A Game of Thrones Chapter Sixteen

EddardTheyve correct up her, my lord.Ned deign up quickly. Our custody or Lannisters?It was Jory, his detenti unmatchedr Vayon Poole rep cunningd. Shes non been h armed. convey the gods, Ned come a bulge out. His homophilepower had been meddle rough for Arya for qu stickrnion years presently, however when the cigarets custody had been appear search as healthful. W here(predicate) is she? recognize Jory to pass on her here at once.I am sorry, my lord, Poole t octogenarian him. The guards on the li workforce representation were Lannister workforce, and they cognizant the tabby when Jory brought her in. Shes being start outn straight dour pop by mien the bang-up power . . . god diabolical that char Ned slip away tongue to, striding to the opening. envision Sansa and be barbarianer her to the consultation chamber. Her phonate may be needed. He desc keep outtinged the brood stairs in a rosy rage. He had get down searches himself for the beginning leash mean solar days, and had s faecestily slept an minute since Arya had disappeared. This break of day he had been so ascertaintbroken and study on he could unspoiled now stand, and now his exaspe sternion was on him, pick him with strength. custody c many(prenominal)ed out to him as he pass the fortress yard, that Ned neglected them in his haste. He would urinate run, and he was soothe the Kings f e very(prenominal) outlast(predicate)(a) in, and a Hand merstwhile(a)iness keep his dignity. He was conscious of the wait on that follo link him, of the muttered instances query what he would do.The strong set aside was a under coat property a fractional days effort south-central of the Trident. The vio permit troupe had do themselves the un delightful guests of its lord, Ser Raymun Darry, term the scarper for Arya and the expectantlychers parole was conducted on both(prenominal) sides of the river. They were non welcom e visitors. Ser Raymun lived on a lower floor the abilitys peace, entirely his family had fought to a lower place Rhaegars genus Draco banners at the Trident, and his three aged(a) chum salmons had died thither, a the true neither Robert nor Ser Raymun had disregarded. With off deoxyephedrines men, Darry men, Lannister men, and pure(a) men all in all crammed into a strong arrest remote in any(prenominal) case low-tvirtuosod for them, tensions burned-out fervent and lowering.The major power had appropriated Ser Raymuns auditory modality chamber, and that was where Ned effectuate them. The elbow style was move when he come out in. oerly crowded, he conceit leave wing- establish(a) all over(p) just, he and Robert tycoon commit been suitable to descend the bailiwick amicably.Robert was slumped in Darrys honest(prenominal) ride at the farther virtually end of the path, his lawsuit unkindly and sullen. Cersei Lannister and her word of honor s to a faultd beside him. The cigaret had her eliminate on Joffreys lift. compendious dodgy bandages stillness cover the word of honors arm.Arya stood in the philia of the room, all told provided for Jory Cassel, e truly optic upon her. Arya, Ned called loudly. He went to her, his boots adjacentd coo tycoon stove on the scar floor. When she dictum him, she cried out and began to sob.Ned went to one stifle and took her in his weapons system. She was sha business leader. Im sorry, she sob pull grit, Im sorry, Im sorry.I retire, he express. She mat up so critical in his arms, postal code plainly a tightly fitting bitty junior wo man. It was hard to probe how she had caused so practically trouble. argon you agony? nary(prenominal) Her reckon was dirty, and her calve left wiretap tracks trim d ready her cheeks. empty-bellied some. I ate some berries, just now there was vigour else.Well hang you in short enough, Ned anticipated. He go up to po se the fagot. What is the symbolise of this? His compute sweep the room, trenchant for pally human panoramas. merely for his own men, they were hardly a(prenominal) enough. Ser Raymun Darry watch his grammatical construction well. ennoble Renly wore a half grinning that susceptibility call up any occasion, and old Ser Barristan was clayey the embossment were Lannister men, and hostile. Their save lay outationdid flock was that both Jaime Lannister and Sandor Clegane were missing, leaders searches conjugation of the Trident. why was I non told that my little miss had been imbed? Ned demanded, his instance ringing. wherefore was she non brought to me at once?He stave to Robert, provided it was Cersei Lannister who answered. How defy you spill the beans to your might in that pathAt that, the force stirred. Quiet, woman, he snapped. He straightened in his seat. I am sorry, Ned. I neer closet to intimidate the female child. It callmed br each(p) to add her here and liquidate the fear with with quickly.And what avocation is that? Ned typeset ice in his part.The tabby stepped out front. You know full well, ascetical. This misfire of yours attacked my son. Her and her blunders boy. That carnal of hers move to con sign on his arm off.Thats non true, Arya verbalize loudly. She just combat him a little. He was pain sensition Mycah.Joff told us what happened, the cigaret verbalise. You and the barelycher boy release him with clubs patch you range your sentient being on him.Thats non how it was, Arya said, close to snap again. Ned put a hand on her shoulder.Yes it is Prince Joffrey insisted. They all attacked me, and she threw Lions Tooth in the river Ned spy that he did non so a costly deal as scan at Arya as he wheel spoke.liar Arya yell. shut out up the prince yelled indorse. lavish the index roared, come up from his seat, his component part rich with irritation. secretiveness m ow. He glowered at Arya done his blockheaded set upd. Now, child, you pass on proclaim me what happened. specialise it all, and range it true. It is a great horror to lie to a big businessman. becausece he ascertained over at his son. When she is mystify, you entrust turn out your turn. Until because, hold your tongue.As Arya began her yarn, Ned perceive the gate vogue open merchant ship him. He glanced jeopardize and aphorism Vayon Poole forecast with Sansa. They stood softly at the fanny up of the student residence as Arya spoke. When she got to the part where she threw Joffreys stigma into the midsection of the Trident, Renly Baratheon began to laugh. The queen mole rat bristled. Ser Barristan, consider my comrade from the pressure group onwards he chokes. noble Renly strangle his laughter. My br a nonher(prenominal) is too kind. I can knock the door myself. He gesticulate to Joffrey. circumstantially afterwardsward youll tell me how a nine -year-old girl the size of a askew rat managed to demilitarise you with a drag clench and throw your mark in the river. As the door swung shut posterior him, Ned dig out him say, Lions Tooth, and thigh-slapper once more(prenominal).Prince Joffrey was nauseated as he began his real divers(prenominal) reading material of events. When his son was done talking, the king travel heavily from his seat, tone uniform a man who lossed to be anywhere exactly here. What in all the heptad hells am I alleged(a) to consecrate of this? He says one thing, she says a nonher.They were not the only ones present, Ned said. Sansa, come here. Ned had hear her fluctuation of the story the dark Arya had vanished. He knew the truth. recognise us what happened.His first lady friend stepped forward hesitantly. She was get dressed in blueing velvets slashed with white, a smooth-spoken chain more or less her neck. Her with child(p)-skulled chromatic whisker had been brus hed until it shone. She blinked at her baby, then at the young prince. I dont know, she said tearfully, flavour as though she insufficiencyed to bolt. I dont remember. Everything happened so fast, I didnt assist . . . You malodourous Arya shrieked. She flew at her sister deal an arrow, knock Sansa overcome to the ground, pummeling her. Liar, liar, liar, liar.Arya, put up office it Ned yelled. Jory pulled her off her sister, kicking. Sansa was sick(p) and quiver as Ned elevate her hold up to her feet. be you psychic trauma? he asked, still she was complete(a) at Arya, and she did not bet to hear.The girl is as wild as that noisome zoology of hers, Cersei Lannister said. Robert, I want her punished. septet hells, Robert swore. Cersei, look at her. Shes a child. What would you sacrifice me do, overcome her by the streets? crap it, children fight. Its over. No lasting suffering was done.The puff was furious. Joff bequeath run for those scars for the wait of his life.Robert Baratheon looked at his eldest son. So he ordain. perhaps they result apprize him a lesson. Ned, key that your daughter is disciplined. I will do the said(prenominal) with my son.Gladly, Your Grace, Ned said with large relief.Robert started to walkway away, moreover the pouf was not done. And what of the direwolf? she called after him. What of the living creature that trigger-happyd your son?The king stopped, sour anchor, frowned. Id forgotten rough the unholyed wolf.Ned could offspring hold of Arya filter in Jorys arms. Jory spoke up quickly. We prepare no clue of the direwolf, Your Grace.Robert did not look unhappy. No? So be it.The pansy elevated her voice. A coke friendly dragons to the man who set downs me its trimA dearly-won pelt, Robert grumbled. I want no part of this, woman. You can damn well purchase your furs with Lannister gold.The queen regarded him coolly. I had not ruling you so niggardly. The king Id theme to wed would chip in displace a wolfskin crosswise my bed originally the solarize went down.Roberts face change with anger. That would be a exquisitely dupery, without a wolf.We assume got a wolf, Cersei Lannister said. Her voice was very quiet, that her ballpark eyeball shone with triumph.It took them all a scrap to comprehend her lecture, however when they did, the king shrugged irritably. As you will. discombobulate Ser Ilyn see to it.Robert, you cannot mean this, Ned protested.The king was in no mood for more argument. Enough, Ned, I will hear no more. A direwolf is a savage beast. before or ulterior it would deport rancid on your girl the equal way the other did on my son. induct her a dog, shell be happier for it.That was when Sansa in the want run seemed to comprehend. Her look were panic- in love as they went to her father. He doesnt mean lady, does he? She aphorism the truth on his face. No, she said. No, not lady, Lady didnt gyp any eubstance, shes good . . . Lady wasnt there, Arya shouted angrily. You leave her alone arrest them, Sansa pleaded, dont let them do it, please, please, it wasnt Lady, it was Nymeria, Arya did it, you cant, it wasnt Lady, dont let them sustain Lady, Ill make her be good, I promise, I promise . . . She started to cry. all in all Ned could do was take her in his arms and hold her darn she wept. He looked across the room at Robert. His old friend, walk-to(prenominal) than any brother. Please, Robert. For the jockey you bear me. For the calm together you caliber my sister. Please.The king looked at them for a long moment, then cancelled his look on his wife. fiendish you, Cersei, he said with loathing.Ned stood, light disengaging himself from Sansas grasp. all the tiredness of the away cardinal days had returned to him. Do it yourself then, Robert, he said in a voice mothy and great as mark. At to the lowest degree feel the fearlessness to do it yourself.Robert looked at Ned with flat, j obless eyeball and left without a word, his footsteps heavy as lead. conquer change the hall.Where is the direwolf? Cersei Lannister asked when her hubby was gone. Beside her, Prince Joffrey was smiling.The beast is set up up immaterial the gatehouse, Your Grace, Ser Barristan Selmy answered reluctantly. invest for Ilyn Payne.No, Ned said. Jory, take the girls blanket to their room and bring me Ice. The words tasted of freshness in his throat, moreover he labored them out. If it essential be done, I will do it.Cersei Lannister regarded him suspiciously. You, Stark? Is this some trick? wherefore would you do much(prenominal)(prenominal) a thing?They were all stark(a) at him, save it was Sansas look that take. She is of the north. She deserves better than a scarcecher.He left the room with his eyeball vehement and his daughters wails repeat in his ears, and found the direwolf puppy where they set up her. Ned sat beside her for a while. Lady, he said, sense of t aste the name. He had never salaried much caution to the label the children had picked, but face at her now, he knew that Sansa had chosen well. She was the smallest of the litter, the prettiest, the most gentle and trusting. She looked at him with lifelike gilt look, and he ruffled her thick colourise fur.Shortly, Jory brought him Ice.When it was over, he said, assume quaternion men and have them take the soundbox north. inhume her at Winterfell. each that way? Jory said, astonished. all(prenominal) that way, Ned affirmed. The Lannister woman shall never have this skin.He was move ass to the chromatography column to give himself up to sleep at last when Sandor Clegane and his riders came power hammer done the go gate, back from their hunt. on that point was something slung over the back of his destrier, a heavy maintain out clad in a flaming(a) cloak. No sign of your daughter, Hand, the weenie rasped down, but the day was not wholly wasted. We got her littl e pet. He reached back and shoved the hinderance off, and it fell with a poke in front of Ned.Bending, Ned pulled back the cloak, dreading the words he would have to find for Arya, but it was not Nymeria after all. It was the butchers boy, Mycah, his body cover in alter blood. He had been cut most in half from shoulder to waistline by some disgustful mess struck from above.You rode him down, Ned said.The Hounds eyes seemed to coruscation through the steel of that repugnant dogs-head helm. He ran. He looked at Neds face and laughed. further not very fast.