The King sank weakly into the pillows, his face twitching; this dream must have been painful.
"How much longer does he have?" Eddard asked.
"By all accounts, he should be dead by now. I've never seen anyone with such a strong will to live," the Old Knight replied. "I suppose he wanted to see you one last time. Now that he has, his wish is fulfilled." The King's life was like a flickering flame in the wind.
"My brother has always been strong," Lord Renly said. "He killed that boar. Even with his insides spilling out, he still slew that wild boar." His voice was filled with astonishment.
"Robert would never leave the battlefield as long as an enemy still stood," Eddard told him.
Eddard told them, "No one is to disturb his rest without my permission."
"As you command, my Lord," Ser Barristan looked older than his actual age. "I have failed in my sacred duty."
The two men had much more to discuss, but Lord Renly's presence prevented them from speaking freely.
"Even the most loyal knight cannot prevent a king from harming himself," Eddard said. "Robert loved hunting wild boars. I must have seen him kill over a thousand. He always stood his ground, unwavering, Longspear in hand, often cursing loudly as the boar charged, waiting until the very last moment, until the boar was almost upon him, before accurately and cleanly piercing it with a single thrust. Who would have thought he would be killed by this one boar?"
"Lord Eddard, you are too kind," Barristan looked at Eddard.
"Even the King himself said so. He said the wine was to blame."
The white-haired knight nodded weakly. "When we flushed the boar from its lair, His Majesty was already unsteady on his horse, but he still ordered us to stand aside."
"What about the wine?" Eddard asked.
"The King drank from his own wineskin," Ser Barristan said. "I didn't count, but His Majesty certainly drank more than one. Whenever he asked, his Attendants would bring him a fresh one."
A bitter taste filled Eddard's mouth. He recalled the two blond Boys Robert had sent to fetch pliers for his breastplate. At dinner that evening, the King told everyone the story, laughing uncontrollably. "Which Attendants?"
"The older one," Ser Barristan said, "Lancel."
"My poor brother, look at all the Lannister surrounding him. Lancel is a strong Boy, Ser Kevan Lannister's son, Lord Tywin's nephew, and the Queen's cousin. I just hope this good Child doesn't blame himself too much."
"Count the numbers. Everyone in the camp needs to return to King's Landing with us," Eddard mused.
Barristan looked at Eddard with a strange gaze. The situation certainly needed stability, but returning to King's Landing was too dangerous.
"Yes," the Old Knight still took his leave.
Eddard and Renly walked out of the tent together when Renly suddenly asked in a low voice. "Lord Eddard, if you don't mind, may I have a word with you privately?"
"Alright."
The two found a quiet spot, and Renly cautiously looked around.
Renly leaned closer. "What did my brother discuss with you? Was it about the regency? Did my brother appoint you as Protector of the Realm?"
Renly didn't wait for Eddard's answer. "We are in The Kingswood right now, and I fear we won't make it to The Red Keep. If I'm not mistaken, someone in the camp must have already ridden back to King's Landing."
"You're right," Eddard looked at Renly. The King's inner circle was indeed heavily infiltrated.
"My Lord, I have thirty personal guards in King's Landing, as well as other knights and noble friends. Give me an hour, and I can gather a hundred men. But these men are simply not enough, Lord Eddard. The moment has passed; we are too far from King's Landing."
"Then what do you propose?"
"Storms End is not far from King's Landing, and the Stormlands are my domain. We should go directly to Storms End. Then, in the name of the King's will, once we have a large army, the Small Council will appoint you as Regent, giving you control of the country. We can then imprison Cersei, and you will become Joffrey's guardian."
"If you are unwilling, I can also send ships to take you back North."
"My daughters and men are still in King's Landing," Eddard looked at Renly. That Boy from before now possessed such great ambition.
"My Lord, there's no time. If you lead an army from outside, they will be safe. But if you walk into a trap yourself, do you wish to become hostages together?"
"Robert has not yet drawn his last breath. The Gods above might still spare his life. If not, I will still convene the Small Council in King's Landing, publicly announce the will, and discuss the succession."
Lord Renly took a step back, his body tense like a bowstring. "Every second you delay gives Cersei another second to prepare. Once Robert dies, I fear it will be too late… for both you and me."
"Then let us pray Robert does not die."
"I don't think that's very likely."
"Sometimes the Gods above have mercy."
"The Lannister do not," Renly turned and left.
After Renly left, Ser Barristan returned to Eddard's side.
"What did Lord Renly discuss with you? He seemed to be in a hurry," the Old Knight asked.
"Probably something unpleasant; he wants me to go with him to Storms End," Eddard replied.
"Lord Renly might not be wrong," Barristan whispered. "Someone has already fled the camp. Those swift-footed Attendants will carry the message to the Queen. If the Queen learns of such a shocking will, we will have no place to be buried, let alone fulfill the King's dying wish."
"But," Eddard said hesitantly. "My daughters are still in King's Landing."
Eddard had arranged for his Children's ship a few days later, but now it seemed too late; events had unfolded too suddenly.
"If you return to King's Landing, you will be a wolf walking into a lion's den," the Old Knight looked at Eddard with wide eyes. To truly return to King's Landing. "Decades of tradition cannot be changed by mere words. To deny the Queen and Prince with a single sentence. Who would believe the royal scandal? Moreover, King's Landing is full of Lannister's lackeys."
"There are two wills," Eddard looked at the Old Knight. "My influence is great; thousands of eyes are on me, and I cannot simply leave. As for the other will, I hope you can deliver it Across the Narrow Sea."
"As you command, Lord Eddard, but you…" Ser Barristan looked at Eddard, very worried for him.
"I will have my own arrangements once I return to King's Landing. The Small Council matter is very difficult. I can probably only take my Children and return to Winterfell," Eddard said.
"My Lord, with all due respect, we have already delayed too long. Your actions are certainly knightly, but you are also the Regent. If you return like this, I fear…" Although Ser Barristan cherished honor, he was not inflexible.
"I am placing my other hope in you, Ser Barristan."
"As you command," Ser Barristan looked at Eddard. There was no better way at the moment.
A moment later, even more alarming news arrived: Renly had already taken his Attendants and headed south, and there was no stopping him.
"Lord Renly has always been alert," the Old Knight said.
"But if Renly acts like this, isn't he afraid for Loras?" Eddard couldn't help but ask.
"Loras Tyrell is of House Tyrell; no one dares offend the granary. Besides, Renly has so many friends; I think the young knight will be able to escape. It is you I worry about," Barristan looked at Eddard. A force of less than a hundred men would make no ripple in King's Landing.
"Enough, I truly cannot be at ease about my daughters," Eddard sighed. "My Child, that bastard, take him with you too."
"Mm."
"There's one more thing," Eddard said.
"What is it?" Barristan asked.
"I will write a letter to Lord Stannis, hoping he can send a fleet or soldiers to help me…" Eddard said.
"…" Ser Barristan was speechless; he feared this was wishful thinking.
"My Lord, you and I both know Lord Stannis's nature. If he learns that his brother bestowed the iron throne upon a legitimate bastard, he will surely fly into a rage, considering it an insult."
"If he still loved Robert, I think he would help me," Eddard said. "I need to prepare."
The Old Knight then said no more. After leaving Eddard, he busied himself counting the men in the camp.
After Barristan left, Eddard Stark returned to his tent, for a long while completely overwhelmed by grief. He only wanted to go to the Godswood, kneel beneath the heart tree, and pray that Robert Baratheon, who had been dearer to him than a brother, might live. But there was no time now.
Eddard took out the King's last will. This would be a momentous matter. People would say he clung to his friendship with the King, thereby sparking bloody chaos.
It was just a fragile white scroll, sealed with yellow wax, containing a few words, but stained with blood. Victory or defeat, life or death, truly hung by a thread.
Eddard drew a blank piece of paper, took a pen, and dipped it in ink.
"To Lord Stannis of House Baratheon," Eddard wrote, "When you receive this letter, your brother Robert, our King for the past fifteen years, will have passed away. He was wounded by a boar while hunting in The Kingswood, and the secret you know, your brother also knew at his death, and I know it now: House Lannister has committed treason, Joffrey and the others are rebellious and not of royal blood. Your brother has decided to legitimize all his bastards. The throne belongs to his eldest son in Myr, Gendry Baratheon. If you still love King Robert, you should march an army to King's Landing to maintain order or send a fleet to Myr to welcome the new King…"
The words seemed to twist and coil on the paper, and Eddard had to pause and think. Lord Tywin and Ser Jaime would never endure such dishonor; they would rather raise an army in defiance than flee. But would Stannis act as he wished? Eddard dared not think too much, but this was the only chance.
Since Jon Arryn's murder, Lord Stannis must have felt considerable fear, but at this moment, he must immediately lead his forces to King's Landing or Myr before the Lannister army could mobilize.
Eddard carefully finished the letter, signing it at the end: "Protector of the Realm, hand of the king, Lord of Winterfell, Eddard Stark." Then he blotted the ink, folded it twice, and melted the sealing wax over the candlelight.
Jon Snow entered the tent and saw Eddard after he had been writing furiously.
"My Lord, do you want me to leave with Ser Barristan?" Jon asked.
"Yes, Child," Eddard looked at Jon. "King's Landing is too dangerous. Barristan has an important mission and will take you Across the Narrow Sea."
"It is precisely because it is dangerous that I wish to stay with you," Jon said. "The King is dying; King's Landing is sure to be in chaos. With so few of us, how dare we return to King's Landing?"
"I pray for my good fortune," Eddard said. "If the world trusts justice, then I still have a chance to survive."
Eddard also felt a knot in his stomach. Going to the Small Council and turning the tide would be incredibly difficult. Cersei had probably already arranged for the Red Cloaks, the Kingsguard, and the taxi soldiers of the City Watch. How reliable would those people be? Would they believe a will brought by a Northerner?
Eddard could only pray that Stannis would act quickly to help him stabilize the situation. Otherwise, he could only turn the tide after he himself had escaped King's Landing.
"My Lord…" Jon looked at Eddard, his eyes red.
"It's alright, Child, I'll be fine. I won't be foolish enough to directly duel the Lannister. I will bide my time, retrieve your two sisters, and then return to Winterfell."
"But you must be careful, the Red Cloaks, those City Watch are all loyal to gold," Jon looked at Eddard, feeling that things would likely end badly.
As the two were still talking, a low horn sound suddenly echoed through the camp, replacing the tolling bells that announced the King's death.
Eddard rushed out of the tent, and indeed, panic had spread through the camp.
The red comet hung high in the sky. King Robert had died on his hunting bed. There was no more Robert Baratheon in the world.
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