The Mountain of Ice and Fire

Chapter 610: Assassinating the Mountain

(Guaranteed chapter, sorry for the 50-minute delay.)

*

As if in the blink of an eye, dusk approached. At sunset, the four city gates of Runestone, the various septs, the Earl's main castle, the Maester's Tower, and Miss Royce's courtyard and rooms were all decorated festively.

Firstly, there were many people. With a single command, hundreds of people worked together, making decorating a quick task.

Secondly, Runestone was also a wealthy city, lacking nothing, so setting up various scenes was not difficult.

At dinner time, a raven flew into the Maester's Tower. The apprentice received the raven and, not daring to delay, immediately found Maester Hallis in the dining hall. Maester Hallis was responsible for the Mountain's raven correspondence, while Maester Pegg was responsible for the Mountain's finances and taxes. When Maester Hallis saw the Eyrie sigil on the wax seal, he immediately took the letter to see the Mountain.

The letter was sent from the Eyrie: the pattern on the wax seal was a sky-blue falcon! This was the House Arryn's coat of arms.

The Mountain, who was drinking with his guard, tore open the letter. It was a letter of seeking peace and negotiation. The letter stated that Duke Arryn had sent Earl Jon Royce and Lady Waynwood together to Runestone to negotiate with the Mountain. Jon Royce was bringing the document of sworn fealty from the Lord of the Eyrie. The letter said that Lord Robert, the Duke of the Vale, asked the Mountain not to harm the people of Runestone, nor the nobles of Runestone Island, and emphasized that he must treat Miss Ysilla Royce well.

Jon Royce as the main envoy, and Lady Waynwood as the deputy envoy, this was a negotiation team composed of the heads of the two most powerful families in the Vale. From another perspective, they were also the best hostages delivered to the door.

The negotiating team seemed to be full of powerful figures. Among them, the Vale's most famous swordsman, Ser Lyn Corbray, was also on the list.

Lyn Corbray, the Mountain was no stranger to this guy. Others knew Lyn's fame, but the Mountain knew all the details of this guy.

Lyn and the Mountain both rose to fame during the War of the Usurper eighteen years ago.

Initially, the Lyn Corbray family fought for the dragon family, the Targaryens, and they betrayed their liege lord, the Arryn family. Later, the war situation turned unfavorable, and the royalists were constantly defeated. Lyn's father decisively turned back to Jon Arryn's banner, turning his horse's head to fight against the royalists.

Before defecting back to his liege lord, Lyn Corbray, who had performed meritorious service in fighting against Duke Jon Arryn outside Gulltown, was knighted by Prince Rhaegar Targaryen.

After returning to Jon Arryn's banner, the Corbray family participated in the later famous Battle of the Trident.

In the great battle, Robert's warhammer killed the commander-in-chief of the royalists: Prince Rhaegar Targaryen, and Lyn Corbray killed Prince Lewyn Martell.

Lewyn Martell was the uncle of the current Lord of Dorne, Prince Doran Martell. He was a Kingsguard of the Iron Throne, a top swordsman, and a passionate and loyal man with great fame, but later there were rumors that Prince Lewyn was already seriously injured before Lyn fought him. The Mountain knew for sure that those were rumors. Lyn killed Prince Lewyn with real skill and a bit of luck.

Lyn became famous for killing Prince Lewyn Martell, and he also received the family's ancestral sword 'Lady Forlorn' as a reward.

The Corbray family was a family that sided with whoever was stronger, and Lyn Corbray especially liked gold and children, which were his weaknesses.

Lyn Corbray also came, which made the Mountain ponder. If Lyn Corbray got close, his swordsmanship would be a threat. Lady Forlorn was light and thin, with the characteristics of a narrow sword. Like Ice, Lady Forlorn was also a Valyrian steel sword.

Lyn Corbray, this was the sharpest sword in the Vale.

Lyn's mind was not complicated. If the trajectory of the world had not changed, Lyn should have been bought by Littlefinger, but the world had changed too much because of the Mountain, so the Mountain decided to be more careful.

"Reply, two things. First, make Littlefinger the chief negotiator, otherwise the negotiation will be canceled; second, tell Earl Jon Royce to hurry up so he can catch the last celebration of Ysilla's three-day wedding," the Mountain said to Maester Hallis.

"As you command, my lord."

The Mountain noticed that Maester Hallis already had a blue mustache on his lips. He was 'maturing' quickly in the army. Well, it's time to reward Maester Hallis with a camp follower. Maesters and members of the Night's Watch are not allowed to be close to women or marry. As a man, the Mountain believed that these principles were anti-human.

The Mountain decided to reward Hallis, whose lips were turning blue, with a camp follower tonight.

*

Night. In Miss Royce's boudoir.

"You must be prepared. The day after tomorrow morning, I will personally send you on a ship to leave. This is the condition I agreed to with the Mountain for the marriage," Miss Royce said.

Ser Fielder knelt on one knee: "My lady, please allow me to stay and be your personal guard. You need a sword to protect you from the verbal mockery, the casual gestures, and the humiliation of those barbaric soldiers. You are the mistress of Runestone. You have the right to travel freely in this city, not hide in this courtyard, locked in this small house."

"Uncle, I'm getting married tomorrow. Ser Landon will protect me."

"My lady, I will never leave you." Ser Fielder struck his left chest over his heart three times.

"Ser Fielder, the Mountain will not agree to you being the lady's guard. Come with us," said Royce Corbrett, the Baron of Coldwater Burn. His coat of arms was a blue 'Y' with a white border on a red background.

"Ser, we need you. You are our best sword instructor. In the future, when we launch a counterattack, we will need your sword," Ser Damon Shett of Gull Tower said earnestly. His family's coat of arms was three golden wings displayed on a black and white checkered background.

"Ser Fielder, listen to the lady. Our strength is not enough anyway. Earl Royce needs us more. The Mountain's foster son married the lady in order to gain control of Runestone. They dare not make things difficult for the lady now," Baron Uther Tollett of Grey Glen also advised. His family's coat of arms was a black and gray jagged pattern.

"My lords, the Mountain has already agreed to me being the lady's personal guard and allowed me to find another attendant," Ser Fielder said, his eyes looking at the three lords, as if hoping someone could stay, but the three lords couldn't wait to leave now. "My lady, the Mountain has already agreed to let me be your personal guard. If Earl Royce gathers a legion in the Vale to counterattack, I can also be an internal response here."

"Okay, I agree, Uncle, get up," Ysilla Royce said.

Ser Fielder stood up, but Ser Damon, Baron Corbrett, and Baron Uther knelt down on one knee to Miss Ysilla, and they lowered their heads…

*

Three days later, Jon Royce, riding on the Vale plains, which were full of crops, ponds, birdsong, flowers, and picturesque scenery, received a raven letter from the Eyrie.

He stopped his horse, looking slightly tired, tore open the letter, and his face gradually turned ugly.

The letter said two things: the first was to order Bronze Jon Royce to garrison and wait for orders. The Mountain designated Petyr Baelish as the negotiator, otherwise he would not accept negotiations; the second was that Ysilla Royce had married Ser Landon Garner from Crackclaw Point. According to the rites of the Seven Gods, the marriage was held in the sept by a septon, and the marriage was legal and valid.

Jon Royce showed the letter to Lady Waynwood, then lit it and watched the raven letter burn to ashes.

"My lords, the Mountain is not willing to negotiate. We have no choice but to go to war. Who has an idea on how to defeat the Mountain?" Bronze Jon said slowly, his eyes sweeping across everyone's faces.

"Kill the Mountain, and his legion will naturally collapse," Lyn Corbray shouted.

Royce looked at Lady Waynwood. He needed the support of this noblewoman. Lady Waynwood was highly respected, emphasized etiquette and hierarchy, and had a high moral character. She was most hostile to vulgar villains like the Mountain.

"Earl," the elderly Lady Waynwood was physically strong and had a strong character. She said slowly, "The Mountain's intention in seizing Runestone is already very clear. He has no sincerity in negotiating. He has taken Runestone and his military power is at its peak, but he also has a fatal weakness. The Mountain's legion is composed of people from different places: the tribes of the Mountains of the Moon, the barbarians of Crackclaw Point, Westerlands rogues, Northmen deserters, and refugees from the Seven Kingdoms. This is a rabble. As long as the Mountain is killed, his legion will naturally collapse."

"The lady is right. I need a suicide squad," Jon Royce said decisively. "Who has the courage, is not afraid of life and death, and dares to go with me to assassinate the Mountain?"

"I am willing to go," Lyn shouted. He had a quick temper and blurted it out.

"Good, thank you, my lord, for your strong support," Bronze Jon said generously. "After assassinating the Mountain, I will definitely reward you handsomely, and reward every brave warrior who dares to go with me."

"Why did the Earl suddenly abandon the negotiations?" Michael Redfort asked. "What was written in the letter?"

His father had already told him that he must end his love affair with Mia Stone and marry Miss Ysilla Royce. Jon Royce and Horton Redfort had already exchanged betrothal gifts, and the heads of both families had confirmed the marriage.

"Ser Michael, it is the Mountain who has no intention of negotiating. He suddenly proposed that Littlefinger be the chief negotiator, otherwise he would cancel the negotiations," Royce said lightly. "He also forced my daughter to marry a barbarian from Crackclaw Point. His purpose is obviously to obtain Runestone. After obtaining Runestone, what does the Mountain want to do? Do I need to spell it out? He wants to use Runestone as a base to take root, and then cross the bay to plunder the Vale at any time. The Vale has always had good weather and abundant harvests, and the nobles are very wealthy. The Mountain is just a tyrannical and greedy robber. My lords, it is time to unite. Michael, are you willing to join my suicide squad?"

Michael's heart stirred. He had to agree to his father to marry Miss Royce under pressure. Now that Miss Royce had married a barbarian from Crackclaw Point, could he persuade his father to cancel the marriage? Even if his father was unwilling to cancel the marriage, he had a reason to cancel the marriage: Miss Ysilla was defiled.

Thinking of being able to be with Mia Stone, Michael was overjoyed.

"Earl, I will follow Ser Lyn and join your suicide squad."

Several knights drew their swords and swore to follow Jon Royce and join his suicide squad.

"Lady Waynwood, I need your help," Bronze Jon bowed and saluted on his horse.

"Please command, my lord."

"I need the lady to gather as many Vale legions as possible and wait by the bay, ready to attack. After we assassinate the Mountain, the enemy will inevitably be in chaos. We need the lady to lead the Vale warriors to pursue the enemy."

"Five days to gather five thousand legions. Mainly from House Waynwood and House Templeton," Lady Waynwood agreed generously.

Where they were, was not far from Ironoaks. Ironoaks, the family castle of Lady Waynwood. She only needed half an hour to go back and gather the legions, send ravens to her vassals on her fief, to House Templeton, and then wait for these legions to arrive, which would take at least three days.

"Thank you, madam."

Bronze Jon's ability to decisively form a suicide squad and a support legion also proved his prestige, which was indeed very high among the eight great houses. Many Vale nobles looked up to him.

The Vale did not lack brave warriors, but lacked a true leader.

Bronze Jon was also the most willing hardliner in the Vale to support the Stark of the North as king. Duke Eddard Stark's great-aunt married into House Royce, and they were related. And one of Bronze Jon's sisters was the first wife of Walder Frey of the Twins, and the Queen of the North came from House Frey.

"My lords, after we assassinate the Mountain and drive away the rabble, we will return to the Eyrie to expel Littlefinger, and then go north to support the Stark of Winterfell as king."

"Good!" Everyone cheered.

Supporting Stark as king and opposing the Lannisters on the Iron Throne was the wish of most Vale nobles. In this chaotic world, the Vale wanted to jump out of the turmoil, ignore worldly affairs, and live in peace, but the Mountain's arrival disrupted their illusions and dreams, which proved that it was ultimately impossible. Only Lady Lysa Tully was an ostrich, burying her head in the sand, refusing to see, hear, or think.

"Maester, release the raven, tell the Eyrie that we will continue to negotiate and will not garrison and stay; also give the Mountain a raven letter, telling him that no matter who is the chief negotiator, what he wants, everyone can sit down and talk about."

"Yes, my lord!"

*

Two days later, Bronze Jon Royce led a team of fifty people and rode into Runestone.

The streets of Runestone were neat and clean, without the bloodiness, dirtiness, and chaos that everyone imagined.

On the city walls, the Clegane soldiers were disciplined, their armor was bright, and their swords and spears were lined up.

During the advance, the patrolling soldiers were all neat, sonorous, brave, and martial.

This shocked Bronze Jon and the others.

The Mountain's bandit army seemed to have stronger discipline, military power, morale, and fighting spirit than their legions. As far as they could see, there was not a single soldier wearing a helmet crookedly or armor untidily, nor a centurion who was drunk and listless.

This was completely different from the image of the Mountain's rogue legion that they had imagined.

Bronze Yohn Royce returned to his city. Along the way, only a few of his people came forward to salute and bow. Most of the nobles, wealthy merchants, and commoners seemed fearful, deliberately avoiding him when they saw him.

"The Mountain has threatened all the people in the city," Yohn Royce said in a low voice. "Brave warriors, when you see the Mountain, watch for my signal. Act decisively and launch a surprise attack."

The others all nodded secretly, but their confidence began to waver.

The Mountain's soldiers had sky-high morale and awe-inspiring military might, not to be underestimated.

The Mountain's army was not the rabble they had imagined.

Within the city, Royce had two thousand soldiers under his command. One thousand were surrendered soldiers, and one thousand were prisoners held in the dungeon. As long as the Mountain died, these forces would be unleashed, quickly becoming their strength and rallying around Royce.

Mychel Redfort led ten soldiers, responsible for releasing the prisoners from the dungeon. Yohn Royce and Lyn Corbray were responsible for assassinating the Mountain.

Before stepping into Runestone, Bronze Yohn had made detailed deployment plans. The fifty suicide squad members had thoroughly memorized the layout of Runestone's streets and the Earl's main castle.