Change of Strategy

Margaery naturally knew that the "Paxter" her grandmother spoke of was Paxter Redwyne, Lord of Arbor.

At the time, he had been leading the Arbor Fleet in a naval blockade of Storm's End.

All her doubts vanished at once, and she suddenly understood. "No wonder Davos the 'Onion Knight' was able to sail his smuggling ship into Storm's End's harbor. So Count Paxter let him through on purpose..."

"Exactly." Lady Olenna confirmed her granddaughter's guess, then continued, "Back when Storm's End could not be taken after a long siege, Randyll Tarly advised your father to leave behind a small force to maintain the siege while leading the main Reach army north to join the royal forces against the rebels.

But that foolish 'Lord Inflatable Fish'—whether he truly had such confidence in the royal army or simply could not bear to send his own troops against the rebels' blades—refused to march north. He kept stubbornly wrestling with that damned Storm's End.

Not long afterward came word that Prince Rhaegar had been killed by Robert with a single hammer blow on the banks of the Trident River, and the entire course of the war was reversed.

Yet even then, your father did not come to his senses. He continued besieging and attacking Storm's End without pause. Left with no choice, Randyll wrote me that seemingly inexplicable letter.

If not for that letter, Robert's two brothers might well have starved to death in Storm's End.

Heh. If that had happened, do you think Robert Baratheon, after successfully overthrowing the Targaryen Dynasty, would have so easily accepted the surrender of the Reach nobles who had once supported the crown?"

Margaery nodded, her mind full of thoughts. "So Randyll Tarly did not want to push things too far back then. He wanted to leave room for negotiation."

"Yes. Every Reach noble should be grateful to Randyll Tarly. He was the one who remained clear-headed throughout that war. And surely you can understand why Randyll did not approach Paxter himself, but wrote to me instead?"

Margaery nodded.

She understood that Randyll had acted out of caution. He did not want to leave behind any evidence of "colluding with the rebels."

By writing that baffling letter, he had trusted that Lady Olenna would understand his intentions, and that the old lady would see the situation clearly.

Furthermore, Lady Olenna was both the aunt and mother-in-law of Count Paxter, commander of the Arbor Fleet. With those two ties, it was safer and more effective for her to persuade Count Paxter to go easy on the rebels.

"Do you still think Randyll Tarly is a brainless brute?"

Margaery stuck out her cute little tongue. "I never expected the Siege of Storm's End to have held such secrets. In that light, Randyll Tarly truly has a political mind."

Lady Olenna sighed. "You should be glad that Horn Hill is not a particularly wealthy domain, and that House Tarly lacks sufficient influence in the Reach. That is why Randyll has never displayed any ambition.

If he had been born into a house like Hightower or Florent... heh, I would absolutely have urged your father to dispose of him sooner!"

Margaery was startled by the cold gleam that flashed through her grandmother's eyes.

But Lady Olenna soon returned to her kindly, benevolent appearance, as though her words just now had been nothing more than a joke.

Margaery steadied herself and asked:

"Grandmother, if that is so, how could Count Randyll fail to see Samwell's merits? Why did he insist on stripping him of his inheritance?"

"That is something I cannot understand either. Perhaps it was only after being abandoned by his family this time that Samwell finally came to his senses and underwent such a drastic change in temperament."

It was the first time Margaery had seen her grandmother so perplexed, and she could not help laughing to herself.

After laughing, she pointed to the letter in her hand and asked:

"Grandmother, you still have not told me how we should deal with Samwell. Are we really going to keep giving him money?"

"Why not? Other than roses, what House Tyrell lacks least is gold." Lady Olenna answered without hesitation. "Randyll does not cherish such a fine son. Why should we not win him over?"

Thinking of Carter's death, Margaery hesitated. "But Grandmother, are you not worried that Samwell will slip beyond our control?"

Lady Olenna laughed at that.

"A pioneering knight without even a domain—no matter how much he jumps about, can he really leap beyond our control? Besides, knowing how to command vassals and make them willingly charge into battle for us is an art in itself. Since Samwell is a knight you personally dubbed, leave him to you for practice."

"I was hardly qualified to knight anyone. I merely acted on Father's behalf..." Margaery muttered guiltily, then took hold of Lady Olenna's arm and shook it coquettishly. "Grandmother, then teach me. What if Samwell succeeds in extorting us this time and becomes even more demanding afterward? I cannot keep sending him money forever, can I?"

"That is why you must set the rules instead of letting him lead you around by the nose."

"How do I set the rules?"

"The simple way is to give him only a fixed sum each month, no matter how much he asks for. The more complicated way is to establish rules for rewards and punishments. For example, if his land development reaches a certain point, reward him with gold. But if progress is poor, deduct his funds. In short, the initiative must remain in your own hands. You cannot simply give him money every time he writes asking for it."

"I understand." Margaery nodded repeatedly. "Grandmother, how had you originally planned to arrange Samwell?"

"At first, I thought Samwell was a coward who could be controlled through forceful methods. But now it seems that approach is no longer viable. Still, you need not worry. Just as flowers and grass grow toward the sunlight, people always gravitate toward profit. Hold firmly to that thread of benefit, and you can control anyone—especially clever, ambitious people like Samwell."

Eagerness shone in Margaery's eyes, but beneath her excitement was a trace of unease.

"Grandmother, why did you have Samwell develop that place in the first place? I only guessed that it was meant to deal with Dorne, but I could not work out the exact method. So... I am worried that I might ruin your plans."

"You have not figured out how to deal with Dorne?"

Margaery shook her head.

Lady Olenna patiently guided her. "Then think about it. How did the Iron Throne make Dorne submit?"

"Through marriage alliances."

"A marriage alliance was merely the result, not the cause. If marrying a woman could conquer a kingdom, what would armies be for? Without Daeron I capturing Sunspear and shattering the Dornish dream of independence, why would House Martell have willingly sent Princess Myriah to King's Landing?

Think carefully. Aegon I the Conqueror could not conquer Dorne even while riding three dragons. Why, then, did Daeron I accomplish this feat after the dragons had gone extinct?"

Margaery fell into deep thought at those words. After a long while, she replied uncertainly:

"Rivers?"

"Correct! With the Red Mountains forming such an impassable barrier, conquering Dorne by land is nearly impossible. Rivers are the key to opening Dorne's gates."

Margaery still seemed somewhat confused. "No wonder the place you suggested for Samwell's development was near the mouth of the Torrentine River. But Grandmother, how exactly are we to proceed?"

"Do not be impatient. The most important quality of an excellent gardener is patience. Once you plant the seed in the right place, you need only water and fertilize it. Time will naturally give you the answer." Lady Olenna spoke leisurely. "And Todd told me that Samwell claimed he could establish a proper business in a barren place like the Red Mountains. I look forward to him giving me a pleasant surprise."