Chapter 32: Chapter 32
Throne Room, King's Landing, 297 Moon 01
Today was rare as King Robert had decided to hold court himself instead of delegating it to Jon Arryn like always. But despite his attendance at court, he was more focused on wine.
But this was a rare occasion for another reason as well. Leaving the North, Iron Islands, and Riverlands, every other Lord Paramount gathered to petition the King to impose sanctions on the North. Although they were in attendance at the court, they didn't petition in front of everybody like some minor lord. They would attend small council meetings later to put forward their agenda.
"Damn, when are these lickspittles going to stop coming?" King Robert roared. Robert Baratheon didn't seem to mind that everyone in the Throne Room could hear him.
Jon Arryn visibly sighed. He was a man over the age of 75. "Calm down, Your Grace. The Lords are finished with their request. A few smallfolk have come to petition the King; those will be the last things to do today at court.", Jon instructed his charge.
Jon Arryn motioned toward the next noble to come forward and present his request. And like this, a few more hours passed. Around mid-day, when the court was soon going to be adjourned, the door to the Throne Room flung open, and Commander of Gold Clocks, Janos Slynt, came running and kneeled.
"Your Grace, a huge warship has entered the gullet and anchored. And a galley is moving toward the harbor. Both ships are flying the banners of House Stark." Jonos Slynt announced to the whole Throne Room.
No one made a noise for a few seconds, but soon, everyone rushed to the Throne Room windows to see the House Stark's massive ships. Every noble was furiously discussing how House Stark had created such a gigantic ship and whether there was a new Stark fleet.
'Well, well, now House Stark is showing up with such strength. What has Robb Stark planned to do?' Every Lord Paramount and anyone who understood the game on a mastery level had this similar thought.
"Lord Varys and Lord Baelish, didn't any of your spies inform you about the new ship that House Stark has built?" Stannis Baratheon asked. Everyone turned to see both men, waiting for them to answer.
"I am sorry to say, my lord, but I fear that my little bird has been compromised. Whatever has been happening in the North, we are essentially blind to it. Robb Stark has clipped the wings of my little birds." Eunuch answered while bowing toward the King.
"Even my whores are sending me false reports. I am brave enough to admit that whatever spymaster Robb Stark has under him is quite skillful." Lord Baelish also gave his answer with his signature infuriating smile.
"Robb Stark? Not Lord Eddard?" A minor lord asked, and again, everyone waited for the answer.
"Yes, Robb Stark. The man who created a second Citadel. Sold books he copied from Citadel to anyone and everyone willing to buy. Now every Free City, House Lannister, and House Martell could have their own Citadel." Baelish answered smilingly.
'I hope some noble are dumb enough to sow dissent about North economic progress.' Baelish thought.
"Commander Slynt, you are to go out and greet the new arrival and escort them to the Throne Room. Also, increase the patrol around the harbor and the way to Red Keep." Lord Arryn commanded, and Slynt ran off to follow his command.
"Jon, why aren't we going to greet them personally? It could be Ned." Robert asked.
"Robert, You are the King. We have a protocol to follow." Jon Arryn sighed again and turned towards everyone else. "Everyone, please take your seats. We will greet the envoys of House Stark in the Throne Room."
'House Stark has gained too much power. Robert only wanted the Throne, and due to his friendship with Ned, he won't put sanctions on the North.' Jon Arryn thought.
'The Targaryen siblings went missing two moons ago. And now Starks are showing their naval power by displaying that gigantic ship. This does not bode well for my plans.' Varys thought.
"Margaery, Robb Stark is a much bigger prize than that insolent prince. You understand, right?" Lady Olenna instructed in a low voice her only granddaughter, who only nodded in understanding.
After an hour of waiting, the herald made an announcement. "Presenting. Lord Robb Stark, Heir to Winterfell. Lord Jon Umber, Heir to Last Hearth. Lady Dacey Mormont, Heir to Bear Island. Lord Jojen Reed, Heir to Greywater Watch. Grand Scholar Marwyn."
As soon as the announcement was finished, a group entered the Throne Room. A tall, muscular, Stark-looking man was walking in front. Those who had seen Ned Stark immediately identified him as Robb Stark. Robb looked larger by Ned a lot. The giant man and woman were pulling two separate cloth-covered carts, followed by a man in Maester's clothing and a child.
Everyone focused on the man with Stark's looks as he gave a short bow before the King.
"King Robert Baratheon, I am Robb Stark, Lord Eddard's firstborn son and heir." As Robb announced, everyone had an image to put on the mysterious Stark. Everyone had heard that he was once a millennia genius who had uplifted House Stark from one of the poorest Great Houses to one of the richest, comparable only to House Lannister and House Tyrell.
King Robert laughed, got down from his Throne, and hugged the child, who looked more like a man. "Gods. Ned's child is all grown up. Look, Jon, Ned's son. Tell me, Robb, how is that grim brother of mine?" King Robert said happily.
"He is fine, your grace. He is guarding the North for you." Robb told him quickly.
Queen Cersei gave Jamie a look, and Jamie asked when both the King and Stark child separated from their hug. "Robb Stark, Is that Ice you are carrying on your back? I thought only Lords were supposed to carry your ancestral weapon."
"Robb, is Ned alright?" The King asked rapidly, fearing for his friend's health, but Robb only smiled.
"My Father is quite alright, Your Grace. I carry this weapon as I have defeated my father in combat." Robb answered, and King Robert laughed.
"Your Lord Father has the reputation of defeating and killing Ser Arthur Dayne. You mean to say, my lord, that you are a better swordsman than both? The main branch of House Dayne has moved to the North if I remember correctly. What do they think about it?" Lord Baelish asked, hoping to trap the young Stark.
"I am aware of that reputation, and I believe you also have one if I remember correctly. Ah. My late uncle Brandon defeated you quite soundly when you challenged him. You remember that, don't you, Littlefinger?" Robb Stark said mockingly and ignored Baelish's attempt to trap him.
King Robert and most of the court laughed at that, but Littlefinger kept his infuriating smirk, with few noticing his murderous eyes.
"Let's move on. Young Stark, what kind of gigantic ship has been anchored in the gullet?" Jon Arryn asked. Robb realized everyone had quieted down to wait for his answer.
"That is a ship called Man-o' War. Designed by Scholars of my Knowledge Hall. I have named this ship The Sea Wolf." Robb answered and, whispering, started in the Throne Room.
"If I remember it well, it's not yours, Knowledge Hall, right?" Lord Renly asked.
Robb shifted his bluish-grey to Renly and answered. "Lord Paramount of Stormlands, I didn't think I would meet you here. I thought you would be in Reach attending some tourney. Betting on some flowers, perhaps?"
Everyone stifled a laugh at the rebuke, as it was an open secret that Renly Baratheon was a pillow bitter.
"And to answer your question, it is Winter's Knowledge Hall. My house words are 'Winter is Coming.' I am a descendant of the last King of Winter. So it is mine." Robb continued his answer as if not noticing Renly's murderous glare.
"Does North have a new fleet, My Lord?" Lord Stannis asked in his usual monotone voice, but inside, he was happy with Robb mocking Baelish and Renly.
'Now, if somehow he could insult Varys and Robert, it would be a complete set.' Stannis thought.
"Greeting Lord Stannis. Yes, we have new fleets. Eastern Fleet of House Stark, Royce, and Manderly to repel pirates and slavers in the Shivering Sea. Western Fleet of House Stark, Glover, and Mormont to fight Ironborn in the Sunset Sea. Each fleet is 150 ships strong to protect our coast and merchant ships."
"My lord, why was the small council not informed of this?" Varys asked, hoping to put Robb on a backfoot.
"And how is it that North's Navy is anyone's business? Does any other Lord Paramount inform the Small Council if they took measures on their border?" Robb questioned back.
"How dare you barbarians question your betters? Lord Varys asked a question, and you'll be answering his question." Queen Cersei screeched.
King Robert moved to slap Cersei to put her in place, but a firm hand stopped him from moving even an inch. When he looked, who had stopped him but found it was only Robb. He hid his shock with practiced ease that someone had the strength to stop him even if he had let himself go and overindulged in whores and wine.
"Queen Cersei, I wish I could say it is a pleasure meeting you," Robb said, and everyone gaped at that. King Robert threw his head back and laughed hard.
"Anyway, I didn't come to this shit-smelling city to be interrogated. I came to bring justice and impart a few gifts." Robb spoke, and everyone was interested. Cersei seethed in anger but stopped from making a scene when Tywin signaled her to stop.
"Well, Lord Stark. Get started. Don't keep this woman in suspense much longer." Lady Olenna Tyrell spoke.
"As my lady commands. First things first, justice for House Stark. I present to everyone: The Beggar King, Viserys Targaryen." Robb spoke, and everyone froze at that moment.
Smalljon and Dacey removed the cloth from the cart, unveiling it. Viserys was put on the block and gagged. When the shock wore off, everyone noticed it looked like the cart was an execution platform.
King Robert laughed, "Finally, I'll kill more dragonspawns."
The guards of House Martell were tense as if anticipating that they would have to fight here.
"My lord, Do we move?" Areo Hotah asked his liege lord in a whisper, but Prince Doran just signaled to be alert and not move.
"My lords, my athematic is a little weak, but didn't House of the Dragon have two remaining members? I only count one." Margaery's voice cut through the hall.
'Good work, Granddaughter. Get Robb Stark to notice you.' the Queen of Thrones watched and thought as her granddaughter attracted Stark's gaze.
But both were shocked when the Bluish-Grey eyes of Stark looked at them indifferently, and they both identified another emotion that Robb Stark displayed disgust; he was disgusted at them. But Robb's eye quickly hid the feelings.
"She is being guarded.", Stark told them and looked toward King.
"Well, tell your guards to bring her here." King Robert commanded.
Robb Stark took out a whistle from his cloaks and blew it.
"Done, your grace.", Robb answered. "Now, we wait for them to bring her here."
Five minutes later, there was a commotion outside the Throne Room, but the door guards opened and ran to the side as if to run away from someone.
Then, a wolf the size of a horse entered the room and moved toward Robb Stark slowly. Following the gigantic wolf, Daenerys entered, who was then followed by two other wolves. Both were smaller than the first but still giant.
"Your Grace, meet Grey Wind. My direwolf and best guard. His brother Ghost and sister Bite are in the back. And she is Daenerys Targaryen." Robb announced.
"Now, I am not much ceremony, so I'll get on with carrying out justice," Robb said, walking toward the platform. Everyone was so shocked by seeing the direwolves that nobody could stop him from unsheathing Ice fully.
"Our way is the old Way, and we have kept to Old Gods for ten millennia. Before I went to Citadel, my father took me to see him beheading a Night's Watch deserter. I will tell you, Prince Viserys, what my father taught me.
After beheading the man, he told me. 'That the man who passes the sentence should swing the sword. While beheading, if you can't hear his last words, did the man truly deserve to die?'" As soon as Robb finished speaking, he removed the gag from Viserys.
"Please, spare me. I don't want to die. Kill the Usurper, and I'll spare your family." Viserys cried.
"Nobody moves, or you'll die," Robb commanded the room, and anyone who thought about trying to save Viserys Targaryen suddenly found fear grip their heart. A deep chill in their bone, terrifying them into submission.
"I, Robb Stark, Heir to Winterfell, sentence you to die by beheading for the crimes your family committed against The North and House Stark." As soon as he finished speaking, Ice was raised and brought down quickly, removing the head of the last male of House Targaryen.
Robb turned towards Daenerys. Everyone thought that he would execute her, too. But his following words shook the hall.
"Lady Daenerys Targaryen, as the Head of House Targaryen, I will ask you this: are you going to fulfill 'The Pact of Ice and Fire,' or will you be labeled an oathbreaker?" Robb asked. His face was unreadable.
"I will fulfill the Pact.", Daenerys answered almost too quickly.
"Do you relinquish any claim you might have to Iron Throne from now on?" Robb asked her.
"I do. I relinquish any claim I might have to Iron Throne." Daenerys answered in a firm voice.
"Then, when you come of age, we shall marry, and House Targaryen will be absorbed into House Stark.", Robb replied in an equally firm voice.
"No, I'll not have dragonspawns taint my kingdom." Robert Baratheon roared, showing why he was called Demon of the Trident. He walked around the back of the Iron Throne and came back dragging a massive Warhammer. "I will execute her; if you stand in my way, Ned's child or not, you will die." Robert Baratheon said, pointing his Warhammer at Robb.
Everyone becomes tense in the Throne Room; only a few, like Jon Arryn, Olenna Tyrell, Tywin Lannister, Doran Martell, Varys, and Peter Baelish, recognized that if Robb Stark died here, it could very well mean War. And that the Realm would be fractured. Again.
But when they turned to look at the young heir to House Stark, they saw no fear, just a face that is carved from stone. Then Robb Stark said, "So be it, Your Grace. Smalljon, Dacey, if anyone tries to interfere, cut them down with impunity."
Everyone thought that Robb Stark would unsheathe Ice. Tywin was making plans to seize the greatsword after Robb's death. But Robb Stark unclipped a mace from his belt.
The sight of the mace that Robb Stark held gave everyone a shudder. "Beware of the Stark and their Fist of Winter. Come, Stag King. Let's see how much Durrandon's bloodline has survived in the bastard blood of Dragons."
With a mighty bellow, the King rushed forward with a massive overhead swing at Robb's head, but he sidestepped at the last moment and swung his mace at the shaft of Robert's Warhammer in counter. Robert's Warhammer broke the red granite of the floor, with small pieces flying everywhere. But Robb's mace broke through the shaft of the Warhammer and left Robert standing, holding a glorified stick. The sudden weight change disoriented Robert enough that he could smash the end of the shaft of his mace into Robert's face with enough force to knock him out.
The hall was in shocked silence; a boy of 17 namedays had subdued 'Demon of the Trident'; Robert Baratheon was not the same warrior he was during the Rebellion, but still. He was knocked out in one blow.
"It's sad to see that the descendant of House Durrandon falls into such a state. Pity", Robb said, putting away the weapon.
"Ser Jamie cut the head of this savage." Queen Cersei screeched. Jamie Lannister moved with speed rarely matched by anyone, but before he could draw his sword from the scabbard, he found himself lying on the ground looking at the ceiling of the Throne Room.
"Did I trip? Am I getting old?" Jamie thought out loud.
But a small figure came into Jamie's view, "You didn't trip, White Lion. The Reeds have guarded the North and the Starks from time immemorial. We failed once; We won't let that happen again." Jojen Reed spoke for the first time and put his trident on Jamie's neck.
"Jojen, you took my prey?" Dacey spoke from behind him.
"You would kill him as the Stark commanded; it will be mercy on him. I want him to suffer in the land of living more. Make more mistakes than he already has." Jojen spoke in an almost gleeful voice.
"The Stark gave a command, Little Lizard-Lion. It is not our place to question an order; we could've advised before the command was given, but not now. Jamie Lannister's life was forfeited when he tried to intervene in our liege lord duel." Umber spoke from where he was standing.
Everyone was shocked at how easily these Northerners decide Jamie Lannister's fate, Lord Tywin 'The Butcher' Lannister's eldest son.
"Stop this right now. Harm my son; I'll wipe out your family's roots and stems." Tywin Lannister spoke with evident anger on his face.
"Anyone can make threats, Lannister." Robb Stark walked toward Tywin, stood before him, and spoke. "A Lannister always his debt. For sparing White Lion's life, I would like a payment."
"Name your price then, Savage.", Tywin spoke curtly.
"Valyrian Steel. I want your Valyrian Steel.", Robb replied.
"I don't have Valyrian Steel.", Tywin said in a low voice, clearly ashamed that his house didn't have Valyrian Steel.
"But you do, Old Lion. You don't know it yet. Smalljon, bring the gift we brought for Old Butcher here." Robb said in an amused tone.
Tywin's mind was racing, trying to decipher what Robb had said, but before he could, Smalljon placed two coffins before Tywin with a Greatsword lying on top. Greatsword had a golden pommel and a red-gold scabbard. Tywin furrowed his brow, but his eyes soon widened.
As Tywin looked at Robb Stark, Robb said, "Remains of your ancestor, King Tommen II, and your brother, Gerion Lannister. We also found your family's ancestral sword, Brightroar."
Now, everyone could understand the game Robb Stark was playing, with Tywin Lannister no less, and was winning.
"You will pay in blood for what you are doing. It would be best if you feared me.", Tywin growled.
"Maybe, Maybe not. But a sword, in exchange for your son's life, is a fair payment. If you want the sword, I'll take your boy's head to the North as a reminder that the South can call removing the Targaryen dynasty Robert's Rebellion, but my father was the military commander who accomplished it. It was the Starks who made the rebellion successful.
You say that I should fear you. What's there to worry about, you, Old Lion? You are just a murderer born as lord's son.", Robb said, looking down on Tywin.
"I don't want to remain in the South more than necessary. So choose quickly, your boy or a sword?" Robb continued.
Tywin gritted his teeth and could've easily matched Stannis Baratheon in teeth grinding. With a clenched fist and heavy breath, he said, "Jamie."
"Good choice. If you had chosen Brightroar, I would've killed you and your boy the next moment." Robb said dismissively, still treating this as a game.
"Let's go back to The North.", Robb said to his companion, and they started walking toward the exit. Smalljon picked up Brightroar, threw its scabbard toward Tywin's feet, and started following Robb.
As Robb was near the door, Tywin's voice came from behind him, "I cannot march to North, but Riverlands will burn for your insolence, boy."
Robb ignored the threat and walked away. "Do your best against the Trout, Lion Lord.", Jojen replied and walked out.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
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