Chapter 332 The First Competition
Farewell for three days.
The guests who came from afar were well rested, and the martial arts tournament was officially held.
On the north shore of Divine Eye Lake, an oval-shaped white stone building stands.
This is a tournament that was built within a few months. It is far more majestic and spacious than any other tournament in the kingdom.
An eye-shaped open space is left in the center of the building for knights participating in the joust to fight.
The auditoriums on both sides are raised layer by layer in a terraced style until they reach thirty feet.
According to estimates, it can provide seats for 30,000 people.
Early in the morning, the long-awaited nobles walked out of the gate of Harrenhal and rushed to the competition ground to choose their seats and wait.
At a glance, the competition ground was overcrowded, and the nobles, big and small, were noisy and noisy.
The auditorium on one side of the competition venue is divided into a separate area to build a spacious platform with a better view.
Viserys was dressed in black robes and wearing a golden crown, sitting upright on the throne.
Soon, Allison and a group of royal ministers came and gathered around the king.
"This is a good competition ground, not a big one." Viserys looked around and took the initiative to open the topic.
Otto agreed with deep understanding: "It would be difficult to find a better competition ground than this in the Seven Kingdoms."
"Haha, you're right."
Viserys laughed and was very satisfied with the grandeur of the fighting field, which was worthy of this tournament at Lake God's Eye that was about to go down in history.
After chatting for a while, Viserys looked back and forth and asked in surprise: "Aren't Rhaegar and Rhaenyra here yet?"
The eldest son is the protagonist of this tournament, so being late is not a good habit.
"It should be coming soon. I saw them two wandering around the gravel garden in the morning." Allison said hesitantly.
In a short time, the platform was filled with people.
Imperial ministers, dukes and their families from various realms, famous young talents from the seven countries...
"Hiss-"
Suddenly, a loud dragon roar resounded across the northern shore of the Divine Eye Lake, and the strong wind carried a shadow over the competition site.
The noble ladies covered their skirts and looked up in surprise.
A giant dragon as black as charcoal flew across the blue lake, its wings like dark clouds covering the sky, looking down at the beings below with a cold and indifferent look.
Those huge green vertical pupils like copper bells, paired with the gray-white, curved dragon horns on the ferocious dragon's head, looked like a terrifying evil god.
Some people recognized the origin of the dark dragon and cheered and shouted.
More nobles and knights in the kingdom had never seen a glutton, and they held their breath in silence.
"Hiss..."
Another high-pitched dragon roar came, and the golden scales shone in the sun, soaring around the dark dragon.
The two dragons slowly hovered over the competition ground, black and golden intertwined with each other, like two dragons dancing together.
"Hiss-"
The glutton roared low, and the wings of its huge body rotated in a circle, and a breath of green dragon flames cut through the white clouds.
boom--
The dragon flames raised the temperature in early summer, and the glutton landed neatly outside the high wall on the side of the competition ground, folding the dark wings that could flap the strong wind with a single flap.
Both feet landed on the ground, and the dragon's spine covered with pitch-black back scales was still higher than the white stone barrier, revealing the silver-haired figure on the saddle.
Syrax circled alone, flew lightly to the side of the glutton, and stepped on the platform at the top of the high wall with his feet.
Under the spotlight, Rhaegar stepped off the dragon's back and looked at Rhaenyra on Sylax's back on the platform.
In today's competition, Rhaegar was wearing a jet-black dragon scale armor, a scarlet cloak on his shoulders, and his long silver-gold hair hanging loosely.
Rhaenyra was dressed smartly, with a tight black dress, a streamlined skirt, and her long hair braided into a braid hanging behind her head.
"How are you today?" Rhaegar gently hugged Rhaenyra and asked teasingly.
A smile formed on Rhaenyra's lips, and she said confidently: "Very good."
After three days of counseling, my irritable mood was finally relieved.
The two siblings walked hand in hand down the top platform and followed the white stone steps of the auditorium to the viewing platform where their father was.
Ignoring the various looks from both sides, Rhaegar lowered his head and sniffed Rhaenyra's hair, and said with a smile: "The effect is good."
“This thing will give me a few good nights’ sleep.”
Rhaenyra glanced at him sideways and patted the pocket of her robe with her green-white palm.
In order to calm Rhaenyra's mood, Rhaegar contributed the long-cherished Resurrection Orchid powder.
Sprinkle a little on your pillow before going to bed to ensure a good night's sleep.
Rhaegar's dark circles disappeared largely thanks to the powder.
…
On the viewing platform, everyone has already taken their seats.
Viserys sat in the main seat, with Allison and Otto on the left and right.
Several royal ministers sat in a row of chairs behind the king, chatting happily with the neighboring nobles.
There are several chairs on the left and right in front of the main seat. The sea snakes Corliss and Rhaenys sit on the right side, representing noble status.
Further forward there are two rows of chairs divided into two rows for some noble ladies and ladies to gather.
"Father."
Rhaegar walked down the steps and greeted with a faint smile.
Viserys looked confused, as if he was angry about something. He squeezed the wine cup with his palms, and blood oozed from the cut on the tiger's mouth.
Allison held her husband's hand and said concernedly: "Viserys, don't worry about anything yet, the competition is about to begin."
Viserys calmed down, looked at his eldest son with a forced smile, pointed to the seat in front of him and said, "Sit down first, it will be your turn soon."
Rhaegar raised his eyebrows and quietly retreated to his seat.
From the corner of his eye, he glanced at the seats in the back row. Intelligence Minister Tormund was not among them. It was obvious that something had happened.
Tread...
There was a sound of brisk footsteps, accompanied by a gentle fragrance that made breathing easier.
Margery wore exquisite makeup, held the red skirt in both hands, and walked with light red curly hair swaying.
"Prince, you look so handsome in your armor. I have never seen a man more powerful than you in the Reach."
The corners of Margaery's lips curled up slightly, and she praised her unreservedly.
Rhaegar smiled politely and joked: "Thank you for your compliment. I have never seen a man more powerful than me in the royal territory."
Damon doesn't count, he was beaten by Rhaegar.
"Hehe, I like your sense of humor."
Margaery covered her mouth and chuckled, taking advantage of Rhaegar's opportunity to observe the surroundings in a subtle way, stepping forward, standing on her tiptoes and hugging the other person's neck, aiming for two sweet kisses on both cheeks.
Rega's expression changed instantly, he pushed away the soft bodies that were almost touching each other, and said in a deep voice: "Miss Margaery, you are too enthusiastic."
As he said that, he quickly raised his hands to wipe the lipstick marks on his cheeks, not daring to look at Rhaenyra's face.
"Sorry, I just wanted to send you a blessing before you go on stage."
Margaery bowed apologetically and raised her eyes with a trace of girlish shyness.
Many people noticed what was going on here and looked at the excitement.
Especially the old father, Viserys, stared at Margaery in amazement and lamented that the little girl now is really bold and unrestrained.
He dared to kiss Rhaegar in front of Rhaenyra.
Rega's whole body was numb, and he stiffly wiped the lipstick mark.
After finally adjusting Rhaenyra's mentality, he really didn't want to be tainted by the rose scent of Highgarden.
"Stop wiping it, it looks pretty good."
A small hand held his wrist, and Rhaenyra's voice came to his ears.
Rhaegar turned around in surprise and saw Rhaenyra smiling like a flower, looking at his face calmly.
Rhaenyra looked around and smiled: "Keep it, don't let down Miss Margaery's heart."
"Are you sure?" Rega frowned, feeling terrified.
"certainly."
Rhaenyra's eyebrows curved and she whispered to Margaery: "Thank you for your gift, which allowed me to see the unrestrained fire of the Rose of Highgarden."
"You're welcome. No one can resist the beauty of the Rose of Highgarden."
Margaery pursed her red lips and said crisply: "Prince, you rarely go out recently, so you probably don't understand the situation."
Winking playfully at Rhaegar, the fingers hidden under the cuffs pointed in a direction.
Rega cast his gaze in confusion. It was at the seats in the back row that several familiar figures gathered together.
Mond Hightower, Jason Lannister, Lord Sven, Lord Dondarrion of Blackport...
Apart from this, Aegon sat alone in a corner, surrounded by Old Tully's two good-for-nothing sons and the two illegitimate sons of the Baratheon family.
Aegon looked bored, and the two Tullys chattered around him.
On the contrary, the two bastards of the Baratheon family had expressionless faces, glancing at the four sisters Aemond and Cassandra below them from time to time.
At first glance, there was nothing wrong with it, but Rhaegar saw another scene.
"Thank you, Miss Margery."
Rhaegar came to his senses and forced a smile.
"You're welcome. Highgarden will always be your solid support." Margaery bowed and left.
Rhaenyra watched her sit back down, holding Rhaegar's hand and sitting opposite the sea snake couple, and said calmly: "No lipstick marks are allowed to be wiped off until the sun rises tomorrow."
Rhaegar: ...
…
After the interlude, the martial arts competition kicked off.
As the king, Viserys delivered a speech first, which greatly aroused the audience's expectations and raised the atmosphere of the scene.
Then, with an announcement from a fat middle-aged referee wearing bright red satin, the first competition began.
Two knights in armor rode into the arena on two horses, one black and one white, holding wooden lances to greet the cheers.
The fat referee raised his scepter and shouted deliberately: "First match, welcome to Duke Cregen of the North's Stark family and Governor of the Stepstone Islands, Sir Kriston Cole!"
Rhaegar perked up and adjusted his sitting posture to watch.
On the fighting field, Cregen was wearing an old-fashioned plate armor covered with scratches. He was heavily armed from top to bottom, and he was riding a dark war horse at his crotch.
Cole, who had not seen him for a long time, changed into a silver armor and white robe, and wore a silver-gray plate armor. He lifted up his visor to reveal his handsome face.
According to the convention of the tourney, the event consists of three parts: knight duel, archery, and team battle.
Every time the game starts, two brave knights will be selected to start a duel, which is regarded as a warm-up match.
Dang clang——
The gong rang, and the two knights took their positions, standing on both sides of the wooden fence, one on the east and one on the west, raising their wooden lances and getting ready to go.
"Xu~~"
Finally, the two war horses stepped out at the same time, carrying their respective knights and charging.
Cregen bowed his waist slightly, his black pupils fixed on his opponent, and he breathed evenly for fear of being hit in the mask.
The two horses moved quickly, getting closer and closer to each other.
Halfway through the run, the black and white colors finally connected.
Click——
A lance shattered on the spot, and sawdust flew into the air, accompanied by the fierce neighing of the war horse.
