Daenerys Targaryen's personality was decisive; that night, she released the news that she was leaving the city-state, using the 'excuse' of continuing to seek the guidance of the gods.
The next day, Greene witnessed firsthand what a grand female protagonist script looked like.
At the Governor's Mansion, the city-state's wealthy merchants first symbolically expressed their desire for their Governor Daenerys to stay, then, while praising her achievements, brought in boxes of jewels.
Greene sat quietly in the corner, counting: one box, two boxes, three boxes…
When Lord Green counted to twelve boxes, another wealthy merchant's large, fat hand made a gesture, and his servants carried in more boxes.
Greene continued counting: thirteen boxes, fourteen boxes, fifteen boxes…
Facing the enthusiasm of the city-state's wealthy merchants, Daenerys showed no unusual expression on the surface, but Greene could feel that she herself was very surprised.
Greene withdrew his gaze; he thought of the earthquake-like commotion when the three true dragons were born. Did unknown fear lead to such generosity?
When Daenerys announced her intention to leave by ship, before she could finish, a maritime merchant waved his hand… and directly gifted a sea vessel.
Lord Green looked up at the roof, recalling his arduous years of struggling to earn money in the Red Keep.
Greene's eyes suddenly moved… dragons… 8,000 Unblemished… He was tempted but quickly gave up; he couldn't afford to keep them.
Temporarily store them.
… … … …
Aside from the maidservants, male attendants, and Crab Claw Peninsula guards, about fifty soldiers were willing to follow Daenerys, most of whom were slaves she had rescued from slave merchant ships (Chapter 123).
On the third day, as a return gift for the city-state merchants' warm hospitality, Daenerys directly handed over the soldiers willing to stay in the city-state to their newly elected governor, to everyone's delight.
That night, on the terrace garden of the Governor's Mansion.
Greene Kleber glanced at the petite figure not far away, then moved his feet. He stood beside Daenerys, looking into the distance together.
Greene looked at Daenerys and said, "Daenerys, do you like this city?"
Daenerys shook her head slightly: "Viserys took me wandering everywhere since I was little…"
After a pause, she continued: "Later, I stopped allowing myself to like any place, because I knew my brother would take me away from that place soon enough."
After a moment of silence, Greene suddenly said, "Daenerys, do you want to know the reason why you and Viserys have always been wandering? Perhaps, describing it as a secret would be more appropriate."
Daenerys turned her head to look at Greene, and she asked doubtfully, "Isn't it to escape the usurper's pursuit?"
"According to my investigation, that's only the surface reason. Daenerys, do you still remember Illyrio Mopatis of Pentos?"
Daenerys nodded slightly; of course, she remembered him, that insidious man who dared to manipulate true dragons at will.
Greene slowly said, "You told me that the person who gave you the dragon eggs claimed to be a true dragon supporter hidden among the usurpers. His name is Varys, he is the Master of Whisperers of the Red Keep, he is good friends with Illyrio, and they are allies in a certain conspiracy."
Daenerys's eyes trembled slightly. She turned around and asked, "A certain conspiracy?"
Greene nodded with a solemn expression and said, "The first step of this conspiracy is… to cultivate Viserys into a second Mad King."
Daenerys's body trembled slightly. After a pause, she asked, "How did they do it?"
Greene began, "Many people say that Viserys already showed signs of the Mad King when he was in the Red Keep, but… I think it was more likely a child's simple imitation out of admiration for his father, or a game of imitation. I think perhaps because of this, those two people thought of the later conspiracy… which was to turn Viserys into a true Mad King."
After a pause, he continued, "They have always monitored your whereabouts. Whenever Viserys was about to relax, the assassins they arranged would appear, forcing him to continue fleeing, again and again, year after year… Living constantly surrounded by fear, I think anyone would be unable to maintain their sanity, let alone Viserys, who grew up like this from a young age."
Daenerys's body was trembling. She reached out and grasped the terrace railing, murmuring, "My brother… they made me lose my brother…"
So the so-called pursuit was a meticulously planned act by them?! Daenerys had previously doubted whether the assassins Viserys spoke of were his own hallucinations because she had never seen them. She finally knew the true answer now. This turned out to be a deliberate and dirty conspiracy against her brother and her?!
They all deserve to die!
Daenerys gritted her teeth, her hands clenched tightly, and her breathing began to quicken, like a volcano on the verge of erupting.
Greene came up behind her and hugged Daenerys tightly. She immediately felt herself enveloped in a gentle warmth, so comforting.
Greene's steady voice sounded: "Daenerys, you have already executed Illyrio. Leave the remaining one to me. Let me help you get your revenge."
… … … …
… … … …
Narrow Sea, on the vast expanse of the ocean, hundreds of ships sailed majestically, arrayed neatly in a spectacular formation, like a mighty army.
On the fury, the flaming heart banner fluttered, and waves crashed against the hull, creating a spray of white foam.
The messenger shouted, "King, a fleet of nine ships has appeared to our front-left! Their banner is the swamp marigold."
Stannis, wearing a crown of fiery red-gold, looked in the direction the messenger pointed.
The sun was dazzling, and Stannis squinted slightly.
Melisandre, beside him, spoke, "King Stannis, this may be the Lord of Light's guidance. You are the rightful heir to the Seven Kingdoms, you have been crowned, and you can command them to join our glorious fleet."
Stannis said coldly, "Priestess, I have already allowed the neutrality of the Crab Claw Peninsula. A true King would never break his word."
Davos Seaworth and others all bowed to King Stannis, touching their chests: "King Stannis, it is our honor to serve you."
King Stannis snorted coldly in disgust; he had merely done what he ought to do, and it was not worthy of others' flattery.
Davos shrugged slightly; they were already accustomed to King Stannis's severity.
King Stannis said coldly, "Davos, we will soon enter Shipbreaker Bay. Do not let the waves and reefs there affect our battle plan."
Davos bowed slightly and said, "King Stannis, I have sent my two sons ahead to scout the way. I guarantee our army will land safely on the coast of Storms End."
King Stannis pondered for a moment and said, "Onion Knight, night is the best cover. I want to tell Renly that war is not a game."
Before Davos could speak, Melisandre spoke first: "Your Majesty is the Son of Fire, and the Lord of Light will help you win the war."
As Melisandre's words fell, Davos frowned. Victory in battle relied on the bravery of the soldiers, not on some god's blessing.
Davos usually kept his distance from the Lord of Light, but he could not tolerate the Priestess belittling the soldiers' contributions.
He nodded as if in agreement, saying, "Yes, I believe every one of our sailors will grow owl's eyes, allowing them to accurately distinguish which will be the deadly hidden reef on the rolling, dark sea."
Melisandre revealed a gentle smile. Her red eyes scanned the Onion Knight up and down and said, "Sir, you have not yet experienced the greatness of the Lord of Light. Rhllor is omnipotent."
She walked lightly to Davos, her slender fingers brushing his chest: "The night is dark and full of terrors. You will have your chance."
Although the Onion Knight remained expressionless and motionless, when the Red Priestess's fingers approached him, his entire body's blood seemed to be instantly drained, and a fine cold sweat immediately broke out on his back.
Davos "politely" took half a step back, no longer looking at Melisandre, but instead knelt on one knee before King Stannis, bowing his head and respectfully saying, "I will only serve the great King Stannis."
Melisandre looked at Davos, her lips curving slightly, then turned and returned to King Stannis's side.
King Stannis's hand rose slightly, signaling Davos to rise.
He said with slight irritation, "Davos, I must defeat Renly as soon as possible…"
Grinding his teeth, King Stannis continued, "Prince Doran Martell has not only begun to fortify Prince's Pass (located in the Red Mountains of Dorne, it is a major land route from the Riverlands and Stormlands to Dorne), but his army is also poised for battle."
Davos considered for a moment and said, "King Stannis, I think the Dornish will wait for you and Renly to decide the victor before they determine their next move."
King Stannis nodded slightly and said, "Let the Martell dream of power and glory, and I will always remember his actions."
… … … …
… … … …
Bitterbridge, Riverlands.
On the tower, Renly Baratheon stood with his hands behind his back. To his right was Randyll Tarly, with his short, stiff gray beard, and to his left was Margaery Tyrell, wearing a queen's crown.
The full moon hung high, and across the flat, open plain, the army's campfires were like fallen stars, covering the four fields, resembling an endless sea of stars.
King Renly gazed at the distant horizon and said leisurely, "The Dornish have summoned at least fifty thousand soldiers, yet Duke Mace only returned to Highgarden with ten thousand. I am a little uneasy."
Randyll remained silent. Margaery's brown eyes moved slightly, and she said, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your concern on behalf of my father. My father specifically instructed me before he left, asking you to rest assured and lead the army north. He is confident in protecting your rear."
King Renly looked at Queen Margaery and smiled, showing his teeth: "My Queen, as long as I see your charming smile every day, I will be full of confidence every day."
Queen Margaery laughed shyly and said, "My King, if my smile can bring you joy, it is already my honor."
She added, "Unfortunately, I don't know how to fight… The gods bless you, you have many loyal and brave knights who will fight bravely for you and win glory that will be spread throughout the Seven Kingdoms."
King Renly laughed heartily for a while and said, "I am even more confident now, My Queen."
After a pause, King Renly looked at the Earl of Horn Hill and asked, "Earl Randyll, what do you think Prince Doran's army will do? Where will their army march?"
Earl Randyll pondered for a moment and replied, "King Renly, Duke Tywin is in Harrenhal, and his eldest son is attacking Riverrun. The Westerlands can be said to be undefended. If I were the Dornish commander, I would immediately march on Casterly Rock."
King Renly smiled and said, "What a pity, the Dornish don't have a renowned general like Randyll."
He pinched his chin and said, "Robb Stark has proclaimed himself King, and my brother now also calls himself King… Ha, what a mess!"
Earl Randyll spoke, "King Renly, our army will surely make them willingly remove the crowns from their heads. They will ultimately have no choice but to submit to you."
"Submission, I like your counsel…"
King Renly smiled and patted Earl Randyll's sturdy arm, saying, "As long as they are willing to submit to me, they will find that I am a very generous person. I will gladly acknowledge all their lands, titles, and honors… I will even allow them to retain the title of King."
He held up a finger and continued, "My condition is only one: they simply need to bend the knee to me and acknowledge me as their master. The title of King is merely a word, but obedience, loyalty, service… these are the goals for which I raised my army."
He said leisurely, "I'm not worried about the others, but my brother is too stubborn. He might not understand my intentions."
Margaery's face wore a sweet smile; she seemed to adore her King, and at this moment, her eyes seemed to hold only her spirited husband.
Earl Randyll mused, "If our army marches north to Harrenhal, I think Stark will be very willing to submit to you."
King Renly nodded slightly in agreement, "Lannister is our common…"
He suddenly stopped speaking, walked a few steps, and looked down from the tower. A rider wearing a long-winged helmet was urging his panting mount, shouting, "King, I have urgent news to report!"
King Renly leaned over the battlements and called out, "I'm here, Ser."
"Your Majesty!"
The knight spurred his horse closer and shouted, "I rode as fast as I could from Storms End! We were ambushed, Ser Cortnay is fighting them, but…"
King Renly interrupted with some disbelief, "That's impossible! If Lannister's army left Harrenhal, it couldn't escape my notice!"
The knight quickly replied, "Your Majesty, it's not Lannister, it's Stannis at the gates!"
King Renly's eyes suddenly widened and he said, "Stannis?!"
He repeated, "My brother Stannis Baratheon?"
The knight nodded emphatically and affirmed, "Yes, it is indeed Stannis. His army has already surrounded Storms End!"
Even with his disbelief, King Renly had to accept the news. Why would he attack his Storms End? Is he mad?! Has he allied with Lannister? Is that… possible?
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