The ruins of Summerhall faded into the distance as Arthur's party traveled northeast along the Kingsroad, which intersected there.
Every so often, a roadside inn or tavern would appear. When the proprietors saw the noble banners fluttering in the procession, they warmly offered their best rooms and food.
The journey was smooth, with no troubles encountered.
At Bronze Gate, they turned northwest, passing through the endless Kingswood.
After more than a month of travel, Arthur finally saw King's Landing across the Blackwater Rush.
King's Landing sprawled like a gigantic, roughly square chessboard, stretching for miles and surrounded by lofty walls.
Seven great gates allowed entry: the Dragon Gate, the Lion Gate, the Mud Gate, the Old Gate, the Gate of the Gods, the King's Gate, and the Iron Gate.
Arthur and his party entered through the River Gate.
Also known as the Mud Gate, it connected directly to the harbor. The docks outside were built along the Blackwater, mostly of wood and stone, extending into the river and numbering in the hundreds.
Inside the Mud Gate lay a wide fish market.
"Seven Hells..." Cletus covered his nose as soon as he stepped through the gate. The stench of dead fish mixed with human waste hit him like a physical blow. "This is a giant cesspit!"
His voice was almost drowned out by the noise of the bustling market.
Houses on both sides of the street were packed together like sardines in a tin. Sewage flowed freely in the cracks between the cobblestones.
King's Landing was indeed densely populated. Compared to other cities Arthur had visited, it was the most crowded and easily the filthiest.
Fortunately, the closer they got to Aegon's High Hill and the Red Keep, the fainter the stench became.
After finding an inn near Aegon's High Hill and changing into suitable attire, Arthur and Penrose, guided by a few Gold Cloaks of the City Watch, arrived at the cobbled square before the massive barbican of the Red Keep.
From here, the entire Red Keep was visible, built of pale red stone with seven massive drum towers capped with iron.
Thick curtain walls surrounded the castle, topped with countless crenelations and merlons for archers.
A thick stone parapet, four feet high, protected the edge of the ramparts.
Arthur also saw a dozen heads impaled on iron spikes along the battlements. Some had been picked clean by crows, leaving only white bone; others still dripped fresh blood from their necks.
"Now this looks like a castle fit for a king." Penrose nodded, looking at the heads and the majestic towers of the Red Keep.
"The scenery along the way was a bit disappointing."
"That's just what happens when a place is too crowded. Not much can be done about it," Arthur remarked.
They didn't wait long. A squire with rugged features, though not handsome, walked briskly toward them. "Ser Arthur, Lord Jon summons you. Please follow me."
On the way to the Tower of the Hand, Arthur learned that the squire's name was Hugh, and he had served Jon Arryn for three years.
In the private solar of the Tower of the Hand, Arthur met his uncle's foster father: Jon Arryn, Hand of the King, Warden of the East, and Lord of the Eyrie.
The old Hand had broad shoulders, his hair and beard neatly groomed. His eyes were sharp as a falcon's.
He looked hale and hearty, not at all like a man in his eighties.
There was another person in the room as well.
"My Lord Hand, I have come in response to the King's summons to face inquiry." Seeing the old Hand staring at him without speaking since he entered, Arthur bowed and broke the silence.
"Relax, Ser Arthur Snow." Jon Arryn withdrew his gaze, a hint of a smile appearing on his lips.
"Earl Paxter hasn't arrived in King's Landing yet. This isn't the inquiry, just a private conversation."
Jon Arryn gestured for Arthur to sit.
"What would you like to hear from me?" Arthur asked.
"Ser, tell me the whole story, from beginning to end," the old Hand emphasized after Arthur took his seat. "I want to hear the truth."
Arthur recounted everything: the cause of the conflict—the failure of the Arbor and Starfall to reach an agreement on the Amber Peach Nectar; the escalation—the Arbor disguising men as pirates to burn his orchards and slaughter his people while Starfall was defending against Blackmont; and his response—invading the Reach, taking Ring, and capturing Reach noble hostages.
He stated the facts objectively, without adding subjective emotion.
Jon Arryn listened quietly to Arthur's narrative, not saying a word throughout.
"You are honest. I can tell you speak the truth," Jon finally commented, a flash of appreciation in his eyes.
"Arthur, you restrained your army from killing those who surrendered, the elderly, women, and children. Keeping your principles during vengeance is commendable."
Arthur keenly noted the change in Jon Arryn's address. It seemed his strategy of sincerity for sincerity was working.
"However," the old Hand changed his tone, "attacking the Reach without preparation, provoking an enemy several times stronger than yourself... that was unwise."
Arthur straightened his back. "Lord Jon, the education I received does not allow me to swallow my anger and pretend nothing happened after seeing my people slaughtered, just because the perpetrator is powerful.
"Just as years ago, when the Mad King demanded the heads of King Robert and my uncle, you not only refused but raised your banners in rebellion to protect them!"
The old Hand's body stiffened noticeably for a moment. The look he gave Arthur softened and grew complex. "Child, I am not telling you not to resist powerful enemies, but to do so in the correct way.
"Your father, Brandon, did not understand this, and it led to his death and the death of Lord Rickard in the Red Keep."
Ser, Arthur, Child.
The rapid shift in address made Arthur clear about the change in the old man's attitude toward him.
"Lord Jon, please teach me," Arthur said.
"When facing a powerful enemy, your first step should be to find allies, form pacts, and expand your strength and influence." Jon Arryn stood up and walked to the window, overlooking King's Landing.
"Did you know that Paxter Redwyne has already finalized marriage alliances for his children before even arriving in King's Landing?
"Furthermore, Loras Tyrell is very close with Lord Renly. Duke Mace spends his days hunting and feasting with Robert.
"Carts of grain from Highgarden are rolling into King's Landing, distributed for free to the poor and hungry in the names of the Mother and the Maiden by Margaery Tyrell.
"Go to Flea Bottom or the Cobbler's Square now, and all you will hear are praises for the 'Rose of Highgarden'."
Growing Strong.
Hearing Jon Arryn's words, the words of House Tyrell suddenly popped into Arthur's mind.
Compared to the Starks' "Winter Is Coming" or the Greyjoys' "We Do Not Sow," the Tyrell words sounded innocuous.
But at this moment, those two simple words sent a chill crawling up Arthur's spine.