Chapter 6: Time for the Tourney
Time for the Tourney
Theon POV
It was some time since I had dinner with the Starks. After my outburst with Lord Stark, I tried to keep some distance. But after Lord Stark found out about my learning from Master Syrio, I became more invested in the lives of the Starks.
Sansa was dissatisfied with something, probably me, for ruining her charming prince image. She still hasn't met Joffrey since Darry's. I heard that the little princeling had been impatient and angry since returning to the King's Landing. He had not even seen his betrothed. Sansa blamed me, as I had humiliated him somehow.
Bran still hasn't found a knight to be a squire, for Lord Stark didn't like most knights in the King's Landing. He was meticulous in choosing a suitable man to entrust his son. The knight had not only to be skillful but had to have good morals. Morals are something that I don't believe exists in this city.
Since we arrived at King's Landing, it was the first time we were seated together. All guards, servants, and everyone else from Winterfell. I wonder if I didn't know the future, could I stay? Could I make them my friends, people I would risk my life to protect? They were good men, loyal, trusting. If only I had a future with them, I might have stayed.
"My lord, there will be a Tourney in your honor soon," Jory commented.
"It has nothing to do with me," Lord Stark remarked coldly.
"I hear the King likes tourneys," I commented. "He will use any chance to throw one. So, it isn't surprising that there would be one in the name of the Hand. After that, there will be the prince's name day and so on."
"A tourney? Father, will we be permitted to attend it?" Sansa asked with excitement pouring from her eyes.
"You know my feelings, darling. The King wants me to arrange his games and then pretend to be honored by it." Lord Stark replied. "I don't need to subject it to my daughters too."
"Oh, please," Sansa said. "I want to see."
"Princess Myrcella will be there, my lord, and she is younger than Lady Sansa. As the tourney is in your honor, it would look queer if your family did not attend." Septa Mordane spoke up.
"It seems we don't have a choice but to attend," I remarked before Lord Stark could. "It will be a chance to find a Knight for Bran to serve."
"Father?" Bran asked, excited.
"Knights from all Kingdoms will come to compete," Jory commented.
"Fine, I will arrange a spot for you, Sansa," Lord Stark replied with a pained tone and then looked at Arya, Bran, and me. "For all of you."
"Oh, you don't have to worry about me, Lord Stark," I responded. "I will find a spot by myself."
"Ah, very well," Lord Stark sighted.
The children were all excited, some more than others. Especially Bran and Sansa seem like they couldn't wait. I, too, was excited. It was an opportunity to earn a lot of gold. Ten thousand gold dragons should be enough to buy a ship, and once everything is prepared, I will be gone from here.
"Your wolves won't be permitted," Lord Stark said after Nymeria and Summer rolled under the tables.
"What? But father, they didn't cause any trouble," Brian complained.
"For now, but they aren't pups anymore. I don't want to be in a position where I need to choose between the wolves or the person they have bitten," Lord Stark responded. "I already let them run freely in the Tower, but once they are outside, they will be chained."
"Yes, father." The children replied with lowered heads.
After dinner, I went back to a shooting range. I knew I was good at archery, but I had to be the best to win the prize. So even if I was tired and bruised from training with a sword, I still found time and energy to practice.
…
It was late evening, and the sun was already set when I stopped my practice with a bow. But even when I felt sore all over, I still picked my bastard sword and started to swing at the dummy. I did so by aiming at vital points that should be there.
I imagined myself fighting against Thoros or Syrio. I moved to dodge imaginary strikes from their swords. I was stepping back to dodge, stepping forward to attack. I repeated it until I felt my feet become too sore to move.
Feeling the refreshing wind on my wet, sweaty back, I gathered my things and prepared to leave. Thoros has not shown himself today. He was here often enough for me to notice when he wasn't. Prince Jalabhar didn't show himself at the shooting range too.
Looking at the sky, I didn't see any stars today, only dark clouds. The fire from the torch was the only thing keeping me company tonight. It made me think of what will happen after the Tourney. I will win. I will buy a ship and be gone. But after that, I didn't know.
Lys sounded like a good idea. It was far enough from Westeros and far enough from the Dragon Queen. I didn't want to go any near Braavos and get myself involved with Faceless men. Pentos was out of the question. I don't even want to think of that plot, and definitely, I am not about to get involved in it.
Maybe I should try and sail to Yi-Ti. Well, I don't think I will survive that kind of journey. But I still like to see the cities of gold and whatnot. The more I think, this world has many places worth visiting. Traveling the world would be nice.
In any case, my first destination will be Summer Islands. Then if I get bored of them, I will see a bigger world. I know what few men dreamed of, and it was a nice thought. All I need to do is avoid the Slavers bay, and everything will work out for me.
Eddard POV
Theon left just as the dinner was over. After the last outburst, I didn't dare tell him what to do anymore. It was clear that his mind wasn't in the best state it could be. His leaving the moment he got wasn't a false treat. Theon meant it with his heart.
I couldn't let it happen. No matter how unwanted and rejected Theon felt, he was still heir to Iron Islands. No one could deny it, not even Balon Greyjoy. For a better future for Ironborn and the rest of Westeros, Theon must be the new lord of the Pyke.
But can I genuinely dictate his future if Theon doesn't want it? I never wanted to be the Lord of Winterfell. Robert didn't want to be the King, but we accepted our duty. No, nobody can hide from their fate. He is promised the lord's seat of the Pyke. But the moment I leave the King's Landing, what is there to stop him from boarding a ship and going his way?
How long am I willing to stay here? If the schemes and plots don't kill me, it will be this damn heat. But I must find out what happened to Jon Arryn. Robert must be protected. I must do so. Ah, what kind of mess have I gotten myself?
Theon wasn't the only one to worry about too. Arya has learned how to handle a knife and wants to learn more. I can only hope that Syrio Forel will keep her desires in check.
Sansa is sad about not being able to see prince Joffrey. I should speak with Robert about it. They are betrothed, and it could only be good for them to spend more time together.
And there is Bran. I need to find a trustworthy knight for him to serve. There is no way I will entrust my son to one of Lannister's men. I couldn't bring myself to involve him in more danger than I had already.
Sometimes it feels like everything is falling apart from my fingers. I should be the second most powerful man in the whole of Westeros. Yet, I couldn't even take care of my own family. What kind of lord was I? Only a fool, who does his duty, only a fool.
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