In the Winterfell Training Yard, Robb and Jon wielded practice wooden swords, parrying blows, both drenched in sweat.
Theon, aiming at a target nearby, shot an arrow directly into the bullseye; Theon's archery was exceptionally skilled, and Drillmaster Rodrik Cassel believed that if Theon were to participate in a Tourney in the South, he would have a chance to win the archery championship.
A singer tuned his harp at the edge of the Training Yard.
Jon liked the feeling of his arms aching; he was only fourteen, and his strength and height were growing every day.
Robb and Jon stopped fighting, Robb panting, "If I just keep practicing, I can become a great warrior like Arthur Dayne, the sword of the morning."
Jon teased, "Or a great warrior like King Robert?"
Robb was a bit dejected, "I admit, King Robert has greatly disappointed me. The Demon of the Trident, the Storm, and the stag God of War shouldn't be like this!"
Robb had previously idolized King Robert, firmly believing King Robert was the greatest warrior of this era.
Once upon a time, Robb and Jon would always talk about great warriors before bed, and Robert Baratheon was the warrior Robb talked about the most.
Whether it was Robert's antlered helmet armor or Robert's warhammer, Robert killing Marq Graveson in Seagard, Robert's three victories in one day at the Battle of Summerhall, Robert's narrow defeat by Randyll Tarly, Robert's valiant charge at the Battle of the Bells, and Robert killing Prince Rhaegar amidst the chaos of the Trident, burying the Targaryen Dynasty in one fell swoop, Robert's might displayed in the Iron Islands, and other deeds, Robb knew them all by heart.
However, upon truly meeting King Robert, Robb suddenly realized that King Robert, whom he had admired since childhood, was a fat, breathless, gasping mediocrity who panted even when walking; in Robb's heart, the tall, mighty, and extraordinary image of his idol Robert instantly collapsed.
Robb sighed, "I declare that from now on, Arthur Dayne, the sword of the morning, is my idol."
The singer walked over, holding his harp, and played a joyful note.
"Arthur Dayne, the sword of the morning, is a perfect idol because he is dead; his life's experiences are enough to make him a legend, but if he were alive, he would be destined to be imperfect."
Robb, Jon, and Theon all looked at the singer curiously; Jon had never seen this singer before.
The singer was cleanly shaven, tall and slender, with very strong shoulders and arms; his brown hair was already streaked with black, and he wore a grey wool coat, with a smile playing in his eyes.
The transmigrator Jon felt a strange sense of familiarity with this singer; Jon felt that this singer was completely different from ordinary singers, possessing a hidden sharpness and a kingly demeanor.
Robb said, "Are you King Robert's court singer?"
The singer bowed deeply, "To be precise, I am a wandering bard. I have traveled the vast lands from Beyond the Wall to Dorne. My name is Erlbe. I met King Robert's royal entourage on the Kingsroad and joined them with my harp."
At this point, Jon Snow had confirmed the singer's identity; the other party was incredibly bold, daring to perform before the King, the Duke of Winterfell, and the First Ranger of the Night's Watch. Jon decided not to expose his identity for now, waiting for the right moment to deliver a fatal blow.
In Westeros, bards are also called singers; they are skilled at adapting historical events and current hot topics into songs, performing them in the marketplace or at noble banquets. Due to the absurdly high illiteracy rate in Westeros, commoners rely more on singers than books to learn about history and the current world.
Bards are divided into two types: those who perform for nobles in courts or noble castles, and wandering singers who travel from place to place. Wandering singers are sometimes invited by nobles to perform in castles, but most of the time, they perform in brothels, taverns, or on city streets. This Erlbe clearly belonged to the latter category.
Jon couldn't help but lament the poor security of the current King of Westeros; a singer of unknown origin joining the royal entourage when they were only a few days' journey from Winterfell, performing for King Robert, Queen Cersei, and other royal family members, was actually welcomed by the royal entourage.
The three-hundred-strong royal entourage included Oathsworn Knights sworn to House Baratheon, guards of House Lannister in red cloaks and lion helmets, some City Watch members in pure gold armor, and a large number of Mercenary Knights, free riders, and wandering warriors who joined along the way. These people, more or less, had the opportunity to interact with members of the royal family, and because they were part of the royal entourage, they were also allowed free entry and exit in Winterfell.
Considering that Queen Cersei and Jaime the Kingslayer were having an affair, they might assassinate King Robert at any moment to save their lives.
Not to mention the schemers in the King's Landing court like Varys the eunuch and Littlefinger Petyr Baelish, as well as the exiled remnants of the former dynasty, Beggar King Viserys, Princess Daenerys, and Prince Oberyn Martell of Dorne, who constantly craved revenge. With King Robert's security so lax, Jon couldn't help but worry about King Robert's life.
Theon plucked his bowstring, "Singer Erlbe, what songs do you sing?"
Singer Erlbe smiled, "I know many songs, for example, 'The Tower of Joy battle.' You should be interested. This song tells the story of the Northern Warriors led by Lord Eddard clashing with the Kingsguard at the Tower of Joy in Dorne."
Previously, Arthur Dayne's position in Robb's heart wasn't so sacred, after all, Arthur Dayne died at the hands of Robb's father, Eddard.
In The Tower of Joy battle, sung by singers across Westeros, Arthur Dayne, the sword of the morning, Gerold Hightower, the white bull, and Oswell Whent, three white knights of the Kingsguard, faced Eddard, Howland Reed of the Neck, Lord William Dustin of Stony Sept, Theo Wull, a warrior of the Mountain Clans, Ethan Glover, Mark Ryswell, and Martin Cassel—seven men.
The result of the battle was that all the Kingsguard died, and of the Northern party, only Eddard and Howland Reed survived; all the others perished in Dorne.
Singer Erlbe began to sing 'The Tower of Joy battle.' Robb, Jon, and Theon were all captivated by the singer's rich and sweet voice. Afterward, the singer began to recount his travels and experiences, whether it was encountering mountain wildlings in the Vale, pirates in the Iron Islands, or beautiful courtesans in Braavos. Every story and song was vivid and interesting, and everyone was drawn to Singer Erlbe's stories.
Jon had to admit that Singer Erlbe possessed an irresistible charm.
However, Jon still felt that someone disguising himself and coming to Winterfell like this was still too audacious.