The Mountain of Ice and Fire

Chapter 432: Price - Sudden Change (5,000 words, please subscribe)

Maegor's Holdfast, Queen Mother's chambers.

The Mountain and Cersei.

"Father cannot die," Cersei stated firmly, leaving no room for doubt. "He is also your father. We both need him."

"Then who should die?" The Mountain's left arm was in a splint, bandaged and hanging from his neck. His right calf was wrapped in thick white bandages, and his right foot was not in a war boot but a soft black cloth shoe.

"You can have the North, Warden of the North. Father has arranged everything. Soon, the North will collapse."

The Red Wedding! The Mountain knew!

But it was a huge trap. Lord Tywin had promised the North to Balon Greyjoy of the Iron Islands, Roose Bolton, Lord of the Dreadfort in the North, Tyrion, who married a fake Sansa and was eyeing it covetously, and now himself.

Even on the verge of death, Tywin and Cersei hadn't forgotten to continue plotting against the Mountain. The transmigrated Mountain had long known about the Red Wedding. Cersei's words proved that although the world's trajectory had changed, the Frey family's dream of becoming Lords of the Riverlands still burned brightly, even if it meant violating guest right.

"Eddard Stark has been missing since his disappearance. He is not so easy to deal with. He is a true knight of chivalry, but that doesn't mean he's a fool."

"You shouldn't underestimate our father's power. Although he is in the dungeon, the North and Dorne are still under his control."

Clearly, Cersei had visited Tywin. She was reporting Tywin's price. Tywin still didn't want to accept defeat? Given his personality, he definitely didn't. The Mountain didn't want to simply kill Tywin either. He was in a seller's market, the goods were in his hands, and the best course of action was to first name his price before kicking away the ladder.

"You say the Lord is controlling Dorne from the dungeon? If I'm not mistaken, it's Princess Myrcella plus my head."

"Only Princess Myrcella, not your head."

"I'm afraid Prince Oberyn Martell of the Red Viper will never agree to that. The bloody incident from back then is well known. Although the Lord ordered it to clean up Robert Baratheon's dirty work, it was me who committed the atrocities. I am the enemy of all Dornishmen."

"The real power in Dorne does not lie with the Red Viper, Oberyn, but with Prince Doran Martell. The negotiations our father has made are not with the Red Viper, but with Prince Doran. The Red Viper is on his way to King's Landing to attend the wedding of Joffrey and Margaery, also under Prince Doran's orders."

"If you don't offer my head, then what is the new price offered by Lord Tywin?"

"Dorne Sea and Storm's End."

The Mountain was shocked.

This was an amazing move that subverted the original territorial structure. Dorne's territory had always been south of the Red Mountains. This time, it crossed the Red Mountains and entered the Stormlands.

This was an incredibly unbelievable move, a price that was impossible to refuse.

The territory of Storm's End was not small, and there were many nobles on it, with considerable annual tax revenue. Most importantly, it was the territory of Stannis Baratheon's vassals after he claimed the throne. The Onion Knight, Davos Seaworth, had his territory in Storm's End. The family territory of Barristan Selmy, a member of the Kingsguard, was also in Storm's End. His brother, Donnel Selmy, led an army to join Stannis Baratheon's army and was captured alive by the Mountain's army under King's Landing.

The vassals on Storm's End were basically defeated soldiers who had been loyal to Stannis Baratheon. The king had the right to revoke their territorial power with a single word.

However, the nobles of the Stormlands would not be happy. The Dornish, the Stormlanders, and the Reachmen had been fighting endlessly over border issues for years. Before unification, it was a major war. After unification, it was small-scale battles. Small conflicts on the borderlands basically never stopped.

In this way, the Martell family won without a fight. They not only obtained the disputed land with the Stormlands, but also took a big step, stepping on the territory that belonged to the Baratheon family for generations.

The price offered by Tywin was irresistible to the Martell family!

The vassals of the Stormlands, as the defeated side whose king was killed and surrendered, no matter how dissatisfied they were, none of them had the honor to rally people to follow!

"Will Joffrey Baratheon agree?"

Joffrey, as the victor, whose father was Robert Baratheon, automatically inherited Storm's End and became the Duke and Lord of the Stormlands after his second and third uncles died and his cousin Shireen Baratheon went missing.

"All Seven Kingdoms belong to him. It doesn't matter which vassal he places Storm's End and Dorne Sea under. He is the King."

"Alright," the Mountain said faintly. "I hope your negotiations with Prince Doran of Dorne go smoothly. But I cannot accept the North that you're offering. The North belongs to the Starks. Even if the Stark family is destroyed, the North will always belong to the frozen Northmen. Southerners should not even dream of gaining a foothold on that land."

"What about the Vale of Arryn? The Arryn Valley is a treasure land. The land is fertile, the rainfall is abundant, grain is everywhere, and fruits, cattle, and sheep cover the mountains and plains. Once the Bloody Gate is closed, no one can invade."

"That is the territory Lord Tywin promised to Littlefinger."

"Littlefinger is the Duke of Harrenhal, not the Duke of the Eyrie. Our father's intention is to have Littlefinger persuade Lysa Tully to submit, not to give him the Vale of Arryn."

"Heh!" The Mountain sneered, "Then how can I get the Vale of Arryn? Does Lord Tywin want me to attack the Eyrie? Does he think anyone can break through the Bloody Gate? The Vale of Arryn doesn't trade with outsiders. Everything can be self-sufficient within the valley. The pie the Lord is drawing is very big, but too hot to handle."

"Master of War. As long as you become the Master of War of the Seven Kingdoms, you have the power to mobilize troops from anywhere. You can ask the Westerlands, the Crownlands, the Stormlands, and the Reach to send troops."

Master of War?

That was the throne prepared for the Red Viper!

Now it has changed, promised to the Mountain.

"Humph! Master of War is just an empty title. Which noble will listen to my orders and send troops if there is no benefit? Will the Tyrell family hand over their troops to me? Will Randyll Tarly listen to my command? That's just dreaming."

"You will have ways to make them listen. You are the Master of War. You don't need us to teach you what to do with nobles who don't obey, right?"

The Mountain shrugged, "Okay, Master of War plus Warden of the West."

"No, the West belongs to the Lannisters, always."

"I admit that the West belongs to the Lannisters, and Casterly Rock will always be Lannister, everything is Lannister, the same as in the past, but I want the empty title of Warden of the West. Warden of the West plus Master of War, I will give up the position of Master of Ships, but I must arrange the personnel. This is my price, the only price."

Cersei stared at the Mountain as if she didn't recognize him at all.

"We were going to give the Master of Ships to Prince Oberyn Martell of Dorne."

Heh, playing a switcheroo?

Empty Master of War, Master of Ships with real power. Letting the Mountain be Master of War and giving the Master of Ships with real power to the Red Viper. The Mountain is not a child, and neither is anyone else.

Why are we doing these children's programs? Is it Children's Day?

"Let the Red Viper be the Commander of the City Watch of King's Landing. This is a very important position, and also the Master of Laws. In this way, the Martell family can get two important positions. Dorne Sea, Storm's End, Princess Myrcella, Commander of the City Watch of King's Landing, Master of Laws, this is a heavenly price that no one can refuse."

"The City Watch of King's Landing is the Royal Guard. The Commander can only be a Westerman."

"Then Dorne Sea, Storm's End, Princess Myrcella, Master of Laws, this is already a price that Prince Doran cannot refuse."

Cersei smiled slightly, eased the atmosphere, walked over and poured a glass of wine for the Mountain and herself.

"If we agree to your price, you must also accept our price." She handed the wine to the Mountain, then gently sat on the Mountain's left leg, as the Mountain's right leg was injured.

Clink!

Cersei's glass gently touched the Mountain's glass, the wine in the glass swayed gently, like blood.

The Mountain signaled with his eyes, and Cersei stood up: "Your injury will heal quickly. Maester Qyburn is a skilled physician." She suddenly brushed her hair lightly against the Mountain's neck and whispered in his ear, full of imagination, "My door is always open for you." Her voice was very low, only the Mountain could hear it.

This trick had never failed Cersei with other knights!

The Mountain's expression remained unchanged. He gently put down the glass of wine, as if he hadn't heard Cersei's whisper: "Let me hear your price first."

Cersei had been observing the Mountain's expression and felt frustrated: "Our father is still the Hand of the King."

"Absolutely not!" The Mountain knew this was Cersei's little trick in negotiations.

"Kevan Lannister is not involved in the massacre in the Clegane lands. He is innocent."

"Humph!"

Cersei's confidence increased. The Mountain did not object to releasing Uncle Kevan!

Thus, the naked transaction continued.

*

Red Keep. Throne Room.

His Majesty the King, Her Majesty the Queen Mother, Master of Whisperers Kevan Lannister, Tyrion Lannister, Master of Coin Petyr Baelish, Maester Qyburn, Master of Ships the Mountain, Master of Laws Mace Tyrell, Captain of the Kingsguard Loras Tyrell, Bronn, Master-at-Arms of Casterly Rock, and a somewhat sullen Wagner Galbart, chief of the Claw Isle.

*

Wagner Galbart, chief of the Galbart tribe, nephew of George Galbart, the original captain and commander of the royal naval flagship War Hammer. Galbart Town was located on the easternmost part of Claw Isle, consisting of a dozen fishing villages, where every villager was good at swimming, fishing, hunting.

The reason for Wagner Galbart's sullen mood was that he had not been able to participate in the city-breaking battle. He led a thousand Claw Isle warriors on warships, responsible for guarding the warships and blockading the river, not allowing any other ships to appear on the Blackwater Rush.

This was a task that was depressing to death, and after the battle, he and his brothers had no military merit. They could only watch their comrades talk loudly and receive the enviable war rewards, not only gold dragon coins, but more importantly, honor!

*

His Majesty the King scanned the room, full of interest, with a slight upturn at the right corner of his mouth, a brilliant smile with a faint contempt for the ministers present: "Lord Duke Mountain!" He said directly, without any opening remarks or pleasantries. The manuscript prepared for him by the court supervisor was in front of him and had already been opened for him, but he disdained to read it. He despised false etiquette and disgusting rhetoric. "Duke of Dragonstone, Lord of Claw Isle, now relieved of the position of Master of Ships, promoted to Master of War, Warden of the West, those who agree, raise your hands!"

Everyone looked at each other!

The meeting of important court officials began so bluntly, without even a shred of a fig leaf?!

Yes, no need!

Littlefinger smiled: "I like the way His Majesty the King does things. I run a brothel, so I understand this very well. Many patrons come to the brothel, pick the lady they like and take her straight into the room, do what they need to do, straightforward and efficient. I agree!"

Littlefinger raised his hand, Qyburn raised his hand, Lord Mace Tyrell raised his hand... unanimously approved.

Everything had already been settled before, this was just a formality.

The King laughed and continued: "Ser Loras Tyrell, the Knight of Flowers, officially becomes Captain of the Kingsguard, those who agree, raise your hands."

Unanimously approved!

"I propose that General Wagner Galbart, the tribal chief of Claw Isle, be appointed as Master of Ships!"

Unanimously approved.

"My dwarf uncle, Tyrion Lannister, will take over the position of Hand of the King, those who agree, raise your hands."

Unanimously approved.

The position of Hand of the King was a position that Lord Mace Tyrell had tried hard to obtain, but after his mother, the Queen of Thorns, Olenna Redwyne, made him agree to let the Imp take the position and scolded him as a fool, he had to change his mind. Watching the Imp pin the golden badge of the Hand of the King on his left chest, he had a thousand words in his heart, but he couldn't say a word.

"Maester Qyburn, officially takes over the position vacated by Grand Maester Pycelle, serving as Grand Confessor, those who agree, raise your hands."

Unanimously approved.

The Citadel had already sent out the maester who would serve as Grand Confessor, but that maester was currently locked up with some other death row inmates in Qyburn's underground laboratory. Qyburn sent people to meet the Grand Maester outside King's Landing, and then led the Grand Maester all the way into the Red Keep, and he smoothly became a new research subject on his dissection table.

"Ser Bronn, the master-at-arms of Casterly Rock, will serve as Commander of the City Watch of King's Landing, those who agree, raise your hands."

Unanimously approved!

"Ser Kevan Lannister resumes his original position and continues to serve as Master of Whisperers, those who agree, raise your hands."

Unanimously approved!

The positions of important court officials, which used to take days and nights to process, were now quickly resolved in just over ten minutes.

"Archmaester Waleran of Oldtown, after investigation, participated in the massacre in the Clegane lands, sentenced to hanging, the royal family has sent ravens to inform the Starry Sept of Oldtown, the execution will be carried out tomorrow, those who agree, raise your hands."

Unanimously approved!

"Ser Daven Lannister, led three thousand new recruits from Lannisport to massacre the people in the Clegane lands, now sentenced to hanging, from tomorrow, Royal Executioner Ilyn Payne will personally lead a thousand members of the Royal Guard to the Westerlands to capture the executioner and bring him to King's Landing for trial, those who agree, raise your hands."

"Your Majesty," the Mountain said, "I am the Warden of the West. The bloody case that happened in the West should be handled by me personally. If I cannot catch the murderer, I will naturally ask for His Majesty's help. It will not be too late for His Majesty to send the Royal Executioner at that time."

His Majesty the King looked at his mother Cersei. This was a new problem, not arranged beforehand. The Mountain had temporarily changed his mind; he wanted to personally lead troops to the Westerlands to capture Daven Lannister.

Cersei was also stunned!

The Mountain actually changed his mind temporarily. Was his insistence on the honorary position of Warden of the West during the bargaining because of this reason? To personally capture Daven? But Father said it wasn't. As Warden of the West, besides having the right to handle blood feuds occurring in the Westerlands, he also had the right to intervene in other military, political, trade, livelihood, and territorial disputes, as long as he pleased.

Everyone looked at each other in dismay.

Cersei looked at the Imp. The Imp was now the Hand of the King; it was time for him to speak up.

The Imp cleared his throat. This was a mistake, because the Mountain spoke again: "Let's vote," he said. "I don't want His Majesty the King to think I'm disobedient on my first day as Warden of the West. A vote is the fairest way, majority rules."

The Mountain was the first to raise his hand.

Cersei, the Imp, and Kevan all felt a thud in their hearts. The Mountain had come prepared!

The first Small Council meeting had just begun, and the Mountain was already baring his fangs? What about the life of Lord Tywin, which he had promised? Would he change his mind at the last minute?

Cersei slowly leaned back in her chair. She slowly looked around the room and realized that the only two people she could truly trust were her uncle Kevan and Commander Bronn.

If matters were to be decided by a vote in the Small Council in the future, did that mean she only had two votes?

"We should all respect the law. Lord Mountain is the Warden of the West, and the blood feud also occurred on Clegane lands. I agree that Lord Mountain should lead troops into the Westerlands," Mace Tyrell said seriously, his mood instantly improving, and he raised his hand.

Captain of the Kingsguard, Loras Tyrell, raised his hand.

Three votes!

Previously, three votes from the Small Council were enough to pass a motion, but with the addition of the Tyrell family and the Dornish, the power structure of King's Landing had become more complex. Rules were made to be broken. The three-vote rule was abolished; a majority of votes from the entire council was now required to pass a motion.

Cersei coldly glanced at the Imp, Littlefinger, and Qyburn. Now it was time to see where those three bastards stood.

One person raised his hand: the gloomy Vargo Hoat from Crackclaw Point.

Four votes!

The Mountain only needed two more votes to win.

Whoever raised their hand to cast those two votes would reveal themselves to be the Mountain's people.

Cersei looked at Kevan, and Kevan was also looking at her. Both realized that the other was nervous.

One person raised his hand, the most important person of all: His Majesty King Joffrey!

Cersei's heart shook, and her face paled!

Kevan, the Imp, and Bronn all slightly changed color.

Five votes for the Mountain!

Only one more vote was needed!

The Imp felt cold sweat break out on his palms. He wasn't afraid of the Mountain entering the Westerlands to capture Daven Lannister. He believed that Daven had definitely gone into hiding by now, and had probably already taken his family by ship to the Free Cities across the Narrow Sea to live as a wealthy man.

The Mountain definitely wouldn't be able to catch anyone. What he feared was that the Mountain had other motives. He was the Warden of the West. Once he entered the Westerlands with his troops, if he wanted to do something, no one would dare to stop him, and no one could stop him!

The Mountain had changed!

Thanks to [Awalak], [Jin Xiao Yanei], [Soul Burning], and [Infinite] for their support and rewards. Thank you, handshake.