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#185 - Chapter 31: Courting Death (I)

In the Red Keep's throne room, a large number of nobles were gathered to attend the court session. The main purpose was to announce Joffrey's succession and the treasonous crimes of the former Hand, Eddard.

Grand Maester Pycelle announced loudly: "Janos Slynt, the dutiful captain of the City Watch, is by the grace of His Majesty immediately elevated to nobility. The ancient and honorable castle of Harrenhal is bestowed upon him, and his descendants shall inherit this glory for generations. Due to the treason of the former Hand, the position of Hand will be assumed by Lord Tywin Lannister. At this critical juncture of royal succession, we, the esteemed members of the realm, unanimously agree that the safety of His Majesty Joffrey is of paramount importance."

Cersei rose and said: "Ser Barristan Selmy, hear me. You have served the royal family for a long time. Your deeds are known to all. Now is the time for you to retire."

Barristan said in astonishment: "Your Majesty, a Kingsguard knight takes vows for life. Only death can end his service."

Joffrey: "Whose death? Yours, or the King's? You failed to protect my father from the boar's tusks. You are old and can protect no one."

Cersei continued: "The previous council has decided that Ser Jaime Lannister will take your place as Lord Commander of the Kingsguard."

Barristan angrily removed his white cloak and Kingsguard armor, and finally drew his longsword, throwing it forcefully on the ground. "I was born a knight, and I will die like a knight. One day, I will return." He turned and strode out of the hall without looking back.

Varys: "Your Majesty, there is trouble in the North. Eddard's eldest son, Robb Stark, has marched south, but not to swear fealty to King's Landing. He is gathering his vassals and raising an army of tens of thousands."

Joffrey: "That damned fellow! I must have his head, and that of his traitorous father."

Cersei soothed: "My dear, do not worry. We still hold members of the Stark family. Immediately write to Robb, demanding that he lay down his arms and come to King's Landing to surrender, or he will never see his father and sister again. Grand Maester Pycelle, Eddard should have another son in the south, shouldn't he?"

Pycelle: "Yes, Your Majesty. His name is Rickon, the youngest of the Stark children. He was given to Ser Garron of Oldstones as a ward, and they are currently at White Orchard, northwest of King's Landing."

Joffrey: "Is that the snot-nosed brat? Why has he not come to King's Landing to swear fealty to me?"

Cersei: "Immediately notify Ser Garron and order him to come to King's Landing at once to swear fealty to the King! Ser Preston Greenfield, take twenty soldiers with you personally. If Garron dares to disobey, he is an accomplice of Eddard and will be executed for treason! And bring Rickon Stark back safely." Cersei had wanted to deal with Liu Yuan for a long time, and now she no longer cared about the implications!

Ser Preston stepped forward: "As you command, Your Majesty!"

..................

Little Rickon ran over, his eyes red: "Foster father! I had a nightmare. I dreamed that Father was locked in a dark dungeon, Arya was sleeping under a bridge covered in mud, and Sansa was constantly crying."

Liu Yuan stroked his little head, a little surprised. Did this child have precognitive abilities? It seems that the Stark children are not so simple!

Grigg strode over, holding a letter in his hand: "My Lord, this was just delivered by raven." The letter contained news of the just-concluded throne room meeting. Cersei really intended to make a move against him. He calculated the time; Ser Preston would probably arrive in the afternoon. If they discovered White Orchard, a large city, so early, there would be no way to ambush them. Liu Yuan decided to go out of the city to wait for them. He instructed the people around him: "Grigg, gather the guards. Let's go out and play. Nina, take Rickon to change equipment. There are some things he should know."

At Sow's Horn, Liu Yuan and his men blocked the crossroads, taking advantage of the waiting time. Liu Yuan told him about the recent events in King's Landing: "That's the way things are. I will find a way to rescue Arya, Sansa, and your father."

Rickon: "Foster father, thank you!"

"Alright, the people we are waiting for are here."

Sure enough, dust rose on the Kingsroad ahead, and a group of cavalry galloped over, urgently reining in their horses upon seeing so many people blocking the road.

Ser Preston was about to curse, but his eyes narrowed sharply. Although he had not followed King Robert to the North, he had seen Liu Yuan during the Greyjoy Rebellion. He asked hesitantly: "Is that Ser Garron of Oldstones ahead?"

Liu Yuan: "Oh, it's Ser Preston! Long time no see. You've come to find me!"

Ser Preston: "By order of His Majesty the King, hand over Rickon Stark. Ser Garron, upon receiving the order, is to depart immediately for King's Landing to swear fealty to His Majesty Joffrey."

Liu Yuan sneered: "Hahaha... Actually ordering me! Haha... Sorry, Ser Preston, I couldn't help it. Please tell Cersei when you return that my friendship with the Lannister family is over! That incestuous bastard Joffrey is not worthy of my allegiance. If they dare to provoke me again, I will personally lead troops to King's Landing to teach her a lesson."

Ser Preston's face turned red, and he reached for his sword: "Insolence! How dare you insult the Queen Mother and the King! You are indeed in league with that traitor Eddard. By order of the King, I pronounce you guilty of treason, strip you of all offices and rights, and sentence you to death, to be executed on the spot."

"Hahaha!" Liu Yuan's guards all burst into laughter. Did this knight have rocks in his head? Couldn't he see that so many of them had surrounded them?

Ser Preston became enraged: "Are you planning to rebel? Daring to defy the King's order."

The guards sneered and surrounded them. The Lannister soldiers nervously drew their weapons. Liu Yuan: "If you don't get lost, then stay!" He raised his hand and a guard handed him an armor-piercing spike, which he flicked his wrist and threw. The armor-piercing spike pierced Preston's shoulder, also knocking down a soldier.

"Do it! Just leave a few alive to go back and report. Rickon, open your eyes and watch carefully. Jory, Steward Poole, Bedy, Septa Mordane, and others all died at the hands of these people." Liu Yuan waved his hand and directly ordered.

At this distance, horsemanship was meaningless. Several cavalry spears attacked one person simultaneously, leaving no chance to dodge. The already wounded Preston was entangled by several long whips, forcefully dragging him off his horse.

The battle ended quickly. Besides Preston, two cavalrymen were left alive to report back. The guards dragged the three of them to the front of the horse. Although Preston was injured, he struggled, resulting in him receiving several blows from a whip, and he was not lightly injured. Liu Yuan said: "After the Greyjoy Rebellion, I lived in Winterfell for seven years. Many of Lord Eddard's followers were my friends. These northerners are very friendly, and you will find them lovely if you spend enough time with them. Too bad! They were all killed by you. Tell me, how did you deal with them?"

Preston spat out a mouthful of bloody water: "Pah! Those traitors were all executed, their heads chopped off and displayed on the tips of spears. Soon your head will be hanging up there too."