Chapter 20

Eddard Stark. Winterfell.

It had been about an hour since the prince and Arya's incident. And now, the entire royal family, along with some of the Starks, have gathered in a small room for a debriefing.

In that hour, I was able to find out all the background. Arya explained everything in great detail. Robert's son challenged her to a duel and, after losing, began threatening my family with violence. Sansa silently confirmed Arya's words without showing it to those around her. As I understand it, she wants to make the best of the situation, to which I could only sigh tiredly.

Lady Kinvara really managed to influence her, huh? It's fine, though, as long as morals and honor are still in place.

Before that, Robert and I discussed a few things regarding my new position. On top of that, he wants Arya and Sansa to come with us to King's Landing. Or even arrange an engagement between Sansa and Prince Joffrey.

He argued that their families are long overdue for an inbreeding. I mean, Robert was actually referring to Lyanna when he suggested it. Perhaps I would have thought of it before, but not now, and definitely not in the future.

Glancing over at the prince, all I saw was an angry expression on his face. As well as on the queen in whose arms he was in. Jaime Lannister watched them from the sidelines, while Robert's gaze ran from Arya to the prince and back again.

My family, on the other hand, was looking at all of this with skepticism. Cat was shaking her head, Robb was watching the prince with a frown, Sansa was looking toward the royal family with feigned concern, and Arya was waiting for the discussion to begin.

- So," Robert decided to start the discussion, "Who's going to explain to me what the hell happened?!

- There is nothing to explain, - Queen Cersei declared - The Stark girl attacked our son!

- Quiet, woman! - Robert shouted and looked at the prince, "Tell me.

- She just attacked me! - shouted Prince Joffrey, pointing a finger at Arya - This is treason! We should execute them!

SLAPPING

A loud slap resounded through the room. The prince was almost holding his battered cheek with a weeping face, glaring at his father, whose slap it was. The queen froze at this and looked at him angrily. Robert himself sighed disappointedly.

- For Seven's sake, are you a man or what! - he shouted, and then looked at Arya - What do you say?

- His highness has challenged me to a duel. - she stated confidently.

- A duel? With a girl who is not even thirteen winters old? - Robert raised an eyebrow.

- You are right, my king," Arya nodded, "My friend and I practiced fencing with ordinary sticks. I won, of course. Toward the end, your son and my sister approached us. He said that only a commoner could lose to a girl, and I disagreed and told him so. In response, your son challenged me to a duel with his sword, and I chose the stick.

- Оh? - Robert looked at the prince in surprise. "So he drew a real sword and you responded with a stick? I don't know if that's disrespect or confidence. I take it you won?

- Mm-hmm," Arya replied, "I noticed that his skills were far behind my brothers. His grip on the sword was weak and insecure, and of course I took advantage of that by striking his hand. And the rest you already know.

- She's lying, Father! She attacked me for nothing! - objected the prince.

- You're the one who's lying! - Arya joined in.

- Shut up, for God's sake! - he shouted, and then looked at Sansa - So we have two different points of view, and the only witness. Therefore, it's your words that will decide everything, Sansa Stark. Who is right?

There was silence in the room at his words, and all eyes focused on Sansa. Her whole body trembled, her eyes darted from side to side, and her fingers frantically searched the air. And amongst those expectant stares, several personalities stood out.

Prince Joffrey gave out a victorious smile, obviously thinking that she would support his words. The Queen was doing the same as her son. Kat wanted to say something, but she was left behind by Arya, tugging on her sleeve. And Lady Kinvara, standing behind her backs, who eyed my eldest daughter with intrigue.

- What do you think Sansa will say? - I whispered to Robb beside me, who didn't look alarmed.

- 'Hmmm...' he pondered, then grinned, 'Whatever she says will be fine. Lady Kinvara has done a good job with her. So much so that even I sometimes fear my sister.

At his words, I sighed tiredly and waited for Sansa's response.

- Don't be long, girl. - Robert hurried her on.

- I-I... I don't know... - Sansa gave out, gathering surprised looks - At the moment of the duel I was distracted and didn't see anything....

- Tsk, - Robert tsked - Then...

- But... If I may, my King... - Sansa continued, to which he waved his hand, allowing her to speak further - Father always spoke of honor, justice, and dignity... Therefore, can it be decided by a trial by combat? Let justice be done by the hands of the gods, I think.....

Hearing her suggestion, everyone froze and looked at Robert. He pondered Sansa's words, and after a few seconds he looked at me. And meeting his eyes, I didn't know what to do.

- Don't do it, Ned. It's not worth it. - Kat whispered discreetly.

I know, but the matter must be resolved. If we let it go, we have nothing more than an insult to royalty. Moreover, the fact that there was a duel is absent without hard evidence.

As I looked at Sansa and met her gaze, it dawned on me a moment later.

Referring to our friendship, Robert would have believed her words, but not the other arrivals. That is, she would have turned them against her before she even arrived at Red Castle. Plus, the fact that Sansa is Arya's older sister would also play a role, which means her point of view is already knowingly biased, at least on their part. Even if it isn't.

Oh, and the fact that the heir to the Seven Kingdoms with a real sword lost a duel to a girl using only a stick? Reputations would definitely be tarnished. Not just for the Lannisters, but for the Baratheons as well.

Eventually, after looking Robert in the eyes, I gave a short nod.

- Good. Tomorrow at dawn will be the test of the duel," he said and headed for the room's exit, "Now, I need a drink.

And, strangely enough, this completely satisfied both sides of the conflict, as there was no mention of a fight to the death. The question remained whether or not the champions would be present.

 I rubbed my temples, trying to ease the headache.

This wasn't the day I'd hoped for. And...I need a drink too...maybe....

-0-

Kinvara. Winterfell.

Some time after the incident was resolved, I slowly walked to Sansa's room to talk about her recent actions. And I can directly state that I am pleased with her.

She was able to completely get away with it, even though she was the extreme in the whole situation.

Offering to settle things with a trial by combat shut up all sides of the conflict. Not only that. The move made it clear to Cersei Lannister that Sansa was neutral. Which means she can be swayed and used.

If she told the truth, she would side with Arya, which would completely close off avenues of interaction with the queen. And if she lied, it would only cast doubt on herself, as if she were trying to suck up to the Lannisters. In the Queen's eyes, that would make her a bargaining chip worth wasting effort on, which is not a preferable option.

The Queen, or rather the Lannisters, have pretty much swept King's Landing under the rug. This is attributable to two factors: money and people.

More than half of the residents of Red Castle are loyal to the lions specifically. This means that almost nothing escapes the ears of the Queen and her father. On top of that, the crown owes about three million gold dragons to the Lannisters specifically. This allows them to act behind their sleeves in certain situations, as long as they don't get caught by the king.

Speaking of money. The king will likely also want a cut of the paper, books, and eyeglasses sales. Some lords have set up paper production in their castles, but only theirs.

The printing presses are in Pentos. And neither their blueprints nor they themselves leave the city. Officially, it's possible, but unofficially... Erin and her men won't let it happen, which has been negotiated with Halon, my king's friend and magister, who has the entire city in his hands. He wants to wait a year from the time of the first machine to get a monopoly on it, and after that, to distribute it freely. That is, it will only be possible after nine months.

It's a similar situation with eyeglasses. Lenses are made by Pentos artisans, whom the city has in great numbers. And the method of making them is also not taken outside of it under the supervision of Erin's men.

This work required many people, and the High Priestess of Pentos has them. After I settled here in Winterfell, I ordered my men in Volantis to be distributed between Pentos and King's Landing, leaving only the bare minimum.

Finally reaching Sansa's room, I went inside without knocking. And, as it turned out, inside, in addition to Sansa herself, was the rest of the Stark family, except for Bran and Rickon. Most likely she and Ser Rodrik, as he wasn't here either.

When they heard the door open, they immediately turned their heads in my direction, and Lord Stark prepared to bare his sword.

- Good evening," I said with a slight bow, "I see you've already started?

- And you still move like a ghost. - Lord Stark remarked and put his sword back in its scabbard. I smiled and went inside the room, locking the door with magic.

- I take it you're here to discuss what happened? - Lady Stark asked.

- You are right," I nodded and looked at Sansa, "Not a bad move, young lady, but it will be harder for you now. The Queen will be watching your every move and trying to influence you while you're in King's Landing.

- I know," she sighed tiredly, "But I'd rather have the Queen's company than the Prince's. He's... bad.

- Stop," Lord Stark intervened, "How do you know Sansa is traveling with me?

- It's obvious. Robert wants you to feel comfortable in King's Landing, hence the need for family company. Bran and Rickon are too young, and Robb is the heir. I'll have to help him and look after the children here at Winterfell, and that leaves only Sansa and Arya. Has he tried to betroth them to anyone, by any chance? - Lady Stark said calmly, then noticed the surprised looks in her direction--"Did I say something wrong?

- N-no..." Robb stammered, "It's just... unusual to see you like this...

Lady Stark rolled her eyes girlishly, and the children giggled softly.

- Anyway, I have something to please you, Sansa. - I said.

- Delight? - she asked.

- My king will probably arrive in King's Landing when you're there," I began, and her eyes practically lit up, "Right now he's in Braavos, in Black and White House. And I think he'll visit you as soon as he's finished his business.

- Really?! - Sansa shrieked with joy, as did Arya.

- The black and white house? Isn't it a haven for faceless assassins? - Lord Stark asked.

- Indeed it is. - I nodded.

- But what did he leave there?

- I can only speculate, but it must have something to do with Valyria, as my king was very interested in the subject. The Black and White House is a very old and powerful house. Even the most loyal servants of the Lord of Light cannot identify the Faceless Ones unless they themselves wish to do so. In addition, the Many-Faced God is much older than the Lord of Light. According to the beliefs of the Faceless Men, their god can appear in the form of any other god. After all, death is the natural end for every living thing. And their god's possession is that very death. Calm, cold and indifferent.

- It's... very difficult to understand," Lady Stark rubbed her temples, "I was taught from childhood that the Seven are the only true gods. And the idea that one god can take the form of another is a little... disconcerting.

- It's all right. We don't really understand all that much either. But there is a spark of truth in the beliefs of the Faceless Ones. - I shook my head - Anyway, any guesses as to who Prince Joffrey will choose as his champion?

- You don't think he'll fight on his own? - Lady Stark asked.

- Of course," Robb answered for me, "Besides, the prince will definitely want to 'punish' us.

- Right," Lord Stark nodded, "The prince doesn't have the courage to choose his father; he's too afraid of him. That leaves only two: either Jaime Lannister or Sandor Clegane.

- I think he'll choose his bodyguard over the Kingslayer," Sansa added, "Because only the former is the only one Prince Joffrey can freely give orders to.

- Good guess," I nodded. "And who will Arya choose?

- Hey! I can fend for myself! - She protested, and the others shook their heads, and Robb grinned.

- It'll probably be me. The king won't let my father go out unless he goes out himself," he said, "At most, I'll use Lord Solomon's gift if defeat is certain. That's allowed, isn't it, Father?

- You may use whatever you were wearing when the ordeal began. - Lord Stark nodded, then looked around at all of us - Now that that is settled, I suggest we return to the royal family. I wouldn't want to leave them unattended, given the circumstances.

Everyone nodded in agreement and dispersed as soon as I dispelled the spell from the door.

I suppose I should start preparing a favorable ground in the King's Landing. A couple of enchanted lords and ladies will help the Starks settle in when they arrive.

With these thoughts, I clicked on the earring that Lord Solomon had given me.

Time to get to work...

-0-

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