chapter 135 part 2
Arya felt as if she had just learned a great secret, and her little face grew excited. "I'll keep it a secret!"
Glyn smiled and nodded.
...
Montun arrived at the spot where the Starks were tethering their horses, carrying roasted meat and a bottle of wine.
"Good day. My name is Montun Waters. I brought you something to eat."
Hearing the man's introduction, the somber-faced youth turned his head and said, "Good day. I am Jon Snow. Thank you."
...
After eating and drinking his fill, King Robert found a random excuse and was the first to leave the tavern.
Glyn guessed His Grace the King was surely off to attend to 'military matters.'
After King Robert left, the rest of them also quickly departed from the tavern and continued their journey toward King's Landing.
Along the way, Glyn asked Lord Eddard for his experience in governing a territory, while also introducing the state of the Cleber territory and the current situation on Crackclaw Point.
He told Lord Eddard that House Cleber had already established its rule over Crackclaw Point and was about to end the years of chaos.
Before long, Lord Glyn, with tens of thousands of soldiers and commoners under his command, was confident he could become one of His Grace Robert's most capable vassals in the Crownlands.
As the topic concluded, Lord Eddard patted Glyn's arm in gratification.
As they neared King's Landing, they saw Garlan Tyrell and Loras Tyrell.
The two had come to welcome Margaery.
Garlan Tyrell was also known as Garlan the Gallant. He was Lord Mace's second son. He had little interest in things like winning glory, so he was not as famous as Loras.
Garlan and Loras looked very similar, but Garlan was a head taller, more robust, and wore a beard, making him appear more valiant.
As for Loras... he was as handsome as ever. The first time Sansa saw him, she was utterly smitten.
At this time in her life, Sansa held romantic fantasies about handsome princes, noble knights, and love itself, often dreaming of the love stories described in tales and songs.
Loras was at that age where he was quick to forget a lesson learned the hard way. Before leaving, he deliberately turned back to give Glyn a challenging look.
Glyn was gratified; he understood Loras's gaze. *See you at the Tourney!*
*What a pity. In the game of thrones, you either win or you die...* Glyn looked at the spirited youth and sighed inwardly.
Glyn escorted the Starks all the way to the towering bronze gates of the Red Keep before taking his leave.
...
Before the Tower of the Hand, just as Lord Eddard was about to instruct someone to take his two daughters inside to rest, a young man claiming to be a royal squire approached him.
"Lord Hand, it is an honor to see you! Grand Maester Pycelle has called an urgent meeting of the Small Council. If it is convenient, he hopes you might grace them with your presence."
Days of travel had left even the sturdy Lord Eddard feeling utterly exhausted. All he wanted now was a good soak in a hot bath, a roast chicken or pigeon, and then to sleep soundly in a feather bed.
Moreover, the timing of Pycelle's summons for a Small Council meeting displeased him.
Lord Eddard's brow furrowed, and he said coldly, "Let's make it tomorrow."
The royal squire bowed with a hand to his chest and said respectfully, "Lord Hand, in that case, I will inform the members of the Small Council that it is inconvenient for you to attend."
"Damn it!"
Lord Eddard cursed under his breath. He understood the meaning conveyed in the squire's words: the other Small Council members were all waiting for him... This was not Winterfell, and the members of the Small Council were not his vassals. He did not want to offend those men the moment he arrived.
Lord Eddard still suppressed his anger and said calmly, "I will go see them now. But please wait a moment while I make arrangements for my children."
Lord Eddard summoned Vayon Poole, the Stark's steward, and said, "Vayon, I have to attend a Small Council meeting. I'm leaving things here in your hands. Settle my daughters in properly. Also, tell Jory to have them stay in their rooms, and don't let Arya run around."
After giving his instructions, Lord Eddard glanced at Jon, who was not far away, and walked over.
"Jon, look after your sisters."
Jon's lips moved, but he just nodded silently.
"Good lad. You get some proper rest too."
Eddard noticed that much of the gloom had faded from Jon's face. He pursed his lips. Perhaps the decision to bring the "bastard" away from Winterfell was the right one.
...
The Throne Room.
The doors were pushed open. As Lord Eddard strode in, he found the four members of the Small Council awaiting him.
Varys, whom Lord Eddard disliked the most, was the first to approach, even extending a hand to grasp one of his.
Varys's tone was exceedingly joyful. "Lord Stark, it is my greatest honor to see you again. Varys awaits your command."
Lord Eddard caught the scent of cloying sweetness from Varys, like flowers growing on a grave.
Lord Eddard's expression was cold. "In the future, I will trouble you."
After speaking, he pulled his hand from Varys's clammy palm, ignored him, and walked toward Renly.
When Robert had just seized the Throne, Renly had been but a seven-year-old boy. Now he was a grown man, bearing a strong resemblance to Robert. Every time he saw Renly, Lord Eddard felt as if time had turned back, and he was seeing that heroic, spirited Robert standing before him.
Lord Renly nodded toward Lord Eddard, a bright smile on his face. "Eddard, I am truly pleased to be able to serve with you."
"As am I, Renly!"
Lord Eddard and Lord Renly shared a warm embrace. Varys, who had followed, watched this scene with a smiling, squint-eyed expression.
Petyr waited until the two had separated before speaking, "Lord Stark, I have wanted to meet you for all these years... I imagine Lady Catelyn must have mentioned me to you?"
Petyr had shed his usual elegance; his face wore a smile tinged with mockery.
Lord Eddard said in a cold voice, "She did mention..."
Lord Eddard had never liked people with complicated minds like Petyr, and the content of Petyr's words ignited a fury in his heart.
He continued, "Lord Baelish, if I recall correctly, you were more familiar with my brother, Brandon."
Lord Renly chuckled and said, "He must have made a deep impression."
It was rumored that when Catelyn Tully was betrothed to Brandon Stark, Petyr, to prove his deep love for Catelyn, challenged the much older Brandon to a duel. As a result, Brandon easily defeated Petyr. If not for Catelyn's pleas, Petyr would have died on the spot.
Petyr shrugged and said, "Indeed. To this day, I still carry his memento on my body. It seems Brandon mentioned me to you?"
A trace of anger crept into Eddard's voice. "He would mention you when he was flying into a rage!"
Petyr looked at Lord Eddard, who was struggling to contain his anger, and the corners of his lips curled up. "Everyone says the Starks of the North are made of ice, and that they melt once they cross the Neck. I thought you Starks didn't have such fiery tempers. It seems the rumors are false?"
"Lord Baelish, you can rest assured, House Stark does not intend to melt so quickly."
Lord Eddard gave Petyr a cold, hard stare, then walked to the long table and sat in the seat of the Hand of the King.
Lord Eddard said sternly, "My lords, I've kept you waiting. Please, be seated."
(end of chapter)