Chapter 298 Abnormal Operation

As the armies of the North advance, Highgarden is furious that Joffrey and Little Rose's engagement has been called off.

Originally, Highgarden was still hesitant about whether to support Renly. After all, Little Rose was engaged to King Joffrey I. Even if he supported Renly, the ultimate reward would be similar to what he is now. Therefore, most people in Highgarden believed that there was no need to support Renly. For this reason, the Duke of Mace even put Loras Tyrell, who had been lobbying for Renly, under house arrest.

But what Highgarden couldn't figure out was that King's Landing would announce the cancellation of Joffrey and Margaery's engagement, blatantly abandoning the engagement made by the former king, and do so at a time when King's Landing needs allies. A decision that goes against common sense.

So after learning the news, almost everyone thought that someone might be using this method of spreading rumors to drive a wedge between Highgarden and King's Landing. Although no one said it explicitly, many people thought that the person who spread the rumors was Renly.

So, they repeatedly confirmed with their people in King's Landing, and finally confirmed that Queen Cersei had really publicly canceled the engagement of Joffrey and Margaery in front of the powerful people in King's Landing. All the rumors were true. of.

"War! Only war and blood can wash away such humiliation!" Captain of the Highgarden Guards Aigon Leavell is undoubtedly a knight with a strong sense of honor. He can be said to be the representative of the vast majority of knights in Highgarden. , what he said is also the voice of the vast majority of knights.

Little Rose Margaery is a symbol of holiness in Highgarden and even in the entire Reach. She is the dream lover of countless knights and even lords. When King Robert forced Margaery and Joffrey to make an engagement, they had already Very dissatisfied, now King's Landing has directly canceled the engagement in such a humiliating way, trampling the face of the entire Reach to the ground.

For a time, not only the knights of Highgarden shouted to declare war on King's Landing, but also the knights and lords of other places in the Reach also petitioned Highgarden for war.

"The war must be fought. If our Tyrell family has not responded to such a huge humiliation, what qualifications do we have to rule the Reach." Queen of Thorns Olenna Redwin left after an extremely rare occasion. Garden, came to the Highgarden meeting, and made a decision directly before Mace Tyrell could speak, that is, the war between the Reach and King's Landing was inevitable.

"I have issued a summons to all the lords in the Reach. The lords south of Highgarden will gather at Highgarden, and the lords north of Highgarden will gather at Bitterbridge." The Duke of Metz, who looked gloomy, also said his Decision, followed Garth Tyrell, the steward of the High Court, and asked: "Garth, how many people are willing to respond to my summons?"

"The Hightower family in Old Town, the Rowan family in Golden Tree City, the Florentine family in Brightwater City..." Garth read out the name of each family that responded loudly, so that everyone present could hear it.

It can be said that all the noble families in the Reach have responded to Highgarden's call. It can be said that the cancellation of the engagement in King's Landing has angered the entire Reach.

"Where's the Summer Hall? Is there any response from the Summer Hall?" Before Gals had finished reading all the responders on the list, someone asked impatiently.

Everyone looked at Garth after hearing this. Everyone present knew that the attitude of Summer Hall was crucial to the direction of this war.

"Prince Linde publicly stated that he would not intervene in the internal struggles of the Seven Kingdoms, so he did not send troops or support King's Landing." Garth responded to everyone's questions, and while showing disappointment on everyone's faces, He also added: "But the Tengshi Town garrison stated that they would guard the south bank of the Blackwater River and prevent any fighting from entering the Reach."

After hearing these words, all the disappointment on the faces of the High Court dignitaries in the hall disappeared, because everyone knew that Tengshi Town and Shengxia Hall were one, and the promise of Tengshi Town also represented the promise of Shengxia Hall. Promise, this will undoubtedly give the Reach no worries. Even if they are defeated in the war, as long as the coastal road on the west coast is defended, the Reach will not be in danger of falling.

"After the army is gathered, I will personally..." The Duke of Metz looked at everyone, and then expressed his thoughts.

But before he could finish his words, the Queen of Thorns interrupted him and said, "You should sit in Highgarden! The Allied Forces of the Reach will be handed over to Garland as commander, and Randyll Tarly will assist Garland as deputy commander, etc. When the army is almost gathered, ask Loras to take some people to meet Renly at Bitter Bridge. Also, write a letter to Renly and tell him to be careful when thinking of reasons and not to act randomly. "

Although the Duke of Metz was dissatisfied that he could not lead the army, now that the Queen of Thorns had made her decision, he did not dare to say anything more and could only agree with the proposal.

Therefore, Highgarden summoned an army to attack King's Landing on the grounds of being humiliated by a regretful marriage, vowing to seek justice before the Iron Throne.

At the same time, Renly of the Stormlands also summoned the lords of the Stormlands to form a Stormlands army to crusade on the grounds that King Robert was poisoned by Queen Cersei, and the reason was that Queen Cersei and Jaime had incest discovered by the king. King's Landing.

The armies of various lords in the Reach also began to gather in Highgarden and Bitterbridge under the call of the Southern Guardian Mace Tyrell, and the Duke of Mace also directly announced to the outside world that he would form a coalition with Renly, the Duke of Storm's End, to attack the iron armies. throne.

I have to say that the reason Renly gave was very clever. It did not mention whether Joffrey's throne was legal or not, but it gave everyone a space for imagination, and people couldn't help but think about it.

Completely different from Renly's secretive declaration, Stannis's declaration was much more direct, directly claiming that Joffrey was the product of incest between Cersei and Jaime, not to mention a member of the Baratheon family, and was not eligible to inherit. He is the worthy master of the Iron Throne, and he also claimed ownership of the Stormlands, indicating that according to the order of inheritance, he should be the Duke of Storm's End and the Guardian of the Stormlands. He directly declared war on Renly and formed a fleet to prepare for the attack. Stormland.

Many people also couldn't understand Stannis's declaration of war, because in their opinion, shouldn't the two Baratheon brothers work together to take down the Iron Throne first? Why did Stannis declare war on the Iron Throne and at the same time declare war on Renly, who was supposed to be an ally, and attack the Stormlands first?

No matter what, everyone knows that the West, the Riverlands, the North, the Reach and the Crown have been involved in the war, and only the Vale, Dorne and Summerhall remain calm.

Of course, there is no need to talk about the Summer Hall. Linde informed through the Seven Kingdoms that he would not participate in the civil war of the Seven Kingdoms, so it makes sense that he would not make any move.

Due to Dorne's feud with the Reach, it is difficult for Dorne's army to reach the north and cannot participate in this war.

On the contrary, Gu Di behaved very abnormally.

There have long been rumors that the former prime minister, Lord of the Eyrie and Warden of the East, Jon Arryn, was poisoned to death by Cersei because the old prime minister discovered the secret of the adultery between their siblings and they killed them, so under the old prime minister After her death, Duchess Lysa Tully fled back to the Eyrie.

Now the North, the Riverlands, the South and the Stormlands are all crusading against King's Landing and the West. Logically speaking, the Vale should stand up and join the crusade at this moment. Moreover, Lysa Tully is still the Duke of the Riverlands. She is the sister of the Duchess of the North, and is simply a natural ally between the North and the Riverlands.

But what everyone didn't expect was that Lysa Tully actually announced that the valley would remain neutral and would not participate in this war. She even had people seal the Blood Gate passage and no longer allow anyone to travel with her. Even Harrenhal sent The help seekers were also blocked out, so much so that Duke Tywin captured Harrenhal without a single soldier. Later, he blatantly built fortifications at the entrance to the Blood Gate Canyon, blocking the passage of the valley's troops. possibility.

In addition to keeping the Vale neutral, Lysa Tully actually released Tyrion Lannister, a very important hostage.

It is not appropriate to say that it is a release. After Duke Stark's wife Catelyn Tully was forced to stay in Seagull Town during a storm, she learned that Eddard had an accident in King's Landing, so she wanted to go to the Eyrie to find her own home. He went to his sister Lysa Tully for help, but not only did he not get help, but when he was trying the little devil Tyrion, the little devil took the opportunity and asked for trial by combat.

What's even more interesting is that one of Lady Catelyn's guards betrayed her on the spot, accepted the employment of the little devil Tyrion, became the little devil's substitute for the trial by combat, and won the trial by combat. This seemed to many people Lady Catelyn rescued the little devil from Lysa Tully in disguise, which makes people have to doubt the authenticity of various rumors that have been circulated before.

The abnormal operations of various lords from south to north made the Westerland, which should have been completely at a disadvantage, gain the upper hand. Especially after Jaime Lannister defeated the coalition of lords of the Riverlands in the Golden Teeth, he had already led a team to besiege Riverrun, and Tai Duke Wen also occupied Harrenhal, and it was only a matter of time before the entire Riverlands fell.

At this time, a messenger came to the castle of Summer Hall. This messenger was Renly's messenger, and he was also an acquaintance of Linde.

Lind looked at Brienne, who had grown taller than Nymeria, and said, "I didn't expect you to respond to Renly's call. Not only did you join Renly's army, but you also became his rainbow. Guard."

"Your expression doesn't look like you didn't expect it." Brienne said with a smile: "Since Lord Renly is my lord, then as a vassal, you must respond to the lord's call."

"You are right." Linde sighed and said, "I am not as good as you in terms of knightly virtue."

Brienne shook her head and said, "No, there are too many things you need to worry about. Unlike me, I don't need to think about it at all. I just need to do things according to my own ideas."

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Lind returned to the topic and asked: "What did Renly want to do when he sent you here?"

Brienne said solemnly: "Lord Renly hopes that the miraculous fleet stationed in Dusk's Hall can blockade the Cape Marseilles so that the fleet from Dragonstone cannot land at the Cape Marseilles."

Lind frowned and said, "Don't ask for such tentative requests. Although Renly may not have much wisdom, it is impossible for him not to know that since I have made a promise, I will not participate in the war." Go."

Brienne showed a slightly embarrassed look, then puffed out her chest and said in a deep voice: "Lord Renly hopes to purchase a batch of food and weapons from Summer Hall, using two years of tax as collateral."

"Okay." Linde nodded and said, "You can talk to Moose about the specific amount. The amount you can negotiate will be considered your ability."

Brienne immediately showed a troubled look on her face and said, "Lord Moose is too calculating. It's hard for me to negotiate a good price. Can your lord..."

"No!" Linde shook his head and said, "I told you when you returned to Mu Lin Hall that you need to learn to become a lord, and negotiating with others and bargaining for benefits are also one of the lord's abilities. It seems that In the past few years, you haven’t taken my words seriously at all.”

Some sweat broke out on Brienne's forehead, and she couldn't help but wipe it away. The embarrassed look on her face became more intense.

"Apart from this?" Linde continued to ask.

Brienne took a few deep breaths to calm down her panic, and said: "Lord Renly has made an engagement with Miss Margaery of Highgarden, and plans to get married before the official attack on King's Landing. I hope that you can Go to Storm's End to watch the ceremony."

Linde smiled and said, "Is it with Miss Margaery? I thought the person he was going to marry was the Knight of Flowers?"

Brienne frowned and said, "My lord, speaking ill of people behind their backs and making such unconfirmed rumors is not the behavior a knight should do."

"Sorry, I was wrong." Lind readily admitted his mistake, and then asked curiously: "Did Renly propose to Margaery so soon?"

"Yes, Lord Renly has always been enamored of Miss Margaery, but he didn't show it before due to Miss Margaery's engagement. After learning that Miss Margaery's engagement was cancelled, he immediately told Margaery Miss Grey's proposal has been approved by the Duke of Highgarden." Brienne explained very seriously: "In addition to purchasing weapons and food, I also want to go to Highgarden to welcome Margaery. The lady will go to Storm's End to get married. After the armies of the major lords in the Stormlands are gathered, Lord Renly will get married to Miss Margaery, and then they will go to Bitterbridge and the Reach to join the coalition forces and march north. "

Lind nodded and said: "I will order the sentry towns along the way to provide adequate protection for your team to ensure that Miss Margaery can reach Storm's End safely. As for attending the wedding, forget it, I will have a long time in the future. I will stay in the Summer Hall for a while and won’t go anywhere else. Going to Storm’s End to watch the ceremony will only cause some wrong effects.”

"Understood! My lord." Brienne nodded, not surprised by Lind's answer.

Brienne then chatted with Lind for a while, talking about her experiences in recent years, and then she saw the sky gradually darkening before she stood up and left.

Just when Brienne turned to leave, Lind suddenly stopped Brienne. It seemed that she wanted to give some instructions, but she didn't speak for a long time.

"My lord, do you have something to say?" Brienne asked.

"Be careful of shadows, Brienne, be careful of shadows." Lind finally reminded.

It's just that Brienne looked confused and didn't know what Linde meant. She just looked at the shadow under her feet and remembered Linde's reminder.