Chapter 194
Four forty in the afternoon.
The sky was overcast, and the clouds hung low.
The distant thunder was gradually becoming clearer; a sudden downpour was about to begin.
About three kilometers from the west bank castle of The Twins, the Northern army was systematically setting up tents.
In an open space near the perimeter of the temporary camp, Galon and Rodrik Harlaw were glaring angrily at each other, arguing fiercely about something.
Of course, this was a scene witnessed by the Frey Family servant who was holding the horses some distance away, waiting for Harlaw to return.
“What are they arguing about…”
The Frey Family servant was troubled, having been ordered by Old Walder to clearly overhear the conversation between Glover and Harlaw.
But because it was about to rain, the wind gradually picked up.
Although the servant strained his ears to listen, he couldn’t hear anything clearly besides the sound of the wind.
He could only see that the two men were at daggers drawn, and the atmosphere seemed intense.
About ten minutes passed.
Rodrik Harlaw shook his hand dismissively, turned, and left.
As he passed the Frey Family servant, he couldn’t help but let out a cold snort.
“Back to the castle!”
After speaking, Rodrik Harlaw didn’t wait for the servant to react; he mounted his horse and galloped toward Riverrun.
The servant looked slightly helpless, glanced again at the stern-faced Galon, and dared not say anything more.
He also mounted his horse and followed Harlaw back to the castle.
Coincidentally—
Halfway there, they encountered Petyr Frey leading a group of laborers bringing food and drink for the Northern soldiers.
The two groups passed each other, neither stopping.
As for Galon, he had already learned about the Frey Family’s advance preparations from Rodrik Harlaw.
Although Harlaw was not entirely clear about the Frey’s full plan for the evening due to Bolton’s vigilance.
One thing he could confirm, however, was that the soldiers of the east and west castles of Riverrun had not gathered in one place.
Initially, Roose Bolton had taken five thousand troops from the Ferry Camp; besides the two thousand-plus soldiers of House Bolton, the rest were soldiers belonging to Riverlands lords.
This included small lords like those from Darry and House Goodbrook.
These people had previously sworn fealty to House Targaryen, and even after the War of the Usurper, while they switched allegiance to the iron throne, they did not have great loyalty to House Tully either.
However, while they were lukewarm toward House Tully, they felt the same way about the Frey Family.
Therefore, Old Walder Frey arranged for this group to be stationed in the east bank castle of Riverrun, leaving a portion of them to stand guard.
The entire west bank castle of Riverrun held approximately two thousand troops in total.
Tonight’s feast would also be held in the council hall of the west bank castle of Riverrun.
After Galon received this intelligence, he felt a slight sense of relief.
If the Freys and Boltons, totaling over six thousand people, were all in the west bank castle, he certainly wouldn’t be able to take it smoothly.
Galon stood rooted to the spot, pondering for a moment, and only snapped out of it when a few raindrops fell.
“It’s raining…”
He looked up toward the heavy clouds.
The cold rain made his mind sharpen.
Galon withdrew his gaze and turned toward his temporary tent.
Inside the main tent.
Lady Mormont, Greatjon Umber, Lord Cerwyn, and others had been waiting in the tent for a long time.
“How did it go?”
Seeing him enter, Lady Mormont quickly asked, “What did Harlaw say?”
Galon nodded slightly and relayed the intelligence revealed by Rodrik Harlaw.
“The council hall of the west bank castle of Riverrun can hold eight hundred people, and the entire castle has at least two thousand.”
After he finished speaking, everyone’s expression changed drastically.
“Lord Glover, are we really going into the castle?”
Lord Cerwyn was filled with worry.
“The Freys and Boltons definitely won’t let us bring many people inside. If only a few hundred people—or even just dozens—enter the castle, even if Lord Rickard manages to open the gates, we would have already been killed by the Freys!”
Lord Blackwood nodded, agreeing with the statement.
“Lord Glover…,” he said, advising Galon, “I know you are exceptionally brave, but once we enter the castle, your valor will be useless.”
“They have superior numbers and crossbows; we will quickly be dealt with!”
Galon had already thoroughly considered the concerns of Lady Mormont and the others.
“That’s right, it is indeed very dangerous.”
Galon did not deny it, but instead swept his gaze across everyone in the tent and affirmed it.
“Therefore, the first thing we must do after entering the feast is to control Old Walder and Bolton.”
“Only this way can we buy ourselves enough time!”
“But it’s still very dangerous,” Lord Blackwood said, looking at Galon as if he were insane.
“Lord Glover, pardon my bluntness, but even if this plan succeeds, few of us who go inside will survive!”
“I propose: we should consolidate our army and then besiege the castle.”
Galon shook his head, rejecting Lord Blackwood’s suggestion.
“Besiege the castle?”
“How would we besiege it?”
He countered, “Riverrun relies on the natural barrier of the Green Fork River, and the twin castles are sturdy. Even if we rely on an insider to breach the west bank castle, they can still retreat to the east bank castle. What do we do then?”
Galon paused briefly and took a deep breath.
“The Lannisters are right behind us, and the Freys and Boltons could find out the result of the Battle of the Green Fork River at any moment.”
“We don’t have time to delay further. We must risk entering the castle, and at the very least, we must rescue Duke Edmure.”
He stared at Lord Blackwood and said gravely, “Otherwise, we of the North can just pack up and leave, but what will happen to you in the Riverlands?”
“Don’t forget, we have already killed Kevan Lannister. Even if you wanted to surrender, the Lannisters would have to be willing.”
“As allies, I truly cannot bear to see you delivered to the Lannisters as gifts by the Freys!”
Lord Blackwood’s face darkened, and he muttered, “Lord Glover, why didn’t you stop Lord Rickard back then?”
Galon’s voice was faint.
“How could I stop a father seeking vengeance for his son?”
“Furthermore, weren’t you there watching at the time?!”
Lord Blackwood was speechless.
At the time, since many members of his own house had also died at the hands of the Lannisters, he not only failed to stop it but cheered loudly instead.
Consequently, he was now in an impossible situation, forced to follow this path to the end.
Seeing his embarrassed expression, Galon offered him a way out.
“However, we are not entirely without assurance.”
He looked around at everyone and said in a relaxed tone, “Gentlemen, do I look like someone who is seeking death?”
Only after everyone’s attention was fixed on him did Galon reveal his trump card.
“Inside Riverrun, besides Harlaw, I have another contingency.”
“He will help us open the gates, and if necessary, he will even help us control the river arrow towers to prevent movement between the east and west castles.”
“Once the east and west castles are isolated, our job is to use Old Walder and Bolton to stall the enemy until our men enter the castle.”
“According to… my intelligence, although the council hall can accommodate eight hundred people,”
“But there is a small room on the west side of the council hall that can hold at most a hundred people, and the doorway is narrow, only allowing three or four people to enter simultaneously.”
“As long as we hold that spot, it will be enough to stall until our army enters the city…”
Galon’s eyes shone brightly as he laid out his subsequent plan piece by piece.
After hearing his plan, the expressions of the crowd did not improve much.
After all, even if everything went smoothly, it was still extremely dangerous.
“My Lords, we are all descendants of the First Men who worship the old gods, and the blood of honor flows within us.”
“Shall we stand by and watch oathbreakers blatantly trample our honor?!”
Galon’s sharp eyes scanned the crowd.
“If you agree to that, I, Glover, do not!”
Since the conversation had reached this point, the others had no choice but to respond.
Greatjon Umber suddenly slammed his fist into his palm, his voice like muffled thunder.
“Let’s do it!”
“kings protector, if you aren’t afraid, why should I be?!”
“My life is in your hands!”
Seeing this, Lady Mormont, Lord Blackwood, and the others also nodded in agreement.
Now, they could only trust Glover and follow this path to the end.
Whether they lived or died was up to the will of the gods.
Lord Cerwyn felt the same, but he still asked doubtfully.
“Lord Glover, getting us inside is easy, but is your intelligence accurate?”
“What if…”
Galon interrupted him, confirming, “There’s no ‘what if’. This intelligence was given to me by Petyr Frey of the King’s Guard!”
“He was ostracized by the Frey Family and had no choice but to go to Seaguard. Later, with my recommendation, he became a kings protector.”
“King Robb’s kindness to him is as vast as a mountain, while the Frey Family treats him like a servant.”
“He knows very well how to choose!”
At this point, there was no need to hide the existence of Petyr Frey.
Galon straightforwardly laid out the plan he had discussed with Petyr.
As they listened to Galon and Petyr Frey’s scheme, the expressions of everyone in the tent gradually improved.
“In that case…” Lord Cerwyn said in a low voice, “For the North, let’s fight!”
“That’s right, let’s fight those weasels of the Frey!”
The Blackwood family also worshipped the old gods, and the untamed blood of the First Men still flowed in their veins.
“Don’t worry, we will surely achieve victory!”
Galon encouraged, “My Lords, it’s getting late, let’s begin preparations.”
“Not many people, but they must be elite!”
“After we leave, I will immediately send someone to notify Lord Rickard, who is in ambush, to move closer here!”
The others nodded, having no objections.
Just then, hurried footsteps were heard from outside the tent, and soon a soldier’s voice came through.
“My Lord, Riverrun has sent food and wine!”
Galon exchanged glances with the others, then replied, “Understood, I’ll go take a look now!”
After the soldier’s footsteps faded, he whispered again, “Just in case, tell the soldiers not to eat the food from Riverrun for now. Beware of poisoning!”
Lady Mormont and the others nodded in succession, indicating that they understood.
So, Galon led them out of the tent in single file.
And when he saw that Petyr Frey was the one delivering the food, a smile appeared in Galon’s eyes.
He found an excuse to send away the Frey Family members, taking the opportunity to converse in a low voice with Petyr Frey.
“My Lord, as you instructed, I have recruited some men within the family.”
“Although their status is not high, several of them are on duty at the stone bridge arrow tower tonight!”
Seeing no one around, Petyr Frey quietly reported his situation over the past few days.
After returning to Riverrun, he first went back to his old residence and stayed there honestly for two days.
Once he was sure no one was paying attention, Petyr began to reconnect with his old friends.
Thanks to Old Walder’s prolificacy, the family relations throughout Riverrun were extremely complex. The direct descendants of Frey spared no effort to flatter Old Walder.
But Riverrun was only so big, and all the lucrative positions were occupied by Old Walder’s grandsons and great-grandsons.
Collateral branches like Petyr either worked the lowest jobs or went out to make their own living.
Those who remained in Riverrun were mostly low-ranking soldiers.
Therefore, Petyr easily recruited some people without much effort.
Of course, these people were not yet aware of what Petyr intended to do.
“Very good. Tonight’s banquet will start around 6:30.”
“I will arrive at Riverrun precisely on time, and you must arrive at the stable next to the main gate around 6:40, where someone will be waiting for you.”
Galon glanced left and right, speaking quickly in a low voice.
“Ser Petyr, our people will arrive outside the city around seven o’clock. You must lower the drawbridge at that time.”
“Once our people enter the city, immediately lead some of them to control the river channel arrow tower to prevent Frey’s men from leaving or reinforcements from the East Bank.”
“The remaining people will clear out Frey’s soldiers.”
“Once the great task is accomplished, you will be the new Lord of Riverrun!”
A flicker of excitement flashed in Petyr Frey’s eyes, and he nodded without hesitation.
“My Lord, rest assured!”
“I will definitely lower the drawbridge. By 7:30 at the latest, our people will arrive at the council hall!”
Galon nodded, and seeing someone approach, he shouted a few words loudly and turned to leave.
Soon, after Petyr Frey ordered the servants to unload the food and wine, he took the empty cart and headed back to Riverrun.
On Petyr Frey’s way back, Roose Bolton and Old Walder, just in case, found Rodrik Harlaw, who had just returned to the city, wanting to ask him about his conversation with Galon.
But Rodrik, as instructed by Galon, briefly recounted the conflict between the two regarding the Northern Alliance in an angry tone.
“Hmph, Glover actually asked me to swear in the name of the gods.”
“How ridiculous, who does he think he is?”
“We signed an alliance with Winterfell, what is a mere Glover!”
Seeing this, Roose Bolton quickly tried to comfort Rodrik Harlaw.
After Harlaw’s anger subsided slightly, he took the opportunity to ask some questions. Seeing that he couldn’t get anything more, he dismissed Rodrik.
Once Harlaw’s figure disappeared from the council hall, Roose Bolton turned his gaze to Old Walder.
“I told you, Lord Bolton,” Old Walder leaned back in the main seat, “The Iron Islands and Glover have been blood enemies for generations, so how could there be any dealings with Glover?”
“Even if Greyjoy ascends the seastone chair with Glover’s soldiers, that would be a deal made with the Stark of the North.”
“Now, are you at ease?”
Roose Bolton nodded, his expression unchanged.
“However, given the gravity of the matter, it’s better to be cautious.”
“The number of Iron Islanders at tonight’s banquet should be reduced.”
Old Walder did not object; for him, the fewer uncontrollable forces, the better.
If Harlaw wasn’t considered a somewhat important collaborator, he wouldn’t even have given Harlaw the chance to attend the banquet.
“Hmm, fifty people then.”
He made the final decision, “Plus the people from House Darry and other families, that makes exactly one hundred.”
“To eat Frey’s dinner, you have to pay a price.”
Old Walder’s cloudy eyes shifted as he spoke extremely cruel words.
“Once we capture these Glover people, we’ll let them make the first move as a pledge of loyalty to us!”
“If they refuse, hmph…”
He sneered a few times, the meaning self-evident.
Roose Bolton ignored Old Walder’s sneer and reminded him again, “And Edmure, he probably already suspects something is wrong.”
“It’s better not to let him appear tonight!”
Old Walder licked his dry lips, triumphantly saying, “I’ve already had someone add sleeping wine to his drink, guaranteeing he’ll sleep until dawn.”
“And by the time the sun rises tomorrow, everything will be settled!”
Roose Bolton felt relieved.
“In that case, things are stable.”
Excitement flashed in his eyes, “As long as we capture Glover, my army in the East Bank castle will immediately arrive here, and then use the cover of night to attack the camp outside the city.”
“By then…”
Before Bolton could finish, a sudden clap of thunder echoed from high above outside.
Boom—
Thunder erupted, and scattered raindrops began to fall, quickly turning into a downpour.
“Haha, truly blessed by the gods.”
“With this heavy rain, even if they wanted to escape, where could they go?!”
Old Walder listened to the thunder and rain outside, unable to help but laugh.
Even Bolton nodded in agreement.
“It’s getting late, let’s go prepare!”
The two stood up and began instructing the servants to set up the banquet.
On the other side, Galon looked at the increasingly heavy rain, equally pleased.
“The gods are with us!”
“The heavy rain will obscure vision and footsteps, increasing the probability of our plan’s success significantly.”
“Everyone!”
Galon stood inside the tent, looking at the ready personnel, and shouted, “For the North!”
“For the North!”
All the warriors attending the banquet raised their weapons and let out a deep, resolute roar.
“Depart!”
Galon donned his rain gear and, leading the way, walked out of the tent.
The warriors behind him mounted their horses one by one and galloped towards Riverrun.
Half an hour later, Lord Rickard, having received the information, braved the heavy rain and arrived at the camp, joining the remaining soldiers.
“For the North!”
“Take Riverrun!”
“Depart!”
Thousands of troops set off in the heavy rain towards Riverrun.