At Bitch's Pool, blood flowed and oars floated. House Lannister's men, Lord Bery's men, and the ambushing crabfeeders men—all lay in disarray, their blood staining the river. Many bodies lay in and along the river, along with trampled banners: the lion, the stag, the lightning bolt.
This was a bloody skirmish, but it didn't unfold as Tywin had envisioned.
Ser Gregor killed Ser Gladden and his horse with a single blow, and Baron Rhaegar Mallister fell into the river and drowned. In addition, many panicked The King's party soldiers were also killed. Fortunately, the crabfeeders men appeared like divine soldiers, cutting down Ser Gregor's subordinates and almost wiping them out.
"I brought a hundred and ten men, and now half are dead, including two knights and Elin, Lord Eddard's captain of the guards," Lord Bery said sadly.
"Fear not," Thoros said, looking at Elin's body, which lay in his arms, impaled by a Longspear. "I will offer a eulogy for him in a moment, words of the lord of light, and a kiss of the lord of light."
"Lord Bery, you are a compassionate young lord. But you are no match for Ser Gregor and Tywin; Eddard Stark is their prey," The Red Viper said, wiping blood from his Longspear.
Tywin's intelligence network reached King's Landing, and House Lannister's influence there was immense. Eddard sending these men to capture Ser Gregor with great fanfare and insufficient numbers was no different from sending them to their deaths.
Ser Gregor lay on the ground, his body writhing in pain, his blood slowly turning black.
"Stuff a worn boot in his mouth, lest he bite off his tongue," The Red Viper ordered a dead man's boot to be stuffed into Ser Gregor's mouth.
Ser Gregor's armor was carefully stripped off by the crabfeeders men: his helmet, breastplate, and gauntlets. His greatsword was also discarded on the ground.
Ser Gregor wore three layers of armor: a layer of plate armor, dark grey steel covered in dents and scratches from battle; a second layer of chainmail with cotton padding; and a third layer of leather armor.
Ser Gregor was incredibly tall and strong, nearly eight feet tall (between 2.31 and 2.43 meters) and weighing about thirty stone (420 pounds, or 190 kilograms), a truly imposing giant. Ser Gregor had broad shoulders, arms as thick as small tree trunks, and was immensely muscular and strong. Ser Gregor's body was covered in wounds from The Red Viper's Longspear, blood flowing freely, but the most terrifying was the wound in his abdomen. The crabfeeders men had bound Ser Gregor's arms, hands, and legs with flails because his physique was too frightening.
"I will take him back to King's Landing," Lord Bery said.
"The old king is dead, and the new king has ascended. Lord Eddard has likely been arrested, and Joffrey on the iron throne is not the legitimate king. You have fulfilled your promise to Lord Eddard," Count Raymon advised.
The remaining taxi soldiers listened with fear. With the king dead and the Hand disgraced, they instantly became traitors to the new king's command. Everyone knew Joffrey was Tywin's grandson, and they had killed a group of House Lannister's taxi soldiers.
"I understand now, but King Robert is dead, and we will never pledge allegiance to House Lannister's brat, Tywin the butcher's grandson," Lord Bery said.
"Perhaps you should see this. Little Joff is not a grandson, but a son," Count Raymon said. "The king's will states that the new king should be Lord Gendry Across the Narrow Sea."
Lord Bery, feeling dazed, opened the will handed to him by Count Raymon. "So that's how it is."
"This..." Thoros reread the words repeatedly, each one explosive, before finally speaking. "I trust the character of Lord Eddard and Ser Barristan, if there are any honorable men left in King's Landing."
"Then what are we waiting for!" Lord Bery said eagerly. "I am willing to pledge allegiance to the legitimate heir."
"As am I," Thoros said, and then the remaining soldiers knelt, facing the will.
"In the name of the legitimate heir, we will take Ser Gregor for trial."
"Yes, my lord."
"Lord Gendry's intention is that the Riverlands are indefensible. Tywin's retaliation will come swiftly, so it would be better for you all to retreat with us to Claw Peninsula," Count Raymon suggested. After losing good dogs, Tywin might become even more furious.
"Ser Gregor has been captured by you, and I have pledged allegiance to the new king. However, we must continue to uphold justice and protect the common people in the name of the late King Robert and Eddard Stark," Lord Bery said after some thought.
The Red Viper saluted him with respect. "Good lad, you are a true knight. Be very careful."
"Prince Oberyn, I want to strike him with my sword, may I?" Count Raymon asked.
"You may, but it's best to cut his face, not his head. The trial must be left to the king," The Red Viper considered. The ash Longspear carried a special poison; Ser Gregor would not die so easily.
"For the Child of House Targaryen, for the people of the Riverlands who died at your bastard hands!" Count Raymon's hands trembled. Ser Gregor was the nightmare of his life. Raymon drew his longsword and struck Ser Gregor, who lay on the ground, blood flowing.
"For King Robert and Lord Eddard, for my taxi soldiers, for the farmers of the Riverlands!" Lord Bery's longsword struck Ser Gregor's cheek.
"For the North!" Halwin, his voice choked with sobs, plunged his dagger into Ser Gregor's abdomen, unable to control his emotions.
"For Clebb!"
"For Boggs!"
"For Bren!"
Ser Gregor's body became even more mangled.
"Let's go, Count Raymon. Quickly gather your farmers and servants, leave the castle, and come to Claw Peninsula. Tywin will turn the Riverlands into a wasteland sooner or later."
"Understood," Count Raymon nodded.
With that, they parted ways. The crabfeeders men followed The Red Viper back to Claw Peninsula, carrying Ser Gregor's body. Count Raymon took his subordinates to pack their belongings and then fled to Claw Peninsula. Lord Bery, with his subordinates, continued guerrilla warfare...The fertile and prosperous The Reach, at Rose Garden, became even more bustling. The flames of war had not yet reached The Reach, where people could still enjoy abundant food and watch performances by clowns and entertainers.
"Now Renly wants The Reach to send troops, willing to make Margaery queen, and Loras has also sent a letter. Joffrey on the iron throne demands our allegiance, and there's Robert's newly emerged bastard Across the Narrow Sea. How should The Reach choose? Perhaps before long, Stannis will also call for help," Lord Mace said, looking at the several declarations in his hand, deep in thought.
Mace, once burly, was now somewhat overweight but still handsome. He had curly brown hair and a triangular beard with flecks of grey.
"Look at my foolish son, already overjoyed at the beautiful fantasy of a queen from our family. This is a family matter after Robert's death; we need to be cautious," The Queen of Thorns said. Lady Olenna was about sixty years old, with a head of silver hair and a small stature. Her hands were soft, her fingers thin; when she spoke, she had the tartness of an old woman.
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