The next day, after a well-earned rest, Levi was up early and ready for anything. He sat alone at a table in the tavern, quietly eating breakfast while listening to the gossip around him.

One rumor caught his attention: a young man named Jaime Lannister had been knighted by none other than Ser Arthur Dayne. Levi raised an eyebrow. "How convenient," he thought. "A Lannister lad, already part of a great house, now being knighted by a legend."

As he chewed through his meal, Lysa burst through the tavern doors, breathless. "Levi," she said quickly, "today's the first day of the joust and it's also your turn for the archery competition."

Levi nodded and stood. "Then I'd best prepare. Thank you, Lysa."

She nodded in return. "You should."

In the tourney grounds, nobles were already taking their seats, waiting for the day's events to begin. The sun climbed higher as the horns blew, announcing the start of the tourney.

The first matches were electric.

Ser Jaime Lannister, newly knighted by Ser Arthur Dayne, rode confidently onto the tiltyard. His golden armor gleamed in the morning sun. His opponent a hedge knight barely lasted a tilt before Jaime's lance unseated him cleanly.

Next was Brandon Stark, heir to Winterfell. The northern lord unhorsed his opponent with sheer strength, drawing cheers from the Stark banners.

Robert Baratheon followed, bellowing with laughter and confidence. His opponent, a sworn knight from the Reach, didn't stand a chance against the thunder of Robert's charge.

Then came Ser Barristan Selmy. The knight moved with grace and power, defeating a younger challenger without even breaking a sweat.

And finally, Prince Rhaegar Targaryen. The murmurs turned to reverent silence as he took the field. His silver hair shimmered beneath his helm, and his ride was poetry in motion. His lance struck true, unhorsing his opponent effortlessly.

Levi, watching from the sidelines, could see why people admired Prince Rhaegar Targaryan. The women whispered. The men watched in wary silence.

Once the jousting concluded at midday, the archery competition began.

Levi stood among a crowd of a hundred competitors minor nobles, Squires , and commoners alike. He said nothing, simply watching and waiting.

The first round was a precision challenge: each archer had ten arrows to fire at a target 50 meters away. They went in groups of ten.

Many missed. Others barely clipped the outer rings. But Levi, along with ten others, hit the center ten times in a row.

Next came the eliminations. The remaining fifty archers would shoot from 100 meters using only five arrows.

Levi stole a glance at the crowd. There sat the royal family. King Aerys on his elevated seat, guarded by the Kingsguard. Near him, Prince Rhaegar, shining from his earlier victory. And not far from them, beneath the Stark banners, Levi spotted Lyanna Stark.

She looked more radiant than he remembered older now, yet retaining that wild spark. Levi shook his head. Focus.

When the round began, he fired. Arrow after arrow each one struck the center. Only around fifteen competitors managed similar precision.

But the judges were merciless.

"Only ten will advance," they announced. Levi blinked. From fifty to ten? Perhaps they grow bored of arrows flying endlessly.

Of the ten who remained Levi was considered one of them, the distance increased to 200 meters. Only three arrows this time.

Three archers hit center: Levi, another man with a stern face, and a third competitor, hooded and silent, refusing to show his face. The rest failed to compete for better aim and left to leave the three who stood with precise aim.

The judges raised the stakes again: 350 meters. Three arrows.

The three stepped up. First volley two hit dead center: Levi and the hooded one. The other missed and was placed third with no redemption he had no choice but to grumble and shake his head. he left while the audience watch and cheered for the two who remained.

Now it was down to two.

Levi narrowed his eyes, watching the hooded man prepare. Whoever this was, they weren't just good. They were exceptional.

Second round both hit center again.

The crowd murmured. A few stood, squinting to watch the arrows fly. Who would win?

Third and final shot. Levi loosed his arrow. Dead center. The hooded archer fired just barely clipping the center.

The match was decided.

The judge stepped forward, gesturing to Levi. "Victor!" The crowd cheered for the winner.

Levi glanced at the hooded figure, who was already turning to leave. In the mud, their footsteps were light, too light. The ground barely showed a mark.

That wasn't a man, Levi thought. Could it have been… a woman?

His thoughts were broken by the announcement.

"Kneel!" the judge barked.

Levi approached the dais and knelt before the king.

King Aerys Targaryen simply watched him, while his kings guards armored in gold, his dark hair flowing around his pale face, looked down on him. His violet eyes were unreadable.

"You have won the archery contest," he declared. "Your prize is two thousand golden dragon coins. Claim your reward from the stewards."

He stood aside, raising his voice for all to hear. "The day's events are done! Tomorrow brings the second round of jousts!"

Levi rose, nodded, and turned away.

The sun was setting.

He made his way to the prize tent, where he received a chest of gold and a satchel of coins.

Arl was waiting for him outside with a horse.

Levi smiled. "So, what do you think? I won."

Arl laughed. "You did, and now you're richer than you've ever been!"

"Where's Lysa?" Levi asked.

"She went to place your bet, just as you asked. She should be collecting your winnings."

They rode back toward the tavern. As they entered, a familiar voice rang out: "Well if it ain't the merchant of Bogwater, the champion of the bow!"

Tankards were raised in Levi's honor. Some cheered; others grumbled. Arl leaned close.

"Word got out you were competing. Some bet against you. Others bet for you."

They laughed. Levi handed his winnings to two caravan guards. who were resting at the tavern. "Take this. Guard it well."

One guard grinned. "Congratulations, Levi. You'll be known for the bow across the land."

"Hopefully," Levi replied, chuckling.

A short while later, Lysa returned with a satisfied smile.

"You did it. Between your prize and the Braavosi bets, you've won another thousand dragons. You're 3,000 in gold coin wealthier."

"I watched the jousts while I waited. Prince Rhaegar kept winning. We should bet on him. No one seems able to unhorse him."

Levi nodded. "I want one thousand golden dragons coin, every round."

Lysa's smile vanished. "one thousand?"

Arl laughed. "I never took you for a gambler, Levi."

Levi smirked. "I'm not. But I know opportunity when I see it. Let's see what tomorrow brings."