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CHAPTER 156
290 AC
POV MC
In the midst of the lively tournament atmosphere, I found myself watching with keen interest as Lord Jorah Mormont triumphed over Jaime Lannister in a series of clashes. The jousting spectacle was entertaining, but deep down, I knew that jousting was merely a display of different skills rather than the true measure of a fighter's prowess.
As the bards often sang, it was a sport, not a real battle. Although talent played a role in it, the skills required for jousting were not always directly indicative of a fighter's abilities in actual combat. This became especially clear as Jorah Mormont emerged victorious, defying the usual expectations.
Jaime rose from the ground, dusting himself off and retrieving his helmet. Seizing the opportunity, I stood up from my seat behind Lord Stark and let out a cheer before speaking, my words laced with playful sarcasm, "A magnificent example of falling off a horse indeed! The invincible knight, as the bards say. Huzzah!"
Jaime's frustration was evident as he angrily flung his helmet into the mud and stormed off the arena. Encouraged by the spectacle, I decided to approach Lord Tywin Lannister. After a respectful bow, I addressed him, my tone respectful but firm,
"I hold no grievances with your son, my lord. However, I do not back down from a challenge. He picked a fight, and he will face the consequences. I hope this doesn't offend you."
Lord Tywin responded, his tone calculated, "My son may be twenty-five-name days old, but he still displays the recklessness of a young knight. This is a matter between two knights and will be resolved as such."
Amidst the approval of the surrounding lords, I sensed that Lord Tywin's words held a hidden layer of deception. It was clear that he was not as unfazed as he pretended to be. My victory over his son would surely sow seeds of resentment despite his outward appearance of acceptance. While Lord Tywin held immense wealth, his power held little sway in the North. I was determined to leave a mark in the North and earn my place among its nobility, regardless of his influence.
Taking my position back in the arena, my gaze fixed on Hosteen Frey, my next opponent. The burly man with a square face and formidable stature prepared himself for the contest. While most Freys were known for their less-than-admirable reputation, Hosteen's robust build and features set him apart.
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As he donned his helmet with twin towers on its top, we charged at each other, the clash of our lances resonating through the air. I quickly devised a strategy, feigning a higher aim and then adjusting my lance's trajectory at the last moment to strike his shield. It worked, and he was unseated with surprising ease.
In the final round, I faced none other than Ser Jorah Mormont, who had been knighted by the King just after the battle. His decision to accept the knighthood from the Seven puzzled me, given the Northern preference for the old gods. Regardless, his stature as a Northern lord added another layer of significance to our impending duel.
As we readied ourselves, Jorah returned to the arena with a handkerchief bearing the crest of House Hightower tied to his lance. Lynesse Hightower's favor had been bestowed upon him, making it clear who he intended to honor as the queen of love and beauty. It struck me as a peculiar choice, considering the stark contrast of beliefs between the North and the Faith of the Seven. Nevertheless, the favor represented a connection between them that I couldn't ignore.
Our joust commenced, and I sensed Jorah's frustration beneath his composed exterior. Engaging in six clashes, I wanted to avoid an immediate victory to maintain the illusion of a fair fight. So, not to hurt his pride. At the seventh clash, I skillfully unseated him, extending a hand to help him up. "A good fight, Ser Jorah," I acknowledged.
His disappointment was palpable, but he gracefully raised my hand and proclaimed, "Indeed, it was. Our champion, Ser Aermir Drasil."
I chose not to crown anyone as the queen of love and beauty, kneeling before the King to accept my award. With no retinue of my own, I entrusted the gold to Lord Stark for safekeeping.
...
The days continued with feasting and celebration, leading up to the final duel against Jaime. This time, the melee was designed uniquely, commencing with our duel as part of the larger event. As a result, the loser of our duel would be eliminated from the melee. I focused my efforts on enhancing my physical abilities before facing Jaime, aware that his superior strength and speed gave him an advantage.
Jaime's approach was aggressive, attempting to strike at my legs with a slash. I countered his attacks with agile movements, stepping back to evade his blows. His determination grew, and he resorted to more forceful tactics, including a shield bash. Using my heightened reflexes and flexibility, I managed to dodge and block his continuous assaults effectively.
Although I was on the defensive for most of the duel, I chose not to employ my spells to their full extent, saving my true abilities for a later time. Because I had only one opportunity since I was not going to kill him, he would realize something was wrong if I used many spells. At the same time, I wanted to glean more insights from this fight. Jaime's overconfidence led him to underestimate my capabilities, assuming I would be unable to counter his attacks effectively.
The clash between us continued since my reflexes and flexibility were almost beyond human, my defensive maneuvers bewildering Jaime. He began to rely on sheer physicality, attempting shield bashes and charges in his frustration. I allowed him to push me backward while strategically maintaining my balance. Observing his growing frustration, I knew that timing was crucial for my next move.
In the midst of the battle, I seized a brief opportunity. Taking advantage of his momentary lapse, I executed a swift maneuver that dived right under his sword while blocking him with my sword and caught him off guard. This annoyed him. The strike landed, but it was not enough to defeat him. He wasn't more talented than me, but physically, he had superiority. As the duel progressed, Jaime's arrogance and frustration became more pronounced, and he taunted me,
"Did you swallow your tongue? Aren't you going to regale us with tales of the invincible Northern knights?"