Boulder, Council Room.

Night had ravaged the castle, but the fire was still bright in this spacious stone house.

The elderly Grand Duke Philip Islam leans back on a thickly cushioned mahogany chair. On either side of the council's long table sat several men in silver armor and steel helmets with stern faces. They are all the Duke's confidants.

Grim, dressed in a gray robe, sat first on the left, crumpled with a parchment note in his hand. When the maester received a letter from Salt Town, he immediately informed his allegiance to Duke Philip. The Duke summoned his loyal subordinates overnight to discuss countermeasures.

"Lord Islam, this matter is by no means simple," declared Simon Bryan, "and it is impossible for Earl Carter Tyrell to do such a ridiculous and foolish thing as Brandt's son, whose daughters are all married, and have lost their right to the title." He began by ruling out suspected targets that were most likely to benefit. Sir Simon is the deputy commander of the Blood Wolf Infantry Legion, and he is the youngest officer in the room. At the age of thirty-five, he already has such a high and powerful position, which is enough to show his ability and wisdom.

"Have you forgotten that Earl Carter's youngest daughter is not yet married?" reminded Deputy Head Oster Lane. He is a middle-aged man with thick eyebrows and a long face, who has been given the title of Great Knight, and his own strength ranks among the top five in the entire Golden Land.

"His youngest daughter is betrothed to the eldest grandson of the Earl of Greenstone," stressed Sir Simon, with his blue beard, "and she is a child who is not a man of the world." He didn't think a 12-year-old girl would kill her brother for the sake of a knighthood. Although they were not born to the same mother, they are blood relatives of the same lineage.

Sir Oster raised his voice and reminded again, "Just because she is a child and ignorant that she is easily instigated or manipulated." He stood his mind.

"Sir Oster is right. Captain Luke Ness, who was sitting first on the right, echoed, "Lord Doran Frey, Earl of Greenstone City, has used various means to annex the lands of many other minor lords around his territory over the years. Maybe he's secretly playing tricks on this matter, and if anything happens to Brant, Fanny Tyrell will be the heir to the rocky harbor. After a pause, he continued with a solemn face, "If Earl Dolang's grandson marries the youngest daughter of Earl Carter, I am afraid that the territory and title of Rock Harbor should be changed to Frey in the near future." He gave a detailed and thorough analysis of what was most likely to happen.

"Don't forget, there's Sir Roger, the brother of Earl Carter. Baron Greenton, who sat on the sidelines for a long time, pointed out, "He has been watching his brother's title." "Baron Baron, who is over fifty years old, is the commander of the Blood Wolf Infantry Legion, and Duke Philip's most trusted subordinate.

"He's just a sinister and cunning clown," Retorted Captain Luke, "and his inheritance is second to his niece." "Sir Luke Ness's prowess is unrivalled in the Golden Lands.

"He may be a minor character to be feared in your eyes," Baron pointed pointedly, "but in the Rocky Harbor he wields real power, and Sir Roger controls half of his brother's fleet, which is more than thirty large rowing ships, which carry as many as 3,000 soldiers. "3,000 elite soldiers are enough for a coup d'état on the territory of Rocky Harbor.

Duke Philip banged on the table, signaling them to be quiet. After the argument in the room had stopped, he spoke, "These are just your guesses and judgments based on the current situation, but they are not unreasonable. The Duke said in a deep voice, "But I would like to remind you that the debts of the Islamic family must be repaid, and everyone knows it. ”

Baron Greenton asked, "Archduke, do you mean that there are other forces involved in this matter?"

As Sir Simon said, it is not so simple. Duke Philip replied.

"Whether it's Count Doran Frey or Ser Roger Tyrell, do they really dare to hurt my grandson?" said Philip Islam, "if this is true, then there must be some powerful force behind them." As for who the enemy was hiding behind, he had already guessed a thing or two.

"Your ......Excellency," Baron Baron opened his mouth to speak, when suddenly the heavy door of the council room was pushed open from the outside. All eyes turned to the door, and a familiar figure appeared in front of them.

"Brant, why are you back?" said Duke Philip's withered cheeks, filled with doubt.

When Brant entered the room, the door to the council room was closed from the outside by two guards. Brandt walked up to the old man, stood aside and said, "Grandpa, I have something very important to report to you. ”

The old duke looked up at his grandson slightly, "What's the matter, let's talk about it!" he suddenly felt a sense of foreboding in his heart.

Brandt told his grandfather everything he knew, including the news of the murder of Uncle Merlin.

None of the people present had the slightest suspicion, and they believed that Brant would not joke about such a thing. But this news was like thunder for them, making them look at each other, and they were speechless for a while.

When Duke Philip heard the news of his son's death, he seemed to have aged a lot all of a sudden, and his wrinkled face was terriblely white, and this news was undoubtedly the most painful blow to him.

"Master Elin, send a crow to the Isle of Summer to bring the news to Jensen. "Duke Philip commanded in a deep voice," said Duke Philip, "and send crows to my vassals, telling them that it is time to prove their loyalty to me." Seven years ago, he had lost a son and a daughter, and now his only son has been assassinated. He can't afford to lose his two grandsons and his beloved grandson anymore, and he needs to show the world the roar of the Islamic family.

"Yes, Master Philip. Maester Ealing glanced kindly at Brant, then turned to leave alone. He needed to put the duke's orders into writing, and then release the crows to deliver the letter. These ravens will fly throughout the Golden Lands, delivering messages to every Golden Land Lord's castle.

"Sir Oster, you lead 300 knights to the Golden Tooth City overnight," Duke Philip ordered, "Sir Simon, tomorrow morning you will send 3,000 soldiers from the Blood Wolf Infantry Legion to the Golden Tooth City, and when you arrive in the Golden Tooth City, you will follow Sir Leon's orders." ”

"Yes, sir. Sir Oster and Sir Simon replied in unison. They all knew that Golden Tooth City was the eastern throat of the Golden Land, adjacent to the domain of the vassals of the Targaryen family in the [Middle Plateau]. If the Golden Tooth City is lost, the Great Stone City will be surrounded by enemies on all sides. The Grand Duke's meaning was clear, and the Targaryens had become the target of his suspicions.

"Baron Baron," the Duke then ordered, "you personally lead the 5,000 soldiers of the Blood Wolf Infantry Legion to the market town, and immediately take over the city defense from Baron Benneda when you arrive at the market town. ”

"Yes, Master Philip. Baron Greenton replied respectfully.

The market town is the southern gateway to the Golden Lands, adjacent to the territory of the Merrist family in the Frontier. If the market town is lost, half of the golden land will be invaded by the flames of war.

All of you in the council are clearly aware of Duke Philip's concerns, and they are about to guard against the powerful alliance of the other two families in the Canian Federation.

"Brant," said Duke Philip, "you will be on your way to Rocky Harbour early to-morrow. ”

"Grandpa, if I don't go back, I'll stay with you......"

"You don't need you here, it's enough to have Captain Luke by my side," the old man didn't let his grandson finish, "you must inherit the title of Rock Harbor, and the situation you will face will become more dangerous. ”

"Grandpa, I—" Brandt wanted to argue.

"All right, you all go back and get ready," Duke Philip said.

"Yes, sir. ”

Brandt was also expelled from the room by his grandfather, and Duke Philip was locked in the room alone, with tears of sadness silently in his pale green eyes. Jason Islam will succeed me as Duke of Boulder City, ruler of the Golden Lands.

Gavin Islam will soon succeed his father as Lord of the Golden Tooth.

Brant Tyrell, who will also be the Earl of Rocky Harbor.

They will all have power and status, and they will be guarded by the valiant knights of the Glorious Order, and now it is up to them to decide their fate. They must grow up and become stronger, and the position of the Islamic family can only be maintained by them.