Chapter 5: Support

"Alright, this is as far as I'll go."

Early the next morning, at Highgarden's gates, Lord Randyll stopped his eldest son.

Samwell halted, smiling as he said,

"Father, Dickon, take care on your journey."

Dickon stepped forward and gave Samwell a bear hug, saying,

"Brother, remember to visit me at Horn Hill often!"

Samwell's mind flashed to his father's warning not to return, making him awkwardly smile as he gave his brother a nod.

Lord Randyll motioned for Dickon and the guards to go ahead, staying behind alone.

Samwell knew his father had something more to say.

After a pause, Lord Randyll spoke:

"Beware of the women of House Tyrell."

Samwell looked at him in surprise.

Without waiting for him to respond, Lord Randyll continued:

"They're intelligent but often fail to understand their place."

Having said this, he didn't elaborate further and turned to leave.

Samwell watched his father's departing figure, thoughtful.

In the show, he hadn't paid much attention to Lord Randyll; he only remembered that he was a skilled warrior.

But after these recent encounters, Samwell realized there was more to this Lord of Horn Hill than met the eye.

Randyll Tarly may have disdained intrigue and refrained from vying for the Iron Throne, appearing merely as a loyal, formidable ally to House Tyrell.

However, looking back, Samwell recalled that this low-profile lord had eventually, and quietly, entered the Small Council as the Master of Laws.

Clearly, this was no ordinary military man.

And his warning to Samwell was undoubtedly connected to Lady Olenna's remarks from the previous night's banquet.

Even though he'd given up on his eldest son, Lord Randyll didn't want him exploited by House Tyrell's women.

Samwell would have been cautious even without his father's warning.

He knew very well that while the men of House Tyrell were politically average, the women—especially Lady Olenna, the "Queen of Thorns," and Margaery, the "Rose of Highgarden"—were skilled players in the game of power.

There was certainly a motive behind their approach.

But Samwell wasn't overly concerned.

After all, he knew the story's plot and was fully aware of the Tyrell women's ambitions. They, in contrast, saw him merely as a weak, discarded son, unwanted by his own father.

This knowledge gap was his advantage!

With this thought, Samwell composed himself and returned to the castle.

A maid led him to a courtyard, where Lady Olenna was waiting.

Upon entering, he saw that Margaery was also present.

The "Rose of Highgarden" was standing among the rose bushes, her slender, fair fingers delicately placing a freshly cut golden rose into a mostly finished bouquet.

Focused, with her refined nose and gently pursed red lips, Margaery radiated a quiet elegance. Even standing off to the side, she commanded the center of the courtyard.

Hearing Samwell's footsteps, Margaery looked up and smiled, then lifted the basket and walked over to him:

"Ser Samwell, how do you like the bouquet I made?"

Samwell placed a hand over his heart and bowed. "As beautiful as you, my lady."

"Then it's yours, my knight."

Samwell quickly accepted it, bowing and murmuring his thanks, as if he didn't dare to meet her gaze.

Following Margaery, he entered the pavilion in the center of the garden.

Lady Olenna sat sipping honeyed tea, smiling as she watched Samwell approach. She gestured for him to sit.

"Please, young knight."

Samwell stepped forward, offered a respectful bow, and then sat across from her.

"Honored Lady Olenna, what can I do for you?"

"This is about your expansion. If you haven't chosen a location, I have a suggestion."

"Please, go ahead."

Lady Olenna spread a map she had prepared onto the table, pointing to a spot and drawing a circle.

"I suggest you consider expanding here."

Samwell peered at the map and saw that she had indicated a location in the southern Reach, on the western slopes of the Red Mountains, near the Summer Sea and close to the mouth of the Torrentine River.

"This area…" Samwell rubbed his chin and asked humbly,

"My lady, why do you suggest I expand here?"

Lady Olenna took a sip of her tea, smiling as she said,

"Most undeveloped land in the Reach lies within the Red Mountains. The location I suggested is near the mouth of the Torrentine, convenient for future maritime trade."

Samwell nodded, though he still appeared hesitant:

"But, my lady, the Red Mountains are rugged and difficult. Building a castle there could be challenging…"

Lady Olenna smiled.

"Have you forgotten where Casterly Rock and the Eyrie are built? A fortress in the mountains is tough to construct but far easier to defend. Besides, the Red Mountains are home to many free folk who despise the nobility of the Reach and refuse to become our subjects. But if you could win their loyalty, your lands would never want for population."

Samwell knew that by "free folk," Lady Olenna was referring to the mountain clans. These people, descendants of the Andals and First Men, had dark complexions and short stature. Rejecting feudal rule, they hid in the vast Red Mountains, living in primitive tribes. They survived by hunting and gathering but frequently raided nearby villages and towns.

Many of the Reach's nobles had tried to eradicate these clans, only to fail repeatedly.

The Red Mountains were simply too large; the clans could vanish into its depths, only to re-emerge once the soldiers left, raiding again.

These mountain folk were Samwell's greatest challenge in his expansion.

But as Lady Olenna explained, if he could win their loyalty, they'd provide a substantial population for his new territory.

Samwell awkwardly scratched the back of his head, putting on a timid expression:

"But, my lady… I'm afraid I'd be torn to pieces by the fierce mountain folk before I even found my footing…"

"House Tarly is known for its warrior prowess. I have no doubt you'll rise to the challenge." Not waiting for Samwell to reply, Lady Olenna added,

"Besides, the Tyrells have long wished to deal with the mountain clans. If you accept my proposal, I'll assign a hundred soldiers from our household guard to aid in your expansion."

Samwell's eyes lit up, swallowing his objections.

After Lady Olenna pointed to this spot on the map, he'd begun to suspect her intentions.

She clearly wished to use and control him. But Samwell, in turn, hoped to borrow the Tyrells' resources for his expansion.

Those hundred soldiers were invaluable to him. If he could just negotiate for a few more…

Feigning shyness, he muttered, "One hundred soldiers… wouldn't that be a bit few, my lady…"

"A bit few?" Lady Olenna's tone grew slightly impatient. "When Garth Greenhand came to Highgarden in the Age of Heroes, he didn't even have a hundred men with him!"

Margaery joined in, smiling as she said:

"Samwell, I'm sure with your abilities, you'll succeed in establishing a thriving territory. And here—my personal savings can help you get started."

She produced a deep green coin pouch and pressed it into his hands.

Feeling the weighty pouch, Samwell put on a look of inspiration, pounding his chest and pledging not to disappoint Lady Olenna and Lady Margaery.

Lady Olenna smiled in satisfaction, even ordering the steward to pack five golden-tail shrimp for Samwell to take with him.

Samwell gladly accepted.

After he left, Margaery took a seat beside her grandmother, wrapping her arms around her and asking,

"Grandmother, why send Samwell to expand in that area?"

"If you didn't know my intention, why contribute your own savings?"

Margaery laughed and hugged Olenna's arm.

"It's my duty to support your plans, isn't it? The reason itself doesn't matter—I trust you completely."

"You sly fox!" Lady Olenna playfully tapped her granddaughter's nose. "But take a guess at my intention."

Margaery glanced at the map.

"Is it because of Dorne?"

"Smart girl," Olenna nodded approvingly.

"Then why not send a brave knight instead of someone like Samwell…?"

"It is a key location, yes, but it's a poor, barren land. Adding in the mountain clans' attacks and proximity to Dorne, ordinary expansion methods wouldn't work there. So, I need the reputation of this discarded Tarly to allow for some… unconventional means." Lady Olenna explained vaguely.

Margaery frowned. "But Grandmother, using a member of House Tarly like this… Isn't it rather… improper?"

"Improper?" Olenna scoffed. "Without our support, you think that abandoned fool could establish anything on his own? Naturally, our help has a price, but it's one he must pay."

Lady Olenna gazed out at the lush courtyard, then sighed softly.

"The more beautiful the rose, the sharper the thorns it needs. If I won't take these steps, do you expect your foolish father to?"

(End of Chapter)