Garlan scrutinized this so-called "Central Province" with growing dismay.
The Ring of the Roxton family, Tumbleton of House Footly, Smithyton of House Shermer, Bitterbridge of House Caswell, Grassy Vale of House Meadows...
Nearly a quarter of the Reach had been carved away!
Yet that was not the extent of their losses.
Garlan continued searching the map and discovered even more dramatic departures from the traditional kingdom's boundaries.
House Ashford's seat and House Peake's Starpike had been assigned to Summerhall in the Marches, while several of Dorne's northern strongholds were also incorporated into that administrative region.
Old Oak was dyed red, representing the Westerlands, and the Reach's northern border suffered additional erosion marked in crimson.
The Shield Islands had turned gold.
The light screen provided timely clarification: The Shield Islands have been designated as directly-administered territory. A lower-tier "Second-Class Governor" will be established, though they shall not fall under First-Class Governor jurisdiction, answering only to the King and royal court.
Directly administered...
Garlan scanned the entire map and discovered several other prominent golden areas: Fair Isle in the Westerlands, Dragonstone in the Crownlands, Tarth in the Stormlands, Harrenhal in the Riverlands, the Three Sisters in the Vale, and Godsgrace in Dorne.
All strategic locations and crucial transportation hubs.
With this single map, Garlan perceived King Joffrey's vast ambitions with crystalline clarity.
The entire Seven Kingdoms under direct royal control!
Setting aside other regions momentarily—were Dorne's fortresses and cities truly so easily conquered?
There would be war! Bloody, terrible war!
Yet he quickly sobered to reality. Perhaps this conflict was precisely what King Joffrey desired—to defeat Dorne and flaunt his power through even greater victory!
Was he still unsatisfied even now?
Garlan's heart churned violently as he contemplated the enormous losses Highgarden would suffer according to this map. He prepared to voice objection.
But noticing his grandmother's continued silence, Garlan was forced to suppress his impulse.
Calming himself, he recalled their current circumstances with bitter clarity.
Highgarden possessed no room for choice. He must acknowledge harsh reality.
Now their entire family's survival depended upon King Joffrey's whims—how could they afford to grieve over territorial losses?
Besides, the King had addressed only Loras, Highgarden's current "Governor."
So Garlan observed in enforced silence.
His younger brother Loras's expression shifted uncertainly, opening his mouth several times yet producing no sound. Garlan could hardly blame him for such hesitation.
His elder brother Willas kept his eyes closed alongside their grandmother.
His youngest sister Margaery, who faced the greatest indignity in this moment, leaned within that man's embrace, her eyes vacant and face expressionless—as if her soul had fled her body to wander elsewhere. Garlan looked away, deeply disturbed.
Thus silence stretched for a full quarter-hour.
King Joffrey finally broke the deadlock with an amused smile. "Truly no objections?" His Grace continued studying Loras expectantly.
Loras stiffly shook his head in defeat.
The King turned toward Garlan's section, and he felt agitation under that almost tangible gaze, forcing himself to grit his teeth and maintain silence.
"Worthy indeed of the Golden Rose that has ruled Highgarden for three centuries—possessing such wisdom and leadership that understands necessary compromises. Why worry about future prosperity?" The King seemed genuinely complimentary.
Then His Grace reached out to indicate specific areas upon the map.
Garlan watched intently as subtle changes appeared: most existing Reach territories lost the names and descriptions of their ruling families.
"No punishment proves too severe for traitors. These lands may all be stripped away—whether they are granted anew, and to whom they are bestowed, Highgarden need only speak and I shall never refuse," the King declared with apparent generosity.
Garlan could not help but study the map more carefully.
Even removing vassal lords who had always remained close to their family, selectable territory nearly equaled Highgarden's existing holdings.
A remarkable opportunity!
At minimum, it could compensate for some losses!
Garlan looked toward his elder brother Willas, who gazed at their grandmother, and she too opened her eyes.
"If Highgarden surrenders rights to dispose of these traitors' lands, might Your Grace reconsider the redistricting of Bitterbridge, Horn Hill, and the Shield Islands?" Lady Olenna inquired with grave intensity.
Garlan felt immediate shock. Was grandmother truly angry? How could she make such demands?
The King shook his head as expected. "Each matter stands separately. The kingdom's regional reorganization represents affairs of paramount importance that cannot be lightly altered. Moreover, this is not punishment for Highgarden, so questions of pardon or exchange do not apply."
How is this not punishment? Garlan thought bitterly.
"Why should Lady Olenna remain so conflicted?" the King continued persuasively. "They betrayed their rightful liege—Highgarden bears no obligation to maintain such vassals. Compared to their treachery, Highgarden's own safety and interests matter most."
Indeed, valuable lands lay readily available.
Lady Olenna pressed no further. "Willas, you shall choose."
Their grandmother closed her eyes once more.
Elder brother Willas contemplated quietly for considerable time before finally presenting his selections to the King.
Words appeared upon the map accordingly.
Garlan recognized many familiar names: Bethany Redwyne of Ryamsport, Alys Graceford of Holyhall, House Crane of Red Lake...
Most importantly, Ser Jon Fossoway of New Barrel retained his holdings unchanged.
Garlan felt profound relief. At least his wife's family remained protected. For other lords, he could only offer silent regret.
He continued his observation.
More than one name vanished from the revised map: Lord Orton Merryweather of Longtable, House Appleton of Appleton, House Fossoway of Cider Hall, Lady Webber of Coldmoat, House Osgrey of Standfast...
Wait—House Webber?
Garlan retained some recollection. Rohanne Webber, the Lady of Coldmoat known as the "Red Widow" some decades past, was reportedly King Joffrey's great-great-grandmother.
Had grandmother and Willas forgotten this connection? Or was the omission deliberate?
Garlan glanced toward King Joffrey but detected nothing unusual. Perhaps His Grace had forgotten this distant relationship, or had never bothered remembering it.
Regardless, House Webber disappeared from the map alongside many other families.
Garlan examined the revised territories once more.
The grass green representing Highgarden expanded considerably eastward and northward.
The Rowans, former overlords of the northern Reach, retained only a small portion near Goldengrove while most other lands bore Tyrell colors.
The accumulated green areas finally exceeded even House Hightower's domains.
Though achieved through annexing former vassals.
For a moment, Garlan could not determine whether joy or sorrow dominated his heart.
Highgarden had lost much.
Yet Highgarden had also gained much—perhaps more than achieved through any past military victory.
House Rowan's holdings alone would have justified considerable risk and effort in former times, yet now fell into their grasp almost effortlessly.
Provided they could bear the accompanying infamy.
Garlan looked toward his elder brother, then his grandmother, and seemed to comprehend their reasoning.
Since resistance is impossible, perform your duties completely and strive for optimal results—thus honor may be preserved.
Wooooo—~~
The whistle ceased abruptly, its echoes slowly dissipating.
Garlan looked toward shore, where Kingsguard soldiers formed ranks and advanced toward the encampment in perfect order.
"Governor Garlan," Ser Robar Royce approached after bidding farewell to Lord Velaryon. "We should make landfall. Lord Tywin has called a war council at camp to determine our attack strategy."
Garlan smiled with resigned determination. "I can wait no longer myself..."
Lord Tywin's camp...