Chapter 74 CHAPTER 74
Ned left the Maester's Tower with a heavy heart, preparing to return to the Hand's Tower.
Soon enough, he would also need to deal with matters related to the tourney.
Ned walked slowly through the courtyard with a thick book tucked beneath one arm.
Along the way, he constantly felt as though someone was watching him from the shadows, though he could not tell whether it was merely his imagination.
His gaze shifted slightly.
The servants pretending to clean nearby and the gardeners trimming flowers all immediately lowered their heads and avoided his eyes.
"Hmph, that eunuch's spies and the Queen's informants again."
Ned felt increasingly irritated. He let out a cold snort and quickened his pace toward the Hand's Tower.
But just as he was about to turn a corner, a burst of mocking laughter suddenly echoed from beyond the wall.
"You actually dare to cozy up to the Prince? How bold of you!"
"Exactly, exactly. No sense of propriety at all."
"A mere Mutton trying to cling to the Prince?"
After another burst of laughter came the sound of several heavy kicks, followed by a cry of pain.
Ned's expression darkened immediately.
Unable to ignore it, he strode directly around the corner.
Inside the narrow passage, three tall attendants were surrounding and bullying a thin, small servant boy.
"What are you doing?"
Ned barked coldly, his stern gaze sweeping across the group.
At a glance, he recognized the three taller attendants as servants attached to the Lannisters.
"N nothing, Lord Hand."
"It's just that Hullen Mutton was careless, and we were merely teaching him a lesson."
One of the Lannister servants stammered nervously.
Disgust appeared in Ned's eyes.
If he were not overwhelmed with responsibilities already, he would have immediately summoned the steward responsible and had these men severely punished.
For now, he merely let out a cold snort and directly drove them away.
After the three men hurriedly fled, Ned turned his attention toward the attendant named Hullen Mutton lying on the ground.
"Are you hurt badly?"
Hullen Mutton slowly climbed to his feet and lowered his head.
"Lord Hand, I'm alright."
Ned noticed the bruise on the boy's arm. After thinking briefly, his expression softened slightly.
"Go have someone tend to your wounds and rest for a few days."
"If anyone questions it, tell them the Hand ordered it personally."
"Yes, Lord Hand."
Hullen Mutton looked up timidly, gratitude filling his eyes.
Ned nodded and paid him no further attention before walking past him toward the Hand's Tower.
But what Ned did not know was that after he left, Hullen Mutton remained standing there silently, clutching his injured arm while watching the Hand depart until his figure completely vanished from sight.
"Lord Stark truly is a good man."
"I hope one day I can serve under him directly…"
Hullen Mutton gazed admiringly toward the distant Hand's Tower before limping slowly back toward the servants' quarters.
Meanwhile, after Ned returned to the Hand's Tower, he discovered Petyr Baelish had already been waiting for quite some time.
"Why is Lord Baelish here?"
"Has another problem arisen with the tourney?"
Ned handed the heavy book to his steward before looking toward Littlefinger with questioning eyes.
Littlefinger shook his head slightly, then glanced meaningfully toward the nearby servants.
"My Lord, perhaps we should speak privately."
Ned's heart stirred faintly, and he immediately led Littlefinger toward a quiet and secluded corner.
"You may speak now."
Littlefinger chuckled softly.
"It concerns Jon Arryn."
He paused deliberately before meeting Ned's suddenly sharpened gaze.
"Since I promised Lady Catelyn that I would assist you, naturally I intend to keep my word."
"Over these past several days, I have quietly made inquiries."
"Although Lady Lysa took most of House Arryn's household back to the Vale, several people remained behind in King's Landing…"
Littlefinger slowly relayed the information he had carefully prepared one piece at a time.
And gradually, the wariness in Ned's eyes toward him began to lessen.
Finally, Ned spoke in surprise.
"Take me to them immediately."
Littlefinger, however, raised a hand and stopped him.
"Lord Hand, there are too many eyes watching us right now."
"It would be far safer if I brought you there after nightfall."
Ned paused, immediately realizing he had become too eager.
"Very well."
His tone softened noticeably toward Littlefinger.
In truth, if not for Catelyn's sake, Ned would never willingly associate with a schemer like Petyr Baelish.
In Ned's eyes, Littlefinger was clever, calculating, and impossible to fully trust.
Yet during all the time Ned had spent in King's Landing, it was Littlefinger alone who had continuously offered him genuine assistance in handling troublesome matters.
Gradually, Ned's attitude toward him unconsciously relaxed.
He even confided in Littlefinger regarding his plans to reform the City Watch and strengthen his control over the Gold Cloaks.
Although Littlefinger verbally cautioned Ned against acting recklessly, he simultaneously hinted that the Gold Cloaks had long since become deeply corrupt.
After careful consideration, Ned instructed Littlefinger to quietly gather evidence first.
And during the following days, Ned moved through every corner of King's Landing.
He investigated Jon Arryn's death while simultaneously handling preparations for the tourney.
Following the clues one by one, he eventually met both Gendry and Barra.
By the time the grand tourney finally concluded successfully, Ned already had a vague answer in his heart regarding why Jon Arryn had searched for Gendry before his death.
But the answer terrified him.
What Ned never expected even more was that four days after the tourney ended, his wife Catelyn would deliver him an even greater shock.
At the northern fork of the Trident River.
Evening had already fallen, and the fading afterglow of sunset slowly disappeared beyond the horizon.
Throughout the journey, in order to avoid drawing attention, Catelyn had traveled as discreetly as possible.
Now, accompanied by Ser Rodrik Cassel, she finally arrived at the familiar roadside inn from her memories.
Although the innkeeper had grown so old that Catelyn could barely recognize her, she still felt a sense of relief.
This place was only a few days from Moat Cailin.
And once she reached Moat Cailin, Lady Catelyn Stark would no longer need to conceal her identity and could swiftly return to Winterfell.
Ser Rodrik spoke briefly with the innkeeper and successfully rented the final two available rooms.
After resting for a short while upstairs, the two came back down to the common hall for supper.
The inn bustled with travelers moving in and out constantly, many of them wearing sigils Catelyn recognized all too well.
Most belonged to Riverlands houses sworn to Riverrun.
Though only in name.
The Tullys' rule over the Riverlands had never truly been peaceful, and many lords openly resented Riverrun.
Such as House Frey, seated along one side of the inn hall.
"The Late Lord Frey's brood…"
Catelyn glanced toward them briefly before cautiously lowering her head, afraid someone among the many Freys present might recognize her.
But unfortunately, the very thing she feared soon came to pass.
Just as Catelyn finished eating and prepared to head upstairs, a commotion suddenly erupted outside the inn.
Moments later, another group entered.
Leading them was a dwarf wearing fine clothing embroidered with the golden lion of House Lannister.
It was Tyrion Lannister.
And the moment he stepped inside, Tyrion immediately recognized Catelyn.
Perhaps out of surprise, or perhaps simply amusement, he casually greeted her.
"Lady Catelyn. What a coincidence."
"I never expected to encounter you here."
The moment those words left his mouth, the entire inn fell silent.
Every gaze immediately shifted toward Catelyn.
And almost instantly, everyone present recognized her identity.
At the same moment Catelyn saw Tyrion, only one thought remained in her mind.
The Imp must also be involved with Jaime and Cersei.
He too must have participated in the conspiracy against Bran.
Unable to restrain herself any longer, Catelyn suddenly turned toward the assembled Riverlands lords and knights within the hall.
In an instant, Tyrion Lannister became her prisoner.
And without any further intention of remaining at the inn overnight, Catelyn quickly departed with her men while escorting Tyrion away.
After Catelyn left, news that the Imp had been seized by Lady Stark spread outward in every direction like wildfire.
By the time Garon, far away in Deepwood Motte, finally received the news, half a month had already passed.
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