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CHAPTER 152
290 AC
POV MC
"Do you possess an alternative solution, or is this merely empty rhetoric?"
The lingering discomfort that Robert held due to my past escapades seemed to fuel his penchant for playful jabs. His ability to seize any opportunity to jap at my expense was a testament to this.
"Yes, my king, I have an idea," I ventured forth with my proposal. "We divide the Iron Islands by electing a new lord-reaper of the Iron Island or creating a new title equal to it."
A subtle shake of heads from Lord Royce and Tully followed, with Royce voicing his reservations. "My King, we cannot take someone's birthright, and it would be the same as killing Balon. Since the Conquest, Greyjoys were the lord reaper of Iron Island. This will destabilize the Iron Islands."
Royce, it seemed, adhered steadfastly to principles of honor, reflecting his honorable nature. Nonetheless, I pressed on, driven by practical considerations. "Lord Royce, that is the point. You can just listen if you cannot keep up with the discussion. Nobody would oppose that."
The tinge of anger and embarrassment on Royce's face was undeniable, yet I forged ahead, unwavering. "As I said, you can depose Greyjoys, or the better idea would be to create another title equal to Lord of Iron Island. Then, we will split the Iron Islands in half, creating in-fighting among them. While they are fighting each other, they can't fight or raid us."
Observing my meticulous preparation, Robert inquired with a measure of curiosity.
"If you planned this much, you must have a house in mind; which one of the Iron Island houses would even dream about standing up to Greyjoy?"
In response, I presented my criteria for the ideal candidate.
"The new leader house needs to fulfill two conditions: First, is there any house ambitious enough to stand up against Greyjoys and fight against them for power? There are four houses that satisfy this condition, but among them, realistically, only 2 of them are strong enough to stand up to Greyjoys. The second condition is they need to be against the old ways. That leaves us only with House Harlaw. I would say half of Iron Island doesn't care about the old ways if they can hold onto their powers or grow them."
I slowly approached the map of the Iron Islands, using it as a visual aid for my strategic division plan. Lord Tully voiced his concerns about the potential aftermath. "This would turn the Islands into a hot mess."
I reiterated the intent behind my proposal, clarifying its purpose. "Again, that is the point of this plan, creating instability in the region. For the years to come, it will cause Iron Island to fight each other even if Harlaw or Greyjoy can consolidate their power and hold all of the islands. It would take them more years to prepare for rebelling. With the implementation of this plan, wet rats would kill each other rather than our innocent people."
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Robert's gaze shifted to Ned, silently seeking his input, while Tywin listened attentively, withholding his comments. Ned weighed in on the matter. "I can't say I like using this plan, but I wouldn't mind giving Bear Island and coastal towns a few years of peace."
My projections concerning the future consequences of this plan were explicit. "If Harlaws come out on top after these power struggles, the raiding culture of the Iron Island would slowly diminish, but if the winner is Greyjoy, I predict they would rebel at first sight of weakness from the Iron Throne. It might take 10 or 20 years, but they will definitely rebel."
…
Following the deliberations, Robert's proclamation designated Rodrik Harlaw as the Paramount of the Seas and Rivers, effectively granting him control over half of the Iron Islands due to House Greyjoy's treachery. The reaction was mixed among the Iron Island houses; while many voiced their disagreement, the loyalists of House Harlaw perceived this as a chance to ascend and rally around their new leader. The success of the plan exceeded my expectations. Notably, even during the celebratory festivities held to mark Rodrik Harlaw's new title, an incident occurred. Harlon Stonetree, son of Lord Stonetree, engaged in a deadly confrontation, slaying Lord Botley's son Balon Boltley. The trigger was Balon's branding of Lord Harlaw as a usurper.
With the conclusion of these events, the armies commenced their withdrawal to the mainland, carrying their spoils with them. However, Robert's intentions were far from allowing us to return to our homes immediately. He declared a grand victory tourney to be held at Lannisport, planning to expend a substantial portion of the acquired wealth, a staggering two hundred thousand gold dragons.
This upcoming tourney comprised three main competitions: Joust, Melee, and Archery. The rewards for the winners were substantial. The victor of the Joust would garner 35 thousand gold dragons for the first place, 10 thousand gold dragons for the second, and 2 thousand gold dragons for the third. Similarly, the Melee offered rewards of 30 thousand gold dragons for the first place, 7 thousand gold dragons for the second, and 2 thousand gold dragons for the third. The Archery event included a prize of 15 thousand gold dragons for the first place, 5 thousand gold dragons for the second, and 2 thousand gold dragons for the third. The total expenditure on rewards surpassed a hundred thousand gold dragons, leaving the remaining funds for the festivities.
My enthusiasm for the tourney knew no bounds; Robert's lavish generosity promised a substantial fortune for the skilled participants. With unwavering confidence, I was convinced that victory in Archery was within my grasp, and I held optimistic aspirations for the Joust as well. However, the Melee posed a challenge, especially if esteemed competitors like Jamie or Ser Selmy were to enter. Regardless, the prospect of clashing with such revered knights exhilarated me to no end.
As preparations progressed, the assembled knights, each a notable figure in their own right, set the stage for the impending tourney. The final touches took a mere four days, culminating in the readiness of the event's venue just outside Lannisport. My own journey in the Joust was slated to begin in the first round, where I would face none other than Lord Royce. Although I had hoped to ride Sith, my formidable companion, I anticipated the organizers' decision not to allow it. This, however, didn't dissuade me from attempting to try. Sith's had exceptional attributes, far surpassing those of an ordinary horse.
Sith's average speed reached an impressive 35, surpassing the typical 30 of a horse. With her mana-infused bursts, her speed reached to an astounding 85, though it was crucial to note that this pertained to galloping speed rather than her attack pace. Beyond this, her immense strength set her apart, with a formidable 40 in comparison to a horse's 20-25. The magnitude of her power enabled feats such as easily crushing an armored opponent or severing a man's head with a single swipe of her colossal claws.
On the morrow, the tourney would be starting, and the anticipation of the commencement was palpable. Amidst the fervor, Lord Frey, a figure renowned for his cunning, emerged on the scene. He bowed before the king, seeking forgiveness for his delayed actions. Responding to his calculated tardiness, Robert bestowed upon him the moniker of "The Late Lord Frey." This epithet, delivered with a mix of jest and reproach, underscored Lord Frey's crafty maneuvers that aimed to minimize his losses while other Riverland Lords bore the brunt of Tully's lackluster leadership.