Chapter 399 Trust
After everyone dispersed, Samwell took Natalie to a crooked tree by the river.
This kind of tree is called "Desert Beggar" by the Dornish people. There are as many thorns on the tree as leaves. Meeting it means meeting water.
"Sam, that letter from Mrs. Ians that you showed me...I read it."
"What do you think?" Samwell asked with the tone of an exam school.
Natalie recalled the contents of the letter.
In fact, it was indeed a request for help. However, the tone of Madam Ians in the letter was quite strange, full of guilt and pleading. She said that she voluntarily stayed in the City of Divine Grace and pretended to surrender to the Golden Group, but in fact Arrangements have been made, and the west city gate will be opened on the night of the full moon to help Caesar's army enter the city to wipe out the mercenaries.
Mrs. Ians even bluntly said that she sent her two sons out just to convince Caesar of her sincerity.
This made Natalie very puzzled.
In her opinion, the Ailion family should not have offended Caesar. Even if they were recruited by the Martell family before, the City of Divine Favor did send some troops to attack the Yronwood family, but that is understandable.
Moreover, Mrs. Ians is also from the Yronwood family. With her status, if she wants to surrender, there is no need to stay in the city and take risks herself. She just needs to escape with her sons before the golden group arrives. .
Could it be that Mrs. Ians is worried that abandoning the castle in this way will insult the honor of the family?
"I can't understand Mrs. Ians' behavior." Natalie expressed her doubts in her heart, "If she really chose to stay for the glory of the family, at least she should resist the Golden Group symbolically."
Samwell shook his head with a smile: "She is a Yronwood, what obligation does she have to defend the city desperately for the Ailion family?"
Natalie was even more puzzled.
Seeing this, Samwell told the story of Mrs. Ians's betrayal.
Natalie suddenly realized:
"It turns out that she took the initiative to stay because she wanted to make up for her mistakes."
"Yes." Samwell asked with a smile, "Do you think we can trust Mrs. Ians this time?"
Natalie pondered and replied:
"I think it's okay, after all, Mrs. Ians sent her two sons here."
Samwell laughed and shook his head, rubbing the little girl's head.
Natalie suddenly lost confidence:
"Sam, do you think Mrs. Ians is lying to us again?"
"Actually, I don't know if Mrs. Ians is lying to us." Samwell said frankly, "I rode a dragon to investigate, and the situation in God's Grace City is basically consistent with what Mrs. Ians said in her letter. But there are some things that you can't see just by looking around in the sky.
Moreover, sometimes what you see may not be the truth.
Whether Mrs. Ians really wants to make up for her mistakes, or pretends to surrender, it doesn't matter much. What's really important is that you don't trust anyone, you have to be skeptical. As a high lord, trust is a luxury, and sometimes even a fatal thing.
Especially on the battlefield, it is extremely stupid to rely on a letter from a woman whose friend or enemy is unknown to make a battle plan. "
"Oh." Natalie nodded, "If Mrs. Ians cannot be trusted, what should we do? Storm the City of Grace?"
"This is going to be adaptable."
—————
City of Grace.
Mrs. Ians and Jon Connington stood side by side on the top of the main castle tower.
This castle is located at the confluence of the Vance River, the Misfortune River, and the Green Blood River. It is a rare touch of green in the yellow desert.
But Jon's gaze has been fixed on the northern desert, as if to reach the end of the horizon.
"Master Jon, what are you looking at?" Mrs. Ians asked, her tone was soft and weak, which most aroused a man's desire for protection.
"Your home is Griffin's Nest Castle. It's thousands of miles away from God's Grace City. How can you see it?"
Jon smiled slightly, looked away, and turned to look at the woman beside him.
Although she has given birth to two children, Mrs. Ians is still full of charm.
Feeling the scorching heat in the man's eyes, Mrs. Ians blushed. She raised her hand to straighten the long hair blown by the wind by her ear, slightly turned her head, and said:
"My lord, are you going to face Caesar's army in the City of Grace?"
"Yes." Jon withdrew his gaze, "Actually, it's not wise to confront Caesar head-on at this time, but..."
Thinking of little Aegon's reckless and stupid decision-making, Jon felt extremely bitter in his heart.
This child has been suppressed for too long, and too eager for glory.
But at young Aegon's age, who is not eager for glory, who is not rash and impulsive.
Mrs. Ians saw the troubles of the man, and comforted him softly:
"The City of Divine Grace is extremely strong. Your lord, rely on this, and you will definitely not lose to Caesar."
"I hope so." Jon smiled slightly, turned his head and walked down the tower.
Mrs. Ians followed.
As soon as the two of them stepped out of the stairs, they saw Sir Franklin Flowers walking over.
Mrs. Ians knew that they had something important to discuss, so she politely left.
"What's the matter?" Jon asked, but his eyes were fixed on Mrs. Ians's graceful back.
"Caesar's army has appeared in the west, and it is only two or three days away from the city of grace." Sir Franklin reported.
Seeing Jon's gaze, he showed a mocking smile, and said again:
"My lord, Mrs. Ians is actually a good marriage partner. She not only has the blood of the Yronwood family, but the child is also the heir to the city of God's Grace. If you marry her, you will be able to win over the two most important families in the eastern part of Dorne. You have been traveling for half your life, and now that you have returned with glory, it is time to start a family."
Jon glared at Franklin, shook his head and said:
"Are you still thinking about women at this time? Besides, Mrs. Ians...is not credible."
Sir Franklin froze for a moment:
"She can't be trusted? But since entering the city, she has been very cooperative. And she didn't admit it, she had betrayed Caesar before, so..."
"And where is her son?" Jon interrupted.
"son?"
"Yes. Mrs. Ians has two sons, but neither is in the city. Guess where they went?"
Sir Franklin's face suddenly darkened:
"You mean, Mrs. Ians pretended to surrender? She was actually responding to Caesar?"
"I'm afraid so."
"Why?" Franklin yelled violently, "Since the landing, these Dorne nobles have refused to cooperate with us, the Tolan family in Soul Hill is like this, and the Arion family in God's Grace City is also the same now!
They really want to join Caesar?
His Royal Highness Aegon is obviously a descendant of the true dragon, and also has the blood of the Martell family, what do these Dornish people think! "
"Because Caesar really has dragons." Jon sighed, with a bitter tone, "We underestimated the difficulty of this war. Although the armies of the Stormlands and the Reach were dragged to the north by the Lannister family, Caesar came alone. Well, that's enough to make us burn out."
Franklin gritted his teeth, his eyes flickered fiercely, and lowered his voice:
"Since Mrs. Ians wants to betray us, why not just kill us?"
"No." Jon shook his head slowly, "Don't touch Mrs. Ians, and don't show any strangeness. The City of God's Grace is about to become a hunting ground, but who is the hunter and who is the prey is still uncertain."
(end of this chapter)