Garth Tyrell clutched his stomach. It had been unsettled since the morning—an old ailment of his—but today was hardly the right time for it to flare up. He had been assigned to receive Lord Lynd Tarran of Summerhall, and if he were to suddenly succumb to his condition in front of Lynd, House Tyrell would suffer considerable embarrassment.
In truth, he had little desire to welcome Lynd Tarran. Ten years ago, Lynd had been just another vassal of House Tyrell. Back then, as Highgarden's steward, it would have been Lynd who was expected to greet him first.
But now, he had to wait at Rosebay to personally welcome Lynd's arrival, a task that left him feeling more like a servant than a dignitary.
Still, he had no choice. There were few people in Highgarden with the rank and status suitable to receive Lynd, and at the moment, he was the only one available. If he refused, they couldn't very well have the Lord of Highgarden himself greeting his own vassal, could they?
Despite his reluctance regarding this duty, Garth did not hold any resentment toward Lynd as a person. In fact, he greatly admired Lynd Tarran and considered it a privilege for House Tyrell to count such a remarkable individual among its vassals.
More importantly, Highgarden had profited immensely from Lynd Tarran's rise.
As Highgarden's steward, Garth was acutely aware of its revenues. In recent years, trade between Highgarden and Summerhall had grown so lucrative that its profits and taxes now accounted for a full third of Highgarden's total income—a figure that was only increasing. By the end of the year, it was likely to reach half.
And that wasn't even the most significant benefit. The real advantage was how Highgarden's status in the Seven Kingdoms had risen alongside Lynd's. No matter how powerful Lynd became, he remained a vassal of House Tyrell, and his achievements reflected well on them.
That was precisely why Garlan had personally traveled to Summerhall to invite Lynd to his wedding—a clear sign of respect. Garth's assignment to receive Lynd was intended to convey the same message.
Just as he was pondering how best to handle his upcoming interaction with Lynd, a commotion stirred from the rear of the procession. Turning to look, he saw a group of a dozen men clad in the robes of the Faith of the Seven's clergy approaching. Leading them was none other than the newly appointed High Septon of the Great Sept, Quinon Tashi.
"Lord Garth," Tashi greeted, offering a slight nod and a bow as he stopped before him.
Seeing that a delegation from the Faith had also come to welcome Lynd, Garth's expression remained composed, but inwardly, he was displeased.
Still, propriety dictated a response. He returned the nod and said, "High Septon Tashi."
After that brief exchange, the two men stood on opposite sides of the road, making no further effort to acknowledge each other, their silence making them seem like strangers.
In the past, the appointment of a High Septon for the Great Sept typically involved Highgarden submitting a shortlist of candidates, from which the Faith would select the most suitable one.
This time, however, the Faith had bypassed Highgarden entirely. Without so much as a courtesy notice, they had transferred a septon from the Vale and elevated him to High Septon.
Had it only been a matter of skipping Highgarden in the selection process, the Tyrells might have let it slide—similar instances had occurred in the past. But the real issue was that Tashi was proving to be anything but passive. He had begun meddling in Highgarden's internal affairs, crossing a line House Tyrell would not tolerate. Lord Mace had already decided that once Garlan's wedding was over, he would formally petition the Faith to replace the High Septon of the Great Sept.
Now, it was clear why Tashi had come to greet Lynd—he had caught wind of Highgarden's intentions and was hoping to use Lynd's status as the Chosen of the Seven to shield himself.
That was what truly concerned Garth.
Everyone knew that Lynd and the Faith of the Seven were deeply intertwined. Even the creation of the Faith of the Storm had not disrupted his relationship with the Faith; if anything, it had strengthened their ties.
Especially after Lynd's return from beyond the Wall, when he brought back proof of White Walkers and wights. That revelation had reshaped religious belief in the Seven Kingdoms, giving rise to new factions within the Faith—sects like the Chosen Redeemed and the Chosen Salvation, all centered around Lynd Tarran. Over time, these factions had grown to become the dominant force within the Faith of the Seven.
It was no exaggeration to say that Lynd Tarran had completely supplanted the High Septon of the Sept of Baelor in King's Landing and had become the de facto leader of the entire Faith of the Seven.
Given Lynd Tarran's influence within the church, if he were to openly declare his support for High Septon Tashi, even if Highgarden demanded his removal, the Faith would likely refuse their request outright.
"My lord, Lord Lynd Tarran's entourage has arrived," a knight reported as he hurried back. Just as Garth was beginning to feel a headache over this unexpected development, he now had to prepare for Lynd's imminent arrival.
Hearing the news, Garth quickly adjusted his clothing and signaled to the Highgarden knights behind him to compose themselves.
On the other side, High Septon Tashi had his septons help him into his elaborate and weighty ceremonial robes. He also took up his own custom-forged ceremonial staff, dressing himself like a peacock in full display.
Before long, a procession bearing a long, blood-red sword banner appeared at the end of the road. The makeup of the group, however, was rather unusual.
At the front were a dozen knights in gleaming full plate, leading the way—nothing out of the ordinary. But behind them marched two distinct groups: one of monks and one of nuns.
These monks and nuns were unusually tall and powerfully built, each one resembling a smaller version of the Mountain. Their attire was just as striking as their imposing physiques.
The monks on the left wore the robes of the Silent Brothers, yet beneath their cloaks, they were clad in chainmail. Each of them held what appeared to be a simple walking staff—but upon closer inspection, the "staffs" were actually long spears, making them look more like warriors than clergy.
The nuns on the right were even more dramatically outfitted. Underneath their outer robes, they wore full leather armor, with an additional layer of chainmail draped over it. One of them clutched a book that appeared to be made of metal—an ornate, reinforced copy of the Seven-Pointed Star—while her other hand rested on a half-man-high iron rod, its ends tipped with jagged, armor-piercing spikes.
"They're the Silent Brothers and Redeemer Sisters of Summerhall," someone among Garth's knights murmured.
As the remark implied, although the Silent Brothers and Redeemer Sisters technically hailed from the Redemption Sept, those familiar with their origins considered them to be more of a personal armed force under Lynd Tarran's command.
Rumors claimed that each of these monks and nuns had been personally selected by Lynd to serve as his family's protectors. Every one of them had undergone rigorous training under his direct instruction, mastering elite combat techniques.
Few people knew the true extent of their strength, but one fact was indisputable—if Lynd Tarran trusted them with the safety of his wife and children, their skills had to be exceptional.
However, not everyone was pleased with Lynd's decision. Some knights saw it as an affront, believing that safeguarding a lord and his family should be the duty of knights, not clergy. To them, Lynd's reliance on these warriors of the Faith was a blatant show of distrust toward his own knights. Some even accused him of covertly reestablishing the militant orders of the church.
Garth himself shared this unease. He had always been wary of the church encroaching upon secular power, and he saw High Septon Tashi's overreach as a direct consequence of Lynd's growing influence. When he spotted the Silent Brothers and Redeemer Sisters among Lynd's retinue, his expression darkened slightly, though he quickly composed himself.
By contrast, High Septon Tashi wore a beaming smile. Given Lynd's deep ties to the church, he seemed confident that he would receive the support he was hoping for.
As the procession drew nearer, the gathered crowd finally caught sight of Lynd Tarran at its center.
Unlike his usual dragon-themed armor, which had become famous across the Seven Kingdoms, today he wore a set of dazzling, gilded plate—far more extravagant and imposing.
Among the knights present, those who had heard tales of Lynd's legendary exploits in Essos quickly recognized the armor. It was none other than the fabled Golden Lion Knight Armor, the very same described in countless stories. And now, seeing it with their own eyes, they realized that the real thing was far grander, more magnificent, and more awe-inspiring than anything they had imagined from the tales.
Although many of the knights secretly longed for a set of Lion Knight armor of their own, the sight of its heavy plates made them abandon the thought with a wry smile. Even if they could forge such a suit, wearing it would be another matter entirely.
While most of the Highgarden knights were captivated by Lynd's magnificent armor, Garth Tyrell's attention was fixed elsewhere—on Augustus Tarran, who sat at the front of the saddle, held securely in Lynd's arms.
As the heir to Summerhall, Augustus Tarran was just as much a subject of interest among the Seven Kingdoms' nobility as his father. However, Lynd and Nymeria had gone to great lengths to shield him from the public eye—so much so that few had even seen his face. This secrecy only fueled the curiosity surrounding him.
But now, Lynd had chosen to bring his son to Garlan's wedding, a clear sign of his closeness and trust in House Tyrell. Seeing this, the slight concern on Garth's face gave way to a smile.
The procession came to a halt before Garth. Lynd dismounted gracefully, lifting Augustus down with him. Holding the child's hand, he strode toward Garth.
As they passed the group of monks and nuns, two figures stepped forward from their ranks, silently positioning themselves around Lynd and Augustus, forming a protective barrier around them.
"Lord Garth, I'm sorry to have troubled you by making you wait," Lynd greeted him with a courteous bow.
"No, I—" Garth started to respond.
Before he could finish, Tashi stepped forward, eager to seize the moment. "Lord Chosen One, I am High Septon Tashi of the Great Sept. Over a month ago, I traveled to Summerhall to pay my respects, but unfortunately, you were—"
"I know who you are, High Septon Tashi," Lynd interrupted him, raising a hand. "I have always believed that the Faith governs matters of the spirit, while lords oversee worldly affairs. The two may cooperate, may communicate—but neither should meddle in what does not belong to them. Your actions in Highgarden have caused no small amount of trouble for the Faith. The Church has already made its decision regarding your conduct. I suggest you return to the Great Sept and await their judgment."
A moment ago, Tashi had brimmed with confidence. Now, he collapsed onto the ground, utterly stunned.
The septons who had accompanied him did not move to assist him. Instead, they merely looked on with cold indifference. Clearly, even within the Great Sept, his actions had been met with disapproval. Until now, his title had shielded him from outright rejection, but Lynd's words had shattered that illusion. With the knowledge that his days of authority were numbered, there was no longer any need for pretense.
Watching the scene unfold, Lynd let out a quiet sigh. In his eyes, neither the High Septon nor the clergy under him were fit for their roles. A full replacement was needed—ideally with his own people, but at the very least, with truly devout septons. The Great Sept was one of the most important seats of the Faith in all the Seven Kingdoms; there could be no room for error.
The High Septon's disgrace was not merely a personal humiliation—it reflected poorly on the entire Faith of the Seven. Lynd had no intention of leaving the matter unresolved.
Turning to the four Silent Brothers standing behind him, he said, "High Septon Tashi isn't feeling well. Escort him back to the Great Sept so he can rest. As for Garlan's wedding, the Great Sept should appoint another septon to preside over the ceremony."
At his command, the four Silent Brothers immediately stepped forward, lifting Quinon Tashi from the ground. Each took hold of one of his arms and began leading him toward Highgarden.
The High Septon, jolted from his daze, tried to protest—but before he could utter a word, one of the Silent Brothers struck him sharply in the neck, knocking him unconscious.
The remaining septons of the Great Sept hesitated for a brief moment, then collectively bowed to Lynd before following after the Silent Brothers.
"My apologies, Lord Lynd. What an embarrassment," Garth said, shaking his head with a weary smile.
"No, it is I who should apologize to House Tyrell," Lynd responded seriously. "Because of me, certain ambitious men have emerged within the Faith of the Seven—men who think they can extend their reach into secular rule. It's not just Highgarden; I've seen the same problem arise in the Vale, the Riverlands, and beyond."
He paused before continuing, "Before coming here, I consulted with the Tribunal of the Faith of the Seven. They have agreed to take action against those septons and clergy who have overstepped their bounds. The High Septon of the Great Sept will also be replaced. As tradition dictates, House Tyrell will put forward candidates, and the Church will select from them. I hope you will finalize the list soon."
At this moment, Garth could not have been more satisfied with Lynd's handling of the situation. Technically, Lynd's removal of the High Septon was an intervention in Highgarden's affairs—but instead of resenting it, Garth found himself relieved. If House Tyrell had been forced to act, it would have inevitably led to conflict with the Faith, straining their relations and potentially causing long-term damage.
Instead, Lynd had stepped in and resolved the issue for them. To Garth, that was not interference—it was a favor.
Far from displeased, he was grateful.