Mace Tyrell's troubled expression immediately vanished, and he said with a relaxed tone, "Margaery, you can rest assured and wait to wear the crown of the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms; your grandmother and I will arrange everything."
Margaery's deer-like eyes were full of adoration for her father: "In front of you, I feel like an ungrown child. May the Gods bless you."
Duke Mace narrowed his eyes and stroked his beard, saying, "Margaery, Father will always support you and be your strong backing."
His hand, stroking his beard, suddenly paused, and he murmured, "Lady Olenna warned me not to disturb her before entering King's Landing... Hmm... She's still angry about Renly's matter... I need to find a good excuse..."
Margaery looked at her father, who was talking to himself, her lips curving slightly, and she softly said, "Father, I don't know when the war will end; I miss grandmother so much."
As her words fell, the majestic Duke of Highgarden suppressed the urge to slap his thigh. He paused, then said with relief, "My Margaery, you are a good child. I think your grandmother must miss you too; she loves you the most."
He rose from his chair: "I'll take you back to Highgarden. We'll prepare a bit and then depart."
Margaery's large eyes blinked, and she asked, "Father, can we leave? What about the army here?"
Duke Mace waved his large hand, saying indifferently, "It's just tens of thousands of soldiers. I'll leave Garlan (his second son) behind."
He stroked his beard and said with emotion, "The Gods bless us, Garlan has recovered well. He practices wielding his sword with his left hand all day. The instructor Greene sent you is very good (Chapter 152). He's truly a good child."
Margaery walked over and linked her arm through her father's, her beautiful eyes curving into crescents, and she said, "Father, it seems House Tyrell needs to help Kleber."
Duke Mace laughed heartily and said, "You are all good children. I am proud of you."
He paused, then patted his daughter's hand, saying, "If I stay here, I'm a bit worried that the Old Lion might overthink things and affect the battle for King's Landing. When he knows I'm going to Highgarden, he'll be able to deal with Stannis with peace of mind."
He added, "Your grandmother was right; with Lannister's inherent flaws, there will be no steadfast allies."
Margaery's eyes trembled slightly, and she showed a sweet smile, saying, "Father, you have keen insight. I will remember it."
Clang, clang, clang... In a training ground at the camp, Garlan Tyrell and a bald old swordsman were sparring, their swords clashing constantly with piercing metallic sounds.
"Oh, my son, the valiant Garlan."
Hearing his father's voice, Ser Garlan's left hand moved, parrying the old swordsman's sword, and he said, "Let's rest for a bit."
He took the towel handed to him by a servant and wiped the sweat from his face. After losing his right arm (Chapter 148), though he knew he now needed others to serve him, he still adhered to his old habits.
"Good day, Father, Margaery." Ser Garlan's somewhat aloof face showed a faint smile.
Duke Mace nodded and said kindly, "It seems it won't be long until I see you galloping on a warhorse. Truly, the Gods bless us."
Garlan touched the hilt of the sword at his waist and said, "Father, the Riverlands of the Golden Rose don't lack my valiant sword."
Duke Mace was slightly startled, and he comforted him, "Garlan, my son, you are always the sharpest sword of House Tyrell. I believe in you."
Margaery's eyes were moist as she gently nodded, saying, "Brother, in my heart, and in everyone's heart, you are the mighty Ser Garlan."
Ser Garlan smiled and shook his head, saying, "Father, Sister, you both misunderstood. My point is that when the Seven Kingdoms are in chaos, one sword can't do much. The Golden Rose needs a famous general like Randyll even more."
He paused, then continued, "I heard about that duel in the Valley, and I feel even more that one sword cannot sway a war... Ha, thousands of archers defeating tens of thousands of cavalry, I can't even imagine how he did it... Father!"
His gaze became eager: "Rumor has it that Count Kleber personally admitted he learned a lot from you. Is that true?"
Duke Mace stroked his beard and said with emotion, "Greene is a clever child; I like him, so I taught him my art of war."
Upon hearing this, Ser Garlan immediately knelt on one knee, his voice filled with earnestness: "Father, I request your guidance, and I also request that you let me lead troops in battle."
As Duke Mace helped his son up, he felt a bit hesitant... He actually also needed a splendid victory, and on the way here, he thought of a better target than Storms End: Brightwater Keep in the Riverlands.
House Florent of Brightwater Keep, as a vassal of House Tyrell, had defected entirely to Stannis. So, after the battle for King's Landing, he could legitimately conquer that place.
Looking at Garlan's empty right arm, Duke Mace sighed... Never mind, I'll give this achievement to my son.
Anyway, his original plan was to grant Brightwater Keep to Garlan as his fief after conquering it... So be it.
And as for himself... there was still Storms End!
Duke Mace patted Ser Garlan's shoulder and said, "I promise you, my son, once the fighting in King's Landing is over, I will let you lead troops into battle."
Iron Oaks, located by the lake, had only one large stone bridge as its land "passage." Greene Kleber used his old trick, having over 80 Cleber Soldiers disguise themselves as Alliance of the Righteous soldiers to try and trick open the gate. However, when crossing the stone bridge connecting to the city gate, they were discovered by Ser Morton Waynwood, the heir of Iron Oaks, and the attempt ended in failure.
The cost of a frontal assault with soldiers was too high. Greene, while ordering Impa to lead the main force towards Eyrie, arranged for his soldiers to take turns insulting the enemy outside the city gate, attempting to provoke them and draw them out of the castle.
From morning till night, one day... two days... three days... the gates of Iron Oaks remained completely still.
On the fourth day, Greene suddenly had an idea and used a trebuchet to "send" a dress into Iron Oaks. Then... the gates of Iron Oaks suddenly opened, and Lady Anya's three sons, with bloodshot eyes, led their cavalry surging out.
Ser Morton Waynwood, Lady Anya's eldest son and heir of Iron Oaks, roared from his galloping warhorse, "For Count Waynwood!"
Ser Donnel Waynwood, Lady Anya's second son, roared, "Kill Kleber!"
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