Lord Renly, you should have kept a low profile coming to the Dragonpit at night. Even if you didn't disguise yourself, you should have at least changed your clothes. And your guards—you are always with Brienne and Loras. Many people in King's Landing can recognize you and Ser Loras at a glance, and as for Brienne, her features are also very obvious; after all, there aren't many women in King's Landing who wear full armor."

Renly laughed, "Are you afraid of the Spider Varys? Cersei? Or Littlefinger? There is no need."

Eddard led Renly into the candlelit study, where the room was filled with the scent of aromatic candles and the perfume of Duke Renly.

Ser Loras, Brienne, Shield Dawson, and Syrio Forel stood guard outside the door. As soon as the door closed and Renly sat down, he immediately lowered his voice, "Have you heard? Joffrey, Myrcella, and Tommen are all bastards born of the illicit affair between Cersei and Jaime. Among the three children, not one is the child of my older brother Robert."

Eddard suppressed a smile, "Shocking."

Under the manipulation of the conspirators, the news that Robert and Cersei's children were bastards had long since spread through every street and alley. Now, the beggars in Flea Bottom, the leather workers in Cobbler's Square, the pious men and women in Baelor's Sept, the prostitutes and their patrons on Silk Street, the fishermen in the Fish Market, and the sailors at the docks had all heard this news.

Only Renly would share this outdated news as a secret.

Renly said, "Robert will know sooner or later that Cersei's children are bastards."

Eddard disagreed, "He won't. Such a scandalous affair, even if the whole world knows, the person involved is often the last to find out."

Renly stroked his black hair, "Actually, I guessed it long ago. Joffrey, Tommen, and Myrcella are not of House Baratheon. Our House Baratheon is descended from the King of the Storm, House Durrandon, and Orys Baratheon, the first Hand of the King of the Seven Kingdoms; our ancestors all had thick black hair."

"Look at those three children of Cersei, every one of them has golden hair, looking so much like Jaime and Cersei—they are clearly Lannisters, there is no mistake. The only bastard Robert has acknowledged is Edric Storm, who grew up in Storm's End and was raised by me and my Acting Castellan, Ser Cortnay Penrose. He looks very much like Robert, with a head of black hair. I heard you also captured a few of Robert's bastards?"

Eddard said, "I did not capture Robert's bastards, I only protected them. Bella is only a few months old, and Gendry is a smith's apprentice; he is already a member of the Winter Wolves. These children all have black hair and are evidence of Cersei's illicit affair. To destroy the evidence, Cersei will kill them."

Renly laughed, "Whether you captured them or protected them, in short, these bastards are under our control, so we have the evidence. Wolf Prince, I think King's Landing is not safe; why not send Gendry and Bella to Storm's End?"

You are truly insatiable; having Edric Storm is not enough, and you still want to snatch my Bella and Gendry.

Eddard shook his head and refused, "Storm's End has Edric Storm, and that is enough. I will protect the safety of Bella and Gendry."

Renly leaned back in his chair, "The relationship between Robert and Cersei has long since broken down. I originally planned to make Robert fall in love with Lady Margaery, but Robert seems uninterested in Margaery. Lady Margaery is clearly very similar to Lyanna!"

Eddard said, "Lyanna and Margaery are both women, and both are noble ladies, but apart from that, the gap between them is as wide as that between a direwolf and a rose."

Renly gave Eddard a meaningful look, "House Tyrell of Highgarden has always longed to marry into the royal family. For thousands of years, House Tyrell has been the stewards of the Gardener House, and their lineage is far less ancient and noble than that of their own vassals, House Hightower, House Florent, House Rowan, and House Oakheart."

Catelyn also often dreamed of Sansa marrying into the royal family and becoming Queen. Because House Tully, like House Tyrell, were both Warden nobles promoted by the "Conqueror" Aegon, and they had some trouble suppressing the nobles below them in the Riverlands.

Renly continued, "Wolf Prince, if you can help Margaery become Robert's Queen, the army of the Reach will support us when we confront the Lannisters. Look, we have the support of the Reach, the Stormlands, the North, the Vale, and the Riverlands, and Dorne hates the Lannisters—what chance do the Lannisters have left?"

As the wealthiest region in the Seven Kingdoms, the Reach was indeed critical. Loras had served as Renly's squire and guard for many years, and the two had a deep bond, being both brothers and lovers. Eddard did not doubt that Renly would gain the support of Highgarden through Loras.

Eddard said, "If Highgarden can send cavalry to enter King's Landing at full speed and help us deal with these Lannisters, I am willing to lead the Winter Wolves to cooperate and persuade Robert to marry Margaery."

Renly made a face, "Highgarden is a thousand miles away. Besides, the Lion of Lannister will not sit still and wait for death. To preserve Joffrey's right of succession, the Lannisters will certainly strike at Robert. My brother Stannis took the Royal Fleet and fled because of this, didn't he? He really is a coward."

"I, Renly, will fight for brother Robert and House Baratheon to defend the Iron Throne of the Crown of the Stag!"

If it weren't for the fact that he knew Renly had never been on a battlefield and had never killed anyone, Eddard might have been somewhat impressed by this impassioned declaration.

Eddard said, "Duke Renly, if you really want to defend your family's power, you should leave King's Landing immediately, assemble the army of the Stormlands, and march on King's Landing. At the critical moment, my Winter Wolves can coordinate with you."

The Stormlands could easily conscript tens of thousands of troops. As long as the Stormlands army reached King's Landing, no matter how many mercenaries the Lannisters hid in King's Landing or the Crownlands, they would be hard to resist.

Renly shrugged, "The problem is, without Robert's permission, if I return to the Stormlands to conscript an army on my own, it is easily seen as open rebellion. I am the Duke of Storm's End, and the nobles of the Stormlands obey my orders, but don't forget, the Stormlands are Baratheon territory, and Robert is the head of House Baratheon. My power is derived entirely from Robert."

Eddard fully understood Renly's predicament. As the third son of House Baratheon, he theoretically had no right of inheritance. Robert's rebellion overthrew the Targaryen Dynasty, and House Baratheon gained the Crownlands and the vast territory of Dragonstone, which was why it was Renly's turn to sit in Storm's End and rule the Stormlands as the Duke of Storm's End.

Eddard thought for a moment, "Recently, pirates in the Stepstones have become increasingly rampant, and I suspect there is Lannister support behind this. You return to the Stormlands, and once you are in Baratheon territory, feel free to conscript your vassals. If Robert asks, I will tell him that you conscripted the Stormlands army to clear out the pirates on the Stepstones and conquer the Stepstones."

"Our King Robert loves conquest and has long had plans to conquer the Stepstones. Since Eddard annexed Beyond the Wall, the territory of the Seven Kingdoms has reached an unprecedented scale, and the voices in Westeros for capturing the pirate nest of the Stepstones and incorporating them into the Seven Kingdoms have grown stronger. This method is feasible."

Renly rubbed his hands uneasily, "That may be so, but Cersei and the Imp are not fools. I think you should contact my brother Stannis and have him bring the Royal Fleet back to King's Landing. With the Winter Wolves, the Royal Fleet, Jon Arryn's Prime Minister's Guard, my guard, and some of Lady Margaery's Highgarden guards, we could easily take the Red Keep and throw all the Lannisters into the Black Cells."

It seemed Renly did not want to lead the charge at all; was he afraid of losing the strength of the Stormlands? Truly a guest of idle talk, only capable of planning, with no ability to execute.

Eddard sighed, "If it were that easy, I would have acted long ago. Stannis has already retreated to Dragonstone with the Royal Fleet and will not return in the short term. King's Landing is now a killing forest filled with murderous intent; no one knows how many mercenaries and troops the Lannisters have hidden in this city. You prepare to hunt the lion, but you might be the prey yourself."

As the youngest Baratheon, Renly lacked Robert's bravery and fighting spirit, and lacked Stannis's illustrious military achievements. Expecting him to organize the Stormlands army to clear out the Lannisters' painstaking operations in King's Landing during a time of turmoil and seize control of King's Landing in one fell swoop was clearly unrealistic.

Eddard always felt that if Stannis were the Duke of Storm's End, the Lannisters' movements in King's Landing would be much more restrained.

Eddard placed his hand on Renly's shoulder, "Lord Renly, King's Landing could see bloody conflict at any moment. You should immediately resign to Robert, return to Storm's End, and begin conscripting vassals and recruiting troops. If you sit in Storm's End and Stannis sits in Dragonstone, the Lannisters will be wary. If you continue to stay in King's Landing, you will very likely end up a prisoner or lose your life."

That night, Renly and Lady Margaery, escorted by Ser Loras and Brienne, and accompanied by guards from Highgarden and Storm's End, left King's Landing through the King's Gate.

In the Maidenvault, Cersei stroked her cat with a mournful look on her face.

"Renly took his little bitch Margaery, the Knight of Flowers, and that monster from Tarth and fled King's Landing. The Commander of the City Watch, Janos Slynt, is a piece of trash. I told him to keep a strict watch at all the city gates and that no noble or relative of a noble was to leave the city at will, yet he dared to let even Renly go."

In Tyrion's eyes, which were of different sizes, a mischievous glint flickered.

"My dear sister, Renly also has many friends among the Gold Cloaks. Did you expect Janos Slynt to detain the King's brother and the Master of Laws? Besides, would those Gold Cloaks dare to draw weapons in front of the Knight of Flowers and Brienne of Tarth? Janos Slynt may have taken Lannister gold, but he loves his position and his life even more."

Jaime chimed in, "The 'Beauty' Brienne won second place at the Wolf King's tourney. I often see her in the Red Keep's yard beating other knights to a pulp. Brienne is even more dangerous than the Knight of Flowers, don't let the fact that she's a girl fool you."

Tyrion said, "The eyes I planted in Flea Bottom confirmed that before Renly left King's Landing, he went to the Dragonpit on Rhaenys Hill to visit Eddard. Some kind of agreement must have been reached between Renly and Eddard. Fortunately, Renly is not Stannis; even if he cooperates with Eddard, he will only drop the chain at the critical moment."

Cersei glared at Tyrion, "Aren't there too many nobles fleeing these days? Jon Arryn's cow Lysa took Robin and fled, Stannis took the Royal Fleet and left in a swagger, and now it's Renly and Margaery's turn. I suppose tomorrow it will be Jon Arryn and Eddard's turn."

Jaime stroked his golden hair, "It's better that they all leave. The Winter Wolves staying in King's Landing is very dangerous. If Eddard and Jon Arryn flee, it proves they don't have the guts to investigate the parentage of Joffrey, Myrcella, and Tommen, and it proves they have no ambition."

Tyrion snorted, "Brother Jaime, you only know how to wield a sword and spear; you have no brain at all. Once Jon Arryn and Eddard return to their own fiefs, they will be completely out of our control. Do you think they will let us go? How is that possible? When they return to King's Landing from their fiefs, they will bring Canyon Knights, the Northern Army, and even the lords of the Riverlands."

Cersei rarely supported the Imp's point of view, and she lamented, "Jaime, don't forget, that damned Eddard and Jon Arryn have been slandering the parentage of my and Robert's children! The children are innocent! Just because their hair is golden and not as black as their father's, they slander Myrcella, Joffrey, and Tommen as bastards—they are clearly coveting the children's right of succession."

Tyrion felt more and more that Cersei was cute; her ability to tell lies with her eyes open was becoming more and more impressive.

Cersei put the cat down, and the little cat ran away.

"Fortunately, I arranged for Myrcella to charm the twins of House Redwyne in advance. When Margaery fled, she invited her two cousins to go with her, but these two ugly boys from the Arbor refused to go with Margaery for Myrcella's sake."

"The raven sent by Father says he has already begun to assemble the army of the Westerlands. He will never allow the enemy to slander the bloodline of his grandchildren. When the Lannister army arrives in King's Landing, I want the heads of Jon Arryn and Eddard all stuck on lances to feed the crows!"

On Rhaenys Hill, a raven flew toward the west, and Eagle King McCain controlled the falcon with his mind.

Among all the birds, the falcon is the fastest, and few birds can escape a falcon's hunt. The falcon was like a bolt of lightning, completing the kill in mid-air, and the raven fell to the ground, screaming and covered in blood.

Since the situation became tense, Eddard ordered Eagle King McCain to use falcons, hawks, and owls to watch for ravens flying out of the Red Keep and intercept them when possible. Therefore, Eddard had mastered a considerable portion of the communication between the Lannisters in the Red Keep and the Lannisters in Casterly Rock.

Eddard also had his own falcons, hawks, and owls, which were gifts from Eagle King McCain. Eddard was as familiar with controlling these birds as he was with direwolves and bears; he could even distract himself to control multiple animals and gain the vision of multiple animals simultaneously.

Because Eddard was busy with various matters, the task of intercepting raven messages was completed by Eagle King McCain.

Eagle King McCain was illiterate, so he took the letter directly to Eddard's study and delivered it before Eddard; after Eddard finished reading the letter, it turned out to be written by Cersei to Lord Tywin, warning Lord Tywin that Renly Baratheon, Margaery, Loras, and others had left King's Landing, and hoping that the Westerlands Army would enter King's Landing as soon as possible.

Relying on falcons to hunt down ravens, Eddard had learned of the Lannister army mobilization a few days ago, and he immediately sent a raven to Winterfell to have Robb summon the Northern vassals.

The North is vast, and summoning vassals takes a longer time; fortunately, the number of the Winter Wolves in the North had already exceeded ten thousand, which was a well-trained standing army and an advantage not possessed by other regions of Westeros.

Eddard also sent ravens to the Blacksmith City at Sea Dragon Point, the Warhorse City in the Rills, the Stony City on the Stony Shore, and the Dawn Watch in the Barrowlands, warning commanders of the Wolf Castle such as Helen Pyke, Jacks, Desmond, and Shad to be vigilant against enemies that might appear at sea.

The most likely enemies to appear were the ironborn, and Eddard would not forget the vision he saw at the Isle of Faces, the sea was surging in.

At the same time, Eddard also wrote to Lord Wyman, warning him that there might be two mercenary companies hired by the Lannisters approaching the waters of White Harbor, and if they appeared in the Bite, he must resolutely dispatch the fleet to strike back, while reinforcing the defenses of White Harbor.

White Harbor is the mouth of the North, and it was unrealistic for the Lannisters to count on mercenary companies to capture White Harbor, but the enemy had every opportunity to burn the ships, ports, and docks of White Harbor.

The news that the Brave Companions and the Mummers from the Disputed Lands of Essos were sailing north was provided to Eddard by Varys; Eddard did not know if this intelligence was accurate, after all, Varys had his own agenda, and Eddard did not trust him at all, but being cautious was never wrong.

The Disputed Lands are a large stretch of territory in the southwest of the continent of Essos, at the intersection of Myr, Tyrosh, and Lys; these three Free Cities all claimed sovereignty over this land, and this land was at war year-round, thus breeding despicable groups like mercenary companies.

For money, mercenary companies could betray their employers, tear up contracts, and even turn their coats on the battlefield.

Thoros of Myr was very familiar with the mercenary companies of the Disputed Lands, and he told Eddard that the Brave Companions and the Mummers indeed existed; the leader of the Brave Companions was Greenbeard from Tyrosh, and the leader of the Mummers was Vargo Hoat from Norvos.

The members of the Brave Companions had a Tyroshi style, and the members all painted their beards and hair in colorful, gaudy ways. The Mummers were most famous for their food and charming kitchen wenches. The number of the two mercenary companies added up to one thousand two hundred men.

In the study, Eddard opened a map of Westeros and looked at the route of the mercenary companies heading north; Eddard pondered Tywin's intentions and felt that it was more likely that the mercenary companies were sent to the Riverlands.

The mouth of the Trident in the east flows into Crab Bay. The fleet of the Brave Companions and the Mummers, after rounding Claw Isle, would enter Crab Bay, travel west all the way, and could reach the Riverlands, complete their landing at Saltpans, Maidenpool, and other places, and then launch a surprise attack on Harrenhal.

Eddard had left three hundred Winter Wolves at Harrenhal, with Morna White Mask in charge of the defense.

To strengthen the defense of Harrenhal, Eddard ordered Ser Wyllis Wode to recruit five hundred men in Flea Bottom and return to Harrenhal. Ser Wyllis Wode was a Knighted Landed Knight under Harrenhal who had joined the Winter Wolves; Ser Wyllis Wode was familiar with Harrenhal and the nearby villages and towns, and with his help in defending Harrenhal, Eddard felt much more at ease.

Wyllis Wode took away many children and women; Hot Pie, Lommy Greenhands, Robert Baratheon's bastard daughter Bella, her mother Lolly, and others, Jeyne Poole, Septa Mordane, and Gendry were all taken to Harrenhal. Many of these children were Eddard's eyes and ears in Flea Bottom; now that the moment of the decisive battle had arrived, the eyes and ears were no longer needed, and Eddard would not abandon them.

Eddard had originally wanted to send Catelyn, Sansa, and Arya away as well, but the Gold Cloaks at every city gate were Lannister men; the Lannisters would let Wyllis Wode and the commoners go, but would likely block the nobles. Eddard felt that Catelyn and her daughters were safer staying with the Winter Wolves.

Those remaining on Rhaenys Hill were almost exclusively cavalry warriors, which would make retreating much swifter and more convenient.

Harrenhal itself was the largest castle in Westeros, easy to defend and hard to attack. Right next to the Gods Eye was the Isle of Faces; on the Isle of Faces, there were one thousand Weirwood Heart Trees, and the Old Gods possessed powerful strength there, not at all inferior to Beyond the Wall and the North.

Eddard believed that under the watch of the Old Gods, as long as the Winter Wolves held Harrenhal, no matter how many enemies there were, they would be battered and bloodied at the foot of Harrenhal.

Catelyn walked into the study, "Eddard, the atmosphere in King's Landing these past few days is very wrong. Many people are rumored that Cersei and Robert Baratheon's children are all bastards."

Eddard nodded, "The rumors are all true."

Catelyn widened her eyes, "This will be cursed by the gods! As Robert Baratheon's brother, you should remind Robert Baratheon."

Eddard said helplessly: "How to remind him? 'Robert Baratheon, I regret to inform you that you have been cuckolded, your Queen opens her legs to the Kingslayer every night, and your three children are all Lannister bastards.' Yes, Robert Baratheon and Cersei do not look at each other, but he sleeps with the Lannister woman every night after all, and Robert Baratheon has always thought those children were his own."

Catelyn said: "Then what should we do?"

Eddard held Catelyn's hand, "King's Landing is no longer a suitable place to stay. Jon Arryn and I plan to invite Robert Baratheon to head north together today and leave this viper's nest of King's Landing; in this way, we and the children will be safe."

Catelyn clutched her heart, "Is there really going to be a war?"

Eddard said: "What do you think? The Prince is a bastard; it is not just a matter of the King's face, but also concerns the succession to the Iron Throne and the Seven Kingdoms. It is not just King's Landing that will go to war; bloody conflicts could break out at any time throughout the Seven Kingdoms. Lord Tywin has already begun to conscript the Westerlands Army and is gathering them in the direction of Golden Tooth."

Fear was clearly written on Catelyn's face, and Catelyn said: "Golden Tooth is very close to Riverrun. Once a war breaks out, the Westerlands Army will definitely attack Riverrun. We must warn Riverrun immediately."

Eddard hugged Catelyn's shoulders, "Don't worry, I sent a raven to Riverrun a few days ago. I warned your brother, Ser Edmure Tully, that the Westerlands Army had already gathered at Golden Tooth. I warned Edmure not to engage Lord Tywin in a head-on battle, just hold Riverrun."

"I have already sent a letter to Winterfell, asking Robb to summon the Northern Army; the Riverlands will not fight alone, and the North will fight side by side with the Riverlands."

Under normal circumstances, it should be the Warden of the Riverlands, Catelyn's father, the Lord of Riverrun, Lord Hoster, who organizes the Riverlands army to fight against the Lannisters, but Lord Hoster had been in poor health. When Eddard went south, he sent Maester Norman to treat Hoster, and Hoster's condition had improved.

According to the letter Edmure sent to King's Landing, Lord Hoster was already able to get out of bed and walk, but it was impossible to count on him to go to the battlefield to kill the enemy. Fortunately, as long as Lord Hoster himself was alive, he could unite the hearts of Riverrun and the Riverlands; counting on the young Edmure obviously would not work.

Ser Edmure Tully was kind-hearted, but his ability was very average.

Catelyn sighed, "If Ser Brynden 'Blackfish' were in Riverrun, I would be much more at ease. Uncle Brynden is a good hand at fighting, but unfortunately, my uncle has been at odds with my father for many years because of his marriage back then, and Uncle Brynden is serving as a Knight of the Bloody Gate in the Vale of Arryn."

"I believe that once the Riverlands are attacked and the Northern reinforcements arrive, Jon Arryn and Lysa will also send Canyon Knights; by then, Uncle Brynden can lead the Canyon Knights to fight the Lannisters in the Riverlands."

Eddard said: "We are preparing to withdraw from King's Landing. I am going to the Red Keep today to meet King Robert Baratheon. I will suggest to King Robert Baratheon that we go to the Isle of Faces next to Harrenhal to hatch the Dragon Egg. Regardless of whether Robert Baratheon goes to Harrenhal with us or not, we will leave. You must keep an eye on the children and don't let them run around, especially Arya and Sansa."

Outside the Dragonpit on Rhaenys Hill, a giant eagle flapped its wings; Arya grabbed the giant eagle's claws with her hands and flew slowly more than ten meters above the ground, with the direwolf Nymeria following on the ground, and Arya let out bursts of laughter.

The Red Priest Thoros, the Lightning Lord Beric, and others were all startled, and Thoros said: "Arya, come down quickly, you will fall and get hurt."

Prince of Giant Eagles Michu, who was on the side, said: "Don't worry, even if Arya falls, the eagle will catch her. The giant eagle will never let the daughter of the Father of Life be hurt."

The giant eagle began to fly downward, and when it approached the ground, Arya let go and landed steadily.

Sansa walked over, "Arya, where did Septa Mordane go? And the maids?"

Arya said: "They all followed Ser Wyllis Wode to Harrenhal."

Sansa frowned slightly, "Harrenhal? Why are they in such a hurry to leave King's Landing?"

Arya stroked the head of the direwolf Nymeria, "Haven't you heard yet? King's Landing might be going to war. People all say that Joffrey is the child of Cersei and the Kingslayer, not the King's child, and Joffrey is a bastard."

Sansa was so frightened that her face turned pale, "Nonsense! Prince Joffrey is of noble blood, this is slander! Who did you hear that from?"

Arya shrugged, "Hot Pie and Lommy Greenhands both said so; they heard it in Flea Bottom."

Sansa pinched her nose, "The bread boy and the apprentice dyer are dirty and smelly, and no ballad will ever sing their praises. They are only jealous of the noble Prince."

Arya said angrily: "Where is Joffrey noble? Not to mention whether he is a bastard or not, his character is very poor; every time he comes to the Dragonpit, he has a stupid look with his lips curled up, looking down on people."

Sansa said proudly: "That's because you don't have the good fortune to be friends with the Prince; your friends are just street thugs like Hot Pie and Lommy Greenhands. I am a friend of Prince Joffrey, and I will go to the Red Keep to see him."

Catelyn walked over, "Sansa, King's Landing is not safe anywhere now. You must stay on Rhaenys Hill; I forbid you from going to the Red Keep to find Joffrey."

Sansa was stunned, "Mother, do you also believe those rumors? Those are just words to slander Joffrey. Didn't you often say that when I grow up, I can marry Joffrey?"

Catelyn said: "Sansa, I shouldn't have instilled those thoughts into your head. Given our hostility with the Lannisters, it is impossible for you and Joffrey to marry; give up these thoughts as soon as possible! We are leaving for Harrenhal immediately."

Tears flooded Sansa's eyes; she hid in her room and drowned herself in sorrow.

"If I'm not allowed to marry the Prince, do I have to marry a Hired Knight or a bread boy?" Sansa was heartbroken; suddenly, she thought of Naerys and Prince Aemon in the ballads, and thought of the fool Florian and Jonquil.

For the sake of love, and to become the Queen sung about by singers, Sansa made up her mind that she must be brave; she must go to see Joffrey. At a time when there were rumors everywhere, her support was very important to the Prince; Joffrey would surely remember this kindness, and when he grew up, he would marry her as his Queen.

As soon as she thought about being able to become Queen, Sansa was full of fighting spirit.

But there were Winter Wolves everywhere outside the courtyard; how should she lure them away?

Sansa thought of her direwolf Lady, and she whispered into Lady's ear.

Thoros of Myr of the Winter Wolves, the King of Lightning, Lanny, Domeric, and Lareza saw the direwolves Lady and Nymeria fighting, and were immediately drawn to the two direwolves; the crowd was led away by the two brawling direwolves.

Sansa hurriedly fled the courtyard; she passed through the woods and arrived at the downhill path to the southeast. The main roads of Rhaenys Hill were guarded by the Winter Wolves, but some rugged paths were impassable for horses and thus left unguarded.

In the Throne Room, King Robert Baratheon sat on the Iron Throne, smoking a pipe and yawning repeatedly.

Jon Arryn sat with Eddard at the right hand below the Iron Throne, and Pycelle sat beside Eddard, appearing to be asleep. Sitting opposite them were Littlefinger, Varys, Cersei, and Tyrion.

Seven members of the Kingsguard were lined up below the Iron Throne, each in snow-white scale armor and snow-white cloaks.

The strongmen Tabit and Rustu stood at the entrance to the Iron Throne's staircase; these two were Robert's new pets.

On a table in the center of the hall, inside an exquisite box, lay three dragon eggs.

Robert glanced at the dragon eggs, "Eddard, these three dragon eggs have been incubating in the Dragonpit for so many days, why is there no sign of them hatching?"

Eddard said, "Your Grace, this is because there are no weirwood trees on Rhaenys Hill, nor are there any in the Red Keep on Aegon's High Hill; the Old Gods have no power here. If one wishes to hatch dragons, one must go to the Isle of Faces; the Isle of Faces in the Gods Eye has one thousand weirwood heart trees."

Grand Maester Pycelle stroked his snow-white beard, "Wolf Prince, there are all sorts of terrifying legends circulating about the Isle of Faces. It is rumored that no one who goes there ever returns alive. Are you certain you wish to go to the Isle of Faces to hatch dragons?"

Tyrion wore a smile he thought was sweet, "Wolf Prince, I have carefully studied various authoritative works on dragons, and I increasingly feel that it is unlikely one can hatch dragons by praying before a weirwood heart tree. Just think, Valyria and the Targaryens had no faith in the Old Gods, so how did their dragons come to be?"

Eddard said coldly, "That is why their dragons went extinct. The Winterfell mother dragon, Wolf-Flyer, was born before a weirwood heart tree, and Lyanna is her dragon soul."

Cersei said in a venomous tone, "I'm sorry, Eddard, but King's Landing is so desperate for dragons that we will not let you leave King's Landing without hatching them." You want to run without seeing a dragon? Pay with your life!

Jon Arryn cleared his throat, "Queen, if we wish to hatch dragons, we must follow Eddard's method; after all, he hatched the only dragon in the world. The ancient Targaryen kings put forth much effort to hatch dragons, and King Robert should also spare no pains to go to the Isle of Faces in person and pray together with Lord Eddard and myself."

Varys suppressed a laugh, and Littlefinger toyed with a cat's paw.

Tyrion became alert immediately, "Lord Arryn, you are also going to the Isle of Faces to pray? Since when did you convert to the Old Gods?"

Jon Arryn said, "I believe in both the New and Old Gods; they are all gods of Westeros. Your Grace, come with us to the Isle of Faces!"

Robert shifted on the Iron Throne, "I have been dreaming of Lyanna often these past few days; in my dreams, Lyanna truly turned into a mother dragon. If I could have my own dragon, a trip to the Isle of Faces would be worth it. But, with the Hand of the King, the Master of Laws, and the King all going to the Isle of Faces, who will manage the country in King's Landing?"

Eddard looked at Cersei, "If Your Grace goes to the Isle of Faces, you should be able to return within ten days. The affairs of the Seven Kingdoms can be left to Queen Cersei to manage. With the Queen as regent, we shall all be at ease."

Cersei licked her lips; she had always been hungry for power. She had not expected that the damned Eddard, Robert, and Jon Arryn would all be leaving, yielding King's Landing and the Iron Throne.

Could this be a trap? Cersei craved honey but feared being stung. Cersei's heart was stirred, and she suppressed her fanatical emotions.

"Your Grace, go in peace! Leave the matters of King's Landing to me."

Tyrion hurriedly said, "Your Grace, Queen Cersei is not at all suited to rule! Master of Ships Stannis has left, Master of Laws Renly has left, and now the Hand of the King Jon Arryn, the Master of Laws Eddard, and Your Grace are all leaving. There are hardly anyone left on the Small Council."

Tyrion deliberately stated these people's titles clearly to remind Cersei that these fellows were planning to run away. He did not expect Cersei to be so unappreciative; Cersei glared at Tyrion angrily.

"Imp, by what right do you say I am not suited to rule? When His Grace goes to the Isle of Faces to pray for the hatching of dragons, I will still have Grand Maester Pycelle, Varys, and Littlefinger to assist me."

Eddard took the opportunity to say, "It is settled then! King Robert, for our prayer to hatch dragons at the Isle of Faces, we must have two members of the Kingsguard accompany us. I suggest we let the Kingsguard Captain, Ser Barristan Selmy, and Ser Arys Oakheart protect His Grace."

According to Eddard's observations during his time in King's Landing, Ser Arys Oakheart and Ser Barristan Selmy were the only two members of the Kingsguard who had not been bought by the Lannisters; taking these two was reliable.

Jon Arryn said, "Your Grace, there is no time to lose, please depart immediately!"

Robert patted his belly, "Don't be in such a rush. Let me eat and drink my fill first, and after I have a good sleep, we shall depart."

In the Queen's ballroom, Cersei hugged Jaime excitedly.

"Robert, Jon Arryn, and Eddard are all going to the Isle of Faces; the Red Keep and King's Landing are mine! They belong to Queen Cersei! They belong to the Lannisters!"

Jaime said, "You are this excited?"

Cersei said, "I have long dreamed of sitting on the Iron Throne. I will put velvet pillows on it and rule the Seven Kingdoms from there. My first order will be to decree that no one on the streets of King's Landing may spread rumors about Joffrey; whoever dares to spread them will have their tongues pulled out!"

Tyrion said coldly, "Sister, you really are foolishly cute. Eddard and Jon Arryn are planning to take Robert and run; can't you see that?"

Cersei snapped, "Imp, I think you are the one who is foolishly smoking. With Robert, Eddard, and Jon Arryn all gone, King's Landing will be the Lannisters'. We can eliminate Robert's followers one by one. I might even have the chance to remove Robert before he returns to King's Landing, and in that case, my Joffrey can become King of the Seven Kingdoms."

Tyrion said, "You didn't have the chance to remove Robert while in King's Landing; do you think you'll have the chance just because he goes to the Isle of Faces?"

Cersei said, "Didn't Grand Maester Pycelle say that the Isle of Faces is an ominous place with all sorts of terrifying legends, and that no one can return from it alive? Let Robert, Eddard, and Jon Arryn go to the Isle of Faces to pray! If they all die there without hatching any dragons, I won't feel any regret."

Tyrion said helplessly, "Sister, do you really think Eddard and Jon Arryn will take Robert to the Isle of Faces? Harrenhal is right next to the Isle of Faces; that is Eddard's true destination. Once he occupies Harrenhal, the armies of the Riverlands, the Vale, and the North can all assemble at that magnificent fortress."

"King's Landing is currently full of rumors about the parentage of Myrcella, Joffrey, and Tommen. Do you think Eddard and Jon Arryn don't know? The Lannisters have ambushed enough mercenaries in this city of King's Landing. After Stannis left with the Royal Fleet, Eddard and Jon Arryn did not have the certainty of victory, which is why they want to take Robert and flee to Harrenhal."

"Once Eddard reaches Harrenhal, as long as he isn't a fool, he will certainly announce at the first opportunity that your three children are bastards, thereby stripping Joffrey, Myrcella, and Tommen of their right of succession. Then, the lords of the Narrow Sea under Stannis, the lords of the Stormlands under Renly, the Canyon Knights of Jon Arryn, Eddard's Northern Army, and Hoster Tully's Riverlands Army will all vie to serve the King."

"Father's Westerlands Army will be blocked in the Riverlands. Aside from mercenaries, the Lannisters in King's Landing only have the Gold Cloaks and guards. We will die a miserable death, Cersei, and your children will just wait to be beheaded and fed to the crows."

Suspicion and fear gripped Cersei. Cersei said tremblingly, "After Robert leaves, I will be the regent. I have the Iron Throne."

Tyrion laughed, "That is just a chair. Back then, the Mad King Aerys also had the Iron Throne. When brother Jaime killed him, was the Iron Throne of any use?"

A Red Cloak walked in.

"Queen, Lord Littlefinger requests an audience with Lady Sansa."

Littlefinger walked in with long strides, bringing Sansa with him. Littlefinger wore a mischievous smile, "I met Lady Sansa at the gate of the Red Keep. It turns out she is leaving King's Landing soon and came specially to bid farewell to Prince Joffrey. Lady Sansa is truly infatuated with Prince Joffrey! I therefore came specially to bring her to see the Queen."

Cersei said gently, "Sansa, you are leaving King's Landing? Where are you going?"

Sansa said excitedly, "Father is taking us to Harrenhal. I don't like that place at all; I want to stay in King's Landing and keep Prince Joffrey company. Father sent some children to Harrenhal a few days ago, including a Smith apprentice whom everyone says is the King's bastard, and a little girl named Bella, who is also King Robert's bastard daughter."

Littlefinger took the opportunity to say, "I heard from Ser Hugh, who is with Lord Jon Arryn, that Lord Jon Arryn once disguised himself as a Silent Sister with Lord Stannis to visit Lord Eddard at night. They must have discussed going to the Isle of Faces to hatch dragons on that night! It was so mysterious that even Varys didn't know."

Cersei's face turned as dark as could be, and she squeezed out a smile, "Sansa, go find Joffrey quickly! I have already felt your sincerity, and you will become Joffrey's fiancée, I promise!"

Sansa blushed, and Cersei ordered the Red Cloak to take Sansa to see Joffrey.

Littlefinger left immediately, and only Jaime, Tyrion, and Cersei remained in the ballroom.

Cersei's face was twisted with rage, "So Stannis, Jon Arryn, and Eddard had long since united to oppose the Lannisters, and Eddard's true target was Harrenhal. They have been plotting to take away my children's right of succession, so I have no choice but to eliminate Robert. Once Robert is dead, Joffrey will be King."

Eddard returned to Rhaenys Hill, and the Captain of the Guard Jory Cassel said anxiously, "Lord Eddard, Lady Sansa is missing."

Catelyn was frantic, "Sansa must have gone to find Joffrey. I tried to persuade her to forget Joffrey today, and she even cried."

At this critical juncture, Sansa had voluntarily thrown herself into the arms of the Lannisters and become a hostage; fortunately, Eddard still had a way to remedy this.

Eddard blew a whistle, and a giant falcon landed before her. A hawk, a falcon, and an owl circled around, and Eddard instantly gained the vision of the four birds.

Eddard grasped Jory Cassel's hand, "Select three hundred elites, have them change into the uniforms of the Gold Cloaks, and wait on Rhaenys Hill for orders. Tell everyone to pack their gear and feed the horses. If anyone forces their way into Rhaenys Hill, whether they be Gold Cloaks, Red Cloaks, or mercenaries, kill them without mercy."

These Gold Cloak uniforms were confiscated by Eddard from the Gold Cloak camp on the grounds that the uniforms were not up to standard.

Eddard glanced at the underground passage of the Dragonpit, "The enemy might attack through the underground passage. Have you prepared what I arranged?"

Jory Cassel said, "I have already filled the underground passage with Wildfire. If the enemy attacks, a single fire will burn them to death."

Eddard lowered his voice, "If I have not returned by midnight, take the Winter Wolves, capture the Old Gate, protect Catelyn, and have Arya head straight for Harrenhal."

Eddard vaulted onto the back of the giant eagle. Giant Eagle Prince Michu flew alongside Eddard. The giant eagle let out a shrill cry and flew toward the Red Keep in the southeast.

Switching between the vision of a falcon, an eagle, and an owl, he arrived at the Red Keep first. Eddard used the vision of these three birds to search for Sansa. Eddard soon sensed something unusual; the gates of the Red Keep were tightly shut, and a group of Red Cloaks and Gold Cloaks were running rapidly across the drawbridge of Maegor's Holdfast and the Red Keep.

Robert Baratheon was feasting in the great hall, drinking cup after cup of Blueberry Wine. A black-haired beauty was dancing, her long dress embroidered with Winter Rose.

A singer was performing "The Song of Lyanna".

Robert Baratheon, his eyes bleary with drink, muttered to himself, "This girl Lyanna really looks like Lyanna."

Cersei came before Ser Barristan and Ser Aris, "Since His Majesty has chosen the two of you to go to the Isle of Faces, the selection of attendants should be completed by you. Two knights, go pick your men quickly!"

Ser Barristan and Ser Aris left.

Kingsguard Ser Meryn Trant and Ser Boros Blount stood guard by Robert Baratheon's side.

The strongmen Tabit and Rustu, holding harp strings in their hands, came behind Robert Baratheon.

Cersei bypassed the dancing beauty playing Lyanna. With a sweet smile, she came before Robert Baratheon, "Robert, after all these years, you still cannot forget Lyanna."

Robert Baratheon gave a light snort, "That goes without saying. If Lyanna hadn't died, would I have married you?"

The singer began to play "The Rains of Castamere".

Cersei made a gesture, and the strongmen Rustu and Tabit used the harp strings to strangle Robert Baratheon's neck. Robert Baratheon tried to break free with both hands, but it was in vain.

Robert Baratheon widened his eyes, glaring at Meryn Trant and Boros Blount to the side. He let out a grunt, "Pro-protect the King."

Cersei said venomously, "They were bought off by Lannister gold long ago. Robert, all these years in bed, you always mistook me for Lyanna. I always fantasized that you were Rhaegar. In fact, I have always firmly believed that I should have married Rhaegar, not you, this pig. The one who should have returned triumphantly from the Trident battlefield was not you, but Rhaegar!"

Robert Baratheon's face swelled like a ripe apple, and his eyeballs began to bleed. Cersei whispered in his ear, "These are the strings from Rhaegar Targaryen's harp before he died. You hammered Rhaegar to death, and Rhaegar has come to seek his revenge."

The strongmen strangled Robert Baratheon to death with the strings. Outside the window, an owl watched all of this.

Littlefinger arrived at the Tower of the Hand. Jon Arryn and Ser Hugh were packing their luggage. Littlefinger said, "Lord Arryn, you sent the Captain of the Guard, Ser Varys Egan, to protect Lady Lysa Arryn. With only these few dozen men in the Hand's guard, is it safe for you to go to Harrenhal?"

Jon Arryn came to the window and said, "I will be with Eddard's Winter Wolves and Robert Baratheon's Kingsguard, so it will be very safe."

Littlefinger made a gesture to Ser Hugh. Ser Hugh immediately covered Jon Arryn's mouth with a handkerchief and pressed him against the windowsill. Below was the sharp iron spikes in the dried-up moat.

Jon Arryn struggled weakly. Littlefinger said, "Lord Arryn, I am very sorry. Ser Hugh was knocked off his horse by the Knight of Flowers at the Tourney, losing his armor and warhorse. That was worth several Gold Dragons. He could not afford the debt, so he had to defect to me."

"According to the Lannister plan, they will get rid of Robert Baratheon and leave you alive as a hostage. But you are a nuisance and will only hinder my plans. Once you are dead, sweet Robin will be the Lord of the Vale and the Eyrie. Today, many people will die in the Red Keep, and Eddard will obviously blame this on the Lannisters. The Direwolf and the Lion will fight even more fiercely."

"Chaos is a ladder, and no one can stop me from climbing the ladder of power. Jon Arryn, I thank you for your loyal service to the country. Now, it is time for you to rest in peace."

Ser Hugh tossed Jon Arryn into the air. Jon Arryn screamed as he landed on the spikes of the moat, and a flock of crows covered him like flies.

In the Maidenvault, Joffrey looked at the foolish Sansa.

Sansa said excitedly, "Prince Joffrey, the Queen said I will be your fiancée in the future. Will you like me?"

"No."

Sansa was greatly surprised, "Why? You are the prince from my songs!"

Joffrey said gloomily, "You are truly too stupid, only believing in foolish songs. Besides, I heard from my mother that your father opposes the Lannisters at every turn. Those rumors on the street saying I am a Bastard, did your father spread them?"

Sansa felt somewhat aggrieved, "No, I..."

Joffrey picked up a barbed leather whip from the table and lashed it onto Sansa's clothes. Her arm instantly bled profusely, "You still dare to lie? It was only after your father came to King's Landing that all kinds of rumors started. It was all done by your father."

Sansa screamed repeatedly. Joffrey was about to strike again when The Hound stopped him.

"Prince, you have gone too far."

Joffrey said angrily, "Dog, get out of the room. Do not come in unless I call you."

The Hound stubbornly took the barbed leather whip and walked out the door. Joffrey picked up a Crossbow from the desk by the balcony.

Joffrey aimed the Crossbow at Sansa, "I have killed many cats and rabbits with this Crossbow. Today, I will slaughter you with this Crossbow."

Suddenly, the screech of a giant eagle came. Eddard, riding the giant eagle, smashed through the window. Joffrey turned his head, and the giant eagle's talons grazed Joffrey's scalp, instantly tearing off a piece of scalp with golden hair. Joffrey let out a horrific scream.

By the time The Hound rushed into the room, Eddard had already grabbed Sansa and escaped on the giant eagle.

On Joffrey's head, the pale skull was visible beneath the bleeding wound.

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(End of chapter)