Capítulo 73: Fight or negotiation
( 283 AC. One week after the battle of the Trident. Western Riverland ).
Ser Hale Fastrider ( Hale Fastrider is one of Alan's six subordinate) is on a scouting mission to the border of westerland.
This is a very difficult and dangerous job. But Hale is very good at this field. That is why he was given this important task.
Though he is not alone. Because he is accompanied by a hundred veteran scouts. These Men's are personally trained by Ser Brynden Blackfish Tully. They knows these lands far better than anyone else.
With their help, Hale had been killing a lot of Lannister scouts as well, those men that tried to flee from the Riverland to Westerland were also being killed. The actual amount is unknown but at least 50 them are killed, and two of them are captured.
But unfortunately some of them escaped to the Westerland. And Hale knows that those man that escaped, will be reporting about the trident, And also about themselves as well.
It's was fatal mistake and a great blunder.
But it's also confirmed that Lannisters are prepared, And waiting for the right opportunity.
Hale is currently having lunch with his fellow scouts. But they are suddenly interrupted by the youngest boy of their group.
The young man reported, " S Ser.. Hale enemies spotted... they are coming..."
Hale stood up, " Calm down Edmyn... here drink some some water.. and then report."
The boy greatfully took the offer, After drinking it ,the boy took a deep breath, "Ssorry... to interrupt your meal Sers. But the enemies are coming, at least a thousand of them. And at it's head is the notorious Mountain that rides." After hearing tha news everyone looked afraid.
One of the officer looked concerned and asked, "We are out numberd ten to one, Even if that is not the case.... fighting the Mountain Clegane ....
What should we do Ser Hale?"
"Do not worry good men. We have done our part, it's time to retreat and report to our superiors."
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{ 283 AC A month after battle of the Trident.
HQ of the Rebel alliance, Lord Arryns tent .
All the important figures discussing about next plans for the rebellion.}
(Mc's POV)
We are having a not wonderful time after the battle. The aftermath is most gruesome one could hope. Cleaning up bodies of the dead soldiers. Sorting out the nobles that died. Preparing their bodies to send it to their families. Burial for the rest of the peasant soldiers. Taking care for the wounded and those that are permanently lost a limbs, We had to gave them some compensation and send them back home.
Also building some new prison for the prisoners of war. And persuading some of them to join our cause.
Some of the Lords did joined but most of them didn't. But the peasant soldiers didn't need to be asked twice.
So we recruited at least 20 thousand more additional levy's to our cause.
It took me and other Lords some good amount of time reorganized. But with me being present, Everything is organized a lot more faster.
And it was possible because of Robert being absent. If Robert was in charge of everything instead Ned and John Arryn. Then all we would have is a none stop party. Sigh.....
Robert Baratheon is still recovering from his wounds, Thus he could not attend another important meeting.
Or so he says....
Me ,Eddard , and John Arryn. We know that it's another excuse of his. So that he could avoid these meetings.
cause we are all aware that, Roberts wounds did not stopped him from fucking whores every night.
So... its up to Lord Arryn,Stark and Tully and their bannerman to handle all the works.
And I Did my fair share of works as well.
After the battle... I had to reorganized our cavalry forces.
The battle has cost us a huge amount of devastation to our hole army.
We Lost almost 10 thousand Men in the trident. And another five thousand deadly injured, they're. That only left us with only 25 thousand. And another additional 20 thousand that joined us after the battle from the captured soldiers.
So we have 45 thousand.
The ten thousand Vale cavalry that charged at the Dornish spears, Only 4 thousand and 5 hundred survived. Those Dornish Mens fought to the end. Even the commander of the vale contingent Lord Corbray died in battle.
Tons of Vale knights lost their lives to the Dornish phalanx formation. But in the Canon or the main storyline the outcome was different.
Oh well, my presence changed a lot of things.
But thankfully before the battle, I convinced Lord Arryn to keep another three thousand in the reserve.
In this medieval time cavalry forces is the main trump card on a open battlefield.
I know that Tywin Lannister will run for Kingslanding after the battle. So I sended my trusted subordinate Hale, To delay the Lannisters as much as they could.
And fortunately he did his job effectively as well. And bought us enough time to recover from the battle as much as we could.
Lords in the rebel forces thinks that Tywin Lannister will support the Targaryens. I can't blame them for thinking that, Because Tywin Lannister is old friend with the king. And also served the king for almost 20 year's.
But I know that won't be happening. Tywin Lannister is going to have his revenge for the humiliation he suffered from Aerys Targaryen.
But unlike Walder Fray he's not going to shamelessly come over to us, after we just won the battle. He's a prideful man, so he won't join us without someone contribution to the rebellion.
So he will do something that will give him a good excuse. And that is killing the remaining Targaryens and sacking the city on the process.
In the main timeline Eddard Stark was given the command to stop him from getting into Kingslanding. Eddard Stark couldn't do it in time because he was slow, Though It was not Eddards fault though.....
Because he had the infantry soldiers with him. We all know that the infantry soldiers are very slow on the march.
Thus I deviced my plan, And only organized the cavalrys.
The distance between us is much closer to the capital then the Westerland. So I believe with the amount of mounted warrior we have, We could successfully intercept the Lannisters.
Hale had reported that the Lannisters are taking a different route to reach the Kingslanding. Because the harassment the the scouts have caused, is let them think that Riverland well guarded.
I just wanted to make sure that Kingslanding is not sacked and the residents are not being killed. I brainstormed about it for a month thinking about how to prevent it.
And also I have faith in my subordinates, they will somehow prevent the the wildfire plots.
Our cavalry forces now consisted of various mounted warriors from different houses from different kingdoms.
1. House Ryswell contributed 500 horseman lead by master Mark Ryswell. Then House mandarly contributed Another 500 knights lead by Ser Wylis Mandarly.
3. House Mallister lead by Jason Mallister and House Bracken lead by Ser Roland Bracken and lastly house Fray contributed 3000 knights.
And the rest of cavalry forces is made up entirely from the Vale.
So the total amount of mounted warrior is nearly Eleven thousand five hundred men.
So with this amount, I'm confident that we can chase down Tywin Lannisters troops. before he gets to the kingslanding.
But the funny thing is that, I am the who will be commanding this troops and lords.
And why they're going follow my command?
The answer is... all the highest lords agreed that I'm better suited for the job.
Lord Tully, Stark , Arryn and mostly Robert Baratheon as well voted for me. I refused ofcourse, and suggested to give the command to someone else. But I know that as well, that nobody is comparable to me or better than me, in commanding or fighting in the entire rebel army.
But this favoritism is also very bad news as well.
And this favouritism from the Lords also gave birth to some of nasty rumors about.
Some says that Alan Winters is a secret bastard of Lord Arryn. He was raised in secret because of inheritance issues.
WTF.....!!!!
I had to stop that, So I told the senior Lords about the rumors going around about me. After hearing my complain, Everyone laughed!!!
John Arryn even told me that he doesn't actually mind that people calling me I'm his relative.
Thus the problem remained unsolved...
That old bastard... I'm sure if Lysa doesn't kill him... I'm still going to poison him for this....
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I snapped out of my thoughts.... And focused on the meeting.
Lord Roose Bolton spoke in his quiet voice, "The prisoners are making a lot of trouble my Lords. Especially the highborns..... They are demanding better treatment.....
And other things.... that we do not even afford.
I propose we only keep the important ones. It will be good for our current food supplies. And Men's that guarding them."
Is he saying that.. we kill some of the prisoners??
For some reason everyone is silently listening to the Young Northern Lord.
To be honest He doesn't speak very often. But when he speaks.... people do listen.
Well, The Bolton does have a point though. Feeding the prisoners doesn't have much marit. But execution is out of Question as well. It will only harm Our reputation.
So Lord Arryn declined... what Lord Bolton is trying to imply.
Yes.... we are not exicuting the prisoners. it is a war crime....!!!!!
The rest of the meeting continued about the problems we're having in the camp.
Lord Arryn stood up and addressed everyone in the tent, "My Lords and Sers, Tywin Lannister has made his move. The brave scouts reported that he will be going towards the Kingslanding. And it's time we are going make ours as well."
Then lord Arryn look toward me, " Alan, are all the preparation is complete?"
I stood up from my seat and gave him a respectful Bow, "Yes my Lord, The entire mounted troops are ready. The horses and the supplies are also in good condition. With your permission, We can ride out tomorrow."
He looked satisfied with my answer, " Good. Does anyone else have any questions speak now?"
Well, nobody had.
" So I take the silence as a No....
Well, then I believe today's meeting is over." Lord Arryn declared. Everyone started to leave.
But I have something to say to Lord Arryn, so stayed
Lord Arryn noticed so he asked, "Is their something else you need Son.?"
Is he truly treating me as his bastard? Damn you old man .... I'll kill you now...!!!!
" Uh... yes my Lord, as you know that Tywin Lannister is going towards Kingslanding. We're very much confident enough, that we could successfully intercept them. But I liked avoid fighting him.
If we could solved this peacefully, then bloodshed is unnecessary."
Lord Arryn looked confused, "You think you can pursued the Lion to our cause? But I do not think he will join us. If he did... he would've joined us a long time ago."
"No my Lord, I know that he won't join us from my words. But he will, If you ask him.!!! Just think about it, the Targaryens are finished. By supporting them now is not a profitable move for a telented person like him."
He's expression changed to a disappointed one.
"But the Tyrells still have a massive army... And you don't know Tywin Lannister better than me. He is a close friend of Aerys. And Their is also the fact that Tywin Lannisters son Jaime Lannister is also in the Kingslanding. If He joins us then his son is very much dead.He won't risk his son's life."
Thus Lord Arryn stubbornly argued against me for a long moment. But I i had to explained to him that the possibility of what could happen. As I started to explained to him, his face slowly turning shocked to horror.
After devouring all of my words he replied, "I do not know what is actually going on in your head. And why you think that this war with crown is already finished.
But if .... what you said, if it becomes true.... Then we can't let Tywin Lannister reached the capital at all cost. I know fighting his forces is not a very good move either. He is a very cunning man. It'll be beneficial if The Lannisters win the capital for us. But what is the point? if his men sacked and burned the residents as well. Those problem will fall in our shoulder latter." The concern is all over lord Arryns face. Then he looked at me with a pleading eyes.
"You never failed me before Alan, What do think will be good for us?"
" I suggest you and lord Hoster ride with us my Lord, We will parlay with the lord Lannister and negotiate to join us, And also not to sack the city. And if a fight truly broke out, And the negotiations failed. I can assure you that I'll protect you with my last breath...."
The old man laughed, "I never doubted you Alan. I know what your capable of. So what can we offer to Tywin Lannister that he will switch sides and risk his only perfect son?"
"Well my Lord, um....."
"Don't hesitate.. speak your mind..."
" Well, Tywin Lannister ruled the city for nearly 20 year's. So I think. he still has a lot of his loyal man in the capital a well, they're going open the gate for him. I suggest you my Lord that you just have to negotiate with him that he's troops won't sack the capital that's all. let them take the capital for us. With this his pride will still be intact, he'll also get his revenge in the process."
"Alright, I'll discuss this with Lord Hoster."
Then we talked some more about the problems and other personal stuffs....We also drinked some wine as well. Then he started to talk about his young wife.
"I wish my lady wife could gave me son. But I don't mind if it's a daughter. But if it's a son... I hope he will grow up as strong you Alan." He spoke in a sad and sorrowful voice. Well, I don't blame John Arryn. His remembering his previous wifes and their deaths.
So to light up the mood I threw a good joke,"Well, careful what you wish for my Lord. Don't blame me.... If you're son truly becomes someone like me."
we both laughed....
" Hmm... maybe I should name him after you."
" Ah... please don't my Lord. You should let her mother name the boy."
" Alright..."
After drinking some more wine I left his tent.
Tomorrow is going to be a long ride....
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