Chapter 250: Bet of the Century
Winterfell, Stark Lands
POV of Domeric Bolton
"Here, your grace," Lord Stark said, pulling from his coat pocket the parchment Domeric had given him earlier and handing it to the King.
"Listen and witness. I, King Robert Baratheon, have wronged House Stark and House Bolton by breaking the betrothal pact between the two Great Houses without just cause."
The King shouted, and after taking a deep breath, he continued in a loud voice.
"As compensation to these two houses, Sansa Stark of House Stark will be betrothed to Prince Joffrey of the Baratheon Royal House."
The King paused again for breath, and Domeric looked at Lord Stark's face.
Apparently, Lord Stark wasn't thrilled that Sansa's betrothal to Joffrey was the only compensation.
Frankly, after telling Lord Stark about Joffrey, he was more likely to see it as punishment than compensation. But there was nothing he could do about the King's word.
"And the matters I am about to read will be compensation for House Bolton, who suffered the most from this unjust decision of mine." The King said and then continued.
"First, Arya Stark will be Lord Bolton's ward and will live in the Dreadfort under his protection from now on."
"Second..."
The King read out the demands Domeric had previously enumerated to Lord Stark, one by one. Domeric could clearly hear the gasps of surprise coming from the crowd after each clause.
"And finally, family members of House Bolton will no longer have to kneel or bow their heads to the King, the Warden of the North, or anyone else in the seven kingdoms."
"What?" the Queen shouted.
After the King read the last sentence, the gasps of surprise from the crowd were even louder than before.
"Silence." The king shouted loudly.
"I, Robert Baratheon, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, Protector of the Realm, Lord of Storm's End, Lord Paramount of the Stormlands, command it thus and it shall be thus."
"Ned, gather the Lords at the castle and nearby as soon as possible. In their witness, these words of mine for Lord Bolton will be in writing, signed and sealed by you and me." The King turned to Lord Stark and said.
"As you wish, your grace." Lord Stark answered.
"I hope this satisfies you, Lord Bolton." The King turned to Domeric this time and said.
"It did, your grace," Domeric said.
He hadn't expected the plan he'd devised for Jaime Lannister to expedite the compensation he demanded from Lord Stark and the King, but he couldn't say he objected to it.
"Then put an end to this madness at once and return to the castle," said the King.
After the king resolved the dispute, everyone breathed a sigh of relief when Jamie Lanister stepped forward.
"My sword." Said Kingslayer, looking at Domeric with barely restrained anger and humiliation.
"Ahh… the Lion's Cock. It must be lying somewhere over here. Find it on your own." Domeric replied.
"Here." One of the Stark men said and picked up a sword from the ground, then gave it to Jamie Lannister. Jamie looked at it and, much to the shock of everyone present, pointed it toward Domeric.
"Need I remind you, Ser Jamie, that Lord Bolton is still under my guest's right?" Lord Stark said.
"True. But Lord Bolton claimed that he could cut me from balls to brain where I stand." Jamie Lannister said. "I would like to see if he is as good as his boasts or if he's only good at running away like a girl."
"I would fight you, Ser Jamie…" Domeric said with a smile, "But there is really nothing in it for me. If you win, then I'll die. And if I win and you die, then I'll earn the Queen's wrath and the King's displeasure. Who knows, even Lord Lannister might be a little displeased."
Finally, events had unfolded as Domeric had initially planned, and Jamie Lannister had challenged him to a duel. If he could adjust the terms of the duel to his liking, he could extend his stay in Winterfell by a week or ten days.
But did he really need that anymore? The King had already publicly accepted his demands.
Anyway, it would take Lord Stark some time to gather the nearby lords. Until then, a little fun wouldn't hurt.
Jamie Lannister didn't seem to want to give up this easily. "What do you want then? Gold? Women? Gold and women?"
"I don't need both gold and women, thank you very much," Domeric said and then acted as if he thought about Jamie Lannister's offer a bit more seriously and continued. "But… there is something we can bet on in this fight."
"What?" Jamie Lannister asked.
He took out Excalibur from its sheath and showed the Valyrian sword to everyone in the courtyard.
"A bet of the century," Domeric said. "A Valyrian steel sword for another Valyrian steel sword. The winner takes both."
"The Lion's Claw is bigger than Excalibur." Jamie Lannister said.
"You're also bigger than me." He replied. "And more experienced. I think the bet is fair. Unless you want to fight Varko in my stead."
"I would gladly be your sword, my Lord," Varko added from behind, and Jamie's face curdled before he nodded.
"Very well then. I'll fight against you. A Valyrian sword for a Valyrian sword. Who will officiate this duel?"
Domeric looked around and said. "This is Lord Stark's castle. And despite his breaking my betrothal with Sansa without even consulting me, I still believe he is an honorable man. He can officiate this duel."
He then put Excalibur back in its sheath and took out the belt before handing it to one of his men, who passed it on to Lord Stark.
Jamie did the same and handed Lion's Claw to Lord Stark as well.
Lord Stark looked at the two Valyrian swords that had been handed to him and nodded, "Clearing the courtyard, giving proper burial to these men, and compensating their families comes first." Lord Stark said. "The duel will be held in the evening. Any objections?"
"No," Jamie replied.
"No objections," Domeric said with a smile.
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Next Chapters' Name:
Ch.251: Examining the Ice Sword
Ch.252: What Do You Want from Me?
Ch.253: Great Migration Plan