The onlookers inside and outside the River Gate had just witnessed two separate scenes—"Infighting Among the Gold Cloaks" and "Wight Inspection"—through the city wall. One group was in a state of excitement, the other in shock. No one expected that once the gate opened, the two groups of "actors" would meet at the entrance and end up staging an even grander spectacle on the same stage. The gold cloaks apprehended the man in black and the Lannister family's little devil right there in the street. Then, out of nowhere, a white knight appeared and slammed the gold cloak commander to the ground.
Jaime Lannister spurred his horse forward, galloped across half the street, and charged into the midst of the garrison soldiers. He came to a sudden stop, dismounted swiftly, and drew his sword mid-air. Before the surrounding soldiers could react, he had already grabbed Janos Slynt by the collar and forced him to his knees. The sword in his hand, its hilt shaped like a golden lion's head, glinted coldly as he pressed it against the man's neck.
...
As a member of the Kingsguard, Jaime wore white robes and armor. As a Lannister, his garments shone brighter than those of his six sworn brothers or perhaps they were simply new. The pure white cloak fastened with white thread and silver clasps fluttered behind him like fresh snow. The elaborately engraved porcelain-enamel armor of the Kingsguard dazzled under the sunlight, making the gold-robed garrison soldiers around him appear as yellow as dung.
Everything happened so quickly that the crowd barely had time to register this new arrival. The Kingsguard knight, who seemed to shine with his own spotlight, had already taken down the infamous commander as easily as a god descending to claim the head of an enemy general. His striking appearance, combined with his riding skill, agility, and audacity in that seamless series of movements, left the crowd gasping in admiration and awe.
The handsome, refined White Knight stood in stark contrast to the greasy, middle-aged man with a fierce and vile expression under his sword. Without any knowledge of the background, the crowd instinctively took the latter for the villain.
...
Jaime leaned in, his expression ice-cold. "Lord Slynt, I wonder what gave you the courage to capture a Lannister—my brother."
Only when he felt the chill of the blade at his throat did Janos Slynt recognize who his attacker was. "Ser… Ser Jaime." The garrison commander clutched at the Kingsguard's sword arm, terrified that a mere tremble could cost him his head. Kneeling on the ground and trembling, he spoke with a voice that shook as much as he did, trying hard not to wet himself. "This… this is a misunderstanding. I merely wished to invite your brother back to assist in an investigation!"
"If the Lannisters want to help, they'll help. If they don't, do you think it's your place to 'invite' them?"
"I… I was wrong! Release him immediately!" The Lannisters are in deep trouble, and you still dare act so high and mighty? Just wait until that sword is lowered—then I'll show you who's boss.
"Ser Jaime, please calm yourself. I'll handle this." Reinforcements arrived shortly after, Lannister guards in red cloaks and Stark guards in gray. They were a step behind but dismounted quickly upon arrival. One of them spoke: "Why not release Lord Tyrion?"
The gold cloaks looked at one another in confusion. Why would Stark guards speak on behalf of the Lannisters? The Hand of the King's men had no authority to command the city garrison, yet now their commander had a sword at his throat. What else could they do?
"The Hand of the King has ordered the arrest of former Commander Janos Slynt and his detention in the Red Keep's dungeon. Jory Cassel will assume his duties temporarily." The Stark guard in gray robes pulled out a document, opened it, and presented it to the surrounding garrison officers. "Jory Cassel, that's me. I was Lord Eddard Stark's captain of the guard… and now, I'm the acting commander of the garrison."
Several officers read the document and finally showed expressions of relief. They had heard the rumors and didn't doubt the validity of the order. They nodded and signaled to the soldiers around them to follow the new commander's instructions. "Ser, then… the siege of the River Gate military camp and the arrest of the Night's Watch's chief quartermaster and his industrial workers?"
"All canceled."
"Yes, ser!"
---
The golden cloaks' internal strife finally came to an end.
Aegor had been watching the events unfold outside the River Gate camp. Despite being surrounded and helpless for a time, he hadn't given in to despair. Before crossing over, he had learned a lesson from games: Sometimes the winner isn't the strongest, but the one who endures the longest. As long as no fatal mistakes are made, holding on until the opponent makes an error can still secure victory.
By relying on this principle, he had managed to survive countless uphill battles... Being hunted and surrounded was no game, but today, he had won again through sheer persistence—even if the reinforcement that turned the tide came as a surprise.
Jaime Lannister would never side with the Starks, nor could he have foreseen Tyrion getting into trouble. Yet, he arrived at the same time as the men sent to arrest Slynt. There was only one possibility—they all set out from the Red Keep after the gates opened and, needing to pass through the River Gate, traveled together for convenience.
There was no need to overthink whether it was a coincidence. With Slynt now captured, Aegor could finally breathe a sigh of relief after a night of tension. "Let's go, we're free to leave now."
...
The plot at River Gate was full of twists. Tyrion regained his freedom within minutes, and the Night's Watch recruits were released before they could be fully detained, some of them still in a daze. At Jory's urging, Jaime finally lowered his sword and let go of Slynt's collar.
"This is impossible. You can't arrest me!" Slynt stood up on unsteady legs, crying out in despair. "I still have to carry out a secret royal order today! His Grace wants my soldiers for an important mission. If you arrest me, you'll ruin King Robert's plan!"
"Don't concern yourself with that, Lord Slynt," Jory replied coldly. "From now on, I'll be in charge of the garrison." He immediately issued his second command: "Detain them all. Gag them and bring them to the Red Keep!"
"Wait." Jaime Lannister frowned and raised a hand to stop them. "Janos Slynt, you said His Grace wants your soldiers for something. What is it?"
"I… wuwu—"
Jory didn't give him a chance to speak further. With a slight nod, two sturdy Stark guards stepped forward, gagged him, and dragged the struggling prisoner away. "Just a criminal spouting nonsense, Ser Jaime. You still have your mission from the king. You should depart soon, or you'll miss the ship to Dragonstone."
"Jaime, you came just in time." Tyrion was still shaken and hadn't processed Slynt's final outburst. He smiled and greeted his brother, "I was just thinking of you when you dropped from the sky. You truly are my brother!"
"Tyrion, I'm sorry. Let's talk after I finish something." Jaime waved his hand, but unease had already begun to grow within him. It now surged all at once. "I just remembered—I left something at the White Sword Tower in the Red Keep. I need to go back and retrieve it."
With that, Jaime turned to his horse, which had wandered off to the side. He grabbed the reins and leapt into the saddle, taking two red-cloaked guards with him. Without pause, he turned around and galloped back toward the Red Keep.
(Slynt, that fool. One sentence and he completely ruined the Hand's plan.) Jory watched the Kingslayer's retreating back with silent frustration. But he had no authority to arrest a Kingsguard, and Jaime Lannister wouldn't be able to change the outcome of the operation in the Red Keep. The crucial task now was to gain control of the garrison through overwhelming numbers.
Putting all other concerns aside, Jory quickly grasped the key objective and began issuing orders. "Assemble and count the troops. The garrisons at the Iron Gate and Aegon's High Hill will stay in place and await further instructions. The rest will return to their barracks in formation under their commanding officers. No wandering along the way. No soldier from East Camp is to leave without new orders. Wait for the Hand to send investigators. The garrison commander at River Gate, what's his name... Ser Ironhand, have him gather his men and report to me!"
(To be continued.)
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