Game of Thrones: I am Dothraki, not a barbarian

Chapter 36: Abnormality Everywhere
The terraces of the Highgarden Palace are stacked one after another, and pure white marble fountains gushed out, splashing water, drawing graceful arcs in the air, and making crisp water sounds.

The fountain is surrounded by roses and vines, with clusters of golden roses peeking out from the railings, and the air is filled with the refreshing fragrance of flowers and plants.

In the past, this garden was full of laughter and joy, but today, it was shrouded in a heavy atmosphere, and the eight nightingales that usually resided in Highgarden were nowhere to be seen.

The core members of the Tyrell family and major vassals gathered here, overlooking the beautiful view of Highgarden, but no one had time to appreciate it today.

The Duke of Mace, the current Lord of House Tyrell, was as big as a bearhound. He was clutching the railing tightly, his face gloomy.

He coughed lightly and said in a clear voice: "I summoned you all here because of the changes in the border areas!

Nightsong City has been taken over by a group of horse thieves! This is not only an offense to the Stormlands, but also a provocation to the Reach!

Therefore, I have decided that I will personally lead the Green-Armored Knights of House Tyrell to wipe out these bandits within ten days!"

Lady Olenna sat in a wicker chair, shaking a glass of Albergh Gold in her hand, and glanced at her son unkindly.

"Ten days? How long would it take to assemble an army and march?" she scoffed. "If mere horse thieves can capture Nightsong, are all the Knights of Stormlands made of straw? Mace, is your head filled with wine?"

Mace's old face flushed red, his lips slightly parted, unable to refute.

Mrs. Thorn is not someone to be trifled with. She often scolds people whenever she catches them. Everyone looks embarrassed and no one dares to respond.

Willas Tyrell, the eldest son of Mace, sat in a wheelchair. His lame leg seemed to be hurting again. He stretched out his lame leg with both hands, cleared his throat, and began to smooth things over.

"Grandmother, we're currently lacking intelligence. I think we should first send scouts to ascertain the true identity and intentions of this bandit gang.

Night Song City is easy to defend but difficult to attack. There must be some hidden reason why they were able to take it so easily.

Moreover, their goals are unclear, and if they rashly interfere in the affairs of the Stormlands, they might cause dissatisfaction among the other lords, especially Lord Renly."

Garlan Tyrell wore a green silk robe with two golden roses embroidered on the chest, indicating his status as the second son.

He also agreed: "Brother is right, we need solid intelligence."

He turned to his father and said respectfully, "Just like Grandmother said, the enemy was able to capture Nightsong City, so they are obviously not a mob.

Father's desire to defend the southern border is correct. We must not allow these bandits to threaten the peace of the Reach! However, a march requires planning. I'm willing to serve as a scout and check the situation!"

"Ser Garlan," Paxter Redwyne frowned, "Rashly leading an army into the Red Mountains would offend Lord Renly and even the Baratheons. Highgarden cannot intervene out of momentary concern; it could lead to unforeseen consequences!"

Garlan nodded slightly. "Lord Redwyne's words make sense. However, we can prepare for both scenarios. Sending scouts to investigate while gathering troops at the same time doesn't conflict."

Paxter Redwyne nodded, but there was still disapproval in his eyes.

As everyone knows, he controls the Qingting Island fleet and is invincible at sea, but asking these sailors to fight on land is like asking a lion to learn to swim.

Leighton Hightower said, "I think Garlan can take the scouts to investigate first. After all, the Stormlands don't want those bandits causing trouble right under their noses."

The Hightower family is an ancient family that has ruled Oldtown since the time of the ancestors. Oldtown is a city second only to King's Landing. If these horse thieves are allowed to enter the Riverlands, the prosperous Oldtown is likely to become their important target.

Olenna took in everyone's expressions. "By the time Renly gets the news, the war will be over. We'll have to rely on ourselves this time! Gods, I hope this isn't a test from some powerful figure."

"The Knights of Horn Hill are ready for battle!" Randyll Tarly stood up, the hunter badge on his chest gleaming in the sun.

One hundred and twenty kilometers west of Horn Hill lies Nightsong, and ninety kilometers north lies Highgarden. Randyll's decision to withdraw troops to support Highgarden while defending his own fiefdom effectively demonstrates his position. "Whether it's assembling an army or sending scouts, House Tarly will do everything in his power! Our shields and spears stand ready to defend the Reach!"

Margaery Tyrell, who had been listening quietly to the conversation and observing her grandmother's expression, stood up slowly, smiling gently.

"Grandmother is right. Nightsong is related to the peace of the Reach. We must act actively. However, the Stormlands are unreliable. We might as well test Dorne's attitude. After all, Martell has never had a good impression of the Baratheons."

The identities of these so-called horse thieves are indeed suspicious.

The Red Mountains run across Westeros from east to west. Although there are no wildlings or mountain tribes living there, it is common to see some refugees, thieves or exiled knights gathering there.

It's just that they are powerful in combat, and maybe they have the support of a big family behind them, maybe from Stormlands, Dorne, or even the Florent family of Brightwater, which has always coveted the power of Highgarden.

If you reveal your plan rashly, you will have nowhere to complain if you are tricked.

Since her grandmother didn't say it clearly, she wouldn't say anything more.

The most difficult thing among nobles is to control their tongues. All secrets are no longer secrets. Even in places where crows cannot reach, walls will grow ears.

"We also need to appease the merchants and civilians of the Reach," she said in a soft, soothing voice. "If panic is caused, it will affect the town's supply of materials, causing food prices to rise, the poor to starve, and the rich to hoard. Nothing is more likely to cause riots than hunger.

I think we should send out a few more patrols to demonstrate Highgarden's military might. At the same time, we should work with the border lords bordering the Red Mountains to prevent enemy forces from infiltrating Highgarden's heartland."

Olenna's expression was met with satisfaction, a rare smile breaking across her aged face. "That's what a wise man says, Mace. Even a little girl is more thoughtful than you. No wonder that drunk Robert keeps talking about wanting Renly to marry her."

Olenna made the final decision and ordered Garlan to lead a team of elite scouts to Nightsong City to investigate the enemy's situation and make sure to find out the enemy's true identity and intentions.

Vilas was responsible for mobilizing follow-up troops to ensure that they could be dispatched at any time.

Margaery was charged with stabilizing the Reach and preventing panic from causing a spike in food and commodity prices.

Mace will be in charge of the overall situation at Highgarden, assisted by Randyll Tarly. If the bandits dare to invade the Reach, he will personally lead the army to meet the enemy.

Olenna stood up, tapping the ground with her cane.
"Highgarden's strength lies not in swords and spears, but in wheat fields and gold coins. Remember, our greatest enemies are arrogance and stupidity! Don't always make me clean up your messes!"

The night was deep, and the only sounds around were the rustling of leaves and the suppressed breathing of two hundred scouts.

Garlan half-crouched behind the bushes, staring intently at the Night Song City not far away. The dark city gate was wide open, like a ferocious giant mouth, swallowing up anyone who wanted to enter.

Why is the city gate still open so late?

Yege City should not be careless in its defenses at this time. Even horse thieves should understand this, let alone a group of horse thieves with extraordinary combat power.

But there is something abnormal here. There is no one patrolling, not even anyone on guard.

"Sir Garland, do you want to send a few people to investigate?" the deputy asked in a low voice.

Garland signaled his deputy to remain calm. Such a big flaw could be a godsend opportunity, but it could also be a hidden danger.

Intelligence revealed that Count Blaise had been hanged publicly, while Roland and hundreds of prisoners were imprisoned in the castle basement.

Are these horse thieves careless or have they carefully designed a trap to lure people into it?
(End of this chapter)