Gawen's long fingers tapped lightly on the armrest of his chair.
Across from him, Willas Tyrell maintained a gentle expression, though he clearly noticed the sharp gleam that briefly flashed in Gawen's eyes.
Willas only deepened his smile slightly, not taking it to heart—or perhaps, such things simply weren't worth his concern.
Gawen's mind raced with thoughts and deductions.
Had the Little Rose, Margaery, not believed his earnest words?
He considered another possibility—was the Inflatable Fish Duke already quietly sidelined within House Tyrell?
Though Gawen represented Queen Cersei herself, it was the heir of Highgarden, Willas Tyrell, who received him rather than Lord Mace. The Tyrells, it seemed, were brimming with confidence.
They had done the bare minimum in terms of courtesy, and to them, that sufficed.
Were they trying to prevent any disruption to their plans regarding Renly Baratheon?
The great Inflatable Fish Duke… did he even know that his own family had essentially quarantined him?
The thought irritated Gawen.
He briefly entertained the idea of helping Duke Mace "purge the court" on his behalf.
But then again—was it possible that Lord Mace was part of the scheme?
No, Gawen dismissed that. Whatever the truth, to him, Duke Mace was merely being misled by those around him.
"Lord Willas, I'll wait a few days at the camp outside the castle," Gawen said.
Willas Tyrell paused, looked at him, then nodded.
Without further word, Gawen gave a courteous bow, swept his blue cloak embroidered with golden marsh marigolds, and turned to leave.
Once Gawen was gone, Willas Tyrell closed his eyes and smiled faintly.
Outside Highgarden, on the ride back to camp, Gawen suddenly tugged on the reins and brought his horse to a halt.
He gazed at the layered, cake-like silhouette of Highgarden's towers.
"Mondon," he said casually, "how many men would you need… to take that?"
He pointed directly at the white stone fortress.
"Your lord has his eye on it."
Mondon Waters blinked blankly at the distant castle. "Lord Gawen, I don't think we have enough men for that."
Gawen smirked, his brown eyes shifting toward him. "Then what would you do?"
Mondon glanced at Anguy and said in his gruff way, "They're not on guard against us. It wouldn't be hard to storm the place. Taking it would be easy—I'm just worried we wouldn't have the numbers to hold it afterward. It wouldn't be safe for you to stay there."
After Mondon finished, Anguy added, "Lord Gawen, there are lots of soldiers nearby. They could gather a thousand men in no time."
Gawen laughed up at the sky. "Then we won't take it."
Both Mondon and Anguy nodded with some confusion.
Gawen continued, "But if they try to keep us here—can we break out?"
Just break out?
Mondon and Anguy nodded vigorously. Their combat prowess was second to none.
Gawen patted Mondon's shoulder, then Anguy's. "Take good care of the horses. If it comes to fleeing, you won't run far on foot."
He had plans in motion. Things were going to get noisy soon, and he wanted his men prepared.
Would Gawen simply follow the script House Tyrell had written for him?
Would he wait anxiously for Lord Mace to receive him, only to return to the castle again and again, questioning Willas?
Would Willas, with impeccable etiquette and excuses, keep turning him away?
Would Gawen keep waiting until he was forced to leave Highgarden in vain?
And if Cersei ever found out that her envoy had been brushed aside so easily—well, knowing her temper...
For now, Gawen still needed Queen Cersei's favor.
But when Gawen said his farewells to Willas, he already had a counterplan in mind.
No one would stop him from meeting Lord Mace.
Their destined meeting was inevitable.
The Reach – Horn Hill.
Beneath the scorching sun, cool shade blanketed the trees.
Samwell Tarly, plump and sweat-drenched, sat beneath one of them reading a book, pausing now and then to wipe his brow.
Ten-year-old Dickon Tarly came bounding up, eyes alight with excitement.
"Brother! Did you hear? The First Swordsman of the Crownlands is at Highgarden!"
Just a few days earlier, at Dickon's pleading, Sam had sung him to sleep—only to be caught by their father, Randyll Tarly.
Lord Randyll had harshly interrupted them, scolding Sam for making Dickon "soft" with songs and tenderness.
Since then, Dickon had avoided his brother, which had left Sam feeling disheartened. If only he hadn't sung that night...
Today, seeing his little brother seek him out so willingly filled Samwell with joy.
He set down his book, smiling. "Dickon, I'm not very good with news. You said the First Swordsman of the Crownlands? Do you know who it is?"
Sam wondered if it was one of the Kingsguard.
Could it be... Ser Barristan Selmy the Bold?
"Brother, you know him! You were always reading about his battles just recently!"
Sam scratched his head. "Baron Gawen Crabb, from the Crab Claw Peninsula?"
Dickon nodded eagerly, his eyes gleaming.
Samwell blinked in surprise and admiration. Gawen Crabb was already considered the First Swordsman of the Crownlands?
His thoughts were spinning—but he also noticed how Dickon was clutching at his sleeve.
That look in his little brother's eyes—he wanted something.
Sam loved his brother dearly. Whatever Dickon asked, he would always try to grant it.
But seeing Dickon's expression, Sam shuddered a little inside.
This wasn't going to be a small request.
He silently begged the gods it wouldn't be something that would anger Father.
"Brother, can you take me to see him?"
Cold sweat beaded down Samwell's back. "Take you… where, Dickon?"
"To Highgarden, of course! I overheard some knights talking—today's already the second day. I'm worried if we wait, we'll miss him."
Samwell instinctively reached for his book, preparing to reject the idea outright.
He knew that if anything happened to Dickon on his watch, Lord Randyll would never forgive him.
He had every intention of saying no.
But then he looked into Dickon's hopeful eyes—and the words that left his mouth were entirely different.
"…All right. I'll take you."
The moment he said it, Samwell knew he was doomed.
.
.
.
🔥 The Throne's Last Flame — A Song Forged in Ice and Wrath 🔥
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