The Mountain of Ice and Fire

Chapter 242: Meeting Room in Maegor's Holdfast

The Seven Kingdoms' capital: King's Landing. The core of power: the Red Keep. The king and queen's residence: Maegor's Holdfast.

This was the first time Jane had seen Maegor's Holdfast up close.

It was a city within a city.

Maegor I Targaryen, the third Targaryen king, built this city within a city after his half-brother, Aegon I Targaryen, died of illness.

Maegor's Holdfast was very tall, protected by high and wide walls, and the walls were further protected by a wide and deep moat. The moat was now dry, and Jane saw the bottom of the moat was covered with black spikes. They were sharp, multi-angled spikes made of black iron to prevent people from approaching the walls from the dry moat bed.

Led by Lord Varys, Jane and the Mountain brought their adopted daughter Julie, the freckled young archer Anguy, and the four Clegane knights: Chiswyck the Bighead, Polliver the Nervous, Raff the Sweetling, and Dunsen the Hangman.

Except for Varys and the Mountain, none of them had ever been so close to Maegor's Holdfast, let alone had the chance to enter it.

Varys stood by the moat, waved, and called out to the wall. The drawbridge slowly creaked down. At the end of the drawbridge, two Kingsguard stood in white cloaks, with two rows of gold-cloaked guards behind them.

Varys walked in front, Jane second, Julie third, the Mountain fourth, Anguy fifth, and the four Clegane knights followed. The group walked onto the drawbridge.

On the other side of the drawbridge, the two Kingsguard guarding the drawbridge were the young and handsome Aerys Oakheart and the ugly, bow-legged Boros Blount.

"Mountain, sheathe your sword!" Aerys said sternly. His tone was unfriendly, but his gaze was more focused on Anguy, who carried a longbow on his back. This kid was an unparalleled archer with a bright future. Why would he follow the Mountain? It made no sense!

Varys was worried that Aerys' sense of superiority would anger the Mountain, but the Mountain showed no displeasure. The Mountain sheathed his greatsword and handed it to Aerys. Boros, the bow-legged knight, stepped forward to take it. As soon as he took the greatsword, his arms sank, and he staggered.

Anguy chuckled. Polliver giggled. Raff the Sweetling smiled.

Boros blushed and loudly berated the two teams of gold cloaks. The guards stepped forward and took Anguy's longbow and quiver, and the longswords of the four Clegane knights.

The group, disarmed, passed through the drawbridge and entered the city gate.

Jane and Julie looked up, up, and up again before they could see the pointed top of Maegor's Holdfast.

The windows of the tower were high, narrow, and gilded.

The stone buildings were carved with intricate and beautiful patterns.

The ground outside the door was covered with Myr carpets, brightly colored and exquisitely embroidered.

Varys led Jane and the Mountain's group through the door. At the entrance, two Kingsguard stood with swords: the tall Meryn Trant and the gloomy and cold Ser Mandon Moore. The two Kingsguard also glanced at Anguy several times.

Dazzling carpets covered the entire floor and spiral staircase.

The torch sconces and giant candle holders on the walls were all made of gold, extremely luxurious. Various exquisite reliefs and murals covered the walls.

Julie, Anguy, and the four knights' eyes lit up with green light.

Anguy resisted the urge to knock off a gold candlestick to take away.

The group went upstairs and arrived at the King's meeting room.

Two Kingsguard stood side by side in front of the meeting room door: the Kingslayer Jaime Lannister; the shortest of the seven Kingsguard, Ser Preston Greenfield. Not far from these two, the Hound stood here with several red-cloaked guards with swords at their waists. This indicated that Queen Cersei was also inside the meeting room door.

Jaime noticed the young Anguy from the Dornish Marches was following the Mountain and seemed to be a favored guard. The Hound's expression was even more surprised and uncertain. Seeing an archer next to his brother, the Hound felt a little uncomfortable. It seemed that there was another strongman by his brother's side, and his team was even more powerful.

The two Kingsguard, Jaime and Preston, opened the high door for the visiting group, then closed the door and stood side by side again in front of the door, with their hands on their swords.

Varys led Jane, Julie, and the Mountain's group into the meeting room.

The meeting room was large enough to accommodate thousands of people for gatherings, and there were dozens of fireplaces for heating.

The King sat at the back of a table covered with a tablecloth and filled with various fruits, holding a horn-shaped white jade wine glass in his hand, with a gold-rimmed mouth. Wine attendant Lancel Lannister stood behind the King, holding a wine jug.

The Mountain knew that King Robert would eventually be 'beautified' to death by the wine in Lancel's jug, and that day was not far away.

Littlefinger Petyr Baelish, Grand Maester Pycelle, and Queen Cersei Lannister were all by the King's side. To the right of the King's table, a Kingsguard stood in a white robe with his hand on the hilt of his sword, majestic and imposing. He was the Captain of the Kingsguard: Ser Barristan Selmy.

Varys, Anguy, and the four Clegane knights knelt on one knee to pay their respects to His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen; Jane and Julie curtsied to His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen; the Mountain stood, his right hand clenched into a fist and placed on his left chest in a half-bow.

He and the Hand of the King, Ilyn Payne, were both strongmen who did not kneel when they saw the King. King Robert did not care about their arrogance.

King Robert looked at Anguy with a surprised expression: "Anguy, are you here to pledge allegiance to me? Tell me, what kind of position do you want to seek? As long as it matches your ability, I will not be stingy."

Anguy hurriedly knelt again: "Thank you for His Majesty the King's favor. I have sworn to follow Lord Gregor Clegane. Serving by Ser Gregor's side is the same as serving His Majesty the King."

The smile on Robert's face gradually became awkward. He looked at the Mountain: "Seven hells, Mountain, you have both beauty and warriors. What the hell do you have to deserve this?"

The Mountain clenched his right fist and placed it on his left chest, bowing his head as a response to the King's dissatisfaction.

Robert roared: "Anguy, what the hell were you thinking? Ned and I both sent people to invite you, but you chose the Mountain. You are such an idiot! Okay, whenever you don't want to follow the Mountain, come to me, and I will give you the position of a Royal Guard! It's not too late for you to change your mind now. Think about it, you fool!"

This was the King's naked attempt to snatch people!

"Thank you for His Majesty the King's favor. I am loyal to the King and Queen, until death!" Anguy said, respectfully stood up, took a few steps back with his head down, and stood by the Mountain's side.

The atmosphere was subtle and awkward.

King Robert was stunned for a moment, then laughed and said: "Seven hells, you stupid and ignorant young man. Okay, I forgive your ignorance. Lady Jane, I've heard Lord Varys and Lord Baelish praising your wisdom, saying that you are kind-hearted and generously donate to the children in the orphanage. I thank you. Lord Varys also said that you have found a scientific method to solve milk sickness. I don't know if it's true?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. With the light of the Seven Gods' grace, Grand Maester Ysilla of Crakehall and I have developed a new mercury thermometer based on the original thermometer. After hundreds of practices, we found a way to kill the virus in milk by steaming and boiling the milk at different temperatures and time periods. Currently, this method has been fully promoted in Crakehall. Every dairy farmer does not have to pour milk into ditches and rivers. The thousand-strong garrison of Crakehall drinks fresh milk, eats cheese, and various milk snacks every day. They taste good, are safe, healthy, and nutritious."

King Robert was overjoyed: "Good, Lady Jane. What do you need? Tell me, and I'll have the servants move it in immediately so you can show us on the spot."

"As you wish, Your Majesty!"