Around nine in the morning, the shallow bank on the west side of the Upper Rhoyne River, near a small hill, was unusually lively.
The caravan led by Aman Greenvine stretched forward like a long snake, with Greenvine Family knights in green cloaks and grey steel ring mail guarding the supply train.
"Roughly two hundred cavalry, plus some drivers and servants." His Majesty Viserys estimated the number of Greenvine Family members, and this was just the vanguard.
According to the usual ratio of one cavalry to ten infantry for a lord, the Greenvine Family's strength was at least comparable to a great lord, not to mention their other vassal villages.
His Majesty Viserys brought eighty cavalry, so he did not have a numerical advantage, but His Majesty Viserys had also arranged a unit of longbowmen and a reserve cavalry unit not far away, so the situation was not hopeless.
His Majesty Viserys adorned himself with black clothes and a red cloak, beneath which was silver scale mail, a gift from the Andal village that now proved useful.
His Majesty Viserys's physique was tall and powerful, not bulky, so the soft armor under his clothes was hard to notice.
His Majesty Viserys's sword belt held a steel sword and a valyrian steel dagger.
"If things go south later, retreat. Follow my orders," His Majesty Viserys said to Agos Black Pine.
"As you command, Your Majesty." Argus caressed his surprisingly ugly greatsword, his chainmail making him look like a small mountain beast.
Besides Argus, His Majesty Viserys also brought two guards, while the other cavalry waited.
"Are we going after those wine merchants, Your Majesty?" Argus asked in a low voice. "It's said they're very close with the slave traders of Tyrosh and the merchants of Pentos, not at all like andals."
"We'll act as the situation dictates," His Majesty Viserys said. Even a brute like Argus knew of the Greenvine Family's bad reputation; it seemed these capitalists were indeed detestable.
His Majesty Viserys had his cavalry maintain a good formation, while the Greenvine Family appeared more eager and submissive.
The meeting point was an open space between the two forces, where the Greenvine Family's servants had already laid down a thick campaign rug for negotiations.
On the rug, folded wooden long tables and campaign chairs were set up.
The cavalry formed two semicircles around the negotiation area, positioned differently, indicating something unusual was afoot.
"His Majesty Viserys, you are the hope of Andal, the embodiment of a warrior. It is the greatest honor to serve Your Majesty. Your Majesty, the Greenvine Family is at your command." The corpulent Aman Greenvine descended from his carriage and knelt before His Majesty Viserys.
The thin, pale, green-cloaked middle-aged man beside him must be his eldest son and heir.
"This is my eldest son, Jack Greenmantle," Aman introduced, his smiling face seemingly dripping with oil.
"They are not warriors," His Majesty Viserys thought, assessing the strength of the Greenvine father and son.
It seemed the Greenvine Family had brought other experts.
"This is my guard, Argus," His Majesty Viserys introduced. The tower-like Argus looked very intimidating.
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Aman Greenvine looked at Argus's physique. The dangerous one was Argus; while His Majesty Viserys was also dangerous, he was, after all, still a young man.
His Majesty Viserys naturally noticed Aman's actions. Very good, relaxing their guard against him would be their fatal flaw.
Argus was his disguise and reference; he, His Majesty Viserys, was actually a more dangerous opponent.
Beside Lord Aman were two fat, beardless old warriors, guards who were very plump, with faces as smooth as a baby's bottom,
each wearing a spiked bronze helmet.
"Are they Unsullied?" His Majesty Viserys asked.
"Indeed, Your Majesty," Aman said with a hint of pride. "I acquired them in Pentos. Although they are a bit old, they are, after all, the world-renowned Unsullied, and they were not cheap. It's just that after these Unsullied were castrated, they lost all joy in life.
As they aged, they just loved to eat sweets, so they became very fat."
His Majesty Viserys nodded, "How interesting."
When Unsullied grew old and fat, although still loyal, their strength began to wane.
Aman's servant presented bread and salt to His Majesty Viserys. His Majesty Viserys tasted it; it was just salty and astringent, and the bread was coarse black bread.
After partaking, His Majesty Viserys would also enjoy the Greenvine Family's guest etiquette, which, in essence, was the Greenvine Family providing shelter.
"I brought quite a lot of Andals wine and grain, and I apologize for troubling Your Majesty to come all this way," Aman Greenvine said with a hint of courtesy.
"It's no trouble at all. Seeing so much wine and grain, Lord Aman is indeed a loyal servant," His Majesty Viserys said slowly.
"As long as you like it, Your Majesty," Aman replied.
"Jack, you idiot, go get some wine." Aman scolded his son to fetch wine. "A pot of Arbor Gold wine and a pot of pear brandy, not our family's sour Andals wine. That's not how you entertain a king."
Jack Greenmantle looked timid and seemed still somewhat apprehensive.
"Please forgive me, Your Majesty. My son has always hoped for my death, but as you can see, I am still hale and hearty." The fat Aman replied with a touch of courtesy.
His Majesty Viserys was unconcerned, "I understand."
His Majesty Viserys watched Jack Greenmantle leave. This was a signal, and His Majesty Viserys was already considering the possibility of taking action.
Soon, Jack Greenmantle returned to the rug, accompanied by a wine server, a warrior with rusty hair and a hooked nose,
carrying a scent of blood.
"Andals has been quite restless lately," Aman suddenly spoke.
"Andals is calm and peaceful." His Majesty Viserys did not drink the wine, but was like a leopard lying in wait.
"I don't see it that way, Your Majesty. You are still a young man, and you've been led astray by the people around you. I think you should find a place to calm down," Aman said suddenly, his voice cold. "How about Greenvine Manor?"
"How dare you? Are you mad? I am the King." His Majesty Viserys feigned surprise, looking at Aman, his tone full of anger.
"I'm not mad, I'm just inviting you to travel to the Greenvine Family," Aman Greenvine hissed.
"Attack!" Aman roared, trying to retreat.
The servant pretending to serve wine pulled out a prepared sword and began to attack His Majesty Viserys. The Unsullied also seemed to awaken from their confusion. Everything happened very quickly.
This rusty-haired servant's reaction speed was faster than the elderly Unsullied; he was the main force in the attack.
"Seize the King!" Aman ordered. The Unsullied moved to block Argus, believing that blocking Argus would ensure success.
"Thank you for your gift, I also have a gift for you." His Majesty Viserys reacted instantly; he had already been preparing for a counterattack.
Argus also quickly stood up.
Argus immediately overturned the campaign table, and the wine bottles and cups on it shattered on the rug, making a cracking sound.
"Who dares to come closer?" Argus roared, drawing his sword.
"Stop the assassin for me!" His Majesty Viserys commanded.
The assassin tried to attack His Majesty Viserys but was entangled by Argus. His Majesty Viserys paid no attention to the rusty-haired assassin; his focus was on Aman and his son.
His Majesty Viserys's movements were astonishingly fast, swift as a snake, quick as a deer.
His Majesty Viserys did not retreat but advanced, his target for a critical strike being Aman. It wasn't Aman who was hijacking him, but he who was swiftly taking down his opponent.
"You!" Aman Greenvine was startled. Aman had not expected His Majesty Viserys's movements to be so fast.
"I forgot to tell you, I am actually the more dangerous warrior." His Majesty Viserys kicked Aman in the body, then drew his dragonbone dagger and mercilessly pinned the fat man's hand to the rug, right into the earth beneath.
The dragonbone valyrian steel dagger cut through metal and stone, blood flowed profusely, and Aman Greenvine's heart-wrenching screams of pain filled the air.
"My hand!"
"My hand!"
Aman pulled back a corner of His Majesty Viserys's sleeve, only to find silver scale mail underneath.
Suddenly, Aman felt a sense of utter defeat. His long-planned conspiracy now seemed like a joke.
He had calculated everything correctly, except that he had underestimated his opponent, His Majesty Viserys.
And in war, such an oversight is fatal.
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