Candlelight flickered in the dining room.
Lord Green smiled and said, "Ser Jaime, I have no expectations for that. You and the Knight of Flowers from House Tyrell will surely capture the attention of all the ladies."
Jaime Lannister smiled nonchalantly.
Queen Cersei put down her wine glass and, with a smirk, said, "My charming Warden of the East, please fetch some fruit for your Queen. You know which ones I like."
Jaime shrugged, rose from his chair, and bowed with a smile.
"It would be my pleasure, Your Majesty."
After Jaime left, Queen Cersei's beautiful eyes shifted to Lord Green.
"Count Green, your Queen is very uneasy about the loyalty of the Gold Cloaks."
Lord Green leaned his upper body slightly towards Queen Cersei: "Your Majesty, Whispering Fort is at your command."
Queen Cersei's idea was simple: if her secret schemes failed, she would directly raise an army to eliminate King Robert.
As for the consequences of doing so… she only knew that they would be written by the victors.
Queen Cersei showed a hint of satisfaction and then said, "Mobilize 2,000 soldiers to King's Landing as quickly as possible."
"Yes, my Queen!"
After a pause, Lord Green continued, "I will arrange it as soon as I return. You will see your 2,000 soldiers within fifteen days at most."
Queen Cersei nodded slightly, swirling her wine glass, and then suddenly said, "Count Green, aren't you curious why I am mobilizing troops?"
Lord Green shook his head and said without hesitation, "My Queen, I only care about your next command."
Lord Green's answer greatly pleased Cersei. She said in a good mood, "Count Green, your loyalty pleases me. Soon… you will be my Lord Commander of the Gold Cloaks."
Lord Green was startled for a moment, then, with a look of joy, he placed his hand on his chest and bowed his head: "Your Majesty, thank you for your trust. Kleber will always remember your kindness."
Queen Cersei slightly raised her chin and, with a smirk, said, "Don't tell Jaime about the troop mobilization yet. When the army arrives in King's Landing, I will tell him myself."
Queen Cersei didn't understand military matters; she didn't care how Lord Green secretly moved the army to King's Landing… Hmm, she only cared about the outcome.
"As you wish, my Queen."
...
After leaving Maegor's Holdfast, Lord Green suddenly stopped on the way and looked to one side, raising his hand to signal his guards to wait in place.
Lord Green stood silently for a moment, then stepped into the flower bushes and pulled out a small, thin figure.
"Count Green, how did you find me?"
Arya Stark, held in Lord Green's hand, showed no embarrassment at all; instead, she seemed even more excited.
Lord Green put Arya down, squatted, and looked at her. The little girl's eyes sparkled in the moonlight.
Lord Green said seriously, "Miss Arya, the guards of the Red Keep are very sensitive at night. They might swing their swords without warning. You should have guards with you."
Arya haphazardly patted her clothes a few times and said, "Count Green, you still haven't answered my question."
Well, this… is very Stark.
Lord Green chuckled and said, "Tonight's wind made the flowers and grass sway, except for the large area where you were."
Arya exclaimed with delight, "So that's it! You must be an excellent hunter."
After saying that, Arya tried to slip away but was caught by Lord Green.
He said, "Miss Arya, I have answered your question. May I now hear your answer?"
Arya puffed out her cheeks, her tone perfunctory: "Alright, alright, I'll be careful next time."
Lord Green stood up, a subtle smirk on his lips, and said, "It seems I'll have to take you to Duke Eddard…"
He looked at the sky and continued, "I hope I won't disturb his rest."
Lord Green heard a faint hum.
Arya quickly shook her head and said obediently, "I know the way. I can go back by myself. I won't trouble you."
"It's on my way. I'd be honored."
Arya looked at the Blue Cloaks "surrounding" her, and her small shoulders slumped.
Arya didn't want to be scolded by her father, so she tried various little tricks along the way.
For example, she made promises, flattered him, and finally pretended to be pitiful.
Lord Green remained unmoved.
Arya thought Lord Green was a good friend, and she felt deeply betrayed.
She swore to herself that she would never speak to Lord Green again!
Near the Prime Minister's Tower, Lord Green stopped and looked at the sulking Arya: "Miss Arya."
Lord Green pointed towards the Prime Minister's Tower gate and said, "I'll stay here until I see you go inside, then I'll leave."
Arya blinked, seemingly confirming if she had misheard.
Isn't he going to take me to Father? Her eyes lit up again.
Lord Green crouched down and gently patted Arya's small head, saying, "Go on. Be careful in the future."
Arya nodded vigorously, her face full of pleasant surprise.
"Count Green, you are my good friend."
"I'm honored. Get some rest early."
Arya trotted towards the Prime Minister's Tower gate. When she was almost at the entrance, she turned back and waved her small hand, then said a few words to the guards at the door before entering the Prime Minister's Tower directly.
Lord Green looked up and admired the twinkling night sky for a while before leading his guards away from the Prime Minister's Tower.
...
Arya, who had been cheerful, stepped onto the stairs and looked up, only to bump into her father, whose face was solemn. The smile on her little face instantly froze.
Arya forced herself to say, "Good night, Father."
Duke Eddard, with a slightly somber face, sighed and said, "Arya, everyone was about to go look for you."
Arya lowered her head and said, "Sorry, Father, I was just too bored."
Duke Eddard walked down a few steps, and his large hand stroked Arya, saying, "Next time, remember to let people know where you've gone."
Arya nodded, a smile already on her little face: "Father, I met Count Green. He brought me here, and we're already good friends."
Duke Eddard's lips curved slightly: "Arya, you're amazing. You've made a friend so soon after arriving here."
He added, "Tomorrow I will find you a teacher…"
Arya shook her head: "Father, I can't learn a lady's skills…"
She spread out her small hands, looked down, and continued, "These two are really clumsy; they can't do delicate things."
Duke Eddard sighed, "Arya, my child, you have a special wildness. Your grandfather called it the blood of the Direwolf. My sister Lyanna had a bit of it, and my brother Brandon had even more, and both died young."
Although Arya was still young, she heard the sadness in her father's words.
Father rarely spoke about his father and siblings in front of them. Arya only knew that they had all passed away before she was born.
Duke Eddard's eyes were deep, as if in remembrance.
"If your grandfather had agreed back then, Lyanna might have also wielded a sword. Sometimes when I see you, I think of her. You even bear some resemblance to her."
Arya said in surprise, "Father, Aunt Lyanna was a great beauty."
Everyone in Winterfell said so, but no one had ever used Lyanna to describe Arya; they called her "Horseface Arya."
Duke Eddard's face showed a faint smile: "You are very similar, both beautiful and willful."
Father never lies… Arya was overjoyed, her small face full of cheerful smiles.
After a few steps, Duke Eddard said, "Arya, you and Sansa have argued a bit too much on this journey. You are sisters."
Arya avoided Duke Eddard's gaze, turning her small face to the other side, and said, "She always tattles on me. I hate her."
Duke Eddard said gently, "Your personalities may differ, but you are both Starks. Winter is coming. You need her, and she needs you just as much, and I need both of you, my children."
Arya looked at her father and saw the deep weariness hidden within… Arya felt a pang of heartache; she didn't want to give her father more worries.
She nodded slightly: "Father, the lone Direwolf dies, but the pack survives. I forgive Sansa."
After a pause, she added, "I want to learn sword fighting!"
...
Greene Clegane's Mansion.
Lord Green, having removed his armor, walked directly to the map on the wall in his study.
The westward expansion plan was progressing smoothly, and Impa had already proven her capabilities through military achievements. Lord Green was just waiting for the westward expansion to conclude to hold a knighting ceremony for Impa.
Lord Green pinched his chin. He decided to hand over command of the westward expansion to Impa, the Thorn Legion commander, while Pel Pili would lead 2,000 soldiers to King's Landing, and Mason Baker, the garrison commander, would continue to guard the territory.
As for how to mobilize… Lord Green's gaze shifted to the location of King's Landing, and his eyes trembled slightly.
After a moment of thought, his finger first tapped the Vale, then Dragonstone below.
Lord Green's left thumb, behind his back, rubbed against his index finger.
...
...
A certain slave master's estate on the western coast of Essos.
Viserys Targaryen, recovering from a serious illness, had a much thinner face. He was now sitting on the most ornate chair in the great hall, leaning against the armrest.
Viserys stared at his haggard sister, his tone tinged with mockery: "Daenerys, are you planning for me to take 10,000 slaves to reclaim the Iron Throne? Are you trying to make the Usurper die laughing, my dear sister?"
Daenerys Targaryen took the cup offered by Borona and said tiredly, "Brother, we still have a year."
Daenerys learned from the slaves she rescued from the ship that they came from a slave-trading estate nearby.
Daenerys knew very well that they couldn't drift indefinitely in the Narrow Sea. She needed to find a temporary stronghold as soon as possible for her subsequent plans.
They docked at a small port. After selling all the things useless to them, they replenished their weapons, horses, food, and other supplies, then proceeded towards the slave estate.
Daenerys then truly felt the pain of riding a horse. After two days of travel, she felt half-dead. Continuous days in the saddle left her buttocks covered in sores, her thighs were severely chafed and peeling from constant friction, her hands were blistered by the reins, and the muscles in her feet and back ached so much she couldn't even sit up straight. Without help from others, she couldn't even dismount.
...
Viserys sneered, "Dear sister, it should be said that we have less than a year left."
Although Daenerys knew Viserys's patience was always short, she was truly exhausted and had no desire to concern herself with her brother's endless complaints at that moment.
Seeing his sister ignore him, Viserys's temper flared.
He shrieked, "Mind your attitudes! Sitting here is the King of the Seven Kingdoms, the true King of the Iron Throne!"
Everyone who was tidying the hall immediately stopped their actions and turned to look at Daenerys.
Daenerys waved her hand slightly, signaling them to continue.
She said softly to Viserys, whose face was somewhat distorted, "Brother, I'm sorry, I'm just too tired."
Daenerys's sincere apology quelled Viserys's anger. He laughed scornfully, "My dear sister, you are too delicate. I highly doubt you can keep your promise."
Daenerys pursed her lips and said, "Viserys, don't worry, I will definitely do it!"
A look of satisfaction finally appeared on Viserys's sharp, thin face.
Borona stood expressionlessly behind Daenerys, unmoving. The true King, reclining in his chair, would confirm the promise with Daenerys every two or three days, and she was almost used to it.
Viserys suddenly chuckled and said, "Daenerys, you have no time to rest. This estate must be protected by some nearby city-state. They will soon learn of the situation here and quickly send troops."
His voice seemed to intentionally rise: "You wouldn't be so ignorant as to not understand such a simple principle, would you? If it were me, I wouldn't make such an obvious mistake!"
Viserys was deliberately speaking for everyone present to hear. He had long been dissatisfied that everyone only obeyed Daenerys… He plotted to seize power, but being alone for now, he could only use this method to suppress his sister's prestige. Once the time was ripe, he could take over the entire group.
"King Viserys, that may not be the case."
This was Ser Jorah's voice. Daenerys looked over.
Ser Jorah smiled slightly at the princess and strode over.
Ser Jorah was not handsome; he had a bull-like neck and shoulders, and his arms and chest were covered in thick black hair, while his head was bald, but his smile was easily reassuring.
Jorah stood in front of Daenerys and bowed his head, saying, "Princess, Anguy has heard some good news. The city-state protecting the estate seems to be at war. I think we can safely reorganize for a while. Your new recruits need basic training."
Before Daenerys could speak, Viserys mocked, "Ha! New recruits? Are you talking about those slaves who just broke their shackles? You are very humorous, homeless knight."
Jorah turned to Viserys, bowed slightly, and said calmly, "Your Majesty, a soldier's duty is to stain his weapon with the enemy's blood. As for his previous identity, that is irrelevant."
After speaking, he turned to Daenerys: "Princess, please allow me to advise you. Your handmaiden, Othana, is very suitable to be a drillmaster for the new recruits. I must admit her ability in this area is excellent."
It's been a long wait TT. I'll try to do two updates a day starting tomorrow (not guaranteed, but I'll definitely do my best).