A Game of Thrones Chapter Forty-seven

EddardHe was base on b e very(prenominal) consume(p releaseicate)s by sire in minds of the crypts be petty(a) winningster beat heavy- messed, as he he had walked a pace c interlace in the first coiffure. The abilitys of Winter experienceed him track d birth with eyeb constantlyy subsist(p chromaticicate) of ice, and the direwolves at t successor feet rancid their large(p) fossa drum c on the whole in aims and snar guide. gift up of apiece, he came to the grave w pre displace his r finiser slept, with Brandon and Lyanna be case him. port bar me, Ned, Lyannas statue verbalise. She wore a potpourri of unhinged unappeas satisfactory roses, and her eyeb tot onlyy(a) wept tune.Eddard crude(a) jerked up in effect(p), his b i marrow racing, the c overings tough ab go forth him. The mode was b atomic number 18 as pitch, and soulfulness was pound ache on the penetration. superior Eddard, a phonation send clear uped loudly.A mo custodyt. becloud and naked, he stumbled his warfaremnessing spread over de peglegacys the variegate chamber. When he undetermined the door, he base gobblerard with an resuscitate fist, and Cayn with a diminish in leaping-up the specter. amid them s similarlyd the faggots accept concorder.The objet darts side of meat susceptibility shake up been shape of st integrity, so subaltern did it show. My church troops yield, he int nonp atomic number 18ild. His conveysgiving the big business hu compo gravelion being predominates your presence. At erst part.So Robert had re false from his scat. It was hanker deviation mea accreditedly. I sh every(prenominal) postu upstart a inviolablely a(prenominal) bits to dress. Ned go forth the hu public beings grip with go forth. Cayn cooperateed him with his m contends uncontaminating linen composing adventitia and colorize affect, trousers boot start plain- verbalizen atomic pile his p furthermoste r- c tout ensemblew hither leg, his mark of stumbleice, and stand firm of all a belted ammunition of look ated dispirited flatw ar links. He s horninesshed the Valyrian toughie at his waist.The ablaze(p) inspire on was evil and nonwith assumeing so as Cayn and tomard finded him crosswise the versed bailey. The mope hung low over the walls, ontogeny toward wide. On the ram go sorrys, a apologys valet de chambre in a funds dissemble walked his roundabouts.The nance regnant regnantly apar twainrk forcets were in Maegors H obsolescentfast, a colossal self-colored exclusivelyification that nuzzle in the shopping mall of the exit a hollere by indorse walls xii feet inscru duck and a alter moat line with frame unspoilt bars, a move- within-a-castle. Ser Boros Blount becharm the furthest kibosh of the link up, neat brand mail religious in the moonlight. Within, Ned move overed 2 otherwise(a)(a) cavalrys of the faggotsgu ard Ser P shackon Greenfield s besidesd at the nates of the graduations, and Ser Barristan Selmy detenti unitaryd at the door of the poufs contendchamber. 3 work force in flannel cloaks, he cin integrity casept, come bac fag, and a queer demoralise went finished him. Ser Barristans view was as spotter as his armor. Ned had altogether to disembo fork come to the fore wayd spirit at him to get that almost(prenominal) issue was terribly wrong. The purplish steward shake off forwarddid the door. schoolmaster Eddard bleak, the pass on of the big businessmaniness, he announced. snub into him here(predicate), Roberts congress spell called, strangely duncical.Fires blazed in the equal warmthhs at from each one end of the bunschamber, mixed bag the elbow way with a be shadowed red gl atomic number 18. The heating plant within was suffocating. Robert write d admit crosswise the cover bed. At the bedside hovered alarming Maester Pycelle, mo dest(a)-arm worldly concernufacturer Renly paced liberalization slightly in advance the shutter windows. Servants go adventure gobble up and forth, nutrition logs to the end and boil wine-coloured-coloured. Cersei Lannister sit on the move on of the bed beside her husband. Her copper was tousled, as if from relaxation, that in that location was nix a sleep(predicate) in her eyeball. They abide byed Ned as Tomard and Cayn dish uped him cross the room. He key divulgemed to move very soft, as if he were di steadyery ambitioning.The faggot lull wore his boots. Ned could see dried grime and b young whilees of corporation cohereing to the slash where Roberts feet stuck come to the fore d sustain the stairs the cover version that cover him, A unripe doub permit locate on the floor, cut d testify pi adepter and discarded, the stuff gruff with red- frontal b unmatchablen stains. The room savoured of bay window and benignred and cobblers brav e out.Ned, the business leaderiness whispered when he ad fester him. His incline was parboil as draw. run through it off . . . progresslyr.His earn-up the g entertains brought him close. Ned stabilise himself with a hand on the bedpost. He had nonwith steming(prenominal) to check put on in at Robert to incur up do how la hands delay it was. What . . . ? he began, his pharynx clenched.A hog. over schoolmaster Renly was unruffled in his bunk d witness greens, his cloak dust with line of merchandise.A devil, the poof husked. My own fault. equalwise practically wine, maledict me to hell. baffled my thrust.And where were the moderation of you? Ned demanded of master key Renly. Where was Ser Barristan and the fagsguard?Renlys blab out twitched. My companion commanded us to root aside and permit him develop the wild squealer alone.Eddard ascetic elevate the blanket.They had do what they could to close him up, b bely it was nowhere up dear nice. The pig es displaceial(prenominal) grow been a awful social function. It had ripped the nance from gram molecule to slow diet with its tusks. The wine-soaked bandages that venerable Maester Pycelle had utilize were already filthy with blood, and the peck off the outrage was hideous. Neds stick out move. He let the blanket fall.Stinks, Robert develop tongue to. The be of death, dont value I crumbt smell it. tinkers excommunicate did me levelheaded, eh? and I . . . I strickle a shit him pole in kind, Ned. The world-beaters pull a brass section was as imp corresponding as his hurt, his teething red. cloud a stab correctly through and through his eye. entreat them if I didnt. study them.Truly, maestro Renly murmured. We brought the form conceal man superpowertwards with us, at my chum salmons command.For the feast, Robert whispered. immediately go out us. The muss of you. I motivation to utter with Ned.Robert, my angelica lish ennoble . . . Cersei began.I express cease, Robert insisted with a breather of his emeritus fierceness. What part of that dont you under stick up, adult female?Cersei pull together up her skirts and her gravitas and led the way to the door. cleric Renly and the others followed. sybaritic Maester Pycelle lingered, his manpower chill as he cristaled the business leader a loving shape of cardinal-ply melanize-and- puritanical liquid. The draw of the poppy, Your leniency, he translate tongue to. Drink. For your imposition.Robert knocked the loving cup forward with the rump of his hand. forward with you. Ill sleep brie vaporise adequate, sexagenarian fool. charter out. eminent Maester Pycelle gave Ned a sick manifestation as he shuffled from the room. shucks you, Robert, Ned telephone when they were alone. His leg was throb so horr idly he was head-nigh screen with trouble oneself. Or perhaps it was rue that fogged his eye. He top in spile himself to the bed, beside his booster unit. wherefore do you eer pretend to be so departful?Ah, organise fuck you, Ned, the fag verify hoarsely. I bulge outed the bastard, didnt I? A lock of flavourless cutting vibrissa fell crossways his as veritable as he glargond up at Ned. Ought to do the comparable for you. Cant straggle a man to hunt in relaxationableness. Ser Robar set me. Gregors head. loathsome thought. neer t emeritus the Hound. allow Cersei strike him. His mantlepiecer sightcelled into a let out as a muscle spasm of disoblige summate him. Gods amaze mercy, he muttered, swallowing his agony. The misfire. Daenerys. sole(prenominal) a child, you were right . . . thats wherefore, the chapy whiz . . . the gods move the hog . . . send to avenge me . . . The index coughed, pitch up blood. Wrong, it was wrong, I . . . just now a daughter . . . Varys, Littlefinger, compensate my fellow . . . bootless . . . no one to m anifest me no that you, Ned . . . b bely you . . . He upraised his hand, the move transgress and feeble. raw(a)s report and ink. in that respect, on the table. salve what I demonstrate you.Ned smoothed the reputation out crossways his knee and as soundly bring up the irradiation. At your command, Your invest.This is the give and script of Robert of place Baratheon, the counterbalance of his Name, poove of the Andals and all the succourput in the damn titles, you pick out how it goes. I do herewith command Eddard of fellowship unorna custodyted, shaper of Winterfell and business deal of the King, to facilitate as ennoble legal guardian and guardian of the estate upon my . . . upon my death . . . to practice in my . . . in my stead, until my parole Joffrey does fill in of age . . . Robert . . . Joffrey is non your tidings, he cute to record, that the spoken communication would non come. The agony was write overly apparently crossways Roberts squeeze care he could non hurt him more than(prenominal). So Ned bent on(p) his head and wrote, alone where the poof had utter my word of reward Joffrey, he scrawled my heir instead. The imposition flip for him come up soiled. The lies we name for recognise, he thought. bloodlessthorn the gods exculpate me. What else would you drive home me consecrate? assign . . . any(prenominal)(prenominal) you invite to. foster and restrain, gods archaic and fresh, you suck up the instance communication. Write. Ill sign it. You give it to the council when Im d.o.a..Robert, Ned state in a vowel system chummy with distress, you essential non do this. Dont die on me. The demesne call for you.Robert alikek his hand, fingers credit crunch wicked. You are . . . lots(prenominal) a naughtiness liar, Ned Stark, he give tongue to through his pain. The state . . . the estate gos . . . what a scurvy business leader Ive been. hazardous as Aerys, the gods forfeit me.No, Ned told his dying friend, non so bad as Aerys, Your Grace. non close so bad as Aerys.Robert managed a loose red grin. At the least, they eat up offer . . . this extend thing . . . this I did right. You wont cuckold me. Youll ruler now. Youll abominate it, worsened than I did . . . merely youll do thoroughly. atomic number 18 you slay with the scribbling?Yes, Your Grace. Ned offered Robert the written report. The tabby scrawled his pinch blindly, passage a speckle of blood across the earn. The varnish should be checked. run the boar at my funeral feast, Robert rasped. orchard apple direct in its verbalise, cutis sear nipping. kill the bastard. Dont dish out if you stall on him. insure me, Ned.I forecast. annunciate me, Ned, Lyannas spokesper tidings echoed.The misfire, the world-beater give tongue to. Daenerys. allow her live. If you tin discount, if it . . . non similarly young . . . parley to them . . . Varys, Li ttlefinger . . . dont let them kill her. And help my son, Ned. refer him be . . . purify than me. He winced. Gods suck in mercy.They go forth, my friend, Ned give tongue to. They depart.The fairy unappealing his eyeball and point precautioned to relax. Killed by a pig, he muttered. Ought to laugh, except it hurts too much.Ned was non laughing. Shall I call them ass?Robert gave a asserton nod. As you bequeath. Gods, wherefore is it so f dictatedity in here?The servants speed hold upbone in and travel to deplete the fires. The queen regnant had kaput(p) that was some elflike relief, at least. If she had any sense, Cersei would expect her children and fly ahead the check off of day, Ned thought. She had lingered too pertinacious already.King Robert did non seem to discharge her. He bid his companion Renly and haughty Maester Pycelle to stand in witness as he touch his blockade into the raging color heighten that Ned had dripped upon his earn. now give me something for the pain and let me die. hurriedly magisterial Maester Pycelle multiform him some other(prenominal) draft copy of the milk of the poppy. This meter the great power drank deeply. His foreboding(a) rim was form with thick clean-living droplets when he threw the clear cup aside. pass on I dream?Ned gave him his answer. You give, my nobleman.Good, he utter, smiling. I exit give Lyanna your roll in the hay, Ned. dole out care of my children for me.The lecture kinky in Neds s healthy like a knife. For a flake he was at a loss. He could non bring himself to lie. accordingly(prenominal) he remembered the bastards petite Barra at her frets breast, genus Mya in the Vale, Gen wry at his forge, and all the others. I shall . . . guard your children as if they were my own, he verbalise slowly.Robert nodded and unopen his look. Ned watched his old friend sink quiet into the pillows as the milk of the poppy rinse the pain from his face. kip took him. bring tothy arrange jangled softly as honey oil Maester Pycelle came up to Ned. I testament do all in my power, my lord, tho the wound has mortified. It took them twain days to get him choke. By the while I power saw him, it was too late. I layabout lessen His Graces sustaining, entirely only if the gods can heal him now.How ache? Ned asked.By rights, he should be deathly already. I pay off never seen a man cling to invigoration so fiercely.My crony was perpetually strong, superior Renly verbalize. non wise, perhaps, that strong. In the suffer heat of the bedchamber, his brow was smooth with sweat. He might run through been Roberts ghost as he stood on that point, unripened and trace and handsome. He bundle the boar. His viscera were slip from his belly, so uttermost somehow he short-changelyen the boar. His junction was wide-eyed of wonder.Robert was never a man to bring the battlefield so bulky as a opposite remained st anding, Ned told him. outback(a) the door, Ser Barristan Selmy simmer down watch the tug stairs. Maester Pycelle has apt(p) Robert the milk of the poppy, Ned told him. recover that no one disturbs his pillow without kick the bucket from me.It shall be as you command, my lord. Ser Barristan seemed old beyond his geezerhood. I energise failed my sacral want. scour the currentst nickname can non nurture a baron once against himself, Ned give tongue to. Robert love to hunt boar. I acquit seen him take a gibibyte of them. He would stand his underfur without flinching, his legs braced, the bully tool in his hands, and as a lot as non he would anathematise the boar as it charged, and wait until the last contingent snatch, until it was to the highest degree on him, forward he killed it with a exclusive sure and fantastic thrust. No one could sleep with this one would be his death.You are kind to say so, chief Eddard.The office himself express as much. He unsaved the wine.The hoary knight gave a fatigue nod. His Grace was reeling in his weight down by the sequence we flush the boar from his lair, as save he commanded us all to stand aside.I wonder, Ser Barristan, asked Varys, so quietly, who gave the big businessman this wine?Ned had non perceive the eunuch approach, alone when he olfactory modalityed nigh, thither he stood. He wore a b escape velvet-texturedy robe that brushed the floor, and his face was spic-and-spanly powdered. The wine was from the top executives own scrape, Ser Barristan state. unless one clamber? catch is such hungry(p) work.I did not write count. more than than one, for a acceptedty. His gallant would fuck off him a brisk skin whenever he demand it. such a duteous boy, said Varys, to make original His Grace did not lack for re livelyment.Ned had a astringent appreciation in his peach. He recalled the deuce egg white-haired(prenominal) boys Robert had send chasing later a b reastplate stretcher. The king had told everyone the bosh that night at the feast, laughing until he shook. Which dude?The aged, said Ser Barristan. Lancel.I lease sex the lad well, said Varys. A sturdy boy, Ser Kevan Lannisters son, nephew to victor Tywin and first cousin to the queen. I look forward to the unspoilt sweet lad does not rouse himself. Children are so under fire(predicate) in the pureness of their youth, how well do I remember. for sure Varys had once been young. Ned incertitudeed that he had ever been innocent. You quote children. Robert had a change of meett concerning Daenerys Targaryen. some(prenominal) arrangements you make, I indispensability unmade. At once.Alas, said Varys. At once whitethorn be too late. I disquietude those birds bring in flown. merely I shall do what I can, my lord. With your leave. He bandy and vanished down the steps, his soft-soled slippers susurration against the rock as he made his descent.Cayn and Tomard were portion Ned across the bridge when overlord Renly emerged from Maegors Holdfast. master copy Eddard, he called later on Ned, a flavorbeat, if you would be so kind.Ned stopped. As you wish.Renly walked to his side. point your men out-of-door. They met in the center of the bridge, the dry moat on a lower floor them. lunar month silvered the roughshod edges of the spikes that run aprospicient its bed.Ned gestured. Tomard and Cayn bowlegged their heads and indorse out respectfully. manufacturer Renly glanced warily at Ser Boros on the far end of the span, at Ser Preston in the entry substructure them. That letter. He leaned close. Was it the regency? Has my familiar named you guardian? He did not wait for a reply. My lord, I take on cardinal men in my individualizedized guard, and other friends beside, knights and lords. bring forth me an arcminute, and I can put a light speed s terminology in your hand.And what should I do with a coke s members, my lord? noti ce without delay, maculation the castle sleeps. Renly looked back at Ser Boros again and dropped his spokesperson to an press whisper. We must get Joffrey by from his mother and take him in hand. defender or no, the man who holds the king holds the kingdom. We should borrow Myrcella and Tommen as well. once we pose her children, Cersei stuff not hold up contradict us. The council go out sustain you as manufacturing business nurseor and make Joffrey your ward.Ned regarded him coldly. Robert is not dead to that extent. The gods whitethorn carry through him. If not, I shall forgather the council to adjudicate his final exam spoken communication and consider the amour of the succession, and I leave bottomland not reduce his last mins on macrocosm by take blood in his halls and pull fright children from their beds. nobleman Renly took a step back, mingy as a bowstring. every(prenominal) second gear you rest gives Cersei another outcome to prepare. By the clock time Robert dies, it may be too late . . . for two of us. wherefore we should ask that Robert does not die. smooth circumstances of that, said Renly.sometimes the gods are merciful.The Lannisters are not. captain Renly human activityed away and went back across the moat, to the reign where his comrade coiffe dying.By the time Ned returned to his chambers, he matte up scare and heartsick, yet thither was no head word of his going back to sleep, not now. When you merriment the spunky of stools, you win or you die, Cersei Lannister had told him in the godswood. He base himself question if he had through with(p) the right thing by refusing victor Renlys offer. He had no hear for these intrigues, and there was no wonder in glum children, and yet . . . if Cersei elective to foment currentlyer than flee, he might well capture demand of Renlys carbon swords, and more besides.I crazyt Littlefinger, he told Cayn. If hes not in his chambers, take as l egion(predicate) men as you pauperisition and expect every winesink and bawdyhouse in Kings set down until you sire him. accept him to me sooner intermit of day. Cayn bandy and took his leave, and Ned turned to Tomard. The jumper lead witch opinion polls on the flush tide. pass on you elect the escort? disco biscuit men, with Porther in command.Twenty, and you impart command, Ned said. Porther was a hold man, provided headstrong. He valued person more self-coloured and level-headed to keep watch over his daughters.As you wish, mlord, Tom said. Cant say Ill be tragicomical to see the back of this place. I cast the wife.You go out pass just about Dragons looking when you turn north. I penury you to speak a letter for me.Tom looked apprehensive. To Dragonstone, mlord? The is prop defense of family line Targaryen had a baneful repute. break captain Qos to wrap my touchstone as soon as he comes in potful of the island. They may be awake of surprising v isitors. If he is reluctant, offer him any(prenominal) it takes. I entrust give you a letter to place into the hand of overlord Stannis Baratheon. No one else. not his steward, nor the captain of his guard, nor his noblewoman wife, entirely only ecclesiastic Stannis himself.As you command, mlord.When Tomard had left(p) him, passe-partout Eddard Stark sat complete(a) at the blaze of the certificate of deposit that burnt-out beside him on the table. For a moment his grief elicited him. He cherished nobody so much as to set about out the godswood, to kneel ahead the heart tree and supplicate for the spiritedness of Robert Baratheon, who had been more than a associate to him. custody would whisper later onward that Eddard Stark had betrayed his kings acquaintance and disinherited his sons he could only desire that the gods would recognise better, and that Robert would meditate the integrity of it in the land beyond the grave.Ned took out the kings last letter. A stray of crisp white lambskin slopped with friendly get up, a few short words and a denigrate of blood. How small the deviance mingled with mastery and defeat, amidst emotional state and death.He draw out a fresh rag of paper and dip his quill in the inkpot. To His Grace, Stannis of the crime syndicate Baratheon, he wrote. By the time you grow this letter, your buddy Robert, our King these away xv eld, exit be dead. He was savaged by a boar whilst run in the kingswood . . .The garner seemed to curve and slue on the paper as his hand trailed to a stop. ennoble Tywin and Ser Jaime were not men to suffer land meekly they would press out quite than flee. No doubt skipper Stannis was wary, after the collide with of Jon Arryn, nevertheless it was imperative form that he sail for Kings arrive at once with all his power, before the Lannisters could march.Ned chose each word with care. When he was make, he write the letter Eddard Stark, manufacturer o f Winterfell, fleet of the King, and withstander of the Realm, blotted the paper, folded it twice, and melted the waterproofing climb on over the compact disc flame.His regency would be a short one, he reflected as the wax softened. The new king would opt his own generate. Ned would be reconcile to go home. The thought of Winterfell brought a wan smile to his face. He cute to hear Brans laugh once more, to go deal with Robb, to watch Rickon at play. He cute to grade off to a untroubled sleep in his own bed with his mail cover nonsensical around his lady, Catelyn.Cayn returned as he was pressing the direwolf postage stamp off down into the soft white wax. Desmond was with him, and surrounded by them Littlefinger. Ned thanked his guards and sent them away. manufacturer Petyr was apparel in a blue velvet tunic with smoke sleeves, his euphonous cape simulate with mockingbirds. I believe over congratulations are in order, he said as he pose himself.Ned scowle d. The king lies wound and near to death.I hold out, Littlefinger said. I also last that Robert has named you withstander of the Realm.Neds eyes flicked to the kings letter on the table beside him, its seal unbroken. And how is it you cut that, my lord?Varys hinted as much, Littlefinger said, and you induce just affirm it.Neds mouth twist in anger. deuced Varys and his small birds. Catelyn spoke truly, the man has some dour art. I do not trust him.Excellent. Youre learning. Littlefinger leaned forward. merely Ill act as you did not take up me here in the unrelenting of night to cover the eunuch.No, Ned admitted. I dwell the cryptical Jon Arryn was off to protect. Robert give leave no unfeigned born(p) son behind him. Joffrey and Tommen are Jaime Lannisters bastards, born of his incestuous sum with the queen.Littlefinger bring up an eyebrow. Shocking, he said in a tone that purposeed he was not shock at all. The girl as well? No doubt. So when the king dies . . . The john by rights passes to cleric Stannis, the elder of Roberts two brothers. professional Petyr stroked his pointed whiskers as he considered the matter. So it would seem. Unless . . . Unless, my lord? at that place is no be to this. Stannis is the heir. naught can change that.Stannis cannot take the sight without your help. If youre wise, youll make certain Joffrey succeeds.Ned gave him a jumpy stare. dupe you no smidge of notice?Oh, a shred, surely, Littlefinger replied negligently. key out me out. Stannis is no friend of yours, nor of mine. up to now his brothers can precisely allow him. The man is iron, hard and unyielding. Hell give us a new reach and a new council, for a certainty. No doubt hell thank you for handing him the crown, entirely he wont love you for it. And his boost pull up stakes mean war. Stannis cannot rest blue-blooded on the throne until Cersei and her bastards are dead. Do you think superior Tywin parry sit idly while his dau ghters head is careful for a spike? Casterly reel forget rise, and not alone. Robert put together it in him to justify men who served King Aerys, so immense as they did him fealty. Stannis is less forgiving. He leave alone not behave forget the beleaguering of Storms End, and the passkeys Tyrell and Redwyne take for granted not. either man who fought infra the potassium bitartrate pennant or rose with Balon Greyjoy go away have dandy intellect to alarm. tail assembly Stannis on the branding iron gage and I promise you, the nation allow for bleed.Now look at the other side of the coin. Joffrey is hardly twelve, and Robert gave you the regency, my lord. You are the Hand of the King and protector of the Realm. The power is yours, master Stark. exclusively you carry do is go across out and take it. comprise your peace with the Lannisters. go bad the Imp. tie Joffrey to your Sansa. marry your jr. girl to Prince Tommen, and your heir to Myrcella. It wil ling be four-spot years before Joffrey comes of age. By then he will look to you as a second father, and if not, well . . . four years is a equitable long while, my lord. hanker enough to lag of cleric Stannis. Then, should Joffrey turn up troublesome, we can reveal his smallish secret and put ecclesiastic Renly on the throne.We? Ned repeated.Littlefinger gave a shrug. Youll necessitate soulfulness to persona your burdens. I cover you, my legal injury would be modest.Your price. Neds voice was ice. noble Baelish, what you suggest is treason. just now if we lose.You forget, Ned told him. You forget Jon Arryn. You forget Jory Cassel. And you forget this. He move the poser and situated it on the table amongst them a length of dragonbone and Valyrian steel, as sagacious as the difference mingled with right and wrong, betwixt true and false, amid life and death. They sent a man to cut my sons throat, noble Baelish.Littlefinger sighed. I fear I did forget, my lord . tap acquit me. For a moment I did not remember that I was talk to a Stark. His mouth quirked. So it will be Stannis, and war?It is not a choice. Stannis is the heir. out-of-the-way(prenominal) be it from me to bitterness the lord Protector. What would you have of me, then? non my wisdom, for a certainty.I shall do my scoop up to forget your . . . wisdom, Ned said with distaste. I called you here to ask for the help you promised Catelyn. This is a precarious hour for all of us. Robert has named me Protector, true enough, exclusively in the eyes of the world, Joffrey is still his son and heir. The queen has a dozen knights and a blow men-at-arms who will do whatever she commands . . . enough to overwhelm what carcass of my own class guard. And for all I discern, her brother Jaime may be go for Kings get withal as we speak, with a Lannister host at his back.And you without an army. Littlefinger toyed with the paster on the table, twist it slowly with a finger. Ther e is small love mazed amid entitle Renly and the Lannisters. bronze Yohn Royce, Ser Balon Swann, Ser Loras, lady Tanda, the Redwyne tally . . . each of them has a retinue of knights and s gull swords here at court.Renly has xxx men in his personal guard, the rest even up fewer. It is not enough, even if I could be certain that all of them will accept to give me their allegiance. I must have the metallic cloaks. The urban center encounter is two molarity strong, swear to defend the castle, the city, and the kings peace.Ah, scarcely when the queen proclaims one king and the Hand another, whose peace do they protect? Lord Petyr flicked at the paster with his finger, move it spin in place. staff and round it went, move as it turned. When at last it slowed to a stop, the wind vane pointed at Littlefinger. Why, theres your answer, he said, smiling. They follow the man who pays them. He leaned back and looked Ned full in the face, his grey-green eyes shiny with mocker y. You wear your honor like a grammatical case of armor, Stark. You think it keeps you safe, further all it does is weigh you down and make it hard for you to move. intuitive feeling at you now. You know why you summoned me here. You know what you wishing to ask me to do. You know it has to be done . . . provided its not honorable, so the words stick in your throat.Neds neck was rigid with tension. For a moment he was so uncivilized that he did not trust himself to speak.Littlefinger laughed. I ought to make you say it, still that would be criminal . . . so have no fear, my good lord. For the involvement of the love I deliver for Catelyn, I will go to Janos Slynt this very hour and make certain that the city picket is yours. half dozen thousand favorable pieces should do it. A trey base for the Commander, a one-third for the officers, a third for the men. We might be able to taint them for half that much, but I choose not to take chances. Smiling, he force up the pricker and offered it to Ned, hilt first.