The expressions of the two men changed suddenly.
Cole's tone remained calm as he continued, "But knights fight for their lord, as sworn in their oath, just as they are loyal to the king."
The messengers nodded.
The envoy from House Costayne echoed, "The Father Above commands them to be loyal to their monarch. It is a knight's honor to fight for their sovereign. Please, my lord, for the sake of the Seven, forgive their sins."
Storm's End no longer worships the Seven, thought another man. He had come from King's Landing and witnessed the king's ceremony. In the Great Sept, the Kingsguard had knighted more than six hundred men in succession.
In the hall, they had judged defeated prisoners. Some were willing to bow their heads and confess, while followers of the Lord of Light remained stubborn as mules, shouting at the king and even hurling insults.
These followers of the Red God are all madmen.
"This puts me in a difficult position. The law requires me to be strict and fair, but I don't wish to see honorable knights die uselessly on the gallows. A knight's final journey should be on the battlefield." His eyes betrayed inner conflict, as if the decision truly troubled him. "You are aware that Storm's End is no longer governed by the Faith of the Seven, but by the great Lord of Light, R'hllor."
"I have always been a devout believer. Whether it's the Lord of Light or the Seven, the gods teach us to follow laws. If I violate divine will, I would neither sleep nor eat well." He drummed his fingers on the armrest.
"The gods also teach us to forgive others' sins, my lord," said the Costayne envoy.
"A pertinent point, sir. Are you a knight?" Cole asked him.
"I am not a knight, my lord. You may call me Kadir." He bowed slightly, thinking that Ser Cole Julius must be a devout believer. How wonderful that he quotes the words of the Seven. Such wisdom.
Seeing that Cole seemed persuaded, Envoy Leygood quickly added, "Lord Castellan, Ser Wright Leygood is the most loyal servant of the gods, and a knight personally anointed by the High Septon."
Cole did not respond directly, but said with a sorrowful expression, "The gods show mercy to the world. Winter is coming, good sirs. Only by spreading divine grace can I atone for my sin of violating the gods' will. I sense that soon many children will be homeless in the cold, and I intend to provide them shelter to ease my own transgressions."
"My lord, your noble character will surely be blessed by the gods."
Cole shook his head. "The Lord of Light, R'hllor, teaches us that the flames kindled by one person alone burn small. As the gentleman from House Leygood mentioned, the holy oils of the Seven bring honor to knights. Regardless of whether it's the Lord of Light or the Seven, all gods teach us to protect the weak. This I believe is good. I will bear the crime of breaking the law. I only hope these knights have not forgotten their oaths to fight for the vulnerable across the Seven Kingdoms."
"To prove their piety, I hope they can help me raise four hundred gold dragons, ensuring those winter wanderers do not freeze to death on the Kingsroad."
Seven hells, how did this man speak of blackmail in such lofty terms?
Both envoys looked miserable.
"My lord, four hundred gold dragons are truly..."
Cole suddenly struck the armrest. "Have the knights of Houses Costayne and Leygood forgotten their oaths? Do they still remember what they swore in the sept? If not, then I believe your houses have forgotten what honor means. I will never tolerate knights straying from their path. In that case, I shall send them to the Night's Watch, where they will learn the meaning of honor."
Cole appeared genuinely troubled.
The two envoys fell silent, unable to find any excuse to counter him. People stood all around—commoners, knights, even women and children.
Their eyes gleamed like candlelight.
"Very well, that's all. I hope you will convey my words to your lords. May your gods bless you." He stood and walked into a chamber at the back of the hall.
The envoys were escorted out of the castle. The Leygood messenger spat, "The greedy shall burn in the seven hells."
Kadir of House Costayne clearly heard whom he was cursing. The price demanded by the lord was far too high, and invoking the gods had left them speechless.
"What will you do?" Leygood asked him.
"I promised Lord Tommen to bring Ser Bolly Flowers and Ser Torquil Costayne back to Three Towers." He shook his head helplessly. "But now I must return first."
"Do you truly accept his offer?"
"I am only responsible for delivering Lord Tommen Costayne's proposal. I have no authority to decide, sir," he replied.
When Leygood smiled contemptuously, Kadir had forgotten the man before him was not a knight.
Cole had made his offer clear—the response now depended on Highgarden. His references to the gods merely saved face. This wasn't about redeeming prisoners, but contributing to the righteous cause of the Seven.
With Mace Tyrell captured, Highgarden had lost its backbone, leaving them understandably panicked. Knights are not easily trained. Beyond their armor, these men were either sons of noble houses or even heirs. They could not be abandoned.
Even sworn knights have pledged allegiance to their houses. If lords show no concern for their fates, those houses would lose all credibility across the Seven Kingdoms, and no knight would ever swear an oath to them again.
The threat of the Night's Watch was no empty talk either.
Cole knew how desperately the Wall needed men. Nineteen castles had been built along its length, yet only three remained operational. Soon the Night's Watch would face invasion by wildlings led by Mance Rayder. Sending men to the Wall now meant the king wouldn't need to personally lead forces against the wildlings.
He had mentioned this to Stannis at Dragonstone. Cole believed the Night's Watch ravens must have reached Dragonstone by now.
The king had promised to send men to the Wall by ship, but clearly showed little interest. His eyes were fixed firmly on King's Landing and the Iron Throne.
The Night's Watch was where Cole had been raised. Without Maester Aemon and his sworn brothers, he would have frozen to death on the Kingsroad.
There was still no news from the North, nothing about the Red Wedding.
He didn't know if any of the Starks remained alive. Winning the North was absolutely necessary. Only with the North standing alongside them could they resist the Lannisters.
He hoped Lord Eddard would help.
Cole walked toward the dungeon where dozens of knights were imprisoned. At this moment, each had been stripped of honor and dignity.
He brought out Garlan Tyrell and said, "Ser Tyrell, I've prepared some wine. Would you care to taste it?"