iron throne of ice and fire

Chapter 413 Green's List

Green Crabbe smiled slightly and said, "Is the Muton family well behaved?"

Dick Crab leaned back in his chair, scratched his hair, and said, "They generally obeyed my orders. Yilanruo (the heir of the Earl of Maiden Spring and his wife) made a lot of efforts. I also understand their mentality. If the ruler of Crab Claw Peninsula was replaced by an outsider, I might have taken more extreme actions... I think after Yilanruo gives birth to our child, they will have to support me for the sake of the child..."

As he spoke, Dick suddenly laughed, his eyes full of joy: "Lord Green, Yilanruo is pregnant. I asked the maester of Maiden Spring Town to confirm it several times before I left."

Green stared at Dick, who was grinning, for a moment and said with a smile, "Congratulations, and may the gods bless your wife and children."

After receiving the blessing, Dick laughed again, paused, and said, "Now I am looking forward to..."

He paused, looked around cautiously, and said in a low voice, "The day when Her Royal Highness the Princess gives birth to your heir will be the most grand festival in the Kleber Territory."

Green's eyes involuntarily moved to the location of the Eagle's Nest on the map. He paused and murmured, "Before that, I need to end the war in the Riverlands as soon as possible, but..."

He looked at Dick who had a puzzled expression on his face: "Let's talk about me next time. Let's get back to the topic just now..."

His tone was calm: "Dick, which of the sworn knights you brought here are dissatisfied with you being the governor of Maiden Spring?"

Dick's smile faded, and he cautiously asked, "Lord Green, what do you mean?"

Green nodded: "I can be your sword and help you deal with those who can't tell their true master."

Dick's back was immediately covered with cold sweat. He swallowed hard and said, "This... this... they... after all..."

After waiting for a while, seeing Dick just trembling his lips and unable to utter a complete sentence for a long time, Green slowly said: "My people, you have a kind heart, and I appreciate it, but..."

He sighed with a little disappointment: "Do you still remember how the legendary hero of the Kleber family, Clarence, ended the mutual slaughter in Crab Claw Peninsula?"

Without waiting for Dick to reply, he continued, "It is sword and blood, Dick Crabbe. This is the foundation of Crabbe's rule over the territory."

Green pointed a finger at Dick and said seriously, "The kindness of the Kleber family is bestowed on those who truly submit. Land and gold are rewards given by the Kleber family to those who are loyal, because the Kleber family is not only kind, but also generous enough."

In the solemn atmosphere, Dick's Adam's apple rolled and he stammered, "Lord Green, did I do something wrong?"

Green nodded slightly. "Yes, if they are loyal people, your kindness is a manifestation of mercy, but if they are dissatisfied with your rule, it is a manifestation of weakness as a ruler."

After saying that, Green stood up, and when he passed by Dick, he put out his hand to stop him from standing up.

"Although I am the Duke of the Eagle's Nest, to the nobles who value bloodline above all else, Kleber is still a half-wild noble from the Crab Claw Peninsula. Once the Seven Kingdoms have restored peace, the longer it takes... this situation will become more serious, and Kleber's bloodline will become the best excuse for them to resist Kleber's rule."

"Ser Brienne, do not let anyone disturb us."

After giving the order, Green returned to his chair with the wine jug and two empty glasses.

While Green was pouring the wine, Dick finally came back to his senses from the shock. His lips trembled as he managed to squeeze out his voice: "You want to kill them all...?"

Think about the end of the Valley Knights. Once... Crab Claw Peninsula had been oppressed by the Valley nobles for more than ten years, and Dick himself was one of the victims. He always felt that this was a blood debt that must be paid with blood, but after listening to the lord's analysis today, he instantly thought of many things.

Green chuckled and pushed a wine glass to Dick: "That's not the case, but I'm glad you had such an idea."

Picking up the wine glass and taking a big sip of summer red, Dick's smile trembled: "I just want to make a contribution to the family."

"very good."

After a pause, Green raised his eyebrows slightly: "My proposal is just a suggestion. You choose how to deal with them... continue to trust them or hang them directly. This is the power I give you."

He gently frowned, "With unity, we can make a strong city...If you don't want to let the blood flow in Maiden Spring Town and consolidate your rule, as your lord, I will still choose to help you."

As Dick looked extremely moved, Green pointed his finger at the royal territory - Antler Castle (located southwest of Maiden Spring, west of Crow's Roost, and northwest of Duskdale and Rossby).

"I can also give you the Deerhorn Territory, and at the right time, grant you the title of Duke, and let you rule over the territories of Maiden Spring Town and Deerhorn Castle. In this way... your patience and kindness will not be mistaken for your weakness."

Duke? Duke Dick Crabbe? Dick couldn't help but open his eyes wide: "Lord Green, Antler Territory belongs to the Crown Territory, and Maiden Spring Territory belongs to the Riverlands..."

Dick opened his mouth but couldn't continue speaking because he suddenly remembered what the adult in front of him was going to do.

Green looked at Dick, whose forehead was already covered with sweat, with his brown eyes, and said, "Are you satisfied with my proposal, Dick Crab?"

Dick swallowed, he was actually very scared at this moment... Yes, Lord Green was indeed generous enough, but it came at a price.

Last time, he killed a Targaryen king (Viserys, chapter 202)...

And this time, who should he kill to get the Staghorn Collar and the title of Duke?

United we stand...Others may consider how to refuse potentially dangerous missions, but he absolutely cannot, because this is his responsibility and obligation as a member of Kleber.

Soon, Dick shook his body and made up his mind: "Lord Green, Dick Crabbe is always at your service."

There are only two men in the main branch and branch of Crab. Although Dick lacks the courage of a warrior, he has the courage to assume the responsibilities and obligations of Crab, and he is kind and upright... This makes Green reconsider his "value".

"I look forward to your performance."

Green put down his wine glass, reached out and picked up a rolled parchment and threw it over: "Take a look at this first."

Dick took the parchment and unfolded it, then he lowered his head and began to read. It seemed to be a list... and these surnames...

After waiting for a while, seeing Dick looking up from the parchment, Green took a sip of Summer Red and said, "Did you see anything?"

Dick quickly glanced at the parchment in his hand and said, "It seems to contain the names of the lords of the riverland..."

Green nodded and said, "To be precise, it is a list of the lords in the western part of the Riverlands."

He shook the glass in his hand. "The river lords above were all actively involved in the war to overthrow the Targaryen Iron Throne. They played a role in Baratheon sitting on the Iron Throne."

As soon as he finished speaking, Dick's hand holding the parchment trembled.

Green continued, "Loyalty is commendable. The river lords who are not on this list (the main area is the eastern part of the river, Robb and Tywin suffered heavy losses in the battle of the river) deserve the protection of Crab, just like the Murton family in Maiden Spring. This is one of the reasons why I don't object to you protecting Murton."

Dick's mind was in a mess, and it seemed as if countless bees were buzzing in his ears. He swallowed his saliva again and said in a trembling voice: "Lord Green, the people on this list......" Green stared at Dick's uneasy eyes, tapped his chin, and said: "Dick, I need you to be my knife, the families on the list... at least half of them must be cleared out, in the name of King Baratheon."

Dick's thin face turned red, his whole body was trembling slightly, and even his breathing became rapid. He himself didn't know whether it was because of fear or excitement.

"Lord... Lord... Lin, what should I do?"

"Kleiber's army is gathering in Salt Pan Town. Let's hurry over there as soon as possible. After the combat meeting is over, the two of us can continue today's topic."

After returning to his tent, Dick tossed and turned in bed almost the entire night.

The next morning, Dick, who had finally gotten a nap, was woken up by his servant, telling him that it was time to get ready to set off.

When it was time to set off, Dick climbed onto the horse and felt as sleepy as the black puppy his wife kept.

The horse clattered slowly toward the largest swamp marigold flag, while Dick, sleepy-eyed, swayed in the saddle.

Looking at Dick who yawned deeply from time to time, Green couldn't help but smile: "Didn't you sleep well?"

Hearing Green's voice, Dick rubbed his face quickly and said with all his strength, "Forgive me for being rash. Uh, the insects were too loud last night and I couldn't fall asleep."

Lord Green revealed part of the plan in advance in order to give Dick time to "digest" it. He was not surprised by Dick's current state.

"I received news this morning that the Grand Sept of Baelor has elected a new Archbishop, named High Sparrow."

Dick blinked, tears welling up in the corners of his eyes. He asked in confusion, "High Sparrow? I seem to have heard of this name... Oh! The monks in Maiden Spring mentioned this name, and they didn't seem to like him."

They rode slowly, side by side. Green continued, "He advocated that the monks live and eat with the refugees from King's Landing."

Dick's sleepy eyes suddenly widened: "No wonder he is not liked..."

He paused and asked, "How was he chosen as the Archbishop? Are the Archbishops of King's Landing so great?"

"It is said that the archbishops were persuaded with the axe."

Sir Anguy rode up and shouted, "Lord Green, the soldiers are ready."

"lets go."

Green kicked his horse and spurred it forward. Dick, who was still thinking about the axe, quickly came to his senses, spurred his horse, and followed.

Near noon, Green's team crossed a small river, which was the boundary between the crown territory and the riverlands.

When heading north, along the King's Road in the crown territory, in places that have not been plundered by the Northern cavalry, you can often see cattle and sheep roaming, people walking around in the farmlands and farmhouses, and ox carts and horse carriages coming and going.

After entering the Riverlands, the further north you go, the more devastation left by the war you can see everywhere. The fields are overgrown with weeds, thorns and bushes, and there is not even a single person to be seen on the King's Road.

From dusk to dawn, there were dots of green light outside the camp and the sound of wolf howls.

Four days later.

Outside the town of Saltpan, countless swamp marigold flags fluttered in the wind, stretching as far as the eye could see.

Surrounded by knights, Green entered the dilapidated city gate.

…………

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The Widow's Tower in the Ten Towers (Chapter 406) in the Iron Islands is where Lady Gwenys mourns for her beloved husband, who was killed on Fair Isle during Balon Greyjoy's Rebellion (suppressed by King Robert I).

Asha Greyjoy sighed, now... her uncle (Rodrick Harlow) has a half-crazy widow sister under his roof, no wonder he has to immerse himself in books every day to seek comfort.

To be honest, it was hard for Asha to believe that her fragile and sickly mother (Alanis Harold) had outlived her father (Lord Balon), who appeared so steadfast and strong in both public and private.

Every time she went out to sea to fight, Asha was in a heavy heart, for she was afraid that her mother would die before she returned. Unexpectedly...it was her father who died first, which she had never expected.

The Drowned God loves to play cruel jokes on the ironborn.

A sudden storm and a broken rope bridge took his father's life, and she herself became a Greyjoy who needed to sneak into the City of Ten Towers to visit her mother.

Asha remembered that the last time she had seen her mother was when they had stopped at Ten Towers to fill up with water on their way north to attack Deepwood Motte.

Lady Alanis had never had the kind of beauty that singers favored, but she loved her mother's strong, resolute face and the smile in her eyes.

That time, however, she found Lady Alanis sitting alone in a window seat, wrapped in furs, gazing out to sea.

His mother's skin was parchment-thin, her long hair had faded to gray, and though she held her head high with some remnant of pride, her eyes were shadowy and her mouth trembled as she asked about Theon.

Asha's younger brother was sent to Winterfell as a hostage when he was ten years old, but his mother firmly believed that Theon would remain ten years old.

That idiot… He had been a hostage in Winterfell for many years, and was finally dressed in black by the Wolf and sent to be a night watchman. Her brother seemed to have really forgotten his identity as a sea monster. Didn’t he ever think of escaping from the Wall and returning to the Iron Islands as soon as possible? If it weren’t for him, when Eddard Stark appeared in Winterfell, his father might have stopped the attack on the North.

Asha was unwilling to acknowledge her uncle's title as Seastone. Although she escaped her uncle's fishing net, she also lost Pyke City.

Euron Greyjoy showed the Dragon Horn to the Ironborn at the Kingsmoot, claiming that he had set foot in Valyria, which had become a burning ruin, and said that he would lead the Ironborn to sail across the known world and plunder endless wealth.

[The Dragon Horn is a product of Valyria. Before the Doom of Valyria, the Dragon Kings used it to control the dragons.]

Then, her uncle won the support of more iron chieftains than her and was elected King of the Iron Islands.

Euron took most of the Ironborn south, leaving behind Governor Airy the Anvil Breaker in charge of the affairs of the Iron Islands.

She had to talk to her uncle as soon as possible.

(End of this chapter)