Game of Thrones: The Road to Pirate King

Chapter 95 The Reaction of King's Landing

Before the smoke of the battle in Whispering Bay had completely cleared, the shocking news of the fall of Greenbeard Island spread like wildfire, carrying the stench of blood and acridity, throughout the castles of Westeros.

Inside the Red Keep in King's Landing, King Aerys II's reaction was not one of fury, but a shriek mixed with paranoid rage and twisted pleasure. He smashed a fine wine goblet against the wall painted with a map of Westeros, the crimson wine flowing down like blood.

"Useless! The Redwin family is all useless!" he roared, his voice echoing through the empty hall. "They can't even handle the pirates at their doorstep! And now they want my Kingsguard to be killed with them!"

But the Iron Islands' open victory was ultimately a challenge to the authority of the Iron Throne. He abruptly turned to the silent members of the Council and almost hysterically commanded, "Immediately issue the order! To Tywin Lannister of Casterly Rock! Order him to immediately assemble the Western Fleet and army and march south to wipe out those barbarians of the Iron Islands! Immediately! Right now!"

However, this order, filled with rage, sank like a stone into the bottomless mines of Casterly Rock.

Lord Tywin Lannister sat upright in his study, glancing at the urgent order from King's Landing, his perpetually icy face expressionless. His short, blond hair and neatly trimmed beard were impeccable, and his emerald eyes held only unfathomable calculation.

The Iron Islands attacking Greentree? This wasn't even bad news for him. The Redwyn family had always maintained close ties with the royal family, making them, in a sense, potential rivals in his game of power. Their weakening was in the Lannisters' interest.

Send troops to rescue them? To clash head-on at sea with the Iron Islands fleet, which has just won a great victory, is riding high on morale, and has demonstrated astonishing tactical capabilities, all because of a mad king's reckless orders? To send the soldiers of the Westerlands and their precious warships to fill this bottomless pit?

Lord Tywin Lannister tapped his fingers lightly on the table. There was no response. No orders to mobilize troops, no sign of a fleet being assembled. Casterly Rock, true to its name, remained absolutely, suffocatingly silent. He had merely sent a messenger with a cold message: "The Westerlands need to defend its own coastline"—an excuse that was impeccable, yet perfectly clear.

His silence is itself a powerful political signal.

In contrast to King's Landing's sluggishness and inaction, and the Westerlands' indifference, Highgarden's response was swifter, more intense, and also more complex and painful.

The Isle of Greenbeard was the most powerful and wealthiest vassal of House Tyrell, a pillar of their naval power, and a close ally by blood; Lady Olenna herself was of Redwyn lineage. The attack on the Iron Islands was tantamount to striking directly at the heart of the Reach.

The rose gardens of Highgarden seemed to be shrouded in a chilling atmosphere overnight. Although "Queen of Thorns" Olenna Redwin had long anticipated the possible disaster and was prepared to send troops to support her at any time, she never expected to be defeated so quickly—and not only that, the entire Green Pavilion Island was occupied by the Ironborn.

When the devastating news finally arrived, a cold rage still burned in her worldly-wise eyes. The daughter of House Tyrell had married Adrian's son, and her grandson carried Redwynn's blood; Greentree Island and Tyrell were already inextricably linked.

On one hand, she began to assemble the Reach's massive army with astonishing efficiency, and countless flags began to converge on Highgarden; at the same time, she ordered the mobilization of all warships still capable of sailing, preparing for a protracted war of revenge. The war machine began to rumble.

On the other hand, the shrewd and calculating Lady Olenna knew better than anyone that it would take time for the army to assemble, and the Ironborn's longships were currently anchored on Green Pavilion Island. A hasty attack could very well provoke those barbarians into a desperate act, resulting in the murder of her possibly still-living brother and nephew (Adrian and Pexter) as well as countless noble offspring.

Most importantly, at sea, even the Redwin fleet, which was known as the "largest and strongest," was utterly defeated by the Ironborn. The army that I have hastily assembled may not be able to compete with the Iron Islands at sea.

Therefore, while the drums of war were beating loudly, a delegation of envoys bearing the golden rose banner of the Tyrells, carrying an extremely complex mission, also hurriedly sailed to Greenwood Island.

Their overt mission was "negotiation," attempting to buy time through diplomacy, ascertain the Iron Islands' bottom line, and perhaps even ransom some prisoners. But their more crucial and urgent secret mission was to confirm the fate of Adrian and Paxter. They needed to see with their own eyes that Adrian and Paxter were still alive before Highgarden could decide its next course of action: either launch a full-scale war at all costs to reclaim their loved ones and exact revenge, or accept a harsh reality in despair and make a more ruthless strategic adjustment.

The delegation, carrying a carefully worded letter personally signed by Lady Olena and filled with great unease, sailed toward the island shrouded in a golden sea monster flag, which seemed to exude the smell of blood and iron.

Soon after, this olive branch of peace and the fuse of war were simultaneously held in the hands of King Coron Greyjoy.

The wording of this letter, like that of Lady Olena herself, is full of seasoned political wisdom and a sharp, restrained edge.

The handwriting was elegant and clear, clearly the work of Highgarden's best scholar, but what was revealed between the lines was undoubtedly the unquestionable will of the "Queen of Thorns".

The letter began with standard aristocratic greetings and a list of titles, but quickly got to the point:

To Lord Corren Greyjoy:

"We have been informed by the High Court of the unfortunate conflict that recently occurred in Whispering Bay. Our brother, Adrian Redwyn, acted rashly and without due consideration in this matter. We do not deny that his understanding and judgment of His Majesty's will may have been flawed, leading him to take overly drastic measures that offended the dignity of the Iron Islands."

"However, the war is now over, and the outcome is decided. The bravery and strength of the Iron Islands have been fully demonstrated. Continued bloodshed and suffering will not benefit either side, nor is it what the Seven Gods wish to see. Therefore, on behalf of Highgarden and the Reach, I call for an end to this state of affairs."

"I implore you, sir, to uphold the spirit of chivalry and the forbearance of a victor:"

"First, under no circumstances should innocent civilians on Qingting Island be harmed. They have no connection to the lord's decisions, and the sins of war should not be borne by civilians."

"Secondly, under no circumstances should my brother, Earl Adrian Redwyn, his son, Parker Redwyn, or any other captured members of the Redwyn family and nobles be harmed. Ensuring their safety and basic dignity is the foundation for all subsequent negotiations."

"To compensate the Iron Islands for the losses and offenses suffered in this incident, and in exchange for the safe release of all prisoners, House Tyrell offers fair and generous compensation. The specific form and amount of the compensation shall be negotiated by representatives appointed by both parties. Gold, grain, and timber—all are negotiable, and must satisfy King Greyjoy and all the lords under his command."

"I urge Your Excellency to consider this carefully. War is easy to start, but the fruits of peace are far more precious. I look forward to Your wise reply."

"Oleena Redwin (signature)"

"Mother of the Duke of Highgarden, advisor to the Keeper of the Reach."