章節 101: Luring the Dragon
'Study him.' Daenerys thought, recounting the words of advice given to her by Tyrion Lannister. Her gaze turned to look upon her husband-to-be, Robb Stark. The tent they were in was neither large nor small, it was stained and slightly ripped in certain areas, showing that it had been used many times in the past. 'See what he does, how he acts and reacts, how he thinks and speaks.'
There was a difference, a difference in how he acted when meeting her and Aegon during the Meeting of Kings to how he acted now. People all around murmured loudly, sharing words and ideas on how they should progress.
Many wanted to march south, take Kings Landing and end the threat of Aegon Targaryen. Though the fate of her pretender 'nephew' was said in hushed tones, wary and suspicious glances sent her way. She wasn't trusted by Robb's court, just as he wasn't trusted by hers however, the difference lay in the respect. Robb's actions in the war earned the respect of everyone, hers on the other hand did not earn the respect of his court.
However, some wanted to use their new forces, her forces to march north and provide much-needed aid to rid the North of the Ironborn and Boltons. Even more so, many were worried about what Stannis Baratheon could do, he had been quiet and that worried them.
Yet Robb seemingly listened to all of it and none of it. His gaze swept over everyone and then dismissed them entirely, as he leaned back in his seat. The thick furs of his cloak rested against his cheek but hardly seemed to bother him entirely as his blue eyes looked towards the table and the map resting upon it. There his eyes began to move, flickering across the map, pausing and judging where the figurines were rested.
She didn't have a clue as to what he was seeing or planning.
But as soon as it came, Robb blinked for the first time and it was gone. Whatever he had been thinking about must have failed because he seemed displeased, lips twisting downwards into a prominent frown. A sight that many lords around the room noticed and quickly went silent mistakenly believing that he was displeased with them.
'How does he do it?' Daenerys wondered, trying not to seem impressed by how he commanded a room without so much as a word or overt movement. She could silence a room with but a simple hand being raised. Yet he hadn't even done that, just frowned lightly and lords went silent. She was not ashamed to admit that she was jealous of the presence he seemed to command.
It was then the tent opened, Olyvar Frey the former squire of Robb who entered, a letter clutched in one hand. "Your grace." He moved forwards, presenting the letter to the king who took it.
Robb silently read through the contents, careful not to let his emotions show. He didn't trust Daenerys or any of her court, they weren't even properly married, a grand ceremony apparently meant to be held at the end of the war. Garlan had correctly deduced that the intention was to imbed into the minds of the Smallfolk that Daenerys was the Queen, not Margaery by having a large ceremony held at the end of the war.
However, Robb had already imagined ploys like these would be used, just not so soon. 'No doubt a scheme put in place by Tyrion Lannister, they are a crafty family.' That was said with respect; begrudging respect.
"What does it say?" Daenerys asked, frustrated without having any knowledge of the contents of the letter. Everyone around the room may have been content to simply wait for him to speak, but not her. She may be his wife in the future, but that did not mean she would be subservient to him. Daenerys was a Queen and she would not be treated as another one of his lords.
Placing the letter on the table, Robb looked around the tent. "Lord Tarly reports that the fleet of supply ships as well as the original transport ships that brought the Golden Company over the Narrow Sea have departed Blackwater Bay. He sunk a few of them, but he estimates that Aegon has lost no more than a few hundred men. They will now be sailing up the coast, no doubt heading towards the Bay of Crabs."
Murmurs erupted once more, unsure glances shared. Why wouldn't they? They were all currently taking refuge within Maiden's Pool, the first castle of the Riverlands that laid within the entrance of the Bay of Crabs leading towards Widow's Ford. If Aegon did come towards them, they would no doubt be under siege, the castles of Dyre Den and Brownhollow were practically abandoned at this point and would not be able to put up much of a fight.
"He has dispatched thirty thousand men led by his son, Dickon Tarly to follow them. They will be sticking to the coast." Here Robb looked to her. "How long will it take for your forces to be ready to depart Dragonstone."
It was Ser Barristan that answered in her stead. "If we send a raven today, they'll depart within the day they receive it. I would say no more than three days."
Robb rose to his feet and for the first time began to move the figurines upon the map. First moving a few of the wolf figurines that had stood surrounding Kings Landing. These indicated Dickon Tarly's pursuit force. He then moved the dragon figurine from Dragonstone and moved it to Rook's Rest, joining the wolf figurine of Dickon.
He then took the wolf from Moat Cailin, placing it north of the Ruby Ford. Then the one representing Lord Tytos' Blackwoods forces that remained in the Riverlands, placing it south of the Ruby Ford.
For a moment everyone was silent, considering everything they were being shown. All watching as Robb took the dragon figurine of Aegon Targaryen, placing it directly between the wolf figurines of Tytos Blackwood and Jason Mallister. Then moving the dragon and wolf figurines stationed at Rook's Rest moved it up to cover the entirety of the Widow's Ford, effectively cutting of Aegon's retreat.
It would be a slaughter, everyone realised that instantly.
It was also nothing short of genius.
Daenerys may not have understood the full scope of it, but her advisors certainly did. They each realised that at that moment, Robb was every bit as good as the rumours and stories of him said he was. To effectively think of a counter this soon after just receiving news of Aegon's departure from Kings Landing, meant that either he just instantly thought of it. Or he had predicted that Aegon would do something like this in the first place.
None of them knew what was more terrifying to imagine.
That someone could see that far ahead as to predict the moves of a man he had only interacted with for a short time.
Or that he could think of a plan like this just on the spot.
And by the calm, confident way Robb showcased his plan, never once saying a word and simply allowing his actions to tell the plan, it made them realise it was the former. 'No wonder my father lost.' Tyrion thought, looking to the Wolf King as he began issuing individual tasks to people. 'He may have spread rumours of him being a military genius, but he never was one. He was simply ruthless and rich, leveraging people with more experience around him to earn victory. However, Robb Stark is what my father always aspired to be like, always wanted one of his children and grandchildren to be like.'
Cold, ruthless, cunning and calculated.
Everything his father would have loved to see amongst his own children.
Funny that he found it in a Stark of all people.
Even more so that said Stark was directly responsible for his death.
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