"It stinks." Watching the blazing scene, Garlan felt the terror of dragons all the more.
"Ser Baelor Hightower is a good man, but he is no use in the present war," Gendry said.
"Yes, Your Grace." Garlan nodded. Oldtown had never been renowned for martial prowess, and Baelor was no born knight.
"Baelor cannot contend with Euron Crow's Eye's power," Gendry said. "My follow-up forces are the longships of Lady Melicent, Earl of Seaguard."
"Longships?" Garlan was startled.
"Indeed. The longships will set out from Bitterbridge and retake the Shield Islands first."
Gendry had already learned that none of the Ironborn commanders in the Shield Islands were Euron Crow's Eye's confidants. Euron Crow's Eye was still keeping his hidden moves near Oldtown.
Garlan listened. The Shield Islands came first, so Oldtown would only be the second place they relieved.
"Highgarden is at your command," Garlan said. This was the king's order, and he could not change it.
"For now, some of Oldtown's wealth, gold, libraries, and artisans must be moved away where appropriate. That is also a way to spread the risk."
"Oldtown might be destroyed?" Garlan shuddered.
"I can only say it is possible. Why has Euron Crow's Eye kept attacking Oldtown? All we can say is that Oldtown has materials that suit his purposes," Gendry said calmly.
Euron Crow's Eye would use the bone that was the Shield Islands as bait to keep luring him onto the hook. Oldtown was the key to the decisive battle.
Oldtown would have a Sphinx and Magic Dragons in the shadows, along with four hundred thousand inhabitants-excellent material for a blood sacrifice. Euron Crow's Eye would wait for him in Oldtown.
And there were the Hightowers of Oldtown. What if they stabbed him in the back? Gendry had never trusted them.
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