chapter 169 part 1
Chapter 169 The Lost Heart of a Knight
Barristan Selmy's brows furrowed, his gaze somewhat bewildered.
"A burden? Queen Regent?"
Varys stepped forward lightly, a shallow smile on his face. "Old ser, the Queen Regent's meaning is... you have been relieved of your post as Lord Commander of the Kingsguard."
Barristan's expression turned blank; the old man with his grizzled white hair seemed to freeze in place.
He spoke with difficulty, "Your Grace, the Kingsguard takes a lifelong oath. Only death can release us from our sacred duty."
Cersei Lannister's eyes narrowed slightly as she looked at the pale-faced Barristan.
"Whose death, old ser? Yours, or your king's?"
Joffrey's voice came from the Iron Throne, his tone accusatory.
"My father died, and you're too old. You can't protect anyone!"
Barristan seemed to age in an instant. He looked up at King Joffrey, high above him.
"Your Grace, ever since I first wielded a sword, becoming a Kingsguard has been my sole pursuit. At twenty-three, I renounced my inheritance of Harvest Hall. I need no lands, no wife, no sons. All my life, I have only served my king. I swore my oath with Ser Gerold Hightower—known as the White Bull, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard for Aerys II—as my witness. I swore to protect the king with all my might, until my dying breath. Before I served your father, I protected King Aerys, and his father, King Jaehaerys before him. I have served three kings..."
Varys interjected, "Alas, they all died. How tragic."
Queen Cersei's expression grew impatient. "Old ser, your duties end here."
Barristan's lips moved, but no sound came out.
Queen Cersei raised her chin and continued, "The Small Council has decided that Ser Jaime Lannister will succeed you and assume the role of Lord Commander of the Kingsguard."
As she spoke, her beautiful eyes glanced at Barristan, her tone laced with mockery. "My son needs a young and strong man by his side."
"The Kingslayer?"
Barristan first spat out the nickname with scorn, then continued sternly, "That hypocritical knight who sullied his own sword with the blood of the king he swore to protect? Is he now to sully the office of Lord Commander of the Kingsguard as well?"
Queen Cersei's voice carried a hint of fury. "Old ser, please mind your words. Ser Jaime is my beloved brother, and Joffrey's uncle."
Barristan reached out and unfastened the clasp on his shoulder. The snow-white cloak, representing his sacred duty, fell to the floor.
"The white cloak of the Kingsguard is no longer pure, so I no longer have any attachment to it."
Pycelle glanced at the furious Queen Cersei and stood up.
"Barristan Selmy, you are no longer a Kingsguard. You are now nothing more than a... hypocritical knight."
As Pycelle's words fell, everyone present burst into laughter, including his five Kingsguard brothers.
The laughter was piercing. The brave old man stood in place, his face flushed with anger, rendered speechless.
*Clang!* Barristan drew the longsword from his waist.
Gasps filled the hall. Ser Boros and Ser Meryn of the Kingsguard hurriedly stepped forward to confront Ser Barristan, but they were frozen in place by the old knight's sharp gaze.
"Ser Boros, Ser Meryn, have no fear. Your king is safe, but that is not because of your protection. Even now..."
Barristan's sharp gaze swept over the Kingsguard. He continued, "I could still cut down all five of you as easily as slicing cheese. If you intend to serve a Kingslayer, then none of you deserve to wear this white cloak."
*Thud!* Barristan thrust the sword in his hand into the base of the Iron Throne.
He looked up at Joffrey, high above, and said, "Brat, take it. You can melt this sword down and add another to the Iron Throne... that would perhaps benefit you more than the swords in these five men's hands."
He turned and strode away. Noble men and women parted to let him pass. His footsteps echoed heavily on the floor, reverberating throughout the Throne Room.
It wasn't until the Gold Cloaks re-closed the heavy oak and bronze doors of the Throne Room that Joffrey's enraged voice came from the Iron Throne.
"He dared to call me a brat? I'll have him arrested!"
...
...
A tower on the walls of the Red Keep.
Glynn crabbe stood with his arms crossed, leaning against the wall. Facing him was Jaime Lannister, whose expression was somewhat melancholic.
Glynn teased, "Ser Jaime, you look like a... lost child?"
Jaime glanced at Glynn but remained silent.
Glynn pointed in the direction of the Throne Room and said again, "I hear you're going to be appointed Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. Congratulations."
Jaime: "..."
Another bout of silence.
Glynn sighed. "I say... ser, if I'm not mistaken, you came looking for me, didn't you?"
After a pause, Jaime's emerald eyes looked at Glynn. "How did you know I would be appointed Lord Commander of the Kingsguard?"
Glynn shrugged. "Everyone knows there are no secrets in the Red Keep. Those who shouldn't know already know, while those who should are left in the dark..."
Just then, accompanied by hurried footsteps, the figure of a Gold Cloak appeared.
"Lord Glynn, Ser Barristan has requested to leave the Red Keep."
During a petition in the Throne Room, the main gates of the Red Keep were always closed, prohibiting entry and exit.
Glynn and Jaime exchanged a look. Glyn was about to speak when another Gold Cloak also rushed over.
"Lord Glynn, the Queen Regent has ordered the arrest of Barristan Selmy."
Glynn waved his hand and said, "Let the venerable old ser leave. And... tell Ser Barristan to be wary of our pursuit."
"As you command, Lord Glynn."
...
...
After the Gold Cloaks left, Jaime spoke, "Lord Glynn, aren't you afraid the Queen Regent will punish you?"
Glynn shrugged. "Ser, I'm helping... Hmm, on second thought, I'll tell Queen Cersei you let him escape."
Jaime's eyes twitched. "It seems you really intend to pursue Ser Barristan, and this isn't just a pretense."
Glynn nodded slightly. "He's been given his chance. Don't forget, he is Barristan the Bold."
Jaime let out a soft sigh and patted Glynn's arm. "Lord Glynn, thank you for your help."
"Cheer up, Warden of the East and Lord Commander of the Kingsguard."
Jaime shook his head slightly. He looked into the distance, his gaze complicated.
"Although Ser Barristan dislikes me, I respect him greatly. We were... once Kingsguard brothers, but now... this isn't the outcome I wanted, nor is it what I desire."
Glynn's eyes flickered. Cersei's recent actions had plunged Jaime into confusion.
"Ser Jaime, are you planning to leave King's Landing? Or rather, to leave Queen Cersei's side for a while?"