King's Landing, Queen's Quarter.
Inside a house near the Security Office, Leyton, the small Steward of Green, was conversing with a robust man.
"Captain Rattle, you will stay here for now. Lord Green will have new arrangements when he returns."
After Whispering City received Green's raven, 20 soldiers from the Survey Corps departed as ordered and arrived in King's Landing.
Rattle, who appeared to be around thirty years old, was the captain of the Survey Corps for this mission.
Rattle nodded, habitually scanning his surroundings: "Leyton, thank you for the welcome. What do we need to do during this time?"
Leyton approached Rattle, lowering his voice: "Lord Green needs you all to familiarize yourselves with this place, with every house, and every road, during this time."
"I'll go arrange it right away."
Leyton shook his head: "You need to prepare first. There are many hidden eyes in King's Landing. You also need to change your clothes. We still have some time; we need to plan carefully."
"I understand."
Leyton hummed in acknowledgment and asked: "Captain Rattle, did you see my sister Kalaiya before you departed?"
"No, I didn't. As you know, our Survey Corps has always been in the Old Territory. After Ser Pello, who received the mobilization order, selected the personnel, we were arranged to depart. We didn't pass through Whispering City; we went directly to Mermaid Port."
Having been separated for some time, Mondon missed her sister a little.
After a pause, Rattle continued: "I've heard that Steward Herschel of Mermaid Port is very busy, and your sister has helped him share a lot of the affairs of Whispering City. I think she's doing quite well; you don't need to worry too much."
Leyton nodded slightly: "That's good. My mother and I are both in King's Landing. I'm always a bit uneasy leaving her alone in the territory."
Although Rattle didn't quite understand such feelings, he still shrugged, indicating his comprehension.
...
Southeastern Old Claypole, Thorn Legion Camp.
Inside the legion commander's tent, Aimu Pa Ruo, dressed in a short robe, sat at a table, writing something with a serious expression.
At this moment, Lena, with her hair tied in an upward braid, entered the tent.
"What terrible weather! It's been so muggy these past few days. Is it going to rain heavily?"
Lena said, pulling off her robe and tossing it aside.
Aimu Pa Ruo looked up at a pair of apples, her slightly thick lips moving.
Noticing Aimu Pa Ruo's gaze, Lena slightly turned her delicate body, striking a pose, and giggled: "I know, I know, I'm just too hot. Let me cool down for a bit. I'll be careful when others are around."
Aimu Pa Ruo's gaze returned to the table.
Lena approached the table, looking down, her tone surprised: "Aimu Pa Ruo!"
Aimu Pa Ruo put down the quill in her hand, and a blush appeared on her cheeks.
Lena sighed: "It's really hard on you. You only wrote these few words in a whole morning..."
Aimu Pa Ruo pulled the paper to the other side, her tone a bit annoyed: "Don't forget, this was your idea! It's just that it's been too long, and I just can't remember how to write some things."
Aimu Pa Ruo's words seemed to lose a bit of confidence towards the end.
Lena, however, nodded in agreement: "That's true. We only learned a few words from the nuns when we were very young. I only remember that you learned the best back then, but I forgot how much time has passed."
Lena shook her small face and spread her hands: "When we grew up a bit, we were busy hunting every day. Where would we have any free time?"
Yes, that's the point!
There's a reason I forgot how to write!
Aimu Pa Ruo nodded her head in strong agreement.
"Oh, what a pity! I saw several new shortswords in the Survey Corps that were very suitable for us... The blades were also thickened quite a bit, they must be very sturdy!"
Aimu Pa Ruo wiped the sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand: "There are only a few that you saw in the entire territory. Ser Pello told me the blacksmiths will forge more."
"So, I told you to quickly write to the Lord! We don't even know if the next batch of new shortswords will fall into our legion's hands!"
"Lena, Ser Pello is a fair knight!"
Lena sighed again: "I know, I know, but that doesn't stop you from writing to the Lord! There's a war going on now, and every legion's weapons are heavily worn. You don't even need to guess; others have already taken action!"
As she spoke, Lena's hand rested on Aimu Pa Ruo's shoulder: "You're completely soaked!"
Lena withdrew her hand and walked behind Aimu Pa Ruo: "I just realized you're a wet leopard. Lift your arms, I'll help you take off your robe."
Aimu Pa Ruo hesitated for a moment, but still lifted her arms, cooperating with Lena's movements.
After helping Aimu Pa Ruo remove her robe, she continued: "Where were we just now? Hmm... hmm... Anyway, just listen to me, everyone else is doing it!"
Aimu Pa Ruo moved, and indeed felt much more comfortable!
Aimu Pa Ruo covered her face, her head aching: "This is harder than fighting... Lena, the problem is there are many things I don't know how to write!"
This kind of thing is hard to ask others for help with.
Aimu Pa Ruo decided in her heart that the next time she went to Whispering City, she would definitely recruit a sister who knew how to write!
Lena crossed her arms, her eyes darting around, and suddenly said: "If you encounter something you can't write, you can draw it!"
Aimu Pa Ruo blinked: "Draw?"
Aimu Pa Ruo thought Lena's idea was terrible. Drawing was a more profound skill, and what she drew with her drawing skills would probably be incomprehensible even to the Others!
Seeing Lena's excited expression from thinking of a good idea made Aimu Pa Ruo, who couldn't think of a good solution for a moment, a bit hesitant.
Should I give it a try?
...
The day before the Kingswood Hunting ended, Green, with his Clan Soldiers, quietly left the Royal Woods Camp.
After Green left, the security of the Kingswood Hunting was taken over by Jaime.
Green, who departed in the early morning, entered Rose Avenue near noon.
Near Rose Avenue, Green found Steward Rosser and others waiting to rendezvous.
Green noticed that Steward Rosser looked much more energetic than when they last met.
"Good day, my Lord. Rosser greets you."
Green nodded slightly: "Rosser, how did the price inquiries go?"
"My Lord, the grain prices in King's Landing are the easiest to inquire about. After receiving your command, I quickly organized them. As I traveled from King's Landing, I also kept inquiring along the way. My face is too unfamiliar here; they have one price for acquaintances and another for strangers. I'm not sure if the information I gathered is reliable."
"That's enough. That's all I need."
Green's purpose was merely to get a rough idea of the price fluctuation range between the north and south.
Green tugged on the reins and announced loudly: "Depart!"