The Mountain of Ice and Fire

Lord Rossby was old and had been in poor health for many years, but he just wouldn't die. Precisely because of his frail health, he actually had no direct descendants. He had an adopted son, as well as nephews and nieces, all of whom had some claim to his inheritance.

This old earl, who gasped for breath when he walked and coughed when he spoke, this old man who could choke and stop breathing at any moment because of a cough, had not made a will designating an heir.

This reflected the old man's dissatisfaction with his adopted son and nephews and nieces.

Faced with Jaime's sudden 'passing the buck,' Lord Rossby first gave a forced smile. Facing the Mountain's aggressive dominance, he had no intention of fighting back at all. Tyrion Lannister had an accurate assessment of Giles Rossby: "Too weak to run, too cowardly to fight!"

"Lord Mountain, you jest," Lord Rossby said with a smile. "This is the Queen Mother's Ballroom in Maegor's Holdfast. You can't say you want to kill my nephew in front of the Queen Mother, the King, and the Hand. A life for a life, that's the basic law."

The sickly earl's words were skillful! He said them with a smile!

"Earl, what are you babbling about? Are you withdrawing from this engagement or not?" The Mountain was not a kind man, and his aggressive tone was simply his true nature. Judging by the Mountain's appearance, something terrible would definitely happen if they didn't withdraw. The Mountain's subordinate officers and soldiers were all bandits and rogues, who killed without blinking an eye. Even if they didn't kill, they could tie up his nephew, cut off his hands or feet, or cut out his tongue, poke out his eyes, and fabricate rumors that he owed gambling debts and was being hunted down... Lord Rossby imagined some dangerous and bloody scenes in his mind, and his heart filled with fear... All the fierce bandits and rogues in King's Landing had been unified by Bronn, and the Mountain was the boss of these scum...

The Mountain glared at Lord Rossby!

Lord Rossby glanced at Jaime Lannister, feeling very troubled. Jaime wanted him to take the blame, and the Mountain wanted to smash his pot. What the hell was he supposed to do?

Giles Rossby looked towards the Queen Mother, hoping she would intervene, but the dignified and resolute Queen Mother raised her wine glass and drank the wine inside, the glass conveniently blocking the earl's plea for help... Cold sweat broke out on Lord Rossby's back and forehead...

A light laugh broke the deadlock. The voice came from Bronn: "Lord Mountain, Ser Jaime is just joking. Rosamund Lannister is not engaged to Lord Rossby's nephew. Lord Rossby, isn't that right?"

"Yes, yes, yes, hehehe, cough cough cough..." Lord Rossby felt relieved and took the opportunity to step down. He coughed for a while, then stood up and walked to the other side to take out a silk handkerchief to wipe away the phlegm.

This was a muddle-headed old man. Jaime knew he had chosen the wrong person. As long as Lord Rossby didn't admit it, or was ambiguous, or simply smiled foolishly, he could refuse the Mountain.

But now, Rossby had followed Bronn's words and said 'Yes, yes, yes, hehehe, cough cough cough.' Jaime felt like he had a mouthful of old blood stuck in his throat. If it were Tyrion, he would never have chosen Lord Rossby to take such blame...

Jaime had the quick wit, but he chose the wrong person!

The Mountain looked at Jaime, and Jaime stared back at the Mountain. Lord Mace smiled and said: "Lord Mountain, Ser Jaime is just joking. Rosamund Lannister is having a good time playing with Myrcella Baratheon on the lawn outside. I bet they're looking at your dragon."

The Sheepstealer had arrived at the godswood lawn, being taken care of by the Mountain's guard cavalry, and was roasting goats.

The Mountain stared at Jaime and said slowly: "Rosamund Lannister's father, Lord Addam Lannister, was my friend when he was alive. We ran a noodle shop together, and the noodle shop was named after Lord Addam. We also fought together, fighting against the enemy together. We were close friends and allies who talked about everything. After Lord Addam was unfortunately shot and killed by the Iron Islands' Euron Crow's Eye, I decided to take care of his daughter for my old friend. Ser Jaime, Rosamund should go home. A girl, she has to go home sooner or later. I am the Warden of the West, and Lannisport cannot be without a true lord."

Jaime had a thousand words in his heart, but he found that he couldn't say a word. He couldn't say, 'Mountain, you can't annex Lannisport, I will never agree.' But the Mountain was proposing a marriage, not annexing Lannisport. His excuse just now had been exposed by both Bronn and Rossby, his face had been slapped, and his sharpness had been frustrated!

"If the two young people find each other suitable, I think a marriage could also... be considered!" Mace Tyrell said with a smile, offering a package of rotten medicine.

Lannisport was not the territory of the Tyrell family. It was not a bad thing for the Mountain and the Lannisters to be at odds. Who ultimately controlled Lannisport was of no interest to the Tyrell family. As long as the Mountain's gaze didn't target the Reach's forces and territory.

Mace was happy to see the Mountain and Jaime have a disagreement!

Jaime looked at Mace. This idiot, a veritable puffed-up fish, whose side was he on?

"That's settled then. Queen Mother, when my son is born, and the Queen also has a daughter, we will marry them. If everyone has sons or daughters, then as the Queen Mother said, we will exchange them and adopt them as our own. But before that, let's start the marriage between the Lannister and Clegane families with Rosamund and Comm!" The Mountain announced, "The Clegane family is honored to be able to marry into the Lannister family."

Cersei looked at Jaime, who tasted bitterness. If they didn't agree to the marriage, they couldn't find enough reasons to refuse. The Mountain's personality was such that insufficient reasons had no effect on him, and besides, the marriage between the two great families had been proposed by their side.

Jaime had never thought that the Mountain would have the idea of marrying Rosamund. He realized that in this regard, he and Cersei combined were not as good as the Mountain. If his father were here, he would have taken precautions and married Rosamund off in advance.

In fact, according to the tradition of noble marriages, Jaime could say that Comm Warner was not a noble, but it was too easy for the Mountain, now a duke, to bestow a knighthood. He could also simply allocate a piece of land to Comm, making Comm legitimately a so-called noble. In reality, Comm Warner was the chief of the Warner tribe on the Claw Isle, not without background or strength. Although the young man followed the Mountain, he was always protected by the warriors of his tribe.

Margaery Tyrell interjected with a smile: "Lord Mountain, Ser Jaime, Rosamund is still young. We can postpone the marriage and discuss it later. Let's talk about the most important military situation first. Lord Mountain, you have tamed a dragon for the kingdom, increased the kingdom's strength, and given us powerful combat power and confidence. I agree with the Queen Mother's and the King's opinions. They have discussed rewarding your achievements with honor."

"Oh?!" The Mountain said.

Margaery gently shifted the topic of marriage away, putting it aside for now, which was indeed the smartest way. Cersei and Jaime both secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but this was only an appearance. The Mountain was no longer the reckless brute he used to be. He was still fierce, but his mind was clear!

Cersei smiled: "Gregor, in order for you to fully handle the military affairs at the front, conscript the stubborn Vale people, and subdue the rebellious Northmen, the King will grant you the titles of Warden of the North and Warden of the East."

After Cersei finished speaking, everyone showed congratulatory smiles, as if some major and thorny problem had been solved!

However, the Mountain did not show the satisfaction that everyone hoped to see, which put a chill on the relaxed atmosphere. After a brief moment of discomfort, Queen Mother Cersei quickly recovered from her embarrassment. She looked at Bronn. Since the master of whisperers was the Mountain's man, then the Mountain must have known everything about being granted the titles of warden beforehand.

This lost the effect of 'surprise'!

"Lord Mountain, the position of Warden is the highest official position with full authority over all political, military, trade, and livelihood matters within the territory," Grand Maester Qyburn 'pointed out' the royal family's grace to the Mountain.

The Mountain shrugged, as if these two positions were not very attractive to him: "Grand Maester, the North is already independent. Is the King granting me the title of Warden of the North to make me go to war with the Starks?"

Qyburn remained calm and wore a harmonious smile: "Lord Mountain, after the war with the Others is over, you can take the opportunity to subdue the North and return it to King Tommen's rule, and not disappoint your glory as Warden of the North." The Grand Maester's words were actually meant for Cersei and Jaime.

The suggestion to grant the Mountain the position was his, and he wanted to prove his 'selflessness'.

"Mountain, the position of Warden of the East is not a nominal one. The Vale has not participated in the civil war, and its soldiers are well-trained and its food is plentiful. With the position of Warden of the East, you have surpassed the power of life and death that you wanted," Jaime said coldly.

"The Vale has already sworn allegiance!" The Mountain said indifferently. "Petyr Baelish has also become the Protector of the Vale as he wished. No one will welcome a Warden of the East anymore." Although the Mountain had indeed gotten a great advantage, he could not admit it.

Once the position of Warden of the East was officially appointed, the Mountain could take the opportunity to bring the Vale under his control! Using public office for private gain, enriching himself, taking the opportunity to develop and cultivate his own power, and eliminate dissidents. Once the Vale people complained, he would naturally publicize that this was the King's order, and the Lannisters would take the blame.

However, the profitable Warden of the East and the power of life and death that the Mountain wanted were still very different.

The power of life and death that the Mountain wanted was aimed at the nobles of the whole country, while the Warden of the East was only useful to the Vale. There were too many nobles with so-called noble blood in the kingdom. The Mountain wanted to send them to the North to fight the Others, but these people would definitely not volunteer, and would inevitably make all kinds of excuses. But as long as the Mountain had the power to kill them, they would obediently listen.

The Vale had actually been politically conquered by the Mountain and Littlefinger. The position of Warden of the East could be regarded as icing on the cake, not a helping hand in the snow.

The Mountain's goal of conscripting troops nationwide and having the power of life and death was actually aimed at the Reach, the Tyrell family, which had preserved its greatest strength.

The Reach had the largest population in the Seven Kingdoms, the largest food reserves, the largest military strength, and the greatest wealth among its people and nobles... It was the richest and most powerful place, but it lacked a true leader... There used to be a famous general, Randyll Tarly, but after Randyll Tarly was killed by the Mountain, the Reach no longer had a general who could stand alone...

The Mountain originally wanted to conscript troops in the Reach, so that he could send the Reach people up as cannon fodder in advance, weaken the Tyrell family's strength, and preserve his own legion's strength. However, because Daenerys was about to invade, Cersei and Mace had found enough reasons not to go north.

The Mountain believed in Melisandre. Melisandre told him that the military situation in the North was urgent, and there was not much time left for the Mountain to argue with these people. Melisandre meant that the war must be ended in the long summer or the short autumn, and the Others must be strangled in the North. They could not let the Others destroy the North and then move south, and they could not drag the war into the long winter. Once the Others destroyed the North, or the war was dragged into the winter season, the Night King's wight warriors would be too numerous and their combat power would soar. At that time, the human race would have almost no chance of winning.

Being able to get the position of Warden of the East first, so as to legitimately command the Vale, and then join forces with the North, the Mountain decided to stop there. He could not provoke the complete hostility and disgust of the royal family and the Tyrells from the beginning, after all, he had not really thought about rebelling.

If he wanted to walk the path of a king, the time must be ripe, and the nobles and subordinates must beg him to do it. He must first decline, and then reluctantly agree, rather than forcibly fight for it himself. This was a lesson to be learned.

Although the atmosphere in the Queen Mother's Ballroom was strange, it was generally harmonious. After an hour, all kinds of delicacies and world-famous wines were brought up like flowing water. Everyone seemed to forget the intrigue and calculations of each other's interests, and raised their glasses together, enjoying themselves.

Before long, the King and Queen were overwhelmed by the wine and took their leave. The Queen Mother was also overwhelmed by the wine and went down to rest. The remaining men competed with each other in drinking. After an hour, everyone was almost drunk. The Mountain also drank until his tongue was thick, and Jaime even fell drunk on the ground. The Grand Maester, the Hand, the Commander of the City Watch, and others were all carried away by the servants. Finally, only Bronn, Jaime, and the Mountain were left in the Queen Mother's Ballroom.

Jaime Lannister's messy beard looked particularly vicissitudes and had a masculine charm. He opened his eyes, got up, poured wine, his steps were no longer swaying, and there was no drunkenness in his eyes. He walked steadily, holding his wine glass and came to the Mountain: "Mountain, I know you are not drunk."

"I also know you are pretending to be drunk." The Mountain's eyes also lit up, and all the drunkenness disappeared.

Only Bronn was still趴在桌子上, snoring, not sure if it was intentional or not!

"Let's be clear, you want to control Lannisport, the wealthiest city in the West. You have great ambitions, constantly plotting territories and control. Dragonstone, Castamere, Tarbeck Hall, Clegane's Keep, Claw Isle, the Vale of Arryn, the Iron Islands, and now you are aiming at Lannisport. Mountain, I have known you for more than thirty years. Tell me, where is your final destination?"

Jaime's words were like a bright blade!

Only the two of them were facing each other here, and Jaime spoke clearly, without any pretense! He didn't know if this was foolish or brave! If it were Tyrion, he would never have said such words or done such things!

The Mountain poured himself a glass of wine. The two glasses gently touched each other, making a ding sound. The two drank it all in one gulp at the same time.

"I don't want to kill you, Jaime!" The Mountain put down his glass and said, "Honestly, you are a true warrior. Never say the words you just asked me a second time, don't make me kill you."

Jaime chuckled, pouring more wine for both the Mountain and himself. He handed a glass to the Mountain, and with a light clink, they touched glasses again. Jaime downed his in one gulp, saying, "Let's be frank, Mountain. You want to control Lannisport, the wealthiest city in the Westerlands. You have quite the ambition, constantly scheming for territory and control. Dragonstone, Castamere, Tarbeck Hall, Clegane's Keep, the Claw, the Vale, the Iron Islands, and now you're eyeing Lannisport. Mountain, I've known you for over thirty years. Tell me, where does it end?"

Jaime stared at the Mountain, once again drawing his blade with words!

He knew the Mountain had a sword, capable of cleaving his head in one blow!

The Mountain glanced towards the door. Through the glass, he could see four Kingsguard standing watch, their eyes fixed on him: the valiant Garlan Tyrell, the sword-and-arrow master Barristan Selmy, the two-meter tall Little Mountain, Osmund Kettleblack, and the handsome and elegant Ser Arys Oakheart. Conspicuously absent were the Goodbrook brothers, whom he had recommended.

The Queen Mother's Ballroom: five swords against one!