Chapter 9-Blood Spilled
"This information you have obtained, its incredible," said Ned after receiving written documentation from Jon in Ser Hugh's own handwriting.
"Indeed. Lord Baelish has put his fingers in many pigeon pies. And he has done it in a way that no one knows it. Or at least until it is too late to stop him," said Jon with Ned nodding.
"I have been doing some research of my own regarding the Lannister per Lord Baelish and his 'suggestion' that they may have been involved on the attack on my son. The book on House bloodlines, Robert's bastards, and even Bran's fall from the tower has revealed something interesting," said Ned while opening the book and showing the bloodline for House Baratheon.
"Black hair and blue eyes. All of them. Even when marrying women all from different Houses and had different colored hair," commented Jon while reading the contents of the book carefully.
"Up until Joffrey, Myrcella, and Tommen," added Ned with Jon making a noise.
"Odd. Given the history of House Baratheon, all three of them should have dark hair and blue eyes of a Baratheon," said Jon with Ned nodding.
"Instead, the hair is blonde and eyes green...like a Lannister," said Ned while Jon began to draw the same conclusion.
"Both parents are Lannisters. Not Lannister and Baratheon," concluded Jon after putting the two together with Ned now nodding.
"Meaning Cersei's three children are not Roberts. Not one drop of his blood flows in their veins," said Ned with Jon nodding.
"It also means that the Father is the only other Lannister around Cersei to be the Father of those three children," said Jon with Ned nodding since he came to the same conclusion.
"Jamie Lannister. He is their Father," commented Ned with Jon making a face.
"I thought only the Targaryens practiced such things with their House?" asked Jon with Ned flinching slightly at the mention of the dragon.
"The Targaryens? Yes. Lannisters? No. If Tywin finds out about this...if Robert were to find out about this...," said Ned while Jon grimaced.
"It would be a race to see who would kill Cersei, Jamie, and the three children first," said Jon knowing neither Tywin nor Robert would allow this hidden truth/slight against them to go unpunished.
"Meaning we have to figure how to reveal this and not cause all out bloodshed," said Ned with the truth being extremely damaging for House Lannister and for House Baratheon.
"You can't. One way or another, someone is going to die when the truth comes out," said Jon with Lord Stark sighing since it was true.
"Is Ser Hugh in a secure location?" asked Ned with Jon nodding.
"He is currently in a Lin Kuei safe house near the edge of the city and under close guard by some of the members there. I gave them orders to keep an eye on him and no one is to take him anywhere. At least until I personally come for him to bring to Robert to face his judgment," answered Jon with Ned nodding since the news of Ser Hugh being taken in secret for questioning needed to be heard and known by a select few.
"Good. Keep him there until we are ready to move against Lord Baelish and anyone else loyal to him or part of the conspiracy," said Ned with Jon nodding before a knock on the door and Jory entered soon after.
"My Lord, her Grace, the Queen is here," said Jory before moving further aside to let the Queen into the room, which she did in an almost demanding like manner when walking.
"You're missing the tournament," commented Cersei to Ned before eyeing Jon who was off to the side and wondered what they were conversing about.
"Just because the King put my name on the tournament doesn't make it mine. I was even against it given how deep the Crown is in debt to your Father and the Iron Bank," replied Ned while Cersei raised an eyebrow slightly in surprise since that piece of information was unknown to her.
"I sensed there was still some hostility between our two families despite your time getting settled into the role as Hand. I thought we might be able to put what happened with that ugly business on the King's Road behind us. Remove the tension that has remained since the incident where our little fight involved dragging people from their beds in the middle of the night," said Cersei while discreetly looking at Ned's desk to see the table had both the book and dagger on it.
"Difficult to do when your son lied to the King and demanded my children be punished after catching him said lie," said Ned while Cersei grimaced since her son had felt he was allowed to lie to anyone and everyone regardless of who they were in life.
The Mad King thought the same way and helped breathed life into a rebellion that led to Robert sitting on the Iron Throne.
"True, but my husband has punished him accordingly and my son has learned his lesson about lying to others. How is Sansa?" said Cersei while deciding to change the subject.
"She likes it here," replied Ned, which was true enough.
"She seems to be the only Stark who does. Must be the Tully from her Mother's side," said Cersei with a disarming smile to lower someone's guard.
But Ned didn't feel like lowering his guard around her.
"What are you doing here your Grace?" asked Ned curiously.
"I could ask you the same thing about yourself. What do you and recently legitimized son hope to accomplish here while in King's Landing?" asked Cersei while again eyeing the book on Ned Stark's desk.
"The King called on me to serve him and the realm. He called on me to help him find out who murdered Jon Arryn. Someone who was a Father to us. One of the few people left in this world who mattered to both Robert and myself on a deep personal level. I intend to protect the Seven Kingdoms as Lord Arryn did and bring his murderer to face the King's justice," said Ned with Cersei nodding in understanding since she would not tolerate the idea of someone murdering Jamie or her Father and walking around freely.
"Well regardless, you can't change him, you can't help him. Even with all your power the position as Hand gives you, Robert will do whatever he wants. Which is all he has ever done. All you can do is try to pick up the pieces," commented Cersei before glancing at Jon/Aegon.
"If that is what needs to be done as Hand of the King, so be it," said Ned knowing the task of keeping Robert's rule and the Seven Kingdoms intact was a difficult one.
"You are just a soldier, aren't you? You take your orders and carry on. Even when you know the orders are wrong or given to you by an incompetent man who outranks your own position. I suppose it makes sense since it was older brother who was trained to lead and you were trained to follow," commented Cersei in a backhanded insult to Ned's way of doing things.
"I have also been trained to kill my enemies your Grace," countered Ned with Cersei's smile increasing.
"So have I," said Cersei while Jon narrowed his eyes at her.
"We should be cautious with her. She's not the weak willed. If necessary, the Queen will conspire with others to have you killed," warned Jon while seeing how the Queen talked to Ned.
"And use someone like Lord Baelish to make it happen," said Ned since Baelish would enjoy doing it if the Queen gave the command fully knowing he would benefit from the woman being in his back pocket when favors were called in.
(Elsewhere-At the Moment)
"I wish it didn't come to this Tyrion," commented Sub-Zero while he, Tyrion, Catelyn, Ser Rodrik, and surprising the Sell Sword named Bronn rode on horseback to the Vale.
"I agree. But it can't be helped. Some matters need to be addressed and my innocence in this whole affair is one of them," remarked Tyrion knowing this was going to get messy real fast if Lysa Tully had her way.
"Indeed. But I would advise you not insult Lysa Arryn in the castle from which she rules over the Vale. I can only do so much against a small army of knights in a room full of them," said Sub-Zero with Tyrion nodding.
"Keep dirty, yet funny jokes and insults to a minimum. I can do that," said Tyrion with a smirk.
"That's a shame. I like those kind of jokes," said Bronn casually.
"Why are you here Sell Sword? No one invited you," questioned Catelyn suspiciously.
"Simple. I can smell adventure. I can smell gold. This group here is full of both. Besides, I heard stories of the Lin Kuei Grandmaster over here being able to do some incredibly interesting things. I want to see if the stories are true," said Bronn since he knew saving the son of Tywin Lannister would get him in good graces with the old lion, even if he did despise his youngest son.
A Lannister was still a Lannister and saving one like Tyrion would most likely get Bronn some gold or favor from the old lion.
"You should turn back now. What we are doing could become increasingly dangerous," warned Catelyn while Bronn shrugged.
"Bigger the danger, the more gold I earn," replied Bronn casually.
"It will be difficult to collect if you die lad. Provided there is gold for you collect from this," commented Ser Rodrik with Bronn giving the older man a shrug.
"One way or another, I have a feeling someone will be paying me gold for my troubles," said Bronn knowing it could be this group, the Vale, or the Lannisters who pay him in the end.
It all depended on who opened up their money pouch first.
"Wait!" said Sub-Zero and raising a hand to make everyone stop.
"What is it?" asked Catelyn while looking around.
"We are not alone. We are surrounded on all sides," said Sub-Zero calmly while Ser Rodrik and Bronn drew their swords.
"Who?" asked Tyrion whole looking around.
"If I were to guess, it is the Hill Tribesmen that live in the Vale. Unlike those that live in the North, these are not the friendly kind," said Sub-Zero before he dismounted from his horse and gave it to Catelyn.
"What are you doing?" asked Catelyn while Sub-Zero walked away from her and the group.
"Giving them a clear shot at their target. My clan has been thinning their numbers in the past couple of years at the request of Lords of the Vale. I am too good a target to pass up at this point. On my signal. Flee on your horses and get to your sister. I will be along to assist you shortly once this is over," said Sub-Zero before he motioned them to quickly ride off to their intended destination.
"If he comes out of this alive," commented Bronn while riding off with the others.
Within moments of small group leaving did they come out of hiding. A large group. A little over sixty men and warrior women from the different Hill Tribes had come. Sub-Zero could only surmise they spotted their group by per chance and warned the others in the area. Not surprising. The Lin Kuei had been hired by some of the Lords of the Vale to help thin the ranks of the Hill Tribesmen in the area. In recent times, the tribes had been more aggressive and dangerous with their numbers becoming a threat the knights in the ability to challenge them.
So the Lin Kuei was hired to fix the issue. And they did. Now, all the Hill Tribesmen in this region were shadows of their former selves in terms of numbers.
"You lead the forest demons that killed so many of us these many past moons. You will pay for your crimes against us," said one of the Hill Tribesmen angrily.
"Perhaps if you didn't act live like wild animals and had some sense of civility, it would not have come to such things. But when people act like wild animals with no sense of morality, is it any reason they are slaughtered like animals?" said Sub-Zero with many of the Hill Tribesmen snarling at him.
"We will feast on your flesh. Obtain your rumored ice powers. We will become the most fierce warriors of this region," said another tribesman.
"Difficult to do when you are dead," said Sub-Zero coldly while reading himself for a fight.
As one, the Hill Tribesmen of the Vale charged Sub-Zero.
(Tower of the Hand)
"How is your son my Lord?" asked Lord Varys after knocking and approaching Ned Stark in his office.
"Fine Lord Varys. He is recovering slowly following the procedure the Grandmaster performed. My eldest son Robb informed me that Brandon is continuing his ability to walk again," said Ned with Varys nodding.
"And his mind is sound?" asked Varys with Ned nodding.
"He has strange dreams from time to time, but nothing children his age don't have when sleeping," said Ned while Varys smiled a friendly smile before shutting the door.
"A blessing then. I suffered a mutilation myself at a young age. Some doors closed, yet some unknown doors opened for me and in the most unexpected places. May I sit?" said Varys with Ned nodding.
"I heard the stories people said, but never pried. It wasn't my place and the nature of the subject is not something one talks about openly," said Ned with Varys nodding and was clearly pleased to have met one person who didn't tease or ridicule him about the loss of his man bits.
"Indeed. Just as if the wrong ears heard what I am about to tell you, off comes my head. And who would mourn for Lord Varys then? The Grandmaster perhaps, but he is the only one. North, South, East, or the West, no one would sing songs for the Spider upon my death. But there are things you must know. You are the King's Hand and sadly the King is a. Your friend I know, but a fool. One who is doomed unless you can save him from his enemies waiting for the day he dies in some spectacular way befitting his lifestyle," said Varys with Ned nodding.
"I won't deny Robert has become a shadow of his former self. I imagine it would be worse if my sister had died. But why come to me now as a friend when I have been at the Capital for over a month?" asked Ned since he knew Varys worked with the Lin Kuei from time to time, but during his time as Hand, the Spider kept his distance.
"Because I didn't trust you. Yes, you have the Lin Kuei on our side to some degree, but a man in my position cannot simply trust others so blindly. Especially in a city such as this where treachery and deception is everywhere," said Varys with Ned nodding since he had seen such things in the Capital.
"What sort of doom does the King face?" asked Ned curiously.
"The same shadowy doom that befell Jon Arryn. There are those within the Capital who do not want the peace to last. They want war. They want bloodshed. They want some of the strongest Houses in all the Seven Kingdoms brought low to the point of annihilation in order to pave way for their rise to new heights of power," said Varys with concern on his face and in his voice.
"Who?" asked Ned with Varys giving him a knowing look.
"I think you know who I am referring to my friend. The same man who conspired with others to kill Jon Arryn in the first place. The same man who has used his understanding of numbers to financially cripple the Crown. The same man who envies you for having the woman of his dreams. The same man who came from nothing like myself, but wants more without a care in the world on who or what he destroys to get what his heart desires. This man wants the Iron Throne. This man wants your wife as his Queen. This man wants your wife to give him children while wanting the ones she has with you to be wiped out," said Varys with Ned growling.
"Lord Baelish," said Ned with Varys nodding.
"The one who gains the most from everyone else's losses," said Varys with Ned's growl getting louder.
"And used Ser Hugh to procure the poison. Had he participated in the tourney, I have no doubt the man would have died," remarked Ned with Varys shrugging.
"Pity what happened to him. Whether he was removed in secret or fled to wherever a man like him may have fled. And just when his life seemed to be going so well following his Lord's death," commented Varys while knowing it was a certain Lin Kuei in training who took the Vale knight, but decided not to reveal that he did in fact know.
"What I don't understand, is why would Lord Baelish risk such a thing? To bring about so much death. And to kill the Hand of the King of all people. Such an act is almost similar as attempting to kill the King himself. And even with his conspirators, surely some of the people involved felt his ambitions to seek the Iron Throne were overreaching. Yet they aided in Jon Arryn's death anyway. Why?" questioned Ned with Varys leaning forward.
"Because Jon Arryn was doing what you are doing now my new friend. He started asking questions. The kind where certain people don't want the answers revealed and go to any length to ensure they never see the light of day," replied Varys with Ned looking down at the table to see the dagger that had been used to nearly end his son's life.
He knew all too well what certain secrets could do if revealed to everyone.
(Small Council Chambers-Several Days Later)
Ned walked with a purpose to see Robert. The time had finally come to spring the trap on Lord Baelish. Yeon from the Night's Watch had visited him in office after Arya had been found talking about how she heard two people talking about a potential war between the wolf and the lion. Though it was clear her hearing of the conversation was muffled, Jon had been one to decipher its meaning, and even more so when Yeon had told him the Grandmaster's message. Ser Hugh was carefully tucked away, Lysa Arryn would soon be brought into the light as a conspirator, and finally Lord Baelish himself being the one to spearheaded the plot to murder Jon Arryn.
Unfortunately, the meeting he wanted with Robert was delayed due to a Small Council meeting ordered by Robert himself due to Varys receiving some news about Daenerys Targaryen over in Essos.
"The whore is pregnant," said Robert while Ned knew of the woman he was speaking of and it was not one from the brothels the King liked to visit.
"You're speaking of murdering a child. And the woman carrying it," reminded Ned with Robert's anger growing.
"I warned you this would happen. Back in the North. I warned you what would happen with the girl and the Dothraki. But you didn't care to listen. Well, listen now. I want them dead! Mother and child both! And that fool Viserys with them for good measure. Is that plain enough for you? I want them both dead!" declared Robert with Ned not liking this one bit.
"You dishonor yourself if you do this," said Ned in the hope it would deter Robert.
"Honor? I have Seven Kingdoms to rule. One King. Seven Kingdoms! Do you think it is honor that keeps all Seven in line? No! Its fear. Fear and blood!" exclaimed Robert with his anger rising further.
"Then we're no better than the Mad King himself," said Ned with Robert looking even more enraged.
"Careful now Ned. Careful," warned Robert knowing they were crossing dangerous waters in terms of words that could not be taken back..
"It is you who should be careful. You are talking about assassinating a girl. And all for what? A rumor? Because the Spider heard a whisper from one of his little birds?" asked Ned while glaring at Varys for what he felt was a betrayal of trust between them.
"It is no rumor my Lord. The Targaryen Princess is with child. Khal Drogo is the Father," replied Varys firmly.
"Based on whose information?" asked Ned since he wanted confirmation from a reliable source and not one of the Spider's little birds.
"Ser Jorah of House Mormont. In exchange for a Royal Pardon, the man has agreed to spy on the two remaining Targaryens for us," said Varys with Ned narrowing his eyes on him.
"You accept his word? A word of a traitor?" questioned Ned before looking at Robert in the hopes the man would rethink his position on this.
"Regardless of his dishonor and your own disgust for his past actions, the information provided is no less accurate. My other little birds in Essos have confirmed what the man told me just to be sure," said Varys with Ned looking increasingly uncomfortable with this situation.
"And when she gives birth? Has a son? An Heir to contest my rule as King? A son with dragon's blood leading a Dothraki army?! What then?" demanded Robert with Ned trying to keep his temper in check.
"The Narrow Sea still lies between us and them. I'll fear the Dothraki when they teach their horses to run on water," said Ned with Robert looking at him in shock and anger.
"That's your answer? To do nothing?! That is your advise? To wait until the enemy is on our shores and burning down homes? You're my Council. Council this honorable fool!" commanded Robert angrily.
And so they did. Each one from Varys to Littlefinger expressed the decision to kill the Targaryen Princess before she gave birth to a son that would possibly lead a Dothraki Horde across the Narrow Sea. They knew if this did happen, many of them would either be too old or dead to do anything about it.
"I followed you into war. Not once, but twice! Without question. Without doubt. But I will not follow you now. The Robert Baratheon I grew up with did not tremble in the shadow of an unborn child. Or its Mother," said Ned with Robert looking ready to let his rage explode.
"She dies," said Robert with his tone signifying his decision was final.
"I will have no part in this," countered Ned with a sense of finality in his own voice.
"You are Hand of the King and you will do as your King commands of you Lord Stark. Or else I will find myself a Hand who can and will," replied Robert with the threat clear as day.
"Good luck to him when he is found. Maybe he can do what I could not and turn you into a better man like Jon Arryn tried to do before it happens," said Ned before taking off the Hand of King pendant on his chest and slamming it down on the table to signify he was willing to leave Robert if it came down to it.
"Out. Out! Damn you! I'm done with you! Go back to Winterfell and freeze your ass and balls off for all I care. I'll have your head on a spike! I'll put it there myself you honorable fool!" bellowed Robert angrily while Ned motioned for Jon to follow.
And both ignoring the ranting of the angry King.
"What now?" asked Jon knowing the way the King was acting, it would be impossible to prevent evidence of Lord Baelish's treasonous actions.
"We're leaving King's Landing. I should have never agreed to come this far South. If Robert wants to drown himself in wine and bedding loose women when he's not pissing in fear of a yet unborn child, let him. My place is in the North. Should the day come when Robert snaps out of his sense of fear and listens to reason, I will answer the call. But as things are, it would be a fool's errand," said Ned while ordering Jory to get the girls and prepare everyone to leave.
And no sooner did the man leave did Lord Baelish walk in with a smirk on his face.
"His Grace talked quite a bit about you after leaving the room. Talk of treason, killing you, and head on a spike. The usual things a man like that says about another when angry at them. I must admit, it was quite the dramatic display of honor and courage befitting someone of House Stark. Especially when standing up to the King after he gave such a grisly order to have the Targaryen woman and her child killed. Men will sing tales of it to be sure should word reach the bards and minstrels singing in the streets," said Petyr with Ned glaring at him for a second.
"Why are you here Lord Baelish?" asked Ned while packing.
"I wishes to know when you depart for Winterfell," answered Petyr with Ned focusing on him fully.
"Why?" asked Ned while Petyr's smile grew.
"If you are still here come nightfall, I will take you to the last person Jon Arryn spoke to before falling ill. If that sort of thing still interests you, that is," replied Petyr with Ned narrowing his eyes.
"And where is this person located?" asked Jon while Petyr's lip twitched since he was not expecting he person in the room with him to say such a thing.
"It is best you see for yourself. Strictly speaking, it would not do well to say much with Varys and his little birds hovering around," said Petyr with his smirk returning before he bowed and left.
"He's up to something. You should refuse. Besides, we already have what we need for punishing the guilty," said Jon with Ned frowning.
"I know. But even still, a little more evidence against other guilty parties couldn't hurt. Besides, I won't be long. You shouldn't go with me to where Littlefinger wants us to go. The last time I followed him, it was to a brothel he owned," said Ned with Jon grimacing at that information.
"The former Hand of the King entering a brothel. If such a thing got out, it would ruin your own credibility as a Stark," said Jon with Ned nodding.
"And you being the student of the Lin Kuei Grandmaster. While we both know Master Liang trusts you, the people will act differently when spreading gossip," said Ned with Jon nodding since gossip muddy the truth with lies and thus created rumors.
'I won't go into the brothel, but it doesn't mean I cannot watch things from a distance in case something happens. And something tells me, an even will happen,' thought Jon with his instincts, honed from years of training, were guiding him to do what he needed to do in this situation.
(The Eyrie-Sometime Later)
They arrived shortly with a group of Vale knights meeting and escorting Catelyn's group to the seemingly impregnable fortress where House Arryn ruled over the Vale. Naturally, the knights were not happy to see Tyrion. Nor was Lysa and Catelyn was still surprised to see her sister had indeed changed since the last time they saw each other. Lysa was not friendly with Catelyn when they met. Not in the slightest. And not just because Tyrion was with her.
When inquiring on why she was here with the short statured Lannister, Catelyn replied that Tyrion was traveling to King's Landing when the two met. After they did, an issue came up that required they come to Lysa at the Eyrie, and were attacked in an ambush by the Hill Tribesmen in the area. It was only due to the Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei did they manage to escape.
"How dare you bring him here. And without my permission. You pollute my home with his very presence. Your aunt has done a very bad thing Robin. A very bad thing. You do remember her, don't you? Isn't my son beautiful? And strong too. Jon knew it. His last words were 'the seed is strong'. He wanted everyone to know what a good strong boy his son would grow up to be, even in his final moments. And look at him! The new Lord of the Vale!" praised Lysa while her son breastfed right in front of their guests, which was a disturbing thing for the group to see at this point.
"Lysa, I must request a patrol of Vale knights head along the road we took in search of our final companion on this journey. Master Kuai Liang held off a large group of Hill tribesmen so we could get here. I fear what they will do to him to his remains should they succeed in killing him in that region," said Catelyn while Lysa didn't seemed moved in the slightest by her words though some Lords of the Vale were murmuring to each other.
"Mommy, is that a bad man?" asked Robin with a dimwitted look on his face while trying to talk and feed from his Mother's breast at the same time.
"Yes Robin. He is a bad man," said Lysa while petting her son.
"He's little," said Robin while Tyrion ignored the jab at his height since many have been jabbing at him for being a dwarf for years.
"He is Tyrion of House Lannister. He was the one who murdered your loving Father. He murdered the Hand of the King!" exclaimed Lysa loudly for all to hear so people would hate the man more.
"Tyrion Lannister could not have murdered your husband and that is not why we are here," said Catelyn while Lysa looked even angrier at her own sister defending the lion from her wrath.
Her true love, Petyr Baelish, had wanted House Lannister to start a war with House Tully, and House Stark as a result. Which didn't really bother Lysa at all. Why would it? She would do anything her love commanded in order to make him happy. Besides, she had no love for her Father or sister. One made her marry an old man, who was old enough to be her Father. The second one got to have a happy marriage with someone close to her age and had five healthy children as a result. It was unfair and could only tolerate so much in life before an opportunity came to reverse her fortunes.
She hated everyone and everything that stood in the way of her love and her happiness by extension since his wish was Lysa's command.
"Ser Vardis, my sister's small companion for a guest is weary. Take him down below so he can rest. In fact, introduce him to Mord," ordered Lysa with a cruel smile on her face.
"Lysa, this is wrong. Tyrion did not kill your husband. He couldn't and wouldn't do such a thing!" protested Catelyn while Lysa scowled at her.
"Even if what you say is true dear sister, he is a Lannister, and guilty just for being one of them. I rule the Vale and as such, I say the Imp must pay the debt his House owes mine!" stated Lysa while glaring at Tyrion being taken away to the cells below.
'She has truly lost her mind,' thought Catelyn while finally seeing what people had been warning her about since traveling to the Vale.
"And as for your lost companion sister, I will have a group of knights search for him. I do pray to the Gods that he is still alive. The Hill Tribesmen can be quite cruel and ruthless to those who earn their wrath," said Lysa while having other plans for the group she sent out to find the Lin Kuei warrior.
(King's Landing-Sometime Later)
Ned was with his three best men at Littlefinger's brothel. Sure enough, the last person Jon Arryn saw was a whore from the brothel, who had been with the King, and had a child as proof of their union. The woman in question swore to Ned that the child was the King's due to being with no one else. Ned agreed since the girl clearly had Robert's features in terms of hair and eyes and even nose. As for the Mother of the child, she didn't wish for any jewels or gold since the child was worth more to her than all of those things. When Ned inquired about Jon Arryn, the woman merely told Lord Stark about how his late predecessor had asked if the girl was happy and healthy. Which she clearly was from what Ned could see and felt a pull from the past when Lyanna had been pregnant in the Tower of Joy with Jon/Aegon being brought into the world.
Ned knew this child, if not all of them, needed to be protected from outside forces who may wish them harm simply because they were Robert's progeny. Illegitimate progeny, but still his children nonetheless. He would have to speak to the Robert, Renly, and even Stannis if possible about taking them in to foster to one day legitimize as Baratheons.
Unfortunately, no sooner had they left the brothel, Lannister men led by Jamie Lannister on horseback had arrived. Clearly outnumbering the Stark men and Jamie clearly looking smug about it.
"Such a small pack of wolves," commented Jamie before getting off his horse.
"Stay back Ser. This is the Hand of the King," warned Jory with Jamie not looking the least bit intimidated.
"He was Hand of the King. Now I'm not so sure what he is right now. Ah yes, the Lord of somewhere very far away. So far away that his men would never be able to reach him in time if something were to be fall his person in this very place," remarked Jamie with Ned not looking intimidated either.
"What is the meaning of this Lannister?" asked Baelish, who chose at this moment to make himself known and looked quite displeased.
Conflicts outside of his brothels was bad for business and his coin purse.
"Go back inside where it is safe. I am here looking for my little brother. You remember my brother, don't you Lord Stark? He has blonde hair, a sharp tongue, short in physical stature," said Jamie while Ned nodded.
"I remember him well. Out of all the Lannisters I have had the pleasure of meeting, I did like him the best," said Ned while Jamie took the insult in stride.
"It seems he had some trouble on the road here after a brief encounter with your Tully of a wife. You wouldn't know anything about that, would you?" asked Jamie with Ned being silent for a moment.
"Whatever she has done, it was done on my command. We had questions that needed to be answered. It was required that Lord Tyrion come with my wife to seek them out," said Ned while Jamie didn't like his answer and drew his sword and the others did the same.
"My Lords! I will bring the City Watch!" warned Lord Baelish before heading inside.
"Draw your sword Lord Stark. I prefer to end your life with a blade in hand," commented Jamie with Jory stepping in front of him.
"If you threaten my Lord again, you will regret it Ser," warned Jory while Jamie's grin increased.
"Threaten? As in I am going to cut your Lord open from balls to brains and see just what Starks are made of? That kind of threaten?" asked Jamie while Ned glared.
"If you kill me, your brother is a dead man," warned Ned while Jamie thought it over.
"You something Lord Stark? You are right. Keep him alive. Kill his men," replied Jamie with Ned drawing his sword.
Two Lannister men were going to throw spears, but were struck down from above by arrows from the rooftops by a lone archer. Taken by surprise, several of the Lannister men were unprepared for the sudden attack by the Stark men in front of them and were cut down. Jory was currently fighting several men at once while Ned was clashing with Jamie in a sword fight of their own after Ned killed several Lannister men who charged him. The single archer up above was easily picking his targets to lessen the ranks of the Lannister men until only a small group remained with Jamie Lannister and Ned Stark in the middle.
With his side clearly on the verge of losing the fight, Jamie used the last of his strength to push Ned Stark back, cutting deep into the Northerner's arm. But the result cost him too, as Ned's sword managed to land a deep cut on Jamie's face, which would no doubt need some fine stitching to make it heal properly. Still, seeing his opportunity to escape, the Lannister leaped onto his horse and fled. The remaining Lannister men all trying to do the same, but were taken down by the solo archer before they could.
Looking up, Ned easily recognized the shadowy figure as Jon, who had decided to stay nearby, but not too close as to get people to spread ugly rumors about him.
"Is everyone all right?" asked Ned while his men nodded.
"Yes my Lord. What about you?" asked Jory with Ned waving his concern off despite the injury on his arm.
"I'm fine. There is no question Jamie Lannister is a good swordsman, but I have fought better," said Ned while breathing somewhat heavily from the fight and blocking out the pain from his injury.
He needed to talk to Robert and soon. Preferably after getting his injury healed.
(The Eyrie-Sometime Later)
It had been quite sometime since Tyrion Lannister found himself in the prison cell of the Eyrie, which was new experience for him. A prison with three walls and the spot where the fourth one should be located was open to the view of land far below. Any attempt to flee out this open space would sign his own death warrant since he was so high up. Not to mention the cell was in a slanted position so there was an increased chance of someone in the cell falling to their death.
Nasty thought.
So after much thinking, Tyrion decided he would do what he did best in these situations when the odds were stacked against him.
He would talk his way out.
So after getting the dimwitted Mord to send a message to Lady Lysa, the Imp of House Lannister soon found himself back in the main "throne room" of the castle. Surrounded by Lords and Knights of the Vale, plus one sell sword named Bronn, and one Lady of House Stark. The last one was clearly concerned for his welfare at this point given how none of her attempts to convince Lysa to free Tyrion had worked.
"You are here to address your crimes. Is that correct?" asked Lysa while glaring down at Tyrion.
"That is correct Lady Arryn," said Tyrion while Lysa's eyes narrowed further.
"Proceed. Confess to your crimes before everyone here," commanded Lysa while she was wondering why Tyrion would confess to killing her husband when she knew it he didn't commit the act.
So Tyrion being Tyrion confessed to the many crimes he committed...as a young boy in his youth when growing up. Some were harmless. Some were...questionable. Some of the others mentioned were disgusting to a degree. And some made a few knights and one sell sword laugh...discreetly of course.
But not once did he confess to the crime of killing Jon Arryn.
"And that particular incident would be the last one," finished Tyrion with Lysa looking even angrier.
"And what about your crime against my husband? Your crime of murdering the Hand of the King?" demanded Lysa with Tyrion looking confused.
"Oh I'm sorry. I didn't do anything to him," said Tyrion while Lysa looked irate.
"You came here to confess to your crime against my husband. Not your childish antics from the past!" stated Lysa with Tyrion shrugging.
"Well considering I haven't committed any crimes against your late husband, I will be on my merry way...once these chains are removed," said Tyrion with Lysa gritting her teeth.
"And you shall be leaving on your way...through the Moon Door," said Lysa while the Moon Door was opened.
"Is this how justice is done in the Vale? How you perform the King's Justice? I have been charged with a crime with no evidence outside of the accusation made on the word of this woman here. I deny this crime and she throws me into a cell regardless. I have a right to a trial!" stated Tyrion with many of Lords and knights agreeing since that was right way to do things.
"You have that right. But know that your fate will be decided by Robin. And his decision will be final with your leave being one way...or another," said Lysa before she glanced at the Moon Door to signify the "or another" to Tyrion.
"No need to bother young Robin. I demand a trial by combat," said Tyrion while Lysa was irritated and confused.
"Again, you have that right," remarked Lysa while seeing no one was willing to fight for Tyrion.
"Make the bad man fly!" demanded Robin impatiently.
"Ser Vardis, you are being awfully quiet. Don't you wish to avenge my husband?" asked Lysa while the knight in question nodded.
"With all my heart, my Lady. But the imp is literally half my size. Shameful to kill such a man and call it justice," said Ser Vardis with a smirk and several of the knights and Lords laughed.
"Agreed," said Tyrion while ignoring the shot at his size.
"You demanded a trial by combat Lord Tyrion," said Lysa with Tyrion nodding.
"And now I demand a champion. I have the right, same as you," said Tyrion while Lysa was getting more impatient with him.
"I'll gladly fight the imps champion for you my Lady," said Ser Vardis since he was one of the better knights in the Vale.
"I wouldn't be too glad Ser. I name my brother, Jamie Lannister," said Tyrion while many were shocked and talking among themselves.
"The Kingslayer hundreds of miles away from here," commented Lysa while Tyrion did not look worried.
"Send a raven for him. I can wait," said Tyrion with a hint of smugness in his voice.
"No! The trial will be today," said Lysa with Tyrion's smile turning into a frown.
"Do I have a volunteer?" asked Tyrion with several knights laughing since they knew the Imp didn't have a chance on his own and no one here wanted to be his champion.
"I volunteer to be your champion," said the cold chilling voice of Sub-Zero after he had pushed the doors open leading into the room and walked in with bloodied Vale knight being dragged behind him.
"What madness is this?!" asked Lysa angrily with Sub-Zero throwing the Vale knight forward until the injured man was near the Moon Door.
"This knight and several with him were sent to find me to see if I had survived my fight with the Hill Tribesmen who nearly ambushed your sister while on her way here. Only, as soon as they arrived and saw I was unharmed, they attacked me," said Sub-Zero with the Lords of the Vale and several knights looking at him in shock.
While he was an assassin and leader of a clan of assassins, Sub-Zero had made it clear to all those who met him that there were rules that his clan would not cross. Namely killing innocent men, women, and children. Some Lords of the Vale had even met Sub-Zero five years ago when they went with Lysa Arryn to celebrate her Father's nameday. They had come to respect the man, his skills, and his morals when it came to his profession since there were few who did have morals when it came to drawing a blade against someone in the shadows. Jon Arryn had even shown respect for Sub-Zero and his clan since they had helped with the Greyjoy Rebellion when Balon Greyjoy chose to make himself a Kraken King.
Holster Tully was also grateful when the Lin Kuei Grandmaster had prevented him from being poisoned on his nameday and gave him a small chest of gold to show his thanks.
To hear some of the knights of the Vale would openly attack him after vanquishing a large group of Hill Tribesmen was shocking to them.
"Lies! I sent those men bring you back alive. And you dare attack them?! And come in here to defend the Imp?! I will not have it!" stated Lysa angrily, but inside she was scared that he found out about her ordering the knights to kill him.
Her true love, Lord Baelish, had even said the Lin Kuei and its Grandmaster were a threat to his plans, to her, to Robin, and ultimately to himself. She had hoped to kill the man and make Petyr happy so he would be with her over that of Catelyn.
"Really? That's what he told me," said Sub-Zero pointing to the beaten Vale knight while walking further into the room with his armored clothing being stained in blood.
"And what did he tell you?" asked Catelyn while Lysa shot her a dirty look and Robin was looking on curiously.
"He had orders. Orders given to him by Lysa Arryn herself to find me by searching the area where the Hill Tribesmen were about to ambush us. When they saw I was alive and well, they charged me on their horses with swords and spears drawn," said Sub-Zero with Lysa grit her teeth.
"Perhaps they saw you from a distance and assumed you were a Hill Tribesman yourself before they attacked," offered Lysa while Sub-Zero narrowed his eyes at her.
"That is highly unlikely. The knight in question lying there is Ser Kardon. He met me at Holster Tully's nameday five years ago. I was talking with Lord Royce during the feast about the Lin Kuei since he wanted to know more about my clan and if we had any kind of honorable code to keep us from crossing lines of morality," said Sub-Zero with Lord Royce nodding since he remembered that conversation and those around them when they had it.
"Even still, there is no proof Ser Kardon or his knights attacked you on my command. And to speak such accusations without proof will not be tolerated," said Lysa Arryn with Sub-Zero looking at her with more intensity.
"Why not ask the knight himself? Here and now? Surely a knight from the Vale would not lie in front of so many Lords, Knights and Ladies of the Vale. Especially if he swore in the name of the Old Gods and the New that his words were truthful," said Sub-Zero with Lysa looking a tad uneasy since the Knights of the Vale were considered among the most honest knights in all the Seven Kingdoms.
"You cannot expect us to ask this man such a thing after the beating you no doubt gave him? He must be healed before anything from Ser Kardon can be said," said Lysa while trying to stall for time to deal with this knight before he exposed her actions to the others.
"That is fine with me. In the meantime, I will be Tyrion's champion in this little farce you have created here today," said Sub-Zero while stepping forward and glaring at Ser Vardis with cold eyes.
Several knights helped Ser Kardon up and take him to a Maester to attend to the man's injuries while several Lords of the Vale made a mental note to speak to the man after this was over before Lysa could. They knew Sub-Zero was an assassin, but also had his honor despite being one, and knew the Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei would not have said those things earlier unless it was true.
"You shouldn't have chosen to defend the Lannister Imp. He is not worth protecting from someone with honor like yourself if the stories are indeed true," said Ser Vardis, who was now wearing armor covering his entire body while holding a sword and shield in hand.
"I will decide who is worth protecting. You should be more worried about your own life, Ser Vardis," said Sub-Zero before making a sword completely out of ice to the shock of some of the people in the room.
"FIGHT!" yelled Robin with excitement in his eyes since he had heard stories of Sub-Zero and wanted to see if some of them were true.
Ser Vardis attacked first. He was intent on controlling and winning the battle quickly in Lady Lysa's name in order to avenge Jon Arryn. The knight of the Vale believed that his superior sword skills and using his shield could defend himself from anything offensive Sub-Zero hit him with.
He was mistaken.
Sub-Zero had fought Tarkatan demons, Shokan warriors, powerful sorcerers, cyberized Lin Kuei, demon specters, and much worse than this knight of the Vale. As such, it was child's play to avoid the sword swings Ser Vardis launched at him. Sliding away on the ice he made with his feet, dodging the sword attacks, and shield thrusts to knock the Lin Kuei warrior off his feet. After several minutes of seeing the Vale knights tactics in the way of fighting, Sub-Zero decided to go on the offensive. Sliding forward in a sudden surprise move, the Lin Kuei Grandmaster smashed his fist into the knight's shield with such force that it shattered on impact.
Much to shock over everyone watching.
Ser Vardis was sent flying backwards, hitting a wall with only his armor preventing any harmful injury on his person. When the man got up, albeit slowly, Sub-Zero was already upon him, and the knight of the Vale weakly swung his sword wide and slow. A move, which Sub-Zero easily blocked with his ice sword before delivering an elbow to Ser Vardis's armored face. It was followed up by the Lin Kuei warrior grabbing the front of the Vale knight's armor and threw him one handed across he room. Ser Vardis struggled to get up, barely holding onto his own sword despite his injuries, and tried to attack Sub-Zero once more.
Only for the Lin Kuei Grandmaster to duck under the swing, cut the tendons in the sword arm of his foe after it pierced the armor. Ser Vardis tried to use his other arm to at least try to land a punch on his opponent, but Sub-Zero caught the fist with ease, and broken the arm at the elbow. Sub-Zero proceeded to slash through Ser Vardis's armor to the point where the man fell to his knees in pain.
"Stop! Stop this at once!" commanded Lysa while Sub-Zero glanced at her before he let his ice sword dissolve.
"We can't. According to the rules in a Trial by Combat, there can be only one person alive at the end," said Sub-Zero with Lysa glanced at Ser Vardis while gritting her teeth in anger since she was losing a valuable knight.
"Very well. Finish it," said Lysa at last while Sub-Zero nodded before turning to face the slowly dying knight.
Before freezing him below the waist and the arms at the elbow. Many thought Sub-Zero was going to have the man freeze to death, but were shocked when he stopped half way. After he stopped, the man walked over to Ser Vardis, grabbed him by the throat under the helmet, and lifted the upper half off in a violent display of death.
Many gasped in shock and even more so when Sub-Zero sent the half of Ser Vardis in his hand through the Moon Door to the depths below it.
"Is it over?" asked Robin with Sub-Zero nodding.
"Fatality," whispered Sub-Zero, but his voice echoed throughout the room.
"That's an interesting choice for a word that basically says I killed someone violently and without mercy," commented Bronn, as he looked at the frozen lower half of the man for a second, and shivered in fear knowing that could be him if he pissed off the Grandmaster.
"So the little man isn't going to fly?" asked Robin while Tyrion was being unchained by Mord.
"Not this little man. This little man is going home," said Tyrion before he was given his coin pouch and gave it to Mord to pay his debt to the man.
He offered to give some to Sub-Zero, but the man declined since this was what he called a "freebee" so Tyrion wouldn't be in his debt.
"You better go with him. Something tells he'll be needing your services soon," said Sub-Zero to Bronn, who nodded before following after the young Lannister.
"You don't fight with honor," stated Lysa angrily while Sub-Zero looked back at her with deadly cold eyes.
"Says the woman who helped Lord Baelish kill her husband," countered Sub-Zero while the rest of the room gasped when they heard this.
"How dare you accuse me of such a thing! I will have your head!" exclaimed Lysa in all her anger, but fear as well.
"Unlikely. I have proof of your actions. Proof you conspired with Baelish to start a war between House Stark and House Lannister," said Sub-Zero while Lysa glared hatefully at him.
"Lies! All lies! Take him away! Now!" exclaimed Lysa with a hint of fear in her voice.
"My agents have Ser Hugh of the Vale. You remember Ser Hugh, right Lady Lysa? He was Jon Arryn's squire until your husband's death. Does anyone here find it strange that a man such as him was suddenly given a title as a knight? Along with some fancy armor he could never afford on his own?" said Sub-Zero since Jon and Varys had been helpful in providing information about Ser Hugh.
"You kidnapping Ser Hugh means nothing. It proves nothing! If anything, I could have you arrested for the kidnapping of a Vale Knight without reason or purpose," countered Lysa angrily.
"That so called 'Vale Knight' implicated you as the one who poisoned Lord Arryn that fateful day. He also explained why you did it and who you did it for since such an act did not come from your mind," said Sub-Zero while the Lords of the Vale listened intently to what the man had to say.
"Seize him! Seize him now!" commanded Lysa with fear in her voice and in her eyes.
"Why? Afraid I will reveal the name of the chief conspirator? One Lord Petyr Baelish? The Master of Coin on the Small Council?" asked Sub-Zero with Lysa looking at him in anger and fear.
"Silence! I will not tolerate you dishonoring Lord Baelish in my presence!" exclaimed Lysa with her voice almost making her sound hysterical.
"Even if he murdered your husband? Lord Baelish bought the poison, the Tears of Lys, which killed Lord Arryn. He gave it to Ser Hugh, who in turn gave it to you during his remaining days as a squire. Once the poison was in your possession, you put it in his food and drink since only a few drops were required. As he fell ill, Grand Maester Pycelle was tasked with ensuring the poison ran its course, and to ensure no one else could possibly treat him," said Sub-Zero while Lysa's fear of him increased.
"You speak lies and false accusations. None of this is true! None of it!" exclaimed Lysa with her voice now becoming more hysterical.
"Oh? So it isn't true that Lord Arryn wanted Robin here to be fostered to another family? Someone like Stannis Baratheon or even Tywin Lannister? Both men could have helped mold Robin into a man worthy of the Vale. Yet you wouldn't let either one foster him and had Jon killed before fleeing the Capital in defiance of King Robert," said Sub-Zero with Lysa glaring hatefully at him because it was true and it made her look bad in front of the other Lords of the Vale.
"Robin is my son. My treasure. No one is allowed to have him. Not the Stag or the Lion. Nor the Wolf or anyone else! Robin is mine! Mine! Do you hear me?! MINE!" stated Lysa with her madness becoming apparent to everyone in the room.
"And when Petyr Baelish came and offered you a means to remove Jon Arryn to prevent such a thing, you took it without question. The false accusation you sent to Catelyn Stark about the Lannisters being responsible was just another means to hide your actions from everyone who truly loved that man," concluded Sub-Zero with Lysa breathing heavily at the accusation and the pressure from being called out on her actions.
Until finally, she couldn't take it anymore. Her mind snapped!
"Of course I took it! Jon wanted me to give up my son to Stannis and possibly never see him again until he was a man. My sweet innocent Robin, changed, molded to be some cold, hard man, and with no love for his Mother. Me! The one who brought him into the world. Lord Baelish offered me a means to remove my so called husband and I took it because my son is special. Precious. So I did the only thing I could do. I removed him from my life," confessed Lysa harshly, as if it was the right thing to do, and was justified in her decision.
"And the reason Robin is precious to you is because the boy is Petyr Baelish's son. Not Jon Arryn's," added Sub-Zero while many gasped at the accusation.
"W-What? What did you say?" asked Lysa in shock.
"Why else would you have acted so strongly against Robin being fostered away? If the boy was truly Jon Arryn's son, you wouldn't have cared. But I have been around since the time of the Mad King and I know you were in love with Petyr Baelish during that time. In fact, you still are in love with the man. I have had many lengthy conversations with Jon Arryn, in person, during his younger years, and I see nothing of the man in your son. Not in features or personality. Petyr Baelish on the other hand? I see the same sickly boy all those years ago who challenged Brandon Stark to a duel and lost," said Sub-Zero while the Lords of the Vale who knew Jon Arryn in his youth were looking at young Robin and really looking at him.
And saw the same thing Sub-Zero did.
"Enough! I will not tolerate your lies! Seize him now! I command it!" exclaimed Lysa while no one moved to obey the command.
"Why would they obey you? You just admitted poisoning your own husband. Their Lord. They are also now beginning to question whether or not Robin is his son and if you have conspired with Lord Baelish to perform bloodline theft of the Vale," commented Sub-Zero with Lysa going pale in the face sine she did openly admit to killing her husband on Petyr Baelish's command.
She had been so angry at the accusations aimed at her and the mounting evidence, Lysa had hoped her outburst would shut him up. Unfortunately, she didn't realize the words spoken would be turned against her until it was too late. Lysa was hoping her words and authority would inspire fear in the Lords of the Vale to obey or face certain death. She had miscalculated since everyone here was loyal to Jon Arryn. Not her. They were only loyal to this point with Lysa due to marrying the old man and no one knew of her actions in ending his life.
Now that loyalty was gone.
"No! No! You tricked me! You tricked me!" exclaimed Lysa before Vale knights took her and a now screaming Robin away.
Leaving an entire room in shock at what just happened.
"You were right. I should have known you were right. I never assumed my sister would act this way," said Catelyn after walking over to the Lin Kuei Grandmaster.
"There are times I wish I wasn't right. I caused shame upon House Tully this day. While the rest of your family and House is innocent, your sister's actions will be a stain upon it that may never leave," said Sub-Zero with Catelyn grimaced.
"My Father will not be happy when he hears this. He had always stressed upon us to do our duty whether we liked it or not. To see Lysa do this, to go this far in defiance of just about everything House Tully stands for...I do not know what to say," replied Catelyn with Sub-Zero nodding.
Before could be said on this issue, a Vale messenger quickly came into the room with a scroll in hand with the Lin Kuei seal on it. Handing it to the Grandmaster, the messenger bowed and left the room.
"What does it say?" asked Catelyn while Sub-Zero read it.
"It is a message from my student Jon. Your husband was attacked outside one of Lord Baelish's brothels. He was doing some last minute investigative work on why Jon Arryn was there. Jamie Lannister and large group of Lannister men were the attackers. Your husband suffered an injury to his arm, but nothing that can't be properly healed. Word reached Jamie of us taking Tyrion to the Vale and decided to confront him on the issue," said Sub-Zero while Catelyn gasped before her eyes narrowed.
"And what of the Kingslayer?" asked Catelyn while wondering if the Tywin Lannister's son was hurt.
"He fled. His forces were bested by Ned, Jory, and other Stark men with him while Jon was on a roof firing arrows at the Lannisters," replied Sub-Zero with Catelyn looking furious.
"He dared to attack my husband? The Hand of the King?!" questioned Catelyn angrily.
"At the time, your husband was not Hand of the King. He willingly relinquished the title after Robert wanted Daenerys Targaryen dead once he learned she was pregnant with child," said Sub-Zero with a hint of disapproval in his voice over the idea of an assassin killing a woman and her unborn child.
"Robert wouldn't. He didn't!" protested Catelyn while Sub-Zero shook his head.
"He did. Jon was there with your husband. Robert gave the order to assassins to kill the Targaryen girl. Your husband wanted no part in the scheme and surrendered his badge as the Hand of the King," said Sub-Zero while wondering how he could stop this without Robert knowing.
He needed a miracle. But first, he needed to send a raven to Ned about Lysa Arryn being arrested while her son was being detained.
One more piece removed from the board. Several more to go.
(A/N: YAY! Another nice long chapter for all of you and a nice Fatality since I felt it was long overdue. Hope you liked it. Things are going to escalate soon with what's happening in King's Landing. So be prepared for that. Until next time...PEACE!)
