"Please command, Your Highness!"
"In a while, I might be granted the title Earl of Stone Steps Isles, and there might be a war then.
I will give you five hundred sets of armor and fifty thousand gold dragons; you will form a mercenary group yourself and develop it freely.
I have only one request: at least half a year from now, when I need you, you must have a force of over two thousand five hundred men!
Hugh, you are the only person I can truly trust by my side. Do not disappoint me. Tell me, can you do it?"
"Rest assured, Your Highness, I will surely do it!" Hugh was deeply moved, and even more grateful for Aegon's favor and trust in him!
Aegon smiled, showing he believed him, and laughed heartily, "Good!
I have already prepared the armor and gold dragons for you; they are at the harbor, and you can depart at any time.
As for Martha, Shuker, and Machery, you don't need to worry about them either.
Even if I am truly granted the title Earl of Stone Steps Isles, I will take them with me to the Stepstones.
I will absolutely not leave them in King's Landing to face any potential threats!"
"Thank you for your kindness and favor, Your Highness!"
Hugh was so moved that he didn't know what to say; he could only kneel on one knee again.
"You follow me and fight for me, so how could I ignore your family?
These are things I should do; you don't need to take it to heart."
Aegon stepped forward and helped Hugh up.
He had begun fully training Hugh six years ago.
His goal was for Hugh to one day raise a force on his own and be capable of leading it!
Although if he asked, the Hightower Family would also send troops and supplies, they would ultimately be the Hightower Family's army.
Isn't there an old saying, 'Having it yourself is better than your father or mother having it'?
If he were granted the title Earl of Stone Steps Isles and had to go to war with foreign powers, the Hightower Family would definitely send reinforcements.
Besides that, the Lannister Family would likely also send people, and other nobles, big and small, who support him should also provide some level of support.
Also, the House Velaryon; he couldn't let old Corlys be idle either.
After all, if the Stepstones were stabilized, the greatest beneficiaries would be the Velaryons of Driftmark!
With these families holding the line, he could use the resources provided by numerous factions to arm the force led by Hugh, achieving multiple goals at once!
Three days passed in a flash.
"Let's go, stop looking." Lyonel patted his son's shoulder.
A look of dejection flashed in Harwin's eyes; although he harbored immense unwillingness in his heart, there was nothing he could do.
"I am unwilling, Father. If I had been the one to marry Rhaenyra then, things would not have turned out like this!"
Lyonel's face sank. He knew Harwin blamed him for not proposing to the King then, but he was all too aware of how cruel the struggle for the Iron Throne was!
He had originally wanted to do his best to avoid it, but he never expected his son to have unknowingly climbed into the princess's bed!
Hearing this, Lyonel immediately reprimanded Harwin in a low voice:
"You are unwilling?
You climbed into the princess's bed and let the princess give birth to three bastards for you!
You are still unwilling?
Do you want to die?
Would you only be willing after you are dead?"
Lyonel was somewhat exasperated. If Harwin died, he would have to have another son!
He couldn't possibly pass Harrenhal on to Larys, could he?
If Larys's leg were fine, that would be no problem, but Larys just happened to be born a cripple!
That would bring shame upon the Strong Family!
Although the Strong Family is already shamed now, at least it hasn't been exposed openly yet; they can still comfort themselves, can't they?
"Stop thinking about those unrealistic things, alright?
I have received word that Prince Daemon has been very close to Princess Rhaenyra recently.
No matter how strong or capable you are, no matter how wealthy Harrenhal is, can it compare to the utility of an adult Dragon?
Think about the Dragons of the Greens, think about Aegon's current influence, and then think about Ser Lyonel Ryk's final fate. Do you think you have a chance?
Go back and manage Harrenhal honestly, and you can still keep your life. I am sending you back; there is no room for negotiation on this matter!"
After speaking, Lyonel waved his hand, signaling the stableboy to depart immediately.
Shortly after Lyonel and Harwin left King's Landing, Larys followed with a small group of men.
Due to his urgent desire to safely send his heir back to Harrenhal, Lyonel barely rested along the way, shortening the return journey by a full third.
The father and son returned to Harrenhal, covered in dust, but on the very first day, tragedy befell this great riverside city!
The tower where Lyonel and Harwin were sleeping inexplicably burst into raging flames, and both father and son perished in the fire.
Five days later, Larys returned to Harrenhal. His granduncle, Ser Simon Strong, was presiding over matters, holding a funeral for Lyonel and Harwin.
"Why are you back?" Simon asked, looking surprised upon seeing Larys.
"I have a royal decree on me. Where is Alys Rivers?" Larys asked.
Hearing this, Ser Simon Strong immediately showed displeasure.
"Your father and brother have just been taken by the Stranger; you should be grieving, not asking about the whereabouts of an insignificant bastard girl!"
Larys turned to look at his father and brother, who had been burned to ash and placed in boxes, his hand gripping his cane trembling slightly.
"I am deeply saddened by this, Granduncle, but too much is involved behind this matter. I will definitely avenge my father and brother!"
Larys's voice trembled almost imperceptibly.
When he knew his father was preparing to personally escort Harwin back to Harrenhal, he could have actually stopped it!
But he didn't!
He knew that at that time, his will had been corroded by ambition!
But after the incident, he did not regret it, and at the same time, he transformed the slight guilt in his heart into hatred towards Viserys, Daemon, and Rhaenyra.
"What do you mean?" Simon frowned deeply.
Although it was a question, Simon actually already had a guess in his heart, as some 'rumors' had long been known throughout the Seven Kingdoms.
But he couldn't understand why Viserys wouldn't even spare Lyonel?
One must know that Lyonel could absolutely be considered Viserys's most satisfactory Hand of the King; not only was he exceptionally capable, but he would also not overstep in certain matters!
If Lyonel were gone, who else could Viserys use?
Wouldn't that fellow Otto have another chance to return to King's Landing?
"It is not convenient for me to say too much; this involves the internal struggles of the royal family."
Larys said in a low voice.
"Furthermore, Father and brother have passed away. According to law, I shall inherit Harrenhal. Go gather everyone and have them swear fealty to me."
"Aren't you being a bit too hasty?" Simon frowned deeply. "No one wants to contend with you for the inheritance of Harrenhal."
"It's not me who is hasty, it's the situation!" Larys said with a serious expression. "You are not in King's Landing; you don't know how fierce the power struggle is there."
"And you, which side are you planning to stand on?"
"I have already made my choice; Prince Aegon is the true master of the Iron Throne!"
"Princess Rhaenyra is the heir designated by the King. Do you intend to commit treason?" Simon's face was grim.
It wasn't that he supported the Black Party; he just thought this matter was too dangerous.
In his opinion, the best choice was to withdraw from King's Landing and stay away from the power struggle!
And Larys saw what Simon was thinking at a glance.
"You want to be neutral?"
Larys's lips curled into a smile full of irony.
"Why should the Strong Family be neutral?
Neutrality also requires strength!
One day in the future, when Dragons land on your head, tell me, what will you use to be neutral?
Harrenhal is the preferred assembly point for armies in the Seven Kingdoms.
Do you think the Greens will give it up?
Or do you think the Black Party will allow you to choose neutrality?"
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