Game of Thrones: King of Magic

Chapter 60

Eddard Stark. King's Landing.

I was in the Small Council Chamber, which had changed little during Robert's reign. The wide painting on the wall behind the King's seat remained the same, but not the ornamentation. The three-headed winged dragon of the Targaryen family had been replaced by a Baratheon stag, but otherwise I noticed no change.

In addition to me, all the other members of the Small Council of the Seven Kingdoms were here, including a relatively sober Robert, but there were others who should not have been here.

- You look sour, my lords," Oberyn Martell said with a touch of amusement, taking a seat at the table and raising his filled glass. - I suggest a drink. To the King, the Small Council, and the new Hand.

- What a talk! - Robert said approvingly and drained his glass, clearly not bothered by Oberyn's presence.

- To the King and the Silent Wolf," Petyr Baelish, Master of Coin and Treasurer of the Crown, said with his usual smile.

- Long live the King... and his family... and Lord Stark, the new Hand," Grand Maester Pycelle, acting as the King's Physician and Maester to the Red Keep, added in his usual measured tone.

I, too, took a sip, as did Stannis, Master of the Ships, while Ser Barristan Selmy, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, and Lord Varys, Master of the Whisperers, refrained and confined themselves to short nods.

- Let us begin, my lords," I said. - But first, Lord Oberyn, may I ask why you are here? This is a meeting of the Small Council, and you are not in it.

The Matrells' presence in King's Landing was strange indeed. They hated the Lannisters and everything to do with them, and so there were certain questions. I could understand if they came here on Robert's orders, but not of their own accord.

Was it related to John's death? If so, in what way? Might they know something?

By now, almost all of the biggest players have gathered in King's Landing. Starks, Baratheons, Martells and Tyrells. And I certainly find it all odd.

- Let it be there," Robert said. - At least there's some entertainment at this damned meeting.

- Thank you, Your Majesty," Lord Oberyn smiled and looked at me. - I will not disturb you, Lord Stark. I'm just bored, and it would be good to hear about the latest news in the kingdom. After all, Dorne is still part of the Seven Kingdoms, isn't it?

I, like most others, raised an eyebrow at Lord Oberyn's wording.

"Still?" What are the Martells planning? And how will it affect the kingdom? My men who had entrenched themselves in King's Landing knew nothing, and the Red Men still hadn't contacted me.

- "Still?" Dorne is planning to secede from the Seven Kingdoms? - Renly asked, voicing, in effect, the thoughts of everyone present.

- Not at all. We have hot temperaments, but not dementia," Lord Oberyn replied calmly. - And we are very vindictive.

Now I understood where he was going with this. Elia Martell. And the Martells still want revenge on Tywin Lannister and his entire family.

- Your sister's murder was brutal," the Grand Maester said. - But there was a war going on, and such sacrifices were inevitable. We must not forget them, but there is peace in the Seven Kingdoms now, peace that we all needed.

At this, the Grand Maester received a cold and bloodthirsty look from Lord Oberyn, which caused him to stop talking and lower his head.

- I apologize, Lord Oberyn. I was overreacting. We all grieve for Elia Martell," he said, and after a brief moment, Lord Oberyn's gaze returned to a cheerful and relaxed one.