iron throne of ice and fire

Chapter 453 Conqueror

"You seem ready to die in battle, Blackfish Knight."

The full moon hangs high in the sky, casting a cool silver light.

The water of the Red Fork River flowed slowly, and the river surface sparkled in the moonlight, like a huge silver snake winding through the dark land.

The trees on the shore formed twisted black shadows, and the wind blew quietly, making the leaves rustle.

"Good night, Brynden Tully."

Brynden looked at the man in front of him and replied in a deep voice, "Green Crabbe."

Green nodded slightly, then he looked far to the west, where Riverrun was looming in the moonlight.

After a pause, Green's voice sounded: "Will this be the last night?"

Hearing Green's self-contemplative sigh, Brynden said coldly: "It seems that you are planning to end this bloody game."

Hearing this, Green smiled and said, "It seems that you don't like my way of judging."

Brynden's eyes were deep. "Judgment?"

Green did not reply, but gestured to the other side, and Brienne of Tarth walked over.

Brienne came into Brynden's sight with a plate of bread and salt on it.

"This may reduce your hostility towards me."

Brynden glanced at Green, hesitated for a moment, pinched a small piece of bread with his wrinkled and thick fingers, then dipped it in salt and put it into his mouth.

Under the witness of the gods, the guest rights take effect.

Seeing Brynden's complicated expression, Green chuckled, "Are you surprised, old knight who came to die?"

Brynden: "..."

Green continued, "I was also surprised. I didn't expect you to come so soon... So, it's not too difficult to guess your purpose."

"It turns out that not everyone can be called a famous general."

Brynden couldn't help but sigh, paused for a moment, and said directly: "I heard that the Lannister woman in the Red Keep is extremely favored by you. I want to ask... How much wildfire is the trout head that can please her worth?"

There was a hint of sarcasm in the words of the upright old knight. Green laughed again: "Hasn't the Black Fish, who is famous in the Seven Kingdoms, seen my contribution to the peace of the kingdom?"

"Kleiber's contribution..."

Muttering, Brynden shifted his gaze to Green and continued, "Yes, you have made a great contribution. Not only have you taken away the land, castle, and honor of the Arryn family, but you have also dyed the river under Riverrun red with the blood of lions and trout. Tonight..."

He stared at Green: "...I am here to fulfill your plot."

The dark blue eyes and the brown eyes were staring at each other, and the atmosphere became solemn.

After a moment of silence, Green slowly spoke: "Since you value honor so much, why didn't you save his honor? I mean Robb Stark." Seeing Brynden's stiff expression, he continued: "Obviously, the reason you hesitated is because he is your nephew. Family, responsibility, honor... According to the motto of the Tully family, it is indeed difficult to make a decision when your family members trample on honor."

Then he shook his head slightly: "It's not that difficult... It should be said to be very simple. The Tully family has always given their family the first priority, and honor comes second."

Brynden clenched his fists and said in a hoarse but powerful voice: "I never thought that a young general known throughout the Seven Kingdoms would like to insult the honor of other families."

"Do you think it's an insult?"

Green stood with his hands behind his back, looking at the sparkling river water for a while, and suddenly said, "When I was a child, I read "True History", and I was very curious about why the Tully family responded to the rebellion sixteen years ago, and what reasons they had to rebel."

As he spoke, he turned his head to look at Brynden. "It's because two women from Riverrun married Winterfell and the Eyrie, respectively. Family, responsibility, honor... After all, family is more important than honor, am I right?"

Brynden's broad chest rose and fell slowly. He said, "Duke Crabbe, I don't want to waste my time on other things. The night is not long. I think discussing the past is not the most important thing for you to invite me to do, at least not right now."

"No, it's very important."

Green turned to face Brynden, a sharp light flashing in his eyes: "To me, Tully and Lannister are just rebels of the kingdom, speculators who rely on selling honor to gain 'honor'."

Tread.

Green moved his feet and stood in front of Brynden. His voice seemed to carry the cold wind of winter: "Brynden Tully, ever since I came to Riverrun, I have been wondering how to judge the rebel Tully."

Hearing this, Brynden suppressed his shock, moved his lips, and said, "Who are you?"

Green raised his chin slightly and said, "I, Green Crab, represent all the souls who died at the hands of the usurper's sword in the kingdom rebellion sixteen years ago."

A strong wind blew, and Green's blue cape embroidered with swamp marigolds crackled.

He stared at Brynden without moving his eyes. "Brynden Tully, do you hear the roar of those honorable knights?"

Brynden could not help but take a step back, while Grimm took a step forward. He spoke word by word, "The Arryn family was the initiator of the rebellion sixteen years ago, and was exterminated sixteen years later. Do you still think they deserve sympathy?"

He added: "Three hundred years ago, when Aegon Targaryen conquered Harrenhal, Edmyn Tully (the patriarch of the Tully family during the War of Conquest) led the lords of the riverlands to surrender. After the war, Aegon the Conqueror appointed Edmyn as the Lord of the Riverlands and ordered all the lords and knights of the riverlands to swear allegiance to Tully..."

Green seemed to be suppressing his anger. He took a break before continuing, "With such a great favor, what reason could Tully have to rebel against the Targaryen Iron Throne? Is it just for his family? Brynden Tully, I really hope I am wrong."

Brynden could no longer meet Green's gaze. He closed his eyes and managed to force out his voice: "I will die in... Riverrun."

Green looked at Brynden quietly for a while, and said, "Old Knight, I am glad that you still have a knight's heart of honor."

Brynden opened his eyelids and stared blankly at the slowly flowing Red Fork River. He said in a hoarse voice: "I should have died long ago. It is the fire of hatred that has kept me alive until now..."

Green also looked towards the river: "For those who carry heavy hatred, death is a relief, not atonement."

"Atonement?"

Green nodded his chin lightly. "If you still have the heart of a knight, I hope you can embark on the path of atonement. This is a chance I give you. It is also a chance for you to atone for the crimes committed by your brother and the Tully family."

Brynden was silent for a long moment, then said, "If you allow me, I would like to hear your proposal first."

(End of this chapter)