chapter 145 part 1
**Chapter 145: The Hunter and the Prey 6**
Montun stared at Jon with dazed eyes. He rasped, "Twenty thousand Gold Dragons, half for each of us."
Jon was tempted, but after some thought, he said, "There's no need to split the gold. We're friends, I'll help you."
After speaking, Jon patted Montun's thick arm and smiled openly.
Montun first shook his head, then chuckled, "Jon, thank you, but we still need to split the money. I have a request..."
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...
On the riverbank outside King's Landing, over a hundred tents had already been erected near the tourney grounds, where thousands of spectators would gather.
Lord Eddard learned last night that King Robert had finally returned to King's Landing. Since the tourney was today, he stayed directly at the tourney grounds outside the city.
In the morning, the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, Ser Barristan Selmy, accompanied Lord Eddard Stark toward the king's tent.
As they walked, Ser Barristan spoke, "King Robert intends to participate in the melee."
Lord Eddard's face was stern. "Ser Barristan, I heard as much before you arrived."
Ser Barristan looked worried, "Lord Eddard, I only hope His Majesty has changed his mind after waking."
"That's unlikely."
...
...
The king's tent was near the waterfront, woven with gold thread—the largest and most luxurious structure in the entire tourney camp. Robert's warhammer and a huge iron shield were placed outside the entrance, the shield emblazoned with the crowned stag of House Baratheon.
After Lord Eddard and Ser Barristan entered, they saw Robert yelling at two young squires who were fumbling to help him put on his armor.
"Your Majesty, this armor is too small... it won't fit."
The young man who spoke was on the verge of tears. After saying this, under King Robert's curses, he had no choice but to try again. But his hand slipped... With a clang, the gorget meant for Robert's thick neck fell to the ground.
"Seven Hells!"
King Robert roared, "Damn you, you fools! Do I have to do everything myself? You two louts, pick that up! Don't just stand there gawking. Lancel, pick it up, now!"
Lancel was so startled he nearly jumped on the spot, hastily picking up the gorget from the ground.
King Robert turned his head to Lord Eddard and said, "Ned, look at these two fools. They can't even help a man put on armor! What kind of squires are these? They're just pigs in clothes."
Lord Eddard glanced at them and calmly said, "Robert, it's not their fault. You're too fat, that's why it doesn't fit."
"Too fat? Too fat, is that it?"
King Robert took a large gulp of wine, tossed the empty drinking horn onto the animal-skin bedding, wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, and then burst into laughter. "Damn you, Ned! Why do you always find the problem so quickly?"
King Robert turned to his two squires, who immediately forced nervous smiles.
His voice boomed, "You, yes, you two! Did you hear what the Hand of the King said? The king is too fat, so the armor won't fit. Go find Ser Allun and tell him I need the breastplate stretcher. Go on, now! What are you waiting for?"
As his voice fell, the two squires hurriedly ran out of the tent, tripping over each other along the way.
King Robert put on a serious expression... until the squires had left. Then he sat back in his chair and roared with laughter.
Even the usually humorless Ser Barristan couldn't help but crack a smile, and Lord Eddard also revealed a faint smile.
"Ah, I'd love to see the look on Ser Allun's face when he sees them."
Robert laughed, then added, "If he has any sense, he'll tell them to find someone else. We'll have those two fools running all day for nothing!"
Lord Eddard pondered for a moment, then said, "Robert, are these two boys from House Lannister?"
Lord Eddard couldn't help but notice the two squires... they were both handsome lads, fair-skinned and well-proportioned. The one with golden curly hair was around Sansa's age, and the other, with light brown hair and emerald green eyes like Queen Cersei, was about Robb's age.
King Robert wiped away the tears from his laughter and nodded. "Two of Cersei's cousins. Sons of Tywin's brother. The ones that died... no, wait... or was it the one who's still alive... I can't remember. Ned, my queen comes from a very large family."
And an ambitious one, too, Lord Eddard thought.
He had no objection to the two young squires themselves, but seeing Lannisters constantly around Robert day and night, Lord Eddard couldn't help but worry for his friend's safety.
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...
Eddard was not one for false courtesies. He went straight to the point: "Robert, I hear you intend to participate in the melee?"
King Robert said impatiently, "Ned, don't even think about stopping me!"
Lord Eddard said seriously, "Robert, the melee is no place for you."
King Robert frowned. "You're a damned nuisance. I think you've been in the North too long; your blood's frozen solid. Let me tell you, there's still fire in my blood!"
After speaking, he slapped his large hand against his chest for emphasis.
Lord Eddard, unable to back down, reminded him, "Don't forget you are the king."
King Robert roared, "I sit on that damn iron chair, does that mean I can't have the same fun as everyone else? Can't I have a drink now and then, find a wench for a bit of sport, enjoy the thrill of a ride? Seven Hells, Ned, I'm going mad. I just want to hit some people, is that so much to ask?"
Ser Barristan spoke up. "Your Majesty, it is not appropriate for the king to join the melee. If you do, the competition will not be fair... for who would dare to lay a hand on you?"
King Robert probably hadn't considered that. He paused, then said, "Hah, anyone! Damn it, as long as they have the skill, the last one standing..."
"Would certainly be you," Eddard interjected calmly.
Lord Eddard felt that Ser Barristan's words had hit the mark. Emphasizing the dangers of the tourney would only incite Robert further, but this line of reasoning appealed to his pride.
He added, "Robert, Ser Barristan is right. No one in the Seven Kingdoms would dare risk harming the king."
King Robert's face flushed crimson. He suddenly stood up and said, "Damn it, you mean those cowards would deliberately miss me?"
Lord Eddard shrugged. "Of course they would."
Ser Barristan nodded quietly, also indicating his agreement.
Robert was too angry to speak. He paced from one side of the tent to the other, turned, and walked back, his face clouded with fury. Then he snatched the breastplate from the ground and angrily threw it toward Ser Barristan... Ser Barristan dodged it.
Robert said coldly, "Get out, before I strike you."