Margaery's Hero
The Hall of Heroes in Casterly Rock has been completely converted into a meeting place. Under Margaery's leadership, the lion reliefs Hall of Heroes have all been ground down and replaced with murals.
The murals are entirely dedicated to showcasing Jon's martial arts skills and military achievements.
The first mural depicts Jon's triumph over the the Green Fork, where Jon stands atop a surging wave, wielding two swords. The second mural shows Jon attacking King's Landing and slaying the Usurper King, though he does so alone, without Sansa by his side. The third mural shows him conquering Casterly Rock and becoming the true Lord of the Westerlands, where Jon depicted creating dark clouds, almost as if he were wielding thunder.
Jon was somewhat embarrassed by her mythologizing him, but Margaery excitedly declared that they were establishing a new family that would last for a thousand or two thousand years or even longer, and that Jon, as the founder, deserved such treatment.
Margaery also planned to have a painting made depicting Jon's great victory over the Iron Islands army at Bay of the Cape, but she was still working on it recently.
The throne at the front of the main hall has also been replaced. The back of the throne is two meters high, and in the very center is a wolf's head that looks down on everything. The eyes of the wolf's head are decorated with rubies.
Needless to say, the image used is that of Ghost, exuding a regal air.
The decorations on the armrests also feature wolf heads, but the difference lies in the fact that the wolf heads on the armrests appear quite ferocious.
The base of the throne is decorated with thorns and roses, and there are crouching lions at its feet as footrests.
It must be said that Margaery is quite talented in art and design.
Aside from the newly renovated Hall of Heroes, the most important thing was the people who came to participate in the war. In order to attack the Iron Islands, almost all the lords who had fought alongside Jon in the Westerlands had sent their support.
For example, the House Frey was present this time, not only was Black Walder there, but Rhaegar Frey was also there.
Although the latter cannot fight on the front lines, they can still manage troop deployments from the rear. Of course, the most important thing is that the House Frey is expressing their attitude.
Old Walder sensed something amiss between Jon and Stannis, and Rhaegar Frey came to investigate.
Besides the House Frey, Rickard had been staying in Riverrun as a guest since the end of the War in the Westerlands. Seeing that there was another battle to fight, he came over with his own squad of guards.
He stated that he had previously conquered the Iron Islands alongside Eddard Stark and Robert, and that he was certain there would be no problem this time as well.
Edmure naturally came as well. Taking the Iron Islands would make the Riverlands safer, so he naturally had to send troops as well.
Lyman Darry had initially told Jon that he wanted to come too, but Jon dissuaded him. However, he still insisted on sending several dozen knights.
Most importantly, Garlan also came, along with Randyll Tarly, the most powerful warrior in the Southern Territory.
Paxter Redwyne and his two sons arrived early with their warships. They anchored their ships in Lannisport, and to ensure the safety of the ships, Paxter had his second son Hobber, sleep on the ships in Lannisport.
Although Jon wife planned to rename Lannisport to Margaeryport, this would take time, as people's habits are hard to change.
Just like Robert, although he overthrew the Targaryen Dynasty, he still used the Conqueror's calendar, which was established by Aegon the Conqueror.
It is now the middle of Aegon's year 298, and winter is drawing ever closer.
Inside the Hall of Heroes, the various lords sat, privately discussing the attack on the Iron Islands. Of course, the most discussed topic was the debate on witchcraft, sparked by the letter from the Citadel.
The one most worried was Paxter, who was genuinely afraid that his fleet would be wiped out.
At this moment, two attendants or guards entered the hall, drawing everyone's attention. One of them was Merrell, the youngest nephew of the current Hand of the King Alester, Allister. He looked very young, and his nervousness was even visible as he walked among the princes.
The other was tall and imposing, with a fierce aura. Although he wore a helmet, his heavy-handedness was evident. This was none other than Sandor Clegane, the Mountain's brother.
"Jon killed Gregor the Mountain," a fact known throughout the Seven Kingdoms, yet Sandor chose to pledge allegiance to Jon, Jon even dared to appoint Sandor as his personal bodyguard, much to the astonishment of the other lords.
However, it seems that Sandor is fulfilling his duties and has even fought alongside Jon, so he probably has no intention of avenging his brother.
It's obvious that one of the two represents Alester, and the other represents Jon.
The two people were in the same spot where Jon and Alester would be next.
Because of Maester Aemon's situation, Stannis has become much more lenient on the issue of command, and his stance on having Alester as the head coach is no longer as firm.
However, an army cannot have two marshals, and the seating arrangement would soon reveal some clues, so almost everyone looked at the two of them.
The thing they feared happened: Merrell and Sandor Clegane walked together to the very head of the table opposite them.
"Sandor, Your Excellency Sandor, the Lord Hand is the commander-in-chief. This is the Lord Hand's seat."
"Oh? Then tell me what's carved on the back of the chair? And what place is this? Who owns this place?" Sandor's three questions forced the young Merrell to instinctively back away.
Especially when Sandor lifted his mask, and Merrell saw his grotesque face scorched by flames, she no longer had the courage to argue with him and fled to the seat on the right below.
Seeing this, everyone felt relieved; it seemed that Jon would still be in charge of the overall strategy going forward.
Although Alester was old, he had no notable military achievements, and in the most recent Battle of the Blackwater, he abandoned his army and fled.
Jon, on the other hand, is the complete opposite. Not only is he a decorated general, but he also actively rescues allies in danger. It is obvious who is more suitable to be the commander-in-chief.
Rhaegar Frey naturally witnessed this scene as well, as the House Frey had become active in King's Landing and thus gained considerable understanding of the political situation.
For example, they know that Stannis is currently surrounded by both the King's faction and the Queen's faction, and Jon's relationship with the Queen's faction doesn't seem to be very good.
This could lead to him being excluded from the center of power in the future, but Jon's own strength is too formidable. Rhaegar Frey decided that after returning, he should still suggest maintaining good relations with both sides and, ideally, not provoking either of them.
Soon, the announcements came from outside. "The Hand of the King, Lord Alester Florent, has arrived; the Warden of the West, Lord of Casterly Rock, Jon Stark, has arrived."
Everyone stood up and looked towards the door. Jon and Alester soon appeared together.
Everyone present couldn't help but look at Jon and the armor he wore— the Valyrian steel armor, which was practically a legend!
While the Stark of Casterly Rock may not have the Ancestral Sword to pass down their legacy, their Valyrian steel armor is truly unique!
Therefore, everyone was very envious.
Many of them have already met Jon in private, such as Rickard, simply to learn about the battle with the Iron Islands and to see the Valyrian steel armor.
Rhaegar Frey's motives were somewhat complicated; he questioned Jon about witchcraft and magic in depth.
Jon's confirmation that the thing truly existed completely dispelled his idea of going to the battlefield.
Although they had an overwhelming advantage in military strength, witchcraft and magic were simply too sinister, and they felt safer staying in Casterly Rock.
Jon and Alester sat in the seats that the servants had reserved for them. Jon looked at Sandor and gave him an approving look.
A smile bloomed on Sandor's face beneath the mask; he was in a very good mood.
Alester, on the other hand, was not so happy. Not being able to sit in the main seat made his position as marshal seem like a joke.
But just as he coughed twice, about to speak and preemptively strike, Jon spoke up, "Gentlemen, the Ironborn's problem has plagued the Sunset Sea for millennia. Had it not been for Aegon the Conqueror riding the Balerion the Black Dread to destroy the Iron Islands ' rule over the Riverlands, these pirates, driven by their greed, would likely have continued their expansion, and the Seven Kingdoms would have continued to suffer their ravages. However, history has proven to us that no matter who leads the Iron Islands, their nature remains unchanged. To cite a recent example, at my wedding, Euron Greyjoy approached my father-in-law, Lord Mace Tyrell, with a Dragon Egg, nearly harming my family. Therefore, the goal of this war is to completely eliminate this threat and ensure the Seven Kingdoms are forever free from this menace!"
"To prevent future troubles!" Rickard, whose hair and beard were white but still thick, was the first to stand up and respond.
Rickard was furious that the Iron Islands had attacked Winterfell not long ago, but he also knew that Robb was busy dealing with the Wildlings Beyond the Wall and was determined to fight Jon on the Iron Islands again.
"Invade the Iron Islands! Eliminate future threats!"
Loras also stood up and shouted, "Jon's setting up the pyramid of heads in Lannisport has given me a sense of satisfaction. The only bad thing is that I didn't cut those heads off myself."
Loras vowed that he would personally kill several Iron Islands islanders before he would stop.
"To prevent future troubles!"
The Westerling, Brynden, Martin, and others immediately responded; they were in the Westerlands, serving Jon, which goes without saying.
Soon, Rickard, Paxter, Randyll Tarly, and others echoed his sentiments.
Everyone was very confident. The army and fleet gathered in Lannisport and Casterly Rock far exceeded Iron Islands of the Iron Islands, and everyone was convinced of victory.
But there was a knot in their hearts that they couldn't untie: witchcraft.
The Queen's faction attempted to sacrifice Aemon Targaryen, Euron did indeed create a blizzard at Winterfell.
If they want to conquer the Iron Islands, they must first fight the Iron Islands Fleet. If the enemy suddenly summons a storm or something during the decisive fleet battle, wouldn't they be doomed?