GOT: The Dangerous Traveler 4
Ashara Dayne I
Year 281 A.C. – Harrenhal
An unpleasant situation had unfolded. It wasn't anything too out of the ordinary for a tournament. Men got drunk, then pulled out their cocks to see who had the biggest one, and lacking size, the loser would try to compensate with steel.
What was particular about the situation presented before Prince Rhaegar—since King Aerys couldn't be bothered to leave his chambers after seeing a white-haired servant girl he forced to serve him—was that the two involved in the penis contest were nobles.
"That… is problematic," Rhaegar commented. The prince had been interrupted while preparing to give an artistic performance, with his voice and instrument, for all the ladies of the Seven Kingdoms. Ashara didn't care; she couldn't look at her best friend's husband with anything but fraternal feelings, though their relationship wasn't that close. Rhaegar simply… met the minimum.
"However, Your Grace, everyone says it was self-defense," Jon Connington commented beside Rhaegar.
'They were good friends,' Ashara thought, holding Rhaenys Targaryen in her lap. For Elia, the girl was too heavy; her leg bones hurt.
"But that doesn't solve the problem. The Starks won't stay quiet, not with Lord Stark present," Rhaegar said in a low voice, frowning, trying to find a solution.
"They're Northmen, Rhaegar, isolated from the world. By the Seven, I didn't even know a house called Mormont existed. The Starks won't risk disturbing the King's peace for a minor house."
"Do we know the motive for the attack?" Rhaegar asked Ser Jonothor Darry.
"Not really. The Northman asked some questions, and Lyn Corbray seemed a bit mocking and provocative. But that's no reason to suddenly draw your sword."
"No, it isn't," Rhaegar commented. Beside him, Lord Whent nodded heavily.
A new voice echoed; the herald announced the arrival of a new group.
"Presenting, Lord Rickard Stark, Lord Brandon Stark, Lady Dacey Mormont, and Lady Maege Mormont," he said, and the four figures entered; each with different expressions.
Rickard Stark's face was cold but not calm. It was a cold, deadly fury. His hair was very dark brown, his eyes grayish, and his skin pale.
Beside Rickard was his son and heir, Brandon Stark. He was a tall and burly man of twenty-one, with the same hair and eyes as his father; though his hair was considerably longer and wilder. Those were the words that defined Brandon; wild and passionate.
Brandon's emotions weren't as hidden, and his fury was much warmer than Rickard's.
"Where is he!" Brandon shouted, his gaze scrutinizing the entire crowd.
"Calm down, son," Rickard whispered.
"No!" Brandon roared.
Beside the father and son were Dacey Mormont and her mother, Maege. The state of the eldest Mormont, now Lady Mormont, was a mix between Brandon and Rickard. She tried to control her temper and act like her Lord, but she couldn't control herself in the situation. As for Dacey, her face was tearful; equal parts rage and guilt.
"You are before the prince! Show some self-control," Ser Jonothor Darry demanded.
"Lord Arryn, Lord Corbray, and Lyn Corbray are on their way," Lord Whent commented, looking annoyed at Brandon Stark.
Within five minutes, the herald announced the arrival of the three figures.
Jon Arryn was a broad-shouldered man with blue eyes, blond hair—though with gray streaks—and an aquiline nose. He was a man with a reputation for being prudent, calm, and wise. All important qualities for the situation at hand.
The animosity in the air was clear. Lyn was stoic, his eyes filled with boredom and indifference. Lyn's gaze was… curious. Ashara didn't like what she saw. Lyn was a handsome man, but the young Dornishwoman didn't like that indifference.
Lord Corbray seemed mostly tired and worried. He looked at his son with annoyance but hid a firm resolve to protect his blood.
"Lord Lyn. Explain the events," Prince Rhaegar Targaryen said after waiting a couple of minutes, hoping to ease the tension.
"Of course, Prince, and lords and ladies," Lyn replied with a playful voice. He stepped forward and stood in the middle of the crowd. Out of the corner of his eye, he looked at Dacey Mormont, who was glaring at him with fury. "As the witnesses have already explained to Ser Jonothor, I was simply walking through the area when I was confronted by Lord Mormont. We had a confrontation, and the man, recklessly, attempted to take my life. Who would I be if I didn't defend my life?" Lyn concluded, receiving nods from the present lords.
"Yes, that matches what Ser Jonothor has already told us," Rhaegar explained, then his eyes turned to Lord Stark and Lord Arryn. Ashara noticed Rhaegar's subtle movement. He was gauging the reactions of both Lords Paramount.
The Starks were furious; completely committed to the cause of their vassals, the Mormonts. On the other hand, Jon Arryn seemed more or less indifferent to Lyn Corbray's situation.
Rhaegar had heard some rumors. Jasper Arryn, Jon Arryn's father, had promised a marriage to House Corbray. That would have been to his eldest daughter, Rowena Arryn. However, before the engagement could take place, Rowena died from the infernal cold, and the engagement fell through.
Jasper's other children—Jon, Alys, and Ronnel—were all already betrothed, and Jasper decided not to fulfill his promise to House Corbray. In the end, the Corbrays betrothed themselves to the Graftons, and along with House Redfort, they formed a sort of faction opposed to House Arryn, House Royce, House Belmore, and House Waynwood.
Ashara knew the conclusion Rhaegar had reached. The Mormonts were friends of the Starks, while the Corbrays were not friends of the Arryns. If Rhaegar wanted to carry out his plans and ensure the Tourney at Harrenhal served its purpose, he couldn't antagonize House Stark or create unnecessary tensions with House Arryn.
"Lord Lyn," the prince suddenly spoke. "May I ask the topic of discussion? What motivated Lord Mormont to act this way?"
However, before Lyn could respond, Dacey Mormont stepped forward.
"My cousin approached this… man to defend my honor," the woman said, tears streaming down her eyes. To Ashara, all of this seemed… like a spectacle. "Lyn Corbray took my first time and refused to take responsibility," the woman added, and silence reigned in the hall.
That was humiliating; confessing in front of everyone that you had lost your chastity. Ashara was aware that this would lower a lady's value in the marriage market. Though it wasn't as if a Mormont had much value to begin with.
"That… changes things," Rhaegar said after reflecting for a few seconds. His eyes locked on Lyn, who simply looked annoyed.
"But the facts remain the same," Jon Connington said in a low voice. "The woman wasn't raped, just dishonored. It's sad, but that doesn't justify what Mormont tried to do."
Rhaegar frowned, and his eyes now turned to Lord Stark. The prince wanted the wolf to take the initiative and bear the consequences.
"Your Grace, if I may. Lord Mormont's reaction was excessive, but… wouldn't we all do the same? Lady Dacey Mormont was dishonored and manipulated. She fell in love with Corbray, but the boy treated her like a cheap whore. In Jorah Mormont's position, we all would have done the same. Lyn Corbray disrespected the nobility," Lord Stark said, and most of the nobles nodded.
That was nonsense; Dacey Mormont wasn't the first nor would she be the last lady to not enter marriage with her virginity intact, but in nobility, appearances were everything.
"Your words have some merit, Lord Stark," Lord Whent commented. The tournament was being held in honor of his daughter. Just imagining the scene where, instead of Dacey Mormont, it was his daughter who was the object of such shame made his stomach churn. "Jorah Mormont went from a bloodthirsty lunatic to a Lord defending his family's honor. What is your verdict, Your Grace?"
"I'm afraid… we cannot punish Lyn Corbray for the murder of Jorah Mormont, as he defended himself from an attack on his life," Rhaegar said. "However, the law is unclear regarding the dishonoring of a noble lady. The closest we have is the crime of bedding a knight's or lord's wife." Rhaegar paused. "Therefore, I am compelled to order the arrest of Lyn Corbray for the following days, until the King is more… willing, to make a decision," the Prince concluded, and for the Starks, the verdict was enough. The King was mad; deep down, everyone knew it. He would milk the burning of Lyn Corbray just for the annoyance of having to hear his case. Lyn knew it too.
Murmurs spread throughout the hall; most critical of the prince's decision, while Ser Jonothor Darry already approached to arrest Lyn Corbray. Lord Corbray looked to Jon Arryn for some help, despite their strained relationship, but the Lord of the Vale remained silent. He seemed annoyed but not enough to intervene.
"I protest!" Lyn Corbray suddenly shouted, with a small smile.
"Excuse me?" the prince asked.
"I plead guilty to the crime."
"Of dishonoring Dacey Mormont?"
"Whichever."
"Then…" Rhaegar said, not understanding where Lyn Corbray's train of thought was going, until an idea crossed his mind.
At the same time, Ashara Dayne stared at Lyn Corbray intently. The corners of her lips lifted in a soft, amused smile; she too seemed to understand where Lyn was going.
"But…" Lyn said.
"Don't do something stupid," his father whispered to him. "I can get you out of here before the King hears the case," the man added.
"But I'd miss the tournament," Lyn whispered, while everyone looked at him, waiting for his words. "But I demand a Trial by Combat! Let the Seven judge me!"
The hall erupted into chaos once more.
Rhaegar looked intrigued.
Lord Whent looked interested.
Ashara herself smiled slightly. Ashara could recognize that Lyn Corbray was bold.
Brandon Stark gave a smile that promised violence, while Rickard Stark placed a firm hand on his shoulder. He shook his head gently as his son turned to glare at him.
Lord Corbray looked worried, while Jon Arryn stared at Lyn Corbray intently.
"So it shall be," Rhaegar whispered. "Trial by Combat."