9 The dagger

The dagger

Eddard POV

I looked at Theon, who was lying on the bed. As soon as I heard about it, I ran to see him. Lord Baelish was by my side, and Maester Pycelle was the one who looked after Theon. From Theon's pale face, I could see that his condition wasn't good.

"He was lucky," Slowly Pycelle began talking. "No organs were damaged. The only problem is that he lost too much blood."

"Will he get better?" I asked.

"It is hard to say. He will fully recover if there is no complication," Pycelle explained.

"I see. Thank you, maester," I spoke with a tired voice. "Lord Baelish, what did you find out about the man who attacked him?"

"He was nobody," Baelish informed me after Pycelle left. "The only clue we have is the dagger."

"A Valyrian steel dagger," I added. "It isn't something just anybody could have."

"Anyone with the right connections could find one," Baelish informed me.

"Who would want to hurt him? I just don't understand," I asked, wanting to know why.

"Well, young Theon here didn't make many friends," I agreed with that. "And after the tourney, you could say, he made terrible impressions."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Many young lords and heirs think that he cheated them of their coins," Baelish explained. "Tyrion Lannister lost all his coins to Theon too."

"What are you trying to say?" I asked.

"As you already have found out, Lannisters are petty, to say the least," His words brought me memories of Kingslayer and the Queen. Even If I didn't know them much, I saw some actions they had taken being questionable. "Tyrion might have felt insulted, and he does have connections to get a Valyrian dagger."

"Enough," I couldn't listen to him anymore. "As much I know, you lost to Theon too. He was attacked at your brothel. So if you don't have something more than speculations, I don't want to hear it."

"Very well. I see you at the counsel," Baelish replied and left me alone with Theon.

No matter who did this, I was partly responsible. I thought it would be better for Theon to come with me. I thought he could secure a better future for himself. It was my fault for thinking that I knew better than someone else. Who am I to determine someone's will, someone's wishes?

"My lord," Jory came inside and called me out. "A messenger has arrived. The King has summoned the small council."

"Tell them it can wait," I replied, not having any strength or patience to attend it.

"I am sorry, but the messenger said it was of the most import, and the King is waiting," Jory responded.

"Robert is waiting? Fine, look after Theon and send someone to find Thoros of Myr and Anguy," I ordered Jory and left.

This better be important or I swear you will hear from me, Robert.

…

Entering the small council room, I saw everyone else except Master of Ships Stannis. Even Robert was there, that is something I hadn't seen before. I didn't know how to feel about it. I was glad he finally showed up, but if he is here, something must have happened.

"Finally, you are here, Ned," Robert said once I entered.

"What has happened?" I wanted to deal with it as soon as possible.

"The whore is pregnant," I could hear the anger in Robert's voice. "I warned you this would happen, but you didn't listen. I want them dead, the whore, her child, and her brother. I want them all dead."

"Who are you talking about, Robert?" I asked.

"Targaryens, who else. I want the dragonspawns dead," Robert answered, slamming his fist at the table.

"You want to kill, a girl of what, four and ten? And her unborn child too?" I asked, disturbed.

"For now, the girl will grow. Her child will grow, and what then?" Robert asked.

"How true is this news?" I asked, not wanting to answer him.

"Jorah Mormont brought this to me," Varys, Master of Whispers, answered me.

"A slaver? How can we trust his words?" I asked.

"Ser Jorah would not dare deceive me," Varys said with a sly smile. "Rely on it, my lord. The princess is with child."

"Rely on it? And why should we do so?" I asked him. "As far as I know, Jorah is nothing but a disgraced knight. The last thing I do is rely on the slaver's words."

"Enough," Robert's voice rang in his anger. "What if it's true? What if the whore brings another dragonspawn to the world?"

"What of it?" I asked. "They are a sea away. What is there to fear?"

"You are damn stubborn, Stark," Robert said. "What of the rest of you? Will no one talk sense to this frozen-faced fool?"

"I understand your qualms, Lord Eddard. Truly I do. It gave me no joy to bring this grievous news to the council. It is a terrible thing we contemplate, a vile thing. Yet we who presume to rule must do vile things for the realm's good. Even if it pains us." Varys gave the king an insincere smile and laid a soft hand on my sleeve.

"The matter seems simple enough to me. We ought to have had Viserys and his sister killed years ago, but His Grace, my brother, made the mistake of listening to Jon Arryn." Lord Renly shrugged, not interested.

"Is it not wiser, even kinder, that Daenerys Targaryen should die now so that tens of thousands might live?" Maester Pycelle stroked his luxuriant white beard, infinitely sad, infinitely weary.

"Kinder," Varys said. "Oh, well and truly spoken, Grand Maester. It is so true. Should the gods in their caprice grant Daenerys Targaryen a son, the realm must bleed."

"When you find yourself in bed with an ugly woman, the best thing to do is close your eyes and get on with it," Littlefinger was the last to declare. "Waiting won't make the maid any prettier. Kiss her and be done with it."

"Kiss her?" Ser Barristan repeated, aghast.

"A steel kiss," said Littlefinger.

"Should I be touched by all of you thinking for the best of the realm?" I asked, is this how Theon felt. "I might be if any of you would care for them. There are thousands of people who die on the streets of this city every year. Where is your care for them? All I see are cravens who are afraid of shadows. That may or may not even exist."

"My lord, you wrong me. Would I bring lies to the king and council?" Varys asked, offended.

"The Mad King listened to you too, didn't he?" I asked him instead and then looked at Robert. "Aerys, too, was afraid of shadows. I thought you were better than him."

"How dare you!" Robert yelled, bringing his fist to the table and standing up.

"I apologize," It was out of my hand for me to say something like that. "Robert, I know you. I know that you will regret this one day. I beg you to reconsider it."

"I am out of wine and out of patience. Just have it done," Robert commanded.

"You can command me, your grace," I told him. "But I will not plan the death of a little girl. You have them to do so. I have other matters attended to."

"And what is more important than this?" The King asked.

"A boy I raised for ten years being almost killed," I answered. "If that is all, your grace, then I will be leaving."

With those words, I left. I couldn't hear any of it anymore. It made me sick how easily they could justify the death of a little girl and unborn child.

Theon POV

I woke in the darkness. From a bit of light coming through the window, I saw someone sitting next to me. With my parched mouth, I asked for water. I heard that someone was shifting from the chair and coming to me. After lighting a candle, I saw who it was.

"Thoros, how long I was asleep?" I asked after drinking some water.

"A whole day," He answered. "I should call for Lord Stark."

"No," I spoke. "Don't call anyone just yet. Tell me, has anything been found out of who attacked me?"

"I am sorry, but no," Thoros answered. "The only clue is this dagger. It is yours now, as nobody would claim it."

Thoros handed me a dagger. I could see a smoky pattern on it. I realized it was a Valyrian steel dagger. Who is stupid enough to give it to some rabble and try to kill me with it? Only one name came to my mind, Joffrey. But he alone wouldn't have done this.

Littlefinger was probably working with him. He was the only one who would want to be closer to Joffrey. And the wine that he gave me was supposed to put me to sleep. It almost succeeded. I was lucky this time, and there is no way I will give him another chance.

"Thoros, I know who tried to kill me," I told him.

"You do? Good, we can call Lord Stark. He would be able to take care of them," Thoros sounded overjoyed.

"No, he can't," I replied. "There is no justice for people like them. But I will be able to reach them. With this dagger, I will end what they began."

"You can't be serious?" Thoros asked me.

"I can't do it alone, please Thoros, help me, I am begging you," I looked at Thoros's eyes with resolve that maybe will move him.

"Damn it, fine, but I won't do anything that threatens your life," He agreed.

"Call for Anguy first," I said. "Don't speak of my awakening to anyone, not Lord Stark or even the King. Nobody can know that I am awake."

"Very well," He agreed after thinking a few minutes.

"Thank you, Thoros," I told him.

A simple plan formed in my mind after seeing the dagger. I will pretend to be asleep, ask Anguy to be my messenger, and thoros my guard. Once I gather information, I will move. Who would blame a man who has not awoken for a murder?

Littlefinger crossed the line, using me to get closer to Joffrey. Did he think I would just let it go? That I was just a nobody he could kill off. Something in me wanted blood, and I was prepared to spill some.