Game of Dragonborn. [BOOK 1/2]

Chapter 196 - Trial by Combat.

[Chapter Size: 2000 Words.]

Third Person POV.

Winterfell.

...

...

It was in the middle of the morning, when Winterfell's courtyard could not have been more crowded.

It was full from the ground of the courtyard to the castle's balconies and windows. All were interested in the morning event that would define Lord Stark's fate.

He had just stepped out through the main entrance of the castle, receiving the stares of everyone who quickly noticed his presence. He walked beside his eldest son.

"You'll be alright?" Robb didn't fail to ask at his side, worried about his father.

"...I can fight for you, be your champion. I've already fought him, I know a bit of his fighting style, I might have more luck..." he insisted.

Ned stopped walking at that moment and turned back to his son, raising an eyebrow.

"You speak as if any living man could defeat him. You know very well what he is capable of. You say you know how he fights, but you have no idea how to defeat him." Lord Stark said with a stern tone. "What good is it, if I must take up the sword as we do in the North... We fight with honor and this fight is mine. I have trained for this these past days. I already said I would fight. You don't need to return to this matter." It was not the first time Robb made that request.

Lord Stark continued walking, while the crowd opened for him to pass. He proceeded with some Northern lords, receiving nods and comments of good luck.

"As if that would actually help me..." he muttered with displeasure, but continued forward until the people opened the way enough for him to reach the clear center of the courtyard, where Daemon spoke with the blonde who was always with him. Near them, his enormous axe was embedded in the ground, a few meters to the side.

Lord Stark, like many there, felt his eyes drawn to the weapon. That weapon looked magical simply by its design, with runes glowing on its blade between blue and gold.

Lord Stark did not fail to admire it. He had heard of that axe: they said it could generate ice, making its blade grow. That it had been found beyond the Wall together with Daemon's dragon. All of this, according to Benjen's accounts — who had heard the story directly from Daemon — was the axe that held the dragon trapped in a place in the middle of an army of the dead far to the extreme North.

So that weapon would be used against him in that combat.

Lord Stark analyzed the scene, keeping Ice still sheathed at his side. Daemon watched him calmly, ignoring any previous conversation with the blonde.

Stark stared at Daemon with his gray eyes, while Daemon returned the gaze with those bright violet eyes.

"Val, step back," Daemon said to the blonde who was beside him. She left him and silently entered the crowd, positioning herself to watch the fight.

"I suppose we don't have much time to waste. Let's get straight to the point," Daemon said and looked toward the maester.

Maester Wolkan nodded and approached the center.

"We are here today for the trial by combat granted to Lord Stark for his crimes against His Majesty in his childhood. The king has chosen no champion other than himself, and Lord Stark has done the same. Today, the gods will decide Lord Stark's fate through this combat — whether he is guilty or innocent. Both may prepare." Wolkan stepped back, giving them space to take their positions.