Game of Thrones: Holy Flame King

The Twins is the territory of the Frey family, located in the riverlands, consisting of two castles separated on both sides of the Green Fork River and a stone arch bridge connecting them.

It was the only crossing point for hundreds of miles up and down the Green Fork, and it was just on the road from Winterfell to Riverrun.

It took the Frey family three generations to build this fortress, and relying on it to collect high bridge tolls, they quickly jumped from an unknown small family to the richest and most powerful lord in the riverland today.

Looking at the majestic castle in front of him, Duke Eddard Stark could not help but frown.

This time against the Lannister family, the Duke of Hoster Tully issued a call-up order to the princes of the riverland, and the other families responded quickly, and sent troops to the Kneeling Stack to join the army of the north. Only the Frey family, dragging their feet After dawdling for more than a month, he sent 300 infantry soldiers here.

No wonder Lord Hoster kept calling the Lord of the Twins "Late Frey".

Duke Eddard certainly didn't like this conceited, sensitive and grumpy old Frey. If he didn't want to get back to the northern border in the shortest time this time, he would rather take a detour than pass through the Twin Rivers.

Four Freys rode out from the gate, each wrapped in a heavy gray wool cloak.

The Marquess of Walder Frey has many heirs, hundreds of them. This is also because he has married eight wives in his life. Now the old Marquis, who is over ninety years old, has heard that he can actually impregnate his new wife. .

"Lord Ed, welcome to Twin River City."

Duke Eddard nodded vaguely in response, he really couldn't tell the difference between these Foyles, he just thought they all looked like weasels.

Entering the castle through the iron gate, Duke Ed finally met the lord of the river crossing.

Although Lord Walder Frey lived a long life, he also suffered from gout. He was sitting on a large oak chair, the back of which was carved in the shape of two cities connected by an arched bridge.

Around him stood the old Marquis's sons, daughters, grandsons, great-grandsons, sons-in-law...almost forming an army.

"Master Ed." Marquis Walder opened his toothless mouth, showing a slightly perfunctory smile, "Please forgive me for not being able to stand up to greet him."

"You don't have to be polite." Duke Ed leaned slightly, "I hope you can allow my army to cross the river through your castle. Don't worry, you won't lose a cent of the bridge toll."

Marquis Wade let out a hey laugh: "Lord Ed, your army has a lot of people. Moreover, at this time of year, there are wars everywhere and people are dying everywhere, so the bridge toll will also increase."

Duke Ed suppressed his anger: "How much do you want to raise?"

"Don't worry, Lord Ed. I have prepared a sumptuous dinner, let's eat and talk later. Now, you go to the city to change your clothes and take a rest."

"Okay." Duke Ed took a deep breath, suppressed his impatience, and thought that no matter how much the old Marquis asked for later, he would agree.

Just as he was about to move forward, he saw an attendant approaching his ear and said softly:

"My lord, Lord Walder did not provide us with bread and salt."

Duke Ed stopped suddenly.

Before he could speak, Marquis Walder on the opposite side didn't know whether he heard their conversation or guessed it, and said:

"Oh yes, the ancient guest rights, I almost forgot. Sir Ed, would you like some bread and salt?"

"Okay." Duke Ed nodded, "It would be even better if we could have some more wine."

"As you wish." Marquis Walder clapped his hands, and a servant brought bread, salt and wine.

The old Marquis first filled a glass for himself and held it up high: "My respected guests, welcome to my roof!"

Duke Ed and his party also ate the bread dipped in salt, and raised their wine glasses:

"We appreciate the hospitality of our hosts."

After entering the city, Duke Ed was taken into a beautifully decorated room. He wanted to sleep, but he couldn't fall asleep after tossing and turning in bed.

It was raining lightly outside.

Duke Ed was worried about the army he had left outside the city, so he called his attendants to give some instructions.

After finally waiting until night fell, Duke Ed changed his clothes and went to the banquet hall for dinner.

As soon as he entered the door, the loud music made Duke Ed frowned again, but he didn't say anything, and came to his seat and sat down.

"What virtue and ability do you have? Your lord proudly declares that you must make me bow down..."

It was only then that Duke Ed noticed that the music played in the hall was actually "The Rainy Season of Castamere"!

This is a song that describes the genocide of the Reyes family, the vassals that Duke Tywin Lannister will betray.

What's the meaning?

threaten? intimidate?

"Lord Walder!" Duke Ed protested, "Shouldn't you change the song?"

Marquis Wade smiled, waved his hands and said, "Did you hear that, you idiots! Lord Ed doesn't like this song, change it!"

The musicians quickly changed to a northern folk song.

"Master Ed, how about this song?"

"Okay." Duke Ed picked up his glass and took a sip, a little absent-minded.

"Lord Ed, I wonder if you have heard the result of the Battle of King's Landing?"

"I heard. Stannis was defeated, and the fleet was burned."

"You didn't address your majesty." Marquis Walder really looked like a weasel when he laughed.

"He has not been officially crowned after all," said Duke Eddard, but added, "But Stannis Baratheon is the first rightful heir to the Iron Throne."

Marquis Walder smiled noncommittally: "Lord Ed, now that Stannis is defeated, his life or death is unknown, but even if he is not dead, he does not have any strength to participate in this game of power again. You know, the Stormlands are about to be destroyed. The people of the Reach have taken them all. House Baratheon is no longer on the Iron Throne."

Duke Ed stared at Marquis Wade coldly, and asked:

"You don't want me to surrender to the Lannisters, do you?"

"Of course not." Marquis Ward leaned slightly and moved closer, "I want to say, why don't you become king yourself?"

Duke Ed was taken aback for a moment.

Marquis Wade thought that the other party was moved, and quickly continued:

"As long as you want, the riverlands, the valleys, and of course the north will support you to wear the crown. What do you think of this idea?"

"It's not good." Duke Ed categorically refused, "This country has suffered enough from division and strife, I won't do such a thing. You'd better not think about it!"

"Master Ed, don't you think about it any more?"

"Impossible!" Duke Ed said firmly.

Marquis Walder shrugged, looking a little disappointed.

Duke Ed didn't want to continue this topic, and instead asked: "Master Wade, you said before about the bridge toll price increase..."

"Oh, that's right." Marquis Walder said, "Lord Ed, how much are you willing to pay to cross the river?"

"How much do you want?"

"I want you."

"Want me?" Duke Eddard put down his glass and stared at the old Marquis coldly, "Walder Frey, I don't have time to play these tricks with you here. My castle, wife, and children are all in the hands of the enemy Li, so if you want to take the opportunity to make a fortune, hurry up and make an offer!"

"Don't be angry, Lord Ed." Marquis Walder still had that annoying look, "I really want you, and I want you to be my son-in-law."

Duke Ed was annoyed: "I already have a wife!"

"I know, Catelyn Tully is as annoying as her old father." Marquess Walder pouted, "but I heard that she has disappeared."

"Missing?" Duke Ed's heart ached.

"Actually, it's a euphemism for dead." Marquis Walder said, "So, you can choose a new wife. I have many daughters. Of course, if you like younger ones, you can also choose from among my granddaughters..."

Boom!

Duke Eddard slapped his hand on the table angrily: "Walder Frey, even if Caitlin really suffers from misfortune! I will never marry again! So you should die!"

"Why bother. Lord Ed, the new one is better than the old one. Look at me, I have already married eight new wives."

"That's your own business." Duke Ed said impatiently, "I won't agree to this condition, change it."

"Lord Ed, you really don't understand my difficulties. So many daughters and granddaughters can't get married, and I'm so worried." Marquis Walder sighed pretendingly, "Well, since you don't want to marry, then let marry your son Robb."

"Robb..." Duke Eddard was deep in thought, and asked after a while, "If my son doesn't marry a Frey, don't you plan to let my army cross the river?"

"How ugly to say that. I just hope that the Frey family can form a closer alliance with the Stark family. Unless, Lord Eddard, you think my daughter and granddaughter are not worthy of the noble Stark."

Duke Ed bit his cheek, and finally said helplessly:

"Okay. My son will marry one of your granddaughters."

"That's great!" Marquis Wade clapped his hands happily and raised his glass, "Come on, my in-laws, let's toast together to celebrate this happy marriage."

Duke Ed had no choice but to raise his glass and touch him.

Marquis Walder drank the wine in his glass and said with a smile: "Since we are about to become a family, your troubles are my troubles. Those damn ironmen dare to occupy Winterfell, they are really asking for their own death! Lord Ed, we I will send two thousand elite soldiers to go north with you to help you take back the castle."

Duke Ed did not refuse this time, and finally squeezed a smile on his face:

"Thank you for your help."