Chapter 109: Sweet as a Song
It was evening, and most of the residents of Beachhead Village had returned to the village, preparing to enjoy dinner and rest after a day of hard work.
Without warning, everything happened too suddenly.
Hundreds of knights forcefully charged into this village built of rock and wood.
At this time, the fence surrounding the village, instead of blocking the threat, became the biggest obstacle for the villagers to escape.
After the fastest few were intercepted by the knights and whipped bloody by the long spears or leather whips in the knights' hands, no one dared to approach the fence anymore.
After a brief period of chaos.
The villagers were herded together, listening fearfully and blankly to the only loud voice.
"In the name of His Majesty Renly I of the House Baratheon, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm, a decree is conveyed to all subjects in all regions:
The False King who usurped the Iron Throne, Joffrey Waters, is the bastard son born of Queen Cersei's adultery with her brother Ser Jaime Lannister, and he conspired with the Lannister family to murder His Majesty Robert and Duke Stannis.
His perverse actions, wanton behavior, disdain for nobles, and harm to the common people are unforgivable.
The truth is already clear, yet he remains unrepentant, falsely claiming to be king, and coveting power. Therefore, the Seven Kingdoms have risen in response, forming a mighty and magnificent army of one hundred thousand, which will soon set out directly to King's Landing to overthrow the False King's tyranny.
To correct the laws and regulations and execute justice, military supplies are hereby levied from all subjects in the Crownlands. No one shall disobey!"
The owner of the voice was a knight in bright armor, but he was not wearing a helmet.
Quell quietly raised his gaze.
The knight's hair was black, and his skin was dark and rough, though it didn't look like it was from the sea breeze.
Beneath the Black-haired Knight was a tall, sturdy Black Horse with pure black fur, a beautiful horse, the kind Quell dreamed of owning, a true knight's mount.
In his left hand, the Black-haired Knight held a thick, kite-shaped wooden shield, painted gold, with a black Stag standing proudly in the center. Other than that, there were no other symbols or patterns.
A black Stag, this seemed to be the King's Sigil, and also King Renly's?
In his right hand, the Black-haired Knight held a dark red cloth bag. He shook it, and a furry round object fell out of the bag, rolling a few times on the muddy ground.
Quell glanced at it a few times, his heart suddenly sank, and his mind went blank.
The surrounding villagers screamed and fled backward, as if afraid that the thing on the ground would come alive. It was a human head!
The Black-haired Knight urged his horse forward a few steps, trampling the head on the ground into the mud.
"The Mallery family disobeyed the decree and blindly pledged allegiance to the False King, thus all their titles, lands, and subjects are stripped. All the knights under their command have been brought to justice, and the knight your village served is no exception!"
Quell stared blankly at the face in the mud, his expression dead and stiff, his Eyes dry and dull, but it was indeed Old John.
What was Old John's surname?
Quell couldn't remember, but he was a knight, and his fief was Beachhead Village, so he must have a surname.
But now, it didn't matter anymore. Old John had a wife and two daughters, but no sons. Women couldn't be knights, so Beachhead Village would only be granted to a new knight.
Quell, Jenny, and many others looked at the Black-haired Knight. Would the new knight be this person? Would he even live in Lord Mallery's castle?
Would Lord Roshar Mallery fight back?
The lord had always lived in King's Landing, serving the King on the Iron Throne. If he knew what happened here, he certainly wouldn't do nothing.
But hundreds of steel-armored knights were much more powerful than Lord Mallery.
King Renly had an army of one hundred thousand? How many knights would that be? Could the King be defeated, and King Renly become the new King?
Quell hesitated. Perhaps I should join King Renly's ranks? No, His Majesty Renly.
The Black-haired Knight dismounted, "Tonight, we will stay in your village. Serve us well, provide military supplies, and obey the rule of His Majesty Renly, and your past sins may still be forgiven."
Then hundreds of knights also dismounted, put down their shields, took off their helmets, demanding people to feed their horses, prepare food and beds, and do this and that.
The atmosphere in the village immediately relaxed considerably.
Everyone became busy again. It was naturally very tiring to work after a day of labor, but they were tired with peace of mind.
At least this proved that the knights still needed them, so they wouldn't be killed arbitrarily.
Although it seemed they would lose a lot of property, that was the only way.
After all, they were at war. Facing hundreds of powerful knights, what else could they ask for besides survival?
Quell originally wanted to follow Jenny and protect the person he loved, but he was called by a knight to move wheat and腌肉 from the village warehouse to the wagons the knights brought, and he wasn't released until dark.
Looking at the heavy wagons, Quell's desire to join the army grew hotter. So much grain, enough to eat for how many years!
Thinking of himself constantly starving, and the villagers watching with cold Eyes, never willing to give him a full meal, and then looking at today, the knights just said a few words, and the village obediently gave up the entire warehouse, how exhilarating!
Perhaps it was heaven's blessing, Quell suddenly saw two familiar faces, Bass and Baker from the neighboring village, also orphans.
Although Bass and Baker weren't wearing armor, they were holding long spears and shields, and even wearing robes with a black Stag, walking proudly on the village paths, their steps so unrestrained, as if they were the owners of the village.
Quell's hope grew stronger.
He went over, said a few words of flattery, and finally stated his purpose.
Quell usually never said a soft word, and the two seemed to particularly enjoy it. They immediately patted their chests and took Quell to find the Captain, the Black-haired Knight.
Finally, Quell was taken to Jenny's house.
The Captain and several knights were enjoying dinner, the freshest stewed fish, grilled fish, and thick barley soup, and Jenny's family was accompanying them.
Quell had just taken a few steps closer when he heard Jenny's father say, "My lord, it's quite cool tonight. Let my daughter warm your bed for you tonight. It's the least we can do for His Majesty Renly."
Quell's mind immediately buzzed, his feet rooted to the ground, his eyes involuntarily looking at Jenny.
Jenny lowered her head and remained silent.
Refuse him! Jenny, don't give in, don't be afraid, he's not a real knight! Quell roared wildly in his heart.
The black-haired man put down his knife and fork and looked at Jenny, "Are you a virgin?"
Quell almost lunged forward!
Even without a sword, he would tear his throat out with his teeth.
But a familiar sweet voice softly sounded, "Please forgive me, my lord. Jenny was once, ignorant."
Quell swallowed. What did that mean?
The black-haired captain smiled, "I'm not interested in goods others have used. However, the lads don't mind, do they?"
The several knights nearby chuckled.
One of them put down his soup bowl, "Captain, I'm full. Brothers, I'll go first and inspect the goods for you, ah, haha."
Only seven or eight steps away.
Quell watched with wide eyes as this man brazenly wrapped his arms around his Jenny, his laughter harsh and unpleasant, his hands restlessly groping, gradually moving towards the inner room.
From the inner room came Jenny's trembling sobs.
The black-haired captain said indifferently, "Sweet as a Song."
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