After Ser Arys excuses himself, Joffrey studies Sansa and declares he is pleased she wore the stones he gave her. Joffrey quickly interjects that Tommen will be riding against a straw quintain. Princess Myrcella gives a shy nod, but Prince Tommen excitedly tells her that he is to ride in the tourney. The Hound announces Sansa’s arrival at the royal box. Only a few are nobility: grey-faced Lord Gyles Rosby, Lady Tanda Stokeworth with her daughters Falyse and Lollys, the exiled prince Jalabhar Xho, and Lady Ermesande Hayford, who is only a baby. Most of the spectators are gold cloaks or wear the crimson of House Lannister. The pitiful crowd in the small outer bailey fills only half the seats. Ser Arys also mentions that Cersei is furious that Tywin Lannister will not bring his army to the city as commanded. Sansa asks if Queen Cersei will attend, but learns that the queen has urgent business with the small council. With King Robert dead and three kings vying for power it is not surprising that Joffrey’s tourney must be held within the Red Keep. Sansa muses that this will be very different from the magnificent Hand's tourney. Ser Arys states he will, though there will be only 40 contestants, and there is small honor in unhorsing green boys. The others all obey without question, except Sandor Clegane, but Joffrey never commands the Hound to hit her.Īs they walk, Sansa asks who will win the tourney.
Of all the Kingsguard, Ser Arys is always courteous to Sansa, and is her preferred escort since he is the only one who objects to hitting her and never hits hard.
Ser Arys compliments Sansa on her gown, whose long sleeves hide the bruises given to her by Ser Boros Blount at Joffrey’s command when he learned that her brother Robb had been proclaimed King in the North. Yet Joffrey is a Baratheon as much as a Lannister, so his comet should be gold. Sansa wonders apprehensively if this is true, since her mother and brother are among Joffrey’s enemies. Sansa is not so sure and replies that she has heard the servants call it the “Dragon’s Tail.” Ser Arys replies that Joffrey sits on Aegon the Dragon’s throne and crimson is the color of House Lannister, so it must mean he will triumph over his enemies. Ser Arys declares that it means glory to her betrothed, King Joffrey the gods have raised it as a banner in his honor, and the smallfolk have named it “King Joffrey’s Comet”. Sansa is watching the long tail of the red comet from her tower window when Ser Arys Oakheart arrives to escort her to the tourney on King Joffrey's name day.
0 kommentar(er)
