Game of Thrones: I am Dothraki, not a barbarian

Chapter 169 Forced Marriage
Garland left Rahallo's camp without bidding farewell to Renly, then spurred his horse forward and galloped toward Highgarden.

Meanwhile, Renly returned to his camp at White Poplar Beach and convened a small meeting of the lords and knights of Stormlands to discuss the ransom of the royal banner.

Family scandals should not be aired in public. Everyone sat around the ornate, carved black wooden table, lowering their voices and looking solemn.

“One hundred thousand gold dragons, that’s what Rahalo is asking for,” Renly said in a deep voice as he looked around. “We must preserve the honor of the royal family.”

The nobles appeared enthusiastic, but inwardly they were not convinced.

After all, 100,000 gold dragons is no small sum, and it seems that Lan Li not only doesn't intend to pay out of his own pocket, but also wants them to pool their money.

He monopolizes the glory when things are going well, but makes everyone else bear the burden when things go wrong. Time truly reveals true character, and Renly has gradually drifted apart from the king everyone envisioned.

At this moment, Roland Storm stood up and declared magnanimously, "Your Majesty! Stormlands will live and die with you! I personally offer 20,000 gold dragons to help Your Majesty redeem the banner!"

Amidst the astonished gazes of the crowd, Renly smiled with satisfaction and praised, "Lord Roland's loyalty moves me deeply, and the other lords of Stormlands should also eagerly learn from him!"

The other nobles cursed Roland in their hearts for being so tactless, offering such a high price and making them lose face.

But under Lanley's watchful gaze, they could only feign approval and express their willingness to contribute money and effort.

After the meeting, Renly was satisfied. He waved for everyone to leave and then discussed the details with Green Guards Goode and Roland.

Once only the three of them remained in the hall, Lan Li's expression suddenly turned sinister. He walked to the door, made sure no one was eavesdropping, then turned and whispered:
"Raising money to redeem the flag is just a formality; my real plan is to take advantage of the situation to launch a large-scale attack and annihilate Lahalo in one fell swoop."

"Your Majesty, isn't this too risky?" Roland asked in surprise.

Renly returned to the long table and sat down, letting out a cold laugh. "Compared to the victory of annihilating the Dothraki, what is this risk?"

“Her Majesty the Queen is in the hands of the Dothraki,” Roland said. “Could they…?” He didn’t finish his sentence, but the meaning was clear.

Renly gritted his teeth and said, "Margaery has already been violated! How can she be my queen if she cannot even protect her own chastity?"

Renly was just making excuses. He then changed the subject, saying, "Besides, we can't let the Reach and the Dothraki continue their ambiguous relationship. I think it's worth it to exchange her for a complete break between the Reach and the Dothraki."

Roland gasped, "Your Majesty, this..."

"Shut up!" Lanli slammed his hand over the wine glass on the table, splashing crimson liquid everywhere, and shrieked, "I want that barbarian to pay for this in blood!"

He was breathing rapidly, and it took him a moment to calm down. "Roland, you have been loyal ever since I made you Earl of Nightsong City."

"This time, I appoint you as the Deputy Military Commander of Stormlands, leading 15,000 troops. You will be positioned in advance near the agreed location, and when I and Lahalo begin our transaction, we will launch a full-scale attack!"

"This matter is known only to the three of us. If it is leaked, we will bear the consequences!"

What they didn't notice was that Brienne was standing quietly outside the door, having heard the entire conversation.

She had come to report on the defense situation to the king, but she overheard this shocking plan.

Brienne looked pained, tears welling up in her blue eyes.

She always saw Renly as her everything, giving him her complete loyalty and love. Although she knew all along that Renly would not reciprocate her unrealistic feelings, she was still willing to die for him.

However, at this moment, the noble and benevolent king in her heart was actually plotting to sacrifice his queen, a woman who was suffering.

Brienne has always considered it her duty to protect the weak and treat women kindly, and Renly's actions contradict the knightly oath she cherishes most.

She silently retreated, her mind in turmoil.

As a Rainbow Guardian, she swore allegiance to Renly, but as a knight, she also had a duty to protect the weak. Her father had taught her that true chivalry is not blind obedience, but following one's inner sense of justice.

How to do?
...

In the stable, Garland wearily pushed open the wooden door, hoping to see Vera's warm smile.

"Vera?" he called softly.

There was no response. Garland looked around and saw that the stable was empty, the hay was in disarray and scattered everywhere, the footprints on the ground were messy and there were obvious signs of struggle, and a few drops of blood were particularly glaring in the moonlight.

Just then, the sound of hurried wheels came from outside. Garan gritted his teeth, drew his longsword, and rushed out the door.

Outside stood Velas, drenched in sweat and his face filled with anxiety. "Galan! Thank the gods, you're back!" he cried urgently. "Vera has been captured! The bishop took her to the Highgarden Cathedral, saying he'd give the infidels a baptism of holy light!"

Garland's face turned deathly pale instantly, and he asked in a hoarse voice, "Is Vera alright? When did this happen?"

“It’s been a while,” Velas said through gritted teeth. “I rushed here as soon as I got the news. Garland, Vera will be alright, don’t worry!”

Garland pushed Velas's wheelchair and raced towards the Highgarden Cathedral, panting as he asked, "Whose idea was this? Was it Father?"

“Garland, don’t blame your father, he was unaware! This was Renly’s private decision; the bishop was bribed by him!”

Garland's shock instantly turned to rage. "Ranley! I'm going to kill him!"

...

Inside the Seven Stars Chapel in Highgarden, a colossal statue of a seven-pointed star overlooks the altar, while a hundred long candles burn, illuminating the hall brightly.

Vera was dragged and pulled by several burly men to the center of the temple. One of them was cursing and had a deep, bloody gash on his face, which had been hastily bandaged, and blood stained half of his clothes.

The bishop, dressed in a wide black robe with purple stripes, held a seven-pointed star scepter and looked down at her from above.

"Heretic, your existence has defiled the sacred land of Highgarden. Today, I will thoroughly purify your soul!"

The huge hall was empty except for the bishop and his entourage. A groom, dressed in tattered clothes and with a face covered in scabies, was brought forward and stood timidly beside Vera.

The bishop's booming voice echoed throughout the sanctuary, "The gods have decreed that this defiled soul must be married to a devout believer in order to cleanse her of her sins!"

Vera jerked her head up, her eyes blazing with fury: "Bullshit! I have a husband! He's Garan Tyrell!"

She struggled and tried to break free from the grip of the burly men on either side, crying out, "I'm carrying his child!"

The bishop ignored her explanation and continued, "To mate with a heretic is not approved by the gods! You are a harem, and the child in your womb is a heretical bastard; you must both be purified!"

“Hold her down,” the bishop said, raising the crystal high so that its iridescent light shone on their faces.

"Here, in the presence of the gods and the people," he proclaimed, "I solemnly declare that Leslie and Vera of the Dothraki are husband and wife, and from this day forward, they shall be one body, one mind, one soul, forevermore. Anyone who interferes with their marriage shall be cursed without mercy..."

"Go to hell...!" Vera roared.

Just then, the church doors were suddenly kicked open, and a deafening crash echoed through the hall.

Everyone turned to look, and Garan stormed in, sword in hand, his eyes burning with barely contained rage.

(End of this chapter)