After waiting for a while, seeing that the distance was about right, Greene Kleber secretly gave Petyr Baelish a look.
Petyr nodded slightly, and the two of them proactively walked towards Stannis Baratheon, who was approaching.
Petyr curved his lips and nodded slightly towards Stannis, his movements very elegant.
Greene saluted, "Good day, Duke Stannis."
Greene then nodded to Davos, who was accompanying Stannis.
Duke Stannis's gaze was sharp, as if it could pierce through the secrets in one's heart.
His eyes moved slightly; he first looked at Petyr, then shifted his gaze to Greene.
"At least you two know there's a funeral being held here. Earl Greene, have you completed your mission?"
Greene replied earnestly, "Duke, I followed the intelligence provided by Varys and led the soldiers to Pentos. Just as I was stirring up some trouble, the Governor of Pentos met his demise in a fire.
Now the situation in Pentos is sensitive, and all outsiders will be objects of suspicion. To avoid unnecessary conflict, I temporarily returned to King's Landing."
Stannis nodded almost imperceptibly, "Handle every matter you encounter well, and cherish the opportunity to hone yourself."
Petyr's eyebrow twitched. I think I saw Duke Stannis encouraging Greene?
Was it an illusion? This was not the Stannis he knew at all!
First Duke Mace, then Duke Stannis… Petyr looked at Greene, feeling a little sour inside.
This feeling was fleeting, and Petyr himself found it amusing.
...
At this moment, the flattering crowd also began to notice Stannis, who was exuding a low pressure, and their voices gradually lowered.
Varys had already released Duke Mace's large hand, his hands clasped together, head slightly bowed.
Duke Mace stroked his beard, smiling as he looked at the stern-faced Stannis.
Neither of them had forgotten the Siege of Storm's End.
As long as one swore allegiance to him, King Robert was willing to pardon those who had opposed him during the War of the Usurper, but the unyielding Stannis would never compromise.
Duke Mace understood Stannis's character. This man had been forced by him to eat rats to survive; he could be said to not dare forget their past grievances.
Stannis's sharp gaze swept over everyone present, and the crowd instantly fell silent.
Stannis gave a cold snort and strode towards the main gate, and everyone quickly made way for him.
After Stannis left, Duke Mace, who had been smiling, sighed and said, "Stannis's personality is just like that; he isn't deliberately targeting you.
Now is the time for us to work together. You are all important ministers of the kingdom, and the kingdom cannot do without everyone's hard work. I believe everyone understands this principle even better."
As Duke Mace's words fell, the atmosphere in the room immediately became harmonious again.
Greene thought, if Duke Mace were the King's Hand, the work atmosphere in the Red Keep would be especially harmonious.
Then he thought, if Duke Stannis became the King's Hand... Hiss! The ministers in the Red Keep would probably all be dragged out and hanged!
And if Duke Stark took the position of King's Hand... Better not to mention it!
Petyr came to Greene's side, and the two of them watched the crowd, which had become lively again.
Petyr's voice was hoarse, "Earl Greene, who do you think will be appointed as the new Hand?"
Greene's tone was somewhat helpless, "Lord Petyr, you know better than me that our opinions are actually irrelevant; it depends on King Robert's final choice."
Petyr showed no expression on his face, but he was somewhat surprised by Greene's frankness, and the smile on his face deepened.
Greene hesitated for a moment, then lowered his voice and said, "I hear King Robert and Duke Eddard have a deep bond; we cannot ignore that."
Petyr curled his lips and said, "So, the answer is still unknown. Also, Queen Cersei's opinion cannot be ignored; she seems to favor the Duke of Highgarden?"
As Greene and Petyr spoke, they tacitly stepped away from the crowd.
Greene ruffled his hair and said, "Lord Petyr, to be honest, I'm a bit... unable to grasp Her Majesty the Queen's thoughts."
Petyr showed an understanding smile, "Haha, you're not alone; all the Master of Coin face the same problem as you."
At this moment, Varys walked over with a smile.
Varys nodded slightly to the two, "Earl Petyr, Earl Greene, I saw you two talking so happily, I couldn't help but be drawn over. Please forgive my intrusion."
Greene shrugged, "Lord Varys, you are the Master of Whisperers; your joining will certainly make our discussion much simpler."
Varys seemed very interested, "That is truly delightful!"
Petyr's smile was elegant, though very faint, "We were guessing who the next Hand would be."
Greene spread his hand, "We were discussing King Robert and Duke Eddard's personal friendship."
Varys clasped his hands together, "Duke Eddard and King Robert grew up together as Duke Jon's foster sons in the Eyrie from the age of eight. Their bond is deep, like brothers.
Whether it was the great war more than a decade ago or the rebellion in the Iron Islands nine years ago, Duke Eddard consistently and firmly supported King Robert."
...
...
Western Crabclaw Point.
Night had already fallen, dyeing all banners black. Over a hundred campfires had been lit in Kleber's camp, and Cleber Soldiers were resting by the bonfires. Some young Cleber Soldiers, using the fading daylight, practiced blocking and thrusting techniques, their chests dripping with sweat.
Inside the commander's tent, Pel Pili dipped his thumb and forefinger into a salt dish and sprinkled a large amount onto the roasted meat.
"Impa, you need to replenish your food."
The day's march had been long, and Impa looked a bit tired. She reached for a piece of meat and said, "Ser, the Thorn Legion is ready. I think the Mountain Barbarians in the west will be very surprised."
Pel's lips curved slightly, "This time our military supplies are abundant. We must try to minimize our casualties. We need to save more energy; after the western campaign, the war between Kleber and the Vale will not be far off."
Impa chewed the roasted meat and looked at the swamp marigold banner hanging in the tent.
Both of them were taciturn, and for a time, only the occasional crackling from the brazier could be heard in the tent.
After a while, feeling full, Pel clapped his hands and said, "Impa, when you are knighted, Ser Mason and I will both be witnesses."
Impa swallowed her food and nodded in thanks, "Ser, that would be a great honor."
Pel, who was usually stern in front of his soldiers, smiled, a rare sight.
"In the future… the entire Crabclaw Point will be Kleber's military camp. Lord Green needs more loyal and reliable knights to protect him. You have already proven your loyalty and reliability with your actions, Impa!"
...
The next day, dawn broke.
The sky's color gradually transitioned from darkness to a soft blue, presenting a serene beauty, as if the whole world was waiting for the start of a new day.
Woo woo woo woo, a low and prolonged military horn sounded, like the cold wind of a long winter, sending shivers down one's spine.
As the horn faded, archers unleashed a volley of arrows.
The arrows shot by the Thorn Legion rained down like hail upon the enemy, hundreds, thousands, countless in an instant.
Many Mountain Barbarians fell, struck by arrows, their shouts turning into wails.
At this moment, the second wave of attacks had fallen from the sky, and the Cley Cerwyn longbowmen were all nocking their third arrows.
On the east side of the battlefield, Pel stood before a thousand-strong formation of soldiers.
Lord Green's continuous investment of gold dragons had significantly improved the quality of the Cleber Soldiers' weapons. Their weapons, in the morning light of dawn, were like a slowly unfurling steel Rose, their thorns glinting.
The arrow rain of the Thorn Legion slowed, and Pel roared, "Beat the war drums!"
Boom boom boom boom boom, the rumbling war drums sounded.
With a clang, Pel drew the longsword from his waist and shouted in a resonant voice, "For Lord Green!!!"
Pel waved his longsword, and a thousand voices immediately responded, "Long live Kleber!!!"
Under Pel's command, the soldiers marched forward in unison, shouting slogans towards the enemy.
In front of the Thorn Legion was a half-moon formation of spearmen, like a steel porcupine.
Impa observed the movements on Pel's side, estimated the distance, and called out to Rena beside her, "Pass my order, last three arrows!!"
In the battlefield, spears thrust from all directions, and a warhorse crashed down, spitting blood and dying.
A Mountain Barbarian screamed and charged directly at Pel, only to be struck in the chest by a Kelleber Soldier's battle-axe, instantly killed.
The Kelleber Soldier raised his battle-axe and let out a terrifying roar.
With this roar, battle cries echoed across the blood-stained battlefield, as if in response.
...
...
Winterfell, Lord's Chambers.
Eddard Stark sat quietly by the fireplace, his neatly trimmed beard already turning gray.
Eddard looked up and said, "Catelyn, you stay in Winterfell."
For some reason, when she heard her husband tell her to stay, Catelyn Tully's heart suddenly sank.
Catelyn suddenly felt afraid, "Ned, please, don't leave me behind."
Duke Eddard's tone was unyielding, "No, you must stay."
Catelyn's face was stubborn.
After a pause, Eddard explained, "Winter is coming, and I'm a little worried about Robert. I will go south as quickly as possible. During this time, you must manage the North in my stead. Winterfell must have a Stark in charge.
Robb is already fourteen and will soon come of age. He needs to start learning how to rule, and I won't be able to be by his side to teach him.
Catelyn, you must personally include him in your confidential meetings and cultivate his ability to stand on his own. He is my heir and must be fully prepared."
Her husband's words pierced Catelyn's heart like ice.
Ned wasn't saying goodbye to her; he was preparing for the worst.
Catelyn grew even more afraid. Would she never see him again? Would she never again receive her husband's warm embrace?
Catelyn took a deep breath, gathering her courage to ask the question she most dreaded hearing the answer to: "What about the other children?"
Duke Eddard Rose from his chair, walked over, and embraced his trembling wife, his voice very gentle, "Except for Sansa and Arya, the other children will stay here with you and Robb."
Her husband's warm embrace soothed Catelyn's uneasy heart. She looked up, puzzled, "Arya?"
Thinking of his young daughter, Arya Stark, Eddard's lips unconsciously curved slightly, "Arya should also learn the customs and etiquette of the South. In a few years, she'll also be preparing for marriage... I hope it's not too late."
Catelyn couldn't help but chuckle. Their little daughter certainly needed to learn some manners.
Eddard gently kissed the unshed tears from Catelyn's eyes. "I know this is painful, my dear Catelyn. Thank you."
Catelyn closed her eyes and shook her head slightly; she couldn't bear to leave anyone in her family.
After a pause, Catelyn suddenly opened her eyes and stared at Eddard, asking, "What about Jon?"
Catelyn was referring to Duke Eddard's bastard son, Jon Snow.
Catelyn had known since childhood that it was common for noblemen to have bastards outside of marriage. Therefore, she was not at all surprised when, shortly after her wedding, she learned that Ned had fathered a bastard with a farmer's daughter during a campaign.
Ned and she had reunited for a few days after their wedding before he hastily went south to fight the Targaryen, leaving her safely in Riverrun, which was behind the battlefield.
Separated by distance, her thoughts at the time were focused on Robb in swaddling clothes, and she rarely thought of her husband, whom she barely knew.
Catelyn could understand her husband seeking comfort while hovering between life and death, and once he had left a child, she also hoped he would at least ensure the child was well-fed and clothed.
But Stark was different from others; Ned brought his bastard home and even called him his son in front of everyone.
No matter how much Catelyn pleaded, she couldn't persuade him to send the bastard out of Winterfell... At that time, Catelyn thought, no matter who Jon Snow's mother was, Ned must have been deeply in love with her! This was one thing she would never forgive him for.
Catelyn had learned to love her husband with all her heart; as long as they didn't appear before her, she could turn a blind eye to how many bastards Ned loved to have outside.
However, Jon Snow in Winterfell was always visible and tangible, and she found him an eyesore no matter how she looked at him.
What Catelyn hated most was that this bastard grew to resemble Ned more and more, even more than the sons she bore!
...
Duke Eddard hesitated and said, "He and Robb have a very good relationship, and I hope..."
Catelyn angrily interrupted, "He absolutely cannot stay here! He's your son, not mine! I won't let him stay here. Jon must leave."
Catelyn knew she was being a bit excessive, but she was also speaking the truth.
If Ned left Jon Snow in Winterfell without him, it would do no good for the bastard himself.
Duke Eddard's face was bitter. "You know I can't take Jon south. There's no place for him in King's Landing. A child with a bastard's surname will be ostracized. You should know very well what others will say."
Catelyn did not want to yield, or perhaps she wanted to take this opportunity to completely resolve the problem that had troubled her for years.
"I hear your dearest brother, King Robert, has also fathered many bastards in King's Landing, and they're living well there!"
Duke Eddard's voice carried some anger, "Catelyn, how can you be so cruel to him? He's just a child!"
Catelyn could sense the pain in Ned's eyes as he looked at her, a silent plea in their depths.
Looking at her husband's expression at that moment, Catelyn felt immense heartache, but she gritted her teeth and hardened her resolve; she absolutely could not compromise this time.
Tully Family motto: Family, Duty, Honor!
As a daughter of Tully, everything Catelyn Tully did was to protect her beloved family!
Duke Eddard looked out the window, his long face remaining silent for a long time.
Finally, Duke Eddard sighed, his voice weary, "I will take him south with me."
Ned finally agreed, and Catelyn was so happy she wanted to kiss her husband immediately and comfort him well.
Catelyn showed no outward emotion. She understood her husband; the Direwolf needed time to sort things out, and her appearing overly excited now would only anger Ned.
She would prepare more gold dragons for him, at least enough to ensure the child would be well-fed and clothed in King's Landing in the future.