Game of Thrones: Royal Game

Chapter 223 Throne Hall Assembly

Inside the throne room is a sea of ​​armor, swords, and bright cloaks.

More than half of the great nobles from the royal realm, the Stormlands, and the southern border gathered at the back of the hall and stood under the high windows.

Robert Baratheon sat high above them all, on the Iron Throne of swords and thorns, wearing his long-lost antler helmet and a suit of custom-made suits for a man of his stature. Silver plate armor.

He laughed loudly at the courtiers beside him, just like when he hammered Rhaegar by the Trident River back then.

Varys next to him was wearing a lavender brocade robe, answering his various questions in a low voice, while the Archbishop on the other side of him could not intervene in the conversation, just shook his head, and the crystal crown on his head radiated rainbow colors. Light.

First came Stannis Baratheon, Lord of Dragonstone, King Robert's second brother, broad-shouldered, strong-limbed, with a taut face and skin hard as iron from the sun's long exposure.

A proven commander who proved his military prowess many times during the Usurper's War and the pacification of Balon Greyjoy's Rebellion, this is the commander of the royal army that Robert will appoint today. Despite Robert's displeasure.

Just half a month ago, Robert received a letter from the North, and Ed Stark informed him of the bad news. up.

Aid came from nowhere, and a well-armed vanguard was formed, and these men passed through the secret passages under the Wall and came around to the rear of the Night's Watch.

When Ed Stark received the news, the three castles of the Great Wall, Shadow Tower, Castle Black and Eastwatch, had all fallen. Finally, the Umber family of Hearth City sent a raven to Winterfell for help, claiming that the number of wildlings was as many as ten Wan, marching from north to south.

This forced Ed Stark, who had already brought the army to Cailin Bay, to consider bringing troops back to aid, and wrote to ask for Robert's understanding.

It is impossible for Robert to refuse Ed Stark on the issue of defending the northern border, so he can only agree to his request. The problem that follows is that Robert must re-elect the commander-in-chief of the royal army.

The adoptive father, Jon Arryn, had been poisoned to death by the Lannister couple, and the valley has not responded to the royal family's call so far.

Best friend Ed Stark was dragged by the wildlings and could not go south, so he only sent a few nobles and their people to serve the king.

The old ally of the uprising, the Duke of Riverrun, Hoster Tully, became ill a month ago because the army of the Riverlands was attacked by the main force of the Western Territory led by Jaime Lannister and was almost destroyed. .

At this moment Robert had few choices as to the command of the army, and there were only three people with this ability and reputation at the same time.

The second younger brother, Stannis Baratheon, Duke of Dragonstone, and the No.1 general in the south, Lando Tarly, Earl of Horn Hill, came to King's Landing alone when Dorne did not send troops to serve as king, and wanted to serve his sister Elia Martell's Vengeance Prince Oberyn Martell.

Beyond that, not even the living legend of the Kingsguard, Barristan the 'Boldless', is up to the task.

Even if Robert didn't like his younger brother any more, he had no reason to pass him, and instead chose his commander from the latter two.

"Your Majesty, the army of the king's land has been assembled." Stannis knelt down in front of the Iron Throne to salute, his expression was always so serious that one wondered if he had forgotten how to smile.

"Brother, the Stormlands fight for you." Robert's third brother, Lord Renly Baratheon of Storm's End, stood at the same level as Stannis, and did not fall behind according to his age. Stannis took a step.Behind Erlu stood well-known knights from the King's Land and the Stormland respectively.

Renly didn't address the king as His Majesty like his second brother did, but directly addressed him as brother, with a smile on his face.From the look on Robert's face, he liked Renly more than Stannis.

But wars are not decided by preference alone, and Renly can't be a commander in chief, no matter how likable he is.

"Stannis Baratheon," Robert called his second brother by his first name, "I appoint you as the commander-in-chief of the royal army, and you will lead my army to the west to suppress the rebellion."

"I swear to break through Casterly Rock, and bring the traitor of the Lannister family to King's Landing, to be judged by the law!" Stannis swore immediately.

Immediately afterwards applause erupted in the throne room, and the nobles chanted Stannis' name. No one liked him, but this was procedure.

Then the roll call officer announced the entry of Mace Tyrell, Duke of Highgarden. It is said that he was a burly man back then, but now he is a bit fat, but he is still handsome.His two sons, Ser Loras the Knight of Flowers, and his brother Garlan the Valiant came close behind, all three in robes of green velvet trimmed with sable.

Garland and Loras are the second and third sons of the Duke of Metz respectively. Their eldest brother, Veras Tyrell, stayed in High Court because of a crippled knee. Oberyn Martell, Prince of Dorne in the hall, so that the two brothers cast unfriendly glances at him after entering the arena.

"The Reach is for you, Your Majesty." Duke Mace Tyrell naturally couldn't do other actions like his two sons. He went straight to the Iron Throne and saluted Robert.

Behind the Tyrell family are several great nobles from the south, Paxter Redwyne, lord of Arbor Island, Earl Matus Rowan in a snow-white coat, and Earl Randyll Tarly, who is slender and bald , Lord Leighton Hightower, Lord of Oldtown.

Among the Seven Kingdoms, the Reach Land is second only to the Northern Territory in terms of area, and because the Reach Land is rich in products and densely populated, their actual strength ranks first among the Seven Kingdoms.

As far as the earls standing in front of the Iron Throne are concerned, the strength each of them can recruit is close to that of a certain duke in other kingdoms.

Mace Tyrell brought this lineup to King's Landing this time, so he naturally had a big purpose.

"My lords are welcome to come from afar, the royal family will never forget your loyalty and bravery." Robert said a rare scene.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Duke Mace Tyrell replied with a smile, "I am here to ask for something other than answering Your Majesty's call to be loyal to the royal family."

"Your request, but it doesn't matter, I will definitely agree." Robert said grandly, this is not a question that needs to be considered. It is difficult for anyone who brings a hundred thousand troops to fight for you to make a request. Do not promise him.

Mace Tyrell's face lit up to see Robert so forthright.

"Your Majesty has a daughter, Margaret, who is waiting in her boudoir, she is really the jewel in the family. Margaret heard of your majesty's great achievements, and was fascinated by your wisdom, courage and chivalry, and fell in love with him far away. I implore your majesty Take her to King's Landing today, join hands in marriage, unite the two families, and create glory for generations together." Mace Tyrell immediately proposed.

For a moment, Robert frowned deeply. He really didn't expect the Tyrell family to propose a marriage at this moment. He turned his head to one side and didn't say a word.

(End of this chapter)