Joffrey's King's Game began.
Robb Stark and Theon Greyjoy played two opposing "lords";
Bran Stark, Jon Snow, Rodrik Cassel, and seven others played "knights" who pledged allegiance to the two "lords" respectively;
Another seventy-seven spectators were pressed into service, playing "soldiers" who served under the seven "knights" respectively;
Everyone simultaneously pledged allegiance to the "King".
The "King" spoke.
"What petitions do the people below have?"
All the players became serious. After hearing the Crown Prince's explanation of the game rules, no one thought it was just a simple entertainment game.
Robb spoke first.
"Your Majesty the King, your vassal Stark requests a territorial judgment."
He had four knights loyal to him, and this was Winterfell, the seat of House Stark, giving him a clear advantage over Theon.
"Greyjoy has seized a knight's land belonging to Stark. Stark demands that Greyjoy return it."
Each "lord" had 3 active challenge opportunities. The challenged party could counterattack once without consuming a challenge count.
Robb initiated the first round of challenges against Theon.
If he won, one of Theon's knights and eleven soldiers would belong to him;
If he lost, there would be no reward, and the King would randomly impose a penalty.
Theon certainly wouldn't surrender directly.
He also stepped forward and petitioned, "Your Majesty, this is Stark's slander! Greyjoy requests a Trial by Combat."
Joffrey nodded.
"Trial by Combat is permitted. Stark and Greyjoy shall designate their champion knights."
Robb designated Ser Rodrik, the master-at-arms.
Theon looked at Jon, with whom he usually got along the least, "Jon, you wouldn't deliberately lose, would you?"
Jon snorted unhappily.
"I still have honor, 'esteemed' lord."
Jon did not break his word.
He gave his all. His swordsmanship and physique, honed through hard training since childhood, were his greatest reliance over the years. He defeated the seasoned Ser Rodrik.
Robb's challenge failed. Joffrey did not punish him.
Theon decided to counterattack, "Your Majesty, Stark has seized two knight's lands belonging to Greyjoy. Greyjoy demands that Stark return them."
Theon raised the stakes.
Most of the people present were from Winterfell, and some of Theon's subordinates were already a bit unhappy.
Robb did not demand a Trial by Combat. He knew Jon's martial skill, and there was no chance of winning this way. Only voting remained.
"Your Majesty, Stark is innocent and requests the convening of a Great Council!"
Joffrey agreed.
The "Great Council", another form of judgment in the King's Game, involved the seventy-seven soldiers present voting on the issue.
Each knight now had 11 soldiers. A decision made by 7 or more soldiers had to be adopted by the knight, otherwise the knight could choose to agree, disagree, or abstain.
The final seven votes would determine the ultimate outcome.
Before the voting began, the two lords could speak to gain the support of the soldiers.
"Lords begin speaking."
Robb was very confident. He only said one sentence, "Please support me."
Indeed, this was Winterfell.
Theon understood even more clearly. It seemed he was about to taste failure and mockery again.
This game was unfair!
But where in the world was there fairness to speak of?! Wasn't Winterfell just like this game!
He fell into pain.
I am the heir to the Iron Islands, Son of the Kraken, I am a resilient Ironborn...
Am I?
My father is King Balon of the Iron Islands, but now I have long since blurred his face, and Lord Eddard's face and words have replaced him;
My motto is "We Do Not Sow", and now I am in The North where "Winter Is Coming";
My god is the cruel Drowned God, "What Is Dead May Never Die, But Rises Again, Harder and Stronger." Now I pray to The Gods of the Green Lands;
My belonging is the sea, is the longship, and now I have forgotten the salty taste of the sea.
Who am I, really?
Would the Starks accept me?
Theon tasted the metallic, bitter tang in his mouth.
He felt his soul constantly sinking, down into a dark, insane abyss. It wasn't Winterfell, nor Pyke in the Iron Islands, but a place of unconscious non-existence...
Joffrey injected his vast mental power into his eyes, his words carrying magic.
He simply said, "Greyjoy speaks."
Theon couldn't help but look up, the Crown Prince's eyes drawing him in.
Gods, what kind of monster resided within them?
Calm and gentle on the surface, yet concealing a world-sweeping storm within, unpredictable yet unwavering, inspiring both awe and fear, love and hate, unforgettable for a lifetime.
Like a supreme King.
A King.
Yes, a King!!
Theon's face was consumed by fervent emotion, his eyes shining with a light mixed with hope and despair.
Theon prostrated himself on the ground, as if on a pilgrimage.
"To His Most High Majesty the King, Theon Greyjoy offers his unfading loyalty! My sword, my body, mind, and soul, all of me are yours!!"
Everyone was dumbfounded!
A wanton curve played on Joffrey's lips.
He drew Dragonflame and pressed the tip heavily onto Theon's shoulder.
"I accept your fealty."
"In the name of the Seven, Theon of the Greyjoy family, I, Joffrey Baratheon, knight you under the King's seat. Remember, you shall not retreat in battle."
"Rise, Ser Theon Greyjoy."
It was the simplest knighting ceremony possible, even somewhat irregular, but no one dared to take it as a joke.
People could only stare blankly.
Joffrey withdrew Dragonflame, one hand on his hip, the other on the hilt of his sword.
"Let the voting begin."
Robb had lost most of his confidence.
The seventy-seven soldiers gradually stirred. They looked at each other and tacitly chose to obey the greatest liege lord whom they all served.
Robb closed his eyes.
The seven knights had lost the right to choose. The soldiers under their command overwhelmingly voted for the same side.
In the Great Council, Greyjoy won!
Robb lost two of his knights, half of his strength, and the scales of victory tilted towards Theon.
Theon launched his attack.
"Your Majesty! The Starks have seized two of Greyjoy's knightly lands, and Greyjoy demands their return!"
Win once more, and Robb would be completely defeated.
At this moment, Robb had to face a difficult choice. Trial by Combat? Jon was on the opposite side. The Great Council seemed to offer little hope now.
Do I also have to swear fealty to win?
Robb's heart was complex. He seemed to understand the Crown Prince's intention. The King's Game, it truly was the King's Game.
Jon's heart was also struggling.
Being sharp, he had long seen that this game was not simple. At the very least, the Crown Prince had the intention of making him decide now.
King's Landing? The Night's Watch?
It seemed a choice had to be made now.
Jon looked at the Crown Prince, and their gazes met. A strange power seemed to pass between them.
Jon felt a sudden heat in his head and immediately knelt on one knee.
"Your Majesty, Jon Snow is willing to offer eternal loyalty and requests a Lordship Conferment."
People were surprised again.
This game had another rule: a knight could request a Lordship Conferment, provided they gained the sworn fealty of another knight and seven soldiers.
Joffrey was very satisfied with the game's outcome.
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