Vigilance and Schemes

Upon their arrival in King's Landing, the capital's bustling activity greeted Eddard Stark and his party. The journey had been long, but Eddard remained focused on the safety of his family and the responsibilities that came with being the Hand of the King.

And as Eddard expected, a page started to come in sight, who looked at Eddard and kindly called out to Eddard, "Welcome, Lord Stark. Grand Maester Pycelle has called a meeting of the Small Council. The honor of your presence is requested.". 

Eddard ignored the words of the page and immediately ordered Jory around, "Get the girls settled in. I'll be back in time for supper. And, Jory, you go with them."

Jory accepted Eddards order, "Yes, my lord.", and immediately took Sansa and Arya to settle within the castle.

Eddard wasted no time and headed for the small council meeting.

And predictably, his path was interrupted by the imposing figure of Jaime Lannister. The Kingslayer approached Eddard with a sly smile, ready to engage in a conversation to taunt Eddard once again.

Not waiting to let Jaime take the first word, Eddard sneered, "Jaime Lannister, glad to see that the rumors claiming you're an excellent kingsguard are true. Protecting that empty throne must be heavy work. All the while not having a single scratch on that fancy armor of yours."

Jaime, slightly surprised by Eddard's taunt, responded with an annoyed demeanor, "I know. People have been swinging at me for years, but they always seem to miss."

Their exchange reflects the animosity between the Stark and Lannister houses.

After the small exchange between the two men, Eddard left Jaime behind and proceeded to the small council meeting, where the sh*t-show of the political intrigues of King's Landing awaited.

During the small council meeting, Eddard addressed various matters such as the matter of the tournament where Eddard simply refused to allocate such an expense when the throne was already in debt. "This tournament is an extravagance we cannot afford.", Eddard said.

Eddard himself also decided to bring up another issue, "I have another point to bring up right now. The removal and execution of City Watch Commander Janos Slynt for corruption and tax evasion." 

Eddard argued for Janos Slynt's removal and execution due to his long-standing corruption and abuse of power.

"I will appoint Ser Perkin Follard as the new commander of the City Watch, replacing the corrupt Janos Slynt."

As the small council deliberated on Eddard's proposal, it was met with mixed reactions. However, Eddard stood firm with a display of authority, emphasizing the need for a trustworthy and honorable City Watch commander.

Eddard continues, "Lord Renly, as master of Laws, the arrangement of the capture and execution of Janos Slynt will be your task. I myself will take the rest of the day off, to get myself settled in."

"I will talk to the King later today as well, and I'll try and talk him out of this insane tournament arrangement."

After leaving the meeting, Eddard couldn't shake the feeling that Joffrey and Cersei were conspiring against him behind his back. Suspecting their scheming, he started thinking about the necessary vigilance and discreet information gathering methods.

The political landscape of King's Landing is treacherous, and Eddard knows that his time as Hand of the King will depend on how well he's able to navigate its dangers, namely the two Houses Lannister and Baelish.

The night is dark and quiet in King's Landing as Eddard retired to his quarters after the small council meeting.

Unbeknownst to him, Cersei Lannister, fueled by her resentment and desire to eliminate the perceived threat that Eddard posed, in fury, rashly orders a group of condemned prisoners to be sent as assassins to Eddard's room.

The prisoners, facing certain death, were given a deadly mission with the promise of a chance at freedom with the premise that Lannisters always pay their debts.

Under the cover of darkness, the assassins stealthily made their way through the corridors of the Red Keep. The two guards stationed outside Eddard's room were the first to face the assailants. The attackers swiftly dispatched them, leaving no witnesses alive to their treacherous act.

Inside the room, Eddard, attuned to the sounds of the night, heard the commotion outside his door. Reacting with practiced instinct, he drew his sword from its sheath, ready to confront the imminent threat. Jory Cassel, who had been guarding inside the room, also picked up on the disturbance.

Eddard, standing firm and composed, raised his hand, signaling Jory to hold back. The assassins, armed and ruthless, entered the room with murderous intent. One of them, quick and nimble, hurled a knife at Eddard. The Lord of Winterfell, however, moved with the agility of a seasoned warrior, narrowly dodging the projectile.

With the threat now apparent, Eddard engaged the assassins with a lethal dance of steel. Six against one, but Eddard Stark is a master swordsman. His movements are precise and deadly, his blade finding its mark with each strike with no wasted movement. The confined space of the room provided a disadvantage for the assassins against Eddard's skilled swordplay.

Jory, witnessing the struggle, remained poised to intervene, but Eddard, with a stern gaze, commanded him to stand down. The clash of steel echoed in the quiet chamber as Eddard swiftly dispatched each assailant one by one.

Disappointment flickered in Eddard's eyes as the confrontation proved to be disappointingly brief. Within moments, the room was silent again, and all six assassins lay lifeless at Eddard's feet.

It took less than a minute for Eddard Stark to thwart the attempt on his life, but the repercussions of this treacherous act would undoubtedly reverberate through the corridors of King's Landing.