iron throne of ice and fire

Chapter 434: Under the Rushing City 11
The Tully soldiers sprang into action, and together they carried huge wooden barrels filled with boiling oil to the parapet.

"Pour the oil!"

As the officer's roar sounded, the mouth of the barrel tilted, and the boiling hot oil poured down like a surging waterfall, forming scorching arcs in the air.

A miserable scream broke out in an instant. The sound seemed to come from the seven levels of hell, sharp and shrill, piercing people's eardrums.

The pouring boiling oil quickly penetrated the enemy's armor and clothes. The armor became scalding hot under the high temperature, and the clothes instantly burned, emitting pungent black smoke.

The Lannister soldiers injured by the boiling oil twisted their bodies in agony, their faces distorted in extreme pain... Some fell from the ladders and fell directly on the soldiers below.

Some rolled frantically on the ground, slapping the flames on their bodies with their hands in vain, trying to put out this torment from hell.

The originally surging wave of attack suddenly became chaotic and stagnant. The Lannister army rushing towards the city looked at the boiling oil pouring down from the city wall in horror, their eyes filled with fear and despair.

The soldiers stepped back involuntarily. The originally tight formation began to become loose. They pushed and trampled on each other, causing chaos.

However, the enemy's rear commander was still driving them forward frantically, cursing loudly and driving the soldiers to flock back to the city wall like sheep.

Under the largest banner of the Roaring Lion in the rear, the Warden of the West, Davon Lannister, drew his sword and roared, "No retreat! Damn it! Anyone who retreats will be killed on the spot!"

"Don't retreat, don't retreat! Attack!"

"Attack! Attack!"

Although the Lannister soldiers were filled with fear, they had no choice but to bite the bullet and launch another suicidal attack under coercion.

Jaime Lannister's horse paced back and forth, and he stared at the battle in the distance, the veins throbbing in his hand that grasped the reins.

Ser Balon Swann, a member of the Kingsguard who had come with Jaime to the Riverlands for training, rode up to the side and said in an irritable voice, "My lord, I might be able to shoot down those soldiers pouring boiling oil."

[In the King's Landing Tournament where Green won the lance championship, Baron Swann was the archery champion]

Ser Jaime pulled the reins, stretched out his other hand to stroke the horse's mane, soothed the horse under him, and said: "Ser Balon, a siege is a huge war of attrition. The power of one person can't change anything."

He looked towards Riverrun for a while, then said, "Brynden Tully is good at fighting. This battle will not end so quickly."

In the War of the Ninepenny Kings (Blackfyre's fifth rebellion), many young nobles stood out in this war and became famous in the Seven Kingdoms. The most outstanding among them are: Brynden Tully, Stephen Baratheon (Robert's father), Tywin Lannister and Aerys Targaryen (the Mad King when he was a prince).

Sir Balon did not insist on fighting. He paused and said in pain, "Lord James, I can feel the despair of the soldiers outside the city. How much will it cost us to break through Trout's castle?!"

James suddenly remembered his father's motto: A strong city is worth ten with one.

Ser Jaime glanced at Baron, moved his lips, and said, "Perhaps ten thousand, perhaps more... Baron Swann, there is no room for mercy on the battlefield."

The last sentence was the old lion's teaching to himself.

He kicked the horse's belly, turned the dock, and continued, "But there is no need for unnecessary sacrifices."

Ser Balon yanked on the reins and followed Ser Jaime toward the largest of the lions.

Ta-ta-ta.

Ser Davon looked at James, who was riding up beside him, and with a smile on his face, he said, "My cousin, Trout has many tricks."

Sir James said solemnly: "Davon, today's battle should end."

Hearing this, Sir Davon gritted his teeth, gripped the hilt of his sword tightly, and said, "Jaime, the warriors almost climbed up the wall of Trout's house just now..."

"Yeah, but the oil from Trout's made them slide down."

Sir James patted Davon's arm and said, "You know, the soldiers' voluntary retreat and rout are two different things. The morale of the latter is difficult to restore."

Roughly speaking, the Lannister army suffered at least a thousand casualties under Riverrun today...Sir Davon closed his eyes unwillingly, then shouted, "Herald, give the order to retreat."

Beep—beep—beep beep beep.

The sound of the retreat horn was like a pardon from the gods, allowing the Lannister army, who were trapped in a bitter battle, to instantly find the exit to escape from the seven layers of hell. They turned around in panic, their steps were hurried and chaotic, pushing and crowding each other, and everyone just wanted to get away from this land of death as soon as possible.

The rubbing of armor, heavy footsteps and heavy breathing intertwined into a chaotic noise.

The Lannister army retreated from Riverrun as quickly as the tide receded.

On the way of retreat, Sir Davon, who had been sullen all the time, suddenly shouted angrily, "Damn the Frey army! They only played on the Tengshi River and did not attack the city together as agreed. They broke their promise!"

Ser Jaime pulled the reins, adjusted the direction of the horse, glanced at his cousin, and said, "I heard that it was a few crossbows that scared the Frey soldiers back to the ferry."

After a moment of silence, he continued, "The new marquis does not yet have enough prestige to make his soldiers fight to the death."

Ser Davon pulled the reins slightly and said in a cold voice, "I think the Freys are just dealing with us casually. I can't trust those weasels!"

Sir James frowned and said, "But we can trust Aunt Gina."

Sir Davon opened his mouth, then shrugged and said, "You are right."

Ser Jaime curled his lips and said, "Hey, my cousin, the battle has just begun."

"I will..."

After riding in silence for a while, Sir Davon spoke again, his voice faintly filled with anger: "Didn't Crabbe agree to use catapults to assist us in the siege? Why didn't they make any moves today? Not even a perfunctory action?!"

Ser Jaime turned his head to look at Davon and frowned, "Davon, I don't think I told you that Lord Green would cooperate with the Lannisters in the siege."

"Yes, he only promised to throw a few rocks into Riverrun if he felt like it."

Ser Davon spread his hands and said, "I'm sorry, Jaime, I just want to kick everyone I see. I shouldn't do this."

James was silent for a moment, then consoled him: "I will help you appease the lords of the West. You must cheer up and make sure the trout are scared to death by the roar of the lion, my cousin."

"I see, thank you, James."

…………The next day, early morning.

Glyn Crabbe sat on the shore, reading the Law Code compiled during the reign of King Jaehaerys I.

After conquering the Seven Kingdoms, Aegon the Conqueror allowed each conquered kingdom to have its own laws and traditions. However, Aegon's grandson, Jaehaerys I, had different ideas about the laws of the kingdom. He spent decades of effort and finally created the "Code" that was recognized by all seven kingdoms.

Laws are an important means of maintaining rule. Flipping through the Code, which he saw as full of loopholes, Lord Green began to prepare for new laws for the kingdom in the future.

As he lowered his head to read the words on the pages, he couldn't help but pinch his chin. Since it was a new code, it should have a new name... How about calling it the "Green Code"?
The imaginary Lord Green suddenly raised his eyes, glanced into the distance, then retracted his gaze and continued reading the book in his hand.

Soon, footsteps came closer and a lazy female voice came over: "Good morning, the book-loving Duke Kleber."

The young woman who was speaking had short black hair and wore a loose black nightgown.

Green looked up from the book and looked at Ange who was standing next to the black-haired woman.

Seeing the lord looking at him, Sir Ange said helplessly: "Sir, this lady told me that she has something important to discuss with you."

Green's brown eyes moved slightly, his gaze shifted to the black-haired woman, and he said, "With the noise you made yesterday, I can put you in an iron cage. You are my prisoner, Miss Greyjoy."

Last night, the squid sneaked into the heavily defended Crab Camp and was caught with a fishing net by Sir Ange on duty.

Looking back, Lord Green could only say that some people are indeed very lucky... She happened to meet Sir Ange, and if it was Monton... what he would see was a squid with its head smashed by a warhammer.

"Oh, thank you for your kindness."

Asha Greyjoy stood on the river bank and stretched, then took off her robe and threw it on the ground, then stepped into the river with a swaying step.

The muscles on her back were clearly defined, her waist was slender, and her lower body was round. In the morning light, her smooth skin glowed with gold.

The legs are very long...Green withdrew his gaze, turned the page and continued reading.

The morning sun shines softly on the river, making the waves sparkle.

Feeling the coolness of the river water with her toes, the sea monster's daughter couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. As she went deeper, the water flooded over her knees, thighs, and up to her waist.

Then she stretched her limbs, gently swung her arms, and drew arcs in the river as nimbly as a fish.

After a good swim in the water, the water flowed down the curves of Asha's body and she slowly walked out.

As Asha bent to pick up the robe from the floor, Brienne of Tarth came over and handed her a new robe.

"You are very charming." Asha took the clothes and winked at Brienne.

Brienne looked at Asha expressionlessly, said nothing, and silently returned to her guard position.

Shaking off the water droplets from her hair, Asha put on her robe, adjusted her collar, and walked towards where Green was.

Green put the book aside, looked at the squid who came to him, pointed to the folding wooden chair beside him, and said, "You have a good figure, please sit down."

"I thought you would come over to interrogate me in person last night." As she spoke, Asha took a few steps, reached out to pick up the folding chair, then placed it opposite Green and sat down.

She stretched out one leg and gently lifted it up, placing it on the other leg. The corner of her mouth curled up slightly, and she glanced at Green's body with temptation, saying, "After all, I am a trespasser. If I were a prisoner, the bed you prepared for me would be too comfortable, so I have been waiting for you all night."

Due to the infiltration of river water, her slightly rough skin looked much smoother.

Green smiled lightly and said in a slightly cold tone: "Miss Greyjoy, whether you can continue to sleep in your comfortable bed tonight depends on our current conversation."

Asha leaned back in her chair and stared at Green for a while, then suddenly asked, "Do you have any wine? Ale is also fine."

Green picked up the wine bag beside him and threw it over.

Asha took it, uncorked it, and began to drink it... gulp it down. Her behavior was like a man.

After she drank half of the wine bag in one gulp, she stopped, exhaled, and said, "Duke Kleber, you are very kind to me, your 'prisoner'. You are not what I imagined... I thought I would suffer a lot of physical pain for my offense."

Green said calmly: "Not every adventure will bring good luck."

He tapped his fingers on the armrest of the chair and continued, "Tell me, why do you want to see me, and in such a way that doesn't seem very rational?"

Looking at Green, Asha took another sip of wine and said, "I heard that you are going to attack Riverrun, and there is a river under the city. I think you should need someone who is good at commanding ships to fight."

Green shook his head slightly, "I am not interested in taking down Trout Castle. That is something the Lannisters need to think about."

He waved his hand to stop Asha from speaking: "Listen to the next reason."

Asha was slightly startled, she blinked and said, "Perhaps, you can try to let the daughter of the sea monster be your bed partner?"

Green frowned slightly and said, "Next reason."

Asha was startled again, and then she paused. She leaned back in her chair, covered her face with her hands, and sighed, "It seems... I have no charm at all in your eyes. Do the men in the Green Land really not like women like me?"

"There are many women like you on Crabclaw Peninsula. They are very popular in Westeros."

Green spread his hands and said, "Enough of the small talk, Miss Greyjoy. I hope you will be honest with me about the reason why you came to me. This is my sincere advice."

"I accept your suggestion." Asha's smile faded, she straightened up and looked at Green.

She continued, "Some time ago, my uncle, Rodrik Harlow, suddenly told me that a merchant working for Lannister had sent me a letter inviting me to discuss matters concerning the Iron Islands. The inviters were the deceased Lord Kevan Lannister and you, Duke Green Crabbe."

After a moment of silence, Green nodded slightly and said, "Lord Kevan did discuss the affairs of the Iron Islands with me before he died (Chapter 379). Because of his unexpected death, I no longer paid attention to it."

Asha leaned forward in Green's direction, smiled slightly, and said, "So, respected Duke Kleber, why did you come to see me?"

Green shrugged slightly. "Perhaps I should find someone else to negotiate with now. I heard that the new leader of the Iron Islands is plundering the coast of the Reach. Before... we were worried that he would turn the Westerlands into an enemy, so we thought of talking to you."

(End of this chapter)