"A member of the Kingsguard?" Loras questioned with a surprised tone. "One must be a knight to receive such an honour."
"True enough, all of the past Kingsguard were knights." Arthur nodded. "Even so, the Kingsguard are decided by His Grace - the King. If he sees that someone is worthy, knight or not, what does it matter?"
"It would make the Kingsguard look lesser."
Of course, that wasn't the sole issue behind it. Another was the fact that Brienne was a woman. Women bearing arms was rare enough, but a Kingsguard? It had never happened before. It would be like publicly acknowledging her prowess... which would certainly cause uproar in parts of the Seven Kingdoms.
Between the disagreement, Edric remained silent. A gentle breeze swept over them as Edric's black hair swayed ever so freely. His lip curled into a smile as he drew his sword. He looked at Arthur and exchanged nods before Arthur departed.
Edric then turned to Brienne.
"Brienne of House Tarth."
Her blue eyes glistened as Edric stepped forward, his regal golden cloak fluttering dramatically. When he raised his sword to the sky, the sun shined over it.
"Do you know the complete oath?"
"... I know all the vows - but I would not be able to recite them perfectly."
"It's a long oath, I wouldn't blame you. Don't be afraid to improvise a little."
Edric put his sword on her right shoulder.
"I, Brienne of House Tarth, hereby swear on my honour to protect and serve the King and his family. I swear to be the shield that wards his life and the sword that cuts down his enemies, giving my blood and life for His if that is what it takes. I will not speak unless spoken to, and I will defend the King's peace, honour, lands and secrets or pay the price. I will wed no..."
Edric chuckled as Brienne paused and smiled reassuringly. The oaths naturally needed changes considering her gender.
"I will wed no husband, mother no children and hold no lands." Brienne took a deep breath. "Only death may release me from these vows. I will master the gate, pluck the bow, handle the blade and serve my realm: now and forever."
Edric moved his sword to the other shoulder.
"You may rise as a Sworn Sister of my Kingsguard, Lady Brienne." He sheathed his sword and offered his hand. "Welcome to the family."
"You honour me beyond words, Your Grace."
She took his hand and helped herself up.
"Let your actions do the speaking, then." Edric smiled, patting her shoulder. "Words are just pieces of paper in the sky while actions are the wind that pushes them forward."
"I shall."
"Welcome," Loras said dryly, almost looking pleased, yet it was obvious enough that he wasn't fond of the decision. "I look forward to working alongside you."
"Loras, don't be like that just because she kept kicking your ass in Storm's End." Edric laughed, shaking his head. "Besides, who saved you from being embarrassed by Daman? You're really letting me down, you know. I might have to do a trade with Rhaerra and swap you out with him or maybe Valaegor..."
"With all due respect, Your Grace, I was on the verge of defeating him."
"Were you, really? If I compare your contributions to Ser Arthur, I begin to wonder who really is the best Kingsguard. First, he bested Ballio without any major wounds and showed leadership by instructing Ser Balon and the Hound to take down Taelor. Then he struck down Raedor with his lance, defeated Valaegor and helped with the defeat of Gaegor and Daman."
Loras' pride was smacked right in the face, followed by a bucket of chilling water thrown into it.
Arthur had been raised alongside him for a handful of years, and during that time, Loras saw himself as someone who was firmly superior in practically every relevant aspect. Yet, day by day, he kept improving, and now... he didn't want to admit to being surpassed - especially not by someone seemingly less talented than him.
'Man was out fighting out there like he was possessed by the spirit of Michael Jordan.' Edric thought. 'Maybe there should be an MVP trophy next time around...'
"Your Grace, I unhorsed four of them."
"That's the very least that I'd expect from the Knight of Flowers, who so proudly views himself as the best lance in the Seven Kingdoms," Edric remarked, speaking with a colder tone. "How about instead of looking down on others, you look at yourself and realise that you're not even half as good as you think you are... nor could be. As I see it, you should've unhorsed them all and defeated at least one in single combat."
Edric tilted his head as he observed Loras' frown. He raised an eyebrow of curiosity.
"Am I expecting too much? Do I think too highly of you?"
"... No, Your Grace." Loras shook his head, looking wounded. "I did underperform."
Edric scoffed.
"When you're the best of the Kingsguard and have the merit to back it, mayhaps you can speak of who's worthy of a white cloak and who's not. Until then... shut your mouth."
Edric's words were like hammer blows to Loras' ego. His eyes were like cloudy and unsettled skies, threatening to unleash a storm. As he turned away from Loras, his expression visibly lightened.
Hurried steps followed as Arthur sprinted over with a spare white cloak.
"Ah, right on time." Edric smiled, looking over. "Would you do the honour, Ser?"
"Gladly, Your Grace."
Arthur nodded, fitting the white cloak over Brienne's back. Afterwards, he patted her shoulder.
"You're just missing the shining armour now."
Brienne smiled.
"That will be arranged as soon as possible." Edric nodded, looking at Brienne. "If anyone comes to question your position, as I'm sure many will gossip about it, don't pay them any heed. You belong in the Kingsguard, and their crying will never change that."
"I thank you for your confidence, Your Grace. I hope to live up to your expectations."
"Loosen up a bit." Edric chuckled, shaking his head. "There's a middle-ground between being you and Ser Loras regarding humbleness. Anyway, there's another appointment I'd like to make. Ser Arthur..."
"Yes, Your Grace?"
"How would you like to be acting Lord Commander?"
The sudden, blunt way in which he spoke those words caught Arthur off-guard. Becoming acting Lord Commander with the way things were with Ser Barristan was akin to outright naming him Lord Commander. It wasn't something he'd ever even considered, however.
"Certainly, I'd love to, but..."
"But?" Edric tilted his head. "Don't tell me that Brienne's halo of humbleness inflicted you?"
"I am too inexperienced - I doubt that the Kingsguard would follow my commands as well as they would Ser Barristan. I simply cannot fill his shoes as I am."
Edric did not look moved by his reply.
"Well, you'll be getting plenty of experience now, my good friend." Edric chuckled, grabbing his shoulder. "I am naming you the first ever Serjeant of the Kingsguard, second only to the Lord Commander and the one who shall act in his stead."`
As if the slap and cold bucket weren't enough, Loras had an anvil drop from the skies onto his head. Figuratively, of course. This was arguably worse than losing out on a Valyrian Steel sword. That was the second honour Ser Arthur beat him to.
Arthur smiled at his helplessness on the matter, accepting his fate.
"I shall do my best, Your Grace."
"Good."
"Congratulations, Ser Arthur." Brienne nodded approvingly.
"Well deserved," Loras said with a smile that almost twitched. "It seems that history has been made twice over today. I am sure that it is a day that will be remembered for many years to come."
"Speaking of... do you truly not want the gold prize?" Edric looked at Brienne. "You could do a lot with ten thousand."
"This white cloak is priceless to me," Brienne answered, shaking her head. "You should use the gold to benefit the Realm instead."
"You are a true knight, Brienne."
Edric smiled, turning away. All the while, Brienne's face flushed slightly as the compliment resounded in her mind over and over.
"You three, come... it's time I returned to the Red Keep."
...
With the seven-a-side melee's champion decided, the tourney was halted until the next day. On the way out, he found Rhaerra following along.
"How much is it to rent a workspace in the Red Keep? I find your inns too small to conduct my work effectively."
"That's a first," Edric remarked, stroking his chin. "Is there some specific reason you're asking now?"
"I simply feel inspired."
"There's a large courtyard no one really uses, I suppose. How long do you need it?"
"Three moons."
"Five hundred."
"That is a swindler's price. A hundred and fifty would be more acceptable."
"It's my Red Keep." Edric shrugged. "Though, I could lower it to three hundred since you want to be so stingy."
"I wonder who truly is stingy by avoiding paying as many champions as he can during this tournament. I bet your heart shrivels at the mere thought of giving away any substantial amount of gold."
"Shrivels, breaks and shatters." Edric nodded nonchalantly, speaking with a tone of sarcasm. "It feels like I'm being robbed in broad daylight while everyone is clapping and cheering. An awful, truly awful, experience each time."
"..." She chuckled, shaking her head. "Fine, I'll give you five hundred since you're so poor. Consider me being charitable."
Edric wanted to say he was joking, but five hundred gold dragons was a good amount of money... yet she called him poor at the same time. His pride as a king was wounded, without a doubt.
Arya chuckled as she saw his predicament.
"Says the one betting a mere mask against my brilliant, iconic, armour." Edric shrugged his shoulders.
"This is no mere simple mask; it was Uthero Zalyne's mask, the Sealord who would announce Braavos' existence to the world in the First Unveiling."
"... You have to be lying."
"Believe what you will. Will you take my gold or not?"
"Sure."
~
After showing her the courtyard, he went off to speak with Varys, who confirmed what Dabhal Cho had said.
"He has an impressive streak of victories, that is true." Varys stroked his chin. "As for conquering the Summer Islands and putting him in power, I doubt it would be worth the effort, time and cost. The Summer Islands are not known for their stability. Scarcely does anyone manage to unite them all, yet alone keep them together..."
"I will be the one to do it." Edric determined with a look of confidence. "When I am not preoccupied with matters in the Seven Kingdoms, that is. For now, I wish for you to spread the word that Dabhal Cho is a friend of mine, and any who would seek to challenge him may as well be challenging me."
"As you wish, Your Grace."
...
Edric then went to see the Hound, who had been drinking it up in his own corner of the Great Hall.
"You've seen better days."
"What are you going to say? I failed you? Don't care."
"The others picked up the slack, so it's not so bad." Edric sat down next to him. "In the grand scheme of things, it's just a little melee. It doesn't matter all that much."
"Say the truth." The Hound scoffed.
"I mean, you did look more like a scared puppy than a hound towards the end in front of pretty much the entire Realm - but I understand why. It's not really your fault. You tried to fight your greatest fear, but your body wasn't having it."
"Ugh..." The Hound sighed, waving his hand. "Go away."
Edric grabbed his shoulder briefly, patting it.
"Make them pay tomorrow in the duels, Hound. Don't leave any meat on the bones."
He stood up and walked away.
The Hound found himself laughing.
"Don't leave any meat on the bones..."
Meanwhile, Edric moved on to the black cells.
'Time to find out who wants me dead... well, at least one of them. I bet it's a decently long list by now...'