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Darken Rahl.
My mother had already been here for about two or three days at the time of my arrival in King's Landing. The morning of the next day after my arrival, I decided to pay her a visit. She did not reside in the Red Castle, but in her estate, which was quite close to it.
To my surprise no one paid me the honours of a monarch on my way out. Only Alice told me that Robert had gone hunting as soon as he'd arrived in King's Landing and would be back in time for dinner. Baelish and some of the Council should know by now, though, for they are meeting without the King.
Robert has no time for affairs of state. I'm even ashamed of him as a "colleague". I've been thinking too much about him lately, though. That's not good.
- What are you thinking about, sweetheart? - My mother asked me, lying on my left shoulder and occasionally running her finger over my chest.
- About Baratheon. - I didn't lie.
- Hmm." she frowned pretend, either indignant or puzzled. - I don't know which is worse, Renly or Robert.
- Excuse me?
- If you're thinking about Robert, I'll tell you, you think a lot about politics.
- And if you're thinking about Renly? - I smiled and put my hand between her legs.
- Ah!" She let out a voluptuous moan. - Then... I'll tell you that I'm jealous and worried about my future grandchildren, who aren't here yet, though you're ripe for it. And it's about time you found an empress.
I took my hand away.
- What is it? - She was surprised. - Did you take offence at me?
- No, I'm just surprised that the woman who loves me and shares my bed with me is suddenly talking about my marriage and even children with another woman. - I grinned and kissed her.
- Mm-hmm. And it doesn't bother you that I'm your mother?
- Why is that? Neither the Martells nor the Velaryons ever cared much about who was in their bed. I sometimes think Oberyn didn't even love Aunt Elia like a sister.
- I had those thoughts once, too, but it doesn't matter now. You still haven't answered my question.
- Eh! Don't worry, you'll still have grandchildren. - I assured her. - And for the Empress... I don't know if I'll have her at all. I haven't decided yet. Either way, my throne will go to an heir with a magical gift.
- Very well. - Alice agreed and got out of bed. - There will be a tournament in honour of the Hand, who will you be at it as?
- Probably as myself, not Lord Darke. I don't know if Varys has decided to "reveal me" or not, though.
- Are you sure he won't betray you? - The Lady of the Tides frowned, slowly dressing in front of me.
- No. I don't trust him much, just calculating the options for his moves. I've thrown a good bait for him and I don't think he'll pass it up. I've hit him on too many pain points. It's not gonna go away. Even if he doesn't serve me, he won't do me any harm or cross me. However, I know I'm one of the rulers he respects. He... "serves the state, not kings." It's an interesting position, and one I'm somewhat sympathetic to, but it's also a bit dangerous.
- Our lives are dangerous in themselves. So be careful.
- I'm always careful. - and also started to dress.
- Of course you are. - And what is this mockery of me?! Looks like someone's arse stopped hurting a long time ago.
- Where are you going now? - I asked her.
- To some noble ladies who came here with their husbands for the upcoming feast. It's time to gather new rumours. You might as well go to some of the capital's finer places. You're a visiting lord from a faraway land who's curious about everything. Visit Littlefinger's brothel. I'm sure he'll have to return to his abode soon and he wouldn't miss the opportunity to meet and socialise with you in any guise.
- I've got the perfect mum, though. Not only does she let me fuck her all over, but she tells me where to go and how to fuck a woman. Oberyn is a moron..." I smiled alone.
I decided to trust my mother's judgement. I got the information I needed from her and even laid it out a couple of times on the bed, but it wouldn't hurt to take a walk 'for the soul'. I didn't get to Littlefinger's brothel right away. I went to the market, a couple of shops and even a smithy, where I found one of Robert's bastards, a boy named Gendry. Quite a sturdy fellow, though I don't think he's much older than John. He's a blacksmith's apprentice, though, and that makes a difference.
Littlefinger's brothel was one of the largest, most expensive and full of variety.
It was rumoured to employ over five hundred girls and boys to please the special whims of those who could pay for those whims. Actually, not only the richest and most powerful people came here, but also ordinary soldiers and even townspeople who had money.
Any whim for your money.
For all that, cleanliness and cosiness were probably an integral part of this building, and friendliness and helpfulness were part of the masks they wore within these walls.
A certain Oliver approached me and obligingly asked how he could help me:
- My lord. It is a pleasure to have you in our establishment. What can I do for you? Is this your first time in our establishment? - He asked, glancing nervously behind me, where the menacing Boros and Belvas stood.
- Yes, it is my first time. Someone suggested I come here, though to be honest, it's the first time I've been in a brothel, I think, much less here in Westeros.
- You're probably guests from Panisheart, aren't you? - Oliver brightened up. - We are pleased to see you, my lords. Please allow us to offer you the best of King's Landing.
- Do you have special orders for the D'Harans?
- Yes and no. Lord Baelish has great respect for your Emperor and is as interested in your country as the rest of the Seven Kingdoms, but he doesn't know many D'Harans personally enough to form an opinion of you. And you are honoured guests of the King himself.
- Who visits you very often? - I finished for him.
- Alas. - he shrugged his shoulders in regret. - He uses the whores of our brothel, but most often they are summoned to his house in King's Landing.
- Well, I hope I also get the 'royal treatment'?
- Of course. You'll feel like an emperor, I could barely contain a chuckle. - that I had entered his harem.
The young maidens and women that were presented to me were truly beautiful and unique in their own way.
Grizel is a native of the Summer Isles, a dark-skinned girl of seventeen, she is obviously not the first year in prostitution and has a good figure. Her breasts are a little small for me, fitting into the palm of my hand, her waist is narrow, but she has a nice taut arse and long legs. She looked at me with her amber eyes and twisted strands of her long hair.
Amalia is a true Valyrian by blood, and even seems to be a pureblood if I'm not mistaken. She even from the way she stands, had, a good education and her grace has little to do with the oldest profession. By the way, she reminds me something of Daenerys, only about ten years older, half a head taller, and already with a fully formed figure.
Carmila is a pure-blooded twenty-year-old Dornish girl who, as it turns out, has recently arrived in the capital from another of Littlefinger's brothels. Brown eyes, puffy lips, olive coloured skin, rounded hips, strong legs.
And funny Ros - a twenty-five year old girl from the North that just a couple of days ago got a job at this brothel. Red-haired, with full breasts only slightly inferior to Alice's, slightly pale skin, no excess fat, blue eyes and a beautiful smile. If I hadn't known she was a whore, I would have thought at most a flirtatious maid.
We talked a bit at first, I drank Arbor wine, took grapes from Grizel's fingers and listened to these simple whores. By the way, before the pleasant time of spending my cock in their pussies, asses and mouths, I learned the latest news of King's Landing. The ones that were current until the King came back.
And after a few hours of bedlam, I went out to the balcony for some fresh air, where Lord Baelish was waiting for me. He was short, with laughing grey-green eyes, dressed in black robes with silver, and wore a sharp, neat beard. Despite his relative youth, his dark hair was already streaked with grey.
- Your Majesty. - He bowed to me as befitted a figure of my rank. - I hope your stay within these walls has been pleasant enough for you to enjoy the benefits of this brainchild I have been working on for the past few years.
- I thought you, Lord Baelish, were in charge of affairs of state. Well, considering who your king is..." we exchanged understanding glances. - Varys has already reported me to the council?
- Yes. Believe me, right now the free crows are flying to Casterly Rock, Highgarden, Sunspear, and the other centres of the alliances and kingdoms of Westeros. You didn't see Stark's eyes the moment he realised he had an entire emperor of a powerful empire under his nose and he didn't know it. Right now, he's talking to your apprentice and his son about it. Lord Stark, though stubborn in many ways, is an understanding man.
- And how did the rest of the Council feel about my revelation? - I was eager to hear it firsthand.
- Prince Renly Baratheon didn't know what to say at first, and then he offered to throw a feast in your honour. And then he had an idea for an even bigger tournament than the Hand's. Then, when I reminded him that we already had one tournament and not enough money for a second tournament, he then suggested that we combine the two, but increase the honours a little. Poor new Hand nearly had a heart attack at the idea. - A couple of maids came over to us and brought a couple of soft armchairs and then a table with wine and fruit. - Grand Meister Pycelle even forgot to portray senile marasmus and openly mumbled all sorts of nonsense quite animatedly. To be honest, I didn't even understand what he was trying to say. The king had already arrived at the Red Castle with the Lord Commander of the Royal Guard, Ser Barristan. Yes, and the other people in the royal residence are already aware of your background.
- Fascinating. And you chose to greet me first as Master Rahl rather than Lord Darke?
- That is correct. And I have a genuine respect and affection for you, Your Majesty. I also grew up in very bad circumstances, not like you, but I had neither the money nor the influence to do anything worthwhile with my life. I'm not a warrior, I'm not the son of a Grand Lord, I'm not rich. At least, I wasn't at the time. All I had was my mind, which I used as best I could.
- Yes, I know your story, Lord Baelish. - I nodded to him and took the cup in my hand. - You are a very interesting man, not stupid at all, and you have quite decent priorities in life. That makes me respect you. So I propose to drink to the fact that those who really deserve something in this world will always get it.
- I agree with you, Your Majesty. What Lord Baelish wanted, I didn't have time to find out, but one of the Kingsguard burst into the room.
If I'm not mistaken, it was Ser Preston Greenfield.
- Your Majesty. - he bowed to me. - Lord Baelish. - I nodded meekly to my companion. - I apologise for interrupting your undoubtedly important conversation, but my king has sent for you and asked that you meet with him as soon as possible. Again, I apologise for disturbing you, but my king would not disturb you without good reason.
I mentally applaud this knight for clearly embellishing the words Robert gave him for my coming. Of course, by the time I arrive, he will have calmed down and behaved with more restraint, but it amuses me nonetheless.
- Eh! Lord Baelish, alas," I shrugged my shoulders at him with real regret. - I must leave you without having had a proper conversation. I hope we'll still have a chance to remedy that?
- Of course, Your Majesty. I am well aware of our good King Robert's irrepressible curiosity and impatience, so I dare not interfere. In any case, I'll always be happy to sit and talk with you again. And you will always be welcome here.
We said goodbye on a good note, and I decided to come to Robert's, though I wanted to talk more with Petyr. He is an interesting man. I would have time for that, though.
What followed was a conversation with Robert. I slipped into my chambers, dressed appropriately for my status as Emperor, and put on my crown of Valyrian steel. I was accompanied to the Throne Room by Nyssa and the familiar scarlet garb of Mord-Sith, Boros and Belvas in Valyrian armour and Rhys also in full vestments.
Robert was seated on the Iron Throne, but his eyes were still filled with rage or anger... it was hard to tell, even for me.
Next to the throne stood all the members of the Small Council, the King's herald, half of the Kingsguard as Jaime Lannister, Barristan Selmy, Aris Oakheart, and Preston Greenfield. There was also Thoros of Myr, the king's cupbearer Lancel Lannister, and a couple dozen more of Baratheon's men.
Jon was also standing next to the Iron Throne at first, but then when he saw me, he came to my side and stood at my left shoulder.
- Your Majesty. - The herald who stood closest to us bowed to Robert and then to me. - Darken Rahl, First of his name. Guardian of Peace, Tranquility and Justice. Emperor of D'Hara, Master of Rahl, Lord of Essos, Prince of the Nine Free Cities, King of Kings, High Khal of the Dothraki Sea, Father of Dragons, Unflamed, Dragonlord, Great Liberator, Grand Prince of the Summer Isles, Master of the Summer, Jade, Smoky, Narrow, and Studded Seas, Father of Nations, King of the Steps, True Lord of Hyrkun, King of Sarnor, King of Omber, King of Giskar and Lhazar, and Great King of Sotorios. The true blood of Ancient Valyria. He who is the Invincible One! - And then he turned to me. - Before you is good King Robert Baratheon, the First of his name. King of the Andals and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, Protector of the Realm.
- You are most welcome, Your Majesty. - Varys bowed to me. - To be honest...
- To hell with it, Varys! - Robert said and began to step down from his throne.
Just as I thought he wouldn't stand for it.
- Why didn't you tell me who you really are? Why did you come to my lands in secret?
- Secretly? No, Your Majesty, I only came here as a companion of my apprentice. I have no special reason to hide my identity. It's just that when I arrived in White Harbour, I was mistaken for a mere lord and called Dark. My friend and loyal Dragon Master Rhys Firestorm is partially to blame here. He called me Dark, which is short for my full name. He's my friend and he's allowed to do that. The patrol commander that spoke to John heard this and also called me Lord Dark. I didn't mind it, for I didn't care. Then, on the way to Winterfell, I wondered how Jon would be greeted and not me, so I simply ordered him to keep quiet about my status and call me Dark. That's all. There was no deception as such. People just believed what they heard once. That's all.
- Hm. And you didn't want honours according to your status? - Renly Baratheon asked.
- I could hardly be bestowed in the Seven Kingdoms with the honours I have in Panisheart or anywhere else in my empire. Not because they don't want to, but because of culture, respect, and many other factors. And to be honest, I get really tired of it sometimes. So many sycophants and spineless creatures looking for favours and lands. A lot of people who cower in front of you, hoping to get something, their disgusting faces that you have to watch every day because you rule a huge country... It's exhausting. This journey is primarily for me.
Robert's eyes flashed with pity and understanding. Yes, now I've answered him most honestly and without remorse.
- I understand you, I have most of such slugs running under my feet. It's a pleasure to welcome you to Red Castle. I hope you enjoy it as much as you did Winterfell.
- Well, there are differences between Winterfell and King's Landing, but your castle is lovely.
- I'm glad to hear that. - He nodded and put the smile back on his face. There was still a touch of irritation and even resentment at the concealment of the truth. - Do you like hunting?
- Hunting is a wonderful thing, but I don't usually have much free time for it. But sometimes Rhys manages to get me out there.
- His Majesty works very hard for the good of the Empire. - Rhys put in his couple of coppers with his usual foxy smile. - Though you have to hand it to him, for he has a harem larger in number than the number of women you had.
Robert laughed. I think he and Rhys will even become friends in a way....
The subsequent part of the conversation moved to his office. We drank and talked a lot, and at first we still had Rhys, Jon, Eddard, and Thoros of Myr with us, but then they went off on their own and we were left alone with Baratheon.
- Be honest, Darken. - we've taken to using the first name. - Don't you sometimes wish you could take your sword or your staff or whatever it is you have and travel somewhere far away from your throne and your power?
- Take my word for it, Robert, sometimes I have other thoughts. When I look at the peddlers of Braavos, Qarth or Pentos, I get rage and want to burn them like the Mad King. - Robert twitched at those words. - I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring up the bad stuff. But please remember that dragons, REAL dragons, are quite different than Targaryens. Rhaegar was only called a dragon because he was better than Aerys and was a good warrior. That's all. The Targaryens had far less in common with dragons than I do. Though I am Valyrian only on my mother's side, and even less Valyrian blood on my father's side.
- Lady Alice has known for a long time... What am I talking about? - he perks up. - Varys told me she's been visiting Panisheart for a long time. Why did the Martells only come to you once?
- Because they didn't know about me. They'll probably only learn what Varys sniffed out in a raven's message today. I wish I could see the look on that gobble (?)... Martells' face when they find out who I am.
- Ha-ha-ha. I wouldn't even drink for a week to see their faces as well. Your relatives are very arrogant and unruly. It makes you respect them on the one hand, but on the other, it pisses you off. You have no idea how much I've had to put up with your kin, though they're probably a little better than the Lannisters. Fucking Lannisters! - Robert's face twisted in hatred and disgust. - Damn the day Arryn advised me to marry Cersei. Those golden-haired fools annoy me wherever I turn: in my bed, at my door, the cupbearer, the vassals... They're proliferating. I don't think even the Freys can do that. Hey! Kingslayer, come here.
Jaime Lannister stood guard over his peace. who immediately came at his king's behest.- Your Majesty. You summoned me?
- Tell me, Kingslayer, do you remember the first man you killed?
- Yes, it was during King Aerys' release when he was captured by the Brotherhood of the Kingswood. Killed one of them in that battle.
- What did he say before he died? - Jaime clearly didn't understand what Robert wanted him to say, though I wasn't entirely sure what he was getting at either.
- He didn't say anything. I cut his head off quickly. You can't talk much without a head. - smiled the blond.
- Hmm. I killed my first enemy at the Battle of the Bells. I don't remember who the knight was. He saw me in the heat of battle and decided to end the rebellion by killing me. I punched him in the chest with all my might. Within moments, he was choking on his own blood and begging me not to kill him. And then... I smashed his head in with my hammer. He shit himself before I did. No minstrel will write about that. Everyone remembers the heroes, the battles, the "complexities," but no one talks about how they pissed and shit themselves out of fear or before they died. It's not nice. No one talks about that-" and took another sip of wine. - Go Lannister. Leave us.
- Of course, Your Majesty. - and walked away with a sigh of relief.
- And you, Darken, when did you first kill?
- When I was ten. A peddler in an alley. I dropped a stone on his head, he died, and the money Rhys and I found on him we took and ate for the first time in a long time. After that, there were a couple more losers, and then I killed a lot. Though to be honest, I don't remember faces at all, who I killed for the first few years of my... 'childhood'. I remember who I tortured, though. I even remember them shitting themselves in pain.
- Ha ha ha. People are the same everywhere. Let's have another drink. Too bad that's it for tonight, I'm gonna have to go to my brother, teach him a lesson.
- I understand. - I nodded back at him understandingly. - I guess I'll see you at the tournament. I don't think you'll have time for me before then. Affairs of state are quite important. - he frowned.
He doesn't like power much, after all. I feel sorry for him. One successful war and he's in trouble for the rest of his life. It's a sad fate for him. I've been a little soft lately, though.
Arya Stark.
It had been over a week since the Lord Darke that little Stark had taken such a liking to had turned out to be the entirety of Master Rahl, ruler of a distant land south of Winterfell and suzerain to her half-brother Jon.
This news impressed her and she began to consider, based on the rumours that had been going around, to ask her father to leave for Panisheart and become a warrior in Rahl's army.
She had always wanted to be a warrior, not a Lady. Cassel Senior had always referred to her as "like Lady Leanna." Compared her to King Robert's wild failed wife.
She liked that comparison and she liked the weapons. And when she saw Emperor Rahl's new subjects, who had arrived in the capital shortly before the tournament, she was immediately eager to meet them in person. Especially that warrior in black Valyrian armour and a mane of hair that looked like bright flames. Arya learnt that this warrior was His Majesty's general, she was a Sarnorka, commander of the First Cohort, the Emperor's guard, and she was also the Master of the Weapon of Panisheart. Her name was Miriam Scarlet. John had confided in her that no one was better with a weapon than she was, and she had taught him, Reece Firestorm, the Emperor, and a host of other fine warriors of DHara how to hold a weapon properly. No one in his memory could defeat her. Not even Boros and Belvas, the two strong giants that guarded His Majesty at all times, the two of them could defeat her.
By the way, she wasn't the only one to arrive at King's Landing. A certain Red Spear arrived with her - he was just like Jon Snow, a Dragonlord and a general, along with half a dozen other blameless ones. And Miriam had arrived on another ship with two dozen guardsmen, another dozen Mord-Sith, and in addition to them a famous Dornian, Ser Herold Dane, who had also joined Rahl's service. She wanted to meet them, but... she couldn't. She only hoped she could get a closer look at them at the tournament. And so the day came when she travelled with her sister to the tournament.
She travelled with Sansa to the Hand's tournament in the company of her much hated sept Mordayne and mutual friend Janey Poole.
- It's prettier than in the songs," Sansa said as they found their assigned seats among the other highborn lords and ladies.
One celebrity replaced another constantly. Here came the seven knights of the Kingsguard. All of them wore white coloured armour, covered by white cloaks. Rumbling through his lats was Ser Grigor Clegane, who had the nickname 'Leaping Mountain' or simply 'Mountain'. Lord John Royce and a number of knights from the Vale.
Then they saw and laughed at the warrior priest Thoros of Myr, a shaven-headed man in broad red robes, but the sept told them that he had once been the first to climb the walls of Pyke with a flaming sword in his hand. He had proved himself a true brave man then, and had led dozens of men.The other riders Arya knew poorly to her shame: knights from the Feathers, the mountains of Dorne, unsung free riders, sons of noble lords, heirs of small houses. These young men had not yet accomplished great deeds, and yet something about them touched Arya's heart. Over a hundred knights she recognised from their descriptions and coats of arms. A few more she had heard of from neighbours and septa Mordain. "The Hound," the bodyguard of the Joffrey she hated, was also listed as participating, as was the king's brother, the handsome Lord Renly, Lord of Storm's End, and her father's guardsmen rode into the field from Winterfell and the North. Also Ser Herold Dane, a couple of the Emperor's guards, Jon and Lord Rhys Firestorm.
None of them (the Northmen) fell, they all performed honourably....
The duels went on all day till dusk, the hoofs of the huge warhorses tormented the grass, and the field soon became like a beaten wasteland. A dozen times the girls, but not Arya, shrieked as the riders moved in, smashing their pikes into splinters, and the common folk cheered their favourite with shouts of encouragement.
The Kingslayer, Jaime Lannister performed brilliantly. He knocked Ser Royce and Lord Caron out of the saddle as casually as a drill. And then he barely snatched victory from Ser Barristan Selmy of the Kingsguard, who had won his first two bouts against knights thirty and forty years younger than him. It was true that when he faced John, he fell in the latter's first attempt to knock him down with his spear.
Sandor Clegane and his huge brother Sire Grigor Horus also seemed unstoppable, they defeated one enemy after another in the most brutal way. The most horrible thing happened during Ser Grigor's duel. Then he killed Ser Hugh of the Vale by accident with his spear.
Then Grigor had several more run-ins with other knights and Rahl's guardsmen. The Guardsmen knocked everyone out, even Jon and Dane.
That left Lord Firestorm, the Clegane brothers, and Loras Tyrell at the end of the tournament.
The first semi-final bout was a run-in between the red-haired Dharian and Clegane Jr. Three times they came close, and only on the third time did the Dragonlord knock Clegane out of the saddle.
Next it was the turn of Grigor Clegane and Loras Tyrell's Knight of Flowers. And in his first attempt to bring Tyrell down, Clegane was knocked over by his stallion.
Arya understood from the words of her mother's long-time friend Lord Baelish that Loras rode a mare in heat. A sneaky trick, as it was for a knight, but quite effective. She didn't even blame him, but she made a note to herself for the future.
Suddenly the atmosphere changed. She felt it. Ser Clegane chopped off the head of his steed with a huge two-handed sword and then raged at Tyrell for not expecting such a move. He killed his horse and was already striking with his huge sword at Tyrell's shield. It was ready to crack already. King Robert was already shouting and ordering Clegane to stop, the royal guards were about to intervene, but as soon as Clegane brought his sword over Loras once more, he immediately flew away from him from the shove of Darken Rahl's own shoulder.
Arya began to listen to the words that poured from him. His voice was mesmerising, and Arya began to realise with an edge of consciousness that she was even blushing a little:
- Ser Clegane, you already seem to have been ordered by your king to stop.
- Shut up you little runt! Get out of my way or you'll follow in the footsteps of the Dornish whore and her children.
Rahl's face had changed, and now there was no shadow of a smile.
- So be it. - And strode forward straight at the Mountain.
Gora grinned and, gripping his sword more comfortably, went to meet Darken.
A couple of times he swung and the blade passed over Rahl's face. And then, in one swift blow, the Emperor severed both his hands at hand level with his sword.
- Ar-r-r-r-r! - Grigor roared in pain. But that was only the beginning.
Moving very quickly, he inflicted wound after wound. First they were inflicted on his legs, causing Ghora to fall to his knees. Then Ral even managed to cut off parts of Gora's body. In the end, after a minute still alive Clegane appeared in a very unflattering form, where only his head was without blood.
- Remember the Mountain. And remember in your future life. No one has the right to say anything offensive to Rahl. And if I say someone should retreat, they should do so. I don't take no for an answer.
And with a smooth motion of his hand, he severed Clegane's head.
Arya watched with horror, amazement, but nevertheless even with some admiration as the head soared a low position upwards, and then was picked up by Rahl and he handed it to his Mord-Sith. And then made his way to the royal box where he had been sitting before and began talking to a visibly cheerful Robert, under the disapproving gaze of Cersei Lannister and the admiration of Prince Joffrey.
Arya didn't notice Janey, Sansa, and Septa Mordain fainting, nor did most of the lovely ladies in the audience boxes.
Loras Tyrell had a broken arm and the final bout was going to be cancelled, giving a technical victory to Firestorm, but he protested and asked for the bout to be held three days later. And he asked Darken Rahl himself to heal him in the meantime. Reluctantly, Master Rahl agreed.The first day of the tournament was over. There was a feast where they discussed the fight, or rather the massacre, that Darken Rahl had caused. Most of the men were on Rahl's side and approved of him for killing "Clegane's freak", "avenging his aunt", "restoring justice" and so on. Only the Lannister men disapproved of him. Except for Prince Joffrey, who clung to the Emperor with various questions, and "The Hound", who, despite his brother's death, looked at him... with gratitude.
It was confusing to Arya. But nevertheless, she pushed the unnecessary thoughts aside and decided to leave the feast.
In the corridors, she met that warrior-general who was looking out the window in the distance.
- Good afternoon, Lady Miriam. - She awkwardly crouched down in a curtsy.
- Child? - She addressed her with a slight surprise and a smile. - Why are you walking here alone?
- I am Arya Stark. - she introduced herself. - And I do this a lot. I don't like small talk from the ladies.
- I know who you are, Arya Stark. You should go to bed. Today has been long and eventful.
- I--I--I--I was wondering--
- М? - Miriam tilted her head sideways in a birdlike manner. - What was it you wanted to ask, Arya?
- Can I become a warrior? Join Master Rahl's service?
Scarlet covered her eyes and thought about something of her own.
- Better go to bed, child. Don't tell your father of such a wish. He will not allow you to become like his former sister. He wants a daughter with a different character.
- I don't want to sleep, I don't want to get married. I want to fight!
- Hmm. It's hard on your tutors. - Miriam said pityingly, sinking back into her memories. - Why would you do that? Why go to D'Hara? You have a home and a loving family, you are not poor and of noble lineage. It's a great blessing, take my word for it. I know what I'm talking about.
- I want to be a warrior like you. - the girl wouldn't stop.
- If Lord Eddard gives his blessing, Miriam will take you as an apprentice and you will become a warrior in my army. - The girl turned round and saw smiling Darken Rahl in the company of two women with long braids and red robes. - You have my word!
- Your Majesty. - she rejoiced at his words. - I am very grateful to you...
- Don't thank me. - Rahl interrupted her as she passed. - The life of a warrior is not beauty, but walking between life and death. I do not cause good, I do not cause evil, I only do what I must. It is your choice and it is you who must suffer the consequences. Remember that! Every action has a consequence and a price.
These words will be etched in Arya's memory for the rest of her life. But that's another story.
The next day came. A communal battle. Even Darken Rahl and King Robert took part. In the end, Darken Rahl won, with Robert, John and Thoros of Myr the last ones out of the saddle.
And on the third day was the archery competition, where Rahl's guardsman, Engai of Dorne, won.
And then came the fourth day, where there was only one official jousting match. Which featured an already quite healthy Loras Tyrell and Rhys Firestorm. As Arya had surmised, Rhys Firestorm won. Although Loras also performed admirably. The "Queen of Beauty" wreath went to...Septa Mordain.
Everyone was shocked at this, not to mention the sept herself for accepting the wreath after all. And then Arya saw the grin, and the red-haired man's sneer, and realised... he had made a big, big mockery of the minds of all the spectators and the hearts of the young ladies that even fainted.
She could barely keep from laughing. That redhead, she liked.....
Then duels were held for the rest of the day to show off the skills of the other less fortunate knights that had been knocked out at the beginning of the tournament, as well as giving the common mercenaries and city boys a chance to try and impress someone. Some lords did take notice of some of the knights and mercenaries at the end of the action. Darken Ral, by the way, also took a couple of mercenaries, five knights, and even a few young boys from among the townsfolk.
That was the end of the tournament.
Arya had a conversation with her father after all the action, who still forbade her to go into Rahl's service. He strictly forbade her to take up arms.
She was angry with him, but she obeyed his will.
And after another ten days, a delegation of Dharians led by Darken Ral travelled further south, leaving King's Landing.
Continued to follow...