(Kevan Lannister POV/Casterly Rock)
War, it had been nine years since he had last marched off to war. He hated it, leaving his family to fight a war that some fool had to go ahead and start. This war would be a just one though, no one can simply seize a Lannister without repercussions, especially the son of Tywin Lannister.
Kevan cursed under his breath as he made his way up to Tywins solar. He would be marching off to war again but this time he would be taking his sons with him. Martyn and Willem would be fighting their first war, they would be serving as squires. For who? Kevan was unsure of that as of yet.
He was hoping it would be him or Tywin but he knew it would have to be one of the Bannermen. Kevan sighed deeply as he straightened his back making his way up the winding steps of Tywins solar. He spared glances at the tapestries that filled the walls. Tapestries of Lann the Clever swindling the Casterlys out of their ancestral home. Tapestries of Tommen the Second on his expedition to old Valyria, a doomed and foolish expedition. It had cost the Lannisters their Valyrian sword Brightroar. Now the Lannisters were without a Valyrian sword. A weapon that brought pride and renown to any House in Westeros. A passing thought occured in his head of taking the valyrian sword of a fallen enemy and thus giving some pride back to the Lannister name.
He finally made it to Tywin's chambers, the door was pushed open by one of Tywin's guards, his name Kevan was unsure of. It was a straight line from the door to where Tywin was sitting. He was behind a desk, his back hunched over while he was writing on parchment. The room was filled with tapestries and had the gold and red colors of House Lannister all over the walls and rugs.
The room smelt of candles and the sea, some of the stained windows were opened allowing the smell of the salty sea to blow through the room.
He quite enjoyed the sound his boots made as they hit the polished marble floor, indeed the Lannisters and Casterlys spared no expense into making their mountain fortress the most luxurious place in the world.
He approached the desk and saw an empty seat. He didn't fill it though, he simply looked down at his elder brother as he continued writing on parchment not once looking up. He didn't mind waiting, it was a little insulting but he knew better than to be offended.
Finally after some moments, Tywin finished and rolled up the paper placing his stamp over it. "Take this to the rookery," Tywin said. Kevan looked at his brother inquisitively, he was at first a little insulted but he knew better than to take immediate offense and simply waited for his brother to explain.
Tywin took a small sip of wine then spoke, "The Prince has requested Martyn and Willem go to Kings Landing to eventually serve as his sworn shields."
Kevan pursed his lips in thought. Why would the prince want his cousins? He has never even taken an interest in the two. Then the thought occurred to him. "Which Prince?"
"Tommen."
Kevan glanced down at the parchment then asked, "Are you going to accept?"
"I'm not sure," Tywin responded. "We'll be marching off to war in three days, the Prince said something about Martyn and Willem paging and eventually squiring for Ser Barristan."
Kevan kept a face of indifference but surprise and happiness swept through him. The boys would still likely head off to war but they would be under the protection of one of the best knights of the realm. If Robert picked the just side. And the two were like to become two of the best knights in the realm if they squired for him.
Tywin continued, "The choice is yours Kevan, if you'd prefer they marched with us burn the letter, if not, then give it to the maester."
Kevan bowed his head after Tywin gave a lazy flick of his wrist. To Kevan the answer was obvious, he headed down to the Rookery and gave the scroll to maester Creylen.
(Ned POV/Kings Landing)
'I'LL HAVE YOUR HEAD ON A SPIKE! I'LL PUT IT THERE MYSELF YOU FOOL!' Roberts words echoed in Ned's mind. He did not believe the King would act on this threat, but Robert had changed since they were youthful boys that overthrew the Targaryens. The Robert he knew was dead. He could not rely on Robert now, he could not risk his daughters safety being compromised in the capital.
He had ordered Sansa and Arya to be taken back to Winterfell telling Jory Cassel and only him that they should be taken by boat. They were to leave in a few days.
This betrothal was a big mistake … Eddard realized.
There was a knock at his solar, the visitor was announced by Jory, "Petyr Baelish my lord."
Eddard grimaced but he told Jory to let him in. "Going somewhere Lord Stark?" Petyr asked pointedly.
Eddard responded curtly, "I am no longer hand, there is no reason for me to stay here."
"Before you leave Lord Eddard, I would have something to show you."
"What is it?" Eddard aksed his voice tired but his interest piqued.
Of course with Littlefinger, things are never easy. They had to leave the Red Keep with some of Eddard's household guards. The ride was not long but Eddard knew this time could best be spent packing his things for a hasty departure. They arrived at a brothel of course, Petyr dismounted from his white mare with one of his insidious smirks on his face.
Eddard dismounted his stallion dismayed he had been brought to yet another brothel. Petyr was already heading inside the brothel when Eddard spoke "Why are we here Baelish?"
Littlefinger turned around, "Patience Lord Stark, we are close."
Eddard rolled his eyes and followed Littlefinger while Jory followed close behind and the rest of the household guard stood at the entrance. Once inside Eddard was immediately bombarded with the smell of sex and sweat. Candles did their best to hide the scent but it was to no avail. The occasional hoarse moan made him bite his tongue. Littlefinger was talking to a tall and slender woman with olive skin and short curly hair. She touched him on the arm quite a lot and had a sly smirk on her face. Eddard's patience was being put to the limit. The woman spoke when she looked at him "Lord Stark, it's a pleasure. My name is Chataya." Eddard simply nodded his head politely then she spoke again, "If you will follow me." Eddard did as he was bid, she took him up the stairs to a small room. A woman with red hair sat, for only a second he thought she was Catelyn until the woman looked at him.
She had a babe at her teat as she smiled down at it. Eddard immediately knew why he had been brought here. The babe at her teat had black hair and blue eyes. It looks like Robert… Eddard saw. The woman with red hair spoke, "I named her Barra, doesn't she look like him, milord?"
"She does," Eddard said softly. She really does…
Soon after conversing with the woman for a short minute Eddard left and Littlefinger was talking with Chataya. He kissed Chataya's hand as he made to join Stark in leaving. "How many bastards does Robert have?" Eddard asked
"More than you," Littlefinger said mockingly.
Eddard left the smell of sex and sweat and the candles meant to drown them out when he got a new smell. Lannisters…
Twenty Lannister men appeared outside the brothel of course led by the Kingslayer, "Didn't expect to find you here Stark… such a small pack of wolves." Jaime said as he dismounted his stallion.
"Stay back Ser this is the Hand of the King," Jory said taking a step forward.
"Was the Hand of the King, not sure what he is now. A lord up from somewhere very far away," Jaime responded
It was at this time Petyr interjected, "Whats the meaning of this Lannister?"
"Get back inside where its safe. I'm looking for my brother, you remember my brother don't you Lord Stark? Blonde hair. Sharp tongue. Short man."
"I remember him well," Eddard responded
"It seems he had some trouble on the road, you wouldn't know what happened to him would you?"
"He was taken at my command. To answer for his crimes."
Jaime pursed his lips in anger then unsheated his sword, the sounds of Lions and Wolves alike unsheathing their swords filled the yard. "My Lords, I'll bring the City Watch." Peytr said, walking away so fast that he almost ran.
The only man who had not unsheathed his sword by this time was Eddard and Jaime mocked him for it, "Come Stark, I'd rather you die sword in hand."
Jory took another step forward, "If you threaten my Lord again-"
"Threaten? As in, I'm going to open your Lord from balls to brains to see what Starks are made of."
Eddard spoke, "You kill me, your brothers a dead man."
"Your're right. Take him alive. Kill his men."
Several Lannister men at arms approached some of them throwing their spears into the Starks then drawing their swords. Eddard did the same, the Lannisters darted towards the remaining Stark men and the sounds of swords clashing filled the yard. Eddard brought Ice up and deflected strikes from two separate Lannisters he made short work of one with a spear but fought for awhile with one with a sword but eventually he fell just as the other Lannister men.
Across the yard Jory had made short work of a Lannister man and was now approaching Jaime for a duel, he swung at Jaime and after a few thrusts and parrys they engaged in a bladelock. It didn't last long as Jaime withdrew a dagger and stuck it in the unsuspecting Jory Cassel's eye. Jory didn't fall immediately as some who are inexperienced with warfare might believe. No he stood there for a few seconds, panting in pain as his brain registered and accepted his imminent death. Jory fell to the sands below him and died there.
Jaime raised his sword at Eddard in a very lazy and irritating manner, as Stark was visibly flustered at watching his Master at Arms and his close friend die. Jaime approached as Eddard swung his sword upwards flinging back Jaime's sword. Unfortunately, the Kingslayer was a master of his craft and was able to bring his sword back to him where a duel ensued. Both Ned and Jaime were extremely close during the encounter. Ned damned himself for not practicing with the sword as much as he used to, Jaimes skills were honed as he practiced near everyday with the Prince.
It was clear in Eddards mind that Jaime was the better warrior, but there was still a chance for him to win. He may be tiring and getting older but he still was smarter than the Lannister and he used that to his advantage. They danced around one another in a fierce duel, Eddard hoped Jaime feared the man who had killed his mentor Ser Arthur Dayne. Though it was hard to tell because of the Kinglslayers thick wall of Lannister arrogance.
Eddard backed away from Jaime after a particularly fierce exchange, hoping to use Ice's length to his advantage, though it was to his own peril.
" AUGHHH!" The pain jolted through him as one of the Lannister men at arms sent their spear into his leg. Eddard went to one knee and then fell over in pain. A look of disdain fill Jaimes features as he approached the man who had interrupted the duel. He punched the man in the face with the pommel of his sword to which the Lannister man fell unconscious next to the many body's that littered the front of Chatayas brothel.
Jaime climbed atop his Stallion and made his way out of the yard while the Lannister men made to follow him. "My brother Lord Stark, I want him back." With that the yard emptied of Lions, and whores and their customers were the only ones left.
Eddard didn't remember passing out.
(Joffrey POV/Red Keep)
The second half of the Tourney had been a joy to watch, not nearly as much as the first half when one of the Valemen had their neck broken in and in its place a piece of a shattered lance. Ser Hugh had been the first man he had ever watched die, it was an… unique experience. At first, he gasped like everyone else but watching Hugh choking on his own blood while he struggled to breathe had been an astonishing and blood-rushing experience.
Joffrey had watched cats and birds alike die due to his hands but none had ever compared to watching Ser Hugh perish. The second part of the tourney had its ups such as when Ser Loras was nearly split in half by the Mountain. Unfortunately, the Hound had intervened and while it was quite exciting to watch his sworn shield in action, he knew it wouldn't have been as good an experience as watching the Knight of Flowers die at the hands of the Mountain.
Joffrey took his betrothed on a walk through the gardens in the late evening per. She was in surprisingly high spirits after watching a man nearly die. Joffrey hoped that she might share the same desires as him but he doubted she did. She seemed to be a bit of an oaf though she was a Northerner so there wasn't much to expect there.
She was beautiful though, that went without saying. The Hound followed loosely behind them, not close enough to hear, but close enough to keep an eye out.
"So my lady, what do you think?" Joffrey asked as he picked up a beautiful orchid from the gardens.
Sansa took it with careful hands and then said "Oh, it's so beautiful Joffrey thank you!" Is she a halfwit? Joffrey wondered. They linked arms again as they continued their peaceful stroll through the gardens. He rather liked the walks, they were calming in a way. Though Joffrey knew he would rather be doing anything else.
After a few minutes of conversing they heard another conversation being waged across the gardens as they approached, it only grew louder. Soon enough they saw the causes of the disturbances. Tommen… Joffrey saw, and the Tyrell girl… that woman wants me. Joffrey knew. He noticed the way she smiled at him when he was looking at her perfectly shaped breasts, the way she spoke to him in a seductive tone. Now she was sitting in the gardens with Joffrey's fat little brother, she was in the process of sticking a strawberry into Tommen's mouth when they approached. She quickly rose and curtsied before Joffrey and Sansa. "Your Grace…my lady," she said.
"It's so nice to see you here Lady Margaery!" Sansa said like a harlot from one of Corlan's brothels.
By this time Joffrey's fat little brother was already on his feet, he didn't bow like he was supposed to. He couldn't speak anyway as he chewed the strawberry in his mouth. Joffrey noticed the way Tommen stared at Sansa, He wants to fuck her! My bride, my betrothed. My stupid little brother wants to fuck the second most beautiful woman in the realm! Joffrey nearly laughed aloud. He would be sure to punish his little brother by fucking the Tyrell girl.
"It's so nice to see you too Lady Sansa…what are you doing here?" Margaery asked.
"Oh, me and Joff were enjoying each other's company. We enjoy walks before it gets too dark… what are you doing here?"
"Me and Tommen were enjoying each other's company too. We've taken up an interest in eating while we sit in the gardens." Clearly, Joffrey thought, Of course, my fat little brother likes being fed.
Joffrey cut his way into the conversation, "Brother, it's nice to see you and your betrothed. I heard you made some coin against Uncle Renly and Baelish, what are considering doing with such profits?"
Tommen gulped whatever remains of strawberry were in his mouth then spoke "Spending it I imagine." Margaery gave him a harsh elbow to the side while Tommen continued. "Actually me and my betrothed have an affinity for the orphans and the… less fortunate. So we were planning on giving some Golden Dragons to the orphanages in Flea Bottom."
"...I've heard stories of the corruption there. Stories of coins stolen, and of the children raped and murdered by their own septons. I would be careful if I were you."
"Of course… though I would imagine I would trust the coin in the hands of Septas and Septons than the likes of Littlefinger and Renly," Tommen responded curtly
Margaery stared daggers at him then said "Come love, you haven't yet fed me some cheese." Joffrey rolled his eyes at the imbecility of their activities.
Margaery curtsied and said "Your Grace… my Lady." Then moved back to the spot of their picnic while Tommen walked over to Margaery but before sitting down he did a half-baked bow and said "Your Grace."
Joffrey nearly scoffed, but he hid his disdain behind a smile and continued the walk with Sansa. They walked silently for a few minutes before they found a new disturbance. Clack! Clack! Clack! It was an unmistakable sound of wood on wood. They walked a little longer before they came across Arya Stark and a rather short man with an afro and tanned skin. They were dueling with sticks, it was the tanned man who saw them first. He stepped back from a blow from Arya and looked at Sansa and him. "Your Grace," he said simply. He's a Braavosi, Joffrey realized. "I'm afraid I haven't had the pleasure." Joffrey said in a princely voice.
"I am Syrio Forel, first sword of Bravvos." The man said while bowing.
Arya was now looking at Joffrey with a stupid look on her face.
"It's her dancing master," Sansa whispered
Dancing master? Joffrey nearly laughed.
"What are you doing here?" Arya asked aggressively
"Arya-" Sansa said sounding annoyed but Joffrey cut her off.
"It's fine love, it's only natural that she speak as an animal after spending so much time with my younger brother."
Arya began to aggressively approach before the Braavosi using his left hand gestured for Arya to stop. He then spoke, "My Prince, why speak such harsh words against your soon-to-be sister?"
"Know your place Braavosi," Joffrey said as he placed his hand on the pommel of his sword.
"Curious," the dirty Braavosi responded.
By this time Sandor was now only a few feet behind Joffrey and Sansa and had his hand firmly placed on his sword, strengthening his confidence. "Me and my betrothed were enjoying a walk through the gardens and you are in our way… Go. now!" he sounded the last words out aggressively and independently.
The Braavosi was turning to leave when Arya spoke up, "We shouldn't have to leave because the posh prince wants us to. We were here first-"
She didn't get the words out before Joffrey fully unsheathed his sword the Braavosi followed suit by bringing his sword to his front. The Hound approached but he was waved off by him, "Don't concern yourself Hound, the fools carrying a wooden sword." The Hound reluctantly stepped back but his hand was still placed on the pommel of his sword.
"Are you so cowardly that you would threaten a child?" The Braavosi asked.
"Your speaking to a prince!" Joffrey said as he began to strike, the first few strikes were parried by the Braavosi. He had even struck Joffrey on the wrist several times as he danced around him. "Run along child, go to your father." Was all Syrio said. Syrio and Joffrey continued their dance until the dirty Braavosi used his sword to sweep Joffrey off his feet. "Looks like I won't have to be going anywhere," Arya remarked.
The Hound unsheathed his sword while Syrio moved to pick up Joffrey's sword, Syrio moved swiftly as if he was gliding through the air. Sandor slammed his sword into the Braavosi but he kept on spinning away as soon as the sword was to strike. Alternatively, the Braavosi hit Sandor's sword arm many times. But Sandor's armor managed to stop any attempts of severance. Sandor slapped the Braavosi away yet again but none of his blows struck true.
Sandor's longsword struck long and heavy blows that left him vulnerable if he was too slow. Luckily for him the Braavosi was not accustomed to Joffrey's sword which had red and yellow jewels encrusted all over making it a hard weapon to wield. He still moved with grace and was able to dance around Sandor but their skills were nearly neck and neck.
Joffrey had risen after being knocked down by the Braavosi, he moved to pick up a wooden sword while Arya was distracted by the duel. He picked it up and swung at Arya but she seemed to be just as agile as the Braavosi, moving where Joffrey was not and striking where Joffrey was blind. The Prince swung violently and clumsily he eventually hit her on the head, a strike she did not recover from as she fell to the ground unconscious.
Joffrey turned back to watch the duel, he noted the disappearance of Sansa as Sandor and the Braavosi continued their duel, he was gleefully watching as a sharp pain at the wrist overtook him. Forcing him to drop to the sword. He cried out in agony as he fell to his knees, Arya's direwolf firmly locked itself into Joffrey's arm. Taking almost the entire length of his forearm into its bite. He shrieked in agony as the wolf continued to clamp down on his forearm.
Steel continued to fill the sound of the yard as did his screams as a firm voice cut through the courtyard. "Stop this madness!" Sansa reappeared this time with Tommen and Margaery at her side.
Sandor stepped away gaining some distance from the Braavosi after hearing Tommens voice cut through the yard, but he waited for Joffrey's confirmation. In between the pained grunts, Joffrey managed a hoarse yell, "Kill this beast!"
Sandor eyed the Braavosi as he went swiftly to put down Arya's direwolf, Sansa tried to call the direwolf off the attack but the beast didn't listen. The direwolf noticed Sandor's presence as it detached from Joffrey's arm, moving to attack Sandor.
Joffrey fell to the ground fully from the relief of pain as he cradled his blood-soaked arm. The wolf attacked Sandor but it was to no avail as the wolf was swiftly put down by the hound. A loud yelp was the last sound it made. Joffrey soon too joined Arya in rest.