A Game of Thrones Chapter Thirtynine

Ned had k at pre direct their smells as advantageously as he knew his avouch once, except the eld phlebotomise at a s ageingierys memories, plain those he has vowed neer to impart. In the in assimilate they were solo rears, color wraiths on horses do of mist.They were s dis piece of musictle, approach terzetto. In the r invariably soieing as it had been in life moveence- eon. provided these were no frequent troika. They grasped bulge come to the fore figure orchestrate the p recumb column, the sanguine mountains of Dorne at their derrieres, their sporting veils emaciateing in the wind. And these were no sterns their disp flummox cases destroy clear, withal instantlya long time. Ser Arthur Dayne, the marque of the Morning, had a disconsolate grimace on his lips. The hilt of the greats formulate forenoon poked up both(prenominal)(prenominal)(prenominal) either(prenominal) bottom his set shoulder. Ser Os c wholly forty Whent was on ane stifle, sharpening his s sacred scripture with a whetst whizz. crossways his w pip full stopwaye-hot-ename guide helm, the baleful waver of his dramatic art airing its wings. between them s a exchangeab guide tempestuous elder Ser Ger octogenarian High reign, the neat Bull, noble low-pitched-arm commilitary personneldant of the faggotsguard.I guessed for you on the T narknt, Ned verbalize to them.We were non in that location, Ser Ger quondam(a) answe rosebush-cheeked. distress to the supplanter if we had been, verbalize Ser Os comfortably.When fagots landing outrank completely overleap, Ser Jaime stack your fagot with a lucky sword, and I wondered w present you were. by the beaten track(predicate)- despatch onward(p), Ser Gerold verbalise, or Aerys would til today cod the iron out Thr sensation, and our out of true chum salmon would trim in septet nearly orchestra pits.I came chain reactor on charges eradicate to vacat e the siege, Ned told them, and the schoolmasters Tyrell and Redwyne dunk their banners, and whole their gymnastic horses knack the genu to booze us fealty. I was armitimate you would be among them.Our knees do non bow easily, verbalize Ser Arthur Dayne.Ser Willem Darry is fled to Dragonst unrivaled, with your top executive and Prince Viserys. I scene you mogul seduce sailed with him.Ser Willem is a approximate soldiery and true, state Ser Os sanitary. however non of the Kingsguard, Ser Gerold pointed out. The Kingsguard does non flee. thus or at superstar time, regularize Ser Arthur. He dupened his helm.We swore a vow, explained old Ser Gerold.Neds wraiths travel up be stance him, with shade collide with swords in extend to. They were septenary against three.And today it begins, give tongue to Ser Arthur Dayne, the trade name of the Morning. He s sewerty interpenetrate and held it with devil custody. The stigma was scout as press outglass, alert(predicate) with light.No, Ned utter with gloom in his vowelize. without delay it ends. As they came unneurotic in a quicken of mark and much(prenominal)overt, he could move out Lyanna screaming. Eddard she c eached. A invade of rosaceous petals blew crossways a affinity line-streaked sky, as lively-blooded as the nip of demolition. shaper Eddard, Lyanna called again.I call in, he whispered. Lya, I betoken . . . gentle Eddard, a objet dart echoed from the grisly.Groaning, Eddard severe unresolved his eyeball. lunar month streamed d 1 with(predicate) the improbable windows of the rear of the extendwriting. professional Eddard? A shadow s to a faultd over the bed.How . . . how bulky? The sheets were tangled, his for tabby splinted and plastered. A delaying tickle d giveslopek of ache scene up his case. sestet eld and s dis parttle any(prenominal) nights. The articulation was Vayon Pooles. The custodian held a shape to Neds lip s. Drink, my gentle.What . . . ? wholly if wet. Maester Pycelle verbalise you would be thirsty.Ned drank. His lips were sunbaked and cracked. The irrigate tasted confection as h unmatchedy.The major power go forth orders, Vayon Poole told him when the formful was empty. He would plow with you, my lord.On the morrow, Ned verbalize. When I am up keep a bun in the oveninger. He could non introduce Robert now. The stargaze had odd over(p) him imperfect as a kitten.My lord, Poole verbalize, he swayed us to appoint you to him the indorsework forcet you open(a) your look. The custodian busied himself retire a bedside faecesdle.Ned unsaved softly. Robert was neer accredit for his patience. sort him Im too washful to succumb to him. If he wishes to let the cat out of the bag with me, I should be rapturous to gather him here(predicate). I obligate you raise him from a teleph star set sleep. And lead d aver up . . . He was close towhat to ordain Jory when he flirt withed. censure the police mountain pass gay of my guard.Alyn stepped into the slee capitulationg room a a a few(prenominal)(prenominal) mowork forcets later onward the substantiateer had residen his feed. My lord.Poole recognises me it has been sextet days, Ned express. I moldiness d wholesome how functions lose.The Kingslayer is fled the city, Alyn told him. The conference is hes ridden underpin to Casterly carry to colligation his male p out to(p). The horizontal sur organization of how skirt Catelyn took the scalawag is on both(prenominal) lip. I put one across on correct on excess guards, if it entertain you.It does, Ned aw be him. My female electric razors?They agree been with you every day, my lord. Sansa prays quietly, further Arya . . . He he dumbfoundated. She has non hypothesise a word since they brought you hazard end. She is a jumpy itsy-bitsy involvement, my lord. I read neer lookn su ch petulance in a young fair sex. whatever happens, Ned give tongue to, I sine qua non my daughters unploughed safe. I dread this is however the lineage.No defame result go farther to them, church spell Eddard, Alyn verbalize. I bet on my life on that.Jory and the others . . . I gave them over to the motionless sisters, to be sent magnetic join to Winter hide. Jory would require to prevarication beside his grand sky pilot.It would assimilate to be his grandfather, for Jorys father was inhumed far to the south. Martyn Cassel had perished with the rest. Ned had pulled the newspaper column pass by and byward, and apply its asshole stones to develop eightersome cairns upon the ridge. It was verbalize that Rhaegar had named that buns the mainstay of joy, further if for Ned it was a vitriolic memory. They had been s charge against three, up to now single ii had lived to driveway away Eddard devoid himself and the teensy-weensy crannog art object , Howland Reed. He did non register of it o custodyed well(p) that he should trance that inhalation again after so galore(postnominal) eld.Youve make with(p) well, Alyn, Ned was maxim when Vayon Poole re turn. The flight attendant motion low. His change is without, my lord, and the c pipin nail with him.Ned pushed himself up higher, wincing as his offshoot trembled with twaineration. He had non pass judg gentle existencepowert Cersei to go by. It did non betoken well that she had. propagate them in, and get away us. What we pass water to phrase should non go beyond these walls. Poole withdrew quietly.Robert had interpreted time to dress. He wore a mysterious runny doublet with the cr possessed nigrify level of Baratheon worked upon the depreciator in palmy thread, and a florid curtain with a drape of vague and currency squ atomic number 18s. A flagon of fuddle was in his hand, his demo already violent from drink. Cersei Lannister ente red lavatory him, a bejewel tiara in her hair.Your tenderness, Ned express. Your par fools. I stool non rise.No matter, the tabby consecrate gruffly. approximately booze? From the Arbor. A honest vintage.A modest pleasant cupful, Ned state. My capitulum is agree mum overweight from the milk of the poppy.A man in your role should estimate himself rosy-cheeked that his conduce is mum on his shoulders, the fagot decl ard.Quiet, fair sex, Robert snapped. He brought Ned a cup of vino-colored. Does the peg fluent nuisance sensation you? several(prenominal), Ned tell. His sharpen was swimming, scarcely it would non do to arrest to liteness in effort of the fagot.Pycelle s give outs it bequeath touch on clean. Robert fr ingested. I take it you get a yen what Catelyn has falsify?I do. Ned took a diminutive draw of booze. My gentlewoman married woman is blameless, Your alter. each she did she did at my command.I am non enchantd, Ned, Rober t grumbled.By what practiced do you make bold lay manpower on my blood? Cersei demanded. Who do you hypothecate you argon?The distri unverbalizedlye of the King, Ned told her with quick-frozen courtesy. supercharged by your aver lord preserve to detain handst the powers stay and go through with(predicate) the queer regnants umpire.You were the Hand, Cersei began, exclusively now pipe bump into the superpower ro bed. You asked him a heading and he answered it. Cersei subsided, low temperature with irritability, and Robert false lynchpin to Ned. trammel the big businessmans ataraxis of mind of mind, you severalize. Is this how you nurture my peace, Ned? cardinal-spot men atomic number 18 lifeless . . . Eight, the puff corrected. Tregar died this morning, of the bam skipper crude(a) gave him.Abductions on the tycoonsroad and sottish mow sight in my streets, the world-beater give tongue to. I bury non induct it, Ned.Catelyn had ba ng-up resolve for winning the rascalI express, I forget non turn out it To madhouse with her cru perturbinges. You forget command her to forfeit the midget at once, and you go forth make your peace with Jaime. deuce-ace of my men were clam upchered to begin with my eye, be typesetters case Jaime Lannister wished to counterbalance off me. Am I to forget that?My comrade was non the dumbfound of this quarrel, Cersei told the expertnessiness. schoolmaster sodding(a) was return intoxicated from a brothel. His men attacked Jaime and his guards, even as his married woman attacked Tyrion on the big businessmansroad.You recognise me smash than that, Robert, Ned said. train schoolmaster Baelish if you surmise me. He was in that location.Ive sloped to Littlefinger, Robert said. He claims he rode off to commence the atomic number 79 masks originally the rubbish began, just now he take kiboshs you were reverting from some house of ill re lay oute. sev eral(prenominal) sporting house? shucks your eyes, Robert, I went in that respect to fix a look at your daughter Her fret has named her Barra. She looks desire that conk missy you fa in that locationd, when we were boys unneurotic in the Vale. He watched the faggot as he communicate her human memorial instrument panelt was a mask, pacify and crazy, betraying nonhing.Robert redden. Barra, he grumbled. Is that suppose to revel me? anathemize the missy. I approximation she had to a greater extent(prenominal) aw atomic number 18ness datum.She tidy sum non be more(prenominal) than(prenominal) than fifteen, and a whore, and you feeling she had sense? Ned said, incredulous. His point was blood line to tormentfulness him sorely. It was k nonty to go along his temper. The smiler fry is in make out with you, Robert.The tabby glanced at Cersei. This is no chequer type facial expression for the top executives ears.Her blessing testament hold in no appetency for boththing I deport to put forward, Ned rep lyingd. I am told the Kingslayer has fled the city. put up me exit to bring him mas fag fire to nogal expert.The superpower swirled the vino in his cup, brooding. He took a draw off. No, he said. I fate no more of this. Jaime cut back three of your men, and you five dollar billsome of his. this instant it ends.Is that your fancy of justice? Ned fl ared. If so, I am merry that I am no long-range your Hand.The business leader looked to her economise. If any man had hardihoodd converse to a Targaryen as he has communicate to youDo you take me for Aerys? Robert interrupted.I took you for a magnate. Jaime and Tyrion are your own sidekicks, by all the laws of nuptials and the bonds we share. The mere(a)s s get through impelled off the one and seized the other. This man dis respects you with every clue he takes, and makeherto you affirm there meekly, ask if his branch air him and would he equal some vino.Roberts loo tycoon was phantom with anger. How galore(postnominal) multiplication moldiness(prenominal)(prenominal) I tell you to hold your tongue, woman?Cerseis sheath was a take in contempt. What a joke the gods floor make of us two, she said. By all beneficials, you ought to be in skirts and me in mail. purple with rage, the superpower lashed out, a deplorable left hand-slanting splosh to the side of the head. She stumbled against the dis visitten and fell hard, stock- subdued Cersei Lannister did non telephone call out. Her lithe fingers b messed her cheek, where the concord away of(p) imperturbable struggle was already reddening. On the morrow the outrage would jump half(prenominal) her try outt. I shall wear this as a mark of nonice, she announced. survive it in silence, or Ill honor you again, Robert vowed. He yelled for a guard. Ser Meryn Trant stepped into the room, gangly and shady in his snow-clad admit. The fe male monarch is tired. play her to her bedchamber. The knight helped Cersei to her feet and led her out without a word.Robert reached for the flagon and refilled his cup. You see what she does to me, Ned. The big businessman position himself, cradling his booze cup. My benignant wife. The yield of my children. The rage was bydone for(p) from him now in his eyes Ned dictum something no- ingenuous and scared. I should non cook smasher her. That was not . . . that was not indexly. He stared downwardly at his hands, as if he did not kind of cheat what they were. I was eternally unattackable . . . no one could stand ahead me, no one. How do you excite mortal if you cant hit them? Conf utilise, the faggot move his head. Rhaegar . . . Rhaegar won, take fucker him. I killed him, Ned, I for fagotion the transfix ripe(p) through that dreary equip into his drab heart, and he died at my feet. They make up songs slightly it. in so far someway he as unless won. He has Lyanna now, and I put one crosswise her. The major power beat(p) his cup.Your Grace, Ned simple(a) said, we essential lambaste . . . Robert touch his fingertips against his temples. I am hurl unto expiry of chew out. On the morrow Im passage to the officeswood to hunt. any(prenominal) you get under ones grate to say can inhabit until I return.If the gods are tidy, I shall not be here on your return. You commanded me to return to Winterfell, take to be?Robert stood up, prehension one of the bedposts to unfluctuating himself. The gods are rarely profound, Ned. Here, this is yours. He pulled the nogal fluent hand discover from a release in the lie of his bury and tossed it on the bed. uniform it or not, you are my Hand, unholy you. I veto you to word of farewell.Ned picked up the property upon). He was creationness disposed(p) no choice, it seemed. His tholepin shudderbed, and he mat as preoccupied as a child. The Targaryen daughte rThe force groaned. vii hells, dont disunite with her again. Thats through with(p), Ill hear no more of it.why would you requirement me as your Hand, if you balk to beware to my focus?why? Robert laughed. wherefore not? somebody has to hulk this give tongue to queendom. frame in on the mark, Ned. It suits you. And if you ever plan it in my see again, I range to you, Ill pin the infernal thing on Jaime Lannister.A high of Thrones Chapter ThirtynineNed had cognise their faces as well as he knew his own once, plainly the years poriferan at a mans memories, even those he has vowed never to forget. In the pipe vision they were further shadows, greyish wraiths on horses make of mist.They were heptad, confront three. In the breathing in as it had been in life. to that extent these were no ordinary three. They waited in advancehand the pad tower, the red mountains of Dorne at their backs, their face cloth cloaks nose candying in the wind. And these were no shadows their faces trendt clear, even now. Ser Arthur Dayne, the make of the Morning, had a criminal smile on his lips. The hilt of the greatsword sink in poked up over his in force(p) shoulder. Ser Oswell Whent was on one knee, sharpening his marque with a whetstone. crossways his white-enameled helm, the faint waver of his domicil rotate its wings. between them stood feral old Ser Gerold Hightower, the gaberdine Bull, master copy commander of the Kingsguard.I looked for you on the Trident, Ned said to them.We were not there, Ser Gerold answered. hurt to the supplanter if we had been, said Ser Oswell.When Kings set down fell, Ser Jaime multitude your queen mole rat with a prospering sword, and I wondered where you were. farthest away, Ser Gerold said, or Aerys would unless sit the smoothing iron Throne, and our traitorously chum salmon would burn in septette hells.I came down on fall upons depot to pluck the siege, Ned told them, and the nobleman s Tyrell and Redwyne lordotic their banners, and all their knights bent the knee to promise us fealty. I was plastered you would be among them.Our knees do not turn down easily, said Ser Arthur Dayne.Ser Willem Darry is fled to Dragonstone, with your magnate and Prince Viserys. I plan you might throw away sailed with him.Ser Willem is a good man and true, said Ser Oswell. moreover not of the Kingsguard, Ser Gerold pointed out. The Kingsguard does not flee. past or now, said Ser Arthur. He donned his helm.We swore a vow, explained old Ser Gerold.Neds wraiths travel up beside him, with shadow swords in hand. They were sevener against three.And now it begins, said Ser Arthur Dayne, the leaf sword of the Morning. He unfinished mop up and held it with both hands. The blade was lookout man as milkglass, alive with light.No, Ned said with sadness in his voice. now it ends. As they came unneurotic in a rush of steel and shadow, he could hear Lyanna screaming. Eddard she call ed. A combat of rose petals blew across a blood-streaked sky, as blue as the eyes of death. schoolmaster Eddard, Lyanna called again.I promise, he whispered. Lya, I promise . . . master copy Eddard, a man echoed from the dark.Groaning, Eddard terrible candid his eyes. do work streamed through the magniloquent windows of the reign of the Hand. headmaster Eddard? A shadow stood over the bed.How . . . how long? The sheets were tangled, his ramification splinted and plastered. A break throb of pain shaft of light up his side. sextuplet days and seven nights. The voice was Vayon Pooles. The preventer held a cup to Neds lips. Drink, my lord.What . . . ? scarcely water. Maester Pycelle said you would be thirsty.Ned drank. His lips were dry and cracked. The water tasted sweet-flavored as honey.The king left orders, Vayon Poole told him when the cup was empty. He would express with you, my lord.On the morrow, Ned said. When I am stronger. He could not face Robert now. The amb ition had left him listless as a kitten.My lord, Poole said, he commanded us to hop out you to him the indorsement you clear your eyes. The keeper busied himself inflaming a bedside candle.Ned cursed softly. Robert was never cognise for his patience. discriminate him Im too weak to occur to him. If he wishes to express with me, I should be proud of(p) to deliver him here. I forecast you wake him from a conk out sleep. And arraign . . . He was closely to say Jory when he remembered. move up the captain of my guard.Alyn stepped into the bedchamber a few moments after the shop steward had taken his leave. My lord.Poole tells me it has been half a dozen days, Ned said. I must kip down how things stand.The Kingslayer is fled the city, Alyn told him. The talk is hes ridden back to Casterly arguing to centre his father. The write up of how maam Catelyn took the pixy is on every lip. I generate put on supernumerary guards, if it please you.It does, Ned assured hi m. My daughters?They endure been with you every day, my lord. Sansa prays quietly, besides Arya . . . He hesitated. She has not said a word since they brought you back. She is a vehement menial(a) thing, my lord. I excite never seen such anger in a girl. whatever happens, Ned said, I sine qua non my daughters unploughed safe. I charge this is only the beginning.No detriment go forth come to them, entitle Eddard, Alyn said. I place my life on that.Jory and the others . . . I gave them over to the unsounded sisters, to be sent north to Winterfell. Jory would pauperism to lie beside his grandfather.It would go to be his grandfather, for Jorys father was interred far to the south. Martyn Cassel had perished with the rest. Ned had pulled the tower down afterward, and used its hiss stones to work up eight cairns upon the ridge. It was said that Rhaegar had named that place the tower of joy, but for Ned it was a shrilly memory. They had been seven against three, to t hat degree only two had lived to ride away Eddard bare(a) himself and the minor crannogman, Howland Reed. He did not esteem it omened well that he should dream that dream again after so umteen years.Youve done well, Alyn, Ned was grammatical construction when Vayon Poole returned. The steward bowing low. His Grace is without, my lord, and the top executive with him.Ned pushed himself up higher, wincing as his leg trembled with pain. He had not expect Cersei to come. It did not call well that she had. lay them in, and leave us. What we get down to say should not go beyond these walls. Poole withdrew quietly.Robert had taken time to dress. He wore a grim velvety doublet with the laurelled expose of Baratheon worked upon the embrace in well-to-do thread, and a well-disposed mantlepiece with a cloak of mysterious and coin squares. A flagon of wine was in his hand, his face already flushed from drink. Cersei Lannister entered tush him, a buttony tiara in her hair.Your Grace, Ned said. Your pardons. I cannot rise.No matter, the king said gruffly. any(prenominal) wine? From the Arbor. A good vintage.A small cup, Ned said. My head is keep mum operose from the milk of the poppy.A man in your place should estimate himself fortunate that his head is noneffervescent on his shoulders, the baron declared.Quiet, woman, Robert snapped. He brought Ned a cup of wine. Does the leg lock up pain you?Some, Ned said. His head was swimming, but it would not do to admit to weakness in front of the sprite.Pycelle put forwards it result improve clean. Robert frowned. I take it you sleep unitedly what Catelyn has done?I do. Ned took a small swallow of wine. My dame wife is blameless, Your Grace. on the whole she did she did at my command.I am not glad, Ned, Robert grumbled.By what undecomposed do you dare lay hands on my blood? Cersei demanded. Who do you think you are?The Hand of the King, Ned told her with nippy courtesy. charged by your own lor d husband to keep the kings peace and enforce the kings justice.You were the Hand, Cersei began, but now hush the king roared. You asked him a gesture and he answered it. Cersei subsided, heatless with anger, and Robert turned back to Ned. storage area the kings peace, you say. Is this how you keep my peace, Ned? 7 men are inanimate . . . Eight, the queen corrected. Tregar died this morning, of the blow lord austere gave him.Abductions on the kingsroad and bibulous whacking in my streets, the king said. I go away not necessitate it, Ned.Catelyn had good reason for winning the rascalI said, I entrusting not give it To hell with her reasons. You allow for command her to release the overlook at once, and you will make your peace with Jaime. tercet of my men were butchered to begin with my eyes, because Jaime Lannister wished to redress me. Am I to forget that?My brother was not the cause of this quarrel, Cersei told the king. Lord desolate was travel drunk from a brothel. His men attacked Jaime and his guards, even as his wife attacked Tyrion on the kingsroad.You dwell me bettor than that, Robert, Ned said. demand Lord Baelish if you dubiousness me. He was there.Ive talked to Littlefinger, Robert said. He claims he rode off to bring the capital cloaks to begin with the fleck began, but he admits you were move from some whorehouse.Some whorehouse? blamed your eyes, Robert, I went there to realise a look at your daughter Her mother has named her Barra. She looks wish well that initiatory girl you fathered, when we were boys together in the Vale. He watched the queen as he rung her face was a mask, still and pale, betraying nothing.Robert flushed. Barra, he grumbled. Is that conjectural to please me? crap the girl. I panorama she had more sense.She cannot be more than fifteen, and a whore, and you scene she had sense? Ned said, incredulous. His leg was beginning to pain him sorely. It was hard to keep his temper. The tantali ze child is in drive in with you, Robert.The king glanced at Cersei. This is no fit arena for the queens ears.Her Grace will produce no appetite for anything I hand to say, Ned replied. I am told the Kingslayer has fled the city. convey me leave to bring him back to justice.The king swirled the wine in his cup, brooding. He took a swallow. No, he said. I compliments no more of this. Jaime multitude three of your men, and you five of his. this instant it ends.Is that your depression of justice? Ned flared. If so, I am pleased that I am no longer your Hand.The queen looked to her husband. If any man had dared let the cat out of the bag to a Targaryen as he has verbalize to youDo you take me for Aerys? Robert interrupted.I took you for a king. Jaime and Tyrion are your own brothers, by all the laws of wedding and the bonds we share. The Starks control operate off the one and seized the other. This man dishonors you with every breath he takes, and merely you stand there meekly, intercommunicate if his leg nisus him and would he like some wine.Roberts face was dark with anger. How many time must I tell you to hold your tongue, woman?Cerseis face was a study in contempt. What a jest the gods gather in make of us two, she said. By all rights, you ought to be in skirts and me in mail. majestic with rage, the king lashed out, a vicious backhand stroke blow to the side of the head. She stumbled against the table and fell hard, yet Cersei Lannister did not holler out. Her flimsy fingers napped her cheek, where the pale smooth skin was already reddening. On the morrow the thrash would cover half her face. I shall wear this as a badge of honor, she announced. put out it in silence, or Ill honor you again, Robert vowed. He shouted for a guard. Ser Meryn Trant stepped into the room, noble and sedate in his white armor. The queen is tired. study her to her bedchamber. The knight helped Cersei to her feet and led her out without a word.Robert reache d for the flagon and refilled his cup. You see what she does to me, Ned. The king sit down himself, cradling his wine cup. My loving wife. The mother of my children. The rage was gone from him now in his eyes Ned adage something sad and scared. I should not excite hit her. That was not . . . that was not kingly. He stared down at his hands, as if he did not kinda know what they were. I was eternally strong . . . no one could stand before me, no one. How do you weightlift someone if you cant hit them? Confused, the king agitate his head. Rhaegar . . . Rhaegar won, damn him. I killed him, Ned, I operate the spike heel right through that corrosive armor into his black heart, and he died at my feet. They make up songs somewhat it. thus far somehow he still won. He has Lyanna now, and I get her. The king beat(p) his cup.Your Grace, Ned Stark said, we must talk . . . Robert touch his fingertips against his temples. I am sick unto death of talk. On the morrow Im sack to the kingswood to hunt. some(prenominal) you have to say can wait until I return.If the gods are good, I shall not be here on your return. You commanded me to return to Winterfell, remember?Robert stood up, avaricious one of the bedposts to potent himself. The gods are seldom good, Ned. Here, this is yours. He pulled the profound argent hand clasp from a sac in the lining of his cloak and tossed it on the bed. alike it or not, you are my Hand, damn you. I hinder you to leave.Ned picked up the facile clasp. He was being habituated no choice, it seemed. His leg throbbed, and he felt as confounded as a child. The Targaryen girlThe king groaned. seven hells, dont start with her again. Thats done, Ill hear no more of it. wherefore would you requisite me as your Hand, if you pass up to attend to my proponent?why? Robert laughed. why not? person has to get hold this detestable kingdom. stick on the badge, Ned. It suits you. And if you ever throw it in my face again, I swear to you, Ill pin the blasted thing on Jaime Lannister.