The Mountain of Ice and Fire

“I swear on the Seven Gods and the honor of House Lannister that from this day forward, no matter what terrible prophecies the witch makes, I will not harm her; I will only be grateful,” Duke Tywin's oath was as commanding as an order in battle. His face and tone were cold, showing not a trace of gratitude.

The witch nodded, revealing her black and shiny teeth, her smile eerie and filled with a dark aura. She looked at Duke Tywin with an expression of godlike authority, and no matter how dignified Duke Tywin was, her eyes and expression were condescending, carrying the aura of looking down upon mortals.

However, Duke Tywin didn't mind the witch's assertiveness; his stern expression remained as unyielding as iron.

Was Duke Tywin's oath genuine?

No one knew for sure, perhaps not even the Duke himself. When circumstances changed, his oath might dissipate like smoke.

As a true grand duke of political cunning and an iron fist, Duke Tywin spoke humbly to the witch because he thought further ahead and saw deeper.

The witch's remarkable ability to prophesy could be used by him, and was irreplaceable!

Back in the days of the Targaryen dynasty, two consecutive kings had promoted Brynden Rivers, 'A Thousand Eyes and One,' to Hand of the King, second only to the king and above all others. Why? Because his talent was rare!

Brynden Rivers was a bastard, although he was later legitimized by his royal father, he was still just a warrior. From warrior to Hand of the King, all because he suddenly possessed the ability to warg, and the ability to possess 'A Thousand Eyes and One' was extraordinary.

Thus, because of his sudden ability, Brynden Rivers went from an ordinary warrior to the Hand of the King, eliminating rebels, suppressing traitors, fighting enemies, and thwarting political enemies' conspiracies, achieving victory after victory.

Tywin naturally wanted a super figure like 'A Thousand Eyes and One' by his side, and the verification of the witch's prophecies had already moved him, but Duke Tywin's emotions were as cold as frost and as ruthless as iron, completely different from other people's excitement.

Assuming he had a witch for her prophecies and the Mountain for his martial prowess, Duke Tywin felt much more at ease.

Could the witch reach the level of a super figure like Brynden Rivers in Duke Tywin's mind?

Duke Tywin had his own keen eyes and accurate judgment.

*

“Your Grace, Bran Stark is a skilled climber. He is seven years old this year, but he has two years of experience climbing the ruined tower. He knows every hole, every patch of weeds, which layer the crows live on, and which layer the snowbirds inhabit. He has a habit of climbing the ruined tower.”

“Yes, I'm listening!” Duke Tywin's waist and neck were as straight as a spear.

“He was pushed from the highest level by a lion. The lion didn't want to cripple him, of course, but to kill him.”

“Who?”

“Jaime Lannister.”

Duke Tywin's breathing became slightly heavier, almost imperceptible, but the witch saw it clearly.

“Why?” Tywin's voice remained steady.

“Jaime was discussing court secrets with Cersei at the top of the ruined tower and the child overheard.”

Silence!

Deadly silence.

“This is not reasonable,” Duke Tywin said. His expression did not change, but the veins on his neck bulged.

“I know what you want to say. The King and Your Grace took a large group of people to the wolfswood to hunt, and they won't be back for at least half a month. That is the safest place in all of Winterfell. No one would go up to the ruined tower, which has been abandoned for many years, especially not to the highest level.”

Duke Tywin stared at the witch, whose soft eyes looked back at him. The Duke's piercing gaze had no effect on her.

“Witch, I want to ask you another question.”

Duke Tywin didn't say 'I want,' but 'I will,' an affirmative tone that brooked no rebuttal or doubt.

“I will say what I know.”

“Madam Witch, how long has it been going on between Jaime and Cersei?” Duke Tywin used the respectful title 'Madam' for the first time.

“I can only say, a very long time!”

The Duke was not satisfied with the witch's answer.

“I will pay you another hundred gold dragons for the answer to this question,” the Duke said, his face already cold and his eyes as icy as steel.

This showed that the Duke had always had doubts in this regard, but he kept them in his heart, a self-deceiving question he dared not touch, simply because the impact of this matter was too great.

Once the volatile King found out, he would not hesitate to chop off Jaime and Cersei's heads. The strength of the King's family at Storm's End and the power of the nobles in the Crownlands would become enemies of the Westerlands.

Of course, there would also be the North, the Riverlands, the Vale, the Reach, and Dorne, who had a blood feud. Once the war started, the Westerlands would be finished.

It was essential to keep the King in the dark, just as he was now. Even if it was exposed, there had to be a plausible denial. Of course, the foolproof method was to kill King Robert, establish a small, ignorant King Joffrey, and then control Joffrey in his own hands, thereby eliminating the disaster.

Then, Cersei would stay in the Red Keep, and Jaime would return to the Westerlands as the heir to Casterly Rock. In this way, my wish would be fulfilled!

“Madam Witch, tell me the specific situation, and I will make you the High Priestess of the Westerlands, with a monthly salary of ten gold dragons, overseeing all the priests and septons in the Westerlands. The generals and knights of the Westerlands must pay you their respects.”

Duke Tywin said this, naturally deciding to reuse the witch. He didn't want the Westerlands to be destroyed or the Lannisters to be exterminated. Now that the witch knew secrets she shouldn't know, would he strangle her if she didn't follow him?

However, this matter was too big, and the witch decided to use euphemistic words. She would not be foolish enough to say it directly.

“Your Grace, what you suspect in your heart may be the truth.”

Duke Tywin's heart shook.

What he suspected in his heart was indeed the truth: Prince Joffrey, Prince Tommen, and Princess Myrcella.

Although the witch did not say it explicitly, the Duke already understood. If what the witch said was true, King Robert would kill Jaime and Cersei immediately, stick their heads on spears, and then raise an army to destroy the Westerlands and exterminate all the Lannister family's relatives.

Duke Tywin's cold sweat instantly soaked his underwear. The question he had hidden in his heart for many years, not daring to seek an answer, finally received a definite answer today.

But his face did not change.

“Madam Witch, is there a way to resolve the crisis?” the Duke asked in a deep voice, with a sharp edge in his tone.

“Yes!”

That simple word was the most beautiful sound the Duke had heard in decades.

Thanks to: 'Book friend 20181015151735877, Self-rotation for a month' two book friends for the reward, thank you!