The 'Golden Wine', a large merchant ship from Arbor flying the blue and purple grape banner, sailed on the sea, its bow cutting through the ocean like a giant's finger.
"After the Greyjoy Rebellion was quelled, the seas became much calmer!" a sailor from House Redwyne said. "The Ironborn are behaving, and there's no powerful pirate king in the Stepstones."
"That foolish King Balon is a thing of the past! Now the Narrow Sea belongs to the Butter-King and his slaver brats!" another sailor said mockingly, opening another bottle of firewine. "But none of that matters, as long as I have firewine and pear brandy to drink."
The rebellion incited by Balon Greyjoy became a laughingstock. Balon had intended to restore Ironborn glory but only brought shame. Balon's eldest and second sons died in the war, and his youngest son Theon was sent to the North as a hostage. As for Balon himself, he once again swore fealty to the iron throne.
"Across the Narrow Sea, they always manage to come up with new tricks!" Garlan Tyrell had already taken off his green robe and removed his golden rose badge. Garlan was tall, stronger, and had grown a beard. Garlan had changed into a purple cloak and blue armor, the colors of House Redwyne. The guards from The Reach who accompanied Garlan also changed their colors.
Garlan had to pay attention to the changes in the situation Across the Narrow Sea. The reshuffling of the Three Daughters' power was bound to impact Westeros again. In the past, the Triarchy fought against the true dragon after their alliance, and the Ninepenny Kings attacked the Stepstones after seizing the Disputed Lands.
"The Spider's spies are everywhere, and the halls of The Reach and Arbor are no exception. But Varys is a man whose thoughts cannot be fathomed, so we don't need to be too nervous," Garlan thought.
Varys the Master of Whisperers was deep in thought, but fortunately, not all of his thoughts were for the iron throne. Regarding the friendship between The Reach and Renly, Varys wisely never advised against or warned the king.
"Is the Butter-King a devil?" Margaery asked curiously. Margaery had also changed into a beautiful blue dress, covering her face with a mask. However, her slender figure and gentle eyes were still discernible.
"To the slavers and governors, yes. But to the slaves, he is the savior!"
"What kind of person would the Commander-in-Chief of the Wolf Pack Company be?"
"I know his and the Wolf Pack's story; their desire for revenge makes them fight in the Disputed Lands. He must be very powerful; Mercenaries worship the strong. He must be very fierce; otherwise, he couldn't trample the slaver cities underfoot," Garlan said.
"So, are we going to discuss cooperation with him now?"
"Not exactly cooperation, but I must meet the Butter-King and his army. No matter where the Wolf Pack goes, meeting them will give us more confidence," Garlan said. "The Disputed Lands are also a good granary. The Butter-King controls those estates, gunpowder herb, orchards, wheat farms, and so on. This is a kind of wealth."
"But what about The Reach's own army?"
"The Reach's army has an advantage in numbers and equipment. But war doesn't rely solely on these," Garlan said. "House Tyrell has missed many opportunities."
War depends on multiple factors: equipment, numbers, courage, logistics, and command. The armies of the North were weaker in equipment than those of The Reach and the Westerlands, but during the Dance of the Dragons, the direwolf force was still formidable.
The Reach is indeed rich and fertile, but it has a somewhat fragmented feel. In wars, House Tyrell always seems to be a latecomer. During the Dance of the Dragons, House Tyrell remained neutral. In the Blackfyre Rebellion, long-thorn did not make it to the Battle of the Redgrass Field. In the War of the Usurper, they also missed the bigger picture, stubbornly besieging Storm's End.
Margaery understood a little; House Tyrell believed their strength and position on the council didn't match, which is why they were determined to prove themselves.
"I want to meet this Commander-in-Chief and see if he is a The Conqueror, a Ninepenny Kings, or a man content with pleasure," Garlan said with ambition in his heart.
In the Disputed Lands, the Wolf Pack controlled the port they had opened, Free Port. The gray-white Wolf Pack banner flew high, marking it as Wolf Pack territory.
Many ships from all over the world docked here, filling the large and small piers, busy loading and unloading cargo. After the Wolf Pack took control of the Disputed Lands, a new port emerged to facilitate trade with the Wolf Pack Commander-in-Chief.
Garlan saw all kinds of ships: warships, whaling ships, merchant ships, ships from Lys, Tyrosh, Pentos, and even ships from Qarth. Although the number was not as vast as mega-ports like Volantis or Qarth, it was thriving, and the Wolf Pack had encroached upon some of the port functions of Tyrosh and Myr.
Garlan Tyrell watched with interest the Free Army's customs officials and the Free Army's garrison. Former slaves were liberated, full of vitality, and they were all loyal warriors of the liberator.
The Free Port garrison wore lighter chainmail and were responsible for maintaining port security. Their shields and short spears reminded one of the Unsullied's style, but the Myr crossbows had a strong trade city-state flavor. Nevertheless, the garrison appeared spirited and dedicated, and if an army was like this, not to mention the most elite Wolf Pack.
Gendry put Captain Harris, an escaped slave from Volantis, in charge of customs and the navy in the Disputed Lands, while Jorah was responsible for the port garrison.
"Please, noble guests!" When the Redwyne Fleet's merchant ship arrived, a clever but humble dock worker guided them to a special inn, the House of Freedom. This was the most bustling and lively inn in Free Port, and its real owner was the Free Army.
The demand for gunpowder herb from the people of The Reach quickly caught Gendry's attention, and Gendry was happy to receive the envoys from The Reach. Of course, all of this was done in secret.
Garlan and Margaery entered the House of Freedom with curiosity, reaching the highest part of the inn. They were curious, wondering which high-ranking official of the Wolfpack Army would greet them.
Outside the room, Jorah and Gray Wolf stood guard.
Gray Wolf made a gesture of invitation. Garlan analyzed from his face and demeanor that he was an Unsullied. In the Wolf Pack Company's kingdom, a dignitary guarded by an Unsullied, perhaps there was only one such person. Garlan was delighted, so he led Margaery to push open the door.
The silent Jorah saw Garlan and Margaery. He only regretted that they did not recognize him. Jorah's eyes held complex emotions. In a sense, Jorah and the people of House Tyrell were somewhat related. Fortunately, when Jorah got married, these two Children were still young and had not recognized him as their disgraced uncle.
Jorah's wife and Lord Mace's wife were sisters; they both came from House Hightower. Lady Alerie was the second daughter of Lord Leyton Hightower, Earl of Oldtown, and the wife of Lord Mace Tyrell, lord of highgarden. And Jorah's second wife, Lynesse Hightower, was the youngest daughter of Earl Leyton Hightower.
Garlan pushed open the door and saw the young man bathed in sunlight. He was tall and slender, with jet-black short hair and deep blue eyes, wearing a gray-white woolen tunic, the colors of the Wolf Pack. However, the young man wore a heavy, dark iron mask, obscuring his face.
"Welcome, envoys from The Reach!" Gendry said, his voice like steel.
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