Chapter 273: Earl of Storm’s End
Ser Togen Oakheart regarded the disguised Samwell with a mocking sneer, as if looking at a jester.
"What gives you the right to set conditions? And whom do you represent?"
"My right comes from the blade in my hand," Samwell replied calmly. "As for whom I represent... I speak for the countless common folk of the Reach who perished in this rebellion and plunder. Justice must be served for them."
Ser Togen frowned.
"But we've already negotiated terms with House Tyrell. It seems inappropriate for you to add more conditions now."
Before Samwell could respond, an Ironborn soldier entered the hall, announcing,
"We've already withdrawn from Highgarden. Release our king."
"Very well," Samwell said with a nod.
Balon Greyjoy struggled to his feet, clutching his stomach. Even in his weakened state, he managed to shoot a venomous glare at the man who had held him hostage.
But before Balon could take a step, his glare froze—because a dagger suddenly plunged straight into his back!
"What are you doing?" one of the Ironborn soldiers roared.
The Reach lords gasped in unison.
"Don't let him escape to report this!" Samwell shouted, seeing the Ironborn soldier trying to flee.
At the gate, the Reach knights understood the command immediately and intercepted the fleeing man.
"What is the meaning of this?" Ser Togen demanded, his tone more curious than enraged. After all, like most Reach lords, he wasn't overly fond of the Ironborn.
"This," Samwell said, driving his dagger once more into Balon's back to ensure his death, "is justice for the murdered people of the Reach. Balon has already been slain, so instead of arguing with me, Ser Togen, perhaps you should ensure Highgarden's gates are secure. You wouldn't want the Ironborn to double back, would you?"
Ser Togen hesitated for only a moment before nodding to his men to secure the gates.
"Now," Samwell continued, "let me leave." He pressed his bloodied dagger to Lady Arwyn Oakheart's throat and began moving toward the exit.
The knights and soldiers parted to let him pass.
---
Outside Highgarden
"Are all our people out?" Victarion Greyjoy asked.
"Yes, my lord. Only King Balon remains."
Victarion nodded grimly. "Go fetch the king. Bring him to the ships."
"Yes, my lord."
But just moments later, Victarion's expression darkened. He suddenly dropped to the ground, pressing his ear against the dirt.
The faint rumble of hoofbeats reached him.
"Damn it!" he cursed, leaping to his feet. "We've been tricked! The Reach army is already here! Run! Get to the port!"
The Ironborn soldiers, sensing the encroaching danger, broke into a panicked sprint.
But they had barely covered any ground when a line of blazing torches emerged from the northern darkness, snaking across the fields like a fiery serpent.
The sound of hooves grew louder, reverberating like the drumbeats of death.
"Move!" Victarion roared, his voice raw with desperation.
The waters of the Mander River lay tantalizingly close. Safety was within sight, but the distance felt insurmountable.
And then, the Reach cavalry descended upon them—torches and swords aloft—bringing fire and blood.
---
Back inside Highgarden, Samwell and his group reached the gates as the distant sounds of battle carried through the night.
Ser Togen clutched Willas Tyrell's shoulder, his voice tinged with suspicion.
"What's happening out there? Didn't we agree on terms?"
"It must be the vanguard of the Reach army encountering the Ironborn," Willas replied calmly. "They likely don't know we've reached an agreement. You should send a messenger to inform them, lest there be any misunderstandings."
Ser Togen visibly relaxed and promptly sent a rider to deliver the message.
As for the Ironborn being slaughtered outside? Ser Togen didn't care. He even found it satisfying—retribution for their pillaging of the Reach.
The gates creaked open, and Ser Togen turned back to Samwell.
"Release Lady Arwyn now. You are free to leave."
Samwell smiled.
"Ser Togen, you are indeed a wise man. You've played a pivotal role in resolving this rebellion peacefully. As a token of my gratitude, I'd like to give you a parting gift."
"A gift?" Ser Togen asked, raising an eyebrow. But his curiosity turned to shock as Samwell, in full view of everyone, swiftly slit Lady Arwyn's throat.
"This," Samwell said coldly, holding up his bloodied dagger, "is the price of treason."
Without waiting for a response, he darted through the gates and vanished into the night.
Blood spurted from Lady Arwyn's throat as she staggered, clawing futilely at the wound. After a few choking gasps, she crumpled lifelessly to the ground.
The scene left everyone stunned. For a moment, the gate was eerily silent.
Then chaos erupted. The Oakheart knights roared in outrage, curses and shouts echoing through the hall.
"Ser Togen, shall we pursue him?" one knight asked.
But Ser Togen remained rooted in place, seemingly lost in thought. In truth, he understood the meaning of the "gift" Samwell had mentioned.
Lady Arwyn was dead, and without an heir, the inheritance of Old Oak now fell squarely into Ser Togen's hands.
It was, indeed, a significant gift.
Willas, sensing the tension, quickly interjected.
"Father-in-law, our agreement still stands. House Tyrell will honor its promises. What that man did has nothing to do with us."
The term father-in-law made Ser Togen's stern expression soften. He nodded and said,
"Very well. But you must ensure no further bloodshed."
"Of course! Absolutely!" Mace Tyrell chimed in, eager to placate. "We respect the peace agreement. That man acted independently!"
Satisfied, Ser Togen issued no further orders to pursue the mysterious assassin.
---
At Dawn
As the first rays of sunlight broke over Highgarden, a messenger returned with news.
"Lord Randyll Tarly has agreed to let your forces withdraw from Highgarden without interference."
Ser Togen breathed a sigh of relief and turned to Willas.
"Come, my good son-in-law. Let us return to Old Oak."
"Of course," Willas replied evenly.
The rebels began their withdrawal, unhindered by the Reach forces. With Willas still in their custody, no one dared attack them during their retreat.
---
Back in Highgarden
Randyll Tarly and his forces entered the city to restore order. Samwell, now back to his true appearance, joined his father and received an update on the battle.
The night's skirmish had been a decisive blow to the Ironborn, who left nearly 2,000 corpses in their wake. However, under the cover of darkness, many managed to escape back to their ships on the Mander River.
Samwell sighed.
"If only the Redwyne fleet had blocked the river's mouth, we could've dealt a crippling blow to the Ironborn."
Randyll nodded grimly.
"But Paxter Redwyne has yet to take any overtly treasonous actions. We cannot act against him without solid proof."
Samwell's lips curled in a faint smirk.
"Lady Olenna won't turn against her own family. For now, we'll bide our time."
Randyll spoke firmly.
"Forget about the Tyrells. We cannot rely on them. Instead, focus on building your power in the Stormlands. Secure your hold on Storm's End. Once your position is unshakable, we'll deal with the Reach and the Stags (faction) in due course."
Samwell nodded.
"I'll return to Storm's End as soon as possible. Within two years, I'll consolidate my rule over the Stormlands."
"Good," Randyll said. "And don't forget about the Stormland troops trapped in Dorne. Secure their release—it will earn you loyalty faster."
Samwell hesitated, recalling Doran Martell's condition for releasing the soldiers: marriage to Princess Arianne.
"I'll handle it," he said.
"There's also the matter of the title." Mathis reminded him, "You have captured Storm's End, but you need the title accompanying it."
Samwell had thought of this long ago.
After capturing Storm's End, his attribute panel did not change; he was still the Viscount of Eagle's Nest.
He remembered that the last two times his title changed on the attribute panel were after he received the formal investiture from the Duke of Highgarden.
So, this panel not only required the castle to be captured but also a matching title.
The problem was, he couldn't find anyone to invest him as the Duke of Storm's End.
Only the king could invest a dukedom, but the one on the Iron Throne would definitely not intitle him of such, and as for the other king, Stannis Baratheon, it was even less likely he would be willing to confer as the Duke of Storm's End.
After all, this was the stronghold of House Baratheon.
Duke Mace did not have the authority to invest another duke; at most, he could invest a Earl.
But a Earl would do.
Samwell decided to take it step by step.
First, he would see how many attribute points the title of Earl would add.
As for whether it would be awkward to rule Storm's End as an Earl of Storm's End... Samwell didn't really care.
After all, if they refused to submit, he could just fight.
He didn't conquer Storm's End with a title, but with an army and a dragon.
"Alright, then I'll go find Duke Mace."
---
After some consideration, Samwell sought out Mace Tyrell, finding him dozing in his chambers. Waking the man, Samwell requested a formal investiture for his new title.
Reluctantly, Mace signed the papers, officially naming Samwell Earl of Storm's End.
The notification appeared on Samwell's system panel:
Title: Earl (+10 points)
Lands: Storm's End, Eagle's Nest
Vassals: 57, including Lucas Dayne, the Tarths, and others.
Strength: 4.50 (+8.70)
Agility: 4.07 (+7.86)
Willpower: 9.38
(End of Chapter)