Chapter 200: Chapter 200: Rebellion and Escape
As Eddard altered the inheritance in Robert's will, replacing the heir with Stannis—unable to bring himself to tell the dying Robert the whole truth—he also made plans in secret.
He intended to send his family back to Winterfell by sea in two days.
Since Joffrey was not Robert's true son, Sansa's betrothal held no weight.
Then, unsurprisingly, King Robert died.
Fifteen years ago, he rebelled against the Targaryen rule for the woman he loved, overthrowing their reign. Yet today, fifteen years later, he died dishonorably due to his woman's betrayal.
After the king's death, Prince Joffrey immediately declared his rule. However, Eddard clearly opposed, proclaiming the true heir to be Robert's brother, Stannis.
Cersei promptly summoned the Kingsguard, intending to arrest Robert. But Robert also summoned the City Watch.
However, the City Watch betrayed him without surprise—no, it was Baelish who betrayed him.
He indeed bribed the City Watch, choosing the Lannisters over Eddard because in his plan, the Starks wouldn't be the final victors.
At this very moment, in the Hand of the King's Tower, Alaric was training Arya in swordsmanship, while Sansa watched with a smile as usual.
However, just before the toll of the bells representing the king's death, he already knew the outcome in the Red Keep.
Suddenly, with a bang, the large wooden door behind them burst open. Arya immediately turned around, and Sansa looked over too.
A Kingsguard stood at the doorway, followed by five Lannister guards. He was fully armed, with only the visor of his helmet open.
Arya had seen him when he accompanied the king to Winterfell as a guest. She remembered his drooping eyes and rust-colored beard.
This must be Ser Meryn Trant without a doubt. The guards in crimson cloaks wore leather jerkins and mail, with lion-shaped steel helmets.
"Arya Stark and Sansa Stark," the knight said, "Follow us."
Arya hesitated, pouting, while Sansa, as the elder sister, stood up and asked, "What do you want from us?"
"Your father wishes to see you."
Sansa took a step forward, but Alaric walked over and held her hand, stopping her.
"Why did Lord Eddard not send his own men, but instead send Lannister men?" she asked curiously.
"You, guardsman, don't overstep your bounds," Ser Meryn said, obviously wary of Alaric. "This is none of your concern."
"My father wouldn't send you," Arya believed Alaric. Threateningly, she raised her wooden sword. The Lannister guards laughed heartily.
"Girls, be good, put down the stick," Ser Meryn told them. "I am a member of the Kingsguard, sworn to serve the King."
"Heh, the Kingslayer who killed the 'Mad King' Aerys was also a member of the Kingsguard," Alaric sneered.
"What Marcyl said is right. I don't want to go with you," Arya said.
"If you don't have a warrant from your father, then please leave," Sansa concluded.
Ser Meryn Trant lost his patience.
"Get them," he ordered his men, then lowered his visor.
Three guards stepped forward, their chainmail clinking with each stride. Sansa suddenly felt afraid and immediately hid behind Alaric.
Arya, having undergone some training, quickly calmed her racing heart.
Alaric stepped forward, blocking their path, lightly tapping his boot with the wooden sword.
"That's far enough. Lannister lackeys, you can leave now."
It was quite insulting, but given his fearsome reputation, the Lannister guards hesitated.
"Don't you see? This guy only has a wooden sword and no armor on. What are you cowards afraid of?" Ser Meryn berated them from behind.
His words bolstered the guards' courage, and they drew their swords, charging at Alaric.
With a cold smirk, Alaric swung his wooden sword at the leading guard.
The wooden sword moved so fast it was blinding, and with a crack, a steel sword fell to the stone floor.
"My finger!" one guard screamed, clutching his broken finger.
But as soon as his steel sword hit the ground, the fight was practically over.
With a flick of his left foot, Alaric caught the fallen sword in his hand. He took two steps forward and swiftly approached the guards.
The guards swung their swords at him one after another.
"Close your eyes."
Alaric spoke to the two girls behind him because he was about to kill.
Sansa obediently closed her eyes, but Arya boldly kept hers open, watching the fight before her. Seeing Alaric's movements, she realized that when he sparred with her, he was just playing around.
Before their swords could reach him, Alaric dodged to the left. Arya couldn't believe how fast a person's movements could be.
He parried one sword and dodged the second, causing the second guard to lose his balance and stumble toward the first.
Alaric thrust his sword at the first guard's neck, and the guard immediately lost his life, his body falling into a heap with the other guard.
The third guard jumped forward, swinging his sword at Alaric's head. Alaric ducked and swiftly stabbed upward. The guard screamed and fell, the sword piercing his throat precisely.
The remaining two guards and Ser Meryn were no match for him, and in just a few moves, bodies littered the ground.
Seeing all their enemies dead, Sansa burst into tears and threw herself into Alaric's arms. She had been terrified just now, and only his embrace could give her courage.
Arya was also scared, but she was braver than her sister. Still, Alaric comfortingly patted her head.
After a while, Sansa, with red eyes, asked, "Marcyl, what exactly happened? Why did Lannister men come to arrest us?"
She didn't expect Alaric to provide an answer, but Alaric unexpectedly offered his speculation.
"It's probably because something happened to Lord Eddard," he replied.
"Lord Eddard wanted to send you back to the North these past few days because he found out some dangerous facts."
Then, he told the sisters about Cersei's affairs.
As a newly appointed guard, although he was assigned to protect Eddard's family, he was trusted enough by Eddard to know the secret about the heir to the throne.
But Alaric was sure that Eddard wouldn't be able to verify it with him.
After saying all this, he added solemnly, "If Lannister men have come to the Hand of the King's Tower, it probably means things aren't going well for Lord Eddard. He might already be a captive of the Lannisters."
Upon hearing this, Sansa immediately burst into tears. "What do we do now? Can you think of a way to save my father?"
However, Alaric shook his head. "Right now, we might be in danger ourselves. How could we save Lord Eddard?"
In truth, he didn't want Eddard alive because Eddard was indeed very loyal to Robert.
If he lived, the Starks would surely stand with Robert's brother or his illegitimate son. Alaric also wanted to win over the Starks when Daenerys attacked Westeros.
Since they were in danger themselves, their only choice now was to escape.
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