Eagle of the Valley of Ice and Fire

Chapter 203 Silent Understanding

"Moving the king to the rear might save us some trouble," Kevan Lannister said.

"No one can take Joffrey away from me!" Queen Cersei's shrill voice echoed in the small royal chamber, "Especially Attis Arryn, who has teamed up with the deformed monkey to take me away. My daughter is taken away, there must be no second one!"

Cersei glanced viciously at Tyrion, who was drinking alone at the end of the royal conference table. The latter glanced at Cersei inexplicably, "Monkey? What kind of description of a circus performer, insulting an important minister of the Iron Throne?" Tyrion Ang asked in disbelief with his eyes widened.

Grand Maester Pycelle rolled up his sleeves tremblingly, "Duke Atys Arryn is a loyal supporter of King Joffrey, and it is reasonable to invite the kings of the Seven Kingdoms to the huge Harrenhal Tourney. Her Majesty the Queen Mother can rest assured."

"Why are you no longer dozing off at this time, Grand Maester Pycelle?" Cersei turned her head disdainfully, without even giving the Grand Maester a look, "Could it be that someone else is hiding in your bedroom filled with books? A sweet-smelling virgin? Let you still be majestic?"

Pycelle opened his mouth wide and looked innocently at the important ministers around him. Only Tyrion showed sympathy in his eyes and nodded gently to him.

"I'm afraid I can only remind my colleagues first," Varys took over the conversation, bowed his head to the Queen Mother, and said in a very sincere tone, "Stannis's army is entrenched in the Stormlands, and the Redwine fleet as reinforcements has just arrived from We set off from Qingting Island, and now we may still be wandering in the Summer Sea.”

His eyes were full of worry, and he looked at Tywin sitting in the prime minister's seat from time to time.

"We know nothing about the powerful Dragonstone fleet even in Blackwater Bay. Once Stannis attacks King's Landing, apart from your family who are loyal to the royal family and bravely resist the enemy, I am afraid that only the tens of thousands of troops of the Arryn family can Help us."

Varys took a deep breath, ignoring Cersei's bored look, and continued: "The River Bend has no time to take care of itself. Behind King's Landing is the powerful army of Lord Attis Arryn. With all due respect, that was enough to defeat Robb... The Iron-blooded Warriors of the Stark Winter Wolves"

"A typical historical error. The 'Winter Wolf Army' is a special concept from the Dance of the Dragons period. It refers to the two thousand northern soldiers commanded by Lord Roderick Dustin and the Young Wolf Lord." Pycelle stroked his hanging The necklace around his neck pointed at Varys.

"They are also brave and good at fighting. I'm afraid there is no doubt about this," Varys interrupted the grand maester, raised his head and continued to Cersei: "The army in the valley is the king's supporter, Stannis is the enemy."

They have defeated the Lannister army, Tyrion thought to himself as he sipped his wine.

He looked at Varys with some suspicion, whose expression was full of worries about the future of the kingdom and the stability of the Iron Throne. He always felt that the spider's words were not meant for Cersei.

Tyrion looked at Tywin, who was sitting silently at the front, who calmly listened to the advice of the royal ministers.

"Lord Varys," Kevan said, "it's not that serious. Everyone knows that Duke Attis is a loyal supporter of King Joffrey. Moreover, he was engaged to the princess and defeated Robb Smith. Tucker's people will never make the same shameful mistake."

Varys smiled and nodded gently, "I was abrupt, Lord Kevan. I'm afraid I'm worrying too much."

Cersei was obviously not aware of the hidden temptations and confrontations among the important ministers of the Royal Council. She frowned and shook her head, "Lannister's red robe army is enough to defend King's Landing."

As if she had made a judgment from Varys's words, she suddenly raised her head and looked at her father, "Attis Arryn's army is behind King's Landing. It's too late for Xiao Qiao to be prepared for his betrayal. How could he be sent there instead?" ?”

A trace of astonishment flashed in Tywin's eyes. Kevan curled his lips helplessly and turned away, while Tyrion covered his face with his hands. Stupid sister, he thought to himself.

The Royal Council was silent. The Grand Maester and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Revrey Lake, looked at each other in confusion. Varys pursed his lips and folded his two long sleeves.

Only Barristan Selmy, who had never attended a royal meeting before, spoke up and said, "Duke Attis Arryn is a knight who values ​​​​promise and honors his honor. He cannot betray the king." He wore white robes and white armor. Sitting on the wooden chair, the expression on his face was very solemn.

Tywin converged his gaze and sighed softly, "The king is our foundation. The tourney is only for a moment, and it will not exceed two weeks at most. Many knights from the seven countries have already prepared to go to Harrenhal. Our biggest trouble is Or when Stannis of the Stormlands will send out his army."

"There may be troops sent out during the tourney," Kevan reminded. "The army and the knights of King's Landing are not allowed to go north to Harrenhal to avoid emptying the defense. The prime minister has given the order." He looked around at the important ministers in the royal council and informed this The command has been executed.

"There is a tourney during the war," Earl Redford Lake shook his head slightly and couldn't help sighing, "Duke Attis is busy chasing these false honors. It would be great if this money could be used in the national treasury. It can help the army with logistics supplies and armor, and it may even have miraculous effects. The royal army can defeat Stannis, the traitor, in one fell swoop, and the honors it will win will be much more than a mere tourney."

"It's strange that the Arryn family is the most aloof and values ​​lofty glory. They care very little about these false reputations gained through tricks. Tournaments are rarely held in the Eagle's Nest City. In the valley, it is obvious that nobles are keen on tournaments. It's nothing more than Royce, Corbray and the others." Grand Maester Pycelle added.

Tyrion took out a letter from his arms and looked up at Tywin, "Prince Doran informed us that Stannis's Stormlanders knights have invaded Nightsong City, and Lord Beric Dondarrion of Blackport City has gathered. There are nearly a thousand people, and the lords of the border areas have responded, and there are probably thousands of people approaching Yesong City."

"Stannis is going to war on both sides? This news is good for us." Varys then added. Tywin said with disdain, "The Dornish people attacked Hornhill, burned Highgarden, and occupied Nightsong City. The nobles who are incompatible with them will probably take the initiative to confront them without Stannis opening his mouth."

He reached out to take the letter from Tyrion and read it hastily, "Martell just wants to cut off the relationship with Stannis. According to this statement, doesn't it mean that the Reach has defected to Stannis? Randyll Tarly has gathered his troops and joined forces with Blaise Cullen and Lord Dondarrion of the Stormlands. Can we convict Tarly of treason for surrendering to the enemy?"

Cersei frowned slightly, didn't she? She looked at the important ministers sitting with her and felt that her previous demands seemed to be excluded from the discussion. Dissatisfaction suddenly welled up in her heart, but she looked at her father beside her and swallowed her resentment in her stomach. .

Tyrion sat back at the end of the long table, "Dorn is at least nominally willing to surrender to the Iron Throne. The Borderlands seem to be acting privately. Stannis at least cannot control the entire Stormlands. This is indeed good for us."

"Even if Stannis takes King's Landing, it will not be considered a victory," Kevan said. "As long as King Joffrey and Prince Tommen are alive, Stannis is doomed to fail. The contrast in strength is very obvious," he looked at Thor. Xi, "If Stannis marches to King's Landing, and King Joffrey's men are behind, wouldn't it be safe to wait until the war is over before returning?"

Cersei's lips relaxed slightly, but she didn't make a sound.

"Only the king who sits on the Iron Throne is the true monarch of the Seven Kingdoms," Tyrion said. "But if you just travel to Harrenhal for two weeks and come back, that's nothing." He winked at Cersei. Blinking his eyes, he drank the remaining wine in the glass.

Cersei pouted disdainfully and leaned on the back of the chair, "Attis Arryn asked Xiao Qiao to go to Harrenhal for no reason. I don't believe it was out of good intentions to protect the king. There must be other purposes."

"Little Qiao, Xiao Qiao," an unknown fire burned in Tywin's chest, "If it weren't for your mother's doting, he should have become a king, a real king. Look at what he looks like now, in the throne room. He showed his sadistic side to the nobles of King's Landing, and he looked nothing like a king!"

Barristan Selmy lowered his head silently. He thought of the Stark girl, and his heart was filled with approval.

Tyrion admired this scene through the glass of the wine glass. At home in Casterly Rock, he was always the only one who got scolded.

Cersei looked at her father in disbelief, the latter's eyes were full of indifference and ridicule.

"Father, I." She hesitated, speechless in the face of her strong father.

"Put away those frivolous things of yours. You are the Queen Mother. Protecting your son is the most important thing," Tywin ordered coldly. "Take your son and stay quietly in the Red Keep. You are not allowed to travel. I won't It will embarrass him at Harrenhal."

The ministers looked at Tywin in astonishment, and Kevan also had doubts and frowned tightly.

The old lion's voice echoed in the royal council chamber, and Tyrion felt as if he had returned to Casterly Rock. Lord Tywin obviously regarded the capital as his home castle, and of course he was right.

At least so far, nothing wrong. Tyrion looked at Tywin's iron-like face and thought to himself.

Cersei stood up and walked out of the hall without saying a word, but the corners of her mouth raised anxiously, so that most of the people in the royal council could clearly see her proud expression.

Tywin stood on the tower, holding a letter in his hand, looking solemnly at the convoy leaving in the distance. The crowned stag flag of the Baratheon royal family was flying at the forefront of the team, but more flags belonged to Lannister. roaring lion.

Kevan approached and said to Tywin: "The bloody gate of the valley is wide open, and the uphill slope is allowed to pass. The intelligence reports say that a large number of levied soldiers from the valley are heading towards the valley road from Ruby Beach, and some are heading towards the valley road from the crossroads. It seems that Arti S. Arryn disbanded a large number of valley soldiers."

Tywin's face remained motionless. Seeing that his brother did not speak, Kevan frowned slightly, "This is not a good thing. Stannis also has informants. At most, only knights and nobles are present at Harrenhal. The main force in the valley is returning. If at this time, the storm Earthly army."

"I understand," Tywin interrupted Kevan's report and turned his head slightly, "I heard that the mercenaries and Clegane's army sent to the Kingswood suffered a failure. Let them evacuate to King's Landing."

Kevan frowned slightly, confusion and doubt written all over his face.

Tywin loosened the letter he was holding, handed it to Kevan, and turned around.

Kevan opened the letter, and the blue and white crescent falcon flag of the Arryn family was clearly visible. His pupils suddenly widened. After reading the contents of the letter, he regained his composure and looked up at the leaving convoy. .

　Today’s update

　　

　

(End of this chapter)