Chapter 28
More than 30,000 soldiers marched under Jaime's command, bypassing Oxcross Village. Proudly, Jaime led the force at the front alongside his father's bannermen. But things took a turn as they progressed along the river road. Jaime grew alert when the scouts sent ahead didn't return. Other lords and lesser lords expressed concern, suggesting sending another scout, but Jaime refused, believing there couldn't possibly be an ambush.
However, Jaime's suspicions heightened when a soldier reported the return of a scout, only to find a riderless horse. Without delay, Jaime alerted his men, fearing an ambush. He couldn't believe the Riverlords might have sieged Golden Tooth, a strong border stronghold. The situation puzzled Jaime, as it seemed unlikely for an enemy force or bandits to release the horse instead of using it to their advantage.
Jaime stepped forward to inspect the abandoned horse, hoping to uncover clues about what had happened. As he approached, he noticed a swarm of insects buzzing around the horse, making it difficult to get closer. Confusion clouded Jaime's mind until screams erupted from his men. Panic spread as a shadow loomed overhead, and everyone looked up to see a massive horde of stinging insects descending upon them.
Chaos ensued as the Lannister force scattered in all directions, including Jaime and his father's bannermen. Some men leaped into the nearby river to escape the onslaught, while others tried to flee on horseback, only to be dragged down by the insects. No one was spared from the relentless attack, as the insects swarmed every corner, penetrating even the armor worn by the soldiers. It was a curse if the insects managed to find their way inside the armor, leaving no one safe from their vicious assault.
The once formidable army of 30,000 men found themselves scattered and fleeing for their lives, much to the dismay of their lords who watched helplessly. News of the chaos quickly reached Casterly Rock, where Tywin Lannister was in the midst of arranging another force of equal strength to deal with the Northerners.
During a meeting with his banner men, a soldier burst into the chamber, his urgency palpable. Tywin, seated at the head of the table, fixed him with a stern gaze. "What is the meaning of this interruption? Speak quickly, and it had better be important," Tywin demanded.
"Apologies, my lord," the soldier gasped, trying to catch his breath. "But there's news from the river road. The force led by Ser Jaime... they've been attacked by swarms of insects, my lord. They're scattered, and many are dead or wounded."
"Insects? Swarm attacks?" Tywin repeated, his skepticism evident. "Are you trying to waste my time with absurdities?"
The soldier, undeterred, persisted. "No, my lord. It's true. They're everywhere, stinging and overwhelming our men. Ser Jaime and the others are in disarray, trying to flee."
One of the lords, irritated by the soldier's words, interjected, "This is preposterous. Insects do not scatter an army of 30,000 men. What other nonsense are you going to tell me next? That the sky is falling?"
The soldier remained silent, fearing further reprimand. Tywin, growing impatient, commanded, "Send word to Jaime to regroup and hold his ground. I refuse to believe that a swarm of insects could defeat our seasoned warriors. Now leave me be and let me continue this meeting."
"But my lord..." the soldier attempted to protest.
Tywin waved him off dismissively. "That will be all, soldier. I will not entertain such absurdity any longer. Now go, before I decide to make an example of you."
The soldier, frustrated and worried, exited the chamber as Tywin resumed his meeting, convinced that the reports of insect attacks were either exaggerated or the result of enemy espionage.
In the North, Robb's frustration grew as he pondered the message he received. He couldn't understand why Maester Luwin and Bran were urging him to return so urgently, especially sending men after him. This unexpected summons caused unrest among his bannermen and lords, putting Robb in a difficult position. If it were just Bran, he might have dismissed it, but with Maester Luwin's involvement, he felt compelled to comply.
The distance between them wasn't significant, as he could reach them within a day's journey. However, the reason behind the urgent call puzzled him greatly.
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Fellow readers, I apologize for the delay in releasing chapters. Unfortunately, my laptop encountered some issues that needed to be fixed, but I'm glad to announce that it's now up and running smoothly again. As a token of apology, I'm planning to release one chapter each day for the next week. However, I kindly request your support by donating power stones. For those who desire access to even more chapters, you can visit my Patreon page. Thank you for your understanding and continued support.
Link: patreon.com/AmouxCreationX
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