iron throne of ice and fire

Chapter 260 Speculators in the Valley

Mia Shidong looked sad: "The people of Crab Claw Peninsula summoned a rain of arrows before entering the Gate of the Moon. Most of them were hiding in the house at that time. Only a few people were hit by arrows, and my master... Nai Lord Ste happens to be one of them.”

Mrs. Caitlin seemed to be sighing: "When the situation is chaotic, surviving is a gift from the gods. At least you are a lucky child."

Mia forced a smile and said: "Michelle also said that I am a lucky girl, but unfortunately, I am not."

Mrs. Caitlin took a sip of wine and said, "Michelle... who is he?"

"He was my lover, once..."

Mia shrugged and continued: "His name is Michelle Redford. When he becomes a knight in a few years, we will get married. Michelle participated in the battle in the valley that shocked the Seven Kingdoms and left Before... I kissed his sword and blessed him, but he will never come back."

Mrs. Caitlin's eyes trembled slightly. The Redford family was a noble family with a long history in the valley, and they had the blood of their ancestors in their bodies. The girl in front of him might become Michelle's lover, but the Redford family would never allow him to marry their illegitimate daughter. Even if she slept with him, it wouldn't mean anything.

Mrs. Caitlin sighed in her heart, maybe Mia was really a lucky girl, and the death of her lover was sad, but for her... it might be better than the grief of being abandoned by her beloved.

She comforted softly: "You will meet someone who truly loves you, Mia."

Mia's eyes were big, blue, and very beautiful. She grinned: "I'm not sad anymore."

After a pause, she continued: "Compared to me, many of my friends have lost more, including their fathers, elder brothers, younger brothers, and lovers. They have been crying all day long. Looking at them, I suddenly found that I couldn't be sad anymore. .”

Looking at Mia's face, Mrs. Caitlin suddenly felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity. Her heart moved and she said: "Child..."

She looked at Mia again, and then said: "I'm sorry, do you remember your father?"

"Father……"

Mia shook her head slightly and said: "I just remember that when I was a little baby, there was a man who liked to throw me into the air. He looked like Optimus Prime, and his hands were so powerful that I felt like I was flying. We The two of them laughed and laughed, making me breathless and even crying, which made him even happier. I am not afraid at all, I know that he will always catch me."

She swept away the black hair hanging down in a bun, then put her hair up, and continued: "One day, he missed it. Later, the man left, and I found that men are like this, they either lie, die, or leave. ."

After a pause, Mia's little face showed a bright smile and said: "The mountains in the valley are different from men. Shidong is its daughter. I believe in my 'father' and he will never leave."

Mia's smile was pleasant and beautiful. Lady Catelyn couldn't help but think of Sansa. She smiled slightly and said: "May the gods bless you, child."

Mrs. Caitlin had almost guessed who Mia's father was. She was silent for a while and said, "Mia, did Count Kleb ask you to accompany me?"

Seeing Mia nodding, her slightly lighter blue eyes moved slightly and said: "Child, do you know why Earl Kleb chose you? Did he ask you some... other things? If possible, Please tell me honestly."

"To be honest, I don't know why I am here, madam."

Mia thought for a moment, then continued: "When Master Kleb was inspecting the mountain road to the Eagle's Nest City, I was brought in front of him by his guards... I was so scared, I thought I would be... I even Be prepared to outrage the man, and would rather die if I could not avoid being insulted by the savage.”

She sighed softly: "When I saw the Bloody Earl that everyone calls him, he doesn't have long fangs and a bloody mouth, and his waist is not covered with wailing heads... He looks like... He looks like..."

She opened her mouth: "The legendary knight sung by the bard..."

Mia looked at Mrs. Caitlin, made a face, and said: "I mean his appearance, ma'am."

After a pause, she explained sheepishly: "This is not just my opinion, many of my friends also have the same opinion. Some people even doubt the truth of the fight..."

Lady Catelyn smiled and nodded. When she was a child, she was also full of fantasies about legendary stories. Greenclab was indeed... She suddenly remembered the sour wine she drank without warning, and her smile faded. The lady from the Li family clenched her fists.

Mia continued: "Master Kleb asked me my name and age, looked at me for a while, and then asked me to leave. Then, at noon yesterday, he called me over and told me to be your Handmaiden, until we reach Winterfell. And..."

She touched the position on her chest: "There is a letter here. He asked me to hand it to Lord Eddard Stark."

…………

In the rickety carriage, Mrs. Caitlin, who had just finished her lunch, opened the curtain and stared into the distance.

She was very worried about her eldest son. Although he claimed to be the King of the North, it could not change the fact that he was still a teenage boy.

Lady Catelyn wanted to fall into her husband's arms as soon as possible, but...she couldn't leave Robb alone.

She felt reassured that the other children had Ned's protection. Robb was alone outside, and she was very worried... If she were here, she could at least assist her eldest son to appease the lords of the Riverlands, and let her father and brother do their best to ensure Robb's safety. She wanted the cub to be safe and sound. Take it home.

Thinking of this, Mrs. Caitlin withdrew her gaze and said to Mia: "Please help me tell the groom that I want to go to Riverrun first."

Mia met Caitlin's firm gaze, hesitated, and said: "Madam, I'm sorry, you can only go to Winterfell."

Lady Caitlin frowned: "Is this Earl Kleb's order again? Mia, I am not his prisoner."

Mia said cautiously: "If you want to change your destination, Lord Kleb ordered me... to convey some words to you..."

Mrs. Caitlin didn't want to embarrass the girl in front of her. She pursed her lips and said, "What are you talking about?"

Mia nodded slightly and said: "He said... He specially selected 52 guards with family members to escort you to Winterfell. If they fail to act according to his orders, even if they escape, their families will not escape punishment. He said... he expected your mercy to save his innocent soldiers."

The lady of the Tully family couldn't help but clenched her fists, and then Mia said again: "He also said... you will not be free until you see Lord Eddard."

…………

…………

At night, the Eyrie City's treasurer, Glivan Hursch, took his eldest son, second daughter and others to the Gates of the Moon via a steep mountain road, and asked to see Green Clayburgh, who had been declared the "Governor of the Vale". .

When he heard the news, he drank the wine in his glass and took a step forward. Lord Green planned to greet him personally.

The small hall of the Gates of the Moon. The Hershey family is one of the nobles of the valley, and their family emblem is the winged chalice on a pink background. Sir Greven, who is nearly forty years old, is tall and thin, with slightly sparse chestnut hair and a pair of dark green to almost black eyes. His eye sockets are deep and the wrinkles on his face are deep, making him look much older than his actual age.

Sir Grevan bowed deeply and said in a loud voice: "The Hershey family pays tribute to you, Lord Glynn Crab."

"Welcome, Sir Grevan of the Hershey family." Lord Green showed the most cordial smile since entering the valley.

"Please allow me to introduce..."

Sir Grevan pointed to the young man on his right and said, "His name is Ryan Hershey. He is my eldest son and heir."

Ryan Hershey was wearing dark brown leather armor and a pink cape on his shoulders. He looked like a younger version of Sir Grevan. His expression was a little shy and he caressed his chest and said: "Salute to you, Lord Kleb."

Green's eyebrows smiled slightly, he tapped his chin and said, "Welcome."

Then, Sir Grevan pointed to the girl standing next to his left hand and said: "Her name is Miranda Hessey, she is my second daughter."

Miranda Hershey was wearing a strapless blue dress (with a cape), and her chestnut hair seemed to be tied up casually with a snow-white headband, hanging naturally on her chest.

A pair of bright dark green eyes glanced at Green gently, Miranda raised her skirt and said: "Good night, respected Lord Kleb, it is Miranda's honor to be received by you."

Green smiled slightly: "Good night, charming Miss Miranda, welcome."

Green raised his hand to signal, and the waiting waiter brought the plate with bread and salt to Sir Greven and others.

Green's gentle voice sounded: "Welcome again."

…………

The hall was quiet except for the occasional sound of turning pages of books.

At the table, Green was looking through the book presented by Sir Greven, which contained detailed records of the wealth accumulated by the Arryn family from generation to generation.

Lord Green raised his eyebrows slightly. He directly or indirectly controlled the territories and castles everywhere...countless jewels...full warehouses of gold, silver and copper...precious fabrics, etc. This was a wealth of tens of millions of gold dragons.

Green stood up from his chair and said, "Sir Grevan, I see your sincerity and loyalty."

Sir Grevan's expression became more respectful: "Lord Green, I think this is the choice of the gods. I am just following the will of the gods."

Green smiled, tapped the books with his fingers, and said, "Where did the Aylin family hide these things?"

"As wise as you are, Lord Green."

Sir Greven bowed slightly: "Most of the valuables such as gold and jewels... are stored in the Eagle's Nest City. Until it was built, the Arryn family had always believed that as long as there were no dragons, no one could break through it. ."

After a pause, he continued: "As for other property... the long-established Aylin family has its own warehouses almost everywhere in the valley, and has dedicated personnel to guard them. Many of them are trusted by the Aylin family." Little nobleman.”

Green's brown eyes moved slightly and said, "Will they hand over those things obediently?"

"This is exactly what I want to report to you..."

With that said, Sir Grevan turned to his daughter and said: "My Miranda, come, give the things to Lord Green."

Seeing Miranda approaching, Green took the initiative to raise a hand. In her hand was a rolled parchment.

Then, as Miranda handed him the parchment, her fingertips gently slipped through Green's.

Green raised his eyes slightly and met Miranda's passionate gaze.

Green lowered his eyes calmly and unfolded the parchment. At this time, Sir Grevan's voice sounded: "Lord Jon Arryn's death was too sudden, and Lady Lysa at the time was eager to escape back to the Eyrie. , she failed to take over the wealth of the Arryn family. This was a list compiled according to Lady Lysa's order by looking through previous records. Many of the property of the Arryn family could no longer be traced... Later, when I learned that Lady Lysa After poisoning Lord Jon, I hid it."

"Well done, you can take your time with the rest."

Green tapped his fingers on the table and said, "Sir Greven of the Hershey family, please kneel down."

A look of excitement flashed across Sir Grevan's face, and he and his children knelt down on one knee.

"Grevan Hershey, your wisdom and courage have allowed me to confirm your incomparable loyalty. Your family will receive due glory and rewards in Kleb's new land (Valley) and old land (Crab Claw Peninsula). , to show your merit.”

After a pause, Greene raised his voice and said: "I, Greene of the Kleb family, in the name of the Governor of the Valley, grant Iron Oak City as the family fortress of Grivan Heshe, and canonize Grivan Hershey as the family fortress. The Baron of Iron Oak City has granted Iron Oak City a fiefdom tax, and his descendants will inherit this honor from generation to generation."

Because Green is not yet the true ruler of the valley, his canonization is not considered legal. If he wants to become legal... this is a tacit political agreement.

Baron Greven's voice was trembling: "Lord Green, the Heshe family is always at Kleb's disposal."

Green nodded slightly, and he helped Baron Greven with his own hands. He patted his arm and said, "Come, Baron Iron Oak City, I have prepared fine wine and food by my fireplace, and let me listen to the Loyalty Seal there." Your advice."

…………

The wood in the fireplace crackled as it was engulfed in flames.

Baron Greven put down his wine glass, paused, and said, "Lord Green, your reputation has resounded throughout the valley, and they are all afraid of you, but..."

Seeing Baron Greven hesitate to speak, Green smiled and said: "But they are not willing to obey my rule. In addition to fear, they also have hatred. Greven, I know that fear cannot be exchanged. True domination.”

Baron Greven sighed softly and said: "Most people still have unrealistic illusions about the Arryn family. They have been ruling the valley for thousands of years. This concept is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, or the people in the valley cannot believe it. They are about to have a new ruler."

Gerry leaned back on the chair, his brown eyes moved slightly, and said: "Loyal Griffon, you want to tell me that even if the Kleb family becomes the ruling family of the valley in the future, the people of the valley will still miss Ai. The Lin family...right?"

(End of this chapter)