Chapter 58 - War IV

(Third Person POV)

"Keep moving forward!!" A soldier shouted viciously as several dozen men rushed past him, "For House Tully!!!" 

There was a loud war-cry that was let out by dozens of soldiers stampeding down the field to clash against their enemies. These were remnants of House Tully's forces that had rallied east of Riverrun by the river and had tried to mobilize against the levies that were gathered by Drakken. 

Little did they know, however, that Drakken had already obtained the majority of House Tully and their men. These men, led by some Knights who were loyal to Lord Tully, stood no chance in their attempt to liberate their House. 

Nearly a hundred men rushed against a large group of blessed Duskguard Soldiers, unaware of the massacre they had walked into. As they began their fight, the Tully soldiers were immediately cut down by the Duskguard, a newly formed military group that was led by Drakken. 

Every second, three Tully soldiers were cut down and dropped into the ground as the Duskguard advanced forward, obliterating everyone in their path. 

A soldier swung his sword at a large Blessed Duskguard, only for it to be blocked by the man's shield and it immediately bounced back. The Duskguard then swung his own sword, cleaving through the man's waist and immediately killing him. Then, like nothing, two Duskguards walked by this and immediately cleaved through several Tully soldiers that were behind them. 

The Blessing of Drakken enhanced the strength of those marked, giving them an insane amount of adrenaline that allowed anyone to push through any fight with ease. This did not seem to relent until after the fight was over. Not only did they receive enhanced strength, but they were also given a high resilience. Any damage they received was not only mitigated but it fueled their ability temporarily, allowing them to counterattack with ferocity. 

In a matter of minutes, the levies that were gathered by the Duskguard immediately obliterated the Tully soldiers who tried their best to fight back. 

But they stood no chance. 

In the end, the Duskguard had come out on top. 

Drakken had approximately 5,000 Blessed on his side alongside 7,000 levies that were currently waiting to receive the Blessing. House Tully was forced to serve the God of War and Death as the Lord's sons were executed and Riverrun was taken by Drakken who left some of his Blessed Officers to oversee everything there. 

This was merely the beginning of Drakken's Crusade, his rampage would soon spread all throughout the Riverlands. 

**************

[Duskguard Camp, Near Lord Harroways's Town]

Drakken sat on a wooden stool inside a tent where a table was set up. Jon Rivers was standing in front of it, accompanied by other Knights who were recruited by Drakken, 

"According to our scouts, there are 4,000 men on their way to intercept our forces." Jon Rivers said as he pointed on the map, "They are coming from southwest of Harrenhal. If they meet up with House Strong, they will form a Host to try and clash with us." 

One of the other Knights, Brynden Smallwood, nodded, "It appears that they will try and show some resistance." He said, "We can expect a dragon or two coming from this." 

Brynden Smallwood was one of those who fell against Drakken and was resurrected via his spell and forced into his servitude. However, due to his willpower as a Knight, he kept most of his senses and Drakken was able to tell that his loyalty was quickly shifted towards his favor. He was a formidable warrior and seasoned officer. 

Jon pointed at Harrenhal on the map, "If we take our forces and take Harrenhal, merging our 12,000 with however many they have." He said, "There are nearly two thousand dead, Lord Drakken. I take it they will not be able to be brought back?" 

Drakken shook his head, "A spell of that caliber cannot be constantly cast." He said, "I am combining the highest-level magic of two of my dragons; Sol-Tyr and Thanatos. It uses my dominion over War and Death, allowing me to resurrect anyone that falls in the Battlefield. But in my current state, I cannot do it over and over." 

"It would be nice if we could keep piling them up one by one." Brynden said, "How is it that we can fuel your power, Lord Drakken?" 

"Don't worry about it." Drakken said, "Right now, I am as powerful as I need to be. By marking those with the Blessings, I can build an army that can overtake any nation. Now, here's the thing, we march down to Harrenhal and we give House Strong a choice; to join us or die. If they choose to die, well, they will not be brought back. Brynden is right, we'll expect some dragons but it doesn't matter to me. I have a deterrent for the Targaryens and their dragons." 

"If you don't mind me speaking, I suggest we use a method similar to the one we used on House Tully." Jon said, "We force them to merge their Host with our army. It would add to our manpower and we can move on to the Vale from there." 

"I have a plan in mind." Drakken said as he stood up, "Send the Greenseers." 

"How many do we have?" Brynden asked

"Four." Drakken said, "But that is more than enough. Send them to infiltrate Harrenhal while we mobilize our forces. We take Lord Harroway's Town by force, taking the forces here and we'll prepare more Blessed by then. Have House Strong marinated by my arrival. I expect his forces to be recruited." 

"As you wish." Jon said

"Also, write a letter to King's Landing." Drakken said, "Tell Jaehaerys that there is no room for peace negotiations." 

"I will rampage all throughout this land." 

************

[King's Landing, Two Days Later]

"They've taken House Tully?!" Jaehaerys exclaimed, "How was that possible?!" 

"It appears that Drakken is performing vile sorceries in the Riverlands." Septon Barth said, "He has somehow forced thousands of able-bodied men into his servitude, waging war throughout the region. There has been nothing but ruin and death in his wake." 

Rodrik Arryn nodded, "Seems to me he'll make his way to Harrenhal as we speak." He said, "And after that, he could go after the Vale." 

The doors to the Small Council opened and the Grand Maester walked in, "Your Grace, a letter has come in from Lord Harroway's Town." 

"What?" Jaehaerys said

"It appears that he has expected a potential request for peace." The Grand Maester said, "He said that there has been too much peace for his liking. The time for war is here and he will spread his wrath and chaos throughout the Riverlands and The Vale.....Unless....." 

"Unless what?" Jaehaerys asked

The Grand Maester gulped slightly, "Unless Septa Maegelle denounces her gods and gives herself to him....." She said, "According to him.....she is his by right...." 

"And he demands for her to hand herself over."