Rescuing Starks part-1

It was slow work getting all the way to the Grand Sept discretely with the streets filled with people, even in the back alleys that snaked throughout the capital. However, Jason made sure to keep his cloak hood low and blend with the crowds during the long walk up to the grand cathedral. While he had visited it only a few times during his trips through the city, it easily dwarfed even the grandest buildings of faith from his world.

The plaza held statues of famous saints and Kings from Westeros history spread about, looming over the sea of people gathered here. From the nearby buildings, the nobility and higher born watched the crowd, seeming amused seeing the masses so excited. Jason glanced among the commoners, his sharp gaze able to pick out Thoros and Beric who were spread out towards the side alleys linking into the plaza. He couldn't see Syrio, guessing the man's short stature made it harder to notice him. His attention though did quickly focus on the front of the cathedral itself.

At the front of the Sept was a rough stoned stage with different levels to it, a place where public decrees and events were hosted. Already the royal court and family were gathered, standing on various levels of the stone platform. On the right side was Sandor, Varys, Pycelle, two members of the King's Guard along with a well-dressed man with the symbol of the Seven set on his robes, no doubt the current High Septon.

The left side of the mid-level was the Watch Commander Janos Slynt with three City Watch standing beside him. Nearby was Jaime, the young knight now wearing the fine plate of Lord Commander for his order. Despite the grand rank he had earned, the man seemed quite tense as he'd glance over the crowd and look to the upper stage at the rest of his family.

On that higher level of the stage were Cersei, Joffrey, Tywin and Sansa. Joffrey was dressed similarly as last time, though now with his 'father's' crown rested on his blond head. The boy had a pleased look on his face gazing over his subjects, no doubt enjoying the adoration shown to him.

Cersei was dressed lavishly as always for public gatherings, wearing a red and golden dress with a wide cloak covering her. Her face was calm though a hint of pride showing, no doubt with her believing she had achieved a full victory over the week.

Tywin, as usual, wore fine plain noble clothes, being practical as always. While the man often had passive looks on his face, Jason could tell Lord Lannister wasn't amused by what he was witnessing. It made the Surgebinder wonder what was going on between the rest of the family, considering Cersei's aggressive grabs for power. He just hoped the stern lord could keep some order to this farce of a trial.

Lastly for Sansa, the girl was distraught despite how lovely she looked with her well-kept hair and fine dress. It looked like she had cried recently from what he could tell, though she did well to stay composed before the gathered crowd. Jason knew she was mainly there to be shown off and to remind Eddard the price of not confessing to his 'crimes'.

"Not much longer…" He muttered, as the bells tolled for the coming hour, the beginning of the trial.

From a grand entrance of the Grand Sept, a group of City Watch stepped forward, two of them dragging Lord Stark forward towards the baying crowd. Eddard looked quite roughed up, hair disheveled, parts of his face bruised from beatings and eyes half-closed from the bright light of the day. He was in the same clothes as the day he was arrested, the leather ripped and dirtied from being stuck in a cell for a week. He'd glance about the plaza and the massive crowd, people cursing or pleading to him as the guards yanked him forward.

The City Watch cleared a path through the commoners, giving enough space for a few to grab or spit at him, though Eddard did well not to react to the abuse. Jason kept his hood low as they'd pass by, not wanting to be noticed by his friend. It would be easy for Ned to mistake his appearance here to be a rescue plan for him, which may complicate matters.

Soon Ned was dragged up to the stone stage, the man looking upward at his daughter who stared back, a pleading look hinting her face as he'd pass by. Reaching the centre of the platform, the guards stopped and let go of Lord Stark, making him stand on his own. They'd march down to the crowd, forcing them back as they made a perimeter to stop anyone from getting too close. Perhaps it was to keep the angrier commoners back or security from the people who supported Eddard.

By now the crowds baying slowly quieted down while the bells gave their final tolls. Soon silence followed as Eddard looked forward, doing his best to seem strong before everyone.

"I'm Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell…and Hand of the King." He spoke out, voice strong and clear despite his weakened state. For a moment he'd pause, face tensing as if he was biting his tongue before he'd quickly glance to his right, looking again at Sansa who gave a few short nods. "I come before you to…confess my treason…in the sight of gods and men. I betrayed the faith of my King…and the trust of my friend Robert. I swore to protect and defend his children but before his blood was cold…I plotted to murder his son." Again he paused, jaw shaking as he struggled to be calm as he forced himself to speak out lies. " are all lies."

The crowd spoke out then, a mix of anger and disbelief filling the air.

"Treason!"

"Lies!"

"Damn the traitor!"

There were too many words going about, making it even hard for Jason to understand what the crowds were even saying. However, he could see a good few being silent, doubtful despite what they were hearing. Suddenly though Ned flinched as a stone was thrown at him, striking at the right side of his brow. The Surgebinder clenched one hand into a fist, wishing he saw who did that just so he could crack their jaw in payment back.

The blow bruised and cut the skin over one eye, blood trickling down over it. Sandor moved up from behind as Eddard nearly lost his balance, the tall armoured warrior supporting Eddard up though the Northern lord did well to straighten himself and show no sign of pain. Without hesitation, he'd continue to speak out.

"Let the High Septon and Baelor the Blessed bare witness to what I say." His head bowed slightly, getting blood out of his eye as it dripped to the ground. "Joffrey Baratheon…is the one true heir to the Iron Throne. By the grace of all the gods, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm."

The boy had a pleased grin show on his face as Eddard 'admitted' his legitimacy. He'd glance over at his mother who had a small smile hinting her lips, enjoying her enemy submit in such a way.

Cheers began to fill the air after Eddard finished speaking, seeming pleased with the disgrace lord 'admitting' Joffrey's right to rule. However, before the crowd got too noisy, Pycelle shuffled forward with his arms raised up to get everyone attention.

"As…as we do sin, so do we suffer. This man has confessed his crimes in sight of gods and men."

Jason quickly lost track as the Grand Maester rambled on about traditions and faith, making him shut out most of the words of his long-winded speech. The old Maester would finish though, turning to look looked over towards Joffrey with arms gesturing out to him.

"…what is to be done with this…Ummm…traitor your grace?"

Again, the crowd spoke out.

"Mercy!"

"Death to the traitor!"

"Let the gods decide!"

"Send him to the Wall!"

Joffrey grinned as he'd raise one arm up to silence the masses, the people eagerly awaiting his words. "My mother wishes me to have Lord Eddard join the Night's Watch, stripped of all titles and powers to serve the realm in permanent exile. And my Lady Sansa…" He'd glance over to the young woman, the boy's face having an affectionate look on his face. "…has begged mercy for her father."

A hopeful look showed on the girl's face, a thankful smile even crossing it.

However, Jason sensed something was wrong as Joffrey paused, glancing back towards Eddard. "But they have the soft hearts of women! So long as I'm your king, treason will never go unpunished!"

The young king's remarks drew confused looks cross Sansa's and Cersei's faces, while Tywin's expression became sterner. Even Jason was realizing what the brat was building up to. "No…you can't be that crazy and stupid…" He muttered under his breath.

"Eddard wasn't alone in this treason and his cohorts lurk among us now. Thus, an example must be made for their defiance." He'd glance off to the right towards a group of lesser knights standing beside the stage. "Ser Ilyn, bring me his head!"

At that moment chaos broke out. The crowd went wild, cheers and shocked cries filling the air as the divided people spoke out. Jason was certain many remembered the Mad King's own choice to execute a Warden of the North and how that broke out into a full out war. Others however just wanted to see a beheading happen.

Ser Ilyn, a tall bald man was quick to step up onto the stage, followed by a page carrying a massive and recognizable sheathed blade. It was Ice, House Stark's ancestral blade, the weapon Joffrey had planned to execute Ned with. Already, Jason, had a gut feeling Joffrey had planned this from the start, it was the only explanation.

Two of the King's Guard stepped up, forcing Eddard down onto his knees. Ned's expression was just blank, just empty of all thought as the man was completely helpless. He had done everything right, confessing and lying for the sake of his daughter, yet now he was about to pay the ultimate price for one boy's sick enjoyment.

On the stage, Cersei grasped at Joffrey's side, speaking to him in a hushed tone though the boy ignored it, a pure look of malice in his eyes as he'd look between her and Eddard.

"NO! NO! PLEASE STOP THIS!" Sansa pleading out, trying to move closer to the boy before one of the King's Guard behind the group moved up to keep her back. She was quick to struggle, almost slipping out of the man's grasp as she was becoming frantic now.