Game of Thrones: The Road to Pirate King

Chapter 97 Before the Negotiation

The next morning, before the damp sea fog had completely dissipated, Tyrell's messengers, accompanied by a shaken Paxter Redwyn, returned by fast ship to the Tyrell army's temporary encampment at Three Towers.

Lady Olenna Redwin did not reside in the castle, but rather conducted her affairs in a large, well-equipped military tent. When she saw Parker return alive, a fleeting hint of relief crossed her sharp eyes, only to be quickly replaced by a deeper gravity. She did not rush to embrace or offer words of comfort, but merely nodded slightly, signaling for the messenger to provide a detailed report.

The messenger knelt on one knee, his voice trembling slightly with tension and lingering fear. He reiterated Euron Greyjoy's harsh conditions: a ransom of 100,000 gold dragons, and the demand to release only his son while keeping Count Adrian as a hostage.

He described in more detail the current state of Qingting Island: the port was almost completely emptied, all the movable ships had been towed away, and the castle was like a washed seashell, leaving only an empty shell. The Iron People warriors, like hungry wolves lurking on the ruins, had fierce eyes and were clearly not satisfied.

The news that the Ironborn had not massacred civilians, killed prisoners, or destroyed houses and facilities in the city brought Olenna Redwin some relief—the Ironborn had not gone too far, proving that they also did not want a full-scale war with Highgarden, and there was a good chance of negotiation!

Finally, the messenger, filled with great fear, relayed Euron's heartfelt warning:

"Madam—that Euron Greyjoy said—he said he could only keep those warmongers under his command in check for three days! He said many Ironborn were very unhappy with him because he had stopped the looting and slaughter—he said—if he didn't see gold coins within three days, he would lose control of the situation, and then—the Earl and all the prisoners would probably—" The messenger didn't dare finish, but the meaning was clear.

Upon hearing this, the vassals and knights of the Reach immediately erupted in uproar!

"Ten thousand golden dragons?! Why don't they just rob them?!"

"Arrogant! Shameless! This is extortion! An insult to High Court and to the entire Reach!"

"Start the war! Start the war immediately! Let those iron-blooded scum know what's what!"

"How dare they threaten to kill the Earl! Unforgivable!"

The angry roars and shouts of war nearly lifted the tent roofs. The nobles, their faces ashen, gripped their sword hilts, as if ready to charge out and fight the Ironborn to the death. Humiliation and rage consumed their reason.

However, amidst the public outrage, Lady Olenna Redwin remained unusually calm.

She didn't even look at the excited vassals, but simply tapped the armrest of her chair lightly with her withered fingers, as if she were contemplating a business matter that had nothing to do with her.

"Quiet." Her voice wasn't loud, but it had a strange penetrating power that instantly silenced the tent.

All eyes were on the short, old woman.

"The victors write history," she began slowly, her tone eerily calm, "even if they are only temporary victors."

They now have the upper hand, so naturally they have the right to make exorbitant demands.

She raised her eyelids, sweeping her gaze over the disgruntled vassals: "And we, now, are the ones who need your help. We want our people back, we want to avoid further losses. So, at the negotiating table, the disadvantaged party naturally has to learn to bargain. Isn't that only natural? What's there to be angry about?"

Her words were like ice water, extinguishing some of the impulse, but leaving many others feeling powerless and helpless.

Then, she posed a more practical question, her sharp gaze sweeping over those who were most eager for war: "War? Easier said than done. Do you really think these hastily assembled ships, these sailors still reeling from the shock, can stand against the Iron Islands navy, which has just defeated the strongest fleet of the Seven Kingdoms, on the open sea?"

Without waiting for a reply, she turned her gaze directly to her grandson, Parker Redwin, who had just escaped death.

"Parker," her voice softened slightly, but remained calm, "you've just returned from Green Pavilion Island. You saw it with your own eyes, you experienced it firsthand. Tell me, what is the true strength of the Iron Islands?"

In an instant, all eyes were focused on the young Parker.

Paxter Redwin shuddered violently, as if he had been pulled back to that sea of ​​blood and fire. His face turned deathly pale, his eyes filled with lingering fear, his lips trembled, and the horrific memories he had suppressed surged back like a tidal wave.

He glanced around at his uncles, who were filled with expectation and anger, and finally looked into his grandmother's eyes, which seemed to see through everything. With all his might, he managed to squeeze out a few broken, trembling words: "They—they are not soldiers.—They are—a bunch of madmen! A bunch of fearless—sea demons!"

These words, spoken by a firsthand witness and heir to the Redwin family, were filled with immense fear and despair, instantly cooling the fervor of the tent. The flames of anger ultimately could not withstand the primal fear of absolute violence and madness.

Lady Olena got the answer she wanted. She closed her eyes briefly, then opened them a moment later, revealing only absolute calm and calculation. "It seems," she said calmly, "that we do need to 'bargain' a bit. But not with swords, but with our brains, and—the Golden Dragon."

Lady Olena pointed in the direction of the Iron Islands and said to the messenger, "Thank you for your trouble. You need to return to Green Pavilion Island immediately and tell King Coron that I will be waiting for him in Old Town, at the Hightar family residence, in two days. I think we need to meet and talk."

The candlelight flickered in the hall, illuminating Lady Olenna's cold face. She waved her hand lightly, dismissing the lords and nobles as if brushing away a speck of dust. The servants bowed and withdrew, and the heavy oak doors slowly closed with a dull thud, separating the inside from the outside into two worlds.

Pexel Redwin stood on the carpet, his fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of his robe, his legs trembling slightly beneath the silk gown, and the soft clicking of his teeth could even be heard in the silent hall.

"Parker," Olena's voice cut through the stagnant air like an icy dagger, "stop trembling like a woman. Sit down and tell me everything that happened before and after the Battle of Qingting Island, in every detail."

"The sea fog was particularly thick that morning—" Parker's voice gradually steadied, his words like unraveling a tangled fishing net, slowly unfolding the bloody dawn. He described how the Iron Fleet sounded their war drums and pierced through the thick fog, how the black sea monster flags on the sails appeared and disappeared; he described how the Qingting Island fleet hastily engaged in battle, the golden grape flags torn apart by the cannon fire.

Pexter's narration flowed more and more smoothly, like a flood bursting forth from a dam. He recounted how Baron Greyjoy personally led the flagship straight to the command ship, how the Ironborn scrambled onto the ship's side like monkeys; how the sudden flames and smoke rising from within the city distracted the defenders; how Euron and his personal guard stormed the walls, captured his father, and seized control of the gates and drawbridge. By the time he finally finished speaking, sweat had soaked his back. Only the crackling of the candlelight remained in the hall, and the distant, faint sound of waves crashing against the shore could be heard.

"Wildfire in King's Landing?" Her voice was as deep as distant thunder. "To infiltrate Green Pavilion Island early, set fire to it during the naval battle to attract attention, seize the king, and lure the fleet into a trap—" She suddenly let out a soft laugh that was hard to tell whether it was praise or sarcasm. "The brave Balon, the clever Euron—King Coron has raised two fine sons."

Lady Olenna sighed and said, "Parker, go take a bath and get some rest. Leave the rest to me. This matter will be over soon, and Green Pavilion Island will return to Highgarden."

After Parker left, Lady Olenna remained silent for a long time.

She stood up, went to the window, and gazed at the deep night outside. As she turned, the candlelight flickered in her eyes: "A wise and rational person will always make the most appropriate choice. This is much easier than dealing with people who only know how to kill and rob..."