Chapter 122: A Game of Thrones
Robert Baratheon had never liked waiting.
But Right now He was sitting patiently when Artos is talking time for himself, broad shoulders tense, a hand already working through his beard as if the act might somehow help him think. The king looked tired, irritable, and very much like a man who had been forced to referee disputes he had no desire to hear.
"It's about time. Don't try to fake thinking too much—I know you already thought about it and have a plan." Robert muttered.
Robert turned sharply. "And I want a straight answer, not one of your careful little speeches. What are we going to do about Tywin? I need your answer as a Hand rather than a party involved."
Artos did not answer at once. He crossed the room slowly, the dark of his cloak moving like winter shadow against the pale stone. Then he stopped beside the table and looked at Robert with the same measured calm he wore in council and he finally calmed down his anger he felt a moment ago.
Artos folded his arms behind his back. "I had no intention of being against Tywin. Well, Not at first . Especially Not as Hand when I know what the Crown owes. I know what the debt means and how he can influence and use it to blackmail and put Crown in a tough spot. There are also matters I meant to speak with him about in time."
Robert stared at him. "Then why is this happening?"
"Because," Artos said, his voice lowering, "an attack on my family is not something I will overlook. But you already know that ."
The words landed hard in the room.
For a moment Robert said nothing. Then he rubbed a hand down his face and muttered, "Seven hells."
Artos' expression did not change. "If you want peace, it is already too late for that. Too much has been done. Too much has been said. A clean ending is no longer possible. So I don't think a result can achieve that will satisfy you if I am being atleast not without angering two kingdoms or one Kingdoms depending on you."
Robert looked at him sharply. "So what do you suggest?"
"A trial," Artos said.
Robert gave him a flat stare. "A trial. Do you want a escalation it's a stupid idea Artos. It will further instigate the matter."
"Aye, it will but it will do so openly rather than In shadows which is more dangerous. I am saying this as your Hand and not party involved. At least that's what I think." Artos said and he is being honest here. That is the way without being biased to anyone. It won't resolve Robert issue but that is best route available.
Artos continues "So Yes i want you to go through a full trail. I suggest Let Lord Tywin choose three lords. Let North choose three. Let the matter be heard in open fashion. And let the final authority rest with you."
Robert frowned. "That is your answer?"
"It is the most sensible one," Artos said. " Atleast it would give a image of being a unbiased one. Though I will be honest it matters little. It will go haywire either way. To be honest whatever we choose but it is the only way that harms the little. Atleast some hate would be quench among both sides."
Robert let out a humorless breath. "You always make things sound more reasonable than they ought to be."
"That is why you keep me close and Trust me Robert. Although it isn't the most beautiful or political or diplomatic solution, it is effective for both sides giving a equal chance."
That earned the ghost of a grin from Robert, though it vanished quickly. He still did not trust the shape of the thing, not fully. But he understood enough to know that Artos was not speaking out of weakness.
"You really expect Tywin to agree to this?" Robert asked.
"I expect him to see the utility of it," Artos replied. "Especially after i will say that I will not participate in the trial against my SON Bjorn. Let's say conflict of interest." Artos says shocking the King
Robert studied him for a long moment, then gave a reluctant nod. Although suprised that Artos let it go but also happy that Artos won't directly get involved as it would be worse.
A silence settled between them, uneasy but not hostile. Robert looked like a man already regretting the coming conversation, while Artos looked like a man who had accepted that regret was usually the price of leadership.
At last Robert said, "Fine. We'll hear it with the others."
Artos inclined his head. "As you wish, Your Grace."
A day passed, then another.
By the time the full group was summoned, the tension had had time to harden rather than soften. The chamber was arranged with the gravity of a council, though none of the men seated there were in the mood for decorum.
Robert occupied the head of the table, one arm slung over the chair, his expression set in the look he used when forced to endure tedious matters of state. Tywin Lannister sat with rigid composure, every inch of him made of cold command. Artos stood near the king's side. Robb Stark was present to speak for Winterfell's and Starks interests, while Bjorn stood near him, silent and alert, the sort of silence that made lesser men uneasy.
Robert looked from one face to the next and made no effort to conceal his irritation.
"Well," he said, "now that everyone is finally here, let us settle this before I lose what little patience I have left."
Tywin's gaze remained steady. "You called us, Your Grace."
"Yes, I did," Robert snapped. "And because there is enough pride in this room to fuel a war, so we are going to do this properly. So you Lions and Wolfs won't tear the realm Apart."
Artos said nothing.
Robert "I have decided on a decision on how things will be resolved for once and all. And after that I want you to accept the matter to be done and left behind no matter the results."
Tywin's voice cut through the silence. "And what, exactly, would you have us do?"
Robert turned toward him. "A trial."
Tywin did not move. "Please Explain Your Grace, "
"Three lords chosen by You," Robert said with authority "Three chosen by North. They hear the matter. They weigh the evidence. They will judge the trail. Then the final decision who decides is ultimately me. But there would also be 3 other Judge chosen by me from my Court. So votes among Judge would be unequal. That is the decision I have come to."
Tywin's expression remained controlled, but there was suspicion in it now, and calculation. "I don't i will be able submit to this arrangement, Your Grace.Lord Artos here is Hand and would have influence over the Court and it would be unjust and unfair."
Artos smiles, he already expected this and he really enjoys this , a game of politics and words. Sometimes it isn't bad to indulge in this for fun he thought. " On that you won't have to worry about it. The judges will be Ser Barristan, Lord Renly and Grand Maester Marwyn. I think all three are Neutral so you don't have to worry about it. All three men are of Honor and would not be biased."
Artos smirks in his mind. Although it is utter bullshit as Renly would be favourable to Artos and his family but even as Strong as Lord Tywin Lannister, even he won't say anything about the Honor of Lord Renly, King Youngest brother.
Robert gave a dry laugh. "A distinction only you could make and it sound sensible to me."
"It is sensible," Artos said. "That is why I made it."
Robb remained still, but he had heard enough to understand where the line was headed. Bjorn, too, stood motionless, though his eyes had sharpened. Both of them knew the trial meant more than procedure. It meant time. It meant leverage. For them it meant revenge.
Tywin looked at Artos for a long moment, then said, "And your own place in this?"
Artos answered at once. "I will not interfere in Bjorn's trial."
That surprised the room.
Tywin turned toward him. "You won't?"
"No," Artos said simply.
Tywin's face shifted almost imperceptibly. Surprise, yes. however still reluctant.
Robb glanced once toward Bjorn, who gave nothing away outwardly. Inside, both of them understood the weight of that concession.
Artos was making himself seem fair, and in doing so he was making the others more likely to accept the terms.
Robert exhaled. "Well, Tell me your thoughts if you have any."
For a moment, it seemed the matter might settle there.
Then Artos spoke again.
"There is another trial to be addressed."
Robert closed his eyes briefly. "Of course there is."
Tywin's gaze sharpened immediately. "What now?"
Artos' expression remained composed, almost careless.
" Gregor Clegane," he said.
The room went silent.
Robert opened his eyes and stared at him. "What ?" He spoke in agitation.
"Gregor Clegane broke the rules of the tourney," Artos said. "He attacked Ser Loras Tyrell with malicious intent. That cannot be ignored. Especially infront of His Grace Himself."
Tywin's jaw tightened. " Wouldn't it be included in the trial we are going to have. What's the point in having it one more"
"Of course there is," Artos said," That trial is against Bjorn and this will against Mountain. Both different offences. If my son in Trial so will be the Mountain. That is the only fair judgement." He dropped the bombshell.
Robert leaned forward, both hands on the table now, looking half furious and half exhausted. "You could have told me before we got here."
Robert let out a long, slow breath. "Seven hells, Artos. You do like making my life difficult. But it's fair I will allow it."
"Thanks Your Grace, " Artos replied without Any Tywin to object.
Now after deciding it. They all have been given excuse from chamber and Only Robert and Artos remained.
"Why," Robert asked, "did you not tell me about Clegane before this?"
Artos gave a soft laugh.
"Where would have been the fun in that?"
Robert shook his head, though some of the tension had left him by then. He looked at Artos for a long moment, exasperation giving way to something closer to reluctant amusement.
"You are not behaving like yourself," Robert said." This is not your usual way, wouldn't you like being more direct" Robert muttered.
"Yes," Artos said. "Usually I prefer something more direct.
"Yet You are playing politics. It's doesn't suit you. It frustrates me."
Artos' smile widened by the smallest degree.
"Yes," he said. "I am."
Robert frowned. "Why? Well I am happy you aren't cuting heads up and down but still it's a change "
"Since I discovered it could be entertaining."
The king gave him a long look, then sighed in defeat.
Artos' eye gleamed with quiet amusement.
"It is a game," he said. "A dangerous one, but a game all the same. After all that Small Council session I am kind of enjoying it. It's a thrill not like a battle but has its own thrill."
Robert snorted. "And you enjoy it?"
"I do."
Then Artos laughed softly, the sound dark with satisfaction as he turned toward the door.
"The game of politics," he said, almost to himself. "The game of thrones. A game to win."
And with that, the chamber fell silent behind him. Robert just confused and looks even more frustrated than ever. Did King's Landing corrupt him his thoughts were.
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