Ice and Fire: Reign of the Dragon.

Chapter 55: The Tower of Highgarden

On the day that Longziel arrived at Horn Hill, Highgarden also welcomed its distinguished guests, Ser Mond Hightower and Prince Daeron Targaryen, who was fostered in Oldtown. The little prince will become Ser Mond Hightower's squire in due course. The heir of the Tower of Heaven brought a large team of 800 people, including 60 wealthy knights. The Duke of Highgarden, the young Lord Loras Tyrell, could not refuse their arrival. Fortunately, his wife, Lady Janethia of the Fossoway family, was outstanding, otherwise Highgarden would have been turned upside down by Hightower.

Lady Zhenxia prepared a luxurious palace with a garden for the heir of the towering tower and the little prince. There were marble fountains, lush flowers and towering ancient trees. The Tyrell family even brought in groundwater to build a bathroom that could provide hot water at any time. Even the picky Mond Hightower could not find any fault with it.

"Prince." Mond walked up to Daeron who was reading a book from Highgarden.

"Uncle." The little prince was so absorbed in reading that he didn't respond until Mond called him. He stood up hastily to greet his cousin. "Sorry, it's my fault."

Mond touched the little prince's short silver hair with satisfaction. "It's a good thing to love reading. Oldtown has the largest library in Westeros. When you grow up, I will bring you the books there."

"So, uncle, why don't we wait for my cousin Longzel and me in Oldtown." Daeron paused. "Nephew Strong." He whispered the latter noun. "I remember the letter said that his grand parade would arrive in Oldtown."

"Highgarden is more suitable than Oldtown, Your Highness." Mond put his hand on the prince's shoulder and did not directly answer Daeron's question. "Neither Hightower nor Tyrell have girls of the right age. The two families receiving the prince together can better show the enthusiasm of the lords of the Reach. It can also save the prince's time. After all, Dorne is still at war."

No boy would be at ease when hearing about war. Daeron was no exception. He became interested when he heard about the war in Dorne. "Uncle, what is the current situation in Dorne? Why don't we join the war?"

"The prince has conquered all of Stone Road's territory. Now, due to the mutual attacks between the three false kings in the heart of Dorne, many Dornishmen have fled to the territory ruled by the prince. Ports, cities and castles are being built there. The prince provides them with bread and copper coins." Mond said, "Your Highness, war is not that simple. If we join the war in the name of the kingdom, it will be a disaster."

Daeron nodded, not quite understanding. "I received a letter from King's Landing saying that my two brothers will join the war at the right time. What about me? Tesserion can already carry people to fly, although it can't fly far."

"Blue Queen" Tesserion, Prince Daeron's dragon, is a cobalt blue dragon with claws and horns as bright as copper foil. Unfortunately, it is still very young and there is no other dragon to fly with it, so it can only stay in Oldtown regretfully.

"Listen, Your Highness." Mond leaned over to the prince's ear. "Unless Tesserion grows up to be able to withstand the threat of bows and spears, King's Landing and we will not allow you to attack."

"Ah~" Prince Darren was a little disappointed.

"Your Highness, Prince Longzel is a brand new force. The situation in the kingdom has changed, but we are a step too late. Princess Rhaenyra has already made a big bet on him. The two Strongs following them speak for themselves." Mond whispered earnestly, "If we want to take back your brother's inheritance, we need allies. At least we need to keep the Silver Dragon Family neutral."

"What should I do?" Darren still stared with a pair of clear eyes, as if he understood but not really. His mind was now blank.

"Show the prince the true power of royal blood and leave a good impression in front of him." Mond continued to whisper. "At least better than Strong. After all, you are the blood of the silver-haired and purple-eyed dragon king. Leave the rest to us."

Darren still nodded confusedly.

Jiaoling, the main hall.

"Ser Harron, you might as well explain it more clearly." Lord Tully looked at the uninvited guest with some dissatisfaction. "Horn Hill respects guests, but uninvited guests are another matter."

Longzel looked at Haron Tyrell quietly without saying anything, as if waiting for Haron to continue.

"Prince." Haroon thought for a moment and finally decided to directly state their demands and cards. "House Tyrell hopes to gain your support."

"Do you know what you are talking about?" Lord Tully rushed to Harron's side, his voice rising. "You want to ask a royal prince to stand on your side?"

"Lord Tully, let Ser Haron continue." Longzel walked into the main hall and motioned for everyone to sit down. Lord Tully then let Haron go and led Longzel to the main seat. He himself sat opposite Haron and looked at Haron with dissatisfaction.

"Prince, the situation in the Reach is very complicated. It cannot be explained in just a few words." Harron sighed. "The Tyrell family is called the Governor of the Reach and the Duke of Highgarden, but it does not have as strong control over the nobles of the Reach as other guardian families. The departure of Earl Tully is a huge loss for us. As members of the Tyrell family, we all find it difficult to accept such an outcome."

"But it is legal for Lord Tully to pledge allegiance to me. After all, I am now the governor of the borderland." Longzel said with a smile. "Or has the High Court prepared more valuable conditions for me?"

"We are well aware of this, Prince." Haron explained, "We only want your support at the critical moment. The High Court can provide all the support you need."

"We don't need support right now, sir." Longzel crossed his hands and rested them on his chin. "A prince and a few earls can handle this matter, so there is no need for a duke to get involved."

"Food, gold, people, and craftsmen." Haron said, "Prince, support is not just about troops."

"How do you plan to transport these things?" Lord Tarly frowned. "Carload after carload so that everyone can see that Highgarden is supporting the war against Dorne?"

"No, sir, there is more than one way." Haron explained hurriedly: "The prince can issue an edict to recruit craftsmen in the Reach, and thousands of skilled craftsmen will voluntarily go to the prince's territory. The high-quality products of the prince's territory are urgently needed by Highgarden, so we will purchase the silk, glassware, wine and ironware of the Varese family at a high price, and your family's merchants can also buy enough food at a preferential price."

"Thank the Tyrells for their plan for me," Dragonzel said. "So, what do I need to give? Do you want me to publicly declare that Lord Loras is my friend? Or do you want me to ride a dragon to Highgarden when necessary?"

"Prince, if this is possible, the Tyrell family will be forever grateful for your generosity." Haron was overjoyed, but when he saw Longzel's half-smile, his momentum weakened. "Prince, the Tyrell family has only one extravagant wish. We hope to marry the future daughter of the Varese family for the descendants of Duke Loras, or to become the bedmate of the future boy of your family."

"Oh?" Longzel continued with that expression. "Lord Haron, do you think your family can compete with the royal family?"

"We do not ask for your children, Your Highness." Haron bent down. "The blood connection will provide us with solid support. The Tyrell family will also support all your decisions."

"I will consider it, Lord Harron, please tell Duke Loras." Longzel straightened up. "I value his friendship, and I hope he won't break his promise."

"I will, Your Highness." Haron was delighted, his face full of smiles.

"Your Highness, now it's our turn." Seeing that Haroon had finally stopped nagging, Earl Tully took the Broken Heart from the servant and knelt on one knee in front of Longzel.

"I, Lord Horn Hill, Donald of House Tully, swear to Prince Dragonzir of House Vareses that the Striders will forever be the vanguard of the Silver Dragon, until my bow breaks and my bloodline dies. I swear by the bloodline of Garth Greenhand." He raised his broken heart above his head. "The gods old and new bear witness."

"I accept your allegiance." Longzel stood up, took the Broken Heart, symbolically patted Earl Tully on the shoulder twice, and returned the Broken Heart to him with both hands.

"By the Tyrells, Lord Donald, may your bow still remain strong." Ser Harron gave his testimony as the old lord.

"Very well, now it is time to talk about another matter, Lord Tarly."

Longzel looked into Lord Tully's eyes and said with a smile.

Second update, the illustrations are of Oldtown and Highgarden from the CK3 Ice and Fire module, which are really well done.

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(End of this chapter)