Just as everyone's attention was focused on the Westerlands, waiting to see when Robb Stark would begin his assault on Casterly Rock, another event shifted their gaze from the west to the east: Renly, Duke of Storm's End, and Margaery Tyrell of House Tyrell of Highgarden were about to be married.
This was absolutely huge news for the people of Westeros, because while the area north of the Blackwater River was in chaos, both the Stormlands and The Reach had preserved their strength intact.
Once they combined, their overall strength would far exceed the armies of the Westerlands, the North, the Riverlands, and the Vale.
Everyone believed that the moment this combined army crossed the Blackwater River, King's Landing would fall, and the Iron Throne would change hands.
"Do we need to prepare a congratulatory gift in advance? To congratulate the new king on his ascension." Bert suddenly said jokingly, looking at the intelligence reports.
However, his joke did not seem to amuse the others.
They merely looked at Bert calmly, then returned their gaze to the documents in their hands.
"Moose, tomorrow you will represent me and attend the wedding of Duke Renly and Miss Margaery at Storms End." Lynd closed the intelligence report about Storms End and made his decision.
Moose replied, "Yes, My Lord."
"My Lord, it might be inappropriate for Moose to go." Jon interjected, reminding him, "Duke Mace is your liege lord, after all, and his daughter is getting married.
He sent an invitation beforehand and informed you.
It's fine if you don't go yourself and send someone else, but at least send someone of appropriate status." As he spoke, he realized his words might be ambiguous and quickly explained to Moose, "Moose, I'm not implying your status is low, I just…"
"No need to say more, Jon, I understand what you mean." Moose smiled and interrupted Jon's explanation, saying, "Actually, I also feel my status is a bit inappropriate.
After all, I would be representing the Prince, and if the representative's status is too low, it will only make the other nobles feel that the Prince is insulting them."
Lynd looked at them and said nonchalantly, "Is Moose's status as the Steward of Summerhall, assisting me in handling all affairs of Summerhall, not high enough?
If you think his status isn't high enough, how about I make him an Earl right now?
Instead of focusing your thoughts on such unimportant matters, you should put more effort into important ones!" Saying that, he pulled a document from the table, placed it in front of everyone, and said, "This matter is more important than anything else.
From now on, all your attention should be on this."
Everyone took the document from Lynd's hand, read it carefully, and their faces were filled with surprise.
"Pentos wants to join Lorath?" Bert quickly calmed down from his surprise and said, "Shouldn't this matter be handled by Her Majesty the Queen?"
"She has other things to do; the matter of Pentos is left to us." Lynd answered Bert's question, then pointed to the list on the document and said, "Pentos has a total of forty princely families and twenty Archons.
Currently, only Thirteen Archons and seven princely families are interested in joining Lorath.
This is not enough for Pentos to peacefully join Lorath.
I do not want Pentos to have a civil war, ultimately resulting in a fragmented city-states.
What I want is a complete Pentos."
Holles Redwyne, the Commander of the Miracle Fleet, who had just returned from reporting his duties, asked, "What if a civil war in Pentos is unavoidable? Should we intervene directly?"
Lynd thought for a moment and said, "Do not intervene directly.
We only need to protect the farms on the plains.
As long as their civil war does not spread outside Pentos, we do not need to intervene.
However, if civil war can be avoided, it is best to avoid it, because no matter how much a civil war is controlled, the financial, human, and material resources consumed are not a small number.
You must find a way to get more princely families and Archons to side with us.
It's fine to use some small tricks if necessary; I will have Tranquil Court and the Mages Association assist you.
In certain matters, they might be able to solve some problems better than you."
"Yes, My Lord." Everyone responded in unison.
At this moment, a servant came to the Hall of Affairs and announced that Malora and others were waiting in the castle's side hall.
Lynd then declared the meeting over, dismissed Jon and the others, and instructed the servant to bring Malora and her companions.
Jon and the others rose and left.
As they reached the castle's front courtyard, they saw Malora and her group approaching.
Both sides merely nodded slightly, without any conversation, and then parted ways.
Under Lynd's conscious arrangement, the various powers controlled by Summerhall were roughly divided into three factions: the secular faction, primarily composed of Summerhall officials and the army; the mystical faction, made up of mages like Malora; and the religious faction, centered around religious sanctuaries and temples such as the Redemption Sanctuary and the Miracle Sanctuary.
Compared to the religious and mystical factions, who often interacted and conducted experiments or trials together, the secular and mystical factions had almost no contact, not because of any animosity between them, but purely out of caution.
Jon and the others were well aware that the matters Malora and her group were involved in were the most core secrets of Summerhall, and these secrets were not only unsuitable for public disclosure but also considered taboo.
In their view, if they rashly approached these forbidden secrets, even trusted ministers like Jon would likely be punished.
Therefore, whether in public or private, these two factions would try their best to avoid contact, and even if contact was necessary, they would choose crowded places or have people from the religious side present.
As the two groups crossed paths, Bert suddenly stopped, looking curiously at Malora and the others walking towards the Hall of Affairs, a puzzled expression on his face.
"What's wrong?" Moose asked.
"Something big might be happening." Bert whispered, "Not only are all the notable people from Black Hollow here, but even the Mages Association, the head of Tranquil Court, and the High Priest of the Magic God Temple have been summoned, and also that Forest Children named Graystone.
What do you think this is about…?"
Jon glared fiercely at Bert, cutting him off, and said, "I don't know what it's about, but I do know that if you keep asking, I think Roso might invite you to sit down at the Bloodcloaks headquarters."
Upon hearing this, Bert involuntarily turned his head to look at Rosso Brun, and saw Rosso Brun smiling at him.
Although it was just a smile, it still sent a shiver down Bert's spine, and he lowered his head and hurried into the elevator.
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