Bab 24: Siege of Ashemark
Urging his horse on quicker, Robb burst in through the open gates of Ashemark leading the cavalry charge from the front into the scrambling Lannister defence. His horse struck the disorganised defence and flung men to the side as his blade swung around and killed a man.
Behind him the rest of the cavalry also struck the Lannister defence and cut through them with ease.
"The King in the North!" Smalljon cried from where he stood by the open gate, having cut his way through the men on the walls and opened the gate. And with this, as his men poured through the gates and the Lannister defence crumbled, the two weeklong siege of Ashemark came to an end.
Brining his horse to a halt, Robb looked upon as his men rushed past to fully secure the city. He'd already firmly ordered the fair treatment of the Smallfolk and the men he executed at the Golden Tooth for raping women in that siege stood was a firm reminder of his orders.
Robb understood that war was a bloody and dirty business and that the Smallfolk were the unfortunate bystanders caught in the middle of it. They suffered the most and Robb wanted to ensure that he could at least lessen that suffering as much as he could. Plus, it helped his conquest of the Westerlands that much better as the Smallfolk would be more accepting of his presence.
"Lord Bolton, secure the Keep and Lord Marbrands family." Robb doubted they would still be here, no doubt having been evacuated to Lannisport as soon as the northern army arrived, but he couldn't be sure. "Lord Karstark, round up those that surrendered." The man gruffly nodded his head. While the loss of his son, Torrhen had been difficult, Rickard was grateful for the fact that Robb had saved Eddard's life.
That was a debt the Lord of Karhold could not repay easily, but one he would endeavour to do so.
With the orders given, Robb urged his horse on followed by his personal guard, taking note of the way his men acted. As he had expected, the orders he had given were mostly followed, but some it seemed, in the moment had disregarded his orders.
With a nod of his head to Lord Marq Piper, the man took some men and arrested those responsible, even scouring the city for any that had disobeyed Robb's orders. At the same time, Robb continued on to the Great Hall where the door was guarded by Bolton men who opened the door for him.
Entering inside he saw the commander of the Lannister forces, Damon Marbrand, Lord of Ashemark. Robb took note of the scuffed armour and bloody sword in his hand. It seemed that the man had fought in the battle to defend his keep, admirable.
Walking past the man, Robb nodded his head to Lord Bolton who bowed in turn before taking a seat that would act as a temporary throne. He then gazed upon the captured soldiers. All of them officers that had attempted to escape the city upon realising it had been lost.
"You have lost, Lord Marbrand." Robb said simply, the old Lord staring up at Robb imperiously. "I gave you and yours a chance to surrender, but you refused. You understand the consequences of that, do you not?"
Damon said nothing, refusing to speak to the Stark King.
"My lord, please spare us." But the officers around him did not share the same pride as the Lord of Ashemark, each of them begging for their lives to be spared.
"Lord?" Smalljon muttered as he entered the room, his large booming voice causing the captured Lannisters that were begging to jump in fright. "He's a King!" Quickly the men bowed in apology, rectifying their mistake as Smalljon crossed the room in big strides and stood beside Robb.
"For your refusal to surrender, you will be executed." There were a few fearful cries, but Damon remained resolute in not showing his fear, that was tested when Grey Wind entered the room. The large beast moving across the room in slow measured steps, its furs matted with blood and bits of flesh still stuck in its teeth.
However, Robb did not let this opportunity of silence go.
Taking the sword presented to him by Olyvar, Robb moved down the steps. 'The man who passes the sentence should swing the sword.' Robb thought firmly, gazing upon the cowering Lannisters, his eyes passing over the fearless Damon.
The northern soldiers behind the Lannisters moved forwards, pushing them down and holding them in place. Raising his blade into the air, Robb ignored the cries and pleas for mercy and with a deep breath, swung the blade down decapitating the man.
Six times Robb swung his sword, and each time a head rolled along the floor.
Eventually, he came to Damon. "Get on with it then, boy." The man said, already lowering his body and presenting his neck.
Robb paused for a moment, then nodded his head to the door. The two guards by the door moved forwards, picking up Lord Marbrand and dragging him out of the room. Robb wouldn't execute lords, that would send the wrong message to everyone in the Seven Kingdoms. No, it was expected that captured lords were treated with some measure of respect.
That didn't mean he couldn't make them believe he would kill them.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone