With the most important evidence in hand, Wright no longer needed to rush on his return journey. He let Odahviing attempt to fly in a straight line, crossing the Mountains of the Moon Range and flying over the Trident directly to King's Landing.
What kind of mountain is the Mountains of the Moon? A mountain of stones! There are only some trees growing at the top, and the rest is filled with wild grasses, so many lords in the valleys breed goats in large numbers.
When Odahviing flew at low altitude, it attacked any goats it spotted, eating as it went. Its appetite was enormous, and most small lords couldn't afford to feed such a large meat-eating machine.
Flying over the Antler, which was Wright's childhood fief, after Wright's promotion to Lord of the Stepstones, it was granted to a noble from the Mountain Region who had achieved merit on the islands.
The tournament to celebrate the victory of the Stepstones had already ended, and nobles from distant territories had begun their journey back. Only nobles from King's Landing and the Vale remained.
By the time Wright reached King's Landing, it was evening. He didn't directly descend onto the Red Keep but instead obeyed the proper etiquette, as Robert was still the king and some protocols had to be followed. Wright entered through the main gates.
After the dragon landed, a group of soldiers led several blindfolded pigs to satisfy Odahviing's hunger. When several butchers saw Wright approaching, they greeted him with smiles, holding their ledgers. After Wright checked and confirmed everything, he signed the papers:
"I'll be heading back to the Stepstones soon. For now, don't send me any of the pigs or goats that have been slaughtered. Send me some breeding pigs and goats instead!"
"No problem, Lord Wright. How many do you need?" Wright's straightforward and fast transactions made him very popular with the butchers of King's Landing. They were happy to deliver the goods personally, hoping for the chance to feed the dragon.
"You can find Lord Garlan Tyrell at the port."
Wright tossed the cloth bundle aside and, holding the Arryn family genealogy, swaggered through the streets of King's Landing toward the Red Keep.
Robert was receiving guests when he heard that Wright had returned with the item. He immediately sent the Kingsguard to escort Wright to the Megr Tower's guest hall.
This guest hall was located outside the king's chambers, small in size with only a dozen seats. It featured a fireplace, sofas, a wine cabinet, and a round table, with the furniture all in the Baratheon family's golden style, emphasizing comfort.
Unusually for Robert, he hadn't drunk any wine today and was completely sober. As soon as Wright entered the guest hall, Robert spoke:
"Did you get the Arryn family genealogy? What was my foster father's hair color?"
Wright smiled and placed the book on the table, turning it to the page about Jon Arryn. "Blue eyes, blonde hair, and an aquiline nose! The Maester assistant from the Eyrie confirmed it as well, the genealogy hasn't been tampered with."
Robert quickly walked over to check, running his fingers over the text describing Jon Arryn's appearance. "Hahaha! I knew it!"
Robert laughed first, but then his face darkened with rage.
"Damn it, that whore Lysa Tully! I'll have her and that bastard's head!"
Wright let him vent for a moment, not responding, as he hadn't even had a drink of water since arriving. He walked over to the wine cabinet, asking, "Robert! You don't even have water here? Handmaiden, bring in some water!"
Robert, distracted by Wright's question, replied, "The Queen's chambers have water; this guest hall is all wine!"
Two handmaidens entered, one holding a solid gold water jug, the other with two solid gold wine glasses. After pouring water for both Wright and Robert, they exited the room.
Wright took off the hand-shaped emblem from his chest and tossed it to Robert. "By the way, has the new Hand of the King been chosen yet? My term ends tomorrow."
Robert caught the emblem, holding it in his hand, deep in thought. "There wasn't an election; I appointed him directly!"
Wright was somewhat surprised. Before he left, there had been three candidates, and logically, there should have been more. In the past few days, however, it had turned into a direct appointment by the king, clLordy something had happened.
"Oh! Who is it?"
Robert sat down on the sofa opposite Wright, looking at him. "Mathis Rowan!"
"Your father-in-law! Hmm~~ with his current abilities, he wouldn't aim for major development, but if the goal is to maintain stability for the crown and economy, he could manage just fine," Wright was somewhat familiar with Mathis Rowan.
Robert continued, "It was him and several other Reach nobles who approached me directly. Let me tell you the details."
The day after Wright left King's Landing, Lord Mace Tyrell's efforts to build connections through grand feasts had been incredibly successful—so successful, in fact, that it had backfired.
The king's father-in-law, Lord Mathis Rowan, along with four other Reach nobles, found Robert one evening.
It was also in this guest hall.
Robert asked, "Mathis, what brings you here so late with your companions?"
Among those seated on the sofas, the oldest was Lady Arwyn Oakheart from Old Oak in the Reach. Despite her slender and delicate frame, she had many children, one of whom was currently a member of the Kingsguard. She stood and bowed to the king.
"Your Majesty, we five represent five families, and we have a proposal regarding the choice of Hand of the King, which we present with great respect."
"Oh! What are your thoughts, Lady Arwyn Oakheart?"
The current Kingsguard, Arys Oakheart, was her son. Her husband had passed, and now House Oakheart was under her leadership.
She said solemnly, "The five of us propose that the king directly appoint Lord Mathis Rowan as Hand of the King!"
Robert had already consulted Grand Maester Pycelle and knew that he could make the appointment himself without the need for a selection by the Small Council, though he had no good candidates.
Mace Tyrell had made a big push for the Hand of the King position in King's Landing, and there were no laws against such efforts, so Robert had prepared for it. He had already written a speech for the appointment.
Now, the four Reach nobles weren't supporting their lord Lord, but were instead backing his father-in-law! Robert knew something was off. Having been king for almost twenty years, he hadn't openly expressed his thoughts. He sat calmly on the sofa and said, "Reason?"
Mathis Rowan, the man in question, stood up and bowed before speaking:
"Your Majesty, the decision to appoint me as Hand of the King is the result of our discussions, and the reason is simple: Tyrell's power is too great!"
Robert didn't speak, just watching the five, and gestured for Mathis to continue.
Mathis Rowan added, "Lord Mace Tyrell's mother is from House Redwyne, his wife is from House Hightower, and his daughter is married to the Lord of Storm's End. Even though the Reach lost the battle at the Stepstones, the fleets of House Redwyne and House Hightower remain the most powerful in the south. The Tyrells hold land armies, while House Hightower's influence is not weak either, and they have both Oldtown and the Faith of the Seven in their control. The power of these three houses extends even to the Stepstones. The whole south is almost under their grip!"
Mathis Rowan emphasized, "Once the Lord of Reach becomes Hand of the King, their power will grow even further, and there will be no one left to counterbalance them."
Robert glanced at the five nobles. "Not even Renly and Wright?"
Mathis Rowan responded, "Storm's End and the Reach are economically tied, and they are already allied through marriage. If they have children in the future, Lord Renly will likely choose neutrality, as he wouldn't dare take action against them."
"As for Lord Wright, his lands are barren now, and his navy and military won't be fully formed for at least five years. The Stepstones hava vassels from all from three houses, and the islands are at critical military positions between the east and west continents. Lord Wright's military will be hard to mobilize, and sending out only a dragon would only cause the king and his brothers to earn the label of cruelty."
After hearing the analysis, Robert felt a cold sweat on his back. The three closely linked families in the southern Reach had grown so powerful without anyone noticing. He looked up and fixed a hard stare on his father-in-law, Mathis Rowan.
"Then, after you become hand, won't your power also expand?"
The five noble lords exchanged glances and simultaneously said, "We are all descendants of Garth Greenhand! And we are all staunch supporters of House Baratheon."
Robert immediately understood. There had been rumors for a long time that the people of the Reach were unhappy with Tyrell's rule, and now the issue was right in front of him.
Mathis Rowan spoke up. "House Rowant of Goldengrove are descendants of Garth's Greenhand daughter! These are my two vassals: the Osgrey of Standfast, and the Webber of Coldmoat."
He continued, "House Crane of Red Lake are descendants of Garth's Greenhand daughter, Rose of Red Lake! Ser Parmen Crane of their house is currently serving as the personal guard of Lord Renly, and another family member, Meredyth Crane, has just entered the magical School as Lord Renly's mage apprentice."
Finally, he introduced the last family: "House Oakheart of Old Oak, descendants of Garth's Greenhand son, John the Oak! Their son, Arys Oakheart, is one of His Majesty's Kingsguard."
Mathis Rowan and the other four lords stood up. "Three hundred years ago, the Tyrell were just gardeners' stewards! We, descendants of gardeners, haven't all perished, and before we could support them, the Tyrells betrayed their allegiance to the gardeners and opened the gates of Highgarden to the usurpers!"
Lady Arwyn Oakheart added, "The five of us swear loyalty to the king, loyalty to House Baratheon. We control all the land in the northern Reach."
Robert thought for a moment. The Reach had a powerful navy, and its army could muster up to 100,000 men, all heavily armored. In recent years, agriculture and the economy had seen significant growth, and the Tyrell family had quietly pulled ahead of other regions. If nothing was done to counterbalance them, things could truly become uncontrollable.
As for the Rowant, even if they grew, they were still just a noble house, with the Tyrells still holding power over them.
"That's how it is. I've agreed to Mathis Rowan's request to become the Hand of the King. It was officially appointed at yesterday's council meeting," Robert said to Wright.
Wright replied, "You know my situation. If things go wrong, in the next few years, I'll be the one riding a dragon to lend support. Fine, let the Reach balance out north and south. If he's made Hand of the King, so be it. How are Lord Mace and Renly handling things now?"
Being a Lord, Mace had his own ideas, seeking allies to build his own power. But as a king, Robert had to ensure no one side gained too much power; balance was necessary.
Robert furrowed his brow. "Renly seems a bit discontent. I had a drink with him. Mace Tyrell hasn't spoken in the council for the past few days."
Wright stood up to leave. "Alright, I should go. Tomorrow, I'll be heading back to Tyrosh. Looks like you've made progress as king. You're no longer just a brute."
"A brute? Who called me a brute!" Robert shouted angrily.
---
The next morning, Wright, accompanied by Nymeria and Tyene, rode out from King's Landing and headed back to the Stepstones.
Most of the important officials on the Stepstones were in King's Landing, except for Gunthor Hightower, who remained behind, and Ashara Dayne, who was heading north. The remaining senior officials would follow soon, bringing supplies back with them.
On the back of the dragon, Wright took out paper and pen to record the recent gains: apprentices and books from the Alchemist's Guild, large amounts of construction materials for blacksmiths and civilian housing, food for the residents, empty wooden barrels, hundreds of criminals, over three thousand new civilian immigrants, breeding pigs, sheep, and more.
Wright wasn't concerned with the other islands. The population of Tyrosh, after the war, had already exceeded 10,000 with the first wave of immigrants.
The newly ordered warships were still at the shipyard in King's Landing, and the few hundred sailors were receiving training with the Royal Fleet. Once the ships were finished, they would be led by the navy commander Aurane Velaryon to sail back.
Wright shouted, "I'm out of money again!"
Nymeria replied, "Didn't you say you had real estate investments in Braavos?"
"Right! After I send you all back, I'll go ask the Sealord for it!"
Nymeria asked, "Who is the current Sealord?"
Wright replied, "I think it's someone named Torro Frey or something like that. He was chosen after we left, as the new Sealord."
---
That afternoon, Robert convened the valley nobles once again in the Hand of the King's Tower to discuss the issue of the heir. All members of the council, except for Wright, attended. This was also the first major issue Mathis Rowan had to handle as Hand of the King.
Robert said, "Yesterday, Lord Wright brought back the family tree of House Arryn. I've already looked it over, and my foster father Jon Arryn was blonde!"
A hush fell over the room.
The valley nobles below erupted in chaos.
Edmure and Catelyn turned pale. Now, coming to the Vale might bring charges against them. Given the family's power, decapitation wasn't likely, but Catelyn might end up spending the rest of her life as a Silent Sister in the church. As for little Robert Arryn, he wouldn't escape death.
"Quiet!" Mathis Rowan bellowed.
"Your Majesty! Could you show us the family tree?" one of the valley nobles called out.
"Yes, yes!"
"We need to confirm it too."
Robert ordered two Kingsguard to fetch the book from Maegor's Holdfast. Then, he shouted to the valley nobles, "Lysa Tully had an illegitimate son. Her son has lost his right to inherit the title of Lord of the Vale."
Catelyn quickly interjected, "Your Majesty, perhaps we should first see the family tree before discussing further."
Robert didn't care. He leaned back in his chair and slowly drank from his goblet.
Two Kingsguard rushed in, holding a book, and placed the family tree before Robert, whispering in his ear. Robert's face turned pale as he hastily opened the book. His hands trembled as he flipped through it.
The cover of House Arryn's family tree was made of sturdy leather, and the pages were parchment. Yesterday, it had been on the table in Maegor's Hall, but now, the page with Jon Arryn's name was stained with wine, the ink smeared and wiped away, rendering the text and illustrations illegible!
Robert stood up in fury. "Barristan! Lock down the Red Keep! Arrest all the servants and throw them in the dungeons! Use the rack!"
Barristan left with one Kingsguard, rushing out of the meeting hall with soldiers.
Hand of the King Mathis Rowan left his seat and hurried over, frowning as he held the torn pages. "How could this happen?"
The valley nobles stood up as well. Those in the front row saw the fallen family tree. The murmurs began again, with some cheering, while others grew worried. No one could leave now.
Before long, Barristan returned, holding a small cloth bag soaked with dried blood. He emptied the contents in front of the king: four human fingers, each of different sizes.
Robert glanced at the fingers but didn't pay them much attention. Slamming his fist on the table, he directly asked, "Has it been figured out?"
Barristan replied, "It was a maid from Maegor's Holdfast. She said that last night someone gave her the bag. It contained the fingers of her father, mother, and two younger brothers. The person threatened to kill her family unless she erased the information in the family tree."
Robert was enraged. "Who was it?"
Barristan responded, "The maid said the person was wearing a mask, so she could only tell that it was a man."
Robert looked at Varys, the Spider, who now wore a shocked expression. Then he turned his gaze back to the valley nobles. Everyone in the room was a suspect!
Barristan continued, "The maid was terrified. She said she wouldn't harm the king and wouldn't break her vow when entering the Red Keep. She couldn't read, and didn't realize the importance of the book. She thought that destroying one book would save her family, and so, this morning, she committed the crime."
Garlan Baratheon said, "Bring her here immediately."
Barristan waved his hand, and two Kingsguard dragged a blood-soaked woman into the room. She had already stopped breathing—dead.