Chapter 5
"Okay, that's enough."
Early the next morning, Earl Randyll stopped the eldest son at the gate of Highgarden City.
Samwell stopped and said with a smile,
"Father, brother, take care on the way."
Dickon stepped forward and gave Samwell a bear hug, saying, "Brother, remember to visit me often at Horn Hill!"
Samwell recalled his father's warning about not returning, causing the corners of his mouth to twitch. Nevertheless, he managed to nod perfunctorily at his brother.
Lord Randyll allowed Dickon and the guards to go ahead while he stayed behind. Upon noticing this, Samwell realized that his father still had something to say.
After a moment of silence, Earl Randyll spoke up: "Beware of the women of House Tyrell."
Samwell was taken aback by his father's warning. Before he could respond, Earl Randyll continued, "They are very smart, but they often can't see where they are."
Having said his piece, Earl Randyll turned around and left without any further explanation.
Samwell stood thoughtfully as he watched his father and his party fade into the distance.
Initially, when Samwell watched the TV series, he didn't pay much attention to Earl Randyll, only recalling that the other party was a skilled fighter. However, after this encounter, Samwell realized that the Lord of Horn Hill was much more complex and had a deeper hidden nature.
This person was not known for his cunning or deception, and had never engaged in the game of thrones for the Iron Throne. He appeared to be nothing more than a loyal and powerful enforcer under the command of House Tyrell.
However, upon reflection, Samwell realized that the seemingly low-key Earl Randyll in the show had quietly ascended to the Council, becoming the Minister of Justice for the kingdom.
A person like Earl Randyll must possess more than just combat skills.
Samwell realized that his father's warning was likely prompted by something the "Queen of Thorns" Olenna said at the banquet the previous night.
Despite Earl Randyll having given up on his eldest son, he still did not want Samwell to fall prey to the machinations of the women in House Tyrell.
In truth, even without Earl Randyll's warning, Samwell would have remained vigilant.
Samwell is well aware that the men of House Tyrell are relatively lacking in political acumen, while the women, particularly the grandmother and granddaughter, Olenna "Queen of Thorns" and Margaery "Rose of Highgarden," are significant players in the game of power.
They have undoubtedly hatched a plan this time.
Nonetheless, Samwell remains unfazed. He is familiar with the plot's direction and the temperament and aspirations of the Tyrell women. In contrast, they likely perceive him as nothing more than a cowardly reject, disowned by his biological father.
This kind of information difference is his opportunity! Thinking of this, Samwell packed up his mood and returned to the castle.
Led by the maid, he came to a courtyard where "Queen of Thorns" Olenna was waiting for him.
As soon as he entered the door, Samwell found that Margaery was there.
This "High Garden Rose" was standing among the rose bushes, holding a freshly cut golden rose in her slender white hands, and inserting it into the half-finished flower basket.
At that moment, Margaery appeared completely engrossed in her task, her attention fixed on the rose bushes as she carefully arranged the golden roses in the basket. Her straight nose and slightly pursed lips gave her a demure and alluring air, and despite standing in a far corner of the courtyard, she seemed to radiate a magnetic presence that drew all eyes towards her.
As soon as she heard Samwell's footsteps, Margaery turned towards him with a smile, holding up the flower basket to show him.
"Sam, what do you think of this flower basket I made?" .
Samwell thumped his chest and said, "It's as beautiful as you!"
Margaery responded, "Then I will give it to you, my knight," and handed him the flower basket. Samwell quickly took it and bowed his head in thanks, unable to meet Margaery's gaze.
Together, they walked into the gazebo in the courtyard where Olenna was drinking honey flower tea. Upon seeing Samwell, Olenna smiled and extended her hand.
"Please have a seat, young knight," Olenna said with a smile.
Samwell stepped forward to salute before taking a seat opposite Olenna.
"What can I do for you, dear Mrs. Olenna?" Samwell asked.
"I want to discuss the direction of your development,. If you don't have a goal yet, you can listen to my suggestions."
"Please tell me," said Samwell eagerly .
Olenna spread out a prepared map on the table and drew a circle on it, saying, "I suggest you try to develop here."
Samwell gazed intently at the location Olenna pointed to. It was impressively situated in the southern region of the Reach, at the western foothills of the Red Mountains, on the north shore of the Sea of Summer, near the mouth of the Turbulent River.
After a moment of contemplation, Samwell rubbed his chin and asked humbly, "Madam, may I ask why you suggest that I go there to develop?"
Olenna took a sip of her tea and smiled before saying, "The undeveloped areas in the Reach are mostly near the Red Mountains. However, the location I recommended to you is near the mouth of the Turbulent River, which will be advantageous for future navigation and trade."
Samwell nodded, but his expression showed hesitation. "But Madam, the Red Mountains have many high and steep peaks, making it inconvenient to build a castle there."
With a slight smile, Olenna responded, "Have you forgotten where Casterly Rock City and Eagle's Nest City were built? While building a city in the mountains may present challenges, once it's constructed, it becomes much easier to defend. Additionally, there are a large number of free people living in the Red Mountains. They are hostile to the nobles of the river and refuse to become a part of our territory. But if you can gain their support, you won't have to worry about the population of the territory."
Samwell knew that the "free folk" Olenna spoke of were actually the wildlings living in the Red Mountains. They were descendants of the Andals and ancestors, with dark skin and short stature. Rejecting the control of the lords, they hid in the vast Red Mountains and formed primitive tribes. They lived by gathering and hunting, and often descended from the mountains to raid nearby villages and towns.
The lords of the Reach have attempted numerous times to exterminate these wildlings near the Red Mountains, but all efforts have failed. After all, the Red Mountain Range is vast, and the savages can easily hide within it. As soon as the lord's army leaves, the wildlings emerge to loot wantonly, causing great frustration.
These savages, who hold hostility towards the Riverbend people, pose a significant obstacle to Samwell's development plans. However, according to Olenna, if Samwell can manage to subdue these wildlings, they could become the primary source of population in the new territory.
Samwell rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment, wearing a look of timidity. "But ma'am," he said, "I'm worried that if I go there, those ferocious savages in the Red Mountains will tear me apart before I can establish myself."
"The Tarly family has always been rich in excellent fighters, and I believe you will not let me down," replied Olenna before Samwell could speak. "Don't worry, the Tyrell family has always wanted to gain control over those savages. If you accept my suggestion, I will select a hundred soldiers from the family guard to accompany you." Samwell's eyes immediately lit up, and he swallowed the words he had planned to refuse.
After seeing the location Olenna had pointed out, Samwell had a preliminary idea about the "Queen of Thorns" plan. She wanted to use and control him, but Samwell was not willing to rely solely on the power of the Tyrell family to establish his territory.
But at this point, the one hundred soldiers offered by Olenna were crucial to his success. Of course, if he could have more soldiers, it would be even better. So, Samwell timidly asked, "Madam, one hundred soldiers... Is that too few?"
Olenna became a bit impatient, "Too few? In the distant Heroic Era, when 'Green Hand' Gars came to Highgarden to establish his rule, he didn't have a hundred soldiers with him!"
Margaery, seeing the situation, intervened and said, "Sam, I believe in your abilities. You can certainly establish a territory there. How about this, I have some personal savings which I can use them to support you."
Margaery handed Samwell a dark green money bag, which he touched and felt the weight. He put on a look of determination and promised to live up to the expectations of Olenna and Margaery.
Satisfied with Samwell's response, Olenna ordered the housekeeper to prepare five golden tail shrimps for him to take away, which Samwell accepted without hesitation.
After Samwell left, Margaery sat down beside her grandmother, affectionately hugging her arm and asking, "Grandma, why did you send Sam there to develop the territory?"
"If you don't even understand what I'm doing, how can you use your own savings?" Olenna retorted.
Margaery playfully shook her grandmother's arm and replied, "Cooperating with you to complete the plan is what I should do. As for the plan itself, it doesn't matter. I trust you know what you're doing."
"You sly little thing!" Olenna smiled and playfully tapped her granddaughter's nose. "Now, try to guess my intention."
Margaery glanced at the map and asked, "Is it for Dorne?"
"Very clever," Olenna replied, nodding in satisfaction.
"But why didn't you send a brave knight to pioneer instead of someone like Samwell?" Margaery asked.
"It's a crucial location, but it's also an infertile land with the constant threat of savage attacks and proximity to Dorne. Conventional development methods won't work, so I need to resort to less honorable means under the Tarly family's name of abandoning a son. It's a bit vague, but that's the only way," Olenna explained.
Margaery furrowed her eyebrows. "But, grandma, isn't it wrong to use the Tarly family like this?"
Olenna shook her head. "Without our support, he wouldn't be able to complete the development alone. Of course, our help comes at a cost, and he'll have to pay for it."
She gazed out at the lush courtyard before them and let out a long sigh. "The prettier the rose, the sharper its thorns. If I don't take action, can I really count on your foolish father to do so?"