Bewitchment (Part 1)

Compared to the splendor of Highgarden, House Mullendore's castle seemed far more shabby.

Its thick walls, narrow windows, and dim candlelight made the banquet hall feel especially cramped, even somewhat eerie.

The dinner was hardly lavish: roast meat, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, and a vegetable salad.

Samwell naturally had no complaints. He ate heartily while discussing Mark's well-behaved monkey with him.

Upon hearing that the monkey had come from the Summer Islands, Samwell immediately became fascinated and asked one question after another.

For instance, where the Summer Islands were located, whether merchant ships traveled there, and about the islands' culture, peoples, local products, and so on.

It was rare for Mark to meet a knight who shared his interest in the Summer Islands. Feeling as though he had found a kindred spirit, he enthusiastically recounted everything he knew.

Watching his son become so friendly with Samwell so quickly, Viscount Martin could not help but frown to himself.

He glanced at Todd Flowers, who was silently eating and drinking with his head lowered, then asked:

"Ser Todd, are you a knight of House Tyrell?"

Todd set down his knife and fork. "Yes, my lord Viscount."

Viscount Martin nodded thoughtfully. Just as he was about to ask another question, Samwell suddenly cut in:

"Yes, my lord Viscount. Ser Todd is Arbor's 'noble bastard.' This time, he personally led the party accompanying me to open up the Red Mountains on Lady Olenna's orders."

So they really were House Tyrell's troops.

Viscount Martin was secretly startled.

He did not know that Samwell had deliberately blurred the distinction between House Tyrell soldiers and recruits. He assumed that all two hundred or so men in the pioneering party were elite soldiers of House Tyrell.

"I never expected His Grace to think so highly of you that he would send such an elite force to accompany you in opening new lands."

Samwell chuckled and shook his head. "My lord Viscount, you are mistaken."

"Oh? How so?"

"What could possibly make me worthy of His Grace's regard? The real reason he sent troops is that he is determined to claim the new lands in the Red Mountains."

"I see." Viscount Martin clearly believed him.

After all, he himself did not think this useless fellow before him was truly worth Duke Mace sending so many soldiers to accompany him.

But that raised another question—

If Duke Mace valued the new lands so highly, why send such a useless fellow to develop them?

Did House Tyrell lack knights?

Naturally, even though Viscount Martin looked down on Samwell from the bottom of his heart, he could not ask such a question to his face. That would have been far too discourteous.

Yet before Viscount Martin could ask, Samwell voiced the very doubt troubling the lord of Highgarden:

"My lord Viscount, are you wondering why His Grace sent me to open up the land?"

Viscount Martin smiled slightly and flattered him without changing expression:

"House Tarly has always produced outstanding generals. His Grace must have valued your talent for commanding troops."

The words made everyone present blush a little.

Even the black-and-white monkey squeaked and waved its arms, as though it could not bear Viscount Martin's barefaced lies.

Samwell shook his head with a bitter smile.

"My lord Viscount, what talent do I have for commanding troops? Otherwise, my father would not have driven me from home and stripped me of my inheritance. His Grace sent me to open up the land because I dare to do what others do not."

"What is that?" Viscount Martin hurriedly asked.

But Samwell merely smiled, looked around the room, and said nothing.

Viscount Martin immediately understood. The other man did not wish to speak publicly.

After hesitating, his curiosity finally got the better of him. He set down his knife and fork, picked up a napkin to wipe his mouth, and invited Samwell:

"I have some Arbor wine in my collection. Sam, would you be interested in tasting it?"

"It would be my honor."

Samwell rose and followed Viscount Martin out of the banquet hall into a small room nearby.

Viscount Martin took a bottle of wine from the rack and poured two cups.

The crisp fragrance of wine soon filled the entire little room.

Samwell accepted the cup, thanked him, and took a small sip.

It was mellow and refreshing, truly excellent wine.

But neither of them had come here merely to taste wine.

"My lord Viscount, you must be very curious why Duke Mace sent me to open up the Red Mountains, aren't you?"

Viscount Martin swirled the silver wine cup in his hand without speaking. He merely watched Samwell quietly, waiting for him to continue.

"Highgarden lies at the foot of the Red Mountains, so I am sure you know that farther southwest, the land is not only barren and filled with wild beasts, but also plagued by fierce Wildling tribes that make raiding a way of life. Even if one forcibly occupied a stretch of land, it would be difficult to develop and strengthen it.

That is why the knights of the Reach are unwilling to come here and open up the land.

But I am different.

I am a useless man abandoned by my family, with no way back. Naturally, I am willing to gamble on this place. And I have a trick that can make a territory grow and prosper quickly—

Raiding!"

Viscount Martin had listened intently for quite some time, only to receive such an answer. He immediately laughed.

"Sam, surely you do not mean to raid those Wildlings? But let me remind you, the most valuable thing they possess is probably their crudely made animal-hide clothing."

Samwell shook his head and began spinning his tale.

"You misunderstand, my lord Viscount. My new territory will be built on the northern coast of the Summer Sea, near the mouth of the Torrentine River. Tell me, would I ignore all those merchant ships sailing back and forth, laden with wealth, and instead go after Wildlings so poor they have nothing to their names?"

Viscount Martin immediately narrowed his eyes.

After sizing up the young pioneering knight before him, he spoke again.

"Ser Caesar, surely I do not need to remind you of the Reach's penalties for piracy?"

"Of course I know." Samwell shrugged, looking utterly relaxed. "My lord Viscount, have you forgotten? House Tyrell sent more than two hundred elite soldiers to accompany me in opening up the land, and the man leading them is from Arbor."

Viscount Martin's expression grew grave, though disbelief still lingered in his eyes.

Samwell continued:

"Of course, Lady Olenna's intention is for me to raid Dornish merchant ships. I will not attack other merchant ships recklessly."

"Even so, once this is exposed, your reputation will be utterly ruined. You may even be sent to the gallows!"

Samwell laughed loudly.

"What reputation do I have left? Besides, if I do not do this, how am I supposed to carve out a new territory in a place like the Red Mountains?"

Viscount Martin looked deeply at Samwell. "Ser Caesar, you are nothing like the rumors."

Samwell swirled the wine in his cup and smiled.

"Rumors are not to be trusted, my lord Viscount."

Viscount Martin smiled as well. "Then I wish you success in opening up your lands."

But Samwell suddenly stepped closer.

"My lord Viscount, would you like to make a little money as well?"

At those words, Viscount Martin immediately became wary.