In the Maiden's Tower, the easternmost part of the white Eyrie, prominent figures such as Bronze Yohn, Baron Nestor, Ser Vardis, Maester Colemon, Kingsguard Ser Barristan, and Ser Brynden Blackfish gathered, while the mountain winds howled outside.
The Maiden's Tower offered an unobstructed, superior view. They were not there to admire the beautiful scenery of the Vale—the stunning mountains, forests, rivers, and fields—but to discuss blood and fire.
The most important meetings never involved too many people; they were clashes of will among the elite. Everyone gathered around Gendry, like stars orbiting the moon.
Ser Barristan was Gendry's guard, and although everyone felt the Kingsguard was no match for the storm, it was the Old Knight's duty. Gendry's squire included Anguy, Jon Snow, Dacey Mormont, and Lothor.布伦.
"All my ravens are ready," Maester Colemon said first. All the ravens in The Eyrie were in large cages. Previously, more ravens flew into The Eyrie than flew out. Riverrun and King's Landing had repeatedly asked the Vale to send troops, but The Eyrie remained unmoving.
"Excellent. You need to focus on both these matters: the ravens, and Young Lord Robin's condition," Gendry instructed. "How is Young Lord Robin's illness?"
"His condition has stabilized considerably recently, but he still needs to be purged of past sweet sleep flower toxins. The Child has improved significantly since he found playmates. Afterwards, as you instructed, we will gradually relocate to The Gate of the Moon. However, my Lord, the inherent frailty from birth is not something a Maester can cure."
"Let nature take its course. Sunshine, warmth, and the laughter of children will aid his recovery and recuperation," Gendry replied. For Sweet Robin, they would do everything they could, but how much the Child would grow could only be left to the gods above.
It wasn't uncommon for House Arryn to lack an heir; there was also a spare like Dumb Harry outside.
"Your Highness, my Lords. Young Lord Harold cannot stay with House Waynwood forever," Baron Nestor suggested. "If a Knight is raised by women, he will be effeminate. Our poor Sweet Robin is an example. Moreover, Lady Waynwood has her own Child."
Bronze Yohn nodded. Young Lord Harold had always been pampered. While not entirely a playboy, he was somewhat dissolute. He had gotten a House Waynwood maid pregnant and had an unclear relationship with the richest merchant's daughter in Gulltown. Although his status meant he wouldn't lack women, excessive wantonness would damage his reputation. Wild Wolf Brandon also had women, but he never got any of them pregnant before his marriage.
"Since we hope the heir will become a good Child that the Knights of the Vale will follow, I think Dumb Harry would do well following His Highness Gendry. This is for the sake of ancestral friendship, and also for his own good," Ser Vardis also nodded in agreement.
"What you all say is very reasonable. I'm afraid Lady Anya would not be pleased if we took Harry directly," Bronze Yohn frowned. He was also very tall, a seasoned warrior who was old but still strong.
"Alright, everyone. We will discuss Harold.哈顿 later. Maester Colemon, bring the map. The ravens are about to take flight; the war is entering a new phase," Gendry instructed, smiling as he quelled the dispute.
Dumb Harry, if this young man wasn't truly a muttonhead, should know who to align himself with, and on whom his power and allies depended.
Maester Colemon hung the map of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros on the study wall for everyone to see.
"Currently, the war's most critical points are four castles," Gendry said, then used the scabbard of his sword to point to Harrenhal, King's Landing, Dragonstone, and Storms End in order from top to bottom. Currently, Lannister controlled the Westerlands, the Riverlands corridor, and most of the Crownlands.
Harrenhal was the strategic stronghold of the Riverlands, King's Landing was the capital, and Dragonstone and Storms End were occupied by two branches of House Baratheon. Dragonstone had a unique volcanic landscape. Actually, Riverrun should have been included, but since he already controlled Riverrun, it was one less stronghold.
"Following King Robert's uprising, Riverrun is also in our hands, and King's Landing doesn't even have a grand fleet. As long as the army gathers and replicates the victory of the Battle of the Trident, Lannister is finished," Bronze Yohn said. Many present had experienced the Usurper's War firsthand and understood the process of war well.
"It's too late," Gendry said. "Tywin heard of the Battle of the Trident. If he doesn't want to repeat Rhaegar's fate, he will withdraw, leaving the Crownlands and a broken King's Landing."
The current war was completely different from fifteen years ago. Tywin had the tactical initiative but few allies, and the Westerlands army was not a hastily assembled temporary army like Rhaegar's late arrival. By the time the armies of the wolf, eagle, fish, and deer gathered, Tywin would have already fled, for the Westerlands were his foundation.
"Tywin will flee?" Ser Vardis asked, puzzled.
"Yes," Ser Brynden nodded. "The Riverlands are now devastated, and King's Landing is a hungry, volatile city. If Tywin isn't particularly foolish, he will definitely seize the opportunity to withdraw."
"Mobilize six armies. How can Lannister resist under the heavy sword?"
"Six armies?" Everyone was a bit confused.
"Indeed, six armies. These are also the places I had Maester Colemon send ravens to," Gendry said, pointing at the map.
"The first army is the Young Wolf's Northern Army Knights, along with the Riverlands army. These armies are currently cutting off Tywin's supply lines to the Westerlands and restoring their homes," Gendry said, pointing to Riverrun. "I heard the Kingslayer is still recovering from serious injuries and is only helping to guard. Lannister needs to train new troops, but new troops need time to become effective."
Robb might or might not cross Gold Tooth, but with the Kingslayer present, Gendry was unsure if the surprise attack plan carried significant risks, and Gendry had already warned Robb.
"The second army is the army from Riverrun and points north, the new Direwolf Army. Roose Bolton is selecting younger, more ferocious Direwolf according to my requirements. winter is coming, and the vitality of the northerners cannot be overly depleted; they will face even more brutal wars in the future, a Long Winter of ten years—this is an unimaginable horror."
Bronze Yohn nodded. The Vale was the most pro-North and understood the special ecology of the North. Under the prospect of a ten-year harsh winter, Stark should not have participated in the war.
Ser Brynden Blackfish and the others listened intently; this would be a decisive battle for the fate of Westeros. Lannister had avoided bloodshed fifteen years ago, but they could not escape today's great war.
"The third army is the Vale cavalry. Too many cavalry cannot be sent through The Bloody Gate, so they still need to advance from Gulltown and land together near the Crownlands, such as Maidenpool or Dyre Den."
"The Vale can do it," Bronze Yohn promised. The Bloody Gate was congested and difficult to pass. If the Vale were to send a large army, it would still be through Gulltown.
"The fourth army is the crabfeeders men. The army of the Claw Peninsula does not need to advance on large cities like Harrenhal and King's Landing; they only need to harass King's Landing's grain producing areas, such as Rosby, etc."
This was a ruthless tactic to completely destabilize King's Landing by removing its foundation. Jon Snow listened carefully. Many plans and strategies were entirely built on strength. Gendry was far more powerful and multifaceted than Robb. Robb's mind wasn't that bad, but Robb's strength was indeed limited, and almost everyone around him was a hothead.
"The fifth army is my uncle Duke Stannis's troops. I advised him to besiege King's Landing, rather than attack it."
"Lord Stannis?" Ser Barristan interjected, puzzled. "Lord Stannis is certainly a famous general, but for many years he has been at odds with King Robert, very unhappy because of the Storms End matter."
"I think it's possible. For my stubborn uncle, I must write a letter personally," Gendry said. As long as Stannis hadn't put on that crown, it meant he still had room for hesitation in his heart. He had always been angry about the injustice of his fate, yet he remained loyal to the King.
Gendry also didn't want Stannis to become a lone wolf, where coronation, the destruction of the Seven Gods, and kinslaying would all be major news. Gendry still needed Stannis's steel.
Currently, Stannis himself was slightly hesitant, mainly because The Red Witch and his wife by his side were both fervent followers of the god of light. But Stannis's silence meant there was still a possibility of persuasion.
"But we are not directly attacking King's Landing?" Baron Nestor asked, puzzled. Whether it was besieging Tywin in Harrenhal or entering King's Landing, a victory in the war would be completely clear.
"There's no need to rush into King's Landing," Gendry said. "What was the Mad King most obsessed with back then? Ser Barristan, you should know best."
"wildfire," Ser Barristan nodded. "Are there still large quantities of wildfire in King's Landing?"
Bronze Yohn and the others also changed their expressions drastically. They naturally knew that Duke Rickard had been burned alive by wildfire, and one of Lord Jon's heirs had also died in the incident.
"That's right, King's Landing stockpiles a lot of wildfire, and the production progress of wildfire has greatly improved now," Gendry nodded and explained. He had himself to blame for the accelerated wildfire production, as the birth of dragons had also sped up wildfire manufacturing.
------------------------
There are already 70+ chapters available on my Patreon!
The story will continue to update 1 chapter per day on Webnovel,
while early access chapters are posted on Patreon.
Maybe it's not worth it today but it could be later
[email protected]/Kazenova223
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"