Chapter 168 167. Knight's Morality
When Ed and Lan returned to the Prime Minister's Tower, the originally solemn and orderly entrance to the tower had become a mess.
This place is a bit difficult to walk around, let alone walking around.
Needless to say, this is the credit of Jory Kelso.
After Eddard returned to the Prime Minister's Tower, he rewarded and praised the guard captain for his efforts and loyalty, and explained the current situation and would take them back to Winterfell in the north. Gather your vassals to prepare for war.
It stands to reason that Robert, as the leader of the Seven Kingdoms, should be more than adequate to the Lannister West.
But war is not simply about showing off the horses and horses.
How many families has Tywin Lannister befriended and controlled using his own gold mines over the years? No one knows this.
How many people still secretly miss the days when they were ruled by the Targaryen family? No one knows this either.
One thing everyone knows is that when Robert wants to defeat Lannister, he will definitely not face just a Lannister, Duke of the West.
Therefore, Ed Stark had to urgently return to the north to gather troops to prepare for a big war that would probably engulf the entire kingdom.
"Sansa, you and Arya stay in King's Landing. This time is not for fun. We have to march quickly. There is going to be a war."
Ed gave instructions to the panicked eldest daughter. , while sorting out the scrolls, documents, and seals on his desk.
The dragon bone dagger was inserted into his waist.
Sansa is not a strong character. Generally, she will not refute Ed's orders.
I was timid and had to agree immediately.
But Ed not only has an obedient daughter, but also an active and bold daughter.
“There’s going to be a war?!”
Arya’s face showed worry at first. It was different from the worry on Sansa’s face. She really saw it next to Lan En. More than bloody and cruel.
She is worried that the world will become a chaotic and violent world.
But at the same time, there was also an eagerness to try in the little girl's eyes. She was born with the "blood of a running wolf" who yearns for adventure.
"Can I come with you? Even a quick march! I can hold on! Please, Dad! Let me see!"
Aliya tugged on Ed's pants , making a pleading gesture.
But Ed had already expected how difficult this little daughter would be.
“Don’t even think about it, Alia. I know exactly what hardships you can endure when you grow up, whether it’s a forced march or the obstacles and dangers you may encounter on the road. I can’t possibly take you with me. .”
After saying that, Ed turned around and left. Although his departure was a forced march, because of his high position and authority, he did have too many things that he had to carry with him.
Going downstairs from the study room, Ed felt a little strange at this moment. Aria seemed to be particularly easy to deal with today. Normally, this kind of request would not stop for half an hour.
But after all, the situation was in a hurry, and the Prime Minister had no time to think about his daughter's abnormality, so he could only step up and immerse himself in action.
"Qory, go to the palace cellar and help Lann pack the dragon bones and take them away. That is the king's reward for him. You have to move quickly, we will set off in an hour!"
"Yes, my lord."
When Eddard followed Robert from the north to King's Landing, their long caravan could stretch several miles along the way.
Now, traveling lightly and simply, there are about twenty people equipped with two horses, and a large cart is responsible for transporting things. Mainly a giant dragon mandible.
The mandible is so rugged and ferocious that even the edge of it hangs down to the ground when it is placed on the carriage.
Fortunately, the dragon skeleton is relatively light due to flight, otherwise the forward speed may be affected.
The bones of ‘Black Death’ Balerion, this mandible alone has taken up more than half of the space of the cart.
There is actually Balerion's entire skull in the palace crypt, but it's a bit exaggerated to be able to swallow a mammoth's head in one gulp.
In order to ensure the speed of movement and the load-bearing capacity estimated by Lan En, this mandible is the limit.
More than 20 people and more than 40 horses were ready to go in front of the Prime Minister's Tower.
"Sansa, where is Arya?" Eddard, who was riding a horse, asked his daughter who was seeing her off in front of the Prime Minister's Tower.
"I don't know." The red-haired lady was still immersed in uneasiness, "If you don't let Aria go with you, she will probably be angry and hide."
Ed shook his head helplessly.
"I'm not in King's Landing, you have to take care of your sister and we're leaving!"
With the last instruction, the convoy immediately took action.
The rumble of horse hooves sounded, running towards the outside of the Red Castle.
Ordinary residents of King's Landing were also vaguely aware that something was wrong with the atmosphere in the capital at this time, and word had spread about a fight near the Mud Gate.
The noble adults began to fight each other. Whether they were frightened civilians or somewhat ambitious figures, it was impossible for them to not care about the current situation.
At this time in Junlin City, there were eyes in the cracks of every window observing the group of people leaving the city.
Lan En can keenly feel the sight of these observations, and he also knows in his heart that in this way.
Going to the north and returning to the intersection of the celestial sphere will never be the same. It will be fine.
——
The King's Road is a high-quality road that runs almost throughout the continent of Westeros.
This is the road Lan En and the others took when they came to King's Landing.
In ancient times when there were no cement asphalt pavements, regular roads with strong load-bearing capacity were a luxury.
The quality of the road itself largely determines the speed of travel.
Ed also knew that taking the King's Road would be equivalent to exposing himself to spies, but in order to gain time, they had to take this road.
“We take the King’s Road from King’s Landing back to the North. We will first be in the royal territory, then enter the Riverlands, and then cross the Neck to reach the North.”
Ed explained his plan to Lan En beside him, and hoped that he could check for his mistakes and fill in the gaps.
“None of these territories are within the Lannister sphere of influence. The North belongs to the Stark family, and the royal territory is directly loyal to Robert. As for the Riverlands, I told you before, they belong to my wife. My mother’s family.”
Lan En nodded lightly.
"That is to say, we will not encounter large forces belonging to Lannister. Unless they have begun to fully invade other territories and declare war on local lords."
"But you should be prepared, right? Opposite us. It's impossible not to send a small force to intercept and kill you."
"Yes." Ed sighed deeply.
“I have been fighting all my life, and I know that this journey will never be easy. But I also know how unruly the lords in the north are. My eldest son is very good, but he is still too young after all. . There is a big gap between him and you. I have to admit it, Lan En. I didn't trust him to put the task of summoning the vassals of the north on his shoulders."
"We understood. The place where we meet is near Ningze, and I will send you there. Until then, I will still be your guard, and I will perform my duties as a guard."
Ed looked at Lan En and murmured a few times, looking a little confused.
"Actually, Lan En, if you don't want a title or a fief, then based on your ability, the best choice is to be alone in this war. This war will be very chaotic."
< br>Lan En looked at Ed for a while as if he was sizing up some kind of precious animal, and then suddenly smiled.
“You are in this situation, and you are still honest with me?”
“I must explain to you clearly the risks and benefits of the task, and then let you decide whether to accept it or not. This is the basic morality of being an employer." Ed looked at Lan En seriously.
"This is also the morality of being a knight. Maybe the knights you see rarely follow this morality anymore, but the Stark family is different!"
Lan said with a sense of seeing interesting things smile and nod gently. This expression even made Ed a little at a loss.
"I am sure that you are a knight worthy of my appreciation, Lord Stark. Then this time."
"Even if it is not for Arya's sake, I will Help you walk back to the North."
The Duke of the North looked confused when he heard this: "Huh? What does this have to do with Aria?"
Lan En smiled and said nothing.
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(End of this chapter)