Entry Six

Date: 298 After Landing, Summer

Peggy,

Well, the days following the Tournament have been, eventful. I turned down the offer of Knighthood, mostly on moral grounds. Someone shouldn't be rewarded for being fast or strong, but for being known for protecting those who can't protect themselves.

I swear I only took my eyes off of Arya for a minute before she vanished. She could teach spys a lesson in vanishing. Syrio had her chasing the stray cats that walk amongst the castle, part of her training which is intended to make her reflexes faster as well as teach her patience. She has managed to capture every cat in the castle except for this one. She turned a corner, and she and the cat were gone. Even I couldn't find where she had gone. When she was finally found she looked more like one of the homeless outside the castle, and oddly it suited her. She got a stern talking to from her father, and I got shamed for not being able to keep up with her. Then Lord Stark smiled and commented that not even the Gods could catch her if she tried hard enough.

As I walked Arya back to her room, she asked me questions about her father's guards and if they could protect him. I answered as best I could, but was taken aback by her request, "Make sure no one kills my father. You defeated the Mountain, the Hound, and all the others, so I know you can protect my father." I honestly didn't know what to say to that, but finally I told her that Lord Stark loves his children so much that he would rather I protect them. This didn't set her at ease, and she said little more the rest of the day.

The very next day, and shortly after his return from a Council meeting, I noticed that Lord Stark no longer wore his badge of office. Rumors soon started to run of Eddard searching for a ship to take him and the girls back to Winterfell and leaving the city behind. In retrospect, he shouldn't have waited so long.

The next day Lord Stark asked for me to accompany him and a group of his men. He seemed more on edge than usual, and made sure I wore my armor. To my surprise we arrived at a…place of entertainment. Lord Stark and a few others went inside while I elected to remain behind. Again I noticed the eyes that always watched, and felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. Eddard had only been inside for five minutes when the sky opened up and rain started running down my armor. Another minute later the whole group exited, with Mr. Baelish among them.

We were only half-way back to the castle when 40 Lannister guardsmen suddenly surrounded us. Among them was Jaime Lannister, brother to the Queen and member of the Kingsguard, who was obviously upset. Apparently he was upset about Lady Catelyn, Lord Starks wife, who had taken Jaime's little brother. Some kind of arrest? There were but 5 of us to their 40, but it seemed the guards were hesitant to draw their swords against us. Jaime did not share that reservation, and drew his blade as Littlefinger ran for help from the City Watch.

Seeing us outnumbered, Eddard reminded Jaime that if anything should happen to him that his wife would kill Tyrion, the brother. Jaime hesitated for moment, but only long enough to tell his guards to kill us all, but leave the former Hand unharmed. I honestly don't like killing. I see the act of taking someone's life as something you only do if it is absolutely necessary. Sadly for them, the guards left me little choice. Heward and Wyl were seconds from being cut down when I sent my shield through their attackers necks, and before the rest of the guards could advance five steps I had disabled three more of them.

My speed and decisiveness had brought the confrontation to a very sudden halt. I called out Ser Jaime, calling him a coward, and a bully, and offered he fight me in Lord Starks place. In his arrogance, the Kingsguard smiled and took me up on the offer. The young Knight moved faster than I had expected, and was undoubtedly skilled. I doubt Syrio or anyone else would be able to stand against him in open combat. But it was over before it began, and as soon as Ser Jaime's blade bounced off my shield, I brought my sword up and cut off his sword-hand at the wrist. He hadn't even realized it was gone until he brought the stump down and found his hand missing. He dropped to his knees, staring in disbelief at the missing limb.

When the other guards threw down their weapons I ordered Starks men to not kill them, but to take them all prisoner. I then knelt beside the fallen knight and started applying a field dressing. As I did this, I recited back to him the words of a knight I had learned while visiting the Sept; "You were charged to be Brave. But you were also charged to be Just. To Defend the young and Innocent. To Protect. I ask you, how is trying to kill these men fulfilling your vows?" His silence was all the answer I needed.

Once the City Watch arrived, I couldn't help but notice Baelish's surprise at what had transpired. Or his amusement. In any event, rather than head to the docks and leave the city, Lord Stark was adamant he return to the castle and speak with the King. Honestly, I would rather leave the city. Besides, I'm sure the Queen will not be pleased to see her brother maimed.