The Mountain of Ice and Fire

The Mountain reached out and brought Daenerys's plate and cutlery over to her, placing them politely in front of her.

"Thank you!" Daenerys offered a forced smile. Maintaining etiquette was a form of armor for her.

The Mountain looked at Daenerys: "Daenerys, if you were truly submitting, you would tell me everything about Bran Stark, without reservation. But you haven't mentioned a single word, so I know your true intention isn't submission, but to gain something else. Your change in attitude towards me occurred after we went to the Alchemists' Guild. So, what is it you're trying to get?"

Daenerys's expression shifted from the flustered discomfiture of being seen through to an arrogant self-defense. She said coldly, "The Mountain, I don't need to refute your baseless speculations."

"Daenerys, think about why I would take you to the Alchemists' Guild?" The Mountain smiled. Daenerys's defensive posture looked strong, but it was actually flimsy.

"…" Daenerys opened her mouth, but didn't say a word. She suddenly realized that it was all intentional on the Mountain's part, a trap to test her reaction. The Mountain was indeed as Littlefinger had warned her, this fierce and reckless man had completely changed and become very cunning.

"How could I really show the military secrets of the dragonfire cannon to others before it's even been made, unless there was some other purpose!" The Mountain lowered his voice, as if whispering between lovers. His lips almost touched Daenerys's earlobe, and the hot air from his breath washed over her neck.

Daenerys's body tensed abruptly, her back instantly stiffening!

"Since you want to get my dragonfire cannon blueprints and the secrets of gunpowder, I will promise them to you if you wish." The Mountain extended two fingers of his massive hand, gently playing with Daenerys's silver-gold hair. The implication was clear, and the Mountain believed Daenerys understood. What was Daenerys's purpose in sending Missandei to invite the Mountain to a feast at Maidenvault? It was nothing more than a… completely political… transaction! It was like Robert marrying Cersei, Jon Arryn marrying Lysa Tully, Nymeria marrying Martell, Rhaegar marrying Elia… the form was slightly different, the romance and morality were different, but the essential meaning was exactly the same.

Daenerys raised her beautiful neck again, lifting her chin, her eyes becoming sharp, the strength and glory of the former queen returning to her: "I cannot get your guarantee, Mountain."

"I am the guarantee," the Mountain said softly, his lips almost touching Daenerys's face.

Daenerys was about to retreat, but her body suddenly tightened, her waist encircled by a tremendous force that prevented her from moving. The Mountain's thick lips pressed down heavily, onto her red, moist mouth. Daenerys's mind exploded, she didn't know how long it lasted, until she couldn't breathe and a horrifying hiss came from her throat, the force holding her waist suddenly released, and the pressure on her lips disappeared completely. Free air rushed frantically into her nostrils and mouth, and she gasped for breath.

Daenerys realized she was standing, a table knife clutched in her hand, trembling as she pointed it at the face of the beast in human skin sitting in the chair in front of her: "…"

She couldn't speak yet, the feeling of suffocation made her whole body weak, and her thoughts were blank at that moment!

"Dragonfire cannons and gunpowder will bring tremendous changes to this world. To exchange them for a country, a marriage, a romantic affair, a moonlit tryst, a kiss, is well worth it. The difference between us is that I've torn away the fig leaf of propriety between nobles, while you hope to maintain that illusory and beautiful hypocrisy." The Mountain's words were like knives stabbing at Daenerys's dignity and heart.

"Get out!" Daenerys finally spat out the first word, the only word she wanted to say.

"I will leave, but you have to put down the knife first."

Daenerys's knife remained pointed at the Mountain. The Mountain sat in the chair, still taller than Daenerys standing on the ground. It was a sweet confrontation between a giant and a beautiful little girl.

"Get out, immediately, now!" Daenerys said two more words. Her breathing gradually smoothed, and her hand holding the knife became stronger.

"Your Majesty, please put down the knife first." The Mountain's right hand reached for Daenerys's knife. Daenerys's hand with the knife recoiled slightly, then slashed at the Mountain's wrist. But she slashed at empty air, the Mountain's right hand had already retreated, and his left hand came around from another angle, grabbing her wrist.

Once he grabbed it, Daenerys no longer had a chance to attack.

"The right hand is a feint, the left hand is the real attack," the Mountain laughed. "It's like yesterday when I went to the Alchemists' Guild with you, I let you see the dragonfire cannon, and I let you hear that I'm still researching gunpowder that's even more stable than wildfire, but yesterday's events were actually my feint, tonight we're enjoying delicious food in Maidenvault, this is my real attack."

"…" Daenerys felt her breath catch! She was horrified to discover that even Varys and Littlefinger combined were not as cunning and treacherous as the Mountain.

Daenerys loosened her fingers, letting the knife fall: "Mountain, you've gone to great lengths to get my beauty, you…"

The Mountain interrupted Daenerys: "Your Majesty, if I want to get your beauty, I can get it legitimately now. Everyone in the palace knows that you sent Missandei to invite me to a feast at Maidenvault, and it wasn't that I came uninvited. I could strip you naked on the carpet and have you right now, and no one would think I forced you. The people of the Seven Kingdoms would spread rumors that you were the one who actively courted me. In this case, I don't need to use the dragonfire cannon and gunpowder to make promises to you, because that kind of deception is meaningless, unless it's not really deception. As long as you're willing, I will definitely give you the dragonfire cannon and gunpowder. Think it over carefully and then send Missandei to notify me."

"Is this another one of your feints?" Daenerys's delicate chin lifted towards the Mountain. She was full of fighting spirit, like a warrior!

"That requires your good judgment." The Mountain picked up the knife from the ground and placed it on the table. "You need to change your prejudice against me. Prejudice has blinded your eyes, preventing you from seeing the truth. The seeds that Littlefinger and Varys planted in your heart have already taken root, but it's time to cut down that tree of prejudice. Daenerys, I'm no longer the worst villain in the Seven Kingdoms, and I'm no longer cruel and terrifying."

"Hmph!"

"Tonight, your food was delicious!" The Mountain pushed back his chair. "I am very grateful!" The Mountain strode towards the door.

Knock knock knock!

A polite knock was heard, and then the door was pushed open, Missandei's face appearing in the doorway: "Your Majesty, Grand Maester Qyburn requests an audience, saying there's a very urgent matter that must be seen to immediately."

"Tell him to come in." The Mountain stopped.

Grand Maester Qyburn entered with a slight stoop. He first smiled at Daenerys, whose face was strange, and then said, "Your Majesty, Prince Ragged has sent an urgent raven message that the Free City of Pentos has been taken. The Dothraki cavalry and the Donnel fleet are prepared to defend against an attack from Braavos."

"Very good, reply to Prince Ragged, ordering him to close the servant trade market."

"As you command, Your Majesty."

"Tell Prince Ragged to send confidants to infiltrate Braavos. Once Braavos has any naval movements, send ravens to both Pentos and King's Landing at the same time."

"Yes!"

The Mountain waved his hand, Grand Maester Qyburn bowed slightly, then saluted Daenerys again before exiting.

The Mountain turned to look at Daenerys: "Daenerys, the Free City of Pentos is the first step in my conquest of Essos, and it's also the base camp for my subsequent legions. The free servant trade market in Pentos is actually a slave market. The Free City of Braavos has fought with Pentos for many years, with the goal of prohibiting slave trading and buying. Although the Sealord ultimately won the war, and Pentos was forced to abolish slavery and sign laws prohibiting bulk slave trading and private buying, in essence, the free servant market is a market for slave trading and buying. I am now completely abolishing the servant market, completely prohibiting Pentos from engaging in slave trading. This is consistent with your efforts in Slaver's Bay."

Daenerys watched the Mountain walk out the door, his burly figure lingering in front of her for a long time. Tonight's feast gave her too many feelings and complex emotions. Missandei carefully entered, handing Daenerys a glass of water: "Your Majesty, the Mountain… what did he… say to you…"

"He is cunning, treacherous, full of tricks, and extremely deep!" Daenerys heard her voice softly say. She had the illusion that she was dreaming.

The Mountain's words were still booming in her ears: I am now completely abolishing the servant market, completely prohibiting Pentos from engaging in slave trading. This is consistent with your efforts in Slaver's Bay… You need to change your prejudice against me. Prejudice has blinded your eyes… I don't need to use the dragonfire cannon and gunpowder to make promises to you, because that kind of deception is meaningless, unless it's not really deception…

…And, the lingering warmth of the Mountain's thick lips… that suffocating feeling like drowning to death…

"Missandei, tomorrow we'll go to the Street of Silk to choose dresses!"

"Yes, Your Majesty. Dresses for four people or three?"

After a brief silence, Daenerys made a decision: "Four people."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Four people: Daenerys, Missandei, Missandei's brother, Jorah Mormont.

Missandei's brother is a soldier in the Mountain's Unsullied legion. The Mountain has already made Missandei's brother a guard for Her Majesty, and that boy is now guarding the entrance to Maidenvault. As for Jorah Mormont, the Mountain has not yet agreed to Daenerys's request.

Daenerys decided to go to Maegor's Holdfast to find the Mountain early tomorrow morning. If she went late, the Mountain would go to the throne room to handle government affairs, and she would have to wait until the afternoon. She wanted the Mountain to order Jorah Mormont to return to her side, she needed her own people as bodyguards to go to the Westerlands.

*

Early the next morning, Daenerys, Missandei, and Missandei's brother appeared before the drawbridge of Maegor's Holdfast.

Guarding the drawbridge was Ser Bronn and his Royal Guard.

"Your Majesty, do you have anything you need me to report to His Majesty?"

"Ser Bronn, I want to go in to see His Majesty."

"Oh, I'm sorry, His Majesty is not in Maegor's Holdfast." Bronn smiled.

"Oh? Where did the King go?"

"The King is in the training yard outside, in the woods by the Blackwater Rush."

"So early?" Daenerys was surprised.

"Your Majesty, our King is a martial king. Every morning, he goes to the training yard to train with the soldiers. Recently, he and General Jekko Loach have been training the Unsullied legions and the cavalry in battle formations."

Among the soldiers guarding the drawbridge of Maegor's Holdfast, there are rotating Kingsguard every day. They represent the authority of the royal family and have direct leadership over the Royal Guard. The Kingsguard on duty at the drawbridge today was Ser Garlan Goodbrother from the Iron Islands.

Daenerys's heart stirred slightly. The Mountain, even as King, was still so strict in his military discipline, taking action himself, without relaxing and enjoying himself. She couldn't help but hear the Mountain's rhythmic voice again: You need to change your prejudice against me. Prejudice has blinded your eyes, preventing you from seeing the truth.

"Thank you, General, we'll go to the training yard." The last sentence was Daenerys speaking to Missandei and Missandei's brother.

"Let them in." A woman's voice sounded from the high walls of Maegor's Holdfast.

It was Queen Jeyne Westerling. Beside her were two burly female generals: Brienne and Zelia; and a general: the thin and capable Lucan. Not far from these two female generals and one general, there were also four Kingsguard guards, who were only loyal to the royal family.

Clunk clunk clunk!

The drawbridge of Maegor's Holdfast was lowered, and Daenerys, Missandei, and Missandei's brother stepped onto the drawbridge.

A moment later, Missandei's brother, who was climbing the wall with Her Majesty to join Queen Jeyne, was stopped by a Kingsguard, who reached out. He was carrying an arakh at his waist, and a dagger was tucked into his combat boots.

"Ser Osmund, let him come over together." The Queen's voice rang out.

The Kingsguard Osmund Kettleblack, known as Little Mountain, slowly stepped aside with a serious warning.

Daenerys and the others came before Queen Jeyne. The Queen was not wearing a crown, was dressed in plain clothes, and had no makeup on her face.

"You are indeed very beautiful, very charming." This was the first sentence Jeyne Westerling said to Daenerys.

"You are also very beautiful, Your Majesty."

Daenerys was full of wariness towards Jeyne. She had heard that the Queen was a witch.

Missandei noticed that the two female generals guarding the Queen were as burly as mountains. Such large female generals were rarely seen.

Jenny plucked a silver hairpin from her hair and suddenly jabbed it into Daenerys's hand. The sting made Daenerys gasp softly, but the hairpin had already been withdrawn. Missandei's hand immediately went to the hilt of her arakh. It was a warrior's instinct, but Brienne, Zelle, and Luke, the three generals, didn't move. Their gazes, however, snapped to Missandei in unison. In that instant, Missandei's back was immediately drenched in cold sweat. He knew that if he dared to make any further move, he would definitely be pierced by three swords simultaneously.