Jon Snow caught the wineskin Young Griff threw to him, opened the stopper, and began to drink; he was indeed thirsty.
"Aren't you worried about poison anymore?"
"Cough, cough..." Jon, who was guzzling wine, choked.
Young Griff first laughed heartily, then, still smiling, said, "Jon, what you're drinking is definitely safe, but I have to warn you, be careful of poison on this continent."
Jon grimaced, glanced at the wineskin in his hand, took another gulp, and put the stopper back in.
"I'll be careful."
Jon handed the wineskin back. He noticed that Young Griff's eyelashes were as long as his sister Sansa's, and his appearance had a handsome quality similar to Green's, but lacked some masculinity... Jon suddenly recalled the time when Green had beaten him so badly that he doubted his life... The level of strength cannot be judged by appearance... Jon grimaced again.
Young Griff took the wineskin and re-hung it on his belt, saying, "Jon, cheer up, you'll soon like it here."
Jon smiled slightly, shook his head, and said, "I was just thinking of some old things, Young Griff."
Rolly laughed loudly and said, "Everyone's like that when they first leave home. Tonight I'll take you to a good place, it'll definitely make you happy all night, and you won't miss home anymore."
Hearing Rolly's words, Jon immediately thought of a brothel. He had never forgotten his uncle Ned's teachings, so he prepared to politely decline Rolly's kind offer.
Young Griff seemed to have already known something from Jon's face. He scoffed and explained, "Jon, don't misunderstand, it's not the place you're thinking of. He's talking about the bonfire party in the port town. They hold one every seven days, singing and dancing together, lively all night long."
He continued, "Everyone can participate, and no one will ask where you're from. We're very lucky, tonight just happens to be that day full of laughter."
Rolly grinned and said, "What are we waiting for?"
...
At night, men and women danced merrily around the bonfire. Joyful laughter and lively footsteps made the place very lively.
Young Griff and Rolly had already joined the lively dance floor. Jon, who had refused one invitation after another, was sitting in a slightly distant corner... drinking alone.
Jon looked at the lively crowd with a smile in his eyes... He actually wanted to join, but for some reason, he always couldn't muster the final courage.
"Hey, do you need to drink to get up your courage?"
"Cough, cough..." Jon was caught off guard by a sudden girl's voice and couldn't help but cough, also to cover his embarrassment.
Jon looked up... She had beautiful red curly hair, and her wheat-colored skin glowed with vitality, giving him a very lively feeling.
Northmen didn't understand subtle verbal skills. He frankly admitted, "You're right, I want to join, but I lack courage."
The red-haired girl's voice was very lively: "If you keep drinking like this, you'll only end up sleeping here! Come on, I am your courage, shy boy!"
Jon mumbled in a voice only he could hear, "I'm not shy..."
The red-haired girl grabbed his hand. Jon stood up in a daze, obediently letting her pull him away.
...
Entering the dance floor, the red-haired girl let go of Jon's hand. She skillfully spun around, her long dress fluttering with her movements, like a blooming flower. The people around them smiled kindly, making space for her and him.
The red-haired girl glanced at Jon, who was staring at her. Her eyes were as bright as stars, and she danced gracefully.
Her dancing was lively and agile, like a flying bird, as if leaping in the air. The people around her cheered for her. Her enthusiasm and vitality infected everyone present, including Jon.
The red-haired girl grabbed Jon's hand again and said, "My boy, have you found your courage?"
Her smile was pure and radiant. Jon felt a warmth like summer sunshine.
Jon held the red-haired girl's hand tightly. He smiled and nodded, "I found it."
With the summer-like girl by his side, Jon awkwardly danced with the crowd.
Jon saw Young Griff, who was surrounded by many girls and couldn't escape, and the girls who were avoiding the big, burly Rolly. He laughed out loud with schadenfreude.
Jon laughed heartily. He had never been so happy before.
...
Inside the tent, Jon lay alone on the bed, his hands behind his head, a smile playing on his lips.
The bonfire party ended, and it was late, but Jon still couldn't sleep. The red-haired girl kept his heart from settling.
The tent flap was suddenly pushed open, and a petite figure entered the tent.
Jon's hand left the sword hilt, and he murmured, "It's you?"
The red-haired girl sat down on Jon in one swift motion. She leaned forward, her small face close to Jon's.
Jon's body stiffened, and he said, "Your father..."
The red-haired girl let out a laugh like a silver bell: "He went fishing tonight, and he deliberately didn't tell me."
She continued, "Boy, my name is Rennel, a fisherman's daughter."
Jon felt Rennel's warm breath, moved his lips, and said, "My name is Jon, a... bastard from Westeros."
"You're not a noble?"
"Sorry..."
"No, I'm so happy..."
"Sorry, I thought..."
"I want to find a handsome husband. Since you're not a noble, will you marry me?"
The girl's small face disappeared from Jon's sight.
"...Tell me..."
"Whew... I like you."
"Really... ? Jon..."
"...Mm... I'm sure... I've fallen in love with you."
That night, the tent was filled with the joy of intimacy.
...
...
A week later, early morning.
The the mermaid, carrying Green, slowly docked at the Dragonstone pier under the "escort" of the Royal Fleet.
In the aft cabin, Green looked at Brother Zali, who seemed a little uneasy (Chapter 115).
"Brother Zali, please don't leave the cabin."
Looking at Green, who was checking his equipment, Brother Zali softly advised, "Earl Green, Dragonstone is filled with murky red. It is fraught with danger. I am willing to decline their invitation on your behalf."
Green turned his head to look at Brother Zali, smiled, and said, "Brother Zali, please rest assured, and please wait patiently."
"May the gods bless you."
With that, Green walked towards the cabin door.
...
Outside the aft cabin, Green glanced at Mondon's newly donned plate armor and said, "Mondon, can you use your new armor now?"
Mondon's new blue armor gleamed in the morning light. He chuckled, and said in a dull voice, "Lord Green, I'm already familiar with it. I can fight with the new armor just like before."
"I look forward to your performance."
Green patted Mondon, then began to walk.
...
Creak, creak, Green, accompanied by his Clan Soldiers carrying the great ice sword on their backs and Mondon Wei Shui, walked down the gangplank of the the mermaid.
Ser Davos Seaworth and others were there to greet them.
Davos smiled and took the initiative to greet him: "Good day, Earl Green."
Green first gazed at the smiling Davos for a moment, then returned the greeting: "Good day, Ser Davos."
Davos gestured towards Dragonstone: "Please, Duke Stannis is very pleased with your visit."
Green didn't move: "Ser Davos, the friendly invitation from the Royal Fleet left a deep impression on me."
Davos was silent for a moment, then said, "Earl Green, they are rather shy, so... they might seem a little different. I assure you, Duke Stannis is looking forward to meeting you."
Green moved his feet, and as he walked, he said, "I need bread and salt."
Green was referring to the traditional Westerosi guest right, which means that when a guest comes to a host's home and accepts the bread and salt provided by the host, the guest right takes effect. During the subsequent stay, neither party shall harm the other, and violators will transgress sacred laws and be condemned by the new gods.
Guest right is a doctrine of the Old Gods and the Seven Gods. Does it still bind Stannis, who has converted to the Red God? This is not important... Green just wanted to express his distrust of them.
Green wanted to remind Duke Stannis that he was not his vassal, nor was he a nobody who had to come when called. He would not take a coercive invitation as a favor.
Davos's expression stiffened for a moment. He also disliked those people, but they belonged to the same faction, and he didn't want to express his inner dissatisfaction in front of Green.
He maintained the smile on his face: "Earl Green, it is well known that Duke Stannis is the only just man in the Seven Kingdoms."
He paused, then continued, "He values you, so he won't treat you as an outsider."
Green shook his head slightly: "I only brought two guards, which is my respect for Duke Stannis, but my request is not excessive. I can't think of a reason for you to refuse on behalf of Duke Stannis, Ser Davos."
Before Davos could answer, he added, "Before entering the castle, please let me see the bread and salt."
Davos shrugged helplessly. He turned his head and quietly instructed his son.
...
Everyone walked in silence, and the atmosphere was heavy.
As they walked, Green looked at the Onion Knight, whose face was somewhat grim, and said, "Ser Davos, would you like to hear a joke?"
Davos looked at Green's softened face and nodded slightly.
"Two days ago, when I boarded the ship at Blackwater River Dock, I heard..."
After a pause, Green continued, "Lord Ardrian Celtigar of Crab Island claimed sovereignty over Crabclaw Point."
After speaking, he chuckled to himself.
The House Celtigar family of Crab Island are nobles loyal to Dragonstone. They originate from the Valyria Freehold of the eastern continent and are an ancient, noble, and wealthy family.
Green's eyes trembled slightly... It is rumored that the House Celtigar family's castle is filled with precious Myr carpets, Valyrian glass, gold and silver utensils, jeweled goblets, a magnificent falcon, a Valyrian steel axe, a horn that can awaken sea monsters, countless chests of rubies, and an endless supply of wine.
...
Green's laughter was not loud, but it made Ser Davos's cheeks flush, and those following him immediately fell silent.
"Hehehe!"
Mondon's dull eyes swept over the people around him, and then... he suddenly burst out laughing... The lord had told a joke, but no one laughed, so he naturally had to make up for it.
Green: "..."
Davos and others: "..."
Mondon blinked, then pulled down the visor of his helmet.
Davos pondered for a moment, then spoke to Green: "Lord Ardrian drinks wine all day."
"Drunken talk?"
Green sneered and said, "Ser Davos, you should be very clear about Duke Stannis's purpose in meeting me, but your actions make me feel belittled and arrogant."
He paused, then asked, "Everyone understands what you are preparing for. Have you already gathered 100,000 troops? To put it another way, do you want me to beg to join you?"
Davos deeply felt Green's anger. He secretly cursed those people's stupidity. A potential ally who was almost secured now seemed likely to be lost.
He forced himself to explain, "Earl Green, you can distrust others, but you can absolutely trust Duke Stannis, and he is the true heir to the Iron Throne."
Green said coldly, "Ser Davos, have you forgotten the great war more than ten years ago?"
Davos was not a glib person to begin with. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but was momentarily speechless.
He understood what Green meant. They all knew how the Baratheon family obtained the Iron Throne. Lineage and inheritance certainly held an advantage, but according to the current situation, only the ultimate victor of the war could sit on that iron chair.
Davos still spoke: "Earl Green, every person with a sense of justice cannot tolerate the ugliness of Lannister."
Green's eyes moved slightly... You're right, it can be said that almost everyone in the Seven Kingdoms has ample reason to attack Lannister.
"The love of the people..."
Green sighed softly, reached out and patted Davos's arm, saying, "Ser Davos, do you think Duke Stannis gained the love of the people after sitting on the Iron Throne, or did he sit on the Iron Throne because he was loved by the people?"
Davos immediately stopped walking. His eyes widened, and he stared blankly at Green, his heart surging like a stormy sea.
Green patted Davos again, reminding him to keep walking.
Davos regained his composure, his tone uncharacteristically urgent: "Earl Green, the law..."
Green raised his hand, interrupting the Onion Knight: "Ser Davos, I genuinely admire your character, that's the truth. My main purpose today was to come and see you, and I'm very relieved to see you well."
Green's smile was gentle, and his tone was very sincere.
Davos first placed his hand on his chest and nodded to Green, then said, "Earl Green, the Iron Throne needs a truly just person."
Green nodded in agreement: "I have to admit, that's rare, but..."
He continued, "I confess to you, the Crabclaw Point people will never forget their sacred mission to guard the Iron Throne, but the Crabclaw Point people will never be anyone's servant. Let's go, Ser Davos."
-------------------------------
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