WiSh - Chapter 47
Chapter 47: Hallis Vs Sandor
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Eddard could no longer stop what was about to happen.
Heway was Eddard's sworn knight, but he was not the best swordsman among the guards. His swordsmanship was merely average. However, becoming one of the king's Kingsguard was the highest honor for a knight. But the sacrifices required were not small. No lands, no wife, no children, no pursuit of worldly pleasures, only a life dedicated to the king, never to betray in any matter.
In the hall, the two men circled each other with swords drawn.
Everyone from the training grounds had come up: Bran, Jon, Robb, and the swordsmanship instructor Syrio were all attracted by the sound of Robert smashing things and his roaring, and had gathered in the great hall of the main castle.
Tyrion, being short and having short legs, was the last to arrive. Saying he ran would be an overstatement; it was more like he shuffled along. His ascent of the main castle stairs was quite comical, but the male servants didn't dare laugh, and the female servants only dared to hide and giggle quietly.
When Tyrion arrived in the great hall of the main castle, he just in time saw Heway raising his sword high to strike at the Hound. The Hound blocked the blow head-on and flicked his wrist, deflecting Heway's sword to the side. He stepped forward and rammed his shoulder into Heway with astonishing force, almost knocking him down.
"Hound, kill him!" Joffrey exclaimed excitedly, his face flushed.
However, the Hound did not press his advantage. Instead, he gently swung his wrist, his sword deftly tracing circles in the air. He kept his eyes fixed on Heway, slowly took two steps back, allowing Heway to stand still again. He rushed forward again, swinging his sword diagonally at the hound's throat.
The Hound was clad in armor, with round steel knee guards and iron wrist guards, but he did not wear his famous dog-head iron helmet, nor did he have a neck guard.
Amidst the crowd's gasps, the Hound suddenly bent backward, his eyes cold and unhurried, as Heway's sword narrowly missed his throat.
Syrio, the swordsmanship instructor, whispered in Arya's ear, "This Ser Heway is a big fool. His opponent is well-protected, yet he strikes with full force every time. If he misses, he's full of openings."
Arya watched the battle intently, her hand gripping the training wooden sword at her waist, her knuckles turning white from the force.
The Hound dodged Heway's sword, his feet sliding as he transitioned from a single-handed to a two-handed grip on his sword. With a shout, he swung a fierce blow at Heway's arm. Heway's arm armor immediately deformed, buckling inward and trapping his arm. Without the armor's protection, Heway's arm would have been severed.
As Heway stumbled, the Hound's two-handed sword swung upwards, slicing from Heway's abdomen all the way up to his face guard, leaving a shocking gash. Thanks to the armor's protection, Heway was not disemboweled.
Queen Cersei snorted coldly, "Is this the caliber of the North?!"
Heway, who had been about to concede, stiffened and immediately raised his sword, also gripping it with both hands. He lunged forward, thrusting at the Hound's chest. The Hound shifted his feet, spun around, and deflected Heway's sword with a turn of his own blade. Without stopping his movement, he circled around to Heway's back like a top and kicked the back of Heway's knee, causing him to kneel on one knee.
The Hound's sword slanted downward, piercing through the joint of Heway's neck armor, impaling his shoulder. The sword continued downward, piercing through his lungs and stomach, almost running Heway through before the Hound violently pulled it out.
The bright blade was streaked with blood, which dripped down from the tip of the sword. Heway's sword fell to the ground, and he swayed as if drunk, blood seeping out from the connection between his helmet and neck armor.
"Good! Good dog! Well done!" Joffrey stood up and cheered loudly.
King Robert glared angrily at Joffrey, and the latter's hands, which were about to clap, froze in mid-air. Joffrey then sat down awkwardly, but the smile on his face did not fade.
Heway's body tilted and fell, his armor and helmet hitting the ground with a metallic clang. The Hound turned around, sheathed his bloody sword, and knelt on one knee before Robert, bowing his head and placing his hand over his chest in salute.
Eddard and Catelyn's expressions were grim. Heway was their sworn knight and one of the eighteen guards who usually accompanied Eddard.
"Enough, enough, Hound, get down." Robert said, extending his wine glass, which was immediately refilled by a servant. This servant, Lancel Lannister, was the eldest son of Kevan Lannister and Cersei's cousin, handsome and delicate, with a hint of Jaime Lannister's demeanor.
Captain of the Guards Jory Cassel and another guard stepped forward. One picked up Heway's sword, and the other carried Heway away quickly. A maid, head bowed, wiped the bloodstains from the floor with a cloth.
Footsteps sounded, and a fully armored knight stepped forward and knelt on one knee: "Your Grace, Your Majesty, Lord Eddard, Hallis Mollen requests to spar with Sandor Clegane."
Robert looked at Eddard and said, "These young people are just like us when we were young, never admitting defeat. But let's call it a day, Ned. Won't you give me your best knight?"
King Robert called Eddard by his nickname, Ned, with the same affectionate tone as Catelyn, showing his genuine feelings for Eddard, devoid of any political pretense.
Eddard said, "Your Grace, here is a knight who can shoulder the responsibility of the Kingsguard: Hallis Mollen."
The queen snorted coldly: "The Kingsguard requires not only loyalty but also exceptional martial skills. If the North only has knights like Ser Heway... I believe King's Landing is not lacking in loyal and strong knights."
"Shut up, you stinky woman." The king flew into a rage.
"The Seven Gods gave me a mouth, not just for eating, but also for speaking the truth." Cersei said indifferently.
Eddard said, "Your Grace, let Sandor test Hallis's swordsmanship. The queen is right; the Kingsguard requires not only loyalty but also exceptional martial skills. Hallis's swordsmanship may be average, but his skill with a lance is unparalleled in the North."
"Oh, this guy is the best lancer in the North, Hallis?"
"Indeed, Your Grace."
"Hound, do you dare to compete with Hallis in a lance duel?"
Sandor Clegane stepped forward from Joffrey's side, knelt on one knee, and said, "Your Grace, as you wish, Sandor is willing to compete with Ser Hallis in a lance duel."
"Guarding the palace is not about charging on horseback; the most important thing is swordsmanship." Cersei's lips curled into a silent smile, filled with ridicule and mockery. "But whatever, Sandor, for Lord Eddard's sake, you can compete in lance skills with the so-called best lancer in the North."
Hallis said calmly, "Your Grace, my swordsmanship may be average in the North, but compared to Sandor Clegane, I believe I am not inferior. Please allow me to compete with Sandor in swordsmanship."
Robert glanced at Eddard, who nodded slightly. Robert said, "Very well, I allow you to first compete with swords and then with lances."
Robert's intention was that if they were to compete with lances, he naturally hoped that both sides would not fight to the death. If the outcome was decided by swordsmanship, how could they then compete with lances?
However, Hallis did not think the same way. Heway was his comrade, and he had come to avenge Heway, and he would do so with swordsmanship. Because the Hound had killed Heway with a sword.
Sandor Clegane and Hallis drew their swords.
Hallis immediately stepped forward and struck at Sandor with all his might. But Sandor Clegane was also aware of Hallis's reputation and knew he was not to be underestimated like Heway. He did not dare to be careless and understood that Hallis was there to avenge Heway. He also stepped forward, gripping his sword with both hands, and struck at Hallis fiercely.
A loud noise echoed as the swords collided, sparks flying.