Deterrence

The forest suddenly fell silent.

Carter's labored gasps became painfully clear—like someone trying to drink the ocean dry through a tiny straw.

Soon, Carter's futile struggles ceased in despair.

Only the sound of blood dripping onto the ground remained.

The next moment, Todd's furious voice rang out again:

"Lord Caesar, do you know what you're doing?!"

Seeing this, Gavin and the others hurried forward, preparing to stop Todd.

Facing the menacing Todd, Samwell knew that this was precisely when he could not show weakness.

So instead of retreating, he stepped forward and barked:

"Todd Flowers! What do you think you're doing? You dare draw your sword on me?!"

Todd's longsword, only halfway drawn, immediately froze.

Seeing this, Samwell took another step forward and said:

"Do you really not know what Carter did?"

Todd's lips moved, but before he could say anything, Samwell took another step toward him and said:

"Why did I kill Carter? Don't you know perfectly well? Do you dare swear before the Seven that you knew nothing of what Carter had done?"

Under Samwell's relentless advance, Todd lost the momentum he had displayed at first. The longsword in his hand seemed stuck in its scabbard, never fully drawn.

Seeing this, Samwell secretly let out a breath of relief.

He knew that the most dangerous moment of the night had passed.

Todd's sword had not been drawn just now, and it never would be afterward.

Only after relaxing did Samwell feel his heart pounding wildly and his stomach churning. He hid his trembling hands behind his back, shaking from his first kill, and did his utmost to remain calm.

Though it had been risky, Carter had to die!

Otherwise, Samwell would have lost control of the expedition, perhaps even control over his own life.

That was something he could never tolerate.

Todd had calmed down as well, but as he looked at Carter's hanging corpse, an uncontrollable fury still rose within him, along with a trace of fear that he himself was unwilling to acknowledge.

After more than a month together, Todd naturally already knew that House Tarly's rumored useless eldest son was no useless man at all.

But he had not expected him to be so ruthless and decisive.

Todd took a deep breath, released the hilt of his sword, and said in a low voice:

"Lord Caesar, even if Carter was at fault, you should not have killed him. This will enrage my soldiers, and in their anger, they may no longer be willing to sincerely help you develop this land. Some hotheads may even come looking for trouble. Remember, we are in the wilderness now, not inside a castle."

But Samwell's tone was relaxed.

"What's so difficult about that? Just say Carter fell into a bandit trap and died unfortunately. Problem solved."

Todd snorted softly and said:

"My lord, as a knight, you should understand that honesty is a virtue!"

"Is that so?" Samwell's lips curled upward. "Then tell me, honest Ser Todd, what exactly did Lady Olenna send you here for?"

Todd stiffened at once and fell silent.

Samwell continued with a chuckle:

"Actually, even if you don't tell me, I can guess."

Todd shot Samwell a glance, his eyes full of disbelief.

Samwell walked up to Todd and whispered a single word into his ear—

"Pirates."

When he saw Todd's eyes widen abruptly and his breathing quicken, Samwell knew he had guessed correctly!

"Want to know how I figured it out?"

Todd stared fixedly into Samwell's eyes. Though he said nothing, the expression on his face had already revealed his curiosity.

"You're a bastard of House Redwyne, aren't you?"

"That's right." Todd finally spoke. "My father is Ser Desmond."

It was not much of a secret, nor was it difficult to guess.

After all, Lady Olenna, the Queen of Thorns, had been born into House Redwyne of Arbor. It was only natural for her to send one of the family's bastards to accompany Samwell in developing new lands.

Samwell smiled. "When Lady Olenna first asked me to come here and develop this place, I had one major question—what would this new territory live on?"

Todd seemed to understand somewhat upon hearing this.

Samwell continued:

"The land around the Red Mountains is barren. It certainly cannot support itself through farming or herding, and it does not have gold mines beneath it like Casterly Rock. So what exactly are the people of this new territory supposed to make a living from?

That day, Lady Olenna told me this place was by the sea and could engage in trade. Heh, she really took me for a fool.

What could I trade? Sell rocks?

Then I noticed that the new territory Lady Olenna had marked out for me happened to lie near the mouth of the Torrentine River.

The three territories upstream along the Torrentine River—Starfall, High Hermitage, and Blackmont—are all Dorne lands!

Moreover, this place is near the southern end of the Redwyne Strait. One of the busiest maritime trade routes to Dorne passes right through here.

That means Dornish merchant ships can be seen everywhere near this new territory, whether at sea or on the river. Do you really think I wouldn't be able to guess what Lady Olenna intended?"

By this point, Todd could no longer hide the panic in his eyes.

Samwell continued speaking as if to himself. "What's more, I had long guessed that you came from House Redwyne of Arbor, and what that family lacks least is warships and sailors. I imagine that was one important reason Lady Olenna sent you to join me in this venture.

Better still, if this were ever exposed, I, the lord of this new territory, would bear the blame. House Tyrell and House Redwyne's reputations would remain untarnished. What a fine scheme!"

Todd lowered his head, seemingly unable to face Samwell's gaze, which appeared capable of seeing through the human heart.

Samwell sighed, patted Todd on the shoulder, and lowered his voice again:

"But have you considered this? If such a thing were truly exposed, as a knight who came here with me to develop this land, even if you were not the principal culprit and escaped death, do you think you would still keep your good name?"

Todd still said nothing.

Samwell spoke again, his tone earnest:

"I am a discarded useless son, and you are an unvalued bastard. We are the ones who share the same affliction! Lady Olenna's plan gambles with both our reputations and our futures. Tell me, are you really willing to be a puppet on her strings?"

Todd finally raised his head and gave a cold laugh.

"Do we have a choice? If I don't take a gamble, how will I ever rise? And you—heh, do you really think you can complete this venture on your own without House Tyrell's help?"

"That's why we should work together wholeheartedly!" Samwell tried to put an arm around Todd's shoulders, but Todd sidestepped him.

Todd said flatly, "We are working together right now. We are cooperating to develop this new territory."

"You know that isn't what I mean."

"I know. But we have no choice." A flicker of pain flashed through Todd's eyes. "Just as you said before, in a barren place like this, other than doing as Lady Olenna demands, do we have any other way out?"

"Of course we do."

Todd suddenly looked up and stared hard at Samwell. "What way?"

"A proper and legal way." Samwell gave a mysterious smile. "If you want to know, you must first swear fealty to me."

Todd snorted and remained where he was.

Samwell merely shrugged, unsurprised.

If Todd had truly bowed his head and pledged himself at once, Samwell would have doubted his loyalty instead.

After all, Samwell was merely a pioneer knight without even a territory of his own. Expecting a bastard of Arbor to swear loyalty to him after a few words was simply wishful thinking.

Everything he had said, including his earlier killing of Carter, seemed intended to intimidate and win over Todd. But in truth, it had all been done for the old lady behind Todd to see.

Thus, when Todd remained unmoved, Samwell did not feel embarrassed. He simply smiled and said:

"Think it over carefully. Will you gamble your reputation and future on unlawful dealings, or will you follow me honestly and develop this land while making money?"

With that, Samwell led his men back to camp.

Todd remained where he was, lost in thought.