"See Your Majesty!"
Inside the hall, Duke Mace Tyrell led the lords of the Reach to meet King Renly I.
Outside the hall, warhorses neighed, swords and spears clashed, soldiers shouted, and wheels rumbled, intensifying the special atmosphere of war and armies.
Renly Baratheon was not annoyed by the noise outside; instead, he felt more at ease and joyful.
The sounds were the declaration of sixty thousand troops, proof that the Highgarden army from Bitterbridge had arrived at Fallenwood. They were the loud horns predicting victory.
Finally, the two armies had merged! Joffrey was still at Storm's End!
He really wanted to immediately give the order to break camp and attack!
However, this was, after all, the first personal meeting between the two sides since the war began, and necessary pleasantries and communication were indispensable.
"Please rise quickly."
Renly Baratheon walked down from his throne casually, his face full of smiles, and personally helped up the father of his fiancée.
The lords and generals rose accordingly.
Afterward, servants emerged from dark corners and passages to attend to the guests, offering fine wine and food, playing music, and performing shows. A grand farewell banquet commenced at this moment.
The atmosphere gradually became lively, and guests successively displayed laughter, enjoying the last pre-war revelry to their heart's content.
Renly sat down cordially beside Lord Mace.
"Lord Mace, is Old Lady Olenna's health good? It's been several days since I've heard the teachings of the 'Queen of Thorns'; I truly miss them."
Hearing the name of his nagging mother, Lord Mace, the "Inflatable Fish," immediately reined in much of the smugness on his face. "Thank Your Majesty for your concern, she is doing very well."
"When I left Highgarden, I could still hear her familiar loud voice and sharp instructions."
Lord Mace seemed to be mocking himself.
"That must have been a very warm scene." Renly subtly observed his future father-in-law.
Lord Mace, in his forties or fifties, was somewhat overweight, but his face still retained some of his youthful appearance. The characteristic brown hair of House Tyrell was curly and thick, and his triangular beard was flecked with white.
He looked like a dignified and wise elder lord.
"Warm... scene." Lord Mace hesitated for a moment, but still didn't dare to say anything bad. "Yes, with Margaery and the others taking care of her, Mother naturally won't feel lonely."
"That's good, then Lord Mace and I can both rest assured."
Renly knew very well that the intelligent, sharp-tongued, and firm "Queen of Thorns," Olenna Redwyne, was the true power holder in Highgarden; Lord Mace was merely a figurehead.
Whether in politics, military matters, or social interactions, Lord Mace's abilities were far from being as excellent as he believed.
Just like his nickname, "Inflatable Fish."
However, it was precisely because of this that House Tyrell had so decisively joined this war; otherwise, who knew how much trouble there would have been.
Renly smiled.
"I hope the war ends soon. So that we can hold an unprecedented wedding feast in the Red Keep at an early date, and I can place the queen's crown on your lovely daughter."
The King's words were full of temptation.
"At that time, the Royal Family and House Tyrell will truly become one family, ruling the Seven Kingdoms hand in hand."
"The war will end soon, Your Majesty." Lord Mace raised his head high. "Highgarden will do its utmost to ensure this and win back the Seven Kingdoms for you!"
Renly responded with a smile, "For me, and even more for the fruit of my union with Margaery, the future little prince."
"Of course, for the little prince. Of course..." Lord Mace's eyes were hazy, already lost in beautiful fantasies.
Renly quietly rose and walked towards his next target.
Compared to the proud Lord "Inflatable Fish," this renowned general would undoubtedly be more helpful in the upcoming war.
"Lord Randyll Tarly, long time no see."
The bald Earl Randyll had a short, stiff gray beard, showing a tough demeanor. "Your Majesty, I still remember your imposing figure in the Tourney, just half a year ago."
The blunt statement seemed to have caused the King to lose face.
Renly was not surprised, nor did he react particularly. "I also remember that Joffrey, in the name of the Royal Family, forcibly made your eldest son a Grand Maester's apprentice. But his decree has no validity, and your eldest son can legally and rightfully return to Horn Hill."
Randyll Tarly's expression did not change. "The past is already fact, and House Tarly will not go back on its word. Let him continue to be a Maester."
"Is that so..."
Renly suddenly remembered that Randyll Tarly had always disliked his cowardly eldest son.
Could this be a transaction?
Did Joffrey have that kind of brain? No, absolutely not.
The brief suspicion was quickly extinguished.
Nevertheless, having thought of this, Renly's mood was no longer as high as before.
He took out a document and handed it to Randyll Tarly.
"The two thousand cavalry sent to Massey's Hook have completely lost contact, their whereabouts unknown. The border between the Crownlands and the Stormlands is also blockaded by the armies of Earl Massey and other lords, and we cannot obtain more information."
"Lord Randyll," Renly asked seriously, "do you have any suggestions?"
Lord Randyll Tarly finished reading the intelligence report in his hand quickly and seriously, his expression growing even more solemn. "Your Majesty, in my opinion, we should prepare for the worst."
Renly completely lost his smile.
Lord Randyll Tarly continued his calm analysis. "The Royal Fleet of King's Landing and Dragonstone holds absolute superiority at sea. Massey's Hook is narrow and coastal, and our army's movements will be passive, greatly increasing the possibility of a surprise attack."
"To be honest," Lord Randyll Tarly looked up at the King, "we shouldn't have divided our forces and sent them so far away in the first place. The person who proposed this plan was simply foolish!"
The sharp voice attracted the attention of many people.
These gazes quickly turned towards the Earl of Nightsong, Bryce Caron, in the distance, making him quite uncomfortable, yet he couldn't figure out why.
Renly sighed. "We can't blame Earl Caron either. The reason I agreed to this plan was also to lure Joffrey out of the fortress on his own, so we could end the war as soon as possible."
"What a pity..." Renly regretfully shook his head.
Lord Randyll Tarly couldn't help but offer comfort. "With the large influx of refugees, the food supplies in King's Landing must have been significantly depleted. And even if our two thousand cavalry were attacked, the enemy's losses wouldn't be small. As for the failed attempt to lure the enemy..."
Lord Randyll Tarly recalled Prince Joffrey from the tourney. "Perhaps, the enemy we face is not foolish."
"He was just lucky." An old man slowly walked over and bowed to His Majesty the King.
Renly nodded in greeting. The person who had arrived was precisely Lord Randyll Tarly's father-in-law, the Earl of Brightwater Keep, Alester Florent.
"Didn't he come right to us this time?" the Earl of Brightwater Keep continued. "This shows that he doesn't possess wisdom, and Your Majesty will eventually reclaim the rights you deserve."
A smile returned to Renly's lips. "I have no doubt."
Indeed.
Storm's End, the sea, and the fifty thousand strong army would form an unbreakable, airtight cage. Once the main army arrived, attacking from both inside and out, what were a mere five thousand enemies?
Renly ordered Lord Randyll Tarly, "You will be the vanguard, depart immediately!"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Lord Randyll Tarly responded with conviction.
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