"What a pity, Old Oak is just outside the range of the ship cannons," Lord Velaryon sighed regretfully, looking at Old Oak on the shore.
The seawater surged, and the horns blared.
Listening to the Fleet Commander's words, Garlan Tyrell remained silent, but his heart was more restless than the surging ocean and the blaring horns.
"That doesn't matter," Ser Robar Royce, Commander of the accompanying Royal Guard 10th Regiment, smiled confidently. "When the time comes, our Royal Guard can take it down easily, and we can also preserve this ancient castle from destruction."
"It'll be a complete residence for Governor Garlan, a small token of our regard," Ser Robar Royce smiled at Garlan.
Garlan could only respond, "Thank you for your kindness, both sirs. Garlan is fine with anything."
No one suggested peace talks. The King forbade it.
"Alas~" Lord Monford Velaryon suddenly sighed, "There's nothing else to worry about. It's just Lord Matus Rowan and Lady Aven Oakheart. If they insist on resisting, I'm afraid it will only add to the tragedy and create more bloodshed."
The atmosphere became silent for a moment.
After all, these leading commanders were all from noble families. They had been educated and influenced by their families for many years, and the people they interacted with and befriended were also noble ladies. Their lives and dreams were inextricably linked to them.
Now they had to participate in a tragedy of near-certain extermination.
The Oakheart Family of Old Oak, with a history of thousands of years, descended from John the Oak, son of Garth the Greenhand, and were great nobles renowned throughout the Seven Kingdoms.
Its motto, "Deeply Rooted," passed down through generations, was now to be extinguished in a single day.
Regardless of their previous opinions of the Oakheart family, the few of them couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness and grief.
But.
After a brief moment of melancholy, Lord Velaryon and Robar Royce both looked at Garlan of House Tyrell.
The new Governor of Old Oak, Garlan Tyrell, was the executor of the Oakheart family's destiny and would be the biggest beneficiary, at least on the surface.
Their gazes were full of complex meaning, unsure whether they hoped Garlan would show mercy or end it decisively.
Garlan Tyrell's heart grew heavier, but he had to make his stance clear. "A peaceful resolution is naturally the best. But if the rebels of Old Oak are truly unrepentant and still want to resist from the city, I will never hesitate or betray His Majesty's trust!"
How could it be resolved peacefully? Surrender isn't allowed, so are they expected to commit suicide?
Garlan held no hope.
He understood in his heart that Highgarden had reached its most critical moment. His grandmother and older brother had retreated step by step in exchange for temporary stability. Now, it was his turn to bear responsibility for the family and swallow the bitter fruit.
Even if it meant destroying Old Oak with his own hands.
"In my name, Garlan Tyrell, Governor of Old Oak, the traitors will all be dealt with according to the law, regardless of the severity," Garlan said.
The other two shook their heads silently, unsure whether it was approval or dissatisfaction.
Garlan said no more and turned to look at Old Oak in front of him. This castle, which was not unfamiliar to him, was now bristling with weapons and covered in banners.
Most glaringly, among the four flags on the gatehouse tower, one was the Golden Rose.
In the center, the highest flag was a large golden banner, undoubtedly the Crowned Stag banner used by the defeated Renly Baratheon.
To the left of the Stag Banner was a white flag.
Although he couldn't see it clearly, Garlan knew that the flag must have a large golden tree on it.
The Rowan Family of Goldengrove, descended from Golden Tree Rowan, daughter of Garth the Greenhand. Their power was almost equal to that of House Tyrell.
To the left of the Rowan family's Golden Tree Banner was the Oakheart family's gold-based Oak Leaf Banner from Old Oak.
The flags of the two houses were roughly the same height.
To the right of the Stag Banner, only one flag was raised – the Golden Rose on a green field.
It was slightly shorter than the Stag Banner.
But it was a head taller than the Rowan family's Golden Tree Banner and the Oakheart family's Oak Leaf Banner.
Garlan would rather have seen the Golden Rose banner raised the lowest.
At least that way, he would feel much better, and the world might remember the arrogance and ambition of the Rowan and Oakheart families towards their Liege Lord of Highgarden, and not just remember Highgarden's betrayal.
Whoosh————————
A sharp whistle spread through the fleet, overpowering the angry roar and threat of Old Oak's horns.
Wooden bridges appeared out of nowhere, and the soldiers began to land.
Whoosh————————
Amidst such a scene, Garlan somehow remembered the meeting at Highgarden that day.
Highgarden had lost a lot.
After bestowing the title of "Governor of Old Oak" upon Garlan, King Joffrey specifically gave instructions to his younger brother Loras, who was sitting in the first seat to his left.
The King said, "The jurisdiction of various regions of the kingdom will be redefined and redivided."
His younger brother Loras naturally wouldn't object.
The King continued, "We plan to temporarily establish twelve 'First Class Governors' like the Governor of Highgarden, who report directly to the court."
Specifically:
The Governor of Highgarden, who pacifies the Reach – Ser Loras Tyrell.
The Governor of the Westerlands' Casterly Rock – Duke Tywin Lannister.
The Governor of the North's Winterfell – Duke Eddard Stark.
The Governor of the Vale's Eyrie, to be determined.
The Governor of the Riverlands' Riverrun – Duke Hoster Tully.
The Governor of the Crownlands' King's Landing – Minister Tyrion Lannister.
The Governor of the Stormlands' Storm's End – Princess Daenerys Targaryen.
The Governor of Dorne's Sunspear, to be determined.
The Governor of the Iron Islands' Pyke – Ser Theon Greyjoy.
Up to this point, it was acceptable. The Kraken family of the Iron Islands had been elevated a rank, and there were a few interesting choices and vacancies. Highgarden, having been defeated, naturally wouldn't step forward rashly.
But the following three "First Class Governors" made even Garlan, as a second son, feel as if his flesh was being cut and his heart gouged out:
The Governor of The Arbor's Redwyne Castle – Marquess Paxter Redwyne. The Arbor would no longer belong to the Reach?!
The Governor of the Dornish Marches' Summerhall – Ser Jaime Lannister.
The Tarly family's Horn Hill is located within the Dornish Marches. Without Horn Hill in the Red Mountains as a barrier, how would Highgarden deal with invasions from the Red Mountains coming from above?
Finally, the acting Governor of the Central Province's Stoneton – Ser Kevan Lannister.
Lord Kevan is a good Ser. But, the Central Province? Stoneton is a Tully family territory, could it be to carve up the Riverlands?
"Loras," the King projected a glowing, illusory map, "You are the Governor of Highgarden, see if there's anything you're not satisfied with. Just say so if you don't like it, we can still change it."
Garlan and the others stared intently, and immediately several exclamations of surprise, suppression, and indignation rang out.
What Central Province! It was clearly fertile land belonging to the Reach! Besides one Stoneton and two or three barren mountains from the Westerlands, the remaining territory was all carved out from the Reach!
What a cruel punishment!
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