The Mountain of Ice and Fire

King's Landing. Red Keep. Throne Room.

The Iron Throne, forged from the swords of a thousand defeated generals, stood majestic and imposing, its outward-facing blades fanned out like a fan.

The Mountain sat upon the Iron Throne, his imposing presence blending seamlessly with the throne's somber and resolute aura.

No king in history seemed more fitting on the Iron Throne than the Mountain.

The two sides of the Throne Room were filled with courtiers and warriors.

At the foot of the seven steps leading to the throne stood the seven Kingsguard, led by the arrow and sword master, Barristan Selmy. He stood in the center, clad in white robes, a longsword at his hip. Beside him was the former Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, Barristan Selmy, the most renowned member of the Kingsguard.

Daenerys Targaryen, the former mistress of the fearless Barristan, stood among the ranks of courtiers: in the honored position on the right.

Beside Daenerys stood her captain of the guard—Jorah Mormont from Bear Island in the North; her guard—Missandei, an Unsullied from Slaver's Bay; and her handmaiden—Missandei, meticulously trained and cultivated by the Good Masters of Astapor. Missandei was Missandei's brother.

In addition, Princess Arianne Martell of Dorne was surrounded by several family knights. Two Sand Snakes, seduced by the Three-Eyed Raven and followed him to Braavos, had already been beheaded by Arianne in Sunspear.

Besides Princess Arianne of Dorne and Queen Daenerys, the heavyweight figures included Lord Eddard Stark of the North and his vassals.

The presence of Daenerys, Arianne, and Eddard Stark among the courtiers sent shockwaves through the hearts of the Reach lords.

Most of the Reach lords were unaware that the House Stark, which had already become an independent kingdom, had also submitted to the Mountain.

The Reach lords were guided by Bronn, the captain of the Royal Guard, to stand on the left side of the hall.

The courtiers and warriors stood opposite them on the right.

Queen Janna Westerling sat beside the Mountain on the throne, on a high-backed chair covered with lion skin that had been added next to the throne.

The key members of the small council stood below the seven steps on the right, led by Hand of the King, Jon Connington.

The Mountain's gaze swept across the room, and silence fell instantly.

The Mountain said, "Lords of the Reach, I want to introduce someone to you first. Bronn, please bring in Lord Willas Tyrell."

"Yes, Your Grace," Bronn replied, bowing.

Bronn was a boorish man, unrestrained by etiquette, bullying those beneath him and arrogant to those above. When he was scraping by with the Imp, his language was crude, and he never respected the Imp. But before the Mountain, he was knowledgeable, courteous, and refined, just like a knight cultivated by the nobility.

The Reach lords looked towards the main entrance together, and saw two gold-cloaked guards pushing a wheelchair in. Seated in the wheelchair was Willas Tyrell, dressed in black.

The Reach lords were silent.

Some lords already knew that Willas Tyrell had become a member of the Night's Watch. Many lords had businesses, relatives, and sources of information in King's Landing.

Willas Tyrell's aura seemed good, as if he had not suffered any torture.

"My lords, I committed treason, a crime punishable by death. Thanks to the intercession of the High Septon of the Great Sept of Baelor and Lord Eddard Stark to His Grace, His Grace spared my life and gave me the opportunity to serve at the Wall. From now on, Willas Tyrell is a member of the Night's Watch, no longer the Duke of Highgarden, nor your lord."

The Reach lords looked at each other, and no one spoke.

They knew why His Grace had ordered them to come to King's Landing. The Reach would no longer be ruled by House Tyrell.

The Mountain said, "My lords, Lord Willas Tyrell's treason is undeniable, and he should have been put to death. But the High Septon of the Great Sept of Baelor, the Hand of the King, and Lord Stark of the North all pleaded for him, so I have pardoned his death sentence. The Night's Watch legion at the Wall already belongs to the direct jurisdiction of the royal family. I have abolished the laws that Night's Watchmen shall not marry, shall not be granted land, and shall not have children. From now on, Night's Watchmen also have the right to marry, have children, and be granted land. Ordinary soldiers can also become nobles and obtain castles by accumulating military merits. Soldiers or generals stationed at the Wall for three full years can apply to return to their hometown, or even retire. However, there is one condition: the transfer and stationing of the Night's Watch soldiers will be entirely in the hands of the kingdom's Master of War."

The Mountain was the Master of War of the Seven Kingdoms.

Most of the Reach lords were hearing for the first time that the Night's Watch system had been abolished and rewritten by His Grace. Although they found it difficult to understand and were surprised, after all, that was a law that no one had ever modified in eight thousand years—the Reach lords exchanged glances, were suspicious and uncertain, and felt inexplicably uneasy, but no one raised an objection.

The southern Reach lords had almost never participated in the defense of the Wall. In the thousands of years of fighting to the death with the wildlings, only the Stark family of the North had the deepest experience. No matter how fierce the wildlings were, the most out-of-control situation was only small groups of wildling teams crossing the Neck and entering the Riverlands to plunder.

For eight thousand years, no wildlings had ever been able to enter the Crownlands to cause trouble, let alone invade the Reach.

Minding their own business, the Reach lords had almost never cared about the defense of the Wall for thousands of years.

The Mountain looked at the Reach lords: "If any of you want to see Lord Willas Tyrell in the future, you are free to go to the Wall to see him."

Only a few lords responded insincerely, and most remained silent.

Willas Tyrell looked at Count Horas Redwyne, the two were cousins. Willas's grandmother, Lady Olenna Redwyne, was Horas Redwyne's great-aunt.

Horas Redwyne glanced at the Mountain, he feared the Mountain and was terrified. But he still mustered his courage, stepped out of the ranks, and embraced Willas Tyrell: "Willas, if you need anything, tell me, I will prepare it for you."

"I have everything I need, brother. I will marry and have children at the Wall, and live a peaceful life. My bride is my former handmaiden, Melody."

Horas was a little incredulous: "Willas, has Melody also come to King's Landing?"

"Yes, she is outside the door now."

"Congratulations, I will send someone to the Wall to see you."

Horas lived in luxury, and he would never go to such a cold place as the Wall himself.

"No need, brother, we'll contact each other by raven," Willas Tyrell said lightly. The Mountain had given him his beloved dog and eagle, and a bride, and he was already satisfied.

Although he could only live underground at the Wall in the winter, it was definitely a place where he could quietly read and write. With the king's supplies as a guarantee, he would not have to worry about food and clothing, and he would not have to worry about not having charcoal. The Wall garrison was now a direct legion of the royal family, and the treatment far exceeded the legions of the nobles.

After Willas Tyrell said goodbye to Count Horas Redwyne, the only relative he had left in this world, he paid his respects to His Grace and Her Grace, thanked the Hand and Lord Eddard, and then his wheelchair left the Throne Room. Under the protection of a team of Royal Guards, he boarded a carriage, accompanied by his bride, dog, and eagle, and the group slowly set off from the Red Keep to the Wall.

*

In the Throne Room, the Mountain looked at the Reach lords and said in a deep voice: "The Reach no longer has a lord. Do you lords have any suitable candidates?"

The lords looked at each other, and no one answered. If it were another king, the Reach lords would not be so fearful.

"If you don't have any candidates yourselves, then I will recommend someone to be the lord of the Reach. He is the young General Raynald Westerling. Raynald is the heir and eldest son of Count Gavin Westerling of Crag, and he is also Her Grace's own brother. His wife is Sansa Stark of the Stark family of the North. I think no one is more suitable to be the lord of the Reach than him. Among you, who has any objections?"

The hall was silent, and every Reach lord had objections in their hearts, but no one spoke.

"You are all silent, are you cursing me in your hearts for robbing the Reach?" The Mountain said slowly, his eyes flashing fiercely.

"Your Grace, I support General Raynald Westerling as the lord of the Reach," Count Horas Redwyne stood up and said.

Because of the case of former Hand Mace, the Mountain found someone to replace Horas's father, saving Horas's father's life. Horas felt that at this critical moment, he had to show his support.

"Count Horas, why do you support General Raynald Westerling as the lord of the Reach?" The Mountain said coldly.

Horas was stunned!

The Mountain shouted: "I want to hear your truth, Count Horas."

"Yes, Your Grace. Raynald is Her Grace's brother, and also His Grace's brother. Willas Tyrell of the Reach rebelled not long ago. If anyone else were to be replaced as lord, I am afraid that Your Grace would not be able to rest assured. Only if General Raynald Westerling takes charge of the Reach can Your Grace be assured of the Reach lords and not worry that someone will rebel again."

The Mountain stared at Horas's pale face, and he nodded: "You are an understanding man, Lord Horas."

Horas perked up: "Your Grace, Her Grace, General Raynald's wife, Sansa Stark, is also the daughter of the Duke of the North, a lady from a famous family. She is just worthy of the position of the Lady of the Reach."

This sentence was actually a bit powerful. In case anyone was dissatisfied, the power of the Sansa Stark family could not be underestimated. Lord Eddard Stark was famous for being rigid, upright, fearless, and dauntless.

The Mountain's gaze slowly swept across the Reach lords: "Lords, Count Horas Redwyne's words are my inner thoughts. This is also why I think Raynald Westerling and Lady Sansa are worthy of the land of the Reach. If Raynald and Lady Sansa do anything wrong, you can directly report to the royal family, and I will personally handle it. If Raynald has any private losses, I will never spare him, and I will definitely give you lords justice."

The Reach lords were all apprehensive. The Mountain would not even spare Raynald. If they wanted to make any plans, don't think that His Grace would easily let them go.

"Your Grace, Red Lake Castle supports General Raynald Westerling and Lady Sansa to enter Highgarden," Count Crane said loudly.

This was the first one to come out and express his support with full confidence.

Then came the Green Shield Island of the Shield Islands, House Chester, the Grey Shield Island of House Grimm, the Oak Shield Island of House Hewitt, and the South Shield Island of House Serry—the four major families stood up together to support Raynald Westerling as the lord of the Reach.

Finally, all the Reach lords expressed their support for Raynald Westerling and Sansa Stark to move into Highgarden and become the new generation of masters of the Reach.

Only Lord Leyton Hightower of Oldtown remained silent and did not express his support or opposition. His expression was stern, and he did not avoid the Mountain's gaze, which frightened the face of the lady beside him white and her lips purple.

The Mountain said: "Lord Leyton Hightower, are you dissatisfied with Ser Raynald Westerling?"

"Your Grace, Raynald is young, and his military merits in the civil war are not significant. I cannot be convinced by him."

"Then do you submit to my command?"

Leyton Hightower knelt on one knee: "Your Grace, I swear allegiance to Your Grace, and House Hightower will never betray you."

"Very good, then execute the order. I want you to assist Raynald Westerling in rebuilding Highgarden. You represent my will and be in charge of Highgarden. If Raynald is wrong, directly advise or propose changes. Raynald can only report to me and cannot directly punish you with the power of the lord."

Lord Leyton Hightower was immediately speechless.

"What, are you unwilling?" The Mountain shouted in a deep voice.

Lady Rhea Florent of Hightower was so frightened that she knelt down on both knees: "Your Grace, House Hightower obeys. We will definitely do our best to assist General Raynald in rebuilding Highgarden and assist Lord Raynald in handling government affairs."

"Lady Rhea, you will be Lady Sansa's guide, teach her, and assist General Raynald in handling the Reach's government affairs, military affairs, and trade, and fairly decide disputes between the Reach lords."

"Yes, Your Grace. I will do my best to assist General Raynald and Lady Sansa in rebuilding Highgarden and managing the Reach well," Lady Rhea Florent's head almost touched the ground.

"Get up, Lady."

"Yes, Your Grace."

"Lord Leyton, you also get up."

Lord Leyton Hightower got up silently. He was a person who was unwilling to leave even the Hightower, but he did not expect to be appointed by His Grace as the Highgarden Supervisor in the blink of an eye. He was unwilling in his heart, but he did not dare to disobey. He dared to resent but did not dare to speak.

The Mountain, as king, was different from other kings, decisive in killing, or rather, he had a cruel and terrifying side. It was best not to disobey him, especially in this Throne Room, in front of so many courtiers and warriors.

"Count Horas, you were the first to stand up and support Raynald Westerling as the lord of the Reach. I will reward House Redwyne with a large fief and a large sea area."

Count Horas Redwyne was overjoyed, but the Reach lords were heavy in their hearts, and everyone became uneasy. Lord Leyton Hightower was also panicked in his heart. Oldtown and Arbor were the closest. Did His Grace want to divide part of Oldtown's sea area and territory to House Redwyne of Arbor?

Although there were disputes between the Reach lords, every inch of territory had been clearly defined. Which family's territory was His Grace going to transfer to House Redwyne?

The next moment, when the Mountain spoke, all the lords were surprised, but they breathed a sigh of relief.