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"The minions of the Great Other? Ah, that must be Robb Stark. Outside Riverrun some time ago, he wore armor of ice and slaughtered our soldiers with evil magic. Many men saw it with their own eyes.
"His ice magic is terrifying. It can freeze not only men into sculptures of ice, but even wildfire."
After hearing Moqorro's answer, Tywin's first thought was to name Robb as the target.
"My lord Hand, it is not that I do not trust your words," Hallyne said, his eyes shining since Moqorro had displayed true flame sorcery. "Although wildfire in its current form has lost the power of the ancient substance, if there is truly ice capable of freezing wildfire, then Robb Stark should not be able to endure such cold."
He had not been able to stop himself once Tywin spoke of wildfire being frozen.
"It is normal to doubt what you have not seen. The household riders outside were there and saw it themselves. You may ask them as you please."
Tywin had expected their doubts and pointed toward the Lannister riders outside the meeting hall.
Hallyne, unable to restrain himself, hurried out to question several of them.
The answers he received were all the same. Judging by the riders' expressions, they were likely telling the truth.
Having confirmed that wildfire had probably been frozen, Hallyne returned to the meeting hall dejected, as if his faith had collapsed.
"Ice magic?" Moqorro said, seeing Hallyne's reaction and understanding the answer. With a wave, he dispersed the flames under his feet. "As far as I know, no one in Essos or Westeros has ever used such power.
"If it is as the Hand says, then Robb Stark may no longer be human."
"No longer human?"
Tywin and Hallyne spoke together.
"Yes. The Great Other is also called an ancient evil, though its true name is unknown. It rules over all darkness, cold, and death.
"In ancient legends, many humans were tempted by its power and eventually became demon servants.
"In certain religious texts I have read, the Drowned God worshiped in your Westerosi Iron Islands is a demon that obtained great power. It was once a servant of the Great Other."
For reasons of his own, Moqorro offered a piece of hidden religious knowledge to Tywin and Hallyne.
"So there is such a secret. No wonder House Greyjoy of the Iron Islands is so loyal to Robb Stark. It seems it is because of the relationship between the Drowned God and the Great Other."
After hearing Moqorro's words, Tywin became even more determined to place Robb among the Great Other's minions. He needed this red priest's magical power more than ever if he meant to oppose him.
"Thank you for the intelligence, my lord Hand. I can now largely confirm that Robb Stark is a minion of the Great Other. I will assist you in purifying him in blazing fire."
"Excellent. Praise R'hllor. Moqorro, please settle in Maegor's Holdfast for now. Before long, we will begin the war to punish the demon servant Robb Stark."
Having finally obtained a firm answer from the red priest who could command flame, Tywin quietly exhaled and treated him with great courtesy.
"It is nearly time for prayer. Allow me to withdraw first."
"My lord Hand, I will withdraw as well."
Moqorro nodded and left the meeting hall behind a servant leading him toward Maegor's Holdfast. Hallyne, who had his own calculations, immediately excused himself too.
"Moqorro, please wait a moment."
The moment Hallyne left the meeting hall, he hurried after Moqorro.
"Wisdom Hallyne, I am no lord. I am only a slave faithfully serving the Lord of Light."
Moqorro stopped and turned to look at him, a smile appearing on his dark face.
"Moqorro, the Alchemists' Guild is also willing to offer its strength to purify the minions of the Great Other."
Hallyne corrected himself at once and expressed his willingness.
Moqorro was not a naive young man. He did not immediately answer, only waited with a smile for Hallyne to continue.
"But as Lord Tywin just said, the power of the Great Other's minion is far too strong. He can even freeze wildfire.
"The Alchemists' Guild once possessed far more power than it does now. We simply lack someone with supernatural power like yours to guide us.
"So..."
"Hm. That is true. I have seen other pyromancers in Asshai, and the flames they commanded were indeed powerful.
"We welcome every force willing to purify the Great Other's minions. After I settle in over the next two days, I will personally come to the Alchemists' Guild and share some of the pyromantic knowledge I possess with you.
"As for whether you can study and master it, that will depend on you."
After thinking briefly, Moqorro agreed to Hallyne's request for guidance.
Gaining the help of a useful force at no cost to himself was an opportunity Moqorro naturally would not refuse.
While Hallyne and Moqorro spoke outside, Tywin stood over the map of Westeros on the long table and considered the coming plan to recover the Westerlands.
Even after allying with House Tyrell, he had still lacked confidence. Robb's terrifying power had left a deep shadow in him.
Now that he had Moqorro's powerful support, he needed to revise the original plan and strive to gain the greatest benefit from this war, which would surely be recorded in history.
Tywin marked and wrote across the map for a long time. Only at the end did he nod in satisfaction and mutter, "If everything proceeds according to my plan, the best result is that House Lannister gains the entire Seven Kingdoms. The worst result is merely maintaining the current balance.
"Good. This portion of the Dornish Marches can be given away. If I want the hound to risk its life fighting the wolf, I must first throw it a few bones."
The next day, Tywin personally led two thousand Lannister riders and three thousand Gold Cloaks out from the River Gate and onto the Rose Road.
Several days later, Tywin's five thousand riders reached Nightsong first, at the northern end of the Prince's Pass.
Nightsong was the seat of House Caron and had been ruled by Lord Bryce Caron. Bryce had first sworn to Renly, then turned to Stannis after Renly's assassination, and finally died in the attack on King's Landing.
Bryce Caron also had a bastard brother: Rolland Storm, now one of Stannis's right hands.
Tywin naturally would not leave Nightsong to an enemy. After the Battle of King's Landing, he had rewarded a Lannister knight who killed Bryce Caron by granting him Nightsong.
When Tywin arrived, the newly appointed Lord of Nightsong warmly welcomed him with his family and guards.
But when Tywin entered the castle and told him he was taking Nightsong back, promising to grant him a better castle later, the new lord went pale.
Faced with Tywin's many promises and five thousand fully armed riders, he had no other choice and could only accept.
After dealing with Nightsong, Tywin rode on without stopping toward Blackhaven, the seat of the Lightning Lord, Beric Dondarrion.
When Tywin arrived, he received none of the warm welcome he had received at Nightsong. Instead, the gates were firmly shut in his face.
The reason was simple. Tywin and Olenna's alliance agreement had somehow leaked some time ago, and rumors had already reached the Dornish Marches.
After the acting Lord of Blackhaven asked from the walls and understood Tywin's purpose, he refused without hesitation.
Tywin had recovered Nightsong easily because he himself had recently granted it to a knight of his house for merit, and because the new lord had not yet established his position.
House Dondarrion had ruled Blackhaven since ancient times. They could not abandon the castle where their family had lived for generations, so they would never accept Tywin's suggestion of exchanging castles.
But how could Tywin not have expected this?
Before dawn that night, Blackhaven's gates opened from within. Tywin led five thousand riders through the open gates and began the battle for the castle.
Because Beric was in the Riverlands, House Dondarrion had not taken part in the War of the Five Kings. Its strength had been mostly preserved.
But House Dondarrion was only a middling house. With fewer than two thousand men, how could they defeat Tywin's five thousand riders after losing the gate?
By daybreak, the lightning bolt and four-pointed star banner atop Blackhaven had been cut down. Except for the bastard who opened the gate, every member of House Dondarrion was executed by Tywin.
Several days later, the Tyrell army received effective control of Nightsong, Blackhaven, and the Red Watch lands near Stonehelm from Tywin.
In Highgarden, the Spring Garden of the inner keep was filled with artistic stone carvings, fountains, and marble columns. Vines and roses decorated the statues and pillars.
At the center of the garden, Margaery Tyrell, her beautiful face carrying a charming smile, was playing with a leather ball with King Renly II. Judging from the happy smiles on their faces, husband and wife seemed to get along well.
"Ah, Your Grace, no, I must rest. Your energy is too much for me."
After throwing the ball, Margaery turned and collapsed onto the green grass. A little sweat shone on her forehead.
Lying on the grass after exercise, Margaery's face was rosy and her figure graceful enough that any man would take another look.
But Renly II was still a child. He had eyes only for the amusing ball and did not look at her at all.
"Margaery, you only played with me for a little while and already need rest. Hmph. Ser Loras plays better than you."
"Your Grace, then I will call..."
"Your Grace, the Hand asks Queen Margaery to come to the council hall."
Before Margaery could answer, a servant hurried over and spoke respectfully to Renly II.
"Oh."
"I understand. Then you play ball with His Grace in my place."
"As you command."
Renly II only answered faintly and kept patting the ball. Margaery nodded, then had the servant replace her.
After crossing her family's vast castle, Margaery reached the closed doors of the council hall. She straightened her appearance and pushed the doors open.
Inside, she found the main members of House Tyrell present, including her eldest brother Willas and her second brother Garlan, who usually did not attend family councils.
"Margaery, come sit beside me."
Olenna smiled and waved at her beloved granddaughter.
"Yes, Grandmother."
After Margaery sat, Olenna turned to her son, Lord Mace. "Tell them the good news."
"Yes, Mother."
Lord Mace answered and proudly announced, "A few days ago, we gained effective control of two thirds of the Dornish Marches. Once we and Lord Tywin take the Westerlands, we will gain the entire Dornish Marches.
"For more than a thousand years, the Dornish Marches have been divided among three powers. House Tyrell will end that history and complete a great deed even House Gardener failed to accomplish."
Thunderous applause filled the council hall.
For nearly three hundred years, the Tyrells had been criticized by the nobles of the Reach. They had long wanted to prove themselves.
Now they had not only removed House Florent of Brightwater Keep and made the Kingdom of the Reach independent, but they were also about to obtain the entire Dornish Marches.
"Enough. What are you standing there for? Continue with the serious matter."
Seeing her foolish son bask in the applause, Olenna snapped at him.
"Oh, yes, yes. Since House Lannister has fulfilled its promise, I will personally lead thirty thousand cavalry and twenty thousand infantry to attack Crakehall in the Westerlands. The Redwyne fleet, about fifteen thousand men, will attack Lannisport at the same time..."
Hearing that her father would personally lead troops into battle, Margaery frowned and turned her head to say something to her grandmother.
Olenna, who had expected it, leaned toward her ear and whispered, "Do not worry. Your father will be very safe in this war. Randyll Tarly is nearly at Highgarden. He will be the deputy commander.
"The true struggle in this war is between House Lannister and House Stark. We only need to fulfill the promise to Tywin Lannister on the surface.
"As Hand of the King of the Reach, your father is far inferior to Tywin. He truly does need some visible military merit to his name."
Hearing that her grandmother had arranged everything, Margaery relaxed and nodded, then listened quietly.
In the end, Lord Mace announced a series of battle plans. But every one of them depended on the main forces of House Lannister and House Stark beginning battle first.
Plainly, from the Tyrell perspective, this war existed to fulfill Olenna's promise to Tywin while looking for a chance to profit from both sides.
After Randyll Tarly arrived at Highgarden, House Tyrell began honoring its promise and marched out.
A vast army of fifty thousand left Highgarden and moved along the Ocean Road toward Crakehall.
The war that would decide the fate of Westeros had begun.
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