The white dragon flew over the surface of the Mandeb River, bringing with it bursts of water vapor.

The glimmer of the morning sun spreads on the sparkling water, like a golden avenue.

Samwell rode on the back of the dragon, and when he saw the golden horn banner of bounty in front of him, he knew he had arrived at Fort Table.

A steel chain was pulled up on the wide river and blocked the Mandeb River.

The wrecks of ships float on the river south of the Via Ferratron, a wordless recount of a water battle that took place here.

Instead of landing at Fort Table, Samwell continued to fly south.

On this section of the river, you can see longships flying golden sea monster flags-

It was the longship of the Iron People, the longship of the invaders.

The villages and towns on the shore are in shambles, and there are traces of killing, burning and looting.

The smell of blood wafted through the air, and fireworks rose like the claws of the devils.

This is the Occupied Zone.

Samwell's heart was heavy.

Further south, he came across a lone castle with closed gates and a few iron men scattered around, seemingly monitoring the city.

The castle flies over the castle with a red apple flag on a gold background – the coat of arms of the Fossowe family in the Fruit Wine Hall.

It seems that the castle has not fallen yet.

Samwell remained unstoppable and continued south.

Soon they came to the sky above the High Court.

The once beautiful Garden Castle has now been robbed of its dazzling brilliance by blood, fireworks, and death.

Samwell suddenly remembered the prophecy Melisandre had told him about the withering of roses—

The white castle crumbles under the sweep of the black tide, the shadows converge into skeletons, and the gray and white intertwine in the sky, forming a cold wind that destroys everything, extinguishing all flames, bringing death and destruction.

It turns out that this Kuroshio of death refers to the Iron Min.

Samwell looked gloomy.

He felt helpless more than regretful.

Although he didn't take Melisandre's prophecy seriously at first, he did remind Lady Olenna.

Unfortunately, this did not prevent the tragedy from happening.

But Samwell did not change his opinion about the prophecy, and even if he knew it in advance, he might not be able to avoid the end.

It's like playing cards in a magician's hand, you think you can guess the number correctly, but you don't know that the other person is cheating.

So the best way to deal with it is not to guess, but to tear the cards in the opponent's hand directly.

When the sky was in the city, Samwell tore it once.

Of the few prophecies that the Lord of Light showed him during the Great Templar fire, several of them did not happen.

Thus, prophecy can also be changed.

It depends on whether you have the strength to tear cards.

The white dragon hovered over the High Court for a few weeks and continued southward.

After flying more than ten miles along the Rose Avenue, I came across a fairly large military camp.

The flags fluttering in the camp depict a white tower with a burning beacon – the army of the Hightower family in the old town.

The purpose of Samwell's trip, in addition to checking the situation around the High Court, is more important to get in touch with the Hightower family.

During the previous expedition to the Stormlands, the Hightower family dispatched more than 4,000 soldiers, which is certainly not a small number, but it is far from the full war potential of the most powerful family in this riverbend.

In Samwell's impression, the Hightower family, together with his many vassals, could easily pull out a regular army of tens of thousands of people.

If the Hightowers are willing to come to the aid of their all, they can quell the rebellion without even waiting for the Strands stranded in the Stormlands to withdraw.

The white dragon swooped down and landed in the camp, causing quite a commotion.

Fortunately, the people of Hewan knew Caesar's white dragon, so they were not too alarmed.

Samwell had just jumped off the dragon's back when he saw a knight come up and say:

"Is it Lord Caesar?"

"It's me." Samwell looked at the black-orange butterfly coat of arms on the other party's shield, and knew that it was the knight of the old neighbor Mulendale family, "Is Viscount Martin here too?" Which adult is leading the way? ”

"Yes." The knight smiled kindly, "Do you need me to take you to the Chinese army's tent?" This time it was Sir Baylor Hightower who led the way. ”

It turned out that it was the eldest son of the Tower of Heaven, and this one was also an old friend.

"Okay, I'm sorry for you."

Soon, Samwell came to the big tent of the Chinese army.

When the attendants had come in and reported it, they saw Sir Baylor himself come out to meet him.

"Sam!" Baylor had a familiar smile on his face and surprise in his tone, "Why are you here?" It can't be flying, right? ”

"You guessed it." Samwell stepped forward and hugged each other.

"Can your dragon ride? Growing so fast? ”

"Yes. I eat a lot. Samwell replied casually, without much explanation.

Sir Baylor didn't ask any more questions, and enthusiastically led Samwell into the camp.

There were five other people in the tent, namely Earl Tomman Cotoine of the Three Towers, Earl Valen Bisbury of Hive City, Sir Adam Bullway of Blackcrown City, Viscount Martin Mulendall of Highland City, and Viscount Blanton Cooy of Yangya City.

Samwell greeted them one by one, and then took his seat.

"How long will it be before the armies of the Crusade can be withdrawn?" Sir Baylor asked.

"The main force of the Northern Route Army is estimated to take about ten days, but my father has already asked the cavalry to go first, and it should be able to reach Kuqiao in these two days. I don't know much about the situation of the Southern Route Army, but the estimated time should be about the same. ”

"I don't think we have to wait any longer." Sir Adam said with some eagerness, "We have gathered 6,000 infantry and 800 cavalry here, plus the army of the princes of the northern part of the river bend gathered at Bitter Bridge, it is enough to deal with the Iron People and the Oakhut family!" ”

Samwell glanced at the knight of the Bulwer family and asked, "Is Countess Alysanne in the High Court?" ”

"Yes."

It's no wonder. Samwell remembers that the countess of the Bullwie family was a cousin of the Tyrells, as if she were the niece of an inflatable fish's cousin.

"I think so." Sir Baelor nodded. His sister Ellery, the wife of the Duke of Metz, was also in the High Court, and was also anxious at the moment.

He looked at Samwell and said, "Sam, since you are here, please let me tell Lady Olenna that we plan to officially march to the High Court at noon the day after tomorrow, hoping that the northern army can also be activated at the same time, flanking the rebels and the iron people in front and back." ”

Samwell felt that the cavalry of the Northern Route Army should have almost arrived the day after tomorrow, so he nodded:

"Okay."

After a pause, he asked again, "What is the current situation on Qingting Island?" Why has the rebellion been in rebellion for so long and has not seen the fleet of the Redwyn family? ”

Sir Baylor hesitated, then said:

"I've already sent a message to Qingting Island. Presumably because Earl Pixter hasn't returned from Stormlands yet, he's not on the island, and he hasn't heard back. ”

Storm Land didn't see the fleet of Qingting Island either. Samwell complained secretly.

He was now more and more certain that the Earl of Paxter had deliberately sat idly by and watched the rebellion take place.

But with the Redwyn family and the Tyrell family, he really didn't have much to say.

Afterwards, the group discussed the battle plan in detail.

It wasn't until the plan was set that the atmosphere in the tent relaxed a little.

Baylor took a sip of his wine and asked, "Sam, how is this Crusade going in the Stormlands?" I heard that you've all taken the Bronze Gate? ”

"Yes."

"It's fast." Baylor smiled, "That would be a shame. If it weren't for this rebellion, I'm afraid you would all be able to fight to the city of Storm's End. ”

"It's been hit." Samwell laughed, "And it struck." ”

There was a moment of silence in the tent, and then there were several exclamations in unison:

"You took Storm's End?"

"Yes."

Looking at Samwell, who was breezy and cloudy, Viscount Martin Mullendale had mixed feelings.

He still vividly remembered the first time the young Horned Knight came to Highland City, when the boy was racking his brains to get his help and go to the Crimson Mountains to carve out his territory.

Unexpectedly, it has only been a long time since he has already occupied one of the top castles in the Seven Kingdoms.

Viscount Blanton Cooy's mood was also complicated, thinking that he almost married his daughter to the young man in front of him, but now, the other party would become a very important nobleman of the Seven Kingdoms in the blink of an eye.

It's all to blame for her daughter's lack of anger! Viscount Blanton lamented secretly.

The faces of the rest of the people also changed, if Samwell hatched the dragon and got engaged to Margaery, they only thought that this young man had great potential.

But now, Samwell, who has taken possession of Storm's End, has turned that potential into real strength.

The Caesar family is also about to become one of the most prominent families in the Seven Kingdoms.

……

It was nearly late afternoon that Samwell returned to Bitter Bridge again.

After settling the dragon in the stables, Samwell went to Margaery, and when he questioned the servants, he learned that she had been in the sanctuary all day praying.

Pushing open the oak door, Samwell's beautiful back was greeted by Samwell, who was kneeling in front of the statue of the Virgin, a dozen candles blooming with soft light, outlining the charming and warm curves of her body through her loose gauze skirt.

"Sam." Margaery heard the movement and turned back to her fiancé with a gentle smile, "Where have you been today?" ”

"Take Cleopatra to the south and have a look." Samwell stepped forward and took her into his arms from behind, his hands gently resting on his slightly bulging lower abdomen.

"You...... What do you see? Margaery's body tensed suddenly.

"It's really not good......"

Samwell briefly recounted it, without mentioning anything too bloody, and finally comforted:

"Rest assured, the southern riverbend lords have gathered a large army at the call of the Hightowers, and I have just discussed the battle plan with them. Preparing to launch an attack at noon the day after tomorrow, I will inform the side of Longtable Fort to cooperate and act together, and the north and south will definitely drive the iron people into the sea. ”

"What about the High Court?" Margaery was still worried, "The Oakhut family occupies the High Court, and there are so many hostages in their hands, we can't force the siege, right?" ”

"The rebellion of the Oakhut family should be resolved through negotiation, after all, they are the nobles of the Riverbend Lands, and they dare not do anything about it."

"Oakhet...... I guess I want the High Court to change its position, right? Margaret said.

"You don't have to worry too much." Samwell hugged his fiancée a little tighter, "The current situation is not something that the Oak Hutt family or a few Deer Party families can shake. ”

"Hmm." Margaery also suppressed all kinds of churning thoughts, and curled up in the man's arms.

Samwell smelled the fragrance of the girl's hair, and said no more.

The sanctuary was quiet, and the atmosphere of warmth and tranquility flowed.

(End of chapter)