As soon as Earl Beesbury finished speaking, Samwell stepped out of the crowd and said with a beaming smile,
"You may deal directly with me regarding the construction of the Cremation Towers. However, there are only so many priests capable of performing the Funeral Rite. For now, Holy Flame Island can offer only three slots for building Cremation Towers."
"Casterly Rock needs a slot!"
"Highgarden needs a slot!"
Duke Lannister and Duke Tyrell called out almost simultaneously.
"Hmph!"
The two exchanged glances, each giving the other a look that said he had better watch himself, then sat back down.
"My Riverrun needs a slot too!"
"I..."
Next, the Great Lords of Riverrun, Harrenhal, and Maidenpool in the Riverlands; Brightwater Keep, Starspoke, and Cider Hall in the Reach; and Castamere, Tarbeck Hall, and other seats in the Westerlands all made their positions known.
Only the nobles of the Stormlands and the Vale remained silent. Several of the Great Lords in the Vale already possessed an Ancestral Sword of Valyrian steel, so they were not particularly interested.
As for the nobles of the Stormlands, some belonged to new houses ennobled alongside House Baratheon after Aegon's War of Conquest. Their houses lacked deep reserves, leaving them unable to compete.
The ancient Great Lords, meanwhile, either already possessed their own Valyrian weapons or were reluctant to get involved because relations between House Baratheon and Princess Danyla had been rather strained lately.
Most importantly, the nobles of these two kingdoms had practically no power to challenge their ruling ducal houses.
Seeing their own vassals dare to challenge them openly, Duke Lannister and Duke Tyrell immediately darkened.
But Duke Tyrell had long since grown accustomed to the Great Lords of the Reach treating him with contempt. After a brief spell of anger, he put it out