Since Nymeria and Tyene were both pregnant, they had developed the habit of going to bed early each night, despite their usual energetic nature.
Quaithe entered the bedroom and, noticing the windows were tightly shut, said to Darcey Mormont, "With Tyrosh's weather, it's best to keep the windows open for ventilation, day or night."
Darcey Mormont, dressed in shining white armor and leaning against the desk, was one of the personal guards who could enter the bedroom during the day. "With such a major event, I'm worried that assassins might break in through the window."
Quaithe, holding the magic book left by Wright, sat on a chair beside the bed, calmly replying, "You don't need to worry. Though the castle is only one floor up, there are magic arrays left by Wright all around. Even I can't break them, so the only one who could force their way in is likely Renly."
Darcey responded, "You're a mage, but I'm not. I'm still used to the old ways. Should we cover up the light?"
Quaithe replied, "I'm a Shadowbinder, and I can read without light."
Darcey walked over to a low cabinet, where a golden longsword rested horizontally on a small wooden rack. The magical glow emanating from the hilt was much brighter than a candle. While it wasn't noticeable during the day, it illuminated the entire bedroom at night.
She picked up a wireframe shaped like a pentagon, with a black lace covering embroidered with five differently colored dragon egg motifs, each with eyes and mouths. It was a very Tyene style, and Darcey always found it adorable when she looked at it.
"The light's gone," Darcey said, as the room sank into darkness.
"I can't sleep!" Tyene muttered, pushing the blanket aside and reaching up toward the ceiling.
Nymeria was also awake. "With everything going on, I can't sleep either. Darcey, is there any news today?"
Darcey thought for a moment. "The first batch of five hundred wildlings from beyond the Wall has arrived. They landed in the disputed lands claimed by Tyrosh. According to a northern translator who came with them, these wildlings don't know how to farm. The area is full of animals, so they've started hunting and are migrating eastward. But they've never seen crocodiles, and a few of them were eaten by swamp crocodiles."
The group continued talking in the darkness.
Nymeria said, "Darcey, you officials need to start calling them Freefolk!"
Darcey smiled, "I understand, but other officials are saying the situation in Dorne is tense and they want to recall the fleet from the North."
Nymeria replied, "This is a policy set by Wright, and it can't be stopped. The wildlings must go under Tyrosh's banner to occupy those wilderness areas. We cannot leave them uninhabited. Tomorrow, I'll talk to my Dorne subordinates to better understand the situation."
"Quaithe, are you there?" Tyene asked quietly.
The figure in black, Quaithe, seemed to melt into the darkness, then appeared beside Tyene. "I'm here."
Tyene grabbed her hand. "Can you use magic to locate my father? I'm afraid he's in danger."
Quaithe responded, "Magic has its limits. My tracking magic can barely cover Tyrosh Island. When I tried using your blood during the day, there was no response. That means Prince Oberyn is not in Tyrosh."
Tyene lay back on the bed, removed Quaithe's mask, and cupped her face with both hands. "I still can't believe it. You stayed here for a vague prophecy, even willing to give up your long life as a Shadowbinder."
Quaithe replied, "Longevity no longer matters to me. For him, I would give up everything."
Darcey, who had been listening to their cryptic conversation, was left confused. Nymeria took her hand. "I've thought about it. Tomorrow, I'll write a letter to Renly at Storm's End, asking for Stormland fleets to come south to stabilize the situation."
Darcey asked, "Is that really possible? It seems like Lord Renly has been waiting at Storm's End for his wife to give birth. Can he even send troops right now?"
Nymeria answered, "Wright didn't directly order a request for support; this is my idea. I'm not sure if Renly will agree."
Darcey clenched her fist. "I think we have to prepare for the worst. Prince Doran has no heir now, and the powerful Yronwood also has no heir. After the meeting today, many officials are saying Dorne will soon attack the Stepstone Islands."
Terené: "Can King Robert mediate?"
Dacey: "In theory, disputes between two Lord should fall under the King's jurisdiction, but Dorne is not under the King's control, and Robert can't hand Wright over to Dorne. This isn't something money can fix."
"Wright is not here now, and I can't let the Stepstones get caught in the flames of war. I can't let Wright's hard work be destroyed!" Nymeria turned over in bed, put on her clothes, and walked out of the bedroom. "Soldiers, have the Maester come here!"
---
Littlefinger and Ramsay, leading the Demon Squad made up of runaway slaves, have been raiding throughout the Riverlands. By all accounts, a group of hundreds of untrained slaves, with leaders who have no military experience, should not be able to do so much damage, yet the two of them encountered a "benefactor" who helped them.
The Demon Squad, made up of slave miners, has no other skills but endurance. The group avoids main roads, wandering through forests under the command of the Black and White Demon leaders, robbing the villagers' clothes and looting the mills for food, rarely killing anyone.
Following the river downstream, Littlefinger soon recognized the familiar forests near the upper reaches of Riverrun.
The ragtag group didn't dare to do much to Riverrun, so the two of them planned to head east to board a ship. With Littlefinger familiar with the Riverlands, they decided to bypass Riverrun to the north, temporarily resting and looting in Whispering Forest, looking for food.
They didn't kill anyone, but they did cause villagers to lose food and money. Once the news spread, it reached Edmure Tully.
"Tch, a few hundred thieves with sticks and hoes, they're only worth 100 gold dragons as a reward!" The person posting the bounty said. This was Edmure's exact words when he was drinking with the King in King's Landing.
The bounty was low, and the thieves hadn't killed many people. The Riverlands nobles weren't putting much effort in. However, one family took an interest in the Demon Squad.
One afternoon, a few hundred fully armored knights on horseback suddenly appeared in Whispering Forest, surrounding the Demon Squad's camp.
Looking at their shining armor and long swords compared to the wooden sticks and hoes in their own hands, the Demon Squad immediately chose to drop their weapons and surrender.
"Who leads you?" A slightly older knight shouted.
"We do!" Littlefinger and Ramsay stepped forward and admitted it. Expecting loyalty from the slaves was a pipe dream; they would have betrayed the two men in an instant. The two had already agreed that, if such a situation occurred, they would step forward and, with their wits, perhaps manage to survive.
"Which family do they belong to?" Ramsay whispered.
Littlefinger glanced around: "These knights aren't wearing crests, nor are they displaying any flags. But from their actions, it's clear they belong to a noble family. This definitely has something to do with them. If we work together, this might be our chance."
A middle-aged knight rode up to them, looking down from his horse. "You lot have been raiding everywhere, committing unforgivable crimes! But, as knights sworn to our vows, seeing that you're probably starving, we will spare you this time. Head south."