iron throne of ice and fire

Chapter 518 Learning 2
Laresa shrugged. "Obviously, you already know that this is an order given to me by the Cardinal Council (the Citadel's governing body)."

Samwell's eyes widened, his fat face full of surprise, his mouth unconsciously opened slightly: "Will the Cardinal Opportunity?"

Leo Tyrell stepped forward gracefully, put a hand on Samwell's broad shoulder, and leaned his head forward, pretending to whisper: "He is not here just to see you off, he wants to embark on this journey with you."

Samwell was increasingly confused. "You mean... Assistant Maester Laresa is going with me?"

"This...how could this happen?" His eyes moved back and forth between Laresa and Leo, trying to find some clues on their faces to solve this sudden "mystery".

"Do you suddenly feel that they are very impolite..."

Leo had just started talking, but before he finished, Laresa, with a look of impatience on her face, reached out her hand and forcefully pushed Leo's handsome face, which was almost touching Sam's fat face, away. She frowned and interrupted, "Okay, Leo, stop making trouble here, let me explain the situation."

His eyes moved to Sam, and his expression became slightly serious. "Everyone in the Seven Kingdoms knows that the Regent will soon welcome back Her Highness Daenerys Targaryen. The Cardinals will judge that the Princess of Dragonstone, who has just returned to Westeros, is in urgent need of the Citadel's help, so they decided to send someone to assist her, teach her, and protect her, and I am the person they chose."

Hearing this, more beads of sweat appeared on Samwell's forehead. He stammered, "But...but, this...this arrangement must first be approved by Her Royal Highness the Princess, right? If we act rashly without permission, what if we offend her..."

Leo immediately interjected, a mischievous smile on his lips: "That's why I said they were lacking in manners. I really hope that Princess Targaryen will not misinterpret their so-called... 'good intentions'."

As he spoke, he patted the maester of Whispering Castle, who was wiping the sweat off his cheek with the back of his hand, with a hint of joking: "Sam, to be honest, I am more worried about angering the Regent of the Seven Kingdoms than the Princess."

Samwell nodded hurriedly, not daring to look at them. "It would be best to contact Regent Green in the name of the Citadel. He...he...he is a very...strict...ruler."

Leo smiled with gloating eyes, his eyes turned to Laresa, spread his hands and said: "Look, your rash arrangement makes our friends feel so embarrassed!"

Laresa glared at Leo and said slowly to Samwell, "The Cardinals will get news that the evil witchcraft of Valyria based on blood and fire is becoming more and more active in the Seven Kingdoms, so... they thought of a prophecy - born in the land of salt and smoke, accompanied by a weeping blood star."

Leo curled his lips and sneered: "Born in the land of salt and smoke? Isn't that ham? Smoked ham, salty and fragrant, wow."

As soon as he finished speaking, Samwell couldn't help laughing secretly, while Laresa raised one hand, clenched her fist, and gritted her teeth and said, "Leo, where are your noble etiquette? Have you chewed it away like ham?"

Leo combed his hair with his fingers, shrugged, and said slowly: "Don't be angry, Laresa. Prophecy is like a cunning woman."

As he spoke, he stretched out his finger and gestured ambiguously in the air. It was an obscene action in itself, but coupled with his handsome and charming face, it instead seemed humorous and interesting for no reason, making people both angry and amused.

He continued: "It's so sweet and wonderful... just when you're lost in it, she'll suddenly snap and you'll scream in pain."

Laresa looked at Leo expressionlessly, while Samwell couldn't help but squeeze his legs together, a hint of fear still lingering on his face.

Leo grinned. "I am just repeating the motto left by the Gorgon scholar of the Ghiscari Empire."

[The Ghiscari Empire was once one of the oldest countries and civilizations in the world, ruling most of the continent of Essos. Its establishment and heyday preceded the Valyrian Freehold by about a thousand years, and was later destroyed by the Valyrian Legion.]

Laresa rolled her eyes and ignored Leo. She said to Samwell, "I am quite interested in the princess, so I did not refuse this job."

His shoulders shrugged slightly. "If I refuse, they will send someone else. You and I cannot stop the scholars' curiosity."

Leo curled his lips and said, "I'm curious why they chose you, Assistant Master Laresa."

Laresa thought about it seriously, then grinned at Leo, revealing a row of neat, white teeth: "Perhaps, my kindness is more important than my rich knowledge?"

Samwell's eyes moved around, but since he was usually nervous and shy, no one paid attention to his abnormality. They just thought that he was "shocked" by the unexpected news and hadn't recovered yet.

"I...I have to tell His Majesty Green about this in advance."

As soon as Samwell finished speaking, Leo Tyrell grabbed his wrist tightly. He said sincerely, "Leave this matter to me. I promise to send a raven message today to convey the exact situation to His Royal Highness the Regent."

Seeing Samwell's surprised look, Leo coughed lightly, cleared his throat, and explained seriously: "The name of the lord you serve is well-known in the Seven Kingdoms. There is no one who does not admire him, and I am one of them. I just want to take this good opportunity to express my respectful greetings to that famous general."

Samwell couldn't refuse Leo's enthusiasm: "Well...well, since you said so, I'll trouble you."

"I should thank you, Sam, my friend."

Lalesa pulled Samwell and took a step forward: "Okay, you can rest assured now, we should set off, it's getting late."

…………

Samwell and Laresa walked in silence along the stone pavement of the Citadel. It was quiet all around except for the sound of footsteps echoing between the stone slabs. Occasionally, a breeze blew by, ruffling the corners of their clothes and making a rustling sound.

Before they knew it, they had arrived in front of the towering statue of King Daeron I. Just as he had seen it the first time, the king sat on a tall stone horse, pointing his sword in the direction of Dorne, speaking of the glory of the past.

Samwell paused, and he once again felt the grandeur of history. He couldn't help but think that perhaps, following His Highness Green, he was already in the torrent of history.

Laresa also stopped and paused, breaking the silence. "A few days ago, I heard that the Ironborn almost sneaked into Oldtown. Those bastards captured a Tyroshi merchant ship, killed all the crew members, put on their clothes, and used the dyes they found to paint their beards in various colors. Fortunately, the 'Lady of the Church Tower' ran into them. Its chief rower's wife was a Tyroshi. When he saw so many green and purple beards, he shouted greetings in Tyroshi, but no one responded, and then their fake identities were exposed."

Samwell was shocked: "Are the Ironborn going to plunder Oldtown again?"

Laresa shrugged. "In the past, the Iron Races would take away money and women and then leave. This time, they are not just here to plunder. They are even planning to occupy the Shield Islands for a long time. As far as I know, they have recently seized Stone Crab Reef, Pig Island, and Mermaid Palace, and have established supply camps at Horseshoe Rock and Wild Seed Bay. It seems that they are planning to take root there."

Samwell's eyes widened. "Lord Hightower is not going to wipe them out? When I was a child... I heard my father say that the Hightowers were as rich as the Lannisters, and could recruit three times as many soldiers as any other lord in Highgarden."

"If we use all the money in Oldtown, we can gather a larger army, but Hightower's men cannot walk on water."

Laresa patted the stone horse's hoof and continued, "Everyone is waiting for the Redwyne fleet to come back and wipe out those pirates who dared to offend the Reach, but who could have expected that they would be waiting for the bad news of suffering heavy losses (Chapter 502)." Samwell couldn't help but think of Princess Daenerys leading them to defeat a fleet of Stannis in Mermaid Harbor (Chapter 263): "As long as we are well prepared, Oldtown will definitely be able to resist the invasion of the Ironborn. We must act as soon as possible."

"The 'warning' from the Heir of Highgarden (Villas Tyrell) came just in time. Baelor (Lord Hightower's eldest son and heir) was building ships, Garth (Lord Hightower's second son) was training new soldiers, and Gunthor (Lord Hightower's third son) was guarding the harbor."

After a pause, Laresa continued, "It is said that Humphrey has been sent to Lys to hire a fleet. If he can get a decent fleet from his sister (Lynness, Lord Hightower's youngest daughter and Jorah Mormont's ex-wife), Oldtown can fight back and teach those ironborn a lesson."

He suddenly smiled sarcastically: "Lord Layton is still locked up in the tower with the 'mad woman (Lord Hightower's eldest daughter)' to study the magic book. Perhaps he can summon an army from the depths of the abyss. The Citadel does not like witchcraft, but its sponsors are obsessed with it."

Samwell silently took another step. After a moment of silence, he suddenly shifted his gaze over, as if he had mustered up great courage: "Laresa, you and I are good friends."

After a pause, he added unconfidently: "Right...right?"

Laresa blinked and smiled: "Of course."

Samwell smiled happily at first, then he restrained his smile and looked directly at Laresa: "I won't ask anything else, I just want to remind you that your mission may get into trouble, so don't be too... too..."

He moved his lips for a while before squeezing out his own voice: "His Highness Green welcomes people with good intentions. He is very friendly and kind to such people."

Laresa tilted her head slightly. Samwell had already used up all the courage he had finally mustered. His eyes dodged, and after a pause, he continued to move towards the gate.

By the Mead River, Samwell looked back in the carriage at the towering green Sphinx statues (a mythical creature) on both sides of the main entrance of the Citadel. They had a lion's body, eagle's wings, and a snake's tail. One of the statues had a man's face, and the other had a woman's face.

Read more latest popular novels at 6.9*shuba!

"Are you sure you want to go to Horn Hill Keep, Sam?"

In front, the voice of the temporary groom, Laresa, came over. Samwell reluctantly withdrew his gaze and raised his voice to respond: "Yes, I am sure."

According to the ancient books Samwell read in the Citadel, the Valyrian steel sword is a powerful weapon against the White Walkers. He plans to borrow the Tarly family sword, Heartbroken, from his younger brother, Dickon Tarly, the new Earl of Horn Hill.

…………

…………

As soon as Davos Seaworth walked out of the Regent's study, he saw Leighton waiting to be summoned. He nodded and walked away.

Leighton leaned forward and glanced at the Onion Knight's back as he left. At this time, Brienne's voice came over: "You can go in."

In the study, Green Crabbe stood in front of a long table covered with a map of the Seven Kingdoms, his eyes fixed on the location of Dragonstone.

"Your Highness."

"Any news?" Green waved at Leighton, motioning Leighton to come over, then picked up the wine glass on the table and took a sip of wine.

Leighton came closer and looked back at Brienne standing by the door, and replied, "Your Highness's journey went smoothly. The Duke of Marigold has left Seagulltown."

Green nodded slightly, his eyes shifted to the location of the Heron Cathedral on the map, and asked, "Where is Archbishop Zari?"

“He’s starting to get ready.”

"very good."

Green tapped the tabletop for a while and said, "Don't let your guard down. The princess's safety comes first."

"As ordered."

Green patted Leighton's shoulder and moved. After sitting down on the sandalwood chair beside the fireplace, he motioned for the butler to sit down as well.

After a pause, his voice came over: "The Rose family should have guessed the identity of my fiancée."

Leighton first brought the wine jug to fill Green's glass with wine, then sat down and said with a smile: "Are you sure? Although their reaction time is a little slower than you expected."

Green smiled lightly: "The rest depends on their choice."

Leighton nodded. "I'll keep an eye on them, Your Highness."

The burning wood in the fireplace grew hotter and hotter, crackling and sending sparks flying.

Leighton hesitated for a moment, then said, "My lord, the whereabouts of Crow's Eye cannot be traced, and no one knows his exact location..."

He moved his lips: "...will he come?"

Green smiled and said, "Just do your best, Leighton. The greed of pirates is hard to understand from the perspective of ordinary people. Crossing the ocean or taking risks is part of their daily life."

He stared at the fire in the fireplace for a while and said: "If the sea monster does not fall into the first trap we prepared, we will prepare the second one. Hunters need to be patient enough."

After saying that, Green took out a rolled up parchment and threw it over.

Leighton took it with a little doubt and looked at it inquiringly. Seeing Green nod, he slowly unfolded the parchment and began to read.

"Is this... a pardon?"

(End of this chapter)