บท 36: Victory
299 AC, Golden Tooth…
Arriving at the Golden Tooth, Rody and Lord Rickard Karstark were greeted with a sight that took their breath away. Banners of House Stark fluttered proudly from the highest point of the castle, proclaiming their victory. To witness it firsthand filled their hearts with pride and relief.
With a mix of astonishment and excitement, Rody and Lord Karstark dismounted their horses and made their way into the castle. The foreign halls were abuzz with activity, soldiers rushing about and servants tending to the wounded. They navigated through the bustling corridors until they reached the great hall, where Robb Stark sat upon the high seat, having talked with his bastard brother while their direwolves lay by their side.
Robb's eyes lit up with a mixture of joy and surprise as he caught sight of Rody and Lord Karstark. "Rody! Rickard! I did not expect to see you so soon," he exclaimed, rising from his seat to greet them. "Tell me, how fared your mission in the Westerlands?"
Lord Karstark stepped forward, his voice filled with a mix of pride and urgency. "Your Highness, we have grave news. The Lannisters are raising another host in Lannisport," he revealed, his gaze locked with Robb's.
Robb's expression turned serious as he absorbed the gravity of the information. "Lannisport," he repeated, his mind already strategizing. "We cannot let them amass another force. Least, they bound us to the border."
Rody felt a sense of relief wash over him as he witnessed the determination in Robb's eyes. He knew they had made the right choice in coming here, that their sacrifices had not been in vain. The prince was prepared to meet this new challenge head-on.
"Yes, your highness." Rickard nodded his head. "But there is something that is nagging my mind. How did you get into the castle? This siege should have taken months."
A smile graced Robb's lips as he shared a surprising revelation. "Grey Wind found a secret passage within the Golden Tooth," he said, a hint of pride in his voice. "It allowed us to take the castle by surprise, swiftly overpowering the Lannister garrison. We now have control of this strategic stronghold."
Rody's eyes widened in astonishment, amazed by the cunning of Robb's direwolf and the audacity of their victory. It was a testament to the bond between the Starks and their loyal companions, a bond that seemed to transcend the natural world.
As the discussion continued, outlining their strategy to confront the newly raised Lannister host, Rody's mind was filled with a renewed sense of purpose. The weight of his allegiance, the sacrifices he had made, all felt justified in this moment. They were part of a greater plan, a battle for the freedom and safety of the North.
As the meeting drew to a close, Rody excused himself from the great hall. He felt a need to check on his men, to see how they fared after their relentless campaign in the Westerlands and the siege of the castle. Jon assured him that they did not take any losses but Rody was still adamant on seeing them. He walked through the bustling courtyard, observing the wounded being tended to and soldiers resting after their recent triumphs.
Approaching his men, Rody felt a surge of pride and gratitude. Their dedication, their unwavering loyalty, had brought them to this moment. Together, they had weathered the storms of war and emerged stronger, ready to face whatever lay ahead.
Rody's eyes scanned the camp, searching for familiar faces among the Greycloaks. He found Hunter, one of the newly sworn members, tending to the wounds of another Greycloak. Hunter looked up and noticed Rody's approach, a mix of exhaustion and relief evident on his face.
"Rody! You're back," Hunter greeted him, a hint of weariness in his voice.
"I'm glad, you are well." Rody's eyes wandered around the man who was tending their own wounds. "Jon said we did not take any losses. How did you fare?"
"It was quite a battle, but we prevailed. The castle's occupants put up a fight, but our numbers and determination overpowered them. It was a fierce struggle. The lord of the castle... Well, he didn't make it. Neither did his family."
Rody's heart sank at the news, the weight of the lives lost settling upon him once again but the gravest of all was the death of the nobles. If they had been captured alive, they could have been used as a bargaining chip but that road was closed now.
Rody nodded solemnly, acknowledging the grim reality of their situation. Just as they were talking, Jon Snow, the commander of the Greycloaks, approached them.
"Rody, Hunter," Jon greeted them with a nod. "You've both done well. The victory at the Golden Tooth is a testament to Greycloak's bravery and skill as we were the ones that led the vanguard with our small numbers. But now, it's time to rest. You've earned it. We will have a few days of respite before we move forward."
Rody felt a wave of relief wash over him at Jon's words. The past weeks had been grueling, and the chance to rest and recuperate was a welcome reprieve. He knew that in war, rest was a luxury, and he intended to make the most of it.
"Thank you, Jon," Rody replied, gratitude evident in his voice. "We will make use of the time to recover our strength. We have much to discuss, but for now, let us find some respite and tend to our wounds."
Jon nodded in agreement, his gaze sweeping over the camp, assessing the state of their forces. "Take care of yourselves. We have many battles ahead, and we need all the strength we can muster."
With that, Jon left to attend to his duties, leaving Rody and Hunter to find a moment of respite among their fellow soldiers. Rody took a deep breath, the weight of his responsibilities momentarily lifted from his shoulders.
As he made his way through the camp, exchanging nods and brief conversations with his comrades, Rody couldn't help but feel a sense of camaraderie and purpose. They were a band of brothers, united by their loyalty to House Stark and their commitment to the cause. In the midst of the chaos and uncertainty, they found solace in each other's presence.
The camp around the Golden Tooth settled into a temporary calm as the soldiers tended to their wounds and sought much-needed rest. The weary troops took solace in the shared victory they had achieved, their spirits lifted by the sight of the Stark banners flying high above the captured castle.
In the days that followed, Lord Rickard Karstark and Robb Stark organized a war council to assess the recent situation and plan their next moves. Rody was invited to take part, a testament to the respect he had earned among the commanders.
As Rody entered the war council chamber, he took a seat among the gathered lords and commanders. The room was filled with a mix of anticipation and weariness, the weight of their responsibilities etched on their faces. Robb Stark, the Crown Prince, called the meeting to order, his voice carrying a sense of authority and determination.
They discussed the newly raised Lannister host in Lannisport, recognizing the threat it posed to their campaign. Lord Karstark and Robb Stark laid out their initial strategies, considering various approaches to counter the enemy forces. Rody listened intently, absorbing every detail, his mind working through the possibilities.
After a lengthy discussion, Rody could no longer remain silent. He stood, clearing his throat to capture the attention of those present. Some lords from the Riverlands looked skeptical, ready to dismiss the insights of a mere scout. But Rody knew he had something valuable to offer.
"Your Highness, lords and commanders," Rody began, his voice steady and determined. "We've been scouting the Westerlands with Lord Karstark for weeks, observing their movements and tactics. I believe I have a plan that could turn the tide in our favor."
All eyes turned to Rody, curiosity and skepticism warring on their faces. Lord Karstark and Jon Snow, who had come to respect Rody's insights, shared a knowing glance. They were willing to lend their support, but the decision ultimately rested with Robb Stark.
Rody proceeded to outline his strategy, a combination of stealth, diversion, and exploiting the enemy's weaknesses. He proposed a daring night assault, utilizing the element of surprise and the knowledge of the terrain to infiltrate the Lannister camp and disrupt their operations from within. His plan was detailed and well-thought-out, a testament to his keen observations and strategic mind.
The lords from the Riverlands voiced their doubts, questioning the feasibility and risks involved. But Lord Karstark and Jon Snow vouched for Rody's capabilities, emphasizing the success they had achieved with his contribution. Their support carried weight, and Robb Stark listened intently, weighing their arguments.
After a moment of contemplation, Robb nodded, his gaze fixed on Rody. "Rody, your plan shows promise and ingenuity. We will follow your plan." Robb's eyes turned to Jon, "Jon, you will lead the vanguard with Greycloaks. Prepare the necessary forces, we will depart on the morrow."
Rody felt a surge of gratitude as the Crown Prince endorsed his plan. It was a validation of his abilities and a recognition of the value he brought to the cause.
The war council came to an end, the commanders dispersing to make preparations for the upcoming operation. Rody lingered for a moment, catching Robb's eye. The Crown Prince approached him, a hint of admiration in his gaze.
"Rody, I must admit, your insights have proven invaluable," Robb acknowledged, extending his hand in a gesture of camaraderie. "Your dedication and keen mind are an asset to our cause. We are fortunate to have you among us."
"Thank you, Your Highness. I'm honored to serve you alongside our commander," Rody shook Robb's hand firmly, gratitude filling his heart. His eyes met Jon's briefly as he saw Jon motioning for him to cut his talk short to give some space for them. "If there is nothing else, I will excuse myself with your permission."
Robb frowned with his eyes glued on Jon. However, he nodded his head and allowed Rody to leave.
Rody left the war council chamber, the weight of Robb's gaze lingering on his back. As he made his way through the corridors of the castle, his thoughts were consumed by the upcoming mission. He knew that his plan carried risks, but he was confident in its potential for success.
Lost in his thoughts, Rody rounded a corner and almost collided with a group of young noble heirs from the North. Their voices carried excitement and hope as they discussed the newfound independence of the North and how it would rise to new heights under the leadership of House Stark.
"...and with the combined strength of the North, we shall forge a future unlike any other," one of the heirs exclaimed with unwavering optimism.
Rody paused for a moment, hidden in the shadows, listening to their spirited conversation. The words stirred conflicting emotions within him. He shared their vision of a powerful and independent North, but he also knew that the road ahead would be fraught with challenges and sacrifices.
He silently continued on his way, choosing not to engage in their discussion. Rody understood the weight of their aspirations, but he also recognized the harsh realities of war and the complexities of leadership. The path to victory would not be easy, and he knew that sacrifices would need to be made.
The next morning, the army gathered together, ready to depart from the castle they had fought so hard to capture. The soldiers formed ranks, their spirits high, as they prepared to march once again. A small garrison was left behind to secure the Golden Tooth, while the main force pressed forward towards their next objective.
Rody stood among the ranks of the Greycloaks, Jon Snow at his side. Their eyes met for a brief moment, a silent understanding passing between them. They were ready to face the challenges that lay ahead, united in their loyalty to Robb Stark and their commitment to the cause.
With a resolute expression, Robb Stark, the Crown Prince, took his place at the front of the army. His presence commanded attention and inspired confidence in the soldiers. The banners of House Stark billowed in the wind, a symbol of their strength and determination.
As the army set off, Rody fell into step with Jon and the Greycloaks, their footsteps echoing in unison. They followed their crown prince, their leader, into the unknown hills, prepared to face whatever obstacles awaited them. Lannisters were surely to await them but the combined forces of the North and Riverlands were enough to shatter the strength of the golden lion.
The scene faded as they marched forward, leaving the captured castle behind, their hearts filled with determination and their minds focused on the challenges that awaited them. The road ahead would be treacherous, but they were ready to face it, united in their cause and driven by the genius tactic Rody had offered.
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