Bernard Brune of Dyre Den had once served as a squire to Lord Alyn Stokeworth, Hand of the King to Aegon I.
During the War of the Usurper at the Battle of the Ruby Ford, House Crabb and House Brune of Crackclaw Point had fought side by side, bleeding together for Prince Rhaegar Targaryen.
Both were model loyalists to the dragon’s house, the innermost of confidants.
Under the new Baratheon dynasty, however, both were reduced to miserable wrecks among wrecks.
*** Perched atop a towering cliff, the massive gates of Dyre Den—standing over forty meters high by visual estimate—were firmly shut.
Green decisively abandoned any plans for a direct assault.
Taking a well-fortified castle through conventional siege methods would come at far too steep a price.
While siege warfare was inevitable on the road to power, Green, lacking dragons, needed to develop more unconventional tactics and means.
At present, Green was wholly unprepared for a siege on Dyre Den.
If an opportunity arose, he would seize the loot; if not, he would give up without hesitation.
Green consoled himself: *We’re both impoverished lords.
Why should one poor man make life hard for another?* *** “When someone dares to challenge you, answer them resolutely with blood and iron.
But when they kneel in submission, you must raise them up with your own hands—otherwise, no one will ever yield to you again.” Mulling over these remembered words, Green turned to Ser Marston.
“Marston, I leave the rest to you.
Handle the ransoms for House Brune’s prisoners according to custom.
Out of respect for our shared past fighting for the Targaryens, we will spare them this once.
Warn them that there won’t be a second time.” Marston bowed his head in agreement.
Green then quietly instructed Ser Pell, “Have Emparo escort the captives.
Your Recon Corps will remain behind to keep pressure on the Wildling tribes—especially those friendly with House Brune.
Raze their settlements just as before and relocate their populace.
The restored Crabb lands need a vast number of farmers.” Ser Marston was about to implement the semi-militarized estates planned by Green across the newly reclaimed Crabb territories.
In time, these semi-militarized estates would cover every acre of arable land in eastern Crackclaw Point.
“As you command, my lord.” Green nodded.
“The primary fighting force of the Wildling tribes near the Crabb lands has been crushed, so fierce resistance is unlikely.
Even so, I expect you to handle every engagement with care.
If you find good hunters, recruit them into the Recon Corps.
Recruiting while suppressing the Wildlings is a rare training opportunity.” Pere replied, “My lord, I shall strictly follow your orders.
What about House Brune…?” Green gave his reins a light tug, guiding his horse to the side.
Ser Pell spurred his mount to follow.
Riding alongside Pere, Green spoke: “Talking with you always eases my mind, Pere.
Yes, even though House Brune lost this time, they won’t submit to me easily.
For a while, no force in the old Crabb lands will pose a threat to us, which gives us time to digest our gains properly.
Furthermore…” “Apart from the twenty warhorses I’ve picked to take back, I will assign all remaining horses to you.
The Recon Corps needs speed above all else.” Green glanced back at Dyre Den once more.
“House Crabb cannot stop its march.
We must continue raiding to sustain the populations of both our old and new territories.
We’ve expanded too quickly, and our farmland cannot yet support so many people.” “The only noble house in eastern Crackclaw Point capable of causing us trouble is House Brune, and that is something I will not tolerate.
One House Crabb is enough to rule eastern Crackclaw Point.” “Marston will stay to oversee the development of the ancestral lands.
I will instruct him to assist your campaign.
Start by subjugating the Wildling tribes allied with House Brune one by one.
I want you to blockade House Brune, suffocating them until they either submit or vanish.” A faint smile touched Green’s lips, and he clapped Pere on the shoulder.
“I must depart for King’s Landing shortly.
I cannot be in two places at once, so I must rely on you.
Fortunately, you are here.
Your loyalty and competence have always given me complete peace of mind.” “Ser Pell, for the glory of House Crabb.” Pere’s expression turned solemn.
Pressing a hand to his chest, he bowed his head.
“My sword is forever at your service!” *** Mundon Waters carried a large round shield on his back, a warhammer tucked at his waist, happily gnawing on a smoked sausage.
Beside him, Raina said helplessly, “Fat Mundon, don’t you ever get full?
You’re constantly eating.” Mundon Waters replied simply, “Ah, I’m just scared of being hungry.
In the past, I could never fill my belly.
Things are so much better now.
Ever since I started following my lord, I haven’t gone hungry once.” Raina rolled her pretty eyes at him.
“Never full, yet you’re still built like a barrel!” Mundon Waters scratched the back of his head.
“Heh heh…” Raina’s eyes flickered with mischief.
“Fat Mundon, if you keep eating like this…
watch out, or my lord will punish you for eating too much.” Mundon widened a pair of eyes that seemed noticeably devoid of bright intelligence.
“Th-this…
I know I have a big appetite.
Should I go confess my fault to my lord on my own?” Raina snorted first, then burst into belly laughter, leaving Mundon even more bewildered.
Fortunately, Green’s voice cut in just in time: “Mundon, Raina is only teasing you.” Green walked over and tapped Raina lightly on the head.
“He’ll take you seriously.” Raina squealed dramatically, crouching down while clutching her head.
Green quietly glanced at his own palm.
Mundon suddenly shouted to report her: “My lord!
Raina isn’t in pain!
She’s pretending!
I saw it!
She sneaked a smile just now!
I saw it!” Mundon Waters had a beastlike instinct.
From his first day joining Green’s camp, he had sensed that the military rules were closely linked to his own future.
To Mundon Waters, Green was the first person who hadn’t despised his massive appetite, and the one who finally put an end to his starvation.
Mundon Waters chewed continuously while exerting his not-so-bright brain to memorize the military discipline word for word.
He had only been rattled for a moment by sly Raina.
Realizing now that eating too much broke no military rule, he naturally sought his “revenge.” Mundon Waters jumped up and down, ruthlessly exposing her, his massive belly jiggling like waves of meat.
*How did this guy suddenly get cleverer?* Raina put on a pitiful face.
“Lord Green, I beg for mercy…
I…” Mundon scratched his head.
*Did I go too far with my revenge?* Green waved his hand helplessly.
“Go on, fetch Mundon some more food, and he’ll forgive you right away.” *** King’s Landing, a corridor in the Red Keep.
Tyrion Lannister sat on the marble balustrade along the corridor, swinging his short legs.
Tyrion held a wine goblet that seemed never to leave his hand, his face flushed red from drink.
“Brother, think of something cheerful.
You worry too much.
Sometimes I even suspect your affection for our sister is abnormal.” Jaime Lannister shot another uneasy glance toward Cersei’s chambers, uttered a heavy sigh, and sat down on the balustrade as well.
Anger still lingered on his handsome face.
“King Robert has forgotten what honor means.
I’ve lost count of how many times he’s laid hands on Cersei.” Tyrion wriggled his backside closer to Jaime and patted his brother’s arm.
“You have to understand why I stopped you.
If you get involved, things will only turn out worse.” Jaime rubbed his face with both hands in frustration.
“Tyrion, you’re always so clever and rational.” Tyrion’s eyes darkened, his tone taking on a rare gravity.
“Our sister always fancies herself Lord Tywin with teats, but in truth, she falls far short.
If nothing else, Father is always as cold and emotionless as a glacier, whereas Cersei burns like wildfire the moment her tempers flare.
Our King and Queen are like two infernos—the second they touch, they burst into a raging blaze.” Jaime sighed deeply once more.
“I only want Cersei to be happy.”