I got to admit, I expected worse when Robb got me to sit in his table and introduced me to the Northern lords. I was way too worried it seemed, the lords just gave a nod and the conversation went on.
That is not to say that everything is perfect and good, no. The lords, specially Lord Karstark and Master Tallhart still give me contemptuous looks and I'm certain most, would belittle any opinion I gave.
Still better than what I feared.
Ever since that introductory night I started being included in most of the planning and discussions about our campaign south.
Currently we were engaging in such a meeting at the Moat's Keep, all the lords sitting around the big oak table in the middle with an old map across.
"Well then my lords, to summarize. 'Brigands'," everyone scoffed at the word. Master Galbart raised his hands in a placating manner and continued, "started pillaging their way on the western Riverlands. Then, Lord Dondarrion rode together with Ned's Northmen under the king's banner to put a stop to the pillaging. However, it was a trap, Lord Dondarrion just had crossed the Red Fork when the Lannisters ambushed him, the king's banner be damned, and the Mountain attacked them from the rear once as they tried to draw back through the Mummer's Ford. Nobody knows who and how many may have escaped, all we are certain of is that Ser Raymund was slain. After that, Lord Tywin closed off the kingsroad and was marching north burning his way through Harrenhal."
Lord Roose Bolton, a pale man with the creepiest eyes I've ever seen moved the lion figurines on the map and set them up in Harrenhal. He raised his gaze to scan the room, his eyes one or two shades away from being white as milk.
"Lord Tywin won't march his host through the causeway, that's the same as sentencing his men to death," said softly the pale Lord Bolton.
"Aye, the old lion is too smart to do something like that my lords," said Master Galbart Glover. "As for the second Lannister host under the command of the Kingslayer. They battled the river lords in the hills below the Golden Tooth, Lord Vance and Lord Piper were routed and Lord Vance was slain. The last raven we got said that Lord Piper was joining the Tullys and their bannermen at Riverrun."
Lord Rickard Karstark moved the lion figurines this time. The old man had a haggard face that gives the feeling of a veteran of a thousand battles. A viking grey beard and loose hair below his shoulders completed his warrior image.
"They are to siege Riverrun, I gather," said the old lord.
All the lords nodded as one and started talking to one another.
There was no doubt about it, the Kingslayer would try to take house Tully's seat while the old lion would ravage the Riverlands burning it castle by castle. This in turn pressured Robb, since Lady Stark was a Tully by birth and as such there was a fresh alliance between us.
In that sense, what would the Realm say if the Starks abandoned their allies? Quick answer, it would undermine house Stark position and in turn raise the crown's perceived power, with that, the conditions of the Starks at King's Landing would only deteriorate.
In short, we had no real choice, we had to march South.
The real question was, where to. The lords had different opinions on the matter.
Jon Umber, the tallest man north of the Neck hit the table with both palms.
"Break the ol' lion I say!" Greatjon roared over everyone. "We march on him an' catch him with his breeches down, I say!"
"A hard battle, but we will prevail," calmly said Rickard Karstark.
"I believe joining forces with Lord Robb's uncle and taking on the Kingslayer's host will give us better options, my lords," said Master Glover. "A host of Riverlanders and Northmen can easily outnumber the Kingslayer and Lord Tywin's individual hosts and take them one by one."
So the lords said.
The Greatjon and Lord Karstark wanting to confront the old lion, one with a more realistic view of the battle than the other, but the objective was the same. Once Lord Tywin's host is routed the river lords would join the war in full and it also clears the path for the Vale knights to join in full strength from the mountains.
Why would the Vale join a war in the Riverlands? Similar to the North, the Vale had an alliance with the Riverlands through marriage. The Warden of the East had married another Tully, the younger sister of our Lady Stark. So they had similar pressure to respond to the attacks on their ally.
Master Galbart Glover preferred caution and join forces with our allies before attacking the separated hosts of the Lannisters. A sensible approach, there is 'strength in numbers', and would be fools if we didn't took any advantage we could. Besides, joining forces would ensure that Northern casualties are lowered and the Realm's overall respect for the river lords would increase once we drove the lions' armies away.
Every lord pushed his idea, some enthusiastically like Greatjon Umber, some calmly and with supporting arguments born from logic like Master Glover and others slipping well thought points in support or in opposition like Lord Roose Bolton.
I already had chosen my course of action, but saying it out loud here could make the lords react poorly and dismiss my opinion due to me being an 'upstart' or a 'green boy who knows nothing of war' or some other nonsense instead of rationally examining whatever idea I put forward.
On the other end, if the lords liked my idea too much, it would put pressure on Robb to 'one up' the idea of his bastard brother or accept it and snub some 'traditionalist' lord.
As such, I would keep my opinions to myself and approach Robb in a private setting and give him the 'break the Lannisters, a step by step guide'.
Well, not really. I'm not a commander and I'm sure grinding the ladder in various RTS videogames in my previous life don't count as experience. I'm sure Robb, with help of an experienced commander, can refine my ideas born from binging 'historical battles' on YT into a sound strategy with the help of his lords. As such, I kept my silence.
All in all, feudal politics are a pain in the arse.
I had to suppress a sigh while Robb kept his best Stark-of-Winterfell face and pondered every word coming from his lords.
After a while, he raised a hand and the table fell silent.
"My lords, I hear you and you can be assured that I'll be considering your opinions before I decide on a course of action," this seemed to calm the lords somewhat. "Now however, I want to hear from the man who made it possible for my host to wear steel plate. I want to hear advice, as the Starks of old did, from my baseborn brother. Jon, if you will."
Well shit, Robb just made it impossible for the lords to dismiss me and at the same time tied my opinion giving, in tradition. And even then, his phrasing made it so he has the final say on what to do.
I give a subtle nod at Robb. He is, once again an unmovable glacier for his lords.
"My lords, I think the best course of action is to march on Lord Tywin," Lord Umber gave me a pat that would've thrown me to the ground had I not expected it. "The biggest advantage the Westerlanders have over us is their heavy cavalry," I looked around and saw most lords nodding. "And our own advantage is our infantry, I assure you my lords-"
"Announcing Lady Catelyn Stark!," said the guardsman at the door, cutting my explanation. Maybe it was for the best, I don't think many would believe that infantry could stand against heavy cavalry, at least not without extensive arguments and historical proof.
Across the room Lady Stark entered accompanied by two knights, I instantly recognized Lord Wendel, we had met the time I went to White Harbor looking for gifts for my sisters. The second one I didn't recognize, but he was dressed in red and blue and came along Lady Stark, so he must be a Tully.
The whole room kept the silence. Grey Wind was the first to get to his feet and cross the room to her side, Ser Helman Tallhart followed and knelt in front of Lady Stark. I almost stumbled as I remembered my etiquette lessons and hurried myself to kneel before her, lest she starts sniping at me for who knows how long.
Robb stayed on his seat, "Mother," he nodded. "I didn't expect to see you here."
"I didn't plan to be here either," Lady Stark said. "but when I came ashore at White Harbor, Lord Wyman told me that Robb had called the banners. You know his son. Ser Wendel" Lord Manderly was a savvy man in matters of coin and throws the best feasts in the whole North, I expect any son of his to be cut of a similar cloth.
Ser Wendel stepped forward and bowed to Robb.
"And my uncle, Ser Brynden Tully, who has left my sister's service for mine," Lady Stark continued with the introductions.
"The Blackfish," said Robb. "Men of your courage will be sorely needed in the days to come. Thank you for joining us, ser. And you, Ser Wendel, I am glad to have you and yours here."
Robb looked at the door before asking, "Is Ser Rodrik with you as well Mother?". Ser Rodrik Cassel, the master-at-arms of Winterfell, a polite man with an unhealthy aversion to polearms.
"No, Ser Rodrik is not with me. I have named him castellan and commanded him to hold Winterfell till our return. Maester Luwin is a wise counsellor, but unskilled in the arts of war," Said Lady Stark.
I could see the wisdom in making the Cassel knight the Winterfell's castellan, the man is able if a bit impetuous, and with Maester Luwin as advisor, Winterfell was in good hands.
"Fear not, Lady Stark," the Greatjon proclaimed with a fist on his chest. "Winterfell is safe. We'll rout the Lannisters an' then it's on to the Red Keep to free Ned."
"My lady, I must enquire," Lord Bolton said, his voice just above a whisper. "We heard that you have captured Lord Tywin's dwarf son. Have you brought him to us?."
That was what I wanted to know too. The reports we had were rumours at best and in the latest updates Ryk gave me, Tyrion Lannister wasn't mentioned.
"He was my captive, my lords. But the gods favored him in his trial by combat. My fool of a sister didn't help matters either," said Lady Stark with clear distaste.
Well shit, we didn't have a hostage. I know Robb wanted an exchange. However this didn't change the plans much, we still have to fight. Also, there's the odd open derision Lady Stark showed her sister, hopefully is not the worst case scenario.
I could see the lords wanted to raise more questions, but Lady Stark said she needed to speak with Robb alone, so with surprisingly few grumbles, we all left the room.
I still hadn't explained how I wanted to face Tywin's host, but I was sure Robb would at least hear what I wanted to say. He'll probably call me later. For now, I just had to clear out my stratagem to declaw an old lion.
Since I was suddenly free for the afternoon, after I checked the reports on the Moat's steelworks current production, I went to the training courtyard to decompress before we left next morning.
I started some drills with my halberd. I was about to end my third set when Ghost alerted me of Dacey and Alysane walking toward me. They both were in their house's colors, green wool doublets and black breeches, both were wearing chainmail.
"Oi Wolfboy!, is what my mother said true?" asked Alysane, the younger of the two. A short, muscular woman with an always playful smile and an attitude to match.
Ghost went back to sleep. I stopped my drill and had to suppress a sigh, "I told you not to call me that Lady Alysane, it is unb-"
"And I told you to call me Aly, all my friends do," she cut me.
"Will you stop calling me 'Wolfboy' if I start calling you 'Aly'?"
"Why don't you try?" she gave me a full toothed smile. I sagged over myself.
"Stop with the games Aly," reprimanded the most pleasant of the Mormont siblings. Well, if I were to include the Lady Maege, Dacey would still come on top. And no it wasn't because she was a tall attractive woman who could wield a mace or morningstar like it was nobody's business.
I've met the two sisters the day Robb's host arrived at the Moat. We had dinner together and after proper introductions they started helping me with my swordsmanship training.
"Listen, Jon… erm, Lord Castellan," said Dacey, while Alysane rolled her eyes at the proper use of my title. "Mother told us that you supported the Greatjon's plan and we… we wanted…"
"We wanted to know if you are a bumbling fool who wants to throw his life away," finished Alysane.
Huh? What was she talking abo-
"Aly!, that's not what I was saying. I'm sorry Lord Castellan my sister can be so crass at times," Dacey apologized while elbowing her sister.
"It's alright, I know how Lady Alysane is," and gods, I wish I didn't. Alysane rolled her eyes in a very dramatic fashion.
"What we really wanted," the Mormont heir said while throwing a withering gaze at her sister, "was to know what were you about to say before Lady Catelyn interrupted the meeting."
"Ahh, well…" I don't think I should give all the details, but at the same time leaving them with nothing wouldn't be polite. "I was going to say that our infantry can stop Lord Tywin's heavy cavalry."
The sisters did a double take, Alysane was about to say something but her sister stopped her with a glare.
"Truly?" Dacey asked for confirmation, but her eyes told me she couldn't believe me, not even for a second.
I understood her doubts, history wasn't on my side after all, Westeros history 'demonstrated' that cavalry would mow down infantry levies, the only question was not 'if' but 'when'. Could the foot last long enough for an allied cavalry reinforcement to swing the battlefield in their favour or would they break before that.
"Yes, Lady Dacey. Historically Northern levies are made of sterner stuff than Southron ones. They stand their ground where others break and that was with long sticks for weapons and without proper armor. Currently our pikemen wield eight-and-ten feet long pikes and wear 'half armor' that consists of helmet, cuirass, simple pauldrons, vambraces and greaves. I'm confident enough that these men will stand their ground and stop any knight charge." That they would need some other specifications I didn't said, mostly for brevity.
The sisters gave me an appraising look.
"You truly believe that?" asked an incredulous Alysane.
"Yes," I instantly replied.
We stayed in silence for a few breaths, and then Alysane had a wolfish grin on her, "As confident as to command the foot from inside the formation?"
"Yes, Lady Alysane, I'm confident the Northmen will stand their ground," I said, with all the feigned confidence I could muster.
Once again we stood in silence, this time it was shorter, however.
"Bahahaha! Wolfboy, you are either the greatest fool or the Young Dragon reborn!" Alysane said as she slapped my shoulder repeatedly.
Geez woman, with friends like you who needs enemies?
Dacey, on her part, gave me a solemn nod and dragged her sister to the Main Hall with but a word.
I'd give her my thanks for controlling her rude sister, but I was left a bit confused, being compared to Daeron I, should be good right? Honestly it could be either way with Alysane.
I shrugged to myself, then finished my drill, stored my halberd and went to shower. It was at dinner that Robb asked me to join him in his apartments to discuss strategy under the pretense of the ancient and customary act of brotherly drinking so as to not offend his lords.
I got myself a set of figurines and a few treats for Ghost before the meeting.
I found myself in the Stark apartments lobby. Robb said we would wait for the Blackfish because aside of being his uncle, he had the most experience on war matters out of all the people we could unconditionally trust.
Well, if we keep things real, out of all the lords currently in Moat Cailin, Ser Brynden Tully was the only one we could trust unconditionally, him being Robb's family and all. So, not really a surprise.
Lady Catelyn had retired to her rooms not before giving me her best milk curdling glare, I was sorely tempted to smile widely at her and offer her a toast, but that would be unproductive and someone had to be an adult here.
Also she scares me, only a little though.
And so, we got ourselves some strawberry juice mixed with just a little virgin firewater. Just because it was the excuse for a meeting, it didn't mean we couldn't partake in a little brotherly bonding over some cups.
While I was mixing our unholy mix, the guards announced one Ser Brynden Tully. Robb made the introductions and we all seated on the table, each with a full tankard in our hands.
I could see Ser Brynden wasn't as enthused to our little meeting and to be honest I couldn't blame him. His nephew had the final word on what our actions would be, also said nephew trusted his bastard brother quite a lot, after all said bastard was in a strategic meeting.
From his perspective, we probably looked like two green boys playing at war, hopefully Robb and I could overwrite the first impressions.
"Well then, I believe we should start," said Robb while drawing a map across the table. "I wanted to discuss my plans with the people I trust the most and also for you to help me refine it." He started arranging the lion figurines over the map. "This is what we currently know of the Westerlander hosts, the Kingslayer is marching his host to take Riverrun, meanwhile Lord Tywin is probably stationed at Harrenhal."
The crimson figurines had an ominous air in the candlelight. I almost shook my head to rid myself of those thoughts. We had to crush them and get Father and our sisters back.
Robb raised his gaze and continued, "As of now, I plan to leave a small garrison here in the Moat and march with the rest down the causeway, once we're below the Neck, I want to split our host in two. The foot will continue down the kingsroad while our horsemen cross the Green Fork at the Twins." He grabbed the figurines in the crossroads and started rearranging them, "When Lord Tywin gets word we're marching south, he'll march north to engage our foot leaving our riders free to join the Riverrun host."
I was shocked, my brother was going to separate the Lannister hosts and crush them one by one. I honestly could see this plan working, the infantry would either have to march slowly to pin down Lord Tywin or march quickly to a good position and fortify themselves there so as to make the Lannisters bleed grievously.
There is only issue I have with this plan, I seriously think we can outright defeat Tywin Lannister. However, I can see Robb and the other lords think that confronting heavy cavalry with our levies, no matter how well armed they are, to be foolish.
Honestly, I'm fine with my brother's plan, the Northern infantry will make Tywin's host bleed even without cavalry support and the riders can join Riverlanders on their way to confront the Kingslayer.
I was contemplating if I even needed to disclose my strategy when Ser Brynden started talking, "That's a great plan nephew," the Blackfish had eased his features. "However, there is an issue with it," he pointed at the map, "Late Walder Frey, it is possible he won't let us cross, he is kin with the Lannisters through his son. And even if he'd let us cross, the toll he'd demand… it would be too much, way too much."
Hhhmmm, could we build a bridge like Julius Caesar did to cross the Rhine? I don't think so. Or at least, I don't think we could build it in a reasonable amount of time. The Roman legions had designated engineers and had extensive experience on field work, our host didn't have the know-how or experience to build a bridge fast enough for Robb's plan to succeed. And, as far as I know, we wouldn't find enough wood anywhere close to the Twins.
"But, the Freys bannermen of the Tullys. Surely they would let us cross," said my naive brother.
I was finding the words to correct his assumptions, but Ser Brynden started talking in my stead. "Nephew, Lord Frey is not a man I or anyone can trust blindly. In the Battle of the Trident, Lord Frey arrived after we had already won, the man is a cunning self-serving fuck. I've no doubts he'd sooner wait for a winner before moving from his castle."
Well shit, that's a pretty bad picture, my brother seemed to take that information harshly.
Robb turned to me, "Jon, I heard you in the meeting today, you wanted to take on Lord Tywin's host. Brother, I know you, you wouldn't have said that unless you were almost certain. So tell me, what are you thinking."
Before I started, I needed to know something that's been gnawing at me since I heard Lady Stark call her sister a fool in public. "Robb, before anything, the Vale… they are mustering their forces, right?"
Robb clenched his jaws, and from the corner of my eye I could see his uncle do the same. That was all the answers I needed, "My aunt Lysa hasn't raised Lord Arryn's banners."
"Shit," listening what I feared confirmed wasn't… pleasant.
What the fuck is that woman thinking, doesn't she know that not even sending a token force to the Riverlands would make the whole Vale a pariah state? I refuse to believe the widow of the Warden of the East didn't know that. Hell, even if she didn't, I'm sure someone in the Eyrie has already reminded her.
There was something else at play there, I'm sure. Sadly, we couldn't play detectives, we didn't have the time.
Well then, since the Vale isn't joining us anytime soon, a victory over Lord Tywin isn't the complete masterstroke that I thought at first. It would still swing things in or favor big time, it just wouldn't be a crushing defeat.
I could see the grim faces of the table. I took a long breath to center myself. This news… they don't change things much, "I had hoped the Vale would join us after we defeated Tywin, with them at our backs, the Lannisters would sue for peace faster than the Greatjon can empty a tankard of ale."
I emptied my tankard before continuing, "Other than our infantry, we have another key advantage. Eddard Stark has a impeccable reputation of being a honorable man, I'm sure there are lords who are questioning the crown's accusations. Lord Tywin is acting as a representative of the crown. The moment we march South, we are rebels and as such, the crown has to put us down," I poured myself some more juice. "Lord Tywin can't afford to let us gallivant for long or else the crown loses credibility, so he has to march to us, therefore we have leeway to choose the battle field."
I could see the moment it dawned on them, so I kept going, "Pikemen, well disciplined pikemen, hold the advantage over cavalry just as the Ghiscari legions demonstrated," before they could interject I raised a placating hand, "the Northern levies, at least the Stark, Karstark and Manderly ones, have some training on pike formations. However, I am aware they can't compare to the Ghiscari legions in discipline, but we can compensate some of that with morale-" I raised my gaze to check on their reactions, they were still sceptical and I'd be too, but this wasn't my whole plan, so I let myself smile, "with morale and ditches. We pick the battlefield beforehand, dig ditches and let the Westerlanders crash themselves as many times as they want against narrow paths blocked with our morale boosted pikemen."
The room was silent, the crimson lion figurines were staring at me, almost mockingly.
The table was silent, I could see my companions were thinking through my words. Hopefully my explaining was enough, I couldn't cite historical battles from other world to make them trust, so hopefully they could see the viability of my strategy.
Finally after a few minutes of pondering, "That's not a bad a plan lad. It has glaring issues and needs some changes, but I think we can make it work," said the Blackfish.
"I knew you had something interesting, brother," said Robb. "Uncle Brynden, let's discuss this and also think what terms we can negotiate with the Freys. I want to keep my options open for as long as possible."
This was good, I could see I convinced them to give our infantry a chance. Westeros better be ready for Northern pike squares.
Ser Brynden took a sip of his tankard, "Now lads, what about instead of…"
A/N: I started making paragraphs a bit bigger, what do you guys think?
Other than that, little wink to Maester Wolf, that fic is awesome and I remember going wild while reading about their bridge building but that's not the way this story is going.
Also, in this arc there will be more PoV's other than Jon. Jon will always be in first person, other people will be in third person.
Now, give me your comments :D