A Game of Thrones (1996), Fantasy Novel by George R.R. Martin: summary

“Most men would rather deny a hard truth than face it.” (p.126, Tyrion Lannister said to Jon Snow)

"When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die. There is no middle ground." (p.488, Cersei Lannister warned Ned Stark)

A Game of Thrones is book one of five books in fantasy sequence The Song of Ice and Fire that originally published in 1996.This edition was printed by Bantam Books New York in 2016 with the 834-page long. The TV serial adaptation is good, but I prefer the book.

George R.R. Martin is an American fantasy, horror, and science fiction writer. Though the author claimed himself as a slow writer, but the book is a fast-paced one to me. Hundred of characters has brought me into confused corner. I am not a huge fan of too many characters and settings, but since the characters named frequently and related one to another character helping me to comprehend the tale.

The writing technique is superb, mostly each chapter leaves cliffhanger endings that make me hardly to put down the book. Numerous questions appeared in my mind when I left one chapter, such as: What’s going on to Arya and Bran?   

The tale follows the Seven Kingdoms that was united by Aegon the Dragon of Targaryens (the blood of the dragon). Seven houses has been married in one empire called Seven Kingdoms, it was the dragon that they married for three hundred years until the day a Baratheon's queen broke it into a ruin. The kingdom’s ruled by King Robert Baratheon after banishing the dragon’s blood, the Mad King Aerys Targaryen, that has slew Ned’s Stark's family and Robert's lover (Lyanna Stark, Ned's sister). Robert's queen, a Lannister,  was driven by greediness, jealousy, and incestuous madness with her own twin brother, had killed numerous  powerful people in the empire including Ned Stark (a warrior, a Hand and a friend of King Robert), and others warriors.  After the death of King Robert, Eddard Stark was accused of a treason and put him to death. 

There is no such specific main character, the Starks’s persecution has drawn reader on their side, though we mostly know that in kingdom's tale there is no throne without blood and conspiracy. The book is a fantasy one, but the characters act more like human does (except for the direwolf): kingdom, love, betrayal, power, politics, greediness, sex, romance, battle, family, brotherhood, loyalty, and patriotism. I am not sure the book can be easy for novice reader. All in all, it’s a great and enjoyable book. If the Lords of the Ring is your genre, then you might enjoy the book. It’s worthy to invest your time on the epic with strong writing style, sharp story line, and rich character.

The list of the seven kingdoms and two houses:

1. House Baratheon

The youngest of Great House, born during the Wars of Conquest. The founder, Orys Baratheon, was rumored to be Aegon the Dragon’s bastard brother. Baratheon was one of the Aegon’s fiercest commanders, after defeated Argilac the Arrogant, the last Storm King, Aegon rewarded him Argilac’s castle. Their words: Ours is the Fury.

Ruler king is Robert, his wife, Queen Cersei, of House Lanisster; their children: Prince Joffrey, heir to Iron Throne, twelve – Princess Myrcella, a girl of eight – Prince Tommen, a boy of seven.

2. House Stark -- descent of Brandon the Builder and the ancient Kings of Winter. Their words: Winter is Coming.

Eddard (Ned) Stark, Lord of Winterfell, Warden of the North, his wife Lady Catelyn, of House Tully; their children: Robb (14), the heir to Winterfell-- Sansa (11), the eldest daughter, -- Arya (9), the younger daughter --Brandon (Bran, 7) -- Rick (3) – and his bastard son, Jon Snow (14).

3. House Lannister – The blood of Andal adventures. Their words: Hear Me Roar!

4. House Arryn – Descent of King of Mountain and Vale and their words: As High As Honor.

5. House Tully -- Never reigned as kings, descent of the riverlands conqueror. Their words: Family, Duty, Honor.

6. House Tyrell -- Descent of gardener king. Their words: Growing Strong.

7. House Greyjoy-- Descent of mermaid. Their words: We Do Not Sow.

8. House Martell -- Descent of warrior queen. Their words: Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken.

9. The Old Dynasty House Targaryen -- The blood of dragon, with striking beauty. Their words: Fire and Blood.

A Game of Thrones (1996), Fantasy Novel by George R.R. Martin: summary

Bran and his mother, Catelyn Tully,  in Winterfell

The tale began with Bran, the Starks’s boy, in the woods with his brothers and father. They set forth daybreak to see a man beheaded, twenty in all, Bran rode among them, nervous with excitement. The man were oathbreakers, the deserters from Night’s Watch. It was the first time he had deemed old enough to go to with his lord father and brothers to see the king’s justice one. It was the ninth year of summer and the seventh of Bran’s life.

His father took off the man’s head with a single sure stroke, Bran looked at his bastard brother, Jon Snow. He was fourteen, an old hand at justice. He was of an age with Robb, but they didn’t look alike. Robb was big and broad and growing everyday, with his mother’s coloring, the fair skin, red-brown hair, blue eyes of Tullys of Riverrun. Jon was slender where Robb was muscular, dark where Robb was fair graceful and quick where his half brother was strong and fast.

Catelyn had born a Tully, at Riverrun far to the south, on the Red Fork of Trident. The godswood, there was a garden, bright and airy, where tall redwoods spread dappled shadows across tinkling streams, birds sang from hidden nests, and the air was spicy with the scent of flowers. The gods of Winterfell kept a different sort of wood. It was a dark, primal place, three acres of old forest untouched for ten thousand years as the gloomy castle rose around it. The place of deep silence and brooding shadows, and the gods who lived there had no names.

Daenerys and her brother, Viserys (the last Targaryens)

Magister Illyrio was a dealer in spices, gemstones, dragonbones, and other, less savory things’ Kahl Drogo had a thousand horses, tonight he looked for a different sort of mount. The Dorthaki called that land Rhaesh Andahli, the land of Andal. Her brother Rhaegar had killed in the battle. Viserys had been a boy of eight they fled King’s Landing to escape the advancing armies of the Usurper, but Daenerys had been only a quickening in their mother’s womb.

The sack of King’s Landing, by the ones Visery called the Usupers’s dogs, the Lannisters and Starks. She had born on Dragonstore nine moons after the fleeing, her mother had died birthing her, and for that her brother Viserys had never forgiven her. The ancient seat of their House, the Targaryens’s throne, had remained of the Seven Kingdoms that once been theirs. Grogo was rich even his slaves wore golden collars. A hundred thousand men ride his khalasar (horses), and his palace in Vaes Dothrak had two hundred rooms and doors of solid silver.

For centuries the Targaryens had married brother and sister, since Aegon the conqueror had taken sister to bride. The line must be kept pure. The kingsblood, the blood of old Valyria, the blood of dragon. Yet now Vaserys schemed to sell her sister to a stranger, a barbarian, Khal (King) Drogo. Viserys didn’t want his whole khalasar, ten thousand would be enough to sweep the Seven Kingdoms with ten thousand Dothraki screamers. Drogo had three bloodriders (knights): Khal Moro with his son Rhogoro, and Ser Jorah Mormont. The knight was an older man, past forty and balding, but still strong and fit. The Usupers wanted Jorah’s head.

She was too young, only thirteen years old. Kahl Dorgo was a head taller than the tallest man. He was no more thirty. His skin was color of polished cooper, heavy black braid with scented oil, his thick mustachios bound with gold and bronze rings. When Dorthaki were defeated in combat, they cut off their braids in disgrace. Kahl Drogo had never lost a fight. His face was hard and cruel, his eyes as cold and dark as onyx. She had no choice, her brother convinced Dany that it was only Khal Drogo’s army could bring them home.

Eddard (Ned) Stark

Ser Jaime Lannister with hair as bright as beaten gold. The tall boy beside him could only be the crown prince, the stunted little man behind them was surely the Imp, Tyrion Lannister. Robert was not just a friend and yet Ned Stark’s king now. Ned was Lord of Winterfell in north, kings were a rare sight in the north. The winters were hard. Lord Rickard Stark, Ned’s father. Ned’s brother, Brandon, had been twenty when he died, strangled by order of the Mad King Aerys Targaryen only a few short days before he was to wed Catelyn Tully of Riverrun. His father had been forced to watch him die. Ned was the true heir, the eldest, born to rule. Lyanna had only been sixteen, a child-woman or surpassing loveliness. Ned had love her with all his heart, he was with her when she died. Robert loved her even more, she was to have been his bride. Robert vowed to kill Rhaegar Targaryen for what he did to her.

Robert anointed his friend Ned as the Hand of the King. The Hand of the king was second-most powerful man in the Seven Kingdoms. He spoke with the king’s voice, commanded the king’s armies, drafted the king’s laws. At times he even sat upon the Iron Throne to dispense king’s justice, when the king was absent, or sick, or otherwise indisposed. Robert was offering him a responsibility as large the realm itself. King wanted his son Joff wedded Ned’s daughter, Sansa, to join his house, as Lyanna and him might once had done.

Lord and Lady Stark of Winterfell hosted King Robert and his queen, Cersei Lannister

The Great Hall of Winterfell was hazy with smoke and heavy with the smell of roasted meat and fresh-baked bread. Its grey stone walls were draped with banners. White, gold, crimson: the direwolf of Stark, Baratheon’s crowned stag and the lion of Lannister. His lord father had come first, escorting Queen Cersei. She was as beautiful as men said. Even at fourteen, Jon could see through smile.

There were a few time times when Jon Snow was glad he was a bastard. Jon’s brothers and sisters had been seated with the royal children, beneath the raised platform where Lord and Lady Stark hosted the king and queen.

Next had come King Robert himself, with Lady Stark, Catelyn on his arm. The king was a great disappointment to Jon. His father had talked to him often: the peerless Robert Baratheon, demon of the Trident, the fiercest warrior of the realm, a giant among princess. Jon only saw a fat man, red-faced under his beard, sweating through his silks. He walked like a man half in his cups.

After them came the children. Little Rickon first, managing the long walk with all the dignity a three-year-old could muster. His half brother Robb came with Princess Myrcella on his arm. She was a wisp of a girl, not quite eight. His half sisters escorted the royal princes. Arya was paired with plump young Tommen, whose white-blond hair was longer than her. Sansa, two years older, drew the crown prince, Joffrey Baratheon. He was twelve, younger than Jon and Robb, but taller than either. Joff had his sister’s hair and his mother’s deep green eyes.

Jon was more interested in the pair that came behind the crown prince: the queen’s brothers, the Lannisters of Casterly Rock. The Lion and the Imp. Ser Jaime was twin to Queen Cersei; tall and golden with flashing green eyes and a smile that cut like a knife. Then the other one, waddling along half-hidden by his brother’s side. Tyron Lannister, the youngest of Lord Tywin’s brood and by far his ugliest. All that the gods had given to Cersei and Jaime, they had denied Tyrion. He was a dwarf, half his brother’s height. His head was too large for his body, with a brute’s squashed-in face beneath a swollen shelf brow. The last of the high lords to enter was his uncle, Benjen Stark of the Night’s Watch, and his father’s ward, young Theon Greyjoy.

Jon Snow

Jon never knew his mother, he had only Ghost, a direwolf. Ned and Robert were closer than brothers. Robert offered his own son marriage to his daughter, Sansa. Sansa might someday be queen. Sansa was only eleven.

Master Luwin was the couselor, healer and tutor in Winterfell. His eyes were grey, and quick, and saw much. His hair was grey, what little years had left him. Luwin just got a message in a wooden box. Catelyn read a rolled paper, a message from his sister. Lysa just lost her husband. Lord Arryn was murdered. Ned would investigate and used his power to find the killers. He left Winterfell with his two daughters, but there must be always be a Stark in Winterfell. Robb was fourteen, soon enough he would be a man grown.

Catelyn had grown up with that knowledge. In the first year of her marriage, to learn that Ned had fathered a child on some girl chance met on campaign. Ned brought his bastard home with him, and called him son for all the north to see. Catelyn heard her maids repeating repeating tales they heard from lips of her husband’s soldiers. Ser Arthur Dayne, the Sword of Morning, deadlist of Aerys’ Kingsguard, and how the young lord had slain him in single combat. Ned had carried ser Arthur’s sword back to the beautiful sister awaited him in a castle called Starfall on the shores of the Summers Sea. The lady Ashara Dayne, tall and fair, with haunting violet eyes. It had taken her a fortnight to marshal her courage, but finally in bed one night.

Catelyn had asked her husband the truth of it. It was the only time in all years that Ned had frightenend her. Ned gave certain answer, Jon was his blood, and never asked about him. Whoever Jon’s mother  had been, her fiercely, for nothing Catelyn said would persuade him to send the boy away. She loved her husband, but she had never found it in her love to Jon. Robb and Jon were close. Luwin said Jon was too young to join  the Night’s Watch with Uncle Benjen in service on the Wall. Benjen Stark was a Sworn Brother. Jon would be a son to him, the child he would never have.

Arya

Septa Mordane and everyone said Sansa’s needle was exquisite, but the septa desribed Arya had the hands of blacksmith. Sansa was already in love with  Joffery, but Jon said the pince looked like a girl. Sansa had everything, she was two years older; maybe by the time Arya had been born, there been nothing left. Sansa could sew, dance, and sing. She wrote poetry, knew how to dress. She was beautiful. She got her mother’s fine high cheekbone and the thick auburn hair of the Tullys. Arya took after their lord father. Her hair was a lusterless brown, and her face was long and solemn- horseface. Nymeria was always with her. They went everywhere together, and the wolf slept in her room. She name her after the the warrior queen of the Rhoyne, who had led the people across the narrow sea.

Bran

Jon was going with Uncle Benjen to the wall, to join the Night’s Watch. His father was the Hand of the King, and they were going to live in the red castle at King’s Landing, the castle the dragonlords had built. Old Nan said there were ghosts there. Bran had left behind with Jon and the girls and Rickon. For days, Bran could scarcely wait to be off. He was going to ride the kingsroad on horse of his own, not a pony but real horse. Winterfell had been only home he had ever known.

He was with his wolf named Grey Wind. The rooftop of Winterfell were Bran’s second home. His mother often said that Bran could climb before he could walk. To a boy, Winterfell was grey stone labyrinth of walls and towers and courtyards and tunnels spreading out in all directions. Most of all, Bran like going places that no one else could go, and seeing the grey sprawl of Winterfel in a way that no one else ever saw it. His favorite hunt was the broken tower.

He was moving from gargoyle to gargoyle with the ease of long practice when he heard the voices. They were talking about his father. Inside the room, a man and a woman wrestling, he recognized the queen. The woman caught him. There was nothing to grab on to, the courtyard rushed up to meet him. Bran was lingering in the shadow of death. Like others, Tyron, little imp, had predicted that even Bran did live, he would be cripple. When Jon left him for Night’s Watch, Bran still laid on bed, he didn’t wake. Robb embraced Jon for farewell. Before leaving, Jon gave Arya a blade, and they named it Needle. Arya run to her half brother for a last hug.

Daenerys

Daenerys Targaryen wed Khal Drogo with fear and barbaric splendors in a field beyond the walls of Pentos, for the Dothraki believed that all things in a man’s life must be done beneath the open sky. Drogo had called his khalasar (people) to attend him and they had come, forty thousand Dothraki warriors and uncounted numbers of women, children, and slaves. The exile had offered her brother his sword the night Dany had been sold to Kahl Drogo; Viserys had accepted eagerly.

Ser Jorah Mormont had been their constant companion ever since. The knight had traveled as far east as Vaes Dothrak, nodded in agreement. Magister Illyrio had warned Dany earlier that a Dothraki wedding without at least three deaths was deemed a dull affair. She was afraid of her brother, of what he might do if she failed him. Most of all, she was afraid what would happening, she sat beside the hulking giant with a face as still and cruel as a bronze mask. Her brother Viserys gifted her with three handmaids. Irri would teach her riding, Jhique the Dothraki tongue and Doreah would instruct her in the womanly arts of love. Magister Illyrio gave her three huge eggs. It was truly magnificent gift, three dragon’s eggs.

Ned

Jon Snow never knew who his mother was, but Ned admitted to Robert, it was Wylla. Varys the eunuch was the king’s master of whisperers. He served Robert now as he had served Aerys Targaryen. As the Mormonts were bannerman to the Starks, his crime had dishonored to the north. Ser Jorah Mormont sent a message that informed Daenerys Targayen had wed Khal Drogo, the horse lords. Ned and Robert still remembered Rhaegar Targaryen who killed Lyanna. Robert acclaimed drogo had a hundred thousand men in his horde. To Ned the barbarians had no ships, they hated and feared the open sea.

Tryrion

Three days rode from Winterfell, the farmland gave way to dense wood, and the kingsroad grew lonely. Tyrion Lannister traveled with two of his own men, as befit as a Lannister. Benjen Stark had only his bastard nephew and some fresh mounts for the Night’s Watch, but the edge of the wolfswood they joined up with another of the black brother, one Yoren. They recruited them. Yoren had a twisted shoulder and sour smell, his hair and beard were matted and greasy and full of lice, his clothing old, patched, and seldom washed.

Though Jon was only fourteen but he was taller than Tyrion. He was born a Lannister of Casterly Rock. His father was the hand of the King for twenty years. His brother later killed that very same king, as it turned out. His sister, Cersei, married the new king and his repulsive nephew will be king after him. The little man love reading, he was reading about the dragon.

Catelyn

The girls and Ned were eights days gone but Bran still lied broken and dying. Catelyn wasn’t in the mood when Maester Luwin discussed a new master of horses, but Robb offered himself to manage it. Robb yelled on the library tower’s on fire. When Catelyn turned away the window off seing the fire, the man was in the room with her. He tried to kill her son, Bran. Catelyn almost killed, but Bran’s wolf had the attacker under the jaw. The man died instantly. Rodrik Cassel, Robb, her husband ward, Theon Greyjoy, and lastly Hallis Mollen, the new captain of the guard (Robb chosen), arrived later. Someone was afraid Bran might wake up.

Sansa

Sansa didn’t really know Joffrey yet, but she was already in love with him. It was a day of adventures, they explored the caves, the riverbank. They dined out the fresh from the river and Sansa drank more wine than she ever drunk before.They found Arya and a boy playing at the knights. Their swords were wooden sticks. Mycah, the butcher’s boy was taller, older, and stronger. Prince tried to defense Sansa’s sister put his real sword pressed to the butcher’s boy. A red line trickled down the boy’s cheek. Arya tried to help Mycah, but off slashed the sword at Arya with his sword. Nymeria bit the prince and left the scar on his arm. 

Eddard

Arya was founded after four days in searching. She had been taking before the king. Robert heard two different version of events. Cersei asked punishment to Arya and the wolf, but king was no mood for argument. It was just kids fighting. Queen Cersei ordered Nymeria to be killed.

 

His father died several year ago, before he was Lord Baelish now, yet still they called him Littlefinger. His father, Lord Baelish once was Catelyn’s father’s ward. Catelyn and Littlefinger grew up together in Riverrun. She thought him as a brother. When it was announced that Catelyn  was to wed Brandon Stark, Petyr challenged for the right to Catelyn. Brandon was twenty and Petry was scarecely was fifteen. The men pushed Catelyn and her men to a place, a brothel. It was Littlefinger. Catelyn showed him the knife she found with Bran’s attackers. Littlefinger identified it as Tyrion Lannister’s knife.

Jeor Mormont, Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch, was a gruff old man with an immense bald head and shaggy grey beard. He just got the letter. It’s said Bran was alive but cripple. Littlefinger was hiding Catelyn in a brothel. Catelyn told him everything about the attack and the dagger was sent to kill Bran. The boy has never done  him harm, why should the dwarf want Bran’s death.

Ned was thinking of the boy Mycah, of Jon Arryn’s sudden death, of Bran’s fall, of old mad Aerys Targaryen dying on the floor on the floor of his throne room while his life’s blood dried on glided blade. The dwarf, his sister sat beside the king. His brother was a great knight, his father the most powerful lord in Seven Kingdoms. The Night’s Watch was dying the strength was less than a thousand. Tyrion was the first he had had to friend.

She was a very ugly old woman, Bran thought spitefully; shrunken and wrinkled, almost blind and almost blind, too weak to climb stairs. No one really knew how old she was, but his father said she’d been called Old Nan when he was a boy. She was the oldest person in Winterfell for certain, maybe the oldest person in the Seven Kingdoms. She had lost her sons to the war when King Robert won the war. Her daughters had long ago married and moved away and died. All that was left of her own blood was Hodor, the simpleminded giant who worked in the stables. Old Nan just lived on and on, doing her needlework and telling her stories. It was only Robb, and baby Rickon was still there. Robb was Lord now, to have more more time for Hallis Mollen and Theon Greyjoy.

Robb was seated in Father’s high seat, wearing ringmail and boiled leather and the stern face, Hallis dan Theon Greyjoy stood behind him. Tyrion Lannister arrived with a  paper and horse. It was Tyron’s idea. The dwarf was the first friend of Jon. He sent Bran a letter and a phony, Tryon himself brought the message.

Grand Maester Pycelle was Grand master of Seven Kingdoms for forty years. He stated the death of Lord Jon Arryn was stranger than any other. His thought was like his wife had. It wasn’t an illness but poison. It was said that poison was the weapon of women, craven, and eunuchs. Petyr Baelish found the Red Keep and other the queen’s men spied Ned Stark and told about Catelyn.

The Lannisters were an old family, tracing their descent back to Lann the Clever. Lord Petyr Baelish, of the king’s small council. Joffrey his hair was as bright the metal. King Robert apologized to Ned about Arya and her wolf. He found his son was lying. He had small liking for Prince Joffrey. Robert was the boy he had grown up with, Robert Baratheon he’d known and and loved.

If Ned could prove that the Lannisters were behind the attack of Bran, prove that they had murdered Lord Arryn, Robert would listen. Cersei would fall, and Jaime the kingslayer with her, and if Lord Tywin (Cersei’s father) dared to rouse west, Robert would smash him as he had smashed Rhaegar Targaryen on the Trident.

The king had other baseborn children scattered throughout the Seven Kingdoms. He openly acknowledge on of his bastards, a boy of Bran’s age whose mother was highborn. Ned remembered Robert’s first child as well, a daugther. The girl would be seventeen or eighteen.

Lord Arryn had been Hand for fourteen years. He was a kindly and trusting man. He must have cut a gallant figure in the tourney. Lord Arryn was dutiful husband, but their marriage was made from politics, not passion. They began the same, but Catelyn ending has been happier than her sister, Lysa. Her sister was two years the younger, yet she looked older now. Lysa wrote her a letter that Lannisters had murdered her husband.

Arya found herself standing at the mouth of a sewer where I emptied to the river. She was miles from the castle. She stank so badly that she stripped right there, dropping her soiled clothing on the riverbank. The guard laughed when she said she was looking for her father, Eddard Strak. She was down in the dungeons, she heard men were talking. She heard people were talking about to kill her father. They thought she was a boy.

Bran was awake, He didn’t remember anything on the day he fell. He just recalled he had fallen. His brother Robb trained him to ride Dancer, a two years old horse. The woods seemed to close in around Bran. The snow was falling more heavy. Six mean and a tall woman wanted to rob his pin and horse.  Robb and Grey Wind helped Bran to kill the robbers. There was no one left, but Osha the tall girl was on her knees. She asked Robb’s mercy for her life. Tyrion was accused of sending a hired knife to slay Bran in his bed, and conspiring to murder Lord Arryn, the Hand of the King. The dwarf denied them.

Jaime Lannister had killed three guards and include Mycah. Sansa dan Arya querelled all the time. Arya was honest girl and Sansa looked the world like a lady. Arya hated Joffrey and hated Sansa married him. Ned wanted to send both of his daughters back to Winterfell for their own safety. Sansa didn’t want to go home, she obsessed to be Joffrey’s wife, to be a queen. She loved Kingdom Landing; the pageantry of the court; the high lady and lords in their silks and gemstones, the tournaments, harvest feast, the masked balls, and mummer shows. She insisted to stay.

Cersei told everything to her husband - all about Bran. Ned was shocked when Cersei admitted her secrets. Jaime wasn’t only twin or brother to her. They were her were more, and Joffrey wasn’t a Baratheon. Queen warned Stark’s step. When you play the game of thrones, you win or die. There is no middle ground.

Dany was conceiving Drogo’s seed in her belly, and she proclaimed in her best Dothraki, “Khalaka dothrae mr’anha!’ (A prince rides inside me!) …“Rakh! Rakh! Rakh haj!” (a boy, a boy, a strong boy). Viserys planned to take the dragon’s eggs. Magister Illyrio gave them to her as a bride gift. Dany name his boy Rhaego, the stallion who mounts the world. The stallion was the kahl of khals promised in ancient prophecy, child. He would unite Dorthaki into a single khalasar and ride to the ends of the earth. All the people of the world would be his herd.

King loved to hunt boar (a tusked wild pig). Robert was savaged by a boar while hunting in kingswood, he knew he was too old and weak with the boar’s attack. He only wanted to speak to Ned alone. He asked his friend, Ned,  to write his will. The king commanded Eddard Stark to serve a Regent and Protector of Realm to rule Seven Kingdoms upon his death until Joffery came of age.

The agony was written too plainly across king’s face, he didn’t want to hurt him more. Ned wanted to say that Joffrey wasn’t his son, but the words would not come. Robert also asked him to protect his children, to let Daenarys lived. The word twisted like a knife. Robert was not dead yet, but his youngest brother, Renly, wanted to get Joffrey got away from Cersei. They suspected the poison. The wine was from king’s own skin. Ser Kevan Lannister’s son, nephew to Lord Twyn and cousin to Cersei.

Robert would leave no trueborn son behind him. Joffrey and Tommen were Jaime Lannister’s bastards, born of his incestuous union with the queen. Littlefinger was shocking to hear Ned. Throne by rights passed to Lord Stannis, the elder of Robert’s two brothers. Jon Arryn was murdered to protect. Stannis wasn’t friend of Ned and Petyr. He was an iron and unyielding. Lord Commander of the Kingsguard examined the seal. Lord Eddard was herein named Protector of the Realm, to rule  as regent until heir came age. Soon the queen found Robert was death, Ned was arrested. The boy commanded the council to make arrangement for his coronation. Ned argued to Cersei, the true heir was Stannis Baratheon. The boy, Joff, screamed and commanded to kill Ned.

Arya was practicing dance with instructor Syrio Forel when the guard look for him. The dancing master was killed by them, Arya ran away. Lannister guardsmen were killing everyone. They came to Sansa on the third day. Her fathers was locked in the dungeon for treason. She had even dreamed to wed be a queen. Maester Pycelle, Varys and convinced Cersei that the child born of traitor’s seed would find that betrayal came naturally to her. Lord Peytr Baelish only acclaimed she was the very image of her mother, Catelyn, at the same age. Sansa really loved Joffrey. In the end, she betrayed her own father. Cersei had asked her to write letter that said his father betrayed his king. She wrote four letters. To her mother, to her brothers at Winterfell, to her aunt Lady Lysa Arryn, and her grandfather, Lord Hoster Tully of Riverrun. She didn’t know where Arya was, and she also didn’t  mention her in her letter.

Lord Eddard had been locked in a dungeon, he was charged with treason. It’s said plotted with Robert’s brothers to deny the throne of Prince Joffrey. The council’s letter about arrived to the Night’s Watch commander, Jon Snow hardly believed it. When a craven came, bearing a letter marked with Ned’s own seal, and written with Sansa’s hand, the cruel truth semed no less incredible. King was dead, his father conspired a treason with king’s brother. Mother and Robb were summoned to the Red Keep to swear fealty to Joffrey. Robb left Winterfell to bring back his father. Bran was the lord of Winterfell now.

The kahl had never seen Seven Kingdoms, they were nothing to him. Kahl talked of leading east after Rhaego was born, to avoid crossing the poison water. But Dany want to ride west. Kahl had never seen the Seven Kingdoms either, no more than Drogo, yet she knew them from all the tales her brother had told her. 

Rhaegar was the last dragon. Thousand year ago the dargons had been alive, but now they were only pretty rocks. The eggs couldn’t make a dragon. A dragon was air and fire. Living flesh, not dead stone.

Robb was leading a host to battle, then he met his mother and Tully’s armies in the field. Catelyn said it was Cersei’s letter not Sansa’s. If Stark marched even they won, the Lannisters hold Sansa and his father. They would kill both of them. If he lose, there was no hope for the Starks. His uncle Edmure joined his nephew in marching to defeate the Lannisters.  

Tywn Lannister, Lord of Casterly Rock and Warden of the West, was in his middle fifties, yet hard as a man of twenty. His eyes were pale a green, freckled with gold. The sooner he the Straks were broken, the sooner he should be free to deal with Stannis Baratheon. Tywn Lannister was marching against Robb Stark and Edmure Tully.

Cersei had given her freedom ot the castle as a reward for being good, yet even so she was escorted everywhere she went. It was the first court session of  Joffrey’s reign, Sansa was among the guests. Not one of them would meet her eyes as if she had become a ghost. She recognized only few of them. She wondered many others were missing. A herald’s voice rang out. “All hail His Grace Joffrey of the House Baratheon and Lannister… and Lord of Seven Kingdoms. All hail his lady mother, Cersei of Lannister, Queen Regent, Light of the West, and Protector of the Realm. Joffrey commanded Grand Maester Pycelle to read all the name of the traitors. Sansa stiffed when she heard the name of her parents, brothers and sister, aunt, uncle, and grandfather called as traitors. Sansa knelt on the cloack, asked mercy for her father.

The dungeon was under the Red Keep, deeper than Ned dared imagine. He damned them all: Littlefinger, Janos Slynt, the queen, Jaime Lannister, Pycelle, Varys, Ser Barristan, even Lord Renly, Robert’s own blood, who had run when he was needed most. Cetelyn, with his brother Edmure, and Robb led battle against Lannister. They caught the Kingslayer, Jamie Lannister.

The bloodflies landed on bare skin of Drogo’s shoulder, crawled up under his dropping musthace and sttled on his cheek. Kahl reeled in the sadle, fell heavily from his horse. Talks went from mouth to ear, all over the khalasar. It’s said Drogo fell from his horse. Khal Drogo died. The Dorthaki were shouting, nothing was human inside the tent. Dany cried out for help, but no one heard. Someone threw a stone, when she looked her shoulder was torn and bloody. Fires burned throughout the khalasar.

Arya had been staying as far as from the castle as she could get. She also had heard about her father. There were many version of king’s death. All she wanted was to go home, but leaving King’s Landing was not as easy she had hoped. She had been sleeping on the rooftops and in the stables, wherever she could find place to lie down. She learned knocked down the birds with her stick sword, she traded half bird for a heel of yesterday’s bread. Once she outside the city, she would found berries to pick. An old man drew her from the crowd. She recognized him, he was Yoren.

Lord Rickard, who was beheaded by Mad King Aerys Targaryen. Robert was bethrothed to marry her, but Prince Rhaegar carried her off and raped her. Robert fought a war to win her back. He killed Rhaegar on Trident with his hammer, but Lyanna died. 

Sansa wanted to go home and wouldn’t marry Joffrey, but Cersei commanded her son to marry her. She was treated like a prisoner, even worse every day, moreover they knew that Jaime was killed by Robb.    

Dany’s baby never lived. Her handmaid drew a monstrous creature. He was scaled like a lizard, blind, with a stub of a tail and small leather wings like the wings of bat. He had been dead for years. Ser Jorah had killed her son. He had done what he did for love and loyalty, yet he had carried her into a place no living man should go and fed her baby to the darkness. Drogo’s khalasar was gone. Dothraki only followed the strong. Viserys was dead, now ser Jorah Mormont called her Princess.

Jaime’s life traded for Eddard Stark and his two daughters. Robb traded three-for-one. Not only lose his father, he also lose Uncle Benjen. After winning the battle against the Lannisters, Catelyn Stark carried her infant son out of Riverrun, crossing the Tumblestone in a small boat to begin their journey north to Winterfell.

Renly had claimed his brother’s crown, he was crowned. The council urged Winterfell needed to wait they played their game of thrones. When they were done fighting, they would bent their knees to the victor, or opposed him, as they chose. Catelyn wanted peace, wanted the safety - Robb rulling at Winterfell from his father’s sea - a woman's thought. If they made a peace to Joffrey, they were a traitor to his uncle. King Renley was nothing to them, nor Stannis neither. The council agreed to rule their own. It was the dragon they married and the dragons were dead. All the men at the court knelt to Robb Stark, their own king, King of Winter. The King in the  North. The old words that had not been heard in the realm for more than three hundred years, since Aegon the Dragon had come to make the Seven Kingdoms.

******

March 28, 2017 

Sekapur Sirih

Fiksi fantasi setebal 834 halaman diterbitkan oleh Bantam Book New York, hak ciptanya dikeluarkan tahun 1996. Ini adalah edisi tahun 2016. Judulnya telah kerap dibaca dan didengar, tentu saja karya dipenuhi pujian. Setelah selesai membaca buku ini, cukup penasaran dengan versi adaptasi serialnya - disebut pula para pemainnya meraih penghargaan dan dinobatkan tontonan TV terbaik, saya pun menonton adaptasinya. Memang benar, serialnya  bagus,  namun rangkaian kata dan imajinasi dalam buku lebih dalam dan luas. Penulis George R.R. Martin berkebangsaan Amerika, tinggal di New Mexico, buku ini adalah buku pertama dari sekuel A song of Ice and Fire. Alasan kuat memiliki buku ini: setelah gaya tulisan kuat, plot jenius, dan penokohan kuat.

Pada halaman awal memang sempat bingung, banyaknya tokoh dan latar yang bermunculan. Nama-nama tokoh sering disebut, mereka memiliki keterkaitan kuat satu sama lain, membuat semakin lama karya ini semakin menarik dan mudah dinikmati. Paparan karya ini mampu membawa pembacanya pada imajinasi dan fantasi ke masa lalu, dimana seorang bangsawan atau kesatria memiliki srigala pelindung, kisah pengkhiantan, kesetiaan, pengabdian, perang, persahabatan, persaudaraan, kekeluargaan, cinta, nafsu, kepahlawanan, politik kerajaan, dan keberanian.

Kehadiran banyak karakter sangat pesat, sehingga kisah ini kurang tepat bagi pembaca pemula novel berbahasa Inggris, plus, masuk ke masa lalu kaya dengan istilah dan kata benda kerajaan. Namun bagi peminat genre kisah kerajaan kolosal, epik, atau pencinta kisah Lord of the Rings tentu saja akan melahap fiksi fantasi ini.

Terjemahan dalam Bahasa Indonesia; Game of Thrones, (Perebutan Tahta) karya George R.R Martin

Sekelompok kesatria baru saja menyeret para pengkhianat sumpah. Ned Stark sebagai tangan kanan kepercayaan Raja Robert, hari itu bergabung dengan Night’s Watch. Mereka menghukum para pelanggar sumpah, pengkhianat, dihukum mati, disaksikan putranya Robb, anak haramnya Jon Snow, dan Bran yang masih berusia tujuh tahun. Ia sengaja mengajak ketiga putranya menyaksikannya, memberi pelajaran menjadi kesatria.

Night’s Watch beranggotakan kesatria elit, terpilih, terlatih, kuat, penjaga keamanan perbatasan kerajaan dari serangan musuh. Mereka berseragam hitam, disumpah untuk mengabdi utuh pada pekerjaannya. Jon Snow kini berusia empat belas tahun, disuruh ayahnya bergabung dengan Night’s Watch, mengikuti pamannya seorang kesatria senior di Night’s Watch. Benjen Stark telah mengambil sumpah untuk tidak menikah dan baginya Jon sudah seperti anaknya.

Jon Snow

Terkadang Jon Snow tidak percaya diri dengan keberadaannya sebagai anak haram Lord Eddard Stark, tapi sisi lain, ia juga bersyukur menjadi putra kesatria hebat. Tidak memiliki kekuatan apapun baik di mata kerajaan. Ia merasa masih beruntung tidak dilahirkan sebagai anak petani, yang diperlakukan semena-mena, nyawa tidak berharga, bisa dibunuh kapan saja. Jon dibesarkan di lingkungan istana Winterfell bersama empat saudaranya yang lain. Tentu saja hal ini telah mengoyak perasaan Putri Catelyn Tully, istri Eddard. Suaminya berangkat berperang selama setahun bersama Robert Baratheon, pulangnya ia membawa bayi laki-laki, dalam waktu berdekatan pula Catelyn melahirkan putra pertama mereka Robb, pewaris tahta Winterfell, yang bersemboyan Winter is Coming (Musim Salju Tiba).

Rumor beredar di kalangan pembantu, ibu Jon adalah adik perempuan dari kesatria musuh yang dibunuhnya. Oleh prajurit disebut-sebut, ibu Jon sebagai gadis tinggi dan rupawan. Jon sama sekali tidak memiliki kemiripan dengan Robb, Sansa dan si bungsu Rickon, wajahnya lebih mirip kepada ayahnya dan adik perempuannya Arya. Bahkan Arya sempat bertanya apakah ia juga anak haram, sama seperti Jon. Ketiga saudaranya tidak mirip dengannya mereka semua mewarisi garis citra kecantikan Tully ibunya.

Terlebih lagi Sansa, sangat rupawan, hanya berusia dua tahun lebih tua dari Arya. Sansa lembut, pandai berpakaian, feminim, pandai menulis puisi, tangannya lihai dengan jarum, bahasa tubuhnya elegan, bertolak belakang dengan Arya yang lebih menyukai pedang. Pengasuh mereka Mordane mengakui Arya sangat berbeda degan Sansa. Ned dan Catelyn sudah sepakat Sansa akan menjadi permaisuri bagi Joffrey Baratheon, putra mahkota pewaris tahta Robert yang hampir seusia dengan Sansa. Gadis itu masih sangat belia, berusia sebelas tahun.

Kunjungan Raja Robert bersama keluarganya adalah hal jarang dilakukan Raja Tujuh Kerajaan (Seven Kingdoms). Lokasi Winterfell yang sangat jauh dari pusat kerajaan dan diselimuti salju di utara, baru kali ini jua raja akrab berteman dengan penguasa Winterfell dan berkenan mengunjunginya. Lima belas tahun sebelumnya, Ned dan Robert menaklukkan berbagai kerajaan termasuk kerajaan kuno Targaryen dan berhasil menyatukan tujuh kerajaan dan dua rumah keluarga terpandang.

Winterfell adalah keturunan Brandon the Builder, dikenal kesatria dan pemberani dan telah mengambil sumpah untuk setia pada Baratheon. Wilayah kekuasaan Winterfell berada di utara yang dingin, bisa melewati jalur laut untuk mencapainya dan mengikuti jalan kerajaan melalui darat. Kawasan ibukota kerajaan sendiri berada di tanah yang hijau dan subur. Istana kuno milik keluarga Targaryen yang merupakan keturunan naga.

Daenarys (Dany) dan kakaknya Viserys (Keturunan terakhir Targaryen, berdarah naga)

Putri Daenarys adalah keturunan terakhir Targaryen, keturunan naga. Raja Targaryen telah tewas dibunuh, permaisurinya memohon hidup, berhasil melarikan diri, dan meninggal ketika melahirkan Dany. Kakak satu-satunya Viserys membenci adiknya karena harus kehilangan ibu mereka ketika melahirkan Dany dalam pelarian. Ayah dan kakak tertua mereka telah tewas dibunuh Ned Stark dalam perebutan kekuasaan.

Robert dan Ned juga menyimpan kemarahan dan dendam pada keturunan Targaryen karena telah membunuh ayahnya dan adik perempuan Ned, bernama Lyanna. Raja Gila Aerys Targaryen telah bertindak sesuka hatinya, memenggal ayah Ned, dan membunuhnya dengan sadis. Robert susah melupakan Lyanna  kekasih dan calon istrinya yang sangat dicintainya. Adik perempuan Ned itu dibunuh oleh Pangeran Rhaeger Targaryen. Sejak itu pula hati Robert mendidih bersumpah menghabisi Targaryen.

Kabar pernikahan Daenarys sampai juga pada raja dan Ned. Dany menikahi Kahl Drogo, pria barbar yang terkenal kaya dengan 100.000 kesatria berkudanya. Setelah tiga belas tahun menjadi babu, nasib Dany berubah khaleesi (seorang putri). Viserys telah menjual adiknya Dany yang berusia empat belas tahun menikahi Kahl Drogo. Upaya untuk membalaskan dendamnya pada Robert dan Ned, demi merebut kembali istana ayahnya.

Bran Stark

Pada masa rangkaian kunjungan Raja Robert Baratheon, putra Ned, bernama Bran terjatuh dari menara. Catelyn sendiri sulit memercayainya. Anak berusia tujuh tahun itu terjatuh, padahal ia dikenal sangat lihai memanjat gedung. Catelyn Stark sempat berujar putranya Bran lebih dulu bisa memanjat ketimbang berjalan. Bran anak yang tampan, cerdas, dan mewarisi wajah Tully. Anak itu lebih menyukai cerita seram daripada dongeng dan kisah petualangan kesatria. Pengasuh tua Nan kerap mendongeng kisah kerajaan. Pengasuh yang sama juga mendongeng pada ayah, paman, dan kakak-kakaknya. Mungkin si tua Nan adalah orang paling tua di Winterfell bahkan seantero Seven Kingdoms. Sebelumnya Bran adalah anak yang cedas dan ceria namun, kini harus terbaring lemah di tempat tidur. Menurut si cebol Tryrion Lannister, adik ipar raja Robert, anak itu tidak ada potensi hidup, kalaupun tetap hidup pastilah Bran akan cacat seumur hidup.

Jon sangat sedih meninggalkan adiknya Bran dalam keadaan tidak sadar. Ia mengucapkan selamat tinggal pada adik yang tidak siuman. Arya, adik perempuannya juga sangat akrab dengannya, gadis itu ia hadiahi pedang kecil, Robb saudaranya memberi pelukan erat pada saudara haramnya. Kedua pria muda seumuran itu sangat akur dan akrab, membuat hati Putri Catelyn masam.

Ned dan kedua putrinya sudah tiba di pusat kerajaan. Lord Winterfell ingin menyelidiki kematian Jon Arryn, suami dari Lysa Tully. Putri Catelyn juga sangat terpukul dengan kematian suami adiknya. Lysa menduga suaminya dibunuh, menurut tabib Jon Arryn telah racun. Hanya berselang beberapa hari meninggalkan istananya, Bran diserang seorang lelaki, dan pisaunya tertinggal. Catelyn sempat melawan penjahat yang ingin membunuh Bran yang masih terbaring di tempat tidur. Srigala peliharaan Bran menyelamatkan nyawa Catelyn dan Bran. Leher penyerang berhasil dicabik sang srigala.

Catelyn tidak percaya dengan burung, ia sendiri dan pengawalnya ingin menyampaikan secara langsung pada suaminya akan upaya pembunuhan anak mereka. Sebelum memasuki kediaman suaminya di pusat kerajaan, seorang lelaki memaksa, menggiring Catelyn dan orang-orangnya ke sebuah tempat. Rupanya Littlefinger teman masa kecilnya sudah menunggu. Demi keamanan nyawanya, ia disembunyikan di rumah pelacuran. Mata-mata Cersei Lannister ada di mana-mana.

Petyr adalah putra pengawal elit ayah Catelyn di Riverrun. Puluhan tahun silam, lelaki itu kecewa atas pengumunan pernikahan Catelyn dengan Brandon Stark (kakak Ned). Petyr Baelish alias Littlefinger sangat menyukai Catelyn. Semula ia dijodohkan dengan Brandon, tetapi anak muda itu tewas dibunuh oleh Raja Gila Aerys Targaryen. Lord Rickard Stark, ayah Ned, juga turut dipenggal, dan yang paling menyedihkan kematian adik perempuannya. Pangeran Rhaegar Targaryen telah memerkosa Lyanna dan membunuhnya. Kekasih Robert dan calon istrinya. Dendam Raja Robert terhadap garis keturunan Targaryen tidak terbendung, ingin membunuh semua Targaryen.

Belati yang dibawa Catelyn sebagai bukti upaya pembunuhan putranya Bran dikenali Petyr sebagai pisau milik Tyron Lannister. Kenapa seorang kurcaci ingin membunuh Bran muda, apa salah anak seusia Bran, apa hubunganya dengan kematian Lord Arryn, pertanyaan-pertanyaan itu memenuhi pikiran Ned.

Arya dengan petualangannya mendengar percakapan akan rencana pembunuhan ayahnya. Ned telah mencium rencana busuk dari keluarga Lannister, ia menyuruh kedua putrinya kembali ke Winterfell demi keselamatan mereka. Sansa terang menolak permintaan ayahnya, sebaliknya Arya malah senang pulang. Gadis tomboi Arya sangat benci dengan kebohongan Joffrey yang memutarbalikkan fakta, membuat temannya Mycah, putra penjagal, tewas dibunuh Jaime Lannister.

Sansa sangat menikmati kehidupan kerajaan, kemewahan, pesta-pesta dengan gaun yang indah, batu-batu mulia dan indah. Setelah menjelaskan kejadian Bran pada suaminya, ibunya melanjutkan perjalanan mengunjungi adiknya Lisa Arryn yang tengah berduka.

Cersei mengajak Ned bicara, mengancam tangan kanan Raja Robert itu. Jamie dan dirinya tidak sekedar kembar, datang bersamaan dari rahim yang sama, hubungan mereka lebih dari itu. Mereka saling mencintai dan sulit dipisahkan. Tidak hanya Targaryen yang kawin inces, Cersei dan Jaime, si pembantai raja, ingin melestarikan kemurnian darah Lannister. Cersei sempat mengandung bayi Robert, tapi ia menggugurkannya tanpa sepengetahuan raja. Joffrey bukanlah darah Baratheon.  Permaisuri juga mengakui bahwa Bran melihat ia dan Jaime.

Robert Baratheon sangat gemar berburu di hutan. Seekor babi hutan bercula menyerangnya. Luka parah bagi pria setua dia, waktunya tidak lama lagi. Dia hanya ingin bicara dengan teman kepercayaanya, menyuruhnya menuliskan surat. Dalam wasiatnya, Ned diperintahkan memimpin kerajaan untuk sementara, sebelum Joffrey tepat usia dinobatkan jadi raja. Pesan raja sangat menyayat hati Ned, ketika diminta menjaga ketiga anaknya setelah kematiannya. Kondisi Robert yang sangat malang, membuat Ned tidak sanggup mengatakan Joffrey bukanlah putranya.

Berita kematian raja pun tersebar. Surat wasiat diabaikan, Ned dituduh telah bersekongkol dengan dua adik raja yakni Stannis dan Renly membunuh raja dan menolak pengangkatan Joffrey sebagai pewaris tahta. Ned sangat menentang, Joffrey manmade raja. Cersei sendiri yang mengakui bahwa Joffrey dan Tommen adalah putra Jaime Lannister. Ned dimasukkan dalam penjara atas tuduhan pengkhianatan. Cersei mengangkat dirinya sendiri jadi pemimpin sementara yang seharusnya hak dari Ned.

Cersei telah menyuruh gadis lugu yang sedang kasmaran dengan Raja Joffrey menuliskan surat pada kakeknya penguasa Tully, ibunya, kakaknya Robb, dan bibinya Lysa Arryn. Kabar kematian Raja pun menyebar hingga Night’s Watch. Jon sangat terpukul dengan pemberitaan tentang ayahnya dituduh berkonspirasi membunuh raja. Robb juga tidak percaya, ia bersama pasukannya meninggalkan Winterfell dan menyerahkan tahta pada Bran. Ia ingin membawa pulang ayahnya.

Arya dan pelatih tarinya tengah berlatih ketika prajurit ingin menangkap Arya. Master tari Syrio menyelamatkan Arya, menyuruh gadis muda itu melarikan diri. Syrio sempat melumpuhkan beberapa prajurit, sebelum ia dibunuh pasukan Lannister. Pejabat kerajaan banyak yang ditangkap dan dibunuh. Prajurit mendatangi Sansa pada hari ketiga, namun karen ia patuh pada perintah Cersei ia diberikan ruangan nyaman, walau kemana-mana sekarang ia harus dikawal.

Arya melarikan diri sejauh mungkin dari istana. Saban hari mengelilngi kota, ia mampu bertahan hidup tanpa mencuri, seperti ajaran ayahnya. Kepandaian memakai pedang berhasil mendapat burung. Awalnya ia memakan burung tangkapannya, kemudian ia menukarkan burung dengan roti sisa dari toko. Terkadang ia keluar kota, memetik buah cherri, apel, dan berri. Kabar tentang kematian raja ia dengar, dan paling menyakitkan tuduhan ayahnya seorang pengkhianat dan telah dibunuh. Ia sangat ingin pulang ke Winterfell, namun harapan yang tidak mudah. Seorang lelaki tua mendekati dan mengejarnya, gadis tomboi itu mengenalnya: seorang Yoren.

Catelyn mendengar kabar kematian suaminya dan tuduhan pengkhianatan ketika ia dan adiknya Lysa Arryn berada di istana ayah mereka di Rivevrrun. Tully tidak tinggal diam, mereka juga ingin menghabisi Lannister yang telah membunuh Arryn dan Ned. Jaime Lannister dibantu ayahnya Twyn Lannister memerangi Tully dan Winterfell. Robb dan pamannya Edmure Tully memenangkan peperangan. Lannister dibunuh untuk memberi keadilan pada Ned, Sansa dan Arya.

Catelyn sangat bangga dengan keberanian dan kehebatan Robb walau usia masih empat belas tahun. Wanita itu juga tersayat duka kehilangan suaminya dan dua putrinya kini masih ditahan oleh Cersei. Catelyn dengan membawa bayi Rickon akhirnya pulang ke Winterfell. Terjadilah perdebatan tentang apa yang harus dilakukan. Cersei sendiri tidak ingin perang. Pertumpahan darah tidak akan pernah membawa suaminya hidup kembali, ia ingin kedamaian. Menginginkan putranya Robb bisa memerintah dengan tenang. Dengan keras anggota council tidak senang dengan putusan wanita, mereka mempertimbangkan harga diri Winterfell.

Di tempat lain, Renly telah dinobatkan jadi raja. Kini ada dua raja dari Seven Kingdoms (Tujuh Kerajaan): Joffrey dan Renly Baratheon. Jika Winterfell mendukung Renly, maka semakin pastilah pengkhianatan Ned dari Winterfell semakin nyata. Jika mereka memihak Joffrey, maka Renley akan merasa dikhianati. Renly, Joffrey, apalagi Stannis  bukanlah siapa-siapa bagi Winterfell. Naga juga sudah lama mati, mereka dulu disatukan oleh naga. Mereka akhirnya sepakat kembali dipimpin oleh raja mereka sendiri. Kerajaan Winter (Musim Dingin), Kerajaan dari Utara. Tiga ratus tahun lamanya nama itu terkubur, sejak Aegon Targaryen yang menyatukan Seven Kingdoms.

*****

28 Maret 2017