King Robert outwardly appeared angry, but inwardly he was delighted.
He was happy no matter who won or lost.
One is the beloved dog of his father-in-law, and the other is the beloved dog of Queen Cersei. The two vicious dogs are courting death. King Robert wants to cheer them on and give them a shout of encouragement, but he cannot openly express his support and joy, so leaving them alone is the best course of action.
If both vicious dogs die together, that would be an excellent outcome; however, it would be difficult to get back the thousand gold dragons that were pledged to his younger brother, Duke Renly.
How could King Robert possibly miss out on gambling in such an occasion? Of course, he would never place bets openly; he would send people to place the bets, and then count the money in front of Duke Eddard after winning.
Will Ed, that grumpy rock goblin, place a bet?
Definitely not!
Out of love for his good friend and brother, King Robert decides to help Duke Eddard learn two skills for finding pleasure in life: visiting brothels and gambling.
To get Duke Eddard to love gambling, you need to let him experience the thrill and anticipation of gambling, as well as some sure-fire tips. Yes, let's start with this duel between the Mountain and the Hound.
King Robert was a kind-hearted man, especially towards his brother Eddard, whom he trusted most despite not being related by blood. He decided to first have a good meal and drink his fill, then send some of his generals and courtiers to secretly place bets on his behalf. He would then personally go to Eddard's residence and persuade him to wager at least fifty gold dragons. Robert firmly believed that Eddard, a man of stone, had no joy in life, and now was the time to generously help him find some pleasure.
*
On Ruby Beach, Duke Renly had a large white circle drawn in the center. Around this circle, numerous bonfires would be lit, and bundles of fine timber and tinder were prepared. Along the four sides of the dueling arena, long tables were arranged. The highest table, facing east, was for King Robert and his Hand of the King, Eddard. The other three tables were slightly lower, for the royal courtiers, accompanying nobles, local nobles, the garrison general, and the red-robed centurions.
Although it was still early, the servants were already busy at Ruby Beach. Next to the Prime Minister's table, fine knitted bearskin blankets were specially prepared for the two noble ladies, Arya Stark and Sansa Stark.
As the host and major sponsor of this duel, Duke Renly naturally became the person in charge of the duel venue. Maester Lucius was responsible for inspecting the weapons and armor of both sides and announcing the rules of the duel.
Knights engage in public duels, and regardless of the outcome, all previous grudges are wiped clean once the duel ends. This requires a ritual, usually performed by a priest from the sanctuary. Although this town has a sanctuary, it lacks a high priest, consisting only of ordinary monks of lower rank.
However, there is no need to worry, because His Majesty the King is here. Using His Majesty's accompanying scholars is actually a customary practice in knightly duels, and it is also a unique honor for scholars who are loyal to and follow the King.
*
Ten miles away from the famous Ruby Beach, there is a small ferry crossing.
Yesterday at Ruby Beach, Arya and Nymeria, the direwolf, attacked Joffrey and fled, crossing the river at this small ferry. Not far from the riverbank is a forest that stretches westward for hundreds of miles along the river, eventually connecting with the Whispering Forest east of Riverrun. It was in this forest that Arya drove Nymeria away.
In the morning, after the King abruptly left the Earl's Hall from his throne, Eddard Stark also left the Earl's Hall. He took Arya, the Northern Guards, and Sansa's direwolf Lady with him and rode into the forest to search for Nymeria.
Hope is beautiful, but reality is cruel. The forest, hundreds of miles long, was too vast. Even as the sun set, Ed and Arya, along with their guards and direwolves, couldn't find Nymeria. Similar to Arya's personality, Nymeria was also a 'wild boy' among wolves. After leaving her master, she may have quickly adapted to the life that was truly hers—returning to the wild and the forest.
As the sun set, no matter how unwilling Arya was, Nymeria never appeared in their sight. Even with the help of the Lady, reality remained harsh and cruel, and no miracle occurred because of Arya's feelings for Nymeria.
*
Outside the town, the Demon Mountain and his cavalry were practicing their swordsmanship.
With a major battle imminent that night, a life-or-death duel, he dared not be negligent in the slightest.
Although victory is assured, all necessary preparations must be made to the fullest extent.
We must despise the enemy strategically, but take them seriously tactically!
The state of mind for a duel needs to be adjusted; the Hound's habit before a duel is to sharpen his sword. The Mountain has sent his squire Bernie to check on him, and the Hound has locked himself in his room to carefully sharpen his sword.
It's not that the hounds' swords aren't sharp enough; sharpening their swords is a unique way for the hounds to relax.
Before the duel at the Mountain, the habit is to engage in continuous low-intensity exercise to activate the blood vessels, muscles, bones, and nerve responses throughout the body, putting them in a state of moderate excitement.
*
Night fell, and Ruby Beach was brightly lit and bustling with activity. King Robert sat in the highest seat, beaming with excitement, beside his good brother and Hand of the King, Eddard Stark. Eddard Stark was not in high spirits, but under pressure from His Majesty the King, he had no choice but to come and participate in this brutal 'duel extravaganza'.
"Where did you go today?" King Robert asked Eddard in a low voice with a smile on his face.
"Go to the other side of the river and find the wolf for Arya!"
"What?!" The king exclaimed dramatically, then leaned close to Ed's ear. "My Prime Minister, a wolf is a wolf, not a kitten or a rabbit. If you want to spoil your daughter, just raise kittens and rabbits for her. Raising wolves? What if something happens? A wolf is a wolf, especially a dire wolf, a ferocious beast! If you raise wolves for your daughter, something bad will happen sooner or later."
Eddard looked at his two daughters beside him; Arya was sullen, while Sansa was dignified and elegant.
"I haven't seen Her Majesty the Queen. Isn't she coming?"
"She did everything she could to stop this duel today, and even came to beg me to order its cancellation."
Did you try to stop it?
"Heh heh!" King Robert answered with a meaningful laugh. He lowered his voice, quite pleased with himself, "I couldn't find you, so I bet fifty gold dragons on you, on the Hound to win! If you lose, you have to give me back the bet; if you win, you have to give me a hundred gold dragons."
*
The Magic Mountain Camp outside the town.
A hooded man dressed in black was led into the Demon Mountain's tent by the Demon Mountain's guards.
The Mountain, who was putting on his armor, looked at the mysterious visitor, but he couldn't make out the visitor's face.
Under the watchful eyes of Demon Mountain and his men, the newcomer slowly lowered his hood, revealing a handsome face—it was Scholar Lucius.
The maester got straight to the point: "Sir Gregor, the Hound took a vial of venom from me last night and smeared it on the blades of his swords and the arrowheads of his crossbows. He told me it was for you."
"Oh!" said the Mountain. "Knights will check all their weapons before a public duel, and he can't carry his crossbow on him."
"Sir Gregor, perhaps the Hound has arranged for someone else to use crossbows against you from the shadows. In any case, this is an unfair duel against you. The Hound's real purpose is to kill you in public; the knightly duel is just his excuse and pretext."
Why are you telling me all this?
"The hound gave me ten gold dragons to buy venom, and after I gave him the venom, he took all the gold dragons back."