Chapter 202: War in the Westerlands

The Goat Girl Gisela moved as fast as flying on the sloped hillside; the goat's horns, sharp as razors, pierced the hooded man emblem on the breastplate of the Banefort House hired knight.

The soldier screamed repeatedly and tumbled down the slope; struggling against the sharp pain in his chest, he was just about to scramble to his feet when the Cat Girl Jeyne approached riding a shadow cat, which bit open the hooded man knight's throat, scattering blood like a mist of rain all around.

Ser Barristan watched all this, dumbfounded, and muttered: "Knights are trained in sword and shield techniques from childhood, sweating on the practice grounds and shedding hot blood on the battlefield; in the end, the skills knights painstakingly earn are no match for the fierce beasts of the skinchangers."

Bronze Yohn, Lord of Runestone, wearing the Royce House's famous bronze armor engraved with ancient runes, said: "Flesh and blood cannot fight fierce beasts. Fortunately, these skinchangers serve the Wolf King Eddard, and the Wolf King is the Father of Life in their eyes. These fierce beasts are all our friends."

After Bronze Yohn led the Mountain Legion—composed of Rockborn from Skagos, the mountain clans of the Mountains of the Moon, the Northern Mountain Clans, the cave dwellers of the Frostfangs, the Night Runners, and other soldiers—to capture multiple castles, gold mines, silver mines, and caves in the northern mountainous region of the Westerlands, Barristan, Baron Swann, Ser Dermot of the Rainwood, Ser Tallad, and others led the Wolf King's great army to cross the mountains connecting the northern Westerlands and the Riverlands in force; the Wolf King's army entering the northern Westerlands approached thirty thousand in strength.

The Wolf King's army was composed of the Chick Eagle Army from the Vale, the Winter Wolves from the North, and the Three Rivers Army from the Riverlands; at first, some soldiers felt fear toward the skinchangers and the fierce beasts, but soon, after living together day and night and sharing life and death, the soldiers gradually grew fond of these fierce beasts, and the beasts became the pets of the Wolf King's legion.

Every day, Ser Dermot of the Rainwood would feed grass to the Goat Girl Gisela's goats with a group of soldiers; Jalabhar Xho of the Summer Islands would use his goldenheart longbow to shoot pheasants or wild geese every day to bring to the Cat Girl Jeyne's shadow cat; a group of young knights from the Vale liked to stick close to Tigris of the Tiger Tribe, scrubbing the saber-toothed tiger's terrifying, knife-sharp fangs every day.

The eagles, falcons, and owls of the Eagle King McCain were the favorites of the Wolf King's soldiers.

In complex mountain terrain, reconnaissance was a major challenge. With the scouting of the eagles, owls, and falcons, the commanders of the Wolf King's army—Ser Barristan, Ser Baron Swann, Bronze Yohn, and others—could obtain the surrounding field of vision at the first opportunity, and the movements of the Westerlands enemy forces in the mountains were clear as day.

Ser Barristan stood on the hillside, gazing at the western mountains, and said: "This is already the territory of the Banefort House; I have heard that the Banefort House's castle, Hollow Hill, stands by the sea; it is an ominous place, and even when the Ironborn Pirates raid, they intentionally avoid the Banefort House's territory."

"The Banefort House are descendants of the Hooded King, who was a necromancer mastering evil spells. Therefore, many say that the descendants of the Banefort House all carry a trace of madness in their blood. Could there be a wizard lurking in the Banefort House's territory to deal with our skinchangers? The curse of the Hooded King is nothing to trifle with."

Back then, the King of the Rock Loreon of the Lannister House contended for hegemony in the Westerlands with the Hooded King Morgan of the Banefort House; the war lasted for twenty years, and the Hooded King Morgan Banefort was a powerful necromancer who manipulated corpses to fight for him, causing heavy casualties to the King of the Rock's golden legion.

However, in the end, the King of the Rock Loreon Lannister relied on an iron-blooded legion forged with real gold and silver to defeat the Hooded King Morgan Banefort and capture the Hooded King.

Before the Hooded King Morgan Banefort died, he issued a vicious curse upon the King of the Rock Loreon and his three sons, claiming that he would crawl out of his grave to take revenge after his death. To prevent the curse from happening, the King of the Rock Loreon chopped the Hooded King into mincemeat and fed it to the lions in the cages at Casterly Rock.

The King of the Rock Loreon thought this had stopped the curse of the Hooded King Morgan Banefort, but unexpectedly, two years later, the lion that had eaten the Hooded King went mad, tore apart its cage, rushed out, and devoured Loreon and his three sons.

The story of the Hooded King is widely known in Westeros, and now that they have arrived in the Banefort House's territory, even "the Bold" Barristan has begun to feel fear.

Bronze Yohn said: "Where would the Banefort House find a wizard? I know Lord Quenton Banefort; on the tournament grounds, he is the type of goods that cannot withstand a single blow. The Banefort House poses no threat at all."

"I am going to divide the troops to attack the Banefort House's Hollow Hill and the Westerling House's Crag. Ser Barristan, I originally intended to send you to attack Hollow Hill; if you are worried about the Hooded King's curse, I will send someone else, and you can go attack Crag instead."

Ser Barristan shook his head stubbornly, "I have traversed the battlefield for decades; when have I ever retreated? I am worried about the Hooded King's curse, but I will not retreat; let me lead the troops to attack the Banefort House's castle, Hollow Hill."

Bronze Yohn nodded, "Since Ser Barristan is willing to attack the Banefort House's Hollow Hill, then I will entrust the task of attacking the Westerling House's Crag to Ser Baron Swann. With the birds and beasts of the skinchangers leading the way, the Wolf King's army can easily capture these two castles of the Westerlands nobility."

Ser Baron Swann, who was to the side, said: "Actually, Ser Barristan's worry is not without reason. According to information we obtained from captives, Lord Tywin seems to have a Golden Lady among his subordinates; some say the Golden Lady is a beast tamer, and others say she is a Forest Witch; in short, this woman rides a male lion and seems to be able to control animals."

"Some say the Golden Lady comes from the Banefort House of Hollow Hill and is a descendant of the Hooded King; some say she comes from Castamere and keeps company with ghosts; and others say she is a witch from the Free Cities of the eastern continent. In any case, this mysterious Golden Lady possesses superpowers."

"If the Golden Lady controls the skinchangers' fierce beasts, it will be a heavy blow for us."

Bronze Yohn immediately summoned the skinchangers; the Goat Girl Gisela, Tigris riding a saber-toothed tiger, the Cat Girl Jeyne, the Eagle King McCain, and others surrounded Bronze Yohn.

Bronze Yohn cleared his throat, "The Golden Lady is a huge threat; you must be careful. If she uses sorcery to control your fierce beasts, it will affect the speed of the Wolf King's army's advance."

The Eagle King McCain stroked his snow-white beard and said disdainfully: "According to your description, this Golden Lady is likely a skinchanger as well. We skinchangers from Beyond the Wall are favored by the Old Gods and the Father of Life, perfectly combined with animals; the animals have long since become a part of the skinchanger's soul and body."

"No matter what evil power she possesses, it won't be that easy for her to defeat me."

The Westerlands army led by Lord Tywin and Jaime was stationed at the fortress of Golden Tooth, confronting the Wolf King's army led by the Blackfish Brynden and the Young Wolf Robb.

The Blackfish Brynden and the Young Wolf Robb convened a war council.

The Northern nobles—the Greatjon Umber, Lord of Last Hearth; Roose Bolton, Lord of Dreadfort; Maege Mormont of Bear Island; Ser Wylis Manderly, heir to White Harbor; his brother Ser Wendel; Ser Herman Tallhart of Torrhen's Square, and others—filled the table on the right.

The nobles of the Riverlands and the Vale sat at the table on the left. Among them, the people of the Frey House of the Crossing were the most numerous; Walder Rivers, Aenys Frey, Ryman Frey, Black Walder, and all the other descendants of Lord Walder were present.

The Young Wolf Robb said: "According to the news sent by raven, the Warden of the North, Jon Snow, together with the Wolf King at the Heatwave River, routed the Iron Islands fleet; 'Cleftjaw' Dagmer, the lord of Harlaw, the leader 'Reader' Rodrik Harlaw, and the leader Saven Botley of King's Port have all become prisoners of the Wolf King."

The nobles of the Vale, the North, and the Riverlands let out a roar like a mountain landslide and a tsunami.

The Blackfish Brynden said: "The ironborn invaders in the North have been purged; Helene Pyke is leading the North Coast Fleet south, and the Wolf King is coming from the air with giant eagles and magic dragon-wolves. Once the North Coast Fleet arrives in the Westerlands, the coastal areas of the Westerlands will be turned into scorched earth. The Northern Army led by Bronze Yohn, Barristan, and Baron Swann has completely controlled the Westerlands region north of the Tumblestone River."

"Now the Northern Army is marching toward the Banefort House's Hollow Hill and the Westerling House's Crag; Tywin can only divide his troops to rescue them. Much of the Westerlands' own territory has been captured by the Wolf King's army, and the Lannister army at Golden Tooth is in a state of panic; I believe the time to attack Golden Tooth has matured."

The hot-tempered Greatjon Umber clenched his fists, "I followed the Wolf King to participate in the Skagos war and the war Beyond the Wall; I should be the one to lead the expedition."

Ser Lyn Corbray of the Vale took out the ancestral sword of the Corbray House, the famous Valyrian steel sword 'Lady Forlorn', "The honor of the vanguard belongs to the best swordsman; it should be me who serves as the vanguard!"

Lord Karyl Vance of Wayfarer's Rest said excitedly: "The mad dog of the Lannisters, the Mountain Gregor, and the Brave Companions have committed all sorts of heinous crimes in the territory of the Vance House; the Vance House longs for revenge; please allow me to command the vanguard."

Many nobles from the Vale, the North, and the Riverlands volunteered, eager to challenge the impregnable fortress of Golden Tooth in the Westerlands, even if it meant huge casualties for their soldiers, they would not hesitate.

Unlike the nobles who actively requested to fight, the Frey House of the Crossing and Roose Bolton of the Dreadfort were very quiet.

The Blackfish Brynden waved his hand, and the crowd quieted down.

"My lords, your loyalty and courage are commendable, but the honor of the vanguard to attack Golden Tooth can only belong to one house. According to the Wolf King's instructions, we have decided that the Frey House of the Crossing shall serve as the vanguard!"

The people of the Frey House exchanged suspicious glances, and Roose Bolton suppressed a laugh.

Lord Walder was over ninety and had been away from the battlefield for decades; Lord Walder's heir, Stevron, had received special care from the Wolf King and remained at Riverrun to assist with grain and fodder allocation. The commander of the Frey House following the Young Wolf Robb on the western expedition was Lord Walder's bastard, Walder Rivers, who was a sturdy old man.

Walder Rivers frowned and said: "Golden Tooth is a solid city, and Lord Tywin personally guards the city; above Golden Tooth, there are good bows and strong crossbows everywhere, as well as boiling oil; if the soldiers of the Frey House bite the bullet and attack Golden Tooth, there will certainly be heavy casualties."

The nobles of the Vale, the Riverlands, and the North hissed.

The Greatjon Umber said indignantly: "Are the people of the Frey House all cowards? Of course people will die in war; Golden Tooth is the throat of the Westerlands; attacking such a fortress will certainly result in many warriors dying in battle. If the people of the Frey House are afraid of death, why join the Wolf King's army?"

Ser Marq Piper said: "So many houses are requesting the honor of the vanguard and cannot get it, yet the Frey House, chosen by the Wolf King as the vanguard to attack Golden Tooth, actually shrinks back at the critical moment. This is not only losing face for the Frey House, but also losing face for the nobles of the Riverlands!"

"If the people of the Frey House shrink back, my Piper House is willing to serve as the vanguard!"

Subsequently, Lady Maege Mormont, Robett Glover of Deepwood Motte, and Ser Wendel of White Harbor all clamored to request the honor of the vanguard.

The people of the Frey House all looked like defeated weasels, their faces gloomy.

Robb and the Blackfish Brynden exchanged a few words, and the Blackfish Brynden said: "Since the Frey House is unwilling to serve as the vanguard, the Young Wolf and I have decided to send the Frey House to attack from a small path."

Aenys Frey frowned, "Where is there a small path near Golden Tooth?"

Robb said: "My direwolf Grey Wind and Orell's eagle discovered a small path together; from this small path, one can directly bypass to the rear of Golden Tooth. If the soldiers of the Frey House can succeed in a surprise attack from the small path, it will also be a great merit."

The Frey House had refused the task of leading the attack on Golden Tooth; if they refused the task of a surprise attack from a small path again, it would be no different from open insubordination. After the people of the Frey House discussed it, the commander Walder Rivers finally accepted the task of the surprise attack from the small path.

The Blackfish Brynden's gaze rested on Lord Medger Cerwyn of Cerwyn.

"Lord Medger Cerwyn is a good neighbor and good partner of the Starks of Winterfell; the task of commanding the vanguard to attack Golden Tooth is entrusted to Lord Medger Cerwyn!"

This appointment aroused the curiosity of the nobles of the Vale, the Riverlands, and the North; Lord Medger Cerwyn was calm and gentle and was never known for his ferocity.

Lord Medger Cerwyn accepted the task with trepidation; after the meeting, he came before the Blackfish Brynden and asked: "Lord Blackfish, how do you intend for me to attack Golden Tooth? The trebuchets on Golden Tooth have a long range, not to mention the Lannisters are in a high position looking down."

"If I am to forcibly attack Golden Tooth, I will need more scaling ladders and grappling hooks, and my soldiers from Cerwyn are not enough."

Brynden Tully said: "You do not need to forcibly attack Golden Tooth; you only need to place the Siege Engines outside Golden Tooth and put on a show of laying siege."

Count Medger Cerwyn frowned, "If Duke Tywin at Golden Tooth sees the Siege Engines advancing toward the city, he will certainly send out cavalry to attack."

Brynden Tully placed his hand on Count Medger Cerwyn's shoulder, "Rest assured, I will arrange for Fellan to lead the cavalry and crossbowmen to protect your Siege Engines; if the Lannister cavalry dares to sortie, we will loose a thousand arrows at once, and the Lannister cavalry will be shot into hedgehogs by us."

Thanks to Truant Bear Kid, laiksks, 20211003204032353, Lin'an Farmer 20210301106523548588, Brother Feng of the Nine Heavens, All-in-One Computer Dingding, Always Short of Books to Read, Leisurely Swimming, 20170803124047898, 2230419103819541, and Twilight Corridor for the monthly tickets sent; thank you for your support!

(End of this chapter)