These people were obviously not ordinary low-level soldiers. The ones at the front were wearing half plate armor, with the Lannister lion emblem engraved on their breastplates. They looked so arrogant that they were used to being arrogant elsewhere.
Old John's hands couldn't help but start to tremble.
His Restaurant has been operating in Cured Meat Street for more than ten years. In the past, he often had golden robes come to collect protection fees, street gangsters came to eat King's meals, Sailor overturned tables and started fights, etc., he encountered almost everything.
But a dozen heavily armed soldiers rushed in. This was truly the first time.
However, after so many years of working at the bottom, he knew very well that no matter how scared he was in his heart, he had to smile on his face.
Old John quickly wiped his hands and hurried up to greet him, bending very low. "Sir, we have freshly stewed beef and fresh grilled fish here. Ale also just arrived today...
His voice was trembling, but he tried to make his smile look sincere.
"Don't be nervous, old guy." A gentle voice came from behind the soldiers.
The soldiers stepped aside, and a man in his thirties walked out, his gray-green eyes slightly narrowed, and a faint smile hanging on the corner of his mouth.
The most eye-catching thing was his lips, which were very thin and red, as if they were painted with rouge or something.
He walked up to Old John and looked him up and down. "We have been stationed outside the city for several months, and today is the first day we enter the city. I have heard those bitches in Military Camp mention that you are the best cook in Cured Meat Street."
Hearing the other party's compliment, Old John's smile froze for no reason, and he couldn't help but secretly complain.
People are as afraid of being famous as pigs are afraid of being strong. He never thought that one day his reputation would reach the ears of these soldiers and gangsters in this way.
Especially the way this man smiled made Old John even more uneasy. The seemingly gentle look in his eyes was exactly the same as those slave traders who used to swindle near the dock!
"You are so kind, my lord, there are many better cooks in King's Landing than me...
.."Old John lowered his head, not daring to look into his eyes.
"Call me Ralford."
The man patted Old John generously on the shoulder, neither lightly nor hard. "I was Gregor Clegane Ser's Adjutant, but my brothers prefer to call me "Sweetmouth" Ralf."
"Cured Meat Street is now under my jurisdiction, do you understand?"
As soon as these words came out, Old John's heart sank suddenly.
He didn't know who Ralford was, but he knew Gregor Clegane... There was no one in Westeros who didn't know the name of "The Mountain".
After all, that eight-foot-tall, three-hundred-pound monster was said to have burned, killed, looted, and even eaten babies alive in the Riverlands!
The subordinates of Magic Mountain are still in charge of Cured Meat Street!
Old John's legs began to feel weak.
"Don't be afraid."
Ralford seemed to see his fear, and his smile became gentler; "We are just here to have a meal. I heard that the stew here is good, so I brought a dozen brothers to try it."
As he spoke, he turned around and waved to the soldiers behind him.
"Everyone sit down, you blind bitches, and don't disturb other people's business!"
After hearing this, the soldiers immediately dispersed. However, they did not yell or make a fuss or smash things as Old John expected. Instead, they quietly found a place to sit down, appearing very well-behaved.
"A pot of stew for each person."
Ralford's voice came from behind. "A few more pots of Ale, don't worry, we will definitely pay for it."
Hearing this, Old John nodded quickly, turned around and ran to the kitchen.
Ralford randomly found a table by the window, just behind the old man wearing Gray Cloak.
Barristan did not look back. He held a spoon in one hand and slowly put the stew into his mouth, but his ears were not idle.
Judging from the sound of footsteps, the other party was about fourteen people. When he heard Ralford introduce himself as someone from the Magic Mountain, he pulled his hood down again, covering most of his forehead to prevent the other party from recognizing him.
After all, he didn't intend to cause trouble.
However, this action actually attracted the attention of Ralford behind him.
Originally, he was sitting at the table behind Barristan, and he scanned the store without finding anyone suspicious.
According to Adam Malbrand Ser, Lord Tywin asked them to enter the city to maintain order and investigate suspicious people.
But to be honest, Ralford doesn't think there is any "suspicious person" in King's Landing that deserves such a big fanfare.
As the former top aide under the Magic Mountain, Ralford knows that the Prime Minister's primary purpose of sending troops to the city is most likely just to tell these weaklings in King's Landing - Lion is going to wear the crown, please be damn honest.
But I am very happy to be able to enter the city Ralford.
They were stationed outside the city for more than half a year. Although they had food and drink, and many prostitutes set up tents near the army to do business, they were never allowed to go too far from the vicinity of the camp.
After holding it in for so long, Ralford just wanted to find a restaurant to have a good meal, and then go to Silk Street to find some girls to relax.
That's too far.
Looking at the man in a gray cloak in front of him, Ralford frowned.
He always felt that this back figure looked familiar.
Observing carefully, Ralford noticed that the other person's hands were very large, with thick and protruding finger joints, and were covered with calluses and small scars.
Those are a pair of hands holding a sword!
Thinking like this, Ralford immediately stood up neatly, with two soldiers following behind him.
"Hey, old guy."
Walking to Barristan, Ralford walked straight into the territory and asked, "Eating alone?"
Barristan did not raise his head, but continued to break open the bread, dip it in the soup and put it into his mouth.
"A person."
His voice was very low, no different from that of an ordinary old man.
However, Ralford tilted his head and continued to look at it.
"Where did it come from?"
"Far away."
"Where is that far away?"
"A small place, you wouldn't know it."
"So far?" Hearing this, Ralford chuckled, walked across the bench and sat down opposite Barristan, and continued to ask, "Why come to King's Landing after traveling such a long way?"
"Looking for someone."
"Who?"
"An old friend.
After asking so many questions, but not even getting a reliable answer, Ralford stared at him for a few seconds, and then smiled.
"Lift your hood and let me see your face.
Barristan:
"Are you deaf?" Ralford's voice was still gentle, but his tone became very cold. The two men had already put their hands on the hilts of their swords. "I said, lift the hood!"
Restaurant suddenly became quiet.
All the guests held their breath and looked here. Old John poked half of his head out of the back kitchen, his face turned pale.
Hearing this, Barristan finally put down the spoon and slowly raised it a little. The shadow of the hood covered his eyes, leaving only his gray beard exposed.
"I don't want to cause trouble. Let me finish this meal and then leave."
"Haha..." Ralford narrowed his eyes slightly, showing a hint of threat. It was obvious that the other party's attitude made him feel very unhappy.
He reached out impatiently and pulled Barristan's hood.
However, as soon as his fingers touched the edge of the hood, a thick hand grasped his wrist.
The force was so heavy that Ralford was completely unable to move forward an inch.
Upon seeing this, the surrounding soldiers stood up in unison, with more than a dozen pairs of eyes staring at them at the same time.
However, Barristan still lowered his head, holding the spoon in one hand and holding Ralford's wrist firmly with the other.
"My name is Whitebeard.
"I'm just here to eat. I'll leave after eating."
His voice was very steady, and after speaking, he patted Ralford's palm with his other hand and moved it away.
Ralford stared at him for a few seconds.
Then to everyone's surprise, he smiled.
The smile was bright and sincere, as if nothing had happened just now. He turned around and waved to the soldiers who stood up.
"Everyone sit down."
"It's okay, it's just a misunderstanding!"
The soldiers looked at each other, hesitated for a few seconds, and then slowly sat back.
Ralford swaggered back to his desk and sat down, then looked down at his palm, where several Gold Dragon were lying, glowing golden in the candlelight.
His smile became even brighter.
After all, it was just a job for the Prime Minister to ask them to investigate suspicious people.
As for work, just do it for a show. The money that really falls into your pocket is yours. There is no need to take it too seriously, otherwise it will not be a good thing to end up like Clegane Ser.
Contrary to Old John's expectations, these Lannister soldiers behaved in a very orderly manner during their meals.
They just sat there and ate quietly. Although their actions were rude, they were very quiet and had no intention of disturbing other customers.
I didn't even ask Old John for protection money.
But even so, the diners, who were naturally afraid of the soldiers, still left one after another.
In less than a quarter of an hour, the only people left in the store were the Lannister soldiers and the old man wearing Gray Cloak by the window.
Barristan lowered his head and ate slowly, chewing every bite carefully, carefully savoring the taste in his memory, which he could not taste in those days on the other side of the Narrow Sea.
But he didn't feel at ease eating.
Because he could feel that there was a pair of eyes staring at him.
However, Old Kingsguard was not in a hurry. He slowly finished the last piece of bread, drank the soup in the bowl, then scraped the bottom of the bowl with a spoon, and put the last bit of soup into his mouth.
Finally, he took out a handkerchief and wiped the corners of his mouth, stood up and walked towards the door.
The pace is neither fast nor slow, very steady.
Gray Cloak's hem fluttered gently behind him, drawing a long shadow under the candlelight. He didn't stop when he walked past Ralford's table, and just walked straight forward.
Ralford's eyes followed him, and he narrowed his eyes slightly again as he watched Barristan walk towards the door step by step.
This walking posture, this back view...
He was sure he must have seen it somewhere!
Where is it?
Just as Barristan's feet were about to cross the threshold of the door.
"Hey! Whitebeard!" Ralford's voice came from behind.
Old Kingsguard paused, turned around and looked at Ralford. His right hand hanging by his side quietly touched the hilt of the sword.
However, Ralford just raised his glass and gave him a distant salute, grinning with yellow teeth.
"Thank you for your hospitality!"
"Come next time, I'll treat you. Your money is enough for you to eat here for a month."
Hearing this, Barristan did not speak, but released his fingers from the hilt of the sword, nodded slightly and turned around to leave.
The door closes behind you.
Ralford looked at the closed door and gently rubbed his fingers on the wine glass.
His smile was still there, but there was no smile in his gray-green eyes.
"Boss."
A soldier nearby came over and asked puzzledly, "Why didn't you rob the old guy? He must have more money on him!"
Ralford didn't explain, he just picked up the wine glass and drank it all in one gulp, then took out a Gold Dragon from his wallet and flicked it into the air.
Gold coins rolled in the air, and the golden luster reflected in his gray-green eyes, but a picture emerged in his mind.
It was when Eddard Stark served as Hand of the King, and Robert Baratheon held a grand tourney to welcome his old friend.
Ralford was just a squire of the Magic Mountain at that time, standing in the corner of the arena, watching the knights in gorgeous armor galloping on the sand.
He remembered that the sun was so strong that day that it made his scalp numb. He was cursing in the stable and preparing armor for Clegane Ser, and then he saw a figure wearing White Armor walking behind the king from a distance.
Barristan "The Fearless" Selmy.
Although the old knight just now was not wearing armor or white robes, his walking posture and the arc of the swinging cloak were the same as Ralford remembered...
Exactly the same.
Putting the gold coins into the purse, Ralford patted it and stood up.
"Are you full?"
The soldiers responded in unison, "You're full!"
"Very good."
Ralford nodded, turned around and walked towards the bar. Old John stood and saw Ralford walking over, and quickly put on a smile.
"Sir, have you eaten?"
"Eat." Ralford leaned on the bar, with his elbow on the countertop, and took out a few Gold Dragon coins from his wallet with his other hand.
He weighed it in his hands. "How much does it cost?"
Old John was stunned for a moment and waved his hands quickly. "No money, no money!"
"It's our honor for you, sir, to come to our little restaurant for dinner! How can we charge you money?"
Ralford looked at him directly and said word by word, "I said, I will pay."
"Sir, there is really no need to...
, Bang!!!
Without any expectation, Ralford kicked Old John in the stomach!
Old John flew backwards and hit the wine cabinet at the back. The wine bottles shattered on the ground.
He curled up on the ground with his hands covering his stomach, his face flushed, and he looked up in surprise at Ralford, who was walking towards him. He didn't know why the other person's face changed so quickly.
"I said I would pay, why did you stop me?"
Ralford squatted down, grabbed Old John's hair with one hand, and changed his gentle tone before saying sinisterly, "No one has ever dared to refuse what I Ralford gave me."
"I... I'm sorry... Sir..." Old John apologized repeatedly and stretched out his hands with difficulty. "I...
I accept your..."
"I changed my mind."
But before Old John could finish speaking, Ralford interrupted him coldly.
"Now I have decided to follow the tradition of the Iron Islanders and pay you...
... iron money!"
After that, he took out Longsword from his waist and put the sword blade against Old John's face. The cold touch made Old John shiver in fear.
As soon as these words came out, the surrounding soldiers suddenly burst into cheers, not at all as "gentle" as before.
They whistled and slapped the table, stood up and waved their fists, with almost pure excitement on their faces, like a group of hyenas that had taken off their disguises and couldn't wait to enjoy the thrill of fighting!
"Kill him! Kill him!"
"Give him iron money!"
The voices came and went, echoing in the quiet Restaurant. Old John curled up on the ground, holding his head in his hands, trembling all over.
His pants were wet and a foul smell filled the air, but no one cared.
"Sir, please..." Old John begged for mercy intermittently, "My daughter is working for Mr. Corleone. She is House of Order's person. Please take care of her...
77
"Corleone?"
Ralford raised his eyebrows, and the tip of the sword lightly scratched Old John's throat, leaving a shallow blood mark.
"I work for the Prime Minister, what does Corleone mean?"
After saying that, he raised Longsword, preparing to kill the opponent neatly.
The soldiers cheered even louder.
Old John closed his eyes in despair, as if he didn't want to see his own blood spurting out.
However, at this moment, Ralford's body suddenly froze.
His eyes widened, the sword slipped from his hand, and fell to the ground with a clang. He clutched his chest with his right hand, feeling like something exploded in his chest, spreading from his heart to his limbs.
Poof!!!
Then, under everyone's gaze, Ralford spit out a mouthful of old blood!
Bang, fell to his knees.
His body began to twitch, his fingers twitched, his eyes rolled upward, and white foam mixed with blood spilled from the corners of his mouth.
He wanted to say something, but there was only a "gnawing" sound coming from his throat.
The surrounding soldiers were stunned, and their cheers suddenly stopped.
They looked at their leader kneeling on the ground, vomiting blood and twitching all over, and for a moment they didn't know what to do.
But there wasn't much time for them to think.
Because...
Bang! Bang! Bang!
One after another... the soldiers began to fall down, which was exactly the same as Ralford's symptoms.
Old John was lying on the ground shaking, his face covered with blood spurted by Ralford.
His eyes widened as he watched the extremely arrogant soldiers all fall to the ground, his mind going blank.
What happened?
Are these guys... poisoned?
Who gave the poison?
Is there something wrong with the food you cooked?
If word of this gets out, how will I do business in the future?
Just when Old John was thinking wildly, a burst of rapid footsteps came from the back kitchen.
The door curtain was opened, and daughter Ellie was seen walking out quickly. When she saw everything in front of her, she covered her mouth in shock, and hurriedly ran to Ralford and stopped in front of her.
"Sir, what's wrong with you?"
Ellie squatted down and held Ralford's shoulders. "Quick, I'll take you to the bachelor...
Hearing this, Ralford quickly stretched out his hand with difficulty.
He could feel his hands shaking and his fingers not obeying his command, but he still tried his best to reach towards her little by little.
However, just when Ralford saw a little hope of survival...
A ray of light flashed before his eyes.
Very thin and bright.
Then... poof!
Like a needle pricking a balloon, Ralford felt something split in his throat.
He lowered his head and saw a sword as thin as an embroidery needle piercing the side of his throat, then pulling it out, and blood spurted out like a fountain.
Looking at the young woman in front of him whom he had never met before, Ralford couldn't figure out why he had offended her and used such despicable means to deal with him.
But soon, a cold voice sounded in my ears.
"Remember my friend Romi?"
"In the Riverlands, his leg was injured and he couldn't stand up. He begged you to help him."
"Just when he was about to hold your hand, you stabbed his throat with the sword you picked up."
"That sword...
"That's it."