Noho Dimittis raised an eyebrow slightly, signaling for her to continue.
"The Iron Throne's credit speaks for itself, but we are facing a short-term difficulty with cash flow," Cersei said calmly. "I wish to borrow another sum from the Iron Bank, enough to recruit a mercenary force of at least twenty thousand men in Braavos. The interest can be calculated at your highest rate."
She laid out the bait plainly.
Noho Dimittis scarcely hesitated before shaking his head.
"Your Grace the Queen Regent, the Iron Bank's rules are very clear. Until there has been a substantial repayment on the previous debt, we cannot extend a new loan. The risk is too great, unless you can immediately repay at least one third of the principal to demonstrate the Iron Throne's ability to pay."
Cersei's smile did not fade. If anything, it grew deeper.
"Immediate repayment? Heh. Master Dimittis, you are a shrewd man. Very well. To show my sincerity, and to give you something solid to report back with, I can promise you this. Within a few days, the Iron Throne will receive a sizable influx of funds, enough to cover the one-third principal you demand, and more."
A flicker of doubt crossed Noho Dimittis's eyes.
"An unexpected income?"
Cersei's smile carried a knowing edge.
"To save time, and so you may witness the Iron Throne's efficiency with your own eyes, why not sail to Gulltown and wait there for a short while? I guarantee that you will receive the repayment in that port. Seeing it for yourself is far better than relying on my word alone, wouldn't you agree?"
Noho Dimittis studied her in silence for a dozen long seconds, trying to read something from her emerald eyes. All he found there was unshakable confidence.
He weighed the matter carefully. Gulltown was a port frequently visited by Braavosi merchant ships. Waiting there posed little risk. And truth be told, he was curious to see what this infamous Queen Regent was planning.
At last, he inclined his head slightly.
"Very well. I will go to Gulltown and wait. I trust that Your Grace will keep your word."
"Of course," Cersei said, lifting her goblet with practiced elegance, her smile bright. "Lannisters always pay their debts."
Before long, a swift ship bearing the banner of the Iron Bank slipped away from the docks of Duskendale. Aboard were Noho Dimittis, still harboring doubts, several of his guards, and Meryn Trant of the Kingsguard, dispatched by Cersei to accompany the Iron Bank's envoy on the journey onward to Braavos to recruit men. The ship set sail toward Gulltown.
...
The Vale, Runestone City.
At sunset, the massive gates of Runestone City slowly swung open.
Lord Yohn Royce personally escorted Isembard Arryn and Mya Stone out, both with their hands bound. Only a handful of guards followed him. Andar Royce had been strictly forbidden to appear and was locked in his chambers, pounding the walls in anguish.
Outside the gates, Jaime Lannister sat astride his white warhorse, his armor gleaming in the fading light. Behind him stood the Lannister cavalry, armor polished, lances raised like a forest of steel.
Jaime looked at Mya and Isembard Arryn as they were brought out, then briefly up at the Royce soldiers on the walls. His handsome face beneath golden hair showed no expression.
He raised a hand. Two knights rode forward, silently taking custody of the prisoners and escorting them to a waiting carriage.
Jaime spoke in an even tone.
"Lord Royce, the Iron Throne acknowledges your cooperation in this matter. As for the previous 'misunderstandings' involving the Lords Declarant, the Small Council will take them into consideration. I advise you to act with caution going forward."
He offered neither pardon nor threat, leaving the outcome deliberately vague.
For Yohn, the simple fact that his house and castle were spared for the moment was already a mercy.
Jaime said nothing further and turned his horse.
"Back to Duskendale."
He had already received word from the Small Council. He needed to return at once with the two criminals to report, then prepare to face the growing threat of Stannis in the south.
His gaze shifted to Gregor Clegane, standing nearby like an iron tower.
"Ser Gregor, you will remain here and lead the army back."
Moving an entire host took time. Jaime could not wait to march with the main force and intended to ride ahead.
From beneath the Mountain's massive helm came a low, muffled reply.
"As you command, my lord."
Jaime wasted no time. With a hundred horsemen and the carriage carrying the prisoners, he rode swiftly away from Runestone City.
Seeing this, the soldiers on the walls finally relaxed. Lord Yohn returned to the main keep, and the forces of the other Lords Declarant houses began to withdraw, preparing to return to their own lands.
No one noticed that the Mountain's abyss-like gaze followed the departing Vale troops until they disappeared into the distance.
Night fell swiftly, black ink spreading across the Vale.
Just as the people of Runestone believed the danger had passed.
In the dead of night, beneath a moonless sky and cutting winds, Gregor Clegane moved.
The Mountain led five thousand elite Lannister heavy infantry and knights, with ten thousand Crownlands levies following further behind.
He raised his hand sharply.
Boom. Boom. Boom.
The battering rams, prepared in advance and driven by dozens of burly men, slammed again and again into the great gates of Runestone.
The thunderous impact tore through the silence of the night.
At the same time, countless flaming arrows arced through the air like fiery rain, crashing down upon the walls and the city within.
"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"
Shrill alarm bells and terrified shouts erupted throughout Runestone, but it was already too late.
Under the relentless pounding of the battering ram, combined with the defenders' moment of slack vigilance, the gates did not hold for long. With a sharp crack, they collapsed inward in a thunderous crash, sending clouds of dust and debris billowing into the air.
"Kill!"
The Mountain let out a savage roar and charged in first. His massive two-handed greatsword screamed through the air, cleaving a charging Royce knight clean in half, armor and all.
Blood and entrails splashed across him.
The feast of slaughter had begun.
Lannister elites flooded through the shattered gate, cutting down anyone they encountered. The well-trained Royce soldiers tried desperately to organize a defense, but the sudden betrayal left them completely stunned.
Even more horrifying were the Crownlands soldiers who surged in behind. Their discipline had collapsed entirely. Their eyes burned with greed and bloodlust as they threw themselves at any moving target, soldier or servant, man or woman alike.
"For Lannister! For the Queen! Slaughter the traitors!"
The Mountain bellowed hoarsely as he swung his greatsword again and again, carving a path through the crowd like a living meat grinder, flesh and blood flying everywhere.
His roar only drove the Crownlands soldiers into an even greater frenzy.
Inside the main keep, Yohn Royce was jolted awake by the earth-shaking din of battle.
In an instant, he understood what was happening. Fury split his eyes wide.
Snatching up his longsword, he burst from his chamber, roaring as he ran.
"Faithless Lannisters! I'll fight you to the death!"
With his last remaining personal guards at his side, he charged toward the great hall.
...
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