The Mountain of Ice and Fire

Chapter 556: Great Battle (10) Negotiations

(Guaranteed chapter + bonus for the [Golden-Winged Ancestral Dragon] reward, 8000 words)

*

Maron Volmark led the first thousand-man company silently marching south in the dark night, reaching a small stream that had been scouted during the day, and then turned west along the stream.

To the far west, by the sea, there was a highway leading directly to Highgarden in the Reach: the Ocean Road.

This legion would go to the Reach and join Victarion's legion. Victarion, the Iron Fleet's commander-in-chief, was the most valiant and powerful legion under King Balon.

Maron Volmark advanced west along the stream, quickening his pace; the further away from the Cleganes, the safer. Once on the Ocean Road, he would stay and wait for the thousand-man companies behind him. As long as the five thousand-man companies reached the Ocean Road and went south, they would be invincible in the Westerlands.

There was only one great noble on the Ocean Road: House Crakehall of Crakehall. But the family's patriarch, heir, and second son had all been killed in battle, and most of Crakehall's soldiers had also died. The remaining forces of Crakehall were no match for Maron's five thousand men.

As long as he avoided the Mountain's legion, Maron was not worried about any other noble in the Westerlands. These nobles had been crippled in three years of continuous warfare, their elite soldiers killed and wounded. The remaining forces could only organize some militia.

This was also the confidence Euron had to set foot on the lands of the Westerlands on a large scale. Apart from the Mountain who could fight, the remaining noble forces were vulnerable. Moreover, according to the plan, the other nobles of the Westerlands would rise up to resist the Mountain. However, the plan went awry, and no Westerlands noble stood on Euron's side. The Mountain had taken preemptive measures, long ago dividing, co-opting, allying, cooperating, intimidating, and controlling the nobles of the Westerlands.

What impressed Maron the most was—the Mountain's cavalry was too terrifying. Maron had fought at sea for five years, and this was his first large-scale landing operation, witnessing an unparalleled cavalry charge.

Before the legion had even engaged the Mountain's main infantry force, the King decided to retreat quietly. To stabilize morale, the King himself stayed behind to ensure that his brothers all retreated safely before he finally withdrew.

This was dangerous, but no one could persuade him.

Euron chose to stay behind as a pillar of strength, so that those who stayed behind to die had no complaints.

When everyone was gradually withdrawing in batches from different directions, the soldiers who stayed behind to defend the camp and confuse the enemy cavalry and main force could not complain or grumble.

The King was with them!

Maron Volmark's thousand-man company was lightly equipped—in fact, all the retreating soldiers were lightly equipped. They did not light fires, quietly leaving in the dark. They had to be agile, and before dawn, they had to make it impossible for the Cleganes to catch up after they reacted, which required even lighter equipment.

The lighter a person's burden, the faster they could walk.

The only thing everyone worried about was the Clegane cavalry chasing after them.

However, the cavalry could only chase one of the legions retreating in all directions, and it might not be their own.

Maron Volmark was hoping for the best!

The leaders of the other legions were the same!

The legions that stayed behind to hold back the cavalry and Clegane infantry would use deceptive tactics to delay as much time as possible, so that the Cleganes would learn the truth as late as possible.

Maron Volmark led his army in a rapid march, entering a forest. He slowed down, and the second thousand-man company caught up. The reunion of two thousand men strengthened the soldiers' sense of security.

As long as they were far away from the Clegane main force, it was victory.

Two hours later, the east began to show light. The five thousand-man companies met, and finally marched onto the Ocean Road after a forced march.

A hundred miles of the Ocean Road was in a dense forest. As long as they entered the forest, even if the Clegane cavalry caught up, they would not be able to exert the speed advantage of the cavalry due to the trees and bushes.

*

On the eastern mountains, the sunlight probed out the first ray of gold, scattering it at the feet of Maron and his soldiers. All five thousand infantrymen had arrived, and everyone still dared not be lazy, and bravely entered the dense forest ahead. The forest was like a layer of solid armor, giving the legion a strong sense of security.

The scouts who stayed behind rode ponies to report that the enemy cavalry had not chased after them. This made Maron Volmark breathe a heavy sigh of relief. Maron ordered the legion to advance at a uniform speed, trying not to take the Ocean Road, but to march forward in the forest. If they could avoid trouble, they would try to avoid it.

The flat and wide Ocean Road was not far away on the right, like a bright white ribbon, running through this hundred-mile dense forest. Everyone had completely left the dangerous area, and no longer had to worry about being chased by the Clegane cavalry. The forest well concealed their whereabouts. The soldiers who had been marching all night began to relax, and the speed of the entire legion naturally slowed down.

Maron Volmark also felt tired.

Mainly because he had been awake all night, groping in the dark, tormenting his body and mind.

The sixteen-year-old noble young general Maron ordered a rest for half a sandglass. So, the soldiers dropped their swords, opened their leather armor, and fell to the ground to rest.

Worried about being chased by cavalry, they marched all night, physically and mentally exhausted. Once they relaxed, their energy was immediately drained. Many soldiers closed their eyes and snored softly as soon as they fell down.

A dozen pony scouts were responsible for guarding the rear.

Whoosh!

An arrow shot out, hitting the scout captain's face squarely. The captain let out a muffled groan and fell over. The remaining scouts were shocked. In fear and trepidation, dozens of black arrows hooked their throats like the fingers of death, strangling their life's breath.

Puff! Puff! Puff! Puff!

Arrows shot from all three sides, killing all these dozen scouts!

Ah, ah, ah! The screams alarmed the nearest soldiers. They rolled over and stood up. There was nothing unusual in the forest. After a while, a pony ran out of the forest in front. The horse had no master, and several arrows were stuck in its body.

"Enemy attack!" A soldier shouted, "Enemy attack, enemy attack!"

Boom!

The half-asleep soldiers scrambled to their feet, grabbing their weapons in a panic.

Kill!

Suddenly, a deafening sound erupted from the forest.

Fully armed Westerlands soldiers suddenly emerged. There were enemies on all three sides, with shadowy figures, and no one knew how many people had come.

Swish, swish, swish! Swish, swish, swish! Swish, swish, swish!

Short crossbows fired densely, and Ironborn and pirates fell one after another.

The five thousand-man legion collapsed at the first touch!

Maron led the first thousand warriors who rolled over and ran away. Although they only heard the shouts of killing and did not see a single enemy soldier.

"The main force of the Cleganes is here. Kneel down and surrender, and you will not be killed!"

"You have been surrounded. All of you submit."

"Surrender, surrender, surrender!"

……………………

Swish, swish, swish!

Swish, swish, swish!

The rapid-firing short crossbow was really the best weapon for close combat. It was better than a short-handled axe, faster, with more arrows, and powerful enough to penetrate even plate armor.

Ah, ah, ah!

Screams rang out continuously.

Some Ironborn and pirates chose to surrender, kneeling down and raising their weapons.

More Ironborn and pirate soldiers chose to flee rather than fight.

They were frightened by the sudden attack!

Maron Volmark never dreamed that the enemy would have an ambush in the dense forest, and that they would launch it suddenly during their forced march and rest. He rode a pony and bravely fled first. His standard-bearer wanted to protect the flag, but he scolded and stopped him.

The suddenness of the attack frightened Maron and his centurions!

They didn't want to die!

They wanted to live!

Just when they were completely relaxed and feeling good, the Clegane main infantry suddenly appeared here, surrounding them on three sides. The military whistles and shouts resounded through the dense forest, and densely packed soldiers rushed out. This completely made Maron Volmark lose the courage to fight.

There were not many soldiers in this ambush, only two thousand, but the light and shadows flickered, and every tree and bush seemed to be an enemy soldier rushing towards them.

Run! Run! Run! Run!

Run to the lands of House Tyrell. By the Mander River, the Iron Islands' most powerful force—Victarion's Iron Fleet—would come to meet them.

Count Odbur led two thousand Westerlands soldiers to defeat Maron Volmark's five thousand-man legion, causing them to flee madly south in the dense forest.

In the melee, an arrow seemed to fly from the sky, piercing Count Odbur's neck. Count Odbur fell over. In front of him, the guards were fighting hard to chase and kill the fleeing Ironborn and pirates. Everyone was killing with excitement. When Count Odbur's military whistle stopped, they did not react immediately.

That arrow came very accurately. In the chaos, no one saw the archer. Maybe it was a stray arrow that lost its accuracy.

Captain of the Guard Gerner Lanny and Naval Commander Balo Lanny noticed the abnormality at the same time. They turned back and saw Count Odbur falling to the ground, with his warhorse guarding him. The other guards had already rushed to the front, desperately chasing and killing the Ironborn and pirates who had no fighting spirit.

Cutting melons and vegetables, the battle was exhilarating!

Puff! Puff! Puff!

The sound of swords piercing into bodies kept coming, and the bloody smell filled the forest, shattering the sweetness of the morning air.

Gerner Lanny and Balo Lanny quickly turned around to save the Count. They ran to the Count's side, jumped off their horses, and helped the Count up. The arrow pierced the Count's neck, and the Count's mouth was bubbling with blood, his eyes wide open, and his body was still twitching.

Gerner and Balo turned pale. They knew that the Count could not be saved.

In the forest, a rider galloped away, heading east. This person carried a bow and arrows on his back, wore a helmet, and had a mask on his face, with only a narrow slit to see the cold light in his eyes. He used ordinary bows and arrows, and they were the bows and arrows used by the Ironborn vanguard soldiers. The sounds of fighting grew farther and farther behind the rider. When the sounds could no longer be heard, the rider slowed down in the forest. He pushed up his mask, waded across the creek, and then turned north.

This person was none other than Anguy the Archer, who, under the orders of Jenny's mother, had infiltrated the Westerlands army in the dark night, and seized the opportunity in the morning's melee to shoot and kill Count Odbur from a super long distance.

The main general being killed by a cold arrow in the chaotic army was an accident.

*

In the morning sun, Euron's camp still stood on the great plain outside the Clegane territory. The green smoke from cooking breakfast was rising everywhere. Judging from the smoke, the entire camp was full of people, and no one had secretly left in the dark. Scouts, patrolling infantry teams, deer antlers, and military flags were all as usual, and there was no sign of any abnormality.

Jaeko Locke and Jhoys Fossaker had not received new orders from Lady Jenny. They followed the orders issued by the Mountain and honestly followed behind Euron, attacking from the rear or flanking during the decisive battle. Although the previous battle had made Euron's legion frightened and demoralized, it could be said to be a great victory, but the cavalry also suffered heavy losses. The Mountain's most valued elite cavalry lost a third of their combat power. And every cavalryman and warhorse was very rare to the Mountain.

After the war, Jaeko Locke received a raven letter from the Mountain. They did not receive any praise. The Mountain scolded Jaeko Locke and Jhoys Fossaker severely, and ordered them to never charge into battle alone again before the decisive battle. They must have infantry coordination to fight, or they would be beheaded for disobeying orders!

It was because of Jhoys's disobedience that Euron's night retreat was possible, and the Mountain's plan to wipe out Euron's legion and capture Euron alive in the Clegane territory was also ruined.

Jaeko and Jhoys dared not act rashly again. Disobeying orders meant death, and no one wanted to die under the Duke's Ice Sword. This was neither glorious nor cost-effective. So, Jaeko and Jhoys honestly followed Euron, rested well, and waited for the final decisive battle to come.

*

A team of pony cavalry came out of Euron's camp, a total of twelve riders, including two standard-bearers. One flag was the royal flag of the Stag and the Lion, and the other was Euron's golden kraken flag. This team galloped towards Jaeko's camp. They did not carry weapons.

Jaeko's and Jhoys's camp also had the royal flag. Although the two armies had fought, they both flew the same royal flag.

Jaeko and Jhoys received a report from the scouts that a small group of Euron's cavalry was coming to the camp, so they came out of the camp and mounted their horses to see.

The other pony cavalry galloped towards them, and the leader shouted, "General, we are messengers from King Euron."

Messengers?

What did Euron want to do?

Euron was destined to be defeated miserably this time. Before he died, what did he want to talk about?

Jaeko raised his hand, and the cavalry's bows and arrows were put down one after another.

Twelve riders, just twelve targets. If they dared to approach, they would be shot, just as practice for their archery.

Euron did have some strategies, different from the stupidity of the pirates and Ironborn. In order to confuse the Clegane army, delay time, and allow the main force to get as far away from the Westerlands as possible to avoid being chased, he sent attendants to meet General Jaeko in the morning light, requesting General Jaeko to forward a letter. He proposed to meet the Mountain and Lady Jenny, and everyone would sit down and negotiate.

Before the negotiations were completed, at least the Clegane cavalry would not raid, which would buy the main force the most ample escape time.

Jaeko Locke received the messenger. Euron suddenly proposed negotiations, and Jaeko did not dare to make a decision. He sent twelve riders to escort Euron's two messengers to Clegane Village to deliver Euron's letter. Whether to negotiate or not was up to Lady Jenny to decide.

At noon, in Clegane Village, Lady Jenny met the two messengers sent by Euron.

*

One of the two messengers was a Drowned Man, a young man, wearing a gray monk's robe, with a shaved head, and a driftwood on his back. The driftwood was both their magical instrument for prayer, baptism, and drowning, and their weapon for battle.

"A Drowned Man?" Jenny frowned.

"Yes, madam, we believe in the Drowned God, and the Drowned Men are divine messengers worthy of anyone's respect," the young Drowned Man said proudly.

"What's your name?" Jeyne said calmly. This was a young man who didn't know the immensity of the world, believing he could gain divine protection just because he had been drowned.

"My name is Emond, my lady."

"Which island are you from in the Iron Islands?"

"Great Wyk."

Great Wyk, the largest island in the Iron Islands, famous throughout the Seven Kingdoms for its iron ore production.

"Who was the priest who drowned you? An unknown nobody?"

"High Priest Aeron Greyjoy," Emond said loudly.

Aeron Greyjoy, the most famous High Priest of the Iron Islands, held in extremely high regard. It was said that he was the only one who had been to the Drowned God's Watery Halls deep in the sea and returned. He stayed in the sea for a long time, sinking to the bottom. Many days later, his body floated up, and the sea pushed him ashore. He awoke and from then on believed in the Drowned God. It was a miracle story circulated throughout the Iron Islands.

A true story. Aeron's warship was destroyed in a great battle, and many Ironborn saw him fall into the water and be swept into the sea. After the battle, everyone thought he was dead, but one day, his body was pushed back to shore by the sea.

"From Great Wyk?" Jeyne asked again softly.

"Yes, my lady."

Great Wyk was the place that the Mountain never forgot, because of its iron ore resources. The most prominent noble family on the island was the Goodbrother family, followed by the Sparr family and the Merlyn family. All three families had rich iron ore mountains.

The Goodbrother family's castle, Hammerhorn, was located in the stony mountains of Great Wyk, far from the open sea. Ninety percent of the Goodbrother family's wealth came from the mines - iron ore. And iron ore was an important resource that the Mountain wanted to control in the Seven Kingdoms. With iron ore, there could be swords, weapons, armor, helmets, farming tools, city gate winches, and the construction of a large number of dragon-hunting crossbows.

Jeyne looked at the other young envoy. She saw that his family's sigil was a gold-rimmed black horn on a red background.

Jeyne wanted to see her future sister-in-law's noble upbringing and learning, so she whispered to Sansa Stark beside her: "Lady Sansa, do you know which family he is from?"

Like Jeyne, Sansa had been carefully cultivated by her parents, who had hired the most learned maesters from a young age to teach them etiquette, history, singing, dancing, poetry, embroidery, the heraldry of the Seven Kingdoms' noble houses, noble proverbs, and everything else.

"Your Grace, the envoy is from the Goodbrother family. The gold-rimmed black horn is the Goodbrother family's sigil, and their family motto is 'The Song of Victory Rings Out'."

Jeyne remained expressionless. Sansa's noble temperament shone through even when she was wearing coarse clothes. If there were other Westerlands nobles in the hall, Jeyne would not have asked Sansa beside her, for fear of arousing unnecessary suspicion. Currently, it was not yet time to reveal Sansa's identity.

"Envoy, where are you from?" Jeyne asked, knowing the answer.

"My lady, I am from Great Wyk."

"The Goodbrother family?"

"Yes, my lady."

"What is your name?"

"Gylan Goodbrother."

"Gylan?"

"Yes, my lady!"

"I heard that you have three brothers, triplets, and you are the youngest of the triplets, is that right?"

Gylan's heart stirred. Jeyne Westerling was known as the most talented woman in the Westerlands, knowledgeable, erudite, and elegant. It seemed she knew a lot about his family. This made Gylan puff up his chest.

The Goodbrother family was not small in strength, with a deep family history. They had always controlled the sale of the largest amount of iron ore in the Iron Islands, making the family extremely wealthy. Moreover, the Goodbrother family believed that they were descendants of the Grey King's loyal brother and possessed the Grey King's royal bloodline. In the ancient Kingsmoot era, only the Greyiron family had produced more kings than the Goodbrother family.

Such a prestigious family with the Grey King's bloodline was naturally well-known. It was not surprising that Lady Jeyne, as the most famous talented woman in the Westerlands, knew about the Goodbrother family.

"Gylan, is your father Lord Gorold Goodbrother?"

"Yes, my lady."

Jeyne frowned slightly again. She picked up the teacup, lightly touched it to her lips, put it down, and said softly, "Emond the drowned man, Gylan Goodbrother, are you envoys sent by Euron Crow's Eye?"

"Yes, my lady!" Emond and Gylan said respectfully.

"What does Crow's Eye want you to do?"

"The King hopes to sit down with Lady Jeyne and Duke Gregor's wife to discuss peace and form an alliance. If the lady is willing, the King will visit Clegane Keep in the future. If the Clegane family and the Greyjoy family form an alliance, no one will be our opponent on the sea or on land."

"Oh, Duke Gregor and I would very much like to form an alliance with your King Euron, but your King has no sincerity. The negotiations are just a facade. He is deceiving the Cleganes."

Emond and Gylan exchanged a glance, shocked. How did Lady Jeyne see through it?!

"My lady, our King sincerely seeks peace." Gylan placed his right fist on his left chest, over his heart, and tapped it three times gently.

"Sincerely seeks peace?" Jeyne snorted softly. "Gylan, are you a knight?"

Gylan's face turned slightly red: "My lady, I am not yet a knight."

"Then, are you a lord?"

"My lady, I am not the eldest son of the family, nor the heir. I have not yet received a title."

"The envoys sent by your King, one is a drowned man, and the other is a soldier, showing no respect for the Clegane family. If he sincerely hoped to form an alliance, he would have sent at least an earl and several knights."

Emond opened the lids of the two wicker chests: "Please look at the gifts our King sent, my lady. The gold and silver jewelry, sable fur shawls, and velvet cloaks in these wicker chests are of considerable value, showing our sincerity in the negotiations."

Jeyne stared at Emond faintly and said softly, "Ser Rolger."

Rolger, like a black bear, immediately stepped out of the ranks, like a god of death from hell. His lack of a nose made him look terrifying: "At your service, my lady."

"Cut off Emond's head and put it in the wicker chest."

"As you command, my lady!"

Emond and Gylan were shocked.

Gylan knelt on one knee: "My lady, it is forbidden to kill messengers in war. We are just messengers delivering information."

"Gylan, your King Euron has no sincerity and is deceiving the Clegane family under the pretext of negotiations. Emond the drowned man's words are rude, and he dares to say that the small things in the wicker chests are of considerable value. The things in these two wicker chests are not gifts, but insults."

Thump!

Emond knelt on both knees, banging his head on the ground, breaking his forehead and bleeding: "My lady, I was wrong. Please forgive my shallow knowledge and inappropriate words."

Jeyne looked coldly at Emond and Gylan, elegantly picked up the teacup, lightly touched the tea to her lips to moisten her throat and lips, and slowly put down the teacup: "Rolger, Fang, cut off Emond and Gylan's heads together and put their heads in the wicker chests. Order the infantry and cavalry, all of them, to go to war together in half an hour."

"Yes, my lady."

Rolger strode towards Emond, who was kneeling on the ground. Emond suddenly stood up, took the driftwood off his back, and chopped it down on Rolger's head... Rolger didn't dodge or avoid it. He stepped forward quickly, grabbed Emond's right wrist, so that the driftwood could not chop down. With the other hand, he grabbed Emond's chest, shouted loudly, lifted Emond up, and slammed him to the ground. With a loud bang, Emond's back slammed hard on the marble floor, the wooden stick flew away, and a faint sound of bone cracking came.

Rolger followed up with a kick, hitting Emond's bare head. The drowned man Emond grunted and passed out.

Gylan was well-behaved, knowing that resistance was useless and that there was no need to suffer more. He put his hands behind his back and let Fang tie him up.

"My lady, what you are doing is without honor. The Clegane family will be ridiculed by the warriors of the Seven Kingdoms."

"You insulted the Clegane family first."

"My lady, we are just two small messengers, following the etiquette. There was no offense to the lady in words or etiquette. If the lady thinks our negotiations are not sincere, let me go back. I will report to King Euron, and the King will definitely send an earl and knights as envoys."

Rolger shouted: "Let's go, what's the point of talking nonsense when death is near."

"Alright!" Jeyne said, "Gylan, I can spare you and Emond, but I want your father to come as an envoy. If Euron is sincere in negotiating, I will have a raven sent to ask Gregor to come back from Lannisport. We are willing to sit down with him and talk slowly."

Gylan felt relieved. He smelled the scent of survival in Lady Jeyne's words.

"My lady, as long as you let me go back, I swear to you in the name of the Goodbrother family, in the name of the Drowned God, that I will bring the lady's request back. The King will definitely send a new envoy."

"Gylan, I will not let you go back," Jeyne said faintly. "Rolger, hang Gylan and Emond on the flagpole outside. If Euron does not send a new envoy within an hour, cut off their heads to sacrifice to the flag."

Cold sweat broke out on Gylan's forehead: "My lady, if you don't let us go back, how will King Euron know the lady's request?"

"Maester Hallis, release a raven to General Jekker Rocke. State the situation clearly and let him tell Crow's Eye that I don't want anyone else as an envoy. I only want Lord Gorold Goodbrother to come. Among the nobles of the entire Iron Islands, only Lord Gorold's honor and the Goodbrother family's reputation are what I admire and trust the most."

"As you command, my lady," Maester Hallis bowed and said.

"Tell Lord Gorold that he must arrive at Clegane Keep within an hour, otherwise Gylan will lose his head. If Crow's Eye does not send an envoy again, we will launch an attack on him in an hour."

"Yes, my lady!"

The Goodbrother family of Hammerhorn was powerful. This time, Earl Gorold sent out eighty longships. In last night's retreat, Euron Crow's Eye did not arrange for the Goodbrother family to evacuate. He hoped that the Goodbrother family would be killed by the Mountain, so that the Goodbrother family's iron ore mountains, which seemed inexhaustible, would belong to Crow's Eye.

Rolger hung Emond and Gylan on the flagpole outside, while Maester Hallis wrote a letter and released the raven.

*

Within an hour, Earl Gorold Goodbrother arrived at Clegane Keep with his four knights. There were five of them in total, ten ponies, with two ponies carrying two wicker chests. Inside the wicker chests were the gifts that Crow's Eye had sent.

Gorold Goodbrother had a swarthy complexion, bright and piercing eyes, and an imposing presence. He and his knights dismounted outside Clegane Keep. They handed the horses over to Julie Clegane, who was receiving guests outside the main fort, and the five of them walked into Clegane Hall. Jeyne and Sansa, and Lady Dorea, were already waiting for him.

"Lady Jeyne," Gorold knelt on one knee, his expression neither humble nor arrogant, "Please release Emond and Gylan first."

Jeyne nodded to Rolger.

Rolger went out with a bang and released the two men hanging on the flagpole.

Jeyne said: "Besides Lady Dorea Sand, Lady Sansa, Brienne, Zerilda, Lord Gorold Goodbrother, everyone else, leave the hall."

Fang, Julie, Maester Hallis, four handmaidens, twelve guards, Anguy and Rolger, Mark the scribe, Emond, Gylan, the Goodbrother family's four knights... everyone walked out of the hall.

"General Anguy, please close the door," Jeyne instructed.

"Yes, my lady!" Anguy, who was the last to leave, gently closed the hall's door, and then he guarded the door.

Inside the not-so-large hall, there were only five women and one man.

Lady Jeyne, Lady Sansa, Lady Dorea, the two female generals Brienne and Zerilda.

"Lord Gorold, let's get straight to the point. The alliance is just an excuse for Crow's Eye to delay time. He is afraid that the Clegane cavalry will chase down his main army. If my scouts' information is correct, there are now less than five thousand soldiers in your camp, most of whom are from Great Wyk. Mainly the Goodbrother family, the Sparr family, and the Merlyn family, am I right?"

Earl Gorold slowly widened his eyes, his face full of disbelief: "The lady already knows about our retreat last night?"

"We have ambushed manpower on every retreat road. I believe only a few can escape."

Earl Gorold's mouth was bitter and he was covered in cold sweat.

"Crow's Eye himself has already left last night. You were left behind to confuse our Clegane army. He hopes that we Cleganes will kill you all, so that the iron ore of the three families on Great Wyk will all belong to Crow's Eye."

Earl Gorold refused to believe it: "My lady, King Euron is still in the army."

"Earl, do you still believe that Euron is in the army?"

Earl Gorold's heart shook, his body went weak, and he was speechless.

"Lord Earl, are you willing to replace Crow's Eye and be the new governor of the Iron Islands?" Jeyne said faintly.

*

ps: I just checked for typos, and the 8,000 words have been replenished.