On the deck of Arbor Queen, Sailor stopped what they were doing and looked at the rowing boat sailing back from Dragonstone Island.
When Hob Redwin stepped onto the gangway, his face did not have the high-spirited glory of a winner, but only sadness and solemnity.
The dark green cloak hung heavily in the sea breeze, and the armor was stained with dust.
He put this on deliberately to create the appearance of having gone through a fierce battle.
Behind him were Corleone, who had his hands tied behind his back and blindfolded his eyes, and two Redwyne soldiers with solemn faces.
Paxter Earl walked down from the podium, his deep-set eyes first glanced at his son, and then fell on the prisoner. His steps were slow and steady, as if every step was silently emphasizing his authority.
"Father." Hopper stopped at an appropriate distance and performed a standard but stiff courtesy.
"Where is Desmond?" Paxter got straight to the point and raised his doubts directly. Two people went and two people came back, but he was not the same person anymore.
This is really hard to understand.
Hearing this, Hobo suddenly raised his head, with a look of grief and anger in his eyes. "Uncle Desmond... He was executed by Stannis!"
"What!"
"How could this happen!"
As soon as these words came out, there was a muffled gasp on the deck.
Sailor and the officers exchanged shocked looks. It seemed that no one expected such a result.
Desmond was executed, does that mean the negotiation failed?
But if the negotiation fails, what will happen to the prisoner who was brought back?
Among the exclamations, Paxter's expression did not change at all. He just stared at his second son with a sharp gaze and said in a deep voice, "Speak clearly."
Hearing this, Hobo took a deep breath, with an expression on his face that he had rehearsed countless times under the guidance of Corleone, and said eloquently, "Father, as soon as the negotiations began, Stannis showed extreme stubbornness. He insisted that he was the only legitimate king, and demanded that the Redwyne fleet immediately lift the siege and swear allegiance to him."
"Uncle Desmond argued hard and pointed out that Joffrey Your Majesty has been crowned by the High Septon and recognized by the Royal Council."
This statement was very consistent with the characters of Stannis and Desmond. Pax nodded without raising any objection.
Seeing this, Hobo's nervousness subsided slightly, his voice gradually rose, and he excitedly exaggerated. "But Stannis can't listen!"
"It is said that after the death of the red-robed witch, he became even crazier. He said that Uncle Desmond was the traitor's lackey" and ordered the guards to capture him."
"I tried to stop it, but there were too many people... they... they actually chopped off Uncle Desmond's head with an ax in front of me!"
Speaking of this, Hopper's voice choked up, he lowered his head and his shoulders trembled slightly.
The micro-expressions are so spot-on that even Corleone on the side was a little surprised. Is this guy quite talented in acting, or is he a good teacher?
Maybe if one day he returns to the previous world, he can open an acting training class to make a living even if he no longer is the Doctor?
"Uncle Desmond's head was inserted into the main city gate of Dragonstone Island."
Under the indignant expressions of all the knights, Hobble added hoarsely, "Stannis said...
... Let all traitors see their end."
Paxter was silent for a long time.
The sea wind whistled through the sail cables, as if it was mourning the dead.
"Then what?"
I don't know how long it took, but old Earl finally said, "How did you survive? And you brought back... the prisoners?"
Hopper raised his head, wiped away the non-existent tears from the corners of his eyes, and put on a resolute and exaggerated expression. "I have not forgotten my mission, father!"
"After Uncle Desmond died, I was not carried away by anger. I told Stannis that killing Emissary would only make the Redwyne family's anger burn even more fiercely. Therefore, I proposed a new plan."
"I said that the Redwin fleet besieged Dragonstone not to destroy the Baratheon family, but to execute the king's order."
"But if Stannis is willing to give up his claim to the throne, return to Storm's End to inherit the title of Duke, and swear allegiance to Joffrey Your Majesty, then this war can end with dignity."
As Hobo took a step forward, his tone became more determined. "I told him that continuing to resist will only cut off the bloodline of the Baratheon family!"
"But if he chooses to compromise, he can at least keep his rule over the Stormlands and his family's legacy!"
"Stannis hesitated for a long time, but he knew that he had no choice. Dragonstone was running out of food and there was no hope for reinforcements. Finally he agreed, on the condition that he would be given three days to prepare and then open the city to surrender."
This logic is very clever.
Paxter nodded slightly, obviously thinking.
"So... Desmond is dead." After an unknown amount of time, old Earl finally spoke slowly, "But you completed your mission and brought back... who is this person?"
He raised his chin and pointed at Corleone.
"Al Capone, Mercenary from across the Narrow Sea."
There were so many people talking, Hobo quickly answered loudly, and then gave his father a wild wink. "He is the person Lord Tywin ordered us to ask for, you know."
Hearing this, Paxter's pupils shrank slightly.
"That one?"
"That's right!"
Hobo nodded excitedly, and then quickly apologized. "I'm sorry, father, I betrayed your trust and failed to protect Uncle Desmond."
"But I at least... completed the task you gave me."
Listening to his explanation, Paxter stared at his son for a long time. His eyes were so cold that Hopper felt a chill down his back, but he forced himself to stay calm.
"You did a good job, Hopper." Paxter finally said, "Tougher than I thought."
It was a rare compliment, but Hopper couldn't hear much warmth.
"Put the prisoners in the hold cells." Paxter ordered the guards, "Keep them under strict guard. No one is allowed to approach without my order."
"Yes, Master Earl!"
When Corleone was taken away, he struggled a bit and made a vague protest in his throat, but was quickly dragged off.
It wasn't until everything was settled that Paxter turned to Hopper: "Come to my cabin, we need to talk in detail."
In the captain's cabin, Paxter did not sit down immediately.
He stood in front of the porthole, with his back to Hopper, looking out the window at the darkening sea.
The outline of Dragonstone looked like a sleeping giant in the twilight.
"Desmond has been following me for forty years."
The old earl suddenly spoke in a low voice, "He has been my most loyal knight since I was not an earl. He participated in the Battle of the Nine Copper Kings and suppressed the Greyjoy rebellion... I never expected that he would die in such a small-scale siege.
In the city battle."
Hearing this, Hobo stood behind his father, his palms sweating, fearing that he would see something, and quickly explained, "I'm sorry, father, if I had been more vigilant...
"It's not your fault."
Paxter did not go into details, but turned around with Hopper's familiar indifferent expression on his face. "Negotiations are inherently risky, and Desmond knows this."
"He expressed his loyalty to the family."
With that said, he walked to the wine cabinet, poured two glasses of Golden Wine, and handed one glass to Hobo, which made Hobo a little flattered.
Normally, only the elder brother can be treated like this by his father.
"Will Stannis really surrender?" Paxter asked, ignoring his son's thoughts and taking a sip of wine.
"He will."
Hobb took the wine glass, but did not drink it. "He had no choice, and the terms I promised were decent enough, Duke of Storm's End, to rule the Stormlands. This is much better than going to the Wall to stay vigil or die on Dragonstone."
Hearing this, Paxter nodded, but there was still doubt in his eyes. He walked to the table and tapped his fingers on the table unconsciously. "You have to understand, Hobo, this matter is not only related to the reputation of the Redwin family, but also related to your brother's life."
Coming.
Hearing his father mention his brother, Hobo's heart suddenly sank.
"Horas is in the Red Keep." Paxter continued, "In name, he is serving the king, but in reality he is serving as a hostage. Everyone knows this. If we go against his wishes...
He didn't finish what he said, but the meaning was obvious.
Hopper tightened his grip on the glass and argued. "But we have reached an agreement! And Corleone...
,"Corleone is important, but it may not be enough." Paxter interrupted him and finally expressed his true thoughts, "What Tywin Lannister wants is absolute obedience."
"If we make an agreement with Stannis on our own initiative, even if we bring back Corleone, we may be considered disobedient.
Having said this, old Earl turned around and looked directly at Hopper: "So we need more sufficient reasons, more sufficient... sacrifices!"
His eyes were so cold that Hobo felt a chill. He swallowed and asked, "What do you mean?"
Paxter did not answer directly, but walked up to him, his thin figure casting a long shadow in the candlelight. "I mean, maybe we need to rethink the whole plan."
"Perhaps Stannis's surrender should not be accepted. We can continue to surround Dragonstone and trap all his troops inside to avoid future troubles!"
"But I've promised Stannis!"
Hopper almost blurted out, but he held back. Looking into his father's eyes, he suddenly understood.
The father doesn't care about promises, honors, or even his sons' achievements.
He only cares about two things: whether Lord Tywin is satisfied, and whether his eldest son Horas is safe.
"Sometimes sacrifice is necessary."
Seeing that his son was somewhat silent, Paxter said coldly, "Moreover, if something happens to Horas because of our disobedience..."
He did not continue, but Hobo understood what was left unfinished: the safety of the eldest son Horas was more important than the contribution of the second son Hobo.
Damn... it's obvious that he and Horas are twins who came into this world only a few minutes apart, but just because of these few minutes, their fates are completely different.
One will become Arbor Earl, the future of the Redwin family.
One is always the "second son", the spare, and expendable.
"Father...
", Hopper took a sip of wine and tried to keep his voice steady: "But wouldn't it be better if Stannis surrendered as originally planned, Corleone was captured, and the war ended honorably?"
Paxter shook his head. "That's too idealistic, Hopper."
"Politics is not a game of chess where multiple chess pieces can be captured at the same time. Politics is a choice, and we must choose the safest path."
He patted Hobo on the shoulder. The action should have been a comfort, but Hobo only felt cold. "You did a good job and brought back Corleone. This is already a great achievement. Let me handle the rest."
"I will ensure the safety of Horas and ensure that the Redwin family will not be harmed by this incident."
Watching his father's back as he walked back to the table.
At that moment, all Hopper's fantasies, all expectations, and all yearning for his father's love were completely extinguished.
For twenty-five years, he has lived in his brother's shadow.
No matter how hard he works and how good he is, in his father's eyes, he will always be just "the second son Hopper".
And Horas, the Horas who attends banquets in King's Landing and hangs out among the nobles all day long, is the future of the family.
Now, my father is even willing to deny all his efforts and tear up the agreement he reached for the sake of Horas's safety.
He remembered what Corleone said in the main hall of Dragonstone: "Unless... you become the eldest son, you will be useful to us."
That crazy and dark thought continued to take root and sprout rapidly in Hobo's heart.
"I understand, Father."
Hopper finally said, his voice eerily calm. "I will do as you wish."
Paxter nodded with satisfaction. "Very good!"
"Tomorrow we will interrogate Corleone and extract all his value before making the final decision."
"Yes.
The next morning, when Corleone was brought to the captain's cabin, he looked even more embarrassed than yesterday.
His hands were chained, and there were new bruises on his face, as if he had suffered a lot.
Paxter rejected everyone except himself and Hopper.
Corleone stood in the middle of the cabin, head lowered, like a trapped animal with its claws removed.
"Al Capone." Paxter's voice echoed in the cabin, "Or...Vito·Corleone?"
Hearing this, Corleone slowly raised his head.
His eyes were bloodshot, but there was still an unyielding fire in his eyes. "Call it whatever you want, Mr. Earl. To a dying person, the name is not important."
"A dying person?" Paxter raised his eyebrows. "Who said you would die?"
Corleone was stunned for a moment, and a glimmer of hope flashed in his eyes. The expression of grasping at straws in despair was perfectly performed.
"Lord Tywin wants you to die." Paxter continued, "This is true, but there are many kinds of death, including painful deaths and less painful deaths."
"There are worthless deaths, and there are deaths that can buy you something."
His irrelevant words made Corleone lean forward slightly in confusion. "What do you mean?"
Paxter leaned back in his chair, crossed his fingers on his abdomen, and said in a negotiating posture, "I heard that you accumulated a lot of wealth in Flea Bottom."
"Gold, jewelry, and some goods obtained through special channels. If you can provide the whereabouts of these wealth, maybe I can let you die a more pleasant death."
"Even if the value you provide is great enough, maybe I can consider other possibilities."
Ha, it turns out it was all about my money.
Corleone smiled secretly in his heart, but his eyes were fixed on Paxter, as if he was evaluating whether it was true or false.
Then he shook his head and said in a depressed voice, "Do you want me to believe that Earl of the Redwyne family would betray Duke Tywin's order for money?"
"It's not betrayal, it's balance."
Paxter was not angry and corrected him calmly. "Lord Tywin wants you to die. This is necessary.
"But how I die, when I die, and what I can provide before I die, I can decide these."
He paused and added, "Moreover, if you provide enough wealth, even your family and friends may be treated better."
As soon as these words came out, Corleone was silent for a long time.
Hopper stood aside, his heart beating rapidly.
"I have three secret vaults."
Corleone finally spoke, his voice was very low, as if every word was consuming his life. "In King's Landing, I am the only one who knows the location."
Paxter's eyes lit up. "Go on."
An hour later, three detailed maps were completed.
Corleone slumped on the chair, his face pale, as if all his strength had been drained away.
"Now," he said hoarsely, "Will you keep your promise?"
Paxter picked up the map and looked at it carefully.
There was no expression on his face, but Hobo saw his father's hands trembling slightly, which was a sign of excitement.
"What did I promise?"
Hearing Corleone's question, Paxter showed a sly smile on his face, and then raised his voice. "Guard, keep him here!"
Hearing this, Corleone's eyes were immediately filled with betrayal's anger and despair, and curses echoed in the corridor.
"You dishonest bitch, your soul will fall into the seven levels of hell and be burned to death.
Bang!
The hatch is closed.
Paxter sat back in his chair and breathed a long sigh of relief. He stroked the parchment roll with a satisfied smile on his face.
"Did you see it, Hopper?" He said, "This is Game of Thrones. Even a dying person can squeeze out the last value."
Huo Bo nodded numbly and said flatteringly, "Father, I'd like to see you."
After looking at the parchment for a long time, Paxter's smile suddenly faded. He looked up at Hopper, his eyes becoming complicated. "Knowing the location of these wealth, we will have more chips."
"Most importantly, Horas will be safer in King's Landing."
Here we go again.
Horas...Horas, always Horas!
Hopper felt a cold anger burning in his chest, but he forced himself to remain calm. "Yes, father."
"Brother's safety is the most important thing."
Paxter seemed not to hear the strangeness in his son's tone, and was completely immersed in his own calculations. "So tomorrow, I will send a team of reliable people to King's Landing to search for these vaults according to the map."
"At the same time, deal with Corleone neatly and cleanly, and then report to Lord Tywin."
As he said that, he looked at Hopper, with rare gentleness in his eyes. "You did a good job this time, Hopper."
"Bring Corleone back to facilitate this deal. You have proven your worth. When Horas returns safely to Arbor, I will carefully consider your position in the family."
Hopper almost sneered.
Considering his position?
After ensuring the safety of Horas?
He finally understood that in his father's heart, he would always be just a tool.
"Thank you, father." Hopper nodded mechanically.
"Go and rest." Paxter waved his hand, as if sending a servant away. "There are still many things to do tomorrow."
In the evening, candlelight flickered in the captain's cabin.
The table was filled with exquisite food, grilled snapper with lemon, baked lobster in cream, Arbor fresh fruit, and aged Golden Wine.
But Hopper didn't know the taste of food.
He cut the fish mechanically and listened to his father talking endlessly about future plans. In those plans, Horas would always be at the center.
"Waiting for Horas to come back." Paxter took a big sip of wine and said with a blush on his face, "I will hold a grand banquet for him, so that all the nobles in the Reach can see how outstanding the heir to the Redwyne family is.
"The etiquette and knowledge he learned in King's Landing will make him the perfect lord..
, "He established connections in King's Landing, learned politics, and made future allies. When he inherits the title, the Redwyne family will not only be a noble in the Reach, but will be an important force affecting the entire the Seven Kingdoms!"
"Moreover, I plan to go to Dorne myself to make an engagement between him and Princess Arianne Martell!"
He kept talking and became more and more excited.
Hopper looked at his father's excited face and suddenly asked a question he had never dared to ask, "What about me, father?"
"What path have you paved for me?"
As if he did not expect this question, Paxter was stunned for a few seconds, and then said, "You will assist Horas, manage the fleet, and handle military affairs. You are brothers and twins, and you should support each other."
"Support each other." Hopper repeated the word, his tone flat. "It means, I live for him, take risks for him, kill for him, do all the dirty things for him, so that he can keep King's Landing clean."
Such rude words made Paxter's face darken and he scolded, "Watch your tone, Hopper, are you questioning my arrangement?"
"No, father." Hobo lowered his head and sighed, "I just want to know my position."
"Your position is that of the second son of the Redwin family." Paxter's voice became colder and he reprimanded mercilessly. "This is already a much better fate than most people's. You should be grateful instead of complaining."
Be grateful.
Hopper sneered in his heart.
Be grateful that you are always the alternative, always the secondary one, and always the one who sacrifices for your brother.
The dinner continued in silence.
Paxter was obviously dissatisfied with his son's "ignorance" and said nothing more, while Hopper was immersed in his own thoughts.
When the last dessert was taken away, Paxter wiped the corner of his mouth and said calmly, "Go and bring Vito Corleone. It's time to end it."
Not long after, Corleone was escorted in. He seemed to have completely changed.
His steps were staggering and his eyes were empty, as if he had accepted his impending death.
Paxter sat on the main seat, regaining the majesty of a judge.
"Vito·Corleone, you have committed treason, sedition, and rebellion against the legitimate monarch. According to the the Seven Kingdoms law, you are sentenced to death."
Listening to his sentence, Corleone did not refute, but slowly knelt down and lowered his head, as if he had completely surrendered.
Paxter ignored him, but looked at Hopper: "You will execute it, with your dagger."
"This is your work and should be done by you."
Hearing this, without saying a word, Hobo pulled out his dagger, the blade glowing with cold light, and walked up to Corleone.
"Look up," Hopper said.
Corleone raised his head obediently, and the two looked at each other.
"Father." Just when he was about to strike, Hobo suddenly hesitated and turned around. "Are you sure? Lord Tywin may want to interrogate him alive...
"Tywin wants him dead." Paxter waved his hand impatiently. "Do it, Hopper, don't let me doubt your determination.
Tilting his head, Hobo took a deep breath, then raised the dagger and stabbed it hard.
Phew!
The dagger pierced Corleone's left chest, and blood gushed out. Corleone groaned, fell forward and fell to the ground, motionless.
Blood spread on the carpet.
Paxter frowned. "Why did you stab the chest?"
"Cutting the throat is cleaner."
"I...--." Hopper's voice was trembling. "I don't want to see his eyes."
"It's really useless."
Paxter shook his head in disappointment, but said nothing more.
He stood up, walked to Corleone, and kicked it with his toes, but the body didn't respond.
"Check it out," he said to Hopper.
Hopper squatted down and probed Corleone's carotid artery with his fingers. After a while, he raised his head and said, "Dead, father."
Paxter finally relaxed completely. He breathed a long sigh of relief, with a victorious smile on his face.
"Very well, now, Lord Tywin will be satisfied. Horas will be safe, and the Redwyne family will be...
His words stopped abruptly.
There was a cold feeling in my chest. I looked down and saw the familiar dagger piercing through my chest and hitting my heart.
Old Earl staggered back and bumped into the dining table, and the silver tableware fell to the ground with a crash.
He looked down at the dagger handle on his chest, then looked up at Corleone. The man who should have been dead was now standing with cold eyes.
"You..." Paxter spat out a mouthful of blood and said in disbelief, "How...
", Corleone pulled out the dagger and kicked the opponent in the chest, knocking him down.
Blood spurted out.
"Faking death is a technical job, Master Earl."
He squatted down and said calmly, "I need to control my muscles and breathing. I forgot to tell you that I am a the Doctor."
Without any further struggle, Paxter collapsed to the ground, his life force rapidly draining away with his blood.
He turned his head to look at Hopper, only to see his son standing there with an expressionless face.
"Hopper..." Paxter's voice was hoarse and almost inaudible.
Seeing this, Hopper moved.
He knelt down next to Paxter and looked into his father's eyes that were gradually becoming distracted.
"Don't blame me, father." Hobo said softly, his voice was terrifyingly calm. "I really want to be Earl."
As soon as these words came out, a flash of enlightenment finally flashed in Paxter's eyes. He finally understood that this was a conspiracy and a betrayal!
But it was too late. His lips moved, trying to say something more, but only blood came out.
After a few seconds, he finally stopped breathing.
Arbor Earl, Commander-in-Chief of the Redwin Fleet, Paxter Redwin, died in the cabin of his flagship, in front of his son and enemies.