The Mountain of Ice and Fire

Edd woke up, feeling like he was lying on a very soft bed, his whole body aching as if someone had held him down and hammered every bone in his body. The aftershocks of that beating still trembled within his bones.

The Mountain's unmatched power filled Edd with terror just thinking about it!

Courage comes from fear, he told himself in his heart.

Sure enough, the words seemed to possess magic, and a force grew within Edd's heart, making him feel like he was shaking off fear and becoming calm.

He made a sound, a groan like someone recovering from a serious illness.

"My lord, you're awake?!" It was Grand Maester Pycelle's voice.

Edd opened his eyes, but the intense light made him close them again.

Whoosh!

The sound of curtains being drawn came, and the bright light dimmed.

"Duke Eddard, how do you feel?" Grand Maester Pycelle asked cautiously.

Edd opened his eyes again, feeling much better this time.

"I... I'm alright," Edd said, taking a deep breath. Visions of flashing swords, pouring rain, flying blood, and screams flashed before his eyes.

"You were rescued by Lord Petyr and the City Watch. Jaime and the Mountain have fled King's Landing." The Grand Maester's voice trembled, old and frail, as if Pycelle might collapse with the next heartbeat.

"They... killed my... guards," Edd said, a strong desire for revenge in his heart.

"Yes, my lord. The King is furious. The Kingslayer and the Mountain are running for their lives. My lord, let me help you up first, and give you a bowl of poppy milk to relieve the pain."

"Poppy milk?" Edd was reluctant to drink that stuff. He knew that too much of it would make him dull.

"My lord, you need to drink some. The Mountain's greatsword cracked your back armor. I need to see how you react to drinking something. I fear the Mountain's strength may have shattered your internal organs. But for now, it seems you're doing well." The Grand Maester began to pant, as if speaking these words had exhausted all his strength.

"Alright, I'll try some." Edd actually felt okay, except for the severe pain in the flesh on his back. He guessed it was injured by the Mountain's greatsword. With the Mountain's strength, if he had used the blade, he would have been cut in two. The Mountain must have used the flat of the sword to knock him away.

A sneak attack from behind, combined with the force of a charging warhorse, swung like a club, sweeping him into the air.

The feeling of weightlessness in the air was something Eddard Stark would never forget.

The Mountain's strength was terrifying.

Even with the flat of the sword, if it had been a solid hit, his spine would definitely have been broken.

This reminded Edd of Bran Stark of Winterfell: his leg bones broken, never to stand again. Both father and son, thanks to the Lannisters.

He had survived only because the Mountain had shown mercy, skillfully sending his body flying. Even so, he felt pain all over. He was burly, and the impact of falling from the air onto the stone slabs was not pleasant.

Edd drank a bowl of poppy milk, and he felt like he wanted another. This was the first time he had felt that poppy milk was so delicious. But he restrained himself. Too much poppy milk was not good for the body or the mind, Edd knew this well.

"My lord, do you feel better?" Grand Maester Pycelle asked cautiously.

"I... I want to eat something!" Edd was hungry.

"Oh!" Pycelle visibly breathed a sigh of relief. "My lord, you have been unconscious for several days. Wanting to eat is a good sign, but I won't allow you to eat anything now. Tell your captain to get you boiled water. Drink some hot water first, then eat something."

"Alright!" Edd's mouth felt bitter. "My captain..." He found his throat was tight, but he didn't want to show his emotions in front of Pycelle. He forced himself to smile. Jory Cassel had already fought his way out, and the Mountain and others did not stop him. When he saw that he had not escaped, he reined his horse back and was bitten to death by the Mountain's dog soldiers. At that moment, at least three swords and five spears pierced Jory's body. Then more swords fell. Edd had never seen such bloodthirsty soldiers. Vayon and Hayhead didn't move, but those people's swords and spears were still stabbing.

A group of crazy soldiers, like a pack of wild dogs frantically tearing at a shadow lynx.

His captain, Jory Cassel, had died trying to save him! This made Edd feel very guilty!

Alyn entered, and Edd realized that Alyn had become his new captain. The captain that Grand Maester Pycelle was referring to was Captain Alyn.

Alyn helped Edd up and slowly fed the lord two bowls of hot water.

Edd felt so comfortable, but at the same time, his eyelids were too heavy to lift. The poppy milk was working. When Edd woke up again, Alyn was still by his side. He followed the instructions of Grand Maester Pycelle and gave Edd some liquid food. Edd did not show any vomiting or physical discomfort, and his bowel movements were normal, without any blood. This meant that he had not suffered any internal injuries that were difficult to heal.

Edd understood that the Mountain had controlled his strength well, giving him a fierce blow while also preserving his life. But this was actually very dangerous. Edd had taken a trip to the gates of hell and returned.

The Mountain's precise control of his strength also made Edd feel uneasy.

Alyn said, "My lord, Jory, Vayon, Hayhead... I have handed them over to the Silent Sisters and asked them to escort the three brothers back to Winterfell. They are Northerners and should be buried in their hometown."

"You did well, Alyn. What about my two daughters?"

"They are both doing well. Sansa prays for you every day, my lord. And Arya, she is very angry. I have never seen her so... angry. She has a fierce temper, as you know, my lord. I had to forbid her from going out again and asked the dancing master to accompany her to dance every day, and she slowly calmed down."

"Thank you for your hard work these past few days!" Edd thanked him with emotion.

This made Alyn feel apprehensive: "My lord, the whole of King's Landing, the streets and alleys, are spreading rumors that Lady Catelyn has captured the Imp. I am afraid that something will happen again, so I have sent out all the manpower to patrol around the Tower of the Hand day and night."

"You did well, Alyn. We need to be more careful. Maybe the Mountain and Jaime are hiding somewhere in the city, watching us, preparing to harm us again. Everything may have just begun."

"My lord, Jaime and the Mountain have fled King's Landing, so there is no need to worry about that."

"Oh!"

"The King has ordered a city-wide search for Jaime and the Mountain. Varys's news says that Jaime and the Mountain have indeed left King's Landing."

"Then we still have to be careful. Tell Vayon Poole to pack up quickly. We have to return to Winterfell as soon as possible."

"My lord, the King has ordered that we are not allowed to pack our luggage, nor are we allowed to leave King's Landing without authorization. The King wants you to see him immediately after you wake up."

"I won't go," Edd said decisively. "Go tell the King that I am unwell and unable to get up."

"Yes, my lord." Alyn bowed and withdrew.

Steward Vayon Poole came in and administered the medicine prescribed by Grand Maester Pycelle to Lord Eddard one by one. If Edd knew about Grand Maester Pycelle's darkness, that he had interrupted the drug treatment when Jon Arryn's condition improved, and watched Jon die, he would not dare to take Grand Maester Pycelle's medicine.

Edd lay down again to rest after taking the medicine. This time, when he woke up, he felt an unprecedented sense of ease and energy recovery.

Captain Alyn, who was guarding his door, also came in: "My lord, the King has arrived. He said that since you cannot get up to see him, he will come to see you." Alyn paused for a moment, "The Queen is also with the King, my lord."

Thank you: [Mad Old Dog, Preservative Ji] for the reward, thank you, handshake!