Riverlands, Bitterbridge.
Since the news of Renly's death arrived, Baron Caswell had closed the main gate of Bitterbridge's keep, cutting off contact with the outside world.
Margaery Tyrell showed no dissatisfaction or anger at Baron Caswell's presumptuous actions; she simply stayed quietly in her Queen's Camp.
...
The clouds in the sky were low and heavy, rolling, sometimes obscuring the sun, sometimes revealing a faint ray of light.
The air was thick with a humid heat, as if everything was squeezed by an invisible pressure, making it difficult to breathe.
Inside the tent, Margaery wore a dark gown of mourning, her deer-like eyes fixed on the Queen's crown in her hand, her gaze somewhat blank.
Although the Queen's crown was in her hand at this moment, it was now just a beautiful ornament... Margaery suddenly felt a wave of despondency.
Margaery's long, tender fingers touched the Golden Rose on the crown; her hand paused for a moment, and after a while, she took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.
The Queen's crown that Renly had given her was collected by her handmaidens like an ordinary accessory.
Margaery straightened her back; with or without it, she was still the proud Golden Rose, she was still the Light of the Riverlands.
The Golden Rose never fades.
...
Margaery's clear and melodious voice rang out: "Bring me something to eat."
Upon hearing her command, her handmaidens paused briefly, then all began to move.
Soon, the handmaidens brought plates of desserts, placing them on the long dining table.
Margaery had just taken a few bites when the voice of the guard captain came from the entrance: "Your Majesty, Queen Margaery, Earl Randyll Tarly and Lord Mathos Rowan request an audience."
Margaery's brown eyes flickered; she put down her golden fork, picked up a napkin to wipe her mouth, and said as she rose: "Please let the two lords enter."
Earl Randyll and Lord Mathos strode in, bowing in unison: "Good day, Queen Margaery."
Margaery returned a slight bow: "Good day, Earl Randyll, Lord Mathos."
Her beautiful eyes scanned the two dusty men, then she added: "My lords, it's good to see you, may the Gods protect you."
Earl Randyll bowed slightly, while Lord Mathos hesitated, then spoke: "Queen Margaery, please accept our condolences."
Margaery sighed with a sorrowful expression, saying: "Thank you."
After a pause, she continued: "What is the situation outside?"
Earl Randyll glanced at the silent Lord Mathos and replied: "Queen Margaery, I have already sent men to control the provisions of the Bitterbridge army, and I will stabilize morale as quickly as possible."
He continued: "After King Renly's death, led by House Florent, many Riverlands lords and knights directly pledged allegiance to Stannis Baratheon."
Earl Randyll's gaze sharpened, and he continued: "They are the Duke of Highgarden's vassals; their actions were not authorized by their liege lord; they are traitors. There are still many of their kinsmen and retainers in the Bitterbridge Camp; my opinion is to execute them as soon as possible to stabilize morale."
Lord Mathos looked at Margaery, whose face could not hide her exhaustion, and said: "Queen Margaery, we heard on our way here that they intend to lead their soldiers directly to Storms End. This is not only treason, but it will also destabilize the entire army."
Margaery's fingers subtly curled; she met the stern-faced Earl Randyll's gaze for a moment, then subtly glanced at Lord Mathos beside her, saying: "Earl Randyll, by..."
She paused, then raised her voice: "By the Duke of Highgarden's name, I appoint you as the supreme commander of the Riverlands Bitterbridge army. From now on, you have the authority to deal with anyone who undermines morale, until the Duke of Highgarden arrives at Bitterbridge Camp."
Earl Randyll gave a very serious military salute: "Queen Margaery, thank you for your trust."
Margaery nodded slightly, her eyes flickering as she looked at Lord Mathos, saying: "I don't know much about military matters, but I think Earl Randyll needs a reliable quartermaster. Lord Mathos, I trouble you."
Lord Mathos nodded solemnly, accepting the command.
After a moment's pause, Margaery's voice was gentle as she said: "Earl Randyll, Lord Mathos, in the name of the Golden Rose, I once again thank you both for your courage and loyalty."
Earl Randyll and Lord Mathos first nodded in unison to express their gratitude, then exchanged a glance, and then both looked at Margaery.
Seeing this, Margaery spoke: "My lords, if you have any questions, please speak frankly to me. I respect you greatly, and I will listen."
Lord Mathos bowed slightly, then pondered for a moment, saying: "Queen Margaery, forgive my presumption, but... is it possible that you are pregnant with King Renly's child?"
As his words fell, Margaery's eyes trembled, and she subtly frowned. After a moment of silence, she shook her head.
Her face was both sorrowful and delicate: "My lords, I know this matter is very important, so I will be frank with you."
The corners of her eyes were slightly red as she continued: "We all know King Renly well; he wanted to wait until he sat on the Iron Throne before considering this matter."
Her moist eyes lingered on each of her two trusted vassals for a moment, and she said softly: "This was also an agreement between King Renly and the Duke of Highgarden. The Golden Rose keeps her promises."
She forced a smile: "If you wish, you may call me Lady Margaery."
...
Within the camp, Randyll Tarly and Matthus Rowan walked side by side.
Lord Mathos sighed as he walked: "What a pity..."
Earl Randyll walked silently, seemingly not hearing Lord Mathos's lament.
Lord Mathos continued to lament: "If only King Renly had left an heir..."
Earl Randyll frowned: "The Gods do not bestow all things upon one person."
Lord Mathos shrugged, saying: "That's truly not a funny joke. Lady Margaery's plight is truly sad."
They walked in silence, and the two climbed the camp's watchtower.
Earl Randyll gazed at various parts of the camp for a moment, then suddenly said: "Lady Margaery is not to be pitied; she is very strong, and she is still the Light of Highgarden."
Lord Mathos couldn't help but be slightly stunned; he smiled and shook his head, saying: "Old friend, thank you for your answer. I... am truly honored."
Earl Randyll was unaffected by Lord Mathos's teasing, and after a moment of thought, he said: "Those from House Florent must be executed quickly."
He paused, then continued: "The camp needs stability; we must carry out the execution in front of all the soldiers."
Lord Mathos nodded solemnly; he reached out and patted Earl Randyll's arm, saying: "Old friend, let me handle this; I don't want your wife to resent you."
Earl Randyll's wife was Melissa Florent, whose father was Earl Alliser Florent, who led the defection to Stannis after Renly's death.
Earl Randyll shook his head slightly, refusing Lord Mathos's kind offer, and said coldly: "I am the vanguard; this is my duty."
He added in his mind: I am saving my wife's family.
Lord Mathos offered one more piece of advice, then didn't press further, changing the subject: "Earl Randyll, the unexpected event that night happened too suddenly; we didn't have time to investigate thoroughly. Who do you think the killer is?"
Earl Randyll said coldly: "Stannis."
Lord Mathos's expression was somewhat shocked: "How do you know? Earl Randyll, have you found anything?"
Earl Randyll's sharp gaze shifted to the person beside him, saying: "Lord Mathos, it's obvious; he is the biggest beneficiary."
Lord Mathos nodded, having to admit that he strongly agreed with Earl Randyll's speculation.
He murmured: "Those who murder their kin are abhorred by gods and men..."
"Lord Mathos, I believe more in swords."
With that, Earl Randyll turned and walked towards the tower's stairs.
...
That day, dozens of heads were impaled on spears within the Bitterbridge Camp.
...
...
Stormlands, Storms End.
Dull, dark clouds hung over Storms End, and the sunlight weakly penetrated the thick clouds, casting a pale and feeble light upon the ground.
...
"After Lord Renly's death, the King has been plagued by nightmares, and even the maester's medicine doesn't work... Only Lady Melisandre can soothe him to sleep."
Davos Seaworth's fifth son confided in his father out of worry; his name was Davon Seaworth, and he was one of King Stannis's squires.
Is this why the priestess and King Stannis share a tent? To pray together? Or to soothe him to sleep by other means? This question was not only presumptuous, but he also dared not ask it, even asking his own son would be inappropriate.
In fact... after "witnessing" the shadow magic that night, he too had found it difficult to sleep recently.
The Onion Knight collected his thoughts; he should not question King Stannis.
After Seaworth had taken Melisandre back that night, he requested an audience with King Stannis at dawn, but was told the King was busy.
Several days passed, and he finally received King Stannis's summons.
...
Inside the camp, the stench of horse manure was very strong, mixed with the smoke of burning wood and the aroma of stewed meat.
On the way to the King's Camp, Ser Davos encountered many southern lords, each of them of nobler birth than him. They wore gilded and silvered armor, and their war helmets were adorned with silk plumes, feathers, or statues shaped like house sigils with jeweled eyes.
Near the tent entrance, Seaworth ran into Earl Alliser Florent, who had just emerged from the King's Camp.
Davos greeted him proactively: "Good day, Earl Florent."
Alliser Florent's breastplate was engraved with a brilliant red-gold fox, surrounded by a circle of lapis lazuli flowers.
Earl Alliser was tall, dignified, and wealthy in appearance. After Renly's death, he was the first to defect to King Stannis, and also the first southern lord to publicly renounce the Seven Gods and convert to the Lord of Light.
Davos thought... Not long ago, this noble Earl of Brightwater Keep was Renly's subordinate, sitting in his tent, helping him formulate battle plans and strategize how to defeat Stannis... Although he was Queen Selyse's uncle, when Renly's power was strong, kinship could not stop him from kneeling to Renly.
...
Earl Alliser impolitely scrutinized Davos; he gave a slight nod, then strode away.
Davos shrugged, stood at the entrance, and after hearing the response from inside, entered the King's Camp.
...
The furnishings inside King Stannis's tent were very simple; it was sewn from canvas like an ordinary soldier's tent, and the golden dye had long faded to a dull yellow.
Davos thought that without the flaming heart banner flying high above the tent, most people probably wouldn't be able to distinguish which was the King's tent.
King Stannis sat on a simple wooden chair, and beside him was Melisandre. Davos avoided the priestess's gaze and respectfully bowed to King Stannis.
Stannis turned to Melisandre and said: "My lady, I will send for you when I need you."
Davos, with his face lowered, couldn't help but frown; he noticed the change in King Stannis's treatment of the priestess.
Melisandre curtsied, her voice low and husky: "As Your Majesty commands."
As Melisandre left, she paused beside Davos. He stiffly nodded, and the priestess let out a low chuckle, sending a cold sweat instantly down his back.
...
King Stannis first motioned for Davos to sit down, then spoke: "Davos, I can see that you don't like that woman."
Davos was wondering how to speak when his King continued: "Smuggler, I am not blind; those fickle lords don't like her either. They are unwilling to wear the flaming heart; they request to fight for the crowned stag banner."
Stannis's jaw moved, and a subtle grinding sound was heard.
After a pause, Davos saw that King Stannis was silent, and he cautiously began: "Your Majesty, they need some time; I think they will get used to it here very soon."
King Stannis snorted disdainfully, saying: "It better be."
Davos couldn't help but speak frankly: "Last year they were Robert's men, not long ago they were Renly's subordinates... Now they have all become your loyal subjects."
He added: "Tomorrow, who will they turn to next?"
King Stannis stared directly at his Onion Knight for a moment, then said: "You always tell me the truth..."
He leaned back in his chair and continued: "Davos, you are right; behind me, there is a large group of traitors... I have punished people nobler than them for lesser crimes, yet now I must gladly forgive their sins... I also have to endure them buzzing in my ear like a swarm of flies!"
Grinding, grinding, King Stannis's teeth were clenching.
Davos advised: "King Stannis, you need these people to fight for your Iron Throne now."
Stannis's voice was like the winter wind: "Davos, I have pardoned them, forgiven them, but I have not forgotten."
Davos's gaze immediately drifted towards the entrance; such words absolutely could not be heard by others, or terrible things would happen.
Stannis ignored Davos's unease and continued: "My brother left most of his infantry at Bitterbridge. I sent my wife's brother, Ser Errol, to take command, but there has been no word yet."
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 40 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
[patreon.com/TripleCrown07]
Thank you so much for your support!!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"