Game of Thrones: King of Magic

Eddard Stark. King's Landing.

I was in the Small Council Chamber, which had changed little during Robert's reign. The wide painting on the wall behind the King's seat remained the same, but not the ornamentation. The three-headed winged dragon of the Targaryen family had been replaced by a Baratheon stag, but otherwise I noticed no change.

In addition to me, all the other members of the Small Council of the Seven Kingdoms were here, including a relatively sober Robert, but there were others who should not have been here.

- You look sour, my lords," Oberyn Martell said with a touch of amusement, taking a seat at the table and raising his filled glass. - I suggest a drink. To the King, the Small Council, and the new Hand.

- What a talk! - Robert said approvingly and drained his glass, clearly not bothered by Oberyn's presence.

- To the King and the Silent Wolf," Petyr Baelish, Master of Coin and Treasurer of the Crown, said with his usual smile.

- Long live the King... and his family... and Lord Stark, the new Hand," Grand Maester Pycelle, acting as the King's Physician and Maester to the Red Keep, added in his usual measured tone.

I, too, took a sip, as did Stannis, Master of the Ships, while Ser Barristan Selmy, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, and Lord Varys, Master of the Whisperers, refrained and confined themselves to short nods.

- Let us begin, my lords," I said. - But first, Lord Oberyn, may I ask why you are here? This is a meeting of the Small Council, and you are not in it.

The Matrells' presence in King's Landing was strange indeed. They hated the Lannisters and everything to do with them, and so there were certain questions. I could understand if they came here on Robert's orders, but not of their own accord.

Was it related to John's death? If so, in what way? Might they know something?

By now, almost all of the biggest players have gathered in King's Landing. Starks, Baratheons, Martells and Tyrells. And I certainly find it all odd.

- Let it be there," Robert said. - At least there's some entertainment at this damned meeting.

- Thank you, Your Majesty," Lord Oberyn smiled and looked at me. - I will not disturb you, Lord Stark. I'm just bored, and it would be good to hear about the latest news in the kingdom. After all, Dorne is still part of the Seven Kingdoms, isn't it?

I, like most others, raised an eyebrow at Lord Oberyn's wording.

"Still?" What are the Martells planning? And how will it affect the kingdom? My men who had entrenched themselves in King's Landing knew nothing, and the Red Men still hadn't contacted me.

- "Still?" Dorne is planning to secede from the Seven Kingdoms? - Renly asked, voicing, in effect, the thoughts of everyone present.

- Not at all. We have hot temperaments, but not dementia," Lord Oberyn replied calmly. - And we are very vindictive.

Now I understood where he was going with this. Elia Martell. And the Martells still want revenge on Tywin Lannister and his entire family.

- Your sister's murder was brutal," the Grand Maester said. - But there was a war going on, and such sacrifices were inevitable. We must not forget them, but there is peace in the Seven Kingdoms now, peace that we all needed.

At this, the Grand Maester received a cold and bloodthirsty look from Lord Oberyn, which caused him to stop talking and lower his head.

- I apologize, Lord Oberyn. I was overreacting. We all grieve for Elia Martell," he said, and after a brief moment, Lord Oberyn's gaze returned to a cheerful and relaxed one.

- Not all of us, but I'm glad to hear it," Lord Oberyn smiled, clearly alluding to the Lannisters.

- Ahem," I began, clearing my throat and drawing attention to myself. - Let's begin the meeting. What's on the agenda?

- A tournament to honor you as the new Hand," Robert said.

- A tournament? Depends on how much it costs," I asked and looked at Lord Baelish. - The crown owes six million gold coins. How did you allow such a thing to happen, Master over Coin?

- 'I am doing what I can, Lord Hand,' Lord Baelish replied. - I'm trying my best to reduce the kingdom's expenses, but it's extremely difficult to do so, even with my experience and skills. And I hear the North has been able to raise its head and is building a shipyard in the Darkwood. Is it possible to borrow money from you, Lord Stark?

A shipyard? So Robb chose it over Moat Cailin after all. He should have waited for my letter, though.

- The shipyard? - Robert raised an eyebrow. - Wasn't there already one?

- It was, Your Majesty," Lord Varys nodded. - But my birds have told me that Robb Stark plans to build ships for defense against pirates.

- Is that so?" Robert squinted. - Just for that?

- I'm not aware of that myself," I shook my head. - Should I send a raven to Winterfell and cancel the construction?

- If I may, Your Majesty," Lord Baelish interjected again, to which he received a brief nod from Robert. - I think the shipyard makes sense. We all know that pirates have a habit of causing trouble in Stark lands, and ships will allow us to defend ourselves more effectively against them. Given the more favorable situation in the North, I can say with certainty that they will not hesitate to act.

- Yes," Stannis seconded him. - Ships from White Harbor, King's Landing, and Sunspear will take a long time to reach the other side of the mainland. It is more expedient to allow Lord Stark to have his own small fleet with a limit of five ships.

- And the time given by the ships would be enough time to prepare the lands for defense," Renly supported Stannis, causing the former to be surprised.

- Eight ships, then, and no more," Robert agreed after a moment's thought, and I nodded gratefully. - And the tournament will be held. Littlefinger and you will handle the expenses.

- As you command, Your Majesty," Lord Baelish said, and I still doubted it, for the money from the tournament could be spent on something more useful to the kingdom.

- I can lend to the crown, but not too much. Most of the money goes to building Winterfell," I finally said.

- Good," Robert nodded. - What's next? I'm tired of sitting in this damn chair.

- There are rumors in the city, my king," Ser Barristan said. - They are being spread by the High Septon and the Seven Faithful. Some unknown enemy to prepare for.

Everyone reacted in the same way, that is, not much interested, except Stannis. His gaze became more serious, and apparently he knew something. It would be worth talking to him later.

- It would be wiser to focus on material problems rather than unknown enemies, Ser Barristan," the Grand Maester said.

- Yes, there are enough problems for now," I added tiredly.

- We have work to do. Rumors are rumors," Robert said, closing the subject.

- As you wish, my king," Ser Barristan bowed.

- What of the girl? - Robert asked Varys, moving on to the next topic.

- Daenerys Targaryen is moving with the Dothraki to the east of Essos, my king," Lord Varys began. - 'And there is one more thing. She is pregnant.

At those words, my eyes widened in surprise, as did everyone else's. Robert in particular stood out, his face flushed with anger and his hand slapped the table with his glass.

- You're not lying, Spider?

- I wouldn't dare, Your Majesty," Lord Varys inclined his head. - Ser Jorah Mormont has informed me that she will give birth in about seven months.

- Jorah Mormont? The traitor? - I raised an eyebrow.

As I recall Jorah Mormont fled Westeros when his not-so-nice dealings against the law were revealed. He was the son of Jorah Mormont of Bear Island, the current Lord Commander of the Black Castle Night's Watch. The father was the model of a Northerner with honor and a sense of duty, but not the son. The one I should have executed.

- Not a traitor, but a slave trader because of the circumstances," Lord Varys corrected me. - His wife's demands were quite high.

- Linessa Hightower was used to luxury in Oldtown, so it's no wonder Bear Island didn't satisfy her," Renly added.

- But her body and face aren't bad," Lord Oberyn smiled.

- Into Mormont's furnace! - Robert stopped talking about the former heir to Bear Island. - I want the girl and her child dead! And don't you dare cross me, Ned!

- I know how much you want it, Your Majesty, but infanticide is not something my honor can allow me," I said. - Lord Varys, are you sure she plans to return to Westeros?

- 'According to Ser Jorah, yes, she is.

- All the damned dragons should be dead! - Robert slammed the table. - And I don't care what she's planning! Either you shut up or I'll find another Hand!

- Lord Stark, the life of one unborn child could save hundreds of thousands," the Grand Maester said, Lord Baelish, Renly and Lord Varys nodded in agreement, while Lord Oberyn, Ser Barristan and Stannis abstained.

I frowned.

Infanticide was unforgivable to me. Children should not suffer for the sins of their parents. That's why hiding Jon was the only right thing to do, because if Robert found out his true parentage, he would have his head blown off immediately, and my promise to Lyanna would be broken.

- This is not what I agreed to..." I began and was about to remove the Hand's brooch when Lord Varys interrupted me.

- Take your time, Lord Stark. The kingdom needs you as Hand.

- Do you want to go to the gallows, Varys? - Robert asked with a challenge.

- What do you mean, Lord Varys? - I didn't understand.

- You misunderstand me, my king," Lord Varys bowed. - The fact is that the assassination attempt is only possible in the city, for it is impossible for an outsider to get inside the Dothraki Khalasar. It is guarded at all times. Qohor has already been passed, and the nearest accessible city is Vaes Dothrak, which is regularly visited by traders from all over Essos.

- To business, Spider! - Robert hurried him on.

- Khal Drogo is on his way to Vaes Dothrak, and his Khalasar will arrive there in about three months. Until then, killing Daenerys Targaryen is impossible.

- Then let's raise a bloody army and get on the ships! - Robert couldn't stop himself.

- We won't make it in time," Stannis said calmly. - It will take time to gather, prepare, and travel.

- And our soldiers don't know how to fight in Essos. It will take a lot of provisions and money just to prepare," Renly agreed.

- And Braavos would find such actions unacceptable," Lord Baelish added. - The Iron Bank is in Braavos, and I don't think that would be good for our debt.

- Nor will bypassing it, for the Free Cities are always ready to unite when they see an army from Westeros," Lord Oberyn grinned.

- And it will be hard to defend our lands if the army sails beyond the Narrow Sea," Ser Barristan said.

- Your Majesty," the Grand Maester began. - It would be wise to wait for Daenerys Targaryen to arrive in Vaes Dothrak. Making quick decisions is a path to self-destruction. And Lord Stark will hold on to his position as Hand until you give the final order.

I looked at the members of the Small Council in surprise.

For each of them to unanimously urge the king not to do something? That was almost unheard of, and I'm sure it was the first time something like that had ever happened in my memory, and Robert's as well. Of course, no one said not to kill the Targaryen girl, only to delay the decision, but still.

And Lord Varys' actions struck me as odd. He, in a manner highly unusual for him, always maintaining neutrality in any matter, volunteered to help me. Moreover, his phrasing sounded strange as well.

"The kingdom needs you as a right hand."

Lord Varys wanted something from me, or perhaps for me to do something. But if that was the case, why me and not someone else? Too many questions and not enough answers. We need to figure out a way to get more clues, and that's going to take time. I've just started sorting through the documents in the Hand's office, and I hope it goes harmlessly. Especially for Sansa and Arya.

- You are my counsel! You're supposed to advise, not cross me! - Robert declared.

- And we advise, Your Majesty," Stannis said calmly. - The last word is always yours.

- As Stannis said, it's up to you, Your Majesty," Renly agreed, and Robert stared stubbornly at his brothers.

He was no fool, and I'm sure Robert understood the consequences of his possible actions. However, his hatred for the Targaryens is so strong that he simply didn't care about any of that. And yet he did consider me a friend, for otherwise he would not have argued with me, but would have thrown me out. I suppose that couldn't have been more gratifying, even if it was a little.

- What about you, Ned? - Robert asked after a while, looking at me. - Will you stand your ground to the end?

- Yes," I nodded steadily. "Give me a month. I'll send a raven to Pentos and try to find out about her from the magistrate with whom I do business. You spoke highly of him yourself, and since the Targaryens lived there, Halon should know something, and I'll still be your Hand.

- That doesn't change the fact that she's a Targaryen. And every Targaryen should be put on a spike.

- Just-- put your decision on hold for a month. If Mormont's words are confirmed, and it turns out that she will definitely be trying to regain the Iron Throne, then I won't say a word. That would already be treason against the crown and the kingdom, followed by just punishment.

Everyone was silent and waited for the verdict of Robert, who glared at me with a red face and inflated nostrils. And then he closed his eyes, and when he opened....

- A month. Exactly one month from now, I will order her head to be brought to the peak.

- Thank you," I smiled gratefully.

- Now I need a drink," Robert said and got up from his chair. - The meeting is over, everyone out!

- As you command, Your Majesty," everyone bowed, including me, and then slowly began to leave the room.

I wondered.

Would I have a month to convince Robert not to kill an innocent girl and her child? Or is she not so innocent and I'm wrong, eh?

-0-

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