"Lord Mace! Let's not mention what has happened long ago. Let's focus on the topic of today's discussion----"
Matus Rowan Earl, whose territory is closest to Crownlands and whose territory is the most dangerous, is the most active among the people on the opposite side.
Therefore, he also interrupted "Lord Puff Fish"'s rebuke and tried his best to smooth things over, as if he didn't want to make the situation tense.
Titus listened and watched quietly. He didn't care about Mace's accusations, and there wasn't even the slightest wave of emotion on his face.
He was trying to figure out the reason for Mace's anger.
There is indeed some resentment caused by "being betrayed by vassals", but not much. More probably, it should be that Mace felt very embarrassed and couldn't save face after he found out that he had been tricked?
This fat guy - most likely he can't lose face and surrender. He can only use blame to cover up his inner hesitation and hesitation, right?
Titus guessed pretty well, but not all of them were correct.
Mace's true intention in his heart was to surrender to Iron Throne, but the sensitive identity of the surrender made him unable to speak for a while.
Lord Warden of the South, who has always loved to pretend to be the boss of the Reach, cannot bow down to his former "subordinates".
To this day, he still feels lucky and plans to "postpone it" for a while - and even thinks naively:
It would be best if Iron Throne could use someone else to negotiate.
According to rumors, Warden of the North Eddard·Stark from "The Three Usurping Brothers" is a very good candidate, at least they have equal status.
This Lord of Highgarden is indecisive, timid and scheming. He cherishes his own life when doing big things, forgets his life when he sees small gains, and his mind is not focused on the important points.
Olenna·Redwyne protected her son very well, but it seemed that the patriarch of House Tyrell was not taught what should be taught.
Which one is more important, lizi or face, and what kind of occasion it is now - he can't tell.
Titus Looking at the looks of these people, he guessed that the Reach nobles did not understand that the situation was over, and they all had the willingness to surrender to House Baratheon.
Among them, Goldengrove's Matus Earl showed the most obvious performance. He was very anxious and wanted to enter the "topic" of the negotiation as soon as possible;
And Baelor·Hightower of Oldtown belongs to the junior generation among the princes in the southern border, and their attitude is "only listen but not speak"
His attitude is that of a standard "following the crowd" little guy.
House Peake's distant relative, the head of the Florent family from Brightwater Keep, looked hesitant, and the expression on his old face kept changing, making it difficult for Titus to judge his emotional state.
After a moment of reflection, Titus realized that the mentality of old Earl was not too difficult to guess.
Horn Hill Earl Randyll·Tarly is his son-in-law. After his death, Allister Florent's perception of Starpike Earl will naturally undergo some negative changes----
As for what Lord Mace said about "betraying Highgarden and betraying the Reach", except for Mace himself, everyone present was completely indifferent.
In this case----
Titus We can't let them "succeed" easily.
Things like peace are particularly valuable because they are hard-won.
For Titus, the existence of the tangled and hypocritical Mace·Tyrell suddenly became important.
"Lord Mace, Mad King is unethical, foolish and ignorant, his stupidity in doing things, and his cruel behavior are obvious to all the nobles up and down Seven Kingdoms."
Titus spoke slowly, his breath steady and controlled.
"Now, Robert·Baila Theon I ascends to Iron Throne, everyone in the kingdom is happy to surrender, and the great lords of all realms north of Storm's End gather together" King's Landing, this is the ironclad proof.
If you mention that I support Robert I in resisting the tyrant, turning the tide, and bringing order to chaos - "it is a kind of betrayal", then we will have nothing to talk about.
Just use sword and blood to prove the completely opposite views between you and me."
Mace felt guilty and wanted to snort, but was afraid that the other party would be serious, so he immediately held it there, puffing out his cheeks and sulking.
Goldengrove Earl continued to try to ease the atmosphere, and said with a smile on his face, "Titus, please don't take offense. Lord Mace Of course he didn't mean that, but he just couldn't turn around for the moment - please calm down, Duke, everyone should focus on the overall situation."
If you have something to say, please say it. There is no need to hurt your friendship. To be honest, we are all our own people."
One of our own?
Seeing Mace turning to look at him dissatisfied, Matus, who felt that both sides were being unpleased, looked in Allister's direction, asking for help.
Old the Fox ignored him and still didn't want to talk.
Titus turned his eyes, took in the expressions of everyone on the opposite side, and said again, "I am not in a hurry about the current battle situation, but I don't know if you dare to drag it on?
I heard that Iron Islands's fleet is about to reach Mander River's midstream, and Highgarden is in danger----"
As soon as these words came out, the faces of the four people opposite suddenly became very ugly.
They also received the news that the Shield Islands interception had failed, and the morale of the Confederate army dropped sharply. Especially those lords whose territories were located in the Mander River river basin began to become worried and expressed their eagerness to go home.
Even Baelor and Hightower, who claim to be juniors and have always kept a low profile, are a little worried about Ironborn's next move.
Their Oldtown is located in Whispering Bay on the west coast of the mainland. It is not far from Shield Islands. It has a large population and dense merchants, so it is a place worth grabbing.
What can be expected is that if Highgarden cannot quickly solve the trouble caused by King Cologne, even if the military in the south is well prepared with food and grass supplies, the Reach the princes will not be able to hold on for long, and there will definitely be a drama of "dividing luggage and returning to their hometowns" in the future.
The dilemma that the Southern Border Army cannot ignore is the looting from Ironborn, which makes the Reach people be attacked from both sides, and they are gradually losing the capital for long-term confrontation.
Mace's face turned blue and white, and his lips moved, but he was still unable to say anything.
If the opponent was an army led by Stark, maybe he would have surrendered long ago.
Can Titus·Peake----
In his heart, he embraced that innocent fantasy again.
Mace feels that he is a dignified the Reach governor, Warden of the South, and the strength of his army has always been intact. Even if he surrenders, there must be a more dignified way, instead of losing dignity in front of Starpike Earl.
Titus somewhat saw through the mentality of people like Mace, and a faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, "Master Mace, if you are willing to surrender, please dismount and kneel down immediately. I can guarantee that the safety of noble the Reach will not be violated; if you insist on resisting, I can only march south.
By then, the fate of the Southern Border Army and Highgarden will not be up to you."
His words were neither fast nor slow, but they were unquestionable and aloof.
This forced Mace into a corner, and the atmosphere on the mountaintop became more urgent in the blink of an eye.
Matus, Allister and others also looked at each other, not expecting that the other party would suddenly become so tough.
They can weigh the pros and cons and are willing to compromise, but the person who takes the lead in kneeling is indeed Mace·Tyrell.
This has to be what he wants.
Lord of Highgarden's face became increasingly ugly, and he remained motionless and silent while riding on his Highgarden Warhorse.
The gentle breeze blew over the mountains again, picking up countless dead grass on the ground.
Titus seemed impatient to wait any longer, and said coldly, "Fight but not fight, surrender but not surrender, but why?"
The struggling Mace was forced by him again and again, and now he became angry. "Titus·Peake! Don't be too arrogant! Don't forget, eyes The former Storm's End--and the Starpike of House Peake, are all being besieged by the nobles of the Reach!"
He was angry, but only for a short time.
Mace feels that no matter what, Starpike is a lower-level noble vassal to Highgarden, and the other party should not offend him repeatedly.
The condition just made was too insulting to Lord of Highgarden's identity.
Even if he has become a "lucky minister" of the new king, can he not understand aristocratic etiquette?
Admiring Mace·Tyrell's middle-aged fat face that looked like an inflatable fish, Titus's attitude was even worse. "Duke, are you threatening me? Why do you make me laugh?"
No matter what I say, or no matter how arrogant I say it, Mace·Tyrell--you have to listen to me honestly and give me enough respect!
I represent His Majesty King Robert·Baila Theon I, and behind me is Iron Throne, five-sevenths of the entire kingdom!"
Titus sneered again and again, and slowly pressed his left hand on the hilt of Orphan-Maker's sword, continuing to teach his titular lord, "----Even if you think those are symbols and they are far away from here----I will speak for you. The Starpike-Stormlands-the North-Vale coalition forces opposite you, only one league away from here----How dare you call me by my first name?
Wake up! From now on, you must address me as Commander-in-Chief!"
Gino, teach our Lord Mace, who am I?"
He scolded Lord of Highgarden as if he were reprimanding his attendants, but that was not the end of it. Titus waved his horsewhip, signaling Gino on the right rear to step forward.
Gino, who had a loud voice, cleared his throat and immediately announced the new appearance of their family Earl: "The person standing in front of you is--
Starpike Earl; Whitegrove, Dunstonbury, Horn Hill, ruler of Rivendell City and Ringlet; Dornish Marches and Mander River Protector of the South; King's Landing Liberator and Sword of Justice; Supreme Commander and Commander-in-Chief of the Southern Expeditionary Army--Titus·Peake!"
Captain Parker, who had been thinking about this all the time, failed to get a chance and fainted in the camp crying——
The Reach noble representatives on the opposite side were also shocked, with different expressions on their faces.
Matus·Rowan and Baelor·Hightower were okay. At most, they were thinking that House Peake had risen again. Not only did they regain the two castles they had lost, but they also took advantage of the war to "rob" Horn Hill and Rivendale City, which both belonged to Dornish Marches.
And judging from this, it seems that he has also obtained the allegiance of several knights who originally belonged to Highgarden?
Mace angrily wondered whether the other party's title had usurped some of his rights as Lord of Highgarden.
Brightwater Keep's Allister Earl's mood was more complicated, especially when he heard "Horn Hill----The Ruler".
However, the leaders of this group of southern border troops have now understood that the black Earl master is indeed confident to be rude to them. If they still want to continue the conversation, they must look at the Peake family head in front of them with admiration.
They readjusted their attitude towards Starpike Earl. When they looked at each other again, their eyes changed obviously.
Peake with only one city, Peake with three cities, and Peake with remote control of other family castles are naturally no longer the same concept.
Black Earl cracked his whip again, and asked Gino, who had completed the task, to step back with a slight smile on his face. At this time, silence was better than sound.
Outside Storm's End, on the top of an unknown mountain in the northwest.
That year, Master Titus held the sword with one hand and didn't know what an opponent was.
Storm's End: