Myr, on the plains outside Myr.
Some youngsters roamed the plains: the Rose of The Reach, the last true dragon, and the legitimized bastard of House Baratheon.
"Ser Barristan," Garlan greeted the Old Knight first. "Your good name is renowned throughout the Seven Kingdoms."
"You are a kind young man, but I am already on the list of traitors and have been removed from the Small Council." Barristan laughed heartily.
"That is their folly."
"I am so glad you could come. Welcome, welcome." Daenerys said to Margaery and Garlan.
Dany had a rather good impression of House Tyrell. Although they couldn't reverse the defeat of House Targaryen, they at least put up a symbolic fight and took the initiative, which was worthy of the Dragon King's grace. In contrast, House Tully didn't even put on a show.
Margaery knelt before Her Majesty the Queen. "You do me great honor, Your Majesty."
"Why not call me Dany? Come, get up. And may I call you Margaery?" Daenerys helped Margaery to her feet.
Daenerys secretly observed Margaery. She was a gentle and beautiful classic beauty, dressed in traditional attire from The Reach. Brown hair, brown eyes, slender and lovely. Dany, however, made Margaery feel a great distance between them. Although she considered herself a beauty and a favorite of The Reach, Daenerys's beauty was universally acknowledged as otherworldly.
"I originally thought you would appear at Renly's coronation," Gendry said. His golden brocade cloak shimmered, embroidered on one side with fifty leaping stags and on the other with fifty roaring dragons. But the stag's head bore not only a crown but also a warhammer as a symbol of authority; kingship came from strength.
"What is that supposed to mean? Renly, Lord Renly, has indeed usurped." Ser Garlan spoke. "House Tyrell is a loyal servant of the King."
"Usurpation is treason, of course, but silence also requires an answer. I heard Renly listed Edric as his heir, saying Edric's noble birth made him more deserving?"
"That is true," Garlan replied. "That is merely Renly's own opinion, and Renly has also planned a more powerful marriage alliance. Lord Renly wishes to contact Lord Stannis, for the sake of those beautiful fleets, to marry Edric to Lady Shireen."
"Renly thinks things through quite well." Gendry found this marriage plan rather absurd, too. It seemed he was being pushed to the brink, his ecological niche threatened. Edric and Shireen, as peers, did have a basis for marriage, just like Tywin and his wife; this was not an issue in the A Song of Ice and Fire universe. But the problem lay with the poor little girl, who suffered from a terrible illness.
Margaery noticed the young man before her. She thought she saw a younger Renly, but quickly discerned the differences.
Gendry had a wider jaw, thicker eyebrows, and shorter hair, like The Conqueror. Renly was slender and elegant, but the youth before her had broad shoulders and the strong arms characteristic of a blacksmith. Their eyes were both a clear blue, but Renly's were warm and enthusiastic, full of laughter, while Gendry's held the steeliness and courage of a warrior.
"He's a charming young man." Margaery put away her own little thoughts, but Margaery felt that Gendry must also be attracted to beauty, though she wondered if he was as dissolute as the King. Daenerys certainly possessed extraordinary influence, but it was her unparalleled beauty that truly earned her favor.
"I hope to see your loyalty." Gendry looked at Garlan.
"I will relay the message back to The Reach truthfully..." Garlan said.
"There's no need for such tension." Daenerys looked at Ser Garlan, trying to smooth things over. "They are all guests."
"winter is coming, and the long summer is nearing its end. The Reach, as the great granary, provides the greatest contribution by supplying grain and provisions to the Seven Kingdoms."
The number of people in The Reach was like a bug, but they were leaderless; without a suitable opportunity to deploy troops, they couldn't be united at all.
Garlan nodded. This heir possessed the courage of a warrior and a compassionate heart, which was superior to many.
"I hear Ser Garlan often practices against three or five men?" Gendry looked at Garlan before him, whose chest was embroidered with two golden Roses, representing his status as a second son.
"Opportunities for one-on-one combat are rare on the battlefield, so one must prepare early," Garlan replied.
"He's a truly brave warrior."
"I merely prepare for war, but Your Highness has already won many wars."
"Just for fun." Gendry's words held an undeniable tone.
"Then I apologize for the offense," Garlan said. In truth, he was also curious to know just how formidable this Storm of Victory, the greatest warrior across the Narrow Sea, truly was.
Ser Garlan raised his shield, embroidered with a pair of golden Roses, then took up his blunted sword and donned his armor.
Ser Garlan saw Gendry also ready with armor and weapon, and motioned for him to attack. Garlan then charged like a fierce storm, like an agile leopard.
Gendry wielded his blunted sword, striking later but arriving first. A tremendous force emanated from the blunted sword, steel clashing against steel, creating a beautiful flash of iron light.
But after only a moment, Ser Garlan could no longer parry. His shield was shattered by the blunted sword, and his muscles twitched slightly.
"I, I lost." Garlan dropped his weapon. The warrior before him seemed almost superhuman, his strength as fierce as a surging tide. He felt overwhelmed.
Although Garlan disliked public display, he was quite confident in his own strength, but now he felt a sense of defeat, like an insurmountable chasm. However, Garlan quickly recovered, realizing he had likely lost to the strongest warrior of the age, perhaps without equal.
"Your prowess, I truly admire it," Garlan said.
Dany said proudly, "That is only natural."
"If there's an opportunity, The Reach invites Your Highness to our lands for falconry and recreation. My brother Willas breeds the finest hounds and noble steeds." Margaery said with a smile.
"That opportunity will come."
After their journey concluded, Garlan and his sister returned to their campsite, while Gendry and Dany went back to Pear Orchard Manor.
"Is he really that strong?" Margaery asked curiously.
"Yes." Garlan nodded, speaking in a low voice. "I wasn't just playing along with Gendry. His speed and strength are astonishing, and he has exceptional stamina and combat experience. With such immense power, I felt like I was dueling a giant; his casual swings were hard to parry. He possesses both courage and intelligence. Khal Drogo must have died by his hand."
"Then what about us?" Margaery asked.
"Though we are guests, guests are merely guests. The host hasn't told us his next move, but I believe he already has a plan. Is he planning an offensive into the Stormlands?"
"Deploying a fleet and a large army, starting with a Baratheon civil war?" Margaery thought for a moment. "Gaining legitimacy is quite common."
"No matter what, caution is best. Has there ever been someone like him before? Conquering lands at such a young age, this person is truly formidable."
...Inside the council hall of Wolfs Den.
"Time is of the essence. I am determined to lead the army across the Green Fork, via Ruby Beach, to relieve Riverrun," Gendry said.
"Speed is crucial in war, but is there a military risk?" Ser Barristan said. "If you trust me, I can serve as Commander."
"Time is pressing. We need to first take out the Kingslayer's forces, and we'll mostly be using armies from the Vale and the Claw Peninsula," Gendry replied. These armies were not directly under his command, so it was better for him to lead them personally for easier management. One must remember that the Vale and the crabfeeders men have always been at odds.
This was due to considerations of troop strength and terrain. Tywin's twenty-thousand-strong army was the fist of the Westerlands; to defeat them would require at least thirty to forty thousand men, a population deficit that was too great. The Kingslayer's forces, however, were dispersed in three locations and constantly besieging castles, which suggested they might be overconfident and complacent.
"If Your Highness says so, then it is settled. Since you will be the vanguard, I shall serve as your guard." Ser Barristan said, taking the role without hesitation.
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