Chapter 18: The Semi-Military Farmstead

Berna Brun of Terror Hollow Keep had once served as a squire to Earl Arryn Stokeworth, who had held the position of Hand of the King under Aegon I.

During the Battle of the Trident in the War of the Usurper, the House of Clegane from the Crab Claw Peninsula and the House of Brun had fought side by side, shedding blood together for Prince Rhaegar Targaryen.

They were both model loyalists of the dragonlords—trusted confidants among trusted confidants.

Under the new Baratheon dynasty, they had fallen into misfortune—suffering among the most miserable.

Perched atop a towering cliff with gates that stood solid and closed, Terror Hollow Keep loomed at a height of at least forty meters. Green decisively abandoned any plans to storm the fortress by force.

Taking such a well-fortified castle using conventional siege methods would come at far too high a cost, Green judged. The path to conquest would inevitably involve siege warfare, and without dragons, Green needed to prepare more unconventional tactics.

At present, Green had no preparations for a siege of Terror Hollow Keep. If an opportunity presented itself, he would seize it; otherwise, he would retreat without hesitation.

He consoled himself: We're all poor lords. Why should the poor make life harder for each other?

"When someone dares to challenge you, respond with iron and blood. But when they kneel to submit, you must lift them with your own hands—otherwise, no one else will ever choose to yield."

Recalling those words, Green turned to Ser Marson and said, "Marson, I leave the next step to you. The ransom for the Brun prisoners will follow the usual customs. For the sake of the days we fought side by side for the Targaryens, we'll let them off this time—but make it clear: there won't be a second chance."

Marson nodded in acknowledgment.

Green then quietly instructed Ser Pell: "Have Aimparo escort the prisoners. Your scouts will stay and continue suppressing the wildling tribes—especially those allied with House Brun. Same as last time: destroy their settlements, relocate their people. The old Clegane lands need farmers."

The semi-military farmsteads that Green envisioned would be spearheaded by Ser Marson in the recently reclaimed territories.

As time passed, Clegane's semi-military farmsteads would spread across all arable land in the eastern Crab Claw Peninsula.

"Yes, my lord."

Green gave a nod of approval and continued, "The wildling tribes near the old Clegane lands have lost their main fighting force. There won't be fierce resistance anymore. But I still expect you to treat each battle seriously. If you encounter capable hunters, recruit them into your scouts. Fight and recruit simultaneously—this is a rare chance to train our men."

Pell said, "Yes, my lord. I will follow your command. As for House Brun—"

Green tugged the reins, guiding his horse to the side. Ser Pell urged his horse forward to ride alongside him.

Riding side by side, Green said, "Pell, speaking with you always puts me at ease. Yes, we may have lost this round, but House Brun won't submit to me. For now, though, there's no force left in the old Clegane lands that can threaten us. It's a good chance to consolidate our gains. Also…"

"Except for the twenty warhorses I selected to take back, all the remaining horses will be assigned to you. The scout corps needs speed more than anyone."

Green turned his head to glance again at Terror Hollow Keep. "Clegane's march cannot stop. We must continue to raid to sustain both old and new territories. Our expansion has been too fast—our farmland can't support all the people."

"The only noble house in the eastern Crab Claw Peninsula that could still trouble us is House Brun—and I won't tolerate that. One Clegane is enough to rule this land."

"Marson will stay to oversee development of the old territory. I'll order him to cooperate with your campaign. Start by targeting the wildling tribes allied with House Brun. I want them isolated and helpless—until they either yield or vanish."

A smile played on Green's lips as he patted Pell's shoulder. "I'll soon be heading to King's Landing. I can't be everywhere, so I'll be relying on you. Fortunately, I have you. Your loyalty and competence have always given me peace of mind."

"Ser Pell, for the glory of Clegane."

With solemn eyes and his palm over his chest, Pell bowed his head. "My blade is forever at your service!"

Monton Waters carried a large round shield on his back, with his warhammer strapped at his waist, currently gnawing on a smoked sausage.

Beside him, Raina sighed. "Fat Mont, don't you ever get full? You've been eating non-stop."

Monton replied with a dopey grin, "Ah, I used to be so scared of being hungry. I could never get enough to eat back then. Things are much better now. Ever since I started following the lord, I've never gone hungry."

Raina rolled her pretty eyes at him. "You've never been full and yet you're still this fat?"

Monton scratched the back of his head, chuckling sheepishly. "Heh heh…"

Raina's eyes sparkled mischievously. "Mont, if you keep eating like this… the lord might punish you for it."

Monton's eyes went wide with panic, dim and lacking a certain spark. "Th-this… I know I have a big appetite. Maybe I should go turn myself in to the lord?"

Raina first let out a snort, then couldn't help but clutch her belly and burst into laughter, leaving Monton even more bewildered.

Fortunately, Green's voice came just in time: "Monton, Raina was joking with you."

Green walked over and gently patted Raina on the top of her head. "He takes things literally."

Raina yelped in pain, crouching down with both hands over her head. Green, expressionless, glanced at his palm.

Suddenly, Monton cried out loudly, tattling: "My lord! Raina's not really hurt! She's faking it! I saw her! She just smiled! I saw it!"

Monton Waters had the instincts of a beast. From the first day he joined Green's ranks, he understood that military discipline was directly tied to his future.

To Monton Waters, Green was the first person who didn't scorn his appetite—and the first to ensure he never went hungry again.

As he continued chewing his food non-stop, Monton had put serious effort into committing the rules to memory with his not-so-bright head.

Earlier, he had simply been frightened by the cunning Raina. But now, he realized that overeating wasn't against the rules, and he naturally had to get even.

Monton stomped in place as he exposed her mercilessly, his large belly wobbling like waves of flesh.

How did this guy suddenly get smart?

Raina, pitifully, said, "Lord Green, I beg for mercy… I…"

Monton scratched his head, unsure—had he gone too far with the payback?

Green waved his hand helplessly. "Go on, just get Monton some more food. He'll forgive you immediately."

King's Landing, a hallway in the Red Keep.

Tyrion Lannister sat on the marble railing lining the corridor, his short legs swinging back and forth.

He held the wine goblet that seemed never to leave his hand, his cheeks tinged red from drink. "Brother, think of something cheerful. You worry too much. Sometimes I wonder if your affection for our dear sister isn't a bit… unhealthy."

Jaime Lannister glanced once more toward Cersei's chambers, still uneasy. With a long sigh, he sat on the railing as well, his handsome face still carrying traces of anger. "King Robert… he's forgotten what honor even means. I can't remember how many times now he's laid a hand on Cersei."

Tyrion scooted closer, patting Jaime's arm. "You have to understand why I stopped you. Getting involved would've only made it worse."

Jaime rubbed his face with both hands in frustration. "Tyrion, you're always the clever and rational one."

Tyrion's gaze deepened, his tone unusually serious. "Our sister thinks she's Tywin with breasts. But she's far from it. Say what you will about Father, but he's always been cold and calculating, like a glacier. Cersei, on the other hand, is like wildfire—once her emotions flare, she burns uncontrollably. Our king and queen are like two firestorms—touch them together, and the flames only get worse."

Jaime let out another deep sigh. "I just want Cersei to live happily."

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🔥 The Throne's Last Flame — A Song Forged in Ice and Wrath 🔥

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