The Mountain of Ice and Fire

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice. A young knight with a broad chest, a very strong build, and impressive armor rode out from the ranks. He was young, around twenty years old, with anger evident in his brows.

The man who dared to stand up to the Mountain was called Balon Swann. He had won three matches in a row in the previous joust and had advanced to the second round. In his first lance competition, he unhorsed Erren of the North. Although Balon Swann had already advanced, it didn't prevent him from voluntarily challenging anyone.

Ser Balon Swann was a vassal of House Baratheon of the Stormlands, whose family seat was Stonehelm. Stonehelm was located north of the Sea of Dorne, by the river at Cape Wrath. He was the second son of Lord Gulian Swann of Stonehelm, and he was very famous among the young knights of the Stormlands. He was skilled in martial arts, excelled in combat, and was brave. On horseback, he was good with a lance, and in close combat, he had a special skill: attacking with a mace. But even more praised than his lance and mace skills was his archery.

The Mountain knew this guy was a tough nut to crack and a future member of the Kingsguard. He would be used by the power of the Westerlands in the near future.

Balon's martial arts and courage were admired even by Jaime and Barristan.

The Mountain noticed the brooch pinning Balon Swann's cloak, made in the shape of two dueling swans, one black and one white.

"Balon Swann, I don't want to kill you. Step down."

Balon Swann snorted coldly, "Mountain, are you afraid?"

The Mountain's gaze immediately sharpened, "Balon, you know I'm afraid of no one!"

"Then come and fight!" Balon Swann shouted sharply.

Ignorance is fearless!

The Mountain knew that Balon, this tough guy, had two characteristics: loyalty and courage!

The two men took their lances and returned to their designated positions. At a command, hooves clattered, dirt flew, and the crowd cheered, all rooting for Ser Balon Swann.

The Mountain's face was indifferent, his lance held level. Balon also held his lance level. The horses galloped closer, the Mountain was tall and had long arms, and he thrust his lance fiercely. Balon roared and, instead of using his shield to block, threw it away, gripped the lance with both hands, and charged at the Mountain.

The lances clashed, and with a crack, the heads of both shattered. The training lances, specially made at the front, could not withstand the two men's fierce power. The Mountain remained motionless on his horse, but Balon swayed. He quickly bent down on his horse. The horses passed each other, exchanged positions, and then each took another lance.

The Mountain shouted, "Balon, if you can withstand one of my blows without falling, I'll spare you. Surrender!"

Balon was furious. He gripped his lance with both hands and charged at the Mountain again. The Mountain also spurred his horse to meet Balon. Balon struck first, feinting with his lance at the Mountain's face, then suddenly lowered it, stabbing at the Mountain's chest. The Mountain didn't dodge, and there was a loud crash. The lance struck the Mountain's chest, shattering. The whole place erupted in loud cheers, but amidst the flying splinters, the Mountain didn't fall off his horse, but sat motionless.

Balon was shocked, and everyone else was also surprised. King Robert shouted, "Seven hells, is the Mountain even human?!" Eddard's expression changed slightly, and he was astonished. With such a Mountain, who could defeat him on the battlefield?!

On the field, the brave and skilled Balon was pale with fright, his eyes wide. He hurriedly dropped the broken lance and spurred his horse to flee.

The Mountain laughed loudly, his laughter like thunder, rumbling across the training ground. He was wearing full plate armor and was only slightly afraid of real iron spearheads; these training spears couldn't do anything to him. Balon's full-strength blow was completely offset by him using the horse's forward momentum. Balon's attempt to knock him off his horse was really a bit naive.

Amidst the laughter, the Mountain roared, kicked his spurs, and the horse, in pain, sped up, catching up with Balon in the blink of an eye. The Mountain raised his lance high, and everyone was shocked and screamed.

The lance aimed at Balon's back suddenly skewed, and with a loud crash, the lance struck Balon's shoulder, shattering the tip. Splinters flew, and an irresistible force sent Balon flying, rolling several times in the air, like an adult throwing a doll.

Bang!

Balon slammed to the ground, and dust flew up.

The horse's hooves clattered, and Balon's horse ran ahead, stopped, and looked back, its master still struggling on the ground, unable to stand up.

The whole place was silent. Everyone worried that Balon would die. After a while, Balon barely managed to kneel. He took off his helmet, breathing heavily. With a bang, cheers rang out.

Balon was not dead!

The Mountain won all three matches and advanced to the second round!

*

The Mountain left the field, and the Knight of Flowers entered.

The Knight of Flowers was named Loras Tyrell. The Reach was his family's territory, the best climate and most fertile land in the Seven Kingdoms, and a famous granary. Because of the good climate and abundant food, it was also the most populous kingdom. More population meant abundant soldiers. The most powerful kingdom among the Seven Kingdoms was the Reach.

The capital of the Reach was called Highgarden. The Duke of Highgarden and Warden of the South was Lord Mace Tyrell, and Loras Tyrell was his youngest son, sixteen years old. He was also the youngest knight on the field.

Sansa, who had come to King's Landing for the first time, saw Loras Tyrell for the first time. She had never seen such a handsome person. Loras's armor was carefully crafted, and the enamel on it contained thousands of different flowers. His snow-white mount was covered with red blankets and white roses. That's where the name Knight of Flowers came from.

The white roses were not fake flowers; each one was a real rose, exuding a captivating fragrance. Wherever the Knight of Flowers went, the fragrance of roses enveloped the area. The name Knight of Flowers was well deserved.

When the Knight of Flowers entered the field, cheers and screams rang out from the noble ladies and common women.

Duke Renly stood up from the stands, applauding and cheering for the Knight of Flowers!

Loras Tyrell rode his horse to the stands of the King, Queen, Prince, and Hand. He bowed on his horse, then presented two white roses to the Queen and Princess Myrcella.

His movements were elegant and his demeanor charming. The whole place applauded like thunder! Sansa and Jeyne were dazzled, unable to take their eyes off the Knight of Flowers.

"Your Majesty, I have a request!"

"In the name of the Seven Gods, speak!"

"Please grant me permission to challenge three of your Kingsguard."

These words were very polite, but full of youthful arrogance.

"Jaime has already advanced, and Barristan has been defeated and eliminated. Which three Kingsguard do you want to challenge?"

"Ser Mandon Moore, Ser Arys Oakheart, Ser Preston Greenfield. Your Majesty, I hope to prove to everyone that I also have the strength to become a member of the Kingsguard."

This flower-like person actually wanted to be a Kingsguard.

Although the Kingsguard was the highest honor among knights, the price was also great: giving up land and all wealth, not marrying or having children, giving up all inheritance rights, living alone until old age, keeping secrets, and only doing one thing in life: being loyal to the royal family and executing any orders from the King.

"My Kingsguard are not easy to provoke!" His Majesty the King laughed. "You want to challenge three people, which means you are confident that you will win three matches in a row. Well, I like your pride and courage. Ser Mandon Moore, Ser Arys Oakheart, Ser Preston Greenfield, come forward."

The three white-robed brothers responded and stepped forward, their eyes bright and full of anger.

The Knight of Flowers publicly named them to fight him in the national tournament. This created honor for the Knight of Flowers, but threatened their honor, as if they were just stepping stones for him.

Thanks to 'Chau534' and 'Punishment Knight Zero Degree Thinking' for the rewards, thank you, handshake!