chapter 163 part 1
Chapter 163: The Starks Attack
"Alas," Varys said, his eyes sweeping over those present, "my little birds told me Lord Renly left the city about an hour before dawn... I had thought you issued some command."
Anger flashed in Eddard Stark's eyes. "I did not order Renly to leave the city."
Lord Eddard was disappointed in Renly. Renly only resembled Robert in appearance, but he lacked Robert's character.
Lord Eddard had hoped Renly would support him, but now it seemed he had thought too highly of him. Recalling his conversation with Renly the previous night, Robert's seemingly hearty younger brother had, in his eagerness, revealed his hidden ambition.
Lord Eddard sighed to himself. Though Renly's departure from the city was a disadvantage, there was nothing to be done.
"Let us begin."
Lord Eddard produced Robert's will. "Last night, King Robert summoned me to his side and commanded me to write down his last words. Lord Renly Baratheon and Grand Maester Pycelle were both present to witness when Robert affixed the king's seal. According to the law, this will is to be opened by the Small Council after King Robert's death."
Lord Eddard passed the sealed letter to Barristan. "Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, Ser Barristan, would you be so kind as to inspect this?"
Ser Barristan solemnly took the letter and examined it carefully before everyone. "My lords," he said, "I can confirm this is King Robert's seal, and it has not been broken."
The old knight looked around once more, then opened the will and read it aloud. "...Eddard of House Stark is to be Regent and Protector of the Realm, to rule the Seven Kingdoms in my name, until my lawful heir comes of age."
This heir has long since come of age, Lord Eddard thought. He just needed to continue the game without showing his hand, stabilize the situation in the Red Keep, and wait for Lord Stannis to arrive in King's Landing with his army.
Lord Eddard's grey eyes flickered toward Barristan. He had likely already accepted Joffrey as the new king and, out of honor, was determined to protect the boy... Now was not a good time to reveal the truth.
He spoke. "I ask you, the lords of the Small Council, to confirm my status as Regent in accordance with Robert's last will..."
*Knock, knock, knock.* A sudden knock came, and the door was pushed open. The guard, Tomard, entered the study.
"My lords, please forgive me, the Lord Steward insisted..."
Before Tomard could finish, the Lord Steward walked right in, hand on his chest. "My lords, the king demands the Small Council convene immediately in the Throne Room."
Lord Eddard's brow furrowed, his gaze turning sharp. Cersei had made her final choice... That woman had refused his offer of mercy and chosen defiance.
Seeing Lord Eddard's silence, the Lord Steward spoke again. "Lord Hand, His Grace the King's command is to convene the Small Council immediately."
Lord Eddard ignored the Lord Steward. He rose and took up his ancestral sword, his eyes lowered to study the blade, which was as dark as smoke.
When Lord Eddard looked up, the eyes of the direwolf were already filled with the will to fight. Barristan grew wary, Varys's fingers twitched, and Pycelle dared not meet anyone's gaze.
"The king is dead, but we will go with you."
...
Outside the Tower of the Hand.
The Stark greycloaks, clad in mail and steel helms, formed two columns, twenty-eight men in total.
Lord Eddard met the eyes of his captain of the guard and nodded slightly. "Jory, you will escort us."
Lord Eddard walked in the lead, with Varys, Pycelle, Barristan, and the Lord Steward following close behind. The grey cloaks of the Stark guards rustled in the wind.
Although the red of House Lannister was nowhere to be seen, many of the City Watch in their golden cloaks patrolled the walls and gates. Lord Janos's Gold Cloaks had secured the Red Keep on his orders, and Lord Eddard felt a little more at ease.
...
Outside the great doors of the Throne Room.
Janos Slynt stood waiting at the entrance to receive them. He wore ornate black-and-gold armor and carried a plumed helm under his arm.
Lord Janos first gave Lord Eddard a slight nod, then raised a hand.
With a great groan, the Gold Cloaks worked together to push open the great doors of the Throne Room, which were a full twenty feet high.
The Lord Steward led them inside, announcing loudly: "All hail Joffrey of the Houses Baratheon and Lannister, First of His Name, King of the Andals and the Rhoynar and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm."
There was still a long way to go to the other end of the great hall. Lord Eddard frowned as he looked ahead. Joffrey was waiting for them, seated high upon the Iron Throne.
Lord Eddard walked toward the boy who called himself king, the others following close behind.
Eddard remembered the first time he had walked here. He had been on horseback, sword in hand, forcing Jaime Lannister from the Iron Throne... He wondered if Joffrey would be so obedient as to step down from it as well.
...
Six members of the Kingsguard, led by Jaime Lannister, formed a crescent around the base of the Iron Throne. They were fully armed in silver plate, with long, snow-white cloaks.
Cersei, in a long gown of wine-red silk with a golden circlet in her hair, stood behind the Kingsguard with her two children.
Above them, seated on the chair of sharp, twisted iron, was Joffrey, dressed in cloth-of-gold and a crimson satin cloak.
Behind the throne stood Sandor crabbe and dozens of red-cloaked Lannister guards with longswords at their hips.
Lord Eddard glanced left and right. Lord Janos had kept his word; on both sides, standing stiffly along the walls, were Gold Cloaks holding black iron-tipped pikes, over a hundred of them.
Lord Eddard and his men came to a halt. The twenty-eight greycloaks of House Stark closed ranks around them.
"I command the Small Council to make all haste in preparing for my coronation. I wish to be crowned within the fortnight."
As he spoke, Joffrey rose from the Iron Throne. "Today, I shall receive the oaths of fealty from the lords of the Small Council."
Lord Eddard ignored Joffrey. He simply produced Robert's will.
"Varys, please take this to Cersei of House Lannister."
Varys nodded, took the king's will from Lord Eddard's hand, walked over, and presented it to Queen Cersei respectfully with both hands.
Queen Cersei glanced at the letter and said scornfully, "Protector of the Realm? On a piece of paper?!"
With that, she tore Robert's will in half, then into quarters, letting the pieces flutter to the floor.
Ser Barristan said in shock, "Queen Cersei, that was the king's will!"
Queen Cersei glanced at Barristan. "We have a new king, old knight."
Then she turned to Lord Eddard, the corners of her lips curling. "Lord Stark, the last time we met, I must thank you for your... advice. Allow me to return the favor now."
Cersei lifted her chin slightly and said in a cool voice, "Kneel and swear fealty to my son, and we will allow you to lay down the office of Hand of the King and live out your days in that grey wasteland of yours."
Lord Eddard said coldly, "I would that it were so, but your son has no claim to the throne. Stannis Baratheon is King Robert's lawful heir."
Since Cersei insisted on settling matters here and now, he had no other choice. Lord Eddard made a hand signal to his guards.
Joffrey's face flushed red as he shrieked from above, "You lie!"
"Stark, you are seeking your own death..."
Cersei's green eyes flickered. She said to the old knight, "Ser Barristan, seize this traitor!"
The Lord Commander of the Kingsguard looked at Lord Eddard and hesitated for a moment, only to be surrounded by the Stark greycloaks who had drawn their weapons.
Lord Eddard also looked at Ser Barristan, who was now contained by his guards.
"Honorable Ser Barristan, all I do is for Robert, and for honor. I beg you, allow me to explain later."