Chapter 32

Aegon, Rhaenys, and the group of generals, including Aegon's stepfather and Rhaenys' father-in-law, ascended the mountain to meet with Bahamut. Elia had also joined them, an unusual move for her, given her avoidance of matters related to war. Bahamut sensed their approach and prepared to meet them, ensuring he was in a clean and presentable state.

Upon their arrival, the generals bowed before Bahamut, keeping a respectful distance. Aegon asked, "Bahamut, what should be our next move?" Bahamut, gazing at them, replied, "We must press on." Rhaenys hesitated before adding, "But our soldiers are exhausted from the long journey." Bahamut responded firmly, "We can't afford to wait. We must strike our enemies while they are unprepared. All our efforts to keep about our presence in Dragonstone until now will be in vain otherwise."

No one voiced any disagreement. Bahamut continued, "Our next target is King's Landing, and we must take it before nightfall." A general inquired about the plan, and Bahamut explained, "I will destroy the walls and archers on the wall. One-quarter of our ships will remain at sea to prevent any escape by sea. Half of our forces will advance through the city toward the Red Keep. Another quarter will enter the Red Keep through a secret passage I know of. The other four dragons will guard the city gates to prevent any escape by land."

Bahamut had intimate knowledge of King's Landing, having visited it to rescue Elia and her children. While searching for them, he had discovered the secret passage into the Red Keep. He then instructed them, "Send the best men we have to use the secret passage to capture the Red Keep. Elia's husband is the best choice to lead this operation." Bahamut shared his memories of the Red Keep's layout with him.

Before the afternoon, the fleet once again set sail towards King's Landing, ready to execute their daring plan.

As the sun dipped low in the sky, Lord Eddard Stark stood on the High Septon's pulpit outside the doors of the sept, weakened and supported by two gold cloaks. But he looked thinner and more frail than Arya had ever seen him. It was as if he was being held upright rather than standing, his broken leg encased in a grey, decaying cast.

Behind him, the High Septon, a squat, elderly man with an imposing crown of gold and crystal, stood in his white robes. A hush fell over the plaza as knights and high lords gathered, with Joffrey and his mother in prominent positions. Arya spotted the Hound, resplendent in white, with the Kingsguard around him. Varys, the eunuch, glided among the lords, and a short man with a silvery cape and pointed beard caught her attention. She thought he might be the one who had once fought a duel for her mother.

And there, in the midst of it all, stood Sansa, radiant in sky-blue silk, auburn hair beautifully styled, and silver bracelets adorning her wrists. Arya scowled, puzzled by her sister's apparent happiness.

A line of gold-cloaked spearmen kept the crowd at bay, led by a stout man in elaborate black and gold armor. The metallic shimmer of his cloak spoke of true cloth-of-gold.

When the tolling bell finally ceased, a solemn quiet descended over the plaza. Her father lifted his head and began to speak, his voice feeble and strained. People behind Arya shouted, asking him to speak louder. The man in black and gold armor prodded Father sharply, and Arya wanted to shout for them to leave him be, but she knew no one would listen. She bit her lip.

Father raised his voice, "I am Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell and Hand of the King," he declared, his voice now carrying across the plaza. "I come before you to confess my treason in the sight of gods and men."

"No," Arya whimpered, watching in anguish. Below her, the crowd erupted into a frenzy. Taunts and obscenities filled the air. Sansa had buried her face in her hands.

Father strained to be heard above the uproar, "I betrayed the faith of my king and the trust of my friend, Robert," he shouted. "I swore to defend and protect his children, yet before his blood was cold, I plotted to depose and murder his son and seize the throne for myself. Let the High Septon and Baelor the Beloved and the Seven bear witness to the truth of what I say: Joffrey Baratheon is the one true heir to the Iron Throne, and by the grace of all the gods, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm."

Arya gasped as she saw a stone sail through the air and strike her father. The gold cloaks kept him from falling, but blood streamed from a deep gash on his forehead. More stones followed, one hitting the guard to Father's left and another clanging off the knight's breastplate in black and gold armor. Two of the Kingsguard stepped forward to shield Joffrey and the queen.

Arya's hand slipped beneath her cloak, finding Needle in its sheath. She gripped it tightly, praying fervently, "Please, gods, keep him safe. Don't let them hurt my father."

The High Septon knelt before Joffrey and his mother, intoning, "As we sin, so do we suffer." His voice resonated with a deep, swelling resonance that drowned out Father's. "This man has confessed his crimes in the sight of gods and men, here in this holy place." Rainbows danced around his head as he raised his hands in entreaty. "The gods are just, yet Blessed Baelor taught us that they are also merciful. What shall be done with this traitor, Your Grace?"

Amidst the thousand voices screaming, Arya was deaf to them all. Prince Joffrey... no, King Joffrey... emerged from behind the shields of his Kingsguard. "My mother bids me let Lord Eddard take the black, and Lady Sansa has begged mercy for her father." He turned to look at Sansa, smiling, and for a fleeting moment, Arya thought the gods had answered her prayer. But then Joffrey turned back to the crowd and declared, "But they have the soft hearts of women. So long as I am your king, treason shall never go unpunished. Ser Ilyn, bring me his head!"

The crowd roared, and Arya felt the statue of Baelor sway as they surged against it. The High Septon clung to the king's cape, and Varys came rushing over, waving his arms. Even the queen seemed to be saying something to him, but Joffrey shook his head. Lords and knights moved aside as he stepped through, tall and emaciated, a skeleton encased in iron mail, the King's Justice. Arya heard her sister's scream dimly. Sansa had fallen to her knees, sobbing hysterically. Ser Ilyn Payne ascended the pulpit steps.

Arya squirmed between the feet of Baelor's statue and flung herself into the crowd. But then a tremendous roar echoed through the city, and the entire city fell into silence. Suddenly, the alarm bells rang, signaling an enemy attack. The Targaryens had returned.