The evening in King's Landing wasn't gloomy; it was tinged with a faint blush under the setting sun.
King's Landing, Hook Alley.
At Greene's signal, Samwell Tarly took out the key, and with a click, unlocked the large gate.
"Didn't you say it was a random key you picked up…?" Samwell Tarly paused, scratched his head, and looked at Greene.
Greene shrugged.
This was Lannister-style dry humor; Greene had been in King's Landing the longest and was already familiar with the Lannisters.
Anything associated with golden dragons, the more valuable the item, the more insignificantly the Lannisters would describe it.
Entering the courtyard, Greene looked up at the three-story white building and said to Jaime Lannister beside him, "Ser Jaime, it truly is a small residence."
Jaime Lannister smiled nonchalantly and patted Greene's arm.
"Ah ha, isn't this our Baron Green? Long time no see, did the gentleness of the Riverlands fail to ensnare you there? Cough… welcome to the new Greene Clegane's Mansion."
Tyrion Lannister walked over slowly as he spoke.
If it weren't for his appearance, Greene felt that Tyrion's entrance was quite stylish.
Jaime Lannister asked, puzzled, "Tyrion, how did you get in?"
After speaking, Jaime Lannister also looked around the high walls of the mansion.
Tyrion Lannister's eyes followed Jaime Lannister's gaze, and he suddenly said, "Jaime, my brother, thank you for thinking so highly of me; that's my dream."
Jaime Lannister spread his hands and asked, "Did I leave you here?"
Tyrion Lannister glanced at the unfamiliar Samwell Tarly, nodded slightly, and walked up to Greene, patting Greene's… thigh.
"Respected Ser Jaime, thank you for your subtle words describing my abrupt appearance here. Actually, I wanted to tell you that I saw quite a few books in the study of this mansion, and I accidentally became engrossed in reading. By the time I came to my senses and went to look for you, I found the main door was locked. So, to be precise, I am a poor soul abandoned here by the Lannisters."
Jaime Lannister smiled helplessly, "My apologies, I thought you had left earlier."
Tyrion Lannister grinned, "My height makes it easy for people to overlook me; I might be suited to be an assassin. Be careful, Kingsguard Jaime, Tyrion the Assassin is everywhere."
Jaime Lannister twitched the corner of his mouth, not intending to respond.
Greene had already noticed Samwell Tarly's inability to contain himself after hearing about the study.
Greene said with a smile, "Sam, go see where the study is; that will be your domain from now on."
Samwell Tarly, looking excited, nodded vigorously and immediately started walking.
After a few steps, Samwell Tarly suddenly stopped, scratched his head, perhaps remembering something, and then walked back.
Samwell Tarly, perhaps due to nervousness, awkwardly bowed to Jaime Lannister and Tyrion Lannister before excusing himself again.
Tyrion Lannister looked at Greene, his tone full of suspicion, "Greene, your gaze tells me you like him very much. Is he a lover you brought from the Riverlands? Congratulations, and also, I will never drink myself senseless in front of you again."
Greene couldn't help but laugh aloud, saying, "Lord Tyrion, rest assured, he is my future advisor. He, like you, loves books and possesses a wealth of knowledge."
"Ah ha, hearing you say that, I suddenly like him too. It seems you've gained quite a bit this time; you've acquired another brain."
Greene spread his hand, "Indeed, he will tell me that before drawing a sword, one can politely say hello; perhaps it will achieve the same effect."
Tyrion Lannister grinned and laughed for a while, then suddenly lowered his voice and asked seriously, "How is the Riverlands? You know what I'm asking?"
Tyrion Lannister was a person who couldn't be serious for more than three seconds, but his enthusiasm also infected Greene.
Greene cooperated with Tyrion Lannister, deliberately pausing for a moment before speaking, "The fields of Highgarden are filled with golden Roses as far as the eye can see. The fruits are so sweet and ripe they burst in your mouth…"
Tyrion Lannister's face showed undisguised impatience.
Greene tilted his head and smiled, then continued, "The weather in the Riverlands is very hot, so hot that the girls there can't wear long clothes, only sleeveless short ones… When it's hot, the riverside is a sight of bare skin."
Only then did Tyrion Lannister nod with satisfaction, saying, "Now that's the beauty of the Riverlands I remember."
Greene gestured with his hand, inviting Jaime Lannister and Tyrion Lannister inside.
Greene and Jaime Lannister tacitly slowed their steps, letting Tyrion Lannister walk alone at the very front.
Greene looked at Jaime Lannister: There's no chance to discuss business today.
Jaime Lannister looked back: It's fine, no rush.
Greene and Jaime Lannister, behind Tyrion Lannister, quietly completed their communication with their eyes.
...
...
The waves of Shipbreaker Bay continuously surged, crashing against the reefs, leaving circles of white foam.
Stormlands, outside Storm's End.
Brienne was the sole surviving child of Ser Selwyn Tarth, Lord of Mulin Hall, residing on the Isle of Tarth, adjacent to the Narrow Sea and the Stormlands.
Brienne's father, Lord Selwyn Tarth, had always wanted to find a suitable marriage partner for Brienne. Although it was not an easy task, Selwyn had successively found three men for his daughter, three men who were interested in Brienne's inheritance.
Brienne had been remarkably tall and powerfully built, no less than a man, since childhood.
Brienne loved to wield swords and dreamed of becoming a knight when she grew up.
Brienne was pure and straightforward, yet slightly willful and stubborn.
After Brienne broke three bones of her third fiancé, Lord Selwyn Tarth stopped trying to find a marriage partner for Brienne and sent his daughter to Storm's End, entrusting her to Ser Goodwin for combat training.
Brienne learned from Ser Goodwin how to wield a longsword more skillfully in combat, and also how to fight while wearing plate armor.
The time spent learning with Ser Goodwin was a rare happy period for Brienne.
However, Ser Goodwin fell ill and passed away.
"You have a man's strength, but still a woman's heart. Training with a blunted sword in the yard is one thing; plunging a foot of steel into another's belly and watching the light slowly fade from their eyes is quite another."
"On the battlefield, a moment equals a lifetime. Just then, that man drew a dagger and plunged it into the gap in my friend's armor. His strength, his speed, his bravery, all the skills gained from arduous training… were worth less than a player's fart. Everything, all because he hesitated when he should have struck to kill."
Brienne recalled Ser Goodwin's teachings to her.
...
When Greene was in the Kingswood, he also thought of Brienne, the beauty of Tarth.
Most men in Westeros, and even women, had a biased attitude towards women wielding swords; Brienne's situation was certainly worse than what Greene understood.
This was also why Greene didn't bring any female warriors from Crab Claw Peninsula when he came to King's Landing, because there was no need to be unconventional and add unnecessary trouble when one's strength was weak.
Unless Greene's ambition was limited to Crab Claw Peninsula, for the Kleber Family to step out of Crab Claw Peninsula, improving the common perception of Crab Claw Peninsula was also an important and undeniable responsibility.
The unique environment of Crab Claw Peninsula created the Thorn Legion, composed mainly of spearwives. Greene felt that this stage would have a considerable appeal to Brienne.
Greene hoped that Brienne, strong in combat skills, sincere, and loyal, could join the Thorn Legion, and at an opportune time, step out of Crab Claw Peninsula with the Thorn Legion to earn her own renown.
But he knew that the current Brienne was a maiden in love, secretly admiring her liege lord, Renly Baratheon, Duke of Storm's End.
Until the time was right, with Brienne's personality, she would not leave the Stormlands.
...
Samwell Tarly's sudden addition made Greene change some of his thoughts.
According to later understanding, Samwell Tarly was dragged by Tara and Dickon to accompany them to watch the arena challenge hosted by Greene.
It was this coincidence that led to Greene and Samwell Tarly meeting.
And it was their acquaintance that prevented Samwell Tarly from being forced by his father to wear the black and join the Night's Watch, as in the original plot. Instead, he voluntarily chose to leave Horn Hill and join Greene's faction.
Therefore, on his way back to King's Landing, Greene made some arrangements in advance, such as sending Anguy, who was relatively eloquent among his guards, to contact Brienne beforehand.
...
Anguy was very excited to be entrusted with "important tasks" by Greene.
Anguy felt that the day he would be knighted by his lord was one step closer.
Anguy had some intelligence provided by Greene, coupled with his experience as a Sellsword, so after arriving at Storm's End, he easily found out where Brienne was.
[Greene's source of intelligence, the excuse was that he unintentionally overheard it during a Kingswood Hunting]
Brienne was extremely tall, her face was round and rough, covered in freckles, her teeth were prominent and uneven, her mouth was terribly wide, and her lips were very thick… Her hair, though golden, was like dirty straw, brittle and dry.
This was Anguy's first impression of Brienne.
...
Most of Brienne's life was spent amidst the mockery of others; at best… she received a bit of pity from some.
Because of Renly Baratheon, the maiden in love, Brienne, once tried to dress herself according to the standards of noble ladies, but due to her un-feminine appearance and lack of coordination in her attire, she received even more ridicule from everyone.
Brienne frustratingly gave up feminine attire and returned to her familiar male warrior's garb, continuing to suffer the gender-based disdain and discrimination from those around her.
Due to these factors, Brienne not only looked clumsy but also appeared dull in personality.
Anguy didn't rush to approach Brienne; instead, he observed her from the shadows while looking for a suitable occasion to meet.
While observing from the shadows, Anguy witnessed the broad-shouldered, thick-waisted Brienne, amidst the laughter of the crowd, challenge a swordsman who had privately spoken ill of the late Ser Goodwin.
Brienne's sword skills were grand and sweeping; though lacking a bit of finesse, they seemed full of explosive power.
Anguy felt that Brienne's sword fighting style was very similar to the Kleber Family's combat style, which aimed for a single, decisive strike.
The dull Brienne seemed to transform into a completely different person once she entered combat; in battle, she shone with the most confident light.
Anguy involuntarily thought of Mondon Wei Shui, who was usually simple and honest but became like a beast in combat.
Brienne, she was a born warrior.
...
The battle was quickly and decisively ended by Brienne.
The crowd dispersed with boos, leaving only the swordsman lying on the ground, unable to get up, yet still cursing.
Anguy seized the opportunity, kicked the man unconscious, and said to Brienne in a friendly manner, "Good day, Lady Brienne."
Anguy's words made Brienne pause slightly.
Brienne ignored the initiative greeting Anguy, instead sheathing her sword and walking away.
Brienne's reaction, however, immediately stumped Anguy.
Thinking of his mission, Anguy started walking, following behind Brienne.
Anguy, a born archer, did not lack patience and silently followed her all the way.
Finally, Brienne stopped and looked at Anguy: "What's your name?"
Brienne's voice was deep and hoarse, like a man's.
Anguy placed his hand on his chest and bowed, "My name is Anguy, and I am Baron Green's personal guard."
Brienne's hand on her sword hilt moved slightly, and she said, "I feel like you must be very formidable…"
Anguy thought, is she going to fight me?
"But I don't want to get married."
Brienne's next sentence left Anguy frozen in place.
A gust of wind blew, making Brienne's hair even messier.
Anguy, with his strong psychological fortitude, cleared his throat behind his hand and said, "Lady, please don't misunderstand; I was sent by my liege lord specifically to meet you."
Brienne shifted her stance and said, "Baron Green?"
Anguy nodded, "Yes, Lady. Our territory has a military corps composed entirely of women, named the Thorn Legion. Our lord, in the Kingswood, unintentionally heard about you."
Brienne's expression was stiff, and Anguy couldn't guess her thoughts, so he continued, "If one day, Lady, you have the idea of going out to see the world, Baron Green Kleber sincerely invites you to join the Kleber Family's Thorn Legion."
Brienne was silent for a moment, then nodded and said, "I understand, I will remember it. Please thank Baron Green Kleber on my behalf."
After speaking, Brienne turned and walked away.
Seeing Brienne leave so decisively, Anguy called out, worried, "Lady Brienne! The commander of the Thorn Legion is named Impa! She will soon be knighted! At that time, you are invited to witness the knighting ceremony!"
Brienne stopped and glanced back at Anguy.
Although there was some distance, Anguy, with his excellent eyesight, still clearly saw Brienne's expression.
Her lips moved slightly, and her chin also nodded slightly.
Anguy finally breathed a sigh of relief.
...
...
Night, Hook Alley, Greene Clegane's Mansion.
Knock, knock, knock.
Receiving a response, Monton Wei Shui entered the study carrying a basin of meat.
"Good evening, Lord Samwell Tarly."
Samwell Tarly looked up from his book, saw the honest Monton Wei Shui, and said with a smile, "Good evening, Mondon, you can just call me Sam."
Monton Wei Shui chuckled honestly, gently placed the basin full of roasted meat next to Samwell Tarly, and said, "Sam, I'm treating you to meat."
Samwell Tarly smiled shyly, expressed his thanks, and picked up a piece of meat to chew.
Monton Wei Shui watched Samwell Tarly with an honest expression.
Samwell Tarly swallowed the meat in his mouth, wiped his hands, and said, "Mondon, is there something you need me for?"
Monton Wei Shui nodded his large head, then chuckled again before speaking, "Sam, I wanted to ask you, how can one be a good Legion Commander?"
Monton Wei Shui had a very keen intuition; his intuition told him that Samwell Tarly knew many things that ordinary people didn't.
Before, they had been on the road, so Monton Wei Shui hadn't found an opportunity to ask Samwell Tarly for advice.
Tonight, having found an opportunity, Monton Wei Shui, to show his sincerity, brought out what for him was the highest-grade item: a basin of roast lamb.
Although Samwell Tarly himself dared not wield a sword, in order to gain his father's approval, he had diligently studied all military books in Horn Hill.
Samwell Tarly thought seriously for a moment, then said, "Mondon, a Legion Commander's primary task is to lead the legion to defeat the enemy. I think you can learn from King Robert; King Robert's invincible warhammer is the guarantee of the army's victory."
Samwell Tarly lowered his voice and said, "In the Battle of the Trident River, King Robert killed Prince Rhaegar with his warhammer, bringing decisive victory."
Battle of the Trident River? What's that? And who is Rhaegar?
Monton Wei Shui scratched his head and said, "Sam, do you mean finding an opportunity to kill the enemy's leader, and that's how to achieve victory?"
"Exactly, that's what I think is the most suitable method for you."
Monton Wei Shui said honestly, "Sam, that sounds pretty much like my old fighting style. When I fight, I like to target the enemy's leader the most; as long as they can't escape, they can't stop me."
Samwell Tarly was slightly surprised, then said, "You're that formidable?"
Samwell Tarly quickly explained, "I'm not doubting your strength; I already noticed your great strength on the road…"
Monton Wei Shui shook his head and said, "I didn't misunderstand you. Should I find an opportunity to show you how I fight first?"
Samwell Tarly agreed, "That would be best. Then I can study it thoroughly and tell you more."
"Sam, eat some meat… and tell me what else a Legion Commander needs to know besides fighting?"