After all, he was already engaged to Sansa. Within his ability, Domeric could help Lord Eddard a little. If Eddard refused to listen, then there was nothing he could do.
But Domeric would never regard Lord Eddard as someone he could rely on, and he certainly could not place his true chips in Eddard's hands.
This wolf from the North was simply not born for this kind of political struggle and game of power.
He wondered whether Lord Eddard would be able to escape the fate of losing his head like in the original story…
An ancient prophecy from the North surfaced in Domeric's mind.
Wolves who leave the North have never come to good ends!
Fortunately, Domeric had already made preparations elsewhere. After so many days in King's Landing, he had officially entered a partnership with Varys, using his feigned intention to restore the Targaryen dynasty in exchange for Varys's support.
With Varys's secret passages as support, the entire Red Keep, and even King's Landing itself, was practically defenseless to Domeric.
The 2,500 soldiers outside the city were already in position as well. At any moment, on Domeric's command, they could climb the walls of King's Landing and occupy every inch of the Red Keep.
Domeric had even reached out to Littlefinger, Petyr Baelish.
Littlefinger still did not know that his employment of assassins had been exposed. He knew even less that Domeric had already developed the intent to kill him. Instead, with the idea that the more chaotic the situation in King's Landing became, the better, he provided Domeric with all kinds of methods to deal with House Lannister.
At present, Littlefinger had already helped him make contact with the City Watch, and its coin-loving commander, Janos Slynt.
…
Seeing that Lord Eddard remained hesitant and undecided, Domeric said no more.
He left the council chamber and returned to his quarters in the Tower of the Hand.
With a single call, Domeric summoned his personal guard.
There came two thuds.
The window was knocked open.
Benita propped her chin in her hand, shook out her golden hair, and appeared on the table before Domeric.
Her long legs formed elegant, well-proportioned curves. Beneath the cuffs of her trousers, a section of smooth, fair ankle was revealed, and her pale foot lightly stepped upon the tabletop.
Her entire body was like that of a female panther, filled with a youthful and powerful beauty.
"Why are you appearing in this manner? You have not even dressed properly," Domeric said, stunned for a moment.
"I was sleeping upstairs. The instant I heard Master's call, I could not wait to come down. I did not even put on all my clothes, and I could not be bothered with the stairs!"
Benita blinked lightly and stepped down from the table.
"Is that reason suitable enough?"
"Fine."
Now was not the time to care about that. Domeric continued asking, "Have the troops outside the city all arrived?"
"The 1,500 men led by Ser Wendel, and the 1,000 wildling soldiers led by Ser Jon, are all stationed in a dense forest about thirty miles outside the city. To avoid drawing attention, they are scattered across more than ten camps not far from one another…"
"That is good." Domeric took out a letter and handed it to Benita, instructing her,
"Have them gather at once. Weapons and equipment must be made ready.
"Give this letter to Wendel and Jon. Tell them that a great battle is imminent, and they must stand by for orders at any moment."
"So soon? We have only been in King's Landing for how long? Less than ten days, right?" Benita looked surprised.
"It is indeed sooner than I expected, but this conflict was bound to erupt sooner or later. Whether it comes early or late makes no real difference. Go."
"Mission guaranteed."
Benita turned and prepared to leave.
"Wait."
A voice came from behind her.
Benita turned back, uncertain. "Does Master have any further orders?"
Domeric could not help but study his personal guard.
During this period, Benita had been serving as his liaison, moving between Varys and the various armies outside the city, delivering messages.
Constant travel, together with exposure to wind and sun, had made the girl's skin somewhat rougher, and the tips of her golden hair had become dry.
"Come here," Domeric ordered.
Benita slowly approached. A flicker of panic flashed in her eyes, and then she closed them.
Domeric leaned down and wrapped his arms around the assassin's waist.
After a long while, when the two parted,
Domeric pressed close to Benita's face and whispered by her ear, "You have worked hard during this time."
Benita's eyes remained tightly shut. Only after a good while did she recover. An alluring blush spread across her face.
"Master, I am glad to serve you."
The next day.
Outside King's Landing, at the tourney grounds.
The Blackwater Rush flowed quietly like a length of blue silk, watching the mortal world with quiet amusement for thousands of years.
The field was filled with knights in shining armor, mounted on tall warhorses, banners snapping fiercely in their hands.
Countless bonfires burned. The air was filled with the smell of roasted meat and fine wine.
Although the massively expensive tourney had been rejected by Lord Eddard, King Robert still could not endure boredom. He had instead held a small feast here.
This feast had summoned nearly all the nobles in King's Landing. The place was crowded and lively beyond measure.
Sansa Stark and her younger sister Arya, led by guards, sat near the seats closest to the king.
Around them were nobles great and small from King's Landing. When they saw the two daughters of a duke, they thought of the impending public trial and the conflict between lion and wolf. Deeply meaningful smiles appeared on their faces.
Unfortunately, Sansa, being both love-struck and politically naive, did not understand what lay behind those smiles.
She simply pulled her younger sister Arya along and sat down foolishly, completely failing to notice the angry and hostile looks cast at them by the Lannister bannermen seated nearby.
Looking at the various knights appearing on the field, Arya wore an excited expression.
"That armored knight who looks like a giant is so strong!"
Arya cried out in amazement.
"That is Ser Gregor Clegane, known as the Mountain. He is a bannerman of House Lannister of the Westerlands," Domeric said with a smile as he walked over, greeting the nobles he knew along the way.
"Ser Domeric, please sit."
Sansa obediently brought Domeric milk and bread.
"Oh, oh, who is that tall, fat bald man?"
Arya pointed at a bald man wearing a loose red robe and could not help giggling.
"That is Thoros of Myr, the red priest," Domeric said.
Thoros of Myr had originally been sent to King's Landing by the Lord of Light's church to preach. However, not only had he failed to complete this mission, he had instead begun to doubt his own faith. In the end, he simply stayed in King's Landing and did not return, becoming a famous free knight who frequently won tourneys.
In Game of Thrones, he could be considered quite an oddity.
Before the feast began, there was an exciting bout to entertain the crowd.
Soon, the cheers suddenly grew much louder.
Amid the rumble of hooves, two knights, each holding a lance, took their charging positions on the left and right.
The sight drew wave after wave of applause.
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🏰🩸 GAME OF THRONES: SECRETS BENEATH THE DREADFORT
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🚨 SOMETHING IS BURIED BENEATH THE DREADFORT...
And perhaps it was buried for a reason.
The North is a land of old blood, older grudges, and secrets hidden beneath snow and stone.
But few places inspire more fear than...
The Dreadfort.
30+ chapters ahead are already available.
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🩸 THE DREADFORT HIDES MORE THAN BONES
🏰 Dark northern secrets
⚔️ Political intrigue
🐺 Westerosi power struggles
🩸 Bloodlines & betrayal
❄️ The brutal North
👑 Ambition & survival
💀 Mysteries best left forgotten
The North remembers.
But the Dreadfort?
🩸 The Dreadfort hides.
🔥 30+ CHAPTERS AHEAD.
👉 Go beneath the Dreadfort before the public readers reach the door.
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❄️ Winter may be coming. The secrets are already here.