Game of Thrones: Joffrey the Chosen

Chapter 119 The Wounded's Journey Home

Chapter 119 The Wounded's Journey Home

Before the trip, Xiao Qiao issued a rule that no one could leave the team without his permission.

However, James believes this is purely a pointless exercise.

If the land were fertile and covered with apple trees and strawberry bushes, these young masters would inevitably sneak out to ride horses, shoot arrows, herd cattle and sheep, and steal a few fruits to satisfy their cravings.

They rode along the coastal road for five whole days, and all they could see were patches of scorched earth and broken walls.

The barren land is fragrant for miles around, yet no one lives there.

It's so hard to guess who did it.

Although the war is over, this place, as the final battlefield, is no longer as safe as usual; it's always good to be cautious.

Suddenly, the sounds of trumpets and horns came from afar, and a small troop of cavalry emerged from behind the hills.

James instinctively reached for the hilt of his sword behind his back.

Then he pinched his right arm and cursed under his breath.

After fighting for so long, everyone's exhausted and stressed; bandits won't be blowing trumpets to clear the way.

The newcomers were carrying the banners of the western vassal states; they must be honor guards sent by my father to welcome the king.

Little Joe, along with his hounds and Baron, went forward to negotiate, while Jaime stood still and waited.

As is customary, this Imperial Guard should be by his side at all times, but his right arm is still not fully healed and he can't be of much help.

Besides, it's not convenient for too many people to know about the good thing Xiao Qiao gave him yet.

Although most of the people traveling with him already knew.

"I didn't get the Lightbringer from my second uncle, so you can play with this one."

If Xiao Qiao hadn't brought it up, even Jaime himself would have forgotten about it.

Heartbreak, the Valyrian steel sword of House Tarly.

Damn it, who knows how he negotiated with that big, smelly rock, Earl Landau, that he actually managed to steal his family heirloom.

Perhaps some price was paid in exchange? But he couldn't be bothered to find out about these shady deals.

When he first got it, James was extremely excited.

But he soon discovered that he had no idea how to use this two-handed greatsword; in his hands, it was just like a clumsy fire poker.

How does Ed manage to wield that thing so skillfully? I'll have to ask him sometime.

House Lannister once also possessed a Valyrian steel sword called Lighthowl.

It is said that it cost enough gold to arm an entire army to acquire it.

But after only a century, King Tommen II of Casterly Rock abandoned it in Valantis.

Many people went to look for it after that, but all returned empty-handed.

Jaime's favorite uncle, Gillian, disappeared for many years as a result, presumably having lost his life.

Sigh, it's all because my dad forced me to do this.

All the uncles lived in their father's shadow, desperately trying to make something of themselves, but in the end, only Uncle Kevon, who was willing to obey, lived the longest.

"Jaime, did His Majesty really bestow the Broken Heart upon you?" His uncle rode up beside him and asked in a low voice.

"No way," James replied. "He said he'd let me play for a bit, he probably just wants to use me as a sword stand, this thing is incredibly heavy to carry."

At this moment, the uncle narrowed his eyes, making his eye sockets appear even deeper: "I don't think so."

"A seemingly harmless joke often hides a deeper meaning. His Majesty knows what your father desires most, and he also knows what can make up for our losses."

"And—never mind, I shouldn't make assumptions. Let them talk after we see your father."

The uncle shook his head, turned his horse, and rode away.

How could I possibly give him such a valuable item so easily?

It seems like I really did give it to him.

Xiao Qiao didn't say when she would return it.

Forget it, I'll deal with it when I need it.

Constantly dwelling on these things will only lead to poor health.

My dad used to have a thick head of blond hair, but in just a few years he lost it all and only had a ring of hair left.

So he had the barber shave his head completely bald, and also shave off all the beard on his lips and chin, leaving only the sideburns that covered his ears and jaw.

James touched himself and began to worry about his future.

Uncle Kevon was also bald, with a big belly, broad shoulders, a thick waist, and a square jaw full of flesh.

But now, looking at him, his hunched body on the horse looks so small.

Being a prisoner for a period of time does indeed have the benefits of weight loss.

After the battle, they rescued many people from Renly's army, all of whom had been captured when Lannister Port fell.

Most people remained in Gaoting to recuperate and wait until they had recovered before returning to their hometowns.

Some people couldn't stay any longer and came with the king, like Uncle Kevan.

And there's Davon.

"Hey buddy, did another head grow on your shoulder?"

When James saw his cousin wrapped up like that, he couldn't help but make a sarcastic remark.

"It's better than your arm, James," Davon retorted. "At least I got my revenge on the spot, unlike some guy who doesn't even know who shot him."

The two burst into laughter and hugged each other.

However, my cousin clearly had something else in his eyes, but he didn't say it out loud.

Perhaps it was because of the injury that she wanted to know from me whether it would be a hindrance to the battle.

A familiar bugle call sounded from ahead.

Sir Kenrose of Kecher began blowing his family's Herlock Horn again, a damnably loud horn engraved with ancient gold stripes.

"Strong Pig" Lich Krech led the group to their castle, the Rail Hall.

The castle was repeatedly fought over during the war, and the outer walls still bear the marks of fire, with one of the towers half collapsed.

My father wasn't well-informed.

Joffrey and Jaime had defeated Renly's main force, and Eddard had arrived with his men, but Renly was still lingering outside the castle with his army.

Only when the army was pressing in did Earl Cenford, who was left behind, obediently surrender the city. After talking with Little Joe all night, Father first led his men back to Casterly Rock.

The father of the robust pig, Count Roland, warmly received them and served them roast suckling pigs stuffed with mushrooms and carrots.

"This is what we hid in the cellar. It seems Renly's men didn't find it," the burly man laughed.

He was the third strongest man in Westeros—well, the third strongest, weaker than the Mountain, and probably not as strong as Robert.

Moreover, they are not as fast as hounds, and they are not as savage.

Cersei also called him an idiot.

This idiot has now revealed all the places where they hide things in their house.

Although James had served as a squire here and was already quite familiar with the place, there were also many knights from the royal domain and some family captives sitting nearby.

If another war breaks out, these foods will probably not be able to be hidden.

At the banquet, Count Roland raised his glass to Little Joe, saying, "I sincerely thank Your Majesty for helping us reclaim the castle."

It was the same old high-sounding talk again, followed by endless drinking.

"Drink less; it's not good for your wound healing," James told Davon.

Since his injury, he has been drinking much less than before, and he has gradually gotten used to it.

But Joe was just like Robert, a complete drunkard. He didn't stop drinking after entering the banquet, and showed no signs of being drunk.

Where did all the wine go?

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