Just when "Cleftjaw" Dagmer was frowning and feeling that he and the entire Iron Islands army were in a deadlock, the curtain of the tent was violently opened.
A soaked Ironborn messenger rushed in. He did not carry a weapon, but held up House Greyjoy's token to identify himself.
"Cleftjaw"Dagmer strangely took over the token of Maron. Greyjoy. Looking at the strange Ironborn, his voice was so excited that he trembled and even floated:
"Dagmer Captain!"
"On the orders of Master Maron. Greyjoy, I am here to invite you to a grand banquet!"
Hearing the name Maron. Greyjoy, Dagmer finally showed a trace of relaxation on his ferocious face. "
Maron? Why?"
Ironborn Messenger tremblingly took out a roll of parchment carefully wrapped in oilcloth from his soaked arms and handed it to Dagmer:
"This is the oath of House Grell! Captain! Master Maron succeeded!"
"He "persuaded" Lord Damon. Grell, House Grell is willing... He is willing to publicly bow his knee to Iron Islands and King Balon!"
Dagmer was stunned. He took Blood Oath. The paleness and gloominess on his face was like ice and snow melted by the scorching sun, which was instantly replaced by a flush of ecstasy. He told the messenger that he would definitely attend the celebration banquet of little Maron. The messenger bowed and left.
He held the parchment tightly, his knuckles turning white from the exertion. On his face, which was torn by old wounds and always looked hideous and twisted, the muscles slowly twitched, and finally a terrifying smile broke out.
Next to him, Bloody Hair Hal's eyes almost popped out of his head. He had never seen Dagmer like this since he fell to Oldstones, not to mention that he had been hit hard one after another.
Dagmer noticed Hal's shock, but did not get angry. Like a father showing off his son in front of his friends, he patted the letter and the pledge of allegiance in his hand into Hal's arms. He was in Iron Islands's status is very special. He does not have his own island or long ship, so he is not qualified to lead an army alone. However, he is a member of Pyke and one of Balon. Greyjoy's most trusted confidants.
King Balon's sons, except for the brutal Roderick, the remaining Maron and the young Theon, almost all were raised by him and cared for by him. He taught them how to swing an ax and how to stand firm on the bumpy deck. He had an almost father-like affection for those two children.
Now, Maron, who has been living in the shadow of his brother during this war, has finally made his own contribution in this war. How can he not be happy from the bottom of his heart?
He laughed loudly and slammed his clenched fists on the wooden table, making a dull thumping sound, "Look! Hal! Give me a good look at this!"
"Maron! Well done! So fucking beautiful!"
Bloody Hair Hal held the oath, looked at it repeatedly, and struggled to identify the elegant but servile words and sentences that Greenland people liked. This was a letter of allegiance to Blood Oath, sworn in the name of Old Gods and Seven, the form of contract that Greenland people valued most. Every word exuded the atmosphere of submission, and every stroke outlined a humble posture.
The ancient families of House Grell and Riverlands are willing to openly offer their loyalty to the king of Iron Islands, Balon. Greyjoy. This thing is enough to serve as ironclad evidence and handle for House Grell to openly surrender. As long as House Grell is exposed, it is a crime of treason.
Riverlands was the first family to publicly surrender allegiance to Iron Islands. Hal's voice was trembling with excitement. "Sir...
. This is true!"
Dagmer's pale cheeks turned sickly rosy, and he stood up from the chair suddenly, pacing back and forth in the small tent, muttering over and over again:
"Great! Great!"
"As long as House Grell surrenders openly! There will be a second! A third! King Balon's plan...
. It's right! It's always been right!"
He suddenly stopped and turned to Hal, with a deep light shining in his eyes. "Hal, my brother, do you know why we have been unable to open the situation?"
But before Hal could answer, he continued speaking on his own, his voice was very low but full of power.
"Because of brutality! Because most of us! All we can think about is looting and Iron Price!"
"King Balon needs more than gold and women! What he needs is land! It's rule!"
"But what did we do! We burned their villages! We stole their food! We desecrated their churches!!"
"We don't respect these Riverlands nobles! We treat them like lambs to be slaughtered! That's why they will fight to the death!"
As a rare rationalist among Ironborn, Dagmer knows that pure violence cannot win long-term victory and establish rule. King Balon needs a political breakthrough, a fulcrum that can leverage the entire Riverlands.
"Now! Maron did it! He made House Grell publicly surrender!"
"This will be a demonstration! A living example!"
"Tell all Riverlands cowards! Be loyal to Iron Islands! Your castle will not be sacked! Your wives and daughters will not be insulted! We will be their friends! Their allies!"
He waved his fists excitedly, as if he had seen the future:
"Without a doubt!! House Grell's surrender! This is our chance!"
"We want to turn House Grell! into a demonstration! We want to show it to all Riverlands! and even all Westeros! Ironborn! can also respect our friends!"
"We can be kind and gentle! We can be allies! Be brothers! Serve together under the banner of King Balon!"
Having said this, he immediately gave the order to Hal.
"Go! Go and find some gifts nearby!!"
"We are going to the banquet with gifts! We are going to let Damon. Grell! Let all Riverlords of the Riverlands see! How King Balon will respect every subject who is loyal to him!"
Immediately afterwards, he issued another strict order.
"You must restrain those Ironborn brats! No looting! No offense! We must enter Grell's castle like brothers!!"
Dagmer brought nearly two thousand Ironborn and the gifts he "scrounged" to Grell Castle.
The castle's drawbridge has long been lowered and the city gates are wide open.
Lord Damon, Grell personally led his wife and knights, and warmly welcomed Ironborn who entered the city gate, with a humble and grateful smile on his face, so sincere that no one could see any flaws, but his eyes occasionally drifted to Ironborn outside the city gate.
When Dagmer saw this scene, he had no doubt that he was there. He just thought he was a coward and Ironborn broke in to rob him. He laughed and stepped forward and gave Damon. Grell a With a solid bear hug, Maron. Greyjoy stood next to Damon. Grell, surrounded by his "crew", but his eyes were a little dodgey.
When Dagmer patted his shoulder enthusiastically and praised him for growing up and becoming a qualified Ironborn man, Maron. Greyjoy opened his mouth, his Adam's apple rolling, as if he wanted to say something.
But as soon as his eyes came into contact with the figure standing still on the city wall not far away, what kind of future, Warden of the Iron Islands's future, was...
He finally swallowed back all the words, just lowered his head and responded vaguely.
Dagmer just thought that he was a young man and was a little shy in the face of the praises of his elders. He didn't care. He began to show his courtesy and highly respected House Grell. He ordered an army of nearly two thousand people to camp in a designated area outside the city and accepted the food and drinks provided by House Grell.
The hall of the castle was brightly lit, and the long table was filled with barbecue, bread and fruits. Musicians were playing soft music on both sides. When Dagmer was about to bring more than a dozen Ironborn leaders and more than fifty Ironborn guards into the hall for the banquet, several servants came forward, preparing to receive the weapons from the guests.
Bloody Hair Hal immediately held down the ax on his waist and whispered in Dagmer's ear, "We will not disarm."
Dagmer also hesitated, Damon. Grell seemed to have seen through his thoughts, and immediately stepped forward and said with sincerity, "Sir Dagmer, you are a distinguished guest, King Balon is our future master."
"You don't have to abide by these rules. You can bring weapons and armor to your table."
Damon. Grell's words strengthened Dagmer's determination. What he wanted to do was a political show. He wanted to break the impression that Ironborn was cruel and rude in the hearts of Riverlands people. If he didn't even follow the basic etiquette of guests, everything he said before would become a joke.
He took off the battle ax from his waist and handed it to House Grell's servant with his own hands. "No!"
"Under the roof of friends, we abide by their rules."
He looked back at Bloody Hair Hal and the other leaders, and ordered them to do it with unquestioning eyes. Although the leaders were reluctant, they still took off their weapons and armor one by one, and were respectfully taken away by the servants before disappearing into the shadows of the corridor.
Seeing that Hal was hesitant, Dagmer whispered to Hal, as if he was persuading him and himself. "No one on the Westeros Continent is stupid enough to violate Guest Right."
"The gods can cast down the most vicious curses."
Although he was a little reluctant, Bloody Hair Hal sighed, but indeed, it was against Guest Right... This kind of thing is too appalling. The entire Westeros Continent, whether they believe in Seven or Old Gods, respect this way. This is the sacred and inviolable bottom line. Thinking of this, he still took off his armor and weapons and handed them to the servants of House Grell.
At this time, Damon. Grell's wife personally brought a silver plate with bread and salt on it. She raised the silver plate in front of Dagmer and said, "Master Dagmer."
"Please accept House Grell's bread and salt. Under this roof, you and your warriors will be protected by me and my husband, and will never be harmed."
Damon. Grell stretched out his hand to signal Dagmer and said with a smile, "According to the ancient tradition."
"The guest who has shared bread and salt under my family's roof will be protected by his master and the gods."
Dagmer looked at the plate of bread and salt, and the last trace of uneasiness in his heart completely disappeared. He picked up a piece of bread, dipped it in salt, and put it in his mouth. The rough salt grains melted on the tip of his tongue, giving it a bitter and salty taste.
He chewed and swallowed. "Thank you for your hospitality, Grell."
Behind him, all the Ironborn leaders came forward one after another and shared the bread and salt.
The ceremony is completed.
Guest Right, effective immediately.