Bronn's Adam's apple rolled under the blade, and cold sweat dripped down his forehead, dripping on the back of the hound's hand.
"Um... Barristan Ser..." Bronn's voice trembled uncontrollably. "I still have a stupid wife at home waiting for me to come back...
", Barristan didn't look at him.
The old knight looked past the dagger and fell on Corleone who never stood up behind the desk.
After a moment, he stretched out his hand, but instead of holding the dagger, he gently pushed back the hand that the hound handed over.
The movements are not big, but the power is so powerful that even hunting dogs cannot refuse.
The hound's eyes narrowed, and the hand holding the back of Bronn's neck tightened unconsciously. Bronn let out an indistinct groan, and his eyes almost popped out of his head.
"Sorry, Master Corleone."
Barristan ignored Bronn, who was about to die, and spoke directly to Corleone simply and clearly, "I cannot agree to this request."
"Oh?" Corleone didn't move, but tilted his head slightly, with a trace of amusement flashing in his black eyes.
Barristan stood up straight. Under Gray-White Coarse Cloth Cloak, his body, which was no longer young but still as strong as steel, seemed to have grown a few inches taller at this moment.
It was the aura of the greatest knight of the Seven Kingdoms that emerged from his bones after being tempered by countless life-and-death battles.
"I followed Queen Your Majesty across the entire Nine Free Cities from Pentos to Slaver's Bay."
His voice was not loud, but every word was ringing.
"I have seen her face the threat of the Great Triumvirate without flinching, argue her case before the slave masters of Yunkai, and have seen her ride a dragon into the gladiatorial arena of Meereen to rescue slaves who were treated as playthings."
"Everything she did was to save the most humble, helpless and hopeless people."
"And when she did these things, she never sacrificed the life of an innocent person."
Barristan paused, a gleam of light flashing in his blue eyes.
"It was like this from Pentos to Slaver's Bay, from beginning to end."
"She could burn everyone who opposed her with dragon flames and rule with fear like those slave owners, but she didn't."
"She chose a more difficult path, using justice and hope, these things that are invisible and intangible, but more powerful than any weapon."
His voice was slightly higher, but still calm.
"So, Lord Corleone, please forgive me for not being able to make such a decision that goes against my honor."
"Queen Your Majesty will not agree to use the blood of an innocent person in exchange for an ally."
"If she knew, she would say: If this is what it takes for this person to be my ally, then he's not a true ally."
After he finished speaking, his eyes moved away from Corleone's face and landed on Bronn. There was no apology in his blue eyes.
Bronn opened his mouth, but only a vague "uh" came out from his throat.
Because he was completely confused.
Barristan withdrew his gaze and looked at Corleone again.
Then, he raised his right hand and put it on his chest, bowing slightly.
"Lord Corleone, I know that your situation in King's Landing is very complicated."
"It's normal for you to be cautious and calculating, because unreasonable trust in this place is death. I have witnessed this countless times, including Lord Eddard Stark and Lord Jon Arryn."
"But you don't have to test me in this way."
The corners of his mouth raised slightly, revealing a meaningful smile.
"If you want to test my swordsmanship, we can find a place to have a good fight, just you and me.
"If you are trying to test my loyalty, I can tell you that my loyalty belongs only to Daenerys Targaryen, and that will never change."
"But if you want to insult my honor...
He paused, and a hint of pride flashed in his blue eyes.
"Then you've got your answer."
After saying that, Barristan straightened up and said loudly, "As for the treason you just mentioned?"
"If you think this dog of yours can defeat me, you want to take me to Golden Robe in exchange for credit."
Having said this, he stretched out his hand to hold the hilt of the sword at his waist, with a look of pride and confidence on his face.
"Then please take action, Lord Vito·Corleone. I, Barristan Selmy, will accompany you to the end.
C
As soon as he finished speaking, the office fell into a dead silence.
Bronn's eyes widened, he was shocked and at the same time extremely impressed.
Damn it.
This is too crazy.
But he is so crazy that he has the confidence to do so.
Because this is Barristan·Fucking awesome·Selmy!
But now, the fearless man who is over sixty years old stands in Corleone's office, one person with a sword, facing Black Hand Mafia's Godfather, hunting dogs, and countless subordinates who don't know where they are hiding, without even frowning.
This is Barristan the "Fearless".
The hound's hand was still holding the back of Bronn's neck, but he did not move. His eyes were fixed on Barristan, and the fingers holding the dagger tightened slightly.
He is waiting for the order from Corleone.
As soon as Corleone opens his mouth, he will immediately kill Bronn and charge forward.
Even if the opponent is Barristan Selmy.
However, Corleone did not speak or move. He still leaned on the back of the chair and looked at Barristan calmly with his black eyes, without any emotion on his face.
Seeing this, Barristan didn't say anything more, but decisively turned around and walked towards the door.
Gray-White Coarse Cloth Cloak fluttered gently behind him, revealing the scabbard on his waist. The copper piece reflected warm light in the afternoon sun and was spotless.
When passing the hound, Barristan stopped in front of him, less than two steps away from the two people.
The hound was half a head taller than him, and his body was also wider, but at this moment the hound felt like he was facing a wall, which reminded him of the times when he was knocked off his horse by the old knight several times in the tournament a few years ago.
Barristan raised his head and looked at the hound, but did not say a word. He just raised the corners of his mouth slightly, then walked past him, opened the door, and stepped into the corridor.
The footsteps gradually faded away and disappeared in the direction of the stairs.
The office became quiet.
The hound was still standing at the door, his hand still holding the back of Bronn's neck, but the grip had loosened.
Bronn landed on his feet, not daring to breathe because the blade on his neck was still there.
Bronn hung in mid-air, his eyes turning around, looking at the door, Corleone, and then at the hound.
The silence lasted for several seconds.
"Okay, okay! Let go now!"
The hunting dog was stunned for a moment.
He looked down at Bronn, who had changed his timid attitude and suddenly became arrogant. He was a little confused, but Bronn rolled his eyes.
"What are you looking at? I've never seen Earl with such outstanding acting skills??"
After a little struggle, sure enough, the hunting dog's hand soon let go.
Bronn landed on his feet and stood firm. He even reached out his hand and calmly straightened the torn collar and dusted off the non-existent dust on his cuffs.
Then, he took out a handkerchief from his pocket and slowly wiped the sweat on his forehead.
The sweat is real.
With a dagger pressed against the throat, anyone would be sweating.
But he was sweating, and his hands didn't shake at all.
After wiping the sweat, he folded the handkerchief and stuffed it back into his arms, turned around and looked at Corleone with a grin.
"How is it? My performance just now was passable, Master Corleone?"
Hearing this, Corleone leaned back on the chair, looked at him calmly with his black eyes, and raised the corners of his mouth slightly.
"How did you figure it out?"
Bronn sat back on the chair, crossed his legs, put his hands behind his head, and slumped back on the chair. His posture was a hundred times more relaxed than when Barristan was present just now.
"No need to ask?"
He curled his lips and said with a thoroughness in his tone, "It took me twenty years of crawling and crawling in the bottom of the river to hone my skills. If you really want my life, why did you let the old man do it himself?"
As he spoke, Bronn spread his hands with an expression on his face that said, "I don't know why."
The hound leaned against the window with his arms folded, looking at Bronn's exaggerated expression, the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.
Bronn noticed and raised his chin at him.
"Don't think you're the only one with eyes, Hound. While I was making a living in the Riverlands, you were working as a watchdog for that evil mad boy Joffrey."
The hound's eyes narrowed, and his right hand rested on the hilt of the sword again. Bronn was immediately frightened and raised his hands.
"No more, no more!"
Seeing these two guys interacting in such a loving way, Corleone showed a faint smile, but there was a clear understanding in his black eyes that "it's true".
"Earl." His voice was calm, with a hint of gentleness.
"You're much smarter than I thought."
Bronn waved his hand. "You must never praise me. People are most likely to get carried away when they are praised, and they will make mistakes and lose their lives in the future."
"When I was in the Riverlands, several of my friends died like this.
95
This guy is really alive and well.
Corleone nodded and did not continue the topic.
He has his own considerations in mind.
To be honest, he is also happy to cooperate with Barristan. This old knight's name is too loud, "Fearless" Barristan, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, a living legend in the Seven Kingdoms.
If you can get such a person to act for you, even if you just stand at the door of House of Order, it will be worth a thousand words.
But the movement just now was too big.
Although Flea Bottom is under the absolute control of Corleone, control does not mean that it has no eyes.
Those who patrol, clean, and cook are not enemies, but they are not mute either. They can talk and chat with family, friends, and even colleagues. As they chat, the news spreads.
And those little birds of the Eight-clawed Spider are not vegetarians.
Varys's little birds are all over King's Landing. They hide in the most inconspicuous corners and listen to the most worthless news.
A hooded stranger made a big fuss with Bronn in House of Order. This news was enough to make a little bird fly back to the Red Keep.
Maybe they will finalize their cooperation at noon, and before evening, the news will reach Tywin Lannister's ears.
So Corleone cannot leave Barristan behind.
But he also knew that Barristan would come back.
Because Barristan Selmy traveled thousands of miles from Slaver's Bay to King's Landing alone with a mission, and he would not give up just because of one trial.
When he thinks it through, he will come back.
Corleone recovered his thoughts and raised the corners of his mouth slightly.
"Let him be, he will come back."
"How do you know?" The hunting dog was a little puzzled.
Corleone didn't answer, just smiled.
Bronn couldn't hold back and interjected. "Will he come back? When the old man left just now, his posture was as if he was going to challenge the entire Gold Cloaks Headquarters."
Corleone glanced at him and without explaining, reached out and pulled the bell on the wall.
The crisp ringtone echoed in the quiet office.
After a while, footsteps were heard outside the door, and Rorge pushed the door open and entered.
"My lord?"
"Go call some people.
Corleone ordered, "Bring the tools and materials and go to Fort Stokeworth to help Bronn Earl repair the castle."
Rorge was stunned for a moment.
"Repair----the castle?"
"Yes."
Corleone nodded. "Most of Stoke Worth was burned down and needs to be renovated. You need to find the best stonemasons, carpenters, and masons, and use the best materials."
Bronn was leaning on the back of the chair with his legs crossed. When he heard this, he slowly lowered his legs.
"You want to build the castle for me?"
"Yes."
"You still have to pay for it?"
"Yes."
Bronn was silent for two seconds, then nodded.
"Okay."
Just one word.
There were no tears of gratitude, no tears in my eyes, not even a "thank you".
The hunting dog glanced at him by the window and twitched the corner of his mouth slightly.
Bronn noticed and spread his hands at him.
"What's wrong? Master Corleone said he would build the castle for me, but I'm not happy enough. Do you expect me to cry for you?"
"I, Bronn, have been living in the Riverlands for twenty years. What kind of storms and waves have I not seen?"
"Someone gives me money, and then I save the whole thing of being grateful until I die."
He spoke in an understatement, but there was a sobriety in his eyes that said, "I know this money is not given for free."
Corleone was very satisfied with this guy's transparent appearance and continued, "In addition, I will deduct one thousand Gold Dragon from the account and lend it to Bronn Earl without interest."
"Whenever he has money, he will pay it back."
Rorge frowned, but didn't ask any more questions and just nodded.
"Yes, sir."
Bronn was a little more responsive this time.
He tilted his head and looked at Corleone, then grinned. "Master Corleone, you are trying to tie me to your boat."
Corleone leaned back on the chair and looked at him calmly with his black eyes.
"You don't have to."
Bronn's smile froze for a moment, and then he laughed louder.
"Yes! Why not!"
"I don't want any free money. I, Bronn, am the biggest fool in Westeros."
He stood up from the chair and patted the non-existent dust on his butt.
"Tell me, what do you want me to do?"
"Kill? Set fire? Or go to Silk Street to snatch two girls back for you?"
His tone was frivolous, but his eyes were serious.
Corleone did not laugh, but said seriously, "Earl, Bronn, you should know very well that I, Vito·Corleone, have never been stingy with my friendship."
Bronn's smile faded a little and he nodded.
"Clear."
"If I don't want you to inherit Stoke Worth and become Earl, I have a hundred ways to mess with it."
Corleone continued, looking at him calmly with his black eyes.
"Please believe that I am absolutely capable of doing this."
"I have never doubted all this, Lord Corleone." Bronn's smile completely disappeared and he said seriously.
People like him know the abilities of Corleone better than anyone else.
"Very good." Corleone raised the corners of his mouth slightly.
"Then, Bronn Earl, please take my friendship and walk out of this room.
He paused, and a meaningful light flashed in his black eyes. "And...
, "Let those who should know it know this in due course."
Bronn looked at him, blinked twice, and then grinned again, as if to say, "I know this job."
"Got it."
He straightened up and patted his chest. "Don't worry, I, Bolong, am not good at anything else, but I am best at delivering messages."
"Before sunrise tomorrow, I will hold you in my arms and the whole King's Landing will know that Stoke Worth was rebuilt with the funds of Lord Vito·Corleone, of course...
Before he finished speaking, Corleone nodded. "Go ahead."
Hearing this, Bronn turned around and strode towards the door.
The door closed behind him with a soft sound.
The office became quiet again.
"Is he really going to come back?"
The hunting dog's voice sounded, with a hint of suspicion.
Corleone leaned back on the chair and looked at the blue sky outside the window with his black eyes.
"He will come back."
"Why?"
"Because he has no other choice."
Corleone's voice was very soft, as if he was talking to himself.
"King's Landing is not Slaver's Bay. No one here would risk it for a queen who is thousands of miles away."
"Balistan needs an ally in King's Landing, and I am his best choice."
"He'll figure that out."
The hunting dog was silent for a moment. "You know him very well."
"I don't really understand." Corleone smiled, "But I understand human nature."
"Barlistan Selmy is a knight first, and a Emissary second."
"What is the most important thing for a knight?"
The hunting dog thought for a while, "Honour?"
"No." Corleone shook his head.
"It's a promise."
"He promised Daenerys Targaryen that he would come to me to discuss cooperation. He will not leave King's Landing until he fulfills this promise."
"No matter how dissatisfied he is with me, he will come back."
"Because..."
He paused, and a glimmer of light flashed in his black eyes.
"He swore an oath."