The Mountain of Ice and Fire

The door to the Small Council chamber was pushed open, and the Hound appeared in a white cloak: "Maester Qyburn, Maester Ebrose seeks an audience."

Without special permission, no one can enter the Small Council chamber at will.

The Kingsguard standing guard at the gate were the Hound and Ser Barristan Selmy.

Not long after Queen Mother Cersei took Qyburn as her confidant, Qyburn solved a big problem for her: Lady Falyse Stokeworth. To give Qyburn the feeling of being a happy dog, Cersei granted a favor: "Let Maester Ebrose in."

Ebrose Beal was Qyburn's assistant maester, specializing in managing the Red Keep's ravens. Qyburn had three assistant maesters and two apprentices, each with their own specialized division of labor. As for Grand Maester Samwell Tarly, sent by the Citadel to replace Pycelle, Cersei didn't know why he hadn't arrived in King's Landing after so long. But she didn't care about that issue; as long as Qyburn was obedient and capable, Cersei wouldn't care about any other unfamiliar maester.

"Greetings, Your Grace, Queen Mother." Maester Ebrose entered the council chamber of important officials for the first time. He was flattered and humble, bowing slightly to Queen Mother Cersei, which made King Joffrey quite uncomfortable, but because Renly had died, Joffrey was in a good mood and didn't bother with this damned fellow's rudeness.

Ebrose then greeted His Majesty the King. Joffrey's lips curled up in a smile: "Maester, what is it?"

"A letter with urgent delivery, Your Majesty."

"Give it to me!"

Ebrose hesitated slightly. The rule he had received was: deliver urgent letters to Maester Qyburn first, and then Maester Qyburn would hand the letter over to the corresponding person.

Royal Palace raven letters were not only written to the King and Queen Mother, but also to other ministers. Qyburn was responsible for delivering each letter to the correct person.

Ebrose glanced at Qyburn, who signaled to him with his eyes. So, Ebrose respectfully handed the letter to the King.

Joffrey took the letter, but had no interest in the letter itself. He stared at Ebrose: "Maester, I am your King. Why didn't you deliver the letter to me first?"

Ebrose was embarrassed!

He didn't know how to answer this question. The important officials present were all the most powerful people in the court. Ebrose was just an assistant maester managing ravens, actually a small errand boy.

"Your Majesty," Cersei said, "many letters are family letters written by the ministers."

Joffrey turned his chair, making an unpleasant friction sound on the ground: "Mother, I know you want to interfere in every government affair, but shouldn't letters written to the Royal Palace be delivered to the King first? If there are important national affairs in the letter, and I can't make a decision, I naturally know to convene the Small Council, or consult our wise Queen Mother."

Joffrey was very dissatisfied with his mother's interference in government affairs. He was not happy that he was not the first to know about Renly's murder.

Reading letters themselves was not attractive to Joffrey. It was more exciting to dissect a pregnant cat and guess how many kittens were in the cat's belly. The key was that Cersei's actions made him not feel the importance of the King. He was the King!

Cersei frowned. The sound of the chair legs rubbing against the ground was very harsh and uncomfortable: "Your Majesty, let's look at the letter first."

It was impossible to communicate with an angry Joffrey, so she could only divert his attention.

Cersei didn't know the immensity of heaven and earth in front of her father Tywin. She once ordered Duke Tywin, who was stationed at the Crossroads Inn, in the tone of the Queen Mother, to lead his troops to King's Landing to protect the King and protect King's Landing from the attack of the Baratheon family's army. Tywin even complained about Cersei's 'Queen Mother's order' in front of Little Demon Tyrion and his younger brother Kevan Lannister. The Mountain was also present at the time.

But as long as she faced Joffrey, she couldn't be strong. A mother's feelings for her child were very complicated.

Little Demon had seen through all of this long ago. The reason why Joffrey dared to do whatever he wanted and didn't take his mother seriously was because he knew that his mother wouldn't really hurt him. But if it was the Mountain or Little Demon, Joffrey would be afraid, because these two guys might really hurt him.

Joffrey threw the letter in front of his mother Cersei: "Since you like to interfere in everything, you can read it."

Little Demon endured it again and again, and didn't reprimand his nephew. He had just won another great victory, thwarted Cersei's 'wonderful plan', and captured Cersei's 'confidant' Lady Tanda Stokeworth. Cersei was still licking her failed wounds, so let's save face for her and her son first.

Cersei glanced at Joffrey and said to Maester Ebrose, "You may leave."

"Yes, Your Grace." Maester Ebrose greeted the Queen Mother, the King, the Prime Minister, and others one by one, and then quickly walked out. His back was already covered in cold sweat.

If the King was unhappy and ordered him to be beheaded, he would be dead. He believed that the Queen Mother and Maester Qyburn would not frown at his death.

Cersei opened the letter, read it, and said expressionlessly, taking a deep breath: "Your Majesty." Cersei deliberately mentioned Joffrey first, so that Joffrey could feel that he was valued. Joffrey was becoming more and more sensitive to this, "Gentlemen of the court, Winterfell of the Stark family in the North has been occupied by Theon Greyjoy of the Iron Islands, and everyone in the castle has become prisoners of war."

The council chamber suddenly became quiet.

Joffrey also stopped torturing the chair under his butt.

Joffrey, Little Demon, the Mountain, Littlefinger, Qyburn, Jacelyn Bywater and other courtiers were all quiet.

Everyone looked at Cersei with surprised expressions.

Theon Greyjoy was Eddard Stark's adopted son. He had lived in Winterfell since he was ten years old, and grew up with Robb, Jon, Sansa, Arya, and others, living together for nine full years. He actually led troops to capture the empty Winterfell and emptied the Stark family's nest.

Cersei continued without expression: "Torrhen's Square of the Tallhart family has also been taken by the ironmen of the Iron Islands and the city has been massacred. The coastal towns of the Northmen have all been looted by the ironmen, and a large number of villages have been set on fire. Deepwood Motte of the Glover family in the Wolfswood has also been taken by Asha, the daughter of King Balon."

There was one more sentence she didn't say—Lord Balon Greyjoy of the Iron Islands had already proclaimed himself King.

She was afraid of arousing Joffrey's bold words such as 'I'm going to lead troops to attack the Iron Islands'. Before the Mountain came to King's Landing, the brave and invincible Joffrey was ready to lead two thousand garrison troops to Bitterbridge to capture Renly alive. The child was courageous, but his assessment of the situation was slightly insufficient.

A big smile bloomed on Joffrey's handsome face. He stood up abruptly and laughed: "Good! Good, good! I knew the Stark family would be punished, and now the retribution has really come. I'm going to tell Sansa this good news, so she knows that her father's escape cannot save the fate of the Stark family. Order Duke Balon to send all the prisoners of war from the North to King's Landing. I'm going to hang all the Northmen."

Cersei responded: "Yes, Your Majesty."

Joffrey couldn't sit still in the Small Council anymore. He was too happy and couldn't wait to see Sansa: "I'm going to tell Sansa this good news and make her happy too. Who else is in Winterfell? Oh, and her younger brothers Rickon and Bran, haha, I just hope Theon doesn't kill Bran and Rickon with one knife. If it were me, I would definitely torture that cripple slowly."

Joffrey left a long string of laughter in the council chamber and strode away.

Little Demon said: "Your Grace, Queen Mother, my people have already gone to rescue Jaime Lannister. Before they come back, Sansa cannot be touched, so that we can ensure that we have bargaining chips in our hands."

"If His Majesty the King hurts Sansa because he is too happy, and if the Prime Minister's rescue fails, Ser Jaime will suffer," the Mountain said coldly.

Cersei's face hesitated: "Joffrey is still a child...he won't do anything to Sansa...he won't hurt her."

Little Demon said: "Queen Mother, we all know what kind of child Joffrey is. He is polite, willing to improve, and cultivated. I am afraid that in case..." He stared at Cersei until his older sister's face turned green, "Lord Mountain, you are the highest military officer in King's Landing. I think you have a responsibility to send someone to see Sansa, and it is necessary to deter the King's two dogs."

The Mountain looked at Jacelyn Bywater—the commander of the garrison who forcibly kidnapped seven of the Queen Mother's confidants and was still able to sit in the council chamber: "Lord Jacelyn, please go and take care of Sansa, so that our King will not be too excited for a while. If the Kingsguard Mandon Moore and Arys Oakheart hurt Sansa, tell them that I will definitely find them."

"Yes, Lord Mountain." Jacelyn stood up, bowed respectfully to Her Grace the Queen Mother, and left.

The Mountain did not use his own guards. Alyn was Eddard Stark's original captain of the guard. After surrendering to the Mountain, he was given the infamous name of traitor. Sansa hated Alyn, Marwyn, and a group of old guards. She turned her head and walked away when she saw them.

Cersei's green face slowly returned to calm: "Mountain, do you need to see this letter?"

Cersei deliberately did not hand the letter to the Prime Minister, she gave it to the Mountain.

"Good!" The Mountain took the letter and unfolded it. This action made the courtiers change color slightly: Does the Mountain know how to read?

The Mountain's gaze passed through the letter and saw the Crag of the Westerlands.

*

The Westerlands. The Crag.

The city was filled with people shouting and horses neighing. The Northmen were gathering. Military orders had been issued: withdraw from the Westerlands, return to the North, and retake Winterfell.

The three places in the North, Torrhen's Square, Winterfell, and Deepwood Motte, fell at the same time. The coastal area of the North was ravaged by the ironmen sent by Balon Greyjoy of the Iron Islands, who burned, killed, looted, and wantonly ravaged the area.

When the news reached the Riverlands and the Westerlands, the morale of the Northmen, who had been winning victories, was in chaos. The soldiers were worried about the safety of their parents, sisters, wives, and children at home; the nobles were worried about their castles being looted, their wealth being plundered, their food and supplies being robbed, the men in their families being tortured and killed, and the women being kidnapped as salt wives.

The morale of the army was shaken, and the Northmen from top to bottom had no will to fight.

Robb decisively ordered all the cavalry that had been dispatched to return to the Crag, and quickly withdrew from the Westerlands along the road from the Crag to Golden Tooth, returned to the North, annihilated the ironmen, and stabilized the rear.

Eddard Stark also woke up from his dream. When he left King's Landing, he had received a warning. The person who saved him had someone tell him that the troops should not go south, but should go north. If Robb had already gone south, he must send a capable general to garrison Winterfell and not leave.

Although Winterfell had Master-at-Arms Rodrik Cassel garrisoning it, Theon Greyjoy used a trick to surround Torrhen's Square without attacking, causing Torrhen's Square to ask Winterfell for help. Rodrik immediately led the only dozens of guards in Winterfell to rescue Torrhen's Square, so Theon divided his troops into two groups. He himself led a group of ironmen to sneak attack Winterfell and succeeded.

And Ser Rodrik was still on his way to Torrhen's Square with the guards. After he learned the news of the fall of Winterfell, he rushed back, and another group of ironmen took the opportunity to chase and kill him. Rodrik was defeated, and only a few guards and himself escaped.

After the ironmen won, they turned around and attacked Torrhen's Square, and Torrhen's Square was captured by the ironmen.

Theon Greyjoy used a plan to capture two cities in a row. At the same time, Deepwood Motte of the Glover family in the Wolfswood was also taken by Asha. When the news spread, the entire North was shaken, and the common people and nobles were all in danger.

Robb Stark stood on the top of the main castle of the Marbrand family in the Crag, watching the cavalry teams gathering everywhere in the city. The flags of the Northern nobles were flying, and the sounds of military orders rose and fell.

His heart was very frustrated and full of hatred. Theon Greyjoy, whom he regarded as a brother, returned to the Iron Islands to persuade Duke Balon to be an ally of the North. Who knew that this brother would take the opportunity to lead ironmen to attack the North and capture his two brothers Bran and Rickon.

Robb's only thought at this time was to return to the North as soon as possible, capture Theon, question him face to face why he betrayed his oath of allegiance, and then hang Theon with his own hands!

Robb's heart was full of anxiety and regret. His mother had reminded him not to trust Greyjoy. He had asked his father about this issue, and his father agreed that he should form an alliance with the Greyjoy family.

Facts proved that both father and son were wrong. His mother Catelyn Tully's worries were right!

The Greyjoy family cannot be trusted!

The accompanying scholar came in a hurry: "Lord Robb, there is an urgent letter." Robb opened the raven letter, which only had a few words: Duke Eddard Stark, the Mint.

The letter was not signed.

In the army, only Robb and Wendel Manderly knew that Eddard Stark was in the army. The person who wrote the letter also knew that Eddard Stark was in the army, so who was this person who wrote the letter?

The content of the letter only had the word Mint.

"Daisy Mormont, find Wendel Manderly and bring him here. I'll wait for him in the study."

"Yes, Lord."

Wendel Manderly hurried into the main castle gate, followed by a group of family guards, each with cloaks dragging on the ground, helmets and masks, long swords and boots, walking like the wind, extremely fierce.

These carefully selected knights and free riders, so well-organized and fierce, attracted attention, because they were protecting a very important person: Duke Eddard Stark.

Eddard Stark also wore a cloak, helmet, and mask, the same attire as the guards. No one knew that the burly man in the guards was the Northern Duke Eddard Stark.

Robb saw Wendel coming in from the top of the building, immediately went downstairs and entered the study.

Soon, Wendel knocked on the door and came in.

"Please let my father in, Ser."

"Yes, Lord."

Eddard Stark entered as Wynton's guard, and as soon as the door closed, Robb stood up, and the two embraced tightly. Wynton stood aside, guarding the two Starks, stationed inside the study door. Outside, were the most loyal knights and free riders of House Wynton.

"There's a letter specifically for you, Father, I think you need to see it." Robb produced the letter.

Eddard removed his helmet and took the letter. There was only one word on it: "Mint."

The Stark family had a fine tradition: to not kill prisoners. When Greatjon Umber withdrew from Castamere, all the workers at the mint were taken as prisoners of war to Branding City.

"The Castamere mint doesn't belong to Tywin Lannister, where are the people from the mint being held?" After Eddard finished reading the letter, he set it alight. The letter curled and turned into black ashes.

"In the dungeons beneath our feet."

"They are just ordinary civilians, release them," Eddard said. "Which of the Westerland nobles knows about the mint?"

"Earl Damon Marbrand."

"Who is imprisoned with him?"

"Sam Corlyff, a scholar."

Thank you [Rudolf Akado] for the small reward, thank you, handshake!