Chapter 124: Chapter 73: Kai’s list

“Bastard,” the guard said, “Lord Hand has asked for you.”

Not all guards liked his presence, as Kai had found out. Calling him bastard was the nicest of the terms he had found them saying about him. It was nighttime. Kai had been given the quarters bordering Jon Arryn’s bedroom. After a long, nice bath, he had his supper with a cup of sweet-sour red wine.

Kai followed the guard to Jon Arryn’s bedroom. The wall was lined with torches; the flames licking the stones, blackening them in shame. Two more guards were posted outside the Hand’s chambers. Those Kai recognized. They smiled at him, knowing well about Kai’s hidden capabilities.

He found Jon Arryn brooding over the heaviest, thickest book he had ever seen. The moment Kai stopped in front of the Hand’s little table, the old man shut the book with a thud. “Sit,” the Hand commanded, not unkindly. “Have you learned the details by heart?”

When Kai had entered his quarters, he had found thick scrolls laying on his straw bed. They contained brief details of who’s who within the castle and a bit of history here and there. Kai had to put extra effort to learn the arms and words of various Houses. It had been a strenuous task, but Kai was glad that he got to learn the names and facial descriptions of many.

That’s what I needed, Kai thought. And you gave it to me. Why in the world wouldn’t I have learned it?

Kai nodded. “You aren’t of many words, are you?” the Hand chuckled. “That’s good too. There are many listeners here, and even the walls have ears, I am afraid.”

Oh, I can talk as much as anyone, fool, Kai sniggered. It’s you who doesn’t want me to talk. I can take a hint even if it’s not that obvious. That’s how I had survived in my previous life.

“Be a good lad and pour some wine for me,” Jon Arryn said, pointing at the jar of wine. “I have sent one more parchment to your room. It mentions your duties. You must know them, in case someone were to ask you.”

Kai approached the wine. It smelled of spices, and there was a richness to it. Kai dipped a finger into the jar, shocking the living breath out of the old man. “What are you doing?” he shouted, but Kai had already put the finger in his mouth.

Sweet! There is heat in it too! Kai talked to himself, closing his eyes, tasting the wine’s flavor. Only then did he bring and pour the wine. “I had told your guards too, my lord,” Kai said, looking at the Hand’s wide eyes. “Let me taste everything before you eat or drink it. I have a high resistance to poisonous substances.”

Kai lied. But just a touch of poison won’t kill him. And he couldn't afford the man dying on him by the lack of precautions. “You think my food and wine are poisoned?” Jon Arryn asked, incredulously. “What nonsense?! The Maester would know of it soon enough then. No one can afford that kind of suspicion.”

And here I thought the old man would have some sense to him, Kai thought, scowling inwardly. “There are poisons that are hard to detect, my lord,” he said. “This Maester you speak of, how well can you trust him?”

“As well as I trust anyone,” Jon Arryn answered, his brows furrowing, realizing Kai’s meaning. “You aren’t suggesting that it’s the Maester who wants me dead, are you? Haha! No, no. You don’t have to worry about him, either.”

Kai looked at the Hand as if he was looking at a monkey. By now he knew what this Maester meant, and who he was. Maester Pycelle was like a royal physician, and Kai had put the old man at one of the top positions on his list. The list of people who can kill Jon Arryn as easily as swatting a fly.

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“There you are mistaken, my lord,” Kai said. “I told you I will be blunt with you, at least regarding your safety. And I have no reason to trust Maester, or just about anyone. I urge you again. Allow me to taste everything before it goes to your mouth.”

Kai could see the Hand was annoyed at his suggestion. He let the old man mull over it for a few moments as he saw the title of the book. “The Lineages and Histories of the Great Houses of the Seven Kingdoms”, that’s a long title, Kai thought. But I can’t feel any Mana or Stats on it. Hmm? Is it like those broomsticks, something that can’t be taken out of the Random World?

“Alright!” Jon Arryn finally said, drinking a mouthful of wine. “Do as you please? Just beware of acting out of your place. Need I remind you not to even think of approaching the Prince and other royal members?”

“No, my lord,” Kai answered, looking away from the book reluctantly. “I know my duty.”

“Good then,” the Hand said, standing up from his chair. “You are dismissed till the morrow.”

Kai didn’t move, though. He looked around the room, noticing the windows and the sleeping city. “I think,” he said, approaching one window, “I should sleep here with you, my lord.”

“Huh?!” Jon Arryn’s mouth gaped at the notion. “No need for that. I am certain. There are guards outside whom I trust enough. And nobody can come through the window. We are too high for that.”

Why’s he making it so hard for me? Kai thought, gazing out to the distant tower some hundred meters away. “OK, my lord. As you wish.”

Suddenly, the doors were thrown open, and a woman walked in. “Why am I the last to hear of it?” she demanded, giving a disgusted look to Kai. “If you had such a desire to have a Page, then why didn’t you take Petyr’s offer? Or the white-haired bastard has something special about him?”

And who’s this bitch? Kai thought, narrowing his eyes. She wasn’t overly pretty, and there was a paleness about her. Her blue eyes were murky, and she looked weak and sick. Kai noticed Jon Arryn’s lip twitching at her presence.

Kai realized then. A name came up to him. A name who had the honor to be the No. 1 on his long list. That name was…

Lysa Arryn!

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AN: Following things are available on Discord related to this chapter

1. Maester Pycelle (reference with image)
2. The Book reference and how it's relevant
3. Lysa Arryn (reference with image)

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