King's Landing.
Located along the eastern coast of Westeros overlooking Blackwater Bay, it was the place where Aegon the Conqueror first landed upon Westerosi soil and later expanded into the capital of the Seven Kingdoms, the seat of the Iron Throne.
It was noon.
The royal procession slowly entered King's Landing through the Gate of the Gods.
The massive entourage imdiately drew the attention of the smallfolk throughout the city. These simple commoners completely ignored the Gold Cloaks attempting to maintain order and instead stretched their necks excitedly to watch the King's retinue pass.
Even though they had already witnessed the procession several months earlier.
Robert Baratheon, returning to King's Landing, looked utterly exhausted. The countless incidents during the journey north and back had left him unable to sleep peacefully for days.
Originally, he had happily gone north intending to invite his old friend Ned Stark to beco Hand of the King so he could continue drinking, hunting, and enjoying himself without concern.
But the journey had completely exceeded his expectations.
First ca the trial by combat at Winterfell, where he encountered the promising young Northern lord Garon Glover.
Then Bran Stark's fall from the tower and Jai Lannister's killing of Theon Greyjoy caused the conflict between wolf and lion to grow dangerously tense.
Just when matters were finally cald and Ned agreed to accompany him south as Hand, another accident occurred at the Trident.
Arya's direwolf bit Joffrey, and even now Joffrey's hand had yet to fully heal.
Cersei now regarded Ned Stark as a thorn in her side.
After Robert clarified the incident, he rely punished Arya and Joffrey equally in order to smooth matters over once again.
"Fuck, what kind of cursed journey was this..."
Robert cursed inwardly while glancing at the crowded streets of King's Landing.
"Forget it. I'll just hold a grand tourney and wash away this bad luck."
His thoughts turned rapidly before he finally made his decision.
Once the timing was suitable, he would announce a grand tournant.
Behind Robert, Eddard Stark rode silently upon his horse with little interest in the city around him.
His eyes swept across the filthy and foul-slling streets of King's Landing without the slightest trace of surprise.
This city seed completely unchanged from the days of Robert's Rebellion.
Robert's rule had brought no real change to the capital.
"Alas..."
"I need to stabilize the situation in King's Landing as quickly as possible and eliminate the hidden dangers surrounding Robert."
"Once that is done, I can return to the North."
Ned frowned slightly while silently following behind the King.
So ti later, once the procession finally entered the Red Keep, Ned separated from Robert.
He first needed to settle Arya and Rickon inside the Tower of the Hand.
However, before Ned could even finish arranging their rooms, the Lord Steward hurriedly arrived to inform him that the King had urgently summoned a Small Council eting.
Already exhausted, Ned imdiately frowned.
"If possible, let's postpone it until tomorrow."
The steward bowed respectfully.
"Lord Hand, then I shall inform His Grace and the mbers of the Small Council that you are unable to attend."
Ned instantly beca speechless.
If he offended the entire Small Council before even officially assuming office, then his work in King's Landing would beco even more difficult.
"Perfect."
"I can also use this opportunity to test them and see what kind of people they are."
"To determine who are enemies and who are allies."
Garon's earlier advice suddenly surfaced in Ned's mind.
After only a mont of thought, he quickly made his decision.
"Wait here. I'll change first."
The Lord Steward nodded respectfully and thoughtfully reminded him,
"My lord, Lord Arryn's forr chambers within the Tower of the Hand have already been prepared for you."
"If there is anything further you require, please command at any ti."
"Thank you."
Ned removed his riding gloves while instructing his steward, Vayon Poole,
"The King has urgent matters requiring my attention. Look after Arya and Rickon for , especially Arya."
Vayon Poole bowed respectfully and accepted the order.
Ned then entered the chambers, changed into more suitable attire, and followed the steward toward the council chamber.
Upon entering, he discovered that Robert and the Small Council had already been waiting for so ti.
"Haha! Here cos our new Hand of the King!"
Robert rose from his seat and laughed loudly while introducing Ned to everyone present.
The mbers of the Small Council likewise stood and greeted him with various expressions.
Ned nodded slightly toward Robert before his eyes slowly swept across the council mbers gathered before him.
He seed to be quietly observing each of them, attempting to determine who could be trusted and who could not.
Unfortunately, every person present wore a flawless mask of politeness and smiles, making it impossible for him to discern their true thoughts.
"There will be plenty of ti later to uncover what these people are truly thinking."
Ned silently thought before returning his attention toward Robert.
anwhile, Varys's eyes subtly shifted.
Shortly before arriving at the council chamber, one of his little birds had already delivered another piece of information.
Lady Catelyn Stark had secretly entered King's Landing through the Mud Gate.
Varys subtly glanced toward Petyr Baelish only to discover Littlefinger smiling faintly back at him.
Clearly, Petyr had also already learned of Lady Catelyn's arrival.
The two old foxes exchanged knowing smiles before together turning to welco the new Hand of the King.
"Since Lord Arryn's unfortunate passing, we have all eagerly awaited Lord Stark's arrival in King's Landing."
Varys wore his usual sweet smile as he beca the first to greet Ned.
Ned had never liked the eunuch spymaster and rely replied coldly,
"I would rather Lord Arryn still lived than have taken his place myself."
His tone was perfunctory, and naturally he failed to notice Varys deliberately emphasizing the word "unfortunate."
Hearing this, Petyr Baelish's heart skipped slightly.
He quickly interrupted the conversation with a smile before Varys could continue.
"Lord Stark, I have long wished to et you."
"I presu Lady Catelyn has ntioned before?"
"She has."
Ned's expression remained cold.
Petyr's familiar and overly intimate tone imdiately irritated him.
"If I rember correctly, you also once knew my brother Brandon."
Petyr's smile froze instantly.
Of course he rembered Brandon Stark.
Years ago, he had challenged Brandon to a duel in hopes of marrying Catelyn Tully.
The result was complete humiliation and crushing defeat.
Even now, Petyr still vividly rembered the feeling of being defeated by Brandon Stark.
Everyone present was naturally aware of that old story as well.
Robert slowly sat back down upon the seat embroidered with the crowned stag.
After hearing Ned ntion Brandon, he suddenly thought of Garon Glover again.
"Haha, speaking of which, during my ti in the North, I also encountered a young man who demanded a trial by combat for the daughter of the Warden of the North."
"Ser ryn Trant was personally killed by him."
As soon as those words were spoken, the council mbers imdiately turned their attention toward the King.
After all, news of the Winterfell trial by combat had already gradually spread throughout King's Landing following the royal procession's return.
Especially since the matter involved the death of a Kingsguard knight.
"Wolfswood... Garon Glover..."
Renly Baratheon, Master of Laws, softly repeated Garon's na while interest flashed through his eyes.
"What a pity he didn't co to King's Landing."
"Otherwise, I truly would have liked to witness how he defeated Ser ryn."
"I heard Ser ryn couldn't even survive three exchanges against him?"
Renly then turned toward Ned only to notice the displeased look upon his face.
His expression imdiately changed slightly.
He quickly explained in a solemn tone,
"My apologies, Lord Stark."
"I am equally saddened by what happened to Bran."
"Although Joel joined the royal procession from Storm's End, I swear before the Seven that I absolutely did not send him to harm your son."
Ned replied stiffly,
"His Grace has already explained that matter to ."
Although Ned also understood that Joel most likely had nothing to do with Renly personally, the fact remained that Joel ca from Storm's End.
Because of this, Renly could never completely free himself from suspicion.
Unless the true mastermind behind Bran's assassination attempt was uncovered.
Naturally, Renly understood this point very clearly.
Unfortunately, Joel's whereabouts remained unknown, and the letters he sent to Greenstone had revealed no useful clues whatsoever.
This troubleso matter had now beco a burden hanging over his head.
Renly felt both frustrated and furious inwardly.
"Just wait until I discover who frad ."
"When I do, I'll make them pay dearly."
"Alas... later I'll need to find so way to repair my relationship with Ned Stark."
Fortunately for him, Robert suddenly knocked upon the table and rescued him from the awkward atmosphere.
"Alright, enough idle chatter."
"Let's discuss proper business."
As soon as those words fell, the expressions of the Small Council mbers all beca serious.
Everyone quietly returned to their seats.
The Small Council eting officially began.
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