Game of Thrones: I Created the Magic Web

Chapter 255: The Trial at Old Oak

For this trial, a raised platform of earth and stone was erected on the south side of the training grounds, with a long table placed upon it.

The three judges sitting behind the long table were Garlan Tyrell, the Warden; Lord Tywin Lannister; and Commander Robar Royce.

Lord Tywin and Commander Robar Royce sat on either side, the former wearing a crimson cloak over his leather armor, the latter clad in the shining white armor of the Kingsguard, with Garlan between them.

The guards below the platform were all Highgarden soldiers bearing the golden rose, two rows of fourteen men.

This clearly showed who was the most important of the three judges.

Garlan sat silently in his seat, his hands clasped under his chin, observing the surroundings and mentally preparing for the trial to come.

It was easy to see that today's trial was not particularly formal.

In the distance, awaiting judgment, were the prisoners: Lord Matthos Rowan, the surviving heirs of House Oakheart, and vassals of Goldengrove such as the lords and knights of Houses Osgrey and Webber…

So many prominent nobles were to be judged, yet there was no gallery or jury, nor any witnesses waiting to be summoned.

Or rather, the vast crowd surrounding the training grounds was both audience and witness.

The soldiers of the Westerlands, the King's guards, and the Reachmen who had received "divine grace" and were gradually gathering, all knew the "crimes" the prisoners had committed.

Thus, the judges had an easy task.

There was no need to painstakingly prove the prisoners' guilt or engage in lengthy and tedious arguments; only to deliver appropriate sentences.

Even if the punishment was too harsh or too lenient, there was no need to worry about protests. After all, they had won.

It was precisely because of the victory in the war that Garlan was able to sit here and judge great lords like Matthos Rowan.

According to custom, to deal with the Lord of Goldengrove, not to mention the King himself appearing, at least his liege lord, Lord Mace Tyrell, should personally pronounce judgment. Yet now there was only the second son of Highgarden and the Lord of Casterly Rock from the Westerlands, who were not subordinate to each other. Robar Royce was merely there as a token.

"Ahem," Robar Royce coughed twice, turning to look at Garlan beside him.

The message conveyed in the Vale knight's eyes was clear. Garlan nodded downwards.

A gray-haired friar walked to the front of the platform.

Normally, the trial of a noble should begin with a bishop's prayer, beseeching the Father to uphold justice.

But Old Oak only had a solitary, ascetic friar who served the "Smith" aspect of the Seven.

So the old friar was dragged out of the sept, briefly abandoning the small metal hammer he wore around his neck, and instead held the "Seven-Pointed Star" and the "Conquest of Aegon" as he prayed to the Father for justice.

After the prayer, the trial began.

The herald announced in a loud voice, calling the first name: "Harras Harlaw!"

The training grounds fell silent.

A haggard man walked step by step towards the platform, still wearing his battle armor, but his sword and all other weapons had been removed.

The light screen revealed the prisoner's crimes to the three judges and tens of thousands of spectators.

Harras Harlaw, as the captain of Lady Alys Oakheart's guard, had abandoned his post at such a dangerous time to go to the city walls instead of protecting his liege, resulting in Lady Alys's death and bringing shame to Old Oak.

"What a serious dereliction of duty!" Judge Robar Royce rebuked sternly.

At this moment, soldiers carried a stretcher, covered with a tight black cloth, but the uneven imprints showed beneath the black cloth.

Garlan immediately guessed what was under the black cloth.

Whoosh!

The black cloth was lifted, exposing what was on the stretcher to the sunlight. It was indeed those things.

The audience around the training grounds erupted in commotion!

Garlan stared intently at the light screen. The light screen interface presented a closer, clearer image, as if he had suddenly walked up to the prisoner and the stretcher.

It seemed as if he could reach out and touch Lady Alys's remains.

Even more outrageous, the second son of House Oakheart was still pressing down on Lady Alys's body, a scene of utter devastation between the two corpses. It was a sight that was hard to forget after just one glance, especially impossible to remain calm in the face of it.

Tens of thousands of people were sharing this scene.

"What a horrifying crime!" Robar Royce slammed the table angrily, the vibration reaching Garlan's elbow.

Garlan turned to look to his left. Lord Tywin was as calm as a rock.

Robar Royce, however, was as fiery as a volcano: "Harras Harlaw, were you not at all vigilant about this?! How could you let such scum get away with it so easily?!"

The prisoner below stared blankly at the tragic scene next to him, his mouth wide open, but he didn't make a sound.

He's finished. Garlan looked at the prisoner with sorrow.

Ser Harras Harlaw undoubtedly came from House Harlaw of Red Lake, northeast of Old Oak. He should have had a respectable life, dying as an honorable knight.

But now, everything had changed.

Who would ever trust such a notorious captain of the guard, who had allowed his liege to die so disgracefully? Even if he could stubbornly survive, the stain would never be washed away.

"Ser, how do you intend to deal with this fellow?" Robar Royce asked Garlan.

Garlan was slightly surprised.

Even if I am the so-called "Warden," do I have to endorse everything?

But Garlan still announced: "Ser Harras Harlaw, as the captain of the guard, you are guilty of serious dereliction of duty; as a knight, you have defied the King. The evidence is conclusive. I sentence you to exile to the Wall, to wear black, to be carried out immediately." His light screen had sentencing suggestions, and Garlan decided to read them all.

Two soldiers stepped forward, restraining the prisoner. Until he was dragged out of the training grounds, Harras Harlaw didn't say a word.

The herald then summoned the next name: "Denys Oakheart!" Lady Alys's eldest son.

Another uneventful round of discussions.

Garlan again delivered the sentence: "Denys Oakheart, as the heir of Old Oak, betrayed his liege and instigated war; as a knight, he defied the King, robbed merchants, and endangered the people. The evidence is conclusive. I sentence you to be beheaded, to be carried out after the trial."

The soldiers coldly dragged the prisoner away.

Denys Oakheart was more energetic than the previous one, not only cursing incessantly but also filled with resentment and curses in his eyes. Unsurprisingly, it was mainly directed at Garlan Tyrell, the chief judge from Highgarden.

The herald continued: "Torgon Oakheart!" Lady Alys's third son.

The crowd of onlookers became denser and wider. The soldiers of the Reach stood far away, but they could clearly see the expressions and fates of every noble lord through the miraculous light screen.

Some were sentenced to exile, to wear black from then on, abandoning all their former honor, rights, and titles, leaving only a name and a body;

Some were sentenced to death, to be carried out as soon as the trial ended, ending their lives under the blade;

Some were sentenced to fines;

Some were sentenced to a fixed or indefinite term of imprisonment…

The last one: Lord Matthos Rowan of Goldengrove.

Garlan still showed no mercy: beheading.

The trial ended.

People watched Garlan Tyrell walk down the platform, drawing his longsword.

…

After taking the heads of the Oakhearts, Garlan welcomed the last man. "Lord Rowan, do you have any last words?"

The Lord of Goldengrove raised his head slightly: "May Highgarden flourish like Goldengrove."

Garlan's expression was calm as he raised his longsword.

Chop~

The head fell in the twilight glow, as if foreshadowing the end of Goldengrove.

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