A Book of Ice and Fire / Game of Thrones : Magic Network

"It's finally coming."

The Hound, Commander of the Kingsguard, was eager for the taste of battle.

"Your Grace, the Kingsguard's 3,000 Holy Warriors and 7,000 soldiers stand ready. Whether defending the city or marching to war, there shall be no difficulty whatsoever!"

The Minister of the Army, the Kingslayer, continued, "The houses sworn to King's Landing have all sent troops in answer to the royal summons. Including the new recruits from within the city, the Ministry of the Army commands 2,000 Holy Warriors and 10,000 soldiers.

Moreover, more than 6,000 souls belonging to the Statistics Bureau, Security Bureau, and Kingsguard undergo training as we speak.

All these men can be dispatched for combat at your word."

Speaking of this, Jaime Lannister could not help but feel a pang of resentment.

He had labored mightily alongside carefully selected instructors to train so many soldiers, only to see the majority of them placed under others' command.

Especially the Hound's Kingsguard.

What Kingsguard? They were naught but lazy, useless gold cloaks and paupers who could scarce fill their own bellies. They had relied entirely upon the rigorous training of the Ministry of the Army to transform into true warriors, yet in the end, the Hound claimed all the glory.

And worse still, the number of Holy Warriors under the Hound's command exceeded those of the Ministry of the Army.

A full thousand more.

Jaime would gladly exchange 10,000 ordinary soldiers for the Hound's 1,000 Holy Warriors.

Unfortunately, such a trade was beyond his reach.

Jaime knew the reason well enough.

The Hound was Joffrey's dog, as was the Kingsguard. But Jaime was not.

"Kingslayer"—the last king who trusted the "Kingslayer" had died beneath the Iron Throne, his throat opened by a golden sword.

And there was more.

Jaime lifted his gaze to Joffrey's face, to that radiant, sun-like golden hair.

His beloved sister had been rejecting him for more than a moon's turn. No, even earlier than that—since Robert went north to Winterfell, Cersei had no longer welcomed his ardent and sincere love.

Jaime had asked relentlessly, again and again, until finally he gleaned the reason from the Queen Regent's veiled words.

Joffrey knew the truth.

Jaime harbored no more doubts about Cersei's unusual behavior.

How could she allow her image in her son's eyes to crumble further? How could she add fuel to the rumors spread by Renly, undermining her son's claim to the throne?

Jaime held no deep affection for the three royal children, but he understood well that Cersei loved her children even more than herself.

From that day forward, Jaime's existence had consisted only of duty and honor, tournaments and wars—being a good Kingsguard, a good Minister of the Army, a good Lannister.

Even if Joffrey harbored resentment toward him.

In the "Throne Room," Grand Maester and Minister of Education Pycelle was reporting tidings both fair and foul. Jaime's attention, however, remained fixed upon the three empty seats before the ministers.

Eddard Stark still held the titles of "Regent" and "Hand of the King," yet the man himself dwelled far in the North and had never troubled himself with Southern affairs.

Joffrey seemed indifferent to this and showed no inclination to appoint another Hand.

The Queen Regent's position was equally nominal.

The guests at Cersei's balls and banquets were mostly minor courtiers and ladies who offered naught but pretty words and held no sway over matters of court.

The routine petitions heard in the Throne Room grew ever less consequential. It seemed they served only to employ Cersei's beauty in appeasing the frightened smallfolk of the lower city, or to use the Queen Regent's willfulness to dismiss the complaints of those who had suffered losses.

And then there was the Regent and Minister of Justice, Duke Tywin Lannister.

Jaime could not help but recall his father's demand.

Withdraw from the Kingsguard, reclaim the right to inherit Casterly Rock, wed and sire children.

When he had heard these words, the first image to come to Jaime's mind was Cersei's face. If he withdrew from the Kingsguard, he would have no cause to remain in the Red Keep and be near Cersei throughout his days.

But he quickly remembered the present circumstance—every meeting had become an ordeal. Perhaps it was better not to meet so often.

Jaime also thought of his little brother. Tyrion would surely drink himself into a stupor for days if he learned of this.

Though Tyrion had never spoken it plainly, Jaime knew well that what his little brother desired most was Casterly Rock, their father's approval, to be a true Lannister in all eyes.

Jaime remained caught in indecision.

He considered Joffrey as well. Would Joffrey agree to his withdrawal from the Kingsguard? Or rather, would the King be willing?

From his position as a Privy Councilor, Jaime had seen and learned much.

In just one moon's turn, the Grace Light Curtain had been bestowed upon more than 50,000, the army and court were wholly controlled by the King, and all of King's Landing was thus rendered powerless to resist, existing solely at the King's pleasure.

And the number of Grace Light Curtains bestowed increased with each passing day, now approaching 10,000. The Grace Priests responsible for implanting the cores were nearly drained of their healing power.

What fate awaited them if hundreds of thousands in King's Landing were to receive the Grace Light Curtain?

Whenever Jaime contemplated such a strange and unpredictable future, he could not help but feel deeply shaken and bewildered.

In a few years or decades, the Grace Light Curtain would be granted to every soul beneath the Iron Throne. At that time, the King would undoubtedly rule the Seven Kingdoms directly, with no need for the lords' support, with no fear of their power.

Jaime was not alone in glimpsing this future—the ministers saw it too, as did King Joffrey and the clever folk of King's Landing.

Would the King and nobles still dwell in peace with one another?

"The Bold" Barristan began to speak. Jaime's gaze remained fixed on the empty seat engraved with the roaring golden lion.

His father must have perceived this as well.

Jaime could not help but speculate—perhaps his father had returned to Casterly Rock for this very reason and ordered his uncle Kevan to assume command of the armies of the Vale and the Riverlands.

King's Landing was thus left exposed on the front line, beneath the blade of the Southern Coalition.

Was this a test or challenge for Joffrey?

Or did his father simply believe King's Landing strong enough, allowing him to devise some more profitable scheme?

King's Landing could indeed stand against the rebellion alone.

Of this, Jaime was certain. Defeat was impossible; the only question was whether victory would come sooner or later, whether it would be greater or lesser.

Casterly Rock.

Jaime could not help but wonder, did Joffrey desire Casterly Rock among the spoils of war he sought to claim?

Would his father agree, because of Joffrey's bloodline?

What of Tyrion?

Jaime thought much, and deeply, yet in the end, he asked no questions.

In any case, he could not abandon Cersei and Tyrion. Lannister blood would ever flow through his veins, and he bore a solemn oath, even if others held such vows in little regard.

He returned to the present moment.

Hanna was speaking, "...The Logistics Bureau's supply of materials has largely stabilized, consuming 800 tons of grain, 150 tons of meat, 100 tons of pig iron, and 2 tons of dragon crystal per week..."

Jaime had missed much of what had been said, but he felt no urgency.

The minutes of the "Throne Room" meetings would be stored in the Light Curtain. Every word, every person's actions and expressions would be preserved, and he could review them in private.

As for his momentary lapse in attention, Jaime cared not.

The Kingslayer must be more arrogant than others to be worthy of the title.

"...The weapons and equipment for the Holy Warriors have been manufactured, and the test results have met our expectations.

Preparations for the construction of the flagship 'Grace' are complete, and the launching ceremony will be held this Sunday.

That concludes my report."

Jaime heard a new name. "Grace"?

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