Ser Barristan's sincere words moved Daenerys Targaryen.
Seeing this, Jorah Mormont said with a gloomy expression, "Offer up your life? I can certainly help you with that."
"A traitor deserves to die…"
Barristan Selmy raised his bowed head and continued, "But… Princess Daenerys, at least I am honest. Before I received Robert's pardon, I fought valiantly at the Trident River."
He turned to Jorah, "You, however, are an enemy of the Targaryens, aren't you, Mormont?"
Barristan looked back at Daenerys and continued, "Your Grace, I approached you under a hidden identity because I knew there were eyes hidden around you. King Viserys and you have always been monitored by the Small Council."
"For many years, Varys, the Master of Whisperers, reported King Viserys's every move to the Small Council, and ever since you left Pentos, there has been an informer by your side betraying your secrets. He exchanged information for the Spider's gold dragons and promises."
His finger pointed at the Bear Island knight, "That informer is Jorah Mormont."
Clang! Ser Jorah's longsword fell onto the stone slab floor, as if confirming Ser Barristan's accusation.
"Impossible…"
Daenerys murmured, looking at Ser Jorah, who was frozen in place, in disbelief. Why?!
Green reached out an arm and wrapped it around Daenerys's waist, feeling her body tremble.
Daenerys suddenly smiled and said to Ser Barristan, "You are mistaken."
She looked at the Bear Island knight and added, "Tell him he's mistaken. You tell him you're not an informer. Tell him how wrong he is."
Ser Jorah's neck flushed red, "May the Others take you, Selmy!"
He turned to Daenerys, his face also red, making it hard to tell if he was angry or ashamed, "I tried to tell you the truth…"
Daenerys's body was shaking… Why? From Pentos to Qarth, she had always trusted him and given him important responsibilities. His true identity was actually the Usurper's eyes?! She listened to Ser Jorah's every suggestion because she believed him. Because of his unexpected confession, she had felt worried, but she had never doubted Ser Jorah's loyalty.
Why awaken her Dragon's Rage?! A red glow seemed to appear in Daenerys's eyes, but her body stiffened. Green was patting her lower back, his movements very gentle.
Daenerys looked up and saw a gentle face, and her cold body seemed to warm instantly.
Green nodded slightly, silently comforting her. He was right beside her.
How nice… Daenerys's lips curved into a slight, unconscious smile.
...
Although Daenerys's Dragon's Rage had subsided, her lingering anger remained. Her violet eyes moved, looking at Ser Jorah, who was hesitant to speak, "Tell me, what did they promise you, Ser?"
Ser Jorah still wanted to explain, "Princess, that was only at the beginning, before I knew you…"
"Enough."
Daenerys interrupted Ser Jorah's defense and repeated her question, "Tell me, what did they promise you?"
Ser Jorah's lips trembled, and he said with difficulty, "Varys said he could let me return to Bear Island."
After speaking, he lowered his head, unable to meet Daenerys's gaze.
Daenerys clenched her fists. She had also promised… she would restore Ser Jorah's honor. What a ridiculous promise.
She said angrily, "Ser Jorah, I once promised you that I would restore your lands and honor, yet you betrayed me. I will never forgive your betrayal!"
Ser Jorah shook his head, frantically saying, "No, no, you don't want to do this, you should forgive me…"
Anger flashed in Daenerys's eyes. Why did Ser Jorah still not think he was wrong? Why didn't he beg her for forgiveness? Didn't he know the fate of traitors?
She replied coldly, "I cannot!"
Ser Jorah pleaded, "Princess, I protected you, fought for you, killed for you…"
Daenerys turned her face away… She couldn't cry. If she cried, she would soften.
Daenerys didn't shed tears, but she still softened. Her voice trembled slightly, "Ser, you are exiled. Go to King's Landing and seek your pardon."
"Princess Daenerys, please, listen to me…"
Daenerys ignored Ser Jorah's pleas. She looked at Ser Barristan, who was kneeling with his face down, and said, "Ser Barristan, I have had enough of the hypocrisy of Westeros knights. You… leave."
Ser Barristan rose stiffly and slowly. His movements at this moment matched his age, looking old and weak.
Ser Barristan's voice held a hint of sorrow, "Princess Daenerys, Ser Barristan thanks you for listening."
Ser Jorah almost desperately said, "Please…"
Her skirt swirled as Daenerys turned her back to them. She asked herself, why was it that even though they were wrong, she couldn't face their pleading gazes?
Green's voice sounded, "Daenerys, I think you need to rest. Leave the rest to me."
I have Green… Daenerys seemed to find her inner peace all at once. She nodded silently to Green and left directly.
...
Once the princess's figure disappeared, Green waved for the servants and guards in the hall to leave. Soon, only three people remained in the hall.
Green spoke as if reminiscing, "Barristan, I heard that after you threw your sword at Joffrey's feet, you declared that you would serve the true king. Are you here for King Viserys?"
Ser Barristan withdrew his gaze from the direction Daenerys had left. He took a deep breath and replied, "Count Green, I am still searching."
Green's finger tapped the hilt of the longsword at his waist, saying, "Ser, you are very honest, but your answer is contradictory."
Barristan looked puzzled. Green continued, "According to you, even if Princess Daenerys accepted you, once you found the true king in your heart, you would immediately break your oath and leave the princess… Is that right?"
Barristan opened his mouth but couldn't find the right words.
Green shook his head slightly, "Barristan, I can roughly guess what you are thinking. Everyone knows…"
Ser Jorah, who had been standing still like a statue, suddenly moved his feet. His movement also interrupted Green's words.
Green blocked the Bear Island knight's path, "Informer, where are you going?"
Ser Jorah stared directly at Green, who was blocking his way, and said coldly, "I must explain to the Princess. Get out of my way…"
Before he could finish his sentence, with a thud, his abdomen was struck by Green's heavy punch. A sharp pain quickly spread from his abdomen. The strong man instinctively curled up, trying to alleviate the pain.
Green said coldly, "Do not mistake the princess's kindness for weakness. Your behavior right now is exactly like a malicious person who only knows how to bully the weak."
A look of shock flashed across Barristan's face. The strength and speed Count Green displayed reminded him of the Mountain… He immediately shook his head to himself. He was much stronger than the Mountain. This was a power that made it very easy to lose the will to resist.
Ser Jorah's face was very pale, his features distorted by the intense pain, and his mouth twitched in agony, "I… am not…"
"I hope not. Do not make any more rash moves, Bear Islander."
After speaking, Green turned to Barristan and continued, "Barristan, who will the true king be? If you are referring to Stannis or Renly, I don't think you would be here, and… everyone knows that Princess Daenerys is the last Targaryen."
A look of embarrassment flashed across Barristan's face. Barristan picked up the last bit of his pride, and his chin lifted slightly.
"Count Green, I appreciate your kindness, but… I want to know, in what capacity are you asking me this?"
Barristan Selmy was already a renowned white-cloaked knight in the Seven Kingdoms, while Green… was just a somewhat famous lord. He wanted to use this to refuse Green's question.
"Your words are truly clumsy…"
Green scoffed and continued, "Ser Barristan, don't you think I am your only chance now? If you leave like this, that so-called path to redemption you spoke of… will truly become a joke known throughout the Seven Kingdoms."
After Green's words fell, there was a moment of silence. Ser Barristan sighed, and a layer of brightness appeared in his cloudy eyes.
Ser Barristan shook his head slightly and murmured, "I really am not suited for this kind of thing."
After a pause, he first bowed to Green in apology, then said, "Count Green, your insight is sharp. You were indeed not wrong. I had already sworn that for the rest of my life, I would only serve Princess Daenerys."
Green glanced at Ser Jorah, who was gradually straightening up, and said, "Barristan, whatever the reason, the fact remains a fact. You cannot simply hope for Princess Daenerys to soften one day. Prayers will not bring back lost honor."
Ser Barristan's eyes trembled… Robert was an excellent knight. Back then, he was grateful for his pardon and captivated by his charm… Now that he thought about it, these were all excuses he used to convince himself. Perhaps… the real reason was that Prince Rhaegar had already died in battle, and the young Prince Viserys had already made him realize that he was the Mad King's son, a little boy completely different from Rhaegar.
This was the truth!
Barristan's face was bitter… He was truly a foolish person who thought he was clever. While breaking his sacred oath, did he presumptuously make a choice for the entire kingdom?
So, was he, who had abandoned his sacred vows, finally going to receive his deserved punishment? The Gods had been too merciful to him.
...
Green patted Barristan's arm and said, "Barristan, a knight's honor comes from the sword in his hand. That is what you excel at."
He waved to stop Barristan, who was about to speak, and continued, "According to my investigation, there is a threat in Essos concerning Princess Daenerys's safety, and it also relates to King Viserys's true cause of death."
Green's gaze moved to Barristan's white hair, and he frowned slightly, continuing, "I cannot hide it, this task is very dangerous. I think if it's not someone fearless, they simply cannot undertake this important responsibility."
Ser Barristan felt a certain contempt mixed with pity from Green… Did this young man not know his reputation in the Seven Kingdoms? His words were truly clumsy.
Ser Barristan couldn't help but puff out his still-sturdy chest and said, "Count, a knight is fearless."
Hearing his brave "declaration," Count Green, however, showed a pained expression. Although Ser Barristan had already guessed this was an intentional move, he still couldn't help but feel angry inside.
Green seemed not to notice the fire in Ser Barristan's eyes. He sighed lightly and said, "Ser Barristan, let me finish explaining the details before you make a decision."
Ser Barristan slowly repeated, "A knight is fearless."
After a moment of thought, Green said, "The Golden Company."
As Green's words fell, Ser Barristan's gaze narrowed slightly, and he said, "The Golden Company, whose word is gold?"
Green replied, "Gold above, steel below."
Not long after, Barristan's lips curved slightly, and he said, "Count Green, as you said, after I threw my sword at Joffrey's feet, I haven't touched a sword since. I will only wear a sword again when I receive it from Princess Daenerys."
Ser Barristan seemed to be reminiscing. After a pause, he directly asked Green, "Tell me, what do I need to do?"
Jorah Mormont rubbed his stomach, coughed lightly, and said, "This old informer, you seem to be missing a strong helper."
Barristan snorted coldly. Barristan didn't want to bother with the despicable Bear Island knight.
Green, however, nodded in agreement. This was precisely why he allowed the Bear Island knight to remain in the hall "listening in" on confidential matters… Mondon and Anguy were Green's hidden cards, while Barristan and Jorah would be his open ones.
Green slowly began, "There's a name you should be very familiar with, and that is Aerys II's King's Hand, Jon Connington…"
...
The Governor's Mansion, the room of the three small dragons.
Green pushed the door open and saw Daenerys feeding the three small dragons.
Daenerys looked up, her small face bearing a gentle smile. Upon seeing Green, her smile deepened.
"Green," Daenerys beckoned.
Green sat down next to Daenerys. She said, "The handmaidens told me they can eat several times their weight in food every day."
She pointed to a plate of bloody raw meat and continued, "When I was little, Viserys told me that only dragons and humans enjoy cooked food. They really don't want to eat raw meat."
After a pause, she added with some confusion, "They seem to have suddenly become quiet… Hmm… become well-behaved?!"
Green chuckled softly. After a pause, he said, "Daenerys, I have arranged a very dangerous task for the two of them. They might lose their lives because of it."
Daenerys nodded silently and leaned against Green's arm. Green reached out and pulled her into his embrace.
The two stayed quiet for a while. Green suddenly said, "Have you thought of their names yet?"
-------------------------------
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