My Multiverse Trip 148 148. The Tourney.

The archery tournament was held in a small area with an elevated platform and targets set up a few meters away. The melee tournament was held in a large circled off area. The area was large enough so that several dozen knights could fight and there would be enough room with a wooden fence and gate surrounding the area so no fight spilled into the stands. The joust took up more of the s.p.a.ce since it needed to be large enough so that the horses had enough s.p.a.ce to gallop.

The first tournament was archery and that wasn't going to start for another few hours. Some of the knights and squires who were partic.i.p.ating had arrived early as the stands were still empty. The pavilion over looking the archery tournament was where the high lords and the royal family would sit and watch with the comfort of shade and servants to bring them food and wine. King Robert was already there, sitting his chair and drinking his wine. The Queen, Cersei Lannister sat to his right with her son Joffrey, next to her. Tommen Baratheon and Myrcella Baratheon sat next to Joffrey with Jamie Lannister, a member of the Kings guard and their uncle standing guard.

Other high lords and people of importance were sitting on the pavilion, including the Hand of the King, Jon Arryn. He took his place next to Robert with Ser Barristan next to him. Tywin Lannister sat next to him, with Mace Tyrell next to him with his son and daughter Loras and Margaery. Master of Coin Petyr Baelish was there as well, along with Stannis and Renly Baratheon. The high lords were just relaxing in the shade, enjoying wine and talking before the tournament started.

Tyrion Lannister was sipping some wine and looked at Little Finger who was writing some notes down in a little book. "Lord Baelish, I don't suppose your betting pool for the tournaments is open?"

"Of course, Lord Tyrion. Care to place a wager?" Baelish asked as Tyrion had a servant get him another cup of wine.

"I would. Now I think 100 dragons would be enough." Tyrion said.

"On which tournament. The archery, melee or joust?" Baelish asked.

"I don't really care about the archery portion. I'll bet on my brother, Jaime to win the joust, and The Mountain to win the melee." Tyrion said.

"Well, then I'll have to bet on the mountain to win the joust instead, Lord Tyrion. The Mountain hasn't lost the joust yet." Baelish said.

"Yes, but this is the first time my brother is partic.i.p.ating." Tyrion said as he got his wine cup and took a sip.

"I'll get in on this bet. I bet that the Hound wins the joust." Renly said as Petyr wrote it down.

"Very good, Lord Renly." Baelish said.

"Can I have a wager as well?" They heard as they saw Prince Oberyn walk up with his daughters Obara, Tyene and Nymeria and his brother, Prince Doran.

"Of course, Prince Oberyn. Who would you like to bet on?" Baelish asked.

"Well anyone besides the Mountain or the Kingslayer. I place a hundred on my own man, Ser Qatar Sand to win both." Oberyn said.

"Of course, Prince Oberyn." Baelish said as he took down some numbers. "Your grace, would you like to place a wager?"

"Ah, I don't care about that. I want to see something new! Every single tournament, its either the Kingslayer, the mountain or Ser Barristan who wins. What does it take to get someone new to win?" Robert said.

"It's slim picking, your grace. Ser Barristan, Clegane and Lannister are the best knights in all the Kingdoms." Baelish said.

"Bah!" Robert replied as he finished his wine and got another.

Ryan had registered for the archery and melee he didn't think he could do anything for the joust he didn't even have a horse. nor had he ever partic.i.p.ated in any type of joust or training for one. teacher had spent a long time teaching him swordplay and he was very good with a bow and arrow just because even if he preferred guns who would use those in a world like game of thrones?

Ryan walked to the judge and asked for directions to the waiting room for the archery event.

Ryan walked to the waiting area with the other partic.i.p.ants. He then took out his bow and double checked it to make sure it was ready. Always check your tools before you start any kind of combat wouldn't want to go into battle only realising you left your sword in your tent like a dips.h.i.+t. The spectators filed into the available seats and those that couldn't find seats were forced to stand.

King Robert was sitting and drinking wine and stood up. "All right, start the d.a.m.n compet.i.tion!" Robert shouted as the judges nodded.

"All right, you lot. Let's get started!" The judge shouted as the first group of archers stepped onto the platform that could hold about 12 archers. The archery compet.i.tion was divided into several rounds with the winner of each group moving on to the next round until only one was left.

Two groups of archers had their chance and two men made it to the next round. Ryan stepped up with the third group of archers and stood on the platform. The other men looked at him, wondering what someone so young would be here, he must be an idiot. Ryan looked around and saw that everyone else was at least 10 Years older than him. Oh well, if they underestimated him, that was their mistake.

"All right, draw your arrows!" The judge shouted as everyone grabbed an arrow from their quiver. Ryan pulled out an arrow and put it on his bow and drew it back. He aimed down to the middle target at the very center and took a breath. He had done this for hundreds of hours with teacher until he could hit the target every time. Teacher always said what's the use of a bow and arrow if you miss?

"Release!" The judge shouted as everyone released their arrows and they flew to the targets. They all managed to hit the target but only one hit dead center, the one that Ryan shot. He smiled as the spectators clapped and moved over to the pedestal where the other archers who advanced were standing. The targets were quickly cleaned and the next group of archers took their place.

The rounds continued until there were about now 50 people who were going to advance to the next round. Now five rounds with 10 archers until 5 were left, and then it would be the final round.

Ryan stood on the platform with 9 other archers to decide who would be one of the 5 archers in the last round. They drew another arrow and fired it at the targets and he hit the target dead center again and was one of the 5 to make it to the final round.

They waited for the other 4 archers to advance and he could hear people whisper in the stands. They asked questions about who he was and how he managed to advance this far, some of them were in the pavilion.

"That boy is quite the shot to make it this far." Oberyn said, watching Ryan "His accuracy was excellent. He also seemed very calm."

"Indeed. Usually boy's his age aren't that good shots." Loras said, as he was impressed. Pinpoint accuracy with a bow and arrow was not easy and only seasoned archers could hit the same point twice.

"Aim and accuracy, aside. He's still just a boy." Baelish said.

"Ha, but he's more of a man now then you were at his age, Baelish." Robert joked as everyone laughed while Baelish seethed in anger.

"Let's see if he can win this." Tyrion said as he took a sip of wine.

"1,000 gold dragons on the boy winning this!" Robert shouted as he chugged his wine.

And win it he did every shot was dead center. he only had to shoot 3 more times.

The crowd erupted into cheers and so did the pavilion as the lords and king got on their feet and cheered. The king was the loudest, with clapping and laughter at the money the boy made him.

"Huh, perhaps I should have betted on the archery compet.i.tion." Tyrion said as he clapped as well.

"Well done, boy!" Robert shouted as Ryan smiled. "Step forward."

Ryan walked down from the pavilion and bowed before the King. "What's your name, boy?" Robert asked.

"Ryan, your grace." I replied.

"Ryan, huh? Interesting name, but that's beside the point! Well done!" Robert said.

"Thank you, your grace." Ryan said.

"If you'll follow the judges, they'll have the City Watch escort you to collect your winnings of 30,000 gold dragons." Robert said.

"Thank you, your grace. But I have to remain. I have the melee compet.i.tion to fight in as well." Ryan said with a smile as Robert chuckled.