The Mountain of Ice and Fire

"Your Majesty, it takes three days to travel from Braavos to Lorath," said Commander-in-Chief Vincent.

The Mountain stared at Vincent, as if seeing through his thoughts and soul: "Commander-in-Chief Vincent, use light longboats, rotate the oarsmen, and row non-stop, and you can reach Lorath Bay in Lorath in one day and one night. Then take a day to rest, and launch a surprise attack at night, and by the dawn of the second day, you can take the entire Lorath city-state."

Vincent's heart was shocked.

The Mountain from Westeros seemed to know a lot about the situation in Lorath.

The Lorath city-state has a large fishing fleet, but the Lorath people rarely build warships, and their military strength is quite weak.

If the Mountain's planned tactics are true, it can indeed take Lorath.

However, traveling three hundred miles in one day and one night is indeed full of challenges, and the wind direction and sea conditions on the sea are unpredictable.

"Your Majesty, give me seven days. Within seven days, I will definitely capture the Lorath city-state."

"Three days, no more," said the Mountain indifferently. His tone was firm and irrefutable.

The Mountain wanted to test Vincent's combat ability and loyalty.

The Mountain did know a lot about the Lorath city-state. For the Mountain, who aspired to the world, he spent time and energy to understand and learn about the city-states of Essos and the main geographical layout.

This is basic homework that a conqueror must complete.

Lorath, one of the nine free trade city-states. It is located in the northwest of Essos, at the westernmost end of the largest main island in a cluster of islands in the Shivering Sea, backed by Lorath Bay, west of Axehead Peninsula and east of Braavos.

Lorath is the smallest, poorest, least populated, most backward, and most isolated of the nine free trade city-states. Locals rarely leave Lorath, and they tend to do business with their closer neighbors - Norvos in the inland, and the island city-state of Braavos and Ibben by the sea.

The face of Jaqen H'ghar, the Faceless Man who had appeared in Harrenhal, flashed before the Mountain's eyes. Jaqen H'ghar was Arya Stark's Faceless Man senior brother who had taught her. When he traveled in Westeros, his claimed identity was a fugitive from Lorath.

Lorath's territory includes three main islands in a series of islands, dozens of uninhabitable reefs, and a peninsula covered with dense forests facing the islands across the sea to the south.

The Lorath people also claim sovereignty over the waters of Lorath Bay, but fishing boats from Braavos and whaling and sealing boats from Ibben dare to rush into the bay to hunt, because Lorath does not have enough strength to maintain the sovereignty he wants to claim.

In the past, Lorath's territory once reached as far as Axehead Peninsula. However, the city-state's power has shrunk day by day. Now, only the east and south coasts of Lorath Bay can be firmly controlled by the Lorath people, and part of the west coast has fallen into the sphere of influence of Braavos.

Such a weak Lorath, facing the sudden appearance of longboat warships from Braavos, would at most resist slightly and then surrender.

The powerful influence of the Braavos city-state has long penetrated into all aspects of Lorath.

It is only because Lorath is far away from other city-states that Lorath people rarely participate in the conflicts of the Century of Blood, except for those mercenaries who voluntarily go to Braavos or Norvos. Because of this, Lorath has had a long period of peace and independence.

But now, a new historical moment has arrived.

Although the rocks of the Lorath Islands are lifeless and the people are poor, the surrounding waters are rich in various marine life. Therefore, pickled cod, walrus ivory, seal skin, whale oil and other marine products have become Lorath's main export goods, which has also led to the extreme wealth of the Lorath nobles and a huge gap between the rich and the poor.

The Mountain also knew that there was a place in Lorath that even the locals were very afraid of: the Maze.

A long, long time ago, long before there were written records, the Lorath Islands were inhabited by a mysterious group of people who were later called the Maze Makers. But for unknown reasons, they died out, leaving only their bones and the maze they built to Lorath.

The complexity and mystery of this maze, and its reputation, are comparable to the Great Wall of the Frozen Coast, the Titan of Braavos, Harrenhal, the Hightower, and other nine wonders of the world.

In Lorath, people worship the Blind God Boash. They built temples on the main island, and the people and nobles call themselves Someone, not I.

The most important point of the Blind God's doctrine is the extreme abandonment of individual self-awareness - only by abandoning human vanity can one obtain divinity. Therefore, these believers even abandoned their names and called themselves "Someone" instead of "I". The Lorath noble class believes that calling oneself I directly is unspeakably rude. This way of addressing is extremely similar to the Faceless Men's nameless people calling themselves 'Someone'.

The followers of the Blind God built towns, temples, and tombs in the ruins of the ancient maze, occupying three-quarters of the area of the Lorath Islands. They formed three villages on the west side of the largest main island, and merged into small towns due to the constantly expanding population and prosperity. Over the years, the small towns developed into cities.

When more and more foreigners from Ibben, Braavos, and Norvos came, the Blind God's faith faced severe challenges. At first, these later immigrants still obeyed the priests of the Blind God, but as the foreign population increased, the power of the Blind God's followers gradually declined, and the priests of the Blind God also became corrupt in the taxes they collected, and even became less devout. Finally, these later immigrants launched a rebellion, no longer obeying the rule of the Blind God's priests, and completely broke away from the shackles of the Blind God's faith. The surviving devout believers fled into the maze-like Great Temple on Lorassyon Island and lingered for a hundred years before finally perishing.

After that, Lorath learned the management model of the Valyrian Empire and was ruled by a council of three princes. The Harvest Prince is elected by all those who own land on the island; the Fisherman Prince is elected by all shipowners; and the Street Prince is elected by the freemen of the city. Once elected, they serve for life. The prince system continues to this day, but they no longer hold real power and have been reduced to purely ceremonial roles. Today, the real power in Lorath is in the hands of the Council of Governors, which is composed of dignitaries - nobles, priests, and merchants.

The Mountain knew the history and current situation of the Lorath city-state like the back of his hand. If Commander-in-Chief Vincent made excuses or other remarks that he could not take Lorath in three days, then his combat ability and loyalty would have to be discounted.

The Mountain stared at Vincent and rejected Vincent's proposed seven-day combat time. In seven days, any ordinary general could take the weak Lorath, while in three days, it would require an outstanding general with absolute appeal.

Vincent was the commander-in-chief of the Braavos navy. The Braavos navy is known as the strongest fleet in the world.

Under the Mountain's gaze, Commander-in-Chief Vincent regained his composure: "Your Majesty, if the fleet encounters a storm at sea..."

"If you can't take Lorath in three days, you don't have to come back," said the Mountain indifferently.

Vincent's face changed slightly.

The Mountain had issued a death order.

If he had any more objections, he would be in danger of being killed.

"Yes, Your Majesty," said Commander-in-Chief Vincent.

"Then set off," said the Mountain. He didn't even meet with the newly surrendered fleet generals and captains to give a 'comforting' speech?! He directly ordered them to attack Lorath. He wasn't afraid that the Braavos fleet would take the opportunity to leave Braavos and escape from here?

Daenerys thought the Mountain's plan was too rash.

But she chose to shut up.

If she wanted to question him, she would have to do it after the meeting. Daenerys had learned not to argue with the Mountain's orders and decisions in public.

She had already experienced the Mountain's strength.

"Yes, Your Majesty," said Commander-in-Chief Vincent.

Vincent swore allegiance to the Mountain, but in fact, most of the Braavos fleet generals and captains didn't know the situation here at all, and didn't understand the details of what had happened here. Vincent returned to the navy fleet. With the Sea Lord killed by the Mountain, could he still have the prestige to order the thousand warships of Braavos to obey his orders to attack the friendly neighbor Lorath? This was actually uncertain.

There were many pro-war and hot-blooded generals in the Braavos navy.

This was also a small game for the Mountain to see Vincent's prestige and ability.

If Vincent couldn't solve this problem, then a new leader would emerge from the life-and-death naval infighting. Whether the surrender faction or the pro-war faction gained the upper hand, it was the internal cleansing that the Mountain needed to carry out through survival of the fittest.

What the Mountain wanted was a military force that submitted to the Mountain's rule. Those who didn't submit, no matter how excellent and good at fighting they were, would die sooner rather than later. If the pro-war faction gained the upper hand, the Mountain would cleanse them all. If the navy that was willing to submit was not competitive, the Mountain didn't think it would be of much use to stay.

Survival of the fittest is the best choice! It conforms to the laws of nature!

Commander-in-Chief Vincent walked out of the door, stopped, and turned around: "Your Majesty, among the warships at the dock, we have captured the Green Prophet who instigated the assassination of Your Majesty. This was originally a gift that the Sea Lord hoped to offer to Your Majesty to form an alliance and make peace. Your Majesty ordered him to be killed before the Sea Lord could say what the gift was."

"Bran Stark has been captured by you?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Ian, issue an order and have the centurion at the dock bring Bran Stark from the Sea Lord's flagship here."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Ian's blood-stained short sword was sheathed, and he strode out of the hall.

"Vincent," the Mountain called out to Vincent, who was turning to leave.

Vincent stopped and turned around again. Several naval generals who were following him also turned around.

"Besides Bran Stark, have you captured anyone else?"

"No."

"A one-armed swordsman, a dwarf, and two children, one male and one female. None of the people you sent captured any of them?" The one-armed swordsman was Jaime, the dwarf was Tyrion, and the children were Tommen and Myrcella.

"The general sent by the Sea Lord to capture Bran only captured one Bran Stark in the Stone Tower. None of the others Your Majesty mentioned were seen."

"Who went to capture Bran Stark?"

"It was me, Your Majesty," a general stood up and said.

This was a general with bronze skin, very tall, with a yellow beard braided into small braids. A small golden bell was tied to the end of each braid.

"When the general went, there was only Bran Stark in the Stone Tower?" The Mountain didn't even ask for the general's name. He decided to get to know these generals again at the victory banquet. The Mountain maintained the authority and arrogance of the king.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Didn't you ask where Bran's attendants had gone?"

"The prophet knew we were going to capture him, and he had all the people around him leave in advance."

"Oh, I see."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The Mountain watched Vincent leave with the accompanying naval generals, retracted his gaze, and landed on several doctors.

"Are you willing to serve me?" The Mountain asked. He didn't use the word submit to the doctors, but the meaning was actually the same.

"We are willing."

"Very good. I will give you a centurion and a ship. Please organize people to post notices on the main islands of Braavos, telling the people of Braavos that the Sea Lord is dead, the navy fleet has surrendered, and Braavos has submitted to King Gregor Clegane, the Dragon Knight." The Mountain deliberately strengthened the tone of the word 'Dragon Knight'. This was the key to inspiring awe, and it was also a small detail that the Mountain valued.

At this point, a new title was added to the Mountain's long list of titles: Dragon Knight!

This title will also be very helpful for future conquests, and can deter people, similar to a cool title like Mother of Dragons.

Several doctors and a centurion under the Mountain walked out.

In the hall, only Arya and the twenty-two Faceless Men she led remained.

Arya Stark had come to prevent the Mountain from slaughtering the people on the island. But she was one step too late, or rather, the Mountain's actions were too fast.

The Mountain looked at Arya. After Arya became the Heavenly Mandate Elder, her temperament had obviously changed.

"Your Majesty, what do you intend to do with Bran Stark?" Arya said.

"What do you think?"

"Does Your Majesty want to kill him?"

"Do you agree?" Compared to his cruel methods towards the Sea Lord and others, the Mountain's tone towards Arya was rarely polite.

Instantly, countless thoughts flashed through Arya's mind.

"Your Majesty, perhaps you can hand Bran Stark over to the House of Black and White."

"Does the House of Black and White have a way to force the Bloodraven out of his body?" The Mountain saw through Arya's plan at a glance.

"I don't have complete certainty, but I want to try."

"Arya, it's a pity that the Sixskins Varamyr isn't here. He is the most talented skinchanger, proficient in the secrets of possessing other people and beasts."

Daenerys Targaryen said: "Your Majesty, Elder Arya, the Bloodraven will never be captured without a fight. He is Brynden Rivers, a Targaryen family bloodline, one of my ancestors. I have spent time with him, and I may know him better than you do."

The Mountain and Arya were both shocked.

The Mountain was wary, while Arya was hopeful.

"Your Majesty, do you think the Bloodraven has already left Bran Stark?"

"He can possess any birds and beasts, including some ordinary people with poor willpower. What he likes to possess and control most is people with the skinchanger traits of Bran Stark. Now that he has been captured, he will never be captured without a fight. The Bran Stark who can be escorted here may really just be Bran Stark."

"Your Majesty," Arya Stark said, rising to her feet, "that is the outcome I desire most. Your Majesty, please grant me a horse."