The last of Lady Whent's defenders had been beaten, and the fourth day of the joust was well underway. The older and better knights of the realm had taken the proverbial stage on the fourth day. With most if not all of the inexperienced boys and the less skilled hedge-knights eliminated over the course of the first three days, the competition was now weeded out and only the best of were still on the field.
The previous day had been interesting to say the least. The mystery knight of the laughing weirwood had apparently dismissed ransom for their opponents' armour and steeds in exchange for 'teaching their squires respect' which apparently earned them beatings from their supervising knights. After that display, the knight had not elected to rest in one of the victors' pavilions but instead retire as the day's jousting ended. Many waited for the knight at the evening's feast, and even the king himself appeared to ascertain the identity of the person in the armour.
The knight of the laughing tree never appeared.
They had vanished before the feast, riding off in such a way that no one had seen them leave. Some of the guests spoke of magic and sorcery, of a champion of the Old Gods come to defeat the blasphemous worshipers of the Seven who were one. Most though simply declared the mystery knight to be a common boy without standing scavenging armour and playing at being a knight. Some of those same lords spoke of sponsoring whoever that boy might be, as talent the likes of what they had seen was rare in the common people.
Only one man saw the disappearance of the mystery knight with any kind of malice, unfortunately it was the one man who's malice could force everyone else to do something about it.
Aerys Targaryen was a man who saw assassin's blades in every shadow and consiracy in every whisper. He had watched as for years men burned by his word without question or exception and as he demanded the identity of the mystery knight, he was denied. That single fact, that the mystery knight had not prostrated themselves and declared themselves a servant of his king, had sent Aerys spiralling into his famous and feared paranoia. That the knight had disappeared and that he could not find their identity, had set off the madman's worst fears, and that night king Aerys declared the knight of the laughing tree as a traitor and enemy to the kingdoms of Westeros. Wealth, lands and titles, were promised to whoever might bring the mystery knight before the king's justice, and place them in Aerys' clutches for his brutal punishments.
The Spartans exchanged glances as Aerys raved and screamed of treason and assassins. Up until that point, they had heard tales of the mad king Aerys, but they had never truly seen just how unhinged the supreme leader of Westeros really was. Mendez scowled at the king and muttered something about dogs and shotguns, while Kurt just grimaced and clenched a fist underneath the table. With the king's great outburst at the beginning of the evening, and his spending the rest of it muttering about treason and scratching at his arms until they began to bleed, the feast and the night had been sober, and by far the least festive of all the nights since the tourney had begun.
Still, in the end the search proved fruitless. The only piece of the knight's armour that the search parties could find was his shield, which had been abandoned in a tree and was found by prince Rhaegar. Kurt himself had managed to track down some other pieces of the knight of the laughing tree's armour which had been discarded in the waters of the god's eye close to where the castle sat. Kurt found himself suddenly regretting his dismissal of 26th century security being dispatched to the tourney. While they could never have added cameras and drones around the grounds given the chance they would be discovered and the chaos that discovery might cause, he had still waved off any ideas to have cameras deployed in the atmosphere or in orbit transfered to watch the tourney. The mission was a simple one and their various means of survailance were already busy watching over several other areas of the solar system, as well as the Plataea, Casterly Rock and other large settlements.
No matter the disruption and disappearance of the mystery knight, Kurt was still of the belief that the mission, as well as Tom and Shane's participation in the joust, was going well. Now that the greater knights and lords of Westeros had taken the field, Tom was finally getting as many challenges as Shane, who up until the fourth day had received the lion's share of challenges from the natives. None of the matches had been all that different, but a knight of house Rykker had actually managed to last a tilt with Shane before being unhorse on the second charge. That knight was receiving quite the congratulations from his fellows as he had so far been the only knight, even amongst the great warriors of Westeros, to last longer than a single round against a Spartan.
The remaining champion boxes were also filling up as the fourth day of the joust continued. Ser Barristan Selmy had claimed a place amongst the champions, as had lord Brandon Stark and Prince Rhaegar. Ser Arthur Dayne had just challenged a Roxton knight for another box while lord Robert Baratheon watched lord Jon Connington claim a fifth box. Yohn Royce made the sixth great knight to claim a seat and by now most of the remaining contestants were fighting for the eight remaining boxes that had not yet been claimed by such great lords.
The remaining competitors turned their eyes away from those seats, as the notoriety of those who held them made it so that most had no interest in trying their luck. While the eight remaining seats were the subject of firece competition, the seats of the Terra knights were not as secure as those of their fellows.
Ned Stark watched his brother Brandon unseat a knight of the Stormlands to take a champion's pavilion just one over from the Spartan Ser Shane. Several of the more experienced knights of the realm had challenged the two Spartans, hoping to take their place and win honour and recognition for their houses. It was for naught though as just like all the others who had come before them, the Spartans had unhorsed them in but a single tilt. It had come to the point that almonst no other knights had challenged them since the sun had reached its height some hours ago. The fourth day would be ending soon, and it seemed that the final participants had been decided as the pavilions were taken. Most notable amongst the champions were prince Rhaegar, as well as the kingsguard members Ser Barristan, Ser Arthur, Ser Jonthodor, and Prince Lewyn. Lord Commander Gerald Hightower and Ser Osewll Whent had not taken any opportunities to participate, and had instead stayed up in the royal box to defend king Aerys.
Brandon had gained his place amongst the champions mid-way through the fourth day of the joust, and had been joined by Yohn Royce and a knight of house Rykker. The Rykker knight had earned his place after defeating another of the champions on his second attempt, and was now well known now for being the only man in the entire tourney to have lasted more than a single tilt with the Spartans of house Terra.
Speaking of those knights who represented the Westerlands, Ser Shane and Ser Tom stood in their boxes looking little worse for wear given that they had spent the last five days seeing off challengers to their spots. Turning his head away from the competition he saw that Ser Robert, the winner of the melee had taken a seat close to the lords of the Stormlands, and had been inducted by his own friend Robert as a new aquaintance. Lyanna and Benjen seemed to be hanging on the man's every word, despite how little he spoke. It appeared that it was the lady Jane who prompted their celebratory attitude after his victory in the melee. Eddard could respect a man who kept to himself. After all, his own moniker as the 'quiet wolf' was one he had earned for being the most withdrawn and solemn of his siblings.
The crowd's mutterings and conversations seemed to grow and quiet as the umpire's of the competition announced that the last joust of the day would be coming and that on the morrow, the final tilts of the competition would occur.
It appeared that a knight of house Westerling was facing off against another knight from house Yornwood in order to fill the last seat. The two knights charged against each other, racing down the track, before finally coliding. Their lances broke against their opponents but neither man fell. As the two rounded the turn at the end of the lists, they were each handed another lance and charged again. The two knights broke near four lances against each other before on the fifth pass, the Yornwood knight struck true and sent the Westerling man tumbling into the dirt.
The Dornish knight was declared the winner, and allowed to climb up into one of the sixteen boxes.
"My lords, my ladies." One of the heralds announced. "As this fourth day ends, we announce that the men who sit as champions today have faced off against all that Westeros has to offer. They have stood firm and claimed their placements as champions, and on the morrow, they will face off against each other to decide who will be named as champion of this great tourney."
There was an eruption of whispers amongst the crowds, who eyed the knights and lords who sat in the boxes apart from the stands. Four members of the kingsguard, the crown prince, the heir to the north and ten other knights and lords stood tall and unbroken, ready to face off against each other. Most however had their eyes keenly focused on the two Spartans of the Westerlands who had dominated their places for the whole of the five days of the joust. Over that time, more and more of the nobles and commoners had chattered about how they may take the whole of the competition.
Ned kept to his seat as the champions filed out of their boxes and made towards the hall of a hundred hearths where the night's feast would be held before the grande finale of the jousting competition. He soon found himself gathered with the two Roberts and lady Jane, who had come in order to force Ser Robert and Shane to celebrate, and herded off to the Stormlands' tables. Drinks and food filled the tables and the sounds of song and cheer filled the air. The king had decided not to attend the festivities that night, and so there was little in the way of the tension that had permeated the previous evening. Robert had pulled Ned aside even within the celebration in order to share a drink with his brother in arms. Ned soon found that his best friend's cheer and revelry was as contagious as it was intense. By the time they were even half-way through the feast, Ned had downed enough mead to match Robert and unlike his friend, he felt the drink more keenly without the Stormlord's massive size.
He broke from Robert's grasp in order to reject another flagon of ale.
"Ned!" Robert exclaimed as he pushed aside the offered drink. "What's gotten into you? This is a feast, a celebration. We're to see the best in Westeros knock each other into the dirt."
He laughed boisterously, joined in by the other lords at the table before he slapped the bum of a passing serving girl and eliciting a slight squeak. Ned smiled and chuckled, shaking his head at his friend's antics.
"I'm hoping to dance tonight Robert, I'll need my wits about my should I wish not to embarrass myself."
Robert's eyes widdened slightly before he too broke from the revelry of the table. He threw an arm over Ned's shoulder and steered him into the crowd away from the jeering drunken men.
"This about lady Dayne?" He asked, wiggling his eyebrows with a flush on his cheeks. "Afraid she won't want to share another dance with the quiet wolf?"
Ned's eyes darted away for only a second, but it was all Robert needed.
"Come on Ned, you danced with her before."
"After Brandon requested it of her?"
"Did she slap you when you parted ways?"
Ned looked confused.
"No? No she didn't."
"Then you didn't do anything to offend her enough that she wouldn't consider another dance."
Ned looked at his friend aghast.
"Those are not the only outcomes of a dance Robert, she might not have wanted to dance again and could have been polite."
"Bah." Robert waved his concerns away. "She's Dornish Ned, those crazy desert people'll stab you if you insult them long before they're polite."
"That's grossly inaccurate Robert." Ned sighed.
"Either way." Robert said, downing more ale. "If you're so concerned, I could always ask on your behalf, I'm sure the lord of Storms End isn't someone lady Dayne could easily ignore."
Ned smiled, his friend might be drunk and abit crude, well actually Robert was very much crude, but he was still his closest friend, and someone Ned could count on."
"If I can't get a dance for myself Robert, I don't wish to look pathetic asking you to get one for me. It's a matter of honour."
Robert laughed and pulled two large mugs of ale out of a servant's hands. He passed one to Ned and kept the other for himself.
"Fine fine, you Northerners and your honour. Share a drink with me at least, for courage and luck."
Ned smiled and the two clacked their drinks together and downed them.
"Now go and grace the beautiful Ashara Dayne with your fancy feet."
Robert laughed and retreated back to their table. Ned watched as his friend disappeared from sight before turning around and making his way through the hall. As he approached the table for the Dornish nobility, he saw that the lady Dayne was seated once again with the princess Elia Martell. He gathered his courage as he walked, thanking the beer which had lit a fire in his stomach, and Robert for making him drink it.
"Your grace." He said, bowing to Elia Martell. "My lady."
The two women focused on him, ending their conversation.
"Lord Stark." Elia said, smiling and nodding in acknowledgement. "What had brought you to us?"
Ned saw the two women share a look, with the princess nearly grinning at Ashara and the lady of Starfall returning it with a look almost akin to a scowl before she turned to face him. As soon as she did, her face changed into a polite smile, and Ned almost felt his stomach sink. It was likely the lady Dayne knew why he was here and was not happy with princess Elia for humouring him.
"I..." He swallowed thickly, trying to calm his nerves. "I wished to ask the lady Ashara Dayne if she might share with me a dance tonight."
"Lord Stark." Ashara said, looking up at him with a hint of hesitance.
"But if my lady finds this unacceptable, I understand." He said, giving her a means to reject him, hopefully without her insulting him too heavily.
"It would be wonderful." Elia said with a smile. "In fact, Ashara would love to share a dance with you, lord Stark."
"Elia." Ashara said sharply. Ned's gaze changed over to her and to his surprise her face almost seemed to flush.
"Lady Dayne?" He asked, holding out his hand. "Might I have this dance?"
Ashara looked at his hand and then at him for a moment before taking it.
"You may, lord Stark."
"Eddard." He blurted out. "Please, lord Stark is a title for my father and brother. You may call me Eddard."
Ashara smiled slightly.
"Very well... lord Eddard."
Kurt had abandoned the feast early in the night, but had ordered Mendez to remain and keep an eye on his Spartans. Robert, Shane and Jane had once again been ropped into celebrating with the Stormlands, as had become their main seat over the last few days since the melee. Jane seemed to be very good at making friends amongst the Stormlords and the Northmen who were seated close to them. He would have to change the seating placements during the joust tomorrow. Jane should perhaps take Adam's place amongst the north and storm lords. the Beta company Spartan's more quiet demeanour would likely serve him better with the knights of the Vale and their leaders the Arryns.
He walked through the grounds, making his way to the tower that was being used to house house Lannister's members. The night air was fresher than it was during the day, without as much of the reek of piss and sweat that dominated the tourney grounds when hundreds of unwashed bodies were crowded together in order to watch the poor substitute for combat.
The sounds of voices amongst the tents would have been of no consequence to the captain were it not for the fact that he recognised one of them. Prince Rhaegar's voice was hushed as he spoke to someone Kurt could not identify but as he crept closer he found Rhaegar and his mystery companion behind a tent, next to a door that led back into the main hall. Glancing around the canvas, he saw that the prince was face to face with the lady Lyanna Stark.
"Please, I can help you my lady, if this engagement is so objectionable, allow me to interveen."
That was interesting to Kurt, but not necessarily in a good way. The engagement of lady Lyanna to Robert Baratheon was one that wouldn't sit right with most of the UNSC personel on the Plataea, but as they were not yet to marry and Robert seemed in no hurry to engage in a sexual relationship with the immature girl kurt himself had few objections that he could bring. They had no real business forcing these people to abide by their laws and ideals. Not yet at least.
"My prince." Ser Arthur Dayne emerged from the door, beckoning the two back towards the door. "The lady Lyanna's absence has been noticed, it appears that this meeting must be cut short."
"Very well." Rhaegar said. "Please my lady, if there is anything that I may assist you with, please let me know. I do not want my cousin's... indulgences, to cause you distress."
Lyanna smiled. "Thank you for your concern your grace. I will of course keep in touch. I hope that you can correct Robert's faults."
Rhaegar returned her smile, and together, the two retreated back into the hall before they might be found.
Kurt watched them leave with a look of discontent. Rhaegar's interest in his cousin's betrothed was growing it seemes, even if he covered it under the veneer of caring for the happiness his cousin's future wife.
He made his way through the grounds to the Lannister tower, climbing up it until he reached lord Tywin's personal quarters. Pushing open the door he saw Tywin sitting with his brother Kevan and the lord of Ashmark Lord Marbrand.
"Lord Terra." Tywin nodded to him, which kurt returned.
"We had your requested chest brought up from your tent. If you would."
Kurt nodded. Kneeling down he inserted the combination on the steel locker that held some of the few items that he had brought with him from the Plataea to the tourney.
"Lord Tywin." He asked as he pulled a large paper map from the chest. "Are you positive of this my lord?"
"It is better we get this over with sooner than later." Tywin said.
"Very well. Lord Marbrand, several of my inspectors have found several veins of gold along your territories. There have also been a few veins of diamonds found at the border lands between your own lands and those of house Lannister."
Lord Marbrand's eyes widdened considerably before darting to each of the men in the room.
"As your leige lord, I do have the right to demand a multitude of rights from my bannermen, but to strip you of the wealth found in your own lands beyond normal taxes is a tyranny none would abide." Tywin said. It was true, for all that the Westerlands feared the old lion for his brutality, had he forced them to give up such a massive source of wealth, he would likely have found himself set upon by an alliance of his discontented lords in rebellion.
"Instead, you will provide us with one tenth of the gold and diamonds mined on your lands in exchange for an exact description of every vein found by lord Terra and details about how best to mine them. House Terra has also been ordered to provide you with equipment to hasten the mining of the gold and diamonds." Tywin said.
Kurt watched as lord Marbrand all but fell to the floor in gratitude, thanking lord Tywin and Kurt himself for this new source of wealth, even if he would not be the sole one profiting off of it. Most would think this a poor trade for Kurt. He was handing over all the potential profits to Tywin, while also providing better equipment to both lords. Though 'better' was a misnomer as the equipment was modeled from the eighteenth century. Still, it was vastly better than what the people of Westeros were already using and it would endear his people to the lords of Ashmark and give them a better reputation amongst the nobility.
In the end, Kurt's main objective with this was to further ingratiate himself and his people to Tywin, while building closer ties with some of the houses that were closer to the Plataea. Next he would have to speak to Tywin about aiding house Kenning with their struggling harvests, or perhaps providing them with a glass garden or two.
Elia is either the best or worst wingman, tied possibly with Robert. I just imagine those two sitting and watching Ashara and Ned trying to flirt and shaking their head. Those crazy kids.
Also, according to the lore the knight of the laughing tree appeared on the second day instead of the third. that's my bad but I don't really feel like changing it since it means writing in a whole other day instead of skipping it.
I was planning on actually having Rhaegar confront Benjen, Lyanna and Howland about them being the kight of the laughing tree but then I thought I didn't want to do that for a few reasons. First was that I don't know who the knight of the laughing tree was, and no one does save GRR Martin. There are multiple theories and I think the best of them is Eddard Stark being the knight. Second, I don't really subscribe to the Lyanna theory because I feel it's too cliche for one and unbelievable for the other. Lyanna was stated to be a good horsewoman but this would have been a fourteen year old girl unseating three trained knights on her first attempt of the competition in likely ill fitting armour and all three of those knights were 'champions' I honestly don't think she could do it without way more training and practice. Instead I had Rhaegar making an early move to ingratiate himself with Lyanna by speaking with her about her betrothal to Robert.