Early morning.
The sea fog has not completely dissipated, Arbor Queen put down a rowing boat.
The boat cut through the gray water and sailed towards the main dock of Dragonstone Island. The bow of the boat was engraved with the grape cluster crest of the Redwyne family, and the paddles were painted gold and white, indicating that this was a ceremonial boat and was specially built for formal occasions.
Hobb Redwin stood proudly on the bow of the ship, under his dark green velvet cloak, his steel armor polished to a shine.
He deliberately straightened his back and tried to imitate the posture of his father Paxter Earl when he received the vassals. He raised his chin slightly and looked straight ahead.
But the index finger of his right hand that was holding the sword was always tapping the hilt unconsciously, appearing a little nervous.
Sitting opposite him was a sixty-three-year-old knight, Desmond·Redwin Ser.
Different from Hopper's luxurious attire, Desmond wears a well-maintained but simple-style plate armor. On the breastplate, the edges of the Redwyne family's coat of arms have been worn and shiny by the years.
His white hair was cut extremely short, and his face was lined with wrinkles.
A pair of still sharp eyes stared at the getting closer and closer to the dock. As a professional and experienced old knight, he was assessing every place that might hide threats at any time and at any time.
"Remember the etiquette, Hopper."
Seeing that the ship was about to dock, Desmond spoke in a very stiff tone, even with a somewhat lecturing tone. "We are negotiating with the Baratheon family on behalf of the Redwin family, and we are not here to quarrel."
"Let the other party speak first, observe, and then respond. Don't rush to express your position, but our attitude must be tough, because we are on the advantageous side."
"I know, uncle." Faced with his instructions, Hobo's tone seemed a little impatient. "Father had already explained these things before leaving.
19
"Your father told me it was me."
Desmond frowned and corrected. "He just asked you to learn how to negotiate with the enemy, so I will mainly speak today, and you can just sit aside and observe for a while."
"Remember, negotiation is not a competition, and it's not whoever is louder wins. We need to hear the flaws in the other party's words, and we need to see where their bottom line is from their expressions and demeanor."
Hearing this, Hobo's fingers tapped faster, and there was a trace of anxiety and impatience in his eyes.
That's it again.
You know, he is already twenty-five years old, has participated in three small-scale naval battles, and commanded five longships!
But in the eyes of this old guy and the elders in the family, Hopper Redwin will always be regarded as a child who needs to be taught, and will never be trusted to accomplish anything on his own!
Learn.
Learn shit!
With Hopper's unkind expression on his face, the rowing boat gradually docked.
The Dragonstone guards on the dock were wearing armor, and almost all of them were injured, but they still stood tall and straight, and held their spears quite steadily.
However, they showed no hostility and just lined up silently, watching the boat slowly approaching with alert eyes.
"Welcome to Dragonstone, both of you."
Ser Gerard, who had been waiting here for a long time, greeted him without any courtesy, but said straightforwardly, "Please follow me. The adults are waiting for your meeting in the main hall."
Hobo was the first to get off the boat, and when he saw Gerard approaching him with great discernment, he nodded with satisfaction and raised his neck even higher.
However, Desmond, who followed him off the boat, shook his head and sighed softly.
This kid is still not mature enough.
The few of them were silent all the way to the Dragonstone Island drawing room.
A long table was placed in the center, with two high-backed chairs on each side. When Hopper and Desmond were introduced, the other party was already seated.
Like them, they are also two people.
The first thing that caught his eye was a young man wearing bright silver plate armor. On the breastplate, the gilded crowned stag emblem was still eye-catching in the dim light.
He has thick short black hair, blue eyes, and very strong facial contours.
The moment he saw this face, Hobo's heart skipped a beat.
So similar.
It was exactly the same as the portraits of King Robert Baratheon that he had seen before!
Next to that person, sat a man about twenty years old, with black hair, wearing a simple leather armor and a dark gray cloak. He looked ordinary and looked quite calm.
Behind Hobo, Desmond Ser's footsteps paused imperceptibly.
The old knight's eyes lingered on Gendry's face for a moment. Apparently, he also recognized the meaning of the armor on this face.
If nothing unexpected happens, the "Robert Baratheon" those soldiers saw on the battlefield should be this person.
"Welcome, representative of the Redwin family."
The speaker is Corleone.
He stood up, moved calmly and bowed slightly, making a standard courtesy gesture, neither humble nor arrogant.
"I am Al Capone, a free Mercenary from Essos, currently employed by the Baratheon family as a military advisor."
Corleone deliberately bit his tongue, giving his common language a slight foreign accent, and gestured with his hands. "This is Gendry Baratheon Ser, he is the bloodline of King Robert Baratheon I and the nephew of King Stannis Baratheon. He will participate in this negotiation on behalf of Stannis Your Majesty."
Hearing Corleone's introduction, Hobo and Desmond raised their eyebrows at the same time.
Gendry·Baratheon?
It seems that he is probably the illegitimate son of the prostitute king. This is not surprising. After all, it is said that Robert's seeds are spread all over the seven the Seven Kingdoms, which is almost as good as the legendary sowing hero "Greenhand" Garth of the Reach!
But then again, with Stannis's character, he would legalize his brother's illegitimate son, and even give him the surname Baratheon, which is really incredible.
Although shocked, Desmond Ser was the first to return to normalcy.
He took a step forward, put his right hand on his chest, and performed a reciprocal standard knightly salute.
"I am Desmond Redwin, cousin of Paxter Redwin Earl."
His voice echoed in the hall, "This is Hooper Redwin Ser, the second son of Paxter Earl, the representative of the Redwin family in this negotiation."
Following the introduction of Desmond, Hobo saluted, trying to make his movements solemn.
But he noticed that when Desmond said the word "second son", an elusive light flashed in the eyes of the Mercenary consultant named Al Capone.
Are you mocking yourself?
Damn it!
A trace of flush appeared on his face, and he glanced at Desmond angrily.
Do you really have to introduce it so clearly? Why don't you just say that I am Paxter Redwin's son?
"Please take a seat."
Corleone keenly caught the change in Hobo's expression, raised the corners of his mouth slightly, and stretched out his hand to signal.
The four of them sat down.
The long table is wide, and there is a safe distance of at least six feet between them, which not only facilitates conversation, but also ensures that neither party can suddenly get violent and hurt anyone.
The sea breeze came in through the broken window panes and blew the flags on the wall.
Corleone clapped his hands.
An old waiter came out of the shadows carrying a wooden tray with two pieces of freshly baked rye bread on it.
There is also a small dish of coarse salt.
According to the ancient tradition of Westeros, once a guest accepts the salt and bread from the host, then the "guest rights" come into effect, and the safety of the guest is sacredly guaranteed under the roof of the host.
Vice versa.
The waiter first brought the tray to Hopper and Desmond.
Desmond Ser looked at the bread and salt carefully, then tore off a small piece of bread, dipped it in a little salt, put it in his mouth, chewed it, and swallowed.
Hopper did as he was told.
The bread is very rough and has a bitter taste.
Hmm... There seems to be a slight smell of mold. It seems that the food shortage on Dragonstone is severe.
While swallowing the bread, Desmond kept thinking in his mind.
The ceremony takes effect.
Corleone leaned forward slightly, folded his hands on the table, made a relaxed posture, and said with a smile, "Then, under the witness of the old and new gods, let us start this conversation, you two."
"First of all, on behalf of King Stannis Baratheon, please allow me to express my gratitude to Paxter Redwin Earl for his willingness to negotiate."
"It is wise to choose dialogue over bloodshed in war."
Hearing this, Desmond Ser cleared his throat and spoke before Hopper: "Paxter Earl also values the lives of soldiers."
"The Redwin fleet has completed a complete blockade of Dragonstone. We have two hundred warships and more than six thousand Sailor and soldiers."
"Your food reserves cannot last more than a month, and our supply line can extend from Arbor to King's Landing. Under such circumstances, continued resistance will only bring unnecessary death."
Hopper listened quietly and nodded. He remembered that his father did say these words, but in his opinion, it would be more convincing if he said it as his father's representative.
He opened his mouth and was about to add something, but Desmond took the lead again and continued, "Therefore, Earl put forward decent conditions...
","The usurper Stannis Baratheon must give up his claim to the throne, go to the Wall to join the Night's Watch Legion, and spend the rest of his life guarding the Seven Kingdoms in order to atone for his sins."
"All defenders can leave freely after laying down their weapons without suffering retaliation, and the blood of the Baratheon family...
He glanced at Gendry with his own light and hesitated for a moment before speaking, "When the time is right, perhaps Paxter Earl will propose to the Iron Throne and let him inherit Storm's End."
This promise was obviously made on an ad hoc basis and was not convincing at all given the identity of Desmond.
Hopper opened his mouth again, intending to speak in his own name to strengthen the promise.
However, before he could say anything, Desmond had already turned to Gendry: "Are you willing to accept this condition?"
Hearing this, Gendry's eyes were blank, he just nodded slightly and did not speak from the beginning to the end.
"It's a pity." Corleone on the side answered for him, "Stannis Your Majesty cannot accept this condition."
"Why?"
Desmond asked, his tone still calm, but with a sense of pressure that was not easily noticeable.
"Because Stannis Your Majesty did not commit a crime and does not need to atone."
Corleone knocked on the table and said firmly, "He is the legal heir of King Robert. According to the inheritance law of Westeros, when King Robert dies and has no legitimate heirs, the throne should be inherited by his younger brother."
"Furthermore, there is doubt about the identity of Joffrey Baratheon. I believe that the Redwyne family has also heard about this."
As soon as these words came out, Desmond frowned, and Hobo took advantage of this opportunity to finally find the opportunity to interject. "You have no evidence to prove this at all, and we are currently under control of the situation!"
"Yes." Hearing this, Corleone seemed to have noticed Hobo's existence, and nodded with a smile, "We are all aware of the political reality, but reality is not necessarily justice, nor is it necessarily eternal."
"Otherwise, the Targaryens would still be ruling, instead of being overthrown by King Robert Baratheon."
As soon as these words came out, Desmond frowned deeper, stared into Corleone's eyes and asked, "Are you implying that the Redwin family supports the usurper?"
"I'm stating historical facts."
Corleone still kept smiling, "Every family has made a choice at the crossroads of history. The Stark and Arryn families both chose King Robert and became the pillars of the new dynasty."
"And now, your Redwin family is also faced with a choice, whether to continue to support a king who may have impure blood, or to reconsider what a true legal inheritance is."
"House Redwyne is only loyal to...
Hopper wanted to say something to refute, but Desmond had already spoken again. "The Redwyne family is loyal to the Iron Throne!"
"We are loyal to the legitimate monarch. Currently sitting on the Iron Throne is Joffrey I Your Majesty. He was crowned by the High Septon and recognized by the Royal Council. This is reality!"
"Reality will change." Corleone wrote lightly, "Just like the tide, it rises and falls. A smart captain will not park the ship on the rocks when the tide is low, nor will he stay away from the port when the tide is high."
"That's true..." Hobo thought this metaphor was wonderful. Just as he was about to express his agreement, Desmond had already responded coldly=
"The Redwyne family has been making a living on the sea for hundreds of years. We know how to read the tides better than anyone else, and now, the tide is clearly not on Dragonstone's side."
The negotiation lasted about half an hour, and time gradually passed with meaningless arguments between the two.
And Hopper finally discovered something was wrong.
Whenever he wants to speak, Desmond is always half a beat ahead of him. Whenever Corleone puts forward a point, Desmond is always the first to refute.
But he, Hobb Redwyne, the nominal representative of the Redwyne family, sat there like a decoration and could only listen.
What confused him even more was Gendry Baratheon.
The young man said nothing from beginning to end, just sitting quietly with his hands on the table, occasionally taking a sip of water.
When Desmond spoke, he listened carefully, and when Corleone responded, he also listened carefully.
No impatience, no attempt to interject, or even any emotion shown.
This is strange.
If Gendry is really the representative of the Baratheon family, why does he not participate in the negotiations at all?
If he has no say, why is he sitting here?
If he has power but doesn't say anything, what is he observing?
Hobb's eyes lingered on Gendry's face for a long time, and his brows furrowed deeper and deeper. The face that looked like Robert was young and firm, but there seemed to be a kind of... confusion in his eyes?
No, not confused!
It should be something deeper. As the representative of the Baratheon family, and as the heroic Warrior who kills everyone on the battlefield, he can never be that simple!
Look, those eyes are slightly closed, they should be judging the situation... Well, they must be!
"Why isn't it over yet?"
Gendry, who had almost fallen asleep, came to his senses. Hearing Corleone and Desmond chatter endlessly, he actually felt like he was on pins and needles.
Participating in this kind of negotiation, for him who is not good at words, is simply more tiring than wielding a hammer all afternoon!
"Didn't you agree to let me go through the motions and then we start dinner?"
"Oh, I haven't had enough to eat lately. I'm almost starving and losing weight."
Thinking of the smell of bread, he swallowed, forced his sleepy head to regain some energy.
Hopper did not focus on Gendry for too long, but tried to find an opportunity to intervene in the bickering between Corleone and Desmond.
Finally, he took advantage of the gap between the two of them to speak, cleared his throat and was about to speak, "About this, I think..."
"Nothing to think about!"
However, Desmond interrupted it again, "We have an absolute advantage. Al Capone and the Redwin family will never bargain!"
"Earl's order is for Stannis to put on Black Cloak and go to the North to return Dragonstone to the control of the royal family. I will not accept anything else!"
As soon as these words came out, Hobo's face turned red completely.
This time, Desmond not only interrupted him, but also denied his right to speak in front of the other party.
This has gone beyond the scope of "guidance" and is simply a public humiliation of his face as the representative of the Redwin family!
Corleone looked at this scene with a hint of amusement in his eyes.
He turned to Gendry and said in a low voice but loud enough for everyone to hear, "Is there anything you would like to add, Lord Gendry?"
"Ah, let's have dinner...
Hearing Corleone's question, Gendry almost blurted out, but fortunately he recovered before he spoke and quickly changed his words: "I only follow Stannis Your Majesty's decision!"
Just this sentence.
Then he fell silent again.
Seeing this, Desmond seemed to have lost his patience. The old knight stood up and shook his head in disappointment.
"It looks like we can't come to an agreement."
"Redwyne's fleet will continue to besiege Dragonstone, and when food runs out, you will make a more realistic choice, or starve to death."
"Hopper, let's go."
After saying that, he turned around and prepared to leave.
However, Hopper sat in his chair and did not move.
His fingers clasped the hilt of the sword tightly, feeling the blood rush to the top of his head and his ears buzzing.
Again and again, again and again.
Always interrupted, always represented, always treated like a child who needs to be led around.
This is the case in Arbor.
This is the case in the fleet.
Now, in such an important negotiation, this is still the case!
Desmond even walked to the door, only then did he realize that Hopper had not followed.
He turned around, frowned and said sternly, "Hopper, don't you hear? We should go!"
This tone is not a discussion or inquiry at all, but more like an order to a subordinate.
Hobo slowly raised his head and looked at Desmond.
The old knight stood at the door, backlit and his face in shadow, but his figure was still upright, like an insurmountable mountain.
He looked back at Corleone, and the sarcasm in the other person's eyes seemed to be beyond words.
He looked at Gendry again, the Baratheon who was clearly qualified to speak but chose to remain silent.
Hopper seemed to suddenly understand something.
It's not that Gendry doesn't have the right to speak, he is using silence to express another kind of trust.
He trusted Capone to represent his interests, so he didn't need to speak.
And what about yourself?
I don't trust Desmond to represent my interests, but I have been deprived of the right to speak.
"Hopper!" At this moment, Desmond's voice became more severe. "Stand up and follow me. This is an order."
command.
Ever since I was little, I have always had this damn commanding tone.
He took a deep breath, suppressed all the dissatisfaction in his heart, and stood up silently.
After all, as a mere second son, what can he do even if he is unhappy?
Seeing Hobo's movements, Desmond's brows relaxed a little. He turned around and prepared to push open the heavy wooden door of the main hall0
Just then.
"Planning to leave without our consent?"
Just when Desmond's hand was about to touch the doorknob, Corleone's voice suddenly sounded.
The sound was not loud, but it was extremely clear in the empty main hall.
Desmond stopped and turned around slowly, his face full of vigilance and dissatisfaction. "What do you want to do?"
"Let me tell you, we are protected by guest rights, and I don't believe Stannis will let you do whatever you want!"
After hearing his non-threatening retort, Corleone sat on the chair, leaning back slightly in a very relaxed and even lazy posture.
But those black eyes were extremely sharp, staring at Desmond, and said nonchalantly, "I'm not from Westeros."
"We in Essos don't care about such nonsense as guest rights."
As soon as these words came out, Desmond's expression suddenly changed. "What do you mean?"
"What I mean is." Corleone slowly sat up straight, looking from Desmond to Hopper and back again. "Before you go to the island, you should assess the risks, right?"
"After all, this is the enemy's base camp, and...
As he said that, he paused and raised the corner of his mouth with a half-smile, "With Hopper Ser as a hostage, I think we will have more bargaining chips with Paxter Earl. He shouldn't just watch his son die on the island, right?"
A naked threat!
Desmond pressed his right hand on the hilt of the sword instantly, and reprimanded in a very stern tone. "Are you going to detain us?"
"Let me tell you, there is no point in doing this. Paxter Earl will never give in because of this. Our fleet will surround Dragonstone even more tightly, and you will all starve to death on the island!"
"Really?"
Corleone's tone is still calm.
He no longer looked at Desmond, but turned his gaze to Hopper.
Young Redwin stood there, his face pale, his right hand also pressed on the hilt of the sword, but his posture was stiff, obviously struggling fiercely in his heart.
"Huobo Ser." Corleone said softly, with a hint of regret and disappointment in his voice. "It seems that your status in your father's heart is not high."
Hearing this, Hobo's body shook violently.
Desmond quickly roared, "Shut up!"
"Don't listen to him, Hopper! He's stirring up trouble!"
But Corleone ignored him completely and continued to talk, each word hitting Hobo's heart like a hammer. "What a pity."
"Although I am just a son of Farmer, my father... he is willing to be beaten to death by the farmer for stealing apples for me."
"That was many years ago."
He paused, his eyes far-reaching, as if he was reminiscing. "Later I thought, if I were more useful, my father might not steal or die."
"But the fact is that he is just a poor Farmer, and I am his son, his only son, so he has to protect me, even if he pays his life."
After saying that, Corleone withdrew his gaze and looked at Hobo again.
This time, there was an almost compassionate attitude in his eyes. "But you are different, Hobo Ser. You are the second son of the Redwin family."
"You have a brother, Horas Ser. He is the hope of the family and the future heir."
"And you... you're the backup."
"It's like the extra sword. It's nice to have it, but it doesn't matter if you don't have it."
"You're talking nonsense!" Listening to Corleone's increasingly excessive and explicit remarks, Hobo yelled in retort, but his voice was trembling.
"Am I talking nonsense?"
Corleone spread his hands indifferently. "Then please tell me, why is you sitting here and not Horas Ser?"
"Why is it that you risked your life to land on the enemy's island, while he enjoyed the safety of King's Landing?"
"Why every time you want to talk, Desmond Ser has to interrupt you and answer for you?"
With every word he said, Hobo's trembling became more intense.
As for Corleone, Shi Shiran stood up, walked slowly to the other end of the long table, stopped a few steps away from Hobo, and said shockingly, "Because you are not important, Hobo Ser."
"You are an expendable pawn. If the negotiations break down today and you are taken hostage, what will Paxter Earl do?"
"He will be painful and angry, but in the end - he will calculate the cost, and it may be worth it to exchange a second son for Dragonstone."
"But think about it again, if it was Horas Ser who was detained, he might be willing to do whatever it takes, who knows?"
"Alas...
Sighing, Corleone turned around, turned his back to Hobo, and made a waving gesture, as if he was chasing away something unimportant. "It seems that catching you, a loser, is of no use."
"Let's go."
The word "trash" stabbed hard into Hopper's heart.
His whole body was shaking violently, his teeth were clenching, and his eyes were instantly bloodshot.
"You said... who is a waste!"
Desmond saw that something was wrong with Hopper's expression, and immediately stepped forward to stand between him and Corleone. At the same time, he reached out to pull Hopper's arm. "That's enough!"
"Hopper, don't listen to him! Let's go! Now!"
But Hobo, who had always been obedient, threw away his hand and stared at Corleone's back, his eyes mixed with anger, humiliation, and a kind of bottomless pain.
Corleone did not look back, but continued to speak, with a touch of sarcasm in his voice. "Did I say it wrong?"
"Did you say a word from the beginning to the end of the negotiation? Did you have any decision-making power?"
"Desmond Ser is thinking for you, speaking for you, making decisions for you, and you are just a decoration, sitting there, pretending that you are important."
He turned around slowly and looked at Hobo calmly. "Leave before I change my mind, boy, we will hold on to Dragonstone to the end."
"Unless... you become the eldest son, you will be useful to us."
The eldest son! The eldest son!!!
The word exploded in Hopper's mind like a spell.
Why can't I be the eldest son?
If I were born first...
If that guy Horas...
Suddenly, an idea so bold that he had never dared to think about it flashed through his mind.
If Horas dies, if my brother is no longer here...
Then he is the eldest son, the heir, and the father's only hope!
This idea is so scary, yet so tempting, it can't be shaken off in my mind as soon as it appears!
Hopper's face instantly turned pale, then turned sickly red, his breathing became heavy, and veins popped out in the hand holding the sword.
Desmond saw the crazy look flashing in Hobo's eyes, and the old knight's heart tightened. Although he didn't know what he was thinking, his instinct told him that he must take Hobo away immediately.
"That's enough! Hopper, let's go!!"
Desmond reached out again, this time using strength, and almost dragged Hobo towards the door.
"Stand up, Hopper!"
"I order you in the name of your father! We must return to the ship immediately!"
command.
Another order.
It's always an order!
Hobo was dragged down by Desmond and staggered two steps.
He turned his head and looked at Desmond's anxious and stern face, and at the hand holding his arm tightly.
At this moment, all the depression, all the unwillingness, and all the humiliation converged into a dark torrent.
Why do you always give orders to me?
Why do you always make decisions for me?
Why should I live in my brother's shadow forever?
Why can't I be the eldest son?!
In just an instant, Hopper's eyes changed.
The struggle and pain completely disappeared, replaced by cold, empty, but extremely determined madness.
Desmond's heart skipped a beat and he realized something was wrong, but he had no time to react.
Hopper's left hand suddenly grabbed Desmond's wrist, and he pulled out the sword with his right hand. His movements were faster than expected, and not as fast as he usually was.
The sword light flashed.
Desmond didn't even see what happened. He only felt a coldness in his chest, and then severe pain.
He lowered his head and saw the tip of the sword emerging from his chest, and the blood-stained blade shone strangely in the light.
He raised his head and looked at Hopper.
There was no anger or hatred in the old knight's eyes, only deep shock and...
... sad.
Hobo looked into Desmond's eyes, at the face that had taught him, restrained himself, and protected him since he was a child.
His lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he said nothing.
Just a twist of the wrist, stirring, heart breaking.
Desmond's body twitched violently, and then all the strength was drained from his limbs.
He slumped, and Hopper let go of the hilt of his sword.
The old knight fell to his knees and fell forward, blood pouring from his chest and quickly spreading on the floor.
There was dead silence in the living room.
There was only the sound of blood dripping, tick, tick.
Hopper stood there, looking at his hands, the bloody sword, and the corpse on the ground.
There was no expression on his face and his eyes were empty.
Corleone walked over slowly, with no surprise on his face. Instead, he smiled and applauded Hopper: "Breaking the old rules is the beginning of establishing a new order."
"You made a decision for yourself, very brave."
Hearing this, Hobo slowly raised his head, and his eyes gradually focused on Corleone's face.
There was fear and regret in those eyes, but more importantly, there was a twisted, almost liberated calm.
"I killed my uncle."
"Yes."
"The gods will curse me."
"Maybe."
Corleone took out a piece of cloth from his arms and handed it to Hobo: "Wipe your hands, and then we need to talk about what to do next."
"After all, you need a new ally now, and I have what you need."
Hopper took the cloth and mechanically wiped the blood on his hands. His movements were stiff, but his eyes gradually became sharp.
"What do you want?"
"I want to leave Dragonstone alive." Capone said, "And you want to become the true heir of the Redwyne family. Our goals do not conflict and can even complement each other."
He paused and looked into Hopper's eyes. "But first, we need to deal with Desmond Ser's body and make up a story."
"Then, you need to return to Arbor Queen and tell your father something...