In the distance, King's Landing was ablaze with fire, as the green-clad House Tyrell, the first men armies of the North and Claw Peninsula, and Stannis's fleet joined the fray.
The grand camp on the south bank of the Blackwater Rush gathered elite troops from the Stormlands, Two Cities, the Vale, Claw Peninsula, The Reach, and other regions. The army stretched out like a long dragon, with soldiers in orderly ranks, and the outermost circle comprised patrolling and attacking ramparts.
Camp banners were as lush as a forest, and the tents of Lords, knights, and soldiers sprang up like giant mushrooms after rain. Soldiers' clothing and weapons also bore the sigils and textures representing their Houses.
To the west were the golden rose on green fields, accompanied by Rowan's Golden Tree, Tarly's knight of the flowers, Redwyne's grapes, Lady Oakhart's oak leaves, House Florent's red-gold fox banner, and so on. Highgarden had abundant troops and grain, making it a first-class power in terms of troop deployment.
To the east were the highest-flying golden storm banners, House Baratheon's black stag on gold, Caron Family's Nightingale banner, Swann Family's swan banner, Maysse Family's tricolor spiral emblem, The Horn's swordfish emblem, and so on. There were also some banners from the Claw Peninsula.
In the center were Arryn's blue and white crescent falcon, accompanied by House Royce's banner of a pile of pebbles between two rows of runes on an orange field, House Grafton's tower, House Redfort's Redfort, House Corbray's three ravens clutching a heart, Gulltown Arryn's golden eagle banner, and so on.
Many Lords, knights, and soldiers were in high spirits; King's Landing was sure to fall tonight, and they would soon reap the fruits of victory they desired. The most central position was the long table near the storm, but only the most prominent figures could occupy it.
"The Imp's idea of the chain was quite clever," Mace Tyrell said quickly, "but it ultimately failed. Although Tywin escaped, Joffrey, the dwarf, Cersei, and others will definitely be captured by us. Because Prince Gendry cut off Jaime Lannister's hand, the Kingslayer is now also a cripple."
Earl Matus Rowan nodded solemnly and then continued, "Indeed, the lord of highgarden has spoken our minds."
The Lords of The Reach were on the left: Duke Mace Tyrell, robust and ruddy, with brown curly hair and an iron-shovel shaped beard flecked with white; Earl Paxter Redwyne of Arbor, with drooping shoulders, a slender build, and only a few tufts of orange hair on his bald head; Earl Matus Rowan of Golden Tree, clean-shaven, burly and strong. There was also the bald and stern Randyll Tarly. The Reach were eager new players.
Mace Tyrell, in high spirits, readily expressed to Gendry that Highgarden was willing to provide King's Landing with grain and assistance for post-war reconstruction free of charge.
"Lord Mace's patriotic heart is truly visible to the Gods above," Earl Florent said with a hint of quiet mockery, but Mace pretended not to hear.
"But won't this be too much trouble?" Gendry looked at Lord Mace.
"I am the King's loyal servant, and this is a time of great need; it is Highgarden's duty," Mace said magnanimously. His thick neck was quite noticeable, but since Mace himself was willing to spend lavishly, no one felt it appropriate to say much.
Earl Matus Rowan frowned and glanced at Mace; such a boast was not to be made lightly. With winter approaching, House Tyrell would need to produce even more grain, and Mace probably did not yet realize the immense pressure that would entail.
"My Lords, you must be diligent. The Small Council is currently empty. I have appointed my uncle, Lord Stannis, as Hand of the King, Ser Barristan Selmy will continue as lord commander of the kingsguard, but other positions still require capable ministers and brave generals." Gendry looked at the Lords gathered around the oak table. Although this gathering lacked Riverlands and Northerners, it was still a collection of heroes.
Fame and fortune are tempting tools, like carrots dangling before a donkey. The Lords of The Reach, as one of the most powerful nations, were undoubtedly dissatisfied with the previous distribution of power.
"Who else but me for master of coin?" Mace felt good about himself, puffing out his chest. Although the position of Hand of the King had eluded him, besides Barristan, the lord commander of the kingsguard, and the Grand Maester sent from The Citadel, there were still the master of laws, master of ships, master of whisperers, and the most valuable position of master of coin.
Although it would require some money and grain, the now empty King's Landing needed a loyal subject like him.
Other Lords also seemed thoughtful. With House Lannister about to exit the stage of King's Landing, and Lord Arryn of the Vale and Littlefinger already dead, now was an excellent opportunity to enter the center of power.
"Your Highness, my Lords, should we first discuss the coronation and wedding?" Ser Boros asked. His standing was somewhat below that of the great Lords of The Reach, the Vale, and the Stormlands, but the crabfeeders men were, after all, the earliest investors in the Storm War.
"No hurry, let's deal with the war first," Gendry said, the Sword of the Tiger Roar at his side, casting a beautiful gleam on the ground.
罗索.布伦, draped in a golden cloak, nodded to everyone, "My Lords, the good news keeps coming. From noon to afternoon, Prince Gendry confronted Magistrate Marajo's Volantis coalition on the south bank of the Blackwater Rush. Our forces trapped the enemy between the Stormlands army's shield wall and the sea, attacking them. Although we suffered some casualties in the battle, we ultimately achieved a great victory.
It is estimated that the enemy forces were routed, and almost all of the citizen armies of Volantis and Lys, as well as New Ghis's Iron Legion, were annihilated, including Magister of Volantis Marajo and a number of former Tiger Party nobles, Lys's nobles, wealthy merchants, and mercenary leaders, and exiled slave masters nobles from Myr and Tyrosh. According to recent information brought by Lord Stannis, Lys's sole Archon, Rhaenys Haen, may also have died in the Battle of the Blackwater. The remaining slave soldiers and Tiger Cloaks from Slavers Bay, four mercenary companies (Windblown, Stormcrow Company, Iron Shields, and the Daughters of the Mist), along with Toleros slingers and Qarth Crossbowmen, surrendered to us. Additionally, all Astapor slave masterss were killed, most Yunkai slave masterss were killed, Meereen's Commander was shot dead by Prince Gendry, another Commander, Hizdahr, led his people to surrender, and Daario of the Stormcrow Company was killed."
"Long live the Storm!! Prince Gendry killed the Magistrate of Volantis, as well as the slave masterss of Yunkai, Meereen, and Astapor, the Commanders of mercenary companies, and the gladiators of Meereen. We have defeated the elite forces of the known world!" Anguy proudly announced, the list of victims expanding once more. The heads of Marajo and others were displayed, signifying a glorious victory.
"Praise the Gods!" Earl Paxter Redwyne immediately shouted. "A great victory for the storm!"
"A great victory," even the severe Randyll had to nod in praise. After this battle, at least a group of slave cities were severely weakened, their power greatly diminished, and could only become self-defensive rogues.
This was no ordinary war, but a decisive battle in which they swept through like a broken bamboo. Although Randyll only vaguely understood the course of the war and the movement of armies, in terms of results, he had to admire how the war had reached a certain level of artistry from a technical standpoint. To maneuver tens of thousands of troops as if turning a hand, and Gendry even led the charge, unbeatable in one-on-one combat.
"For Volantis and other places, this is a serious defeat," Selwyn Tarth said. "Lys is close to us, but Volantis and other places are too far."
"I certainly won't let the Lyseni off, and as for Volantis, I'll need some time to plan. Before that, let's deal with the Lannisters in the Westerlands. Oh, and those presumptuous Ironborn," Gendry said. The nations of Essos—Volantis, Lys, and Qarth—were formidable adversaries, but all except Lys were too distant to be moved without dragons.
"Is there any intelligence on the movements of the Lannister army?" Gendry asked Mace.
"Tywin fled west with his shattered forces, no longer rescuing his grandson and children, and abandoned their defeated soldiers. Previously, in the Battle of the Red Fork, Tywin had already been defeated by the Young Wolf Robb Stark and his uncle Edmure Tully. The long march also resulted in many casualties, with many soldiers left on the road. Under our attack, Tywin's battle formation also collapsed. Tywin, with his general reserves and regrouped soldiers, fled when the battle turned unfavorable. Once Tywin heads west, he will be encircled at the Red Fork, and our forces are also outflanking him from behind, sufficient to annihilate the main force of the Westerlands." Lord Mace quickly perked up, looking into those blue eyes like a lake. He only felt a shiver, a current of power, will, and strength.
"Are you sure Tywin will be followed and encircled by us?" Earl Yohn questioned. "The North's coastline is currently being harassed by the Ironborn, and those cavalry, after fighting for so long, are also thinking of returning. Moreover, Tywin did not force a crossing of the Red Fork the first time, so he might cross it the second time."
Mace shook his head: "I don't believe Tywin's taxi soldiers are mules. What's a Duke without a kingdom? That's a beggar! Tywin has now abandoned the Riverlands, taking his main force to rendezvous with the Kingslayer and return to his Westerlands homeland, crossing the Red Fork. But his strength is insufficient, and he will surely be annihilated. If it were me, that's what I'd do!"
Everyone present nearly burst out laughing. Gendry had won more battles in a few years than the lord of highgarden had in his long twenty-year military career. Mace had never achieved such feats as slaying generals or taking cities; his only commendable achievement was riding on Randyll's coattails in the Battle of the Oxcart, where Robert was soundly defeated. After that, he commanded the Siege of Storms End, idling for a year with no results. After the decisive battle at the Trident River, Mace surrendered to Duke Eddard Stark.
"I have already written to Riverrun and Robb Stark," Gendry said. "Tywin has been burning, killing, and looting in the Riverlands; I must execute this man."
"Quite right. With the weight of several kingdoms, even if Tywin's army remains orderly and well-trained in defeat, they are no match for us," Earl Yohn said, rubbing his hands together.
Just do it; they now had the sharpest sword of the strongest mind.
罗索.布伦 cleared his throat, "Besides the victories we achieved east and west of the Blackwater Rush, only a group of annoying Ironborn remain. Balon actually dares to call himself King of the Isles and the North."
"That stinking salted fish, by what right does he call himself king? He should show subservience. Has he lost his mind?" Lord Mace said disdainfully.
"I will not pardon House Greyjoy; I was too lenient with them back then," Gendry said, stroking the hilt of the Sword of the Tiger Roar. "Balon and his bastards harass the coast, causing great trouble for the North. Fortunately, Lady Mormont of Bear Island guards Moat Cailin, and the passage has always been in our hands."
"What about Theon the chameleon?" Gendry asked. Jon Snow's cheek twitched; the story of an old acquaintance sounded very cruel.
"I haven't heard any news of him, but Lord Bolton sent his bastard to the coast to bravely kill enemies, loyally serving the war."
"Ramsay," Gendry murmured to himself. Would this beast he had tamed still bite wildly? If he remained savage, death awaited him.
"So, it seems we must also eliminate this third king," Earl Matus said. "If we don't agree, he will probably let his fleet harass the coast. Harassing Fairy Island is fine, but I'm most afraid he will plunder Highgarden."
"North of Luanhe City, the lands of the Northmen are all stone and snow. The Greyjoys' heads are always so mad, preferring to use soldiers and fleets to plunder there rather than the rich Westerlands," Paxter Redwyne chuckled.
"Indeed, he's a madman, and he's caused us trouble," Lord Mace nodded.
"Besides Renly and House Lannister's treason, now there's also House Greyjoy's treason," Gendry added to the list.
Everyone nodded. Towards the Greyjoys, those stinking fish pirates, the Lords had no good attitude.
"To crush those destroyers of kingdoms, now we just need to wait for good news from my sons, Garlan and Loras," Mace said exaggeratedly.
"My Lords, our true war is not against Lannister and Greyjoy, but against the far more distant North," Gendry reminded them.
"The North?" Many Lords were puzzled; the Others were already an extremely distant legend.
"That's right," Gendry nodded. "I received a letter from The Wall. Besides the King-Beyond-the-Wall, there are even more terrifying beings than we imagine: Others, White Walkers, and giant spiders. The Old Bear has waited too long, and the Nights Watch shrinks day by day. The Northmen also have to face the King-Beyond-the-Wall and a massive wildling invasion."
"Could it be that the Nights Watch wants to recruit more men?" Lord Mace retorted.
"The Nights Watch is understaffed. If there's any loss at The Wall, we must consider it," Ser Barristan said in a deep voice.
"That's right," Mace also nodded. He naturally didn't believe in this matter, but he agreed with the ruler.
"Those thugs in King's Landing, and some of the old soldiers, if they're involved in Lannister treason, send them all to the North," Gendry said, wondering how many usable men Roose had left him.
"Yes."
Randyll's face, however, twitched visibly. His eldest son was currently at The Wall. If he could be as strong as a warrior, like young men such as Gendry and Robb, Randyll would not have acted this way.
Gendry naturally saw Randyll's face. It was said that Samwell had gained renown within the Nights Watch, so it seemed the magic bath had worked.
"What about the coronation and wedding afterward?" Ser Barristan interjected. "Excluding the Westerlands and the Iron Islands, it would be a grand event."
"So, there will be Dornishmen then?" Earl Matus asked bluntly.
"What?" Mace's attitude changed abruptly. The Reach and the Dornishmen had always been at odds. Dorne and Highgarden were ancient enemies, having fought over their borders for centuries. Between the mountains and The Marches, raids went back and forth, with no peace. Furthermore, The Red Viper of Dorne was inextricably linked to the crippling of Highgarden's heir.
"They are also our guests, willing to become loyal servants," Ser Barristan said. "Regarding Prince Rhaegar's children back then, the Dornishmen are now also happy to see the Lannisters defeated."
"That's for the future," Gendry added, as Dornish envoys were currently in his tent.
"Alright then," Mace reluctantly nodded.
"My Lords, good news!" a breathless messenger arrived.
"Ser Garlan from the West Gate, Lord Roose from the North Gate, and Lord Stannis's men from the East Gate—The Red Keep will fall by dawn tomorrow at the latest," the messenger respectfully replied.
The faces of the many Lords brightened even more. After dawn, the gates of King's Landing would open. Then, castles, villages, lands, rivers, forests, and the guardianship of minor noble children would be the things they truly desired.
"Additionally, the usurper Joffrey is dead. According to Lord Roose's interrogation, Joffrey was ambushed by a mob when he returned to The Red Keep from the Mud Gate, and his body was torn to pieces," the messenger said.
The second, Gendry murmured to himself. First Renly, the second Joffrey.
"It seems to be the punishment of the Gods, unrelated to us, and it saves this poor Child from being impaled on a spear," Matus said with compassion.
"Yes, yes, yes, the Gods have abandoned the Lannisters," Mace also nodded.
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