-Chapter 64-
-6th day of the 8th moon, Year 300 AC-
-POV Raymund Connington-
As night fell, I watched with relief as the flag bearing a crowned stag fluttered above the small keep of House Lychester.
In less than two weeks, we had managed to successively take Raventree Hall, Stone Edge, and dozens of small keeps of landed knights, swiftly bypassing all the other Houses.
The plan I had devised with Ronnet was to strike quickly with the full force of the Lannisters and the Goldcloaks from the right, aiming to get encircled by all the Houses of the Riverlands while leaving the Connington army to destroy the Tully bannermen's forces from the rear.
But only two people knew about this plan: Ronnet and me. We wanted to keep the plan secret to prevent it from being compromised or rendered completely ineffective.
The ultimate goal was to let Edmure Tully's bannermen choose their side, and then annihilate all those who chose to fight against us.
"You still don't want to share your plan with us, Commander?" asked Kevan Lannister, still accompanied by his bodyguard.
I shook my head and replied, "Have faith in my brother's vision."
'It's only because I represent him that you're keeping quiet,' I thought as I watched Kevan turn and leave, clearly displeased but not complaining about my lack of transparency.
---
-POV Margaery Tyrell-
Sitting in the gardens, I reflected on the events of the past moons. Too many things had happened, and I still couldn't tell if it was a good or bad thing.
"Still deep in thought, my little rose?"
I frowned at my grandmother's cheerful tone and asked, annoyed that she was disturbing my peace, "Do we have any news from the king?"
"News from that coward with his father-in-law breathing down his neck?" she said, mocking Tommen.
I rolled my eyes, as I was on the verge of losing the crown that I was so close to placing on my head. Then Grandmother finally said:
"Although I haven't received any news from that little king, I have received information that might be even better."
I raised an eyebrow, barely curious, and she didn't make me wait as she continued:
"I finally know why Ronnet Connington sent us back to Highgarden so suddenly."
"Why?" I asked.
"Because Euron Greyjoy is the new king of the Iron Islands," Grandmother replied.
"What happened to B… oh, he's dead, isn't he?" I said, realizing that the most likely reason for a new king to appear and inherit a throne is the death of the previous one.
"Not only is he dead, but according to Tywin Lannister, he's planning to attack us very soon," she said.
"I understand Ronnet's sudden change in attitude better now, but I imagine that's not the only good news, or you wouldn't be here with such a cheerful expression," I said.
"Your father's and your uncle Paxter's positions on the Small Council have been restored to us, all the reparations and taxes the crown imposed on us have been erased, and that's not all: we'll regain the Stepstones."
"In exchange for what?"
Grandmother's smile faded, and she said in a more solemn, even slightly anxious tone, "In exchange for one thing: your uncle Paxter's fleet."
"For?" I asked, realizing I wouldn't like the rest of the conversation.
"To take the Stepstones from House Connington."
I closed my eyes and put my hands over my face, sighing, because I knew Grandmother didn't believe the stories circulating about the Lord Protector, but I had witnessed them firsthand.
"Don't act so frightened; he's just a man."
"We can't agree to betray the Conningtons, otherwise…"
"It's already done. I've already sent a raven to Paxter for his fleet to attack the Stepstones."
"Who will defend us without the Redwyne fleet?" I asked, searching for a reason that would prevent the Redwyne fleet from attacking House Connington.
"The Lannister fleet, composed of 10,000 men, along with 25,000 soldiers arriving by land. Tywin isn't stupid; he knows we're his most solid allies. Ronnet is trying to impose himself by force, but he won't succeed. The old lion knows how to be patient," she said.
I shook my head, realizing there was nothing more I could do but wait in silence and pray that Grandmother hadn't condemned us all.