Chapter 9 The King is in the North

King Robert traveled very quickly. Clay originally estimated that it would take him two months to reach Winterfell because of his debauchery.

However, it had only been a month and a half, and Clay, who was standing at the head of Winterfell chatting with Rob, had already seen the royal knight who had taken the lead.

He didn't know the knight personally, but it was hard to miss the crowned stag flag fluttering in the wind on his saddle.

"Tsk, the stag's horns are about to appear in Winterfell. How about it, Robert? I heard that the queen and her two brothers are coming with them this time. Are the direwolves' teeth sharpened? ?”

Clay clicked his tongue and looked at the two knights who were getting closer and closer. The direwolf flag and the crowned stag flag were advancing together, just like the War of the Reavers decades ago.

"That is the most distinguished sibling in the Seven Kingdoms. I have no choice but to kiss her hand. Besides, the rights of guests cannot be violated."

Robert tightened his cloak and spoke slowly, but his brows were still wrinkled together.

Clay curled his lips and smiled, then stretched out his hand to tug the young master of the North's cheek, which had just sprouted a beard. The latter avoided it and asked Clay with a strange look on his face:

"what are you doing?"

"Has anyone ever told you that you Starks can't lie at all?"

"Nonsense, we..." Rob subconsciously wanted to retort, but the words got stuck in his throat. After a while, he said muffledly:

"Yeah, this land in the north has never taught us this..."

Rob stared blankly at the two fast horses galloping in from the east gate, and after a long time he looked at Clay:

"Am I that bad at hiding it?"

"I'm not a wolf, but I also know that baring your teeth too early will only make people shoot an arrow at you immediately." Clay shrugged and patted Rob's shoulder:

"I'll give you a suggestion. Except for essential occasions, avoid meeting with people from the Lannister family to save yourself from discomfort."

Chatting about life and women with Robb these days, in addition to learning the dirty jokes special to Winterfell, Clay also learned that although Duke Eddard rarely mentioned the Usurper's War with his children, the Lannister family There is no shortage of bad things to say.

At least for Robb, he is very aware of the bad things the Lannister family did after entering King's Landing, and he knows how the name "Kingslayer" came from.

So Robert's reaction to the Lannister family is not surprising at all. Like father, like son, I won't deceive you.

The next morning, Clay never saw the Stark brothers and sisters in the school grounds as usual. According to his sister Vera, who finally remembered who her brother was, Sansa and the others were called by their mistress Catelyn early in the morning. Went to teach meeting etiquette.

Clay seized the opportunity and briefly asked his sister what she had been doing and who she had been with during the nearly two months since coming to Winterfell.

As a result, Willa answered very readily, but only two names were mentioned in the answer: Sansa and Arya.

Looking at Vera who was in a happy mood, Clay's eyes were full of pity. She really didn't understand the old man's intention of agreeing to her coming to Winterfell.

After talking for a long time, Clay never heard Robb Stark's name. The old man hoped that his granddaughter's dream of being the mistress of the North would go bankrupt again.

He could already guess what the old man's reaction would be after Vera told the old man exactly what she said...

When the time came to noon, a golden and silver procession came, and Clay finally saw the legendary kings of the Seven Kingdoms and his entourage.

There are about 300 of them, most of them are nobles with status and status, and the worst among them is a knight.

Dozens of flags were flying, most of them were the crowned stag flag that symbolized the royal family. A few flags had a golden roaring lion embroidered on a red background. Lord Eddard must hate seeing it, Clay thought to himself.

Standing at a higher place, Clay did not let the guards fly the Mandalay family's mermaid flag. Firstly, it was unnecessary, and secondly, he was about to sneak into the master's backyard. It was always better to keep a low profile.

It didn't take long for Clay to see the man who was accompanied by two snow-white cloaked Kingsguards. There was no doubt that that was their most respected King.

Sure enough, even when riding a horse, King Robert could hardly hide his fat figure. However, unlike the ugly big man that Clay had remembered, this king was much greasier, but his grace was still the same.

Being in the top position for a long time has a certain magnanimity. No one reminds him, but it is obvious that no one in the team can be worthy of the title of king except him.

After seeing the most eye-catching king and the outrageously decorated queen, everything became boring.

There is nothing to see here anymore. Clay doesn't like the complicated and lengthy etiquette among nobles at all, even though he is also a noble young master with upright roots.

He grabbed his younger sister Vera, who was looking excited. Unexpectedly, Vera shook off her brother's hand without looking at him. She was looking at the knights with the emblem of the crowned stag with relish.

Let her go. Anyway, before coming here, Clay had made it clear to Vera that she would never be allowed to have contact with the royal family. Vera also agreed. At this time, to satisfy Vera's curiosity, Clay also It's not good to force her.

The king is in the north. Since Jaehaerys I came to Winterfell with his dragon, it seems that this is the second time that the king of the Seven Kingdoms has stepped into the gate of Winterfell.

Times have changed, things have changed, and the Targaryen royal family, which was closest to the gods in the past, now only has two survivors on the other side of the narrow sea, and the rest are all turned into withered bones.

But then again, after all, having ruled Westeros for more than two hundred years, Clay was well aware of the strong influence the name Targaryen had among ordinary nobles.

To give the simplest example, the Usurper War is over. The reason why Robert can sit safely on the Iron Throne is that, in addition to his ability to conquer battles, his Targaryen blood is definitely the biggest reason why he can win the crown. bonus.

Although Daenerys will have to deal with the big trouble in the future, Clay can only think about it now. With a White Harbor behind him, he is not qualified to go to the card table.

Returning to his room, Clay dug out his night infiltration equipment and checked it again.

On top of the family's robes, Clay prepared a set of black blouses that are easy to take off, because this is Winterfell, after all, a crowded city, and this outfit can only be used when entering the godswood to cover people in case of encounters. For eyes and ears.

In the main city of Winterfell, this set of clothes that doesn't look like a good person is absolutely not allowed to be worn, especially since Robert has arrived. Putting it on, Clay will become an assassin even if he is not an assassin.

People who usually stop to greet him along the way are walking in a hurry. When they see Clay, they usually just nod or hum. It can be seen that the Stark family has done enough to welcome him this time. Prepare.

The bustle in the city became more pronounced as night fell, and Clay was invited to a dinner in the Great Hall of Winterfell, an invitation he couldn't refuse yet.