Under the heavy gaze of the room, Lysa unrolled the parchment in her hand. Her voice was clear and steady as she began her report.
"According to our eyes in King's Landing and Harrenhal, the Mad King departed for the capital the very next day after the tourney concluded. However, before leaving Harrenhal, he threw a massive tantrum in public and urgently dispatched ravens to the capital. Shortly after, a force of nearly one hundred elite Gold Cloaks rode south from the city with great fanfare. However—" She paused, adding weight to her next words. "They were seen leaving the city, but not a single soul has been seen returning. Their whereabouts remain unknown to the Crown."
Euron nodded slightly, a cold, sharp smile playing on his lips. "I know about that. They were acting on the Mad King's orders to forcibly drag Princess Elia back to King's Landing." His gaze swept over the family members present. "Now, they are all permanently part of the Kingswood's soil. Naturally, they won't be returning."
Lord Quellon slammed his hand against the armrest of the Seastone Chair, his voice booming like thunder. "You have some nerve!"
Euron remained perfectly composed. "We left no survivors, and there is no evidence. I couldn't exactly stand by and watch Princess Elia be dragged back into that madman's cage."
His voice was calm but carried an unquestionable finality. For a moment, the only sound in the Great Hall was the crackling of the firewood in the hearth.
Quellon fell silent for a moment, then waved his hand dismissively. "What's done is done. We wait and see. Continue."
Lysa nodded slightly and moved to the next section of the report. "Regarding King's Landing: since returning from Harrenhal, Ser Jaime Lannister has officially taken up his post in the Kingsguard. He is currently stationed at Maegor's Holdfast, responsible for Queen Rhaella Targaryen's safety. It is worth noting," she emphasized, "that when the mysterious 'Knight of the Laughing Tree' appeared at the tourney, Jaime was on duty in King's Landing. Therefore, it is confirmed that Jaime Lannister is not the mystery knight."
Euron's lips curled into a knowing smirk. "The Knight of the Laughing Tree was Lyanna Stark."
Balon whipped his head around, surprise flashing in his eyes. "How can you be so certain?"
Euron tapped the corner of his eye. "I saw it with my own eyes. I was tailing Rhaegar at the time and happened to catch Lyanna changing out of her armor in the woods." His tone was flat, leaving no room for doubt.
Quellon waved it off indifferently. "It doesn't matter. Just a sideshow to the tourney. Whether it was the Stark girl or someone else, it has nothing to do with the Iron Islands."
The sea breeze blew through the stone window, fluttering the edges of the parchment, as if the wind itself was indifferent to this revealed secret.
Lysa nodded in agreement and unrolled another piece of intelligence. "Regarding House Tully: Since Jaime Lannister has joined the Kingsguard, his betrothal to my sister, Lysa Tully, is naturally void. Riverrun has sent formal missives to the great houses of the Seven Kingdoms announcing this."
She paused briefly, adding a detail. "Lord Hoster Tully's wording in the letter was cautious, but between the lines, his dissatisfaction with House Lannister is hard to miss."
Euron sneered, toying with his wine cup. "That is amusing. But this wasn't Tywin's doing; I doubt even he expected such a twist." He looked around the room. "Jaime joining the Kingsguard is a heavy blow to Tywin. The Tullys are directing their anger at the wrong target."
The flames from the fireplace danced in his eyes. "Tywin Lannister is likely far more furious right now than Lord Hoster. After all, he didn't just lose a marriage alliance; he lost the heir he personally groomed."
"Precisely," Lysa continued her methodical report. "Lord Tywin Lannister left Harrenhal two days before the tourney ended. Upon returning to Casterly Rock, he immediately issued two major commands: First, an emergency recall of all Westerners stationed in King's Landing. Second, a total suspension of all aid to the Crown—including gold, grain, and armor." She paused to confirm. "According to our spies in the West, personnel and supplies are indeed being withdrawn. Furthermore, while there is no hard proof, it is likely the West is secretly contacting other factions."
Lord Quellon let out a cold, mocking laugh. "The Mad King publicly shoved Tywin's eldest son into the White Cloaks—that was a loud slap in the face. It would be strange if Tywin didn't react."
Euron tapped his finger against his chair, musing. "For now, it's just a withdrawal of assets, not open rebellion. But his future moves bear watching."
Lysa added, "Solid intelligence indicates Lord Tywin is heavily reinforcing the West's defenses. The number of troops is rising, and garrisons at key strongholds have been strengthened."
She then opened another scroll. "During the tourney, the Mad King publicly declared Esember Arryn the heir to the Vale. However, upon returning to the Eyrie, Lord Jon Arryn immediately declared his nephew, Elbert Arryn, as his heir."
Lord Quellon burst into loud laughter. "Interesting! Now that is interesting! So, what is the situation in the Vale?"
Lysa smiled faintly, a look of understanding on her face. "Esember Arryn, the head of the Arryns of Gulltown, naturally refuses to back down. He has publicly declared in Gulltown that he is the rightful heir appointed by the King himself. The Vale is now in a standoff—though," she added, "it appears only the Gulltown region supports Esember. Most bannermen remain loyal to the Eyrie."
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Lysa's voice grew lower as she continued. "From the North: After returning to Winterfell, Lady Lyanna Stark was strictly confined to the castle by Lord Rickard. She is forbidden from leaving."
Quellon grunted. "Expected."
"King's Landing is more volatile," Lysa said, her tone becoming grave. "When news reached the capital that Princess Elia had returned to Dorne, the Mad King flew into a rage that night. He stormed into Maegor's Holdfast and whipped Queen Rhaella."
She lowered her voice. "It is said Jaime Lannister was on guard duty that night. He clearly heard the Queen's painful cries. The new Kingsguard wanted to burst in and stop it, but Ser Jonothor Darry physically restrained him."
The parchment trembled slightly in her hand. "The next morning, handmaids found the Queen covered in bruises, bites, and scratch marks. Jaime furiously questioned his brother-in-arms, saying, 'We swore to protect her from harm.' Jonothor simply replied, 'Yes, but not from the King.'"
Balon slammed his fist onto the table, his eyes burning with anger. "Taking his rage out on his own woman?! That madman!"
Lysa opened another scroll, her expression serious. "The next report is also from King's Landing. Because the Lannisters cut off financial subsidies, the Mad King has ordered a massive tax hike, specifically on port tariffs, trying to fill the hole in the treasury."
She looked up at the men. "The King is attempting to boost revenue through tariffs and corrupt tax farmers. The result is a collapse in commerce. Goods are scarce, and prices are skyrocketing. Market inventory is less than thirty percent of what it was, and the price of flour has more than doubled."
"We pulled all our economic investments out of King's Landing in time," Lysa added, a note of relief in her voice. "We avoided major losses."
"One other note: The Hand of the King made a secret trip to Highgarden recently. The details are unknown, but immediately after, Highgarden sent a massive shipment of grain aid to King's Landing."
Quellon sneered. "The Tyrells certainly know how to pick a moment to sell a favor."
Lysa turned her gaze to a parchment marked with the stag of the Stormlands. "Regarding the Stormlands: Robert Baratheon has been frequently summoning his bannermen. He openly curses the Mad King and Prince Rhaegar at his feasts, using very... colorful language. At the same time, he is purchasing large quantities of weapons. It's a clear sign of military expansion."
Euron tapped the back of his chair. "Likely for self-preservation. Storm's End soldiers were involved in the skirmish against the Gold Cloaks in the Kingswood."
For the first time, a small smile touched Lysa's lips. She unrolled the final scroll, her voice carrying a rare lightness. "This last piece of news might wash away the gloom. Due to your performance at the Tourney at Harrenhal, Euron, a new title is spreading across the Seven Kingdoms for you: 'The Blade of Justice'."
She paused deliberately, letting the name echo in the stone hall. "They say it started with the smallfolk you saved from 'The Mountain,' Gregor Clegane. Your judgment and execution of that monster have made many view you as an avatar of justice."
Lord Quellon chuckled meaningfully, while Balon let out a disdainful snort. Euron, however, wore a complicated expression, his fingers grazing the hilt of his blade as if tasting the unexpected nickname.
Who the hell came up with that? I want to cut him in half!
Lysa unrolled the final parchment, stamped with the links of the Citadel. Her voice rang clearly through the hall. "The final report comes from the Citadel. The Maesters have confirmed that the so-called 'False Spring' is ending. Winter will return by year's end and is expected to last three years—from late 281 AC to the spring of 284 AC."
She waited for the weight of the news to settle before adding, "However, the Citadel noted that compared to the last winter, which lasted three years and froze many to death, this winter is predicted to be much milder."
Lord Quellon grunted. "A mild winter is still winter. Send word to all the islands: stockpile food and wood."
The sea wind surged through the window, carrying an imperceptible chill, as if delivering the message of winter ahead of time.
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