Chapter 23: I'm Going to Twist Your Head Off and Use It as a Bowl

One day later, Stone Hedge.

"I heard you sent five hundred soldiers to help Arthur drive the Blackwood forces off his lands?" Count Janos asked.

He possessed the dark brown hair common to House Bracken, was slightly bald, with a round head and face, and looked to be about fifty years old; his stern expression made him appear quite honest and straightforward.

But the cunning glint that flashed in his eyes from time to time betrayed certain traits of his.

"Yes, to minimize losses, I made him guarantee a compensation of one hundred Gold Dragons for every soldier who dies," Hendry answered truthfully.

He had facial features similar to his uncle's, but his face clearly betrayed an unconscious arrogance.

Not long after Arthur left the day before yesterday, he and his companions finally gathered their men and headed south to hunt and make merry.

The journey was very lively; they loudly discussed topics that young men care about, such as lands, famous Knights, the 281 AC Tourney at Harrenhal, and where the female workers were more "supple."

Until his uncle sent men to chase him back yesterday.

Janos nodded, "That's a good idea, but Arthur is not an outsider, so there's no need for that."

The Count decided to properly instruct his nephew on the things to note when being a lord.

He could not pass Stone Hedge to any of his daughters—there were examples of women in charge at Harrenhal, where House Whent had already declined—so his only nephew was his choice.

"First, a small cadet branch like Arthur's must be supported, and supported unconditionally, because for one thing, we must put on a show for outsiders, letting them know that we, the Brackens, are worth following."

He paused and poured a glass of Reach vintage, "Secondly, such vassals have their own significance; the layout established by our ancestors over thousands of years is not without reason."

Janos particularly liked the term "thousands of years," as if this could separate his family from upstart houses like the Tullys and Freys and grant him a sense of superiority.

Hendry was a bit puzzled, "Arthur's territory only has nine villages; it really isn't worth making such a big fuss over them, why..."

"No reason." Janos suddenly raised his voice, as if dissatisfied with his nephew's questioning, "When you take over my position, you will know how fortunate it is to have a ferry and a foothold on the north bank of the Red Fork when fighting that old thing Tytos."

Watching Hendry nod, Janos felt a trace of satisfaction, "However, it is only to help Arthur from being wiped out by Tytos and his lot; the five hundred soldiers you sent this time are actually a bit much."

He changed his tone, "We should send as many men as the Blackwoods do; in this situation, a hundred or so would have been enough. After all, Arthur isn't that close of kin."

Hendry nodded again, indicating he had remembered.

Janos took a sip of wine, then couldn't remember what he wanted to say, and asked casually:

"What was the reason this time for that old thing to send men to surround Arthur's castle?"

Hendry thought for a moment and said, "It seems Brynden ran onto his land and did something, and was tied up by him."

Janos froze, holding his wine glass, "Which Brynden? The Blackfish of House Tully?"

"The one from House Blackwood, Tytos's eldest son," Hendry replied.

"Why didn't you say so earlier?" Janos stood up, and wine spilled from his glass due to his abrupt movement.

"Such matters must be sent by Raven to Riverrun to inform me immediately."

His expression suddenly became excited, "Arthur is truly my own nephew! Tying up the old thing's eldest son—even I haven't managed that. He really has brought me honor."

Hendry was very confused by his uncle's inconsistent attitude, but he dared not ask more.

Janos paced the hall a few times and finally made up his mind, "How can five hundred soldiers be enough? I will bring another fifteen hundred men to Raventree Hall to go and provoke that old thing."

Hendry felt it was inappropriate and advised, "Wouldn't that be bad? What if the Blackwoods retaliate against us in kind later?"

The fifty-year-old Count Janos said excitedly, "My House Bracken men can tie up his son, but he can't tie up my son—who told him I don't have any sons?"

This remark made Hendry feel uncomfortable, but he did not show it.

Janos acted as soon as he spoke, immediately summoning the Steward and the Stone Hedge Master-at-arms to issue orders.

After simple task assignments, Stone Hedge, which had not seen war for many years, was set in motion; Ravens and Cavalry were sent out to gather troops and ferries, while the Count led the vanguard to the riverbank first.

One more day later.

Looking at the dense crowd of ravens surrounding the Weirwood banner before him, Arthur only felt his scalp tingle.

As they were about to reach the territory of House Tully, they were blocked by a Blackwood army.

The vast majority on the opposite side were ordinary soldiers wearing standard Chainmail, but there were also elite units equipped with Iron Plate Armor and Plate Armor.

The dozens of men leading on horseback were even wearing black scale armor.

This was a variant of scale armor, using the same binding method as Roman lorica squamata, which reduced the chance of the armor rotting due to humidity.

This type of scale armor was only worn by a few great lords in the Riverlands because it had to be custom-ordered from workshops in the Westerlands and was quite expensive.

"Looks like over a thousand men," Andrew said in a low voice, "How about we hand over Brynden?"

It sounded like he did not want to fight.

"How can that be?" Arthur also couldn't tell if he wanted to get some Gold Dragons out of Brynden or if he wanted to demand justice for Daren's wife.

In any case, just handing over Brynden and his cohorts was impossible.

Even if the soldiers who might die after the war started could cost him so much in compensation that he wouldn't have his breeches left, he still felt they should fight.

Besides, it was not as if there were no variables.

Not far to the west, several patrolling Tully soldiers on horseback were watching.

With a large movement of over two thousand men from two houses, and right on the edge of Tully territory, it was impossible for Riverrun not to react.

If the Tully ships arrived quickly enough, the Tully army could reach here shortly after the two houses started fighting.

Once the liege lord family intervened, unless the Blackwoods didn't want to stay in the game, they would have to stop and negotiate.

In the Blackwood ranks.

"Very well, it seems they are prepared to fight," Count Tytos was very angry.

He ordered, "Go tell Arthur Bracken that I am going to twist his head off and use it as a bowl."

The Messenger received the order and shouted at the Bracken ranks.

Arthur sneered and shouted back, "That depends on whether the Greatsword in my hand agrees; I will make your heads disappear from your shoulders."

Seeing that the situation was beyond saving, Andrew could only face it with a smile, spurring his horse to order the Bracken soldiers to line up and prepare to meet the enemy.

Seeing that the five hundred or so men on the other side dared to fight, Tytos was even more annoyed and ordered a charge.

【You will face the opponent's thirteen hundred men with a force of five hundred and one】

The blue light screen provided a timely reminder.

Although Arthur felt his side was at a slight disadvantage, the possibility of winning was not non-existent.

"It's just a slaughter, I'm happy to oblige!"

PS: Seeking recommendation votes and monthly tickets.

(End of chapter)