Eddard
Ned turned Stannis down the night before, having truly been tired, and instead told him he would meet him first thing in the morning. Though displeased, Stannis agreed. After all, the ride north took a month for each trip, here and back. A man of his word, Ned promptly bypassed everyone to meet Stannis in the Hand's Tower. Sitting behind his desk and reading the financial ledger from Baelish, Ned tried to figure out which bloody expenses his old friend had incurred to bankrupt the realm. Cersei, refusing to be excluded this time, was sitting by him with her legs crossed and a cup of wine to her lips. Jory opened the door, nodding to Stannis as the lord stepped in. He bowed to Cersei, shook hands with Ned, and took a seat before him.
"Lord Stark, Lady Stark, good morning. Shall we start?" Stannis, never one for useless pleasantries, got to the point. Ned nodded, wanting to straighten out this mess of a realm.
"What is the matter you wish to discuss, Lord Stannis?" Ned asked, clasping his hands together, leaning on his desk.
"Not what but who . . . Janos Slynt, Commander of the City Watch. He's in Little Finger's pocket. I heard he's been selling positions of authority and taking bribes," Stannis explained. "Lord Arryn and I were about to secure the testimony against Slynt from two guards, but they have had their throats slit."
Cersei frowned but Ned noted she said nothing. "Did you go to Robert about this?" Ned asked.
"Aye, and Robert said they all steal. Better one we know than one who could be worse," Stannis growled.
"Little Finger's words in Roberts mouth." Ned said shaking his head in disbelieve. "What do you suggest we do, Lord Stannis?"
"Arrest him. Put him in chains and await trial. I will have the evidence by then."
Ned thought this over; he did not like putting men in chains without evidence.
"Do it, Ned," Cersei insisted. "Baelish will be caught unawares. Lord Stannis can produce evidence, and Janos Slynt's head will roll."
Ned paused for a second. "Can you procure this evidence before the trial?"
"I can and will. I already have my most trusted man on the job, Davos Seaworth. He has contacts in Flea Bottom. He will have your evidence."
Ned looked at Cersei and she nodded behind her cup. "Very well, Lord Stannis." Standing up, Ned walked to a black chest by the office. From it, he procured a long sword and handed it to Stannis. The lord took the sword from Ned's hands, looking confused. "In the North, if a man is to be sentenced then the man who passed the sentence carries out the deed."
Stannis nodded, picking up an extra-long sword and strapping it to his hip. Gathering his men, among them Davos Seaworth's son Mantthos and his squire, Stannis walked out of the Hand's Tower. Ned motioned for Jory to follow him and Jory nodded to his Lord before Cersei stopped him on the way out. Ned paused briefly but Jory assured his Lord he would follow and Ned nodded going on ahead.
Cersei
Apparently, both her husband and Elia's husband were fools. Baelish would have his goon out long before the trial. Jory was a good and loyal man. It had taken her some time, but she finally made it clear to him and their guard that she would slay any man, woman, or child to keep her family safe. Westeros was a cruel place and she told them of all the horrors here in the South to make the point clear. So Jory and their guard had agreed to do what was necessary to safeguard the Starks.
"Jory, when they capture him, he will be put in the Red Keep cells. Many men die there, and the Gold Cloaks guarding that place are as filthy as Janos."
Jory frowned but nodded in understanding. From her long sleeve, Cersei produced a pouch. "My lady, your orders?" Jory questioned.
"The Gold Cloaks can be used against us, Jory. I cannot afford that." She placed the pouch in his hand.
"A hundred gold dragons. Give it to the guards when Janos is placed under chains. Find him, and kill him. Cut his throat."
Jory paused, took the pouch, and placed it inside the pocket of his breeches. "I will inform you when the deed is done, my lady. Excuse me," he said with a bow before leaving.
Cersei smirked. Ned would be none the wiser. She would need to think of a suitable replacement for the City Watch. For the moment, Jory would do as a temporary replacement. Chances were that Lord Stannis had his own replacement in mind. Though she had her reservations about the man, she knew he could be trusted to do the right thing. With the Gold Cloaks out Little Finger's pocket, she could place them in her own. A brothel close to the Red Keep would be a good solution; she could buy it and use it because if there is one thing men loved more than mere gold, it was a cunt. She called forth her other guards and prepared to leave the Red Keep to see about purchasing a brothel.
Eddard
The party of eight men marched out of the Red Keep to Little Finger's brothel since it was the last place Janos was seen. If he was not there, the party would continue to search the city until they found him. Fortunately for them, he was there, though Little Finger tried to persuade them to wait until Janos left the brothel. Stannis would have none of it. Bursting in first through the curtain, Janos looked from the whore he was fucking to Stannis. Eyes widening, he stood and pulled on his breeches and fumbled about for his boots.
"L-Lord Stannis!" Janos was finally able to make himself decent with some breeches, boots, and an undershirt.
Ned stood next to Stannis and laid out the sentence. "Janos Slynt, you are here to be placed in chains for the crimes of taking briberies, selling high positions, and treason to the Crown."
Janos sputtered while the whore, not one for modesty, stood and walked out with a sway to her hips. She slid a hand on Stannis' shoulder. He ignored the touch, but Jory was not as focused as he watched her leave. Mantthos, somewhere on Eddard's left, blushed. He guessed this was the first woman the green boy had ever seen naked.
"Seize him," ordered Stannnis. Mantthos and Jory drew their swords and the other men brought chains to put Janos in.
"Lies, all lies!" Janos screamed as he was dragged away. Walking back to the Red Keep, Ned spoke to Stannis.
"Let's have the evidence as soon as possible, Lord Stannis. Best we finish this as soon as possible." Stannis nodded briefly.
Jon
Jon grunted as he parried the incoming attack from Lancel Lannister. The boy was King Robert's squire, but to Jon's relief, his skills were lacking; Lloyd was a harder challenge. Knocking the sword away from Lancel, Jon left him wide open for an attack. Standing firmly, Jon lifted his boot and planted it on Lancel's chest, knocking him down. Jon spun around and knocked away Matthos' incoming attack. The young man was a squire to Lord Stannis, who had gone earlier today with Eddard to arrest a man. Matthos was much better than Lancel, Jon thought idly as he parried the next strike before countering and putting Matthos on the defense. Attacking with an overarching swing, Matthos blocked and both young men struggled. Slanting his sword and stepping aside, Jon tripped Matthos who fell forward. Pointing his sword at Mantthos they both stilled for a second. Matthos smiled and Jon grinned in return. Helping the young man up, Lancel stood up by himself and kicked his sword on the ground in a huff walking away grumbling.
Ser Barristan walked up, clapping Jon on the back, and congratulated both young men. Matthos excused himself to find his lord, leaving Ser Barristan alone with Jon. "Good job, Jon. Come, let us get some food and rest," offered Ser Barristan.
Jon nodded and followed the old knight to the kitchens where they got some food from the kind cook and then to the great hall where they sat and ate their salted meat and bread. He was learning quite a lot from Ser Barristan. His skills with the sword had improved greatly since they left Winterfell. He was eager to prove himself somehow; though he knew his father wasn't in favor of the tourney being held in his and honor, Jon wanted to compete in it.
Lloyd
Winterfell felt desolate to the young lord regent. Lloyd took his meals with his little brother when he could, but most of the time he was busy in council with Maester Luwin, doing his best to emulate his father. The North was large; there were many lords who wanted favors, others wanted land, and others presented him with their daughters despite his lack of authority in choosing his wife. He supposed they thought that if any of their daughters caught his fancy, he would request that his parents allow him to marry her.
Today, however he was faced with something different. Today, he would perform his first execution. He rode out with his guard, nervous but determined to perform his duty without a hint of fear; he would be damned if a criminal would call him a green boy. When they reached the same spot where his father had performed the last execution some moons past, he saw four of his men- well, his father's men- there with the man in chains on his knees. Stepping off his horse in his leather, he walked up to the criminal. He was of fair skin, not unlike Lloyd's own, with creases on his brow, black stubble on his jaw, dark eyes, and a smug smirk, disconcerting for a man in his situation. He seemed worse for wear; perhaps he was beaten, or perhaps Lloyd was simply seeing signs from the struggle to catch him before.
"Who is this man, Rodrick?"
With his hand on his sword, Rodrick, the Master-at-Arms of Winterfell, spoke in his gruff voice. "Don't know, but he killed four men; one, his intended target, and three to get to the man. We caught him on the King's Road."
"Who did he kill?" asked Lloyd, impressed with the man despite himself. He must have skill to have killed three men to get to his target.
"Bah, some poor merchant. He didn't reveal why," Rodrick said, looking at him.
Lloyd nodded, walked before the man, and kneeled before him to look him the eye. The man looked back at him, and Lloyd saw nothing in his eyes. The man neither cowered nor plead for his life.
"Bring me Ice," Lloyd said. One of his men unsheathed the great sword and handed it to Lloyd. Lloyd pursed his lips, bringing the hilt up with both hands bowing his head slightly. The damn sword was huge and he had to hide the fact that he had to hold it tightly to keep it steady. "In the name of Robert Baratheon, King of the Andals and the Rhoynar and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm, I, Lord Regent Lloyd Stark, Warden of the North, do sentence you to die. Have you any last words, criminal?" Lloyd asked, his tone cold and emotionless.
"Well, if you're to dispense justice, should you not also kill the one who ordered the hit?" the man spoke.
Lloyd paused and stabbed Ice into the ground, signaling to one of his men who removed his cloak and placed it over the rock where the criminal's head was to be placed. Lloyd kneeled once again and stared the man dead in the eye. "It seems your last words may be more than that. Let us start with your name."
"Bronn, m'lord. Humble sellsword, and a damn good one at that." Bronn cocked his head to the side with a smirk.
Lloyd would have to agree with this. He killed three men and it took a group of Lloyd's own to catch him. "A sellsword, huh? Tell me, who hired you, Bronn?"
"You tell me what will happen to me if I answer," Bronn countered.
"You keep your head on your shoulders, though losing it would be an improvement," Lloyd chuckled. He rose and motioned for his men to put Bronn on his feet. "Get him some food and wine and put him in the cells. Justice may be served yet," Lloyd ordered.
Rodrick nodded and ordered his men to follow his young liege's orders. The ride to Winterfell was short. The criminal left to 'consider' his options. Lloyd was greeted by the many dwellers in Winterfell who bowed to their lord and greeted him as he passed. Lloyd offered his own greetings. Once inside the keep, Lloyd made his way to the great hall where he knew more work would be awaiting him. He would have to have his meal there as he worked, it would seem. Opening the great doors himself, a familiar voice he hadn't heard in a while reached his ears. Indeed, on the table on the raised dais sat his uncle Tyrion. Rami and Rickon laughed as their uncle spoke to them.
"Gods, Rodrick, warn the whores, my uncle has arrived!" smirked Lloyd, spreading his arms as he strode to his uncle. Rodrick snorted and left his lord to meet his uncle, He closed the hall doors behind him and stood guard.
"I'm afraid you're too late. I do love my family, but a man has priorities after visiting the Night's Watch." Tyrion stood as Lloyd bent down to hug his uncle tightly.
"The Night's Watch? Scouting yourself a position, uncle? The gods forbid, you, celibate? Uncle, our whores would go as beggars on the street," Lloyd said.
"Alas, I did not meet the qualifications to join the honorable brothers in black," Tyrion said, trying to sound dismayed. Lloyd sat with his uncle as Rami chuckled and Rickon laughed excitedly.
"I hope is not an issue of height. The Wall, I mean," Lloyd japed with a twist of his lips.
"Oh no, the issue is that I'm not a rapist or thief, I'm afraid." Tyrion gave him a lopsided grin and Lloyd barked a laugh. Lloyd ordered food and wine for the table before speaking to the uncle he loved so dearly.
"Why grace us with your visit now of all times, Uncle? Most of my family is gone, only my brothers and I remain," Lloyd said as servant girls brought food and wine.
"Well, I don't believe your mother would have appreciated my visit, so I decided to see my favorite nephews after my trip to the Wall," Tyrion said.
"Well Uncle, so long as I hold Lannister blood in my veins you will always be welcomed here," Lloyd said, smiling kindly to his uncle and raising his cup for a toast. Tyrion returned the smile.
"Uncle, will you stay with us for a while?" asked Rami, rather excited.
"Yes, Uncle! Stay!" exclaimed little Rickon, jumping on his seat.
Tyrion gave a mocking thinking face. "Well, I suppose Halena and Myrcella can miss their favorite uncle for another month or so." Tyrion winked at little Rickon who rejoiced at having his uncle keep them company.
Jory
Jory walked with three men into the cells under the Red Keep in the middle of the night. Two guards guarded the entrance to the cells. Upon spotting Jory and his men, they reached for their swords. Jory produced a pouch and jingled it about. The two guards looked at each other and stared at Jory closely. Jory was wearing black breeches, riding boots, a leather doublet, and black gloves. His two companions were dressed similarly. Motioning to his partner, the Gold Cloak approached Jory and took the pouch from him. He opened it and almost felt his eyes pop clean off his face. "What do you want?"
"Janos," Jory said. The guards hesitated.
"I…" the guard holding the pouch said.
"Is he being held with any other prisoners?" asked Jory.
"Aye," responded the guard at the door.
"Blame him. Tell them he cut his throat and you had to kill him" Jory patted the sword at his hip. "You came in the morning to feed them. The prisoner took your dagger and tried holding Janos hostage to save himself. When you refused to cooperate, he slit Janos' throat and you killed the man in self-defense," Jory explained.
"Fine," they agreed, opening the gate. Jory and his men entered and the guards followed. Janos was asleep on the hay, covered only with a dirty, white sheet that had seen better days. Inserting the key and unlocking the door, they woke Janos from his sleep. Startled, Janos tried to get up and fell off his cot in the dark, fumbling about. Jory walked in first, briskly pulling out a curved knife.
Janos began pleading. "M-Mercy! P-please! I…I can talk, I can tell you everything! I…I-" Jory clamped Janos' mouth shut before he woke the whole damn kingdom. Janos released his bowels. With a flick of his wrist, Jory slit Janos' throat and let him fall. The man held his throat desperately, trying to keep the life-giving liquid inside. The other cell door opened and the man tried screaming before one of the Gold Cloaks ran a sword through his gut, silencing him quickly. Looking at his blood coated hand coated, Jory leant down and wiped it on Janos' quickly cooling corpse and walked away. Jory would wait for morning to inform his lady that the deed had been done.
Cersei
sei smiled as she watched Myrcella play with Lisa in the courtyard below. Both girls happily chased each other. She stood on the second floor overlooking the courtyard over one of the many wings to the Red Keep. Beside her stood two guards replacing Jory while he was away. Approaching steps took her attention from the playing girls. Jory was approaching her, looking tired. Cersei dismissed her guard and waited patiently for them to leave before staring at Jory.
"It's done," he said in a cool voice.
Cersei smirked. She hoped she could see Baelish's face when he found out his goon had been removed permanently from a position of power. Even more so when she filled that spot with someone loyal to her and Ned. Jory would do nicely, but he was head of their guard, so he would be a temporary holder of the position while she gathered names that could be useful.
"Well done, Jory. Now get some rest, you have earned it." Jory smiled but denied her.
"I will be fine, my lady. I must guard you as my lord asks," Jory said and straightened up to show he could guard her. Cersei sighed, it seemed that all men thought themselves invincible.
"Very well, if it will inflate your pride, you may keep up. Come, Lady Elia Baratheon has invited me for tea and I will not refuse her." Hands folded before her, she walked off, leaving her children under the watchful eye of the guard below.
Eddard
The hour was late in the afternoon when Ned was called to a council meeting, once which Robert, once again, did not attend. This time, Ned was accompanied by his wife who refused to be left behind again. Taking the king's seat once more, Ned looked at the council members. Stannis was sour, if a bit more than usual. Renly seemed annoyed, though Ned doubted it was about the matter at hand. Varys, like always, seemed enigmatic, and Bealish was as silent as a grave.
"What has happened that we needed to convene so quickly?" Ned asked, looking about.
"Janos Slynt is dead, my lord," Varys spoke.
"How?" Ned sighed. This mess was only getting deeper, it would seem.
"Guards said the prisoner next to him killed him. Used one of their knives to slit his throat," Stannis growled out.
"We should set a new Lord Commander of the City Guard as soon as possible," Baelish said in a serious tone. Ned thought about it and agreed; with Janos dead, Petyr was now under bigger scrutiny. Ned knew he had to get a more reliable man, one not in Little Finger's pocket.
"My lord, if I may?" Cersei spoke up. Ned froze; he should have known she would have an input in this.
"Lady Stark, only members of the council can make motions to be entertained, though your words can be taken into consideration," Baelish replied smoothly.
"Well, Lord Baelish, allow me to put my words in for 'consideration'. You should 'consider' giving Jory Cassel command of the City Watch for the time being," she smiled smoothly in return.
Maester Pycell, whom that Ned nearly forgot was there spoke up. "Lady Stark, this, eh, this Jory man of yours…is he a, reliable man?" Pycell stumbled through his sentence.
"My lord husband, the Hand," she said, her eyes challenging Baelish, "can vouch for Jory. He is a good man, and loyal, incorruptible to any temptations power may offer." Cersei tried to sell her point and had her support in the council.
"If…if Lord Stark can vouch for the, uh, young man, I believe he can be a good commander," Pycell said, supporting her idea as she had instructed him to.
Renly thought this over. Knowing that Ned surrounded himself with honorable men, he could assent to this Jory Cassel as a temporary replacement, if not permanent, while Ned remained the Hand of the King. "I support the view as well. Lord Stark has always surrounded himself with honorable men. If Jory Cassel is best for the job, I say he take the part permanently so long as Lord Stark is the Hand," Renly said.
Stannis quietly thought this over. He was going to offer his best man for the job: Davos Seaworth. Stannis supposed a man under the command of Lord Stark would be just as well. "Very well, I can see Lady Stark's point. If Lord Stark approves, I do as well," Stannis nodded his agreement. Varys agreed, if only after a brief glance in Cersei's direction.
"Jory is a good man. He was with me during Robert's Rebellion and even when I stormed Pyke with Robert," Ned said, standing from the chair. "If there are no oppositions, in the name of Robert Baratheon, I name Jory Cassel as Lord Commander of the City Watch."
Cersei stood, and as the lords bowed to each other and left, Ned took her arm and they both walked off. Cersei smirked as Baelish passed by, though she hid it by leaning her head on Ned's shoulder. Ned brought his arm up to cover hers. He sighed. His wife wasn't as stealthy as she thought herself to be; she wanted Jory to be the Lord Commander for a reason. He only hoped he was going to be enlightened about that reason.
Oberyn
Riding ahead of his host, Oberyn whistled a lively tune. He stared in the distance as King's Landing entered his field of vision. He smirked, taking in the massive city. His brother was going to get him killed one of these days. He wouldn't die just yet; his little 'snakes' still needed him, after all. Snapping the reins and making a kissing noise, his horse spurred forward. Oberyn looked on at the Red Keep, where the Stag guarded the young dragon. He frowned momentarily, remembering his last conversation with his brother.
"Are you mad? Why not? She is our sister, I will free her!" demanded Oberyn. Elia had sent him letters telling him how happy she was with Stannis- lies he refused to believe. She was a hostage to the Usurper King, but Doran had made it perfectly clear to leave Elia alone. He ground his teeth.
"Elia is happy where she is. Do not involve her in this war more than I already am, Oberyn," growled Doran. Even bed ridden, his brother could bark with a vengeance.
"I will take her son from her and put her in a lot of danger, but the Usurper can sit the Iron Throne no more," seethed Doran. Rhaegar had slighted House Martell with his goddamn affair with Lyanna Stark- Baratheon now, he supposed.
"She will hate us, you know that right?" asked Oberyn. "Are you truly prepared for that?" Oberyn stepped up to the side of Doran's bed. Sitting up, Doran closed the distance between them and stared at Oberyn's dark eyes.
"Bring. Me. The. Boy." Doran made sure to punctuate himself clearly.
Oberyn snapped himself from the memory of his last conversation with Doran before he left Dorne. Rolling his shoulders, he snapped his horse's reins and trotted faster. Over the horizon, the field before King's Landing was opened and he saw the hundreds of pavilions. The Tourney of the Hand was due to happen soon. He would take advantage of the situation and strike where they least expected it. The Red Viper of Dorne was coiled, just waiting to strike.
Sorry for the delay lol but yeah been a bit busy playing Wildstar and also had to get this chapter JUST right. This is not filler I promise you but more of a show of how regular life happens in Westeros before shit hits the fan. Answering questions!
Q: R+L=J unless that means Robert + Lyanna = Jon I don't want to hear it x.x. I do not believe on that theory because just with this but the 'promised prince' that would technically be Aegon the dragon needs three heads let's check em out let's see.
Rhaenys? Check
Aegon? Check
Viserys? X
Exactly so Jon is about as promised as hemroids e_e. so I do not believe in that let's not forget Ned brought Jon over from Starfall so idk what happened at the Tower of Joy but hopely Howland Reed will tell us something in The Winds of Winter.
Now Oberyn has arrived to Kings Landing! The Tourney is right around the corner and BRONN! Yaaaay who almost got his head chopped off by Lloyd xD. But Bronn is a survivor if nothing else lolz so he got to keep his head and hey Tyrion! Visiting his little nephews.
Jon is becoming awesome little by little and learning from the best. Cersei won her first match agains't Baelish Janos got his throat slit and Jory is the new Lord Commander of the City Watch.
It's almost here gentlemen I will try to reward you and have shit hit the fan in one whole chapter. So next chapter be prepared for shit to start going down!
Edit 2/2/2015: Sorry about the long delay but you will be happy to know my beta and I have come to a new conclusion. Instead of waiting to catch up I will now send the new chapter along with the older one. The new one will take priority and I will post it first than the older one will follow. This way we can downgrade the waiting time. As such expect the new chapter soon. I will do my best to not disappoint x3!