Chapter 153 The Competition between Eagle and Wolf (6)
The pale yellow leaves are stuck to the moist soil of the river, and are pressed to the ground by people, horses, and vehicle frames. Harry Rivers handed over the reins of the war horse to his attendant, approached a thick tree, and looked at the Bracken army breaking camp and moving forward.
Harry Rivers pressed his thumb against his broken and bleeding index finger, the pain keeping him awake.
Originally, according to Duke Edmure's plan, he was supposed to lead the Bracken infantry, which ended up being less than 3,000 men, south along the Red Fork River and cooperate with Earl Jason Mallister's army. Jason crossed the river under false pretenses. Attracting stupid Lannister soldiers to stop him, he easily captured the lost Pink City, and then captured the villages along the road, cutting off the Mountain's retreat.
This plan will definitely succeed. If Magic Mountain is brave and resourceful, he will naturally be attracted by Count Jason Mallister's army. He can easily capture the Pink City and surround Magic Mountain's entire army here.
But the gods in the sky always like to play tricks on people, and the situation is like the water in the Red Fork River, which rises and changes so quickly.
The Young Wolf Lord regretted his marriage and tore up his covenant with the Vale. Bronze Yohn, who always valued honor, mobilized the Vale cavalry and headed straight for Riverrun.
The enemy changed from the weak Lannister to the angry Royce cavalry. Harry Rivers decisively chose to give up the plan to attack the Pink City and return the same way.
From Harrenhal to Riverrun, if Vale wants to besiege Riverrun, his father's family's Stonehedge City is the place he must pass through. Compared to the Mountain Force, which had low morale and poor command, Yohn Royce's thousands of cavalry were obviously a greater threat.
He wanted to return to Shili City and take advantage of the city defense to resist the cavalry in the valley.
The creak of broken branches sounded behind him. The attendant brought a pot of hot water, and the hot white steam lingered on his brown hair.
The attendant licked his red lips. Even though the cold wind in the riverlands still hurt his skin, after all, three rivers flowed here, and the moist air flow was everywhere.
"My lord, the boiling river water." The attendant said. At his waist was a long sword of the Western Region standard. The head of the Lannister lion was carved on the top of the hilt.
Harry nodded, took the hot water, and watched the attendants busy helping the Bracken soldiers push the donkey cart that was stuck in the mud.
He liked this young man. Like Harry Rivers, this squire was also an illegitimate son, the son of a prostitute in the riverlands, Hall Rivers. His whole family and even the whole village died in the war on the Green Fork. According to Hall The description was that Attis Arryn's army destroyed his village, but Harry didn't bother to pay attention to his tragic experience.
In this day and age, so many innocent people have died in the flames of war. Who cares about the Green Fork River that has been far away from sight for a long time. That land no longer belongs to the riverlands or Riverrun.
"Sir," the scout rode a war horse, trudged through a mire, walked to Harry Rivers, stretched out his hand and handed a letter, "A letter from Stonehedge City."
Harry nodded to the scout. He couldn't remember which knight the scout was from, but the content of the letter was generally in line with his judgment. It should be the news that his father requested to withdraw the army and defend Stonehedge City.
He opened the letter and read it hastily, but the words "contact Royce", "make preparations early", etc. were accurately captured by Harry Rivers.
Harry Hewen pressed hard on the crack on his index finger, and the tearing pain spread from his fingertips to his heart. He frowned and looked up at the advancing Bracken army.
Edmure Tully leaned against the unloaded saddle with a tired look on his face, his eyes slightly closed, and he raised his head to listen to the circling birds.
His own cavalry was making final adjustments. After hearing that Robb Stark had broken his engagement and broken his promise, the attack of the beast from the Magic Mountain became more and more fierce. On the other hand, people in the Riverlands were in panic, and they were almost defeated by the Magic Mountain at several crossings. , if it were not for the limited number of troops under his command, the Red Fork River might not be able to withstand the offensive of the Western Border Army.
He opened his eyes and looked at the tree canopy above his head that blocked his vision. It was just like his current situation. Invisible pressure enveloped the Duke of Riverrun, making it difficult for him to relax.
Edmure stood up and walked into the barracks. Lord Jason Mallister was wrapped in a white cloth and lying on a bed made of hay with a somewhat pale face. The burning match sizzled, driving away the moisture of the camp.
The Duke of Riverrun walked into the tent, looked at the weak Earl Jason, and said, "Harry Rivers withdrew his troops and said he would return to Stonehedge to guard against the invasion of the valley."
Jason Mallister turned his head, "Wise move." His tone was a little weak.
Edmure Tully looked at Lord Jason's situation, his Adam's apple moved slightly, "I should send you back to Riverrun, and leave the war here to me," he said somewhat unbearably.
"As a Duke, cough!" Jason shook his head, "Compared with Horst's ability to see the situation clearly, you are too young and don't understand much yet"
Edmure lowered his head and stood speechless in the tent.
"What should we do?" He was silent for a long time, but he just asked.
Lord Jason Mallister looked at Edmure and sighed slightly, "I am a knight. I can't provide any more advice, but" he paused and stood up, "what do you think, the invincible King of the North?" What are the odds of winning in a battle with Royce? ”
Edmure frowned, "Harrenhal's cavalry does not exceed five thousand. If we rely on Riverrun and the convenience of the river, I think Robb will win."
"But if it goes like before," Jason Mallister looked at Duke Edmure, "the valley raises troops on both sides. The Twins and Harrenhal attack Riverrun from both sides. What do you think the Young Wolf Lord's chances of winning are?" br>
Edmure looked at Earl Mallister in silence. He pursed his lips and said, "The people of the Vale have just experienced a war. Besides, this group of people still occupies a large area of the Green Fork River. Even if it is as rich as the Reach, They also need to recuperate. ”
Earl Mallister lay quietly on the bed, listening to the young Duke's talk.
"Dorne's surprise attack caught the Reach off guard. Not long after the war between Garland Tyrell and Tywin Lannister on the Golden Road began, nearly a hundred thousand troops from the Reach returned to the Reach and could not continue. Support," Edmure touched his chin, "The people of the Vale are gathering an army, but it won't be a short time. Maybe we can deal with the Mountain and Royce's army first"
Edmure's tone gradually weakened. The disappointed look in Jason Mallister's eyes made him lose interest in continuing the discussion. He coughed slightly and said, "What should we do, Earl Mallister?"
Jason held the hilt of the sword on the side, "Bend a sword with a sword, we are no match for the valley," he stared at Edmure, "This was proven before at the Twins and Ruby Beach," despite the warmth inside the tent. Like spring, Earl Mallister still had cold sweat on his forehead, "Attis Arryn is a formidable opponent, the tragedy of the Twins, and the alliance with the Lannister"
He loosened his grip on the hilt of the sword, "I heard that every castle in the valley has received a call from the Eyrie. This is no joke, Edmure," Jason Mallister said with a decisive tone. "Attis Arryn, he has never wanted to let go of the Riverlands," he grabbed Edmure's hand and spoke in a heavy tone, "He wants to occupy the entire Trident."
Edmure broke away from Jason Mallister's hand and backed away slowly, shaking his head and opening his mouth slightly, "I don't understand, there are so many ancient and noble nobles in the Riverlands, Attis... How dare Aelin, he."
"Surrender, Edmure." Jason Mallister forced a smile, "We still wore the medal of honor in the war with the West, but the war with the Vale?" He seemed to be mocking himself, "We There is no honor at all, slander and false accusation, and then the Young Wolf Lord insists on becoming king, regrets his marriage and breaks his oath, this is a war without honor. I am a knight, a Mallister who practices honor, our Seaside City... Will choose to resist.”
"Lord Jason?" Edmure said in surprise, "Robb is my family, I"
"Lady Catelyn is also your family, Lord Tully," Jason's tone even sounded pleading, "On the condition of giving her freedom, give the Riverlands some dignity and let the Young Wolf Lord suffer the consequences."
Edmure froze in place, everything around him seemed to be still.
(End of chapter)