King's Landing, Red Keep.
The spacious conference room is luxuriously and solemnly decorated.
The Prime Minister, Eddard Stark, Duke of Winterfell, sat at the head of the conference table.
On either side of him and in front of him.
Separately sat the Minister of Justice "Renly Baratheon" (Renly Baratheon: King Robert Baratheon's youngest brother, Duke of Storm's End);
Lord of the Exchequer Tyr "Littlefinger" Baelish;
Grand Maester Pycelle;
And Varys, the intelligence chief.
Since King Robert Baratheon invited his friend Eddard Stark from Winterfell in the north to serve as the Prime Minister, he seems to have found a backbone and returned to his previous days of drinking and playing with women.
Until now, he has never attended a royal meeting.
There is also Stannis Baratheon, the Lord of the Sea (Stannis Baratheon: the second brother of King Robert Baratheon and the Duke of Dragonstone) who should attend the royal council.
Because after the death of the former Prime Minister Jon Arryn, he left King's Landing and went to Dragonstone and has not yet returned.
As for Barristan Selmy, the last captain of the Kingsguard who was qualified to appear at the Royal Council, he was currently busy with the upcoming tournament and had no time to attend the meeting.
At this time, in the conference room.
In addition to the above five powerful ministers who are in charge of the entire kingdom.
There was also a tall, middle-aged warrior in full armor, standing in front of the five ministers.
"The tourney will start tomorrow."
"Are the city guards in King's Landing ready?"
Ed Stark raised his head and looked at the middle-aged warrior in front of him and asked.
"Reporting to the Prime Minister, we are basically ready, but with the large number of people pouring into the city every day, our escort strength is somewhat insufficient..."
"Just last night, there was a serious fight in a tavern, a fire broke out in a brothel, two people died in another brothel due to prostitution issues, and there was also a drunk horse racing incident..."
"These are all caused by insufficient guard strength..."
The middle-aged city guard captain replied.
"You should have raised this serious issue of insufficient security strength long ago, instead of waiting until now..."
Ed Stark immediately frowned when he heard this, looked at the middle-aged city guard captain in front of him and said solemnly: "I don't care whether you recruit it yourself or hire it. In short, no mistakes are allowed during the upcoming tournament. , otherwise I will hold you accountable."
"Now, tell me if I can do it. If I can't do it, then I'll ask someone else to do it?"
Ed Stark said seriously.
The city guard is so important that such a problem was not reported until last minute.
He was extremely disgusted with this kind of guy who was a vegetarian.
This city guard captain is very problematic.
The captain of the city guard, who had been severely reprimanded by the new imperial prime minister, quickly left with cold sweat on his head.
Eddard Stark looked at the scroll in front of him that recorded a series of expenses and problems due to holding the tournament, and his expression was not very good.
"The sooner the tournament ends, the better..."
Eddard Stark sighed, sat back on the bench, and rubbed his tired face with his hands.
Since arriving in King's Landing, he has taken the position of Prime Minister.
He discovered that King's Landing had too many problems.
At this time, a minister answered: "But it is holding such events that can show the strength of the kingdom, my lord..."
"The people at the top take this opportunity to compete for glory, while the people at the bottom can also use this opportunity to forget their sorrows."
"Yes..."
"All the taverns and hotels in King's Landing are full of people..."
"Prostitutes can also pick up clients and have sex with them who can't close their legs..."
"Such a prosperous King's Landing is what everyone wants to see..."
...
King's Landing City, aristocratic district.
Stark family castle.
In the small garden on the second floor.
Two figures, one tall and one short, were sparring.
"Bang bang bang bang..."
The sound of gold and iron clashing kept ringing.
Arya Stark is holding a sharp "sewing needle" sword and is constantly attacking the teacher in front of her.
Morgan also held an iron sword and resisted the fierce attack of student Arya Stark with a wave of his hand.
One attacks with all his strength, the other resists with all his strength.
The continuous offensive between Arya Stark and teacher Morgan lasted for nearly half an hour.
Finally, when Arya, who was sweating profusely, began to breathe heavily, teacher Morgan finally revealed a flaw. With quick eyes and quick hands, Arya raised her sword and cut off a section of the teacher's robe.
"Ah, teacher, you lose!"
Looking at the small piece of clothes that fell to the ground, Arya Stark said loudly and excitedly.
How long.
Ever since his father Eddard Stark agreed to let Mr. Morgan teach him swordsmanship.
Arya Stark has been looking forward to this day.
Because the teacher said that when she can hurt the teacher, even if it is just a hem of the teacher's clothes, it will be considered that Arya's training has passed and she has reached the standard of becoming a teacher.
Even though Arya already thought her swordsmanship was pretty good.
However, he had never been able to hurt the teacher before, even if the teacher deliberately put on a large cloak and robe.
Now, she finally did it.
Look at the excitement on the young face in front of you.
Morgan raised the corners of his mouth slightly.
Arya was able to hurt the hem of his clothes, of course he did it deliberately.
Tomorrow is the tourney.
There are many things to come, and his days of leisure in the Stark family castle have almost entered a countdown.
He is not a retainer of the Stark family, but is only employed by the Stark family.
Although Mrs. Stark Catelyn Tully wanted to invite Morgan to join the Stark family more than once.
Morgan just smiled and shook his head.
Even a month ago, when Caitlin Tully came to King's Landing temporarily for business and Morgan sent her off, the other party mentioned the retainer again.
Morgan still shook his head.
He has never thought about which family or force he should rely on in this world.
He was hired by the Stark family just for a stepping stone and an opportunity.
Now, the best opportunity, the "Contest of Martial Arts", has arrived.
As long as he can sweep the entire tournament this time and become the first winner in the three competition systems of "Jousting," "Group Competition," and "Archery Competition."
Become the first person in the tourney in the whole world, not just in Westeros.
At that time, he will immediately break out of the restrictions and limitations of the Stark family's identity as a swordsman and emerge strongly.
From then on, "the sea is wide enough for fish to leap, and the sky is high enough for birds to fly."
And before that.
Morgan needs to arrange the studies of his student Arya Stark.
In fact, if you really want to massage the roots, Arya's strength is definitely far from being able to become a master.
But Arya's identity is different, and the current situation is different.
Only then did Morgan agree to Arya becoming a disciple.
But even if Arya leaves early, based on Morgan's understanding of the strength of ordinary warriors in this world, it is the group of elite guards who followed Ed Stark to King's Landing around the castle.
The four or five escort warriors are definitely no match for Arya.
Just to find Arya’s illegitimate brother, Jon Snow.
Arya can also fight against the opponent.
Actually speaking.
The Arya Stark in front of her was considered to be the most talented student Morgan had encountered over the years.
Arya has an active personality and a flexible mind.
This also allowed her sword power to be perfectly inherited: quick, agile, cunning and flexible.
Plus the world doesn’t take it seriously.
Morgan was specially taught to move his feet.
With Arya's current strength, even if something happens, she can protect herself alone.
But Arya also has a big flaw.
That is because she is too young and has weaker physical strength than ordinary warriors, which makes her unable to continue fighting for a long time.
But there is nothing we can do about it.
Morgan reminded her, and Arya must have known it in her own mind.
"good..."
"Teacher keeps his word, you have already graduated."
Looking at Arya who looked happy and joyful in front of her, Morgan smiled and said: "From tomorrow on, I will no longer teach you, and you don't have to get up at dawn to practice."
"But you can be lazy occasionally."
"But never relax..."
"Once you relax, your swordsmanship will not advance but retreat."
"You have to remember..."
Morgan looked at the students in front of him and said in a deep voice.
Seeing the seriousness of the teacher's face, Arya's face dimmed a little, and she said obediently: "I understand, teacher."
Morgan nodded: "Well, let's do that..."
He waved his hand.
Arya quickly ran away with the sewing needle as if she was relieved.
Morgan turned and walked to the pavilion on the side, looking at the warm light rising in the east in trance.
Early the next morning.
It's still dark.
The entire city of King's Landing has woken up in the noise and restlessness.
In an era when entertainment is scarce.
Every large-scale event will cause a sensation.
This grand martial arts competition will be a carnival for the entire residents of King's Landing City.
This carnival consists of drinks, prostitutes, and most importantly, gambling.
When Morgan opened his eyes.
It was already dawn outside the window.
Today's dawn is different than usual.
There were constant sounds coming from below the castle.
The grand atmosphere of the tournament affected everyone in King's Landing at this time.
The people in the Stark family castle are naturally no exception.
Arya Stark woke up early in the morning and ran around the castle like a wild child.
Sansa Stark is also looking forward to the tourney in King's Landing. The most important thing is that today, she can see the prince's fiancé Joffrey, whom she has not seen for more than a month, which makes her a little unable to sleep.
But she is a lady, even if she has already woken up, she does not want to get up early like her sister Arya.
Prime Minister Eddard Stark rarely slept in the castle yesterday.
When he came to the restaurant on the second floor and sat down early, he looked at his little daughter Arya who looked happy and said, "Go, invite your teacher here, I have something to tell him."
Arya immediately stood up and ran to the first floor after hearing her father's instructions.
When Morgan walked into the restaurant on the second floor.
I saw Eddard Stark, Arya and Sansa Stark having a meal, and the female officer who always taught the two Miss Starks was also there.
But other than that, there was no one else.
"Morgan is here, sit down..."
"grown ups..."
Morgan said hello and sat down.
He knew in his heart Ed Stark's intention in asking him to dine together.
It must be explaining something about the tournament.
It just so happened that he also wanted to ask about some details of the tournament.
Sure enough, as soon as they sat down, Ed Stark started talking about the tournament.
At this time, the maid on the side brought Morgan a sumptuous breakfast.
Morgan was eating his breakfast.
While listening to the personal instructions of the Prime Minister.
between processes.
Morgan also asked some questions from time to time, and received detailed answers from Ed Stark.
More than half an hour later.
A large procession stepped out of the castle gate.
Eddard Stark rode in front.
Morgan and guard captain Kelson stood guard on both sides.
Behind the three people is an exquisite carriage pulled by horses.
Sitting in the carriage were Arya and Sansa Stark, two young ladies from the Stark family, as well as the middle-aged female official from the castle.
There were guards on both sides and behind the carriage.
The convoy headed straight towards the royal gardens located to the east of the "Red Fort" of the royal palace.
The most important part of the tourney, and the most exciting "Joust and Joust" format involves riding a horse, so the entire tourney was simply arranged in a garden with soft ground.
In the past, large-scale martial arts tournaments were also held in the royal gardens.
This is also the only opportunity for ordinary civilians in King's Landing to visit the royal gardens.
The Stark family were on their way to the royal gardens.
I also saw a large number of ordinary people marching towards the royal gardens in groups, whispering to each other, and with happy faces.
Nobles are not to be offended.
Especially the powerful nobles who came with a group of escort convoys.
The Stark family motorcade moved smoothly on the crowded avenue.
When Morgan followed them to the royal gardens where the trees were neat and the grass and lawns were beautifully manicured.
It was found that the competition venue where the tournament was held was already filled with dense crowds of onlookers.
The best viewing position around the venue naturally belongs to the king and queen, which has been built into a huge tower.
The equally good positions on both sides of the tower belong to a group of powerful ministers and nobles.
Because Morgan had to compete, he and Ed Stark quickly separated after arriving at the conference venue.
"Mr. Morgan, come on!"
"Teacher, we will all encourage you..."
Arya Stark and several guard captains waved goodbye to Morgan.
Morgan smiled and waved.
Then he strode towards the center of the arena.
The level of participation in the tournament announced by the king is not low.
People who have not reached the knighthood cannot participate, no matter how strong you are.
Of course, if you have the guarantee of a noble or a big shot behind you, there will be no such restriction.
That's the case with Morgan now.
Arriving at the competition center, under the guidance of the official official, Morgan quickly got into the preparation tent and changed his mail armor.
A well-made and good full-body armor can protect the body of the contestant. Even if he fails, he will not die.
However, the contestants' armor and horses are the responsibility of the contestants themselves.
If the contest is lost, both the armor and the horse belong to the victor.
The price of armor and horses is not low, especially armor, which is definitely a big burden for some knights who are not wealthy contestants.
When Morgan appeared in front of the participating knights wearing a dark red, exquisite and majestic dragon scale armor, he immediately attracted the attention of many knights.
"Who is that guy?"
"have no idea..."
"But his armor is so beautiful..."
"I haven't seen that guy before, he may be new from somewhere else..."
"The newcomer must be rich enough to be able to wear that armor..."
"I don't know who will be lucky enough to face that guy..."
"Good luck? Are you sure you can defeat him..."
"Are there not enough country bumpkins from other places who come to King's Landing to make a splash?"
"They just came to give us money and horses..."
"Listen, let's start naming names..."
Ignore the looks and comments from other knight contestants around you.
Morgan looked calmly as he scanned the entire place, not finding any familiar faces.
Even the hound Sandor Clegane and the "Kingslayer" Jaime Lannister, the most popular stunt this time, didn't see it.
At this time, Morgan was just about to look away when he saw Sandor Clegane, a hunting dog in black armor, and Jaime Lannister, who was wearing majestic and beautiful pale gold armor, walking quickly towards this side on horseback.
The two men were walking and chatting, seemingly talking about something.
Morgan withdrew his gaze and looked at the old man standing in front of a group of knight contestants, holding a list of resistance papers, cleared his throat and began to read.
"Immediate jousting format..."
"first round..."
"Sir Stella versus Sir Bartlett..."
"Sir Hubbard versus..."
"Morgan vs. Sir Hugh..."
