The sky was just breaking dawn, its pale blue hue still inlaid with a few scattered remnant stars.
Before the gates of Harrenhal, William sat astride his horse. The gentle breeze carried what seemed like the fragrance of flowers. Recalling the scene of bidding farewell to Walter, Shella, and Minisa at the main tower's entrance, his heart swelled with warmth. Whether it was Walter's trust or the worry of Shella and Minisa, he felt deeply cared for.
A soft snort came from a warhorse beside him. A troop of fully armed knights stood silently behind William, an aura of grim lethality emanating from them. The guards at the gate looked at them with eyes full of awe and envy.
William glanced at his guard detail with mixed feelings. Ten elite cavalrymen. The captain of the guard was the young Ser Bennard Gray, nephew of Lord Olyver, tall, burly, and highly skilled in martial arts.
If given the choice, William would have actually preferred to go to High Heart with just Malora.
William understood the principle that kindness doesn't command an army, and he knew that in the wars to come, many vibrant lives would be lost by his command.
However, no matter how well-equipped or highly skilled a knight might be, faced with unpredictable magic, they would be almost helpless. A knight dying on the battlefield could be said to have met their end, but this journey was sure to hold many strange and unforeseeable dangers. William didn't want to see these young lives pointlessly spent on this trip. But neither Walter nor the knights themselves would allow William to venture into danger alone.
'I really miss Little Rose... and her magic.'
Several of Margaery's spells would be very useful in this kind of small-scale adventure: healing, reconnaissance, controlling plants for both offense and defense... Pity she wasn't here.
Just as William was pondering how to preserve these young lives, he suddenly heard the sound of rapid hoofbeats. A banner bearing a white tower on a grey field fluttered in the wind, approaching quickly.
He knew it was Malora arriving, but he was also a bit puzzled as to why he didn't see a carriage. When he saw the leading rider clearly, he was greatly surprised.
Malora rode at the front, dressed in the attire of a female knight. She wore no helmet, revealing a beautiful face bearing some resemblance to Margaery's. Her red hair was simply coiled atop her head, devoid of extra adornments. A black steed, black leather armor, black boots—bathed in the morning light, she seemed cloaked in a brilliant, colorful mantle.
She skillfully reined her horse to a stop not far from William. Seeing his astonished expression, a trace of displeasure flickered across her calm face. "Is it so strange?"
"Not at all," William quickly mustered a smile. "The armor fits well."
It was said that Lord Denyll had led troops on multiple military campaigns for Riverrun or the Iron Throne, so her ability to ride was understandable.
Then he saw Malora's little maid, Dora, arrive beside them on a small mare.
Dora was wearing a well-fitted hunting outfit, also giving off a rather dashing and spirited air.
"Dora, you can ride too?" William found it a bit hard to believe.
"Miss taught me," Dora said proudly. "I learn fast, you know? Oops!"
Her horse was being a bit uncooperative.
Seeing her flustered state, William simply dismounted, helped her get the horse under control, then looked up at her. "Why didn't you wait for us at Harrenhal? Riding a horse isn't as easy as riding in a carriage."
"I'm the lady's personal maid. Besides, if I don't come along, you're all big men. Who will take care of her on the road?" Dora gave him a pointed look.
William thought she had a point and shrugged. It was clear her riding skills were rather green, but at least she could ride steadily. One couldn't ask for more from her.
A slight smile touched Malora's lips. "I also thought there wouldn't be enough time. I just taught her a little, but it turns out she has a knack for it."
Dora gave a sweet smile. She wouldn't tell her mistress that over the past fortnight, whenever she had a spare moment, she had sought out knights to teach her how to ride, enduring no small amount of hardship for it.
To avoid arousing suspicion, they couldn't head straight for High Heart immediately upon arriving at Harrenhal. So, Malora had first spent time touring the area accompanied by Shella and Minisa, and had gladly accepted invitations from all three barons. For over half a month, she had essentially toured the entire Harrenhal region.
William exchanged greetings with Malora's guard captain, Ser Lyman Mullendore. Then, the party of nineteen set off westward along the main road, soon arriving at Harrentown.
The prosperity of Harrentown was noticeably greater than one might expect. Shops and taverns lined both sides of the street, and early in the morning, the streets were already quite busy with pedestrians, creating a faintly bustling, lively atmosphere. Upon seeing the golden banner with the black bat of House Hawn, the townspeople quickly made way, standing respectfully by the roadside.
Harrenhal itself originally housed several hundred servants. Later, hundreds of workers were added for the hydraulic workshops, along with thousands of standing soldiers stationed in the barracks. The textile trade also attracted many merchants from various places. This large gathering of population had injected immense vitality into the small town.
Passing through Harrentown, an endless vista of green farmland stretched before them. White cooking smoke blended with misty, gossamer-like thin fog, and the farmhouses scattered across the fields appeared indistinct, now visible, now hidden. The farmers they encountered on the road, whether driving oxcarts or wagons or working in the fields, all bowed or saluted respectfully at the sight of the golden banner with the black bat.
By the time they stopped for a midday rest, even the massive structure of Harrenhal had disappeared from view.
Under William's guidance, the knights and Dora unpacked a host of strange little items from specially designed marching backpacks.
Unfolding a collapsible iron frame and hanging a small iron pot created a simple stove. There were also various cleverly designed cooking utensils and tableware, bottles that required a twist to dispense seasonings, and so on. With the help of these gadgets, the group managed to prepare a hearty, hot lunch right there in the wild.
When they made camp for the evening, William again instructed everyone in the use of the new-style tents and sleeping bags.
Not only did the knights greatly appreciate this equipment, but even Malora couldn't help but express her admiration. Dora was the happiest of all; these inventions relieved her greatly. She had been rather afraid that the journey would be inconvenient, forcing Malora to endure rough conditions and hardship.
Having accepted the premise that Westeros was heading towards conflict, Walter had naturally engaged in strategic discussions with William, analyzing various scenarios. They ultimately agreed that whether they marched south to King's Landing to support a faction, or if war broke out and they needed to hold the enemy at bay beyond the Gods Eye, they would require a cavalry force capable of long-distance raids and sustained operations.
This made logistical supply extremely important. William subsequently proposed a series of small inventions designed to make soldiers' lives more comfortable in the field: easier-to-pitch tents, rainproof clothing, sleeping bags, collapsible tools, dried meat products, specially designed marching backpacks, etc. Walter approved them all.
While Malora was busy feasting and sightseeing, William immersed himself in the various workshops, producing the first batch of prototypes. This journey was the perfect opportunity to test them.