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[[Eddard Stark|Ned]] and the [[small council]] deal with policing problems caused by the upcoming [[the Hand's tourney|tourney]]. After the meeting, [[Jory Cassel]] reports to Ned on interviews with [[Jon Arryn]]’s remaining household. The report includes mention of visits by Lord Arryn and [[Stannis Baratheon]] to a [[Chataya's brothel|brothel]] and an [[Tobho Mott|armorer]]. Ned orders Jory to identify the brothel and goes to visit the armorer himself. There he discovers an apprentice named [[Gendry]] who looks astonishingly like King [[Robert Baratheon|Robert]].
+
[[Eddard Stark|Ned]] and the [[small council]] deal with policing problems caused by the [[Hand's tourney|upcoming tourney]]. After the meeting, [[Jory Cassel]] reports to Ned on interviews with [[Jon Arryn]]'s remaining household. The report includes mention of visits by Lord Arryn and [[Stannis Baratheon]] to [[Chataya's brothel|a brothel]] and [[Tobho Mott|an armorer]]. Ned orders Jory to identify the brothel and goes to visit the armorer himself. There he discovers an apprentice named [[Gendry]] who looks astonishingly like King [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert]].
  
 
==Synopsis==
 
==Synopsis==
[[Eddard Stark|Ned]] and the [[small council]] hear [[City Watch of King's Landing|City Watch]] Commander [[Janos Slynt]]’s report about the significant increase in crime caused by the influx of people arriving for the upcoming tourney. Slynt requests more men. Ned agrees to hire fifty new watchmen, setting [[Petyr Baelish|Littlefinger]] to arrange the monetary details. When Littlefinger objects, Ned insists that since he found 40,000 [[Currency|gold dragons]] for the champion’s purse, he should be able to scrape together a few coppers to keep the King’s Peace. Ned also loans Slynt twenty of his own household guard.
+
[[Eddard Stark|Ned]] and the [[small council]] hear the report of [[Janos Slynt]], Commander of the [[City Watch of King's Landing]], about the significant increase in crime caused by the influx of people arriving for the upcoming tourney. Slynt requests more men. Ned agrees to hire fifty new watchmen, setting [[Petyr Baelish|Littlefinger]] to arrange the monetary details. When Littlefinger objects, Ned insists that since he found 40,000 [[Currency|gold dragons]] for the champion’s purse, he should be able to scrape together a few coppers to keep the King’s Peace. Ned also loans Slynt twenty of his own household guard.
  
Ned complains again about the tourney, still irritated that it is to be called "[[the Hand's tourney]]" despite his distaste. Moreover, King [[Robert Baratheon|Robert]] still insists that Ned should feel honored. Grand [[Maester]] [[Pycelle]] points out that a tourney is good for the realm because it brings the great an opportunity for glory and the lowly a respite from their woes. Littlefinger adds that it brings in lots of money, emphasizing full inns and whores walking bowlegged. Lord [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]] laughs, telling how his brother [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]] once proposed outlawing brothels, prompting Robert to ask if he wanted to outlaw eating, shitting, and breathing as well. Renly goes on to wonder how Stannis ever fathered his [[Shireen Baratheon|daughter]] when he goes to his marriage bed like he is marching to a battlefield to do his duty. Everyone laughs except Ned, who is preoccupied by thoughts of when Stannis will return and assume his [[Master of Ships|duties]] on the council.
+
Ned complains again about the tourney, still irritated that it is to be called "the [[Hand's tourney]]" despite his distaste. Moreover, King [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert]] still insists that Ned should feel honored. Grand Maester [[Pycelle]] points out that a tourney is good for the realm because it brings the great an opportunity for glory and the lowly a respite from their woes. Littlefinger adds that it brings in lots of money, emphasizing full inns and whores walking bowlegged. Lord [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]] laughs, telling how his brother [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]] once proposed outlawing brothels, prompting Robert to ask if he wanted to outlaw eating, shitting, and breathing as well. Renly goes on to wonder how Stannis ever fathered [[Shireen Baratheon|his daughter]] when he goes to his marriage bed like he is marching to a battlefield to do his duty. Everyone laughs except Ned, who is preoccupied by thoughts of when Stannis will return and assume his [[Master of Ships|duties]] on the council.
  
After the council adjourns, Ned returns to the [[Tower of the Hand]] and summons [[Jory Cassel]]. As he waits for his horse to be saddled, Ned peruses the book that [[Jon Arryn]] had been reading prior to his death: ''[[The Lineages and Histories of the Great Houses of the Seven Kingdoms, With Descriptions of Many High Lords and Noble Ladies and Their Children|Lineages of the Great Houses]]'' by Grand Maester [[Malleon]]. Its reading has proven extremely tedious, just as Pycelle warned, and scarcely a man now alive had been born when it was written, but Ned is sure [[Jon Arryn]] had a reason for reading it. As he browses the section on [[House Lannister]], Ned muses on their long history and the myths of their ancestor [[Lann the Clever]], who stole gold from the sun to brighten his curly hair.
+
After the council adjourns, Ned returns to the [[Tower of the Hand]] and summons [[Jory Cassel]]. As he waits for his horse to be saddled, Ned peruses the book that [[Jon Arryn]] had been reading prior to his death: ''[[The Lineages and Histories of the Great Houses of the Seven Kingdoms, With Descriptions of Many High Lords and Noble Ladies and Their Children|Lineages of the Great Houses]]'' by Grand Maester [[Malleon]]. Its reading has proven extremely tedious, just as Pycelle warned, and scarcely a man now alive had been born when it was written, but Ned is sure Jon Arryn had a reason for reading it. As he browses the section on [[House Lannister]], Ned muses on their long history and the myths of their ancestor [[Lann the Clever]], who stole gold from the sun to brighten his curly hair.
  
Jory arrives and briefs Ned on his interview with one of Jon Arryn’s stableboys, the last of the four leads provided by Littlefinger. Ser [[Hugh]] proved brusque, arrogant, and uninformative. The serving girl could only say that Jon Arryn had been reading too much, concerned about his [[Robert Arryn|son]]’s frailty, and gruff with his [[Lysa Arryn|wife]]. Meanwhile, the pot boy was only able to provide lots of kitchen gossip, including that Lord Stannis had accompanied Lord Arryn to meet an [[Tobho Mott|armorer]] about elaborate new armor. The stableboy proves just as informative. He swears that Lord Arryn was as strong as a man half his age and often went riding with Lord Stannis. This Ned finds strange; as far as he knew, Jon and Stannis were never friendly. Jory says that the stableboy also claims that Stannis and Jon Arryn visited a brothel together. Unfortunately, the boy did not know which brothel; only the guards that escorted them would know, and they were taken back to the [[Eyrie]] with Lady [[Lysa Arryn|Lysa]].
+
Jory arrives and briefs Ned on his interview with one of Jon Arryn's stableboys, the last of the four leads provided by Littlefinger. Ser [[Hugh]] proved brusque, arrogant, and uninformative. The serving girl could only say that Jon Arryn had been reading too much, concerned about [[Robert Arryn|his son's]] frailty, and gruff with [[Lysa Arryn|his wife]]. Meanwhile, the pot boy was only able to provide lots of kitchen gossip, including that Lord Stannis had accompanied Lord Arryn to meet an [[Tobho Mott|armorer]] about elaborate new armor. The stableboy proves just as informative. He swears that Lord Arryn was as strong as a man half his age and often went riding with Lord Stannis. This Ned finds strange; as far as he knew, Jon and Stannis were never friendly. Jory says that the stableboy also claims that Stannis and Jon Arryn visited a brothel together. Unfortunately, the boy did not know which brothel; only the guards that escorted them would know, and they were taken back to the [[Eyrie]] with Lady [[Lysa Arryn|Lysa]].
  
That Stannis would visit a brothel is very strange because he is so stern and humorless. That Stannis’ name keeps coming up and that he has left the city with no word about when he will return also vexes Ned. He wonders why Stannis would leave and decides that something must have frightened him, yet Ned cannot imagine what could have frightened Stannis, who withstood the year-long [[Siege of Storm's End]] by surviving on rats and boot leather. Both Ned and Jory find it frustrating that everyone that might know the truth is a thousand leagues away. When Jory asks if he will call Stannis back from [[Dragonstone]], Ned says not yet.
+
That Stannis would visit a brothel is very strange because he is so stern and humorless. That Stannis’ name keeps coming up and that he has left the city with no word about when he will return also vexes Ned. He wonders why Stannis would leave and decides that something must have frightened him, yet Ned cannot imagine what could have frightened Stannis, who withstood the year-long [[siege of Storm's End]] by surviving on rats and boot leather. Both Ned and Jory find it frustrating that everyone that might know the truth is a thousand leagues away. When Jory asks if he will call Stannis back from [[Dragonstone]], Ned says not yet.
  
Ned plans to visit the armorer himself and decides to wear his doublet with the direwolf sigil so the armorer will know who he is. As Jory dresses him, Ned wonders why Renly was not invited on the rides. Ned does not know what to make of Renly with his friendly ways and easy smiles. A few days back, Renly showed him a locket with a picture of [[Margaery Tyrell]]. He asked Ned if she resembled [[Lyanna Stark|Lyanna]] and seemed disappointed when Ned shrugged. Ned finds it queer that Renly, who looks so much like [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert]], would be obsessed with a lady that he thought looked like Lyanna.
+
Ned plans to visit the armorer himself and decides to wear his doublet with the direwolf sigil so the armorer will know who he is. As Jory dresses him, Ned wonders why Renly was not invited on the rides. Ned does not know what to make of Renly with his friendly ways and easy smiles. A few days back, Renly showed him a locket with a picture of [[Margaery Tyrell]]. He asked Ned if she resembled [[Lyanna Stark|Lyanna]] and seemed disappointed when Ned shrugged. Ned finds it queer that Renly, who looks so much like Robert, would be obsessed with a lady that he thought looked like Lyanna.
  
 
Ned tells Jory that it would be good if Stannis returned for the tourney, but Jory’s response makes Ned more certain that Stannis will not. He also wonders why Lord Arryn would be interested in showy armor when he had always considered armor something for protection, not ornament. Ned then tells Jory that he better start visiting brothels, which Jory jokingly calls a “hard duty.”
 
Ned tells Jory that it would be good if Stannis returned for the tourney, but Jory’s response makes Ned more certain that Stannis will not. He also wonders why Lord Arryn would be interested in showy armor when he had always considered armor something for protection, not ornament. Ned then tells Jory that he better start visiting brothels, which Jory jokingly calls a “hard duty.”
  
The streets of [[King’s Landing]] are crowded, but Ned and his guardsmen [[Varly]] and [[Jacks]] make it through the crowd to the [[Mud Gate]] where Lord [[Beric Dondarrion]] is arriving with his retinue to participate in the Tourney of the Hand. At the [[Visenya's Hill|top]] of the [[Street of Steel]] they find the huge house of the armorer [[Tobho Mott]]. After shouldering his way in, a serving girl notices Ned’s sigil and badge of office and Tobho Mott quickly appears, offering [[wine]]. Mott immediately tells Ned that his prices are not cheap but his craftsmanship in unequaled in the [[Seven Kingdoms]]. He adds proudly that [[Loras Tyrell|the Knight of Flowers]] buys all his armor from him and that he can work [[Valyrian steel]].
+
The streets of [[King’s Landing]] are crowded, but Ned and his guardsmen [[Varly]] and [[Jacks]] make it through the crowd to the [[Mud Gate]] where Lord [[Beric Dondarrion]] is arriving with his retinue to participate in the Hand's tourney. [[Visenya's Hill|At the top]] of the [[Street of Steel]] they find the huge house of the armorer [[Tobho Mott]]. After shouldering his way in, a serving girl notices Ned's sigil and badge of office and Tobho quickly appears, offering [[wine]]. Mott immediately tells Ned that his prices are not cheap but his craftsmanship in unequaled in the [[Seven Kingdoms]]. He adds proudly that the [[Loras Tyrell|Knight of Flowers]] buys all his armor from him and that he can work [[Valyrian steel]].
  
[[File:Ryan Barger City of Secrets.JPG|thumb|350px|left|Gendry, the apprentice armorer - Ryan Barger. © Fantasy Flight Games.]]
+
[[File:Ryan Barger City of Secrets.JPG|thumb|350px|[[Gendry]], the apprentice armorer, by Ryan Barger © Fantasy Flight Games]]
  
Ned lets the armorer go on for a while before he asks if Jon Arryn bought a falcon helm from him. Mott says that Lord Arryn bought nothing, only wanting to see the apprentice boy named [[Gendry]]. Any hint of friendliness leaves Mott when Ned asks to see the boy as well. In the hot stone barn that contains the forges, the armorer introduces Gendry and shows Ned a helmet that the boy has crafted. Ned notes that the unfinished helm is expertly shaped and offers to buy it. Gendry immediately grabs the helmet back, insisting it is not for sale. Mott rushes to offer apologies for Gendry’s behavior, but Ned states there is nothing to forgive.
+
Ned lets the armorer go on for a while before he asks if Jon Arryn bought a falcon helm from him. Mott says that Lord Arryn bought nothing, only wanting to see the apprentice boy named [[Gendry]]. Any hint of friendliness leaves Mott when Ned asks to see the boy as well. In the hot stone barn that contains the forges, the armorer introduces Gendry and shows Ned a helmet that the boy has crafted. Ned notes that the unfinished helm is expertly shaped and offers to buy it. Gendry immediately grabs the helmet back, insisting it is not for sale. Mott rushes to offer apologies for Gendry's behavior, but Ned states there is nothing to forgive.
  
 
Ned asks Gendry what he and Jon Arryn talked about. Gendry explains that Lord Arryn asked about his age, if he was well treated, and about his mother. Ned asks about the boy’s mother as well, and is told that she is dead, but that she was an alehouse wench with blonde hair. Ned examines Gendry and notices a remarkable resemblance to a younger King Robert, especially his black hair and blue eyes.
 
Ned asks Gendry what he and Jon Arryn talked about. Gendry explains that Lord Arryn asked about his age, if he was well treated, and about his mother. Ned asks about the boy’s mother as well, and is told that she is dead, but that she was an alehouse wench with blonde hair. Ned examines Gendry and notices a remarkable resemblance to a younger King Robert, especially his black hair and blue eyes.
  
Ned asks Mott who paid the boy’s apprentice fee. Mott claims he took the boy on for free since he was so strong. Ned does not believe this for a moment. Mott admits that an unknown lord had paid twice the normal apprentice fee for Gendry and said the extra money was for his silence. Ned decides he likes Tobho Mott. Before he leaves, Ned tells Mott to send Gendry to him if the day comes that he wants to wield a sword instead of forge one. Ned also quips that if he ever wants a helm to frighten children, this will be the first place he visits.
+
Ned asks Mott who paid the boy’s apprentice fee. Mott claims he took the boy on for free since he was so strong. Ned does not believe this for a moment. Mott admits that an unknown lord had paid twice the normal apprentice fee for Gendry and said the extra money was for his silence. Ned decides he likes Tobho. Before he leaves, Ned tells the armorer to send Gendry to him if the day comes that he wants to wield a sword instead of forge one. Ned also quips that if he ever wants a helm to frighten children, this will be the first place he visits.
  
As he rejoins his guards outside, Ned still doesn’t understand what Jon Arryn wanted with a king’s bastard, nor why it led to his death.
+
As he rejoins his guards outside, Ned still does not understand what Jon Arryn wanted with a king's bastard, nor why it led to his death.
  
 
==Character List==
 
==Character List==
Line 45: Line 45:
 
| style="width:25;" |
 
| style="width:25;" |
 
'''Appearing:'''
 
'''Appearing:'''
 +
{{Columns|2|
 
*[[Eddard Stark]]
 
*[[Eddard Stark]]
 
*[[Varys]]
 
*[[Varys]]
 
*[[Renly Baratheon]]
 
*[[Renly Baratheon]]
 
*[[Petyr Baelish]]
 
*[[Petyr Baelish]]
*[[Robert Baratheon]]
+
*[[Robert I Baratheon]]
 
*[[Janos Slynt]]
 
*[[Janos Slynt]]
*Maester [[Pycelle]]
+
*[[Pycelle]]
| style="width:25;" |
 
'''Appearing:'''
 
 
*[[Harwin]]
 
*[[Harwin]]
 
*[[Jory Cassel]]
 
*[[Jory Cassel]]
Line 61: Line 60:
 
*[[Tobho Mott]]
 
*[[Tobho Mott]]
 
*[[Gendry]]
 
*[[Gendry]]
 
+
}}
 
| style="width:25;" |
 
| style="width:25;" |
 
'''Mentioned:'''
 
'''Mentioned:'''
 +
{{Columns|3|
 
*[[Aegon I Targaryen]]
 
*[[Aegon I Targaryen]]
 
*[[Stannis Baratheon]]
 
*[[Stannis Baratheon]]
 +
*[[Shireen Baratheon]]
 +
*[[Malleon]]
 
*[[Hullen]]
 
*[[Hullen]]
 
*[[Catelyn Stark]]
 
*[[Catelyn Stark]]
Line 71: Line 73:
 
*[[Bran Stark]]
 
*[[Bran Stark]]
 
*[[Jon Snow]]
 
*[[Jon Snow]]
| style="width:25;" |
+
*[[Malleon]]
'''Mentioned:'''
 
*Maester [[Malleon]]
 
 
*[[Jon Arryn]]
 
*[[Jon Arryn]]
 
*[[House Lannister]]
 
*[[House Lannister]]
 
*[[Lann the Clever]]
 
*[[Lann the Clever]]
 
*[[Bran the Builder]]
 
*[[Bran the Builder]]
*[[House Casterly]]
 
 
*[[Alyn]]
 
*[[Alyn]]
| style="width:25;" |
+
*[[Hugh]]
'''Mentioned:'''
 
*Ser [[Hugh]]
 
 
*[[Lysa Arryn]]
 
*[[Lysa Arryn]]
 
*[[Robert Arryn]]
 
*[[Robert Arryn]]
*Maester [[Colemon]]
+
*[[Colemon]]
 
*[[Mace Tyrell]]
 
*[[Mace Tyrell]]
 
*[[Loras Tyrell]]
 
*[[Loras Tyrell]]
Line 93: Line 90:
 
*[[Tomard]]
 
*[[Tomard]]
 
*[[Desmond]]
 
*[[Desmond]]
 +
}}
 
|}
 
|}
 
==Terms and places mentioned==
 
==Terms and places mentioned==
Line 99: Line 97:
 
| style="width:25;" |
 
| style="width:25;" |
 
'''Places:'''
 
'''Places:'''
 +
{{Columns|3|
 
*[[King's Landing]]
 
*[[King's Landing]]
*[[Great Sept]]
+
**[[Great Sept]]
*[[Tower of the Hand]]
+
**[[Tower of the Hand]]
*[[Red Keep]]
+
**[[Street of Sisters]]
*[[River Gate]]
+
**[[Street of Steel]]
| style="width:25;" |
+
**[[Red Keep]]
'''Places mentioned:'''
+
**[[River Gate]]
 
*[[Dragonstone]]
 
*[[Dragonstone]]
 
*[[Casterly Rock]]
 
*[[Casterly Rock]]
 
*[[Winterfell]]
 
*[[Winterfell]]
*[[Eyrie]]
+
*[[The Vale]]
 +
**[[Eyrie]]
 
*[[Storm's End]]
 
*[[Storm's End]]
 
*[[Qohor]]
 
*[[Qohor]]
 +
}}
 
| style="width:25;" |
 
| style="width:25;" |
 
'''Terms:'''
 
'''Terms:'''
*[[City Watch]]
+
{{Columns|2|
 +
*[[City Watch of King's Landing|City Watch]]
 
*[[Age of Heroes]]
 
*[[Age of Heroes]]
|}
+
*[[Hand's tourney]]
 
+
*[[The Lineages and Histories of the Great Houses of the Seven Kingdoms|Book of Lineages]]
{| class="wikitable" width="100%"
 
|- valign="top"
 
| style="width:25;" |
 
'''Items and events:'''
 
*[[The Hand's tourney]]
 
*[[The Lineages and Histories of the Great Houses of the Seven Kingdoms]]
 
 
*[[Valyrian steel]]
 
*[[Valyrian steel]]
 +
*[[House Casterly]]
 +
*[[Small Council]]
 +
*[[Hand of the King]]
 +
}}
 
|}
 
|}
 +
==External links==
 +
*[http://www.tor.com/blogs/2011/07/a-read-of-ice-and-fire-a-game-of-thrones-part-14 Summary and analyses of the chapter] by Leigh Butler.
 +
*[http://towerofthehand.com/books/101/028/index.html Summary of the chapter] on Tower of the Hand.
  
[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters|A Game of Thrones: Chapter 27]]
+
[[Category:A Song of Ice And Fire chapters|A Game of Thrones: Chapter 27]]
[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters--POV Eddard Stark]]
+
[[Category:A Song of Ice And Fire chapters--POV Eddard Stark]]
 
[[Category:Chapters which take place in King's Landing]]
 
[[Category:Chapters which take place in King's Landing]]
 
[[Category:Chapters which take place at the Red Keep]]
 
[[Category:Chapters which take place at the Red Keep]]

Latest revision as of 00:00, 20 March 2022

Eddard VI
A Game of Thrones chapter
AGameOfThrones.jpg
POV Eddard Stark
Place King's Landing
Page 227 (US bantam HC) US HC (Other versions)
Chapter chronology (All)
Eddard V
Jon IV  ← Eddard VI →  Catelyn V

Eddard VII

Ned and the small council deal with policing problems caused by the upcoming tourney. After the meeting, Jory Cassel reports to Ned on interviews with Jon Arryn's remaining household. The report includes mention of visits by Lord Arryn and Stannis Baratheon to a brothel and an armorer. Ned orders Jory to identify the brothel and goes to visit the armorer himself. There he discovers an apprentice named Gendry who looks astonishingly like King Robert.

Synopsis

Ned and the small council hear the report of Janos Slynt, Commander of the City Watch of King's Landing, about the significant increase in crime caused by the influx of people arriving for the upcoming tourney. Slynt requests more men. Ned agrees to hire fifty new watchmen, setting Littlefinger to arrange the monetary details. When Littlefinger objects, Ned insists that since he found 40,000 gold dragons for the champion’s purse, he should be able to scrape together a few coppers to keep the King’s Peace. Ned also loans Slynt twenty of his own household guard.

Ned complains again about the tourney, still irritated that it is to be called "the Hand's tourney" despite his distaste. Moreover, King Robert still insists that Ned should feel honored. Grand Maester Pycelle points out that a tourney is good for the realm because it brings the great an opportunity for glory and the lowly a respite from their woes. Littlefinger adds that it brings in lots of money, emphasizing full inns and whores walking bowlegged. Lord Renly laughs, telling how his brother Stannis once proposed outlawing brothels, prompting Robert to ask if he wanted to outlaw eating, shitting, and breathing as well. Renly goes on to wonder how Stannis ever fathered his daughter when he goes to his marriage bed like he is marching to a battlefield to do his duty. Everyone laughs except Ned, who is preoccupied by thoughts of when Stannis will return and assume his duties on the council.

After the council adjourns, Ned returns to the Tower of the Hand and summons Jory Cassel. As he waits for his horse to be saddled, Ned peruses the book that Jon Arryn had been reading prior to his death: Lineages of the Great Houses by Grand Maester Malleon. Its reading has proven extremely tedious, just as Pycelle warned, and scarcely a man now alive had been born when it was written, but Ned is sure Jon Arryn had a reason for reading it. As he browses the section on House Lannister, Ned muses on their long history and the myths of their ancestor Lann the Clever, who stole gold from the sun to brighten his curly hair.

Jory arrives and briefs Ned on his interview with one of Jon Arryn's stableboys, the last of the four leads provided by Littlefinger. Ser Hugh proved brusque, arrogant, and uninformative. The serving girl could only say that Jon Arryn had been reading too much, concerned about his son's frailty, and gruff with his wife. Meanwhile, the pot boy was only able to provide lots of kitchen gossip, including that Lord Stannis had accompanied Lord Arryn to meet an armorer about elaborate new armor. The stableboy proves just as informative. He swears that Lord Arryn was as strong as a man half his age and often went riding with Lord Stannis. This Ned finds strange; as far as he knew, Jon and Stannis were never friendly. Jory says that the stableboy also claims that Stannis and Jon Arryn visited a brothel together. Unfortunately, the boy did not know which brothel; only the guards that escorted them would know, and they were taken back to the Eyrie with Lady Lysa.

That Stannis would visit a brothel is very strange because he is so stern and humorless. That Stannis’ name keeps coming up and that he has left the city with no word about when he will return also vexes Ned. He wonders why Stannis would leave and decides that something must have frightened him, yet Ned cannot imagine what could have frightened Stannis, who withstood the year-long siege of Storm's End by surviving on rats and boot leather. Both Ned and Jory find it frustrating that everyone that might know the truth is a thousand leagues away. When Jory asks if he will call Stannis back from Dragonstone, Ned says not yet.

Ned plans to visit the armorer himself and decides to wear his doublet with the direwolf sigil so the armorer will know who he is. As Jory dresses him, Ned wonders why Renly was not invited on the rides. Ned does not know what to make of Renly with his friendly ways and easy smiles. A few days back, Renly showed him a locket with a picture of Margaery Tyrell. He asked Ned if she resembled Lyanna and seemed disappointed when Ned shrugged. Ned finds it queer that Renly, who looks so much like Robert, would be obsessed with a lady that he thought looked like Lyanna.

Ned tells Jory that it would be good if Stannis returned for the tourney, but Jory’s response makes Ned more certain that Stannis will not. He also wonders why Lord Arryn would be interested in showy armor when he had always considered armor something for protection, not ornament. Ned then tells Jory that he better start visiting brothels, which Jory jokingly calls a “hard duty.”

The streets of King’s Landing are crowded, but Ned and his guardsmen Varly and Jacks make it through the crowd to the Mud Gate where Lord Beric Dondarrion is arriving with his retinue to participate in the Hand's tourney. At the top of the Street of Steel they find the huge house of the armorer Tobho Mott. After shouldering his way in, a serving girl notices Ned's sigil and badge of office and Tobho quickly appears, offering wine. Mott immediately tells Ned that his prices are not cheap but his craftsmanship in unequaled in the Seven Kingdoms. He adds proudly that the Knight of Flowers buys all his armor from him and that he can work Valyrian steel.

Gendry, the apprentice armorer, by Ryan Barger © Fantasy Flight Games

Ned lets the armorer go on for a while before he asks if Jon Arryn bought a falcon helm from him. Mott says that Lord Arryn bought nothing, only wanting to see the apprentice boy named Gendry. Any hint of friendliness leaves Mott when Ned asks to see the boy as well. In the hot stone barn that contains the forges, the armorer introduces Gendry and shows Ned a helmet that the boy has crafted. Ned notes that the unfinished helm is expertly shaped and offers to buy it. Gendry immediately grabs the helmet back, insisting it is not for sale. Mott rushes to offer apologies for Gendry's behavior, but Ned states there is nothing to forgive.

Ned asks Gendry what he and Jon Arryn talked about. Gendry explains that Lord Arryn asked about his age, if he was well treated, and about his mother. Ned asks about the boy’s mother as well, and is told that she is dead, but that she was an alehouse wench with blonde hair. Ned examines Gendry and notices a remarkable resemblance to a younger King Robert, especially his black hair and blue eyes.

Ned asks Mott who paid the boy’s apprentice fee. Mott claims he took the boy on for free since he was so strong. Ned does not believe this for a moment. Mott admits that an unknown lord had paid twice the normal apprentice fee for Gendry and said the extra money was for his silence. Ned decides he likes Tobho. Before he leaves, Ned tells the armorer to send Gendry to him if the day comes that he wants to wield a sword instead of forge one. Ned also quips that if he ever wants a helm to frighten children, this will be the first place he visits.

As he rejoins his guards outside, Ned still does not understand what Jon Arryn wanted with a king's bastard, nor why it led to his death.

Character List

Appearing:

Mentioned:

Terms and places mentioned

Places:

Terms:

External links