Would Stark dare defy his orders? He had come in the name of the King and Queen to crush Stannis.
Lord Hand Mace's cheeks slowly puffed up. If... Stark refused to obey his command, did that mean their hearts of submission were open to doubt?
If so, after crushing Stannis, might he march on Winterfell?
The Battle of Ashford... the siege of Storm's End... the rescue at the Battle of the Blackwater... the destruction of Stannis... and then, the fall of Winterfell...
Lord Hand Mace's eyes gleamed brighter and brighter. His name as a great commander would be passed down through the ages!
Thinking this, he did his utmost to conceal his excitement. With grave authority, he ordered everyone else out of the study, leaving only Tyrion behind.
After Tyrion climbed onto a chair and settled down, Lord Hand Mace pushed over a goblet he had filled himself.
"Thank you, my lord."
Tyrion nodded with a smiling face, then lifted the goblet and took a satisfied sip.
Lord Hand Mace looked exceedingly amiable. Stroking his beard, he probed, "How do you think Stark should cooperate with my campaign?"
After a brief pause, he added, "Let me hear whether your thoughts are the same as mine."
Tyrion's expression remained unchanged as he said humbly, "Honored Lord Hand, thank you for granting me the chance to prove myself. Please allow me to thank you once again."
Setting down his goblet, he slowly began, "Actually, my method is very simple..."
He leaned forward slightly. "...Urge Lord Stark to launch an attack on Stannis, while you—hm, while we—watch the battle and wait for the proper moment... to deliver a fatal blow."
At those words, displeasure appeared on Lord Hand Mace's face. "That is too obvious. It will provoke the Northerners' resentment, and it