"A pity that Old Oak lies just beyond our ships' cannon range," Earl Montford Velaryon sighed with genuine regret, gazing toward the ancient fortress upon the shore.
The sea surged with restless energy while war horns blared their brazen challenge.
Listening to the fleet commander's words, Garlan Tyrell maintained his silence, though his thoughts churned more turbulently than the rolling waves and thunderous horns surrounding them.
"That matters little," Ser Robar Royce, commander of the accompanying Kingsguard Tenth Regiment, smiled with easy confidence. "When the moment arrives, we can take it readily with our Guards while preserving this ancient castle from needless destruction."
"Quite fitting to leave a complete residence for Governor Garlan—consider it a token of our regard." Ser Robar offered Garlan a meaningful smile.
Garlan could only respond with forced courtesy. "I thank you for such kindness, my lords. Any arrangement suits my needs."
None among them suggested negotiation. The King had expressly forbidden such overtures.
"Alas..." Lord Montford Velaryon released a heavy sigh. "There is naught else to concern us save Lord Mathis Rowan and Lady Arwyn Oakheart. Should they persist in their resistance, I fear it will only multiply the tragedy and create more needless bloodshed."
The atmosphere grew momentarily solemn.
After all, these commanding officers all sprang from noble houses. For many years, they had been shaped by family influence and education, maintaining contact and friendship with noble ladies throughout the realm. Their lives and aspirations remained inseparable from such connections.
Yet now they must participate in what appeared an inevitable tragedy of extinction.
House Oakheart of Old Oak, bearing thousands of years of proud history, descended from Ser John the Oak, son of Garth Greenhand himself—a great noble family renowned throughout the Seven Kingdoms.
Their motto, passed down through countless generations, proclaimed "Our Roots Run Deep," yet now faced destruction in a single, decisive stroke.
Regardless of their original feelings toward House Oakheart, none could suppress a sense of sorrow and melancholy at witnessing such ancient lineage's end.
However, after this brief moment of mourning, both Earl Velaryon and Ser Robar turned their attention toward Garlan Tyrell.
The newly appointed Governor of Old Oak would serve as executor of House Oakheart's fate while becoming the greatest beneficiary—at least in appearance.
Their gazes held complex and profound meaning, uncertain whether they hoped Garlan would show mercy or decisively conclude this grim business.
Garlan Tyrell's heart grew heavier with each passing moment, yet he felt compelled to state clearly: "Resolution through peaceful means would prove ideal. Yet if Old Oak's rebels remain truly unrepentant and choose stubborn resistance, I shall never hesitate nor fail to honor His Grace's trust!"
How could peaceful resolution be achieved? They were forbidden to offer terms—were the defenders expected to commit suicide?
Garlan harbored no hope for such outcomes.
He understood with painful clarity that Highgarden had reached its most critical juncture. His grandmother and elder brother had made concession after concession in exchange for temporary stability. Now his turn had arrived to shoulder responsibility for the family and swallow this bitter draught.
Even if it meant personally destroying Old Oak with his own hands.
"In the name of Garlan Tyrell, Governor of Old Oak, traitors shall face justice according to law, regardless of rank or station," Garlan declared with formal authority.
The other two commanders shook their heads in silence, their expressions unreadable—whether from admiration or dissatisfaction remained unclear.
Garlan ceased speaking and turned his attention toward Old Oak before them—a castle not unfamiliar to him, yet now bristling with steel and covered in defiant banners.
Most prominent among the displays were four flags planted upon the gatehouse tower, one bearing the golden rose of his own house.
At the center, raised highest, flew a great golden banner—undoubtedly the crowned stag employed by Renly Baratheon, whose cause had already met crushing defeat.
To the stag's left hung a white standard.
Though details remained unclear at this distance, Garlan knew that banner must bear a golden tree upon its field.
House Rowan of Goldengrove, tracing descent from Rowan Goldentree, daughter of Garth Greenhand. Their power rivaled that of House Tyrell itself.
Left of the Rowan golden tree flew House Oakheart's banner—a golden oak leaf upon its ancient field.
The two family standards hung at equal height.
Only one flag was positioned to the stag's right—a golden rose upon green field.
Slightly lower than Renly's stag, yet raised a full section above both the Rowan golden tree and Oakheart oak leaf.
Garlan would have preferred seeing the golden rose erected at the lowest point of all.
At least then he might feel less anguish in his heart, and the world might remember House Rowan and House Oakheart's arrogance and ambition toward Highgarden's rightful lordship—rather than simply recalling Highgarden's apparent betrayal.
Wooooo————————
Sharp whistles spread throughout the fleet, drowning out Old Oak's angry roars and threatening horn calls.
Wooden bridges materialized from thin air as soldiers began their disembarkation.
Wooooo————————
Witnessing such scenes, Garlan found his thoughts drifting unexpectedly to that fateful meeting at Highgarden.
Highgarden had lost so much.
After investing Garlan as "Governor of Old Oak," King Joffrey had provided specific instructions to his younger brother Loras, who occupied the place of honor at His Grace's left hand.
The King had declared: "The kingdoms' jurisdictions shall be redefined and reorganized."
Brother Loras would certainly offer no contradiction to royal will.
His Grace then continued: "The 'First Governors' who answer directly to the crown—such as the Governor of Highgarden—are provisionally planned to number twelve in total."
Specifically, these positions included:
Governor of Highgarden to pacify the Reach—Ser Loras Tyrell.
Governor of Casterly Rock to oversee the Westerlands—Lord Tywin Lannister.
Governor of Winterfell to guard the North—Lord Eddard Stark.
Governor of the Eyrie to administer the Vale—to be determined.
Governor of Riverrun to govern the Riverlands—Lord Hoster Tully.
Governor of King's Landing to maintain the Crownlands—Lord Tyrion Lannister.
Governor of Storm's End to manage the Stormlands—Princess Daenerys Targaryen.
Governor of Sunspear to guard Dorne—to be determined.
Governor of Pyke to monitor the Iron Islands—Ser Theon Greyjoy.
Thus far, arrangements remained acceptable. True, the kraken spawn of the Iron Islands had been elevated beyond their station, while several intriguing appointments and vacancies demanded attention. Yet defeated Highgarden could hardly afford rash protests.
However, the final three "First Governors" made even Garlan, mere second son though he was, feel as if flesh was being carved from his bones and his heart gouged from his chest:
Governor of Ryamsport to protect the Arbor—Lord Paxter Redwyne.
Would the Arbor no longer belong to the Reach?
Governor of Summerhall to govern the Dornish Marches—Ser Jaime Lannister.
House Tarly's Horn Hill lay within the Dornish Marches. Without that barrier guarding the Red Mountains' passes, how would Highgarden respond to highland invasions from that direction?
Finally: Governor of Stonehouse to administer the Central Province—Ser Kevan Lannister.
Lord Kevan was indeed an honorable knight. Yet the Central Province? Stonehouse belonged to House Tully's domain. Was the Riverlands to be carved apart?
"Loras," the King projected a glowing, illusory map before them all. "You serve as Governor of Highgarden. Examine these arrangements and voice any dissatisfaction. Speak freely if something displeases you—modifications remain possible."
Garlan and the others fixed their attention upon the display, immediately followed by several sharp exclamations of surprise, suppressed anger, and indignation.
What Central Province indeed! It was clearly fertile Reach territory! Apart from Stonehouse itself and perhaps two or three barren Westerlands peaks, all remaining lands had been carved directly from the Reach's ancient holdings!
What cruel punishment this represented!