Crowds packed the space outside Highgarden castle's three rings of walls. Lady Olenna and a host of nobles waited for the king at the outer wall at the foot of the hill.
Five White Knights escorted King Gendry and his queen, along with the king's attendants. On either side stood Kingsguard Knights from the Gold Cloaks, knights of the Stormlands and the Vale, and others.
Behind them, the Unsullied stood with their heads held high, shields and spears in hand. The steel spikes on their helmets gleamed coldly like daggers.
"Your Grace, you are the savior of the Shield Islands," Ser Willas Tyrell declared.
"Your Grace, Oldtown is yours to command. Oldtown begs for your aid," said Ser Jon Cupps, Hightower's envoy and Leyton's son-in-law.
"The krakens even sent us a humiliating letter. Euron Crow's Eye captured Lord Leyton's son Guncer, and the letter was written in blood," Jon wailed, publicly presenting Gendry with the challenge, the Blood Letter.
"Great King Gendry, please hurry to Oldtown's aid." Oldtown's merchants were the most desperate.
"Yes, Your Grace, the Ironborn burned our ships and warehouses." The merchants clamored through their tears.
It was House Hightower that lost face, but nothing could be done about that. These merchants had been waiting all along.
The Ironborn had set the docks ablaze, inflicting heavy losses on every merchant. They feared and hated Euron Crow's Eye. Now, at the sight of Gendry, they grew even more agitated.
Chapter 402: The kraken and the tide of blood
Highgarden was a city of white and fresh green. Its castle was built of white marble, and within and without lay a green paradise, with flowers blooming everywhere.
Highgarden stood atop a hill overlooking the Mander River below. The Seaside Road and the Roseroad met here.
Highgarden was beautiful, but