MACE TYRELL'S TAX POLICY

It's a result of Harlon sending Caelum off to the Citadel.

2 Gold Dragons at the start of the fic was said to be a year's wage for Harlon.

Now, Harlon has gathered little less than 100 silver stags, which while not a years wage is a little less than say 4 months of wages.

If Harlon pays taxes (increased than what should be normal from before the exemption) then Caelum has no shot of going to the citadel.

The reason Mace Tyrell refused earlier was because he made a blanket order to all farmers in the reach for increased taxes because of the war, Harlon essentially is the richest farmer near Highgarden, and the Tyrells at this point would want to stockpile food in Highgarden's larders, and supplies for feeding the army.

Not making Harlon pay wouldn't have made sense from their perspective. Garlan's friendship to Caelum isn't going to generate the necessary leverage for that.

As for who works the farm now, well Jerren.. he already has been doing a lot.

Plus, Harlon will get paid more as a soldier than what he earns as a farmer.

PS: I'm off on a little vacation. Dunno if I'll be able to write anything for a while.