(Volume 2: Blood and Fire)

Unlike the scorching sun in the south, the summer in the north is still cold and howling.

Here, it is difficult for the delicate flowers to survive, and only the most tenacious plants such as strong oak trees, old iron trees, and hard feather grass can adapt to this icy and snowy climate.

There is also the belief in the south.

Unlike the seven gods, who have names and surnames and gracious faces, the people of the North worship the nameless and faceless ancient gods, who are the nameless gods who rule over the rocks, the earth, and the forests, and the ancient faith of the children of the forest, the first indigenous people of the continent.

Hence the name "Old Gods".

The old gods had no preaching priests, no pious prayers, no hymns of praise, and no uniform worship services.

The people of the North believed that the Fish Beam was the embodiment of the gods, who could gaze into the world through the faces on the Fish Beam Tree, listen to prayers, and shelter the faithful.

It is said that one of the oldest fish beams in the north is in the sacred wood forest of Winterfell, and it has been going through tens of thousands of years so far.

Guardian of the North, Duke of Winterfell, Eddard Stark knelt in front of the fishbeam and prayed silently.

It's a routine he does every day.

The huge canopy of trees almost covered the entire courtyard, the crimson leaves were like thousands of blood-stained palms, and the trunk carved a melancholy and deep face, full of alert and strange smell.

Its eyes flowed red tears—the juice of the fish beams, as if lamenting the misery of the world and the impermanence of fate.

The sound of small footsteps behind him alarmed Duke Eddard, and he turned back to find his wife, Catelyn Tully, walking in.

"What's wrong, Catelyn?" He noticed that his wife's face was very bad.

Caitlin stepped on the thick humus that had accumulated for thousands of years and walked up to her husband and took out a letter:

"Ed, ravens have bad news."

"Black wings, black news." Duke Ed sighed under his breath as he took the letter from his wife and opened it.

Caitlin took her husband's hand, and soon she felt his grief.

She knew that her husband had been an adopted son in the Eagle's Nest when he was young, and that Duke Jon Arryn, who had no children at the time, treated him and another adopted son, Robert Baratheon, as if he were his own son.

When Aerys the Mad King Targaryen II demanded that the Duke of Jon hand over his two adopted sons, the Duke of Eagle's Nest, who valued glory above all else, would rather rebel than break his oath to protect.

Biological father and son, maybe that's just the case.

"How so?" Duke Ed clutched the letter, "Jon, he'...... How could he die suddenly? ”

Caitlin hesitated, but finally took out another letter: "This is a letter written by my sister Lysa, she said...... It was Prince Oberon who poisoned her husband. ”

Duke Ed hurriedly took the letter, and after a quick glance, his body trembled even more.

Caitlin couldn't help but remind, "Ed, Lysa has been hit too hard, and her spirit is not very stable, so she may not be telling the truth. ”

Duke Ed suddenly stood up and suddenly pulled out the giant sword [Cold Ice] in his hand.

This two-handed greatsword made of Valyrian steel has been passed down from House Stark for more than four hundred years, but it is still as sharp as ever, and its name is inherited from the family sword of House Stark in the distant age of heroes.

At the time, Stark was still the King of the North.

"I want to find out the truth!" Duke Ed clenched his greatsword, his voice as cold as iron.

Caitlin opened her mouth, but didn't say anything more.

Duke Ed stared directly into the bloody eyes on the fish beam, was silent for a long time, and finally uttered a question full of sorrow and resentment:

"The gods are unjust!"

——————————

"Damn the gods!"

In the chamber of the Red Keep, an angry roar echoed,

"And you, all of you deserve to die!"

King Robert Baratheon, who had not attended the Council for many years, made a rare appearance in front of the cabinet ministers.

It's just that the attitude is extremely bad.

"I can die!" Robert slapped the table and roared, "But how can Jon Arryn die!" How could he just die! ”

The ruler of the Seven Kingdoms had a belly as big as his voice, a beard as black as wire that covered his fat chin, heavy dark circles under his eyes, and loose skin that were a sign of excessive wine, knowing that only fifteen years ago the king was a handsome knight in battle.

When he was dressed in armor, wearing a giant helmet with antlers, and holding an iron thorn war hammer, he was a veritable invincible god of war.

Although he no longer has the size and bravery of the past, his momentum is still there.

Under the roar, the cabinet ministers were silent.

"Varys!"

"Your Majesty." The intelligence chief "Octopus Spider" Varas shook the fat all over his body, and hurriedly responded.

"Tell me, was it Jon who was killed by the Red Viper?"

"Your Majesty......" Varys grimaced, "I don't know about this......"

"Rubbish! Don't you know everything? Rubbish! It's all rubbish! Robert roared again, and the spit spat spewed all over Varys' face, but he didn't dare wipe it.

After scolding, Robert gasped, and it took him a long time to regain some composure, and ordered:

"Let the 'Red Viper' come to King's Landing at once, and I will personally preside over his trial!"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"And the nobles who were there at that time, let them all come and testify!"

"Yes."

Then, the chamber fell silent again, except for the sound of Robert's heavy breathing.

Stannis Baratheon, Duke of Dragonstone, finally broke the silence with his mouth:

"Your Majesty, it is imperative that a new Hand of the King be appointed."

Robert's gaze slowly swept over everyone's faces: "What are your opinions?" ”

After another brief silence, Pyser was the first to say:

"Your Majesty, I think Duke Tywin Lannister is the most competent, after all, he has been the Hand of Kings for twenty years and has a wealth of experience......"

"What experience?" Robert interrupted coldly, "Make a 'Mad King' experience? ”

Pysil whispered, "Your Majesty, you can't blame Lord Tywin for the fault of Aerys II......"

Under Robert's cold gaze, Paiselle's voice grew quieter and quieter, and finally he lowered his head, not daring to say more.

Just as the atmosphere in the council hall was once again stagnant, a crisp voice suddenly sounded at the door:

"Your Majesty, why can't my father be the Hand of the King?"

When they turned around, they saw Queen Cersei walking in slowly.

She has the typical golden curls and turquoise eyes of the Lannisters, although she has given birth to three children, her figure is still slender and graceful, and her crimson palace dress dress highlights her fair skin, this woman known as the "Light of the West" is now just over thirty, which is the most attractive age of her life, and the gods are especially fond of her, leaving no trace of time on that beautiful face.

But even so, she still can't get her husband's favor.

"Woman." Robert scolded angrily, "Is the Imperial Council the place to be?" ”

"Your Majesty, I just happened to be passing by and heard you guys discussing......"

"Then keep passing by."

"Your Majesty......"

"Damn it! What word did you just say, you don't understand? Robert's voice rose again, "Get out!" ”

Cersei's body trembled slightly, and her eyes lingered on her husband's face for a moment, before finally lifting the hem of her skirt and self-esteem, and striding away.

"Go on." Robert said.

Several ministers exchanged glances, and finally it was the Chancellor of the Exchequer, "Littlefinger" Petyr Berish, who spoke:

"Your Majesty, the Hand of the King is to govern the country on behalf of the King, so he should be the person you trust the most."

It seemed like nonsense, but Robert was lost in thought.

After a long time, the king arose and commanded:

"Prepare, I'm heading to Winterfell."

(End of chapter)