The Cate Black brothers walked through the crowd, up the steps, and approached Cersei Lannister.
Osney Kettleblack said with a beaming smile, "Your Majesty, our fire ships have been deployed, and the entire Blackwater River is bathed in Wildfire. A hundred ships are burning, perhaps even more."
Queen Regent Cersei nodded slightly and asked, "Where is my son?"
Osney replied respectfully, "The King is at the Dung Gate, with the Prime Minister and the Kingsguard. He is talking to the soldiers on the battlements and teaching them little tricks for operating crossbows. Everyone is praising him as a brave king."
After a pause, he added, "Everything I said is true, I promise, Your Majesty."
Queen Regent Cersei snorted lightly and said, "My son needs to be a living king."
Then, her green eyes flickered, and she spoke to her guard captain, "What about you?"
Ser Osfryd's face was gloomy. He replied, "Your Majesty, the red-robed lads caught a stable boy and two maids. They stole three of the King's horses and tried to slip out through a side gate."
"Put their heads on spears and hang them outside the stables as a warning."
"Yes, My King."
After the Cate Black brothers left, Queen Regent Cersei looked at her daughter and said, "These are the first traitors, but not the last. Myrcella, at a time like this, if you are soft-hearted, traitors will spring up like mushrooms after rain. You must remember, the only way to maintain loyalty is to ensure they fear you more than the enemy."
"I will remember," Princess Myrcella nodded obediently, and Queen Regent Cersei stroked her cheek with satisfaction.
After a while, Ser Osfryd hurried back and said, "Your Majesty, there are many people gathered outside the West Gate, mostly merchants and artisans. They are asking for refuge in the castle."
Queen Regent Cersei said coldly, "Tell them to go home. If they don't leave, have the soldiers shoot a few with crossbows. Do not sally forth, and do not open the gates under any circumstances."
After the guard captain left, her beautiful eyes flashed with anger: "I wish I could take a sword to the battlefield!"
Queen Regent Cersei had drunk a lot. The blush on her face was as dazzling as the sunset and as delicate as a Rose.
With a hint of bewilderment in her beautiful eyes, she murmured, "I have reached the pinnacle of women in the Seven Kingdoms, yet I see my most desired dream in a little savage, happening vividly before my eyes."
She drained the wine in her cup, then paused, her lips curving upward: "I hold the two best swords in the Seven Kingdoms."
"Mother..." Princess Myrcella's clear voice was filled with concern.
Her green eyes flickered, and Queen Regent Cersei reached out and embraced her daughter, saying, "Myrcella, before swords, there is no difference between a noblewoman and an ordinary woman. Remember Mother's words, do not let your swords leave you, at least keep one by your side."
Queen Regent Cersei stopped the servant who was about to pour her more wine. She turned the goblet over and said, "Enough, I need to stay sober."
...
...
As Stannis's flagship, the fury, passed beneath the Red Keep, Tyrion signaled, urging the Gold Cloaks to whip the cattle and drive them forward.
The iron chain was extremely heavy, so the huge capstan turned slowly, emitting a creaking roar.
Just as Tyrion had rehearsed in his mind thousands of times, when the gleaming metal emerged through the water, Stannis's entire fleet entered the Blackwater River.
The giant chain emerged link by link, dripping water, some even stained with glittering mud... until it was fully taut, leaving Stannis's fleet, which had entered the Blackwater River, with no retreat.
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