**The Rise of House Redwyne: A Bannerlord's Conquest**
**Volume I: The Vineyard Prince**
**Chapter 3: Thorns in the Garden**
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### **The Roseroad – 272 AC**
The scent of crushed petals filled the air as Aemon's party rode north along the Roseroad. Twelve Redwyne knights flanked him, their green cloaks fluttering in the warm spring breeze. Ahead, the mighty walls of Highgarden loomed—three concentric rings of pale stone draped in flowering vines, their beauty belying the viper's nest within.
Aemon adjusted the silver grape cluster pin at his throat. At twelve, he was the youngest lordling ever summoned before Mace Tyrell's court. A calculated insult.
*"Remember,"* Ser Harrold, his father's gruff master-at-arms, muttered, *"the Tyrells plant flowers where others see thorns."*
Aemon nodded, his hand drifting to the hidden dagger in his boot. The system chimed:
**[Quest Updated: The Lion's Den]**
*Current Objectives:*
1. *Survive court intrigue (Difficulty: Hard)*
2. *Gauge Tyrell military strength*
3. *Identify potential allies*
The gates swung open with a groan.
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### **The Golden Court**
The throne room smelled of rosewater and ambition. A hundred Reach lords stood arrayed in silks and samite, their whispers dying as Aemon approached the dais.
Mace Tyrell lounged on the Oakenseat, his doublet straining over his belly. To his right stood a wiry knight with a fox's smile—Ser Garlan the Gallant. To his left...
*Ah.*
The Queen of Thorns herself.
Lady Olenna Tyrell, small as a child but with eyes sharper than Valyrian steel, examined Aemon like a merchant inspecting dubious produce.
*"So,"* Mace boomed, *"the grape lord's whelp finally arrives. Tell me, boy, does your father let all his children play with ships?"*
Laughter rippled through the court.
Aemon bowed precisely deep enough. *"Only those who can count past ten, my lord."*
The laughter died. Mace's face purpled.
Olenna's lips twitched.
**[Skill Check: Wit (Success)]**
*Tyrell court opinion shifts from "contempt" to "cautious interest"*
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### **A Walk in the Gardens**
After the disastrous audience, a page led Aemon to the legendary Tyrell gardens—a labyrinth of roses, trickling fountains, and hidden bowers where more politics occurred than in the throne room.
*"My grandmother wishes to speak with you."*
Garlan Tyrell appeared beside him, smelling of lemon and steel. Up close, the famed warrior's hands bore the scars of a dozen battles.
*"Should I be honored or terrified?"* Aemon asked.
Garlan's smile didn't reach his eyes. *"Yes."*
They found Olenna beside a heart tree carved to resemble the Seven. The old woman didn't turn as she spoke:
*"Your little ship frightened the pirates near the Arbor Straits last month. Three of Salladhor Saan's vessels turned tail."*
Aemon's pulse quickened. That raid had been secret.
*"I wonder,"* Olenna continued, *"why House Redwyne builds warships when we have the Redwyne Straits fleet to protect our waters?"*
**[Dialogue Options]**
1. *"The Tyrell fleet is spread thin, my lady."*
2. *"Perhaps the Reach needs more than one protector."*
3. *"Would you prefer I paid the pirates like my father?"*
Aemon chose **3**.
Olenna finally turned, her gaze piercing. *"Ah. A grape with thorns."* She gestured to a stone bench. *"Sit. Let's discuss... mutual interests."*
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### **The Pact**
Two hours later, Aemon emerged with:
1. **A secret agreement**: Tyrell would ignore Redwyne shipbuilding in exchange for 10% of trade profits
2. **A betrothal offer**: Margaery Tyrell (age 6) in ten years' time
3. **A warning**: *"The Lannisters are watching, boy. And lions eat grapes."*
**[Quest Complete: The Lion's Den]**
*Rewards:*
- *Tyrell non-aggression pact secured*
- *+2 Diplomacy*
- *New Rival: House Lannister*
As Aemon rode south at dawn, a rider approached—his brother Alester's man.
*"My lord... your father is ill. The maesters say—"*
The message needed no finishing.
The game had just changed.
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### **Next Chapter Preview:**
- **Lord of the Arbor** – A sudden inheritance
- **Lion's Roar** – Tywin Lannister's countermove
- **The First War** – Pirates, betrayals, and blood in the water
*(Type* ***YES*** *to continue the epic saga!)*