"If I say we're in the wrong place, would you believe me?"
Under the cold wind of late autumn, Arthur became much more sober.
The night was frighteningly dark and the silence was unsettling.
The little flame in his heart began to die.
He just said it casually to Rosso, but he didn't expect that this man would really arrange it.
Roslin lowered her head and said nothing.
The man and the woman froze for a moment.
"I won't do anything to you, at least not now."
He added in a low voice.
If Edmure died, he could help take care of his wife, but that's impossible now.
Roslin still didn't speak.
Arthur recalled her character in the original book and knew that she was a rare good Frey.
Roslin's mother was Bethany from the Rosby family in the royal territory. She abided by all the rules of the nobility, so the Freys she gave birth to, such as Perwin, William, Oliver, and Roslin, had a high success rate.
Walder's fifteenth son, Perwin, is a noble knight. In the original book, he was kidnapped by his family because he was too kind to the northerners and could not attend the Red Wedding.
He should be with Lady Stark in Renly's army now.
Walder's seventeenth son, William, is a representative of the excellent Frey. He got the chain of the Citadel before the age of thirty and is now serving in the Longbow Hall of the Hunter family in the Valley.
It is rare in the history of Westeros that a maester graduated before the age of thirty.
Walder's eighteenth son, Olyfar, is a die-hard Stark family member. In the original story, even if Robb regretted the marriage, he planned to insist on serving the Young Wolf. But he was not able to change his mind. Olyfar was later kidnapped by his family and was tied up until the end of the Red Wedding.
As for Roslin, in addition to being gentle and good at music, she also appreciates people with noble character.
Even though the overall moral standards of the Frey family are not high, the children of Bethany can still be untainted by mud, which shows the character of her and her children.
Arthur whispered to Roslin to comfort her a few more times, then turned and left the woods.
He took some time to find the way out, and then saw the cripple Rosso guarding the exit of the Godswood.
After glaring at the cripple coldly, Arthur walked towards the tower next to him.
Rosso blinked his little eyes and thought it was a bit fast?
Then he remembered that Arthur was not married yet, and his reputation was not bad. It was impossible for him to go to the accounting school. Maybe he was still a virgin.
It was understandable that he was faster.
Of course, Rosso did not dare to run to the "Dragon Family" to ask about the battle situation.
So he could only slander a few words in his heart.
Not long after, Roslin, who was sobbing with her head down, also came out.
She also ignored her brother and walked quickly towards the main castle.
Rosso's legs were inconvenient and he couldn't catch up at all. He didn't dare to call his sister.
The two people's behavior was very strange, he thought to himself.
So did they do it or not?
After thinking for a while, Rosso came to the final conclusion: it was probably a real fight.
Only in this way can the abnormality of the two be explained.
Who would talk about stealing people?
With a calm mind, he limped to his residence.
...
Arthur, who slept until noon, was woken up by someone.
"My lord, get up quickly, there is something important to discuss."
Arthur, who had been uncomfortable all night, sat up, and after listening to the Tully family's steward asking him to go to the hall to attend the meeting, he simply washed up and followed the man.
When he arrived, he realized that something really happened.
After taking down Torrhen's Square, Theon took down Winterfell.
"Lady Sansa, please ask His Majesty Robb to allow us to lead troops to recover the lost land." Robbert spoke the loudest, representing many northern nobles.
"Just after losing Deepwood Motte and Torrhen's Square, the soldiers began to miss their homeland. If the news of the fall of Winterfell spreads, I'm afraid everyone will be in danger and have no intention of fighting in the south." Herman Tallhart said.
The two had thought about leading troops north to recover their own castles before, but no one took the initiative to give this order.
Great Jon raised his arm and shouted, "My Lords, the Ironborn have also taken over the Moat Cailin. Retaking these places is a greater military achievement than taking Casterly Rock."
Roose Bolton echoed, "Lord Umber is right. If it weren't for the mission given to me by His Majesty to conquer the West, I would have led the troops north to recover the lost land. But I can let my bastard lead the troops to recover Winterfell. He has a group of supporters under his command. He is quite good at fighting and is enough to deal with the Ironborn."
After Lord Leech was abolished as the commander of the Eastern Front, the newly appointed Herman Tallhart and Robert have always wanted to surpass him in military achievements, but they have not had the opportunity to show it so far.
Recovering their castle is indeed not a very strong reason to go north, but recovering Winterfell is different.
That is the palace of the King of the North, how can others get involved?
So the two asked Sansa again to lead the troops north.
Miss Stark, who knew nothing about military affairs, was at a loss as to what to do in the situation. Suddenly, she saw her lover coming, so she looked over eagerly.
Arthur's brain reacted quickly. Winterfell and Moat Cailin were one of Robb's weaknesses. If they could be taken back, the Young Wolf could still tangle with Tywin for a long time.
Not far northeast of Moat Cailin was the territory of the Manderly family. His family's White Harbor cavalry and the remaining infantry totaled about 2,500 people.
The most important thing is that the three existing towers in Cailin Bay can defend the south, east and west, but not the north.
If one or two thousand people are sent north from Riverrun, and with the cooperation of the Manderly family, it will not be a problem to retake Cailin Bay.
After continuing to go north, some troops can be gathered to plan to retake Winterfell.
Although the individual combat power of the Ironborn is off the charts, the number of people is too small after all, and it is impossible to compete with thousands of troops.
Moreover, this army going north can also prevent Ramsay Snow from causing trouble.
After Arthur nodded slightly, Sansa said: "The two adults can lead the troops north to recover the lost land in the North. When my brother asks about it in the future, just say that this is my idea."
After Stark spoke, the matter was settled.
Everyone talked about the composition of the soldiers going north: Glover, Laswell, Tallhart, Flint and more than a dozen northern family soldiers, totaling more than 2,300 people.
However, in this case, the remaining troops in Riverrun were only one or two hundred river infantrymen.
So Arthur left more than 700 Stark soldiers to guard Riverrun.
"My lords, fighting in the north is still risky, and Riverrun is a city on the water. Without tens of thousands of troops, it is basically impossible to be captured, so I suggest that Miss Sansa stay here where it is safer. And after Lady Stark returns to the north, she will definitely come here first, so that the mother and daughter can meet each other."
Arthur said loudly to the northerners.
Lady Stark brought more than a dozen nobles and several times more attendants to the south to negotiate with Renly, and has not returned yet.
"That's what I planned too. It's more convenient for Miss Sansa to stay here." Robert, with his head held high, spoke on behalf of the northerners.
A top noble lady like Miss Stark needs to be protected by many people, and it is indeed more convenient to stay in Riverrun.
After discussing for a long time, the noble knights went out of the city according to their respective division of labor and prepared to set off with the army.
Of course, before leaving the city, Sansa pulled Arthur to her room and told him to be careful and not to rush. Then she hugged him for a long time before letting her lover leave.
According to Robb's order, Arthur had to lead his troops to march from the west of the Red Fork River along the river road to the Golden Tooth City, and then, under the leadership of the Great Jon, enter the mountains of the Westerlands from the path discovered by the direwolf, and then pass through the city of Sarsfield to attack the southwest of the Westerlands directly.
Arthur's main task along the way was to plunder Lannister Port, Corn City, Crake Hall and other places, so as to attract Tywin's, Kevan's, or the Lion's heavy cavalry corps to the south and relieve the pressure on Robb's troops.
Roose Bolton advanced from the east side of the Red Fork River to the City of Horn Valley, and entered the southeast of the Westerlands through the City of Deep Cave.
The marching route of this route was similar to the route of the main force of the Westerlands entering the riverlands at the beginning of the war, so there was no need for a guide.
Bolton's troops also had the task of attracting the Westerlands to the south, but he mostly marched along the mountains and rivers, so his marching speed would be much slower than Arthur's, and he would enter the Westerlands much later.
So if Arthur led a certain Westerland army to the south of Casterly Rock, Bolton's troops would not have to plunder in Deep Caverns, Silver Mountain and other places, and would directly fight along the Golden Road to Casterly Rock, and the two armies would surround and devour this Westerland army.
Then Robb would also lead his troops to fight south, while Bolton's troops and Arthur's troops would fight north, trying to surround all the Westerlands in the mountains of the Westerlands and annihilate them in one fell swoop.
Since the Stark infantry was left in Riverrun, Arthur only had more than 3,400 men left, including more than 2,200 Freys, and more than 1,200 from seven or eight northern families such as Umber, Severn, and Horwood.
The new army he formed and the hired mercenaries stayed in Harrenhal. At that time, he thought he was just attending the wedding, and he didn't expect Robb to let him lead troops to attack the Westerly, so he didn't bring many people.
When the soldiers on the east bank of the Red Fork were transported to the west bank, a captain of the Frey family's centurion invited Arthur to an inconspicuous tent somewhere.
Lifting the curtain and entering, Arthur glimpsed that there were only two people in the tent: Aenys and Lotho.
One of them was the infantry commander of the Frey family, and the other was similar to a think tank. It was unknown why they invited Arthur.
Lotho's little eyes narrowed with laughter, "My lord, how was it last night?"
"Nothing happened last night, I warn you not to talk nonsense." Arthur's tone was extremely sharp, and he threatened this person viciously.
"I understand, I understand." Lotho put away his obscene smile and looked formal.
But his words didn't sound formal at all.
After pointing at Lotho again, Arthur asked, "Why did you ask me to come?"
The bald man and the cripple looked at each other, and the latter came to Arthur and whispered, "How about we discuss your dragon?"
The two have confirmed that there is a black dragon in Harrenhal. Although it is young, it is indeed a dragon that can breathe fire.
"How did my dragon provoke you?" Arthur asked back.
He knew that the Freys would do anything to get to the top, but he didn't expect that they would dare to seek another way when they swore to support the Young Wolf.
"If you intend to let the Targaryen family regain the Iron Throne, then our Frey family will be your solid backing." Lotho whispered.
"Don't talk nonsense, be real, what do you want?"
Arthur really wanted to hear where the Freys' bottom line was.
"In return for the title of the River Guardian Family, Riverrun, and more than ten viscounties on the south bank of the Red Fork River, we will ensure that there are always 4,000 soldiers fighting for you, and food will be supplied continuously." Rosso answered quickly.
Arthur flicked Rosso's forehead hard with his right hand, "You have a good idea. Riverrun is now owned by Duke Hoster. Whoever owns it in the future will be determined according to the inheritance law. You are not allowed to mess around."
The Frey family has been rich for six hundred years and basically suffered no losses in the Usurper's War and the War of the Five Kings. However, the river princes such as Tully, the two Vans, Piper, and the Lydon family all suffered losses in the two wars. Quite big.
Needless to say, Shuangbu was consuming each other's strength even in peacetime and wanted to kill each other.
To the east, the He'an family has declined to the point of being shameless. The old earls of Darry City, Maidenpool and other Riverlands were demoted and reduced in title by Robert because they supported the Long family in the Usurper's War. Feng, now his strength is not as good as before.
But only the Frey family has been pretending not to show their strength.
After the blood marriage in the original work, the Frey family stopped pretending to show off their cards and mobilized the strength of the whole family to gather broken troops and hire skirmishers, and actually raised an army of more than 8,000 people.
In addition to the 2,000 people who supported the Bolton family, there were more than 6,000 people running rampant in the West River. Black Walder led troops to attack Haijiang City, and Stevron's eldest son Lyman led thousands of people to surround Benliu. The city seems to regard Xihejian as its own.
With an army of eight thousand men, except for the Lannister and the three illusory gods of the River Bend, Tyrell, Hightower, and Redwyne, there is no other opponent in the entire continent.
This shows how strong the Frey family's real strength has been accumulated for six hundred years.
"If Riverrun doesn't work, other counties can, such as Darry City and his family's complete territory. Two people in my family have married women from the Darry family, and they have the right to inherit."
Rosso covered his bullet-hit forehead and tentatively mentioned it again.
Darry City is on the south bank of the Trident River, and the complete Darry territory can be regarded as a powerful earldom.
It was just because the Long family was established during the Usurper's War that Robert took advantage of it and reduced it to almost a viscounty.
"What you're thinking is even more beautiful. With the complete territory of Darry City, your Frey territory will be connected from the Twins City to the south bank of the Trident River. No matter who it is, you will have to pay money to cross the river. "
If the Frey family really gets the complete Darry territory, it will really be a geological disaster.
Because from the east side of the Green Fork River starting from Twin River City to Ruby Beach, and then to the ferry on the south bank, it was all Frey's territory.
Arthur looked at Rosso and suddenly thought of the Blackwood family from which his mother was born.
Anyway, he and Crowtree City have a deadly feud, so why not let the Freys take advantage of Blackwood.
"How is Crowtree City?" Arthur asked.
Rosso's eyes lit up and he agreed repeatedly.
Inis said: "Then it's settled. When your dragon grows up, we will send troops to conquer the world for you and regain the Iron Throne."
Arthur thought for a while, and the moral bottom line of some members of the Frey family was too low to allow Old Walder and his eldest son to take power.
Needless to say, Old Walder, the eldest son Lyman Frey was a loser. Lyman's two sons Edwin were ruthless by nature, and Black Walder was cruel and lustful. Even his great-grandfather's seventh wife was not a good person. Let it go.
The sons at the lower end of the succession order of Old Ward had a very unharmonious relationship with the eldest son.
This is also the reason why after the Frey family divided their forces, the eldest son and his family were all on the western front, while Inis, Hosteen and others were all on the eastern front.
If you can make good use of this, you may have unexpected gains.
"I also have conditions, you have to make sure..."
Arthur whispered his conditions to Rosso and Inis.
The Frey family must ensure that the eldest son after Old Walder cannot inherit the Twins, and that the inheritance of Raventree City must be based on the inheritance laws prevailing in Westeros.
The viscounty they requested could not be given directly, but would be rewarded based on merit.
In a word, this territory is yours after I, Arthur, give it to you. If I don't give it to you, you can't take it away.
The implicit meaning of these two points is actually very obvious.
The eldest son's lineage cannot inherit Twin River City, which means that this lineage will be completely destroyed.
Inheriting Raventree City according to the rules means that the Blackwood family will also have to be exterminated, and the Blackwood relatives who have the right of inheritance before Old Walder's fourth wife will also have to die.
Inis and Rosso's eyes widened, and they knew exactly what these points meant.
Emmon Frey is from the Lannister camp, and under the current situation, he has been ruled out as the heir to the Twins.
The first heir to the Twin River City is Old Ward's third son, Inis, who is in this tent.
According to the rules, the child born to Old Walder's fourth wife, Alyssa Blackwood, would be the one to inherit Crowtree City.
And Rosso is Alesha's first child.
In other words, under Arthur's conditions, these two people benefited the most.
"My lord, I think we can swear to the gods." Inis's usually steady voice began to tremble.
If you fight well, you can reach the sky all at once.
So under their guidance, Arthur followed and swore several oaths.
The content of the oath is roughly the contributions and rewards of both parties.
In order to ensure its effectiveness, the two also asked Arthur to swear an oath to the Valyrian god Balerion and others.
Of course he did.
Then, he walked out of the small tent to coordinate and direct the soldiers to cross the river.
In the tent, Aenys and Rosso looked at each other quietly, and then they both said the same name: "Aegon."
This Aegon is naturally not the Aegon of the Targaryen family, but Aegon the Bloody, the eldest son of Aenys.
He is naturally good at killing, so he is naturally the best choice to get rid of Lyman, Black Walder, Edwin and others.
Parricide is not a good reputation, they can't lead people to do it themselves.
The two got together again and began to discuss how and when to act.
...
One day later in the evening.
Even if he had to march quickly, Arthur learned to let the soldiers set up a decent camp.
The outer watchtower, the chevaux de frise protecting the tent area, the wooden fence, and the passage with enough space, all are there.
The central army tent.
The soldiers are setting up camp, the cooks are making fire and cooking, and the nobles are gathering to discuss how to deal with the Golden Tooth.
According to intelligence, the person in charge there is Davon Lannister now. Janos, who was in charge before, was taken away by Master Tywin, and Sir Adam Marbrand was also summoned by Tywin to take charge of the heavy cavalry corps, leaving dozens of captured nobles on the south bank of the river.
In the entire Golden Tooth, there are more than 4,000 soldiers, basically from large and small families in the West, and there are very few Lion soldiers.
Great Jon waved his fist, "His Majesty Robb's order is for us to bypass there and go straight to Lannister Harbor along the river road."
"I won't delay anything." Arthur first asked Earl Umber to sit down, and then said to everyone: "Use your intelligence and think about how to quickly take over the Golden Tooth City."
Coburn was also allowed to participate in this kind of meeting, "If I can have ten days, I can prepare a corrosive liquid, and then pour it on at night to corrode the gate of the Golden Tooth City, and the army can attack it."
"Ten days is a bit of a waste of time." Arthur did not explicitly deny this method, "Who else has an idea?"
Lame Rosso had just reached some kind of agreement with Arthur recently, and it was time to actively show his performance.
"My lord, I have a way to make the Golden Tooth City fall without attacking."