"Your Majesty, I didn't mishear, did I?" Eddard confirmed again. The North had always been desolate, and five or six million gold dragons was an astronomical sum that even a duke as noble as the Lord of Winterfell could not imagine.
A set of high-quality chainmail, gorget, greaves, and full helmet only cost a few gold dragons. Even for a respected and renowned knight, a ransom of three hundred gold dragons was a generous and fair price. Not to mention how much grain, pumpkins, corn, and wheat these gold dragons could buy.
"How could Jon allow the King to squander?" Eddard suddenly thought of Lord Jon. It seemed Jon also couldn't stop the King's recklessness. The former hand of the king was certainly meticulous, but His Majesty the King probably didn't always heed wise counsel.
Eddard had long known that the King was addicted to material desires, but he hadn't realized he had fallen so far. Women, fine wine, hunting, Tourneys—everyone knew the King loved laughter and revelry.
"Don't look at me like that, Eddard. You know, anything involving finances, farming seasons, and laws gives me a headache. I hate counting coppers," the King replied. "I just spend money; who knows why this number is so terrifying now? You'll have to ask Littlefinger for the specifics."
Ned was utterly dumbfounded. "Your Majesty, with all due respect. Aerys Targaryen left behind mountains of gold and silver. How could you let the treasury fall to this state?"
"Tourneys, hunting, delicious delicacies, making the world laugh—it always takes some gold, Eddard," the King said shamelessly. "When you arrive in King's Landing, I still have to give tens of thousands of gold dragons to the Tourney champion; a King cannot lose face."
"Never mind the Tourney for now. Who paid for all these gold dragons?" Eddard's head was buzzing, and he asked cautiously.
"The biggest creditor is my wife's family, and the rest are quite varied. Littlefinger is actually pretty good at finding sources of income. Littlefinger also found House Tyrell, the Iron Bank of Braavos, several Tyrosh trading companies, and the Faith," the King said without a hint of burden.
"What a mess." Eddard felt more and more that going south was a wrong choice. The royal family's major creditors and the decadent King meant that House Lannister could freely expand their influence; gold was enough to buy the loyalty of too many people. Although Eddard was the King's old friend, the northerners had not managed King's Landing.
Lysa's secret letter and Stannis's secret letter hung over Eddard's heart like two dark clouds. But seeing the King's indifferent attitude made Eddard even more fearful. Poor Robert, day and night in the embrace of the lion.
The White Knight also seemed untrustworthy; the Kingslayer remaining in the Kingsguard had already tainted its honor. Moreover, Eddard could not confirm how many White Knights still served the Queen.
"Your Majesty, for the prosperity of the realm, one cannot be too extravagant," Eddard began to advise. He couldn't remain silent; this was his loyalty to his old friend.
As for Stannis's accusations, Jon's death, and the improper relationship between the Queen and her brother, Eddard had resolved to confront House Lannister. But how to expose the truth, he had to proceed slowly.
"Alright, alright," the King waved impatiently. "I'm not here for a lecture. Since you don't like assassins, let's talk about the fleet and the war."
"Actually, we should have acted years ago, but Jon was as mean-spirited as you and wouldn't let me. I foolishly agreed. Then some goddamn Pentos peddler hid the brother and sister behind a wall, guarded by a bunch of pointy-hat eunuchs, and now they've been sold to the traitors."
"Lord Arryn was a wise hand of the king," Eddard said.
"They say the Triarchy has already raised an army of one hundred thousand and three to four hundred warships," the King said uneasily. "If Jon had heard this news, hmph!"
"We also have a fleet, and we have an army," Eddard said. "And the slavers of Lys and Volantis probably won't let them expand unchecked."
"No matter what, we must prepare in advance, Eddard. Gold dragons, fleet, intelligence, army—I trust you."
"The North is at your command," Eddard replied. Eddard was actually more concerned about the Lannisters; perhaps now he should deal with the chaos within The Red Keep rather than wage war externally. Once he commanded the front lines, the King would be even deeper in the lion's den.
The King responded with great unease. "Things are not as simple as you think, Eddard. The Free Cities' fleet is not to be underestimated; they have already occupied the Stepstones. As for the union of that traitor Child and the dragon's remnant, this marriage is truly a wicked joke. Don't forget those traitors; they still call me usurper behind my back, having once fought under the Targaryen banner. They are currently biding their time, but if they get a chance, they can't wait to take my life and my son's."
"Even if he does come, we have the ability to drive them into the sea!" Eddard said. "But you must appoint a new warden of the east."
The King emphasized, "I repeat, the Child of House Arryn is a little baby, six years old and still suckling. I know he is your nephew. But now I hear the horns of war; Baratheon's traitors, Targaryen's remnants, the Mercenaries of the Free Cities, and slavers are all eager for action. I am not so mad as to give command of a quarter of the kingdom's army to a sickly Child."
Eddard sighed. The wardens of each region commanding armies was a hereditary honorary position, and now the King was bestowing this title on someone else. Lord Jon was deeply beloved in the Vale, and in the eyes of House Arryn's vassal Lords, this was an insult to House Arryn.
Eddard continued, "But someone must step forward to be the warden of the east. If Robert Arryn is not up to the task, then let one of your brothers take over. Stannis has already shown his ability in the Siege of Storm's End; I believe he should be fine."
King Robert, hearing that name, began to frown, then slowly spoke. "Stannis has his own duties; once war breaks out, he will also have to command the Royal Fleet."
"That's not contradictory, is it?" Eddard said cautiously. He already knew the King's brothers were not on good terms, but before a war, Stannis was more reliable than others.
The King's expression, however, betrayed his thoughts; he began to look displeased. "That position is taken!"
"Jaime Lannister, right?" Eddard uttered the name; he hated Lannister.
"Yes!" the King answered after a long pause.
"Kingslayer," Eddard said. Lysa Tully's warning seemed confirmed at this moment, and Eddard reminded himself to be even more cautious. "Speaking of ability and courage, he is certainly qualified. But Lord Tywin is the hereditary warden of the west, and Ser Jaime will eventually return to inherit, so the power of both the wardens of the east and west should not be concentrated in one family's hands."
Eddard still had more to say. This was half the military strength, not to mention an insult to House Arryn.
"I think you worry too much, old friend," the King said stubbornly. "Lord Tywin is in good health; Jaime won't inherit Casterly Rock anytime soon. Let's not talk about this anymore; what's done is done."
"Let's talk about military deployment instead. You will be the hand of the king, Jaime will be the warden of the east, and Stannis will be the master of ships. Littlefinger, Renly, and House Tyrell have good relations, so our fleet, soldiers, and grain will all be taken care of," the King added.
"But the military pay," Eddard also began to look displeased; the King trusted House Lannister too much. "The treasury does not have the gold to start a war."
"Others may not have the gold, but this war is also for my wife and Child, so it's only right for Tywin to contribute more money. Besides, the enemy across the sea won't land so easily. What you need to do now is to coordinate everything for me, like Jon did. When we see the enemy's blood and fire, Lord Tywin will naturally offer us gold," the King patted Eddard's shoulder.
"Your Majesty, forgive my bluntness."
"Anyway, I can't stop you," Robert grumbled. They rode through the tawny long grass.
"Are you trusting House Lannister too much?"
"Tywin is my father-in-law, Jaime is my wife's twin brother, and he is a sworn Kingsguard; his life, death, honor, and disgrace are all tied to me."
Eddard looked at the King; those old stories wounded him deeply.
Ser Jaime swore to protect the King with his life, but ended up slitting the King's throat with a sword.
When King's Landing fell, the roaring lion of House Lannister, not the crowned stag, flew from the battlements. The city was taken by House Lannister through deception. Not to mention the dishonorable slaughter of infants by Tywin's men.
"He once sat on the iron throne," Eddard said with his last bit of courage. "The Mad King lay in a pool of blood, the dragon bones on the wall watching him coldly. Lannister men were everywhere; Ser Jaime, in shining golden armor, wearing the white cloak of the Kingsguard, with a golden sword—that scene is still vivid in my mind. He sat on the iron throne, towering above all the warriors, majestic and spirited under his lion-headed helmet!"
"That's common knowledge!" the King complained.
"Is it just because of this small matter? He was only 17 then, still a Child." The King, however, burst into laughter. "I cannot distrust him just because he sat on the iron throne for a moment. Everything I've asked him to do, he has done very well. Without the Lannisters' contributions, our throne would not be easy."
"Alright, Eddard. Once your daughter and my son are married, we will be one family. Then, in harmony, I don't think Lord Tywin will remember your sour face."
"As you command!" Eddard said.
"Don't look so glum. When the war is over, I'll go riding for women, and you'll put this country in order for me. Stannis will watch over the fleet, and Jaime will guard the East for me. Once our Children are married, everything will be fine." The King smiled, but his smile only made Eddard feel more helpless.
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