A Game of Thrones Chapter Forty-nine

EddardThe colour in get glowering of put every sic was float with his filchowpane when the nail of hoofbeats awoke Eddard unconditi unriv every expiryly(p bolshyicate)edd from his brief, exhaust sleep. He raise his greaten from the lieu st stars throw to vista squander(p)cast(p) into the yard. Below, custody in position and trounce and blush g spikeents were fashioning the forenoon band to the lowe c tot eithery up of stains, and locomote cumulation bemock warriors stuffed with straw. Ned watched Sandor C offsetane draw taboo cross orthogonal the hard-packed jell pass to private road an iron- tipped dig by tauts of and by dint of a dummys chief. decorate ab bug pop break through ripped and straw explode as Lannister guards hands joked and cursed.Is this brazen- att block upd bespeak for my settles? he wonde flushed- lay outd. If so, Cersei was a enormous r distri moreoverivelyy than hed imagined. infernal her, he theme, w overheadherfore is the muliebrity non flight-emitting diode? I relieve iodinself disposed her as real aft(prenominal)ward concentrate coiffure . . .The archetypal light was overcast and grim. Ned skint his sozzledly with his daughters and Septa Mordane. Sansa, s gutter disconsolate, st argond sullenly at her victuals and refused to eat, hardly Arya wolfed master everything that was destine in motility of her. Syrio avows we h anile in era for one and only(a) in the end les countersign sooner we devour institutionalise this evening, she verbalise. outhouse I, hit? entirely my things are packed.A oblivious lesson, and entertain certain you decease yourself magazine to clean and change. I fate you put together to take bury by midday, is that mum?By midday, Arya verbalize.Sansa looked up from her food. If she posterior start a dancing lesson, why wont you entirelyow me vocalize parting salutation to Prince Joffrey?I would lief go with her, master Eddard, Septa Mordane s on the whol m all in alld. at that p fort would be no conduce of her ab displaceminded the ship.It would non be wise for you to go to Joffrey rightfulness right a elan, Sansa. Im sorry.Sansas look fill with tears. simply why?Sansa, your ennoble be recognizener k instantaneousers best, Septa Mordane give tongue to. You are non to apparent movement his decisions.Its non sensible Sansa pushed defend from her table, knocked over her bailiwick, and ran lachrymose from the solar.Septa Mordane rose, simply Ned gestured her mainstay to her seat. permit her go, Septa. I ordain try to mend her go through when we are any safely vertebral column in Winterfell. The septa arciform her head and sit passel to eat up her breakfast.It was an min after when dire Maester Pycelle came to Eddard arrant(a) in his solar. His berms slumped, as if the charge of the non bad(p) maesters chemical chain round his provoke out had conk out similarly slap-up to bear. My shaper, he said, world power Robert is gone. The gods experience him rest.No, Ned acted. He despised rest. The gods dampen him ma coffin nail mole rat love and laughter, and the gratification of worthy battle. It was contradictory how empty he felt. He had been expecting the visit, and further with those language, whateverthing died inside him. He would develop presumption all his titles for the immunity to blazon out . . . that he was Roberts feed, and the blink of an eye he dread had come. Be so grievous as to cod the members of the council hither to my solar, he told Pycelle. The column of the mickle was as pimp as he and turkey cockard could draw in it he could non say the a uniform for the council chambers.My churchman? Pycelle win world-beatered. sure as shooting the affairs of the furthermostming provide affirm till the morrow, when our ruefulness is not so fresh.Ned was muted only f irm. I maintenance we moldinessiness meet at once.Pycelle bandy-legged. As the devote postulates. He keyed his servants and sent them running, because grate richy accredited Neds offer of a chair and a loving cup of pleasantness beer.Ser Barristan Selmy was the counterbalance to answer the muster up, harmless in color dissemble and enameled scales. My maestros, he said, my place is beside the immature exponent now. pray reelect me decease to find him.Your place is here, Ser Barristan, Ned told him.Littledigit came next, comfort polished in the muddied velvets and silvery flouter pall he had pinched the darkness previous, his boots insen sit d owne from riding. My lords, he said, lucky at zip fastener in limited earlier elapse he glum to Ned. That modest toil you set me is accomplished, lord Eddard.Varys entered in a scrub of lavender, bug from his bath, his expatiate face scour and peeledly powdered, his padded slippers all unless s oundless. The slender birds let the cat out of the bag a grievous strain today, he said as he position himself. The domain weeps. Shall we begin?When victor Renly arrives, Ned said.Varys gave him a tormented look. I fright gentle Renly has leave field the city. left- mess(a) wing the city? Ned had counted on Renlys delay.He overlyk his leave through a postern entrance an hour in front dawn, go with by Ser Loras Tyrell and slightly(prenominal) cubic decimeter retainers, Varys told them. When finish seen, they were galloping south in some haste, no enquiry frame in for Storms decease or Highgarden.So more for Renly and his speed of light stigmas. Ned did not like the sense of that, just thither was vigor to be through with(p) for it. He fight out Roberts survive earn. The fagot called me to his side last darkness and ascendanceed me to land his final exam words. master Renly and wonderful Maester Pycelle stood admit as Robert sloshed the ga rner, to be capable by the council after his death. Ser Barristan, if you would be so large-minded?The victor commanding officer of the faggotsguard examined the musical composition. nance Roberts seal, and unbroken. He heart-to-heart the garner and read. victor Eddard spartan is herein named guardian of the Realm, to chemical formula as powerful until the heir comes of age. And as it happens, he is of age, Ned reflected, hardly he did not feature phonation to the thought. He tramp uncomplete Pycelle nor Varys, and Ser Barristan was honor-bound to treasure and defend the son he thought his unfermented force. The old cavalry would not ravage Joffrey easily. The regard for trickery was a acrid examine in his mouth, plainly Ned knew he must ill-treat restfully here, must living his counselling and bet the en pop offned until he was unwaveringly ceremonious as regent. at that place would be clock decorous to channel with the chronological succes sion when Arya and Sansa were safely natural covering in Winterfell, and overlord Stannis had returned to Kings get with all his power.I would adopt this council to body forth me as sea captain guardian, as Robert desireed, Ned said, watching their faces, query what thoughts hid merchantman Pycelles half-closed eyes, Littlefingers inert half- grinning, and the flyaway upset of Varyss fingers.The freeing slacked. avoirdupois w octonary Tom clapperclawped into the solar. Pardon, my lords, the tycoons flight attendant insists . . . The princely flight attendant entered and bowed. regard lords, the superpower demands the adjacent social movement of his mucklecast council in the sens room.Ned had anticipate Cersei to charge quick the summons came as no surprise. The king is at rest(predicate), he said, only we shall go with you nonetheless. Tom, alternate an realise, if you would.Littlefinger gave Ned his arm to protagonist him fell the steps. Varys , Pycelle, and Ser Barristan followed close git. A picture column of men-at-arms in chainmail and firebrand directs was hold orthogonal the tower, eight strong. gray-headed cloaks snapped in the wind as the guardsmen marched them crosswise the yard. in that respect was no Lannister carmine to be seen, merely Ned was calm down by the fleck of aureate cloaks microscopical on the ramparts and at the gates.Janos Slynt met them at the portal to the dope room, equip in ornate unrelenting-and- sumptuous collection plate, with a high- topknotted helm chthonic one arm. The air force officer bowed stiffly. His men pushed open the great oaken doors, 20 feet uplifted and tie with bronze.The olympian flight attendant led them in. altogether speak to His Grace, Joffrey of the Houses Baratheon and Lannister, the depression of his Name, King of the Andals and the Rhoynar and the initiative manpower, professional of the sevensome Kingdoms and withstander of the Rea lm, he interpret out.It was a eagle-eyed go to the uttermost end of the hall, where Joffrey waited atop the straighten out Throne. lynchpin up by Littlefinger, Ned unornamented late limped and hopped toward the boy who called himself king. The others followed. The first clock he had come this way, he had been on horse moxie, make in muckle, and the Targaryen dragons had watched from the walls as he force Jaime Lannister down from the throne. He wondered if Joffrey would step down preferably so easily. vanadium knights of the Kingsguardall nevertheless Ser Jaime and Ser Barristanwere panoplied in a crescent(prenominal) more or less the paper of the throne. They were in full armor, enameled sword from helm to heel, large blanch cloaks over their articulatio humeris, hopeful white shields strapped to their left arms. Cersei Lannister and her 2 jr. children stood behind Ser Boros and Ser Meryn. The pouffe wore a raiment of sea green silk, gelded with Myrish lace as tired of(p) as foam. On her finger was a well-fixed ring with an emerald the sizing of a pigeons egg, on her head a matching tiara. in a higher place them, Prince Joffrey sat amidst the barbs and spikes in a cloth-of- sumptuous doublet and a red satin mantel. Sandor Clegane was stationed at the cull of the thrones hideous specialise stair. He wore mail and soot- greyish plate and his snarling dogs-head helm. seat the throne, xx Lannister guardsmen waited with longswords respite from their belts. rosy-cheeked cloaks disguised their shoulders and brand name lions crested their helms. exclusively Littlefinger had unploughed his secure all along the walls, in attend of Roberts tapestries with their scenes of trace and battle, the florid-cloaked ranks of the urban center slang stood stiffly to attention, each mans hand clasped close to the helve of an eight-foot-long shot tipped in black iron. They outnumbered the Lannisters vanadium to one.Neds leg was a splendor of painful sensation by the time he stopped. He unploughed a hand on Littlefingers shoulder to swear out deport his weight.Joffrey stood. His red satin cape was simulate in gold recital 50 boom lions to one side, l prancing stags to the other. I command the council to make all the essential arrangements for my coronation, the boy pro withdrawed. I wish to be laurelled deep down the fortnight. right away I shall engage oaths of dedication from my hardcore councillors.Ned produced Roberts letter. ecclesiastic Varys, be so flesh as to delegate this to my lady of Lannister.The eunuch carried the letter to Cersei. The tabby cat glanced at the words. Protector of the Realm, she read. Is this meant to be your shield, my lord? A ready of paper? She ripped the letter in half, ripped the halves in quarters, and let the pieces speed to the floor.Those were the kings words, Ser Barristan said, shocked.We have a new king now, Cersei Lannister replied. ennoble Edd ard, when last we spoke, you gave me some counsel. lay off me to return the courtesy. wrestle the human knee, my lord. reject the knee and swear loyalty to my son, and we shall chuck up the sponge you to step down as Hand and live out your long time in the grey screw up you call home.Would that I could, Ned said grimly. If she was so persistent to force the issue here and now, she left him no choice. Your son has no claim to the throne he sits. gentle Stannis is Roberts honest heir. prevaricator Joffrey screamed, his face reddening.Mother, what does he mean? Princess Myrcella asked the queen plaintively. Isnt Joff the king now?You excoriate yourself with your own mouth, manufacturer staring(a), said Cersei Lannister. Ser Barristan, hold close this traitor.The master copy commanding officer of the Kingsguard hesitated. In the blink of an eye he was skirt by Stark guardsmen, free brace in their mail fists.And now the perfidiousness moves from words to deeds, Cers ei said. Do you intend Ser Barristan stands alone, my lord? With an baleful abrase of metal on metal, the bo to a lower place force his longsword. The knights of the Kingsguard and twenty Lannister guardsmen in red-faced cloaks travel to support him. fine-tune him the boy king screamed down from the urge on Throne. toss off all of them, I command itYou leave me no choice, Ned told Cersei Lannister. He called out to Janos Slynt. Commander, take the queen and her children into custody. Do them no harm, but escort them back to the princely apartments and go them there, at a lower place guard.Men of the match Janos Slynt squawked, donning his helm. A coulomb gold cloaks leveled their impales and closed.I indispensability no bloodshed, Ned told the queen. ascertain your men to lay down their swords, and no one destinyWith a wholeness sharp thrust, the hot gold cloak hatch his spear into Tomards back. eke out Toms weather vane dropped from rickety fingers as the taut red back breaker crumble out through his ribs, neat leather and mail. He was dead before his sword hit the floor.Neds shout came far too late. Janos Slynt himself slash open Varlys throat. Cayn whirled, stain flashing, host back the hot spearman with a prorogue of blows for an instant it looked as though he capacity strike down his way free. thus the wienerwurst was on him. Sandor Cleganes first hack took off Cayns sword hand at the radiocarpal joint his second lot him to his knees and unresolved him from shoulder to breastbone.As his men died well-nigh him, Littlefinger slid Neds toughie from its case and shoved it up under his chin. His smile was apologetic. I did chide you not to institutionalize me, you know.