Chapter 223 Before the War
Dust was flying in the open wilderness outside the king's gate, which reminded Tyrion of the sandy sea of Dorne. The roaring lion banner of Lannister was submerged in the rising yellow dust, and the "clack-clack" of horse hooves gradually faded away. .
"He should leave the army in King's Landing," Cersei said, holding up the wine glass and staring at the march in the distance, showing unwillingness and worry, "protecting his king instead of taking all the troops away and acting like a hero. Go head-to-head with Stannis's rebels."
Tyrion stroked the battlements on the King's Gate. Time had left traces on it, and the stone battlements were pitted with wear.
"The city cannot support the consumption of tens of thousands of troops and countless civilians. Stannis is attacking from two directions. My father took the initiative and blocked the land-based Stormlands army for my good nephew, so that we can concentrate on dealing with the storm coming from the sea. Threat," Tyrion explained to his father.
Cersei disagreed, "Then what was Kevan doing before, hunting deer in the Kingswood and playing stupid hunting games?" she said sarcastically.
"Believe me," Tyrion suddenly turned to look at Cersei, looking at her sincerely, "Uncle Kevan must be hunting deer for his dear King, so that Stannis can hang his head in the city. Take a bite of fresh broth in front of the door ”
Cersei's eyes turned cold, but to Tyrion's expectation, she did not get angry. Instead, she gently approached Tyrion and bent down. This strange feeling made Tyrion take a few steps back.
"You are right, my brother," Cersei said softly, but it sounded threatening to Tyrion, "I hope you will serve this bowl of broth to Joffrey."
The Queen Mother straightened up, looked at him contemptuously, and walked away proudly.
Tyrion scratched his head, frowned and looked at Cersei's leaving figure, full of doubts in his heart.
"You know," Bronn, who had been looking far away, turned his head and looked at him, "there is a kind of person," the mercenary blinked and glanced at Cersei, "she likes to use words that confuse people. The method makes it impossible for others to guess what one is thinking, even if such a person’s head is empty and there is nothing else but frightening brains.”
"Of course I understand," Tyrion shook his head, "My dear sister's most powerful and only weapon is between her legs, tut tut."
A joking laugh came from Bronn's mouth, and the mercenary's lips moved unnaturally, leaning against the battlements as if he was suppressing laughter.
"What?" A hint of teasing flashed across Tyrion's face, "Is it possible that you have tried this weapon?"
"That's not an ordinary feeling~" Bronn shook his head, forced a smile and looked away.
"Huh?" Tyrion's expression froze on the spot, looking at Bronn in shock, "Seven Hells, you must be kidding"
Bronn turned his head and looked at Tyrion with the eyes of a poor man, "Maybe, as long as Lord Tyrion Lannister is happy."
"Damn it!" Tyrion swore angrily, slapping his hands on the battlements and pursed his lips tightly.
"Sansa!" came the childish cry from across the courtyard, and Joffrey saw her. "Come here! Sansa!"
He greets me like a dog, Sansa thought.
Groups of golden robes holding spears blocked her path, and Joffrey's eyes were filled with impatience as she trudged through the crowd.
The Red Keep was packed with people, especially in the castle's sept. She guessed that all the nobles and women in King's Landing were gathered here.
"We are about to go to war," Joffrey said expectantly, waving the sword in his hand, with fancy golden patterns engraved on the surface of the sword. "The blacksmith has made a new sword for me. I will use this sword to cut down the history of history with my own hands." Uncle Tanis' head"
"The gods have mercy and have mercy on us."
"It is my uncle who needs mercy, but his king will not spare any for him." Joffrey waved his sword again, and the blade scratched the armor of the hound beside him, but the latter remained silent.
"Exquisitely crafted, my lord," Sansa said. Perhaps Stannis will behead you with this sword.
"The soldiers need you, Your Majesty." Tyrion Lannister walked up to Joffrey and nodded slightly to Sansa. "My lady," he whispered softly.
"Wait and see, Sansa, wait for Stannis' head to be inserted here." Joffrey said proudly, turning the horse's head and running towards the city gate.
"It seems that Your Majesty cares about you very much," Tyrion said against his will. "I hope you can give us some blessings and wish us a triumphant victory."
Sansa looked at the little devil, her expression a little indifferent, not moved at all, but she said, "The Mother of God will protect us all through this difficult time."
Go to seven hells, Lannister!
A smile appeared on Tyrion's face, and he bowed slightly, "A girl's beautiful blessings will always bring us luck, thank you, Miss Sansa."
The maiden's curse is just the opposite, Sansa thought, bowing slightly, "Especially you, Lord Tyrion."
Tyrion laughed, and the dwarf moved towards the city gate, his squire following closely behind.
When I turn into a wolf, I will bite you all to death. A silence fell over Sansa as she walked toward the sept, but the neighing of the horses, the clang of steel, and the twisting and shaking of the hinges of the great bronze gates all mixed together to make her uneasy.
In this case, the hymn also becomes monstrous and terrifying.
"Tender Mother, Source of Mercy," Sansa whispered, echoing the sept's nun.
"Bless your son through the fierce fighting," invite the Stranger to appear and put Cersei's son into the dead end of the fierce fighting.
"Stop the arrow and resist the sword."
Her singing ends abruptly, and Cersei appears in front of Sansa.
"Poor girl," Cersei gently stroked her red hair, her gentle care turning into a malicious whisper, "You must really hope that Xiao Qiao will die at the city gate." A wave of fear surged through her. In her heart, but Sansa suppressed this emotion, her face was full of innocent doubts, Sansa shook her head, "How could it be, Your Majesty the Queen Mother, I love Joffrey, he is the legitimate king of Westeros , we will definitely be able to triumph and annihilate the rebels”
"Just like your brother, right?" Cersei whispered against Sansa's ear.
The flames of revenge surged up in her chest again, burning everywhere and almost bursting out, but the calm waterfall extinguished them all.
Sansa smiled, "My brother is a traitor, and he deserves it."
Cersei touched Sansa's face, a trace of confusion flashed across her face, "I almost believed you, Sansa."
The low cry of the war trumpet has sounded, the swing and impact of the catapult of Mud Gate's "Three Prostitutes of King's Landing" have also appeared, and the sound of the ballistae can even be heard.
"Is there already a war?" Sansa blurted out without even thinking, her voice trembling slightly, and she knew it was a tremor of joy.
The Queen Mother obviously understood that it was fear. She even touched Sansa's hair thoughtfully, "Don't be nervous, girl. This is just a drill before the war. I heard that all the fired ballistae must be recycled."
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"This is a man's war. Under such circumstances, women can only stay aside and watch their bloody dance."
"I heard that there is also chaos in the city, those civilians." Sansa said.
"A mob is just a mob, they don't matter," Cersei said, looking slightly smug.
Really, Sansa asked in her mind, the lady has seen the actions of the people more than once.
Cersei looked down at Sansa's body and touched her chest gently with her hand. The cold touch made Sansa shiver slightly.
"Queen Mother?"
"I don't know how many men will fall under your skirt and be used by you," Cersei said with a smile, "If you know how to cherish and use it, the knight's sword will become your sword, and those insignificant oaths will also become yours. Become loyal to you”
"I am Joffrey's fiancée, and I am only loyal to the king." Sansa said as usual.
"I'm really touched." Cersei said these words and turned to leave.
I will turn into a lady in a pool of blood and tear you to pieces. Sansa looked at Cersei's back, the flattery on her face completely gone.
The clang of forging was very loud, many craftsmen and blacksmiths gathered together, and a long and huge iron chain appeared in front of everyone.
"It's an unskilled thing." Sarolion mocked. He was a master armorsmith in King's Landing, not an apprentice with rough skills.
"But we can cross the Blackwater River and hinder Stannis' fleet." The craftsman on the side said.
Shalorien frowned, "Yes, this is not in line with our original intention." He looked at the chain and said with some reluctance, "But we must still fulfill our promise. The little devil made us swear, damn it!"
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"The deformed dwarf, the king born of incest, the lustful queen mother, they cannot defend this city."
Shalorien didn't say a word. He hastily took off his thick gloves, put a wet wipe on his neck, and walked out of the blacksmith shop.
The dark passage leads to his own house, a nice house that survived the chaos of the mob. Shalorion is certain that this is a blessing given to him by the Seven Gods.
The house was very dark, maybe everyone was asleep. Shalorien thought of his wife and children, took a deep breath, and opened the door.
The person who least wants to see in King's Landing appears in front of him
Eight-clawed spider, his eyes were full of shock, could it be that his plan was exposed?
"King Robert's loyal minister, the renowned blacksmith master in King's Landing," Varys paused for a moment, "Maybe I should also add, a member of the 'Antlers' Chamber of Commerce?"
Shalorien reached for his sleeve and touched his iron axe. The smell of the iron made him feel slightly relieved.
"I don't want to explain anything, Octopus Spider" Sharolion looked at Varys.
Varys chuckled lightly, "I hope that with hundreds of people raiding the old city gate during the war, you don't need to explain this kind of plan. Even my little bird can see through it."
"Don't move." A child's voice suddenly sounded behind him. Shalorien was frightened and did not dare to move. The touch of the metal tip came from his back, and the sound of the crossbow string was also heard behind him.
Swords and crossbows, dammit!
"Don't get me wrong, these are just some normal safeguards. I'm here to cooperate with you, not to murder you." Varys waved his hand.
Sarolion looked at Varys calmly, he didn't believe the spider's words.
"The defenders of King's Landing gathered at the city gates and walls near the Blackwater Bend, such as Mud Gate. Although the old city gates are weakly guarded, it is not something you can solve." Varys's mouth curved, "Bring enough torches and Fuel, try to burn the gates, and I will tell King Stannis the news."
Shalorien frowned tightly, "How can I trust a cunning spider? The city gate is made of steel and bronze. How can it be burned down? If I go to the Red Keep to tell him." The words suddenly stopped in his throat. If Varys really wanted to murder someone, Why would I discuss these matters related to treason with myself in the middle of the night?
"King Robert died in a conspiracy, and Joffrey took pleasure in tyranny and torture." Varys looked at Shalorien, "Isn't it just for this moment that I am in King's Landing? It's just a fire, and it has nothing to do with your plan. What a conflict.”
The eunuch stood up and covered his face with his hood. "It doesn't matter whether you trust me or not, but Baratheon's future depends on this." He walked around Sarolion and disappeared into the darkness.
(End of chapter)