Chapter 164 Declaration of War
"Master Caesar! You are too much!"
Natalie Dane shouted angrily, but the smile in her purple eyes couldn't be hidden.
"Miss Natalie, where did I go too far?" Samwell was inspecting the grape plantations in the territory when he saw the Countess of Starfall City approaching the door aggressively.
"I've been waiting in Highgarden for so many days, but you didn't come!"
"It's not that there are too many things in the territory, so I can't take time off." Samwell rubbed the little girl's head habitually, "How is High Court? Is it fun?"
"High Court is so beautiful!" Natalie was easily diverted from the topic, and she didn't care about being angry with Samwell, and began to chat about her experience in High Court.
The sea of roses, river cruises, hunting activities, bonfire dinners... There are also various delicacies and wonderful performances. In short, the meaning of the words is the same—
It's a big loss that Samwell didn't go.
"It seems that you are doing well in Highgarden." Samwell listened patiently, and then asked, "Have you seen Mrs. Olenna?"
"I see. She is a wonderful person, not as scary as described by outsiders."
"Haha, it seems that she likes you very much. Did you introduce Young Junjie to you?"
"No." Natalie shook her head, the bell adorned in her hair rang softly, "Even if you are introduced, I will refuse."
Samwell was a little surprised when he heard the words. The "Queen of Thorns" looked at such an unmarried countess dangling in front of her eyes, but she had no idea?
Or was the old lady worried that he would be offended?
If this is the case, then High Court should have already regarded Starfall City as Samwell's sphere of influence by default.
This kind of respect made Samwell feel quite comfortable.
The afternoon sun shines through the sparse vine branches and leaves, casting mottled light and shadow on the two of them. Birds are singing in the forest, waves are rolling on the sea, and the air is filled with a quiet and warm smell.
Natalie held Samwell's hand, couldn't stop talking, talking about all kinds of trivial things, asking funny or amusing questions, and time passed quickly during this conversation.
Unfortunately, such a good time is always short and fragile.
Bachelor Qyburn arrived in a hurry and handed Samwell a letter from King's Landing.
Natalie saw that Samwell's face became serious, and asked curiously:
"What's wrong, Sam."
"The Iron Throne has declared war on the Martell family." Samwell crumpled the letter into a ball with complicated eyes.
Although he had expected this day long ago, and he was the one behind the scenes of this battle, when the horn of war really sounded, the breath of iron and blood on his face still made him speechless for a moment.
Natalie was even more panicked, her face paled to the naked eye, and she immediately hugged Samwell's arms even tighter:
"Sam, well, what do I do?"
Samwell patted Natalie's slightly trembling hand and comforted him:
"Don't be afraid, this matter will not involve Starfall City, I promise. You write back now and summon all the vassals of the Dane family."
"Okay." Natalie nodded subconsciously, but then said pitifully, "Sam, can you go back with me?"
"Well, I will go back to Starfall City with you. However, there is no need to worry. You should write a letter to summon the vassals first, and we will return in a few days."
"Okay." Natalie agreed without asking Samwell the reason for such an arrangement.
Afterwards, the two continued to walk in the vineyard, but they no longer had the leisurely mood just now, and Natalie was no longer interested in talking, just holding Samwell's arm, silently lost in thought.
Samwell didn't panic, after all, he had expected this day.
And now it is only the Iron Throne declaring war on Dorne, and he is not a nobleman of the royal realm, so he does not need to lead an army to respond immediately.
He still has to wait for the call-up order from his lord, Duke Mace Tyrell.
There was a gap of time, enough for him to arrange Starfall City properly.
Afterwards, Natalie lived in Yingzui Island for three days. Until the fourth day, Samwell brought her a surprise.
"Mother!" Natalie screamed, and threw herself into the arms of the veiled woman excitedly.
"Ms. Ashara." Samwell also came forward to greet with a smile.
After receiving the news of the declaration of war, he immediately sent someone to find the Youya tribe.
"Mother, are you here to accompany me back to Starfall City?" Natalie asked expectantly.
"Feel sorry…"
Just as Ashara was about to refuse, Samwell quickly persuaded: "Madam, the battle is about to start, you'd better go back with Natalie for a while. I believe you must be worried deep in your heart, otherwise I will send someone When notified, you don't show up right away."
"Yes, mother, please! Come with me back!" Natalie hugged her mother's waist, refusing to let go.
Ashara sighed, and finally nodded.
Natalie was so excited that she jumped up and down hugging her mother.
The sea route is not far away. We set off in the morning and arrived just after noon.
But the weather was fine when we set off, but it was raining heavily when we arrived.
The lord of High Hidden City, Viscount Hughes Dayne, and the acting lord of Starfall City, Sir Jill Shad, were waiting on the pier in the rain.
These two were also the first group of Dane family knights who surrendered to Samwell, so they were entrusted with important tasks after the war.
Due to the bad weather, the welcoming ceremony was sloppy and short, and everyone entered the castle in a bit of a state of embarrassment.
Samwell was personally led by Viscount Hughes to his room.
The interior of the room is beautifully decorated. There is a huge feather bed, and the four feet are carved in the shape of long swords. The curtains are not the purple of the Dane family, but the sky blue of the Caesar family to show respect for the guests.
The floor was covered with soft Myr carpets, and the bonfire in the fireplace had already been lit. Samwell just took off his wet coat and hung it by the fireplace.
Viscount Hughes handed over a piece of parchment and said:
"My lord, the list of vassals who have not yet come is here."
"Okay." Samwell took the parchment, browsed it expressionlessly, and found that there were twelve vassals of the Dane family who didn't come.
It seems that the prestige of the Countess I support in the Dane family territory is indeed very limited, so many people dare to blatantly ignore her call.
Seeing that Samwell was silent, Viscount Hughes added: "My lord, Sunspear City has also sent people. They brought Prince Doran's call-up order, asking Starfall City to send troops."
"Who is here?"
"Prince Oberyn's illegitimate daughter, Nymeria Sand."
The corners of Samwell's mouth turned up, and his smile was cold: "There are so many illegitimate daughters of the Red Viper. Only one died in King's Landing, and now another one is sent to Starfall City. Isn't he worried about extinction?"
Viscount Hughes chuckled: "My lord, the illegitimate children of the Red Viper are all over Dorne. It is not easy to make him extinct."
"If he has been so arrogant, there will be such a day." Samwell put away the parchment and ordered, "Notify the vassals who have arrived that Earl Natalie will hold a meeting tomorrow morning and invite them to attend. "
"yes."
"Oh, by the way, let the Sand Snake from Sunspear City also attend the meeting."
Viscount Hughes showed embarrassment this time: "My lord, Miss Nymeria is not in the city."
"she is not here?"
"Yes. She came to Starfall City five days ago, but seeing that Earl Natalie was not there, she didn't know where she went. I suspect that she might have gone to meet some knights of the Dane family. The twelve people who didn't show up should all have been visited by her."
Samwell smiled coldly: "It seems that everything is connected. That's just right. If you release the news, it means that Earl Natalie will announce something important tomorrow, and let all the vassals of the Dane family come. I would rather Let's see if that Sand Snake and the people she connected with dare to come."
"Yes, my lord."
After Viscount Hughes left, Samwell took a shower, changed into dry clothes, and was about to go out for a stroll when he heard a knock on the door.
Opening the door, I saw Natalie Dane standing outside the door.
The Countess of Starfall City changed into a simple purple long dress, which just matched her purple eyes, and a silver satin ribbon was tied around her waist, highlighting her slender waist, soft dark long The hair exudes a fragrance of water vapor, it seems that it should have just been washed.
"Thank you for the host's hospitality. I'm going to thank you personally."
Samwell's posturing made Natalie giggle.
"Can I go in?"
"Of course, this is your place."
Natalie walked into the room, rubbing her hands on the skirt, looking a little nervous.
Samwell felt this and asked, "What's the matter? Are you worried about tomorrow?"
Natalie nodded, then shook her head again, revealing a fragile confusion in her eyes:
"Sam... am I not suitable to be a lord..."
Samwell stepped forward and rubbed the little girl's hair, and comforted him: "No one is born to be a lord. You are still young, and it is normal to be a little confused and afraid. It will be fine in the future. Besides, I will help you , yes, and your mother, didn't she also come this time."
"Mother is here, are you leaving?" Natalie looked like an abandoned little animal.
"I really want to leave. After all, you also know that there is going to be a war. But don't worry, I will definitely help you stabilize the situation in Starfall City before leaving."
"Then you take me with you!" Natalie hugged Samwell's arm, "You brought mine with you in the last war."
"It's different." Samwell could only explain patiently, "Last time you were just my little maid, but now you are the Countess of Starfall City, and your every move represents the Dane family. Do whatever you want. This time you can use various excuses not to participate in the war, but you must never join the side of the Iron Throne. That will make your subjects alienate you. You know, the Dornish people have always been xenophobic..."
Samwell could not go on, because the little girl in front of him began to cry, and the tears fell straight down like pearls with broken strings.
He reached out to wipe, but wiped more and more.
Just when she didn't know what to do, Natalie suddenly pounced on him, awkwardly looking for his lips.
Samwell hesitated for a moment, without any resistance, he hugged Natalie into his arms, helping her make that green kiss gentle and long.
The room was quiet, except for the crackling sound of the firewood burning in the fireplace.
(end of this chapter)