296 AC
The Reach
Months had passed since Garlan returned from Harrenhal. Just as everyone thought the matter had settled, the Old Rose summoned the family members.
The members of House Tyrell were confused, but they gathered respectfully; it was always good for the family to talk.
The Old Rose looked at her son and grandchildren, then had a Servant report on Roman's recent activities at Harrenhal.
When the Servant mentioned Roman building roads on the Crabs Claw Peninsula, Mace said dismissively:
"Building roads for stinking pools and forests? That boy's head is stuffed with flour. Why would he waste money on such a losing venture?"
Olenna looked at her son with some anger. She truly regretted not teaching Mace well back then, to the point where her son had become such a fool.
Noticing the Old Rose's temper, Garlan quickly changed the subject:
"Grandmother, are you referring to the Hean Family gathering the Targaryen Royalists?"
Hearing this, the Old Rose's anger subsided slightly. She rubbed the porcelain in her hand and said:
"Exactly, Garlan. You are much shrewder than your foolish father. That is exactly what I wanted to say. Harrenhal—or rather Roman Rivers's—influence has already spread through the Riverlands and The Crownlands."
"Now, not only can the Tullys no longer control their vassals, but I'm afraid even the iron throne can no longer control the Crabs Claw Peninsula."
Mace's eldest son, Willas, raised a question: "Even so, Roman's actions remain legal. His cooperation with these houses is limited to trade. I'm afraid we cannot yet conclude he has treacherous intentions."
Olenna didn't answer Willas but turned to ask Garlan: "Do you think so too?"
Garlan pondered for a moment before shaking his head: "I don't see it that way. Ser Roman gives off an air of unreality. He is humble, polite, and never raises his voice to others. Aside from his feud with the Dreadfort, he has almost no enemies."
"But it's precisely because of this that I cannot determine his true depths. If he really had no other plans and were loyal to the Tully and the iron throne, why would he have frantically expanded his influence over these past two years?"
The Old Rose, Willas, and Garlan could see Roman's ambition at a glance, stretching from the east of the Gods Eye all the way to the Crabs Claw Peninsula.
You say you only want to do business? Who would believe that?
An innocent man may get into trouble because of his wealth, and Roman was no ordinary man.
The Old Rose pointed out the key issue: "If Harrenhal continues to develop at this rate, it will eventually surpass Riverrun. When that time comes, the liege lord will have to answer to the vassal."
"The focus now is whether the Hean Family will face a crackdown from Riverrun and the iron throne, just like the Manderly Family in the North."
The Old Rose turned to Garlan: "Child, you have seen Harrenhal's strength. Do you think Roman can hold them off?"
Hearing about warfare, Mace also perked up.
Garlan thought back for a moment and said firmly: "If it were only House Tully, they could not shake the Hean Family at all. One would have to act together with the iron throne to defeat Harrenhal, and it would come at a massive cost."
"During my visit, Roman showed me various cities within the Harrenhal territory. His construction of fortifications is bordering on insane. Not only do important towns have walls, but even villages and transport hubs have Strongholds built!"
"Furthermore, Harrenhal's army is different from ours. He can deploy several thousand cavalry for a charge at any time, allowing for both offense and defense within his territory."
What impressed Garlan most about Harrenhal were the Strongholds and the standing army. He still remembered the shock of seeing those thousand cavalrymen lined up in perfect formation.
But Duke Mace had his own ideas: "What kind of troops could a green boy lead? I think he's just putting on an act; otherwise, he wouldn't be so humble to other nobles!"
At this point, "the queen of thorns" could finally take no more. The Old Rose picked up a wooden board nearby and slowly tapped it against Mace's head.
"You have the nerve to speak! Did you not do enough stupid things during the Siege of Storms End?"
Duke Mace desired praise most of all, but he was mediocre, easily angered, and impulsive, earning him the nickname 'Lord Puff Fish.'
Although Mace was the Warden of The Reach, he did not dare cross his mother, the true Master of the South. After being hit, he could only rub his head.
After much discussion, the most important thing now was to see what the iron throne intended.
The Old Rose took out an invitation.
"King Robert has been pressing Roman to host a banquet for some time. He says it was a promise that boy made. So, Harrenhal has begun preparations and sent invitations to nobles across the land."
Olenna paused, looking at her grandchildren, and said:
"Whether Harrenhal is worth befriending depends on this banquet. Willas has difficulty moving, so Garlan and Loras, you two take Margaery to the banquet. Do not let the King be dissatisfied with us."
Hearing that Margaery was to be taken to the Harrenhal banquet, Duke Mace's protective instincts immediately flared up.
"Margaery? No, no, no, Mother, you cannot let her go to such a place. She is meant to be a Queen!"
Willas and Garlan were speechless at these words. It wasn't as if she were going there to get engaged. Besides, the situation in Westeros had already changed; why was he still clinging to the old plan?
Garlan wanted to defend his father, but the Old Rose waved her hand. She no longer held any expectations for her son.
"You two must protect Margaery well. Although there won't be safety issues at Harrenhal, you must also watch out for that Roman boy trying to build a relationship with us prematurely."
"As for you," Olenna looked at Mace, "our Warden of The Reach shall manage The Reach well during this time. We will leave Harrenhal to the children and the other elders."
Whatever the Old Rose decided was the final word. Everyone went about their business with their own thoughts.
After everyone had left, the Old Rose, Olenna, called Margaery back.
Looking at the granddaughter she had raised herself, Olenna stroked Margaery's hair with her rough palm.
"My dear, the main purpose of going to Harrenhal this time is to see what kind of man Roman is. Beyond that, do not agree to anything anyone asks."
Although Margaery was only thirteen at the time, signs of her precocity were already showing.
Moreover, Margaery's wisdom exceeded her appearance. People said she would grow up to be the second 'the queen of thorns.'
"Grandmother, do you need me to test Lord Roman Rivers?"
"No need, my dear. You only need to pretend to be an innocent young girl and interact with Roman normally. Your brothers will handle the other matters."
The Old Rose said earnestly: "Now Harrenhal has connected with both the Starks and the Baratheons, and Roman is young and promising. If we don't keep up with them, The Reach will remain stuck in The Reach. This time, we go to make our faces known."
The Reach had been stuck in The Reach for too long, and the other vassals of The Reach looked down on their liege lord.
House Tyrell gained their position by surrendering the city to please Aegon, while others had stood firm against three dragons during the 'Field of Fire.'
In terms of lineage and seniority, it was not House Tyrell's turn to obtain The Reach; it was only because they had sided with the House of the Dragon.
The Tyrell's power stems from the iron throne, and now they must find a way to return to the center of power.