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#177 - Chapter 23 Falling out

Eddard's mood was terrible, with bad news coming one after another. First, he learned from Varys that Jon Arryn had died from 'Tears of Lys.' Then his youngest daughter, Arya, went missing for most of the day, and it was only with great difficulty that he found her. But from her, he learned that someone was secretly plotting against him.

Before he could even catch his breath, he received an unexpected message from Yoren of the Night's Watch. Catelyn, who had left him not long ago, had incited a group of sellswords at the Inn at the Crossroads to kill Lannister's guards and kidnap 'the Imp,' Tyrion.

This was almost a complete break with the Lannister family, and the only person who could ease relations between the two sides was Robert. Eddard hurried to Maegor's Holdfast, which, despite its name, was a castle within a castle. The royal family resided there, and it was also the last line of defense for the Red Keep.

On the way, he encountered a court official: "Lord Stark, several lords are holding a Small Council meeting, and I have been ordered to invite you."

Eddard: "I have urgent business to see the King alone."

"But, Your Grace is in the meeting hall. He ordered me to summon you."

Eddard: "Does it concern my wife?"

"No, my Lord, it does not concern your wife! It should be about the Targaryen remnants."

In the Small Council chamber, Robert said with resentment: "The latest news is that the whore is pregnant. I told you on the way to the North, but you didn't take it seriously. Now you listen to me clearly, I want them to die, both mother and child! And that idiot Viserys, he's recruiting troops in Pentos, he must be killed too!"

Eddard: "I object to harming an infant. If we do that, your honor will be stained."

Robert: "To hell with honor, honor cannot rule the Seven Kingdoms. It takes force and bloodshed to make them fear and not dare to rebel."

Eddard: "What was the point of us overthrowing the Mad King's rule?"

Robert: "Ned, you better watch your words, remember that!"

Eddard: "So where did you hear this news?"

Varys: "The news came from Ser Jorah Mormont, who was ordered to infiltrate the Targaryens as an advisor."

Eddard: "Heh~ You actually believe what a traitor says."

Petyr: "Forgive my interruption, Jorah Mormont is just a slaver, not a traitor, although to you, there's not much difference."

Eddard: "This man violated the law, betrayed his family, and fled his home. I don't believe his words."

Robert: "What if the news is correct? What if that whore really has a son? Have you ever thought about how huge a threat a Targaryen heir leading a massive Dothraki horde would be to Westeros?"

Eddard: "The Narrow Sea will always be there, at least until the Dothraki teach their horses to swim, I won't worry."

Robert: "So you're not going to do anything! You're the Hand of the King, it's your job. You're all members of the Small Council, reason with this honor-obsessed fool."

The others had no choice but to persuade Eddard, the central idea being that if the Dothraki attacked, not just one or two people would die, countless villages would be burned, and the people would be displaced. And now they only need to kill one girl, all of this can be avoided, it's worth it.

But Eddard's stubbornness exceeded everyone's imagination. He stared at Robert and said, word by word: "I have followed you twice, through battles and never retreated. But on this matter, I will never be an accomplice."

Robert also stared at him and said: "Lord Stark, you are the Hand of the King, this is your responsibility. Do as I say, or I will replace you."

Eddard nonchalantly took off the Hand of the King badge and slammed it on the table. "Then I wish him good luck!" Then he left without looking back, infuriating Robert, who cursed loudly behind him.

Eddard returned to the Tower of the Hand, and Jory gave him a scroll: "This was sent by Ser Rodrik's men."

Eddard opened it and saw that it was a letter from Rickon, describing what he had seen and heard in the Eastern Continent. He was pleased with the children's growth, but soon thought of the current situation. He ordered Jory: "You personally inform the children to prepare their luggage. I'll take them away first. Notify the rest to follow as soon as possible."

Jory: "Yes, my Lord. Also, Lord Baelish wants to see you."

Eddard: "What are you doing here?" This guy had always coveted his wife, and his tone was not good.

Petyr shrugged helplessly: "After you left, the King continued to curse for a long time. Are you planning to return to Winterfell?"

Eddard: "That's none of your business."

Petyr: "I didn't mean anything else, just wanted to confirm. If you haven't left by evening, I can take you to see the last person Jon Arryn saw before he died, if you're still interested."

Eddard couldn't let go of this matter: "Jory, have the guards stay outside the children's rooms. You take the two best swordsmen and come with me."

They met the woman and her child in Littlefinger's brothel. But Littlefinger told Eddard that this was just one of Robert's many bastards.

Eddard asked suspiciously: "How many bastards does Robert have?"

Petyr said: "Probably more than you think, a dozen or twenty!"

Eddard: "Then why did Jon meet these bastards one by one?"

Petyr: "I don't know, maybe they had a deep father-son relationship. Maybe he wanted to fulfill some paternal love for the King!"

As soon as Eddard went out, he found that he was surrounded by Lannister soldiers. The situation was very tense, and then Jaime appeared on horseback: "Tsk tsk~ Just a few wolves!"

Jory gripped his sword hilt and stepped forward, shouting: "All of you step back, do not be rude. This is the Hand of the King."

Jaime said indifferently: "Should be the former Hand of the King, now just a lord from the countryside."

Petyr ran out and said: "Lannister, what do you want to do?"

Jaime said without looking up: "Lord Baelish, you better go back inside, otherwise I can't guarantee your safety. I'm just looking for my brother, Lord Stark, I think you should remember my brother! Golden hair, not tall, with a venomous mouth. I heard he ran into some trouble on the road, I think you know what I mean."

Eddard: "I have a deep impression! Tyrion's arrest was ordered by me. He must be held accountable for his crimes, is there a problem?"

"Clang~" Jaime drew his sword, and the surrounding Lannister soldiers also raised their weapons. "Looks like we have to solve it in another way, draw your sword, Lord Stark."

Eddard said to him: "If you kill me, your brother won't survive."

Jaime nodded: "You make a good point, don't move Lord Stark, kill all his men."

After receiving the order, the Lannister soldiers rushed up with their spears. Eddard's two guards were immediately pierced by spears from all directions, and then lifted high.