Chapter 57 Return to the Valley
The curls of cigarette curled around Artis's fingertips, and the gorgeous orange color of the sparks followed the gradually expanding burnt blackness and spread to the entire envelope. Attis put down the letter and threw it into the stove just before it burned out, watching it dance inside.
This is a letter from Riverrun sent by Blackfish from the Blood Gate. To be precise, it is a letter personally sent by Edmure Tully, who confused him.
Lady Catelyn wanted to enter the Eyrie in the name of Sister Lysa, which was really novel. The Tully family secretly sent a letter of accusation to the Iron Throne, and then sent a letter to the Blood Gate to ask Brynden Tully to protect her. Pass through the Blood Gate and ascend to the Eagle's Nest. The Tully siblings probably thought that King Robert would actively cooperate with such accusations, and they probably thought that there were so-called secrets in the Red Keep.
Could it be that he wanted to see his own reaction? If he refused, he would be considered guilty, which would only prove Tully's accusations? Attis touched the silver-gold sword scabbard on his waist and thought to himself.
Although Attis was not in the Valley, he could foresee how violently the noble knights in the Valley would react to the Tully family's actions. For the purpose of comforting and protecting people, Attis even sent a letter to Brynden. , let him run away on his own and leave the valley. In this tense situation, there are still members of the Tully family. Although Heiyu has changed his family and dyed the trout black, I am afraid that only Heiyu himself recognizes this matter.
The days in King's Landing gradually calmed down, and the hustle and bustle of the tourney seemed to have nothing to do with him. Although many contestants called on the Eagles of the Vale to compete with them, Attis himself was not interested in it. He seemed to remember that his father did not have much The experience of participating in a tourney. Even as the Duke of the Eagle's Nest City, it seems that there is only one decent tourney held. It was held at the Gate of the Moon to commemorate Attis's first name day. It was that time that made the entire Moon Mountains, regardless of friend or foe, , the mountain clans and the vassals of all sizes knew the name of Attis Aylin, the name that existed in the heroic epic.
Especially when his father saw King Robert holding tourneys without any restrictions, he seemed very disgusted with tourneys and even dinners. In history, Attis rarely saw knights or knights from the Arryn family. The head of the family frequently participates in tournaments, and the Aelin family, which seems to value glory, does not believe that the honor of tournaments is worth the risk they pursue. Perhaps Attis's rejection at this time is related to some mysterious inheritance of this ancient bloodline.
Attis stood up and looked out the window.
"Dong" there was a slight knock on the door, and An Gai's voice came from outside, "Master, the Prime Minister is calling you."
"I understand." Attis replied briefly. He had not stepped into the Red Keep for a long time. As the Duke of the Valley with real power and the golden-robed commander of King's Landing, it was his choice to actively avoid suspicion of government affairs. Moreover, although the Red Keep was flying the direwolf flag and the crowned deer flag, he never felt safe in this castle.
He walked out of the bedroom. The horses and the blue-robed guards were already waiting in line. Ange came over with the horse, and Attis got up and said, "Go to the Red Castle." He gave the order briefly, then raised his whip and ran straight out.
"Drive!" The voices of the blue-robed knights came from behind, and they all headed towards the Red Castle.
……
Eddard Stark looked helplessly at the people of the Riverlands under the high platform of the Iron Throne. The crowd of petitioners swarmed in front of the throne room. Varys looked at the scene in front of him with curiosity, showing a mysterious but very interesting expression to Eddard. With angry smiles, the female family members of King's Landing and the royal nobles who were witnesses leaned on both sides of the throne room. It was obvious from their expressions that they were pointing. Most of them looked at the disheveled and dirty petitioners with disgust.
The noise was endless, and Ed couldn't bear it, so he said, "Okay, everyone, be quiet!" The sound in the throne room stopped instantly, and they all looked at Ed, who was sitting on the Iron Throne. The old man in front of the petitioners was so frightened that he quickly knelt down, too afraid to raise his head to look at Ed.
"How did you know it was the Aelin family's army?" Varys asked the petitioners when everyone stopped talking.
The old man pointed and drew, "Blue falcon flags, groups, foreign accents."
"They also brought blue shields." The thin woman behind said.
"Not only that," said the old woman beside her, "they even raised a big eagle."
"Hahahahaha!" These words caused everyone in the throne room to laugh.
"Everyone get up," Ed ordered. He never believed that those who kneeled could tell the truth. "Get up and speak."
The petitioners hesitated, "Didn't you hear? The Prime Minister asked you to get up and talk." Varys waved his hand and showed an apologetic smile to Ed.
What is hidden in the smile of the eight-clawed spider? Ed didn't understand at all.
"Who told you that the blue falcon is the flag of House Arryn?" Eddard asked this seemingly irrelevant question and looked into the petitioner's eyes. Only a sincere look can dispel the lie, Eddard thought to himself .
There was nothing strange in the petitioner's eyes. He looked into Ed's eyes and asked puzzledly: "Uh, Mr. Prime Minister, haven't you heard of the Valley Eagle?"
The old woman interjected doubtfully: "The Prime Minister doesn't know this?"
"Don't be rude to the Prime Minister!" Sir Arys Alderheart of the Kingsguard shouted loudly. The petitioner immediately lowered his head, and the old woman even staggered and almost fell.
Ed stopped Arys and said: "It doesn't have to be like this, Sir Arys."
"They set fire to the village," the girl said with tears in her eyes, "and killed my mother, not even Benben."
Wallis sighed sadly, "Oh, poor child, why did the gods create this evil karma?" He seemed to be trying to comfort the girl, "Don't worry, child, be strong. Is Benben your brother? I'm so sorry."
The girl looked at the fat eunuch in front of her with tears, "Benben is my puppy, and my father left it to me before he passed away."
"Oh~" Wallis put a hand on the back of his hand sadly and looked at the Prime Minister.
"Duke Attis will be here soon, and I will ask personally," Ed stood up, "Everyone, step aside."
Ser Arys of the Kingsguard stepped forward, a man in golden robes rushing forward with a spear in hand. The petitioners left the throne room, and the crowd of onlookers gradually dispersed.
"Everyone can see that this group of commoners have got it wrong." Lord Beric Dondarrion walked up to the Prime Minister. He had been among the crowd watching.
Young Ser Loras Tyrell echoed: "Ser Attis is a great knight, and it is impossible to commit such atrocities, I swear to the gods in heaven."
"Duke Attis may not be like this, but there is no guarantee that his group of proud vassals will not retaliate." Grand Maester Pycelle, who had been silent, said.
Eddard looked at the old maester and asked, "Continue, Lord Pycelle."
"Ahem," Pycelle started with his classic cough, which Eddard already knew after spending so much time with him, "you know, the accusations in Riverrun are already known to all," He glanced at Varys and said, "I didn't mean to say that, Lord Varys, you have to keep the secret of the Red Castle."
Varys shrugged, "I can only do this if King Robert doesn't get angry in front of everyone, Lord Pycelle."
"Okay." Ed said impatiently. The things he originally wanted to focus on were unable to fully concentrate on the investigation in the face of a series of changes in the kingdom.
Pycelle bowed slightly and said: "The accusations in Riverrun are known throughout the country. I think even the knights in the valley will hear about this accusation regardless of what happens outside the valley."
"That makes sense." Varys agreed.
Earl Berry frowned, "If the people of the valley really want to do something, how can they get out of the valley? Will the Knights of the Blood Gate send their troops out of the valley for no reason?"
"Lord Beric Dondarrion may not know something," Pycelle turned to Lord Beric and said, "Duke Attis once accepted King Robert's military order and sent troops to sweep the Moon Mountains. To wipe out the mountain clans, there is a thousand valleys. The cavalry are arranged outside the Blood Gate, I'm afraid..."
"I think it's a false accusation," Wallis shook his head, "Who would fly the banner of the lord when they rob?"
"Proud, I think," Pycelle looked at the eunuch, "Lord Varys may not have read the history of the valley. Their Canyon Knights are quite like running wolves."
"Running Wolf?" Ed frowned slightly. He didn't know why there was such an analogy.
"Ha," Grand Maester Pycelle said rather awkwardly, "In academic discussions, doctors of history like to describe the unrestrained and free valley knights in this way, although I don't know how the closed valley gave birth to this group of knights... ”
Before he finished speaking, young Loras Tyrell shouted happily: "Duke Attis is here!"
Several people looked towards the door of the main hall. Attis Arryn walked in slowly. He did not look at the people discussing, but focused his eyes on the empty Iron Throne. The sound of metal clashing came from him. Come, the scabbard rubs against the silver chain mail of Attis, and the falcon-winged helmet is worn on the body. This fully armed appearance is rarely seen in King's Landing Ed, even if Attis is seen wearing armor, He was also mixed in with the cavalry in King's Landing in the valley. He was wearing plate armor and a huge helmet. Outsiders could not tell where Attis was in the cavalry.
"Attis," Ed called to him.
Attis walked up to Ed and nodded slightly, "Sir Ed."
Pycelle and Varys, including Lord Beric on the side, all consciously remained silent. Sir Loras looked at Attis quite excitedly, with some envy in his eyes.
"Attis," Ed said solemnly, "the lower reaches of the Red Fork River..."
Attis directly interrupted the Prime Minister, "Lord Ed," he looked at Ed firmly, "I already know, the whole city knows."
"Damn it!" Ed cursed. There were indeed no secrets in the Red Keep. "I am going to return to the fiefdom and gather the army." Attis said bluntly.
Earl Berry frowned tightly. As an earl, he didn't expect Attis to say "call the army" so straightforwardly. This is the Red Keep, this is King's Landing, and the Iron Throne is still here.
"Attis," Ed said with a frown. Attis's choice made him quite angry. The conflict between the West and the Riverlands was already at an all-time high. If the Valley crosses the river again... "This will only make things worse." , children.”
Attis sighed after hearing this. He looked directly at Eddard and said to him: "Eddard Stark." Eddard was stunned. Attis never called him by his first name. "King Robert's King." Hand, Prime Minister, Guardian of the North," Attis said word by word: "My duty is not to stay in the Red Keep, but to stay by your side." He pointed at the iron pattern of the blue falcon on his armor, "I am the Duke of the Eyrie, the Guardian of the Vale. I will not allow lies and groundless accusations to damage the honor of the family and the people of the Vale. I must respond, Lord Stark."
Hearing these words, Ed seemed to feel that millions of words were stuck in his throat and could not be uttered. He looked at Attis, who had been calm and focused on the overall situation, feeling helpless and speechless. If it were him, he probably wouldn't Be indifferent, otherwise the vassals will only feel that their lord is weak. The experience of Tywin Lannister's father "The Laughing Lion" has fully demonstrated the consequences in history.
Loras's smile became even brighter after hearing this. All wise leaders in history have acted decisively, and Duke Attis has become more and more like a legendary knight.
"I'm afraid..." Pycelle looked at Attis and said tentatively.
Varys shook his head and expressed his helplessness, "If the Duke insists, I am afraid no one in the world can stop it. When our dear King Robert hears about this, he will definitely reconcile."
"King Robert has not yet given instructions," Attis said. "The knights of the Vale will first manage the security of the Riverlands for Riverrun and hang all the bandits pretending to be from the Vale."
Pycelle frowned slightly. Attis did not declare war on the Riverlands as expected. It would be difficult to keep the queen's matter a secret. If the valley water could not be removed in advance, how would the lion face the Lu family's coalition forces.
"If we are searching for bandits," Loras suddenly said excitedly, "If possible, Duke Attis, I am willing to go with you."
"A hero comes from a young man." Varys said leisurely and praised Loras Tyrell.
Ed took a deep breath, "Attis," he asked, "can you promise not to expand the war and only punish criminals on behalf of the Iron Throne?"
"Not only on behalf of the Iron Throne," Attis shook his head, "On behalf of me, but also on behalf of the Vale itself." But he did not agree. Although he was not willing to cause trouble under King Robert's rule, the behavior of the Tully family Even if he could endure it, the nobles of the valley would not be able to endure it.
"Can I go?" Loras looked at Attis longingly.
Attis raised his eyebrows slightly. He had not noticed the young Tyrell in front of him. He had only seen Loras' outstanding performance from a distance in the tourney before, but had not observed him up close.
"Loras," Ed said, "I respect your bravery, but this is not related to the knight's dream, but to the laws of the kingdom and..." Ed looked at Attis, "and the honor of the nobility."
Attis smiled slightly. He understood what Eddard meant, but he looked at Loras, "Ser Loras, it may take a lot of time to go to the Riverlands. I don't doubt your bravery, but Lord Renly Still in King's Landing, is he really willing to let you leave King's Landing?"
Loras wanted to refute when he heard Eddard's words, but when Attis talked about Renly, he frowned and fell silent.
"Lord Beric," Eddard looked at Beric Dondarrion, "I hope you can lead fifty people to follow Duke Attis and assist the Duke of Vale on behalf of the Iron Throne to go to the Riverlands to suppress the bandits."
Attis nodded knowingly, and the compromise and deal between the Iron Throne and the Valley came to an end at this time. Earl Berry was like a supervisor in the military camp, supervising the behavior of the Valley, and took him to the military camp in the Valley, also in Tell the vassals the attitude of the Iron Throne, and calm the restless hearts of the radicals who want to hit Riverrun at this time. And the actions in the valley are also protected by legal principles. King Robert is not dead yet, and the game of the nobles is still on the table. They must not exceed the rules at any step, so as to protect themselves and the valley.
Lord Beric Dondarrion lowered his head and replied: "As you wish, Lord Eddard."
Attis smiled and looked at Berry, "It's time to hit the road. The sins are waiting to be punished, Lord Berry."
……
The blue flag was waving under the gate of King's Landing. Passers-by looked up and saw the Crescent Falcon as if they were really on the blue sky, soaring freely between the open world.
Attis stood on horseback in front, and countless people looked sideways at this knight of legend, a suspect in the crimes of the Riverlands, and the powerful guardian of the East. Their hearts were filled with either admiration, suspicion, or resentment and jealousy. But no one dared to say anything, they just stared silently and silently walked around this group of heavily armed valley heavy cavalry, gossiping and gossiping could only be passed on to those around them afterwards.
"Words are like the wind, sir." Xiu Fu looked at Attis. He knew that the remarks about the Duke of the Valley in the tavern had already reached Attis's ears. Seeing that Attis was indifferent, Ange also said: "This is not your home, sir." He pointed to the northeast, "Eyrie City is your home. The people there trust you, and the sky there is Can fly freely ”
Attis did not directly respond to these meanings, but looked at Angei with a smile on his face, "When did you start quoting poetry? Your words seem to be included in Bachelor Ruben's Valley Travels."
An Gai blushed with embarrassment, "Don't be ridiculous, sir, I can't read."
"You often go to Flea Bottom in King's Landing. Which girl will recite poetry to you?" Attis said to the people around him, causing everyone to laugh and booed Ange.
"Anya? Which lady? Or the girl from the north?" Weimar raised her mouth and asked in a deliberately sultry tone, which again made everyone laugh.
"Nonsense," Angei had already become familiar with young aristocratic masters such as Weimar, but his face turned red uncharacteristically when faced with his joke, "I am the master's attendant, how can I leave even half a step?"
"I beg to differ." Attis also imitated Weimar's weird tone and said to everyone.
A pleasant atmosphere lingered among Attis and his group. The valley knights wearing curved giant helmets behind them were also smiling, but their usual silence prevented them from changing their figures, and their masks blocked their smiles. .
"Duke Ed is here," Xiu Fu reminded.
Attis and everyone turned to look, and saw dozens of northern wolf troops guarding Ed and rushing in front of them.
"Attis!" Ed shouted, but Attis noticed a pair of small hands and erratic feet sitting on the horse behind Ed. When his face was revealed, Attis didn't even say anything to Ed. Say hello, but first lost his voice: "Arya?" Just as he asked, Arya's direwolf followed from a distance, and the horse that Attis stepped on instantly became restless.
"Yes," Eddard smiled, "King's Landing has no room for my little daughter. I just found her in the sewers."
Arya looked up at Attis with a big smile on her face. Her dark cloth was stained with sewer mud. "Brother Attis, I'm going back to Winterfell!" she said cheerfully. .
Attis looked at Ed, "You can find Arya in the sewers, sir. Where is Sansa?" He was thinking at this time, if you think King's Landing is in danger, you should send both daughters out of the city.
Eddard shook his head helplessly, "It was Robert's idea to bring them to the North. Now think about it," he sighed, "This is completely wrong. Sansa is at Joffrey's place whenever she has free time. She She seems to be obsessed with Cersei and has been following the queen. I have long proposed to let the two of them go home, but she is unwilling to do anything."
It might not be a good thing to go with your daughter in everything... Attis thought to himself.
"She's possessed by Joffrey's broken-hand prince!" Arya shouted. After hearing this, Ed looked at Attis helplessly and said, "Do you remember our proposal, Attis?"
Attis looked at Eddard and heard him say: "I can't educate my daughter well in King's Landing. Help Arya meet some people in the valley. This child likes to wield swords and guns. Lyanna told me... The daughters of the Waywood family in the Vale are similar to Arya, taking her to see the world in the Vale, hoping that there, "Edd looked at Arya, "she can receive the education of a lady and a warrior."
"As long as warriors, father," Arya touched the direwolf's head with her hand, "no ladies, King's Landing will raise ladies, and Sansa will be fine here."
"I'm afraid there are rumors..." Attis carefully recalled the several granddaughters of the Waywood family, and frowned and told Ed, but was interrupted by the latter.
"I trust you, Attis," Ed said. "Even if there are rumors and accusations, I still trust you. I believe you have sacrificed a lot for the honor of the family, Attis."
Ed approached Attis and said, "Take her out of here. I will make arrangements for Sansa. When things are over in King's Landing, I will pick up Arya from the Vale. The journey to the north is long and there are frequent wars in the Riverlands. The Vale must be safe." ’
Attis looked at Ed's sincere eyes and understood that Ed was not lying, but really wanted to entrust Arya to him.
"I am flattered, Lord Eddard," Attis knew what this meant. "I will take care of Arya and send her safely north when this is all over."
Ed showed a smile, Sansa received the most formal lady education in King's Landing, Arya longed for freedom and knights, and the valley was safe and cared for by Attis. And Artis is the eldest son of Jon Arryn. No matter who makes some unfavorable remarks to him, including Caitlin, Eddard unconditionally trusts his adoptive father's son and believes in the "high as glorious" Arryn family. Winter was coming, and he had to make plans early. Sansa and Joffrey were engaged, and there was no progress in the case of the queen left behind by Jon. If it turned out to be a mistake, even if Joffrey had a bad character, he would have no choice but to give up. According to his king's arrangement, if the truth were revealed, Sansa would be sent home early. Robert wanted Sansa to stay in King's Landing, so he could only arrange this.
"Thank you, Attis..." Ed solemnly said to Attis, "Duke Arryn, let Arya live a free life. I believe that the Mingyue Mountains are big enough."
Attis looked at the lovely Arya, "Of course," he thought of the giant's spear shooting into the sky, "Arya will definitely like it there."
6000 words combined chapter
(End of chapter)