Lord Linde and Nameria remained calm upon hearing Wildling King Hamil's exaggerated words, as if what he said were trivial matters of daily life.
Wildling King Hamil was surprised by their reaction, which made him hesitate, and a hint of worry appeared on his face, though his thick facial hair effectively concealed his expression.
"Wildling King Hamil, how do you plan to give Weil City to me?" Though Lord Linde didn't believe him at all, he still asked with some curiosity.
The Wildling King thought for a moment and said, "Hylan Veil, the Lord of Weil City, has no heirs. Once he dies, Weil City will be inherited by other collateral branches of House Veil. But what if Hylan Veil had a daughter? According to Dornish inheritance law, a daughter can also inherit land, so that daughter would be the Lord of Weil City."
"What does that have to do with me?" Lord Linde frowned and asked.
The Wildling King suggested, "You could marry this..."
Before he could finish, Lord Linde raised his hand to stop him, then pointed to Nameria beside him and said, "If I am to marry a wife in the future, she is the only choice."
The Wildling King was stunned, looking at the expressionless Nameria, momentarily unsure how to proceed.
In his plan, once he presented this suggestion to Lord Linde, Lord Linde would surely agree, for who could ignore a territory as large as Weil City? Then, he would reveal his true objective.
However, events unfolded completely unexpectedly; his plan was interrupted as soon as he spoke, and he currently had no backup plan to use.
"Your method is to have Lord Linde marry Hylan Veil's daughter after Hylan Veil's death, and then indirectly control Weil City by controlling that woman," Nameria said calmly, looking at the Wildling King. "It's well known that Hylan Veil has no offspring. How will you prove the identity of this so-called daughter?"
The Wildling King hesitated, seemingly sensing that this trip might fail, and was somewhat reluctant to continue speaking.
Nameria seemed to read his thoughts and said, "You can continue to persuade us. Perhaps we might eventually become interested in your plan?"
The Wildling King thought for a moment, finding Nameria's words reasonable, and then explained, "Hylan Veil has many enemies. He feared his heir would be assassinated, so when his daughter was born, he secretly sent her to a friend in Yronwood to be adopted, leaving all proofs of her identity. Now, his daughter and those proofs are in my hands. As long as someone legally marries his daughter, and Hylan Veil dies, then through these proofs, Weil City's territory and title can be legally inherited."
"That's a very good thought. For a leader of the Savage Tribes, coming up with such a method is quite impressive," Nameria clapped, her words sounding like praise for the Wildling King's plan, yet somehow feeling off. Then, she changed her tone and said, "However, you're simplifying the matter of inheriting a lordship. Inheriting a lordship isn't as simple as changing a leader in your Savage Tribes. Identity merely grants that woman the qualification to inherit Weil City; it doesn't mean she will definitely inherit Weil City. And are you sure those proofs are flawless, without any loopholes? If there's even one flaw in those proofs, they will become invalid, the woman you control will be accused of being a fraud, and her ultimate fate will be the guillotine."
Among those in the tent, Nameria was the most qualified to discuss the difficulty of inheriting land and titles. When she inherited her mother's title, she encountered all sorts of doubts and difficulties, almost failing to inherit Tengshi Town, even with the covert support of Prince Lewyn, Arthur Dayne, Barristan the Bold, and Ser Gerold Hightower of the Kingsguard.
In Dorne, even women could enjoy equal inheritance rights, but without the support of local nobles, even with first inheritance rights, it was very difficult to inherit a title and territory.
Furthermore, even if Lord Linde married that woman, how could the Borderlands Lords, led by House Yronwood, possibly allow a Lord from The Reach to interfere in Dornish territory?
The Wildling King fell silent after hearing Nameria's narration. Even with thick hair obscuring it, his bewildered and disappointed expression was clearly visible.
It was no wonder he had such an expression; anyone who discovered a long-contemplated plan was ultimately full of holes and useless would feel disappointed.
"Your plan isn't bad at all." Just as the Wildling King was pondering his next move, Lord Linde suddenly praised the very plan that had just been dismissed.
This left the Wildling King confused, and Nameria also looked at Lord Linde with some surprise.
Lord Linde explained, "It's just that your plan needs a slight modification. The person marrying Hylan Veil isn't me, but someone else—a Dornishman."
The Wildling King's eyes showed bewilderment; he clearly didn't understand the meaning of Lord Linde's modification or how it differed from his own plan.
Nameria, on the other hand, showed a thoughtful expression, seemingly understanding Lord Linde's meaning.
Lord Linde asked, "How old is that woman? What evidence is there to prove her identity?"
"That woman is twenty years old, and the things that can prove her identity are..." The Wildling King saw a turning point and quickly answered Lord Linde's question, listing all the proofs of the woman's identity he possessed.
These proofs included an oath from a cleric, correspondence between Hylan Veil and the person who adopted his daughter over the past decade, and an identification document signed by a Maester.
Leaving aside other proofs, just the Maester's document alone was sufficient to prove her identity. This document is typically written by the family Maester after a noble child's birth, detailing the characteristics of birthmarks on various parts of the child's body. It is made in duplicate, with one copy sent to the Citadel for archiving, to be used as identity corroboration if any identity issues arise in the future.
As long as the birthmark characteristics on the person match the content of the document, it is sufficient to prove their identity.
After listening to the Wildling King's narration, Nameria also nodded, indicating that such complete proof documents were sufficient.
Lord Linde then asked, puzzled, "Doesn't Hylan Veil know his daughter has fallen into your hands?"
"No, he doesn't know," the Wildling King replied in a deep voice. "He thinks his daughter is dead."
Upon hearing this, Lord Linde and Nameria exchanged glances, then Lord Linde said seriously, "Wildling King Hamil, you found me and told me this plan, giving me an opportunity to control Weil City. What is your purpose in doing this? Is it just to kill Hylan Veil?"
"You... how did you know?" The Wildling King looked at Lord Linde with astonishment.
"It's simple; the entire premise of your plan is that Hylan Veil must die," Nameria answered for Lord Linde, then asked curiously, "There are rumors that you are Hylan Veil's bastard son, and that your becoming Wildling King was due to Hylan Veil's support. If the rumors are true, you should be grateful to him. Why do you want to kill him?"
Facing this question, the Wildling King was silent for a long time, finally saying with hatred in his eyes, "He killed my mother and had the Skinners of the North flay her skin to make a leather cloak that he wears."
Upon hearing this answer, Nameria's face immediately darkened. Even without the Wildling King, she had already condemned this Lord of Weil City to death in her heart.
Lord Linde frowned and asked, "Since you hate Hylan Veil so much, why don't you do it yourself? You are the Wildling King now, and you command at least two thousand Savage Tribes warriors. That might not be enough to attack a castle like Weil City, but if it's just to ambush Hylan Veil, it shouldn't be a big problem. And from the fact that Hylan Veil still supports you, it seems he hasn't detected your hatred for him. Why don't you find an opportunity to act yourself?"
The Wildling King explained earnestly, "Hylan Veil indeed hasn't detected my hatred for him, but I'm not his only enemy, so he has always been very cautious, rarely leaving his castle. Even when he does, he's surrounded by many guards and would certainly not risk coming to the north bank of the Veil River. Furthermore, my people are all at Redsoil Watch. To go to the south bank of the Veil River would surely alert the outposts of Black Harbor and Weil City, making a surprise attack impossible."
Hearing the Wildling King's words, Lord Linde looked at the Wildling King thoughtfully. Clearly, he had lied about this matter. Since he was able to bring over two hundred wildling warriors silently to the vicinity of the Veil River, he obviously knew a shortcut to bypass the Black Harbor watchtower. Therefore, transporting more wildling warriors here should not be a big problem, and even crossing the Veil River further would be a very simple matter, with no risk of being discovered.
When a person intentionally lies, many of their behaviors become suspicious. Lord Linde's slightly relaxed vigilance was restored, and he quickly found many problematic areas about the Wildling King.
"You've come to me now, offering such generous terms. How do you want me to help you get revenge?" Lord Linde asked, while mentally integrating the suspicious points he had found about the Wildling King.
The Wildling King said very seriously, "In a few days, Weil City will deliver a batch of supplies to me. Hylan Veil will be there in person. However, I cannot bring too many people, and weapons will be confiscated as we approach the delivery location, making it impossible to act. You only need to bring your men and ambush there in advance, engaging the guards Hylan Veil has placed on the periphery to create chaos."
"Where is this delivery location?" Lord Linde asked.
"In a small valley near Weil City," the Wildling King did not give a precise location, then, as if worried Lord Linde would misunderstand, he immediately explained, "That valley is very secluded, and it's hard to point out its exact location by speaking. I will send a guide to take you there when the time comes."
Nameria then asked, "Didn't you say Hylan Veil wouldn't easily take risks? Why is he personally leaving Weil City to meet you this time?"
The Wildling King explained, "This is because Lord Linde, your arrival has already caused his plan to control the area north of the Veil River to fail. He needs to re-arrange things with me. These matters are difficult to explain clearly via raven and easily leave evidence, which is why he will meet me in person to instruct me on what to do next."
After hearing the Wildling King's explanation, Lord Linde did not ask any new questions but closed his eyes in contemplation.
A hint of tension appeared in the Wildling King's eyes, feeling like a prisoner awaiting judgment.
After a while, Lord Linde opened his eyes and said, "I agree to cooperate with you. The cooperation will officially begin when you hand over Hylan Veil's daughter and the documents proving her identity to me."
The Wildling King frowned and said, "Hylan Veil's daughter and those documents can only be given to you afterward. What if I give them to you now and you go back on your word?"
Lord Linde said nonchalantly, "Just as you don't trust me, I don't trust you. Hylan Veil's daughter and those documents are only words from your mouth. I haven't seen the actual items, nor can I verify their authenticity. Do you think anyone would risk attacking a Dornish Lord with you under these circumstances?"
The Wildling King opened his mouth, unable to find a rebuttal, then thought for a moment and said, "Then we should sign an oath..."
"Impossible!" Lord Linde shook his head and said, "How can such a plot to attack a Dornish Lord leave any written record? Do you want someone to use that against me someday?" He then said very seriously, "I am the Chosen of the Seven, recognized by the Seven Gods Church. I will swear an oath in the name of the Seven Gods to help you deal with Hylan Veil. If you don't even believe such an oath, then there's no need for us to cooperate."
The Wildling King was silent for a moment, then nodded and said, "Very well, I trust your oath. Tomorrow, I will send someone to bring that woman and the documents. At that time, you must swear in the name of the Seven Gods to help me complete my revenge."
Having said that, he prepared to turn and leave.
"Wait, it's not over yet," Lord Linde called out to the Wildling King. "Hylan Veil's daughter alone is not enough for me to help you. You must pay other costs."
"Greedy man from beyond the mountains!" The Wildling King couldn't help but mutter, then looked at Lord Linde and asked in a deep voice, "What else do you want?"
Lord Linde said in a deep voice, "After I help you get revenge, you must bring your people under my command, and then assist my army in clearing out other Savage Tribes."
Hearing Lord Linde's words, the Wildling King was silent for a moment, then tentatively asked, "Which other tribes are you referring to? That tribal alliance that recently appeared..."
Lord Linde directly interrupted the Wildling King, saying, "You want to ask if the tribal alliance opposing you is my people, right?"
The Wildling King said nothing, just looked at Lord Linde.
Lord Linde admitted very directly, "Yes, they are my people. Not long ago, they came to Summerhall and pledged allegiance to me. I provided them with weapons and food, allowing them to form an alliance to help me clear out the Savage Tribes within my territory. I think that after our cooperation, you should also transform from enemies into allies."
The Wildling King's face instantly darkened upon hearing this, but quickly returned to normal. Then he nodded and said, "Very well, as long as you help me get revenge, I can agree to your request and cooperate with you in clearing out all the Savage Tribes in your territory."
-------------------------
Thank you for following my story. If you want to read it first, please visit my Patreon — there are about 30-40 chapters waiting there. Your support really motivates me to continue to release more stories!
👉[patreon.com/TripleCrown07]