chapter 144 part 2
With that, she hopped from her right foot to her left, wobbling precariously back and forth before finally finding her balance again.
Lord Eddard chuckled, then said helplessly, "Arya, can't you play somewhere else? That spot is high and steep. It won't be fun if you fall."
Arya's little cheeks puffed out. Angrily, she said, "Father, this is part of sword fighting!"
"And..."
She put her foot down, standing on both legs, and continued, "Syrio says a water dancer never falls."
Arya's eyes darted around. She tilted her head and asked, "Father, if my sword skills become as good as Syrio's, can I be a knight?"
Before Lord Eddard could answer, Arya added, "I want to be a lord, too."
Lord Eddard walked over. His large hand gently patted the top of his daughter's head as he said, "Arya... my daughter, you will marry some lord, and you will rule his castle. Your sons will become knights or lords."
Arya's expression changed. "No! That's for Sansa!"
She turned her little face away, lifted her right foot, and continued practicing her one-legged balance.
Seeing that his youngest daughter no longer wanted to pay him any mind, Lord Eddard sighed silently and started up the stairs.
...
...
Essos, near the Free City of Qarth.
Daenerys sat on her horse, gazing into the distance for a while before speaking, "Ser Jorah, can these sellswords take the city of Qarth?"
Jorah Mormont glanced at Daenerys. "Princess," he said, "the defenders of Qarth are protected by their city walls, but from what I know, they don't have many soldiers left. If no reinforcements arrive, they will be breached sooner or later."
Daenerys withdrew her gaze and tugged on the reins, turning her horse around.
"Let's go back."
The others turned their horses one by one.
A gust of wind blew, kicking up a large cloud of dust. Daenerys squinted her eyes and pulled up her cloak to cover her mouth and nose.
After riding for a while, Daenerys pulled on her reins, slowing her horse. She turned to Jorah and said, "Ser, the casualties in a siege are very high."
Ser Jorah nodded. "Yes, Princess."
Daenerys turned her head to look at Jorah, her expression serious. "Ser Jorah, I am very grateful that you brought me to watch the siege..."
She paused, then continued, "I have a question for you, and I hope you will answer it honestly."
Jorah glanced at Daenerys, then lowered his eyes slightly and placed a hand on his chest. "Jorah Mormont, at your service, always."
Daenerys looked Jorah in the eye. "I have heard that Westeros is full of strongly fortified castles. Can my brother conquer the Seven Kingdoms with ten thousand men?"
Having witnessed the brutality of siege warfare, although Daenerys knew nothing of military affairs, she felt a vague sense of unease about Viserys's safety. The feeling came upon her suddenly.
Jorah hesitated for a moment before speaking, "Princess Daenerys, forgive my bluntness, but His Grace Viserys knows nothing of warfare. In my opinion, you could give him ten thousand brooms and he still couldn't sweep a stable clean."
Daenerys agreed with this point. Her brother had certainly never received any training in this area. The longsword he wore at his waist every day was merely an ornament to display the authority of a king.
Daenerys showed no change in expression and continued to ask, "What if it wasn't Viserys? What if it were someone else... someone stronger leading the army? Would ten thousand men be enough to conquer the Seven Kingdoms?"
Jorah was silent for a long time before answering, "Princess, the soldiers of the Seven Kingdoms will hide behind shield walls or fortifications made of sharpened wooden stakes. Ten thousand men would not be able to take many castles. Unless..."
Daenerys raised an eyebrow. "Unless what?"
Jorah said respectfully, "Unless the Usurper, Robert, is foolish enough to choose a pitched battle. With good fortune, it might be decided in a single fight."
Daenerys blinked. "Is Robert that kind of man? I mean, is he a fool?"
Jorah nodded. He spoke slowly, "Robert is a brave and skilled warrior. He enjoys facing his enemies head-on. If House Targaryen's army were to return to the Seven Kingdoms, it is indeed highly likely that he would, true to his nature, take the initiative to lead his army out for a decisive battle."
After a moment of thought, he added, "But Robert has many people around him. Hah, these men are his cautious counselors, and they would never allow such a thing. For example, his brother Stannis and Eddard Stark..."
As he spoke, he spat on the ground, a fury that could not be suppressed flashing in his eyes.
Daenerys's violet eyes shifted slightly. "Ser Jorah, you seem to despise this Stark."
Ser Jorah's face was bitter. "Stark took everything I loved, and for what? A few poaching scum and his precious honor."
From Jorah's words, Daenerys could feel that the memory still tormented him.
She comforted him, "What you have lost, House Targaryen will help you reclaim."
Jorah's eyes trembled. He bowed his head to Daenerys in thanks.
...
...
That evening, in the dining hall of the Tower of the Hand.
*Thump.* Monton Waters placed a platter of meat in front of Jon Snow.
He said sheepishly, "Jon, I roasted it. Eat up."
Jon looked at the heaping platter of meat and smiled helplessly. "Monton, I don't have that big of an appetite... But, thank you for the roast."
Monton grinned foolishly and urged, "Try it."
Jon smiled, picked up a piece of roast meat, and popped it into his mouth. He chewed and praised, "Your cooking is amazing!"
Monton then poured a cup of wine and pushed it toward Jon.
Jon sighed. "Monton, you're making me uncomfortable. Go on, what is it?"
Perhaps it was because they were both bastards and shared many similar experiences, but he and Monton had hit it off from the very beginning... Of course, it wasn't just that. He was very fond of the simple and honest Monton.
Monton was the first friend Jon had made since arriving in King's Landing. In his heart, they were like brothers. Robb, Bran, and Rickon were his father's children, and he still loved them, but because of Lady Catelyn, Jon knew he could never truly be one of them.
The grey walls of Winterfell might still haunt Jon's dreams, but he knew he had left that most familiar of places forever.
Jon Snow had followed his father to King's Landing. He would begin a new life in this strange place.
...
Monton said in a muffled voice, "Jon, the tourney starts tomorrow. I plan to sign up for the melee."
Jon asked, puzzled, "Why aren't you signing up for the joust?"
Monton shook his large head. "I can't use a lance. I only know the shield and hammer."
Realization seemed to dawn on Jon. He looked at Monton. "Don't tell me you want me to sign up with you?"
(end of chapter)