Chapter 210: Undead Ravage the Stormlands, Wolf and Lion Clash at Harrenhal

The entire Kingswood ignited, the thick smoke like a dark dagger, stabbing into the belly of the firmament.

Amidst the great fire in the Kingswood, Stannis's army scattered southward, yet the fire also burned many Undead to death.

If not for the Onion Knight's timely suggestion to Stannis to set fire to the Kingswood, Stannis's army would have suffered more casualties, and for every man Stannis lost in battle, the Death Storm would gain one more Undead Warrior.

Setting fire to the Kingswood was the Onion Knight's idea, but the one who truly allowed the plan to be implemented smoothly was the Red Woman Melisandre; she scattered powder from her sleeves, and the surrounding forest burned rapidly, plunging into a sea of flames.

The Onion Knight noticed that after finishing the spell, Melisandre was panting, her forehead covered in sweat, and the large red gemstone at her throat was as scorching as coal, seemingly about to burst.

It seemed the spell-casting had left Melisandre exhausted; for a fleeting moment, the Onion Knight seemed to see Melisandre turn into a decrepit old crone, but when the Onion Knight rubbed his eyes and looked again, Melisandre had already returned to her beautiful appearance.

It was truly a strange matter; having experienced the Undead, the dead, and a crushing defeat, the Onion Knight could not help but suspect he was hallucinating.

Many animals, such as deer, wild boars, pheasants, and foxes, fled southward with the remnants of Stannis's defeated troops, not only to escape the thick smoke and raging fire but even more so to escape the living dead sweeping down from the north.

Stannis gathered his defeated troops at Haystack Hall, which was the fortress of House Errol; at this time, Count Bryce Caron arrived with five thousand cavalrymen who had set out from Storm's End to reinforce Stannis.

Due to concerns that the Undead army from King's Landing would cut off the Rose Road, Stannis had already withdrawn his troops from The Reach a month ago; the army in The Reach, led by Hand of the King Count Alester Florent and Count Bryce Caron, had all retreated to defend the Baratheon castle, Storm's End.

Now it seemed this move was very wise; if Stannis had continued to station troops in The Reach, the Undead army from King's Landing would have cut off this army's retreat to the Stormlands, and the Stannis army remaining in The Reach would have been caught in a pincer attack by the army of The Reach and the Undead army.

After Stannis withdrew his troops from The Reach, the nobles of The Reach who had originally sworn allegiance to Stannis—the Meadows family of Green Valley, the Peake family of Starpike, and the Merryweather family of Longtable—immediately changed their tune and resubmitted their allegiance to the Tyrell family of Highgarden.

However, it seemed there was nothing to regret about this; after all, the Stormlands were currently suffering attacks from the Undead, and with the Stormlands' own fiefdoms struggling to protect themselves, expecting the nobles of The Reach to continue supporting Stannis was clearly unrealistic.

The army that retreated from The Reach to Storm's End had at least preserved Stannis's vital strength.

In Haystack Hall, Stannis ate some bread and dried meat and immediately convened a war council.

"Our army has sufficient strength; we should take advantage of the fire in the Kingswood to launch an active attack. The Undead fear fire!"

Richard Horpe, Justin Massey, Godry Farring, and others exchanged skeptical glances.

Justin Massey said nervously: "Your Grace, the Undead fear fire, but the living also fear fire! Many of our warriors were buried beneath the raging flames."

Stannis narrowed his eyes: "War always requires death!"

Richard Horpe said: "Your Grace, on the battlefield, I fought the Death Storm one-on-one. I struck the Death Storm's face with fire, but the Death Storm was completely unaffected. I suspect that flames cannot harm the Death Storm either. He almost killed me with his warhammer! I saw with my own eyes that the Death Storm killed no fewer than seven Knights!"

The plain-looking Richard Horpe was one of Stannis's most formidable swordsmen; he idolized Robert Baratheon and once dreamed of becoming King Robert Baratheon's Kingsguard. Now, facing Robert the Death Storm, Richard Horpe had nearly died under the enemy's warhammer.

Godry Farring said: "Your Grace, we do not fear death, but if for every one of us who dies, the Undead gain one more walking corpse warrior, how can this war be fought?"

Justin Massey agreed: "I saw with my own eyes my cousin Chinedan turn into an Undead Knight; many warriors have seen their own relatives and friends turn into blue-eyed Undead. This is very painful."

Stannis turned to the Onion Knight: "My knights seem to be shrinking back; what do you think I should do?"

The Onion Knight said: "Your Grace, my suggestion is to retreat immediately and fall back to Storm's End."

Stannis gave a light scoff: "Smugglers only know how to sneak around and avoid big ships. If I retreat to Storm's End, what if the enemy captures Storm's End?"

The Onion Knight said: "Storm's End is one of the sturdiest fortresses in Westeros; even if the Undead gather a massive army, they may not be able to conquer Storm's End. As long as we hold Storm's End, we can protect the vast region south of the Stormlands; Tarth, Dragonstone, and Estermont can still provide us with supplies."

"Your Grace, do not forget that the Undead sorcerer named King Robert Baratheon 'Robert the Death Storm', and Melisandre has also seen many times in the sacred fire that a storm of death is sweeping through the Stormlands."

"What could be more suitable for resisting the Death Storm than Storm's End?"

Stannis pursed his lips tightly and looked at Melisandre: "What is your opinion?"

Melisandre said: "Your Grace, your smuggler possesses wisdom that ordinary people lack. Ordinary castles cannot withstand the invasion of the Undead, but Storm's End can. There is magic within the walls of Storm's End; even the Undead cannot wreak havoc beneath that majestic city."

At this moment, Maester Pylos walked in hurriedly and handed over a letter.

"Your Grace, Prince Rhaegar has captured Stokeworth and Rosby and is marching toward Harrenhal. According to your previous instructions, the castles throughout the Crownlands have abandoned their defenses and gathered at Duskendale; the commander of Duskendale, Roland Storm, has ordered the fleet to transport all the Crownlands' coins, grain, and military supplies to Dragonstone."

Stannis frowned: "Rosby is only two days' ride from Duskendale; did the enemy not attack Duskendale?"

Pylos said: "No, the Undead army is marching toward Harrenhal."

"Roland Storm said in the letter that he has already written to warn the commander of Harrenhal, Count Rickard Karstark, to have the Stark Army prepare to resist the Undead army."

The main force of Stannis's army was gathered in the Stormlands; the castles north of King's Landing, Stokeworth and Rosby, each had only a few dozen men defending them, while Duskendale had the most troops, reaching two thousand.

The small castles north of King's Landing had little strategic significance, and Stannis did not intend to waste troops defending them. Previously, Stannis had ordered the Crownlands commander, Roland Storm, that once the Undead army from King's Landing attacked Duskendale, he should immediately withdraw from the Crownlands. Fortunately, the Undead had not yet attacked Duskendale.

Roland Storm was the illegitimate brother of Count Bryce Caron of Nightsong in the Marches; he was brave and skilled in battle. During Stannis's campaigns in the Stormlands and The Reach, he appointed Roland as the Warden of the Crownlands.

Melisandre said: "Your Grace, the Undead are marching toward Harrenhal; the Wolf King Eddard will surely bring the Magic Dragon to rescue Harrenhal. Our army will hold Storm's End firmly; once the Wolf King Eddard defeats the Undead at Harrenhal, our army can also launch a counterattack from Storm's End, pincering the Lannister forces and the Undead in King's Landing from the north and south."

Stannis crumpled the letter and sighed: "It seems we have no choice but to retreat to Storm's End. Pass the order down: Fawn's Rest, Haystack Hall, Bronzegate, Fellwood... all nobles and commoners north of Storm's End in the Stormlands must migrate to Storm's End; I want to leave the enemy a no-man's-land."

The Lord of Haystack Hall, Count Sebastian Errol, said: "Your Grace, this is the land my family has lived on for generations; are we just going to abandon it like this? My mother passed away just last year and was only just buried in her grave."

Stannis's jaw tightened: "Then dig your mother out of the grave and burn her, otherwise the Undead sorcerer might resurrect her to attack us."

Harrenhal, Kingspyre Tower hall.

Catelyn frowned: "Prince Rhaegar is marching toward Harrenhal?"

Count Rickard Karstark nodded: "Yes, Stokeworth, Rosby, and Harrenhal have all been planted with the Skull Flag and King Joffrey Baratheon's Lion and Stag Flag."

Catelyn said gloomily: "Stannis should have resisted firmly in the Crownlands."

Rickard Karstark shrugged: "Stannis's Stormlands have also been attacked; it is Robert the Death Storm himself leading the army. The Stormlands are Stannis's base of operations; with his lair at risk, Stannis would never cling to the Crownlands region."

Catelyn said wistfully: "Can we defeat the Death Knight Prince Rhaegar?"

Originally, Eddard had left twenty thousand troops at Harrenhal; twenty thousand troops were more than enough to defend the most magnificent castle in Westeros, but this time, the enemy was an Undead army.

Rickard Karstark said helplessly: "Back then, I followed the Wolf King Eddard to the Trident and clashed with Prince Rhaegar; in that battle, Prince Rhaegar died under Robert Baratheon's warhammer. More than a decade later, Prince Rhaegar has been resurrected; now he is a Death Knight, leading an Undead army. Whoever it is, no one has the confidence to win against an Undead army."

Lady Shella Whent sighed: "In that false spring, Prince Rhaegar was the champion who emerged at the Harrenhal Tourney; his romance with Lady Lyanna Stark is still a favorite of many singers today."

"However, I do not like this romance; it was precisely the Winter Rose that Prince Rhaegar presented to Lyanna that sounded the death knell for the Targaryen Dynasty. My children and relatives all died in the subsequent Usurper's War."

"Now, Prince Rhaegar has come again, bringing his Undead army. Prince Rhaegar is truly the disaster of Harrenhal!"

Catelyn was terrified, but she had to be strong; she took Lady Shella Whent's hand: "Lady Shella, do not worry; the Wolf King's army will crush Prince Rhaegar and his Undead army beneath the walls of Harrenhal. Harrenhal is adjacent to the Gods Eye and the Isle of Faces; this is a sacred place of the Old Gods. Eddard has hatched the Magic Dragon and the Griffin at Harrenhal; we will certainly be able to defeat the enemy."

Beside them, the giant Xixi was feeding the Magic Dragon Eagle Eye and the koi; nearby, the Griffin was eating ribs, and Sansa, Arya, and Robin Arryn were guarding the side of the Griffin.

Shield Dawson and the Water Dancer Syrio Forel were guarding Sansa and Arya. After Eddard mastered the Element Power, he became almost one with the beasts; now, Eddard did not need personal guards, so he left all his guards at Harrenhal to protect Catelyn and his daughters.

Lady Shella said: "Our Magic Dragon and Griffin are too small and cannot yet go to the battlefield."

Count Rickard Karstark said: "After our army clears the fields, we will close the gates of Harrenhal to hold our ground; our Wildfire weapons will make the Undead pay the price. Of course, if the Wolf Prince returns from the Westerlands with the Magic Dragon to support Harrenhal, it will be foolproof."

Catelyn said: "Harrenhal is crucial; it protects the Trident crossing and the Riverlands. I will write to Eddard and have him bring the Magic Dragon and the giant eagle to reinforce Harrenhal."

In the Westerlands, Wolf King Eddard rode on the back of the direwolf Night-Walker, looking out at Golden Tooth from the River Road south of the city.

After the Stark Army captured Deep Den, the south side of the Westerlands fortress of Golden Tooth had fallen into the hands of the Stark Army; now, to the north of Golden Tooth was the army commanded by Blackfish and Robb, and to the south was the army commanded by Wolf King Eddard; Golden Tooth was completely surrounded by the Stark Army.

Bronze Yohn said disdainfully, "Our troops are at the city gates, yet Lord Tywin is still playing the coward."

Ser Barristan said, "If I were Lord Tywin, I would do the same. The Lannister forces are inferior to ours, and in the face of giant eagles and magic dragons, they are at an absolute disadvantage. Golden Tooth has sturdy walls and a strategic location; rather than attacking rashly, it is better to hold firm in Golden Tooth."

Duke Eddard said calmly, "If Lord Tywin wants to continue holding Golden Tooth, it is no longer up to him. Bronze Yohn, I am assigning you five thousand troops to strike directly at Casterly Rock and Lannisport."

Bronze Yohn looked troubled, "Wolf Prince, since ancient times, marching southwest has meant having Sarsfield blocking the way. Even if our army successfully captures Sarsfield, facing Casterly Rock and Lannisport will be equally difficult."

"Casterly Rock has never been breached, and as for Lannisport, it is densely populated, and its City Watch is hailed as the most disciplined city guard in Westeros, with combat effectiveness far exceeding the Gold Cloaks of King's Landing."

"Casterly Rock and Lannisport are the heart of the Westerlands and the Lannisters; to capture these two places, I need more troops."

Eddard said, "Rest assured, I am not actually asking you to attack. You lead the army along the River Road toward Casterly Rock and Lannisport. When Lord Tywin receives the news, he will have no choice but to send troops south to attack. At that time, the enemy will fall into our encirclement, and you can lead the army straight back to join the feast of slaughter."

Bronze Yohn suddenly realized, so he selected five thousand elite cavalry, raised their banners, sang war songs, and marched toward Casterly Rock and Lannisport.

Eddard led the army and hid entirely within the mountains near Bridge Village; this was a long, narrow valley, suitable for an ambush.

Eagle King McCain's eagles, falcons, and owls scouted from the air.

Westerlands scouts in the mountains detected the Stark Army marching southwest and immediately wrote to Tywin at Golden Tooth; the falcon saw the raven and deliberately let it go.

The raven arrived at Golden Tooth, and Lord Tywin looked at the letter, feeling deeply depressed, "Wolf King Eddard is marching toward Casterly Rock and Lannisport; I have no choice but to march out."

Ser Kevan said, "The Stark Army is attacking toward Casterly Rock; could it be a feint? I suspect Wolf King Eddard's true goal is to lure our army into battle; he must have troops ambushed in the hills."

Lord Tywin said helplessly, "Undoubtedly, Eddard will ambush in the hills and mountains, but we must fight; otherwise, if our army continues to sit trapped in the city, Wolf King Eddard will pick off the castles of the Westerlands one by one."

"Casterly Rock is the heart of the Lannisters; if we cannot even hold Casterly Rock, the castles throughout the Westerlands will surrender to the direwolves one after another."

Jaime clenched his fists, "I have long been eager to try; I would rather die on the charge than be trapped to death in a castle by the enemy."

Lord Tywin said, "Your time to perform has come. Kevan, you hold Golden Tooth; Jaime and I will lead the troops out, and Ser Addam Marbrand will command the scout units."

Ser Kevan said gloomily, "The enemy uses giant eagles, eagles, falcons, and saber-toothed tigers to scout, yet we still rely on cavalry. Such a sortie is meaningless."

Lord Tywin said dejectedly, "Of course it has meaning; at the very least, it tells Wolf King Eddard that I am still alive."

The south gate of Golden Tooth opened, and Addam Marbrand led one thousand cavalry to set out first; Jaime and Lord Tywin led ten thousand elite troops behind the scout units.

Two days later, Addam Marbrand's scouts returned.

"Ahead is Bridge Gorge. My scouts went up the mountain to investigate, and not one returned alive. It is clear that Wolf King Eddard has ambushed troops in the hills. If we detour, our army will waste several days, and there may be Wolf King Eddard's Mountain Legion in the mountains. Cavalry has no advantage on narrow mountain roads against barbarians like Rockborn, Mountain Clans, and Cave Dwellers."

Lord Tywin sighed, "The mountains of the Westerlands were our barrier, but now they are occupied by the Wolf King, who holds the terrain. The enemy has skinchangers, magic dragons, giant eagles, and fierce beasts. No matter how we fight, our army is always at a disadvantage. Under the banner of peace, I want to talk to Wolf King Eddard."

Jaime worried, "The Wolf King has direwolves, magic dragons, and giant eagles; what if he tries to harm you during the peace talks?"

"Then you will be the next Lord of Lannister."

Jaime frowned, "When I joined the Kingsguard, I gave up my family's right of inheritance. The Heir to Casterly Rock is Tyrion."

Tywin said disdainfully, "Cersei turned the Kingsguard into a joke. Furthermore, the followers of the Church have been slaughtered in King's Landing, and the Lannisters have already offended the Church. In this age where the dead walk, who cares if you are in a white cloak or a black cloak?"

The next evening, Wolf King Eddard met Lord Tywin on a hill.

Lord Tywin wore golden armor, his cloak sewn with gold thread; he looked majestic, yet his exhaustion was evident. Lord Tywin's standard-bearer was Jaime, beside him was Ser Addam, and more than fifty famous noble knights of the Westerlands.

Eddard rode the direwolf Night-Walker; his standard-bearer was Ser Barristan. Eddard brought a dozen cavalrymen, a dozen giant eagles circled in the air, and there were magic dragons and flying wolves in the sky as well.

Lord Tywin said, "Wolf King Eddard, you conquered Beyond the Wall, and it was you who sent the necromancer Ogbeta to King's Landing, bewitching Queen Cersei and King Joffrey. You also led an army to invade the Westerlands. Where has the sense of honor of House Stark gone?"

Eddard laughed, "Haha! Lord Tywin, you are truly good at accusing others first! Cersei and Joffrey in King's Landing colluded with a necromancer and slaughtered the followers of the Church. The High Septon of Oldtown has already sent letters to all parts of Westeros; the pious, the knights, and everyone everywhere will know of the evil deeds of the Lannisters in King's Landing."

Lord Tywin said, "Ogbeta is a Wildling, just like your skinchanger pets. There have never been any undead south of the Neck. After you conquered Beyond the Wall, a necromancer appeared in King's Landing; it is clearly you who brought the evil power from Beyond the Wall to King's Landing. You are the one who should be spurned by the followers of the Church!"

Ser Barristan, who was to the side, spoke up.

"Lord Tywin, I served in the Kingsguard in King's Landing for decades. I witnessed with my own eyes Cersei change from an innocent Maiden to a harlot, and finally into a greedy, vain woman. Cersei murdered King Robert; she would stop at nothing to achieve her goals. I am not at all surprised that such a person would degenerate to the point of consorting with the undead."

Subsequently, Barristan turned to the knights of the Westerlands.

"I know many of you, and some were even knighted by my own hand. I tell you, as knights anointed with Holy Oil, you have an obligation to defend the Church and the Seven. If you continue to follow the Lannisters, you are being too foolish."

"The Bold" Barristan was known to all in Westeros; he was practically synonymous with knighthood. Once Ser Barristan said this, the fifty-plus knights of the Westerlands began to whisper softly, looking at one another.

Lord Tywin said angrily, "Ser Barristan, you abandoned the King you swore to protect. What right does a vow-breaker like you have to spout nonsense in front of the knights of the Westerlands?"

Ser Barristan shrugged, "Lord Tywin, you can accuse me as you please. Joffrey is a Bastard; my conscience is clear."

Eddard said, "Lord Tywin, the undead are our true enemy; it is not too late to surrender now."

"If you surrender sincerely, you will still retain your position as Duke."

Lord Tywin said indignantly, "I will never surrender. Tomorrow morning, I will lead the Westerlands Army to fight you to the death!"

Night fell, and Lord Tywin returned to the camp and immediately summoned Addam Marbrand and Jaime.

"Immediately assemble the army; prepare to launch a surprise attack tonight!"

Jaime frowned, "Wasn't it agreed upon for tomorrow?"

Lord Tywin said, "The enemy is an invader; there is no need to keep promises to such an enemy. Our army will launch a night raid and catch the enemy off guard."

Jaime said, "The enemy has skinchangers; a surprise attack will be difficult to succeed."

Lord Tywin said, "Of course I know that, but I have no other choice. If we do not take the initiative, we will surely be defeated."

At midnight, the Westerlands Army launched an attack toward the enemy in the hills. Suddenly, rocks rolled down and arrows flew in volleys. Jaime and Lord Tywin saw that the Stark Army was fully prepared and groaned in despair, hurriedly retreating. The Westerlands Army left behind a long trail of corpses.

Lord Tywin and Jaime fled toward the camp, only to see the Westerlands Army camp ablaze with fire and filled with the sounds of battle.

It turned out that the Red Viper Oberyn, The Hound Sandor, Brienne, the Knight of Flowers Loras, and the Lightning Lord had led their army over the mountains and hills to rendezvous with Wolf King Eddard. They happened to encounter the Westerlands Army as it sortied and slaughtered their way into the camp.

Barristan led the army in a charge, Bronze Yohn led the cavalry back to kill, and fierce beasts like shadowcats, goats, and saber-toothed tigers rampaged across the battlefield.

Because the Lannisters in King's Landing had slaughtered the followers of the Church, the morale of the knights of the Westerlands was already low. Facing a strong enemy, the Westerlands Army began to collapse.

The Red Viper Oberyn saw Tywin in the crowd and said angrily, "Old thief Tywin, I will slaughter you!"

Jaime blocked the Red Viper Oberyn. Tywin, escorted by a squad of Red Cloaks, rushed into a small grove. Brienne and the Knight of Flowers Loras arrived with cavalry, charging into the enemy ranks and killing every Red Cloak like chopping melons and vegetables.

The personal guards around Lord Tywin grew fewer and fewer, but fortunately, a squad of cavalry charged out and rescued Tywin.

Tywin saw that it was Kevan leading the troops and felt relieved, "Kevan, thanks to you for saving me. Our army must return to Golden Tooth immediately."

Ser Kevan said apologetically, "Brother, after you led the troops on the expedition, the whelp Robb led the Stark Army to launch a sneak attack via a side path. There were traitors among the Westerlands knights who opened the city gates to welcome Robb, and Robb's direwolf, Grey Wind, bit a dozen people to death. House Frey set up scaling ladders to storm the city, and with the giant eagles launching a sneak attack on top of that, our army was routed."

"Golden Tooth has already been lost, and I escaped with a troop of cavalry. Now, Brynden Tully and Robb's tens of thousands of troops have already crossed Golden Tooth and are coming to kill from the north."

Duke Tywin sighed and collapsed, fainting to the ground.

Thanks to "Always Short of Books" for the monthly ticket, thank you for the support!

(End of chapter)