King's Landing.
Hooves thundered along the long street.
Jaime Lannister led a hundred Lannister soldiers, blocking the path of Ned Stark.
Behind Ned, Jory Cassel instantly drew his sword and stepped forward, shielding Ned with his body.
His expression was grim as he shouted coldly, "Stand ready!"
In an instant, more than a hundred Stark soldiers emerged from concealment, forming a tight protective ring around Ned.
Jaime raised an eyebrow and sneered. "Oh my. Our Hand of the King is quite afraid of death. Such a large escort just to go out."
Ned looked coldly at Jaime on horseback and demanded, "Kingslayer, what are you trying to do?"
"Leading troops to block the Hand of the King is treason. As a member of the Kingsguard, you know that."
Jaime shrugged. "You misunderstand, Lord Hand. I only want to ask you a few questions."
He stared at Ned and asked seriously, "Where has your wife taken my lost brother?"
"And who ordered her to do it?"
Ned's heart jolted. He had never expected Catelyn to strike first.
'Does Catelyn even know what she's doing?'
Shock and anger churned within him.
After discovering that the queen's children were not Robert's, Ned had decided to find a chance to tell the king.
He would have Robert punish the Lannisters in the king's name.
But Robert had gone hunting after the tourney ended and had not yet returned.
Now, Catelyn's seizure of Tyrion would surely alert Tywin Lannister and complicate everything.
'Catelyn…'
'What exactly happened on your end?'
Calming himself, Ned's eyes darkened.
Though caught off guard, he chose without hesitation to take responsibility for Catelyn's actions.
He met Jaime's gaze and said heavily, "Everything she did was on my orders."
"Kingslayer, do you think denying it will erase the fact that you tried to murder my son?"
A cold smile curled at Jaime's lips. "Hmph. Good that you admit it."
Ignoring the rest of Ned's words, he drew his sword with a clear ring. At his movement, the Lannister soldiers reacted in unison, weapons leveled at the Starks.
The Stark soldiers showed no weakness, raising their weapons at the same time, ready to fight.
The two sides faced off, the tension razor sharp.
The common folk who had been watching scattered in a panic back to their homes.
Yet the people of King's Landing were bold.
One by one, they peered out from windows, eyes alight as they watched the confrontation between Jaime Lannister and Ned Stark.
They seemed eager to see blood spilled.
Just as both sides were about to lose control, a voice suddenly rang out from afar, breaking the deadlock.
"Lord Hand, there are petitioners at the Red Keep!"
Heward Mouton carefully skirted the Lannister soldiers, his voice trembling as he stood between the two forces.
"Lord Hand, please go to the Red Keep at once. The great lords are waiting for you."
Ned glanced at the servant and recognized him as the man he had helped half a month earlier.
He gave Heward a slight nod, then fixed Jaime with a hard stare.
"Kingslayer, I'll say this one last time. Move aside."
Jaime's expression flickered at the servant's appearance. He knew he would not get his satisfaction today.
He glared at Ned and spat, "If anything happens to my brother, I'll make House Stark pay in blood!"
With that threat, Jaime wheeled his horse and rode out of the city. He had already received his father's order to march and was going to join Tywin.
The Lannister soldiers followed, jogging away behind him.
Ned watched Jaime ride off and sighed inwardly. "Winter is coming. It seems we must prepare early."
He beckoned Jory Cassel over.
Jory scanned the surroundings warily.
Only after the Lannister soldiers were gone did he hurry to Ned's side. "My lord."
Ned nodded and instructed him, "Send fifty men to guard the Tower of the Hand. Protect Arya and Rickon. They are not to step outside the tower for even a moment."
Jory understood at once. "Yes, my lord."
After a moment's thought, Ned added, "Send someone to find Lord Baelish. Tell him I need to see him later."
Jory nodded and turned to carry out the orders.
Ned cast a worried glance northward, then, under guard, went with Heward Mouton to the Red Keep to meet the king.
While Ned was on his way to the great hall of the Red Keep, on the other side of King's Landing, Littlefinger was just as busy.
In a residence on Aegon's High Hill, he was drinking with Janos Slynt, commander of the Gold Cloaks.
The two laughed and chatted, the atmosphere warm.
Seeing Littlefinger's cup empty again, Janos stood up with a grin and refilled it with summerwine.
After setting the bottle down, he returned to his seat and asked casually, "Lord Baelish, I hear the Hand plans to reorganize the City Watch?"
Littlefinger nodded with a light smile. "That's right. The Hand has heard the Gold Cloaks are deeply corrupt and intends to look into it."
Janos's heart jumped. "How does the Hand plan to investigate?"
Littlefinger lifted his cup and said meaningfully, "He plans to have me do it."
The stone in Janos's chest dropped at once.
He laughed broadly. "Ha! Then I'm relieved. We're on the same side."
From the money skimmed by the City Watch, Janos kept a portion, while another portion passed through Littlefinger's hands into the royal treasury.
Of course, Littlefinger took his own share along the way. After all, if he did not take any, how could the king?
And if the king did not, how could Janos have stayed commander for so many years?
Without royal protection, Jon Arryn would have removed him long ago.
Littlefinger knew Janos's thoughts well.
'If I want Janos to obey me, I'll need to scare him a bit using Stark authority.'
'Otherwise, he might not listen.'
Littlefinger's smile faded as he said gravely, "My Lord Janos, you're still as optimistic as ever."
"These are different times. Everyone is getting serious now."
Janos was confused. "Serious? Baelish, do you really intend to uncover something?"
Littlefinger shook his head. "You misunderstand. It's not what I want to uncover. It's what the Hand wants to uncover."
He took a sip of summerwine and spoke gently to the anxious Janos. "You know the situation in King's Landing."
"The two thousand Gold Cloaks are like piles of gold dragons. Everyone wants them under their control."
"The Hand is no exception."
Janos flared. "So he plans to replace me and put his own man in charge?"
Littlefinger nodded, confirming it.
Bang.
Janos slammed the table in anger. "Lord Baelish, the Hand may not understand me, but you should!"
"I've worked diligently and never shirked my duties. All the trouble during the tourney, wherever he sent me, I went without complaint."
Watching Littlefinger closely, he tested, "Yes, I've taken a bit of money."
"But that money wasn't just for me."
Littlefinger smiled. "Of course I know where it went. But what do you think the Hand will think?"
He paused and reminded him, "Lord Janos, you should know what kind of man the Hand is."
Janos froze.
After so many days in King's Landing, he had figured out Ned's character. He was even more inflexible than Jon Arryn.
"But even so…"
He stopped mid sentence, suddenly understanding Littlefinger's meaning.
"Lord Baelish, do you have a way to help me?"
Littlefinger chuckled. "I do. That depends on whether you're willing to listen."
Janos stood up at once. "Just give the word. I won't hesitate."
Littlefinger's next words sent a chill through him. "Even if it means moving the Gold Cloaks on my orders?"
Janos lowered his voice in alarm. "What are you implying?"
Littlefinger did not elaborate. "King's Landing has reached the point where sides must be chosen again."
"Win the gamble, and you gain rank and riches. Lose it, and death is only the beginning. Your family may suffer as well."
"Lord Janos, think carefully."
Janos finally understood. Thinking of his long partnership with Littlefinger and how it had never gone wrong, he smiled.
"We're partners. Of course we advance and retreat together."
Delighted, Littlefinger lifted his cup. "Agreed?"
Janos raised his cup as well. "Agreed."
They exchanged smiles and drank it down.
While Littlefinger and Janos sealed their pact, in the great hall of the Red Keep, Ned sat high upon the Iron Throne.
The great lords stood on either side, looking down with him at the villagers kneeling below.
Their clothes were ragged as they claimed their homes had been slaughtered by Gregor Clegane of the Westerlands, children spared by none.
They had come to King's Landing to petition the king.
With the king absent, Ned handled the matter in full as Hand of the King.
"I have heard your plea."
Ned rose from the Iron Throne and surveyed the hall, raising his voice.
"In the name of Robert of House Baratheon, First of His Name, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm."
"I, Eddard of House Stark, as his Hand, command you to raise the king's banners, cross the Red Fork of the Trident at once, and enter the Westerlands."
"By the laws of the realm, bring justice upon the false knight Gregor Clegane and all who conspired with him."
His gaze was stern. "I hereby strip him of all ranks and titles, confiscate all lands, incomes, and holdings."
"And sentence him to death. May the gods have mercy on his soul."
At his words, the assembled lords moved to carry out the orders.
"Today's petition is concluded."
"Take the villagers to rest briefly, then escort them home."
Ned stepped down from the Iron Throne as servants flooded into the hall and led the villagers away.
His eyes shifted, and he noticed Heward Mouton among them. "Ser Heward, I need you to go to the king and report today's matter to him."
Heward froze, then beamed. "Yes, Lord Hand. I'll go at once!"
The other lords glanced at him but said nothing.
"Lord Varys, wait a moment. I need pen and paper." Ned called out as Varys gathered documents.
Varys's eyes flickered as if he sensed something. He stepped back with a smile. "As you wish, Lord Hand. I'll tidy up later."
Ned nodded slightly and watched him leave.
He took pen and paper, wrote a single line, sealed it, and stamped it with the Hand's seal.
Calling a guard at the door, he whispered instructions and handed over the letter.
Seeing the name on it, the guard swallowed hard, tucked it away, and hurried out.
Ned's gaze lingered on the Iron Throne one last time before he turned and left.
An hour later, Ned entered the godswood. Not long after, a proud and graceful woman followed him in.
Seated on the grass, Ned turned, his eyes filled with complexity.
"Why here?" Queen Cersei asked, standing over him.
"So the gods may bear witness," Ned replied softly.
Cersei's lips twitched, as if to mock him, but Ned spoke first. "I know how Jon Arryn died."
He stood slowly, staring coldly at the elegant queen.
"Oh?" Cersei said coolly. "You summoned me for that? Do you mean to abduct a Lannister as your wife did?"
"If you thought that, you wouldn't have come," Ned said.
Then he added firmly, "I also know about you and your brother."
Cersei showed no surprise. "And what of it?"
"We grew up together, as one. The Targaryens married siblings for three hundred years to keep their blood pure. Why shouldn't Jaime and I?"
Ned did not answer her question. "My son Bran…"
Cersei faced it calmly. "That child was an unfortunate accident. I should even thank him."
"If he hadn't spoken up, Jaime and I would never have known Theon Greyjoy was spying."
Pain flickered in Ned's eyes as the last puzzle piece fell into place.
"So Theon was…"
"Yes. Jaime forced him to do it. He pushed Bran from the tower with his own hands."
Cersei sneered. "That squid was weak. A little pressure from Jaime and he agreed at once."
Ned's face twitched as he finally understood why Jaime had to kill Theon. Not a conspiracy, but silencing him forever.
"You love your children," Cersei said softly, stepping closer. "I love mine as well."
She tried to draw nearer, speaking of her misery after marrying Robert, offering gentle, dangerous hints.
From her words, Ned learned that Robert had treated her as nothing more than a vessel for his rage.
When her hand was about to touch his face, Ned stepped back sharply. "Your Grace, show some respect. I am a man who keeps his honor."
Cersei spat, "To hell with your honor. Don't pretend to be righteous. Don't you have a bastard son? I've seen him myself."
Ned did not rise to anger. "Whatever else, I do not kill children."
"Listen carefully. I will say this only once."
He met her gaze. "When the king returns, I will tell him everything. Before that, you must leave."
"Leave?" Cersei's eyes widened for the first time.
"Yes. Take your children and go. Do not return to the Westerlands. Take a ship to the Summer Isles or elsewhere, as far away as possible."
"If your father and brother will go with you, all the better."
It was his final warning. Cersei could hardly believe what she was hearing.
For a moment, she said nothing.
She studied Ned deeply, then turned and left the godswood. As she stepped out, she spoke, perhaps to herself, perhaps to him.
"In the game of power, you either win or you die."
"There is no middle ground."
Ned watched her back and said nothing.
His eyes were as steady as ever, unchanged.
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