Lord Mace Tyrell, often derisively called "Lord Puff Fish," and his mother, the formidable Lady Olenna, known as the "Queen of Thorns," sat before two letters.
One was from the Citadel, containing Viserys's "Great Announcement"—a declaration so brimming with murderous intent that it nearly leaped off the page. The other letter was from King's Landing, bearing Robert Baratheon's order for Highgarden to muster troops in support of the Iron Throne.
One letter was from the "former King," the other from the "current King." The Tyrells faced a difficult choice.
"To our east are the Stormlands, and to the west is House Florent, both of which remain loyal to the Iron Throne," Lady Olenna noted, casting a sharp gaze at her son.
"Does that mean we should side with the Iron Throne?" Mace asked, uncertainty in his voice.
"If that's your decision, how many men are you prepared to send?" Olenna inquired, her tone measured.
"Ten thousand... maybe twelve thousand," Mace replied hesitantly.
House Tyrell wasn't fighting for Margaery's claim to the throne, so they had little incentive to commit their full strength. Moreover, Robert had always regarded House Tyrell with suspicion, so Mace was reluctant to offer more than a token force.
"Ten or twelve thousand is too few," Olenna said, straightening her sleeves with a look of mild disdain. "Robert may be many things, but he's not a fool."
"Then what about thirty thousand?" Mace asked, still uncertain.
During the War of the Five Kings, Doran Martell had sent only ten thousand men to support Aerys, and that was because he was using Rhaegar's marriage to Elia as leverage. Olenna couldn't help but feel a twinge of disappointment in her son's indecisiveness. Fortunately, her grandchildren were much sharper.
She ordered a maid to deliver Viserys's "Great Announcement" to Garlan and Willas, and Robert's letter to Margaery.
"Grandmother," Willas said thoughtfully after reading Viserys's letter, "it seems Viserys didn't specify when he plans to attack Westeros."
Willas's sharp mind immediately picked up on something amiss. When Aegon announced his conquest of Westeros, he gave a clear time frame of three months. But Viserys's announcement was different—it introduced him, then hastily demanded the heads of Robert and Tywin.
"Grandmother, there's something odd about this announcement," Garlan added. Though not as well-versed in grammar, he sensed that something was off. Willas, who was more learned, quickly identified the issue.
Viserys hadn't directed his demand for the heads of Robert and Tywin to any specific recipient. The sentence lacked an object.
Was he addressing Robert and Tywin directly? That didn't seem plausible—Viserys wasn't yet powerful enough to demand their lives so openly. A grammatical error? Unlikely, given that Viserys had penned popular songs like "Braavos Lover," "The Sailor," and "Falia," showing he was far from a fool with words.
No, there was only one explanation: Viserys was demanding the heads of Robert and Tywin from all the lords and ladies of Westeros. In essence, he was forcing them to choose sides.
Willas and Olenna exchanged knowing glances, the realization clear in their matching brown eyes. Viserys was setting the stage for Westeros to divide itself, and each noble would have to declare their allegiance.
After quickly reviewing the announcement, Garlan voiced his thoughts. "Grandmother, it seems Viserys is waiting for something."
Lady Olenna nodded, her expression one of satisfaction. The two brightest of her grandchildren had already grasped the key point.
"Waiting for what? What's the problem?" Lord Mace Tyrell asked, his confusion evident.
Lady Olenna, the "Queen of Thorns," turned her sharp gaze toward the Flowers brothers. "Garrett, tell us about your experiences in the Disputed Lands."
"Yes, my lady," Garrett began, stepping forward and gathering his thoughts. "Believe it or not, we arrived in Tyrosh just in time for Viserys's triumphant return. Although we didn't meet him personally, we witnessed the events that followed—the duel with the Horselord, the hatching of the dragon eggs, the punishment of traitors, and Viserys's coronation."
As the brothers recounted the tale, Lady Olenna's bright brown eyes sparkled with intrigue. Even Willas and Garlan, who usually remained level-headed, felt as if they were hearing a myth come to life.
"He really emerged from the wildfire unscathed?" Mace asked, his skepticism clear.
"My lord, it was witnessed by many. We wouldn't dare speak falsely," Garrett assured him.
Willas was more intrigued by the seven young dragons, but he knew this wasn't the right time to press for details. Garlan, meanwhile, was fascinated by how Viserys had managed to defeat Drogo's fifty thousand warriors with less than ten thousand cavalry. He knew that leading a cavalry charge on the open plains was challenging enough—finding and defeating the barbarian leaders was an extraordinary feat.
The elder and younger Tyrells reached the same conclusion: Viserys was formidable.
"Did Viserys give any instructions for us?" Margaery asked.
"To answer Lady Margaery, yes," Garrett replied. "First, Viserys instructed that we follow Robert's orders and support the Iron Throne. This suggests he has no immediate plans to attack Westeros, which keeps Highgarden out of a difficult position for now. It's less of an order and more of a gesture of goodwill. Second, Viserys requested that Highgarden stockpile at least two million pounds of grain. And third, he proposed that Lady Margaery marry him and become his consort."
"Huh?" Margaery covered her mouth in surprise.
Garrett quickly added, "Viserys said the third request did not require immediate action."
Lady Olenna, her shrewd mind working, saw the wisdom in Viserys's conditions. The first condition was designed to appear considerate of House Tyrell, ensuring they weren't forced into an immediate decision. The second, though curious, wasn't a significant sacrifice. But the third—marrying Margaery—was the key. Viserys likely knew the Tyrells intended to marry her to Renly, and this proposal was his way of preventing them from binding themselves to the Iron Throne and House Baratheon. By delaying the marriage, Viserys was effectively demanding that the Tyrells choose his side.
The room fell into a contemplative silence. Sunlight streamed through the windows, casting patterns on the green pound stone, while the only sound was the distant chirping of birds.
"Would my children have the right to inherit?" Margaery asked, breaking the silence.
"Margaery?" Willas looked at his sister, surprised by the question's timing.
"I'm just asking," she replied. With dragons now a reality, it was only a matter of time before Viserys reclaimed the Iron Throne.
Garrett hesitated, then answered, "Viserys mentioned that he plans to rule not only the Seven Kingdoms but also the Nine Free Cities and even the Dothraki Sea."
"I see. Then he would truly be the master of the world," Margaery mused, understanding that while her children might not inherit the title of king, they would still be heirs to vast territories.
The Tyrells understood that while it seemed they had a choice between Robert and Viserys, in reality, they didn't. Aegon had conquered Westeros with three dragons and two thousand troops. Viserys now had seven dragons and a hundred thousand troops. The outcome was clear.
"And what of Dorne?" Lady Olenna asked, her mind already racing ahead.