Eddard

           It’sthehand’stourneythat’sthecauseofallthetrouble,mylords,"thecommanderofthecitywatchcomplainedtotheking’scouncil.

           "Theking’stourney,"Nedcorrected,wincing."Iassureyou,theHandwantsnopartofit."

           "Callitwhatyouwill,mylord.Knightshavebeenarrivingfromallovertherealm,andforeveryknightwegettwofreeriders,threecraftsmen,sixmen-at-arms,adozenmerchants,twodozenwhores,andmorethievesthanIdareguess.Thiscursedheathadhalfthecityinafevertostart,andnowwithallthesevisitors...lastnightwehadadrowning,atavernriot,threeknifefights,arape,twofires,robberiesbeyondcount,andadrunkenhorseracedowntheStreetoftheSisters.Thenightbeforeawoman’sheadwasfoundintheGreatSept,floatingintherainbowpool.Nooneseemstoknowhowitgotthereorwhoitbelongsto."

           "Howdreadful,"Varyssaidwithashudder.

           LordRenlyBaratheonwaslesssympathetic."Ifyoucannotkeeptheking’speace,Janos,perhapstheCityWatchshouldbecommandedbysomeonewhocan."

           Stout,jowlyJanosSlyntpuffedhimselfuplikeanangryfrog,hisbaldpatereddening."AegontheDragonhimselfcouldnotkeepthepeace,LordRenly.Ineedmoremen."

           "Howmany?"Nedasked,leaningforward.Asever,Roberthadnottroubledhimselftoattendthecouncilsession,soitfelltohisHandtospeakforhim.

           "Asmanyascanbegotten,LordHand."

           "Hirefiftynewmen,"Nedtoldhim."LordBaelishwillseethatyougetthecoin."

           "Iwill?"Littlefingersaid.

           "Youwill.