The Mountain of Ice and Fire

Chapter 531: Crow's Eye

[Bonus chapter for Grandmaster [MaxW])

*

King's Landing, the Red Keep, the Mountain's stone house.

Second floor.

“Duke, I heard you're planning to sell Arbor Gold wine.” Lord Oakhart took a bottle of Arbor Gold from a small wooden box. “I apologize that it's not from a wooden cask.”

The best Arbor Gold comes in fragrant wooden casks. The casks themselves are exquisite and quite valuable.

“If I don't find ways to make money, my warriors will go hungry.”

“I implore you to include me in your plans, Duke.” Lord Oakhart opened the bottle and poured wine into goblets for the Mountain and himself.

The Mountain stared at Lord Oakhart: “Lord, you own Lannisport, the largest and most prosperous port city in the Westerlands, generating immense wealth. Surely you don't need to fixate on such small profits.”

“More than half of Lannisport's income goes to Casterly Rock.” Lord Oakhart smiled wryly. “Lord Tywin granted me this meal; if he hadn't awarded me Lannisport, I'd be a pauper.”

“Are you truly willing to join in?”

“With all my heart, Duke.”

“With more people, the profits will be thinner.”

“Selling a few more shiploads a year will suffice, Duke. Our collaborative noodle shop continues to be profitable. A happy partnership.” Lord Oakhart raised his goblet.

The Mountain did not raise his own: “Lord, if you genuinely intend to cooperate, you must first deposit the money into the Iron Bank. All future distributions will be handled through the Iron Bank.”

“I'll listen to you in everything, completely.” Lord Oakhart raised his goblet again.

The Mountain still did not take his goblet, causing Lord Oakhart's expression to become somewhat awkward.

“Lord, if you sincerely wish to cooperate with me long-term, and not just for Arbor Gold, I'll tell you about something even more profitable, and we'll split the profits between just the two of us.”

“I'm listening very attentively, Duke.” Lord Oakhart took a small sip of wine, looking delighted.

He was indeed surprised and pleased!

After Lord Tywin's death, Lord Oakhart had his own ideas, wanting to grow even more powerful. Furthermore, cooperating with the Mountain meant no longer considering Lord Tywin's thoughts.

“Lord, have you heard about the Iron Islands' kingsmoot?”

The Iron Islands?!

The Mountain's words were truly unexpected!

“Duke, I have heard that Balon Greyjoy crossed the rope bridge on a stormy night and was summoned by the Drowned God to his watery halls. His exiled brother, Euron Crow's Eye, returned a few days later, bringing with him a powerful fleet and countless riches. It's said that Crow's Eye has sailed all over the world, including the Smoking Sea of Valyria. The Ironborn held a kingsmoot according to the old ways, and Crow's Eye defeated Balon's daughter, Asha Greyjoy, and his brother, Victarion Greyjoy, to be chosen as the new King of the Iron Islands, declaring independence. The Iron Islands are no longer subject to King's Landing.”

“Lord, your information is accurate.”

Lord Oakhart smiled wryly, admitting: “Duke, my Lannisport has a fleet that constantly monitors the Iron Islands fleet's movements. For Lannisport's safety, I had to place my own informants in the Iron Islands, arrangements that were made during Balon's reign. The Ironborn live by raiding, and Lannisport has always been a tempting target in their eyes.”

The Mountain stared at Lord Oakhart: “Lord, Balon is dead, Crow's Eye won the kingsmoot, and the Ironborn's chaos has ended, with Crow's Eye now king. Facing the Ironborn fleet, who believe that 'taking is better than tilling,' do you think Crow's Eye will launch a war against the Westerlands?”

Lord Oakhart's spine immediately broke out in a cold sweat.

Only with the Mountain's reminder did he suddenly realize the severity of the problem.

“We all know Crow's Eye's brutality. His flagship is the Silence because he had all the sailors' and oarsmen's tongues cut out, simply because he felt they were too noisy.”

“Crow's Eye is even more brutal and warlike than Balon. He was exiled by Balon for being intimate with the salt wife of Victarion, commander of the Iron Fleet. Victarion is his own brother.”

Lord Oakhart was silent for a moment, then said, “Duke, how do you plan to defend the Westerlands from Crow's Eye's attack? Is negotiation, recognizing his kingship, a viable option?”

The Mountain shook his head.

Lord Oakhart said: “Duke, the Westerlands have been at war since 298 AC, and it is now 300 AC. The remaining Westerlands forces are no more than a few thousand. The Westerlands have no troops, wealth, or military provisions left.”

“Lord, knowing this situation, do you think Crow's Eye is aware of it?”

Lord Oakhart's expression changed slightly.

“Duke, you are the Master of War. You must find a way to save the Westerlands. I suggest convening a meeting of the small council to make the Queen Regent and the Hand understand that the Westerlands' crisis is imminent.”

If the Mountain hadn't reminded him, Lord Oakhart himself wouldn't have been so alarmed.

The Mountain said slowly: “Lord, Balon did not cross the rope bridge on a stormy night to be summoned by the Drowned God to his watery halls. He was pushed off the bridge by Crow's Eye, who was lying in ambush.”

Lord Oakhart was stunned!

“Duke, did the High Septon see a prophetic fragment?”

The High Septon?

Oh, so Lord Oakhart thought the Mountain knew the truth from the High Septon. The High Septon was a Son of the Seven, and it was reasonable for him to see prophetic fragments. Moreover, the Mountain had the best relationship with the High Septon, even naming his bank after the Sept.

Lord Oakhart's assumption was logical!

The Mountain went along with Lord Oakhart's words: “Lord, the High Septon secretly told me that Crow's Eye would attack the Westerlands soon, plundering Lannisport, and would simultaneously send his brother Victarion to attack the Shield Islands of Lord Tyrell, advancing east along the inland river, catching the Reach lords off guard. Victarion will plunder the Reach's wealth and return laden with riches.”

Lord Oakhart was so shocked that his jaw dropped!

Only then did the Mountain pick up his goblet, slowly savoring the wine, giving Lord Oakhart time to digest these terrible news.

“Duke, we must go see the Hand tonight and summon Duke Tyrell so we can quickly devise a countermeasure. If Lannisport is attacked by Crow's Eye, my garrison will be defenseless.”

“Lannisport's fleet has tactics specifically trained to counter the Ironborn and won't lose to them.” The Mountain comforted the Lord.

“No, my Lord, according to the information I received, Crow's Eye's fleet has more than five hundred ships. Adding the Ironborn fleets from the five great islands, Victarion's fleet, and most of Balon Greyjoy's fleet from Pyke, the total number exceeds one thousand, while Lannisport's fleet has only thirty warships. Adding the twenty warships from Fair Isle, that's only fifty warships.”

“Crow's Eye won't deploy all his warships. He'll only send a fleet to attack Lannisport. After Lannisport falls, he'll deploy a large-scale fleet, sweeping across the entire Westerlands and even invading the Riverlands to plunder grain.”

“Duke, since you know Crow's Eye's plans, do you have a secret plan?”

“I do. The first step of the plan is for you, Lord, and all the lords and people of the Westerlands to obey my orders. Only then can we defend the Westerlands, defeat Crow's Eye, and force him to negotiate with us. I know that in the Westerlands, a considerable number of the noble sons and daughters are only willing to obey the commands of House Lannister. If they refuse to put aside their prejudices and obey my arrangements and commands, then I'll watch Crow's Eye kill their people, burn their castles, and plunder their last bit of wealth.”

Lord Oakhart was silent for a while, then said slowly: “Duke, do you want to take this opportunity to completely replace Lannister's position and authority in the Westerlands?”

“I want to save the Westerlands. Crow's Eye's brutality and coldness led him to murder even his own brother and steal his brother’s salt wife. With the strength of over a thousand warships, if I can't get the Westerlands to unite and obey my orders, we will all be defeated, and the Westerlands will be completely conquered by Crow's Eye. If you, Lord, can foresee Crow's Eye's actions, if Hand Kevan can foresee Crow's Eye's military plans to attack the Westerlands, then I'll listen to you. But none of you have been sensitive enough to the impending disaster in the Westerlands. You are slow, and your ability to lead troops into battle does not convince me, nor does it convince my warriors. If you, Lord, still want to protect Lannisport, and House Lannister still wants to retain the Westerlands, you must all listen to me this time.”

Lord Oakhart silently poured wine, drinking several cups in a row, before slowly raising his head and staring steadily at the Mountain: “Duke, you are the Warden of the West. Who should we listen to if not you? You have the responsibility and authority to govern the Westerlands and lead us to defeat Crow's Eye. On the matter of dealing with Crow's Eye, I am willing to follow you and fight for the Westerlands.”

The Mountain stared at Lord Oakhart: “Lord, are you truly and sincerely willing to follow me?”

“Truly and sincerely, Duke.”

“Among the Lannisters, you are the most powerful. If you obey my orders, the lords loyal to House Lannister will obey my orders.”

Lord Oakhart was silent.

The Mountain raised his goblet and gently touched Lord Oakhart's: “Lord, do you remember what I said to you?”

“What?”

The Mountain had said many things to him. Which one?

“We can make a lot of money in one business partnership, and only you and I will share the profits.”

“Yes, I remember.”

“The Iron Islands consist of five major islands. On Great Wyk, the Greyjoy family resides, but what is on Old Wyk?”

“Iron ore.” Lord Oakhart said.

“If we defeat Crow's Eye, the iron ore will be ours. The North, the Westerlands, the Riverlands, the Reach, Oldtown, the Arbor, and Dorne will all have to buy iron ore from Old Wyk. If those iron ore mountains belong to you and me, then the iron ore business in King's Landing's Street of Steel will also be ours.”

Lord Oakhart was skeptical of this large pie: “Duke, we may not be able to eliminate Crow's Eye. He has a thousand warships.”

“No matter how brutal Crow's Eye is, he's still just one cut away from death.”

“Hire an assassin?”

“We can try the Stranger of Westeros.”

“The Stranger is no match for the Faceless Men.”

The Mountain smiled slightly: “The Faceless Men are no match for the Hall of Heroes.”

Lord Oakhart's expression changed.

The Hall of Heroes was within Casterly Rock, the Lannister family's castle and the capital of the Westerlands. Inside the castle was a Hall of Heroes, with statues of Lannister ancestors who had made outstanding contributions throughout history. Each of these ancestors was a hero, and the hundred life-sized statues were all made of gold.

The Mountain said: “If we show weakness to Crow's Eye and Hand Kevan is willing to offer the gold from the Hall of Heroes to Crow's Eye for peace, Crow's Eye will definitely come to negotiate with us. During the negotiations, I only need one punch to kill him. If Crow's Eye is wary of me, all it takes is a zealot with a short knife to stab him through the body.”

“If Crow's Eye enters Casterly Rock, he will definitely drink water and eat food first, thus gaining the protection of guest right. If we violate guest right, we may incur the wrath of the Seven Gods, bringing down punishment. It will be an extinction-level punishment.”

“We can act after Crow's Eye leaves Casterly Rock, before he enters Casterly Rock, or during the feast, just before he eats. As long as we lure Crow's Eye ashore and have him step on Westerlands soil, I guarantee he's dead. I will personally kill him!”

Lord Oakhart said: “Duke, we must convince the Hand to support our plan, which won't be easy. The Hall of Heroes is the glory of the Lannister family, and if we use it as bait, Crow's Eye may see through the trap.”

“He won't believe the Lannisters would give him statues of heroes?”

“No.”

“But what if you, Lord, secretly offer him the Hall of Heroes? Invite him to advance and coordinate from within.”