The second Barristan rode into the lists the entire crowd erupted like thunder.
He sat tall and straight on his warhorse, those sad blue eyes of his fixed ahead. Even with snow-white hair and years behind him, the man still looked like a living statue of strength and grace—an unmovable mountain in armor.
His opponent, a minor lord from the Riverlands named Bruce Wayne, couldn't hide the dread in his eyes. He already knew he had no chance against the legend. All he could do was try to last a few passes and keep his dignity.
He'd also heard the betting odds. Nobody was even taking wagers on who would win—only on which round he'd get knocked off his horse. So he gritted his teeth, lowered his lance, and decided to make it count.
Leo watched with real interest. Not just because Barristan was his teacher, but because the name Bruce Wayne had made him do a double-take.
The match started fast.
To everyone's surprise, the young Riverlander didn't get dumped in the first tilt like most people expected. Thanks to two months of constant sparring with Barristan, Leo could tell exactly what was happening: the old knight was deliberately holding back.
They traded broken lances, clashed four or five times, until Barristan finally landed a clean hit and unhorsed him.
A lot of bettors groaned in disappointment. Some even muttered that maybe Barristan really was getting old if he couldn't finish a nobody any faster.
The young knight, however, looked almost proud as he climbed to his feet. Lasting four or five passes against Barristan the Bold was something he could brag about for the rest of his life. He left the field smiling.
When Barristan returned to the royal platform, Leo stepped over to congratulate him, then quietly asked what had happened.
Barristan admitted it with a small smile. He'd eased off on purpose. "The boy still has a long road ahead of him. No reason to crush his spirit." He also wanted future opponents to underestimate him—let them think the old lion had lost his teeth. The tourney wasn't fought only on the field; it was fought in every little detail.
Leo nodded, impressed. Old ginger really is still the hottest.
A few more matches wrapped up the morning jousts. Robert then ordered a quick lunch set up on the nearby grass.
Most of the knights who still had to fight in the afternoon melee kept their drinking light—just enough food to keep their strength up. Leo did the same. He raised one polite cup to the king, then set it down.
Robert grumbled good-naturedly. "You're no fun when you're sober. Tonight at the feast we're drinking until one of us drops. You're the only man in years who's actually managed to outdrink me."
"As you wish, Your Grace," Leo said with a grin.
Right then a familiar oily voice spoke at his shoulder.
"Ser Neo, congratulations on your first victory."
Varys had slipped up beside him, bald head gleaming, that soft, unpleasant smile fixed in place. "Might I have a private word? It's rather loud here."
Leo felt a flicker of surprise but nodded. He followed the Spider away from the noisy feast to the shade of a large tree a short distance off.
"Varys, my friend," Leo said warmly, using the word the eunuch had offered last time, "what's on your mind?"
Varys glanced around to make sure no one was close, then spoke quietly. "A small matter, my friend. A bad one, I'm afraid. Someone has questioned your background and has urged the king to investigate thoroughly—so His Grace isn't being deceived by lies."
Leo's stomach tightened, but he kept his face calm.
Varys continued, eyes never leaving Leo's. "As Master of Whisperers, the king passed the task to me. My little birds are everywhere—across the Seven Kingdoms and in the nine Free Cities beyond the Narrow Sea. If they find any record of a huge fleet of thousands of men sailing from the distant east… well, that would prove your story, wouldn't it?"
The words landed like a hammer.
Leo's entire backstory—the Great Tang Empire, the duke father, the lost fleet of thousands—was pure invention. A necessary lie to explain his sudden wealth and power in a world that ate outsiders alive.
Varys let the silence stretch, watching every micro-expression on Leo's face.
Leo's mind raced. The little birds would find nothing—because no such fleet had ever existed. One quiet check in the Free Cities would expose the whole fabrication.
Varys's smile deepened, slow and knowing.
Leo realized in that moment that the Spider already suspected the truth… and had just handed him the perfect opening to do something about it.