After the convoy set off, Osmund dispatched even more scouts. Combined with the earlier reports from Ambrose and others, riders came and went constantly along the route, giving the impression of a large army on the move.
William peered out from the wheel palace windows, but Margery remained expressionless, silent. The other three Tyrell girls didn't know what was going on between her and William and dared not speak carelessly.
Finding it dull, William turned to chat with Garlan. "What was that pillar of smoke earlier? Ironborn? Everyone seems pretty tense."
"Isn't the Riverlands afraid of the Ironborn?"
William then realized how deeply the Ironborn affected the Seven Kingdoms; only an outsider like him could be so unconcerned. "Haha, my family's castle was built by a Ironborn, you know." Then he changed the subject. "But we… at least a hundred cavalry, plus fierce warriors like you and me—it's not easy to bypass the Shield Islands. Even if a few ships sneaked in, they might only have two hundred men at most. A mere charge at best."
Garlan smiled. "Ser Osmund's task is to protect the convoy, not to eliminate bandits."
"Fine, but that fortress wasn't far from Riverside Keep. Those Ironborn actually dared to venture so deep. Even if they succeed in raiding, by the time they reach the estuary, the Shield Islands will know. Aren't they afraid of getting trapped?"
"Ever since Garth Greybeard, any Ironborn coming to the Mander River are madmen. Nothing they do is surprising. Also," Garlan lowered his voice, "the hurried departure this morning was because Ironborn tracks were already spotted at Riverside Keep."
"Riverside Keep? Oh, right. I heard there's a town ahead where we'll stop for lunch?" Seeing Garlan nod, William continued, "Do you think the Ironborn will try to raid it?"
Garlan laughed. "That town is called Ten Mile Town. It's only ten leagues from Highgarden; cavalry could reach it in two hours. No Ironborn would dare go there."
"Even if word reaches Highgarden immediately and they dispatch cavalry, it would take half a day to arrive. If they're not greedy, there's plenty of time to retreat." William considered thoughtfully. "Also, two hours of full-speed travel for cavalry won't let them engage immediately—they'd be mistaken for a retreat signal."
He teased Garlan. "The best part is, even you wouldn't expect this possibility, so it's worth a try."
Garlan frowned, apparently taking the matter seriously. William laughed. "Well, Garlan, there's no use thinking about it now. Let's talk about Ser Osmund. Look at the scouts coming and going so systematically—he's very experienced."
Around noon, another knight approached from the north. At first, nobody noticed due to the constant scout traffic, but soon Osmund issued orders and the convoy turned off the main road. Garlan and William exchanged a glance, sensing trouble, and rode ahead to find Osmund.
Osmund was issuing commands to squad leaders. After listening briefly, Garlan and William understood—Osmund planned to establish a defensive position on a small earth mound by the roadside. One side of the mound was steep and easy to defend, so they would only need to focus on the gentle slope—a strategically ideal location within sight.
"Ser Garlan, Ser William, we've just received news—Ironborn have attacked Ten Mile Town," Osmund informed them after finishing his arrangements. "To avoid being ambushed en route, we'll deploy defenses there and await further instructions."
Osmund's plan was reasonable, and there was nothing for Garlan or William to criticize. Yet Garlan had a question. "This is very close to Ten Mile Town. Our scouts should have spotted the Ironborn earlier. Why are we only being notified now, Ser?"
"The situation is bad, Ser Garlan. Ambrose's team didn't report back on time, and later scouts failed to locate them. I'm afraid… we may have lost him," Osmund said, his tone heavy.
Garlan fell silent. He had known Ambrose for many years and never expected him to vanish so suddenly.
William also felt regret. Ambrose had sung with him that morning and was a fine knight. "Let Osmund continue his work. Garlan, let's check on Margery and the others—they might be nervous too."
The steep side of the mound allowed the convoy to arrange itself in a semicircle around the wheel palace, facing the gentle slope—a highly advantageous defensive formation.
Due to the formation, Osmund's command post was directly in front of the wheel palace. It was essentially a long table around which knights discussed strategy. Seeing Garlan and William nearby, they invited them to join, but the two remained cautious and silent.
"Talking strategy on paper doesn't scare me. For now, I'll observe and learn."
Osmund's experience was evident; his defensive arrangements were meticulous. Once the general plan was set, William suddenly saw Margery descending the wheel palace with the three other girls, walking toward them.
Everyone exchanged formal greetings, taking some time due to the number of people, completing the aristocratic etiquette.
"Ser Osmund," Margery said directly, graceful as ever. "I heard Ten Mile Town is under attack. We need to do something."
"We've already set up strong defenses. This position is safe," Osmund said, pointing north. "Messengers to Highgarden have already departed. The army will arrive soon and will teach those shameful Ironborn a proper lesson."
"People in Ten Mile Town might not live long enough to wait for that! I am a woman, I don't understand military matters, but they are the people of Highgarden. We are their lords—are we just going to sit here and watch them suffer?"
The knights fell silent, unwilling to meet Margery's slightly pleading gaze.
After a moment, Osmund spoke with difficulty. "I am very sorry, my lady, but we must prioritize your safety."
Margery's eyes widened. She looked at Osmund, then at the other knights, including Garlan, whose expressions were somewhat awkward. Only William's eyes lit up, and he even blinked a few times when Margery looked at him. After a brief silence, she said, "I suppose you all will be busy with military matters now, so I won't disturb you. Farewell." Margery bowed and then turned to walk to the other side of the wheel palace.
Only after her figure disappeared from sight did the awkward atmosphere lift. The knights returned to their usual discussions and orders.
William remained composed and, taking advantage of Garlan's inattention, slipped behind the wheel palace.
This side was steeper, with no wagons placed there. Not far off, a squad of soldiers was stationed at the highest point, on guard.
Margery stood with her three companions, quietly chatting about something, seemingly a game.
William cleared his throat twice. The girls stopped and looked at him. Margery appeared composed, no longer giving him the cold shoulder as she had just moments ago with the other knights.
William couldn't tell if he felt happy or disappointed, but the opportunity had to be seized. "Miss Margery, I have something I'd like to discuss with you privately."
"Say it here, Ser William. The situation is not easy; everyone is busy." Margery's expression was calm, yet carried a subtle firmness that left no room for refusal.
William had anticipated this. He immediately tossed out bait. "I have a solution for the matter you mentioned earlier."
Margery thought for a moment, then blinked in realization. "And what solution could you possibly have, Ser?"
"Think about what I'm called."
Margery hesitated, then nodded slightly to her companions. Allan seemed about to speak, but Elinor nudged her.
Seeing the three girls stop nearby without moving further away, William stepped closer to Margery and whispered into her ear, "Magic can create miracles even in despair."
"Miracles? I don't want miracles now. I just want to protect my people."
"Though you may not like it, magic can indeed grant extraordinary power—like facing a hundred foes at once."
Margery's shoulders twitched, as if she couldn't help but smile. "War is not a duel, William. If you truly wish for me to learn magic, as long as nothing bad is done, I don't mind trying it. But please, don't joke about this."
"Joke?" William laughed. "Then let me awaken your magic and show you its wonder. You'll see that I am serious."
Margery stepped back half a pace, looking at William, who returned her gaze with full confidence. Just as William was about to say more, he noticed her eyes subtly shift, and then he heard a voice like heavenly music.
"Alright! What should I do?"
'YES!' William suppressed his excitement—it had not been easy. He had previously thought that merely holding Margery's hand would awaken her magic, but reality proved he had been too naive. Valiryan Steel would not resist his will, but people could! Without Margery's cooperation, he was powerless.
William wanted to give Margery the deepest impression possible. He pointed at a patch of wildflowers at her feet. "Do you see these flowers, Margery?"
Margery looked and nodded.
"Look at that bud. I'll lend you my power and recite a spell. Through you, this spell will become magic and make that flower bloom."
Margery glanced at William, seeming hesitant, then looked at the bud.
"Don't worry. It's very simple. This spell is attuned to your magic." William held Margery's hand. "Open your mind, don't resist my mental power. We must first connect mentally, then I can lend you the magic. Yes, just like that."
It was William's first time connecting mentally with someone. It felt a little unreal, yet he could sense Margery's feelings, like lucid dreaming but with conscious control. He began reciting the spell. With the incantation, Margery's spiritual energy rippled, mingling with his magic and transforming into an invisible force flowing toward their target.
After William grasped Margery's hand, she too felt a strange clarity, as if she could sense his perspective. 'How does he see me?' As the thought rose, she felt a complex emotion—love? admiration? pity? respect? She couldn't quite define it, but it felt warm. Does he truly see me this way? Yet before she could ponder further, she felt herself drawn into a strange, unfamiliar spiritual realm.
This was an incredibly pure world—sunlight and earth as far as she could see, a sense of complete freedom and carefree peace. Everything from before seemed forgotten, as if it no longer mattered.
Then she saw the delicate bud begin to tremble slightly. The bud slowly split open, and snow-white petals gently unfurled—one, two, three… The outer petals stretched outward, revealing the inner petals still tightly closed. Layer by layer, the flower miraculously bloomed at an astonishing speed.
After another moment of daze, she felt disconnected from that magical spiritual world, yet the sensation lingered in her mind, as if a conversation had just taken place.
"William, if I don't agree, will you still save my people?"
"Of course, Margery. I may not be great enough to enforce justice across the world, but I'm not cowardly enough to ignore the evil in front of me. Now, just experience it slowly. Don't go anywhere—I'll be right back."
"What is William doing, Margery?" A sudden, anxious voice pulled her from her reverie. It was Garlan. Seeing his slightly worried face, Margery snapped fully awake. "William!"