"So, we still don't know what the Ironborn are planning?"
"Is there any way to discover their movements?"
After settling the discussion about the Vale army, Karl shifted the conversation back to the Iron Islands.
As Jon Snow, the White Wolf, had pointed out, the Ironborn had been unusually active for months. Yet the North, which should have been their most likely target, had remained untouched.
It simply didn't add up.
So the question remained—
Where had the Ironborn gone?
Jon Snow, the White Wolf, fell silent for a moment before answering.
"The Iron Islands are too isolated."
"All the information we receive is ordinary intelligence gathered by merchants and travelers."
"If Tyrion hadn't specifically ordered people to monitor the Ironborn fleets and compare their recent movements, we probably wouldn't have noticed anything unusual."
"Their fleets have disappeared."
"They seem to have deliberately hidden themselves."
"But strangely enough..."
"They still haven't attacked the North."
He sighed.
"We still lack a proper navy."
"We can requisition merchant ships if necessary, but they aren't suitable for long-range reconnaissance."
"So..."
"We still have no reliable way to track them."
Karl tapped the armrest of his chair thoughtfully.
"So the problem is still our fleet..."
His eyes slowly swept across everyone gathered in the room.
After a long silence...
Baelor Hightower hesitantly spoke.
"Your Majesty..."
"If you only need ships for reconnaissance..."
"House Hightower can provide them."
Everyone immediately turned to look at him.
Karl didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
Then...
A smile slowly appeared on his face.
"No."
"This situation may actually work in our favor."
He turned toward Jon Snow.
"You mentioned Tyrion estimated that our fleet would need another two months before it was ready to sail."
Jon nodded.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Karl clapped his hands together.
"Excellent."
"We'll discuss this matter later."
"It's already lunchtime."
"After the meal, gather the Hound and the others."
"I have several important assignments."
Seeing that Karl already had a plan, Jon could only nod and carry out the order.
---
Not long afterward, everyone assembled in Highgarden's great hall.
Besides Jon Snow, the White Wolf, those present included Randyll Tarly, Lady Ewyn Oakheart, Sandor Clegane, Bronn, Baelor Hightower, and several other important figures.
Alex Oakheart, Balon Swann, Garlan Tyrell, and the other Kingsguard remained standing nearby instead of taking seats at the table.
Everyone sensed that the king was about to issue major orders.
After all...
House Hightower's army had finally arrived.
Storm's End was on the verge of war.
This was hardly an ordinary meal.
Karl sat at the head of the table.
Before him rested roasted trout, stuffed goose covered in mulberry sauce, warm honey bread, and several other dishes.
While everyone else ate absentmindedly...
Karl enjoyed his meal without the slightest concern.
He tore off a roasted goose leg and happily took several large bites.
Only after noticing everyone secretly watching him did he finally speak.
---
"Bronn."
"Have you ever thought about becoming a true lord?"
"Or perhaps..."
"Have you already decided where you'll build your family castle?"
The sudden question caught everyone completely off guard.
Even Bronn froze.
The mercenary hurriedly swallowed the food in his mouth before standing.
"Of course, Your Majesty."
"I've dreamed of becoming a lord."
"As for building a castle..."
"That still feels rather far away."
"But..."
"I'm ready whenever the opportunity comes."
Karl nodded approvingly.
"Very good."
He calmly wiped the grease from the corner of his mouth with a silk napkin.
"Earlier today, I received Tyrion's latest report."
"It seems several noble families in the Westerlands have forgotten their place."
"I've shown them enough mercy."
"So..."
"I'm giving you an army."
"You may choose whichever family you wish."
"Whichever castle you conquer..."
"And whichever family you destroy..."
"Everything they own will belong to you."
The atmosphere around the dining table instantly turned cold.
Bronn himself stood frozen in disbelief.
Even though he had expected Karl to assign him an important mission...
He had never imagined something on this scale.
Karl smiled faintly.
"But..."
"There is one condition."
Bronn immediately stepped forward.
He knelt on one knee before Karl.
One hand rested across his chest.
"Your Majesty..."
"My life already belongs to you."
Karl simply chuckled.
"I appreciate your loyalty."
"My condition is simple."
"Tyrion will provide you with a list."
"Eliminate every problem listed there."
"As you do so..."
"Recruit soldiers."
"I'll handle supplies."
"You only need to build your army."
Bronn listened carefully.
Karl leaned closer.
"When you've finished..."
"March that army to Riverrun."
Bronn felt chills run down his spine.
Karl's smile became even colder.
"I don't care what excuse you use."
"I want Riverrun occupied."
"Do you understand?"
The words struck Bronn like thunder.
Even Jon Snow and Randyll Tarly fell silent.
Fortunately...
Karl had spoken softly enough that only those nearest to him heard every word.
Bronn swallowed hard.
Then...
A fierce fire ignited within his eyes.
"Your Majesty..."
"If I succeed..."
"Does that castle include Riverrun itself?"
Karl smiled mysteriously.
"That depends entirely on how much you're capable of accomplishing."
"Just remember..."
"Whatever happens afterward..."
"Has nothing to do with me."
Bronn's grin grew wider.
His eyes shone with excitement.
"I've already said it."
"My life belongs to you..."
"Your Majesty, King Karl Baratheon."
Karl patted him on the shoulder.
"Go."
"I look forward to enjoying another roasted fish when you return."
Bronn somehow managed to return to his seat.
Though outwardly calm...
His trembling hands betrayed his excitement.
---
Karl then looked around the table.
Everyone who had overheard his conversation with Bronn immediately avoided his gaze.
Only Jon Snow looked as though he wanted to object.
Before he could speak...
Lady Ewyn Oakheart quietly tugged at his sleeve.
"His Majesty has his reasons."
"Our duty isn't to question him."
"Our duty is to help him succeed."
She whispered softly into Jon's ear.
After spending months governing nearly half of the Reach alongside him...
She understood his personality well.
Jon hesitated.
Then silently lowered his head.
Seeing no objections...
Karl merely shrugged.
Everything had gone exactly as he'd expected.
---
"Hound."
Sandor Clegane looked up from his wine.
He slammed the flask onto the table.
"What?"
Karl spoke calmly.
"I have a task for you."
"After this banquet..."
"Return to the Westerlands with a force of soldiers."
"Once you're there..."
"Follow Tyrion's orders."
Sandor blinked.
"That's all?"
Karl nodded.
"Tyrion will explain the rest."
The Hound shrugged.
"Simple enough."
"I'll do it."
---
Karl then turned toward Randyll Tarly.
"Earl Tarly."
Randyll immediately stood.
"Your Majesty."
"I have two assignments."
"You may choose either."
Randyll bowed respectfully.
"I gladly accept."
Karl continued.
"You may accompany me to Storm's End..."
"Or..."
"You may lead an army to King's Landing."
This time...
Everyone at the table heard every word.
The room immediately fell silent.
Storm's End should have been the obvious priority.
Capturing it would eliminate Stannis Baratheon's rebellion once and for all.
Combined with Karl's possession of the golden dragon...
No one would be able to challenge his claim to the Iron Throne.
Yet...
Karl intended to divide his army again.
One force would return west.
Another would march on King's Landing.
What exactly was he planning?
Even Randyll couldn't understand.
Still...
He sensed Karl's true intention.
"You want me to go to King's Landing."
Karl smiled.
Instead of answering directly...
He offered something far more tempting.
"If you accept..."
"You'll become my Master of Laws."
Silence filled the hall once again.
One of the Small Council's highest offices.
Just like that...
Karl offered it away.
During Robert's reign...
No lord from the Reach, Dorne, or even the Westerlands had held such influence within the royal government.
Yet Randyll frowned instead of celebrating.
Nothing came without a price.
He knew that better than anyone.
"What do you require of me?"
Karl answered quietly.
"I need someone to clean up a few unpleasant matters."
"I want the realm settled..."
"Before I officially sit upon the Iron Throne."
Randyll lowered his head.
After a long silence...
He finally spoke.
"You are the rightful king."
"The command of the king..."
"Is the duty of House Tarly."
Karl nodded with satisfaction.
"I'll provide detailed instructions later."
"There's no need to worry."
He helped Randyll to his feet.
"Rise..."
"My Master of Laws."
Randyll silently returned to his seat.
His expression remained troubled.
---
Baelor Hightower nervously cleared his throat.
"Your Majesty..."
"What about us?"
Karl looked at him as though the answer were obvious.
"We're marching on Storm's End."
"However..."
"After Stannis' recent actions..."
"The campaign may become another prolonged siege."
"Prepare yourselves."
"He once survived starvation inside Storm's End."
"I'm sure he learned from that experience."
Karl laughed lightly.
His tone sounded relaxed.
But deep within his eyes...
A mysterious glint flashed.
---
At last...
Everyone understood Karl's strategy.
Leaving Bronn's secret mission aside...
The army gathered at Highgarden would now split into three forces.
One army would return to the Westerlands.
Another, under Randyll Tarly, would march toward King's Landing.
The third...
Led personally by King Karl...
Would advance on Storm's End to crush Stannis' rebellion.
Jon Snow nodded.
"I'll begin making the necessary arrangements, Your Majesty."
Karl immediately shook his head.
"No."
"Ser Jon Snow..."
"You're staying in Highgarden."
Jon blinked in surprise.
"Me?"
"You want me to remain here?"
Karl smiled.
"Yes."
"You'll serve as Governor of the Mander."
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)