Under the blue sky and white clouds, golden wheat ears swayed like waves in the wind, shimmering with brilliant light.
Fertile black soil… wide and gentle rivers… hundreds of lakes, large and small… Lord Green, riding on horseback, revealed a joyful expression; he lightly raised a hand, and there was also warm sunlight.
Rena's energetic voice rang out: "My Lord, they say the pumpkins in the Valley are bigger than those in Highgarden, and the fruits here are sweeter."
Crunch, she took a big bite out of the apple in her hand, chewed a few times, swallowed, and then said: "My Lord, the fruit here is so sweet and ripe it bursts in your mouth; I could eat a whole basket in one go."
Green glanced at the small-framed Rena, his eyes full of smiles: "You'll get to eat your fill later."
Rena first chuckled, then suddenly paused, and then her upper body leaned towards Green, lowering her voice: "My Lord, are you going to seize… um… have you set your sights on the land here?"
Green smiled, pulled on the reins, adjusted his horse's direction, and said: "Rena, why are we attacking the Valley?"
Rena clenched one hand and replied: "The Valley people have oppressed us for fifteen years; we are here for revenge, blood for blood."
Green nodded slightly and said: "Then… in another fifteen years, will the Valley people also rise up with hatred in their hearts, just like us?"
Rena blinked her large eyes and said: "Do they have the guts? The men of the Valley are too cowardly; we only fired three volleys, and that tall Moon Gate Castle immediately opened its gates and surrendered."
Moon Gate Castle is located at the foot of the Giant's Lance, surrounded by a moat, and is larger than Eyrie. This castle guards the only road leading to Eyrie.
Green praised: "Well done."
He added: "Hatred will eventually breed the courage for revenge. Kleber will not underestimate any potential enemy."
He added in his mind: For ruling power, after the war is over, we still need to find a way to sit together and feast.
Rena nodded heavily and said: "I will remember, My Lord! Even sheep will butt people; I will give my all every time I kill an enemy."
Green nodded gently, his expression mild, and said: "Have you seen Eyrie?"
Rena shrugged her small shoulders rather helplessly and said: "There's only one very narrow and perilous path to attack up there; I estimate it would take at least half a day to climb… and it's guarded by three fortresses (Grave Cliff Castle, Snow Mountain Castle, and Long Sky Castle)…"
As she spoke, she couldn't help but sigh, then her tone changed, and she said indignantly: "How could House Arryn live in a place like that? I think it looks more like a prison built on a mountaintop."
Green's eyes flickered, and he said: "A cold and pale prison, that's a good idea, Rena."
Rena looked at her Lord with a puzzled expression and said: "What good idea… did I really think of it? How come I don't know?"
Before Green could reply, she couldn't resist her curiosity and asked in a low voice: "My Lord, will this place become Kleber's new territory?"
… … … …
… … … …
Maiden's Tower is the easternmost of Eyrie's seven towers, thus offering the best view. Under the morning light, forests, rivers, and fields lazily appeared, and light shimmered on the mountaintops, like countless legendary pyramids.
Petyr Baelish stood on the white stone carved balcony of the Maiden's Tower, seemingly able to overlook the entire Valley.
His hair had grown much grayer, and at this moment, he was gazing outwards… Six hundred feet directly below was Long Sky Castle, and then countless carved stone steps formed a winding path through Snow Mountain Castle and Grave Cliff Castle, all the way down to Moon Gate Castle.
Petyr's grey-green eyes trembled… Moon Gate Castle's towers and fortifications were as tiny as Joffrey's toys, as if he could stomp them flat with a single step.
"Hmph!" Petyr suddenly let out a mocking laugh. The guards of Moon Gate Castle had surrendered directly, and the sworn knights remaining in Eyrie were truly reliable.
"Greene Kleber…" This made him lose a favorable bargaining chip in negotiations.
His fist suddenly slammed onto the intricately carved railing. He had never dreamed of such an unexpected outcome, but it was a fact he had to accept.
Less than ten thousand soldiers from Fingers Peninsula had almost without loss defeated over thirty thousand Valley troops, and it was said that none survived.
Was Petyr angered by Kleber's atrocities? No, he was more angered by the stupidity of the Vale Noble. If they couldn't win, why didn't they flee?
Was it for the so-called knightly honor that they chose to fight to the death without retreating? If Valley Knight valued honor so much, then what about Moon Gate Castle? Why did it so easily abandon its honor?!
They were all dead, not only the True Justice League, but also the Alliance of the Righteous members he had painstakingly bribed in secret.
Now, he had almost no cards left to play.
Blood Gate… Joffrey… Catelyn… Thinking of the woman he loved, Petyr's eyes flickered.
After standing for a while longer, Petyr slowly took a breath. He straightened his clothes, and his usual elegant expression gradually returned to his face.
He had a hunch that Greene Kleber had set his sights on his life; it was very dangerous.
Turning around, Petyr walked away with his hands behind his back.
… … … …
Knock, knock, knock, Petyr raised his hand and knocked on the door. Without waiting for a response from inside, he pushed the door open and entered.
Catelyn Tully was by the window, her back to him.
Seeing her ignore his presence, Petyr said in a teasing tone: "Catelyn, no offense, I've already suffered three assassination attempts from you, please don't mind my precaution."
He spread his hands, smiling broadly, and said: "At least, I knocked before coming in."
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